Roma offer 3,5 million per season to Pjanic

Roma are ready to offer a new contract of 3.5 million per season to
Pjanic. The Giallorossi would like to renew until 2018 but it all
depends on the offer that PSG made to the player

Bayern Munich are the 'ultimate test' for Manchester United, admits Moyes

The Red Devils are widely regarded as the weakest side left in the
Champions League having endured a torrid domestic campaign and now
face the European champions
By RAMSEY DUBEM...

David Moyesconcedes Manchester Unitedface "the ultimate test" as they
prepare to take on Bayern Munichat Old Trafford on Tuesday evening.
United enter the quarter-finals of the Champions League widely
regarded as the weakest side left in the competition, having endured a
torrid Premier League campaign

'If Barca win it's referees, if we lose the cycle's over' - Alves mocks criticism The defender hit out at the anti-Blaugrana slant on officiating lately and claimed he would sign Diego Costa if he could bring on board any Atletico star

Dani Alveshas mocked how Barcelonaare stuck in a lose-lose spiral at
the moment, in his opinion, claiming when they win the referees are
blamed and when they lose it is perceived as the end of their cycle of
dominance.
The Catalans stumbled somewhat last month, sparking suggestions that
their Liga season was over, before recovering with a win at Real
Madrid and in the local derby with Espanyol.
However, both of those victories were sullied somewhat by criticism of
refereeing decisions after the match and the Brazilian full-back
suggested there was simply no way of winning outright for Gerardo
Martino's men at the moment.
"Referee accusations are a motivation," he told reporters on Monday.
"It is customary for our wins to be dressed up like this. It seems
that part of our life.
"If we win it is because of referees and if we lose it is because the
cycle is over. We are above this and it does not affect us. Arguing is
what they want.
"After theClasico, the press were discussing our penalties while they
kept quiet about Madrid's penalty, the only one that wasn't one."
Atletico Madrid travel to Camp Nou on Tuesday for the first leg of
their Champions League last-eight tussle with the Catalans, with the
return leg next week at the Vicente Calderon.
Dani Alves suggested that, if he had the choice of anyRojiblancosstar
to sign, he would pick star striker Diego Costa, but he insisted that
Diego Simeone's men are more than just the newly converted Spain
international.
"If I could choose any of them, then Diego Costa, because of his goals
and his work," the defender added. "The game goes beyond him though.
He's a great player and will make a difference, but Atletico are more
than him.
"We can not look back at past three draws with Atletico. It's another
game, another competition, another time. We need to step up here,
because the tie will be decided in the second game.
"We have to compete well to break the streak against Atletico."..
BY RAMSEY DUBEM

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Ozil goes missing too often, says Salihamidzic...

The former Bosnia-Herzegovina star has urged the Arsenal star to step
up at difficult moments and feels the current Bayern Munich cannot be
compared to Pep Guardiola's Barcelona..
...
AMEXCLUSIVE
By BLISSRAMSEY.....


Former Bayern Munichmidfielder Hasan Salihamidzic has criticised
Arsenalstar Mesut Ozilfor "going missing" in big games - but insists
the Germany international has the potential to become one of the best
in the world.
The former Real Madrid midfielder has received his fair share of
criticism in recent months in the wake of a number of poor
performances, most recently against Bayern Munich in the 2-0 defeat at
the Emirates.
However, he impressed in Arsenal's 4-1 FA Cup win over Everton at the
weekend, and Salihamidzic has now urged Ozil to step up his game even
on bad days.
"It is a big challenge for Ozil to banish this inconsistency from his
game. He can be a genius on a lot of moments - and that's why he
played for Real Madrid before - but I cannot explain why he goes
missing this often," the 37-year-old toldGoal.
Salihamidzic, who wore the Bayern Munich jersey from 1998 until 2007,
believes the current side cannot be compared to Pep Guardiola's
Barcelona as they do not depend on one central figurehead in the same
way as theBlaugranarely on Lionel Messi.
"Bayern already were a great team. Making the Champions League final
that often is something special and is the result of their
philosophy," said the former Bosnia-Herzegovina international.
"Guardiola has made some changes and has done so successfully. He has
made a few tactical changes and they look very flexible. They are a
bit similar to Barcelona in this aspect of the game.
"You could see many things in them too, but in the end, it was Messi
who dominated. Things are different at Bayern. The team is much more
balanced and does not rely on just one player.
"You either love Bayern or you hate them. They have created something
perfect - everything fits. They are a power in global football."

