The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Minister calls for reorganisation of sports administration

    Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi has called for the reorganisation of sports administration in the country after which he believes positive results would follow.

    While reviewing the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations won by the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday, Abdullahi said that Nigerian sports administrators should use the victory as a spring board to learn how to administer sports in the country.

    “The reason we have failed in football is not because there are no talents but because we have had difficulties in the way we have organised ourselves; the way the federation is organised and operated”, Abdullahi disclosed.

    “We can use this victory as a turning point in the development of sports generally and football in particular for Nigeria. We all know the place of football in our environment. No matter what you do in other sports if you don’t get football right you have not done anything. But that notwithstanding, I am not a football minister, so I will look at the general implication of what victory means for sports in Nigeria.

    “If you recall, we came out of London 2012 without winning any medal, and there was uproar. But what I thought we needed was that instead of complaining that we did not win any medal, we would ask ourselves how it happened that for the first time in many years Nigeria went to the Olympics and did not win a medal. The Olympics failure was actually consistent with previous failures in other sporting competitions; the World Cup 2010, the Falcons failures and others in the last two or three years. The Olympics failure was just the highpoint of it all.

    “I came in shortly before the Olympics, but what was clear to me then was that what we experienced was the highpoint of the collapse of so many years. My conclusion is that the basic building blocks for winning are not even there. The poets (sic) sector operates largely through the federations, especially the elite sports. But if you look at most of the federations, they are largely weak.

    “Many of them don’t even have the template that shows a connection between any process and the outcome that they desire. If you have that kind of environment, you are not going to win anything. In the absence of these basic building blocks, we have to start from the beginning to start rebuilding”, the minister disclosed in Johannesburg on Monday.

  • Igweeeeee…Kalu crowns Keshi

    Igweeeeee…Kalu crowns Keshi

    His father was Ogbueshi [killer of Elephant] Frederick Aniemeka. Today, former Abia State governor Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu thinks Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, first Nigerian to win the Nations Cup as player and coach, deseves to be crowned the Igwe [King ] of our soccer.

    Extolling Keshi’s profile, Kalu said, “The first Nigerian to qualify another nation, Togo, for the the World Cup, first to take three countries – Togo, Mali, Nigeria to the Nations Cup, first to play in four continents – Africa, Europe, Asia, America, first Nigerian to win AFCON gold, silver and bronze both as player and coach, and many more.”

    The ex-governor described Keshi as a true Nigerian who cherishes friendship more than gold and a great patriot ready to die in defence of fatherland.

    “Born in Zaria to Igbo parents from the South-south, bred in Lagos and married to an Ishan, Edo lady, Keshi’s friends are legion. At St. Paul’s school Ebute-Meta, his pals were Paul Okoku and Segun Olukanmi. When he joined New Nigeria Bank, Benin in 1979, it was because of Henry Nwosu and Edema Benson, snubbing Aloy Atuegbu’s better deal from Rangers. Keshi met his wife Kate through Franklin Howard’s friend Lizzy. And one of his Assistants in the Eagles team Sylvanus Okpala was a pioneer Flying Eagle like Humphrey Edobor, Sam Igwenagu and Prince Afejukwu. He also remembers Akeem Alade and Demola Adekogbe,” Kalu continued.

    And now Keshi’s patriotism. “In 1993, Coach Gilbert Gress of Stasbourg France, took the Captain’s band from the Nigerian for playing in a World Cup qualifier against South Africa. In 1994, Keshi was sacked by Belgian club RWD Molenbeek, again, for choosing country over club. He was also attacked by armed robbers at Oshodi losing his Benz car and almost losing a brother in the process. Do not forget he was sanctioned by the NFA in 1985 and sacked in 2002 after assisting to qualify Nigeria for the World Cup,” Kalu said.

    Yet, Keshi stood by his country. In Kalu’s words, “As far back as 1992, South African journalist Mark Gleeson had tipped Keshi to coach Nigeria, describing him as world class. You saw how Keshi screamed when Gleeson asked him questions after the Ivorian feat. It took Nigeria 20 years to hire Keshi as Manager. And for the very first time, Eagles beat a team they could not defeat in the group phase, in the grand-finale. Manfred Hoener could not do it against Cameroon in 1988, nor Clemens Westerhof against Algeria in 1990. Homeboy Keshi achieved it.”

  • Hope rises for Osaze

    Hope rises for Osaze

     : Clarke says he  has a part to play

    The reintegration of West Brom wantaway Peter Odemwingie is continuing with manager Steve Clarke insisting the striker will have a part to play this season.

