The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • ‘Eagles’ opener key to glory’

    Former Sunshine Stars’ goalkeeper coach, Segun Oguns has said the Super Eagles’ opening match against the Stallions of Burkina Faso is key to the heights they will climb at the 2013 AFCON in South Africa.

    The Eagles will open their African Cup of Nations account against West African foes, Burkina Faso at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Monday.

    Oguns said Burkina Faso are a decent side but that individual skills will swing the encounter in Nigeria’s favour.

    “We pray the Eagles start well from the beginning as they will peak as game progresses and the sky will be the starting point.

    “No team in South Africa is 100% perfect, no balanced team at the moment, the same as Nigeria.

    “Nigeria have a bright chance against Burkina Faso, they’re physical and play decent football but skill for skill we’re better.

    “I see Nigeria riding over Burkina Faso and that will propel them to the next match. Though there are no minnows in football, Nigeria remain a super power in Africa,” said the former Nigerian goalkeeper to supersport.com.

    Against Cup holders, Zambia, Oguns said the Southern African state will meet a different team in South Africa.

    “You must give them respect as African champions, they came to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea with rookies and won. It will be a different terrain in SA 2013.

    “The Zambians that won the last game have not changed drastically but they will have their hands full against Nigeria. We’ll beat Zambia,” he said.

    The former Warri Wolves goalkeeper trainer said the AFCON 2013 title will be won by the team that makes the least mistakes.

    “Football is a game of mistakes, and the team that makes less mistakes will win. So I believe our team will make less errors.

    “Every team has its strengths and weaknesses, the power or porousness of a team’s midfield and attack determine its defence.

    “The Eagles didn’t concede many goals during their pre-Afcon matches which means their defence is intact.

    “No team is perfect, as some departments cover up for others. Let’s pray and wish Eagles well at SA 2013,” he said.

  • Osaze: I’m not quitting West Brom

    Nigeria international Osaze Odemwingie has said he will now stay put at West Brom after they rejected a bid for him by QPR.

    On Saturday, Osaze’s goal rescued a point for West Brom in a hard-fought Midlands derby with Aston Villa that ended 2-2.

    “I’m not the one deciding this. Nothing abnormal is going on. Players move clubs,” he said.

    “An offer was made and I was thinking about having to secure my own future in the Premier League, which is my desire. So, we had a good talk with the club and now I’m here and I would say that it’s a club that I love with all my heart.”

    Baggies boss Steve Clarke confirmed Odemwingie is not leaving. He said: “No-one is going out in January. We don’t need to sell anyone. Will he move if there is a silly offer? You don’t know our chairman (Jeremy Peace). No-one is going out.

    “The quicker we get to February 1 the better. No-one is coming in and no-one is going out.’

    Clarke also saluted the Nigeria striker after a 2-2 draw at home with local rivals Villa. Odemwingie picked the perfect time to score his first goal – his fifth of the campaign – in just over two months.

    Clarke insisted Odemwingie’s second-half performance played a major part in the Baggies’ spirited turnaround as they came from two goals down to draw.

    “I thought Peter was outstanding tonight, (Saturday)” said the Hawthorns boss.“For me he was man of the match. He was lively, bright and wanted to be on the ball. He played with personality. He played like a man – I thought he was great.

    “When you’re a goalscorer you just keep getting in the right positions. That’s what Peter does – and he got his reward with the equaliser.”

  • Ideye: We must be ruthless in front of goal

    Ideye: We must be ruthless in front of goal

    Super Eagles forward, Brown Ideye has said for the team to kick-start the African Cup of Nations on a good note, the strikers must be ruthless in front of goal when they tackle Burkina Faso today in a Group C opener in South Africa.

    The Dynamo Kiev prolific striker believes Keshi has the best materials to clinch the trophy and a high profile display against Burkina Faso could intimidate tournament favourite Zambia and Ethiopia in subsequent encounters..

    “We must be ruthless against Burkina Faso,” said Ideye.

    He continued: “We are looking forward to top the group ahead of Zambia and a ruthless display against Burkina Faso can make it real.”

    “It is absolutely going to be an interesting tournament and there will be lots of upset but the most important thing is to remain focused and be determined.”

    “We are on course. I believe something great will happen to us at this tournament. We are not push overs. We have come to play and deliver for the pride of the nation and I know God will help us in the journey to glory.”

    The Super Eagles file out against Burkina Faso today in Nelspruit, South Africa in their first match of the 2013 African Cup of Nations after missing out on the last edition in Equatorial-Guinea/Gabon in 2012.

