The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Hilton-Smith arrives for FIFA Women Coaching Seminar

    Respected women’s football Instructor, Fran Hilton-Smith of South Africa, flew into Nigeria on Thursday for the first-ever FIFA Women Coaching Seminar taking place at the FIFA Technical Centre, Package B of National Stadium, Abuja.

    Hilton-Smith will conduct the five-day seminar, billed for 20th – 24th October, with the assistance of former Super Falcons’ Head Coach, Eucharia Uche.

    Eucharia Uche, who led the Super Falcons to reclaim the African Women Championship title in South Africa two years ago, and also coached the team at last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany, played at the 1991, 1995 and 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

    NFF officials confirmed on Thursday that the Minister/Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bolaji Abdullahi will be the special guest of honour at the seminar’s formal opening ceremony at the Park View Hotel, Abuja on Tuesday.

    It would be recalled that the second FIFA Member Association Elite Course for referees, referee instructors and physical fitness instructors just ended in Abuja – one of the several high-profile coaching and refereeing courses that the Aminu Maigari administration has attracted to Nigeria since coming into office two years ago.

    Among the 25 coaches who will take part in the course are Ann Chiejine, who was first-choice goalkeeper for the Super Falcons at three FIFA World Cup finals, the 2000 Olympic Games and several African Women Championship finals, and Rita Nwadike, another former Super Falcons’ star who is Assistant Coach of the current Super Falcons’ squad.

  • AFCON 2013: Onigbinde ready to help Keshi

    Adegboye Onigbinde has offered to play an advisory role to the Super Eagles for the 2013 AFCON. The former Nigeria head coach explained that he is ready to give Stephen Keshi any form of help to ensure that the Super Eagles do well at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa next year.

    “At this point, all hands must be on deck to help the team do well at the Nations Cup in South Africa next year. In my own capacity, and should I be asked for help, I’m willing to offer myself for service. Stephen Keshi has done a fantastic job with the team so far and if he needs advice I’m always open to help him and his team,” said the former 3SC sole administrator.

    “We missed the Cup of Nations the last time but made it this time.

    “It’s another chance for the national team to go there and make an impact on the continent. The Nations Cup won’t be a stroll in the park this time as the gap between the big and small nations continue to narrow with each passing year.

    “I believe preparation for the competition should start in earnest and once the draws are made there’s the need to identify everything about our opponents. I believe Keshi already has his plans mapped out for the Nations Cup.”

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles are in Pot 2 ahead of the AFCON draws billed for Durban, South Africa on October 24. Keshi’s men are likely to face one of hosts, South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana or defending champions, Zambia, who are seeded in Pot 1.

  • 15 players train at Beach Eagles’ camp

    Fifteen of the invited 18 players have reported to the training camp of the national beach soccer team in Badagry, Lagos, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said on Wednesday in Abuja.

    NFF’s Chief Media Officer, Ademola Olajire, in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the team had commenced preparations for an invitational in Dubai.

    “The team handlers, led by Adamu Audu have 15 players in camp with training twice a day after they had maintained a once-a-day training programme for the past few days. The players not in camp include Abdul Haruna who only recently lost his father in-law. The rest are Bartholomew Ibenegbu who is down with typhoid fever, and Ogbonnaya Okemiri excused to attend a screening exercise with Akwa United FC of Uyo,’’ the statement said.

    NAN reports that the beach soccer team, otherwise known as Supersand Eagles, are preparing for the Eight-Nation Samsung Beach Soccer Intercontinental Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

    The tournament scheduled for Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 will see the participating teams arriving in Dubai on Sunday, Oct. 28.

    It will feature four-time world champions Brazil, reigning world champions Russia, hosts United Arab Emirates, and next year’s FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup hosts Tahiti.

    The other participants are the U. S, Japan and Switzerland.

    The teams have been drawn into two groups of four teams each, with UAE, Russia, Tahiti and U.S. in Group A and Nigeria, Brazil, Japan and Switzerland in Group B.

    NAN reports that the Supersand Eagles reached the quarter-finals of the 2011 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Ravenna, Italy. They also won the Copa Lagos, a four-nation invitational tournament held in Lagos, in December 2011, beating four-times world champions Brazil, England and South Africa.

  • Attah confesses: Eagles were under pressure

    Attah confesses: Eagles were under pressure

    Unlike what it was made to believe that there was no pressure on the Super Eagles prior to the all-important Africa Nations Cup decider against the Lone Stars of Liberia, the Coordinator of the team, Emmanuel Attah has confessed that there was a lot of pressure on the team to beat Liberia and pick the 2013 ANC ticket.

    “First of all we have to give God the glory that we won this match convincingly and to me the victory is dedicated to God. I must confess to you that we were under pressure before this match was played because the whole nation focused on this match but I am happy that we were victorious at the end of the match,” he said.

