What to eat to be a super football player

             
Abuja - Football is considered one of the world’s most popular sports; its fast-paced and competitive nature demands players’ bodies to be top-notch.

During a single 90-minute game, the average football player runs up to 12 miles at varying speeds and burns an average of 500 to 1 500 calories, depending on the player’s position and build. This means that football players, as well as many other athletes, use up a great deal of energy during practices and games.

To perform at maximum efficiency, nutrition is a priority of all football athletes and trainers. What you eat on a daily, weekly and monthly basis will affect your performance, energy level and overall health. Therefore, most athletes are required to eat and drink certain types of foods on game days and days leading up to matches.

There are seven important food groups football athletes must take into consideration when choosing what to eat every day.

To keep up with the high energy that comes with playing football,football athletes tend to eat a well-balanced diet, high in complex carbohydrates, and low in fats, allowing them to optimize their performance and energy levels. In addition to feeding the body, this diet also feeds the brain; without the right food intake, a player can suffer a variety of symptoms, such as the inability to concentrate, muscle cramps, lethargy and dizziness.

The amount of food you need to intake depends on a variety of factors: sex, weight, age and activeness. For example, a taller, bulkier athlete will need to intake more calories than a smaller, skinnier one, since more energy is needed to move larger athletes over the same distance. However, the average football player consumes anywhere from 2 400 to 3000 calories a day.

As game time approaches, an athlete needs to begin carbo-loading; carbohydrates should account for about 70 percent of a football player’s diet, as the body burns mostly carbohydrates as fuel.

Football players can achieve good carbohydrate intake by snacking throughout the day, instead of eating three regular meals. Bananas, oats, bagels, yogurts and whole wheat pasta are some foods high in carbohydrates that can boost your health and athletic performance.

Water intake also plays a huge part in an athlete’s diet. A football player should stat hydrating anywhere from two to three days before games and tournaments, as players can lose as much as seven pints of water or more during a match.

To prevent dehydration, which can lead to fatigue, heatstroke, and in worst cases, death, athletes should drink anywhere from six to eight ounces of fluid every fifteen to twenty minutes while working out. However, it is important to not drink water too quickly, as it can cause you to feel bloated.

Right before a game, an athlete’s digestive process may slow down due to a restless emotional state. To counter this, athletes are recommended to eat an easily digestible, yet well-balanced meal no later than three hours prior to a match.

Football athletes should avoid foods that contain substantial amounts of fats, sugar and oils. They should also stay away from junk food, alcohol, dairy, anything deep fried and anything containing caffeine, such as coffee, soda or tea.

A healthy diet is the best way to optimize an athlete’s mental and physical health. It also enables them to recover more quickly from injuries.

Lagos - The latest hit single by Donajzzy and the rest of the artists on his Mavin Record Label titled Dorobucci has cause a stir in the entertainment waters, as it was alleged that the song is dedicated to a cult.

The accusation went viral online, and Donjazzy has used his Instagram page to dispel the rumours.

“Okay some very sad people have been sending this around. Eyaaa pele (Sorry). It's things like this that make me so sure that all that illuminati crap about some Yankee artistes is just BS. Lol. Oh well… #Mavin” he wrote on Twitter next to a photo of the allegations  that have been making the rounds.

