The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Yobo may miss Ethiopia match again

    Yobo may miss Ethiopia match again

    There are strong indications that Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo may miss the Nigeria versus Ethiopia encounter in the last group C match of the ongoing African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    SportingLife can authoritatively report that the Eagles skipper was sensationally left out of the Zambia match on Friday when both the technical crew and Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) top shots unanimously agreed that the Fenerbahce defender should be left out of the team as a result of poor performance in the first match against Burkina Faso.

    The Chief Coach of the team, Stephen Keshi has been enduring a lot of pressure from the high and low as far as Nigerian football is concerned and has been told to field only players that are fit and ready to give their all in the remaining matches.

    According to a very competent source close to the Federation, “it is going to be a very big shame if the team fail to qualify for the quarter-finals of the 2013 AFCON despite all the Federation’s input to the team as regards preparations and total support to the team. So, we have told Keshi to field those players that are hungry to play and deliver the results. We told him that no player should be an exception whether such player is the captain or not. What is paramount and very important to us is for the team to qualify to the quarter-finals of the competition”, the source told SportingLife in Nelspruit.

    This may however have caused a great disaffection in the team because SportingLife discovered that Yobo was stunned and totally disappointed when Keshi read the team list before the match and his name was missing. To his credit, however, Yobo did not argue with the coach, although his countenance showed that he was really disappointed with his exclusion from the team.

    According to a source close to the defender, “Yobo was surprised and totally disappointed with the decision of Keshi to leave him out of the squad that was to play Zambia. He was not happy that the Coach did not inform him prior to the announcement of the team list”, the source told SportingLife.

  • Eagles get Yobo boost

    Eagles get Yobo boost

    Eagles have received a huge boost ahead of Tuesday’s win-or-bust Group C tie versus Ethiopia after skipper Joseph Yobo returned to training.

    Yobo missed Friday’s 1-1 draw with defending champions Zambia after he twisted his ankle in the opening group game against Burkina Faso.

    Team spokesman Ben Alaiya told MTNFootball.com, “As you can see the captain has joined the team in training.

    “The last session before the Zambia game he had a separate session, but today (Saturday) he is in the team’s full session.

    “I believe he should be fit for the next game but that would be a decision of the coach after the team’s final session.”

    An official further disclosed: “Yobo has resumed full training after his ankle problem. He trained with the rest of the squad and will be available for selection for the match against Ethiopia.”

    Yobo is the most capped Nigeria international with 91 caps after he made his debut in 2001.

    It is now most likely the vastly experienced Yobo will take his place back in the heart of the back four along with Godfrey Oboabona, while Chelsea loanee Kenneth Omeruo slots back at right back after he impressed in the absence of the Eagles skipper.

    Suspended Efe Ambrose will also be available for selection after serving out his one-match ban for his red card against Burkina Faso.

    Nigeria need to win on Tuesday in Rustenburg to qualify for the quarterfinal of the AFCON.

    They have not failed to reach the knockout stage of the competition since they won the 1994 tournament in Tunisia.

  • Omeruo: Eagles targets big win

    Omeruo: Eagles targets big win

    Young Eagles star Kenneth Omeruo tells MTNFootball.com in this exclusive interview Nigeria will be gunning for a big win versus Ethiopia.

    At 19, the youngest player on the Nigeria squad to the AFCON in South Africa was thrown into the deep end in the all-important Group C clash against defending champions Zambia on Friday and he came out with flying colours.

    The Chelsea loanee’s next target is to help the Eagles beat Ethiopia on Tuesday in Rustenburg and qualify for the last eight of the competition.

    He speaks to MTNFootball.com exclusively in this Q&A interview.

    Kenneth, congratulations on making your first competitive start for the Super Eagles against Zambia on Friday.

    Thank you. I was delighted to get my chance and I will continue to do my best to justify the confidence the coaches have in me.

    You had to fill the big boots of skipper Joseph Yobo and it was against the defending champions in a game with so much riding on it. Were you overwhelmed by the occasion, even if it were just for the first few minutes?

    I was not nervous and for me, every game is very important. I just kept my composure, stayed calm, and what further helped was the fact that I played in my more familiar position in the centre of defence even though I also play at right back.

    You had to mark out the Zambia top striker Emmanuel Mayuka. How was this experience?

    He’s a very strong and fast player, but I matched him for speed and made sure I made the right runs to stop him when he went for goal. You just must be alert when you are up against such a player.

    How would you score yourself out of 10?

    Probably an eight and a nine had we kept a clean sheet and won this game.

    The champions were awarded a penalty to draw level. Was this a good call?

    It was a very wrong call by the referee because we later watched the incident on video. There was very minimal contact between the two players and it was not even inside the 18-yard box.

