Ajoku shines in Malta
Nigerian striker Obinna Ajoku has been in fantastic form in Malta since he joined Premier League side Tarxien Rainbows in January.
On Saturday, the powerful striker opened his goals account in Malta, when helped Tarxien secure a 1-1 draw against Floriana
Floriana took the lead in the 31st minute when Matteo Piciollo headed home off a Steve Pisani corner but Ajoku rose up to the occasion five minutes into the second half, when he slotted Jorge Yepes’ cross past goalkeeper Matthew Cremona.
The former Kano Pillars man now has a goal and an assist in his first two games in Malta.
“I felt so good scoring because much was expected from me today (Saturday). Most of our key players were not available for the game and the coach told me that I had a very big role to play, which I did. So I am happy to score and play in Malta,” Ajoku said.
The striker, who spent eight years in Vietnam before playing in Thailand, has already set a 10-goal target for himself.
“I think 10 goals will be okay for a start in Malta,” Ajoku added.
Newcastle end Chelsea’s unbeaten run
Premier League leaders Chelsea have suffered their first defeat of the season after they were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle in a dramatic encounter at St James’ Park.
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was looking for a first ever League win at Newcastle but Papiss Cisse came off the bench to put the hosts 2-0 up.
The Magpies then had Steven Taylor sent off and Didier Drogba pulled a goal back for Chelsea but the hosts held on to secure a famous win.
Chelsea were comfortably the better side for the first half-hour and Willian twice put shots from the edge of the area just wide of Rob Elliot’s post, while Gary Cahill headed over from a Cesc Fabregas corner.
However, the hosts eventually roused themselves and almost took the lead when Ayoze Perez played in Jack Colback with a delightful little reverse pass, only for Thibaut Courtois to charge off his line and pull off a fine save. FOLLOW US ON www.twitter.com/6326david
But the visitors finished the half in the ascendancy and Oscar was not far wide with an acrobatic overhead kick just before half-time.
Newcastle goalkeeper Elliot picked up an injury when making a clearance just before the interval and had to be replaced by Jak Alnwick.
And the promising youngster was soon called into action, punching a Fabregas free-kick clear as Chelsea made a lively start to the second period.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew decided a further change was necessary and his decision to bring Cisse on for Remy Cabella paid a swift dividend.
Moussa Sissoko made inroads down the left before setting up Sammy Ameobi for a low cross which Cahill failed to cut out at the near post, allowing Cisse (57) to turn the ball into the net from close range.
Sissoko then headed over the bar after the ball had bounced around following a corner, and Mourinho decided his side needed a revamp.
Andre Schurrle came on, and swiftly tested Alnwick with a low effort from 30 yards out, and he was soon followed off the bench by Drogba and Filipe Luis.
Chelsea began to dominate possession but Newcastle defended valiantly, led by captain Fabricio Coloccini, who brilliantly blocked a Diego Costa shot.
And Eden Hazard was then unlucky to see a shot come back off the post after he had been picked out in the box by Branislav Ivanovic.
But Newcastle then stunned the leaders by doubling their lead with a breakaway goal.
The hosts worked it neatly in the middle of the park, allowing Colback to play Sissoko in on goal and, although the midfielder got his legs in a mess and seemed to have squandered the chance, he poked the ball across to Cisse (78), who calmly fired into the empty net.
Chelsea were on the ropes but they got a lifeline when Taylor picked up his second yellow card of the match for a lunge on Schurrle 30 yards out.
And there was even greater encouragement for the visitors when Fabregas chipped the subsequent free-kick into the goal mouth and Drogba (83) got there before Alnwick to nod Chelsea right back into contention.
With seven minutes left, plus ample injury-time, Chelsea laid siege to the Newcastle goal and Alnwick produced a great save to tip a Costa shot over the bar.
The Newcastle goalkeeper then kept out a raking Luis drive from distance but there were more scares to come in six minutes of injury-time.
However, Ivanovic shot wide and Drogba glanced a header the wrong side of the post from Chelsea’s point of view, as Newcastle hung on to triumph after a tumultuous second-half which opened up the Premier League title race.
