The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Renard: Zambia didn’t win AFCON because of luck

    Coach Herve Renard says luck is not the sole reason for Zambia’s triumph at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

    The Chipolopolo defied all odds to emerge winners of the tournament held earlier this year in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

    Zambia on their way to winning their first African title, accounted for four-time winners, Ghana in the semi finals before pipping favourites Ivory Coast on penalties in the grand finale.

    Some however believe the Chipolopolo rode their luck with some antecedence drawn from the plane crash that struck their national team on the coast of Gabon in 1993.

    But the Frenchman who inspired the unexpected feat of the Zambians though admitting luck played a role, says his team also did it’s part.

    “To win a big trophy you are always to be lucky. Now if you think we only win by luck, this is your opinion,” the 44-year-old said.

    “We did our best and God was on our side, this is football.”

    Zambia will be defending their title at next year’s Nations Cup in South Africa.

    They are drawn in Group C alongside Nigeria, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso.

  • Joel Obi missing for Inter

    Nigeria’s Joel Obi is still missing in Inter milan’s squad against Genoa today.

    A release from the club’s official website revealed that the Nigeria international who is yet to regain match fitness alongside teammate, Dejan Stankovic and Fredy Guarin has been left out of Andrea Stramaccioni’s side for the game after the FIGC rejected the club’s suspension appeal.

    The Colombian international had been given a one-match ban following his ‘aggressive and intimidating’ conduct towards referee Paolo Mazzoleni after the Nerazzurri’s 1-0 loss to Lazio.

    But the governing body have decided to overturn the appeal which means the 26-year-old will miss out today at San Siro.

  • Enyeama: They compare me to a monkey

    Nigeria custodian Vincent Enyeama participated in a promotional video against racism and has shared his thoughts and impressions on the situation in Israel.

    Sports.walla.co.il quoted Enyeama as saying: ”Players who use racist expressions must be punished. Israeli soccer is infected with racism. The fans do not support enough teams and hiss when things do not work properly on the field. We try to bring about a situation where for 90 minutes the fans will concentrate on encouraging the team to the end of the game. Fans should be there for the team and support it. “

    The Maccabi Tel Aviv numero uno says he has encountered racism in Israel but diplomatically refused to mention specific incidents.

    ”A lot, trust me, a lot. I do not want to start mentioning specific cases, but I saw it a few times. Encountered racism in the restaurant, just down the street, I heard the grunts on the field and it’s really something abnormal. It is crazy comparing you to a monkey, how can you? It is not normal,” says Enyeama.

    Going further, Vincent Enyeama advised the Israeli Federation to wield the big stick on fans that are involved in racism.

    ”Association definitely needs to pay attention to it. Israel is a country that is so beautiful, it’s a lovely place to live and these kind of things do not need to happen here. I really love Israel. I certainly think clubs should be punished for the racism of fans. Look what they did to Toto Tamuz and Apollo Adele in the game against Beitar and I’m sorry about this incident, this inappropriate behavior. I saw serious cases when I played in Hapoel Tel Aviv, but I do not want to talk about it.

    “Players who use racist expressions must be punished if they are caught. Look what happened with John Obi Mikel from Chelsea, he was suspended for three games in England.”

  • Kayode trialing with Charlton Athletic

    Colombia 2011 FIFA Under 20 World Cup star Olarenwaju Kayode is currently undergoing trials with English Championship side Charlton Athletic. After impressing in test games, the 19 – year – old forward is set to be offered a contract by The Red Robins.

    The deal was brokered by Jairo Pachon, who is the official match agent of the Nigeria Federation, and influential sports lawyer Akinyemi Olubusola.

    ”So far, Kayode has impressed in the test games played and scored a hat- trick for the Charlton Reserves in one of the trial games.The coach Chris Powell is amazed with the qualities he has shown in training. We are hopeful he will be offered a contract as he is loved by the coaches, players and the supporters. The only impediment we are likely to face is for the player to be issued a work permit by the Home Office,” says Akinyemi Olubusola to allnigeriasoccer.com.

