The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • DUNDEE UNITED 2-2 CELTIC: Ambrose’s own goal stops Celtic’s win

    DUNDEE UNITED 2-2 CELTIC: Ambrose’s own goal stops Celtic’s win

    Super Eagles and Celtic ace Efe Ambrose prevented his side from running away with a victory against homers Dundee United Sunday after he put teammate Barry Douglas’ cross past his own goalkeeper Forster.

    The Hoops were leading through goals from Miku, his first for the club since signing on loan from Getafe in the summer, and Tony Watt and looked certain to take all three points.

    However, in the final minute of normal time United substitute Gary Mackay-Steven scored and then Ambrose converted Douglas’ cross to leave the tie at 2-2

    United boss Peter Houston, who watched his side lose against Hearts on penalties in their Scottish Communities League Cup quarter-final in midweek, was delighted at taking a point from a game that looked all over when Watt scored with 10 minutes remaining.

    It was not the same however for Celtic boss Neil Lennon who was left bemused along with Celtic travelling fans by Efe’s unexpected blunder.

  • Salisu Yusuf replaces Eguavoen at Enyimba

    Salisu Yusuf replaces Eguavoen at Enyimba

    Enyimba Int’l FC have appointed Salisu Yusuf as Technical Adviser of the club.

    The former Super Eagles assistant coach begins his appointment immediately after signing the contract papers at the club’s base in Aba on Saturday.

    Chief Executive Officer of Enyimba, Felix Anyansi-Agwu told EnyimbaFC.net after the signing event that the appointment of Salisu Yusuf is an excellent choice.

    “I believe Salisu Yusuf is the right man to move the club to where we want to go,” Anyansi said. “He has an outstanding reputation for his technical knowledge of the game and led Kano Pillars to their first league title. He also worked well with the Samson Siasia-led technical crew of the Super Eagles.”

    “Salisu shares our long-term ambitions and ethos of playing great football and winning trophies and I believe he will be able to do so now with all the support we will give him. Every member of Enyimba and the government of Abia State will give him everything he needs to succeed.

    “We are constantly trying to move Enyimba forward. It is important that we hire and work with people with great determination and spirit. This appointment is the first part of a process of putting the club firmly on the path to great success.”

    On his part, the newly appointed Technical Adviser said it was a honour to work with a well known club like Enyimba.

    “I feel honoured to be a part of Enyimba,” said Salisu. “This is one of the most well known clubs in Africa and I’m hopeful that at the end of the day, we can win a lot of trophies because when a club gets to the level where Enyimba is, only victory and success is acceptable.”

    The Zaria-born Salisu Yusuf replaces Austine Eguavoen and brings a wealth of experience to the Elephants after spells with the Super Eagles, Kano Pillars and Lobi Stars.

     

  • ROBERTO Di Matteo reveals : Moses, my trickster

    ROBERTO Di Matteo reveals : Moses, my trickster

    Depite his ward’s inability to overcome Swansea at away on Saturday, Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo has given Nigeria international Victor Moses a pat on the back not only for shining like a million stars in the crunchy tie that ended 1-1, but also for scoring his first league goal for the side since arriving at the Stamford Bridge in the summer.

    “He has been doing very well, every time he has played he has performed well,” said the Italian.

    “He is still very young but there is a lot more to come from him and I was pleased with him.

    “He is a big threat, he has tricks and pace and is becoming more effective when he finds space,”

    Moses, who made his Chelsea debut against Queen Park Rangers, has since become a regular for the Champions League holders enjoying playing time in Champions League qualifiers, League Cup games and League games respectively. He was voted Man of the Match against Manchester United in the Capital One Cup game which Chelsea won 5-4

    The 20-year-old whose wife was recently delivered of a baby boy, made his Eagles debut as a substitute on 29 February 2012 against Rwanda. He scored his first goal for the Stephen Keshi-led side in the 6–1 demolition of the Lone Star of Liberia in an AFCON 2013 qualifier in Calabar

  • NASCOM board reconstituted

    NASCOM board reconstituted

    The Honourable Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bolaji Abdullahi has reconstituted the Board of the Nigeria Academicals Sports Committee (NASCOM).

    Businessman, sports philanthropist and enthusiast, Yemi Idowu, is the chair of the new Board. Idowu is a non- executive Director at Sterling Bank and the immediate past Chairman of Sterling Capital Plc. He is a patron of sports at the grassroots, with more than a decade experience in sponsorship and management of sports competitions and events. He is also a co-founder and Director of the successful Lagos Junior league and Chairman of Nath Boys Sports Club, an amateur youth sports organisation that owns Nath Boys Football Club, the current champion of the Lagos Junior premier league.

