The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Maigari, envoys assure of FG support for Eagles

    Maigari, envoys assure of FG support for Eagles

    Nigeria’s Consul General in New York, Ambassador Jeffrey Temilabe, was overjoyed by the Super Eagles victory over Venezuela on Wednesday night in Miami, Florida, United States.

    Addressing the team after the match in the company of the Nigerian Ambassador to Argentina, Ambassador Chive Ignatius Kaave, Temilabe said the Eagles are bringing back memories of when the team was the dominant force in African football by winning the Nations Cup in 1994 and the Olympics Gold Medal at the Atlanta ’96 Olympic Games.

    He assured he will put in words at the highest level of governance for the team to be well supported ahead of the Nations Cup championship in South Africa next year.

    On his part, Kaave, who was a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, thanked the team and particularly Keshi for returning the country to its glory days in football. “This team must be supported at all times because I see a trophy coming soon to Nigeria through the hard work that has been put in here,” Kaave said.

    NFF President Aminu Maigari, told the team not to fret over support from government as he has President Goodluck Jonathan assurance to give the team backing at all times. “The President I’m sure must have watched you play and as he told you when he visited, you will not lack any form of support, let’s just keep the flag flying at all times,” he said.

    Meanwhile, excited residents of Miami city say they want the Nigerian national team back soonest following their exciting display against Venezuela. Marcos Bandwitch, a fan of Venezuela, said: “We want you to come back and play here and make us love football more because baseball is our game here but you have made us like football very well now.”

    On his part Gi Carlos, a Brazilian, who was attached to the Eagles team, said after he got a green white shirt from one of the players that he can’t wait to see Nigeria play again in Miami. “You guys were simply fantastic and we want you back against any team here at Marlins Park,” he said.

    Incidentally, Nigeria and Venezuela are the first team to play a soccer game at the Marlins Park, which was built only eight months ago.

  • Otorogu scores again for Rangers

    Otorogu scores again for Rangers

    Ezenwa Otorogu scored again as Rangers turned back Awka-based amateur side Lifelight FC 4-0 in a pre-season game on Wednesday.

    Coach of the non-league outfit and former midfielder of Gabros International and Lobi Stars, Chucks Ndigwe, told MTNFootball.com: “It was a very good experience for us and we are going back with our heads held high.

    “We have learnt some new things that will surely help us in the future. Rangers are a good side any day, you can’t take that away from them, but I am happy with our second-half display.”

    Rangers coach Okey Emordi stated the game with almost all the players who helped him secure a CAF Champions League ticket last season and he was handsomely rewarded as a brace from Efe Yarhere on 30th and 38th minutes followed by a Dada Bitrus 12th minute strike to end the first half 3-0.

    On resumption, a new set of players mostly those on trials for a place in the team were thrown into the fray and it was Otorogu who stepped up to stab home the fourth goal in the 65th minute from the penalty spot after he was upended on his way to goal.

    Dada Bitrus was a delight to watch as he combined beautifully well with Sunday Chinedu to strike a good midfield play that drew applause from the few spectators on hand to watch the game.

  • Moses to sign in Chelsea’s mega store

    Moses to sign in Chelsea’s mega store

    Super Eagles ace, Victor Moses and Chelsea’s two other latest signing, Eden Hazard and Cesar Azpilicueta will appear in the Stamford Bridge Megastore on Friday 23 November.

    The Nigerian, who joined the club over the course of the summer, will be appearing between 4.30-5.30pm to sign copies of The Official Chelsea Annual 2013, and supporters are advised to arrive early in order to avoid disappointment.

    Moses, meanwhile, was the hero of Chelsea’s 3-2 Champions League victory against Shakhtar Donetsk last week when he came off the bench to head home a last-gasp winner.

    Hazard has enjoyed a solid start to his Chelsea career, featuring in every game thus far and scoring three goals, including a memorable strike in the 4-1 win over Norwich City.

    Azpilicueta has been gradually eased into the side by Roberto Di Matteo, but the Spanish right-back has played the full 90 minutes in our last two league games, including a decent display against Liverpool last Sunday.

  • Fans bid N320K for Mikel, Moses poppy shirts

    Fans bid N320K for Mikel, Moses poppy shirts

    Super Eagles duo of John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses are the toast of delight for Stamford Bridge fans as there has been a mad rush for their signed poppy-embroidered match shirts which they worn in last Sunday 1-1 draw game against Liverpool.

    The shirts which were put up for grabs on eBay by the club with a view of raising further funds for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal has on Thursday seen 31 fans bid for Mikel shirt as the value stood at £660 (about N165, 381).

    Moses got 26bids for his signed poppy shirt as the value of the bid stood at £620.00 (N155, 358).

