Glo/CAF African Footballer: Mikel, Emenike, others make top 10

The Confederation of African Football has released the shortlists for the 2013 African Player of the Year and the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa).

This follows voting from members of the Technical & Development and the Media Committees from the initial list of nominees.

Ten players made the cut for the flagship African Player of the Year category, and five for the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa).

The Head Coaches of the National Associations affiliated to CAF will vote in their order of preference to decide on the eventual winners of the two categories.

Initially, twenty-five (25) players were named for African Player of the Year category, and twenty-one (21) for the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa).

The winners will be announced at the Glo-CAF Awards Gala scheduled for Thursday, January 9, 2014 in Lagos, Nigeria.

ASUU holds solidarity march for Iyayi

The funeral ceremony for the late Prof. Festus Iyayi began on Wednesday in Benin, Edo State capital, with  a solidarity march by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities and civil society groups.

Members of ASUU in their hundreds  from other universities including the University of Ilorin, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Delta State University, Abraka  joined their colleagues in the University of Benin to pay their last respect to the late Iyayi.

Other groups represented included the Nigeria Labour Congress, Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations, Joint Action Front and Parents Consultative Association of Nigerian Universities.

The march, which began at about 10am,  included five kilometres walk to the residence of the late professor of Business Administration, on Bello Street, off Benin Lagos Expressway.

Addressing the participants in the march at the residence of late Iyayi, the Chairman of UNIBEN chapter of ASUU, Dr. Tony Monye-Emina, described the deceased as one of the country’s number one fallen heroes and a hero of ASUU struggles.

SHARE THIS Print Email More sharing Angry rants bring end to Alec Baldwin MSNBC show

Alec Baldwin's angry outbursts against photographers trailing him have cost the actor his MSNBC talk show job.

"We are jointly confirming that 'Up Late' will not continue on MSNBC," MSNBC and Baldwin's rep, Matthew Hiltzik, told CNN in a joint statement Tuesday.

The channel announced a two-week suspension of Baldwin's show last week amid media reports that he chased after a photographer outside his Manhattan apartment and called him a "c**ksucking f*g."

"Get away from my wife and the baby with the camera," Baldwin could be heard yelling on video taken of the incident. "What f***ing language you want that in?"  

Baldwin later posted a statement on MSNBC's website saying, "I did not intend to hurt or offend anyone with my choice of words, but clearly I have -- and for that I am deeply sorry. Words are important. I understand that, and will choose mine with great care going forward."  

"This is a mutual parting and we wish Alec all the best," the MSNBC spokesman said Tuesday.

Baldwin's last clash with the paparazzi was not his first. He's been photographed several times in the past two years expressing strong displeasure with persistent journalists trailing him with cameras.

The world’s biggest festivals

 

The world’s biggest festivals

There is nothing people around the world love more than festivals – whether they are celebrated for a reason or simply to have some fun.

If you missed out on the enormous variety of festivals and carnivals happening throughout the year, take a look at some of the biggest festivals we would definitely love to go to next year.

Britney Spears: Las Vegas residency 'ideal

Britney Spears says her upcoming Las Vegas residency is "ideal" as she doesn't want to travel too much following two "gruelling" tours in recent years.

Britney Spears believes her Las Vegas residency is "ideal" as she won't have to travel too much.
The 'Work Bitch' hitmaker is set to launch 'Britney: Piece of Me' at Planet Hollywood next month and she is looking forward to the short commute between her home in Los Angeles and Sin City after three "gruelling" years of touring.
She said: "I've done two tours in two years in the past three years and it's so gruelling, being on the road and staying in a different bed every night. The schedule is insane.
"I thought it would be ideal to have one place I could go to and I could just travel back and forth to my home after the show. It's going to be different but I'm excited."
The 31-year-old star - who has sons Sean Preston, eight, and Jayden James, seven, with ex-husband Kevin Federline - also opened up about writing her new album, 'Britney Jean', which she says was like "therapy".
Britney admits to feeling "reclusive" at times and having "harder" days in her life, but writing her eighth studio album sparked her creativity.

Photo of the day!

Copa Lagos: 20 Supersand Eagles Players Invited to Camp.

Full list of invited players:
Goalkeepers: Abdul Isah (Kaduna United), Oladapo Olalekan (Owibesed FC), Joel Theophilus (Kano Pillars).
Defenders: Okemmiri Ogbonaya (Abia Warriors), Emmanuel Onweferia (Owibesed FC), Ayobami Asekumowo (Wikki Tourists, Bauchi), Omotayo Ibrahim (ABS FC), Daniel Adu (Atete FC, Warri)
Midfielders: Isiaka Olawale (Dolphins FC), Ikechukwu Ibenegbu (Heartland), Suleiman Abubakar (Nasarawa Beach team), Badmus Babatunde (Owibesed FC), Emma Elemobor (Siasia FC Academy), Tayi Abdulrahman (FCT Beach team), Emeka Ogbonna (Kogi Beach team).
Strikers: Victor Tale (Shenne FC), Abu Azeez (Kwara United), Abutu Adofu (NYSC FC, Enugu), Rotimi Omoniwa (Nembe City), Nekan Nzeako (El-Kanemi-Warriors).