The holidays continue in Nigeria after the debacle involved in sighting the moon. An extra day have been added to the original two days and thus there will be no open offices on Thursday. It means you can stay up late tonight with the assurance of not seeing your boss the next morning with any manner of hangover.
Football has no respect for holidays. There is always a game somewhere going on, either in your neighborhood or on the screen. Isn’t the holiday period the best to play a game of soccer? The scheduled Nigeria Federation Cup games were rescheduled because of the Muslim holiday. So we will have to make do with the Euro 2016 semifinal between Wales and Portugal.
The Portuguese team have crawled, skipped and hopped into the semis without winning a game in 90 minutes. They scrapped into the knockout stages thanks to the best 3rd place team rule. Wales will be without Ramsey who have been involved in 5 goals in the tournament but will rely on Bale to see off Ronaldo’s Portugal. Tonight will bring two club teammates together in search of a place in the Final: Ronaldo vs Bale.
The Holiday is over for a lot of footballers in Europe as the pre-season has kicked off. Pictures from Arsenal’s ground show the return of every player that was not involved in the Copa America and Euro 2016. The Jeff has been promoted and looks likely to wear Flamini’s jersey 20. It is yet unclear who will be going out on loan. Will Akpom leave again? Will Iwobi be deprived of an Olympic slot?
Talking of the Olympics, Iheanacho is uncertain over his involvement in Nigeria’s quest to win Gold in the football event in Rio 2016. With Pep resuming at the Etihad, the young lad wants to prove to the gaffer that he has to be in his first team plans. I wonder how it will pan out. As a Nigerian, I would love Iheanacho and Iwobi to be in the Dream Team to Rio because what I saw against Mexico in the recent friendly was not pleasing. What happened to Awoniyi? The dream team will face Arsenal’s Asano in Rio. Beware.
The Super Eagles are beginning to troop into the Premier League. Isaac Success joined Odion Ighalo in Watford and Amed Musa would soon put pen to paper with Champions Leicester City. Will Awoniyi make the ranks with Liverpool? Kenneth Omeruo may move to Besiktas.
In the NPFL, the LMC have released a preliminary list for the players that will travel to Spain for the LaLiga tournament. It is sad that the league will not be on hold as it will affect the calendar within this period. The clubs will have to bear the pains of not having their best players feature for them as the NPFL gets hotter. They can hope that their players do well in Spain so that they can have some quids from transfer.
So, don’t just lazy about in these holidays. Go out and sweat. I am looking for my shin guards.
Enjoy your chilling.
Extra: Lobi Stars vs Ikorodu United will hold tomorrow
SoccerGunz 