The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • MIKEL BOASTS: 2014 ticket, not negotiatable

    MIKEL BOASTS: 2014 ticket, not negotiatable

    MTNFootball.com: Congratulations on winning your first AFCON after four attempts.

    MIKEL: Thank you.

    Did you believe from the onset Nigeria will be champions again in South Africa?

    Yes. We had it at the back of our mind to win right from the training camp in Portugal. We were driven to write our names in gold, make Nigerians happy and with hard work, God made it possible for us.

    After the first two games, where the Eagles drew with Burkina Faso and Zambia, millions of Nigerians lost hope in the team. Was that the same feeling in the team?

    There was no point in the competition that I, for one, felt we wouldn’t win it. I told you before we went for the tournament that there are no small teams in football again. I knew it wouldn’t be an easy task for us, so we prepared for it and kept believing in ourselves even when things looked difficult.

    What would you say were the secrets behind Nigeria’s triumph in South Africa?

    Firstly, I will say God. We were also determined, worked hard and were united as one big family fighting for a common goal together. The spirit was so high and we just didn’t see ourselves losing and that kept us going till the end. There was no division whatsoever in the team.

    How did you feel when you came face-to-face with your former Chelsea teammates and friends, Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba?

    It was great to be together again after a while. I missed them, but I broke their hearts (he laughs), I had to do it because I needed the trophy (laughing again).

    After all said and done, how would you rate the Super Eagles now?

    We won the Nations Cup, we are African champions, so we are the best. The team kept improving game after game because we have a lot of new boys in the team and we were getting on well. We will keep improving. It was a good performance overall.

    Which was your toughest game in the game?

    All the games were tough, but let me pick the final game against Burkina Faso. They really gave us a good fight even more than they did in our opening group match.

     What can you say about the 2013 Nations Cup as a whole?

    It was a great tournament. The organisation was superb, the standard of play was good. It was a great experience.

    How did you feel when fans showed you love by mobbing you and shouting your name on arrival back to Nigeria?

    I felt loved and I appreciate them all for their love. I will keep doing my best to make them happy and for them to continue to love me, Chelsea and the Super Eagles.

     Many people expect you to be named as the player of the tournament, but it was not to be. Were you disappointed?

    No hard feelings because my mission to the Nations Cup was accomplished. I have dreamt of winning the trophy and now I have got it. I would have loved an additional award, but it was not a big deal.

    Where do you go from here?

    I am back in London with Chelsea, so I am focused on helping my team do well.

    What of with the national team?

    The next competition we will feature in now is the Confederations Cup, it will be nice to win that and add to my medals’ collection. It will be another history for Nigeria and the continent, but getting ticket to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil is very important too.

     

    Thank you for your time.

    You are always welcome.

     

  • NFF commends Delta, Lagos governors, corporate bodies

    NFF commends Delta, Lagos governors, corporate bodies

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Aminu Maigari has praised the governors of Delta and Lagos States, as well as corporate partners Globacom, Guinness and Cadbury Nigeria Plc for their tremendous show of love to the Super Eagles after the team’s triumph at the 29th Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    Globacom chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr has offered cars and a house to Head Coach Stephen Keshi, while Guinness Nigeria Plc and Cadbury Nigeria Plc hosted the team in Lagos at the weekend, ‘spoiling’ them with gifts.

    Also, Delta State governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos have provided cash and material rewards, with governor Uduaghan offering to build a house for Coach Keshi, CON in Delta State.

    “We really appreciate these very kind gestures from the sports-loving governors of Delta and Lagos States, and Globacom, Guinness and Cadbury. They have done so well for the players and coaches and we commend them greatly.

    “These governors and the corporate bodies have stuck with the NFF and the Super Eagles through thick and thin, and their gestures now have shown them to be friends-for-ever,” said Maigari.

  • Etuhu’s brother goes unconscious in England

    Etuhu’s brother goes unconscious in England

    Dickson Etuhu’s younger brother, Kelvin, was stretched out unconscious while in a FA Cup action for his Championship side Barnsley on Saturday, futaa.com reports.

    Though his team finished with a 3-1 victory over MK Dons, Barnsley Coach David Flitcroft admitted he feared another Fabrice Muamba nightmare when Etuhu was knocked out during the match.

    The midfielder who was formally courted to play for Nigeria at U-20 level needed seven minutes treatment on the pitch after clashing heads with Dons defender Adam Chicksen.

    Both physios rushed on to the pitch to help the stricken player, who was immediately taken to hospital.

    Flitcroft told The Sun: “Kelvin wasn’t responding initially and that’s what the physios were worried about.

    “It reminded me of Muamba at White Hart Lane last year.

    “It is sickening. The game becomes totally unimportant when that happens.”

