The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Nigeria/Burkina Faso fallout Fear of failure haunts Eagles

    Nigeria/Burkina Faso fallout Fear of failure haunts Eagles

    There is always wide-spread consternation when things go against Nigeria, so passionate and loyal is their extensive fan base.

    Their 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso in their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations opener on Monday was therefore treated like a defeat, with much finger-pointing from all and sundry.

    The Burkinabe got their equaliser with the final kick of the game after Nigeria had earlier been reduced to 10 men following a sending-off of Efe Ambrose. The Super Eagles had also earlier spurned a number of goalscoring chances to kill the game.

    The draw instantly turned the mood from one of barely-contained celebration to fear of failure in a group from which Nigeria had been expected to advance. Veteran defender Joseph Yobo admits they are now feeling the heat.

    “We failed to convert our chances to score the second goal, which would have sealed victory for us. We are now in a must-win situation in the second game against Zambia,” Yobo said.

    “We know what to expect in the game because they are the defending champions and we respect them for that, they know what we can do as well and know what we will come for in the match. It will be a difficult game because both teams need the three points.”

  • Keshi eyes Ethiopia with caution

    Keshi eyes Ethiopia with caution

    Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi has refused to wave off the threat of Ethiopia at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    The Ethiopians with 10 men forced African champions, Zambia to a stunning 1-1 in Group C’s opening game on Monday and Keshi believes that it will be wrong to brand Sewnet Bishaw’s men as a “weak” team.

    He stated that the Walyans of Ethiopia showed why they qualified for the Afcon this year with their performance against Zambia’s Chipolopolo.

    The former Mali and Togo manager also made it clear that Monday’s results in Group C underscore that his team are up against strong opponents.

    “There are no weak teams here, and Ethiopia showed that they deserve to be at the competition. The group is a strong one,” said Keshi.

    However, Keshi is mindful of the pressure of progressing to the last eight after Monday’s results and is focused on the game against Zambia.

    “The next game against Zambia is very important. We will put behind us the Burkina Faso game,” said the Nigerian coach.

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles were held to 1-1 draw by the Stallions of Burkina Faso in Nelspruit on Monday.

    The Nigerians will go up against their Zambian counterparts this Friday.

     

  • Ositelu ‘The Arena’ goes home Feb. 2

    Ositelu ‘The Arena’ goes home Feb. 2

    The remains of the late Deacon Elijah Ayodele Ositelu a.k.a. Arena will be committed to mother earth on February 2, 2013 at Oluwaseyi Compound (Ositelu’s House) in Ogere, Remo, Ogun State.

    A statement by the deceased’s immediate (younger) brother, Dr. David Ositelu said the ceremony marking the final journey of the multi-talented sports journalist would begin on Monday, Jan 28 with a service of songs at the Church of the Lord, Aladura, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos while Ejigbo LCDA takes the stage on Tuesday, January 29 to honour their first Executive Chairman at the Ejigbo Mini-stadium.

    On Wednesday, Jan 30, there will be another service of songs for the departed sports icon at the Sir (Chief) Molade Okoya-Thomas Sports Hall of the Tesilim Balgun stadium organised by the Lagos State sports endownment fund. This will be followed by another service at 10, Aina Street, Ojota, Lagos and according to the statement all of these events will last from 4-6pm.

    The final journey begins with the remains leaving the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for a brief lying-in-state at the Teslim Balogun stadium on February 1 before departing for Ogere in Ogun State where a Christian wake-keep will be held at the Ositelu Memorial College between 4-6pm.

    On Saturday, Feb 2, the funeral and outing services will hold at the Ositelu Memorial College followed by internment at Oluwaseyi Compound (Ositelu’s House).

    The late Arena, who would have turned 70 years on April 3, this year, is survived by three wives, children and grand-children.

     

  • 10-man Eagles held 1-1 by Burkina Faso

    10-man Eagles held 1-1 by Burkina Faso

    Burkina Faso struck a late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw against Nigeria in their Group C African Cup of Nations clash at the Mbombela Stadium on Monday night.

