King & Queen: Novak Djokovic & Serena Williams Remain Atop ATP Rankings

Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams remain the number one ranked male and female tennis players after successful outings at the Australian Open.


 Djokovic extended his lead at the top of the rankings, thanks to second placed Roger Federer‘s shock 3rd round exit. Serena Williams’ 19th grandslam also ensured that she’d saw off second-placed Maria Sharapova, who she won in the final. ATP top 20
 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 13,045
 2. Roger Federer (SUI) 9245
 3. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 5745
 4. Andy Murray (GBR) 5515 (+2)
 5. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 5205
6. Milos Raonic (CAN) 4845 (+2)
7. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 4660
 8. Marin Cilic (CRO) 4105 (+1)
 9. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 4090 (-5)
 10. David Ferrer (ESP) 3965
11. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 3645
 12. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) 2560
 13. Ernests Gulbis (LAT) 2420
 14. Feliciano Lopez (ESP) 2220
 15. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 2125
16. Roberto Bautista (ESP) 1975
 17. Tommy Robredo (ESP) 1845
18. John Isner (USA) 1765 (+3)
 19. Gilles Simon (FRA) 1730 (+1)
 20. Gal Monfils (FRA) 1725 (-1) WTA top 20
1. Serena Williams (USA) 9776
 2. Maria Sharapova (RUS) 8210
 3. Simona Halep (ROM) 6571
 4. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 6480
 5. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 4565 (+3)
 6. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) 4425 (-1)
 7. Eugnie Bouchard (CAN) 4365
8. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) 4270 (-2)
 9. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 3285 (+2)
10. Angelique Kerber (GER) 3130 (-1)
 11. Venus Williams (USA) 2790 (+7)
  12. Andrea Petkovic (GER) 2735 (+1)
13. Sara Errani (ITA) 2551 (+1)
 14. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) 2441 (-2)
15. Lucie Safarova (CZE) 2425 (+1)
16. Jelena Jankovic (SER) 2360 (-1)
17. Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) 2295
 18. Dominika Cibulkova (SLQ) 2137 (-8)
19. Aliz Cornet (FRA) 2125
20. Madison Keys (USA) 2100 (+15)

Mayweather Vs Pacquiao Is A Done Deal………The Fight Is Set

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According to TMZ,
A source involved in the negotiations said both fighters have agreed to fight and a date and location (Vegas) have already been set.
The source says the formal agreement has not been signed, but everyone expects the signatures “soon”.  Negotiators are putting “finishing touches” on the deal.
Floyd Mayweather has agreed to fight Manny Pacquiao, the sources reported.  … who say the two finally came to an agreement moments ago.
The two sides had been trying to hammer out a deal for a while to square off at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on May 2nd.
Manny had agreed to his contract weeks ago … and it was all up to Floyd to sign on the dotted line.
But now, after meeting in person at the Miami Heat game earlier this week … we’re told it’s a done deal .. and the two sides will make a formal announcement in the coming days.

Pics: Newlyweds Cameron Diaz & Benji Madden share a kiss during basketball game

The couple who married a few weeks ago after dating for less than a year were spotted smooching each other not minding the thousands of spectators around them during a basketball game at Los Angeles Staples Center yesterday Tuesday January 27th. When they were caught on Kiss Cam, they laughed it off. So happy for Cameron. See more pics after the cut...

Oshoala: How Suarez Inspired My Liverpool Move

Liverpool Ladies continued strengthening their squad for the forthcoming season with the prize capture of African Women’s Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala.

And the 20-year-old Nigerian forward reveals the exploits of a certain Uruguayan meant she jumped at the chance of a move to Merseyside.

“In Nigeria, I always dreamed of coming to England to play, and Liverpool are a team I have liked a lot,” says Oshoala.

“I support the men’s team and have followed the results of the women’s team. When I got the deal from them I was very excited.

“I supported Liverpool when I was younger, especially when Luis Suarez was still here. He’s a player I have really admired.”

Oshoala arrives at Liverpool Ladies with a burgeoning reputation having packed much into a still formative career.

She was voted the most valuable player and top scored at the Under-20 Women’s World Cup in helping Nigeria finish runners up.

Such success led Oshoala to be named both African Women’s Footballer of the Year and Youth Player of the Year for 2014, and last September she was made a Member of the Order of the Niger by Goodluck Jonathan, President of Nigeria.

Having retained their title in dramatic fashion on the final day last season, Liverpool Ladies are determined to make an impact in the forthcoming Champions League.