    The team would have been disappointed and morale would have sagged.

    Yes, it affected most of us, but after we talked over it, we are all clear we have to win our next game and we will be fine again.

    What are your main club Chelsea saying as regards your performance at this AFCON?

    They are happy for me. The thinking was that at only 19 it would be a good experience to just be part of the squad to South Africa, but I’m now playing games.

    Do we then see you finally moving to Chelsea by the end of the season in the summer?

    There is no rush for me. I just want to keep playing. If I have to move to Chelsea and I sit on the bench, I would rather stay back at ADO Den Haag, where I have already established myself, to gain more experience.

    So, you may most likely stay at ADO?

    It is possible I may stay on till next winter or for another full season. We will soon know.

    But it is likely you may join them up for pre-season training after you failed to do so in the summer because you did not have a US entry visa then.

    Nothing has been confirmed yet, you just have to wait and see as things play out.

    What is the situation with the Nigeria U20s, who want you for the African Youth Championship in Algeria in April?

    I have already missed two matches for my club as I’m here in South Africa now and I may likely miss more. It may therefore be a very tough decision for them to let me go for the AYC. But let’s remain hopeful.

    Besides you, we have other young players like Ogenyi Onazi, Nosa Igiebor and Obiora Nwankwo on this squad.

    It’s good progress for Nigerian football and the credit must go to the coach for his belief in young players like us. This would further encourage other upcoming players that they have a chance in the Super Eagles.

    Now that you have finally broken into the Eagles, you would fancy being a part of the team for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, which resumes in March with a home game against Kenya.

    I’m looking forward to that, but we have to take it a step at a time. And now it is the Nations Cup.

    What should we expect when the Eagles face Ethiopia in Rustenburg on Tuesday?

    We will win.

    Why such confidence?

    We have not been outclassed by either Zambia or Burkina Faso and we expect to play on a better pitch which will allow us to keep the ball and express ourselves better. The pitch in Nelspruit is bad and it did not allow for good football.

    What do you think of Ethiopia?

    They are a good side, who like to pass the ball and have good movement, but we are better.

    They were trounced 4-0 by Burkina Faso in their last game. What then should you expect from them on Tuesday?

    They will come out to fight especially in the early minutes of the game because they still have a chance to qualify for the quarterfinals as well. But we hope to remain focussed, play to the instructions of the coach and we won’t disappoint Nigeria.

    Would the Eagles be going for a big win against Ethiopia?

    Yes, we’re going for a big win for us to win our group.

    And so avoid Cote d’Ivoire, who have already won Group D, in the next round?

    Cote d’Ivoire are a big team, but we will take this tournament a game at a time because we will give everything to win it.

    Thank you.

    The pleasure is mine.

  • No rift between NFF and Keshi — Green

    No rift between NFF and Keshi — Green

    Chairman of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF)’s technical committee Chris Green has poured cold water on rumours making the rounds in Nelspruit, South Africa that there is a rift between the body and the Super Eagles, following a meeting on Saturday.

    Green revealed to SportingLife via a text message from South Africa on Sunday night that: “No, not at all. In truth, he only complained of too much pressure being mounted on him and tried to defend his team saying that it is a young team compared to others and that he needed some time to make the team perfect.

    “Nothing like that o! NFF met with Keshi to review the matches played so far. We brainstormed and noted the mistakes and flaws. We urged him to ensure that the next match be won convincingly. he thanked us and complained bitterly about the referees and promised to adopt better strategies in the next game. We had no issues whatsoever. He is not owed a dime and the team is motivated. The truth is that there is pressure from every angle for the team to get to the quarter finals,” Green wrote in the text message to SportingLife on Sunday night.

  • Keshi mulls over draw

    Keshi mulls over draw

    Head coach of the Nigerian national team, Stephen Keshi is still contemplating what might have been after his wards threw away a one-goal lead to draw 1-1 in their second successive game at the ongoing 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa against Zambia on Friday.

    Emmanuel Emenike’s excellent second half strike against the reigning champions, Zambia was cancelled out five minutes from time by Kennedy Mweene who dispatched a highly controversial penalty with consummate ease as the two giants shared the spoils at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

    Nigerian midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi appeared to make minimal contact with Zambia’s Emmanuel Mayuka but Egyptian referee, Gehad Grisha pointed to the penalty spot with Mweene accepting the challenge and sending goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama the wrong way.

    Keshi was less than convinced with the decision and has now given his thoughts on the incident.

    “I’m not sure the Zambian penalty was a penalty. In a big game like this, you have to be clear on such a decision,” he said.

