The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Andre Ayew targets injury-free

    Ghana midfielder Andre Ayew wants to avoid injuries at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    The Olympique Marseille talisman had to play through the pain barrier after picking up a shoulder injury at the last tournament in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

    Ayew had to undergo surgery in March early to this which ended his season in the French Ligue 1. The 23-year-old spent close to three months in the treatment which affected his performance at the start of this season.

    “I struggled to come back and I just started to find my rhythm. I’m not at my best but I think 2013 will be quite different and better than 2012. And I will make sure to avoid getting hurt at the Nations Cup ” Ayew said.

    “The injury bothered me a lot in my style of play but paradoxically it made me learn another way of playing. I love going to dribble but also protect the ball back and for that, I need my arms,” Ayew said.

  • Kaduna United recruit 30 players

    The Nigeria Premier League side, Kaduna United have recruited thirty players that will don the colours of the club for the 2012/2013 season, SportingLife can report.

    The club’s technical crew submitted the list of the players to the management with the assurance that the players will deliver for the club.

    The new players who have the opportunity to be part of the team are Daddy Ajala, Moses Udoh, Musa Ya’u, Gaddafi Ibrahim and AbdulRazak Yahaya. The remaining players are Tijjani Adamu, Hussaini Adaji, Emeka Akweme, Ibrahim Lawal and Jibrin Lawal.

    The list also includes ten old players who featured for the club last season whose services the technical crew felt would still be needed. They are; Emma Ambrose, Peter Ambrose, Ali Adamu, Hassan Abubakar, Anthony Michiel, Nelson Nimyel, Chitiru Igwe, Rabiu Hussaini and Yakubu Musa

    Another 10 players who are also former players of the club and returned on loan deals from various clubs are also part of this season’s recruitment. They include; Peter Onoja, Nasiru Hussaini, Ya’u Abdullahi, John Uche, Oliver Ndibusi, Ali Buhari, Iliya Jibo, Alfred Mathias, Raymon Kutung and Gambo Sunusi

    As usual, the club also discovered young new players who are ready to exhibit their talents to the world of football.

    The Head of Media of the club AbdulRahman Tonga, who confirmed this to SportingLife, said the recruitment exercise was done by the technical crew led by Saleh-Lato and the Technical Director Dahiru Sadi.

    “Yes, the 30-man list of the newly recruited players has been submitted by the technical crew of the team; this is the directive given to them by the Team Manager, because the management gave them free hand this time to do the recruitment, and they have submitted the list which all of them signed including the Technical Director of the team Dahiru Sadi. These players have been invited by the Transfer and Negotiation Committee for negotiation, and all this has been concluded now and the players are ready for registration,” Tonga confirmed.

    Tonga also added that the management has also increased the welfare of the technical crew, and upgraded the salary of some players who have distinguished themselves at the club.

    “We have agreed to increase the salary of the technical crew and some players that we found out that their performances have improved. It was also agreed that if things goes well with the club, we are ready to do more for the players, and also the Chief Coach. We agreed to give him a car loan when the management gets approval from the ministry, it’s a shame and disgraceful for the club if its Chief Coach will not have access to a good car that can take him around when he’s on duty,” he added.

  • Ghanaian trio exit Dolphins

    Supersport.com can reveal that Dolphins’ Ghanaian trio of James Amankwei, Owusu Addae and Seidu Abuu have headed for greener pastures.

    Owusu, who won the Nigeria Premier League with Dolphins in 2011, joined the Port-Harcourt side from Heartland, while Amankwei also joined from the Owerri side after several seasons at JUTH. Abuu made his NPL debut with Dolphins last term.

    “I have offers from other Nigerian teams, but I might consider a move to Malaysia, where there is a serious proposal,” Amankwei said to supersport.com.

    Bayelsa United are one of the clubs interested in Amankwei since club gaffer, Ladan Bosso, remains a long time admirer of the Ghanaian.

    Supersport.com reliably gathered that the duo of Addae and Abuu are also considering offers abroad. The trio made history as Dolphins emerged the club with the largest foreign contingent last term.

