The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Green confident of Eagles ahead of AFCON

    Green confident of Eagles ahead of AFCON

    BARRISTER Christopher Green, the technical committee chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has expressed confidence in the 2013 AFCON outing of the Stephen Keshi-led Super Eagles.

    In a chat with NationSporting, Green noted that while it may not be easy, the crop of players under coach Keshi are capable of a good show in South Africa.

    “I want to say that we have a credible team. I can say that for sure. All we need is the ability to harness these players and make them blend.

    “Unfortunately, FIFA has a limited number of slots for friendly games at which time one has to put a team together and such times are not enough to fully build a team. But I must say we have a fairly good team. Good enough to at least make us proud.

    “I have the confidence that we are going to do well. Stephen Keshi is not under any pressure. The pressure that he has is the same that we have. It is the same pressure all Nigerians have because we are all expectant”, Green said.

    “We are trying to evolve a pattern of playing for the Nigerian team. It’s our pet project with the U-17 team. If you look at this team, it’s well thought-out and cut-out. They’ve been together from U-13 and now they are U-17 now. We ensured they passed the MRI scan at once and that is to tell you there is future for Nigerian football”, he explained.

    Green remains confident that the Stephen Keshi-led Eagles would be a team to beat in AFCON 2013 tournament.

    “We are a big nation in terms of football; forget the fact that we did not qualify last time out. We can get bloopers here and there, it happens. But I tell you, we will still remain the team to beat. Everybody during the draw was praying not to get into the same group as the Super Eagles because they know what we bring in terms of our play”.

    Meanwhile, the top Nigeria FA official Green has also said he is disappointed by Osaze Odemwingie’s reaction after he was not called up for the AFCON.

    Osaze was sensationally left out of a 32-man preliminary squad for next month’s Nations Cup and has gone on social media platform Twitter to vent his frustration, insisting he was not dropped for football reasons.

     

  • Ambrose will be late to camp

    Ambrose will be late to camp

    CELTIC defender Efe Ambrose will join the late arrivals from the EPL at the Faro training camp on January 5.

    Officials have already disclosed that English Premier League trio of Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Shola Ameobi will be the last players to join the Eagles squad in Portugal on January 5.

    “I cannot confirm right now on when I would hit camp because we have a game on January 2 after which I will discuss with the club,” he told MTNFootball.com

    “But I think at the latest I should already be in camp by January 5.”

    The central defender said he believes all the players on the 32-man squad deserve their call-ups.

    “Everybody on the list deserves to be there, that is why the coach invited them. I am happy I am on the list, but the most important thing is that we know what Nigerians want and we are ready to give a 120 per cent,” he said.

    “As for those not on the list, I would (not? ed.) like to say anything about that but the coach would have his reasons and like you know, the coach has the final say.”

  • Mikel relishes Boxing Day return

    Mikel relishes Boxing Day return

    MIKEL OBI has said he cannot wait to return for Chelsea against Norwich City on Boxing Day on Wednesday after a three-match ban.

    The Nigeria midfielder was handed a three-match ban and a fine of £60,000 after a race row involving him and referee Mark Clattenburg in October.

    Mikel has missed two league games including Sunday’s 8-0 mauling of Aston villa as well as the Capital One quarterfinal at Leeds United.

    “I am happy that the ban is over. It is my past now, so I have to look ahead. I am ready for the game against Norwich City on December 26,” Mikel told MTNFootball.com

    “I missed football while I was banned because I always want to be part of the action.

    “We are on the high now and I can’t wait to return and be part of the action as it was before my ban.”

    Mikel is also expected to be involved in the EPL fixture on Sunday at Everton and the London derby against QPR on January 2 before he joins up with the Nigeria training camp in Portugal for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations.

     

  • Enyeama, Ejide fit for AFCON —Shorunmu

    Enyeama, Ejide fit for AFCON —Shorunmu

    •Says the best will be in goal in South Africa

    SUPER EAGLES’ goalkeeper trainer, Ike Shorunmu has allayed fears on the readiness and fitness levels of the team’s top two goalkeepers, Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide who are based in Israel.

    The two goal stoppers topped the list of four goalkeepers included in the squad list of 32 released by Eagles gaffer, Stephen Keshi for the Faro, Portugal camping that would commence on December 29th, 2012. The other keepers are Rangers’ new keeper Chigozie Agbim and Heartland’s goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.

    “Yes, Enyeama and Ejide are in good shape for the 2013 AFCON and I can assure you that all is well as far as that position is concerned. For now they are injury-free and they have been playing regularly for their respective clubs in Israel”, the former Eagles first choice in goal, popularly called ‘Ike Anobi’ told NationSport in Abuja yesterday.