    Olarenwaju Kayode is regarded by many in Nigeria as one of the country’s top talents. He played six games for the Golden Eaglets at the Fifa Under 17’s held in Nigeria three years ago.

  • Fabiyi nears Ukraine switch

    Enyimba striker, Babington Fabiyi, has revealed he is close to joining Ukraine second tier side PFC Alexandria and believes a deal could be finalised in the next couple of weeks or days.

    The former schoolboy international told supersport.com that he had successful trials at the club and has returned to Nigeria to help secure his International Transfer Certificate.

    “I have been undergoing trials with Alexandria recently and they have agreed to sign me,” he told supersport.com.

    “They have been in contact with Enyimba, but there has been some delay in issuing my clearance so I had to come over and see if my presence could hasten the process.”

    Fabiyi said he enjoyed his time at Enyimba and was looking forward to similar success with his new club.

    “Last season was okay as we challenged for the title and in the end made it to the continent so I don’t have any regrets,” he said. “I’ve always preferred to play in Europe, so I hope to make the best of this move.”

    Fabiyi joined Enyimba as a free agent last season after unsuccessful trials with Russian giants, CSKA Moscow.

  • Dedevbo raves about Ihezuo

    Flamingoes coach, Peter Dedevbo has said he is not disappointed that CAF chose Equatorial Guinea’s Genoveva Anonma ahead of Chinwendu Ihezuo for Player of the Year award.

    The African football body in Accra, Ghana on Thursday night named the experienced striker who plies her trade in the German Bundesliga side, Jena as the 2012 African Player of the Year for women.

    Anonma beat Nigeria’s youngster, Ihezuo and South Africa’ s Portia Modise for the coveted award.

    Dedevbo said the Pelican Stars’ goal poacher has years ahead of her insisting she is the future African football.

    “Caf has their criteria for the award of woman footballer of the year, I’m not disappointed that the Equatorial Guinean Genoveva Anonma was picked ahead of Chinwendu Ihezuo.

    “Ihezuo is a young girl, 16-year old and for such a young girl to have gone to the World Cup to score six goals shows her pedigree and I think she is the future African football if she continues that way.

    “Her conqueror, Anonma is experienced, plays professional football in Germany and did very well to help her country win her second African title.

    “The decision to award the Equatorial Guinean player the footballer of the year is right but I tell you Ihezuo will dominate the award in a very short time,” said the Delta Queens coach to supersport.com.

    However, Dedevbo is not considering the striker for a switch to his side in the coming season.

    “Delta Queens are a star-studded side, and I won’t want to pull her out to destroy her career as she may not fit in or be able to displace any of my experienced strikers.

    “I monitor her progress and will continue to offer her career advice.

    “We’re on break to resume second week of January and then we’ll review our team strength put some on the market and recruit new ones.

    “We always go for unknown players, nurture and bring them to limelight.

    “Winning the double will dominate our target in the coming season,” he said.

  • Jegede seeks developmental plans for Falcons

    One of the pioneers of women’s football in the country, Bola Jegede has said there is the need for the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) to step up developmental programmes for national women’s teams.

    Jegede in a telephone conversation with futaa.com, was reacting to the inability of any Nigerian team or personality to win an award at the just concluded 2012 CAF Awards.

    Champions of the 2012 African Women’s Championship, Equatorial Guinea won Team of the Year and Equatorial Guinean Genoviva Anonma won the Player of the Year award.

    Speaking to futaa.com, Jegede expressed belief in the need for long term plans if Nigeria is to be a continued force in women’s football.

    “There’s need for us to begin to look ahead and see how we can keep our selves in front.

    “We need to look beyond instant results and concentrate on how we can achieve long term results, and I tell you that takes a lot of planning,” Jegede told futaa.com

    She went on to say teams that were doing well in Africa were making conscious efforts to achieve their aims.

    “Even those we feel are not footballing nations have started to pay more attention to women’s football,” she concluded.

