The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • AFCON: Cape Verde coach rates Nigeria high

    AFCON: Cape Verde coach rates Nigeria high

    Cape Verde Head Coach, Lucio Antunes, has said the Super Eagles put up a gallant performance against his side and he expects the team will go far in the African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    The Super Eagles and the Blue Sharks settled for a goalless draw in Wednesday’s international friendly with many rating the Cape Verdians slightly above the Nigerian side that fail to shine on the night

    Coach Antunnes, who spoke through an interpreter, declared that his boys met a very experienced side in Nigeria and he was happy that the team played out a draw.

    He also promised that the Blue Sharks will cause upsets at the AFCON with the quality of players at its disposal.

    Futaa.com reports that Cape Verde and South Africa will play the opening game of the 2013 Africa Nations Cup on January 19.

     

  • RED CARD SCARE: Moses apologises to Cape Verde captain

    RED CARD SCARE: Moses apologises to Cape Verde captain

    Chelsea forward Victor Moses has apologised for coming very close to getting sent off in Wednesday’s friendly against Cape Verde.

    Moses escaped being sent off after he retaliated following a tackle on him by the Cape Verde captain. He was only booked.

    “Moses has been sober after the game and he has apologised to the Cape Verde captain,” stated the team psychologist Robinson Okosun.

    “I will be having a separate session with Moses today (Thursday) because there is need for him to understand that in African football he must learn to control his temper. You know players come up with several antics and we saw one of that against Cape Verde. He was only lucky to be on the pitch because he could have been sent off.”

    The Eagles observed Thursday morning as rest and are billed to take on Dutch club FC Rotterdam on Saturday in their last warm-up game before they jet out to South Africa on Wednesday.

    Meanwhile, an advanced party of officials led by head of competition, Mohammed Sanusi, are due to depart for South Africa on Tuesday.

    The other officials on the team include Emmanuel Ikpeme, who is head of the technical department, as well as the head of the protocol department.

    They are expected to ensure that all the Eagles need in South Africa are in place before they fly in on Thursday from their training base in Portugal.

  • Ositelu dies at 69

    Ositelu dies at 69

    A FOREMOST international sport journalist Deacon Ayo Ositelu is dead. The sad news was broken to reporters on Wednesday night after the International friendly match between Super Eagles Nigeria and Cape Verde.

    According to reports confirmed by a family friend and journalist, Kayode Tijani, Ositelu popularly known as ‘Arena’ amongst his peers, died last night after watching the friendly match.

    “I can confirm now that Deacon AYO OSITELU is indeed DEAD!. I spoke to his Wife. Who said he was watching TV with her and The next minute he was dead. I am in SHOCK.”

    Kayode Tijani, who confirmed the death after speaking to the deceased’s wife.

    The deceased was a respected sports journalist and was the compere when tennis icons, Serena and Venus Williams, came to Nigeria for an exhibition match in November 2012.

    While pouring encomiums on the deceased, Mr. Tijani said “Deacon Ayo Ositelu told me and never to detest those who wrong me, betray me/ are mean to me but still be nice and civil to them.”

    He described Mr. Ositelu as a complete gentleman, principled and trustworthy.

    It will be recalled that Arena served as the compere during the November 2, 2012 exhibition match between the Williams sisters (Serena & Venus) at the Lagos Tennis Club.

    The veteran international sports journalist and former chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area, who was born April 6, 1947 amd died three months to his 70th birthday.

  • Enyeama is Africa’s best goalkeeper

    Enyeama is Africa’s best goalkeeper

    SUPER EAGLES’ Vincent Enyeama is has been named Africa’s best goal keeper at the close of the year 2012.

    This is according to the IFFHS’s January 2013 release of the list of World‘s best Goalkeeper of the 21st Century. According to IFFHS, the ranking of the best goal keeper was done on the basis of the annual world vote combined with an ‘equitable method” that is then used to allocate points.

    Despite being Africa’s best, Kaduna born Enyeama, now 30, is 48th in the overall list with ten points. The Lille player but on loan in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv keeper is tie in that position with legendary Peter Schmeichel of Denmark, Óscar Pérez of Mexico, Andreas Isaksson of Sweden, Italy’s Carlo Cudicini as well as Doniéber Alexander Marangon of Brazil. Ghana’s Richard Kingson, now with Blackpool in the English second tier league is regarded as Africa’s second best keeper – he is 55th placed with nine points.

