McIlroy struggles after sizzling start in Dubai

Golf | European Tour

Rory McIlroy, seeking a first win of 2013, began Dubai's $8 million DP World Tour Championship in blistering fashion but could not sustain the momentum as he fired a one-under 71 on Thursday in the European season climax.

The defending Dubai champion sank birdies in three of the opening four holes on a cloudless morning at the Greg Norman-designed Earth course.

After a 30-foot birdie on the opening par four, a 40-foot eagle attempt came up just short to leave him with a simple birdie at the second and the 24-year-old Northern Irishman picked up another shot on the fourth as girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki looked on.

But bogeys on the fifth and eighth holes stymied McIlroy's charge, and although he birdied the seventh he dropped another shot after finding the water on the 18th to end on 71, five behind early leader Alejandro Canizares.

"I feel like I played better than the score suggested," McIlroy told reporters. "I was pretty wasteful on the back nine. I had a good chance at 10, good chances at 14, 15, 16 so there were a few chances out there that I didn't take. I'm coming off the course disappointed, but I know there's a good score out there."

Bujela primed for second SA Open debut

Golf | Amateur Golf

When Johannesburg golfer Sipho Bujela made his debut in the South African Open Championship last year, he became the first black amateur exempted from qualifying for the country's flagship event.

In January, the rising star secured his pro card at the Vusi Ngubeni Qualifying School and 11 months later, the Sunshine Tour rookie is relishing his maiden pro debut in the 103rd edition of the second oldest national championships at the Glendower Golf Club from November 21-24.

And the experience last year has not detracted from the growing excitement Bujela is feeling as the championship approaches.

“It is an exciting time for me because last year I was there as an amateur, but now I'll be playing as a pro,” Bujela said. “The SA Open was a great experience last year and I know I'm in for another great experience this year. The SA Open is very special and it is the one tournament every South African wants to win at least once in their lifetime. I dream of winning our Open.”

Adjusting to the pro ranks has been tough, but Bujela stole the headlines a few months ago when snatched the lead at Zambia Sugar Open in Lusaka with an opening eight-under-par 65. The 23-year-old eventually tied for 21st in his third best performance this season.
Having played a lot of amateur golf at the par-72 layout, the young gun is quite familiar with Glendower and the challenges of the classic course.

Djokovic, Stepanek to open Davis Cup final

Tennis | Davis Cup

Serbia's Novak Djokovic will face Radek Stepanek of holders the Czech Republic in the opening rubber of the Davis Cup final starting on Friday, following Thursday's draw.
Djokovic, the world No 2, will face 44th-ranked Stepanek on the hardcourt surface at the Belgrade Arena at 1500 GMT on Friday.
In the second rubber, 117th-ranked Dusan Lajovic of Serbia will take on world No 7 Tomas Berdych.
Lajovic has replaced Janko Tipsarevic, the world number 36, who has been ruled out with a heel injury. Serbia also miss 76th-ranked Viktor Troicki due to a doping ban.

"Obviously it's a handicap for our team that we don't have Viktor and Janko now," Djokovic said before describing Lajovic as "a young and talented player" who can "play on a high level."
"In the Davis Cup final with 17 or 18 000 people supporting him it's normal to expect that he can deliver his best," said Djokovic.

Lajovic, who has lost all four ATP rubbers he has played this year, insisted he was ready to surprise.
"I'm very excited, I was working hard for this and I'll give my best," said the 23-year-old.
Meamwhile, Berdych admitted he did not know much about his rival, saying: "I will try to do some small scouting about him (but) we came here to try to score three points during the weekend and the plan stays the same."

Serbia to miss Tipsarevic in final

Tennis | Davis Cup

 Serbia will be without injured number-two player Janko Tipsarevic for the Davis Cup final against holders the Czech Republic starting in Belgrade on Friday, the Serbian Tennis Federation said before Thursday's draw.

Tipsarevic, the world number 36, has been ruled out by a heel injury, federation spokeswoman Neda Miletic told AFP.