    “Back there in Israel I got good news about the duo and I do follow their performances on websites and television and I have been calling them too to keep the records on the number of matches they played, the way they performed in matches and I kept trailing them in various ways.

    “Sincerely speaking, they will have to face our own final screening in Faro, Portugal, but I am confident of their abilities as a goalkeeper to make the final squad for the AFCON proper and to use their wealth of experience to help the team in the competition proper barring unexpected situations and injuries”, Shorunmu told NationSport.

  • Eagles will miss Martins, says Babangida

    Eagles will miss Martins, says Babangida

    FORMER Nigeria World Cup star Tijjani Babangida has stated the country will miss the goals and experience of Obafemi Martins at the AFCON.

    Martins, Osaze Odemwingie and Taye Taiwo were the notable names not on the Eagles’ preliminary 32-man squad for a training camp in Portugal ahead of next month’s Nations Cup.

    The Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medallist told MTNFootball.com that even though Stephen Keshi is in charge of the team and has the final say on his team, he still believes Levante striker Martins should have been considered for the Nations Cup.

    “Obafemi Martins should have been included in the team because he has been scoring goals in Spain almost every weekend,” Babangida argued.

    “Though Keshi should be allowed to pick his team, Martins’ experience and goals would have helped the team in South Africa.

    “At the 1998 World Cup in France, the late Rashidi Yekini was included in the team because of his wealth of experience if things didn’t go well with Victor(Ikpeba) and the others.”

    Babangida also made a case for the inclusion of Sivasspor of Turkey striker Michael Eneramo on the provisional squad.

    “I was equally surprised Eneramo was not considered at all since Keshi took over despite his exploits in Turkey,” he told MTNFootball.com

  • Eagles will miss Martins at AFCON – Babangida

    Eagles will miss Martins at AFCON – Babangida

    Former Nigeria World Cup star Tijjani Babangida has stated the country will miss the goals and experience of Obafemi Martins at the African Cup of Nations.

    Martins, Osaze Odemwingie and Taye Taiwo were the notable names omitted from the Eagles preliminary 32-man squad for a training camp in Portugal ahead of next month’s Nations Cup.

    The Atlanta 1996 Olympic gold medallist told MTNFootball.com that even though Stephen Keshi is in charge of the team and has the final say on his team, he still believes the Levante striker should have been considered for the continent’s premier soccer tournament.

    “Obafemi Martins should have been included in the team because he has been scoring goals in Spain almost every weekend.

    “Though Keshi should be allowed to pick his team, Martins’ experience and goals would have helped the team in South Africa.

    “At the 1998 World Cup in France, the late Rashidi Yekini was included in the team because of his wealth of experience if things didn’t go well with Victor (Ikpeba) and the others,” MTNFootball.com quoted the ex-Ajax Amsterdam star as saying in the interview.

    Babangida also made a case for the inclusion of Sivasspor of Turkey striker Michael Eneramo on the provisional squad.

    “I was equally surprised Eneramo was not considered at all since Keshi took over despite his exploits in Turkey,” he told MTNFootball.com.

     

  • CHELSEA 8-0 Aston Villa: Moses shines, as Chelsea go gaga

    CHELSEA 8-0 Aston Villa: Moses shines, as Chelsea go gaga

    Super Eagles ace, Victor Moses was at his usual best as Chelsea humiliated Aston Villa 8-0 to become the first English Premier League (EPL) club to score more than a half dozen goals this season.

    Even though Moses failed to find the back of the net on two occasions, the Nigerian has shown reasons why he stands to explode when the 2013 AFCON kicks-off in January with Keshi’s Eagles’ first game against the Stallions of Burkina Faso at the Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit, as Chelsea’s boss, Rafa Benitez kept him on for 90minutes because the Eagles star was playing according to the Spaniard’s match plan. Indeed, Moses switched roles from the right flank to left and also fell back to pick up ball which he used to initiate attacks that led to the avalanche of goals at Stamford Bridge.

    Interestingly, another Nigerian, John Mikel Obi missed the 8-0 thriller as he completed his three-match ban the English FA handed him following his verbal assault on referee Mark Clattenburg in Chelse’s 3-2 home lose to Manchester United.

    Mikel is now expected to return to Premier League action this weekend against inform Everton at Goodison Park.

    Chelsea striker, Fernando Torres began the goal glut after three minutes at Stamford Bridge and David Luiz and Branislav Ivanovic made it 3-0 at the break.