    Cameroon’s Carlos Idriss Kameni, now with Malaga in the Spanish league is rated as Africa’s third best keeper. He is 81st in the overall list. Top of the list, with 238 points is Italy’s Gianluigi Gigi Buffon of Juventus. Spain’s Iker Casillas of Real Madrid is next best with 217 points. Fabien Barthez is 11th with 55 points with Liverpool’s Spanish keeper José Manuel Pepe Reina coming in at 12th with 54 points.

  • 2013 AFRICAN CLUB COMPETITION: CAF okays Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium

    2013 AFRICAN CLUB COMPETITION: CAF okays Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) inspection team has expressed satisfaction with the facilities at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium (ATBS ), Bauchi.

    Lobi Stars of Markurdi chose Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium as their home ground for the CAF confederation games ahead of Aper Aku Stadium, Markurdi which is still under construction.

    The CAF inspector, Fred Crentsil, who is also the Vice Chairman of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), was conducted round the ATBS yesterday by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) representatives, Lawrence Katkem and Rafiu Salami.

    The delegation inspected the pitch, dressing rooms and some hotels in Bauchi. Some of the hotels visited were Zaranda hotel, Awala hotel, Jamil suit and Fariah suits.

    Speaking after the inspection yesterday, Crentsil praised the effort of the stadium management under the leadership of Yakubu Talba Shwa for maintaining the stadium and made good remarks about the hotels visited. He also commended the security arrangement for the championship which he said met the CAF standard.

    In a telephone chat with SportingLife, Lobi Stars Coordinator, Ganiyu Adeleke said the club is happy with the recommendation of the inspection team and that the club’s management will work on all the other areas where adjustments are necessary.

    “So far the delegation led by Ghana FA Vice chairman, Mr Fred Crentsil was satisfied with what they saw at the Stadium and the hotels visited. Everything worked well as planned. We will continue to do everything that will ensure that we will host hitch-free matches in Bauchi,” Adeleke said.

    The delegation had earlier inspected Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano on Wednesday.

  • Abdullahi: Ositelu’s death, a big loss

    Abdullahi: Ositelu’s death, a big loss

    The Honorable Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bolaji Abdullahi has described the sudden death of Deacon Ayo Ositelu as a great loss to both the Media and Sports sectors.

    The minister said he was shocked and saddened by the unexpected demise of veteran journalist, Ositelu, who contributed greatly to sports development in Nigeria through excellent articles and opinions.

    He recalled that Ositelu was very active in the media and sports circuits over the years and was a great advocate of the game of tennis, which he promoted through his column in The Guardian.

    “He would greatly be missed, especially at this time when we need all hands to move Nigerian sports forward. The vacuum he left would be very difficult to fill. I wish his family the fortitude to bear this loss,” the minister said.

  • NPL draws postponed

    NPL draws postponed

    The much-awaited draws for the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) 2012/2013 season earlier slated for this weekend in Kano State has been postponed indefinitely, SportingLife can report.

    The draws are expected to herald the commencement of the league slated for February 16.

    Also, the seminar planned for club administrators and medical personnel of all the NPL clubs has been canceled.

    Confirming this to SportingLife yesterday, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Premier League, Tunji Babalola did not give any specific reason for the change in the date for the draws.

    “It is true that the draws for the NPL slated for this weekend has been postponed indefinitely. Well, for now, I cannot say this is the reason for the cancellation. Not only that, the seminar which is meant for the club officials’ medical personnel will no longer hold as well. The new date for the draws will be announced latter,” Babalola told SportingLife.

    A member of the NPL Interim Management Board Committee also told SportingLife that the draws will hold next week in Abuja.

    “I can’t guarantee that the draws will hold next week. All I know is that no date has been fixed to hold the draws,” Babalola said.

    The league scribe has however said that the draws cancellation will not affect February 16 date set for the commencement of the league.

    “I don’t think postponement of the draws will affect the commencement of the league. February 16 still stand as a date to start the league. Between now and then we can still have the draws. So, this development won’t have any adverse effect at all.” Babalola concluded.

