Presented and narrated by former Manchester United star Eric Cantona, Football Rebels is a five-part documentary on five football heroes whose social consciences led them to use their fame and influence to challenge unjust regimes, join opposition movements and lead the fight for democracy and human rights in their countries.

Didier Drogba

Former Chelsea and Ivory Coast forward Didier Drogba is the focus of the first episode of Football Rebels, premiering on Al Jazeera on Tuesday, 12 March 2013 at 22:30GMT.

The first episode explores how Drogba helped the Ivory Coast team qualify for the 2006 world cup and then challenged President Gbagbo to end the civil war in his country.

Episode two looks at how, in 1958, AS Saint Etienne striker Rachid Mekhloufi stealthily left France to join the FLN football team and play for Algerian independence.

The third episode shows how in the midst of the civil war in the former Yugoslavia, then Yugoslav star Predrag Pasic started a multi-ethnic football school in the besieged city of Sarajevo.

The fourth episode follows the journey of Chilean player Carlos Caszely, whose support for murdered president Salvador Allende led to his persecution by General Pinochet’s regime in the 70s.

The final episode looks back at the Brazilian dictatorship of the early 1980s and how Socrates, the midfield maestro and Brazilian captain, turned every Corinthians’ match into a political meeting for democracy.

Commenting on Football Rebels, Cantona says: “Football is more than the opium of the people. It’s about good intentions, noble hearts… When your country’s at war, your friends are killing each other and children are given rifles rather than footballs, so what if the whole world admires you?”

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Clear Lake, Texas – One big star in town for the NBA All-Star Weekend is Hall of Fame legend Hakeem Olajuwon. The former Houston Rocket is in town from his home in Amman, Jordan to take part in the NBA All-Star Game activities. But he’s also here to introduce his “Dream Collection” clothing and apparel store in the historic Jim West Mansion in Clear Lake.

Olajuwon, 50, has bigger plans for the mansion that was built back in the 1920s. It’s become the home for his “passion for fashion.” The signs around the mansion all spell the word DR34M, a play on Olajuwon’s jersey number 34 that he wore while leading the Rockets to a pair of NBA Championships in the mid-1990s.

Olajuwon has invested wisely since his 18-year career ended, and he is totally committed to the DR34M Brand. He not only is taking on Gucci, Prada, Coach and all the other “high-end” leather and accessory designers with his name, he actually helps design every item with the DR34M logo on it.

His design room is in the upstairs of the Clear Lake mansion, which now is named the ‘DR34M Mansion.’ Olajuwon says, “I don’t want someone to design it for me, I wouldn’t be getting the experience. This is my passion.” In the west wing of the mansion you can find Olajuwon’s sportswear room.

Mounted on the wall as you walk into the room, you can see part of the floor from the old Summit which had the NBA finals logo displayed on it. He also has other sports memorabilia displayed around the mansion, just as a reminder of who owns this beautiful place.

It’s reported that Olajuwon originally purchased this estate for $6 million, but even though he wouldn’t say himself, it’s obvious he has spent plenty of money refurbishing the old mansion. It had stood abandoned for many years, but now it’s totally refurbished inside.

Olajuwon has big plans for the mansion and the surrounding estate. He’s offering helicopter service to any of his well-heeled clients who want to avoid the Houston area traffic. There’s also talk of other commercial properties going up on the property, which could include a restaurant and a spa.

Right now shopping inside the mansion is by appointment only, but it will be open to the public at the end of this month. The DR34M online store should be opening around that same time. Olajuwon says he wants his customers to enjoy “the experience” when they come to the mansion.

Source: khou

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Stephen Keshi reconsiders Resignation from Super Eagles Coach role
Official Statement:
My attention has been drawn to reports in the media that I have resigned my appointment as the Head Coach of Super Eagles of Nigeria. While I have had cause to express my displeasure over some issues that happened in the course of our participation in the AFCON 2013, which my team won by the grace of God, especially concerning my relationship with the Nigerian Football Federation, I have since had opportunity to discuss the various issues with all concerned. I am therefore pleased to say that I have reconsidered my position and have decided to continue with my job. I want to thank the Honorable Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, for his swift and kind intervention.

Earlier Report:

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has announced his resignation from his post just a day after the Super Eagles’ 2013 Africa Cup of Nations triumph.

The coach’s future had been subject to speculation throughout the tournament, and he has now revealed that he gave the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) his notice shortly after the 1-0 final win over Burkina Faso.

The 51-year-old Keshi made 51 appearances for the Super Eagles as a player, and he has held coaching posts with the Togolese and Malian national teams. With Keshi stepping down, someone else will be charged with leading Nigeria at this summer’s FIFA Confederations Cup, a tournament for which Nigeria qualified by virtue of winning the Cup of Nations.

source: yahoonews

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South Africa – In what could be described as a thrilling finale, the Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated Burkina Faso with 1-0 goal margin. Sunday Mba scored a magnificent winner as Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time.

The dominant Super Eagles made the breakthrough just before half-time when Mba clipped the ball over Mohamed Koffi and then volleyed into the far corner. Burkina Faso almost equalised when Wilfried Sanou forced a fingertip save from goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.

Ahmed Musa slipped as he looked set to score and Victor Moses almost poked home as Nigeria eased to victory. It was a win that was fully deserved as Nigeria comfortably beat a tired-looking Burkina Faso, who struggled to make an impact in their maiden final appearance.

And perhaps it was one game too many for the Burkinabe, who had failed to win a single game on foreign soil in the Nations Cup before this tournament but shocked by going so far this time.

However, credit must go to Nigeria and their coach Stephen Keshi, who captained the Super Eagles when they last won the title in 1994 and becomes only the second man to lift the trophy as a player and as a coach.

Source: Agency Reports

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President/Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has splashed the sum of N130 million on the Nigerian national team, the Super Eagles, for reaching the finals of the ongoing 29thAfrica Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa.

The national team, Super Eagles reached the finals of AFCON 2013 by defeating the Malian national team 4-1.

A statement from Dangote Group Thursday explained that the gesture was part of Dangote Group’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) to promote and encourage sports development in Nigeria.

The donation is to acknowledge the exploits of the national team at the AFCON and stimulate them to bring home the coveted trophy.

Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abudllahi, speaking on the donation said: “Dangote has always demonstrated commitment to government and people of Nigeria. We are happy over the gesture shown to the players and the coaching crew. It is an example for other well-meaning Nigerians to follow.”

Football enthusiasts are commending Aliko Dangote on the gesture, describing it as a necessary tonic that would inspire the Super Eagles to win the final match on Sunday, February 10 against the Stallions of Burkina Faso.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, also known as the Orange Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship reasons, kicked off from January 19 while the finals will be played on February 10, 2013. The competition is organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Starting from this edition, the tournament was switched to being held in odd-numbered years instead of even-numbered years so that it does not clash with the FIFA World Cup.

Source: thisday

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