  • Kano yet to receive hosting right from NPL

    There are clear indications that the Kano State FA is yet to receive a letter from the Nigerian Premier League interim management board confirming the hosting right of the pre-season tourney slated for January 9 and 13.

    The13-man interim management body of the league was inaugurated on Thursday and will be responsible for the running of the affairs of the NPL, pending the election of a new board.

    The board after its first meeting on Thursday night announced that Kano will host the tourney among the four teams that would represent the country in next year’s CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

    The teams are league champions Kano Pillars, Rangers, Lobi Stars and Heartland FC, who won the Federation Cup.

    “We are ready to host the tourney in Kano. But I want to tell you that as I am talking to you now we are yet to receive an official letter from the board confirming our hosting right. All things being equal, I believe this would be another avenue for Kano fans to see all the teams that will represent the country in the continental games next season. It will also provide an avenue for the new interim board to show their preparedness for the new season,” a top official from Kano told SportingLife.

    Meanwhile, a member of the interim board, who did not want his name mentioned, said the board will send the letter to the Kano FA soon.

    “As you are aware that the new board was inaugurated on Thursday and the decision for the pre-season tourney was made that night too. So we are going to send the letter very soon,” the board member said.

  • Court adjourns Baribote’s suit against NPL, NFF

    Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday adjourned till Tuesday, January 22 the case brought before it by the erstwhile Chairman of the Nigeria Premier League Victor Rumson Baribote.

    Baribote instituted the suit against the NPL and the Nigeria Football Federation challenging his supposed illegal removal as the Chairman of the NPL and the subsequent inauguration of an interim bard to manage the League.

    The embattled chairman of newly promoted side Nembe City has over the time maintained his belief in the judiciary as the last resort to get justice at all times.

    Aside taking to the court Baribote is believed to have also filed a petition against the Aminu Maigari led Nigeria Football Federation and the National Sports Commission at the National Assembly.

  • Ezekiel Bassey won’t cry over spilt milk

    Ezekiel Bassey has told supersport.com the circumstance surrounding his ejection from the Super Eagles’ pre-AFCON camp in Abuja this month.

    Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi sent the 20-year-old defender home for arriving late to the team’s camp in Abuja.

    But the Lobi Stars’ left-back described his experience of being thrown out of the Nigerian pre-Africa Cup of Nations camp as “a sad one.”

    “It’s a sad one for me. I never intended to arrive the camp late but I got the message very late on Monday (December 18) night to replace another player and on Tuesday I left Makurdi very early for Abuja. Unfortunately when I got to the camp the coach told me I came late. As a footballer, I always want to play for my country whenever I’m called up because it’s an opportunity every Nigerian footballer will not want to miss.

    “I want to say here that what happened was never intentional. I never intended it to happen that way and I apologise for it but I still want to say that the invitation came late and there was no way I could have left my base at the time it came. But I want to wish the team the best at the Nations Cup,” said Bassey on Friday.

    Bassey was called up to replace Heartland full-back, Kalu Orji, who opted out of Nigeria’s pre-Afcon camp in Abuj owing to an injury.

    The foraon Cup.

    “I’m putting the disappointment of the national team behind me and I want to work hard for my club in the league and the Confederation Cup next year. Hopefully if I put up good performances next year may be I will be considered again for the national team,” said Bassey.

    Last season, Bassey scored Lobi’s goal in their 1-2 loss in the Cup final to Heartland in Lagos.

  • 2013 AFCON: LOC fails .5m tickets sales target

    Less than three weeks to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) the Local Organising Committee (LOC) may fail to realise the 500,000 tickets sales’ target before the end of December.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that about 38, 000 tickets had been sold for the opening ceremonies, and over 20, 000 tickets for the final match.

    The LOC said that about 200, 000 tickets had been sold so far for all the matches; this is short of the expected target before the end of the year. Mvuzo Mbebe, Chief Executive Officer of the LOC, however, expressed satisfaction at tickets sales so far.