And that proved a lure for Oshoala, who will star for her Nigeria in this summer’s World Cup in Canada.

16 Players To Watch At The 2015 Africa Cup Of Nations

The Africa Cup of Nations 2015 is getting more tensed and action-packed as it enters day 4 today.
The event which is exercised every two years sees the best African players take a three-week hiatus from their club teams to compete for glory.
While their club managers may loathe the tournament, it’s a great chance to see the continent’s premier players all in one place.

Just as the AFCON 2015 gets heated up, soccer loving fans across the world are expecting to see some of the best stars in the continent live up to their billings.
AFCON 2015 promises all the action, excitement, unpredictability, and drama that it always delivers and as such, you can never go wrong to say Africa is blessed with some of the best raw talents across the world.
In no order, these are 16 players to watch out for at AFCON 2015. These 16 players from the 16 teams slogging it out for glory in the tournament all have one thing at the back of their mind which is; ‘’Victory’’.

Yacine Brahimi, Algeria
One player to look out for at the AFCON 2015 is Algerian star, Yacine Brahimi.
The porto winger who won the BBC African Player of the year in 2014 scored three goals during AFCON qualifying and will likely add to that tally during the tournament.

BBC African footballer of the Year, Yacine Brahimi.

However, it’s his dribbling ability that makes him such a great player. Whether he’s in the midfield or on the left wing, Algeria’s attack will go through him.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Gabon
The people of Gabon will be banking on the services of their talisman, Pierre Aubemeyang at this year’s African Cup of Nations.
The striker who netted in his side 2-0 opening game win against Burkina Faso has so much to offer at the tournament.

Gabonese International, Pierre Aubemenyang

Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang likely has redemption on his mind coming into this year’s tournament. Back in 2012, Aubameyang missed a penalty kick in the quarterfinal match against Mali which ultimately led to Gabon’s exit. While he’s been Gabon’s finest player for quite some time, 2014 was the year that became one of Africa’s best.
He finished second in fan voting for BBC’s African Footballer of the Year. Gabon’s greatly depends on the 25-year old to carry the goalscoring load and he is one of the tournament’s must-see players.
Mame Biram Diouf, Senegal
Senegal are hardly lacking in the attacking department, but one man whose form may just carry them all the way is stoke city forward Mame Diouf .
The striker who scored one and created another to help his side defeat the black stars of Ghana in the opening game of Group C is a threat to defenders at AFCON 2015.

Senegalese striker Mame Biram Diouf

His clinical eye for goal could provide a serious headache for his defensive opponents.
André Ayew, Ghana

Manu: Iheanacho Would Have Added Values To F/Eagle

–U-20 national team coach reflects on player’s absence
Flying Eagles coach, Manu Garba has reflected on the absence of Kelechi Iheanacho in the squad he would be taking to Senegal for this year’s African Youth Championship, AYC.

Iheanacho, a former U-17 Golden Eaglets dazzler, was ruled out of the tournament by his English Premier League side, Manchester City, who claimed the Nigerian youngster was injured and needed time to recuperate.

But Manu who was Iheanacho’s coach at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup finals in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, UAE, emphasised that much as the team had been without Iheanacho during all its preparations so far, the player would have added value to the squad were he to be available.
“I don’t want to talk about Iheanacho. The team has been playing without him but certainly his presence would have added value to the squad at the African Youth Championship, AYC”, Manu who won the U-17 World Cup in 2013 said.

Flying Eagles will test the level of their preparation for the AYC with the coming Super Six tournament in Abuja and Garba plays up the importance of the Super Six tournament to his team.
“The Super Six tournament is welcome, it’s okay by us because it will help prepare our team for the AYC”, he said.

“The boys are responding well to our training programmes and are looking forward to the tournament. Right now, we’re working on their fitness level.”

Cristiano Ronaldo ‘is dating Spanish TV presenter’

Cristiano Ronaldo is rumoured to be dating Spanish TV presenter Lucia Villalon.
The 29-year-old sports star, who split from model Irina Shayk over the Christmas period, has been linked to the brunette beauty by Spanish newspapers, after they were seen together at the recent FIFA World Player of the Year event in Zurich, where Ronaldo collected the prestigious award.

Neither the Real Madrid player nor Lucia – a law and journalism graduate – have responded to the rumours, which have surfaced shortly after Ronaldo’s ex-girlfriend denied that their split was caused by a family feud.

Last week, it was claimed that Ronaldo dumped Irina because she refused to attend a 60th birthday party he was organising for his mother Dolores.
However, a spokesperson for the model-and-actress has refuted those claims, saying: “She has been very close to his family throughout their relationship.