World Cup of Upsets and Surprises

• The first surprise is the World Cup qualifiers. Bosnia and Herzegovina surprised more than a few, as they came into the group stages. There were other surprises in the form of Japan, Australia, Russia and the United States (all of whom reached the group stages). Belgium and Switzerland also provided surprise as they dominated the qualifying stages.
• The real surprise started when the reigning world champions Spain were battered by the previous World Cup runner-ups Netherlands in their opening game. Spain started the game very well, they even scored the first goal of the match. However, the flying Dutchman Robin van Persie produced the equalizer, after which the game was turned on its head. Seeds of Spain’s upcoming defeat could have been predicted as the team started with Iker Casillas, who was past his prime and he was going through a poor couple of years.
• Then came Uruguay’s 1-3 defeat from the hands of Costa Rica. Uruguay was expected to win this game, in-fact people went on to say that Costa Rica would lose all three games in the group before the start of the match. However, everyone was silenced and surprised by the results Costa Rica managed to produce. One of the reasons for Uruguay’s loss was the absence of their striker Luis Suarez, who was benched due to injury, but the loss would surely put a dent in Uruguay’s dream.
• The English also went down. England suffered a 1-2 defeat from Italy. Italy’s first goal lead was quickly equalized by England, but it was Mario Balotelli’s second goal that proved to be the match-winner. To be fair, this was not a huge surprise as both the teams were evenly matched. England didn’t commit many mistakes, but the team should concentrate on their offense if they hope to avoid any more upsets.
• Switzerland surprised Ecuador producing a 2-1 win over Ecuador. Moreover, the team came back from behind as Ecuador scored the first goal. The comeback was helped by two timely substitutions by the coach Ottmar Hitzfeld. Ecuador went into the match as the anticipated winners, but the result was far from the same.
• Most of the people around the world expected Ghana to win its match against the United States but they could not have been more wrong. The team won Ghana with the score-line of 2-1, which widely opened up Group G. Now, United States has a chance to move into the knockout stages because of Portugal’s 4-1 loss to Germany.

The 2014 World Cup could very well become a tournament of underdogs, if the trend is to continue. It is also important to note that these happened in just the starting five days of the tournament, I think that there are more surprises to follow.

1998 FIFA World Cup Top Scorer: Davor Šuker

Šuker scored his first goal in Croatia’s first match in group stage against Jamaica in the 69^th minute of the game, the goal being sCroatia’s third as they blasted Jamaica off to 3-1.
In the second match against Japan, Šuker scored the all-important goal as the deadlock was broken in the 77^th minute with his superb strike.
However, in the last match of group stage against Argentina, Šuker failed to shine, and Argentina pulled through as group champions beating Croatia 1-0. Due to Jamaica and Japan winning 1 and 0 matches each, Croatia made it to the round of 16.
In the round of 16, Šuker’s team faced Romania, in which he scored home a silly penalty conceded by his opponent in 2^nd extra minute after half time. Depending on this goal, the Croatians made it to the quarter-finals of the tournament.
In the quarter-finals, Croatia thrashed Germany with a 3-0 scoreline, with Šuker nailing the last goal in the Germans’ net.
In the semi-finals, Croatia matched-up in a sparky fixture against France. Šuker struck in the match first, one minute right after the goal-less half-time. However, in the next minute, Thuram equalized for France, and went ahead to put France in the lead in the 69^th minute, depending on which France made it to the final.
In the third place play-off Šuker played an important role, assisting a 13^th minute goal and scoring himself in the 35^th minute, as Croatia edged through Netherlands to claim the third position in the World Cup.
After the final match, Šuker was given the honor of Golden Shoe as the top-scoring player in the tournament.