    Onazi has also criticised the referee’s decision that led to Zambia claiming a potentially precious point against the two-time African champions.

    “I was shocked when the referee gave the penalty because I did not touch (Mayuka). However what is done is done and we must now prepare for the game against Ethiopia,” the SS Lazio midfielder enthused.

  • NIGERIA VS ZAMBIA REFEREE: CAF expels Gehad

    NIGERIA VS ZAMBIA REFEREE: CAF expels Gehad

    Sequel to the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF)’s threat of protesting against the biased officiating of the center referee that officiated the Nigeria versus Zambia match in Mboembela, Nelspruit on Friday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Committee on Referees has sent packing Egyptian referee, Grisha Gehad, who was in charge of the match.

    The Super Eagles versus defending Champions Chipolopolo match ended in a 1-1 draw, but the equalizing goal for the Southern Africans was the result of a questionable spot kick call by the referee Gehad, who replays showed, had wrongly adjudged SS Lazio of Italy midfielder Ogenyi Onazi as having held the arms of a goal-bound Zambian attacker in the 83rd minute of the game.

    A very competent source close to CAF told SportingLife under condition of anonymity that the referee has been sent back to his home country, Egypt.

    “The center referee that officiated the Nigeria versus Zambia second group match that ended in a 1-1 score draw has been sent packing.

    “The Egyptian referee, Grisha Gehad, who was in charge of the match between Nigeria and Zambia has been sent packing. Ghead, who was in charge of the match between Nigeria and Zambia has been sent packing. He was sent home because of his mishandling of the match”, the source told SportingLife.

    “The penalty call by the referee was wrong. If there was a foul, it was definitely outside the 18-yard box and not a penalty. Referees are not allowed to re-write the rules of the game”, a top CAF executive member was quoted as saying by the source.

  • KESHI TO NFF: Sack me now if…

    KESHI TO NFF: Sack me now if…

    A source disclosed on Sunday that following a series harsh words exchanged between Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi and eggheads of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) in a post-match meeting on Saturday, the ‘Big Boss’ offered to resign his appointment.

    Keshi told the NFF chieftains pointedly that: “If you guys don’t trust my judgement and ability any more please give me my flight ticket out of South Africa and I will leave right away!”

    The Stay Easy Hotel Emnotweni, Nelspruit is currently the home of the Nigerian Football Federation. The entire executive board members are present and have been visible. It is also where decisions to go and speak or not speak with the Super Eagles technical crew are made. By today, they will be moving to Rustenberg, according to sources.

    Over the weekend a heated meeting took place. At the meeting were NFF president Aminu Maigari, Emeka Inyama, Felix Anyasi and a few others.

    It is the greatest show of misjudgement on the part of those who are charged with running Nigeria’s football that when there is a vital match that requires all to be pulling in the right direction, they have gone to add far more pressure on a team that is already under pressure. So, what orders or instructions were those who went to speak to the crew on Saturday night working on?

    The Super Eagles while in Nelspruit were in a proper hideaway at the Igwenyama Resort, ostensibly to avoid people trooping in and out of the place with very strict security clearances needed to get near them. NFF members have clearances to get to them and they have started to make needless visits.

    The team arrived in Rustenberg around 11am local time on Sunday. On arrival, Stephen Keshi spoke to supersport.com and assured that he is fine and everything in the camp is good. The players were not affected by the outside pressures.

  • Nigeria vs Ethiopia: Adepoju insists on 100% concentration

    Nigeria vs Ethiopia: Adepoju insists on 100% concentration

    Former Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju has advised the Super Eagles to exercise over 100 minutes of concentration in their remaining games if they hope to make maximum impact at the ongoing African Nations Cup holding in South Africa.

    According to the former 3SC playmaker, popularly called the “headmaster” by his admirers, Nigeria remains one of the favourites for the coveted trophy.

    He said: “If the Super Eagles are able to hold on to their goals, there is nothing stopping them from playing up to the last four.

    “I really appreciate the good job Stephen Keshi has done in that team. This is an assemblage of young players with higher percentage of them playing in the Nations Cup for the first time, and they are playing very well.

    “All they need to do now is to develop the ability to hold on to their ball whenever they are leading. This they would be able to do, if they observe absolute concentration all through every game. If they are able to do that, I would tell you that they would play up to the semi finals”.

    On the match against the Ethiopians on Tuesday, the former 3SC General Manager said: “The Super Eagles should be able to take it. They should go all out right from the blast of the whistle, remembering that the game will be a great decider in the group. They should not at any time take the Ethiopians for granted, because having lost their last match, they would be coming all out to make a statement in the competition”.

    The former International however frowned at the level of officiating in the competition so far, saying that penalty awarded to the Zambians in the last match against the Super Eagles remains the worst he has ever seen all through his career, and was an insult to the game of football.

