Nigeria: Amoo - Super Eagles Still Need Emenike

Nigeria U-23s assistant coach Fatai Amoo believes the retirement from international football by Emmanuel Emenike is ill-timed.

The Al Ain striker late Monday night announced on his Instagram handle his decision to call it quits with the Super Eagles.

This has elicited the reactions of many football buffs and Amoo spoke to Completesportsnigeria.com on the development.

"I heard of Emenike's retirement but I feel the decision is a bit hasty," ex-international Amoo told Completesportsnigeria.com on Tuesday.

"He may not have had a good run in the Eagles lately but sometimes it's like that in football."

"Well I feel he's an experienced player who we still need in the team. I don't know if he made up his mind because of the goals he has not scored for awhile or not. But right now, the Eagles still need the experienced guys."

Amoo further says the latest development is an opportunity for the younger generation of Nigerian strikers though Emenike's experience is vital.

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Former Punch Sports Editor Dies

A former Group Sports Editor of Punch Newspapers, Mr Abimbola Akinloye, is dead. He died on October 13 in Lagos, aged 54, after a brief illness.
Akinloye also worked at Vanguard Newspapers before he moved to Punch. He was also the Editor in chief and managing Director of Sports Spectacular Newspaper, a weekly sports newspaper between 1992 and 95.
His wife, Nora Akinloye, confirmed yesterday that Akinloye, popularly known as ‘At Large’, was buried on Saturday October 17 in Ayobo, Ipaja area of Lagos State.
“We tried our best to save the situation but God knows best. He also fought to stay alive but all to no avail. He (the doctor) gave him the treatment possible but sadly we still lost him,” Nora said on Monday.
Akinloye is survived by his wife, Nora, and their two children;Maranatha and Favour.

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Challenge expected over FIFA's overhaul of Thai FA

BANGKOK (AP) — The Football Association of Thailand and its besieged president Worawi Makudi are expected to challenge the scope of powers of a "normalization committee" that has been imposed on the national body by FIFA.
FIFA acted on Friday to address the administrative and legal chaos gripping the FAT by removing the executive committee, and appointing the "normalization committee" to review the FAT's electoral code and hold elections by Feb. 15.
It was a further major setback for Worawi, who has been the key powerbroker in Thai football since taking the FAT presidency in 2007 and a long-serving former member of FIFA's executive committee.
He had been due to contest FAT elections this weekend but they were postponed after FIFA handed Worawi a 90-day suspension from football activities for unspecified breaches of the ethics code. He is facing investigation on those charges.
Worawi is also appealing against a suspended 16-month jail term for forgery offences surrounding the FAT elections in 2013.
The normalization committee's task of reviewing the FAT's electoral system could erode Worawi's powerbase within Thai football. The electoral suffrage in FAT elections had been disputed in the past, as the majority of votes lie with clubs in the top tiers of the local league, many of whom are beholden to the political status quo.
Admiral Surawut Maharom, who has been appointed as the head of the normalization committee, said he would consider reforms "in the best interests of the country."
"I'm the kind of person who will not let anyone interfere in my job," Admiral Surawut was quoted to say by Thai media on Saturday. "Complying with FIFA is something we need to do, otherwise we would not be a part of the world community."
However Narinpong Jinapak, lawyer for the FAT, placed doubt upon the scope of the normalization committee. He was quoted to say the new committee's role was "only to supervise" the next election and that it should not "become involved in or interfere in the FAT's administration."

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Manchester City v Chelsea: Mourinho keen to move on from Carneiro saga

Jose Mourinho will be glad to return to on-field matters when Chelsea travel to Premier League rivals Manchester City on Sunday.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has the chance to put off-field headlines to one side this weekend when he takes his men to Manchester City for an early test of both teams' title credentials.

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Middlesbrough pounce for Nugent

Promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough have boosted their attacking options with the signing of Leicester City striker David Nugent.

Middlesbrough have signalled their intent to get out of the Championship this season with the signing of David Nugent from Leicester City.

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Villa swoop for Barca's Traore

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Adama Traore from Barcelona for a fee that could rise to €12million.

Adama Traore has made the move from Catalan giants Barcelona to Aston Villa, agreeing terms on a five-year deal.

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Norwich boss Neil confirms Destro interest

Norwich City are interested in bringing Roma striker Mattia Destro to Carrow Road, according to manager Alex Neil.

Italy striker Mattia Destro is the subject of interest from Premier League newcomers Norwich City, Alex Neil has confirmed.

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Bruce: Livermore failed drugs test after family tragedy

Jake Livermore tested positive for cocaine after struggling to cope with the loss of his baby, Hull City manager Steve Bruce has said.

Hull City manager Steve Bruce has shed light on Jake Livermore's failed drugs test, revealing that the midfielder was struggling to deal with the death of his baby.

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Hodgson will lose job if England fail at Euros - FA chief

England manager Roy Hodgson is contracted until the end of Euro 2016 in France.

Football Association (FA) chief executive Martin Glenn says manager Roy Hodgson would expect to lose his job if England failed to perform at Euro 2016.

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