world of sport with Charles Orok

 Keshi wont be forced on Osaze
------------------------------
 31 December 2013, 15:02

Head coach of the Nigeria national team, Stephen Keshi has dropped the
strongest possible hint that Cardiff City striker, Peter Odemwingie will
not make his final squad for the 2014 Fifa World Cup just because he’s
wanted by the majority of the fans.

Odemwnigie has not played for Nigeria since February 29, 2012 when the
Super Eagles were held to an underwhelming 0-0 draw against Rawanda at the
Stade Régional de Nyamirambo in a 2013 Africa Nations Cup qualifying game.

The 32-year-old has since expressed his desire to return to the national
team in time for the 2014 Fifa World Cup finals in Brazil.

“I was in the Nigeria squad for the last World Cup finals in South Africa
and I would love the chance to go again,” Odemwingie told WalesOnline in
November.

“I believe I have a chance and when it comes I would be delighted. I
haven’t been selected lately because the coach is making changes to the
squad and it affected all the older players so the situation wasn’t
friendly.

“Playing for my country in Brazil would mean so much to me. No player will
be in the squad unless they do well for their various clubs. Brazil is even
more popular football-wise so it will be great if it happens,” he added.

Recently, there has been a clamour from a large section of Super Eagles’
supporters for the recall of the striker who believe his experience could
be invaluable for the team’s expedition to Brazil.

Keshi has however categorically stated that he will not invite Odemwingie
or any other individual based on the sentiments of the supporters.

“I will not invite Osaze (Odemwingie) or any other player just because
Nigerians want that player in the team. I cannot do that,” Keshi told
supersport

The gaffer then reaffirmed his earlier position on the situation explaining
that the former Lokomotiv Moscow attacker will have a fair crack to force
his way into the team.

“Right now, I can’t say categorically that he (Odemwingie) will be a part
of our final World Cup squad.

“He is one of the players we have listed (for inclusion into the
preliminary squad for Brazil 2014) but I don’t know if he’s going to come
back or not.

“We will see how it goes. If’s he’s playing good (for Cardiff City), we
will see how it goes,” he said.

Odemwingie made his Nigeria debut in 2002 and has scored nine goals in 55
appearances for the Super Eagles.



Football | Barclays Premier League
   David Luiz © Gallo Images
   Chelsea must shuffle pack at Southampton
------------------------------
 31 December 2013, 15:41

Chelsea will be without David Luiz and Frank Lampard for Wednesday's
Premier League trip to Southampton and are also likely to have Branislav
Ivanovic and Samuel Eto'o sidelined.

Brazilian Luiz is suspended after picking up his fifth booking of the
season in Sunday's 2-1 win over Liverpool and midfield partner Lampard
suffered a muscle strain in the same match.

Ivanovic and Eto'o, like Lampard, also had to go off injured against
Liverpool.

Fernando Torres is likely to come in for Eto'o up front with Ashley Cole
replacing Ivanovic in defence.

Brazilian Ramires, suspended on Sunday, is set to return to the midfield
along with John Obi Mikel.

England defender Gary Cahill said third-placed Chelsea's performance at
Stamford Bridge at the weekend was one of their best of the season.

"The focus now is to play like we did against Liverpool every week because
we really moved the ball around quickly," he told the club website (
www.chelseafc.com) on Tuesday.

"In the big games this season we have turned up. We drew at Arsenal and
Manchester United and beat Manchester City and Liverpool here," said Cahill.

"Of course we can win the league, and that's what we're aiming to do, along
with some other fantastic teams. We know it's going to be tough but at the
moment we've put ourselves in a good position."

Chelsea conceded a hatful of goals earlier this month but have regained
their defensive meanness in recent matches.

"We've tightened it right back up again now," said Cahill. "Moving forward
it's important that we're in touching distance (at the top).

"Liverpool was a massive game because some of the teams played on Saturday
and then we saw Arsenal win before we went out so it put added pressure on
us to get a result."

Chelsea are one point behind Manchester City and two adrift of leaders
Arsenal. Southampton occupy ninth position after 19 games, the midway point
of the season.


*NEW YEAR DAY FIXTURES *
*01 January 2014*
*English Barclays Premier League*  
Swansea City vs Manchester
City Liberty Stadium17:00

Arsenal vs Cardiff City.  Emirates Stadium17:00

Crystal Palace vs Norwich City Selhurst Park  17:00

Fulham vs West Ham United Craven Cottage17:00

Liverpool vs Hull City Anfield17:00

Southampton vs Chelsea St. Mary's Stadium 17:00

Stoke City vs Everton Britannia Stadium17:00

Sunderland vs Aston Villa Stadium of Light 17:00

West Bromwich Albion vs Newcastle United The Hawthorns19:30

Manchester
United vs Tottenham Hotspur Old Trafford