    Emmanuel Emenike opened the scoring midway through the first half but substitute Alain Traore netted the equaliser deep into injury time after the Nigerians had been reduced to ten men.

    The Super Eagles should have taken the lead in the 12th minute as Ahmed Musa squared the ball to find Brown Ideye inside the penalty area but directed his shot over the bar from close range.

    Three minutes later Emenike delivered a teasing cross from the right towards the far post but Ideye headed wide when he could’ve left the ball for Elderson Echiejile who was lurking behind him.

    Then in the 17th minute Burkina Faso were almost gifted a goal as Joseph Yobo lost possession to Jonathan Pitroipa, but in the end Wilfried Dah could only fire against the side netting.

    The deadlock was eventually broken six minutes later as Emenike sneaked ahead of two defenders to nudge the ball past the advancing goalkeeper following a neat flick from Ideye.

    Burkina Faso threatened to equalise in the 32nd minute as a freekick was played into the box but Djakaridja Kone and Aristide Bance got in each other’s way as they looked to pull the trigger.

    Then three minutes into the second half Moumoni Dagano should have levelled matters when he was picked out by a good cross from Jonathan Pitroipa, but he failed to connect with his head and the ball deflected off his shoulder.

    The Burkina Faso striker did manage to hit the target in the 63rd minute, only to be denied by a decent save from Victor Enyeama, who went down quickly to tip his shot wide of the post.

    Two minutes later substitute Ikechukwu Uche squandered a great chance to extend Nigeria’s lead as he sliced his shot wide after controlling the ball well inside the area.

    Then in the 74th minute the Super Eagles were reduced to ten men as Efe Ambrose was given his marching orders following his second bookable offence.

    Six minutes later Uche had yet another opportunity to secure maximum points with a second goal when he was put through by Mikel Obi, but this time he blasted his shot over the crossbar from close range.

    Nigeria were punished in the dying moments of the match as Pitroipa cut the ball back for Alain Traore to side-foot home from the centre of the box to claim a valuable point for the Stallions.

  • FOREIGN CONTRACTS KESHI CAUTIONS HOME-BASED EAGLES

    FOREIGN CONTRACTS KESHI CAUTIONS HOME-BASED EAGLES

    HOME-BASED players featuring at the Africa Cup of Nations currently going on in South Africa for Nigeria have been told not to rush into signing foreign contracts that could end up jeopardizing their careers.

    Instead they have been warned to concentrate on the tournament to make sure they give their best.

    SportingLife gathered from a competent source that this is the advice of Chief Coach Stephen Keshi to the the players all first timers.

    The coach has been drumming it in the ears of the players even before they arrived at the Rainbow city last Thursday.

    “He has to do because it is possible that some of these players maybe nursing such thoughts of just signing any contract that comes their way. Most of them you would

    agree rush into signing without reading through the details of the papers carefully and at the en become slaves,” said the source.

    Our source also informed that Keshi is so worried with the way Africa players sell themselves cheaply to foreign clubs due to the desperation to play abroad.

    “It is an insult when national players go for trials particularly the locally based players. Clubs sign you when you do well at tournaments. That is why the coach has told them to use this opportunity very well,” he said.

    “I was part of the meeting where Keshi told the players that this is the theatre to shine because the whole world is watching. But they need to be focused and patient,” said the source.

    Several Nigeria players have been victims of signing contracts that lead to slavery.

    A very prominent case was Golden Eaglets attacker Phillipn Osondu after the 1997 Under-17 World Cup.

    In his time Keshi led an exodus of Africa players to play their trade in Europe.

  • TOGO’S HAWKS FACE IVOIRIAN TEST

    TOGO’S HAWKS FACE IVOIRIAN TEST

    IVORY COAST and Togo will measure strengths today at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, in the opening match of Group D of the Africa Cup of Nations 2013, kick-off at 5pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).

    The Elephants qualified for the South African tournament after disposing of the Lions of Senegal during the final round of qualifiers and now hope to erase the painful memories of their lost finals of 2006 and 2012, by winning back a title that has escaped them for twenty years.