Job offers flood in for Keshi

Football | Super Eagles

In February of this year Stephen Keshi led the super eagles to reclaim the African cup of Nations after a 19 year gap. He achieved this by taking to the tournament one of the most inexperienced sides Nigeria has taken to an Afcon tournament since he was the skipper of the 1984 side.

In many countries this achievement will translate into financial rewards and great planning and structure for the team. Not Nigeria. Stephen Keshi and his technical crew have not been paid salaries for the last 7 months.

"It is the love that I have for my country that has kept me in this place ever since," Keshi said to supersport.com when asked why he is putting up with this.

"I go outside into the shops and markets and ordinary Nigerians in the streets are thanking me and asking God to continue to bless me. It humbles me. It makes me realise the responsibilities I have to these people and I keep at the job. I also have a fantastic group of young footballers, who I sincerely do not want to abandon at this moment," Keshi said.

As a successful coach he is not shy of suitors. "Oh I have four offers on the table for me that will triple my wages but because of the reasons I have given I have told those offers to please go elsewhere."

Stephen Keshi is patently unhappy with the furore that the bonus created. "Where else in this world do you hear or read of a successful team having their bonuses slashed? When one thinks about it like that it shows how incongruous the whole thing looks really. Ghana players were on $15 000 per man to beat Egypt while the Egyptians were on $25 000 per man, yet the African Champions are being offered $5 000. That is Nigerian football administration sense.

Germany's Ozil travels to Italy for friendly

Football | Germany

Germany playmaker Mesut Ozil travelled to Milan on Thursday with the rest of Joachim Loew's squad ahead of Friday's friendly match against Italy.
The Arsenal midfielder had stayed in London to recover from illness before joining up with his teammates in Munich on Wednesday.

He is now expected to train at Milan's San Siro Stadium on Thursday before a decision is made on whether he starts in what is a repeat of the Euro 2012 semifinal, won 2-1 by Italy.

Man Utd revenue at new high

Football | Barclays Premier League

English soccer champions Manchester United reported a 29 percent increase in revenue to £98.5 million in the three months through September, after sponsor and TV deals pushed the quarterly figure to a record high.
The club also welcomed the latest broadcast deal under which BT will pay around £900 million for rights to European club soccer for three years from 2015.

"This deal represents a meaningful increase over the current arrangement, which should translate into higher broadcasting revenue for the participating clubs," Manchester United Executive Vice-Chairman Ed Woodward said in a statement.

United reported A core profit (EBITDA) of £22 million in the quarter, an increase of 36 percent.
United, who won the English league title for the 20th time in May, have new sponsorship deals with companies including Russia airline Aeroflot and soft drinks company PepsiCo.

KCee Dances Limpopo Back Into Ebube Nwagbo Arms, After Marriage Breakdown?

 

If you didn’t know, now you will.
The Limpopo master, KCee just got out of his serious fight with his wife (Ijeoma Okonkwo), the couple parted ways.

Apparently, KCee won’t be all tears as he can now run back into the arms of his former lover, sultry actress, Ebube Nwagbo.

Photo: Annie Idibia, Her Mum And Daughter In The States

 

We reported to you that Annie Idibia is presently in the U.S to birth her second child for Nigerian music superstar – 2Face Idibia.

Model Oluchi Orlandi Insults Journalists And Fellow Africans

 

Less than three weeks after Nigerian international model, Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi attacked her fellow Africans on Twitter calling them animals, she, on Friday 8 November, insulted a group of journalists who were at the premiere of her new show, Africa’s Next Top Model.

Oluchi, who was the chief hostess at the weekend event held at Pravada Lounge on Victoria Island, Lagos, snubbed the media reps who had asked to be treated properly after being made to stand while others were on their seats during the delayed press conference.

According to the information provided, the whole drama started after the model, who came far late into the event, caused the organizers to move the earlier scheduled media briefing into the noisy hall of the night club. Surely, the journalists didn’t feel comfortable with the shift, minding crowd and noise.

Genevieve Nnaji Shines And Dazzles In New Photos

 

Famous Nollywood actress, business woman and fashion icon, Genevieve Nnaji isn’t just a pretty face but also has the body to go.
After having a kid and probably in he late 30s, she still looks 16.

