Fortune smiles on Odemwingie'

Albion striker, Marc-Antoine Fortune, has insisted that he's happy to play second fiddle to Peter Osaze Odemwingie despite his match-winning heroics against Fulham. The hard working forward scored his first goal since re-joining the Baggies from Celtic to seal victory on Saturday, as Odemwingie remained sidelined with a knee problem.

“I was not frustrated. Peter has been doing well and we're all in it together.
“Sometimes he's not going to play, like on Saturday, and I will play. There is a good atmosphere in the camp; there is no doubt about it.

“I was sad for Peter (due to his injury) because I think he was in a good mood to play well. Now that I have the chance to play, I will play, but I was sad for him.”

Fortune's clinical strike sent the Baggies briefly into the top four of the Premier League and they ended the weekend in sixth after a stunning start to the campaign.
The French Guyana-born forward said: “People are surprised but we know we have to fight in every game and we just have to play and enjoy it.

“We were 1¬-0 down and we had to show good spirit. Roberto Di Matteo is a good head coach and he tries to give confidence to every player. He always demands the maximum from you.”
Meanwhile, former Albion captain, Jonathan Greening, has backed the Baggies to end their yo-yo years after his Fulham side were downed.

Greening's first return to the Hawthorns since leaving the club last summer turned sour as he found himself on the receiving end of the latest Albion fight back.
In the wake of the Baggies' 2-1 victory, the midfielder predicted his former employers could finally be ready for a long-term stint in the Premier League.
“I think they can and I hope they do. I think they've got a hell of a chance. They are flying at the moment and they are six points ahead of us, so we've got to be careful ourselves.

“The table isn't false because they are up there. It's based on performances and results and they deserve to be where they are. I have watched them a few times this season and they are hard to break down. If they keep up that kind of attitude and work rate, I think they will do really well this year.
“They have come on really well. Everyone seems to know their job in midfield and if one of them makes a run the other one slots in, and they look really dangerous on the break. These are good times for them.

“They have always had good players and quality, but now, they probably have a better team shape than they have ever had and everyone knows their jobs more than they ever have done.
“They showed on Saturday, as they have done for most of the season, that it's hard to break them down and they look strong. We could probably have penetrated a bit more, but it wasn't to be for us.”

Prolific Perpetua

Super Falcons' top striker, Perpetua Nkwocha, was a delight at the just-concluded African Women Championship (AWC) in South Africa, even as scouts invaded the Nigerian camp in Sinaba searching for the continent's all-time prolific striker.

Nkwocha made history for herself and her country by scoring at every match played by the Super Falcons of Nigeria. And before going to press, no one could predict the number of goals she would score in the final after hitting another hat trick in the semi-final game against Cameroon on Thursday. She has so far distinguished herself from her peers and it would be a surprise if she misses out of this year's female Africa Footballer of the Year award, currently held by Salamata of Equatorial Guinea.

Already, scouts from different female leagues across the world are eager to have the signature of the Imo State-born strike-sensation. But she is not in a hurry to say yes to any yet, as according to her, “after the party, I will consider my future because presently, I am happy with my club.”

On the secret of her staying power, being the only surviving member of the Falcons that played the maiden edition of the AWC, Nkwocha said: “I am a strong-willed woman that has only football as a source of livelihood. I had the belief that football would give me the opportunity to wine and dine with kings and as such, I abstained from all vices that could derail my dream and I can gladly say that I am happier for it.
“I am grateful to my team-mates, because without them, I can do little. They provide the passes that aid my goal scoring ability. I am also grateful to the coaches who believe in me.

“I think I still have some years to play the game, but I have to watch and see how it goes.” Having also scored a hat trick in the opening game's 5-0 spanking of Mali at the championship, Nkwocha led the goal scorers' chart with 10 goals after Thursday's semi-final game. On a personal level, the Thursday's victory added to the growing buzz flowing round Nkwocha, who was voted the African Women Footballer of the Year in 2004 and 2005 by CAF. She looks good to have another shot at the award once again.

Nkwocha, born on January 3, 1976, currently plays for Swedish Damallsvenskan club, Sunnana SK. She participated in previous CAF AWCs in 2002, 2004 and 2006, winning all three of them. At the 2004 AWC, Nkwocha scored four goals in the final against Cameroon to help Nigeria win the title. It was then that she set her previous record by scoring nine goals in the championship. She was voted the Best Player of the tournament.

The striker has also participated in two editions of the FIFA Women's World Cup finals (2003 and 2007), and Olympic tournaments in 2000, 2004 and 2008. In June 2008, the BBC reported that Nkwocha had announced that she would retire from active playing career this year, and thereafter, would take to coaching.