    In order to achieve this, however, they must start off well against Togo.

    “The match against Togo is a very important match to us. So we have to win it, if we want to have a successful AFCON,” admitted Ivoirian striker Arouna Koné, who assured that Ivory Coast are not allowing themselves to become intoxicated by their status as clear favourites to win the competition.

    “We respect everybody. We have six matches to win in order to win the Afcon. We are going to find the means to win these matches,” he added.

    The Sparrowhawks are participating in their eighth Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa, their first since the Cabinda drama that saw their bus attacked during the Angolan AFCON in 2010.

    Considered the weakest team of Group D behind Ivory Coast, Algeria and Tunisia, Togo have made it clear that they will also provide a challenge in South Africa.

    “We know why we are here, we are not here by chance, we are not here for a holiday,” warned French-Togolese midfielder Alaixys Romao on Sunday, following their morning training session.

    Led by Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor, Togo should be trying to win at least a point from a draw against the favourites of the group, in order to preserve their chances of qualification for the next round.

    But in five clashes with the Elephants the Sparrowhawks have never won, although their last two reunions in the Africa Cup ended in draws (in 2000 and 2002).

  • SOUTH AFRICA JUJUMEN TIP BLACK STARS TO WIN

    SOUTH AFRICA JUJUMEN TIP BLACK STARS TO WIN

    DESPITE the 2-2 draw against Congo DR on Sunday, Ghana’s Black Stars have been picked by South African ‘jujumen’ psychics to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

    The Black Stars kick off their campaign Sunday against DR Congo, a side never far from confusion and controversy.

    The Black Stars have won this competition four times, but their last triumph was back in 1982, when they defeated hosts Libya on penalties.

    Since flopping at the 2006 tournament, they have not failed to reach the last four. Even when lacking some of their best players, they have impressed leading up to this competition with big wins over Egypt and Tunisia in Abu Dhabi.

    South African psychic and spiritual healer Jamil Ahmad has picked Ghana as “the cream of the crop.

    “Ivory Coast or Ghana will take the Cup. Ivory Coast were runners-up in the last tournament and Ghana are just the cream of the crop. They play with passion,” said Ahmad.

    Ghana enjoyed their finest hour in South Africa three years ago when they came within a whisker of becoming the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

    The Black Stars missed a spot kick in the dying seconds of extra time against Uruguay and lost the penalty shootout.

    But from the team that caught the imagination of millions of South Africans in 2010, Kevin-Prince Boateng has retired, Sulley Muntari is out of favour, John Mensah and Andre Ayew injured and long-time absentee Michael Essien says he will end a self-imposed exile only later this year for World Cup qualifiers.

    “South Africa is a second home for us. We won lots of hearts during the World Cup and we hope to do so again,” promised skipper and striker Asamoah Gyan, who fluffed the chance to win the World Cup clash with Uruguay game from the penalty spot.

  • 10-MAN ETHIOPIA HOLD ZAMBIA

    10-MAN ETHIOPIA HOLD ZAMBIA

    ZAMBIA opened the defence of their African Nations Cup title with a disappointing 1-1 draw in an eventful Group C clash with ten-man Ethiopia at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.

    Ethiopia’s Saladin Said saw his weak penalty saved in the 23rd minute and Sewnet Bishaw’s team went a man down just after the half-hour mark when goalkeeper Jemal Tassew charged out of his area and made a high challenge on Chisamba Lungu.

    Zambia made their numerical superiority count in first-half injury time through Collins Mbesuma, but Adane Girma equalised on 64 minutes, much to the delight of the thousands of noisy Ethiopia fans inside the ground.

    The game got off to a lively start with Zambia defender Stophira Sunzu firing over from long range with just 72 seconds on the clock, but it was Ethiopia who should have taken the lead on 16 minutes. Girma’s hopeful long ball was misjudged by defenders Sunzu and Hijani Himoonde and deflected into the path of Saladin, who perfectly lobbed the onrushing goalkeeper Kennedy Mweene only to see the ball take an amazing bounce off the rock-hard pitch and over the bar.

