The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Jonathan sends high-powered delegation to boost Eagles

    Jonathan sends high-powered delegation to boost Eagles

    Ahead of tomorrow’s African Nations Cup final match between Nigeria and Burkina Faso in South Africa, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday sent a high-powered delegation to boost the Super Eagles to victory.

    The delegation, according to a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, is to be led by the Senate President, David Mark.

    Mark is to represent President Jonathan and the Federal Government at the match because the President cannot be physically present in Johannesburg to lead the cheering of the Super Eagles due to his official commitments in London and Paris.

    The President charged the delegation to ensure that the members of the team are properly motivated and in the best possible spirits to win a resounding victory for the country tomorrow.

    He also tasked the delegation, which included Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State and the Minister of State I (Foreign Affairs) Prof. Viola Onwuliri, the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade and the Minister of State (Works), Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, to reassure the team of his full support and best wishes for victory.

    They are also to convey President Jonathan’s decision to host a dinner reception for them at the State House Banquet Hall at 7pm on Tuesday, February 12, 2013 and personally thank and honour them for their positively transformed performance in South Africa.

    Their performance, he said, has undoubtedly re-established Nigeria as a major power in international soccer.

    He urged the team to go out against Burkina Faso on Sunday with the greatest determination to win a final victory that will bring immense joy and happiness to the millions of Nigerians at home and abroad who have had their pride restored by the triumphs against Ethiopia, Cote d’Ivoire and Mali, and are praying for ultimate success at South Africa’s National Stadium.

  • Ideye confesses: I prayed for a goal

    Ideye confesses: I prayed for a goal

    Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye has admitted that he was worried about his African Cup of Nations goal drought before he finally scored his first goal in the semi final game against Mali on Wednesday.

    The Dynamo Kiev of Ukraine forward, despite his contributions to the team’s success in the ongoing campaign, was goal-shy before Wednesday’s game, while his compatriot Emmanuel Emenike has vindicated the team’s technical crew for making him the Eagles’ outstanding striker, by scoring four goals.

    The former Ocean Boys of Brass ace told SportingLife that he has discovered his scoring form and will work harder to see that Nigeria lift the trophy on Sunday.

    “I can’t remember the last time Nigeria qualified for the final so I am happy and we thank God that we won our last game against Mali. I feel happy that I finally scored in this tournament. I feel happy because I have been looking for it. I know if I can continue with hard work I believe more goals will come.

    “Although before I scored I tried to work hard and help my teammates in order to get deserving results. I will continue to help the team and we will go to the final game full of determination.”

  • Maigari commends Rotimi Amaechi

    Maigari commends Rotimi Amaechi

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari on Friday heaped plaudits on the Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON, for his tremendous support to the Super Eagles in their 29th Africa Cup of Nations finals campaign.

    After a somewhat lethargic and anxious start to the tournament, the Super Eagles improved steadily and are now on the verge of a third Cup of Nations triumph as they clash with Burkina Faso’s Etalons in Sunday’s Final at the National Stadium in Soweto.

    Maigari said: “We are very appreciative of the huge support of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi (CON) and indeed, other sports-loving State Chief Executives in Nigeria who have given support one way or the other.

    “Governor Amaechi has particularly shown keen interest in the campaign of the team at this tournament. We commend him.”

    Amaechi, who is also Chairman of the Governors’ Forum of Nigeria, was at the Super Eagles’ Ingwenyama Conference and Sport Resort in Nelspruit to gear the team up ahead of their important Group C clash with Zambia on January 25. He gave the team $100,000.

    Maigari also showered praises on the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, CON, for his tremendous assistance to the team and the NFF during the qualifying campaign.

    “Governor Imoke is a wonderful person. He hosted the team’s home matches in the qualifying series and the players and coaches have not stopped talking about the hospitality they experienced in Calabar.”

    Maigari said on Friday afternoon that the team and NFF leadership are awaiting the arrival of President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, in Johannesburg for Sunday’s Final.

    Already, Honourable Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Bolaji Abdullahi and a number of directors in the Commission, including the Director of Federations and Elite Athletes Department, Dr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba are on ground in Johannesburg.

    Officials insist that the players woke up at their Garden Court Hotel in Johannesburg on Friday confident that skipper Joseph Yobo will lift the Africa Cup of Nations trophy on Sunday.