“Any negative rumours about Irina’s and Ronaldo’s family are completely false and have not been a factor in the cause of the split. Irina has no comments at the moment.”

The pair dated for five years, but the future of their relationship was called into question when Ronaldo failed to thank Irina at the event in Zurich.

Manchester City 0 Arsenal 2: Wenger´s men end champions´ long unbeaten run

Manchester City’s Premier League title challenge suffers major blow as Arsenal claim all three points at the Etihad Stadium.

Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud were on target as Arsenal won 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium to strike a blow to Manchester City’s Premier League title hopes.

Much had been made of Arsenal’s inability to beat the big clubs in the top flight ahead of Sunday’s encounter, but Arsene Wenger’s side proved they are no soft touch with an impressive display to consign City to a first defeat in 15 games.

Cazorla opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half after returning City captain Vincent Kompany was adjudged to have blocked off Nacho Monreal.

City, who also welcomed leading scorer Sergio Aguero back into the starting line-up, were devoid of ideas going forward in the first half but were far more threatening after the break.

The defending champions were unable to pull off a fightback, though, and there was no way back when Cazorla turned provider with a free-kick that was headed home by Giroud.

Defeat for City was their second at home in the league this season and a first loss since back in November ensured Manuel Pellegrini’s side remain five points behind leaders Chelsea, with the two teams set to face each other next in the Premier League.

Toure Hails Bony Signing

–Says Cote d’Ivoire team-mate will be brilliant for City
Yaya Toure has predicted Ivory Coast team-mate Wilfried Bony will be a certain success at Manchester City.

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure is convinced new club team-mate and Ivory Coast compatriot Wilfried Bony will be “brilliant” for the Premier League outfit.
Bony secured his move to the Etihad this week, signing a four-and-a-half-year deal after Swansea City agreed to let the Ivory Coast striker leave.

Toure and Bony will both be focused on the Africa Cup of Nations over the next few weeks as they aim to lead their country to its second title, with both starting in Ivory Coast’s 2-0 defeat to Sweden in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

But Toure cannot wait to see the 26-year-old forward in sky blue in the Premier League.
“He’s a good player and I think he’s going to be a brilliant player for the club,” Toure said after the loss to Sweden.

“Now he’s a [club] team-mate we’re all looking forward.”
Toure is also confident Ivory Coast can make an impact in Equatorial Guinea, as they face Guinea, Mali and Cameroon in Group D before potential involvement in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and tournament decider.

“It’s an important competition for African players … we will see, our first game is on the 20th of January,” the midfielder said.
“It’s going to be tough but we’ve got the team to do it.”

I don’t want to leave Stoke Said ''Osaze''

Recuperating Nigerian striker Osaze Odemwingie is happy with his gradual return to full fitness and has again openly declared that he would be happy to stay on with Stoke City beyond the summer when his current contract expires.

Odemwingie 33, has been out for nearly five months after damaging an anterior cruciate ligament in a 1-0 win at Manchester City but the striker says he is hoping to be back soon to show that he deserves an extension.

“It has been a big blow but hopefully, I can get back and get my career going again as soon as possible.” Odemwingie told Radio Stoke.

He added: “I have not had discussions about extending my contract yet but there is no rush for that.
“At the moment, we are in the transfer window and there are players who are key players to the team right now who have more pressing situations.
“I saw Peter Crouch saying he would like to stay not just for one year with Stoke but maybe more and I am the same. It’s a really good place to be and a great club.

“You have to be realistic but if I can get back training and show the manager I can still put the ball in the net then everything else will take care of itself.
“You can lose form but you don’t lose your quality.” He concluded.

SUPER EAGLES: THE MISSED OPPORTUNITY

As the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off this weekend in Equatorial Guinea without defending champions Nigeria, soccer aficionado GODWIN DUDU-ORUMEN recalls a prophetic article that he wrote when the Super Eagles won the trophy in 2013…

Super Eagles against all odds lifted the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa, disposing of tournament favourities, Cote d’Ivoire in the quarter finals, a gritty Mali at the semi-finals and the dark horse from Burkina Faso in the finals, with whom of course the ‘ganged up’ with tzhe group stages to show out defending champion Zambia.

I am quick to add that I was one person who had reservations about the Super Eagles and their chances pre-tournament. The unsure steps and play in preparation matches and the group matches did nothing to inspire confidence in me.

