The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • 2012 a good year for Nigeria football —Maigari

    2012 a good year for Nigeria football —Maigari

    Aminu Maigari, President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Thursday said that the outgoing year had been a good one for the country’s football.

    He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the country’s national teams were able to qualify for all the international competitions they had prepared for.

    “This is a very good year for the NFA and for the football family because we have achieved so much in qualifying for different competitions. We had at least four Nigeria Premier League clubs that played continental matches and all the teams performed well,” he said.

    Maigari told the NAN that they had had to contend with numerous issues when they first came into office in 2010.

    “We could not qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and our football lagged behind, but we were able to overcome all our challenges.

    “That was why we brought in a new coach to come and man the Super Eagles, like most countries did, to rebuild and I think it’s been good so far.”

    He described the peace that is currently reigning in the affairs of the Glass House as his greatest achievement, considering the crises they met on ground.

    “We had started this administration on a very rough note, taking the NFF to court became the norm for our antagonists, but we have put all that behind us now. One must start by thanking God because of the sanity and peace flowing within the family, one will ever remain grateful to the secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim.

    “Our collaboration with the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) also helped to stabilise things; that is one of our biggest achievements, thus far,” he added.

    Maigari also said that he intended to meet with coach Stephen Keshi, to ensure that necessary steps are taken for a good outing for the team at the 2013 AFCON in South Africa.

  • ‘Eagles ‘ll make FIFA ranking irrelevant’

    ‘Eagles ‘ll make FIFA ranking irrelevant’

    Former Super Eagles coach Christian Chukwu has stated that the latest FIFA Rankings which sees Nigeria ranked 54th will count for nothing at the 2013 Nations Cup.

    Nigeria rose five places in the latest ranking but are adjudged as the tenth best team in Africa but Chukwu, who guided Nigeria to third place in the 2004 Nations Cup, said the Super Eagles will make the FIFA rankings insignificant at the 16-team event with optimism that Nigeria will make at least, the last four of the competition holding in South Africa.

    “The FIFA ranking will not in anyway affect the team because they are ready for the tournament. There should be no worry for Nigerians because I’m sure that by the time the Nations Cup ends, the ranking will be made irrelevant.”

    Nigeria were once ranked as the fifth best team in the world, the highest ever by an African country, but have been ranked low in recent times largely because of the team’s failure to qualify for the last edition of the Nations Cup.

    Stephen Keshi’s team will get their campaign underway with Burkina Faso on January 21 and will also play defending champions Zambia and long-term absentees Ethiopia in their other group matches.

     

  • Ideye, Taiwo, Haruna return to France

    Ideye, Taiwo, Haruna return to France

    Nigeria’s Brown Ideye, Taye Taiwo and Lukman Haruna will be making a return to France having been handed Ligue 1 side Bordeaux as Dynamo kiev’s next round opponent in Thursday’s Europa League draw. The Nigerian trio played in the French topflight before heading for Eastern Europe.

    Ideye it would be recalled had stints with Schouax, Haruna with Monaco while Taiwo remains a legend at Olympic Marseille and are no strangers to their opponent. Dynamo host the first leg in Kiev before heading to France for the reverse fixture.

  • Udoh pens deal with Colombian club

    Udoh pens deal with Colombian club

    Former Golden Eaglets – Kingsley Udoh and Usman Amodu – will continue their careers in South America, allnigeriasoccer.com has been specially informed by the players’ London based representative, Akinyemi Olubusola.

    It would be recalled that Udoh and Amodu tested with Uruguay giants Penarol few weeks ago, but were not offered contracts. Before their return to Nigeria last week, both players signed one – year contracts with Colombian Primera B club Llaneros.

    “The main reason Kingsley Udoh and Amodu were not offered contracts by Penarol was because of the timing of the trials. Udoh had been invited for tests with Penarol but he could not attend because he was in camp with the Super Eagles, who were preparing for the friendly against Venezuela. This delayed his trip to Montevideo, thea club waited and waited for him for close to four weeks. There was no way Amodu could travel without him. By the time they finally travelled , it was late.

