The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Eagles camp open Feb. 24

    Eagles camp open Feb. 24

    The Board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has decided to put the triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations aside, and begin preparation for the World Cup Africa qualifiers slated for Saturday march 23rd in Calabar against Kenya.

    According to the Federation, the home-based players will begin camping on Sunday February 24 in Abuja.

    They would later be joined by their foreign counterparts. Quoting the words of Emeka Inyama, a Board member: “From the programme submitted by the Technical Crew, the camping for home boys will start few weeks before the foreign based professionals arrive.

    “The NFF will put all arrangements in place for this, and for the World Cup qualifiers away to Kenya and Namibia in June, at home to Malawi in September and for the two-leg knock out against another country in october and November 2013.”

    He said that the team would need to prove that their winning in South Africa was not a fluke afterall.

  • Air Lifting Super Eagles

    Air Lifting Super Eagles

    : President Jonathan commends Arik Air

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday commended the Chairman of Arik Air, Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide and his company for air lifting the country’s victorious football team, Super Eagles from South Africa.

    President Jonathan who is still relishing the country’s success at the just concluded African Cup of Nations in South Africa where the Super Eagles emerged as Champion, in a letter to the chairman of the airline said, “your very kind gesture of providing the aircraft that brought our gallant and victorious team and officials back home from South Africa was an act of high patriotism worthy of note.”

    He expressed confidence that Arumemi-Ikhide “will continue to avail the nation of your worthy endowments in the future.”

    The President challenged “others to emulate your demonstration of enduring faith in Nigeria.”

     

  • VICTOR OCHEI WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

    : Togo, Benin, Ghana confirm participation

    As the stage is set for the 2nd edition of the Sir Victor Ochei Wheelchair Basketball Championship, three West African countries have confirmed participation at the championship scheduled to run between 18th-23rd February, 2013, at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

    The three countries according to the technical director, Wheelchair Basketball Federation of Nigeria, (WBFN),Tamuna Adoki are Togo, Benin Republic and Ghana.

    Adoki, while speaking on the forthcoming championship which is expected to attract wheelchair Basketball team and clubs from all states of the federation disclosed that the foreign participating countries will arrive the country Sunday while the pre-match meeting for all teams hold Monday at the Indoor Sports Hall.

    The WBFN technical director further informed that the following states have confirmed their participation at the championship which attracts N5m as price money and the states are: Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Delta, Ogun, Bayelsa, Edo, Rivers, Imo, Kwara, Niger and Kaduna, adding that, “there are rooms for more states to register for the championship Monday in order to encourage more participation of states and clubs, and I am optimistic that many more will register.’’

    The winner of the championship will go home with N2m , while the second place team gets N1.5m and the third placed team pocket N1million while the remaining 500,000 naira would be shared among the best behaved team, best player, best dressed team among others.

     

  • Jordon Ibe: Ronaldo, Zidane are my role model

    Jordon Ibe: Ronaldo, Zidane are my role model

    Nigeria-born Jordon Ibe has already played at senior level for Wycombe Wanderers, making his first team debut at 15 before the now 17-year-old was signed by Liverpool in December 2011.

    Alongside Jerome Sinclair both have impressed at this year’s Al Kass International Cup, an Under-18 tournament in its second season now in Qatar, which featured teams such as Real Madrid, Internazionale, Paris Saint-Germain and eventual winners Fluminense.

    Jordon Ibe (JI) and Jerome Sinclair (JS) were kind enough to speak to Just Football.com to tell us a bit about themselves, in between winding each other up of course!

    First, tell us a bit about your background and how you came to play for Liverpool.

    JS: I started playing football when I was seven years old at a local club in Birmingham called Phoenix United and after a year playing there I got a call from West Brom and went down there and trained and got signed there.

    JS: I was there for six years until I was 14. I started getting a little bit of interest from a few clubs and eventually ended up signing for Liverpool. I’ve been here since and it’s gone quite well so far.

    JI: Same for me. I was playing for a Sunday league team called Welling Wanderers and from there I went on trial with different teams. I played for Chelsea and Charlton then I moved to Wycombe.

    I was there for four seasons from Under-12s and I played for the first team at 16 before Liverpool signed me.

    What’s your preferred position?

    JI: I can play all-round upfront. In my preferred position I like to play as a number 10, but I don’t mind where I play in the front three.

    JS: Definitely a number 9, that’s me.

    Who is your role model as a footballer?

    JS: Thierry Henry. He was my hero as a young kid. Just to see him play and the things he used to do on the pitch were amazing so definitely Thierry Henry for me.

    JI: For me it’s Ronaldo – the Brazilian one – and Zidane. Those two, that’s it.

    When you’re not playing football how do you like to unwind? Do you have any particular hobbies?

    JI: I like chilling with friends, beating him (points to Sinclair) at FIFA sometimes! (laughs) Yeah that’s it just chilling and having fun.

    JS: Yeah definitely, when you’re not playing football it tends to be a downtime kind of thing, you need to get your rest in. So just lowkey things: table tennis and stuff like that.

    Is it true that you get beaten at FIFA by this man Jordon here?

    JS: No he’s definitely having a laugh there!

    JI: No it’s me that gets beaten!

    Are you more FIFA or Pro Evolution Soccer?

    JS: FIFA all day long.

    JI: FIFA 13

    Are you on Twitter and do you use it much?

    JS: Yeah I use Twitter to tweet what I’m doing and little things like that, interesting things.

    What’s your Twitter handle?

    JS: @Jeromeno9

    Jordon do you use Twitter at all?

    JI: Yes, @IbeJordon

    (To Jordon) What would you say are Jerome’s main strengths and weaknesses as a player?

    JI: His main strength is scoring goals. All the time. His main weakness? I don’t think there is one you know. I’ve not seen too many weaknesses.

    JF: Ahh you’re just being polite!

    JI: He takes long to pass the ball! (Both laugh).

    JS: I think Jordon’s main weakness is probably football. He’s not very good to be honest! No, I’m joking, I’m joking. No, definitely going at players and beating players 1 v 1, that’s his main strength. I couldn’t really pick out a weakness, he’s a top player to be honest.

    If you could play with any player in the world who would it be and why?

    JS: Thierry Henry in his prime definitely. Obviously you’d love to play with players like Ronaldo and Messi as well so them I’d pick those two as well.

    JI: Jerome Sinclair! Haha I’m joking, Messi too for me, he’s a special player.

    Thanks a lot for talking to Just Football and I appreciate your time.

     

  • Backroom staff slam Keshi over snub

    Backroom staff slam Keshi over snub

    Super Eagles backroom staff are disappointed coach Stephen Keshi has not fought for them after they missed out on the government’s largesse.

    Keshi, his assistant coaches and players were rewarded by Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan with national honours and plots of land in Abuja for winning the 2013 AFCON.

    But the backroom staff like equipment manager, security and medical staff attached to the team were only given N2 million each. The Eagles will this week be in Delta and Akwa Ibom States for special victory receptions by the respective state governments without most of these shattered backroom staff.

    One of the backroom staff told MTNFootball.com: “We worked hard for this team, but when it came to reaping the reward of our hard work, we were virtually left out.

    “Keshi has still not deemed it fit to make it known to the Presidency that he did not win this trophy only with his coaches and players, but some of us who had to work round the clock to ensure everything was in place for the team.

    “Do you know that in 2005, when Samson Siasia led Nigeria to win the AYC, his backroom staff were left out by the government, but he was prompt to point out this omission to President Olusegun Obasanjo and they were each given 500,000 Naira, just like other members of the squad?”

    Another backroom staff added: “This was a person who was known to fight for others when he was skipper of the national team. That was why he got the nickname ‘Big Boss’. But this is not the case now.

    “If anybody could convince the President to consider us, that person would be Keshi because he now has direct access to Jonathan.”

    President general of the Nigerian Supporters Club Rafiu Ladipo received a standing ovation on Wednesday when he pointed out that the Eagles backroom staff were overlooked by President Jonathan.