Star players in 2014 World Cup

ü  Neymar: Neymar scored twice in his first appearance, but he was lucky to even stay on the pitch as he was booked for elbowing Luka Modric. All said, His presence was a factor in Brazil’s comeback victory.
ü  Diego Costa: The converted Spanish helped Spain nab the penalty, which led to the first goal, against Netherlands. However, he didn’t make much impact thereafter and was replaced by Torres.
ü  Iker Casillas and Co: Diego Costa was a special mention just because he helped with the penalty, but the remaining Spanish team didn’t impress anyone. There is one other special mention though, Mr. Iker Casillas. Not to point fingers or place blame, but it is imperative to know that Casillas has passed his prime. (However, Casillas and the star powered team has the capability of turning the tide, a sight that is very much welcome.)
ü  Robin van Persie: He produced the tournament’s first memorable goal (the diving or flying header), but that is not the only thing he achieved. He and Arjen Robben (the next man on the list) ripped Spain apart and produced a terrific comeback victory for Netherlands.
ü  Arjen Robben: Robben is in a terrific form off late. He was a crucial part of Netherland’s comeback against Spain. Both Robben and Robin van Persie gave a landmark performance.
ü  Wayne Rooney: Rooney, arguably the most popular player of the team, had a very odd game against Italy. He seemed slow against the backdrop of a newer, faster English offense. However, Rooney is expected to elevate his game.
ü  Super Mario: Mario Balotelli scored the second and winning goal in their game against England. Balotelli, who seems mature, is shaping up to be a clinical striker for Italy.
ü  Luis Suarez: Fortunately, Luis Suarez was in the bench when his team suffered a 3-1 loss against Costa Rica. The striker was benched for the game because of an injury.
ü  Leonel Messi: Messi’s goalscoring ability while donning his national attire has been questioned for a long time. However, Messi had other ideas as the captain produced a terrific goal to win their match against Bosnia. Messi has announced his arrival in the tournament.
ü  Karim Bezema: The in-form Real Madrid striker missed out on a hat-trick because of the new goal line technology. He was in great shape, providing the much needed goals in France’s game against Honduras.
ü  Cristiano Ronaldo: The Portugal captain failed to mark his arrival to the tournament. Both him and his team had a day to forget. Ronaldo, who was not a hundred per cent fit, was isolated from the game. However, Ronaldo would surely look forward to come back strong in the next match.

Photo: 60-year old Nigerian woman gives birth through IVF

60 year old Mrs Omolara Irurhe (pictured above) who had been looking of a child for over 30 years reportedly gave birth to a baby girl this past Monday June 16th through the Invitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment at a Specialist Hospital in Lagos.

 

The Nation reports that Mrs Irurhe, who has been married for 31 years, started the IVF treatment in 2010 and said her faith in God and her believe in modern medicine helped her go through the process, after many years of childlessness in marriage. She said her husband, Mr Adekunle Irurhe's Catholic belief of one man one wife made him not to marry another woman and stood by her through all the years.

"I believe we should not limit God and what the doctors can do in this modern age. I believe this is the appointed time. I was very hopeful throughout the years I was childless and I remained focused on God. We went to many hospitals but we didn’t give up,” she said

 

An elated Mr Adekunle Irurhe said though there were pressures to get another wife, he was determined to stay with his wife alone as that was the practice of his own parents. He said his wife's belief in the In vitro fertilization method made him support her.

"I supported her throughout because my wife was dogged and she believed in herself. When I saw her faith, I had no choice but to go with her. She kept telling me she would have her child. I wasn’t thinking of another wife. I came from a monogamous family and I decided she is all I will have. The family was understanding too and we fought together to get this baby".

Mrs Irurhe has made history as the oldest woman in Africa to give birth to a child via Invitro Fertilization.

Stunning beauty Osas Ighodaro dating dashing actod Gbenro Ajibade

The Tinsel set should be officially named the best place to find a spouse. When you put hot women and men together, what do you expect? First we had Tinsel co-stars Florence Uwaleke and Iyke Okechukwu (who played Ene and Chuks), who got married last year after meeting on the MNET series set. Then we had Ghanaian actor Chris Attoh and Damilola Adegbite who met on the Tinsel set and are engaged and expecting their first child together.

Now, former Miss Black USA 2010, TV personality and Tinsel actress Osas Ighodaro and handsome actor, model and Tinsel actor Gbenro Ajibade are in a sizzling romance. Yes, you heard right and its fact. The hot couple have been dating quietly for a while now.

Photos from 'For Colored Girls' stage play (Nigerian adaption)

Mehn, this show was so intense. I kept asking myself how these actresses remembered every single line. Amazing acting. Amazing show. 'For Colored Girls' stage play held on Sunday June 15th at Eko Hotel in Lagos and featured Carol King, Osas Ighodaro, Funke Akindele, Bikiya Graham Douglas, Oreka Godis, Diana Yekinni and Ade Laoye.