    “Both players did well during trials.Udoh got injured in a trial game, suffered a slight knock that would have kept him out of action for ten days. In reaching a decision on a contract offer, that was also considered. They have signed a one – year contract with Colombian club Llaneros without undergoing trials. The plan is for them to develop there and move to Europe at the end of one year,” Olubusola told allnigeriasoccer.com in a telephone conversation.

    Kingsley Udoh and Usman Amodu are not the only Nigerians that will play for Llaneros in the 2013 season. Former Nigeria youth – teamer Robert Egbeta signed for the Villavicencio based club in October after impressing coach Rujana during tests.

  • NPL to start before 2013 AFCON —Babalola

    NPL to start before 2013 AFCON —Babalola

    The executive secretary of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Tunji Babalola has reiterated the league body’s resolve to commence the 2012/2013 season before the start of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Babalola in a chat said everything is presently being worked out to ensure that the games start before hostilities begin in South Africa next January.

    He disclosed that the only thorny issue is the composition of the league interim management board which he confirmed the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) would make.

    Babalola opined that immediately the league interim management board swings into action, a date would be found for the league’s draws slated for Kano and from there a date earlier than January 19th( a date fixed for the start of 2013 AFCON) would be announced for the commencement of the league.

    He confirmed that with the situation of things on ground, it would be impossible for the league to begin on January 5th which is the initial date rumoured to have been suggested by the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) but re-affirmed his conviction that the next league season would commence in January.

    He said: “The league will start in January, but we have not fixed any date and so I don’t know where the January 7 or any date is coming from.”

    He added: “We will send out our press release to that effect by Thursday or Friday (today) this week. The league will definitely commence in January because we have to abide by NFF AGA decision.

    “The major problem now is the composition of the NPL interim management Board and as soon as the names of those in that Board is made public. The Body will swing into action with a date for the league draws and a date for the season’s opener proper.”

  • Okonkwo must prove he’s disciplined — Keshi

    Okonkwo must prove he’s disciplined — Keshi

    Super Eagles handler, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, has said he called up experienced right back, Chibuzor Okonkwo, because he believes that every person deserves to be given a second chance in life no matter what, but the player must now justify his call up.

    It will be recalled that Okonkwo was among the first set of home based professionals Keshi invited last December but after a few days in camp he bolted out of the country for a fruitless trial with English Premier League side, Aston Villa. This was after Keshi had decreed that home based players must be ready to stay at least six months with the national team before attempting to travel abroad for greener pastures. Since then he has been overlooked.

    But Keshi said he deserves a second chance because he’s a versatile player and has the experience that can impact positively on the national team. “But he has to prove that he’s a better player in terms of discipline and action on the pitch”, he said. Okonkwo played the second half in the 1-1 draw against Nasarawa United on Thursday and showed flashes of his old self.

    Meanwhile former Super Eagles striker, Benedict Akwuegbu, former Club Owners Scribe, Arthur Kwame and Ondo Football Agency Director, Mike Idoko, were part of the crowd that watched the national team play out a 1-1 draw against Nasarawa United and gave the team thumbs up.

    Kwame said he believes the team was on its way to the glory days. Idoko on his part said he was thrilled by the quality on display by players from the Nigeria Premier League, while Akwuegbu said he came to lend his support to the team ahead of the championship in South Africa.

  • Renard: Zambia not underestimating Nigeria

    Renard: Zambia not underestimating Nigeria

    Zambia will put their status as champions of Africa on the line from the 19 January at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. Almost a year after their coronation in Libreville against a heavily favoured Côte d’Ivoire – they won 8-7 in a penalty shootout after a goalless match – the Chipolopolo have inherited a complicated opening group. However Herve Renard, their 44-year-old French coach, insists that the team is ready to defend its greatest-ever achievement.

    As title holders, you must want to defend your trophy?