    Frank Lampard marked his 500th Premier League game and first league start since October with a rasping fourth before Ramires (two), Oscar and Eden Hazard joined the fun as Chelsea secured a first home league win under interim manager Rafael Benitez.

    It took Chelsea’s goal tally to 13 in two games after they thrashed Championship (second division) side Leeds United 5-1 to reach the League Cup semi-finals in midweek.

  • ‘No rift in Kwara United Board’

    ‘No rift in Kwara United Board’

    The story making the rounds that the board members of Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin went haywire on the sharing formula of allocation is unfounded and a purported act by the enemies of the Kwara darling team to derail the management, create confusion and pitch the board against the teeming supporters of the club.

    A statement by the Media Officer of Kwara United FC, Olayioye Ajide said the release posted on a website was frivolous, unfounded and a deliberate act to cause disaffection among the management and supporters.

    Olayioye said nothing of such occurred as the board on the said Tuesday discussed issues on to how to move the club forward even as urgent provision was made to pay the players their December salaries on Friday despite the fact that the government’s subvention has not been cleared.

    The Media Officer, Olayioye Ajide added that the Technical Manager , Coach Samson Unuanel did not abscond neither did he threaten to abandon the team.

    ‘As I am talking now, Coach Unuanel is fully on ground and intact with Kwara United and nothing went wrong with his residence, whoever cares can call him for clarification. And let me quickly add that whosoever is in doubt on any development should contact me, I am always available for any information and clarification on Kwara United’.

    He noted that the management board under the chairmanship of Barrister Bamidele Aluko is focused and determined to bring about scintillating and result-oriented performances in the new league season as already reflected in the appointment and recruitment of players.

    The media officer called on football followers and lovers of Kwara United to disregard such smearing story as the club is set to make meaningful impact in the new soccer season.

     

  • Lawal cautions on Eagles’ list

    Lawal cautions on Eagles’ list

    Former Nigeria international Garba Lawal has cautioned Nigerians on the lists of players that were invited by Stephen Keshi for the team’s camping in Portugal ahead of the 2013 Nations Cup.

    Reactions have trailed Keshi’s provisional list which does not have space for the likes of West Brom’s Peter Odemwingie, Levante’s Obafemi Martins and Dynamo Kiev’s Taye Taiwo whom many believes should be part of the list due to the form they have shown in their clubs but Lawal disagreed: “We are not the coach; our thinking is different. We have to wait and see the team in South Africa. We have to pray for their success because the success of the team will be that of all Nigerians.

    “The argument will always be there because everybody can’t have the same list. It is Keshi’s list and he is in charge of the team. He said he needed players that will show much commitment; maybe he is in doubt of their commitments or maybe the other players are showing bigger commitment and that is why he is settling for them.”

    Lawal, who won bronze with Nigeria in Mali 2002, however admitted that the dropped trio mentioned are doing well for their teams and it was rather unfortunate that the coach did not consider them in his plans.

  • Copa Lagos MVP, Abu thanks organisers, FCMB

    Copa Lagos MVP, Abu thanks organisers, FCMB

    Abu Azeez, Nigeria’s rising star and MVP of Copa Lagos 2012 has thanked tournament organisers and main sponsor FCMB for hosting the tournament for a 2nd year. The striker who has been pivotal in the Sand Eagles’ two triumphs at Copa Lagos voiced his happiness at the success of Copa Lagos.

    Abu and his team mates lifted the Copa Lagos trophy for a 2nd successive year on the 16th December, overcoming 6 times European Champions Portugal in an epic finale.

    Abu was awarded the MVP award for Copa Lagos 2012, he scored 3 goals over the tournament to finish as the 2nd highest top scorer, this included 2 goals in the final game against Portugal which set Nigeria on their way to an 8-7 victory after extra time.

    The Sand Eagles star revealed what Copa Lagos has provided him, saying, “It has really helped me with my career. People look up to me now, and it makes me feel that I am on the right path. I believe that my performances at Copa Lagos have played a part in Kwara United signing me so I am happy about this”.

    Speaking on the organisation of the tournament, the Sand Eagles star went on to state, “I really want to thank the organisers for this competition, because it is not easy. I also want to thank FCMB, they really did a great job, and I want to thank them for supporting Beach Soccer, the Sand Eagles and Copa Lagos”.

    Nigeria ended up retaining their Copa Lagos crown, beating Argentina, Lebanon and Portugal in the process. The team have never lost at a Copa Lagos tournament. They will know shift their focus to qualifying for the Beach Soccer World Cup In Tahiti next year.