The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Keshi: I’ll be fair with home-based players

    Keshi: I’ll be fair with home-based players

    Nigeria’s coach Stephen Keshi has vowed to be sincere with home-based players in his selection of players for the upcoming Nations Cup.

    Keshi is scheduled to commence Nigeria’s first phase of preparations for the tournament today in Abuja with 22 NPL players and the coach declared he still has a place for home-based players in his squad but was quick to add that any player that will make his team will be on top class form to go with total commitment.

    “I still have so much belief in the home-based players. I have been working with them for almost a year now and they have given us some bite in the team. Any player that want to play for Nigeria in the Nations Cup will have to be of high quality and must be ready to give a lot of sacrifice by giving his best to the team,” he said.

    Keshi added: “I have said it time and again that I don’t have preference for any set of players and I will be giving any good players the chance to play in my team. My selection will be fair, and will also be sincere in my selection of players. It’s up to the players to prove to me they want to play,” he said.

  • AFCON 2013: Samsung unveils plans to celebrate passion for African Football

    AFCON 2013: Samsung unveils plans to celebrate passion for African Football

    Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a global leader in digital media and digital convergence technologies, will leverage its smart products and technology to engage fans and create platforms to share their passion for football during the Orange Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) SOUTH AFRICA 2013, which will be held from 19 January to 10 February 2013.

    An official sponsor of the competition since 2008, Samsung will engage fans in and around the stadiums to further the excitement surrounding the tournament. Under the theme of ‘Our Passion Powers Africa’, Samsung will take a leading role in engaging the region by holding pre-tournament campaigns in seven countries, namely South Africa, Angola, the DRC, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Zambia.

    “Our sponsorship of the Orange AFCON SOUTH AFRICA 2013 is about bringing the passion and excitement of African football and this tournament to consumers,” said Mr. Sunny Hwang, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Sports Marketing at Samsung. “We are excited to be a part of this legacy and will provide fans with new experiences and opportunities to share their passion for football and the AFCON,”

    Football fans and consumers will be given unique opportunities to engage in the build-up to Orange AFCON SOUTH AFRICA 2013 with Samsung. The company will create 20 themed brand stores in six countries, namely the DRC, Ghana, the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, South Africa, and Zambia. These platforms will allow fans and customers to engage in various events and unique fan experiences before and during the tournament. Additionally, Samsung will use different online programs to ensure that fans and customers are connected across the continent while sharing their passion for football and Orange AFCON SOUTH AFRICA 2013.

    During the tournament, Samsung will also engage children through the ‘Dream the Blues’ initiative in Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa. This initiative is a football camp jointly organized by Samsung and the Chelsea Football Club, where six children will be given a chance to visit the United Kingdom, meet with the ‘Dream the Blues’ ambassadors Fernando Torres, Victor Moses, Oscar and Juan Mata, and attend a Chelsea FC home game during their stay.

  • Ethiopia coach vows to upset Nigeria

    Ethiopia coach vows to upset Nigeria

    Ethiopia’s coach Serum Kabede is keen to upset the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Chipolopolo of Zambia by claiming one of the two quarter final tickets in Group C of the 2013 Nations Cup.

    Kabede, who began training with the Walya Antelopes during the week said he is looking forward to cause a shock in the group by reaching the last-eight.

    Ethiopia used the senior CECAFA Challenge Cup as a build-up for the tournament in South Africa and despite being the dark horses in the group that also have Burkina Faso, Kabede said they are ready to upset the apple cart by securing a quarterfinal slot.

    Defending champions Zambia and returnees Nigeria are bookmakers’ favourites to qualify from the group. Ethiopia are making a comeback to the tournament after over three decades of absence.

     

  • South Africa Ambassador tips Eagles

    South Africa Ambassador tips Eagles

    The outgoing South Africa High Commissioner to Nigeria, Kingsley Mamabolo has tipped the Super Eagles to win next year’s Africa Cup of Nations holding in his country.

    “Let me first congratulate the Super Eagles of Nigeria for qualifying for the finals in South Africa. I would say honestly that Nigeria is among those countries that have been tipped to win the competition and we (South Africans) wish them well in the tournament.