  • Obuh invites 19 new players

    Obuh invites 19 new players

    Nigeria U20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have called up 19 new players ahead of this year’s African Youth Championship (AYC) in Algeria.

    The players are drawn from the Nigeria Premier League and Nigeria National League (NNL).

    They are to report at the team’s training camp at Serob Legacy Hotel in Abuja not later than Sunday.

    They are to bring along their international passports as well as training kits.

    The defending African champions opened training camp on Sunday with 12 players, while four other players have been excused to feature at the Super 4 going on in Kano.

    The new invitees:

    Chukwu Okoro Mgber, Felix Nwosu (Enyimba), Oluwaseun Taro (Enugu Rangers), Christian Pyagbara, Favour Oke (Sharks), Ali Chiwendu (Dolphin), Abuba Aliyu Ibrahim (Nasarawa United), Ibrahim Shuaibu Ahmed (Giwa), Joshua Odoh, Moses Odoh (Kaduna United), Chibuzor Anyanwu David (FC Abuja), Obasi Okoro, Amakaulo C. Tochukwu (Abia Warriors), Ifeanyi George (Shuttle Sports Inter), Lekan Yusuf (Ajoba Oni FC), Abdulrazaq Sani (Sokoto United), Alaba Johnson (Wikki Tourists)

  • Ahead of AFCON: Eagles undergo medicals

    Ahead of AFCON: Eagles undergo medicals

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is not taking chances with the health of the Eagles as all the 23 players who made the final cut for the Nations Cup starting later this month in South Africa, were on Thursday taken for a comprehensive medical check-up in Faro, Portugal.

    The medicals include scans, chest x-rays, blood tests and general health tests for the players with the medical team headed by Dr. Ibrahim Gyaran assisted by Physiotherapist, Adewale Oladejo being very busy for the better part of the day. The players went for the tests in batches of four and five and there are indications that the health status of the Super Eagles is very good. Head Coach, Stephen Keshi described the exercise as routine and good for the players and the team, even though most of the players have undergone same in their various clubsides.

    Nigerians who have expressed fears over the thigh strain that Super Eagles goalie Austin Ejide suffered in the friendly against Cape Verde Wednesday have also been told that there was no cause for alarm, as the keeper’s injury is normal and he would be ready for the championship that starts on Wednesday. “I have been told that in two days I can resume action on the pitch, because I’m feeling very free now”, Ejide said on Wednesday evening after the routine medical tests.

    Similarly, Keshi has urged Nigerians to remain supportive of the team, as there was no need to panic after the goalless draw recorded on Wednesday night against the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde. “Yes, there were errors and mistakes here and there in the game but the boys did very well and we must remain confident that they will deliver in South Africa,” the Big Boss said.

    Keshi added that friendly games are targeted at spotting errors and shortfalls in a team and correcting them, declaring that the technical crew has made observations and will work on them in the next one week.

  • NFF mourns Ayo Ositelu

    NFF mourns Ayo Ositelu

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Thursday expressed deep grief at the death of seasoned sports analyst, writer and administrator, Deacon Ayo Ositelu.

    Ositelu, who needs no introduction as one of the finest sports journalists of his generation, with special attention to tennis, died in Lagos on Wednesday after a brief illness, three months to his 70th birthday.

    Chairman of the NFF Media and Publicity Committee, Emeka Inyama said: “The NFF is shocked to receive news of the passing of one of the best sports journalists and commentators that this country has ever produced, Deacon Ayo Ositelu. He was a marvel in his area and did his job with painstaking attention to details.

    “He worked very hard and was meticulous. We mourn him because he was a good man through and through. But we are consoled by the undisputed fact that he left his giant footprints in the sands of time, not only in tennis reporting, but in the entire sports arena,” Inyama concluded.

    Nicknamed ‘Arena,’ the late Deacon Ayo Ositelu worked with some leading national dailies, including The Punch (where he edited Sunday Punch) andThe Guardian – where he was a member of the editorial board. He left no one in doubt of his mastery of his vocation, with fascinating presentation of historical facts and matchless previews and reviews wrapped in excellent prose.