Nadal slips to no. 5

Rafael Nadal

Former world no. 1 and 11 times grand slam champion, Rafael Nadal has slipped further in the Association of Tennis Professionals  (ATP) rankings to the fifth spot.

The Spanish player has not played active tennis since June last year at the Wimbledon. He played Czech player Lukáš Rosol, then ranked 100^th in the world, in the second round. Nadal was defeated by Rosol in the 7-6 (9), 4-6, 4-6, 6-2, 4-6 five-set thriller, a first since the Wimbledon 2005 championship  that Nadal has failed to progress past the 2^nd round of a Grand Slam tournament.

Nadal’s 2012 has been plagued with injury forcing him to withdraw from the 2012 Olympics in July due to tendonitis.  He also pulled out of the Rogers Cup, Cincinnati Masters and US Open.

Nadal fell to a world no. 4 ranking, his lowest since 2010, on the 11^th of September 2012. He officially withdrew from the just concluded Australian Open two weeks to the tournament citing a stomach virus as the reason for delaying his famed comeback. This withdrawal saw him drop out of the ATP top 4 for the first time since 2005.

Fellow Spaniard David Ferrer who was beaten by eventual Australian Open champion, Novak Djokovic in the semifinal now ranks 4^th. The top 3 spots did not change with Novak Djokovic (SRB), Roger Federer (SUI) and Andy Murray (GBR) occupying 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd positions respectively.

Nadal has chosen the Viña del Mar tournament coming up in Chile between 4^th and 10^th February as the tonic for his comeback. He will then move to Brazil from February 11 through February 17 for the 2013 Brasil Open, an indoor tournament. Both tournaments are played on his preferred clay court surface.

Ghanaian players get $35,000 each

Asamoah Gyan celebrates after scoring against Mali

Each Ghanaian player at the 2013 AFCON in South Africa has receive $35,000 for qualifying for the quarterfinals.

Ghana team manager, Emmanuel Kyeremeh confirmed this saying “The bonuses have been paid.”

“Had they failed to qualify for the quarterfinals, they would not have received anything,” he added.

He also explained, “The budget management submitted to the Ministry was approved and we also agreed the qualifying bonus with the players. We actually didn't base it on matches.”

He said, “If we had not qualified yesterday, then we were not going to pay any bonus.”

“The bonuses were paid at 10:30 pm past night and you can see that is why the players are happy,” confirmed Ghana FA spokesperson Ibrahim Daara-Sannie on Tuesday.

Ghana will play debutants Cape Verde in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Port Elizabeth.

Moses parts the way for Nigeria into the last eight

Nigerian Victor Moses scores a brace to see the Super Eagles through to the last eight

Chelsea forward Victor Moses struck twice in similar fashion to send Nigeria into the quarterfinals of the ongoing 2013 AFCON taking place in South Africa.

The first half saw a spirited Nigerian team taking the earlier initiative but lack of marksmanship and conviction robbed the Super eagles of the chances they created. The Ethiopian’s gradually settled in and grew in confidence to see out a barren first half.

 Nigeria needing a win to progress, regardless of the other Group C match between defending champion Zambia and tournament rookies Burkina Faso injected some pace into the game, seeking a quick respite by substituting under performing Ikechukwu Uche for Ahmed Musa but the options continued to be limited for the Stephen Keshi tutored side.

Moses struck late, twice from the penalty spot after being hacked down on both occasions in the Ethiopian penalty box. The Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia ended the match with ten men after their keeper received his marching order from a second yellow card.

With the result, the Super Eagles of Nigeria qualify in second place alongside Group leaders Burkina Faso who have a superior goal’s difference.  Zambia becomes the first defending champions since 1992 when Algeria failed to qualify not to progress beyond the group stage.

Nigeria will now play Group D winners Cote D’Ivoire on Sunday in a West African quarterfinal which will see John Mikel Obi reunite with former Chelsea teammate Didier Drogba.

An elated Nigeria coach had the following to say. “This is a victory for Nigerians wherever they are in the world. This is a time for celebration”

He added, “Now we face title favourites Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals and there will be no second chance for either side. I have a game plan but, with respect, that is for the players and not for you guys.”

Super Nova wins Australian Open title for a record 3rd consecutive time

3rd consecutive Aussie Open Winner - Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic trailed Andy Murray in the first set to see off the Scott  6 – 7, 7 – 6, 6 – 3 and 6 - 2, to win his 4^th Australian Open, 6^th Grand Slam and becomes the first player in the open era to win back to back to back (3 consecutive) Australian Open titles.

Murray took the first set, serving first in the tie break and looked like he had the mental aptitude to claim an upset on the world no. 1 Serb but Novak served first in the second set tie break and he never looked back.

Murray played out the four-set cracker with a badly blistered right foot and writhed in severe pain while running the lines to return the sublime ground strokes from the world no. 1.

Djokovic won a total of 139 points compared to Murray’s 126 and though Djokovic amassed an unimpressive 61 unforced errors to Murray’s 46. Murray was unable to convert any of the four break points available with Djokovic converting 3 out of 11.

Both winner and runner up go home with $2,430,000 and $2,300,00 respectively. 

LeBron James tackles fan after a $75,000 half-court shot

Below is a half-court shot from a Miami Heat fan. So impressive was the shot that 6-foot-8 Heat forward, LeBron James tackled him to the ground in disbelief and awe.

Little wonder the shot was price-tagged at $75,000. Veterans like Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James all watched as 50-year-old computer technician Michael Drysch stepped up to the plate, clutched the ball and hit it in as a one-handed hook shot. And yes from the other half of the court like the kind of shot the pros play before the buzzer goes off.

Awesome $75,000 half-court shot

Excitement flushed to his face afterwards. Was it because of the shot or because of the admiration he got from LeBron in the form of a bear hug? Who won’t with a half-court shot worth $75,000.

Ecstatic LeBron James mugs fan

Azarenka beats Li Na to win 2013 Australian Open

2013 Australian Open Women Champion - Victoria Azarenka

Defending female Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka beat Chinese Li Na to claim her second consecutive Australian Open title. The match which saw a resurgent Li Na who had earlier dumped Russian Maria Sharapova 6 - 2, 6 - 2 in the semi-finals succumb to the sheer power and class of the Belarusian.

Azarenka came back from a set down to win 4 - 6, 6 -4, 6 - 3 to romp to victory making her the 8th woman to successfully defend her crown.

An emotional Azarenka burst into teams amidst plaudits from her fans. She goes home with the prize money of $2,430,000 while Li Na pockets $1,215,000 for her effort.

Azarenka retains her no. 1 world ranking.

Also major sponsors, KIA renewed their sponsorship deal of the Australian Open for another 5 years

The 2013 edition of the Australian Open comes to an end tomorrow Sunday with the men finals between Britain's Andy Murray and Serb Novak Djokovic.

Quinquangenerian José Mourinho

José Mourinho "The Special One"

José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félix, or simply called José Mourinho born 26^th January 1963, exactly 50 years ago, is a Portuguese football manager.

Commonly called “The Special One”, Mourinho was born to parents José Manuel Mourinho Felix and Maria Júlia Carrajola dos Santos, a professional footballer and a primary school teacher respectively.

Because of the sports orientation he was accustomed to he dropped out on the first day of enrollment by his mother in a business school and chose to focus on sports without looking back. He attended the Instituto Superior de Educação Física (ISEF), Technical University of Lisbon, to study sport science. He taught physical education at several institutions, earned a diploma and received complementary and rave reviews throughout the course. He had a profound attention to detail and envisioned defining the coach’s role in football by combining coaching theory with motivational and psychological techniques. 

His first port of call in football management was Vitória de Setúbal in the 1990s then moved to greater challenges to work as a translator to Sir Bobby Robson, then at Sporting Clube de Portugal, where “The Special One” cut his coaching teeth and later followed Robson to FC Porto and FC Barcelona where he continued coaching and interpreting for players.

Mourinho went on to coach Porto, Chelsea, Internazionale and currently Real Madrid where he won the Primeira Liga (2), Taça de Portugal (1), Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira (1), UEFA Champions League (1), UEFA Cup (1); Premier League (2), FA Cup (1), Football League Cup (2), FA Community Shield (1); Serie A (2), Coppa Italia (1), Supercoppa Italiana (1), UEFA Champions League (1) and La Liga (1), Copa del Rey (1), Supercopa de España (1) respectively.

Mourinho so much enjoyed his stay at Chelsea where he was hired by billionaire Roman Abramovich but big egos strained that relationship. He has often nursed the ambition to return to the League he refers to as the best League in the world.

We wish Jóse a very happy 50^th Birthday. Hip Hip Hurray!!!

Barca draw Real in Copa Del Rey El Clásico

Barcelona has again drawn Real Madrid in the 2012|13 version of the Copa Del Rey. Both teams will slug it out in a two legged affair beginning hostilities on 27^th January when Real welcomes Barcelona to the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday January 27 at 20:00 hrs.

Real secured a semi-final berth with Barcelona after seeing off Valencia on a 3 – 1 goal aggregate. Real Madrid’s (1-1) second leg encounter with Valencia was marred by a finger injury to captain Iker Casillas which will see the Spanish captain miss out on both encounters while his expected 6 – week recovery elapses.

Barcelona who earlier last week drew 2 – 2 with in-form team Malaga produced a spectacular performance to see off Los Boquerones 4 – 2 Thursday evening and going through on 6 – 4 aggregate.

The Real – Barca rivalry will again display fireworks from arguably the best players on the planet on either side of the divide.

The other semi-final will pitch Falcao’s  Atletico Madrid against Sevilla.

Barcelona Star, Gerard Piqué and Shakira welcome baby

Gerard Piqué and Shakira on Tuesday welcomed son, Milan Piqué Mebarak into the world.

Milan was born on 22^nd January at 9:36 pm in Barcelona Spain and weighed 6lbs. 6 ounces at birth, and both mother and child are in excellent health. “We are happy to announce the birth of Milan Piqué Mebarak,” wrote the pop singer on her website and other social media. The name Milan (pronounced MEE-lahn) means dear, loving and gracious in Slavic; in Ancient Roman, eager and laborious; and in Sanskrit, unification.

Like father Gerard, baby Milan has been named a member of FC Barcelona confirmed Shakira. The 35-year old Colombian star tweeted fans before going into labour upon admission into hospital in Barcelona and asked her fans to pray for her during the birth of her first child. ‘I’d like to ask you all to accompany me in your prayers on this very important day of my life. Shak’

An insider account revealed that Shakira complained of increasing discomfort and abdominal pressure prior to giving birth; while also revealing Shak had requested a female only medical team to assist her during childbirth and contracted to confidential agreements.

Congo DRC keeper thrills at AFCON 2013

Remember the TP Mazembe goalkeeper, Muteba Kidiaba? He hasn't stopped thrilling fans and football enthusiasts alike. Watch him do his goal celebration dance at the ongoing AFCON 2013 in South Africa.

AFCON 2013 FIXTURES

                                                                                                        Time: CAT (SA, GMT+2)