    “I would also say that The Bafana Bafana also have a chance to win the competition like other qualified countries. There is also a possibility of Nigeria playing South Africa in the final. All these are possibilities in a game of football which I would also love to happen. But what I would say is that may the best team win”, Mamabolo told SportingLife in an exclusive chat in Abuja.

    The outgoing Envoy also revealed that his country has made fantastic preparations for Nigeria and other 15 countries that would storm South Africa for the competition holding between January 19th and February 10th, 2013.

    “We as the host country are ready, preparations-wise to take care of any eventualities that may surface during the tournament. We have put up good preparations as regards security, accomondation, other logistics. You will also agree with me that our hosting of what everybody considered as a good hosting of the 2010 World Cup has helped us tremendously in preparations for the SA 2013 AFCON”, Mamabolo boasted.

  • Kwara pounce on Abu Azeez

    Kwara pounce on Abu Azeez

    Supersand Eagles’ striker, Abu Azeez, has teamed up with Nigeria Premier League (NPL) club, Kwara United, supersport.com can confirm.

    The teenage forward sealed a one-year contract with the Afonja Warriors from Bridge FC just before the 2012 Copa Lagos Beach Soccer Worldwide kicked off.

    Azeez has already trained with Kwara United for three weeks before teaming up with the Supersand Eagles for their defence of the Copa Lagos though he is yet to be issued a squad number at his new club.

    “I’m so happy to have signed for Kwara United but I’m not fulfilled yet. I know it’s just a stepping stone. At least, I can showcase what I’ve got, and possibly earn a national call,” the former striker of Lagos-based club, Owibeseb FC.

    It will be Azeez’s debut season in the top flight and he has told supersport.com that he is not setting a target for himself.

    “I won’t do that just yet as it will be my first time in the Premier League and I don’t want to put myself under unneccesary pressure. But, I see myself doing well,” he remarked.

    Azeez, however, will not be short of companion and guidance at Kwara United as his Supersand Eagles’ teammate, Ogbonnaya Okemmiri is already a first-team member at the Premier League club. He will also team up with ex-colleagues, Fuad Ekelojuoti and Dare Ojo, who have signed for the club.

  • Mike Umeh warns Chelsea over Mikel

    Mike Umeh warns Chelsea over Mikel

    Nigeria Football Federation 1st vice president Mike Umeh has warned that Nigeria will not hesitate to report Chelsea to FIFA if they do not release midfielder John Obi Mikel on time for the forthcoming African Nations Cup in South Africa.

    Nigeria’s foreign-based professionals have been given up to the January 4 to report to camp but there are indications that Chelsea might want to want to hold on to the midfielder a bit longer and Umeh said the NFF will not hesitate to report the European champions to the World Football governing body.

    “The Nations Cup is a FIFA-recognised competition and we expect all the clubs in Europe including Chelsea to comply with the date for the release of players. Should they fail to comply, we have no other choice than to report them to FIFA.”

    Chelsea are in defending midfield crisis with Mikel’s back-up Orieul Romeu injured for the rest of the season and feelers suggests that the English club want to keep Mikel for few more days as they push for a top-four finish which would guarantee their return to the Champions League having crashed out of the competition few weeks ago.

    Chelsea will play QPR on January 2 which is suppose to be the player’s last game before joining Nigeria’s camp in Faro Portugal but there are indications that they will want the player to feature against Southampton and Stoke on January 5 and 12 in an FA Cup and League games respectively.

  • How Martins denied 7th goal

    How Martins denied 7th goal

    Super Eagles, Obafemi Martins was denied his 7th goal of the season as Levante moved back up into fifth in the Primera Division with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Real Zaragoza courtesy of Ruben Garcia’s first-half strike.

    The visitors had fired an early warning shot when Jose Barkero smashed a shot off the post, but they eventually went in front on 19 minutes when Garcia pounced on a loose ball bouncing around the Zaragoza area to slot home only his second senior goal.

    Martins, who is Levante’s top scorer with six goal was then denied his 7th goal of the campaign by an excellent stop from the Zaragoza keeper, but it was a different story after the break as Manolo Jimenez’s side imposed themselves with far greater purpose.