    “Look, I am content. I am not happy. I think that we are fearful that people are going to have to rush again and I think people will be disappointed. That’s why we are creating the special packages today (Dec. 28). I think it will be a sad day if people on the last three to four days, rush to purchase tickets,” Mbebe said.

    Johannesburg will host the opening and closing ceremonies of the tournament. The naming right dispute of the FNB Stadium venue of the opening and final matches between the Department of Public Works and First National Bank (FNB) adversely affected the printing of opening and final match tickets.

    The two parties had been able to resolve the dispute with the stadium now to be known as National Stadium during AFCON. Apart from the dispute on name-branding, the other challenges faced by the LOC had been a lack of publicity and marketing of the tournament.

    Sipho Sithole, LOC, Chief Communications Officer blamed the inability of the government to release funds, for the lack of adequate publicity and marketing for the tournament.

    Some the football fans that spoke with NAN Correspondent in Johannesburg said there had been a lack adequate publicity and awareness for the tournament.

    Laolu Oni, a Johannesburg-based Nigerian doctor said unlike the 2010 World Cup, there has been very little awareness about the hosting of the biggest football tournament on the continent.

    “There is no media hype for AFCON, many people are not aware that the country is hosting the tournament. Except around the Oliver Tambo International Airport and few bill board in Johannesburg and Sandton, there is no bill board on the tournament across the country,’’ Oni said.

    John Osei-Koffi, a South Africa-based Ghanaian said the difficulty in obtaining match tickets had been a big problem for football fans.

    “Honestly I don’t know if South Africa is ready for this tournament, you can’t get to purchase the match tickets easily. The LOC said tickets can be purchases online, but is very difficult to assess the website. And also the cell phone number they gave is always not available. Most of the Spar Shops, which happen to be the official sales outlet do not have the tickets, so is really frustrating getting the tickets,’’ Koffi said.

    Zweli Barnard, a South African expressed fears that the stadiums might be empty during the tournament.

    “The stadium may record sizable number of spectators during the opening match because Bafana will be playing their first match of the tournament. But after the first match and if Bafana fails to do well in the tournament many South Africans will not go to the stadium to watch the matches.

    “Except when Orlando Pirate and Kaizer Chiefs are playing, that is when stadiums are usually full. Most South Africans, especially the whites that have the money, watch cricket and rugby. So I am afraid they may have empty stadiums during the tournament,’’ Barnard said.

    Barnard blamed a lack of government commitment for the shoddy preparation.

    “I think the government is not very kin about the hosting of the tournament.Less than three week to the tournament the bad pitch of the FNB Stadium, where the opening and final matches will be play is still awaiting repairs. Although all the stadiums used for the 2010 World Cup are still in good shape, there is need for little repairs, which has yet to be attended to.

    “Apart from the issue of facilities which may require a few days to fix. The problem is that people are not aware that the country is hosting the tournament. May be after the Christmas holiday things will pick up,’’ Barnard said.

    Mbebe, however, assured of a successful hosting of the continental football tournament.

    “In spite of all the challenges, we want to assure all that we will host a successful tournament. We did it in 2010 World Cup; South Africa is known to host many international events, AFCON will not be an exception,’’ Mbebe said.

    The tournament will take place in five centres from Jan. 19 to Feb.

  • Yobo slams Osaze’s Twitter rants

    Yobo slams Osaze’s Twitter rants

    Super Eagles skipper, Joseph Yobo, has slammed West Bromwich striker Osaze Odemwingie for being disrespectful, saying he must grow up.

    Odemwingie has on Twitter indirectly put down Yobo when he accused recent Eagles captains of looking out only for themselves.

    He added that the team lacks a “true leader. “

    Yobo will now have his say in the biggest drama in the Nigerian camp leading up to next month’s Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa

    “Osaze has been reckless, disrespectful to most people. He’s not a kid, he should grow up because we cannot continue to baby sit him,” MTNFootball.com quoted Yobo as saying on Brila FM Radio on Friday.

    “This is not the first time he has been disrespectful. He is fighting all the coaches and at the (2010) World Cup he also disrespected me. He could be saying the right thing but he is going about it the wrong way.