     

  • Champions League: Pillars, Rangers begin spying mission on opponents

    The duo of Kano Pillars and Enugu Rangers who are the representatives of the country in the CAF Champions League have stepped up their inquests into their preliminary round opponents.

    Pillars’ chairman, Abba Galadima in a brief chat stressed the resolve of the NPL title holders to start the lucrative club competition with a flourish after consulting some notable Nigerians within and outside the country to get adequate hints on Olympic Real de Bangui of Gambia.

    He stated that before the February 16 first leg encounter he was sure Pillars would get enough information on the Gambian champions with which to build a healthy lead in Kano before the second leg two weeks later.

    “We are making consultations and some people have been giving us hints on our opponents and we are also working to get some on our own. We want to win the first leg well so as to consider the second leg as a formality,” Galadima enthused.

    On the part of Rangers, a Flying Antelopes top official revealed that the team’s technical crew has taken their own search party on Sporting Clube do Príncipe of Sao Tome and Principe to neighbouring South Africa to get information on them.

    The official informed that since Rangers’ coach, Okey Emordi once tutored in South Africa, he has been trying to reach out to his friends in the Rainbow Nation to give him useful hints on their opponents.

    He assured that Rangers would cross the hurdle called Clube do Principe but called on Nigerians to support the league runners-up in cash and in their prayers.

  • No plan to disband Eagles if….

    THE Stephen Keshi-tutored Super Eagles who begin their quest for glory in South Africa today, will not be disbanded irrespective of their eventual standing at the end of AFCON 2013.

    Minister of Sports and chairman National Sports Commission (NSC) Bolaji Abdullahi, who gave the assurance, said the team has shown enough commitment to returning the country to an enviable position in the round-leather-game. He added that the best assistance that can be given to the technical crew is to allow consolidation on achievements made so far.

    “Of course, it is natural to set targets, but I assure you that no matter the outcome of our campaign in South Africa, this team will be left intact,” he assured in a chat with SportingLife Friday in Lagos.

    Nigeria, winners of the 1980 and 1994 editions of the Nations Cup, begin campaign for a third title today against Burkina Fasso. Keshi who won the title as a player will be hoping to further boost his profile by winning the title as a coach.

  • Zambia vs Nigeria tickets selling like hot cakes

    REPORTS have it that tickets for the Zambia versus Nigeria match are on high demand in Mbabane, Swaziland.

    According to the Swazi Observer, the tickets for the game are selling like hot cakes at the Mbabane Municipal Council offices.

    The paper states that over 135 out of the allocated 200 tickets were bought on Friday.

    Council public relations officer Bongani Dlamini said members of the public had been visiting them since Monday to enquire about the availability of the tickets.

    “We have seen an amazing response from the Swazi nation and the tickets are selling very well. The January 25 game is the most leading at 135 while the total number of tickets sold amount to 155,” Dlamini said.

    Meanwhile a fan resident in Nelspruit, Sipho Thulani hopes Nigeria lose or draw its opening match today against Burkina Faso so that the Super Eagles will be put under pressure to win the remaining matches.

    “That situation would leave Nigeria with no choice but to play for a win. Same goes to defending champions, Zambia. That would be exciting,” Thulani said.

  • President Zuma opens 2013 AFCON party

    President Zuma opens 2013 AFCON party

    ..as Cape Verde hold Bafana Bafana

    PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma officially opened the 29th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) soccer tournament at the National Stadium in Soweto, south of Johannesburg, on Saturday.

    Zuma lifted a flame after the opening ceremony, which had started on schedule at 16:00, with a distinctly African theme, as a heavy downpour subsided.

    Structures resembling brick walls were assembled on the pitch with the words “poverty” painted in black and “HIV/Aids” painted in red.

    The entire soccer field was covered in rainbow-coloured material. Masses of children danced on the material, and after joining in the centre of the field, the children took apart the structures piece by piece.

    The rain began two hours before the ceremony was due to start, but lightened about an hour before the start.

    Most of the crowd took shelter behind the stands during the ceremony. The seats were left almost completely empty as supporters waited for the rain to stop.

    The majority of fans were dressed in yellow in support of Bafana Bafana, who were set to face Cape Verde Islands in the opening match.

    Meanwhile, South Africa played out a disappointing goalless draw with newcomers Cape Verde in the opening game of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Bafana Bafana struggled to overcome their tag as a side who struggle to score goals, failing to create clear-cut chances in the Johannesburg rain.

