The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Pinnick lauds Ikoyi members at Captain’s Day

    OUTGOING captain of Ikoyi Club 1938 (Golf Section), Ebiyemi Pinnick, has eulogised members of the section for making his one-year tenure an enjoyable one.

    Speaking, while delivering his key note address at the Gala/Presentation Ceremony signalling the end of a two-day Captain’s Day Tournament at the Ikoyi Golf Section, yesterday, the former Exxon Mobil manager said he owes his success story to members of his executive committee , ex-Captains of the section and all members.

    He said: “Let me start by expressing my profound gratitude to the members of the Golf Section for giving me the opportunity to serve as captain, for their support and encouragement through the duration of our tenure. For me, it has been a huge learning experience that I thoroughly enjoyed…. let me also express our profound gratitude to the members of the 2012-2013 Executive Committee of the Golf Section for their leadership, diligence and commitment. Working as a team, we introduced many positive changes and delivered on several key goals.”

    While enumerating the sterling achievements of his committee from effective course drainage, online tee time booking to kitchen refurbishment and conversion of the Upper Terrace to a fully air-conditioned Banqueting/Lounging facility, Pinnick said he regrets the inability of his committee to renovate and upgrade the clubhouse bathroom facilities.

  • NFF, Warri Wolves mourn Joe Ighile

    THE Nigeria camp at the 29th Africa Cup of Nations in Johannesburg, South Africa was badly jolted on Saturday morning when news filtered in that ace broadcast journalist Joseph Ighile had died in Lagos.

    Ighile, a member of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, was in South Africa for the group stage campaign of the Super Eagles. He was presenting his sports programme on CHANNELS television on Friday evening when he reportedly slumped and died before anxious colleagues could get him to hospital.

    NFF President Aminu Maigari was taken aback when the sad news was broken to him. “Oh, my God! What happened to him? How did it happen?

    “Joe (Ighile) interviewed me and I saw him doing his work quietly but diligently during the group stage in Nelspruit. A good man has gone. May his gentle soul rest in peace.”

    in same vein, The Management of Warri Wolves Football Club has joined the entire sports family in mourning the untimely death of Igbile.

  • Oba Mekunnu Soccer tournament sets Lagos aglow

    FOOTBALL lovers in Lagos State are in for a new experience as the maiden edition of the annual Oba Mekunnu of Africa Soccer competition kicks off on Friday, February 15, 2013. The competition, which is being sponsored by Chief Barry Owolabi Salis Fakos (aka Oba Mekunnu of Africa ), will be managed by The Nationwide Grassroots Soccer.

    According to Afeez Murtala, Public Relations Officer (PRO), The Nationwide Grassroots Soccer, the competition, tagged ‘First Owolabi Salis Football Competition’, aims to discover talents and promote them to stardom. “The sponsor of this competition is not new to things like this. As a matter of fact, it was for his philanthropic efforts that the people call him Oba Mekunnu. Therefore, we hope to use the competition to discover those kids who are there seeking ways to discover themselves. The competition will give those kids the opportunity to make a better future.”

  • PDP asks Super Eagles to bring the nation Goodluck

    PDP asks Super Eagles to bring the nation Goodluck

    THE leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has charged the Super Eagles to use today’s match with Burkina Faso to restore the dignity and pride of the nation by firing up the Nigerian spirit to win the African nation’s cup.

    In a statement yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh the party strongly believes that the Nigerian players have what it takes to overwhelm their Burkina Faso counterparts in the finals but charged them not to leave anything to chance.

    Metuh expressed optimism that the Senate President, David Mark who is leading Nigeria’s official delegation to the match will bring the nation Goodluck.

    “We charge the Super Eagles to go out there and make the nation proud. We believe that they have all it takes to beat their opponents and come back with the cup.

    “At the same time, they must not leave anything to chance. They must understand that millions of Nigerians are counting on them to bring back the trophy.

    “Also, we are optimistic that the Senate President, Senator David Mark who is leading Nigeria’s official delegation to South Africa to join in cheering the players to victory, will bring us Goodluck”, the party said.

  • Super Eagles: Dangote’s N130m only for AFCON victory

    Super Eagles: Dangote’s N130m only for AFCON victory

    President/Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has pledged the sum of N130 million to the Nigerian national team, Super Eagles, if they eventually make the country proud by winning the 29thAfrica Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa.

    The national team, Super Eagles, reached the finals of AFCON 2013 by thrashing the Malian national team 4-1.

    A statement from Dangote Group explained that the gesture is part of Dangote Group’s corporate social responsibility ( CSR ) to promote and encourage sports development in Nigeria.

    The pledge is to acknowledge the exploits of the national team at the AFCON and stimulate them to bring home the coveted trophy.

    Sports Minister Mallam Bolaji Abudllahi speaking on the pledge said: “Dangote has always demonstrated commitment to the government and people of Nigeria. We are happy over the gesture shown to the players and the coaching crew. It is an example for other well-meaning Nigerians to follow.”

    Football enthusiasts are commending Aliko Dangote on the gesture describing it as a necessary tonic that would inspire the Super Eagles to win the final match on Sunday against the Stallions of Burkina Faso.

    Starting from this edition, the tournament was switched to being held in odd-numbered years instead of even-numbered years so that it does not clash with the FIFA World Cup.