    Having travelled with the squad to Anfield on Monday night, the Nigerian sat in the stand to watch the Baggies’ surprise 2-0 win over Liverpool, their first victory since Boxing Day.

    Clarke said the 31-year-old, who was disciplined by the club after trying to force a deadline-day move to QPR by driving to Loftus Road, was involved with the team in the pre-match build-up and hopes he can soon return in a playing capacity.

    Clarke had suggested prior to the Liverpool match that Odemwingie might be involved for the first time since January 19, but insisted there was nothing sinister in his eventual decision to leave him out.

    “It wasn’t an additional punishment and he was involved, that is why he was there,” he said. He was in the dressing room, he was delighted for his team-mates and was there to support them and help them.

    “It is all part of what being part of a squad about.

    “Peter makes his contribution and will make a contribution in the season going forward.”

    West Brom spent most of the match pursuing and pressing their hosts and they were successful enough to still be in the game with 10 minutes to go after goalkeeper Ben Foster had saved Steven Gerrard’s penalty.

    Defender Gareth McAuley’s header and Romelu Lukaku’s 90th-minute strike snatched victory but Clarke felt the platform had been established by his midfield.

    “It is the first time in a number of weeks I’ve had the luxury of being able to pick Mulumbu, Claudio Yacob and James Morrison in the same midfield,” he said.

    “When they are together and everyone is doing their jobs properly we are a good team and deserve to be in the top eight.”

    Clarke admitted selecting that trio restricted his options up front but was pleased with the contribution of both Shane Long, who started, and Lukaku.

    “They are a good combination. When they play together they play well but when I have my three midfield players in there it is difficult to play both,” he said. Sometimes I have to make difficult decisions and in recent weeks Rom, for a 19-year-old, has been carrying a lot of weight up front.

    “So it was nice to give him a breather and the chance to come into the game to do what he did. Rom did well but he got the benefit of the hard work of Shane Long, who put in a hell of a shift.

    “He came on when the game was open – we knew Liverpool would come chasing the game and we could pick them off – and fortunately for the first time this year it worked.”

  • Awolowo Stadium to host Eagles’ celebration bash

    A private firm which partnered the National Sport Commission (NSC) on grassroots sports, Kayrom Lee has concluded plans to host a get-together for soccer fans in Ibadan in celebration of the Super Eagles’ Nations Cup glory.

    The party, according to the CEO of the firm, Romoke Ayinde, became necessary in appreciation of the efforts of the Super Eagles who put smile on the faces of Nigerians.

    ”Nigerians are passionate lovers of soccer, but there was nothing to celebrate for a long time and that is why we should all appreciate and celebrate this AFCON victory by our Super Eagles,” the boss of Kayrom Lee noted.

    The event slated for Thursday, February 14th will hold at the newly refurbished swimming pool side of the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium.

  • 3rd AFCON TITLE Keshi dedicates trophy to Nigerian coaches

    3rd AFCON TITLE Keshi dedicates trophy to Nigerian coaches

    Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has dedicated the winning the 2013 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), to all Nigerians.

    Keshi told newsmen at the post-match conference of the AFCON tournament in Johannesburg on Sunday that he also dedicated the trophy to all Nigerian coaches, his colleagues, who stood by him during the competition.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles defeated Burkina-Faso 1-0 at the final of the 2013 AFCON tournament at the National Stadium, in Johannesburg.

    “When I came on board, my dream was to make Nigerians happy. I made it known that I wanted Nigeria to have the best team that would win trophies, we are not there yet even though I am happy about the victory. I want to dedicate this victory to all Nigerians coaches who have been praying for us. I hope some African coaches will also get to this position and make their nations proud,” Keshi said.

    Keshi said he was confident that the team would lift the cup in spite of Burkina-Faso getting close to getting an equalizer.

    “So many things went through my mind at those last moments but I knew that if we didn’t score the second goal, we would end it 1-0. The boys concentrated and this gave me hope,” Keshi said.

    “Playing in the Confede-rations Cup is an honour to Nigeria and when we get there, we will see how it goes.

    There is lot of potential in the team,” Keshi added.

    “I know there is a lot of potential in the team, but I need to push them hard, we are not there yet but the players are a bunch of disciplined people with high concentration and that is what we have going for us in the team. I have always had faith in the team; and I also believed that we have what it takes to do well in the just concluded tournament.”