    It was further gathered that while Keshi has failed to get his staff to be better appreciated, skipper Joseph Yobo has done everything to make sure that is not the case where he is in a position to do so.

    Yobo made sure each squad member received $2,500 from the $100,000 Rivers State Governor Rotimi Ameachi donated to the team after they were forced to a 1-1 draw in their opening group game against Burkina Faso.

    He has also maintained he will do same with other donations received from telecommunications tycoon Michael Adenuja, business mongul Aliko Dangote among others.

  • Nigeria deserves Cup — Renard

    Nigeria deserves Cup — Renard

    ZAMBIA coach, Herve Renard, has said Nigeria deserved to be crowned Orange 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions because they played well throughout the tournament, better than losing finalists Burkina Faso.

    Renard said in an interview on Sunday night that Nigeria played attacking soccer in contrast to Burkina Faso, a team he described as relying more on counterattacks.

    He said the Paul Put-coached Burkina Faso, who lost 1-0 to Nigeria courtesy of a Sunday Mba’s 40th minute strike in the final played at National Stadium in Johannesburg last Sunday, lacked skill and inspiration.

    “Nigeria won because they deserved it,” said Renard, who now has a daunting task of guiding Zambia to the FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil after Chipolopolo’s embarrassing exit from Orange 2013 Africa Cup

    When reminded shortly before kick-off that Burkina Faso outplayed one of the pre-tournament favourites Ghana in the semi-finals, therefore, deserved the title, the Frenchman said the Stallions were only helped by an uneven Mbombela Stadium pitch.

    “Sorry! Are you joking or what? They played five games of beach soccer. You will see on a good field. All the players stay behind and wait for counterattacks,” he said.

    “It’s normal, when you are under the other team, you are better on a bad pitch. Ghana were so bad on that field because they are not used to it. Ghana was not good for beach soccer that is all,” he added.

    Renard said Burkina Faso were also lucky to have escaped with a 0-0 draw against Zambia in a Group C match that saw their leading striker Alain Traore’s tournament coming to an end after a thigh injury.

    “Just one goal versus Burkina Faso was changing the whole story. They were so lucky versus us. We had 71 per cent of ball possession versus Burkina Faso, they are not a good team,” he said.

    “Burkina Faso won three games to be in the final and three games in their Africa Cup history. With Zambia in the Africa Cup, I have won six games, drawn five and lost two,”he added.

    He said it would have been a disaster had Burkina Faso won the tournament and subsequently advanced to the FIFA 2014 World Cup dress rehearsal, the FIFA 2013 Confederations Cup slated for June in Brazil.

    “They have been poor throughout the competition. They can’t represent Africa. You are a Zambian you are supposed to love the skill. There is no skill in this Burkina Faso team except Jonathan Pitroipa and Alain Traore,” he said.

    Chipolopolo players have this time around failed to make it into the AFCON 11 squad owing to the team’s early elimination from the competition.

  • Sixteen clubs jostle for Sunday Mba

    Sixteen clubs jostle for Sunday Mba

    Bundelsiga outfit Bayern Leverkusen and Dinamo Zagreb top the list of sixteen teams chasing the signature of Super Eagles latest sensation Sunday Mba according to the Executive Chairman of Delta State Sports Commission, Amaju Pinnick.

    Pinnick told a Lagos based radio station on Thursday the list of suitors for the two-goal AFCON hero was growing by the day and his parent club Warri Wolves will weigh all the offers coming their way before a decision is finally taken.

    “Bayern Leverkusen and Dinamo Zagreb are top on the list but we have received as much as 16 concrete offers for Mba,” the Delta State Sports Boss revealed.

    On Sunday in Johannesburg, the 24-year-old Warri Wolves forward scored the goal that ended Nigeria’s 19-year wait for a continental glory as they won their third Nations Cup trophy at the expense of Burkina Faso.

    In 2008, Mba was close to teaming up with Spanish lower league side Elche, but the deal collapsed after his local club then, Enugu Rangers, demanded too much money.

    The window in Western Europe is shut, but there are still opportunities in places like Ukraine and Russia.