Onuoha, Gyan worsen Mikel’s misery

How are the mighty falling, say it not as the Premier League leader, Chelsea, that was convincingly beaten as it succumbed to a sparkling Sunderland display. Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic escaped a red card for fouling Danny Welbeck but Nedum Onuoha went past three defenders and shot home to put Sunderland ahead.

Asamoah Gyan expertly guided in a shot after a well-worked Black Cats move to leave the home side rattled. The lively Welbeck secured a memorable Sunderland win when he side-footed in from Ashley Cole's poor backpass.

The pace, movement and energy of Sunderland's strike duo of Gyan and Welbeck were the foundation of the Black Cats’ win but they were backed up by a steely defence and industrious midfield.
The solo effort from Onuoha was a delight, Gyan's ruthlessly taken effort was a reward for a slick move and Welbeck's goal near the end was his just desserts for an impressive individual performance.

At times, champion Chelsea was overwhelmed as it suffered a first defeat of the season at Stamford Bridge and, more importantly, had its top-flight lead cut to two points, following Arsenal's win at Everton earlier on Sunday. There was plenty to admire about a vibrant Sunderland as it beat a Chelsea side who gave its title rival plenty of encouragement with a display that showed signs of susceptibility.

The Blues were found wanting from a test of their resolve, having endured the awkwardness of the departure of assistant manager, Ray Wilkins, on Thursday and the news that Frank Lampard's injury absence would run into December. The team suffered a further setback ahead of the game when influential captain and centre-back, John Terry, was ruled out with a back injury, forcing full-back, Paulo Ferreira, to fill in at the heart of the defence.

Lampard's continued spell on the sidelines as well as the suspension of fellow midfielder, Michael Essien, also put more emphasis on the contributions of Ramires and Yury Zhirkov, who both started in their side's defeat at Liverpool last Sunday. Initially, Chelsea appeared to have reacted well to the task at hand and, after John Mikel Obi lofted a delightful ball to release Nicolas Anelka, Black Cats’ keeper, Craig Gordon, came out to bravely palm the ball away from the striker.

Zhirkov showed quick feet to work his way into a shooting position only to drag his effort wide before Sunderland took a grip of the game in emphatic style.

Siasia warns Mikel, Nsofor

New Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, has warned his army of Holland 2005 U-20 World Cup and Beijing 2008 Olympic stars that they can only lace boots for the senior national team on merit.

Top on the list of stars who Siasia used to dazzle the world in Holland and Beijing were the likes of Obinna Nsofor, Chinedu Obasi Ogbuke, Mikel Obi, Taye Taiwo and Osaze Odemwingie, who have since graduated to the Super Eagles.

The coach who spoke early this week in Abuja on his plans after being named Eagles manager, said he will disappoint any player who feels he can ride on the back of being a Siasia boy to wear the country’s green- white- green colours.

The 43- year old tactician said he has always chosen his team on merit and would keep that tradition now that he has landed the ultimate job. In his words: “No body can ride on the back of being my boy to wear Eagles shirt.
When I was given the Flying Eagles job, I picked the best legs available in the country. That was the same thing I did when I took charge of the U-23 team. I go for the best legs, so whoever wants to make the Super Eagles under me, was work hard and earn a place purely on merit. The issue of getting a place because the person is my boy is totally out of it.”

Siasia said Nigerians would see the Super Eagles of their dream in three years, even as he pointing out that he won’t build a new team over night. “I will begin the process of building a new team immediately. For me, there is nothing like home and foreign-based player. Every good player will be given the opportunity to prove his mettle irrespective of where he is based. I am confident that in three years we will get there and have the kind of team that Nigerians would be proud of.”

It would be noted that the NFF last week gave Siasia a four year contract that would, however be reviewed after the first two years. Siasia’s immediate challenge is to qualify Nigeria for the Equatorial Guinea/ Gabon 2012 Nations Cup. The Super Eagles are at present second behind group leaders, Guinea in the race to the African soccer show piece.

...His pay worries NFF
While Nigerians are celebrating the appointment of Samson Siasia as Super Eagles manager, his employers , the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are at a loss over how to source the funds they need to settle his monthly wage bill and other allowances.

A top federation official who pleaded anonymity told Daily Sunsports yesterday that conservatively, the NFF will need about N200m annually to bankroll Siasia’s salaries and that of his assistants. “For us , the challenge right now is how to get this money. There are no sponsors and we can’t be going cap in hand to beg the National Sports Commission (NSC) to bail us out. We can’t afford to owe the coaches.

As we speak, the Sanni Lulu board is still owing Amodu and Christian Chukwu was owed salaries. We don’t want that trend to continue. It is going to be a big problem with no PTF around to pick the bills as was the case when Lagerback was here,” he said.

Siasia is to earn a monthly salary of N5million, while his assistants would pocket about N2.5 million. The NFF will equally take care of the accommodation and vehicle of the Eagles manager. The federation official hinted that the NFF board would have to approach some corporate bodies to help out as that would be the only way to ensure Siasia gets his pay regularly.