  • 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.

  • Go for goals, Guinness tells Super Eagles

    Super Eagles No. 1 supporter, Guinness Nigeria Plc, has congratulated the team on their achievement so far and charged them to win the trophy for Nigerians when they play in Sunday’s final game with Burkina Faso.

    It would be recalled that Guinness launched the Fly with the Eagles Campaign on the eve of the tournament in order to galvanise support to the team.

    The Super Eagles won their semi final clash in a grand style by defeating the Malians 4-1in a thrilling game in Durban, South Africa. Although many have doubted the chances of the Super Eagles progressing beyond the group stage which had defending champions Zambia, Burkina Faso and Mali, Guinness never relented in their support for the Steven Keshi-led team.

    According to Mr. Seni Adetu, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Guinness Nigeria Plc., the Super Eagles have shown the winning mentality, the never-say-die spirit of Nigerians because they are made of more.

    “The team is definitely made of more than the eleven players on the pitch.’’

  • Kanu tips Eagles for greatness

    Kanu tips Eagles for greatness

    NIGERIA’S football great, Nwankwo Kanu, is thrilled at the progress of the Super Eagles in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, as the team prepares to battle the Stallions of Burkina Faso today at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa.

    In a chat with NationSport at the Garden Court Hotel of the Eagles yesterday, the former captain said he believes the team is poised to further bring joy to millions of Nigerians today as they have done with the past matches by lifting the trophy.

    Papillo, as he is fondly called, is one of the two Nigerian players who featured in six Nations Cup, along with current skipper Joseph Yobo.

    “The Nigerian culture and football is back and credit must go to Stephen Keshi. Maybe it is because he is a local coach and he understands our football culture as the players have responded well to the way he wants the game to be played,” he said.

    Kanu’s excitement and confidence stems from the fact that coach Stephen Keshi is getting it right from the basis.

    “We had an excellent team that was built on unity and the undying love for our country and what I have seen so far with this team, the boys are following in our footsteps. Playing for Nigeria is another thing, hence the players and the coaches are aware that a good displayed will see us reaching the final,” he said.

    Praying that Nigeria wins the coveted trophy today, he said if the boys played the way they did against Cote d’Ivoire, they stand a good chance of winning the competition.

  • Keshi: Emenike, Moses ‘II be ready

    Keshi: Emenike, Moses ‘II be ready

    SUPER Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, says he has not given up on the duo of Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses featuring in Sunday’s AFC after consulting with his medical team.

    Speaking ahead of the team’s last training session at the Soccer City in Soweto, Keshi was quoted by team’s Media Officer, Ben Alaiya, as saying, “I will wait till the last minute and by Sunday we will know whether the boys will play or not, Any other opinion is unacceptable.”

    He, however, assured Nigerians not to panic over the two players as the medics are working round the clock to ensure that they are fit for the final, even as he said that in the case of the unexpected he has capable replacements to fit into the shoes of the duo. “I can understand the apprehension of the public over the two players but we must be a little patient, because I know that the two of them want to play in the final and the medical team is working round the clock.’’

    Meanwhile, Keshi has expressed shock over the death of top Nigerian sports journalist, Joseph Ighile, who until his death was the Sports Manager of wave-making Channels Television. Ighile reportedly slumped and died while presenting a live programme on Friday night in Lagos. He was in South Africa at the start of the Afcon championship and even interviewed Keshi among other officials in Nelspruit before dashing home on official assignment.

    On Friday night he even called the Super Eagles Media Officer to await his call for an interview on the popular ‘Sports @ 9’ on Channels TV. Alas, it was while presenting the programme that he suddenly called for a break and reportedly slumped and died before help could come.

    “It’s really sad to lose such a fantastic journalist and we hope we can do well in the final to make his family happy. But we send our heartfelt condolences to his family, Channels Television and the generality of Nigerian people. May God, Himself, keep his sporting soul,” Keshi declared.

  • Playing in ´dream´ final delights Pitroipa

    Playing in ´dream´ final delights Pitroipa

    BURKINA Faso international Jonathan Pitroipa is delighted his red card picked up in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final has been overturned.

    The Stade Rennes forward picked up a second yellow card for simulation and the red card meant that he would have missed the final against Nigeria.

    Referee Slim Jedidi admitted he got the decision wrong after the match and the Confederation of African Football upheld the appeal.

    “I’m glad because for me to participate in this final was the goal,” Pitroipa told France Football.

    “I was disappointed to receive the red card because it would mean I could not fulfil my dream to play in the final.

    “To participate in a final of the Africa Cup of Nations is the dream of every kid who loves African football. I am very happy to participate.

    “I was told that the referee had acknowledged his error and normally it would be good for me but at the time it was not official.

    “After the red card, at the time, I was shocked. Even if the score was 1-1 in my head I thought we were going to qualify for the final and I was not going to participate.”

    Pitroipa was also happy to receive the support of his team-mates and the wider football community.

    “I thank all those who supported me, from Burkina Faso and from the outside, my team-mates at Rennes and even former team-mates like Vincent Kompany who sent a message on Twitter,” he said.

    Meanwhile, A Burkina Faso victory in today’s final against Nigeria would prove a second straight Africa Cup of Nations fairytale – but Belgian coach Paul Put simply hopes it can mark his redemption back home.