Thousands of youths seeking soccer stardom trooped out at the Austin Jay Jay Okocha Stadium in Ogwashi-Uku in Delta State at the weekend in the on-going Zonal trial of the Oceanic Football talent Hunt Competition which held at the ex-Super Eagles star’s home town.

Chelsea and Manchester United launched the English season in explosive fashion as the Blues’ 4-1 penalty shoot-out win in Sunday’s Community Shield was marred by an ugly clash between Michael Ballack and Patrice Evra.

Barnabas Imenge, a former Super Eagles attacker and Chief Coach of Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi, in this chat with Sunday Vanguard in Makurdi spoke his mind on lots of burning issues as regards Nigerian football and personal experiences as a footballer

Globacom Limited, Nigeria ’s biggest corporate supporter of football, on Friday in Abuja presented a cheque for $3m (about N495M) for the Official National Supporters rights to the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Former Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Board member, Elder Bode Oyewole has urged Super Eagles handler Shaibu Amodu to adhere to wise counsels that would better the team as they set out to lock horns with the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia at the Abuja National Stadium in September.

Former Flying Eagles coach Tunde Disu believes that the new pattern adopted by the Flying Eagles chief coach Samson Siasia would go a long way in helping him build a capable team for the forthcoming U-20 World Cup billed for Egypt later this year.

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Imo State Chapter has commended the Governor, Ikedi Ohakim for his relentless effort in supporting the state team, Heartland FC of Owerri which saw them bounce back to winning ways in their CAF Champions League campaign this season.

The United Nations Children Education Fund, UNICEF have joined the Hope 4 Girls project being put together by Nigeria’s former female national team player, Mobolaji Akiode.

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets and defending champion of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Friday got a tough draw for the 2009 edition which incidentally is being hosted by the country in eight centres namely Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Calabar, Kano, Enugu, Ijebu-Ode and Bauchi.

Following a special request from the Local Organising Committee to FIFA, three-time champions Brazil have been given special status and will play at the Lagos Centre during this year’s FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
The South Americans have been seeded automatically as the top team in Group B.
Hosts Nigeria are the top seeds in Group A and will play in Abuja.