The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Keshi fears Ike Uche’s club delay

    Keshi fears Ike Uche’s club delay

    Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi has expressed fears over the early arrival of Villareal of Spain striker Ikechukwu Uche in Faro, Portugal camp of the team.

    Keshi stated that the Spanish Segunga as at the time the camp would commence in Spain would still be on and may be very difficult to secure the release of the Eagles forward earlier than the 14 days FIFA stipulates for clubs to release players to their respective countries for major competition.

    “The clubs know when they have to release the players for the national team. We have spoken with our players and they have informed their various clubs about our intention (to have all our foreign based players within the stipulated period that FIFA approved).

    “The problem I may have with my players is with Ikechukwu Uche (Villareal) because he is playing in the second division in Europe when the league has not ended. So if we ask for Uche’s release before the (FIFA) stipulated it may be difficult for the club to release him to us,” he stated.

  • AFCON: Keshi unveils foreign-based players Christmas Day

    AFCON: Keshi unveils foreign-based players Christmas Day

    Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, has disclosed that his list of foreign-based players will be made public on Christmas day, MTNFootball.com reports.

    However, Keshi on Wednesday in Abuja gave hints on some of the players who will be on the list.

    He said Russia-based strikers Ahmed Musa and Emmanuel Emenike as well as Ogenyi Onazi will be in camp in Portugal on December 29.

    Keshi also said Ukraine-based striker Brown Ideye will also join up with the rest of the squad on the same day.

    He also mentioned Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi and Bright Dike, who is based in the United States, as players who have impressed him to earn a call-up for the Nations Cup.

    He said he expects at least 11 of the foreign-based players mainly from Scandinavia and Eastern Europe in Portugal on this day.

    However, he confirmed that Inter Milan midfielder Joel Obi will not be involved in the Nations Cup in South Africa on account of a muscle injury.

    “Joel Obi is out and we will miss him,” lamented Keshi.

     

  • Renard boasts Eagles can’t stop Chipolopolo

    Renard boasts Eagles can’t stop Chipolopolo

    NATIONAL team coach Herve Renard says it will be difficult for Nigeria’s Super Eagles and any team to beat Zambia at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals in South Africa.

    And Renard says Saturday’s match against Tanzania is an opportunity for local players to show they can deliver.

    He insisted that the team has enough time to prepare for the continental championship kicking off on January 19.

    Renard said in an interview in Lusaka Monday that the team will swing into full preparations on December 26 in South Africa.

    “We have a lot of time to prepare but like I have said before what is important is for the team to be ready on the D-day. We have about a month before we play our first game of the tournament against Ethiopia,” he said.

    Zambia face Ethiopia on January 21 in a Group C match before taking on Nigeria and Burkina Faso on January 25 and January 29 respectively.

    Renard said the results from friendly matches are not important because his aim is to ensure the team is ready for the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

    The 2012 Africa Cup winning coach said it is good that almost all the players are in and will train together for a month.

    He said the team will not be under pressure in South Africa because they will be ready for the challenge.

    Renard said the team’s aim is to go to South Africa and defend the Africa Cup trophy.

    “The year 2012 was a fantastic year for Zambian football. The football spirit is very high at the moment in the country. Just look at the Zone Six final between Zambia and South Africa. The stadium was full and some people were outside. This is very good but I think even 2013 will be the same,” he said.

    And the coach said young players will have a platform to show their potential when Zambia plays Tanzania on Saturday.

    The charismatic coach said he intends to use senior players only for 45 minutes.

  • Yakowa: NFF commiserates with Kaduna govt, people

    Yakowa: NFF commiserates with Kaduna govt, people

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday commiserated with the government and good people of Kaduna State over the death of Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, CON, saying it was mourning the departed political leader on behalf of the Nigerian football family.

    Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, CON died on Saturday afternoon after a Navy helicopter he was travelling in with other eminent persons crashed and burst into flames in Bayelsa State.

    “News of the death of Governor Yakowa struck us like a thunderbolt. He was a real supporter and lover of Nigerian football and the Nigeria Football Federation deeply grieves at his sudden departure. We recall how he was always there for the NFF and Nigeria football. Governor Yakowa hosted the international friendly match between the Super Eagles and the senior team of Zambia in Kaduna in November 2011 and also hosted the Annual General Assembly of the NFF in December 2012,” recalled NFF President, Aminu Maigari.