    However, Saladin only had himself to blame for not scoring seven minutes later, seeing Mweene dive to his left and comfortably save his weak penalty after he had been brought down by Lungu. Ethiopia were made to pay for that miss on 32 minutes when Chansa’s pass set Lungu clear and, after lobbing the ball wide, he was scythed down by Tassew, whose right boot caught Lungu painfully in the midriff.

    Tassew stayed down and received lengthy treatment, but the referee decision wasn’t swayed and the red card was shown as Tassew was carried off on a stretcher.

    Nothing came from the resulting free-kick, but Zambia eventually took the lead in injury time as Isaac Chansa’s clever header found Mbesuma in between two defenders and he found the bottom corner from 12 yards.Chansa and several team-mates celebrated with a well-rehearsed routine near the corner flag.

    Zambia were unable to find a second goal to kill the game off in the second half and Ethiopia got back on level terms on 64 minutes when Saladin found Girma inside the area and he fired home off the near post.

    Five minutes later, Mbesuma was unlucky to be booked for a dive in the area when Aynalem Hailu looked to be pulling his shirt, and despite pushing forward in search of the winner, Zambia were unable to claim all three points.

  • SERERO NOT 100 % FIT

    SERERO NOT 100 % FIT

    BAFANA BAFANA number 10 Thulani ‘Cream’ Serero admitted that he is not 100% fit but will give his all as the national team prepares to take on Angola.

    A dull 0-0 draw against Cape Verde in the opening match of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations exposed the hosts’ lack of creativity.

    However, when Serero came on in the 60th minute he made a difference in attack and showed some deft touches. Goals though are a problem for Bafana who have not scored in three games now, albeit in two friendly matches in preparation for the AFCON and the playmaker is hoping that his team-mates will be more composed against Angola.

    “For us to have any chance though, it is critical that we start scoring those goals. Everyone needs to be composed and play their normal game. One thing we learnt from the Cape Verde match is to be patient,” said the Ajax Amsterdam player.

    “I am not 100 percent fit but I am getting there with every match. Angola is a very strong However, when Serero came on in the 60th minute he made a difference in attack and showed some deft touches. Goals though are a problem for Bafana who have not scored in three games now, albeit in two friendly matches in preparation for the AFCON and the playmaker is hoping that his team-mates will be more composed against Angola.

    “For us to have any chance though, it is critical that we start scoring those goals. Everyone needs to be composed and play their normal game. One thing we learnt from the Cape Verde match is to be patient,” said the Ajax Amsterdam player.

    ” We watched them on television and they are really an enterprising side. But I believe time has come to go there on Wednesday

  • Asamoah to stay at left back

    Asamoah to stay at left back

    KWADWO Asamoah is, for the first time in his career, being used as a defender. The left back position he has been assigned has drawn debate, as he is known to be a left wing back or midfielder.

    Although DR Congo, who drew Ghana 2-2, exploited that flank time and again, Kwesi Appiah is set to keep the Juve star in the role. The coach says he was happy with the player’s output.

    “I think he did very well in that position,” Appiah reasoned.

    Later in the game, with about ten minutes to go, Harrison Afful was brought on. This pushed Kwadwo further afield, in a move which some interpreted as a thrust-seeking tweak. But again, Appiah gave a different reason for the switch.

    “I only pushed him forward in the latter part of the game because I saw most of the midfielders were tired. In that position as well, he excelled.”

    In an interview with supersport.com in Abu Dhabi during the pre-tournament preparations, the player had been categorical in his belief that he was, like the coach said, “capable of playing anywhere.”

    Against Mali, Kwesi Appiah would have options of using Afful or Richard Kissi Boateng at leftback, but sources say the gaffer is comfortable with Asamoah in the role.

    It is likely that the trend will continue as the Black Stars seek their first three points against the current group leaders when they meet in Port Elizabeth.