    The Ministry established NASCOM in 2010 to enhance talent identification and development at the grassroots, especially in schools. In order to ensure optimal fulfillment of this mandate, the Minister of Sports dissolved the previous Board chaired by former Nigerian footballer, Segun Odegbami earlier this year.

    The new Board members were carefully selected to reflect the Minister’s vision of a body that will be innovative and dynamic, with capacity to revive and enhance school sports.

    Other members of the new Board are:

    1. Ohimai Amaize

    2. Fela Bank-Olemo

    3. Ibrahim Mohammed

    4. Olabisi Joseph

    5. Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna

    6. Barrister Kola Olapoju

    7. Lawrence Oduah

    8. Felix Awoogu

    9. Victoria Roland Kayode

    10 Opeyemi Aminu

    The new Board will be inaugurated on Tuesday, November 6th, 2012 in Abuja.

  • Okocha, Siasia shine in Oritsejafor’s tourney

    Okocha, Siasia shine in Oritsejafor’s tourney

    Former Super Eagles stars Austin Okocha, Samson Siasia, Emmanuel Amunike, Babajide Oguntuwase and others thrilled a fairly large crowd that watched the Nigeria All Stars team’s 2-0 spanking of host team Delta All Stars in a novelty match played on Saturday at the Warri Township Stadium to mark the 40th Year Anniversary in Ministry of Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor the founder and General Overseer of Word of Life Bible Church, Nigeria and Overseas.

    The football match organised by the Celebrant’s wife Pastor Mrs Helen Oritsejafor and former Super Eagles defence stalwart, Taribo West brought together the best ever assembled ex- Super Eagles stars which included Austin Eguavoen, Nduka Ugbade, Henry Nwosu, Friday Ekpo, Uche Okechukwu, Taribo West who captained his side, Emeka Ezeugo, Jide Oguntuwase , Mutiu Adepoju, Ozogula, Samson Siasia, Austin Okocha and Emmanuel Amunike.

    As expected former Eagles Captain, Austin Okocha thrilled the fans in Warri with his football skills and artistry while combining effectively with Henry Nwosu and Mutiu Adepoju in the engine room of the team. It was one of his the defence splitting passes that freed Oguntuwase for the first goal in the fourth minute.

    Hard working Amunike scored the second goal in the seventh minute of the second half. All efforts by the Edema Fuludu-led Delta All Stars to come back from defeat in the 40 minutes game was to no avail as the match ended in 2-0.

    Speaking after the match former Super Eagles Chief Coach Samson Siasia revealed that: “This is a rare opportunity this game has afforded many of us to relate together like it used to be in those days when we played together. I really thank God for the life of Pastor Oritsejafor for what God has been using him to do for both the youths and the old in this nation. He has dedicated himself for over 40 years now for God’s work and he has made great impact in the lives of many in this country. I pray that God in His infinite mercies continue to prosper his life for His work.”

    Former Super Eagles defender Taribo West said: “Papa Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor is somebody I love with great passion and I am very fond of the family because he is my spiritual father. I discussed with his wife Mama to honour him in this great way for all he has done for mankind. He has touched numerous lives since serving the Lord Almighty God. It is a great privilege for me to bring these array of stars to Warri to honour a very great man whom I believe even deserves more than this. I am very happy that all went well to the glory of the Lord.”

    Austin Eguavoen, Nduka Ugbade, Henry Nwosu (Friday Ekpo 2nd half sub), Uche Okechukwu, Taribo West (Captain) (Emeka Ezeugo), Jide Oguntuwase (Emeka Ezeugo), Mutiu Adepoju, Ozogula (Samson Siasia 2nd half sub), Austin Okocha, Emmanuel Amunike

  • Oyo commissioner introduces colloquium for 3sc ex-players

    Oyo commissioner introduces colloquium for 3sc ex-players

    In demonstration of care for the welfare of ex-players, Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Adedapo Lam-Adesina has introduced a forum for all former players of Shooting Stars to meet and interact.

    Lam-Adesina said this is part of the present administration in the state’s efforts to improve the welfare of ex-players and to create a forum where they can positively contribute to the development of the club.

    The forum, which is first of its kind in the history of the club would cut across all generations of players of the club and will play an advisory role to the club with the aim of tapping from their wealth of experience, and examine the state of their welfare with the aim of rendering assistance where and when necessary.

    The commissioner revealed that it is an open invitation to all former players of WNBC, IICC, and now 3SC.

    He said: “I am using this medium to call on all former Shooting Stars’ players to come together for the progress of the club; like I said recently, this present administration led by Senator Abiola Ajimobi is concerned with the welfare of our heroes, who, though might no more be active, still have much to contribute to the development of sports in the state.

    “We are starting with Shooting Stars by bringing all our former players together for the first time to create an avenue where they can once again contribute to the development of the club with their advice, prayers and ultimately identifying those among them who needs help.”

    Lam-Adesina said the present administration in Oyo State would stop at nothing to develop sports and he called on all stakeholders to join hands with the government to restore the state’s lost glory.

    Also invited for the forum are the Executive Members of the Shooting Stars Supporters’ Club.

  • ‘National Sports Festival, a unifying force’

    ‘National Sports Festival, a unifying force’

    The Rivers State Commissioner for Sports, Fred Igwe has noted that the National Sports Festival (NSF) is a unifying force for Nigerians of various ethnic and religious backgrounds.

    According to him, the government sees sports as a catalyst for bringing together the various peoples of the nation to promote and enhance common brotherhood, economic development and social well-being.

    Speaking during the departure of the Festival’s Unity Torch to Bayelsa State, the commissioner said the Rivers would continue to nurture athletes for presentation NSF events to enable them mature to international level.

    “We believe we can be consistent in nurturing and producing our sports men and women athletes to the world as seen during the last sports festival and in the London 2012 Paralympics Games and also Nigerian female teams in which Rivers born or trained athletes proudly carry high the national flag, winning trophies”, he said.

    He also assured Nigerians of the sound preparations being made by the state towards the Eko 2012 coming up on the 27th of this month in Lagos.

    Rivers State is hoping to win the competition again for the second consecutive time.

  • Supersand Eagles return home today

    Supersand Eagles return home today

    The delegation of Beach Soccer National Team, also known as Supersand Eagles, will return to Nigeria today evening following their participation at the Samsung Intercontinental Beach Soccer Tournament in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

    On Sunday, the delegation, led by NFF 1st Vice President, Mike Umeh, was hosted to a well-done lunch by the Embassy of Nigeria in the United Arab Emirates, located in Abu Dhabi.

    The team finished fourth in the Eight-Nation Invitational that welcomed the best beach soccer-playing countries of the world. Nigeria has continued to make steady progress in the unique game since participating at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup for the first time in 2006.

    In Dubai, the Supersand Eagles were edged 6-3 by Brazil in their first match on Tuesday, before powering back to defeat Switzerland 7-6 on Wednesday and overwhelming Japan 6-5 on Thursday. They lost the semi final 4-9 to world champions Russia on Friday and were simply unlucky to narrowly crash 7-8 to host UAE in Saturday’s third place match.

    Coach Audu Ejo Adamu said: “We are not disillusioned, having given it our best shot. I know we can do better than what we were able to put up in Dubai, but we will show our real stuff when the COPA Lagos comes on stream in a few weeks.”

    The Supersand Eagles won the inaugural edition of the high-profile, Four-Nation Invitational COPA Lagos last year, defeating four-time world champions Brazil, England and South Africa. This year, they defend the title against Portugal, Argentina and Lebanon in Lagos between 14th – 16th December.

    The delegation is scheduled to arrive in Lagos aboard Etihad Airways flight this evening and will be accommodated in a Lagos hotel for the night.

  • AWC: Falcons target Bayana in semi finals

    AWC: Falcons target Bayana in semi finals

    Nigeria’s Senior Women National Team, otherwise known as Super Falcons, on Sunday in Malabo made mincemeat of their Ivorian counterparts to reach the semi finals of the on-going 8th African Women Championship.

    The cup holders exploded through winger Ogonna Chukwudi and Ngozi Ebere in the first half, before veteran Stella Mbachu scored her second of the tournament in the second period to take matters beyond doubt. The fellow West Africans got a consolation later on, but the Falcons had completed the job and were already looking forward to the clash with the Banyana Banyana on Wednesday.

    Both teams will be flown to Bata for that second semi final, while host Equatorial Guinea will entertain Cameroon’s Lionesses at the Malabo Stadium in Wednesday’s first semi final.

    Since the launch of the African Women Championship in 1998, the Falcons have won six of seven tournaments till date, with only the 2008 edition hosted by Equatorial Guinea eluding them. But Coach Kadiri Ikhana said on Sunday that there is no taking prisoners this time.

    “We are ready for any team at this Championship. My girls are highly motivated with the Nigeria Football Federation having fulfilled the pledge to improve their win-bonuses. They love it and they are raring to go,” Ikhana said.

    The final match of the African Women Championship comes up in Malabo next Sunday.

  • A new book on Fela

    Benson Idonije who was Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s manager from 1963 to the early 1970s will release a book on him in 2013. Entitled This Fela Sef! The Legend’s Untold, Idonije, a former broadcaster and music aficionado, says the book will present the Fela no one knows from a first-hand knowledge.