    Maigari added: “He was even ready to host the Super Eagles’ FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, but other circumstances conspired to render Kaduna unattractive for those games. He is gone but we believe that Almighty God will grant his soul eternal rest and give his family and the good people of Kaduna State the fortitude to bear the huge loss.”

    Governor Yakowa died alongside former National Security Adviser, General Andrew Owoye Azazi (rtd), their personal aides and the helicopter’s pilots.

  • Okonkwo wants AFCON call-up

    Okonkwo wants AFCON call-up

    Former Heartland defender, Chibuzor Okonkwo wants Super Eagles manager, Stephen Keshi to have a look in on him for the 2013 AFCON game.

    Though the door appears closed with Sunday’s resumption of camping by the invited domestic players, the Nigerian defender said he still has a lot to contribute to the side’s campaign at Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    “I’m aware the invited home lads have resumed camping in Abuja for the 2013 AFCON preparations, I still believe I’ve something to offer or contribute to the side’s success at South Africa. Keshi can still accommodate me in his AFCON programme, it’s never late especially as I have what it takes to ease his worry in the defence,” said the former Bayelsa United strongman to supersport.com.

    Okonkwo said the Eagles under Keshi stand a good chance of making gold at South Africa 2013.

    “The domestic players already in camp are capable of making it to gold in South Africa. Keshi only needs to build the confidence, psych them up and they will stand against the best in Africa. Despite being paired against Cup holders, Zambia, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia, the Eagles remain the team to beat at South Africa 2013,” he said.

    Okonkwo was a first-team player with the Super Eagles during the stint of Samson Siasia as head coach but has not featured since Keshi took charge in November 2011.

  • Ahead of Africa Youth Championship (ayc) Flying Eagles train in Faro, Qatar

    Ahead of Africa Youth Championship (ayc) Flying Eagles train in Faro, Qatar

    Nigeria U20s will train in Faro, Portugal, as well as in Qatar ahead of the defence of the AYC title in Algeria in March.

    Spokesman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ademola Olajire, disclosed Tuesday in Abuja that the Flying Eagles’ training will be in three phases.

    They are expected to open camp in Abuja next month during which they will play an international friendly before they fly out to faro, Portugal, for more training. They are also scheduled to train in Qatar because it has a similar weather to that of Algeria. The Flying Eagles are drawn in Group B of the eight-nation tournament, which begins on March 16.

    Their first round opponents are DR Congo, Gabon and Mali. The semi-finalists will qualify for the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey.

  • Keshi bluffs No nightmares over Eagles’ foes

    Keshi bluffs No nightmares over Eagles’ foes

    • Keen on grabbing Sydney Sam

    Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has stated that he is not worried about his team’s group opponents in next year’s African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    The Big Boss in an interview on Tuesday disclosed that the only thing that occupies his mind for now is how to build a formidable team ahead of the continent’s biggest football fiesta which kicks of January 19.

    The Eagles are drawn in Group C alongside current Champions, Zambia, Burkina Faso as well as Ethiopia.

    “I only need to think about my team and my players. I don’t need to be worried about Zambia, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia. My team is more important. Let them worry about us and let me concentrate on my team,” Keshi said.

    He added: “What we need to do is to be focused and understand what we need to do on the field, that is the most important thing.”

    The former Eagles captain also reiterated his desire to have Germany-born Bayer Leverkusen midfielder, Sidney Sam and some new faces like Bright Dike in his team for African Cup of Nations.

    He said: “I think it is good to have some new faces in the team. Bright Dike came into the team a few hours before our last friendly game in Miami and he did well for somebody who had never played with any player in the national team before.

    “Sydney Sam is a kind of player you would wish to have in the national team. He is a good quality player. We will see how it goes.”

     

  • Sharks players owed three-month salaries

    Sharks players owed three-month salaries

    • Signing-on fees too

    Players of Sharks FC of Port Harcourt have complained of not having received three months of salaries and signing-on fees for the 2011/2012 season.

    A source from the Garden City revealed to SportingLife that the players have been going through hard times since resuming camping last month in preparation for next season, a development which forced some notable players to part ways with the club.