    Speaking in the same vein, a former University of Ibadan Director of Sports Shadrack Adeoti described the Egyptian referee’s penalty call in that match as an aberation.

    The former NUGA President said: “I hope CAF is watching these referees. Their performance in this championship is very much below average, and would rubbish the whole effort being put into the organization of the biennal championship. I think CAF should only be selecting referees that are competent for these types of championships, this is Africa’s own version of the World Cup, all the participating teams should be given fair officiating, and no referee should be allowed to rubbish the game for us”.

    He expressed confidence in the abilities of the Super Eagles to emerge from their group after the last matches on Tuesday. “I am optimistic that the Super Eagles would emerge at the end of Tuesday’s match, and also don’t be surprised, if they eventually came out tops in the group,” he concluded.

  • Enyeama: We were cheated!

    Enyeama: We were cheated!

    Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama says the Super Eagles were cheated out of three points by referee Grisha Ghead’s award of a dodgy penalty.

    Nigeria were leading through a clean-as-a-whistle strike by Emmanuel Emenike in the 1-1 Africa Cup of Nations draw against Zambia – his second goal in as many games – when the Egyptian official pointed to the spot, to the anger of the Nigeria contingent.

    “That was 500 per cent never a penalty,” Enyeama claims. “I could see it from where I was and you can look at it a thousand times. I’m not even sure they were in the box when the incident happened.”

    It mattered little as his opposite number Kennedy Mweene tucked the ball in from six yards.

    Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo had called for fair officiating before the game and Enyeama, who took the armband in the defender’s absence, spared no punches.

    “We were cheated. I think CAF needs to do something about the officials. In the first game we had bad calls against us and now that ghost penalty.”

    But the goalkeeper refused to blame John Obi Mikel for missing Nigeria’s own penalty.

    “Mikel is a big player. He can handle it. It is just like missing from close range. It can happen to anybody. He is a strong character and he will bounce back even stronger from this.”

  • Eagles have no fear for Cote d’Ivoire, boast Disu, Nwosu

    Eagles have no fear for Cote d’Ivoire, boast Disu, Nwosu

    Ex-Nigeria coach Tunde Disu and Henry Nwosu have declared the Eagles need not fear rampant Cote d’Ivoire if the team make it to the knockout rounds of the AFCON.

    Cote d’Ivoire have won Group D and Nigeria must come top of Group C if they are to avoid the Elephants.

    Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire have met 15 times with Cote d’Ivoire winning five of these matches, while six games have ended in draws.

    They have also clashed five times at the AFCON with both countries claiming victory on two occasions each, while one game ended in a draw

    However, both Disu and former international skipper Nwosu have told MTNFootball.com that the Eagles must not think about the quarterfinals yet, but go all out to beat Ethiopia to progress to the next round.

    “Eagles have been a bit above average. We have to beat Ethiopia to progress beyond the first round. Keshi needs to employ a different strategy against Ethiopia and the Eagles should not start thinking of who to play in the quarterfinal,” said Disu, who was technical director when Nigeria last won the tournament in Tunisia in 1994.

    “The 4-3-3 we are playing is meant for team who have a player who can hold on to ball, three midfielders who can defend and go forward at same time and with the energy needed. We don’t have players for that formation. Mikel is showing class but can’t do it alone.

    “Also, Emenike is a hard working striker, but I think Ike Uche with his experience should be a starter in the Eagles.

    “People are talking about Cote d’Ivoire because of their array of stars and are favourites to win. I am sure Cote d’Ivoire will be afraid to play us because they can’t confidently say they will beat Nigeria.

    “But that is not the next thing now which is to beat Ethiopia silly, that should be our concern.”

    Henry Nwosu told MTNFootball.com that Nigeria could beat Cote d’Ivoire, but they must first beat Ethiopia before talking about their next opponents.

    “All the teams are good. No one gave Burkina Faso a chance to draw with Zambia and beat Ethiopia 4-0. Everybody is talking about Cote d’Ivoire because they have known stars. I am telling you Cote d’Ivoire might even be the easier team for us than the other teams. Cote d’Ivoire will be tough, but we can beat them.”

    Tijjani Babangida told MTNFootball.com that Eagles must first qualify before thinking of the next opponent and that no country will win the AFCON without facing tough teams.

    “We can avoid them by topping the group, but if not, let’s just qualify first, which is very important now,” said the former Ajax Amsterdam winger, who featured at the 2000 and 2002 tournaments.

    “To win any tournament, you most beat big teams on your way to the finals. If it is Cote d’Ivoire, we can beat them, but we have to be at our very best.”