'Chelsea a very rich horse' - Pellegrini

The Manchester City manager has laughed Jose Mourinho's belief that
his side are underdogs, while revealed a trio of players have resumed
some level of training
By Peter Thompson
Feb 7, 2014 5:17:00 PM Manchester Citymanager Manuel Pellegrinihas
dismissed Jose Mourinho's claim that Chelseaare a "little horse" in
the race for the Premier League title.
Despite the west Londoners claiming a 1-0 win at the Etihad Stadium on
Monday, Mourinho insisted afterwards that his side were not favourites
for the title against much bigger opponents.
But Pellegrini has used Chelsea's massive spending under Roman
Abramovich - which continued in a busy January window - to rubbish his
counterpart's suggestion that the Blues are outmuscled.
"Maybe it is a small horse if the manager thinks like that. It can be
a little horse, but very rich," the Chilean told reporters ahead of
City's clash with Norwich.

Ronaldo ban appeal rejected

The RFEF has turned down the Portugal international's appeal against
his ban, meaning he will miss the games against Villarreal, Getafe and
Elche.......
Cristiano Ronaldo's appeal against his three-game suspension
following his dismissal in Real Madrid's 1-1 La Liga draw against
Athletic Bilbao at the weekend has been rejected.
The prolific attacker was shown a straight red card after an
altercation with Carlos Gurpegui and Ander Iturraspe and was
consequently handed a three-match ban by the Spanish football
association (RFEF) - one for the incident itself and another two for
his gesture after he was sent off.
TheBlancosdisagreed with the severity of the suspension and therefore
opted to file an appeal, but the Appeal Committee has now rejected the
Santiago Bernabeu's plea.
Ronaldo will miss this Saturday's home game against Villarreal as a
result, while he will also have to watch the matches against Getafe
(February 16, away) and Elche (February 23, home) from the stands due
to his ban.
The 29-year-old has been in sublime form for Madrid this season,
netting 22 goals in 21 La Liga appearances.
The absence of Ronaldo means Ancelotti is likely to field Jese
Rodriguez, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale as his three-man attack until
the Portuguese's return.

Morocco 3-4 Nigeria (AET): Amazing Eagles fly past Atlas Lions The Super Eagles went three goals down, woke from their slumber and tamed the Atlas Lions after extra-time to grab CHAN semi-final ticket By JUSTICE VERA Jan 25, 2014 6:34:00 PM

