Paulista’s Arsenal move is 50-50’

London - Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger expressed cautious optimism over his side's move for Villarreal's Brazilian centre-back Gabriel Paulista on Thursday, describing the transfer as "50-50".
Gabriel, 24, reportedly has a release clause of 20 million euros ($23.3 million) in his contract, but British press reports claim Arsenal have offered a fee rising to around 13 million euros.

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Following critical reception of the Super Eagles last two games against Congo and South Africa, Sports Minister Tammy Danagogo has said that the NFF is responsible for the coach.

He revealed that the Nigeria Football Federation decision, if they want Keshi or not will not be influenced by outside forces.

READ ALSO: Nigeria vs Congo: Shock For Players And Fans

With the Eagles qualification for Morocco 2015 Nations cup going badly having acquired only 1 point from a possible 6.

Fans and football critics have been asking for Keshi head, questioning his team selection and tactics and his interest in coaching the team.

The Sports Ministry’s media assistant said: “It is up to the NFF to decide who handles the Eagles. The Minister only requested that Keshi should handle the two games, since there was a vacuum.

“He offered to pay for the services rendered by coach Keshi. But now that the two games are done with, it is squarely at the feet of the NFF to decide.”

READ ALSO: Mikel Is Vital To My Team – Keshi

After the game, Keshi had stated that he is unaware of any future plans, as he has not been given any contract yet.

Keshi said: “I’m not sure yet. I was just brought in to help manage these two games. We have finished them now, so we’ll see what happens. If we (he and the Nigerian federation) come to an agreement, yes I’ll stay. If no, I’ll depart. Let’s see how it turns out when I get home.”

Super Eagles now have just a point after losing 2-3 to Congo and drawing 0-0  against South Africa.

Congo lead the group with 6 points, the South Africa with four, Eagles will face Sudan twice  in a row in October — home and away.

 

[caption id="attachment_1705" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Coach Stephen Keshi[/caption]

 

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Give Me Back My 30 Million Naira – Emenike Asks Governor Chime

Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike has asked Enugu state government to give him back his 30 million Naira (about $ 180,000) he invested in the state to build a sports academy after army men, stopped workers from working on it.

An angry Emenike told AfricanFootball that he acquired the land after the World cup had concluded through the help of a special assistant to the Enugu State Governor Frank Ndubuisi Ugwunweze (a.k.a Ezeumuaga), who forwarded all documents concerning to the land in Emenike’s name.

Emenike revealed that he bought the lands as he visits there regularly during his free time, so he found out about a free plots of land in the state and contacted Governor Sullivan Chime’s aide who further assisted in making the purchase.

Emenike in his own words said: “I worked hard to make my money, I know what I pass through on the pitch before I earn my living and it will be unfair if what am hearing about my land in Enugu State was true.

“I visit Enugu whenever I come to Nigeria, my friends stay there as well as some of my family
members. And I am the kind of person who allows for advise. Even before now, I had a dream to own an academy not only in Nigeria but I believe in the saying that “charity begins at home”.

“About three, four months ago, I acquired 13 plots of land in Enugu State through the special assistant to Governor Sullivan Chime. And during the time of conversation of the land papers he never told me there was any problem on the land. He gave me all the necessary documents in my name after payment.

He went on to reveal that when he asked work to begin in the state, the Chime led government ordered soldiers to stop the labourers.

He said: “I then directed for work to commence immediately, but the state government has directed soldiers to stop anybody from working there.”I don’t want to believe that this is fraud. I am ready to fight it all.

“I am not a politician and I see no reason why my money will be held by the government house.”

“I have called some top government officials in Enugu, but all of them are not trying to be sincere.

They could not help because the order came from the Governor.

“Nobody is trying to be sincere and as a matter of fact, I want my money back. I am very depressed that there is no confidence in investing in my country. I just don’t understand the pranks.

“Right from time, I don’t like going through government for anything. I prefer to do it with my money and I see no reason why my property will be held back by government.”

Emenike also demanded that the Governor gives him back his money, if the project won’t be allowed to continue, as he won’t like to see his hard earned cash dissapear into thin air.

“People go to government to get free land, but I will not do that because there is no sincerity in most of the things we do. And I will not be here and somebody takes my money, it will never happen,” he disclosed.

“I just want to believe that His Excellency Governor Chime was not aware of the purchase of the land, in that case, I will like to have my money back.”

Emenike plays for Turkish club Fenerbahce, and he is Nigeria’s main and mostly lone striker.

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