The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Eagles are AFCON Champions

    Eagles are AFCON Champions

    Nineteen years after the Super Eagles won theAfrica Cup of Nations, the Stephen Keshi-led team made Nigeria proud in South Africa yesterday. Rangers International Football Club, Enugu and newly recruited striker, Sunday Mba scored the winning in the explosive final of the 2013 tournament of the unity cup in the 40th minute to seal victory for the Nigerian side hard-fighting Stallions of Burkina Faso. The goal won Nigeria the 2013 AFCON Trophy in the match decided at the National Stadium, in Johannesburg yesterday

    The trophy is Nigeria’s third for the country in its participation in the Africa’s biggest football tournament and the Super Eagles did not disappoint despite the absence of the tournament’s highest goal scorer, Emmanuel Emenike due to the injury he sustained in the semi-finals against the Eagles of Mali.

    Eagles’ Emmanuel Emenike also emerged the highest goal scorer of the competition having scored four goals in the entire 2013 AFCON. It was jubilation galore as stand-in captain, Enyeama had to carry the captain of the team Yobo on his shoulder while Assistant Coach, Daniel Amokachi also carried Keshi on his shoulder as jubilations continued in the Eagles team.

    Super Eagles had weathered the storm in the first half of the explosive Africa Cup of Nations final with Mba breaking the resilience Stallions of Burkina Faso in the 40th minute scoring from a rebound after nice build up between Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Mba.

    The Stallions, enjoying a massive support from the South Africa fans tried to absolve the attacking forays of the Nigerians with occasional onslaughts from the middle through Bance Aristide with support from Pitroipa Jonathan. But the watertight defence of the Super Eagles stood up to the challenge and curtailed their forays.

    Kudos must also be given to Celtic defender, Efe Ambrose, who has been a thorn in the flesh of the Burkina Faso team, halting attempts from the Stallions’ danger men and also initiating attacks from the right back position. But Ikechukwu Uche was a shadow of himself in the first 45 minutes putting every foot wrong.

    Algerian referee Djamel Haimoudi was firmly in control of the game. He stamped his authority in the game dishing two yellow cards. Stallions’ Florent Rouamba got the caution in the 33rd minute and Nigeria’s Mba was booked by the referee five minutes later.

    The second half started on a fast tempo with the Eagles missing narrowly in the 48th minute. Mikel who has been impressive in the first half continued to dazzle trying to outwit the more physical Burkina Faso.

    Keshi had no option than to substitute off-form Ikechukwu Uche in the 53rd minute for Ahmed Musa. Kenneth Omeruo was also cautioned by the referee in the 56th minute for rough tackle.

    Burkina Faso Coach Paul Put introduced Bakary Sanou to replace Rouamba in the 65th minute while Keshi was forced to replace injured Elderson Echiejile with Juwon Oshaniwa in the 66th minute. The Eagles really felt the absence of Echiejile while match-rusty Oshaniwa struggled for form. He got a yellow card in the 70th minute and also caused a free-kick for this card offence.

    In the 72nd minute, the Stallions got two corner-kicks but the Nigerian defence line took care of the situation. In the 77th minute the Nigerian fans had to start singing their favourite “All we are saying… give us more goal” to ginger the Eagles to seal the match with a second goal. Musa tried to waltz into the the 40m yard box in the 81st and was brought down but the resultant free-kick taken by Brown Ideye went wide.

    Looking for the equaliser the Stallions Coach brought in Moumoumi Dagano to replace Paul Koulibaly in the 85th minute. In the 85th minute both Moses and Ideye missed glaring chances at goal which could have wrapped the game for the Nigerian side.

    To bring more sanity into the defence line, Keshi brought in Joseph Yobo in the 88th minute to replace Nigeria’s savior of the day Sunday Mba. This was to allow Yobo to increase his caps and also lift the Trophy as Champions of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations which he did at the end of the match.

    The referee added four minutes and Ideye got cautioned for ball handling. The referee after adding four minutes ended the match in 1-0 in favour of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

  • NTDC kits fans for Eagles versus Burkina Faso

    NTDC kits fans for Eagles versus Burkina Faso

    Director-General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Olusegun Runsewe gave out several jerseys, flags and clappers to Nigerians in Pretoria on Saturday which encouraged them to troop out in their numbers to watch the final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations between the Super Eagles and the Stallions of Burkina Faso at the National Stadium, Johannesburg yesterday.

