The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Atleti form pleases Simeone

    Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone was very happy with his team’s display in Sunday’s 4-0 win over Sevilla at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.

    Atleti have been in fine form since the start of this season, rising to second in La Liga to sit three points behind leaders Barcelona and eight ahead of rivals Real Madrid.

    As they head into the Madrid derby next weekend, Los Colchoneros have only lost once on the road this term, while being unbeaten at home.

    Los Rojiblancos haven’t won at the Bernabeu in 13 years, and while Simeone will be keen to change that, he’s focusing on one game at a time for now.

    “I am very happy with what the players have done,” Simeone told ESPN in his post-match interview.

    “From 13 games we have 11 wins, one draw and one defeat, and that is some achievement by the players.

    “The truth is I am very satisfied with what they are doing and hope they can keep competing like this.

    “We always work the same way, going from game to game.

    “We are looking toward the game on Wednesday and respecting Jaen and that competition. We must keep moving along the same line.

    “A derby is always a special game, but when Wednesday’s match is over there will be time to talk it.”

     

  • Ogun wins its first gold medal

    Ogun wins its first gold medal

    • Amosun charges athletes, officials to obey rules

    Ogun State has won its first medal at the ongoing 18th National Sport Festival, Eko 2012.

    Marvis Enoruwa won the medal for the state in the 200 metres male sprint cycling event. Meanwhile, Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has charged all the participants and the officials to compete according to the rules governing the festival.

    Speaking through the press officer of the state ministry of youth and sport, Rotimi Oduniyi, Amosun said it is through respecting the rules that the festival can achieve the aims and objectives of its founding fathers.

    While urging the winners of different sports and events to be magnimous in victory, he called on the refrees and judges to be free, fair and interpret the laws governing their different sports without any fear or favour.

    The governor also used the opportunity to wish all the participants, organisers and all others associated with the games the best of luck as the festival enters its competition stage.

     

  • NFF meets Wednesday on AFCON, others

    NFF meets Wednesday on AFCON, others

    The Nigeria Football Federation will meet on Wednesday in Abuja to deliberate on among other things the country’s preparation for next year’s African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    MTNFootball.com reports that the NFF executive committee will also discuss the issues concerning the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), which has caused a delay in the kick-off of the new season.

    President of the NFF, Aminu Maigari, told MTNFootball.com several other issues concerning the game will be discussed at the meeting.

    Maigari maintained that the board members are united and committed to deliver results.

    “There is no crack whatsoever in the executive committee of the NFF.

    “Even in a family, members disagree to agree and this is what is happening, but on Wednesday all issues would be put to rest,” he said.

    Maigari also confirmed that the NFF Annual General Assembly will take place in Port Harcourt on December 13 despite opposition by some stakeholders after the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amechi, dismissed the NFF as a corrupt body recently.

    “The AGA will take place on December 13 in Port Harcourt. Arrival of delegates is December 12 and on the morning of December 13, we will pay the Governor a courtesy call,” he disclosed.

     

  • ‘Klopp’s behaviour on officials too aggressive’

    ‘Klopp’s behaviour on officials too aggressive’

    The German chief of referees Lutz-Michael Froehlich has condemned the behaviour of Borussia Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp, accusing him of setting a bad example to others in the domestic game.

    The former Fifa referee, speaking in an interview, was criticial of Klopp and his often emotional conduct on the sidelines.

    “Although if Klopp always says ‘sorry,’ in the end something sticks,” he told Deutschland Radio. “Sometimes his behaviour has such an aggressive potential that violent excesses may arise based on it.”

    However, die Schwarzgelben chief Hans-Joachim Watzke was quick to defend the 45-year-old former Mainz trainer, completely refuting the accusations.

    “This is strong stuff and completely wrong in my eyes,” he was quoted as saying by Bild.

    “We’re comparing apples and oranges here. Mr. Froehlich should recognise that we have led the [Bundesliga] Fairplay Table for years- and we are on top again this season.

     

     

    “Our coach is primary responsible for that. Jurgen Klopp is dedicated and impulsive during the match, but not aggressive.”

  • Redknapp: QPR in deeper trouble than Spurs were

    Harry Redknapp says he faces a bigger challenge to help QPR avoid relegation than he did when he took over at Tottenham.

    The new R’s boss has earned his reputation from spells at Portsmouth and Spurs, both of whom were in dire straits when he took over but he managed to guide them to safety.

    It has not always worked though, and he was unable to keep Southampton in the top flight eight seasons ago.

    And, worryingly for QPR, who after their Old Trafford defeat travel to Sunderland for Redknapp’s first game in charge on Tuesday, their manager views the present situation as far more perilous than the one he inherited at Tottenham.

    “We’re deeper in,” Redknapp told BBC Radio Five Live’s Sportsweek programme.

    “We’re 13 games gone rather than eight and, let’s be honest, Tottenham should not have ended up in that position at that stage because they had a fantastic squad.

    “We’ve got to get cracking quickly.

    “The target is fourth from bottom. We’ve just got to get out of trouble. Four points from 13 makes it very difficult but we’ve got to do it.”

  • Abutu dumps Lobi for Sharks

    Abutu dumps Lobi for Sharks

    A FORMER Lobi Stars defensive midfielder, Jonah Abutu has teamed up with Garden-City favourites Sharks FC for the 2012/13 campaign.