Nigeria Premier League | RESULTS

21 November   Enyimba Int’l FC 1 - 0 Zamfara Utd FC Josiah Maduabuchi (15)   Enyimba Sports Complex	21 November   Rangers Int’l FC 5 - 2 Ocean Boys FC Uche Nwofor (6) Uche Nwofor (8) Ejike Uzoenyi (23) Fred Okwara (45) Fred Okwara (65) Chigozie Christopher (35) Charles Omokaro (80) Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium
21 November   Warri Wolves FC 2 - 2 Heartland FC Ehiosun Ekigho (61) Ehiosun Ekigho (66) Bello Kofarmata (10) Osas Okoro (52) Warri City Stadium	21 November   Kaduna Utd FC 2 - 1 Crown FC Jude Aneke (48) Jude Aneke (54) Gabriel Agu (43) Kaduna Stadium
20 November   Niger Tornadoes FC 0 - 0 JUTH FC Mamman Kontagora Stadium	20 November   3SC 2 - 0 Bukola Babes FC Raheem Owolabi (31) Chima Akass (83)   Liberty Stadium
20 November   Plateau Utd FC 0 - 1 Sunshine Stars FC   Akombo Ukeyima (90) Rwang Pam Stadium	20 November   Gombe Utd FC 1 - 0 Lobi Stars FC MacMarcel Obioha (90)   Tafawa Balewa Stadium
20 November   Sharks FC 1 - 0 Dolphin FC Victor Ezeji (64)   Sharks Stadium	20 November   Kwara Utd FC 1 - 0 Kano Pillars FC Isiaka Olawale (90)   Offa Township Stadium
14 November   Lobi Stars FC 1 - 1 Sharks FC Victor Barnabas (10) Gomo Onduku (67) Aper Aku Stadium	14 November   Zamfara Utd FC 2 - 2 3SC Oba Dada (20) Festus Iyonu (og 90) Kabiru Alausa (56) Chima Akass (74) Sani Abacha Stadium
14 November   Sunshine Stars FC 2 - 1 Enyimba Int’l FC Cletus Itodo (30) Onyi Chiemeka (63) Ifeanyi Ede (41) Gateway International	14 November   Ocean Boys FC 1 - 1 Plateau Utd FC Ndubuisi Nkoro (30) Waziri Kabiru (66) Samson Siasia Stadium
14 November   Heartland FC 2 - 1 Niger Tornadoes FC Okey Nwadike (11) Osas Okoro (52) Chibuzor Osigwe (70) Dan Anyiam Stadium	13 November   Dolphin FC 1 - 0 Rangers Int’l FC Omoh Ojabu (82)   Liberation Stadium
13 November   JUTH FC 1 - 1 Gombe Utd FC James Amankwei (47) Lazarus Chukwu (61) Rwang Pam Stadium	13 November   Kwara Utd FC 1 - 1 Kaduna Utd FC Barnabas Imenger (41) Emma Bivan (59) Offa Township Stadium
13 November   Kano Pillars FC 1 - 0 Bukola Babes FC Mannir Ubale (47)   Sani Abacha Stadium	13 November   Crown FC 1 - 1 Warri Wolves FC Ekigbo Ehiosun (30) Harrison Egbune (75) Gateway International
07 November   Bukola Babes FC 0 - 0 Zamfara Utd FC Offa Township Stadium	07 November   3SC 2 - 1 Sunshine Stars FC Gbolahan Salami (46) Gbolahan Salami (90) Akombo Ukeyima (6) Liberty Stadium
07 November   Plateau Utd FC 0 - 1 Dolphin FC   Owusu Addae (8) Rwang Pam Stadium	07 November   Sharks FC 1 - 1 JUTH FC Victor Ezeji (76) James Amankwei (90) Sharks Stadium
07 November   Gombe Utd FC 2 - 0 Heartland FC Rafiu Salawudeen (38) Ifeanyi Okoro (52)   Tafawa Balewa Stadium	07 November   Niger Tornadoes FC 1 - 0 Crown FC Baba Sule (15)   Mamman Kontagora Stadium
07 November   Warri Wolves FC 1 - 0 Kwara Utd FC Emmanuel Omodiagbe (82)   Warri City Stadium	07 November   Enyimba Int’l FC 1 - 0 Ocean Boys FC John Chukwudi (35)   Enyimba Sports Complex
07 November   Rangers Int’l FC 3 - 2 Lobi Stars FC Fred Okwara (15) Ejike Uzoenyi (44) Bertrand Ogbu (90) Kingsely Odoh (35) Kingsely Odoh (53) Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium	06 November   Kaduna Utd FC 1 - 1 Kano Pillars FC Siman Yusuf (37) Rabiu Ali (29) Kaduna Stadium