 But Stephen Keshi and his men somehow found that inner strength, grit, commitment, sense of purpose to turn out a famous result which ended nineteen years of trophy drought. Eagles finally discarded that also-ran toga and become Super again. I congratulate Keshi and the players for giving Nigerians something good, something precious to smile and talk about again. And before the din dies down, let’s begin to ponder on how to manage this success. Let us begin the process of managing the great achievement, the rebirth of a great brand, even if the custodians of our football, NFF chose to play Nero. We must begin to take them to task over the future of the team.

Winning the Africans Cup of Nation 2013 presents Super Eagles and Nigeria endless commercial opportunities which can earn the football governing body at least seven billion naira over the next one year and more over the coming years if the success is properly managed. And it is quite possible and easy. Not rocket science. Going forward we may need to take historical stock of what we have done with similar opportunities in the past which were in fact wasted. A proper evaluation of same may afford us the right stimuli to adequately and proportionally maximize the benefits of what we have, a new brand, Super Eagles, Champions of Africa and winner 2013 AFCON. 

Ronaldo: I Will Play Until I’m 36

–Real superstar eyes six more career years
With his 30th birthday just three weeks away, Cristiano Ronaldo has brushed off any fears that father time is moving ever closer to catching up with him by revealing he plans on playing at the top level until he is 36.

The Real Madrid star won his third Ballon d’Or on Monday, beating off competition from Lionel Messi and Manuel Neuer, and remains at the very peak of his powers.

But rather than fear the effects age will eventually have on his ability to perform, Ronaldo remains solely focused on maintaining his incredible standards well into his thirties.
“I’m exclusively devoted to training and making myself better and to maintain a good level until I’m 35 or even 36,” he told AS.

“You have to give up other things to be a success. There are many temptations. It is very difficult. Nothing is achieved without work. The dedication and work is the most important thing to me.
“Life is a puzzle and every day we must there is a new piece to add. To succeed we must have rules and discipline. Talent is useless without dedication and commitment.”
Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008 during his six years in England with Manchester United before departing for Madrid the following summer.

OSHOALA: I WANT TO PLAY IN EUROPE BUT…

Africa Women’s Player of the Year award winner, Asisat Oshoala tells SAB OSUJI in this interview that she’s comfortable playing in the Nigerian league. The Rivers Angels FC star also reveals her delight winning double African honours and dedicates the awards to God and her teammates. Excerpts…

Congratulation for winning the two CAF awards as young player of the year and footballer of the year as well.
First of all I will say thank you for congratulating me.
What does these awards mean to you as a young player?

I’ll say the awards mean quite a lot to me. It means a lot to my career as well. Reason is that I don’t see it as if I’ve reached the peak (of my career). Its rather the beginning of a journey in my career as a footballer. Not the climax I must say. Its some kind of challenge, a motivation to step up and be a better player always.
Every player aspires to play in Europe, are you not feeling same way especially after becoming the best in the continent?

To be sincere with you, I’ve a lot of clubs knocking on the door for me to move. But truth is that I’m not yet decided, I’m not in a hurry to move, either on the local scene or out there in Europe. I’m not yet decided if, when and where to go. Make no mistakes about it, the Nigeria (women’s) league is a good league because if a player from the domestic league could emerge as the Best Player in Africa it tells the whole story that what we’ve here is a very good league. However talking about leaving Africa now I’m yet to decide and I’m not in a hurry to do that at the moment.
You won two awards in the Canada 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. You won the MVP at the AWC same year. You also won the Nigeria League and Federation Cup last year and today you started the new year (2015) with two awards, what’s the significance of this?

I don’t think there is anything special about it. I believe things happen the way and time God plans them. Its God’s doing and I’m happy for it. Its just that some how its a challenge for me to continue to work hard. But winning the League and Federation Cups last year was great.
Did you expect to win these two awards tonight?
I’ll only say thank you to those who voted for me to win. As a player, I always go out there hoping to do my best and also expect to win in every single game. To win two awards today I must say was not in my hands to decide. So I’m happy and grateful to have won.
Tell me Asisat, who do you want to dedicate the awards to?

First and foremost, I’m dedicating the awards to Almighty God. God comes first in everything in my life. Secondly, I’ll dedicate the awards to teammates both at the club level and national teams. Football is a team sport, you don’t play it alone. So without my teammates at the club level I wouldn’t have played well for me to be noticed and selected for the national team. The same way, without my teammates at the national teams, I wouldn’t have done anything. I also dedicate it to my fans who support and pray for me always. I can’t thank them enough. So the award is for all of us.
Finally, you had the singular honor of witnessing the FIFA Ballon D’Or Award ceremony in Switzerland on Monday. How did that make you feel?