    Cape Verde had the best opportunity of the game, with striker Platini dragging his close-range shot badly wide.The result, however, gives the Blue Sharks their first Nations Cup poi

  • Jonathan to grace N5b Cardiac Centre launch

    Jonathan to grace N5b Cardiac Centre launch

    PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, Governors, CEOs of notable companies and multinationals as well as well- meaning Nigerians are expected to grace the N5billion Kanu Cardiac Centre fund raiser to be held in Abuja on March 14, 2013.

    Speaking exclusively to Sunday Nation Sport before departing for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, Nwankwo Kanu noted that the realisation of the Kanu Cardiac Centre would facilitate the dream of its 13-year-old foundation of treating more children having heart-related problems.

    He informed that President Good- luck has graciously accepted to be Special Guest of Honour at the fund raising event, while calling on well- meaning Nigerians, corporate bodies and multinationals to be part of the laudable project.

    According to th Coordinator/Trustee of Kanu Heart Foundation, Onyebuchi Abia, when in full operation, the centre would save an average of 250 children and 100 adults heart patients in a one year through the free surgery initiative of the foundation. Heart patients between the ages of 0-12 will also receive free surgery treatment, while patients above 12 years old will be treated at a highly-subsidised fee. It would also save this nation about $5million annually and reduce capital flight.”

    Kanu added: “The truth is that we have done 452 in all. We started from UK and it was quite expensive. On a kid we have to spend between 15,000 and 20, 000 pounds sterling and we are talking about the cost of operation alone. “We are not talking about flight, accommodation and feeding. We were forced to seek alternative in Israel where it is less expensive and we are able to touch more kids. All the same it is still expensive.”

    He said he was touched by the plight of parents and children in the country who do not have the advantage that he has, hence his desire to bring smiles on the lips of more victims of heart-related ailments.

    Meanwhile, Kanu has tipped Super Eagles for glory at the ongoing Africa Nations Cup (AFCON) which kicked off in South Africa yesterday. The two-time African Footballer of the Year, said the Nigerian players only have to self-belief in order to lift the trophy at the end of the tournament, adding that current African champions, Zambia, won last year’s AFCON because they believed in themselves.

    “It is only in football that you cannot say one plus one will give you two. And so we should not write Eagles off in South Africa,” he stated.“Look at the Zambian team that defeated Cote d’Ivoire to win the trophy last year, they did not have the same calibre of players yet they won because they believe they can do it.”

  • Five-star Liverpool destroy Norwich

    Five-star Liverpool destroy Norwich

    LIVERPOOL is back to winning ways in the Premier League after a marvellous 5-0 win over Norwich City at Anfield yesterday. A wondrous strike from Jordan Henderson gave the Reds the lead, before a well-worked move saw Luis Suarez double the advantage before halftime.

    Daniel Sturridge got his third goal in three matches for Liverpool early in the second period, and that was followed by a great Steven Gerrard pile-driver and a Ryan Bennett own goal.

    Brendan Rodgers made four changes from the side that lost to Manchester United last time out as Pepe Reina, Martin Skrtel, Joe Allen and Raheem Sterling dropped out for Brad Jones, Jamie Carragher, Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge.

    Norwich boss Chris Hughton made four changes too, with the Canaries drawing 1-1 at home to Newcastle last week. Out went Sebastien Bassong, Anthony Pilkington, Wes Hoolahan and Simeon Jackson, and in came Ryan Bennett, Elliott Bennett, Jonny Howson and Grant Holt.

    The match started with Liverpool controlling proceedings, knocking the ball around confidently in midfield without creating much, and soon Norwich nearly took the lead as Robert Snodgrass delivered an excellent free kick from the right. Ryan Bennett’s header forced an easy stop from Jones.

  • Silva’s brace cuts United lead at the top

    TWO goals from David Silva saw an off key Manchester City overcome Fulham at the Etihad Stadium, closing the gap on Premier League title rival Manchester United.

    The reigning league champions were ahead within two minutes, as Silva calmly guided Edin Dzeko’s parried shot past a hapless Mark Schwarzer.

    City looked set to run riot, but didn’t strike again until mid-way through the second half, as Silva latched onto Carlos Tevez’s through ball and expertly chipped it over the Fulham keeper, guaranteeing all three points.

    Roberto Mancini picked an unchanged side for the first time this season, with Vincent Kompany remaining in central defense. Fit-again Sergio Aguero was listed on the bench.

    Fulham made six changes to the side that stumbled past Blackpool in the FA Cup. Kieran Richardson, who scored against the Tangerines, was picked at left back, while Bryan Ruiz and Dimitar Berbatov returned up front.