    Runsewe told SportingLife that the NTDC felt the need to encourage Nigerians in South Africa to support the Super Eagles in the AFCON 2013 final match against Burkina Faso yesterday.

    “This is our own small way of thanking Nigerians living in South Africa for their support so far for the Super Eagles. It is a way of rebranding the country and showing love to our people living here and to encourage them to continue to support their team campaigning in the competition.

    “Senate President David Mark said at the OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg this evening (Saturday) that Tourism remains a strong tool for rebranding Nigeria and football is one of such tools, this is why NTDC came out with this innovation to brand Nigerian fans based in Johannesburg for Sunday’s match”, Runsewe disclosed.

  • UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TIE: Lennon unsure of Ambrose’s availability

    UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TIE: Lennon unsure of Ambrose’s availability

    Celtic manager Neil Lennon says Efe Ambrose is unlikely to start in the Champions League round of 16 against Juventus on Tuesday.

    Ambrose has been away in South Africa on a national assignment for Nigeria at the Afcon 2013 which ended Sunday. Ambrose will face a long flight back to Scotland. Lennon doubts the defender will be fresh enough for a place in his starting XI, with Ambrose unlikely to return to the country until Monday evening (local time) at the earliest.

    “He seems to think he will be back on Monday evening or the early hours of Tuesday; we will assess him and see how he is,” Lennon told reporters.

    “It’s difficult for me to think he will be in a starting position.” He’s playing in a huge game and then has a 10 or 11-hour flight. But we are hoping he will make the squad.”

    Celtic have struggled with injuries in recent weeks but Lennon is hopeful James Forrest, Georgios Samaras, Emilio Izaguirre and Fraser Forster will all be available for the visit of the Serie A champions.

    “Forrest is fine, he has had the two scans and he came through all clear so he will be in the squad,” the manager confirmed.

    “He (Forster) is fine, there is no reaction to his injury and he will be ready for Tuesday. They (Samaras and Izaguirre) are rehabilitating very well. I think Emilio will be fine, now we are waiting on Sami and we won’t know, maybe until Monday.”

  • Cross River welcomes Eaglets home

    Cross River welcomes Eaglets home

    The Golden Eaglets were formally welcomed back home to Calabar by the government and people of Cross River State on Friday.

    Messages of goodwill from the Executive Governor of the state, Senator Liyel Imoke who is presently holidaying in the USA as well as that of Acting Governor, Barrister Efiok Cobham, were delivered to the team by Hon. Patrick Ugbe, the state’s Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development.

    The National Under-17 team who returned this week to their camp base in Calabar to prepare ahead of the 10th African Cadet Championship to be hosted by Morocco in April, have been enjoined to concentrate fully on the task at hand in order to give Nigerians something to cheer as the country celebrates the centenary anniversary of its amalgamation.

    Ugbe quoted the Excellencies as saying that they expect the Golden Eaglets to go all the way and bring the trophy home for the first time since 2007, adding that the success of the Super Eagles at the 2013 AFCON has justified the huge support of the state to the national teams.

    “We are very happy to have you back in Calabar and I’m happier to convey to you the best wishes of Senator Imoke and Barrister Cobham,” Ugbe told players and officials at their Princeville Hotel Camp shortly after breakfast.” We have so much faith in you and Nigerian football in general; and that is why we have spared nothing towards your welfare and that of the Super Eagles since you started camping in Calabar.”

    He further implored the Golden Eaglets to draw inspiration from the Super Eagles’ impressive performance at 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), saying both teams are now on the threshold of history.

    “We are expecting the Super Eagles as well as you to bring the African trophies here to Calabar for huge celebration,” said Ugbe, a seasoned broadcaster before his foray into public service, even as he prayed for the quick recovery of Eaglets’ duo of Adamu Abubakar and Friday Njengo who were involved in an auto-crash last Sunday on their way to Calabar.