The Magpies then had Steven Taylor sent off and Didier Drogba pulled a goal back for Chelsea but the hosts held on to secure a famous win.
Chelsea were comfortably the better side for the first half-hour and Willian twice put shots from the edge of the area just wide of Rob Elliot’s post, while Gary Cahill headed over from a Cesc Fabregas corner.
However, the hosts eventually roused themselves and almost took the lead when Ayoze Perez played in Jack Colback with a delightful little reverse pass, only for Thibaut Courtois to charge off his line and pull off a fine save. FOLLOW US ON www.twitter.com/6326david
But the visitors finished the half in the ascendancy and Oscar was not far wide with an acrobatic overhead kick just before half-time.
Newcastle goalkeeper Elliot picked up an injury when making a clearance just before the interval and had to be replaced by Jak Alnwick.
And the promising youngster was soon called into action, punching a Fabregas free-kick clear as Chelsea made a lively start to the second period.
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew decided a further change was necessary and his decision to bring Cisse on for Remy Cabella paid a swift dividend.
Moussa Sissoko made inroads down the left before setting up Sammy Ameobi for a low cross which Cahill failed to cut out at the near post, allowing Cisse (57) to turn the ball into the net from close range.
Sissoko then headed over the bar after the ball had bounced around following a corner, and Mourinho decided his side needed a revamp.
Andre Schurrle came on, and swiftly tested Alnwick with a low effort from 30 yards out, and he was soon followed off the bench by Drogba and Filipe Luis.
Chelsea began to dominate possession but Newcastle defended valiantly, led by captain Fabricio Coloccini, who brilliantly blocked a Diego Costa shot.
And Eden Hazard was then unlucky to see a shot come back off the post after he had been picked out in the box by Branislav Ivanovic.
But Newcastle then stunned the leaders by doubling their lead with a breakaway goal.
The hosts worked it neatly in the middle of the park, allowing Colback to play Sissoko in on goal and, although the midfielder got his legs in a mess and seemed to have squandered the chance, he poked the ball across to Cisse (78), who calmly fired into the empty net.
Chelsea were on the ropes but they got a lifeline when Taylor picked up his second yellow card of the match for a lunge on Schurrle 30 yards out.
And there was even greater encouragement for the visitors when Fabregas chipped the subsequent free-kick into the goal mouth and Drogba (83) got there before Alnwick to nod Chelsea right back into contention.
With seven minutes left, plus ample injury-time, Chelsea laid siege to the Newcastle goal and Alnwick produced a great save to tip a Costa shot over the bar.
The Newcastle goalkeeper then kept out a raking Luis drive from distance but there were more scares to come in six minutes of injury-time.
However, Ivanovic shot wide and Drogba glanced a header the wrong side of the post from Chelsea’s point of view, as Newcastle hung on to triumph after a tumultuous second-half which opened up the Premier League title race.
CAF names Equitorial Guinea as new host of AFCON 2015
CAF dropped Morocco as host of the football tournament on Tuesday November 11th following the nations request for postponement of the tournament in their country over Ebola fears.
A statement released by CAF this afternoon says the dates for the tournament will remain from Jan. 17-February 8 2015 and that four cities will be used for the tournament: Malabo, Bata, Mongomo and Ebebiyin. Find the full statement by CAF after the cut...
The Head of State and President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo this Friday 14 November met with the President of CAF Issa Hayatou concerning the possibility for Equatorial Guinea to host the Africa Cup of Nations Orange 2015. Following fraternal and fruitful discussions, the Head of State of Equatorial Guinea has agreed to host the tournament from January 17 to February 8, 2015.
Therefore, the Executive Committee of CAF confirms that the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015 will be held in Equatorial Guinea on the dates agreed, and the national team of Equatorial Guinea is qualified for the final tournament as a representative of the country host. The four cities selected for the finals are Malabo, Bata, Mongomo and Ebebiyin. The draw for the finals will take place Wednesday, December 3, 2014 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. The Executive Committee of CAF and President Issa Hayatou seize this opportunity to express their sincere thanks and deep appreciation to the people of Equatorial Guinea, its government, and particularly to His Excellency the Head of State and President of the Republic Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
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