  • NSC to release Eagles’ funds soon — Minister

    NSC to release Eagles’ funds soon — Minister

    Sports Minister, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, on Thursday assured that the funds for the Super Eagles’ preparation and participation at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) would be released this week.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that President Goodluck Jonathan had given an express approval to the N1.4 billion budget proposed by the Nigeria Football Federation for the Super Eagles’ participation in the 2013 AFCON beginning in South Africa on Jan. 19, 2013.

    Abdullahi told NAN during an interview in Abuja there was the need to avoid the fire-brigade approach that had characterised Nigeria’s participation in past championships.

    According to the minister, the NSC had gotten the approval for the release of the money and would not want to delay in releasing it to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    “We have gotten the approval; I just spoke with the Director of Finance for confirmation.

    “The NFA will get the money this week, to enable them get things in proper shape for the Super Eagles’ preparation and participation in the tournament.

    “I had a meeting with the NFF leadership and they raised the issue with me,” Abdullahi explained.

    The minister also said that the Commission had the mandate to support the football house in pursuit of its goals provided it was in the national interest.

    He added that the support would be extended to Aminu Maigari, the NFF Chairman, who is vying for a seat in the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

    “It will be a thing of pride to know that the Chairman of the NFF is going to represent Nigeria at that level.

    “So, it lies on us to give him the necessary support he needs to succeed,” the minister stressed.

    Maigari is among the three candidates from West Africa’s Zone B contesting the position vacated by Amos Adamu following his involvement in a bribery scandal.

    Republic of Benin’s Anjorin Moucharafou and Hima Souley from Niger Republic are the other two candidates vying for the seat.

  • Eagles hold Nasarawa in tune-up game

    Eagles hold Nasarawa in tune-up game

    The Super Eagles got a dose of what to expect at the SA 2013 Nations Cup next month when they were held to a 1-1 draw by gritty Nigeria Premier League side, Nasarawa United on Thursday morning in Abuja.

    The Nasarawa side managed by veteran coach Alphonsus Dike, played their hearts out in the encounter but it was the national team that showed more maturity and should have easily won the game but for the several begging chances that were wasted.

    The Eagles featured Femi Thomas, Solomon Kwambe, Benjamin Francis, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwueke, Gabriel Reuben, Sunday Mba, Fegor Ogude, Tony Okputu, Ejike Uzoenyi and Gambo Mohammed in the first half and changed all the players for a new set of 11 players in the second.

    In the early part of the game, the Eagles dominated and should have been at least two goals up in the first ten minutes but the chances that came their way were wasted by Mba, Reuben and Gambo. In the 18th minute, a defensive mix-up by the national team allowed Nasarawa’s Ibrahim Ibrahim to steal in the opener of the game to the shock of the motley crowd that watched the game.

    The goal was to change the tempo of the game as the Eagles upped their game in search of an equalizer. Their pressure paid off, when a Nasarawa defender held a goal-bound shot and Referee Aniete Ukoh promptly pointed to the spot. Mba scored the equalizer in the 44th minute.

    The new set of Eagles in the second half like Gomo Onduko, Ubale Mannir, Papa Idris, Henry Uche, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Zango Umar and goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, seemed to have more fluidity in the second half but the Nasarawa side kept it tight at the back to run away with a 1-1 draw.

    After the game a not too happy Stephen Keshi sent the players back to the pitch for another 20 minutes of physical drilling.

    Nasarawa handler, Dike, said he was impressed with the quality of players that have been picked for the national assignment but admonished the team handlers to work on the concentration level of the players.

    “The players were quite good and among the best in the country but the need to improve in the area of concentration because that was what caused the goal my team scored against them.”

  • Europa League: Mikel, Moses get Sparta Prague test

    Europa League: Mikel, Moses get Sparta Prague test

    Nigeria’s duo of John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses alongside their Chelsea pals will face Czech Republic side Sparta Prague in the Europa League round of 32 fixture held on Thursday.

    The Satmford Bridge outfit found themselves playing in the Europa League after failing to qualify for the knock out stage of the UEFA Champions League.

    Chelsea came third in group E with 10 points behind Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk who both made it through to the knock out phase of the UEFA Chapions League.

    Sparta Prague qualified for the round of 32 fixtures after coming second behind French side, Lyon with nine points.