Nigeria have secured a place in the semi-final of the African Nations
Championship after beating Morocco 4-3 after extra-time in the
quarter-final match played at the Cape Town Stadium.
A first half brace from Mohsine Moutaouali and a goal from Iajour
Mouhssine ensured Hassan Benabicha's side got a three-goal lead in the
first half of the tension soaked encounter but the second half saw
goals from Ugonna Uzochukwu, Rabiu Ali and Ejike Uzoenyi on the dot of
90 minutes ensured the game proceeded into extra-time.
However, it was Abubakar Ibrahim's strike in the second half extra
time that made the difference for Stephen Keshi's side in the
seven-goal thriller.
The Super Eagles mounted pressure on the Moroccan defence in the early
minutes of the match which saw them play three corners in the opening
ten minutes.
Azubuike Egwueke failed to give Nigeria the lead in the 11th minute
when his header off Uzoenyi's cross went over the Atlas Lions' cross
bar. Nevertheless, Keshi's men continued to dominate but lacked the
cutting edge when it came to finding the back of the net.
Morocco's first chance came off Iajour's simple tap from a well
tailored pass received from the midfield after the Eagles lost
possession in the middle.
Minutes later, Uzoenyi produced a fine pass to set Gbolahan Salami
free down the flank, with the latter supplying a dangerous low ball
into the box, allowing Rabiu Ali to fire a tame shot at Nadir
Lamyaghrf in the best of the opening exchanges.
Moutaoualislotted home Morocco's opener with a classy finish in the
33rd minute after he received a pass from Fatah Said.Iajourscored the
second off a swerving free kick outside Nigeria's defence after
Mouhssine was pushed off the ball by Bright Esieme.
Stephen Keshi's side rallied following that setback. First, Salami
fired a testing effort at Nadir which the Morocco keeper smartly
tipped over the bar, before Rabiu Ali's long range missile that went
over the cross bar.
Moutaoualigot his brace in the 40th minute following another clever
pass from Mouhssine who had a stupendous afternoon.
On resumption of the second half, Nigeria took charge of the game and
posed a few problems for the Atlas Lions, and deservedly got their
first throughUzochukwu– beforeAligot Nigeria's second six minutes
later.
There continued to be chances at both ends. Mohammed Oulha picked up a
loose ball from distance before striking on the half volley from 25
yards, only to see Egwuekwe turn it behind. Nigeria then had a shout
for a penalty after the ball bounced up on Hachim , but referee
Bernard Camille thought otherwise.
The Super Eagles grew in confidence and equalised on 90 minutes
throughUzoenyi's rocket outside the Atlas Lions' defence which saw the
game move into extra time.
While it seemed the game would head for a penalty shoot-out, in second
half extra time,Ibrahimpounced to give Nigeria the winner after
Morocco goalkeeper and captain, Nadir Lamyaghri spilled an easy ball
off Uzoenyi's cross.
Nigeria will now wait for the winner between Ghana and DR Congo in
Sunday's quarter final game.

NIGERIA ECONOMY IS IN DANGER WITHOUT CBN AUTONOMY SAID.....SANUSI

Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Mr. Lamido Sanusi, said
on Thursday that Nigeria's economy would be imperiled if the bank
loses its hard-won independence.
The governor who has just five months left in office has been facing
challenging times since leaked letter to President Jonathan alleging
that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation had diverted about $50
billion between January 2012 and 2013.
Reports indicate that President Jonathan had recently phoned him to
resign from his position following the tardy report on the NNPC, which
the presidency said he should have properly investigated before coming
up with an allegation of diversion of such huge amount of money.
According to the report, the governor refused to resign insitinsting
on staying out his tenure. He cited the protection he enjoys under CBN
act, which stipulates that the governor could only be removed by
two-third majority of the National Assembly.
Another report on Tuesday said that the governor had been queried by
President Jonathan of over politically-tinged lavish donations amount
to about N150 billion.
Sanusi, in an interview with Bloomberg Television Africa on the
sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, said
maintaining the independence of the bank would be a major challenge
that his successor would have to contend with.
According to him, it is important for a strong individual to be
appointed to head the bank, due to the critical role it plays in the
development of the country.
He said, 'Any undermining of the CBN's independence may hurt the
economy. If anyone tampers with it, the markets would punish the
economy.
'The CBN is a very strong institution that needs a strong leader and I
think one of the things we have achieved over the last four or five
years is to show that we can have an independent Central Bank in
Africa.
'It is extremely important from the fiscal side, it is extremely
important from the governance side, that the governor of the Central
Bank is able to speak independently of political authority and raise
an alarm and concerns, and give constructive criticism and advice.'
Critics however believe that Sanusi had been too garrulous for the
respected office of the CBN governor, especially dabbling into issues
that do not bear direct relevant to his job as the central bank
governor.
Speaking in another interview, this time withReuters, Sanusi ruled out
further devaluation of the currency.
He said that t the apex bank would continue to pursue a stable
exchange rate policy as long as the foreign reserves can support.
The governor is however concerned about Nigeria's dwindling Excess
Crude Account, which he believes may hamstring its ability to
successfully protect the naira.
A stable currency, he said, is absolutely critical for price
stability and financial stability in general, adding that it is not in
the interest of the country to devalue the naira, because it will not
have impact on the country's current account balance, given the highly
inelastic nature of imports and the dominance of oil.
According to the CBN boss, Excess Crude Account has gone down to
just $2.5 billion, compared with $11.5 billion a year ago, noting that
until it is replenished there would be little room for a reduction in
the Monetary Policy Rate, MPR, below the current 12 per cent
benchmark.
He said: 'We should continue to seek a stable exchange rate for as
long as the reserves and monetary conditions can support this.'
Sanusi said he has no fears of tightening monetary policy further to
keep inflation down and to stabilize the currency, noting that, if
needed, the CBN will increase its Monetary Policy Rate from 12 per
cent and the Cash Reserve Requirement on public sector funds to 100
per cent.
He added that: 'I don't think we are at the end of possible tightening
cycles, but I do think that the scope for further tightening is
getting narrower and narrower. We do need to rely more on other
instruments.'
He said the CBN will maintain inflation within a band of six per cent
to nine per cent this year, controlled majorly by monetary conditions.
He said, 'Government spending has not been huge, the real challenge
has been on the revenue side and on the foreign exchange side. I see
no reason why from 2015, Nigeria cannot move to within the range of
South Africa's three percent to six percent, or four percent to seven
percent for inflation.'
In reference to his relationship with the president, the Kano-born
banker said he was unconcerned by personal relationships.
'We meet at work and people should do their job. I do hope that the
president will be happy if I do the job very well,' he said.
Sanusi had over the years as CBN Governor, made a number of
controversial statements, drawing the ire of the members of the
National Assembly and the executive arm of government.

