The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Moses tips Eagles for great ANC show

    Moses tips Eagles for great ANC show

    • Dedicates goals to his little baby • Says Liberia team not bad

    Super Eagles and Chelsea striker Victor Moses has tipped Nigeria for a great showing in the Africa Nations Cup holding in South Africa in January.

    Moses displayed personal best performance scoring a brace in Eagles 6-1 whitewash of Liberia in Saturday’s ANC final decider.

    “Now that we are in the competition proper I believe with good preparations we will have a great tournament in South Africa because we have fantastic players who can deliver the goods in the (Africa) Nations Cup,” he told SportingLife.

    He also dedicated his two goals against Liberia to his little daughter. “I am very happy scoring a brace in this match and I am dedicating this two goals to my little baby,” he said.

    Despite the massacre of the Liberian team, the Chelsea star showered praises on the Lone Star for playing well.

    “Liberia is a good side but we shocked them by scoring with our first touch on the ball. Let’s just give it to our team for the great performance we put up today (Saturday),” Moses disclosed.

  • Montolivo: ‘No Milan regrets’

    Montolivo: ‘No Milan regrets’

    Riccardo Montolivo insists he has “no regrets” about joining Milan and defends Italy from

    post-Armenia criticism.

    The midfielder left Fiorentina on a free transfer to join the Rossoneri, who are currently in 11th place in Serie A.

    “It’s true that Milan are going through a difficult time, but I have no regrets about this decision,” assured Montolivo.

    “Aside from this particular moment, Milan remain one of the clubs with more trophies than any in the world.

    “When I left Fiorentina, I wanted to give a turning point to my career. Milan were the ideal for that and I remain confident. We will soon get back to being competitive.”

    Montolivo plays as a midfielder at Milan, but took the trequartista role for Italy in their 3-1 victory over Armenia.

    It remains to be seen where he will play in Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Denmark.

    “The criticism of our performance in Armenia was unfair. Cesare Prandelli is right when he

    says that and everyone in the squad agrees with him.

    “At the end of the match we all had the sensation we had done well, despite a few mistakes

    and the fact we have to improve in front of goal.

    “We cannot think of dominating every game away from home without suffering or allowing any chances, as that would be arrogant and stupid.”

     

  • Keshi won’t be flattered

    Keshi won’t be flattered

    Nigeria manager, Stephen Keshi, has told supersport.com that he is not carried away by his team’s 6-1 thrashing of Liberia in a 2013 AFCON qualifier in Calabar on Saturday.

    “I’m really glad that we won by such a scoreline. But this doesn’t mean we have arrived just yet. Of course we took away some very positives from the game and I won’t also say we didn’t have some shaky moments. Now that’s where we will be working on before the Nations Cup proper in South Africa next year,” he said.

    But the 50-year-old Nigerian trainer was ecstatic by the fact that his front men were among the goals against Liberia’s Lone Star. He believes that the team need more games together before the Africa Cup of Nations to reach competitive level.

    “Seriously just like any coach, I’m happy to see that my strikers can score goals though we should have really finished off the Liberians at some point in the game with more goals. But we need more games before the Nations Cup to keep us together as a team and form a high-level bond and blend because the Nations Cup will present a totally different ball game all together.

    “Remember that there are no home and away legs in the Nations Cup. You’ve got to be decisive at such big stage if you want to compete with the big boys on the continent. One game you’re either in or out. But it will be an interesting championship as we look forward to the draws,” said the former Togo and Mali manager to supersport.com.

    Three Nigerian strikers, Ahmed Musa, Ikechukwu Uche and Victor Moses were among the goalscorers as well as Efe Ambrose and John Mikel Obi.

    Keshi’s men progressed to South Africa 2013 with a flattering 8-3 aggregate scoreline. Nigeria’s Super Eagles will know their 2013 AFCON opponents later in October when the draws hold in South Africa.

  • Eagles not seeded

    Eagles not seeded

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria are back at the Africa Nations Cup albeit not as one of the top seeded teams.

    This development means the Eagles will have any of these four teams to contend with in the Group Phase, they are the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire, the Black Stars of Ghana, host South Africa and the defending Champions the Chipolopolo of Zambia all amongst the top seeded teams in Pot 1.

    Côte d’Ivoire are among the top seeds, despite the abandonment of their second-leg tie with Senegal and no news of an official result from CAF. The Ivorians were 6-2 up on aggregate when Saturday’s game in Dakar was called off because of crowd violence.

    Tournament hosts South Africa are also among the top seeds, along with reigning champions Zambia and Ghana. Cape Verde, who qualified for the first time in their history by pulling off a shock 3-2 aggregate victory over four-time champions Cameroon, are in the fourth pot.

    Also among the lowest-ranked teams are 1962 champions Ethiopia, who have qualified for the first time since 1982.

    The tournament takes place in South Africa between 19 January and 10 February 2013. Teams in the same pot cannot be drawn against each other. The draw will be held on 24 October in Durban.