    All money raised will go towards the Poppy Appeal, which helps raise funds for men and women from the armed forces and their families, offering financial, social and emotional support through the Royal British Legion charity.

  • Igiebor’s wonder goal excites Keshi

    Igiebor’s wonder goal excites Keshi

    Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi was in his boisterous best at the end of the friendly encounter between his team and the Venezuelan national team, which was won 3-1, by Nigeria.

    Speaking at the post-match conference, Keshi said he was simply excited by the performance of his players especially the newcomers to the team.

    “But look at that goal by Nosa Igiebor, it was a television goal and I was excited when it came; it shows we can do great things if we psyche ourselves up very well. At half time, I told them, put the ball on the ground and play quick and the goals will come and I was not surprised that once they did that the goals started to come. Like I will always say, it’s still work in progress and we can only get better”, he said.

    Keshi also had special words for Eagles debutants, Shola Ameobi, who does not speak a word of Yoruba and Bright Dike, who is also handicapped in Igbo. “Shola was awesome the moment he got into the pitch. He showed his experience in the game and even when he was provoked his calmness was amazing. He was talking to the other players on what to do at a time we were under pressure and he was resilient, we sure need his experience for big tournaments. Look at the way and manner he shielded the ball, evaded being brought down before passing to Mba, who also gave it to Onazi for our third goal, Shola is a special player”.

    On Dike, he said the power playing forward has a future with the national team. “He’s quick, aggressive and always coming back to defend and it was difficult for anyone to say this was the first time he was playing for Nigeria. I’m so happy that Bright did not disappoint and we will see when camp opens what he can do for the team.

    Keshi also applauded the entire team but noted that his defence line was a bit shaky, because gangling defender, Azubuike Egwueke was suffering from back pains. “We just asked him to hand on and he did very well, otherwise every other person in the defence line was very good.

    Nigeria, Keshi noted, was gradually returning to the days of honour in football and he’s happy to be part of the rebuilding process. “Let us all join hands to return the game to the heights that it was when we were playing, no matter the grouse we may have”, he said.

  • Keshi is Home Eagles’ Messiah – Egwuekwe

    Keshi is Home Eagles’ Messiah – Egwuekwe

    Super Eagles defender Azubuike Egwuekwe has described Coach Stephen Keshi as a true Messiah of Nigerian football. Speaking after the friendly match in Miami, Florida on Thursday, the hard-tackling Warri Wolves defender said Stephen Keshi had revolutionalised the sport in the country.

    Egwuekwe began: “He has given hope and confidence to all home based players. He has made every player to start taking the game serious, knowng full well that you stand the chance of being given a chance in the senior national team.

    “Keshi has given us the privilege to serve our fatherland, and we will not allow it to slip. One does not need to play overseas before being given an opportunity in the national team, thus we have no option than to continue to pray to God to see him through in all his endeavours.”

    Continuing, the towering defeder said: “It is because of this, that I’m always happy whenever I’m putting on the national colours. There is always a spirit in me that makes me feel brave, and to try as much as possible to do impossible things on the pitch. I am a very fulfilled man now, that I am serving my fatherland in that capacity.”

    On the possibility of the Eagles making an impact in South Africa next year, the hard working defender said: “Yes, we are going to do well in the tournament. We have all it takes to move out of our group in the tournament, it is after that we would start thinking of winning the trophy or not.”

    On the friendly match against Venezuela, he said Coach Keshi just told them to go into the match and play their normal game, while not giving the opponent the opportunity to dictate the pace of the game for them.

  • Imoke to flag off Obudu race

    Imoke to flag off Obudu race

    CROSS River state Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke (CON) will flag off the 8th edition of the Obudu international mountain race tomorrow at the Obudu Ranch resort in Obudu, Cross River state.

    Governor Imoke, according to William Archibong, chairman of the Local Organising Committee for the race, has accepted to once again flag off this year’s race which will witness the staging of the fourth edition of the African Nations Mountain Running Championships for both men and women.

    “His Excellency, the executive Governor of Cross River state, Senator Liyel Imoke (CON) has graciously accepted to flag off tomorrow’s race at the mountain resort in Obudu. He will be assisted by Bruno Gozzelino, the president of the world mountain running association and chief Solomon Ogba, president of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria,” said Archibong.

    Meanwhile the LOC has revealed an unchanged prize money outlay for this year’s edition.Two years ago the total prize money for the 6th edition of the race was increased by over $35,000 by the organisers following the introduction of the women’s version of the African Nations Mountain Running Championship.

    The total prize money which went up from $245,500 to $278,000 has been retained for this year’s edition.The prize money for the first to the 10th position for this year’s race remain the same with the winners in each gender category going home with $50,000 each while $20,000 and $9,000 respectively will go to the second and third placed finishers.