    Burkina Faso are looking up to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to overturn the suspension of striker Jonathan Pitroipa, so he can play on Sunday.

    There is a precedent. In 1986, the Egyptian FA appealed the suspension of talisman Taher Abou Zeid and the striker was cleared by CAF to play the final match, which host Egypt won on penalties against Cameroon in Cairo.

    Pitroipa was expelled in Wednesday’s semi final against Ghana in Nelspruit.

  • Injury nightmare: Moses limping in training

    Injury nightmare: Moses limping in training

    Chelsea of England darting winger, Victor Moses trained alone yesterday under the watchful eyes of a team doctor during the Super Eagles’ first work-out after booking the final ticket at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    Moses limped throughout the training session and he was subjected to mere jogging round the pitch at the Vits University Sport Complex, in Johannesburg after sustaining an ankle injury in the semi final clash against Mali.

    Also, top scorer in the 2013 Nations Cup, Emmanuel Emenike was conspicuously missing from the training.

    Information reaching SportingLife is that the Spartak Moscow forward has been asked to stay off training under the close watch of one of the team’s doctors at the Garden Court Hotel, Millpark.

    The source further revealed that this was necessary so as to avoid aggravating the injury he sustained at the last minutes of the semi final clash with Mali on Wednesday at the Moses Mabhida Stadium, in Durban.

    The doctors, it was gathered, are working on both players to ensure that they are fit for the final match against Mali on Sunday at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg.

    The Eagles had a light training session on Friday after arriving in Johannesburg on Thursday.

  • Naija flags, regalias prices hit the roof

    As the Super Eagles sets to battle for a third AFCON trophy against Burkina Faso on Sunday, prices of Nigerian flags and other regalia depiting the green-white-green colour of the most populos black country in Africa has hit the roof in Johannesburg.

    SportingLife gathered in areas like Santon, Ranburg, Ros and other popular surburbs of Jo’Burg that vendors are making good money as a price of a Nigerian flag which used to sell for 100Rand (about N1,700)or less, now goes for 150R and depending on the quality and others like the Eagles mufflas, car decorations.

  • Mikel: our strength is togetherness

    Mikel: our strength is togetherness

    Super Eagles and Chelsea midfield ace, John Obi Mikel has declared that the strength of the Nigerian team is togetherness and unity that was in the past missing from the squad.

    The Super Eagles will on Sunday battle the Stallions of Burkina Faso in the final of the South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and the Chelsea star already has his sights set on the trophy.

    “We are together, united and playing for each other and that has accounted for where we are today.

    “All credit must go to the coach who took a gamble on a very young squad, because I’m just 25 years old but I’m looking like the oldest in the team.

    “This team will not only win the trophy on Sunday for the Nigerian people but will win many more trophies for a long time to come”.

  • Eagles arrive Johannesburg, begin training

    Eagles arrive Johannesburg, begin training

    After a comprehensive 4-1 semi-final victory over Aiglons of Mali on Wednesday in Durban, the Super Eagles have quickly put the victory behind them as the team arrived Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday afternoon to begin preparations for the final on Sunday at the Soccer City in Soweto.

    The team arrived Johannesburg at about 1:45pm local time aboard a South Africa Airways plane. In the plane with the team was NFF Executive Committee member, Deji Tinubu, NFF Technical Director, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and Special Adviser to Lagos state Governor, Prince Wale Oladunjoye among other dignitaries.

    The team was immediately ferried to its abode at Garden Court Milpark from the airport and after having lunch, got set for the day’s business of training.

    The team will have its first training session at 630pm local time, which is 530 Nigerian time, with Head Coach Stephen Keshi saying there is no time to waste ahead of Sunday’s all important final which is expected to be watched by several Nigerian and international dignitaries including Nigerian President, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, FIFA President Sepp Blatter and South African President Jacob Zuma.

    Keshi has meanwhile, said there should be no panic over the duo of Victor Moses and Emmanuel Emenike, who picked up knocks in the semi-final duel against Mali. “The medical team here is working round the clock to ensure that they will be ready for the final on Sunday and they will advise us on what to do at the appropriate time”, he said.

    NFF President Aminu Maigari, has meanwhile assured that the entire nation of Nigeria will be mobilized to back the team in Sunday’s final and urged the team not to rest on its oarse until the trophy is won. “The win over Ivory Coast is history, same for the one over Mali, now the trophy is within reach and I must urge you to go ahead and do the nation proud and like President Goodluck Jonathan said , leave the rest to the government and people of Nigeria.

  • Yobo: Critics have made Nigeria stronger

    Yobo: Critics have made Nigeria stronger

    Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo believes that his side have responded well to the criticism they received before the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

    The Super Eagles face Burkina Faso in the final of the competition, having knocked out pre-tournament favourites Cote d’Ivoire in the last eight, and the Fenerbahce defender is delighted with his side’s progress.

    “Sometimes it is good to have negative people around you, and also those you undermine you, because they push you to become the best you can possibly be,” he told Goal.com.

    “I will not lie. This has been a great journey. At the same time, things have not been easy, as you can see, the competition has been tight.

    “We need to be humble for our success. We are aware that it was only God’s grace and therefore we must try not to take the credit. I think this was a great victory and every player contributed in the win.”

    Yobo went on to say that he does not really care who starts the final, so long as they do well.

    “It doesn’t really matter who starts the match, I believe that every decision that the coach makes, is for the better,” he continued.

    “Even during the finals, I will not really be concerned about starting, but so long as I will get a chance to play and add value to the team.”

    Nigeria beat Mali 4-1 in the semi-final on February 6, and Yobo revealed they targeted their opponents’ lack of dynamism.

    “We knew that they don’t really rely on pace so we thought that it is better if we just try and kill them [with pace] during the first half,” he added.

    “Honestly, I did not think that we were going to score so many goals, but when opportunities came, we made sure that we capitalised.”

     

  • Eguavoen, Obaseki to Eagles : Avoid body contact

    Eguavoen, Obaseki to Eagles : Avoid body contact

    The Former super Eagles Coach, Austin Eguavoen has advised the Nigeria lads s to avoid body contact against Burkina Faso in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations finals on Sunday.

    Eguavoen who spoke to SportingLife on phone from Port- Harcourt said the Eagles and the Coaching crew need the prayers and support of all Nigerians, but they themselves must do every thing possible to avoid close contact because the Burkinabe’s are out to destroy.

    The former Eagles defender and playmate of Stephen Keshi said the two hit men of Burkina-Faso, Jonathan Pitroips had a red card, while Agyemang Badu had a serious injury and they will be out in the finals.

    “I said it from the beginning that, all of us need to pray for them. Now is the time the super Eagles need our support, and I spoke with Keshi after their match with Mali and I told him Nigerians are praying for them.

    “You know the Burkinabe’s are very strong. Our boys need to prepare for a tougher game. So, I expect them to be mobile, have a quick contact with the ball, avoid physical or body contact, that will edge out the Burkinabe’s.

    Also, the former Chairman of the Nigeria Premier League Board, Chief Yuki Obaseki has urged the Super Eagles to be tough.

    The Benin High Chief said the Burkinabe’s he saw against Ghana were tough therefore Nigeria need to prepare themselves.

    While praying for a successful game, the Ohe of Benin kingdom said bringing the cup to Nigeria will give him joy even though the final journey of his first wife that died on the 24th of December, 2012 will kick on the 13th through to 17th of February, 2013.

  • Yobo relishes first final

    Yobo relishes first final

    Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo Wednesday finally broke the jinx that has seen him not make it to the finals of a major competition in his over a decade of selfless service to Nigeria and expectedly the Fenerbahce of Turkey defender is excited over the breakthrough. Yobo like in recent games was brought in from the substitute bench as Nigeria mauled Mali 4-1 and booked a place in the finals of the 29th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations ongoing in South Africa. While the 32-year old defender pointed out that he would have loved to play a bigger role than currently being offered he could not hide his excitement at making the Afcon finals after failing in his five previous attempts. “I am very excited with the team’s performance; I thank God for what he has done for me in my career and finally making me to make it to finals,”Yobo began. “I would have loved to play more part but the coaches know better , I have worked very hard in the past but did not make it to the finals, in a way I feel my hard works is finally paying off and by God’s grace we will end up with the trophy this time,” the Eagles skipper remarked.