    Some of the key players that have dumped the club are Victor Ezeji, Kola Anubi, Okemute Udah and Usmane Pape. Others are Thankgod Ahamefule and Chidiebere Okoli.

    “The state of things in Sharks is very bad. We are approaching a new season and the players are complaining of wages. Even, as at now the players are yet to receive their signing-on fees for last season let alone the new season,” a club fan, who claimed to be the team’s supporter since 1996, told SportingLife.

    He added: “Things are not done that way. The boys have been training on empty stomachs and because of this all the key players have left the club for another team. If a team like Sharks are beginning to lose their notable players it means the club will start all over again. We don’t know what the management under General Manager, Okey Kavaluku is doing about this because we don’t want our team in disarray.”

  • Osaze dares NFF

    Osaze dares NFF

    •May delay arrival date

    West Bromwich Albion striker, Peter Osaze Odemwingie is poised to dare cheiftians of the Nigeria Football federation (NFF) by delaying his arrival in Nigeria’s pre-AFCON camp in Faro, Portugal. This development is bound to incur NFF’s wrath.

    According to Saturday’s edition of Express & Star, the wife of the Super Eagles’ forward, Sarah is expected to give birth to their first child in a fortnight. And Odemwingie, 31, has hinted that the arrival of their first child could force changes to his travel plans to team up with the Nigerian squad ahead of the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    He also informed that he might hold talks with the Nigerian selectors over the latest development.

    “I hope it won’t affect my involvement. You can’t predict what will happen but I hope for a scenario where it will be easy. The due date is about 10 days before the African Cup of Nations. Babies can be late, or early, but in this case I pray it’s earlier so everything will go smoothly. The preparation period (for the tournament) is usually about 10-14 days. Sometimes the home-based players start earlier. That will be discussed soon,” said the former Lokomotiv Moscow man.

    Odemwingie further revealed that he is always ready to work with current Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi. He is also looking forward to playing a key role at next year’s AFCON though he feels “bad” he will miss a handful of West Brom’s matches.

    “I will be playing (at the AFCON). There is no problem with the coach. I couldn’t make the last game for personal reasons. I am in his plans, we have spoken well and, as far as I’m concerned, I will be called up,” said the former Bendel Insurance striker.

    “It’s bad I will miss games for Albion because I am full of desire, we’ve had a good start and I want that to continue. But I’ve had to leave before when I played in France and Belgium. Steve Clarke has given me his blessing.

    “When we were due to play in Miami for a mid-week game (against Venezuela) and I came to the training ground he said ‘what are you doing here?’ He likes to encourage us to play (for our national teams). He thinks it makes us better. I have his blessing, which is a good thing. I’m confident Albion have a good squad to cope with this. We have options when myself and Youssouf (Mulumbu) are gone.”

    Odemwingie made his AFCON debut in 2004 and has gone on to appear more than 50 times for Nigeria’s Super Eagles.

  • Akpoborie: Eagles need luck to excel

    Akpoborie: Eagles need luck to excel

    Former Nigeria international, Jonathan Akpoborie has declared that the Super Eagles will only win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations if they have luck on their side.

    Akpoborie noted that the team is not ripe enough to win the trophy because the squad is just evolving. He told Goal.com that he is not a pessimist, but is merely stating the obvious so that Nigerians will not expect too much from the players.

    “Stephen Keshi has done well. The players have responded to training and have shown enough commitment,” said Akpoborie. “There is a new playing culture in the team where the players are not sure of their positions again. The atmosphere is good for the team, but re-building a team takes more than two years to begin to see the benefits.

    “We have good players that are ready to write their names in gold, but the Nations Cup might be coming too soon for them. For the Super Eagles to make it in South Africa, they will need a lot of luck. The atmosphere must be right for them at all times in every match.

    “Without luck I don’t see Nigeria laying their hands on the trophy. And for you to have the luck, you must train and prepare very well. You don’t just sit down and expect that luck will shine on you. You must do your part by preparing very well.

    “I think the team is preparing well and what they now need is for luck to come their way in the tournament,” Akpoborie said. Nigeria will play in Group C alongside Zambia, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia.