The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • VENEZUELA VS NIGERIA FALLOUT: Eagles return without Keshi

    VENEZUELA VS NIGERIA FALLOUT: Eagles return without Keshi

    Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi will not return with the team which are expected tonight through Muritala Muhammad International airport aboard Delta Airline.

    He is to remain in the United States for a holiday with his family after Wednesday’s night international friendly between Nigeria and Venezuela.

    A top official of the Glasshouse told SportingLife under condition of anonymity that the Big Boss is expected back in the country from the second week of December.

    “He will not be returning with the squad to Nigeria. Already, the NFF president has granted him permission to spend some time with his family but we expect him to be back by the second week of December,” our source said.

    Dynamo Kiev forward, Brown Ideye, Igiebor Nosa and Ogenyi Onazi scored for the Super Eagles on the night as Nigeria beat Venezuela 3-1 in a friendly Wednesday night.

  • Eagles now ready for any team — Echiejele

    Eagles now ready for any team — Echiejele

    Super Eagles defender Elderson Echiejele has described the team’s win over Venezuela in a friendly encounter yesterday in Miami, Florida, as a morale-booster for the team as they prepare for the Africa Nations Cup holding in South Africa in January.

    Speaking immediately after the match in the early hours of Thursday, the former Bendel Insurance defender said the team needs such friendly matches to enable the players bond better. “We need these matches at this point in time, because it will help us to understand ourselves better.

    “It will also give the coaches the opportunity to look at other good players that may likely fit into the team,” Echiejele observed.

    He declared that the Super Eagles would surely be the team to beat when the AFCON tournament begins in the former Apartheid enclave. Echiejele, who could be making his second appearance at the Nations Cup in January, said the introduction of new players in the match against Venezuela really helped the team to find their rhythm in the second half of the game.

    He assured Nigerians that the team will continue to improve with subsequent matches. Echiejele also gave kudos to the home based players that featured in the defence along with him.

  • 3SC fans chase away ‘old timer’ Akubuike

    3SC fans chase away ‘old timer’ Akubuike

    Fans power was on full display when 3SC fans rejected prospective signing veteran goalkeeper Uche Akubuike, insisting he is past his prime.

    Akubuike trained on Monday and it was the first and last time he would train with the Ibadan club as fans protested against any plans to sign him. He would later be sent off by the club management the following day.

    “The fans protested that Akubuike cannot help their club battle for top honours in the coming season because his better days are behind him. The management therefore did very well to listen to their misgivings because a day after he trained with the team, they gave him transport money to return to his base,” a top source informed MTNFootball.com.

    Akubuike was considered for a place in Nigeria’s final squad for the 1998 World Cup in France. He has played for several top local teams including Enyimba, Gombe United as well as in South Africa and Asia.

  • Bright Dike: I want to be at next year’s Nations Cup

    Bright Dike: I want to be at next year’s Nations Cup

    Super Eagles new call-up Bright Dike has told MTNFootball.com in an exclusive interview from Miami he is looking forward to making it to next year’s AFCON.

    Congratulations Bright on your invitation to the Super Eagles?

    Thank you.

    How did you receive the news of your invitation?

    I was very happy when I got the news, though I knew I would get a chance to play for Nigeria if I kept doing well, but I must say this was a dream come true. It’s every player’s dream to get chance to represent his country. I will do my best to justify this call-up.

    Tell us a little more about yourself.

    I’m 25 years old, an attacking midfielder who plays for Portland Timbers in the MLS.

    How much do you know about Nigerian football?

    I know about the national team and I do follow them. I know a lot about Nigerian players in their clubs.

    Based on your assessment, who is the best player ever from Nigeria?

    That has to be ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha. He was a wonderful player. He was so talented that he could do whatever he liked with ball.

    When was the last time you visited Nigeria?

    I was there last Christmas.

    Who is your role model?

    My parents. They showed me the way, they are always supportive and lead me through the right path.

    What are your dreams with the Eagles?

    I want to be a regular face in the team and get a chance to play at next year’s Nations Cup. That will be a great achievement for me. I would be honoured to be in South Africa to represent my country.

    What clubs have you played for?

    I played for University of Notre Dame. I also played for Indiana Invaders and Los Angeles Blues.

    What are your dreams as a footballer?

    I want to play at top level for both club and country. I want to play in the UEFA Champions League, Nations Cup and World Cup. I love the English Premier League and would be thrilled to play for Chelsea or Arsenal.

    When was the best moment of your career so far?

    That was when I scored my first-ever hat-trick as a professional. It was in the US Open Cup in 2010 against Kitsap Puma.

  • Super Falcons job: Mabo tips Akide, Omagbemi

    Super Falcons job: Mabo tips Akide, Omagbemi

    Former Super Falcons Coach Ismaila Mabo has given suggestion of a possible way out for the country’s female football team after the disastrous outing in Equatorial Guinea.

    Mabo who could easily pass as one of if not the most successful handler of the Super Falcons Wednesday advised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to appoint a capable former Flacons players to replace erstwhile coach Kadiri Ikhana.

    According to the Jos-born coach, several former players like Mercy Akide, Florence Omagbemi, Patience Avre, Nkiru Okosieme amongst others who have since gone into coaching will make good replacement for Coach IKhana.

    “I will advise the NFF to look at the direction of former Super Falcons players that have contributed well to development of women football, many of them are into coaching now; I think they should be given the opportunity to contribute their quota,” said Mabo who has won many laurels with the Falcons on several occasions.

    Futaa.com further checks reveals that the likes of Akide, Omagbemi, Avre, Okosieme have all acquired coaching certificates that could qualify them for a look-in by the country’s football authorities.

  • Moyes celebrates Anichebe

    Moyes celebrates Anichebe

    Everton boss David Moyes admits the emergence of James Vaughan and Victor Anichebe was one of last season’s biggest positives.

    The academy graduates were key factors in the club’s qualification for next season’s UEFA Cup after cementing places in the first-team squad.

    Moyes told EvertonTV: “It has been a great boost to bring those two boys through. Victor kicked on in pre-season and did well in the earlier part of the season. James was struggling to jog following his bad knee injury and it was becoming frustrating for him the longer it went.

    “We discussed putting him out on loan but in the end we stuck with him and he ended up finishing the season in great form.”

  • Dolphins plan mass signings

    Dolphins plan mass signings

    Nigeria Premier League (NPL) club, Dolphins will sign eight new players ahead of the 2012/13 season.

    The three-time NPL kings have already commenced preparations for the new season with the players retained for the new season training twice daily in Port Harcourt.

    Manager of the club, Stanley Eguma said some of the eight players have already arrived Port Harcourt and have been training with the rest of the squad.

    “We are looking at signing about eight new players for the new season. Some of the invited players have already started training with us while the others are expected to join us very soon,” he said.

    Meanwhile the team will depart for Nnewi for their 2012/13 pre-season camping exercise. Eguma said Calabar was also considered for the exercise with the management of the club eventually setting for the former.

    “The two most important factors we considered were proximity and the comfort the venue will give to our players. We believe we will have the best possible preparation in Nnewi where concentration away from prying eyes, is expected to be at it’s maximum,” he said.

    Dolphins escaped relegation on the final day of the 2010/11 season which they finished in 11th place with 50 points from 36 matches.

  • EPL TITLE PUSH: Osaze’s manager warns of complacency

    EPL TITLE PUSH: Osaze’s manager warns of complacency

    Osaze Odemwingie’s boss at West Brom Steve Clarke has urge the Nigerian and his teammates to retain their focus following their impressive start to the season.

    The Baggies are currently fifth in the Premier League table having picked up six wins and 20 points from their opening 11 fixtures but Clarke will not allow complacency to creep in.

    The West Brom boss was a member of the Chelsea side who appeared on course to launch a title challenge in the first ever Premier League season at Christmas, but nearly became involved in a relegation battle after a dramatic dip in form, and Clarke is keen to avoid a similar scenario as a manager.

    Clarke believes the Baggies deserve their current lofty position in the Premier League table but he has called on his side to keep their focus as he is well aware that the situation can quickly change with a few bad results.

    “We are where we are for a reason and because we deserve to be there,” said the boss.

    “The games we’ve played, we’ve accumulated a good number of points. But it is a dangerous league if you look too far ahead.

    He added: “We have to keep our focus on what we are trying to do, which is picking up points from game to game.”

  • Bosso quits Wikki Tourists 

    Bosso quits Wikki Tourists 

    Wikki Tourists Technical Adviser, Isa Ladan Bosso, has resigned his appointment with the club just after one year in charge, SportingLife can reveal.

    The former Flying Eagles coach officially tendered his resignation letter on Wednesday which was addressed to the State Commissioner for Sports and team secretary.

    Bosso, who joined the club at the beginning of the 2010/2011 season after they gained promotion to the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), expressed his gratitude to the club for the opportunity to lead the team.

    In his resignation letter made available to SportingLife, Bosso said: “Sir, l want to use this medium to formally inform you of my decision to part ways with the team for now. Sir, l have enjoyed a healthy working relationship with you and will always remain loyal and grateful to you, supporters of the team, state government and the entire people of Bauchi State for all their support and commitment. Please take it as destiny. May Allah continue to guide, protect and bless you and the team abundantly.”

    The former Kano Pillars coach has, however, said he is open for discussions with any interested club for the coming season.

    “I wish to declare myself free for discussion with any interested club,” Bosso said.

    SportingLife understands that the Wikki Tourists management has already invited three top Nigeria coaches for interview for Bosso’s replacement.

    It was learnt that eight prominent coaches applied for the vacant job initially while only three were shortlisted.

    Former chief coach of Nasarawa United Bala Nyku tops the list of candidates.

  • Flying Eagles resume camp in Jan.

    Flying Eagles resume camp in Jan.

    National U-20 head coach John Obuh has revealed to SportingLife in Abuja that his team will resume camping in January for the Africa Youth Championship holding in Algeria in March next year.

    According to him, he expected the team to begin camping this month to enable them fine tune themselves before the christmas and new year holidays.

    He said: “This becomes necessary if we consider that bulk of players are drawn from the local league, and the league is not on, and there is no possibility that it would start now.

    “So we wanted to begin now, play some friendly matches, before resuming fully in January. But the way things are now, and the league may not start so soon, it would have a serious negative effect on us, and that means we have to start off possibly by the 2nd January to enable me do something before the AYC, you know the AYC is very difficult to play. I prefer the World Youth Championship than the Africa Youth Championship.”

    He said that the weather condition in Algeria as at that time would determine his choice of camping site. “We would have to start at home first, but Abuja is entirely out of it, we would look for a remote area that has all the facilities we need , before moving out of the shores of the country,” he said.

    “Before, we would go for our final preparation, we would take a look at the quality of friendly matches we would get, and what other countries that are in our group are doing, and moreover the character of play of our players before finally taken a decision.”