    Montanes’ cross-shot whistled just past Helder Postiga and the far post 12 minutes after the restart, while at the other end substitute Nabil El-Zhar should have wrapped up the points as he chose to go alone rather than squaring for the Nigerian and pulled his shot just wide.

    Zaragoza pushed hard for an equaliser after the break but they could not find a way through Levante’s resilient defence as efforts from Paco Montanes and Edu Oriol flew just off target, whilst a late penalty claim for a handball by Juanfran was waived away by Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva.

    Levante have made a habit of winning in the early Sunday game over the past few weeks, and they again adjusted quicker to the early start as Barkero very nearly put them ahead after just 12 minutes with a trademark long-range effort that came crashing back off the post.

    The hosts then had a good appeal for a penalty turned away as David Navarro appeared to catch Cristian Sapanaru with his elbow.

    And to add insult to the Romanian’s injury they were soon behind as the ball ricocheted off multiple Zaragoza players inside their own area and broke perfectly for Ruben to drill it low past Roberto.

  • Enyeama hosts Maccabi fans

    Enyeama hosts Maccabi fans

    Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama last week was on hand to host 100 of young Maccabi Tel Aviv fans at the Kiryat Shalom for a festive Hanukah happening and candle lighting event.

    The holiday was marked by special activities with the team fans as the Nigeria’s senior national soccer team captain was seen taking part in special activities with the fans, such as kicking over a wall of team stars, kicking into defined areas of the goal, photo ops with Maccabinio, doughnuts and many more.

    After enjoying the activities,Enyeama and his mates took pictures with the excited fans, greeted them and even conducted a festive candle lighting ceremony for the holiday.

  • Nigeria retains Copa Lagos

    Nigeria retains Copa Lagos

    Nigeria’s SuperSand Eagles defeated Portugal 8-7 to retain the trophy of the 2012 Copa Lagos at the Atlantic Beach Soccer Stadium yesterday.

    They edged Portugal’s Seleccao das Quinas 8-7, after coming from a five goal deficit to finish off the job in extra time after the three periods ended 7-7.

    On their way to the finals, the Nigerian side Nigeria defeated Lebanon 7-6 in their first match on Friday and on Saturday they thrashed Argentina 5-0.

    With this victory, the Coach Adamu Ejor-tutored side have won the second edition of the championship.

    Meanwhile, team captain, Isiaka Olawale compalined bitterly about the attitude of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) towards the team.

    Olawale told SportingLife after the finals that the NFF had not deemed it necessary to reward them financially despite also winning the maiden edition.

    He said: “We are still waiting for them since last year for them to reward us financially. You can see that it is not easy playing in the sand. After this we go back to the local league. We don’t have a league of our own. We need more players; we are just 10 with 5 officials”

    With this victory, the SuperSand Eagles will be getting set to participate in the Beach Football Nations Cup slated for Morocco in March.

  • Keshi bars gatecrashers

    Keshi bars gatecrashers

    Nigeria’s senior team’s manager Stephen Keshi has stated categorically that he would chse out any uninvited player who storms the Super Eagles’ Bolton White Hotel in Abuja or its training grounds from today.

    Disclosing this exclusively to SportingLife on telephone from Benin City on Sunday afternoon on his way to Abuja, Keshi revealed that he would not tolerate any new player in the camp as he thinks that they would only be distracting the others, adding that: “Those who would be picked have been through my training sessions and know what I want with every new directive.

    “Besides, the camp invited players only. Even if anyone invited is injured, we will not call up any new player since we have factored such incidents into our list of players for the competition. I will stick with those who I have worked with throughout the qualifiers. Anyone outside this arrangement must be exceptionally good, hence I have also listed those who played in international friendly games in the absence of some of our big boys, like you in the media call them.

    “The Euro-based stars’ list would be out on Tuesday and I can tell you for a fact that those picked know already why. Those not selected have been informed exactly the criteria I used in my selection exercise. That is the way it is done in Europe and I just have to adopt it. They are professionals and need to be treated with respect. It is quite demeaning for them to read of their exclusion in the media,” Keshi said.