    Of course. This is natural. We will live up to our responsibilities, even if we are not the favourites in this competition. I often say that at the CAN 2012, we were the best team in the tournament, but not necessarily the best in Africa. We will do the most we can to get as far as possible, and of course to try to keep our title.

    Who is your favourite?

    Côte d’Ivoire. But in addition to them and Zambia, there are several teams that can win the event: Ghana, South Africa and some big outsiders such as Tunisia, Mali, Algeria and Nigeria.

    Who is your main rival in Group C?

    I do not underestimate anyone. I am wary of Ethiopia, who eliminated Benin and Sudan, and is a tough team to move. But our two main rivals are Burkina Faso, who in Alain Traore and Jonathan Pitroipa have very good individual players, and of course Nigeria, with Stephen Keshi, have just completed a very successful 2012. The Nigerians were absent last year, and they will want to mark their return.

  • Keshi: Eagles good for Nations Cup

    Keshi: Eagles good for Nations Cup

    Super Eagles Head Coach Stephen Keshi has boasted that the Super Eagles have all it takes to win the Africa Nations Cup in South Africa early next year.

    Speaking in Abuja, the Big Boss said the Eagles are overdue to rule Africa again after emerging champions in 1994 when he captained the team to her second victory in Tunisia.

    Keshi said: “The major challenge we are facing now is that of infrastructure. We don’t have a good pitch to train on, but everybody would want us to win. The pitch we train on here in Abuja is nothing to write home about. The surface is so hard that you record a lot of injuries after every training. But with the exemption of that, I can say that we are ready to give the title a chase in South Africa.”

    The former international said he is not bothered about the training programmes of his opponents, rather his concern is for his players to be in good health, and remain focused on the task ahead in South Africa.

    He promised that the Super Eagles are poised to make Nigerians happy at the championship.

  • Oshaniwa: This is my time

    Oshaniwa: This is my time

    AS Ashdod defender Juwon Oshaniwa has declared his intention to be a regular player in the Super Eagles, warning defensive rivals that he has come to stay.

    Oshaniwa, who has featured more than any other left full-back since the coming on board of Stephen Keshi, said he is ready to force his way into the final list of the Super Eagles for the forthcoming Nations Cup in South Africa.

    “I believe my own time has come and that’s the way it is now. I’m very happy that I’m having this great opportunity which I will not let slip; I just belive this is my time. Some players have been there before and after me some players will come,” he said while confirming his invitation for Nigeria’s Nations Cup camp in Portugal early next year.

    He described his move from Nigerian side Sharks FC to Israel as a divine favour having broken into the first team regulars of the modest club which his compatriot Efe Ambrose played for until last summer.

    “I know moving to Europe provides me a great opportunity to prove my quality and I challenged myself on hard work and dedication which has now worked for me. I try as much as possible to do new things that will enhance my game everyday.”

  • Catalonia Friendly: Ideye, Musa, Emenike picked

    Catalonia Friendly: Ideye, Musa, Emenike picked

    Super Eagles Head Coach Stephen Keshi has revealed to SportingLife that 11 foreign based players would battle the Catalonians in Spain on January 2.

    According to him, the players expected to join others in camp for the match will include Brown Ideye, Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike, Ogenyi Onazi among others. He said that only the England based players would be exempted from the encounter.

    He promised to release his full list of foreign based players that will join the team on Christmas day. The former international said that his list of foreign based players would include those that are already known to the team. “ If the Nations Cup begins today, I can tell you authoritatively that I know my team and we can start the tournament today. If I am called to make available my team today, I will not hesitate to do just that. I will release the list of my foreign based players by Tuesday next week.”

    On the report that Osaze Odemwingie will delay his joining the team because of the expectation of his new baby, the former NNB of Benin Captain said: “Osaze has not called me on his late arrival because of his wife putting to bed. If he calls me, I will know what to do about it. But for now, I will keep calm until he calls me. We are still drawing up the list, we don’t know who is in it yet,” he concluded.