 

Akinmayokun Awodumila aka May D isn’t left out, the singer falls in the long line of 9ja celebs who have at least one kid and a baby mama they aren’t married to, YET!
May D and his long time on and off girlfriend welcomed their son and child together.

“Tiwa Savage Is Marrying An Undivorced Married Man With Kids”

 

Its no longer news that singer, Tiwa Savage and her fiance/Manager, Teebillz will be tying the knot this November but it seems  outspoken Kemi Olunloyo isn’t in support of the union.

The daughter of former Oyo governor  who is known to make controversial statements and outburst took to her Facebook page to ask her fans why the Mavin First Lady, Tiwatope Savage is marrying an undivorced married man with kids.

Bucs players arrive for Swazi clash

Football | Bafana Bafana

Bafana Bafana coach Gordon Igesund will have a full complement of players to work with following the arrival of Orlando Pirates players on Wednesday.
The team is currently in Mbabane as they prepare for the international friendly against Swaziland at the Somhlolo Stadium, scheduled for Friday.

The Pirates contingent remained behind in Johannesburg when the squad travelled on Tuesday (12 November) as they were yet to arrive from Cairo where they played in the final of the Caf Champions League on Sunday (9 November).

The seven players - Senzo Meyiwa, Rooi Mahamutsa, Thabo Matlaba, Happy Jele, Andile Jali, Oupa Manyisa and Lennox Bacela - joined their compatriots on Wednesday (13 November) at lunch time.
Daine Klate was in the initial list but was withdrawn from the squad due to a knee injury.

Big match feature: Nigeria v Ethiopia

Football | Super Eagles

The African champions, Nigeria, look close to reaching a fifth Fifa World Cup finals after winning the first leg of this playoff against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa by 2-1 in spite of concerns over weather. Nigeria's Super Eagles have created a soft-landing for themselves ahead of the second leg clash in Calabar this Saturday and it is now the Ethiopians who have everything to play for.

It is going to be a tough ask for the Ethiopians to upset the applecart and go on to win in Calabar where their East African rivals, Kenya, where close to winning during one of the World Cup qualifying games in March this year but for Nnamdi Oduamadi's late strike.

The Walias will definitely fancy their chances of taking a pop at the Super Eagles just as their East African neighbours did on March 23. But they are just one leg away from a first World Cup appearance should they beat Nigeria in Calabar by at least 2-0 or any other two-goal margin.
World Cup history
Talking of their World Cup history, the Ethiopians have none at the finals proper except at qualifying level. The Walya Antelopes have never qualified for the World Cup finals and this is their closest attempt at a first appearance.

Mata fears Brazil, Italy threat

 

Juan Mata

Juan Mata believes Brazil and Italy pose the biggest threat to Spain at next summer’s World Cup.

Vicente del Bosque’s side won its first World Cup in South Africa three years ago and will be among the favorites to lift the trophy again next year.

But with Brazil beating them in the final of the Confederations Cup over the summer and Italy regulars in the latter stages of major tournaments, Mata is wary of the difficulty Spain face in its quest to retain the trophy.

Nigeria can win World Cup —Keshi

 

Eagles coach Stephen Keshi

Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, is optimistic that apart from beating Ethiopia in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier in Calabar, his team can also win the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

The former coach of Mali is sure that Nigeria can win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil as soon as the Ethiopian hurdle is scaled.

England start road to Brazil with Chile test

Football | England

England will begin their preparations for next year's World Cup in Brazil when they welcome in-form Chile to London for a friendly at Wembley Stadium on Friday.
England have not lost a game in 2013, but Chile are on a nine-match unbeaten run and finished third in South American qualifying after a storming conclusion to their campaign.
Despite the strength of the opposition, England manager Roy Hodgson is expected to hand opportunities to several fringe players for the first match since his side booked their place in Brazil.


England will play only three friendly matches before Hodgson names his squad for the World Cup and it is thought he will save his strongest starting XI for Tuesday's game against old foes Germany.
Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster may be handed his first cap in place of Joe Hart, while Hodgson could also give starts to uncapped Southampton pair Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez.
Another player hoping for a chance to shine is Manchester United defender Phil Jones, who is one of several players bidding to nail down a place in the squad.