     

  • Kanu wants Keshi to stay

    Kanu wants Keshi to stay

    Former Super Eagles Captain Nwankwo Kanu has said that coach Stephen Keshi should be left alone to fully re-build his team ahead of future international tournaments.

    Kanu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Johannesburg on Monday that Keshi had laid a solid foundation with the crop of young players that won the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

    He said the coach had been in football for a long time as a player and now coach and had vast experience on how to manage a team.

    “The big boss, of course he is a big boss. He makes his decision and one thing you have to know, he has been there. He captained the Nigerian team to win it, so I do not believe that anybody can still tell him what to do.

    “Everybody has to leave him alone. Whatever he did today, no ordinary coach especially, a local coach can do that. He made his team, he stands on them, he played his pattern, he stands on them, he talked to the boys as a father, he takes them to this highest level and they win the cup. What else do you expect of him.”

    Kanu said the present Super Eagles were potential that could go places. The former two-time African footballer of the (1996 and 1999) said he had been talking to the players to take advantage of their talents to do the nation proud.

    He said the Eagles had proved critics wrong by winning the nations cup, saying that his presence in the team was to give them confidence.

     

  • Hotshot Emenike wants more

    Hotshot Emenike wants more

    AFCON Goal King Emmanuel Emenike has revealed he hopes to achieve more after his goals crowned Nigeria champions for a third time.

    The 25-year-old Spartak Moscow hitman, who scored a total of four goals with three assists to emerge the hotshot at the continental showpiece event, said he is very excited to have won his first winners’ medal on his debut appearance.

    “I am very proud to be an Africa champion. This means a lot to me and it has boosted my career. It gives me more confidence that I can achieve more with Nigeria,” he told MTNFootball.com.

    “I am happy with my achievement and that of the team as a whole. I never thought of becoming the top scorer, my aim was to help my team win the trophy by doing my best and contribute to the team’s success, but I never knew God has his own plans for me.

    “I am excited. I am on top of the world to have achieved this even when many believed it was impossible. We fought till the end and believed in ourselves.”

    Emenike admitted he was disappointed to miss Sunday’s final due to a hamstring injury, which will sideline him for at least two weeks.

    “I felt bad and wasn’t happy missing the final, but I was so confident in the team, that we will win without me on the pitch,” he revealed.

    The former FC Cape Town and Mpumalanga Black Aces both of South Africa star said he was very much at home on his return to South Africa.

    “I was at home here in South Africa. I was also eager to prove myself to the fans and the country as a whole that I was born to score goals. I thank God I didn’t let them down,” Emenike further told MTNFootball.com.

    He said his Goal King award and winners’ medal are for his parents because they have supported his career.

    “What I achieved at this Nations Cup is for my parents for their wonderful support in my career. They really made my dream to become a professional footballer come to pass,” he said.

    “Without my parents’ support and blessing, I wouldn’t have played football not to talk of getting to this stage. I thank God for everything.”

  • Enough of foreign coaches for Eagles, says Akpoborie

    Enough of foreign coaches for Eagles, says Akpoborie

    Jonathan Akpoborie, an ex-international, has advised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to build on Coach Stephen Keshi’s success at the Africa Nations Cup and end employment of foreign coaches for Super Eagles.

    The Super Eagles on Sunday beat the Stallions of Bukina Faso 1-0 to win the Africa Cup Nations for the third time.

    Akpoborie, in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba, Delta, said the performance of the Eagles at the South Africa tournament showed that indigenous coaches could excel.

    “Keshi has proved that a Nigerian coach can handle our national team. From the day he started the job and gave opportunity to players in our local league, it was obvious that he knew what he wanted to achieve with the team.

    “He put premium on our local players and he has proved that we can build our national team around them,” he said.

    Akpoborie advised the country’s football administrators to look inwards and develop the local league, saying that Keshi had proved that “there are good players there to be developed”.

    He said the new national team put together by Keshi “has character and discipline’’ and that he was confident that it would qualify the country for the next World Cup.

    The ex-international said Keshi should be given the latitude to raise the team the way he desired, and called for support from the government, NFF and corporate organisations to enable him solidify his programmes and position.

    He stressed the need for the development of a strong U-17 team that would serve as a pool for the Super Eagles, and urged the NFF to give it attention.