    The prizes for 4th -10th placed finishers in each category also remain at $4,500, $4,000, $3,000, $2,500, $2,000, $1,500 and $1,000 respectively.

    Archibong explains the reason for the retention of last year’s prize money structure for the 7th edition which holds at the Obudu Ranch Resort in Obudu,Cross River state.

    “His Excellency, the executive governor of Cross River state wants the race to maintain its status as the highest paying mountain race in the world. He is happy with the way the competition has been organised since its maiden edition in 2005 and wants us to make this year’s event even bigger and better in terms of the technical organisation of the race as well as the quality of athletes who will participate,” he said.

  • NIGERIA 3-1 VENEZUELA: Igiebor celebrates stunning strike

    NIGERIA 3-1 VENEZUELA: Igiebor celebrates stunning strike

    Real Betis attacking midfielder, Nosakhare Emmanuel Igiebor has reacted to the sensational 40 yard strike he rifled home for Super Eagles’ second goal against Venezuela in a friendly match on Wednesday night in Miami,United States.

    Igiebor who bagged his second goal in 4 games for the Eagles said though he was thrilled to have found the back of the net again but was happier that Nigeria got the morale boosting win as they kick started the build up to the Africa Cup of Nations competition slated for South Africa next year.

    In a chat with SportingLife on the social media, the one time Lillestrom SK(Norway) and Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel) player said that the whole members of the squad to the USA deserved commendation for fashioning a winning formula despite the brief period they had to train together prior to the match.

    He implored Nigerians to key into the rebuilding process presently being worked towards by Eagles boss Stephen Okechukwu Keshi and stressed that an implicit trust in the senior national team would bring about good tidings to the country in South Africa next January.

    “I am thrilled to have scored again but that should not overshadow the great work done by other members of the squad including the technical crew. We all gave our best and we are grateful that God granted it with this sweet victory.

    “Nigerians should support the Big Boss and ensure that he gives the country a winning and hungry for success squad to the next AFCON,” the Ex Warri Wolves’ player opined.

    Igiebor made his debut in an international friendly against Peru in Lima in May this year and was in the Eagles team to Liberia for the AFCON qualifiers in Monrovia and in Calabar. He has scored two goals in four matches for Nigeria.

  • NPL postpones 7th Annual Congress

    NPL postpones 7th Annual Congress

    The Nigeria Premier League (NPL) has announced the indefinite postponement of its 7th Annual Congress earlier scheduled for Saturday, November 17, 2012 in Kano.

    Executive Secretary of the league’s management board, Tunji Babalola, in a statement explained that the postponement was in compliance with the directive from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the nation’s apex football ruling body.

    “Following the directive of the Nigeria Football Federation to suspend all Pre-season activities, I have the instruction to inform all the clubs and other stakeholders that the Congress earlier scheduled to hold on the 17th of November, 2012 has been put on hold till further notice,” Babalola wrote in the memo dated Thursday, November 15, 2012 and sent to all the Premier League clubs and States Football Associations.

    Babalola added that the new date for the Congress will be communicated to the clubs and other stakeholders.

    Meanwhile, clubs that are yet to submit their registration materials for the 2012/2013 league season to the NPL secretariat in Abuja for processing have been strongly advised to do so without further delay.

    The NPL also advised the various clubs to intensify their preparations for the new season.

  • Rangers contacts Warri Wolves for Agbim

    Rangers contacts Warri Wolves for Agbim

    Management of Rangers International have begun the process of negotiation towards acquiring the services of three Warri Wolves players, Chigozie Agbim, Sunday Mba and Lazarus Chuckwu who have indicated their interest in shifting base to the Coal City team.

    This was revealed by the media officer of the Warri bases team, Moses Etu while speaking with journalists in Asaba on the level of preparation for the forth coming season.

    According to him, “officials of Rangers after last release has written to us officially that they are interested in the services of three of our players and we have asked them to come forward for negotiation.

    “I can confirm to you that the management of Rangers has decided to toe the path of honour by doing what they ought to do before luring the boys to Enugu. However, we are in possession of a letter from them indicating interest in three of our players and we are ready to listen to what they can offer. One thing is clear; they cannot go for coins as they are established players who have matured within the time they spent with us.We have transformed them and you can see that two of them are with the Super Eagles which is a stepping stone to playing abroad.”

    Meanwhile, the battle for the few shirts available in the team has become so difficult for the arrays of stars who are not too sure of whether they would scale through and have resorted to prayers and fasting.

    Some of the players who spoke on the condition of anonymity disclosed that in view of the caliber of players currently jostling for the few shirts, nobody is sure of the next line of action.

    “ Everyday, more players keep on coming and the coach has been allowing them to train with us, which means, nobody is sure of what is going to happen. The time is going and one will like to know the situation of things,” a player said.