  • Renard: Spirit of football is in Zambia

    Renard: Spirit of football is in Zambia

    Dressed casually, in white t-shirt, jeans and looking relaxed as ever, Herve Renard takes another sip of his cappuccino. “Quickly I will just show you some videos, so you will see I am not a liar.”

    Reaching over our table at the Intercontinental City Hotel in Doha, Qatar, the Zambia national team manager pulls out an iPad and starts playing videos of the Zambia players and staff all in a circle, on a football field, dancing. “I will just show you this. This is Collins Mbesuma. This is the morning of the game.”

    “Every morning of the game a member of the staff dances,” he says while pointing out various men gyrating in green tracksuits. Music plays in the background. People clap and cheer to the beat.

    “This is someone in the staff, this is a member of staff…staff. We have a workout every morning of the game and we dance, we play music. It’s our way of getting motivated and a way of escape; to not think of the game too much and to relax.”

    A wide variety of similar clips take pride of place on the charismatic Frenchman’s iPad and the grin on his face and fresh laughter, as if seeing the clips for the first time, hint at the genuine warmth and love he feels for his players and his position as Zambia’s head coach. “Life away from the pitch with a Zambian player is very fantastic,” he smiles.

    It is this togetherness, you sense, that played a huge part in one of the greatest and most romantic success stories in African football history, just under a year ago today, when Zambia – the 66/1 outsiders – somehow managed to go all the way to the final and win the Africa Cup of Nations 2012.

    An almost unbelievable tale of redemption, the Chipolopolo defied all the odds to win the trophy for the first time just a few miles from the site in Libreville at which 30 people – including 18 members of the national team – lost their lives in a tragic plane crash 19 years earlier.

    Renard has spoken many times since about the role destiny, fate – call it what you want – played in that triumph. But here, a year later, he is keen to stress the role of the players themselves.

    “It was fantastic. But what I would like to say is that it was not only because we were fantastic during this tournament. In 2009 we finished 3rd in Africa in the CHAN, a competition for local-based players. There we finished third. In 2010 we reached the quarter finals, we only lost on penalties to Nigeria after playing a very good game.”

    “That means we were not far from the last four. So in 2012 we believed in ourselves. We said this is where the crash was and we knew we would have to go back to Libreville, it was a nice idea, but we also played on the pitch. It was not only because we were thinking about the crash.”

    Renard ties that success to Zambia’s current run

    The Chipolopolo crashed out at the first hurdle at this year’s Cup of Nations, drawing all three games, but the one-time manager of Cambridge United refuses to believe that AFCON 2012 was solely about destiny, pointing to the development and consistency of a side he now feels is emerging a force in African football.

    “Of course the motivation was very important in 2012 but I think we also played very good football again this year. Against Nigeria we drew, against Burkina Faso we drew 0-0 but we were much better than Burkina Faso.”

    “That’s football, sometimes you don’t score and you go out. But we are still unbeaten in our last eight games in the African Nations Cup. The results were not good this year but we still haven’t lost in eight African Nations Cup games. I think that’s a good achievement and performance for Zambia.”

    “Zambia is a country of football,” Renard stresses, taking a moment to run his hands through his long, bronze locks.

    “Meaning when I came to Zambia for the first time in 2008 I understood why people in Africa respect Zambia so much. Of course it is not the best country – people knew more about Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana. But except for Nigeria they haven’t won an African Nations Cup in more than twenty years.”

    “Even if some people were very critical of Zambia because they thought they were too small to be African champions, the results are there. Zambia lost two finals, in 1974 and 1994, they won it in 2012. They have been to the Olympic Games and performed well (in 1988).”

    “That means in terms of football and in terms of consistency, it’s one of the best countries in Africa. This is a fact and nobody can withdraw that fact. I’m very lucky because I feel I was in the right place at the right time.”

    “Not sexy”

    Not so lucky however, was his suspended fine from CAF (the Confederation of African Football) for saying Zambia were not ‘sexy’ enough to represent CAF at the upcoming Confederations Cup in Brazil.

    Renard was furious that Zambia were not afforded the opportunity to defend their title after CAF rather controversially decided to award Africa’s place at the continental World Cup warmup to the 2013 Cup of Nations winners, where some felt a playoff between the 2012 and 2013 winners might have made more sense.

