Chelsea's Mikel Obi reveals more about his life away from the game in a recent interview
Chelsea's John Mikel Obi was the latest subject of Chelsea TV regular series, the Big Interview. During the detailed interview, Obi revealed more about his background, family and his first impression as a Blues's man, he also talked about his life away from the game.
The 26-year-old also offered more insight on how he has always possessed a fierce will to win and how he has grown even stronger during his time with the Blues.

“Even when I was playing football on the street, I have always wanted to win” He also added, But when I came to this club, with Jose Mourinho and a team featuring the likes of John Terry and Frank Lampard, I saw the mentality they had to always want to win, week after week. I had a winning mentality when I came here, but it became more extreme than anythin I'd ssen before.

Source:http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2014/02/chelseas-mikel-obi-reveals-more-about.html

Bright Dike and Stephen Keshi express disappointments over his recent injury
According to Goal the Nigerian international tore his Achilles tendon, which would be the second such injury in the last three years. Dike had similar injury in 2011 while he was with MLS side Portland Timbers, however the Dike recovered and was able to make his MLS debut in the 2011 season.

The 27-year-old player expressed disappointment via social networking site, twitter over the unfolding incident.
“Worst day of my life”
Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi was distraught over Bright Dike's injury. Keshi learnt more of the severity of the injury on Tuesday evening from Toronto FC team doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran and he is already working to keep in touch the medics of the player’s club to know the extent of damage done to a potential World Cup debutant.

Source:http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2014/02/bright-dike-and-stephen-keshi-express.html

The Hazards:Eden and Thorgan Hazard
The Ferdinands: Rio and Anton Ferdinand
The Kalous: Bonaventure and Salomon Kalou
The Boatengs: Kevin-Prince and Jerome Boateng
The Toures: Kolo and Yaya Toure
The Da Silvas: Fabio and Rafael Da Silva
Alex and Rigobert Son

Source: http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2014/01/famous-and-current-footballing-siblings.html

Elderson Echiejile completes move to Monaco from Sporting Braga
Super Eagles defender Elderson Echiejile has joined top French club AS Monaco from Portuguese club Sporting Braga.

According to Abola, the left-back’s contract with the Portuguese club, was due to run out at the end of the season and the 25-year-old has decided to return to France, where he started out with Stade Rennes in 2007.

Source:http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2014/01/tranfer-news-elderson-echiejile.html

Premier League: Clash of the titans this weekend, Manchester United vs Chelsea FC
This weekend will see two Premier League titans go head-to-head, Manchester United will face Chelsea FC who are riding on the wave of a 5-match win on Sunday in the hopes of making a statement this season. Both sides have won five of their last six Premier League games and played out a cautious 0-0 draw at Old Trafford when they met in the reverse fixture at the start of the season.

Which side are you taking?
Source:http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2014/01/premier-league-clash-of-titans-this.html

Upcoming Friendly: Nigeria will take on Mexico in Atlanta in March, 2014
The Nigeria Football Federation recently confirmed that the Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Mexico in a friendly in the United States on March 5th in their build-up to the Brazil World Cup. The match will be held at the Georgia Dome Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.

Source:http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2014/01/upcoming-friendly-nigeria-will-take-on.html

Nigerians dominate CAF’s shortlist of players for the 2013 player of the year award

Four Nigerian players were named in this year’s Confederation of African Football (CAF)10-man-list for the 2013 African footballer of the year. CAF released the shortlists for the 2013 African Player of the Year with Mikel Obi, Emmanuel Emenike, Vincent Enyeama and Ahmed Musa making the cut in the ten-man list that has reigning Africa’s best player Yaya Toure of Cote d’Ivoire.

Source:http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2013/12/nigerians-dominate-cafs-shortlist-of.html

Five of the top 10 play in the Premier League and all salary figures are in euros. So, let’s take a look at some of the highest paid players in 2013.

10. Edinson Cavani (Uruguay)
09. Gareth Bale (Wales)
08. Thiago Silva (Brazil)
07. Sergio Agüero (Argentina)
06. Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)   pla
05. Wayne Rooney (England)
04. Radamel Falcao (Columbia)
03. Zlatan Ibrahimovic
02.Lionel Messi
01.Cristiano Ronaldo

CONTINUE HERE (Source):http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2013/12/top-10-highest-paid-footballers-in-world.html

Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Eboue escape punishment from Turkish FA over Nelson Mandela tribute


Well after much deliberation, Didier Drogba and Emmanuel Eboue escaped punishment from the Turkish FA after a wave of popular support for the Galatasaray stars who unveiled tribute messages to Nelson Mandela on their vests after a game on Friday-

Source:http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2013/12/didier-drogba-and-emmanuel-eboue-escape.html

Africa mourns Nelson Mandela: Tributes paid to the legendary South African leader


Three time world heavyeight champion Muhammad Ali paid a special tribute on his website: "What I will remember most about Mr. Mandela is that he was a man whose heart, soul and spirit could not be contained or restrained by racial and economic injustices, metal bars or the burden of hate and revenge."

Jamaica's superstar sprinter Usain Bolt tweeted: "One of the greatest human beings ever. May your soul rest in peace. The world's greatest fighter."

Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand wrote: "RIP #NelsonMandela - the real inspiration."

Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany said: "RIP Nelson Mandela. No words to describe the goodness you have brought to this world. Sad to see you go. Inspirational, my only ever hero."

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo offered his tribute, saying: "Thankful Madiba for your legacy and your example. You"ll always stay with us."

http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2013/12/africa-mourns-nelson-mandela-tributes.html

Road to Brazil 2014: Star players from FIFA World Cup Draw
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The draw for the 2014 World Cup was held 2 days ago and by now, we all know all the qualified countries and their respective groups for next Summer’s tournament, but let’s take a closer look at some of the star players heading to Brazil next year.
Neymar, Samuel Eto'o, Victor Moses, Wayne Rooney

Name yours from each country here: http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2013/12/road-to-brazil-2014-fifa-world-cup-draw.html

Andre Ayew undergoes successful knee surgery plus he will be out of play for 2 months.
According to Olympique Marseille, Ghana midfielder Andre Ayew who also plays for the French side has undergone a successful operation on a torn meniscus in his knee, his side.

source>http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2013/11/andre-ayew-undergoes-successful-knee.html

Bright Dike in training with Scottish side Celtics FC.
American-born Nigerian international and Toronto FC striker Bright Dike who recently admitted he has to work hard if he hopes to make Nigeria’s final squad to next year’s World Cup is currently in training with Celtics FC in hopes of switching to the Scottish side.

Source:http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2013/11/nigerian-american-striker-bright-dike.html

12 people dead and over 200 injured in Algeria in celebration over World Cup Qualification
Algerian authorities disclosed early Wednesday that 12 people have died and over 240 were injured during celebrations after Algeria qualified for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Algeria beat Burkina Faso 1-0 to clench a place in next year’s World Cup.

Source>http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2013/11/12-people-dead-and-over-200-injured-in.html

BBC News day announced recently the top 5 candidates for the 2013 BBC African Footballer of the Year award and this year top 5 includes Ivory Coast’s Yaya Toure who is being nominated for the 5th consecutive year, the other 4 nominees includes Nigerian internationals John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, Burkina Faso’s Jonathan Pitroipa and Gabon’s Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. 
 
Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel are enlisted in this year's shortlist, these two are rising to become legends in Nigerian football.

Source:http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2013/11/bbc-african-player-of-year-player.html

Fixtures: 2nd leg of the African 2014 World Cup qualifiers playoff (16-19 November)
First leg results in parentheses
(All Times GMT)
Saturday 16 November
15:00 Nigeria vs. Ethiopia (2-1)
19:00 Senegal vs. Ivory Coast (1-3)
Sunday 17 November
14:30 Tunisia vs. Cameroon (0-0)
Tuesday 19 November
16:00 Egypt vs. Ghana (1-6)
18:15 Algeria vs. Burkina Faso (2-3)

Source:http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2013/11/african-sides-2014-world-cup-qualifiers.html

Ethiopia's Coach, Bishaw is ready to 'fight to the Maximum' this weekend in Calabar, Nigeria
One amazing thing about most football games is the element of surprise that is always present in eveyr game. Well, let’s hope this weekend produces one of those surprises as the World Cup Qualifiers play-off reaches its climax this weekend in Africa. Nigeria and Ethiopia will be kicking off the weekend on Saturday in Calabar, Nigeria.
Ethiopia coach Sewnet Bishaw is very optimistic that his men will do all they can overturn a first-leg defeat where they lost 2-1 at home in October. Ethiopia hopes to continue their surprising World Cup journey when they face Nigeria in the return leg in Nigeria this Saturday. Speaking to BBC Sport coach Bishaw said: "This is the biggest match of my life. I want to win it. I'll fight to the maximum.

Source:http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2013/11/ethiopian-coach-bishaw-is-ready-to.html

Africans showing off big time @ Chelsea’s Wednesday night 3-0 victory over FC Schalke
Thanks to Chelsea’s newest addition, Samuel Eto’o, the Blues are now 3 points clear at the top of the group. Cameroonian international Eto’o scored 2 goals and thanks to Senegalese international Demba Ba’s goal, the Blues were able to complete a very defensive game at Stamford Bridge against German side FC Schalke ending the night with a 3-0 victory.

Source:http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2013/11/africans-showiing-off-big-time-chelseas.html

A look at FIFA's 2013 World player list-Yaya Toure named in the 23 men shortlist
It’s no news that Ivorian and Man-City midfielder, Yaya Toure is the only African players in FIFA’s 23-men shortlist for the World’s Footballer of the year award, however, the one question on the mind of most Africans is whether or not this is due to Africa’s current state of football, or is FIFA blind to the array of talents in African football today?
What's your take on this, do you think they should have been more Africans on the list, if so, name some of your candidates.

Source:http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-look-at-fifas-world-player-list-yaya.html

Didier Drogba wins the 2013 Golden Foot Award.

Ivorian international and former Chelsea starlet Didier Drogba beats a high profile list of world’s best players who are 28 years and older still playing to become the first African Player to win the very covetous Golden Football Award. The Galatasaray striker won the 2013 Golden Foot, and was presented with the award at a ceremony in Monte Carlo

Source:http://wasaafrica.blogspot.com/2013/10/didier-drogba-wins-2013-golden-foot.html