Landmine Killed Somali Boy, Two Others Wounded In Football Field

An unnamed little boy of about 7 to 10 years old was blown to death and two other little boys were seriously wounded and are fighting for their lives in the city hospital of Galkayo Somalia, according to Confederation of African Football (CAF) site.

The incident occured as the boys along with other little boys were playing football in a football field in Balanbale - a town that is near the Somali-Ethopian border, when the landmine exploded killing the little boy instantly.

The Somalia Football Federation, reported the tragedy, which took such a young life and wounded a couple of others to the African football governing body earlier this week. Read also: melvinsports.blogspot.com

Isa Hayatou, the President of CAF said, ''It saddens me to hear of such a loss of a young life, that went out to enjoy a game that is so dear to all of us.''

''It is particularly disheartening, because it comes after we have, over the past months, witnessed very positive news on a number of develoment programmes, that have given a lot of hope for the advancement of Somalian football,'' Hayatou said.

''On my own behalf, on bahalf of the CAF Executive Committee and African football family, I send our condolences to CECAFA, the Somalia Football Federation and family of the deceased boy. We wish the injured young players speedy and full recovery,'' the CAF President added.

The Secretary-General of CECAFA, the regional football governing body, Mr Nicholas Musonye, sent message of condolences to the Somali Football Federation, Secretary-General, Abdi Qani Said Arab.

The message read, ''I have learned about the sad news of the death of a young player and the injuries of two others at a football field in Somalia.''

''I stand with you and the family of the dead young boy, during this sad moment,'' Mr Musonye said in his condolence letter.
Read also: melvinsports.blogspot.com

Drogba Donates €1m To The Families Of Mine Tragedy

The Ivorian international superstar and Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba (36), has donated the sum of €1m to the families of the victims of the Soma Turkey mining disaster, that claimed the lives of 301 men recently.

At the weekend before Galatasaray's match against Kayseri Erciyesspor, the teams wore helmets in support of the victims of the mine tragedy.

The former Chelsea star who is a UN ambassador of goodwill then announced a personal donation of €1m to the families of the victims of Soma mining disaster.

Didier Drogba

Afterwards the international star player said, ''I am a UN ambassador of goodwill and I will do all that I can to help the people in Soma,'' Drogba said. Read also: melvinsports.blogspot.com

''But I don't want anyone to use my name. I'm not someone who will promote himself in such issues. I don't need this sort of issues. I dont need this sort of self-promotion,'' he added.

The explosion at the coal mine in Soma happened on the 13th May and caused an underground fire, which lasted two days and killed many.

Shola Ameobi Released By Newcastle United

Shola Ameobi (32), the Newcastle United striker and Nigerian international, has just been released by the club, after being there for 14 years.

During the time he was with the club, he appeared in 379 matches for the team and scored 79 goals. He was among nine players released by the club, after their contracts expired at the end of the season.

The manager of the club, Alan Pardew paid a glowing tribute to Shola Ameobi, on his contribution, dedication and examples on the pitch and off the pitch as a great player.



Shola Ameobi of Newcastle United

''I have to make a special mention of Shola Ameobi, who has been an incredible servant to Newcastle United. Such loyalty and commitment in the modern game is rare, and Shola was not just a great player on the pitch, but a key figure off it too.''

''He is a leader of men, a great role model for our younger players, and I wish him well for the remainder of his career,'' Mr Pardew added.

Afterwards Ameobi who is listed in the Nigeria's 30-man provisional team for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil said, ''I have enjoyed every moment, and have always worn the famous shirt with pride. I am now looking forward to starting a new chapter in my career.''

''I would like to place on record, a big thank you to everyone at Newcastle United. I wish the club great success in the future and I'm sure, with the team and management they have, Newcastle United will go from strenght to strenght''.

''I hope to come back to Newcastle United one day in some capacity, to help repay some of the faith and loyalty, that everybody has shown me during my time here,'' he said.

''Finally, a big thank you to the supporters who have always been fantastic,''
the big striker added. Read also: melvinsports.blogspot.com

Mensah Back In The Black Star?

The former Black Star and Bayern Munich player, Samuel Kuffour, has called for the recall of the former Ghanian national team captain, John Mensah (31), to the team for the World Cup.

According to Mr Kuffour, the team needs someone with leadership qualities at the defence. He believes that the team lacks leadership at the back and Mensah will provide that for the team.

''Every team needs a leader, especially from the back. When you have John Mensah, there is security,'' he told BBC Sport.

John Mensah

John Mensah was out for a year and it was not long ago, he started playing again with FC Nitra of Slovakia. He has not played since March, due to a nagging back injury.

The Black Star coach Kwesi Appiah, will release the names of the 30 man provisional squad early next week.