    The ex- Dolphin ace told SportingLife that he was looking forward to another title challenge when the season’s hostilities commence.

    “It’s nice to return to Port Harcourt again…That’s the beauty of the game. With a new lease of life and a return to popular terrain, I’m looking to improve on my game this coming campaign. Sharks are a big side by all standards in the Nigeria Premier League and I’m looking forward to building a harmonious relationship with the new manager (Austin Eguavoen) and my new teammates,” he said.

    On his stay with Lobi Stars that saw them miss out in both the NPL crown and the NPL title, the powerful shooting midfielder said: “My stay in Makurdi will always be memorable by all standard.”

    ”Despite not winning the league or the Federation Cup, I want to say that it was nice being part of the squad and want to thank all that made my stay eventful. I wish them well in the forthcoming campaign,” added Abutu, who previously enjoyed the honour of claiming the NPL diadem with Bayelsa United in 2008/09 season.

  • Schumacher’s fans hail their departing hero

    Schumacher’s fans hail their departing hero

    Michael Schumacher’s fans made their presence felt at the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday as the seven times Formula One champion prepared to say farewell to the sport at the age of 43.

    “On 25 Nov 2012, last day of the golden age of F1,” declared one banner in the grandstand overlooking the main Interlagos straight. “Michael, F1 is nothing without you” and “Michael, we love you,” said others.

    Schumacher will start the race in 13th place, hoping to finish in the points at least at the end of a career that started in 1991 when Red Bull’s current world champion Sebastian Vettel was four years old.

    “We’re not really in a position to offer a lot of fireworks in this last race although I wish to do,” the German said, standing next to championship leader Vettel on a truck as they went around the circuit for the pre-race drivers’ parade. “It’s been a pleasure to come back,” added the sport’s most successful driver, who won his titles and 91 races with Benetton and Ferrari before returning with Mercedes.

    “I enjoyed most of it. It wasn’t as successful as we wanted it to be but still I learned a lot for life and I’m quite glad for the good emotions again. Now is a good time to go…”

    Schumacher retired for the first time in Brazil in 2006 and came back in 2010. With Mercedes, he has just one podium finish to his credit, at the European Grand Prix in Valencia this season. The German has not scored a point in his last six races.

     

  • AHEAD 2013 AFCON NEW HAIR-DO FOR IDEYE

    AHEAD 2013 AFCON NEW HAIR-DO FOR IDEYE

    Dumps mohawk

    SUPER EAGLES forward, Brown Ideye has jettisoned the famous Mohawk hairstyle for a clean shave ahead of the 2013 AFCON in South Africa next January.

    The Nigeria international who scored a brace, his 12th Ukraine Premier League goal in Dynamo Kiev’s 4-0 win over Arsenal Kiev last weekend, told SportingLife that he was looking forward to better performance on the pitch.

    “Hopefully, I hope to do more with this new look. Thank God for giving me two more goals last Sunday. Definitely, we are course of meeting the goals target for the season. However, I look forward to keep giving my best for both club and country in the months ahead,” Ideye said.

    The former Sochaux and Ocean Boys ace also alerted his followers on social networks through his Twitter account, @Ideyebrown11 regarding his looks before his brace over the weekend.

    “New look!! What a wonderful day to start a week,” tweeted Ideye, who is fondly called ‘Eshin’ by fans and admirers.

  • AFCON 2013 SHOCKER Keshi drops Martins

    AFCON 2013 SHOCKER Keshi drops Martins

    LEVANTE of Spain striker Obafemi Martins may not be selected in the Super Eagles list for the African Cup of Nations next January. Close source to coach Stephen Keshi informed on Monday that the handler has completed his list of attackers, and Martins was not part of the list.

    “Martins may not make it to AFCON next year. Keshi has completed his list of attackers for the Nations Cup,” the source told futaa.com on Monday.

    Martins, however, has a slim chance of making the team if any of the listed attackers get injured.

    “Keshi has placed him on standby, just incase anything happens to the listed players,” the source added.

    Martin was among the players paraded in Miami USA in an international friendly against Venezuela on November 14. His performance was reportedly not convincing for Keshi, and that may have led to the latest development.

  • Saviola hails ´perfect´ Malaga

    Saviola hails ´perfect´ Malaga

    Malaga forward Javier Saviola has hailed his club’s win over Valencia, after they romped to a 4-0 home triumph on Saturday.

    Goals from Francisco Portillo, Saviola, Roque Santa Cruz and Isco ensured the Andalusian club took all three points away from the clash.

    Malaga rose to fourth in La Liga after the win, on 22 points after 13 matches, and the Argentine said it could not have gone much better for the hosts.

    The forward told reporters after the match: “We knew that we could not make mistakes against Valencia, they are a great team. They have many balanced players, ones who can win football games.

    “We played a great game in all three areas of the pitch. We knew what our job was and we executed it to perfection.”

    When quizzed whether the Champions League contenders are back on track, Saviola added: “The team played a great game today. We hit a high level today, as we showed at the beginning of the league season, and we hope to continue that way.”

    Saviola joined on the final day of the Spanish transfer window from Benfica, and he believes that the move has refuelled his hunger to succeed.

    “I’m very happy here,” the Argentine continued. “The team lived up to my expectations. I’m very happy at Malaga and I feel very good within the team.”

    “It makes me happy the way the team is playing at the moment, and we are doing everything great.”