    Attah also hinted that the failure of the Liberian team to give the Eagles the respect they deserve also cost the visiting team a great deal.

    “Liberia never gave us any respect prior to this match. But we knew what we were going to do and that is why we never made noise. Another important fact is that the boys were angry for this disrespect from the Liberian team and wanted to prove a point. The boys were also ready to appease Nigerians and bring back the confidence that should be reposed in them by Nigerians,” he disclosed to SportingLife.

    The former FCT Football Association Chairman also said that the Nigerian team did not plan or expect goals’ harvest prior to the match. “We actually planned to score three or four goals in the match. We could have even scored 10 goals against them but we are happier and thank God that we not only won the match convincingly but also book our ticket to the 2013 Africa Nations Cup holding in South Africa next year January,” he further disclosed.

    He also used the medium to thank President Goodluck Jonathan for his support to the team and Cross River Governor Liyel Imoke who according to him did everything humanly possible to ensure Nigeria qualifies for the Nations Cup

    “I, on behalf of the team, thank Mr. President who gave us the inspiration to win this match as well as qualify for the competition. His support to the team has been massive. Mr. President asked us to beat Liberia and pick the ANC ticket which we have done now. I believe he would be in South Africa to continue to support the team. Also the Cross River State Governor has made Calabar Eagles’ fortress and we are most grateful to him for all he has done for us. I can only say here that the Super Eagles have more surprises for Nigeria when we the battle commences in South Africa come January,” Attah summed up.

  • Amunike hails Eagles passage

    Amunike hails Eagles passage

    Ex-Super Eagles winger Emmanuel Amunike has joined Soccer Loving fans in congratulating the Super Eagles of Nigeria for qualifying for South Africa 2013 AFCON.

    The Ex-Barcelona wing wizard who is part of the U-17 Golden Eaglets told mtnfootball.com that “ believe me, I’m happy with Stephen Keshi and his Boys for making us proud again. Our qualification for the AFCON in South Africa has brought back some confidence in the minds of most Nigerians, I’m proud of the team and its Officials.”

    The one time African Footballer of the Year winner also called for the support of the NFF officials to give the team all the needed support and also asked Nigerians to be patient as the Super Eagles will deliver in South Africa.

    “Since we’ve now qualified, Coach Stephen Keshi will now go back and evaluate his teams performance and see were he will improve on, Nigerians should have patience with the team as most of the players are just playing together for the first time, there will also be need to once again throw the team open for even more players to come in and compete for a place in the team,” he added.

    “So let’s all give them their full support. Nigeria will join their counterparts for the South Africa 2013 AFCON which will kick off on January 19 2013 in South Africa.”

  • Keshi seeks tough opponents

    Keshi seeks tough opponents

    Ahead of the 2013 Nations Cup draw billed for South Africa October 24, Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has declared he will prefer a tougher draw especially in the early stage of the continental fiesta which kicks off January 19.

    The former Mali and Togo coach who has received over a dozen basketful of contratulatory messages since the 6-1 demolition of Lone Star in Calabar, took to the social network, facebook, Monday to bare his mind, even as he thanked Nigerian for their immense support.

    “Many have been praying and hoping that Eagles should not be grouped with tougher opponents when the draw will be held but for me, I prefer meeting tough opponents first because in the continent of Africa, there are no minnows as far as football is concerned,’” he said

    The big boss as he fondly called is however not limiting his prayer for good outing to South Africa, but extend it to the World Cup to be hosted by Brazil in 2014, pleading with the Almighty to “bless the good works of our hands” and by extension legs of the team.

    “After the Nations Cup in South Africa, the World Cup qualification matches start and I pray that God Almighty Who has been with us all will continue to be with us and also bless the goodworks of our hands,” he posted

    Keshi took over the Eagles on 2nd November 2011 and has so far prosecuted 12 matches beginning with the goalless tie against Botswana 10 days after taking over from Samson Siasia to the goal rain in Calabar.

  • AFRICA WOMEN’s CHAMPIONSHIP: Russia club stops Ordega, Oparanozie

    AFRICA WOMEN’s CHAMPIONSHIP: Russia club stops Ordega, Oparanozie

    Two successive defeats for FC Rossiyanka in the Russia Women’s league may stop Nigeria internationals, Desire Oparanozie and Francisca Ordega from participating in the Africa Women Championship coming up this month in Equatorial Guinea.

    The club is insisting on holding on to both players who are yet to make their debut for their next league matches. Despite its stand, the club still tops the league with 15 points from six matches. Only this week, the club’s President was fired for the losses.

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on its part are infuriated by the development and have told Rossiyanka to honour its earlier agreement which was to release the players on or before October 17 for the biennial tournament.

    “It was on that basis that we cleared the players to enable them travel to Russia last month. But just look at what the club is doing. That was not the agreement we had with them,” responded a federation official.