Kuffour is not only advocating for the recall of Mensah, but also the young man he partnered with at the defence in the 2010 World Cup, Isaac Vorsah.

''There are good players at the back, but you need someone who has personality, who can drive the team along,'' he said.

''Recently, I have not seen anyone doing that even though there are good defenders. That is why you need Mensah and Vorsah,'' he added.

Isaac Vorsah plays his club football with Red Bull Salzburg of Austria.
Read also: melvinsports.blogspot.com

Ghana is drawn in Group G with Germany, Portugal and the United States. The Fifa 2014 world Cup in Brazil, will start on the 12th of June and end on the 13th of July.

Peter Odemwingie Defrauded By Life Coach

The Nigerian international footballer, Peter Odemwingie (32), who ply his trade with the English Premier League club - Stoke City has been defrauded along with six other people a total of €97,300 by a woman who is a life coach.

The life coach, Claire Duke (38), of London Colney in Hertfordshire was charged to the Stafford Crown Court, were she admitted defrauding the seven people.

The court heard that the Nigerian striker, Odemwingie was defrauded €26,700 an amount meant for booking flights and holidays reservations, but she diverted the money for her personal use.

Peter Odemwingie 

During the time in question, she ran a business that offered concierge services, organised holidays and trips overseas.

The court accepted her plea of having problems with her business and not that she goes around dopping people. She sobbed in the dock as the judge told her.

''You appear to be someone who on the face of it is terrified of the court's powers, and accepting that what you have done was appalling.''

''You have pleaded guilty to seven  matters of fraud involving professional, hard working people, wanting to spend money on holidays and treats.''

''Some of these people may have been wealthy, but that doesn't make any difference. It's their money,'' the judge added.

After considering everything, the Judge gave her a two - year suspended prison sentence. Read also, melvinsports.blogspot.com

She was ordered to pay back the money to the people. As she was leaving the court the perpetrator, Claire Duke, said that she was sorry for the upset and stress her action caused the families involved.

Assou-Ekotto And Sagbo Charged By EFA

The Queens Park Rangers, left back, Benoit Assou-Ekotto(30), who is on loan from the English Premier League Tottenham, and the Hull City striker, Yannick Sagbo (25), has been charged by the English Football Association, for their comment on the social media about the gesture, Nicolas Anelka made during a league match.



Benoit Assou-Ekotto


After they were charged and asked to respond to the charge, before the 8th of April, then they asked to be given more time and the FA agreed, but the new date was not made known to the public.

Nicolas Anelka made the controvertial arm gesture, after scoring a goal in an EPL match in December for West Brom. The arm gesture is looked upon by many people as anti-semitic.

It was popularised by a French comedian Dieudonne M'bala M'bala, who claimed that the gesture was anti-establishment. The comedian is also a friend of Anelka.

Anelka was sacked by his club West Brom last month, after he was given five match ban, because of the gesture.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto who is also Cameroon international, tweeted in regard to Anelka's gesture, ''I congratulate you on the beautiful quenelle.''

The other charged player Yannick Sagbo, an Ivory Coast international, posted the picture of Anelka's celebration, accompanied with a message of support of him and the comedian Dieudonne.
Read also: melvinsports.blogspot.com

Toure Is Out For Two Weeks

The highly talented and energetic Ivorian international and Manchester City midfielder, Yaya Toure (31), is out for about two weeks due to the muscle injury he suffered on Sunday, during the much anticipated Premier League encounter against table leader Liverpool.

Man City lost the game 3 - 2 at the Anfield, which is fast becoming once more a fortress like in the old days, when teams dread going there, because of the massive fans support.

Toure who has been simply superb for the club this season, will most likely miss the next three games, starting with the Wednesday's home league game against Sunderland, who is at the bottom of the table.

Yaya Toure

He will also miss the next match, which is at home against West Brom on the 21st of April, and probably the away match against Crystal Palace on the 27th of April.

The football star who has already scored 22 goals this season, suffered what appeared to be a groin injury in the 20th minute of the game and was immediately changed by  Javi Garcia.

The citizens' boss Mr Manuel Pellegrini, said after the game that the injury may not be as bad as they initially thought, but in any case the player needs about two weeks to recover.

''Maybe it's not as bad as we thought at the beginning, but he needs at least 10 days or two weeks to recover,'' Pellegrini said.

Luckily for Toure and Man City, the injury is not a big one that would take him out for the rest of the season and the World Cup.

As I mentioned above, if Pellegrini is correct about the duration he will be out, that is 10 days or two weeks, then he will be back for the last three games of the season. Read also: melvinsports.blogspot.com

The games are the away match against Everton on the 3rd of May, the home match against Aston Villa on the 7th of May and the home match against West Ham United on the 11th of May. I wish him a speedy recovery.