To be honest with you, I felt very happy about it, it was a very impressive ceremony and I enjoyed every bit of it.
It was amazing, it was such an important date in my life and I’ll live to cherish it so much. To be present witnessing the FIFA Ballon D’Or live, I tell you, I was very happy about it and I commend FIFA for giving me the opportunity.

Sudan out, Nigeria to play Yemen

The Super Eagles will now take on the Asian side in Saturday’s friendly following a last minute withdrawal from Falcons of Jediane
Nigeria will face Yemen in their last game of their foreign tour to the United Arab Emirates after Sudan pulled out of the game.
The Falcons of Jediane was brought as a replacement for Mali as the Federation Malienne de Football had to rescind to face Nigeria as it will affect their camping exercise for their Africa Cup of Nations outing billed for Equatorial Guinea.
The Secretary General of the Yemen Football Federation, Dr Hamid Alshaibani, has sent a letter to the organizers a copy which was made available to the NFF accepting to test the might of his side against the Eagles.
The game against the Yemeni national team will be played at the Sevens Stadium in Dubai.
Meanwhile following the departure of Gbloham Salami who was permitted to tidy up his deal with a Serbian side, the team arrived Dubai by road on Tuesday afternoon and are staying at the Time Grand Plaza Hotel.
The team will resume training for Al-Yemen A’Sa’eed on Wednesday.

South Africa U-17 Team Fears Boko Haram

The South African delegates have rejected the Kaduna stadium for the friendly game between the Nigeria’s U-17 national team and their South African counterparts for fears over the security situation in the region.

This was revealed by a top football official in the country.
The warm up game, scheduled to prepare both countries for  the next month’s African U-17 Championship in Niger, has been fixed to be played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna
However, it was specially gathered that the South Africa Football Federation (SAFA) have since asked that the match be played in Abuja because they fear for their team’s safety in Kaduna, which is about 200 kilometres from the country’s capital city.
“The match is now most likely to be played in Abuja after the fears raised by the South Africans,” a top official informed.

It will be Recalled that AFCON 2015 is almost upon us and as the clock keeps ticking, soccer loving fans across the world can wait to have a feel of the biggest sporting event in the continent of Africa.

The tournament which will runs from January 17 – February 8, 2015 will see 16 teams slog it out for the ultimate prize and just as we continue to build up to the big one, it will be nice to let you know what to expect when the AFCON 2015 kicks off in January 17.

Ronaldo retains Ballon d'Or

 
Cristiano Ronaldo has been awarded the Ballon d'Or for a third time at a ceremony in Zurich.
The Real Madrid superstar topped a poll of journalists, international coaches and captains for the second year running and is now within one win of equalling rival Lionel Messi's four awards.
Ronaldo received 37.66 per cent of all votes, while Barcelona's Messi just pipped Manuel Neuer to second place, with 15.76 per cent compared to 15.72 per cent for Germany's World Cup-winning goalkeeper.
The Portuguese forward first won the Ballon d'Or in 2008, two years before it was merged with FIFA's World Player of the Year award to become the FIFA Ballon d'Or.
His latest success comes on the back of 12 months during which he scored 56 goals in 51 club games, among them a competition-record 17 in Real's Champions League-winning campaign.
Speaking after receiving the trophy from Thierry Henry, Ronaldo said: "I would like to thank all of those who voted for me. It has been an incredible year. I would like to continue the work that I have done so far.
"I want to try to improve, to become better as each day goes by. I never thought that I would bring this trophy back home on three occasions. I want to become one of the greatest players of all time."
All three contenders were voted by their peers into the 2014 FIFPro World XI, while Neuer's national manager Joachim Low won the Coach of the Year award ahead of Real boss Carlo Ancelotti and Diego Simeone of Spanish champions Atletico Madrid.
The award for women's coaches went to Ralf Kellermann, boss of Champions League winners Wolfsburg, whose captain Nadine Kessler added FIFA's Women's World Player of the Year trophy to the UEFA equivalent she won last year.
But Republic of Ireland women's striker Stephanie Roche missed out on the Puskas Trophy for the best goal of 2014.
Her ball juggle and volley for Peamount United was beaten to first place by James Rodriguez's volleyed World Cup goal for Colombia against Uruguay, with Robin van Persie third in the public vote for his diving header in Holland's 5-1 win over Spain at the finals.
FIFPro XI: Neuer, Lahm, Silva, Luiz, Ramos, Kroos, Iniesta, Di Maria, Messi, Ronaldo, Robben.