The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Drogba leads Elephants charge

    Drogba leads Elephants charge

    Ivory Coast coach Sabri Lamouchi on Thursday published his squad for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, retaining almost the entire group that reached the final of the previous edition in Gabon / Equatorial Guinea early this year.

    Anzhi Makhachkala’s frontman Lacina Traore and Manchester City’s loan-out Abdul Razak are the new faces in the fold while Kone Aruna of Wigan Athletic returns after falling out of favour with the Elephants. The team will carry out preparations for the tournament in Abu Dhabi and play a friendly match against Egypt on January 14.

    Ivory Coast have been drawn against Togo, Tunisia and Algeria in Group D and will open their campaign against the Sparrow Hawks in Rustenburg on January 22.

    Squad:

    Goalkeepers: Barry Boubacar, Yeboah Daniel, Sangare Badra Ali

    Defenders: Bamba Souleman, Boka Arthur, Eboue Emmanuel, Lolo Igor, Tiene Siaka, Toure Kolo Abib, Ismael Traore

    Midfielders: Abdul Razak, N’Dri Koffi Romaric, Max Gradel, Tiote Cheik Ismael, Toure Yaya Gnegneri, Ya Konan Didier, Zokora Didier

    Forwards: Drogba Didier, Salomon Kalou, Kone Arouna, Traore Lacina, Bony Wilfried, Yao Kouassi Gervais.

  • Maigari inaugurates Premier League Management Committee

    Maigari inaugurates Premier League Management Committee

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Premier League Management Committee for 2012/2013, Nduka Irabor has promised Nigerians the members would their best to re-position the Premier League according to the directives and stipulates of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    The Premier League Management Committee was inaugurated yesterday at the Board Room of the NFF Secretariat by Glass House boss, Aminu Maigari and the elated League boss, while responding after the inauguration, promised to salvage the league’s battered image.

    “It is a great honour and privilege to serve the nation on a football matter that nearly all Nigerians are interested in. In any case, every national assignment ought to be considered a privilege.

    “It is surely a challenging assignment but with the calibre of the people we will be working together with in this Committee, I believe the task will be made easier.

    “There is much to be done within a limited period in the 2012/2013 League year of our tenure but we will make the best out of the period. Football is one matter that everybody has a strong opinion about. We welcome ideas because we are not sole custodians of all (football) ideas. But we are going to be strict and decisive in our decisions in the interest of the Nigeria Premier League.

    “What even makes this task more challenging is that I was not contacted for this job. It was after it was announced on television before I got in touch with the NFF president”, Irabor disclosed.

    The NFF boss however charged the League Committee to ensure it commences work before the African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    “Time, I dare say, is not the friend of the 2012/2013 Premier League Management Committee. The 2012/2013 League season must commence by January, even if only a few matches would have been played before the 29th Africa Cup of Nations starts in South Africa”, Maigari disclosed at the inauguration.

    After its inauguration, the Committee met and agreed that the new season will kick-off February 16 and that each club must deposit a mandatory sum of N50million as bond to any of the banks before it would be allowed to participate in the league.

    2012/2013 PREMIER LEAGUE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

    1. Nduka Irabor – Chairman

    2. Sabo Babayaro – Vice Chairman

    3. Salisu Abubakar – Member

    4. Modele-Yusuf (Mrs) – Member

    5. Mike Enahoro – Member

    6. Kunle Elebute – Member

    7. Shehu Dikko – Member

    8. Nwankwo Kanu – Member

    9. Ifeanyi Dike – Member

    10. Seyi Akinwunmi – Member

    11. Dan Buran – Member

    12. Mike Idoko – Member

    13. Tunji Babalola – Secretary

    Terms of Reference

    1. Organise the 2012/2013 League.

    2. Review all contractual obligations of the NPL, including TV and Sponsorship rights.

    3. Develop strategy and facilitate the reform of the League towards achieving profitability.

    4. Review existing rules and guidelines for the election into NPL Board

    5. Develop new standards for players’ contracts and welfare.

    6. Any other relevant matter(s) the Committee may deem necessary.

  • No plan to sanction Odemwingie – NFF

    No plan to sanction Odemwingie – NFF

    The Nigeria Football Federation has made it clear that there is no plan yet to sanction West Bromwich Albion forward, Peter Osaze Odemwingie.

    Odemwingie, 31, this week attacked the Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi, the football federation, the Super Eagles’ captain and ex-internationals after he was left out of the Africa Cup of Nations provisional squad.

    Reports this week in the local media revealed that the 31-year-old forward could be slammed with a life ban by the NFF for his rant on social media networking site, Twitter.

    But an executive committee member of the football federation, Chris Green, told supersport.com on Thursday that there are no such plans.

    “Why would we ban a player in the twilight of his career? Yes he has insulted virtually everyone – the federation, the national team head coach and even ex-internationals but we have no plans to ban or suspend just yet.