Chelsea condemn United, Spurs win

Samuel Eto'o's hat-trick saw Chelsea to a 3-1 win over Manchester
United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday that piled pressure on the Premier
League champions.
This result left title-holders United 14 points adrift of leaders
Arsenal with 16 league games of the season remaining and six off a
place in the Champions League.
Their seventh league loss this term also turned the spotlight back on
David Moyes, the successor chosen by Alex Ferguson, British football's
most successful manager, to replace him following his retirement at
the end of last season.
"We did not deserve to be 2-0 down at halftime," Moyes told the BBC.
"We had a little bit of bad luck with the first one (goal) but we
can't blame anyone else but ourselves for the other two.
"We did not defend well enough and did not get a chance like Chelsea
got to score, so we can only blame ourselves for that," the Scot
added.
However, the former Everton manager insisted: "We will keep going. We
showed a lot of good things today."
Victory left Jose Mourinho's Chelsea within two points of Arsenal.
"I think it is a big win and deserved, yes," Chelsea manager Jose
Mourinho told the BBC. "They (United) started better than us, they had
a good initiative.
"The second half was different. For 25-30 minutes we had very good
control until we dropped back and they reacted with pride," explained
the Portuguese boss after his 100th Premier League win as a manager.
"The second goal was the killer in the box I know from many years ago
and it looks like Samuel Eto'o is coming back," added Mourinho, who
managed the forward when they were both at Inter Milan.
Eto'o gave Chelsea a 17th minute lead when his shot from just outside
the box deflected off Michael Carrick.
This video is not available.The 32-year-old veteran Cameroon striker
made it 2-0 on the stroke of halftime when, following Gary Cahill's
centre, he smashed the ball home from six yards out.
United, without injured strikers Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie,
were 3-0 behind four minutes after the interval when more lax
defending from a set-piece allowed Cahill a free header.
His effort was blocked by United goalkeeper David de Gea but, barely a
yard away, Eto'o reacted first and made no mistake as he become the
first Chelsea player to score a hat-trick against United since Seamus
O'Connell in 1954.
Javier Hernandez, on as a substitute for Ashley Young, pulled a goal
back 12 minutes from time.
But that was as good as it got for United whose misery was compounded
when captain Nemanja Vidic was sent off in stoppage time for a rash
challenge on Eden Hazard, with Rafael de Silva then fortunate to
escape a red card for an equally wild lunge on Cahill.
"I have not seen Rafa's but I have seen Vidic's. Vidic's for me is not
a red card, it was a yellow card," said Moyes. "If Rafa's was a bad
one I would hopefully come out honestly and say what I think."
Earlier, Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice as Tottenham Hotspur moved
level on points with Liverpool after a 3-1 win away to struggling
Swansea.
Adebayor's goals, separated by a Chico Flores own-goal, ensured
Tottenham remained unbeaten in the league under manager Tim Sherwood,
whose record now stands at five wins and a draw since the Englishman
replaced sacked predecessor Andre Villas-Boas.
After Swansea's Wilfried Bony had hit the crossbar, Adebayor gave
Spurs the lead, against the run of play, in the 35th minute when he
headed in an excellent cross from Christian Eriksen.
And the north London side made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute when Flores
put Kyle Walker's cross into his own net.
Adebayor put the result beyond doubt 19 minutes from time before Bony
scored a consolation goal.
Sherwood welcomed Adebayor's rediscovered hunger and form after the
player became disillusioned and marginalised under Villas-Boas.
"It's obviously great for the football club and great for Ade himself,
who's flying at the moment and enjoying his football."

Legendary actress Suchitra Sen no more(Video)

Renowned actress Suchitra Sen, who was also called Bengal's Greta
Garbo, died in Kolkata at 82 today.
The health condition of the actress had been in hospital since
December 23 for treatment for a respiratory tract infection.
Ms Sen began her career with the Bengali film 'Shesh Kothay' in 1952
and is known for her role in Bimal Roy's 'Devdas' (1955) and 'Aandhi'
(1975).
Ms Sen was also the first Indian actress to be awarded at an
international film festival - Best Actress award for 'Saptapadi' at
the Moscow film festival in 1963.
But after her 1978 movie, 'Pronoy Pasha' flopped; she disappeared from
the public eye and even allegedly refused the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
in 2005 preferring not to make a public appearance.
Khaleda urges govt to release detained journalists

Striking A Unique Pose: Eva And Reminisce (Photo)

Posted by hushmoney


They are both sexy, street, gangstar and talented. Eva is arguably
Nigeria's top female rapper and so is Reminisce. Nice hair-do

Celebrity Gossip: Rapper Phyno Impregnates An Upcoming Singer Rita Edmond

Posted by hushmoney

Rapper Phyno Impregnates Upcoming Singer Rita Edmond, She Wants An Abortion.


Reports have it that Young Beautiful Singer Rita Edmond, who launched
her music career last year in Africa, has been put in a family Way
(Preggy!!!). From all indication, this was meant to get a full 100%
maximum secrecy, until Bimbo an actress & a close friend of Rita , in
a phone conversation blew it open.


In the open phone conversation which was over-head by our source while
on the set of a new Tv series.


Rita Edmond's friend was heard telling a friend that "the singer has
hammered big time, as she was spoilt silly & also spent her Holidays
in far away Dubai on the bills of Rave of the moment Igbo rapper
Phyno,, who put the singer in a family way,and is trying to get the
Imo State born Singer to keep the baby",
The phone conversation,, also revealed that the Singer, Rita wants to
get rid of the baby, so as to focus on her music career while Phyno is
really keen on having the baby without Marital commitment… The Singer
Rita Edmond, has also been rumoured to be the secret lover, that Phyno
has always been visiting at nights in a guest house at Lekki Phase 1.


Insiders claimed the two love birds kicked off their "on & off"
relationship right from the streets of Enugu State and have been on
for the past 6years right.. We also gather that the Chic was earlier
Financially assisting and sponsoring Phyno's career before the Ibo
Rapper hooked up with "Oga Boss" Ill Bliss at Capital Records whose
Management manages Phyno.



Well, pregnancy is something that can't be hidden forever,, even close
friends of Rita, agree that the ever-slim singer has been gaining
weights naturally and nothing more.


August – September is close, lets wait and see

WHO IS JIM IYKE?

James Ikechukwu Esomugha
or Jim Iyke and formally known
from birth as "James
Ikechukwu Okolue" is a
Nigerian born actor in Nigeria's
movie industry (popularly called
Nollywood) and one of the
stars of the top-rated movie
Last Flight to Abuja alongside
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and
Hakeem Kae-kazim. He was
born on September 25, 1970 in
Libreville, Gabon. His parents
are Mr and Mrs Stephen OKOLUE
whose last name changed to
"Esomugha" from Enugu Agidi
village in Anambra State. He is
the only boy in a family of eight
children. Jim Iyke studied at the
University of Jos, Plateau State
where he got a B.Sc. in
Philosophy, after earlier
obtaining a diploma in Banking
and Finance from the same
institution.
Career
"Jim Iyke" Esomugha began
acting in 2001. He is a top-
notch actor and one of the
highest paid in Nollywood.[1]
He is also very successful,
having appeared in over 150
films. Very recently, he started a
movie production company,
Untamed Productions. Jim
Iyke has begun his own music
label, Untamed Records, and
produced a first album, titled
" Who Am I?" featuring some of
Nigeria's top musicians such as
TuFace Idibia, and Sound
Sultan.[2]
Philanthropy
Jim lyke is the founder of Jim
lyke Foundation for Children
with Special Disabilities.[3]

THE MOST DANGEROUS DRUG ON EARTH

Like Ecstasy and
methamphetamine, the drug
known as "bath salts" is a
designer drug, which means it's
synthetic, concocted in a lab. (On
the street, it's also sometimes
called "bath powder," "herbal
incense," or "plant food."). What
makes the term "bath salts"
more confusing, though, is that
name is used for a surprisingly
large number of different
chemical combinations. But the
drug also apparently causes
paranoid delusions and/or
hallucinations. Experts are saying
it's psychoactive, rather than
hallucinogenic like acid, but the
end result appears to be similar:
delusional beliefs acted upon in
violent ways.

Mourinho surprised at Mikel’s 'goal scoring appetite'

Chelseamanager Jose Mourinhohas praised John Obi Mikel's impact on
his squad as the Blues won their third round FA Cup game against Derby
County on Sunday.
The Blues were late in scoring before the Nigerian's header in the
second half put them on their way to winning 2-0.
Mikel was given the captain's armband by Ghanaian Michael Essien
instead of Ashley Cole and he went on to make great impact afterwards
scoring his fourth ever Chelsea goal on the day he made his
300thappearance for the club.
"I never recognise his ability to score goals," Mourinho told the
club's website.
"I recognise his ability to play as an anchorman, to play that
position in a very comfortable way, with no mistakes. He reads the
game well, plays in an intelligent and safe way, but I never recognise
his goal scoring appetite.
"There was a smile on my face [when he scored]. For some reason Essien
gave him the armband, normally it should go to Ashley Cole, so maybe
it made him believe he was a goal scorer!
"It was important for us, we were dominating and dominating, creating
and creating but the goal was not arriving. It was like the winning
goal.'
Mikel is in the running for the 2013 Caf African Player of the Year
award that will be announced on Thursday January 9 at a gala to be
held in Lagos. He is contesting against Ivoirians Yaya Toure and
Didier Drogba.
He has seen support for him rise in recent days with Nigeria coach
Stephen Keshi stating: "It will boost the team and Mikel and all
Nigerians because it has been a long time since we last won the award
and I know we deserve to win this year."

'It's always a complete mess with me' - Di Maria fumes over crowd gesture row.

Angel Di Mariahas hit out at suggestions he made an obscene gesture to
supporters after being subsituted in Real Madrid's 3-0 win over
Celtaon Monday.
The Argentine was seen to grasp his groin as he left the field in the
victory at Santiago Bernabeu after some sections of the home support
booed him for his performance.
Di Maria insists he was not attempting to make any gesture and claims
his actions - unlike those of his team-mates' - are scrutinised to a
frustrating extent whenever he takes to the field.
"It wasn't for anyone. I adjusted myself and kept running," the
25-year-old toldFox Sports.
"I've never had problems with the fans. I could feel that half were
applauding and half booing.
"I went out totally naturally. They always expect me to do something.
I always have to clarify what I do. With everyone else nothing happens
and with me it's always a complete mess.
"I fight every day for a place at Real Madrid and it makes me angry
that things are always being invented about me. But I am calm because
I know it was nothing."
Carlo Ancelotti had earlier suggested any attempted gesture from Di
Maria would have been "a mistake" but stressed he was not
concerned over the incident.
Two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo - his 399th and 400th of his career -
and a strike from Karim Benzema sealed the points for the hosts
against Celta.