Yobo's future may have to wait a little longer

Joseph Yobo's future may have to wait a little longer before it is sorted out as talks with Everton have stalled.

Talks between the Nigerian international and Everton chairman, Bill Kenwright, have "broken down irreparably," according to a source close to the player.

SuperSport.com can report that Kenwright made it clear to Yobo that Everton have received offers from other English clubs.

The Nigerian defender responded that he has no problem with offers from English clubs as long as they are willing to match the wages he commands at Fenerbahce.

Reports that Yobo might move for £2 million to Fenerbahce, where he has played in the past two seasons on loan spells, looks doubtful at the moment.

The Toffees are holding on to Yobo, who still has about two years left on his deal and are keen to force up the transfer fee to around £3 million which the Turkish club have baulked at after an earlier £1 million bid was rejected.

"Talks between the (Everton) chairman and him (Yobo) has broken down irreparably.

"Everton want to hold out till it is too late and he may miss pre-season with Fenerbahce. In the long run, miss out on an opportunity to play in the Champions League," SuperSport.com was informed.

Yobo has already made it clear that he wants out at Everton and prefers a move to Fenerbahce on a permanent basis.

This is in spite of interests from Leicester City and Norwich City for the 31-year-old centre-half.

“Moving to Fenerbahce was the best thing in my career. I joined them because I was eager to win silverware. The 2011 Super Lig title and the Turkish Cup justified that.

"I hope my permanent move to Fenerbahce is concluded soon," the Nigerian captain said.

Mbachu promises seventh Falcon title

Super Falcons' right winger, Stella Mbachu is emphatic her side will defend successfully the AWC title in Equatorial Guinea in November.

Falcons won their sixth African title in South Africa in 2010.

The petite winger led her side to play an uninspiring goalless draw against Olympic bound South Africa's Banyana Banyana in the reversed fixture of the two-leg friendly match in Lagos on Saturday.

Mbachu told SuperSport.com that the barren draw did not diminish Falcons' status as Africa's best team.

"Yes, I strongly believe we'll retain the AWC trophy in Equatorial Guinea.

"There is nothing wrong with us playing barren draw with Banyana Banyana. It's football either you win, lose or draw.

"There are not a bad side, they're an Olympic team, they assembled and presented the best squad.

"Yes, I'm satisfied with the result, not at all disappointed.

"There are new players in our midst the coaches want to see, so ours is not a competition squad but build-up team.

"At the time for the AWC we'll have a squad that'll defend the title, I'm certain about it," she said.

The veteran Rivers Angels' forward would want to see more improved South African side if they must make impact at the Olympics.

"The South Africans are good but they won't go far at the Olympics if what they presented against us is their best.

"Although there is luck in football, they may go there and surprise people but I believe there are rooms for improvement.

"They must intensify their preparations as well as raise the game to make their presence at the Olympics counts," she said.

© SuperSport.com

Didier Drogba may ditches Shanghai for Barcelona

Didier Drogba is at the heart of speculation linking him with a move to Spanish giants Barcelona.

The Ivorian striker has signed a contract with Shangha Shenhua, but according to reports on Twitter he could now be set to join the Copa Del Rey champions.

Drogba looked set to finish his career in China following his Chelsea exit but reports have claimed that he is expected to arrive in Barcelona this afternoon to meet with club directors.

According to Spanish football correspondent Guillem Balague, a clause in Drogba's deal with Shanghai allows him to join Barcelona for free.

He said: "In Spain it is being reported that Didier Drogba is arriving tomorrow to Barcelona to sign for FC Barcelona.

"Drogba has got a clause that allows him to leave Shangai Shenhua for free if Barcelona came calling. He will meet the Spanish club tomorrow. Despite the meeting tomorrow, Barcelona club sources say they won't sign Drogba, wages too high."

Just days ago Drogba commented on his move to China.

"I can inform you that I have signed with Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua for a two and a half year deal," said Drogba. "I will fly out to join up with the squad in July.

"I have considered all the offers I have received in the past few weeks, but I feel that Shanghai Shenhua is the right move for me at this time."

Drogba ended his eight-year stay at Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.

Malian troops harass Sunshine Stars

Players and officials of Nigeria’s Caf Champions League representatives, Sunshine Stars on Thursday got a surprise visit from Malian army officials.

Members of the Mali government army forces stormed the Hotel Columbus lodgings of the Nigerians and searched their rooms.

Goalkeeper Segun Oluwaniyi said the soldiers knocked at the door of his hotel at around 2am local time (3am Nigerian time), leaving him shaken with fear.

“I have never experience such in my lifetime,” Oluwaniyi said.

“They knocked at around 2am and I asked who was at the door. I was scared but one of the (officers) who spoke English said they are here because of the situation of the country and just wanted to know who I was."

“They checked the bathroom, wardrope. I told them we are still in Bamako because we missed our flight because of the situation of the country, he asked me how many are we and I told him we are 10 that are trapped in the hotel and I told him to go to other rooms for him to know that we are not rebels that we are footballers and after checking they left my room and told me to be calm and I shouldn’t be worried,” Oluwaniyi said.

Six players and two officials of Sunshine Stars as well as two Nigerian journalists have been trapped in Bamako since drawing 1-1 against Djoliba AC in a Caf Champions League game on Sunday.

© SuperSport.com

Keshi Okays Friendly With Egypt

Chief Coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi has described the proposal by the Egypt Football Federation to play an international friendly match against Nigeria as a good development.

The Egyptian football authority wants the Eagles to engage the Pharaohs in a friendly tie on 12 April in Abu Dhabi, UAE, a proposal which its Nigerian counterpart, NFF says is under consideration.

If Nigeria sanctions the friendly encounter, Keshi believes it would help his team prepare for the 2013 Nations Cup and 2014 World Cup qualifying matches in June this year.

“This friendly game is coming at a good time for us to keep the players busy ahead of a busy month we’ll have in June,” said the former Nigerian international.

Meanwhile, the Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, will take a decision on the invitation from Egypt next week.

A member of NFF, Shehu Adamu, said the body will uncover its plans for the friendly matches lined up for the senior national team soon.

“By next week, we’ll clear all issues concerning friendly matches for the national team. Apart from Egypy, we have other matches in the pipeline for the Eagles,” Adamu said.

3SC axe coach Festus Allen

Festus Allen has been suspended as coach of Nigeria Premier League side Shooting Stars after a third straight loss Sunday.

MTNFootball.com has specially gathered that Allen has been formally asked to step aside after 3SC lost their third straight game on Sunday at Kaduna United.

3SC lost 2-0 in Kaduna and in midweek fell 3-0 at Kano Pillars. They also lost 1-0 at Heartland to make it three losses on the trot.

‘The Oluyole Warriors’, who fought against relegation in the last two seasons, are second from bottom of the NPL table with 17 points from 15 matches.

The former coach of Bukola Babes (now ABS FC) Allen, who took over from Fatai Amoo at the start of this season, will now be replaced by his assistants Tunde Odubola and Busari Akeem.

They will therefore take charge of the team for Thursday's home game against Kwara United.

Last week, Oyo State top official Dapo Lam Adesina warned that changes in the team were imminent following the indifferent performances of the Ibadan club.

Allen’s suspension will spark off another round of massive clear-out at the club, officials have now hinted.

The coach would have been suspended hours before the Kaduna United match after club manager Mutiu Adepoju travelled down to join the team armed with his suspension letter.

However, MTNFootball.com gathered it was later decided that the letter be given to the embattled coach only after the game.

He is not expected to return to his duty post, top officials informed MTNFootball.com and one of Nigeria’s top traditional clubs are expected to begin a search for a capable replacement.