    Speaking further on the sad incidence with Eurosports.com Flitcroft said the injury was a bad one and something he will not forget in a hurry.

    “You certainly don’t want to be involved in anything unsavoury and it certainly was,” he said.

     

  • Keshi to NFF: I will never beg for a job

    Keshi to NFF: I will never beg for a job

    SUPER Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi has insisted that he would never re-negotiate his terms of contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) despite his superlative performance with the Nigerian side at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations held in South Africa.

    Keshi who spoke with The Nation Sports believed that if he wins more trophies for the country, the onus falls on the NFF to re-invite him as the head coach, if they need his services.

    “My current contract is still on. But if I win two or more trophies for them, I won’t need to re-negotiate my terms of contract with them. If they deem it necessary, they can call me back. , I won’t ask them to.”

    Keshi was also of the opinion that home-based players and those who are eager to give their best to the team would always make his team list while he insisted that scoring goals for clubs outside the country does not guaranty any player for an automatic jersey.

    Keshi said: “I was not scared of taking 17 debutants including six home-based players to the Nations Cup. I was only seventeen when l played for the national team. It is about who is keen, as a player, your intelligence keeps you going. When I was Togo’s national team coach, most of the players did not play for clubs in Europe, while for many it was their first international game. I wanted to give opportunity to players who were ready to play. I was given that same opportunity years ago. I need players who score regularly and play quality football. You keep hearing that the ’94 team is the best.”

    Meanwhile, Cadbury Plc, makers of Tom-Tom and other candies showered the team with a sum of N10m while it gave Victor Moses $10,000 as the Most Valuable Player. Moses was voted as the MVP by Nigerian journalists who watched the AFCON tournament live in South Africa. A total sum of $12,500 was given to the team for all their shots on target.

  • Guinness fetes glorious Super Eagles in Lagos

    Guinness fetes glorious Super Eagles in Lagos

    GUINNESS, the No. 1 supporter of the Super Eagles led thousands of Nigerians in welcoming and celebrating the glorious Super Eagles as they stormed Lagos with the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy on Friday.

    The Super Eagles beat Stallions of Burkina Faso by 1-0 to clinch the AFCON trophy, an achievement that has been long awaited for 19 years. It also vindicated Guinness’ belief in the team despite the challenges they have faced in their attempts over the years.

    The team arrived Lagos around noon, led by inspirational chief coach, Stephen Keshi and proceeded to governor’s office in Alausa before touching down at Guinness Corporate Headquarter, where top shots of the international brand, headed by Managing Director/Chief Executive Guinness Nigeria Plc, Seni Adetu, were waiting to fete them.

    Congratulating the team, Managing Director/Chief Executive Guinness Nigeria Plc, Mr. Seni Adetu said: “the Super Eagles have proved that truly with the support of 160 million Nigerian fans, they can certainly achieve heights unimaginable. They have demonstrated that they are truly made of more. The team showed significant progress as the tournament unfolded and right up till the last whistle they maintained a positive attitude, not allowing the challenges they faced dampen their desire to win the trophy. They have really driven themselves hard towards success and it paid off. The Super Eagles are once again the No. 1 football nation in Africa.”

    After presenting the Afcon trophy to Adetu, Keshi thanked the premium brand for its undying support for the team even when nobody believed in them.

    Guinness recently put Nigeria in the limelight by breaking the world record for the largest football jersey in the world.

    Thereafter the team was ushered into a motorcade that took them around the city while people of different vocations hailed the Super Eagles for their brilliant performance at the tournament.

    Some described the light rain that heralded the team’s arrival in Lagos as a sign that “God approved their superlative performances.”

  • Flying Eagles held by Benin

    Flying Eagles held by Benin

    NIGERIA U20s were on Saturday in Abuja held to a 0-0 draw by their Benin counterparts in a warm-up game preparatory to the AYC in Algeria.

    The Flying Eagles played a man short after 63 minutes when defender Ikechukwu Okorie was sent off for dangerous tackle.

    “We will do well at the AYC. We are just preparing for the tournament,” assured Nigeria skipper Abduljaleel Ajagun after the game played at the FIFA Goal project in Abuja.

    The host team, who played out a 1-1 draw when both teams first clashed in September, started out brightly and created some openings.

    Left back Kingley Madu let fly a low pile driver after six minutes and after 27 minutes Umar Aminu’s header from inside the box was saved by the impressive goalkeeper Ariston Hessou.

    Madu made another attempt at goal on 34 minutes, before skipper Ajagun missed just before the interval.

    Benin’s best chance was three minutes after the break when Nigeria-born striker Ezekiel Okotou forced Flying Eagles goalkeeper Jonah Usman to scramble his goal-bound shot for a corner.