    With a suspended $10,000 fine hanging over his head Renard clearly holds back, but his obvious annoyance and frustration shines through gritted teeth. “You, you can speak, but me I can’t!” he laughs.

    My hands are not tied by CAF, so I tell him I find the punishment very unfair. “Yes but when you say the truth, you know…” he trails off, cautiously. “You offend people and for them it is easy to…”

    Rather than say anything, he uses his neck and open palm to make a beheading gesture. The message, unspoken, remains clear.

    While on the subject of organisation Renard and I discuss the current tournament and the shameful decision to host games on the sand dunes of Mbombela Stadium, which played host to all three Zambia games. “Politics” mutters the former Cannes defender under his breath, wary of getting into trouble. “You, you can write!”

  • NCA commends Moses’ spirit of patriotism

    NCA commends Moses’ spirit of patriotism

    Godwin Bamigboye, the Chairman, Nigeria Coaches Association (NCA), FCT chapter, on Friday commended the patriotism demonstrated so far by Victor Moses, at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    Bamigboye made the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

    The chairman spoke ahead of yesterday’s final match between the Super Eagles and the Stallions of Burkina Faso at the Soccer City Stadium, South Africa.

    The coach praised the attitude displayed by Moses in the tournament and called on every Nigerian to emulate his high sense of patriotism.

    “The attitude and spirit displayed by Moses is highly commendable.

    This is a boy who was orphaned due to the unfortunate murder of his parents during the riots in Kaduna in 2002.

    “He was taken to London by his uncle almost immediately after the incident and had a choice not to step into the shores of Nigeria again, but he didn’t take that option,’’ he said.

    According to him, when the call to serve his fatherland came, Moses dumped England and embraced Nigeria, this is patriotism.

    “Today, we see a Moses bringing joy to every Nigerian in spite of his bitter past, he never gave up on his country. He said that if someone like Moses in spite of his bitter past never gave up on his country, “then why should we’’.

  • Mark fires up Eagles against Stallions

    Mark fires up Eagles against Stallions

    SENATE President, Senator David Mark, was the surprise guest at the Super Eagles last training session at the Soccer City in Soweto, South Africa, ostensibly to assure the team that the people and government of Nigeria were solidly behind the team in its quest to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time.

    In the delegation of the Senate President, which stood in for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan because of current diplomatic forays in Europe, were Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State and the Minister of State (Foreign Affairs) Prof. Viola Onwuliri, the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade and the Minister of State (Works), Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa, Ambassador S.S Yusuf, Senator Abdul Ningi and several top government functionaries.

    The team was led to the Eagles training session by Sports Minister, Mallam Bolaji Abdulahi and NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari.

    Speaking at the occasion, Senator Mark said the Nigerian government and people were thrilled by the outing of the team so far but, like ‘Oliver Twist, are asking for more. “Yes, the job has been well done, but like we say in local parlance the snake is dead and it’s time to cut its head,” he admonished the team. Mark said he was sure that the team will win the trophy on Sunday (today) but cautioned against complacency.

    Responding on behalf of Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, team skipper, Joseph Tambarin Yobo, assured the government delegation that the team will not let the nation down having come this far. He thanked President Jonathan and the Senate President for always standing behind the team and assured that there is no negotiation in the team’s determination to winning its third Nations Cup trophy.

  • Yobo attributes Eagles’ good form to unity

    Yobo attributes Eagles’ good form to unity

    SUPER Eagles non-playing captain, Joseph Yobo, has said that what the Eagles have going for them is the strong bond that exists between the players unlike the previous teams.

    Responding to questions from the media yesterday at the pre- match briefing, Yobo said the unity stems from the fact that most people didn’t expect the team to perform this well.

    “As you rightly said, this is my sixth Nations Cup appearance. I like to give credits to those that deserve it. I have played with some great players in the past, but the unity that existed can not be compared with what we have now. We had problems because we came from different aspects of the country. We are stronger now, and what made the unity strong is that people did not believe in us,” he said.