  • Onigbinde, Ogunjobi, Owolabi react to Eagles victory

    Onigbinde, Ogunjobi, Owolabi react to Eagles victory

    Former Super Eagles Coach, Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, has paid tributes to Coach Stephen Keshi and his players following their victory over the Stallions of Burkina Faso in the 29th edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that with the victory, Nigeria had ended a 19-year AFCON title drought while Coach Stephen Keshi had gone into the record books by equalling the feat of the late Egyptian Mahmoud El Gohary who won gold medals as a player and coach.

    The CAF and FIFA instructor told NAN that he was elated like every other Nigerian, adding that it was sweet victory for the Super Eagles.

    “ I am happy that Keshi was able to beat my record. This has vindicated me on my hard stance that Nigerian coaches are better. I continued pressing it on him to be focused when he reached out to me because distractions could get him off the tracks. It is a victory for him and all African coaches,” he said.

    Taiwo Ogunjobi, the former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation, also told NAN that Nigeria’s victory was well deserved, adding that the country was eagerly waiting for the cup.

    “I am happy for Coach Stephen Keshi and all the players and I hope that we can continue in this spirit in the World Cup campaign,” he said.

    In his own reaction, former Green Eagles player, Felix Owolabi, called for a heroic welcome for the Super Eagles. He urged the Federal Government to set a day aside for a public holiday in order to receive the triumphant Super Eagles.

    Further speaking to NAN, Ajibade Babalade, a former Super Eagles defender and Manager of Shooting Stars Football Club, said a new vista had been opened for Nigerian football with the Super Eagles victory.

    “Indeed I am overwhelmed with joy. It is a new beginning for Nigerian football,” Babalade said.

    Among the rewards for the Super Eagles was a $1.5 million first prize and a place at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil where they will face world and European champions, Spain, Tahiti and Uruguay.

    Nigeria were forced into a late pre-match change when striker and four-goal leading scorer, Emmanuel Emenike, was ruled out by a hamstring injury sustained in the semi-final rout of Mali and Ikechukwu Uche took his place.

    Burkina Faso were able to retain the team that started against Ghana in a semi-final settled by a shoot-out after the red card given to midfielder Jonathan Pitroipa was rescinded when the referee admitted he erred.

    It was only the third time the countries have met in the 56-year-old competition with Nigeria beating then Upper Volta 4-2 in 1978 and Burkina Faso snatching a stoppage-time 1-1 draw in a Nelspruit group game last month.

    The Sunday Mba goal gave the Super Eagles a deserved 1-0 half-time lead after 45 minutes that followed Nigeria’s dominating possession and scoring chances while the Burkinabe relied largely on counter-attacks.

    Mba, one of the two home-based stars in the starting line-up, struck on 40 minutes with a penalty-box flick over Mohamed Koffi and a left-foot shot into the far corner past goalkeeper Daouda Diakite.

     

  • 2014 World Cup: Super Eagles to commence preparation, says Sports Minister

    2014 World Cup: Super Eagles to commence preparation, says Sports Minister

    Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi says that with the Africa Cup of Nations now over, preparation had begun for the Super Eagles’ qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

    Abdullahi disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Johannesburg, South Africa, moments after the Super Eagles defeated the Stallions of Burkina Faso 1-0, to lift the 2013 AFCON trophy.

    The minister said that upon returning to Nigeria, he would ask the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to forward to him plans that would make the Eagles prosecute the World Cup campaign creditably.

    The minister expressed his determination to build on the success the team had achieved at the Nations Cup. He said his ministry would collaborate with the NFF to formulate plans for the team’s adequate preparation for the World Cup.

    According to him, the Super Eagles’ victory at the competition was the outcome of long preparations which would be similarly adopted in preparation for the World Cup.

    Abdulllahi noted that the Eagles’ victory at the 2013 AFCON was an indication that with enough preparations, the team could go places. He commended all Nigerians, the NFF and the Supporters Club for their relentless support to the Eagles to achieve success.

    “I believe that the support Nigerians and the supporters club members, led by its President-General, Dr Rafiu Oladipo, had given the Eagles would continue in all international competitions,” Abdullahi said.

    He expressed gratitude to the players and the coaching crew, led by Stephen Keshi, stressing that the victory had made Nigeria to become the best football nation on the continent.

    The Eagles scored the match clincher through Sunday Mba of Warri Wolves FC.

    Emmanuel Emenike was awarded the golden boot of the competition, Mikel Obi was the Man of the Match, while Victor Moses received the fair play award of the tournament.

    With the 2013 AFCON victory, Nigeria has now won the continental football trophy three times, first in 1980 as hosts and in 1994 in Tunisia, when Keshi was the Eagles’ captain.