     

  • Wilson offers Efe Ambrose support

    Wilson offers Efe Ambrose support

    Celtic defender Kelvin Wilson has backed team-mate Efe Ambrose to recover from his horror show against Juventus.

    Ambrose, who rushed back from the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria to face Juventus, turned in a miserable display against the Italian champions as he was at fault for two goals and also missed a golden opportunity to score.

    However, Ambrose’s central defensive partner Wilson is confident the Nigerian will bounce back from his disappointment.

    “Efe’s a big boy,” said Wilson. “He’ll recover from it.

    “We all have situations like that and unfortunately Efe’s had it against Juventus.

    “Efe’s got great experience, he’s just won the Africa Cup of Nations and he’ll bounce back from it no problem.”

    Wilson admits he was not surprised by Celtic boss Neil Lennon’s decision to start Ambrose after revealing the defender looked fine in training on the morning of the game.

    “He trained with us on Tuesday morning and he seemed fine. He had a spring in his step,” added Ambrose.

    “The gaffer thought so, too, and that’s his job.

    “He started and I wasn’t surprised. I don’t think anyone was.”

  • Lack of sponsors stalling Fives’ growth

    Lack of sponsors stalling Fives’ growth

    The Lagos State Fives Association (LSFA) has said that lack of sponsorship and competitions have continued to stall the growth of the sport in the country.

    Nasiru Mohammed, the Chairman of the association told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that it would not allow the setback to deter its programmes.

    Mohammed stressed that LSFA, was set to surmount all the challenges it encountered in 2012, by taking the sport to the grassroots. He added that the body was currently on the verge of taking its awareness campaign for the sport to schools, to identify, and groom budding talents for the sport.

    “Part of our 2013 agenda is to ensure the sport is publicised in secondary schools for more students to get acquainted with the sport for the talents to be discovered,’’he said.

    Mohammed told NAN that the association would strive to raise the profile of the sport to what obtained in the northern part of the country where it is very popular.

    The chairman also appealed to corporate entities to lend their support to the sport, by partnering with the association to execute its programmes.

    “I am appealing to individuals and corporate bodies to help bankroll our competitions; for the sport to grow,’’ he added.

    Mohammed, who is also the Technical Director of the Fives Federation of Nigeria (FFN), complained that the national body was also facing the challenges of getting sponsors for its programmes.

    “The Sardauna of Sokoto Cup is the only known competition that we have at the national level, and we will need the support of sponsors to come up with more of such,’’the chairman said.

    He urged the National Sports Commission (NSC) to also include the sport in the itinerary of the next National Sports Festival to propel its growth.

    “The exclusion of the sports from the sports festival, is also affecting its development. I want to use this medium to appeal to the NSC to consider the sport in the next festival,’’Mohammed said.

  • Norwegian side regret not signing Mba

    Norwegian side regret not signing Mba

    Norway’s Haugesund have regretted their decision not to sign Nigerian offensive player Sunday Mba some years back. The Warri Wolves star ted with the club in November 2007.

    Mba, then a teenager, trained with FKH, and despite scoring a hat-trick in the 8-2 win over Kopervik, he was not offered a contract.

    Nils Halvor Berge, who was the sporting administrative manager of Haugesund, labelled Mba and the other Nigerian trialists bad players.

    ”We want something extraordinary, but the only thing that has been extraordinary with sample players, is how bad they’ve been,” Berge told h-avis.no in 2007.

    In a recent interview with Norwegian newspaper VG Nett, Nils Halvor Berge has regretted those statements credited to him.

    ”I see that the Haugesund Avis writes it and I can not remember having said so. If I’ve said it, was the flippant comment I never should have come with. If true then it is a stupid statement.

    ”The assessments were made then was that no one could excel except Mba. It is obvious that we failed to see the potential that lay in the boy at the time,” Berge told vg.no.

    Obinma Allen, Obinna Okafor, Timothy Anjembe and Kabiru Alausa had traveled with Mba to Norway but they all went home empty-handed without signing contracts. Norwegian – Nigerian agent Atta Aneke facilitated the trials for the five players.