    Yobo said as a group, the team is poised to win the trophy as they have worked hard for it, adding that he will be disappointed if the reverse happens.

    “We want to win the trophy. We’ve come this far and we want to win it.

    I will be very disappointed if we don’t win it. I really want to win it.

    “The mood in camp is very good, we are looking forward to the game. It’s been long we got to the finals and we just want to go in there and do it,” Yobo stated.

    Nigeria engages the Stallions of Burkina Faso in the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations taking place at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa today.

  • Eagles too good for title

    Eagles too good for title

    Chidi Nwanu was a part of the Super Eagles’ class of 1994 which team’s feat is yet to be rivalled about 20 years on. He speaks on the reason why raising a team that could rub shoulder with them will still be a pipe dream for some time to come and the inspiring run of the current Eagles at 2013 AFCON among other issues. Excerpts

    The mood in camp after the AFCON success at Tunisia, 1994.

    It was like a carnival like atmosphere. All the players that participated at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and lifted the trophy were very happy. They shared their experiences with us that couldn’t go and we were happy for them. The most important for us then was representing our fatherland and nothing more. We had a nice time in Holland and I can say with confidence that the Nations Cup the Eagles played was a good preparation for the FIFA World Cup in USA that we attended that same year.

    USA’94 World Cup experience

    Well, it was a very great experience for me and for the team. I was hungry for it and before that competition, I was already grounded with games that could make me better prepared. I had played matches in the UEFA Champions League and other games. I was prepared for it and I worked hard for it too. I thank God everything worked out.

    The problem at raising another team that could stand side by side with USA’94 set

    It is corruption and politics in the country that has prevented us from raising another formidable squad that could equal our feat both in results and quality of the results got on the pitch. When corruption and politics go into football the result will be hindered. If you look at our age grade competitions like the U17,U20 and the U23 teams they have not performed to the required expectations because we have politicised them.

    We are yet to win the FIFA U20 World Cup but managed some successes in the FIFA U17 World Cup and a victory at the Olympic Games. The U17 that we produced during the times we won those competitions where are they now? Once politics set in we have not been able to achieve much again. We have not been able to maintain a stable build up to maintain the successes we have recorded.

    There is a problem we have on ground. The coaches only look at the present competitions and they do not consider what lies ahead after the immediate competition they are preparing for. They should do something to push the team forward towards subsequent competitions.

    The real reason Nigeria pulled out of South Africa’96 AFCON

    It was a decision taken by the presidency and we have no choice but to abide by that decision. We were called and communicated that there were some political wrangling between Nigeria and South Africa because of the political instability in the country that time and they(presidency) decided to called off Nigeria’s participation at the Nations Cup as a way of protest to what was happening. We could not force ourselves to South Africa because we are Nigerians. If we are Nigerians we fight together as a team and so we couldn’t go. I believe that we were poised to win the Nations Cup again in South Africa that year because we were prepared for it.

    The Super Eagles quest for another shot at the title in South Africa, 2013

    Well, the major thing is that they realised from the last game in the group phase that the pride of the country is at stake. It is something every Nigerian has been looking up to -something to cheer about and also something to give them a little bit of joy. They really started on a shaky note like you have said but later they started co-ordinating together and moving like a team that is trained to move.

    The moment they met Cote d’Ivoire, there was a determination to show Nigerians that they were wrong to write them off. I think the major reason they underperformed at the beginning of the competition is that they underrated their group opponents. But with Ivory Coast, they saw a formidable team and they up the ante and did exactly what they supposed to do. I saw similar thing in their game against Mali too today(Wednesday). They were determined to write their names in gold.

    Whether the Eagles are ready to make it third time victory for Nigeria

    The technical crew should be able to do a very good job on their final opponent after they might have got sufficient information on them. Burkina Faso is not a stranger to Nigeria again. They were in the same group and the Eagles were almost running away with a slim margin victory before the Stallions shocked them with a last gasp equaliser.

    Stephen Keshi and company should be able to plot the adequate strategy with which to win the game against Burkina Faso on Sunday.

    We have a better opportunity to show the Burkinabes that we are better than them despite the fact that it ended 1-1 apiece when it was last played.