    “Remember we still have the Nations Cup and the World Cup to play for. Also, like the popular parlance says ‘you don’t throw away the baby with the bath water,’ the federation will only look into the matter carefully before making any statement. Right now, the Nations Cup is uppermost in our agenda and we don’t want any distraction.

    “But I want to state it categorically that Nigeria is bigger than any player or anybody to hold to ransom. Osaze is not the only player dropped from the team. Obafemi Martins, Kalu Uche, Obinna Nsofor and other players were left out and they didn’t say anything untoward but accepted it.

    “He is supposed to be a role model. Imagine if this man is part of the team’s camp he would have disrupted the peace there. Yet the same man wanted the captain’s armband when there’s already an existing captain and even a deputy,” Supersport.com quoted Green as saying in the interview.

    The NFF chief also made it clear that the Albion man still needs Nigeria.

    “It was on the back of Nigeria that he rode to success and I will say it that he still needs Nigeria. But let’s allow him the benefit to continue with his rant for now,” he said.

     

  • FARO CAMP: Okonkwo, Idris out, Uche in

    FARO CAMP: Okonkwo, Idris out, Uche in

    SUPER EAGLES’ Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi was again in the hot seat Wednesday morning, for the last time before hostilities start at the AFCON 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa, during the weekly media chat and he gave a comprehensive overview of how training has been going on in camp.

    He revealed that new Warri Wolves acquisition, Chibuzor Okonkwo, who was scheduled to head to the Faro, Portugal camp of the team, may have missed out due to the fact that he does not have a valid Shengen visa for the trip and it will take a minimum of 10 days to get that sorted out with. “By that time we will already be rounding off our training, that is why we may have to leave him behind”, he declared.

    Keshi also revealed that Kano Pillars’ Papa Idris and Enyimba’s Henry Uche have been offered opportunities to hustle for shirts in the Faro camp and should be travelling with the team today. The duo have been excellent in training despite the fact that the list of home based players for the camp has already been released.

    The longest serving captain of the national team also spoke on the international friendly against Catalonia, of Spain, noting that he fears the weather may affect his team but noted that the players will give the game their best shot. “I hear that 10 players from Barcelona will be part of the team, that is great news and its an opportunity for my boys to show that they have the capacity to play against the best footballers in the world. The scoreline may not matter but we will not disappoint Nigerians.

    On his goodwill message to Nigerians, Keshi urged Nigerians not to relent in their prayers for the team as he foresees the team putting smiles on the faces of the numerous soccer fans in the country. “We need their support and prayers and hopefully we will put smiles on their faces at the end of the championship in South Africa.”

    Also the umbrella body of sportswriters in the country, Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), through its National Secretary, Andrew Abba, praised the courage of the technical crew for the smooth manner the national team has been running since Keshi and his crew took over and said Nigerians are expectant of a good outing at AFCON 2013.

  • Kanu: Eagles will win Nations Cup if….

    Kanu: Eagles will win Nations Cup if….

  • NFF set to report Newcastle, Millwall to FIFA

    NFF set to report Newcastle, Millwall to FIFA

    NIGERIA Football Federation are now set to formally report English clubs Newcastle and Millwall to FIFA.

    Both clubs seem intent on holding onto Shola Ameobi and Danny Shittu for Nigeria’s preparation for the forthcoming African Nations Cup in South Africa.

    Both clubs, through their coaches – Alan Pardew and Danny Jackett – stated last week that the players will not be part of Nigeria’s campaign in the championship billed to commence on January 19 but NFF 1st Vice President Mike Umeh said they will be reporting the case to FIFA should it be the plan of the clubs.

    “We are waiting for what will happen in the next few days as we expect the players to be part of the team whenever their colleagues are arriving the camp in Portugal But if their clubs show signs of not releasing them for Nigera, we have no choice than to report them to FIFA which we are set to do.

    “We have the right to call up these players and they have not told us that they will not be coming for the championship. Even if they don’t want to come, we have the right to stop them from playing for their clubs within the period of the tournament but we won’t gain anything from that and the best thing is for the clubs to release them for us.

    He added: “Every player that the coach has listed for the tournament is important and we won’t allow any club to derail our plans.”

  • Osaze’s axe is final—Big Boss

    Osaze’s axe is final—Big Boss

    THOSE hoping to see Striker Osaze Odemwingie in the colours of Nigeria in the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations, should start thinking twice, as Super Eagles Head Coach Stephen Keshi has ruled him out. Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, the Big Boss said “the dropping of Osaze Odemwingie is final. He is not going to be part of the team to Nations Cup next year. Maybe he would have other opportunities after the Nations Cup. I don’t have anything personal against him, he was dropped based on professional basis.