    “Whether they are not doing well in the domestic league, is no business of ours,” he continued.

    As at yesterday afternoon (Wednesday) meetings were going on between the players representatives and the club to effect their release via telephone.

    SportingLife gathered that Rossiyanka is insisting on an invitation letter from NFF.

    “Without that letter they are likely not to allow them go. The issue is such a serious one. As at yesterday afternoon(Wednesday) meetings were going on at the club house in Russia owing to the turn of events,” an insider revealed.

    NFF may not bulge at the idea since it cleared the players without consulting with the club. “At the time they traveled, both players were in the Super Falcons camp in Abuja and we agreed to let them go. So the club should do the same,” added the insider.

  • South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations: NTDC drums suppport for Eagles

    South Africa 2013 Africa Cup of Nations: NTDC drums suppport for Eagles

    Super Eagles players have been assured of massive support at next year’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa following their superlative 6-1 demolition of the Lone Star of Liberia in Calabar last Saturday.

    Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Chief Segun Runsewe, who was physically present in Calabar at the weekend to support the Eagles in the quest to beat Liberia to the AFCON 2013 ticket, said that it was time that Nigeria returned to the top of African football.

    “We at NTDC came here (Calabar) fully loaded to support the Super Eagles in the quest for the ticket to the Nations Cup next year. We are happy that all our effort did not go down as a waste as the boys have made us all proud,” observed Chief Runsewe.

    He, however, ever noted that the real task of getting Nigerian soccer back to the top of Africa begins with the qualification to the AFCON 2013.

    “This is the time for the players and coaches to redouble their efforts. After we missed the last edition jointly hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, the only way the Super Eagles can rekindle the kind of followership they had in the past is to finish the competition decently,” observed the NTDC director general who stormed Calabar with several bags of branded t-shirts, mufflers, jackets, pins and pens for the fans at the UJ Esuene Stadium.

    “What you have seen here is nothing compare with the plan we have for the competition proper in South Africa next year. We are going to make sure that Nigerians stand out of the crowd with our green and white colours. We did it at the World Cup in South Africa and also repeated it at the last Olympic Games in London where we used the opportunities to market Nigeria to the world as choice tourism destination,” stressed the sports loving director general.

    Runsewe however called for adequate preparation of the Super Eagles by the Nigerian Football Federation and the National Sports Commission.

    “Nothing should be spared to ensure that the Super Eagles lack nothing in their preparations to go and make a statement at the Nations Cup. Thereafter, we can then begin to look forward to also qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil,” concludes the tourism chief.

  • Tottenham VS CHELSEA: Mikel predicts crunchy London derby

    Tottenham VS CHELSEA: Mikel predicts crunchy London derby

    In form Super Eagles and Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi has predicted a tough derby for Chelsea against Spurs on Saturday coming soon after the international break.

    Chelsea are top of the EPL with 19 points from seven matches, five points clear of fifth-placed Spurs. The London derby will take an extra dimension as Chelsea will be up against their former manager Andre Villas-Boas.

    Mikel, who at the weekend was was in superlative form for Nigeria against Liberia in the 2013 Afcon last game qualifying tie, said it will be a daunting task at lunch time at White Hart Lane.

    “Any game after the international break is always difficult, playing against Tottenham will always be tough, and now that they have our former manager, it may be even tougher,” Mikel told MTNFootball.com.

    “We know what we expect from them and we will neutralise them and get victory so we can remain in the top position. It is also an opportunity for us to widen the gap at the top, and I know we can do it.” Andre Villas-Boas will face his former employers for the first time since he was dismissed in March and he will also square up against his assistant while he was in charge of ‘The Blues’, Roberto Di Matteo.

    Chelsea do not have the best of records following internationals and have only won three of their last seven matches after such a break, with their most recent result being a goalless draw with Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road earlier this season.

  • BATTLE OF CALABAR FALLOUT: Enyeama: I was not under pressure

    BATTLE OF CALABAR FALLOUT: Enyeama: I was not under pressure

    Super Eagles first choice goal keeper, Vincent Enyeama, revealed he was not under any sort of pressure to deliver after he was been criticized by the football fans ahead of last weekend game against Liberia.

    Enyeama made some costly mistake against Malawi and Liberia and reports stated that he might start from the bench on Saturday but Coach Stephen Keshi showed faith in him as he was appointed the captain and led the team to victory.

    He was not tested much as the Eagles dominated the game, he had a wonderful save in the first half to denied Liberia from equaling the scores.

    He said: “I’m a professional player and I expect the fans to cry out loud and demand for a Nations Cup ticket after last year disappointment.

    “I was not under pressure to deliver because I knew I got the quality, I worked hard ahead of the game and everyone of us understood the task ahead.

    “It was a great feeling to be part of the team, as we make Nigerians happy again and also the faith the coaches had in me.”