    “He is not the (Lionel) Messi or (Cristiano) Ronaldo of Nigeria.

    “He should look himself in the mirror,” he added.

    The Fenerbache star also gave credit to coach Stephen Keshi for the provisional squad he picked for the AFCON, while admitting that he was surprised Obafemi Martins, Osaze, Taye Taiwo and Kalu Uche were not considered.

    “I will give him credit for the squad. He will score 95 per cent even though one or two should have been there. I’m sure he would have had some sleepless nights in selecting his team. Kalu Uche, Martins, Taye and Osaze not being there was a surprise but the coach must have his reasons and he cannot call everybody,” he argued.

    Yobo also admitted that at 32 this is most likely his last AFCON.

    “I think I have to admit it that this may be my last Nations Cup. We have to allow younger players to get their chance,” said the central defender, who has featured in five Nations Cups.

     

  • Villarreal can keep Ike Uche till Jan. 5 – NFF

    Villarreal can keep Ike Uche till Jan. 5 – NFF

    The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has given Spanish Segunda side, Villarreal the go-ahead to hold onto Super Eagles ace, Ikechukwu Uche untill January 5.

    SportingLife learnt this on Thursday after Villarreal revealed that they had reached an agreement with the NFF for the Nigeria international to play in the Yellow Submarine’s home game against FC Barcelona B in El Madrigal on Saturday, January 5, while the Super Eagles will be in camp in Faro, Portugal as Coach Stephen Keshi puts finishing touches to his team which kicks-off its AFCON campaign against Burkina Faso’s Stallions at the Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit on January 22.

    The Spanish Segunda side also stated that Ikechukwu Uche would join Keshi in Faro on December 31 and then return to Spain to play in the tune-up game against Catalunya.

    Meanwhile, Villarreal president Fernando Roig has congratulated Ikechukwu Uche and his team mates and all of the Villarreal family and fans in a traditional Christmas toast the president makes each year end.

    During his speech, Roig said he is confident that 2013 will be a great year for the Submarine.

    “Although it has not been a good year for Villarreal, we must move on. Going for 2013 and hope it will be a good year for Villarreal, but I am convinced it will.

    “It has been a very difficult year for us because we’ve gone from playing in the Champions League down to Second Division. We must engage the circumstances of the category and the second round has to be very good to be next year in the top flight,” Roig stated.

    As for his hopes of facing the coming year, Roig highlighted the need to strengthen the team in all aspects and the need to regain lost ground.

    “We have to strengthen the team financially, retrieve what we are, do some retouching on the template to reinforce it and make a run better than the first, and to be in the First Division again.”

    In addition, the president also sent a message of encouragement to all the fans of the submarine.

    “I ask them to take a lot of courage because the whole club is with much encouragement and help the team both finish the first round as do the second, it has to be much better,” he concluded.

  • Crisis in Premier League unfortunate, says Chukwu

    Crisis in Premier League unfortunate, says Chukwu

    Former Super Eagles Head Coach Christian Chukwu has described the crisis currently rocking the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) as “unfortunate”.

    He has, therefore, called on the country’s football stakeholders to close ranks and resolve the impasse.

    Chukwu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos that the impasse might stunt the growth of the league. He expressed concern about the plight of the country’s representatives in continental competitions in 2013, saying that they could perform below expectation due to the lack of competitive engagements.

    “It is unfortunate that we have problems in the NPL and now they have constituted an interim management to make sure the league kicks off by next year. I think this time around, we should be able to get everything right so that we don’t have controversies and distractions.

    “I fear for the clubs that are going to represent us in the continental competitions, because by now the teams should have been very strong and working on their weak points, but you can see the league has not kicked off and the African Cup of Nations competition is starting in February; this is the problem we are going to have. All the same, let us get it right irrespective of whoever eventually is in charge of the NPL.’’

    NAN reports that the 2012/2013 season of the NPL earlier scheduled to begin on Dec. 13, had to be postponed because of the dissolution of the body’s board on Dec. 5 by the NPL congress.