We Are Ready To Host 2021 Afcon – Ouattara

The President of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara has declared that his country is ready to host the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in 2021. The first gentleman of the West African country during a media interaction insisted they are fully prepared and are capable of hosting the tournament.

Ouattara equally made it known that they were putting appropriate logistics in place in order to meet and satisfy the requirements. Confederation of African Football (CAF) had earlier announced that the date for African Cup of Nationshas been changed from January and February to June and July, and also the number of participants has been increased from 16 countries to 24 countries.

Cameroon are the next and are ready to host the coming edition of the bi-annual tournament. In an attempt to respond to media speculation that the 2019 hosts may not be ready to accommodate the visitors and cope with the bigger tournament, Ouattara told reporters that his country will have everything in place for 2021 version of the tournament.

“We are very much aware of the decision to increase the number of participating teams and also the change in the usually date, in every situation, Ivory Coast has the necessary infrastructure to host the tournament,” the president said. “Some days ago, we staged the Jeux de la Francophonie with 4,000 athletes from 54 countries. So, Ivory Coast has the infrastructure and in any case, we will continue up to 2021,making available the necessary infrastructure to stage the final tournament.”

The 2021 tournament will be the first time Ivory Coast will have staged African football’s showpiece event since 1984 which is the reason Alassane Ouattara is more convinced his country can do it, as Guinea have already been nominated as the 2023 hosts.

COSTA ACCUSES CHELSEA OF SABOTAGING ATLETICO MOVE

In a series of recent outbursts that paints frustration in its graphic form, outlaw Diego Costa says Chelsea are deliberately raising the benchmark of his transfer fee in a bid to trigger disinterest from the only club he pressed to end up at – Atletico.


The 28-year old says his contribution at the club is enough to make Chelsea reconsider making it difficult to move to the team of his heart desires. He also admitted that he might look into the possibility of moving to another side if Diego Simeone’s paymasters do not march Chelsea’s asking price.

Diego has spent much of his time in exile reiterating that he will only consider a move to the La Liga side, however, in his latest interview granted at his home in Brazilian town of Largato, the out-of-favour forward admitted for the first time that he might be open to any move that takes him far away from Stamford Bridge. Perhaps at this rate of beyond-the-Rubicon damaged relationships, he might even consider MLS Football.

“I’ve demonstrated I care for Atletico and have interest in playing for them,” he began. “But if Atletico and Chelsea don’t come to an agreement and Atletico don’t make a big effort, I can’t keep on wanting to play for a club that isn’t going to make a bigger effort to try and sign me,” he added. Continue reading COSTA ACCUSES CHELSEA OF SABOTAGING ATLETICO MOVE

BALLOTELLI TO DORTMUND BETTER BE A JOKE

Borussia Dortmund, like Atletico Madrid, is one of the few teams in Europe or that have had the privilege of housing“classic” strikers within their ranks; strikers that deliver both in tactical roles as well as important goals.


Lewandoski started out there during Jurgen Klopp’sreignas the Pole was not shy to show what he could do with his frame and his keen goal poaching sense. It wasn’t long before perennial bundesliga star-poachers him to Munich. That marriage has by the way yielded 77 goals in 96competitive matches over the course of 3 seasons.

The Borussen were however – after initially struggling to fill the hole left behind by the six foot one – able to landShaktarDonesk’sAubameyang. The Gabonese turned out to be another world class poacher in his own right and even topped this season’s bundesliga goal scoring chart with another former Borussia Dortmund player not too far behind in the second spot – Lewandoski. Continue reading BALLOTELLI TO DORTMUND BETTER BE A JOKE

Antonio Conte claims Eden Hazard long association with Chelsea

Antonio Conte reckons that Eden Hazard will probably not end his association with Chelsea as he finds a lot of comfort at the club and also in the city where he is well settled now with his wife and kids.


But, Conte, at the same time, refuses to assure anything to the media because of the funny nature of the soccer world where the mind and heart of people can change very quickly especially when it comes to transfer matters.

Also Conte hints that he does not have the full authority to make the calls regarding the transfer of big players like Hazard and that authority actually lies in the hands of the Chelsea bigwigs.

As per Conte, he can only convey his opinion to the top and then it depends on them what they do, but, he believes Hazard’s sale is not something that the hierarchy is considering at all right now.

The hierarchy actually intends to strengthen the squad even further and will be adding more quality to the squad next summer as they aim to contend for the title in all the tournaments they take part in. Continue reading Antonio Conte claims Eden Hazard long association with Chelsea

BOJAN KIRKIC NEARS STOKE CITY EXIT

Spanish international, Bojan Kirkic has told his football club Stoke City he wants to leave in this summer transfer window.


Bojan, who has become unsettled at the Bet365 Stadium wants a move away should the right offer comes in for him.

The 26-year-old front man was not in the Potters’ squad for last weekend’s 3-1 win away to Sunderland having complained about some mild hip discomfort to manager, Mark Hughes.

Hughes having restated his desire to keep the forward, signed from Barcelona for £3 million in the summer of 2014, has told him he is still a key part of his plans. He assured Bojan of more game time after a meeting with his representatives, It is understood that Stoke value at around £12 million. Continue reading BOJAN KIRKIC NEARS STOKE CITY EXIT

CONTE: HAZARD’S INJURY NOT SERIOUS

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has revealed that the injury playmaker Eden Hazard sustained was not a serious one.


The Belgium international was sidelined in the clash with Sunderland in the Premier League. The forward did not travel with the club to the Stadium of Light for the game but he is expected to make a return when Chelsea continue their winning streak against Crystal Palace this weekend.

“I don’t think so,” Conte said when asked if the injury was one that was long term. Conte said Hazard could not just feature for the Sunderland clash after his injury in the 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion. Hazard played 79 minutes but had to be replaced by Branislav Ivanovic in the game played at Stamford Bridge.

Brazilian forward Willian is set to start in place for Hazard against Palace. Out-of-favour Cesc Fabregas played when Chelsea faced David Moyes’ men. The Spaniard replaced Nemanja Matic while Kurt Zouma returned to the squad after a long-term injury. Zouma did not feature but making the bench is a big boost for the player after many months out. Continue reading CONTE: HAZARD’S INJURY NOT SERIOUS

Hazard back in form

Eden Hazard has recovered his good form under Antonio Conte.


The Belgium international is back to his best, and this can be clearly seen on the pitch. Eden Hazard has been far from his good form last season where he enjoyed his poorest season in the Premier League. He was far from the player that was voted PFA Player of the Year.

However, it appears that the player has managed to recover under the Italian manager and seems to be playing better on the pitch. According to some pundits, this is mainly to the change of formation that has been carried out by the Italian manager.

Indeed, Eden Hazard is given more freedom in the new 3-4-3 formation that is favored by Antonio Conte. This means that the playmaker is free to play on the wings or more centrally where he can influence the play better. Eden Hazard is also more open to shooting on goals, and this has resulted in four goals this season. This is not bad especially when you know that the player only managed four goals for the whole of last campaign.
Continue reading Hazard back in form

Park Ji-sung speak about football

It has been 2 years since Park Ji-sung last played in a competitive game, but the midfielder looks as athletic as ever.


He is currently working as an ambassador for Manchester United. Although he is not participating on the pitch as before, this does not prevent Park Ji-sung from giving his opinion on football matters.

He said that South Korea had been handed a tough draw when it comes to the World Cup qualifiers. Indeed they have been drawn with a group comprising of Iran, China, Uzbekistan, Qatar and Syria. South Korea will be looking to participate in their 9th successive World Cup, but Park Ji-sung believes that this will be difficult.

He said that the other teams found in the group are among the best in Asian football and that the South Korea team will have to be at their best if they want to make it to the finals. He said that South Korea had already played against Iran and Uzbekistan in the past, and it was by no means an easy match. He said that this is not an easy group and that the South Korean team should be ready for a fight if they want to qualify.
Continue reading Park Ji-sung speak about football

Eden Hazard As The Next Captain

Eden Hazard who is known as a great midfielder plays for Belgian National Team and Chelsea.


After achieving the PFA Player of the Year and the Premier League title last year, the Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard has shown outstanding performances that let other teams likes Blues down. The next term can be a great start for this Belgian player under Antonia Conte as he may be chosen as the ideal captain in place of John Terry. Hazard has always been ranked as one of the best footballer player in the world by his team, commentators and also his coach.

The 25 year old midfielder may be the best choice for the West London Club. Even if Terry decides to stay with an extension at Stamford Bridge, he may be in a role that may not be significant when you consider his age. Conte has plenty of responsibilities when he takes charge and the prime focus will be the defense. The vice caption will be the main person for all purposes similar to Terry when Marcel Desailly was towards the end of his career at Chelsea. The current vice president of Chelsea is Branislav Ivanovic. Continue reading Eden Hazard As The Next Captain

EDEN HAZARD IMPRESSIVE AGAIN IN GAME AGAINST LIVERPOOL

Eden Hazard received lots of accolades due to his impressive performance against The Reds.


Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink also praised the “terrific” Hazard after his superb show in the 1-1 draw at Liverpool. The Belgian’s stunning solo effort put Chelsea ahead after 32 minutes, before Christian Benteke’s injury-time equalizer denied The Blues all three points. Hiddink says Hazard has improved his physical fitness in recent weeks, and said the midfielder has suffered with a stop-start season.

Hiddink told Sky Sports:

“He was terrific. He’s already some weeks growing also in his physically fitness, which is important for him and nature gives him a lot of skill.

“It’s a matter of being fit and fresh for him, and he’s showing that already in the last few weeks.

“Last year he had a beautiful year, and this year he had to suffer a lot regarding his injury, being back and then getting injured again, and that’s why we made a special programme for him.”

Hiddink says his team should have been home and dry in the second half, with Simon Mignolet denying his side on numerous occasions despite the consistent attacks from the Blues’ strikers. Continue reading EDEN HAZARD IMPRESSIVE AGAIN IN GAME AGAINST LIVERPOOL