    Benin, who paraded as many as six Nigeria-born players, took control the game soon after Okorie was sent off just after Ajagun missed the biggest chance of the game when from inside the box he fired wide in front of an open net a minute earlier.

    Despite their numerical disadvantage, Nigeria created the better chances especially in the dying moments of the match.

  • Spartak slam N8.8b tag on Emenike

    Spartak slam N8.8b tag on Emenike

    TO be able to land AFCON 2013 hotshot, Nigeria’s Emmanuel Emenike, English Premier League (EPL) top club, Liverpool, must cough out a staggering 42 million Euros (8.8b) his buy-out clause at his Russian club.

    Liverpool are reportedly considering a summer swoop for the bullish forward as they are not sure of holding on to Luiz Suarez who may depart Anfield in the summer, according to the Express.

    The Spartak Moscow star, who fired four goals at the AFCON in South Africa to finish as Goal King, has also been linked with Reading and Arsenal in the past.

    Emenike has said he is thrilled to be linked with a move to the English Premier League.

    The striker added that he is aware of the interest of EPL teams in him and expressed his desire to play in the Premier League in the near future.

    “I am playing in Russia at the moment and I have a contract that I intend to respect. But to be linked with the Premier League is a dream comes true. I would love to play there in my career. There are many great clubs there,” Emenike said.

    Liverpool are now keeping close tabs on Emenike, ahead of a potential approach in the summer transfer window, the Express reported.

    He joined Spartak Moscow in July 2011 from Fenerbahce for a fee of €10 million.

    The Anfield giants want Emenike as a potential replacement for Luis Suarez, who is now being courted by several top European clubs including Bayern Munich, Barcelona and PSG for summer switch.

    Liverpool reportedly sent scouts to watch the Nigerian international in action during the AFCON.

  • Drogba-Sneijder partnership delights Terim

    Drogba-Sneijder partnership delights Terim

    FATIH Terim insists that Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder can play together following the duo’s maiden appearance for Galatasaray.

    The pair played together for the first time in Galatasaray’s 2-1 Super Lig win over Ahkisar Belediyespor.

    The Ivorian striker, whose move to Istanbul was sanctioned by FIFA on Wednesday, made an instant impact on his debut with the club, coming off the bench to level the scores before assisting Burak Yilmaz’s winner just three minutes later.

    Gala fans were only treated to 16 second-half minutes of their Champions League-winning pair featuring simultaneously, but their coach is in little doubt that both Drogba and Sneijder will soon strike an understanding.

    “Drogba will have no problem playing with Sneijder. They are both experienced, technical players,” he said after the victory.

    “Sneijder could’ve stayed on a little longer, maybe, but it’s better that we got all three points. They are important, talented players who help the others perform better.

    “Drogba played the last half-hour but I spoke to him before he came on. He has not played in a while due to the Chinese league ending in November.”

  • Police driver suspended after Nani crash

    MANCHESTER United winger Nani was involved in a car crash on Friday evening when his vehicle was hit by a police car.

    The 26-year-old was not physically harmed in the crash but witnesses claimed that the accident left him ‘dazed’. The car driven by a police officer hit Nani’s 180,000-pound Bentley while responding to an emergency call.

    A Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman told Goal.com: “At about 18.40GMT on Friday, February 15, 2013, an unmarked police car responding to an emergency call was travelling along Gatley Road at the junction with Kingsway, Stockport.

    “As the police car entered the junction it collided with a Bentley, Continental.

    “The passenger in the police car received minor injuries and only minor damage was caused to both vehicles.

    “The police driver has been suspended from driving duties in line with normal procedure.” A witness told the Manchester Evening News: “I could see the Bentley had gone head-on into the bollards at the traffic lights and the car had been a bit bashed up at the front.

  • Espanyol punish ‘absentee’ Wakaso

    ANOTHER Nations Cup star has been punished in Spain, as African stars across Europe continue to miss the deadline given to them for return to club duties.

    New Ghanaian goal scoring sensation, Mubarak Wakaso, was fined and ordered to train away from his teammates by Espanyol, after returning late from the Africa Cup of Nations.

    Wakaso was in action for Ghana at the competition until last weekend’s third place play-off defeat to Mali and was due back a couple of days later.

    However, he only returned to Catalonia on Thursday and has subsequently been fined and told to train by himself until otherwise instructed.

    The 22-year-old told reporters upon returning to Spain that a fever had been the reason for his delay and that he had already informed Coach Javier Aguirre of this.

    However, reports on Saturday are that Aguirre and sporting director Oscar Perarnau told the player of their annoyance at his actions, before sending him off to train alone, accompanied only by one of the coaching team.