    The Eagles lack of recognisable leader

    We shouldn’t be concerned about whether the Eagles have a leader or not in this last match. We are in the final of the Nations Cup and a little distraction could foil our ambition. We should be concerned about raising a team that can give us victory on Sunday for now.

    When we come back, we can then start looking at getting a leader with the aura,charisma and the ability to do that both on the pitch and off it. They need a player who can better protect the interest of the players. Football is one of the avenues by which Nigeria projects herself to the outside world and I think a serious work needs to be done for the team to get a quality leader for the senior national team.

    Burkina Faso’s threat

    There is no easy team again in world football. If it was some years back, I would say it is for Nigeria to lose but now we must be very careful. Burkina Faso too have also improved as the competition proceeds but if the Eagles keep the standard they have maintained in their last two matches, Burkina Faso will fall on Sunday. I am quite confident of a victory against Burkina Faso.

    Ready to serve father land

    Yes of course I will be ready to assist my fatherland in any choice area I’m deemed fit to do so. The major thing I have noticed in this present generation is discipline in and outside the field. This is because what you do outside the pitch will reflect what you do in the field. There is a little bit of indiscipline in some areas that if I’m taking along things can work very fine. I will be willing when the time comes for the good of my country.

    The relationship between the NFF and Chidi Nwanu

    It has been a long time I quit the game for my present calling. I don’t really know those that are there now but at least they have my personal contact right there and if there is anything like that they know how to get in touch with me. It is left for them to decide because one can not decide his area of relevance. It is cordial because I don’t have any quarrel with anybody. Nigeria is for us all and sometime certain things happen. Their minds may not have been there.

    Chidi Nwanu’s divine call

    I have been in the ministry for quite some years. It is called the Ground of the Truth Ministry and it is based in Antwerp, Belgium. It is a ministry that is given salvation and delivering sinners. We believe in the Lord and we are very sure by God’s grace we shall move higher than what it is presently. We want God’s will to be done.

    It is unlike football where it is you who decides what to do but here we heed the call of the Lord.

    Nwanu’s home coming

    Well, that is what I’m giving a serious thought to and I believe something of that sort is in the making. When it is time, people will know.

  • Cross River charges Super Eagles to win

    Cross River charges Super Eagles to win

    THE Cross River State Government has charged the Super Eagles to go all out and beat their Burkinabe counterparts in today’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final in South Africa.

    Calabar, the Cross River State capital, hosted the Super Eagles during the qualification for the tournament and everyone is now in huge expectation as Nigerians seek their third AFCON trophy.

    Speaking during a whistle-stop at the Golden Eaglets’ Princeville Hotel Camp in Calabar on Friday, Hon. Patrick Ugbe, the state’s Commissioner for sports and youth development, said that the Executive Governor of the state, Senator Liyel Imoke, who is currently holidaying in the USA as well as Acting Governor, Barrister Efiok Cobham are expecting the Super Eagles back in Calabar with the trophy.

    “We are expecting the Super Eagles as well as you to bring the African trophy here to Calabar for huge celebration and that is the message from Senator Imoke and Barrister Cobham,” said Ugbe, a seasoned broadcaster before his foray into public service, “The Super Eagles have done so well in South Africa and we are expecting them to win the trophy.

    “Of course, we want you (Golden Eaglets) to be focused on your assignment too and emulate the Super Eagles’ impressive performance at the AFCON, “added Ugbe.

    Ugbe further quoted the governor and his deputy as saying that they expect the Golden Eaglets also to go all the way and bring the trophy home for the first time since 2007, adding that the success of the Super Eagles at the 2013 AFCON has justified the huge support of the state to the national teams.

    “We are very happy to have you back in Calabar and I’m happier to convey to you the best wishes of Senator Imoke and Barrister Cobham,” he said.” We have so much faith in you and Nigerian football in general; and that is why we have spared nothing towards your welfare and that of the Super Eagles since you started camping in Calabar.”

    Meanwhile, Golden Eaglets have intensified prayers for the recuperating duo of Abubakar and Njengo as well as the success of the Super Eagles as they square up against Burkina Faso on Sunday (today) in the final match of the 2013 AFCON.