    I respect him as a player, he is very good, but it is quite unfortunate that he would not be part of this tournament”. He further revealed that the duo of Papa Idris and Sunday Mbah who were earlier dropped, would now travel with the team today to Faro, Portugal.

    He expressed confidence on the abilities of the Super Eagles to prove book makers wrong in South Africa by returning with the trophy.

  • Oyuiki Obaseki loses wife

    THE former chairman of Nigeria Premier League Board, Chief Osayuki Obaseki on Saturday lost his first wife to diabetes in Benin City.

    Chief Oyuiki Obaseki’s wife was billed to travel to United State of America yesterday [Wednesday] for her medical check up before she ran into crisis.

    “My mother” as she was popularly called by Chief Obaseki broke down in tears uncontrollable when former Super Eagles Coach, Austin Eguaevoen and some coaches paid condolence visit to the Palace High Chief over the passing away of his first wife.

    Describing his wife as a mother, sister, companion, and a wife, the Ohe of Benin Kingdom lamented how he will be able to manage the situation.

    “Am relieved and fulfilled today that, my immediate family, the football family even the chairman of English Premier League Board have all called to condoled with me.

    “When my mother died, I told people that my mother is still alive, but today, the story is different. How can I manage the situation now? As he broke down in tears.

    “She was to travel today[ Wednesday] to Lagos rest on Thursday and travel to USA for medical check-up on Friday. She couldn’t get to the date. She gave me all the support as NPL chairman. I will miss her greatly”.

    Meanwhile, Former Bendel Insurance football club defender, Victor Oduah is dead. Oduah died on Christmas day (December 25) after a brief illness. He was also a former captain of the Green Eagles in 1972, where he was chosen to captain the Africa XI, the first Nigerian to achieve that feat.

    Oduah was the captain of the famour Viper FC of Benin City that beat Mighty Jets of Jos 3-2 in the replay of the controversial Challenge Cup game played in Ibadan in 1972. He was at different times the team manager of Bendel Insurance FC of Benin.

    Coach Austin Eguaevoen described the late Victor Oduah as a great footballer that will be missed by Nigerians and Football Family.

  • Martins backs Eagles for AFCON glory despite omission

    Martins backs Eagles for AFCON glory despite omission

    AXED Levante striker Obafemi Martins has tipped Nigeria to win the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    The 28-year-old Martins was one of several top stars axed by coach Stephen Keshi from a provisional 32-man squad. ‘Obagoal’ has said he is not disappointed he has been left out of the Nigeria squad to the AFCON next month despite his goals in the Spanish La Liga. He therefore said he believes the Eagles are good enough to land a third Nations Cup trophy in South Africa. “They have a team who are capable of winning the Nations Cup without me. I wish them all the best in South Africa,” said Martins when he visited a hospital in Lagos on behalf of his foundation on Tuesday.

    “I will now enjoy my holidays and then return to Spain to focus with my club.” He made a donation of five million Naira (about $31,000) to a Lagos maternity hospital to help offset the bills of mothers who could not afford to do so.

    Martins has featured in three AFCONS, in 2006, 2008 and 2010. The former Newcastle and Inter Milan striker has scored six goals in 13 League matches with Levante, who are now sixth on the La Liga table.

  • Keshi wary of Spanish team

    Keshi wary of Spanish team

    SUPER EAGLES Head Coach Stephen Keshi has expressed fears over the ability of his team to subdue the Catalonian National team in a friendly encounter slated for Spain on Wednesday next week.

    Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, the Big boss said his fears are hinged on the unfavourable weather condition in Europe at this period. Quoting his words, the former International said “I am afraid the chilly weather in Europe will have a serious effect on my players, but minus that, we are going to give a good account of our selves. We would give them a good match. But don’t forget it is a friendly match, the result does not matter, but the character of the game, and performance of each of the players. We are going to play other friendly matches in Faro, Portugal, to enable us perfect all our tactics” he said.

    Since the restoration of democracy in the 1970s, the Catalonia national team has regularly played international friendly matches. They subsequently put together a string of successful results against great economic countries like Bulgaria, Nigeria, Yugoslavia, Lithuania and Chile. On May 5, 2002 Catalonia hosted Brazil in a warm up friendly game before the official 2002 FIFA World Cup. Brazil, who went on to win the official competition, beat Catalonia 3–1. In 2004 Brazil returned for a second friendly game and this time won 5–2 in the Camp Nou, where some months later Argentina defeated Catalonia 3–0. The last friendly matches have been against great economic countries like Paraguay, Costa Rica, Basque Country, Argentina and Colombia.

    On 2 November 2009, it was announced that Dutch legend and former Barcelona manager Johan Cruyff will be the new coach of Catalonia.

    On 22 December 2009, they played a friendly against Argentina, which ended in a Catalonia win, 4–2 at Camp Nou.

    On 28 December 2010, Catalonia played another friendly against Honduras winning 4–0 at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys