Sodje urges NFF to retire jersey number 4 in honour of Keshi

Former member of the Super Eagles, Efe Sodje, has called on the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to withdraw the number 4 jersey famously worn by late coach and captain of the national team, Stephen Keshi, as a mark of respect for the legend.

Keshi died in Benin City, Edo State, in the early hours of Wednesday. Sodje said on Friday, “I’m lost for words over the death of Keshi. I still can’t believe he is gone at just 54.

“As a mark of honour, I want the authorities to retire the number 4 jersey from the national team. It will be a very big way to honour him.”

Sodje was a member of the year 2000 Africa Cup of Nations silver medalists, when Keshi was the Eagles assistant coach.

Sodje said he enjoyed playing under him at the competition co-hosted by Nigeria and Ghana. He added, “I had the privilege to work under him in 2000; you could tell why he was called the Big Boss.

“Keshi had the presence. He opened the doors for many people to flourish. His death is a big loss to Nigerian and African football. We will continue to miss him.”

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Photo: Spanish side C.D. Palencia unveil ridiculous new ‘inside-out’ kit

The Spanish third tier side unveiled what their players will be wearing next season on Thursday evening, and have certainly gone for a ‘daring’ design. Perhaps in an effort to put off any squeamish opponents, the jersey and shorts feature the human anatomy that is supposedly underneath.

For an unknown reason, the makers, Kappa, lost their bottle with the socks and left them plain black.
Whether this outfit will help or hinder Palencia is unknown, but it will certainly grab the attention of anyone lining up against them in the coming campaign.

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All 20 Premier League away kits ranked best to worst

The Premier League is underway again, thank God. Fans up and down the country have been twiddling their thumbs waiting for the season to kick-off, and finally it’s here. And any self-respecting fan with a bit of money knows that buying your side’s kit is an absolute must.

Manchester United will be the final team to release their away strip on Tuesday, so here’s a definitive list of every away kit, ranked worst to best.

20. Sunderland
This is just unforgivable from the Black Cats.
We’re not quite sure who thought this was a good idea. Has a lime green kit ever looked nice?

19. Swansea
For a side that are known for their elegance on the pitch, the Swans really deserve better than this…
The ridiculously dominant logo, combined with the garish green stripes just make for an all-round shocker of a strip.

18. Chelsea
The Blues usually make solid choices for their alternative strip, but this effort is frighteningly dull, and the deep red hoops are so unnecessary.


17. Newcastle
Who sees this abomination of a kit in a shop and thinks: ‘Yes, that’s lovely, I’ll take it!’?
If you are this person, you are not allowed to watch football anymore.


16. Stoke
Green + seat belt = nope.
How has the seat belt kit become a thing? The Potters have fallen for it just as Spurs did with their home kit. This needs to stop.


15. Southampton
JUST STOP WITH THE SEAT BELT!
No Shane Long, your seductive gaze is not going to work this time.




14. Aston Villa
This away kit looks like it was made on Microsoft Paint using only the fill button – it’s just so uninspiring, Back to the drawing board, Villa.


13. Watford
After a long while out of the top division, Watford really could have done with a better kit than this.
It really takes something special to pull off a black kit, and the Hornets haven’t quite managed it.


12. Manchester United
There’s nothing worse than a whacking great logo spoiling a perfectly acceptable kit.
Imagine how delectably vintage this kit would be without it…


11. Bournemouth
We can see what the Cherries were trying to do here, and you have to commend them for having a go. This space-age design is so close to being spot-on, but even a smoldering Matt Ritchie can’t quite save it.


10. Everton
This is very, very bold from the Toffees. They have really stripped this kit down, but surely Everton fans want a bit more from their away strip.


9. Norwich
Fair play to them, the Canaries have done their best with the colours they’ve been bestowed. But ultimately, there isn’t an awful lot you can do with green and yellow.


8. Crystal Palace
The Palace strip is definitely an improvement on last season’s block-yellow design, but once again the logo is overly dominant.


7. Liverpool
The Reds’ away strip is not dissimilar to that of their Merseyside rivals. The no-nonsense design is certainly refreshing, but there’s no getting round the fact that it is a bit plain.


6. Leicester
After the arrival of devilishly suave boss Claudio Ranieri, the Foxes needed a classy away shirt to match and they aren’t far off. For once, the logo almost adds to the kit, but it still could have done without the diamonds if we’re being completely honest.


5. Tottenham
Spurs have definitely upgraded on their black and yellow away strip from the last campaign. This effort just makes the top five, which is commendable for such a bold design – but you can never go too far wrong with sky blue.


4. Manchester City
This kit is just a delight – so much so that it’s a shame it’s only the away strip. The turquoise and midnight blue complement each other just beautifully.


3. West Ham
Even the most diehard Millwall fan would have to admit that this kit is just gorgeous. The strip is split into thirds, and every one is designed to perfection.

Top effort.


2. Arsenal
This is a controversial choice, but we feel this Gunners strip is far and away their best in quite a few seasons.



They’ve gone for Leicester’s diamonds, but done it so, so much better with the gold.
Surely this one is going to fly off the shelves.

1. West Brom
This needs absolutely no explanation whatsoever. The Baggies’ away kit screams class. Excuse me while I go and buy one immediately.

-Metro.co.uk

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All 20 Premier League away kits ranked best to worst

The Premier League is underway again, thank God. Fans up and down the country have been twiddling their thumbs waiting for the season to kick-off, and finally it’s here. And any self-respecting fan with a bit of money knows that buying your side’s kit is an absolute must.

Manchester United will be the final team to release their away strip on Tuesday, so here’s a definitive list of every away kit, ranked worst to best.

20. Sunderland
This is just unforgivable from the Black Cats.
We’re not quite sure who thought this was a good idea. Has a lime green kit ever looked nice?

19. Swansea
For a side that are known for their elegance on the pitch, the Swans really deserve better than this…
The ridiculously dominant logo, combined with the garish green stripes just make for an all-round shocker of a strip.

18. Chelsea
The Blues usually make solid choices for their alternative strip, but this effort is frighteningly dull, and the deep red hoops are so unnecessary.


17. Newcastle
Who sees this abomination of a kit in a shop and thinks: ‘Yes, that’s lovely, I’ll take it!’?
If you are this person, you are not allowed to watch football anymore.


16. Stoke
Green + seat belt = nope.
How has the seat belt kit become a thing? The Potters have fallen for it just as Spurs did with their home kit. This needs to stop.


15. Southampton
JUST STOP WITH THE SEAT BELT!
No Shane Long, your seductive gaze is not going to work this time.




14. Aston Villa
This away kit looks like it was made on Microsoft Paint using only the fill button – it’s just so uninspiring, Back to the drawing board, Villa.


13. Watford
After a long while out of the top division, Watford really could have done with a better kit than this.
It really takes something special to pull off a black kit, and the Hornets haven’t quite managed it.


12. Manchester United
There’s nothing worse than a whacking great logo spoiling a perfectly acceptable kit.
Imagine how delectably vintage this kit would be without it…


11. Bournemouth
We can see what the Cherries were trying to do here, and you have to commend them for having a go. This space-age design is so close to being spot-on, but even a smoldering Matt Ritchie can’t quite save it.


10. Everton
This is very, very bold from the Toffees. They have really stripped this kit down, but surely Everton fans want a bit more from their away strip.


9. Norwich
Fair play to them, the Canaries have done their best with the colours they’ve been bestowed. But ultimately, there isn’t an awful lot you can do with green and yellow.


8. Crystal Palace
The Palace strip is definitely an improvement on last season’s block-yellow design, but once again the logo is overly dominant.


7. Liverpool
The Reds’ away strip is not dissimilar to that of their Merseyside rivals. The no-nonsense design is certainly refreshing, but there’s no getting round the fact that it is a bit plain.


6. Leicester
After the arrival of devilishly suave boss Claudio Ranieri, the Foxes needed a classy away shirt to match and they aren’t far off. For once, the logo almost adds to the kit, but it still could have done without the diamonds if we’re being completely honest.


5. Tottenham
Spurs have definitely upgraded on their black and yellow away strip from the last campaign. This effort just makes the top five, which is commendable for such a bold design – but you can never go too far wrong with sky blue.


4. Manchester City
This kit is just a delight – so much so that it’s a shame it’s only the away strip. The turquoise and midnight blue complement each other just beautifully.


3. West Ham
Even the most diehard Millwall fan would have to admit that this kit is just gorgeous. The strip is split into thirds, and every one is designed to perfection.

Top effort.


2. Arsenal
This is a controversial choice, but we feel this Gunners strip is far and away their best in quite a few seasons.



They’ve gone for Leicester’s diamonds, but done it so, so much better with the gold.
Surely this one is going to fly off the shelves.

1. West Brom
This needs absolutely no explanation whatsoever. The Baggies’ away kit screams class. Excuse me while I go and buy one immediately.

-Metro.co.uk

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Nigeria’s deal with Nike will open more doors - Pinnick

President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has said that the contract with Nike, will bring more sponsorship deals to the country. On Thursday afternoon at The Soho Hotel in London, Pinnick signed a three year agreement until 2018, along with High Chief Emeka Inyama (chairman of NFF Marketing Committee), Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau (Member of the NFF Executive Committee), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (NFF General Secretary), Mr. Stephen Keshi (Super Eagles’ Head Coach), Mr. Ademola Olajire (Assistant Director, Communications) and Barrister Okey Obi (Chief Legal Officer).

“I am thoroughly convinced that this agreement is the beginning of good and great things to happen to Nigeria football with regards to sponsorship deals. “The NFF is happy to come into partnership with a leading global brand like NIKE. We are in good company.” Pinnick also expressed confidence, that Nigeria will perform more exploits, just like they did during Nike’s first partnership with the NFF between 1994 and 2003.

“During those years, Nigeria won a first-ever Olympics football gold (1996) and reached the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup (1998). But I have no doubts whatsoever that this second coming of NIKE into Nigeria football will bring even more joyous moments with plenty of laurels for the National Teams.

-DP

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