    Seedings:

    Pot one: South Africa, Zambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast

    Pot two: Mali, Tunisia, Angola, Nigeria

    Pot three: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Niger

    Pot four: Togo, Cape Verde, DR Congo, Ethiopia

  • Bordeaux ready to offer Arsenal ace escape route

    Bordeaux ready to offer Arsenal ace escape route

    Unwanted Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh has been offered a lifeline by former club Bordeaux which could open the door for a high-profile replacement arriving at the Emirates in January.

    The president of the Ligue 1 club Jean-Louis Triaud has publicity declare interest in

    resigning the 28-year-old striker with Wenger eager to offload the striker and his

    £60,000-a-week wages out of the Emirates Stadium.

    Chamakh enjoyed a prolific eight-year stint at the French side between 2002 and 2010 and Triaud was clear that he would be welcomed back with open arms.

    “Chamakh could return. There is a serious chance. It is feasible for us and him but the

    choice is down to Arsenal,” he declared. “If he’s not happy then we are in a position to talk about it.

    “In December 2011, I sent a message to say the door was open for a return but Chamakh wanted to stay. Now the message is there again with the same objective.”

    However he did make clear that Bordeaux are unlikely to be able to match his Premier League salary and he would have to take significant wage cut to move back home.

    “Money is the key question because salaries in the Premier League are enormous,” he admitted, “but it’s also necessary for him to play.”

    If Chamakh does depart the club, Wenger could try to bring Llorente to the Emirates as he seeks to reinforce the strike force which remains under strength after the sale of former talisman Robin Van Persie to Manchester United in the summer.

  • Rodrigo grateful for Benfica chance

    Rodrigo grateful for Benfica chance

    Spanish starlet Rodrigo has heaped praise on Benfica for presenting him with the chance to prove his worth in professional football.

    The 21-year-old switched from La Liga side Real Madrid for six million euros in 2010.

    Real had the option to buy back the Brazilian-born forward, but both clubs agreed to cancel that clause following Fabio Coentrao’s transfer to the Bernabeu, an unwitting circumstance Rodrigo is grateful for.

    “Last year I did pretty well, and also felt good,” he told AS.

    “All the time, I feel more important to Benfica. They have allowed me to play at the top level, and I will be forever grateful for that.

    “I have renewed this summer because it is the perfect club to move forward with. I appreciate the time I spent at Real Madrid, and it was important in my career too, but I am dedicated to my job and now focus on Benfica.”

    Rodrigo’s exploits at Under-21 international level have led to some calling for Spain coach Vicente del Bosque to induct him into the senior squad leading up to the 2014 World Cup, although La Roja have recently deployed formations without a designated striker.

    “There are good quality centre-forwards in the junior as well as senior set-up. It is true the Euros were won without any specific position for strikers, but they are still just as potent,” he said.

    “Besides me, there is (Getafe’s) Alvaro Vazquez and (Real Madrid’s) Alvaro Morata in the Under-21 team, who also have a lot of potential.”

  • We’re back to winning ways, says Mikel

    We’re back to winning ways, says Mikel

    CHELSEA midfielder Mikel Obi has stated that Nigeria have turned the corner and will be a force to be taken seriously at next year’s AFCON.

    Nigeria secured the AFCON 2013 ticket on 8-3 aggregate after white-washing Liberia 6-1 on Saturday in Calabar.

    This was a year when the Eagles were in shambles after they failed to reach the failed to reach the Nations Cup finals for the first time since the 1986 tournament.

    Mikel returned to Nigeria action, scoring a goal from the penalty spot and helping out with an assist.

    He told MTNFootball.com there will more coming from the two-time African champions.

    “I am very happy that the Eagles have returned to winning ways in grand style. I am happy that we won the game in the manner we did, it was great,” Mikel said.“It was overwhelming the support from fans, it was heart warming. They haven’t seen anything yet from me and the Eagles. They should wait till the Nations Cup and the remaining World Cup qualifiers.”

    Mikel’s penalty goal was his third for his country since he made his full international debut in 2005 and he said it was for the fans.

    “The goal? It’s for the fans,” Mikel said.

  • House of Reps. query NFF over Keshi’s accommodation, car

    House of Reps. query NFF over Keshi’s accommodation, car

    THE House of Representatives Committee on Sports has invited the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to come and explain why they have not provided the Head Coach of the Super Eagles Stephen Keshi with his accommodation and official car.

    Revealing this to NationSport in Calabar, the Committee Chairman, Godfrey Ali Gaya said he was surprised that these things have not been provided for the Head Coach almost one year after he was engaged ‘I want to tell say that Stephen Keshi is a patriot to the core.

    These are things that were supposed to be provided to him earlier before now, but he refused the non-provision of these things to make him lose focus but work tirelessly to ensure that his re-buiding of the national team remains on course.

    We would invite the NFF to come and explain why it is taking them such a long time to provide his car and accommodation, if it is where we would come in, we wouldn’t hestitate to do that’. He remains optimistic that Stephen Keshi’s programmes for the Super Eagles would return the team to its past glory. Keshi on saturday joined the likes of Christain Chukwu to have captained the senior national team, and also leading the team as a Coach to qualify for the Africa Nations cup.

    Chukwu captained the Eagles to win the trophy in 1980 and coached the team to win a bronze medal in Tunisia 2004. Keshi won the trophy as Captain in 1994. Born in Lagos, 50 years ago, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi played for ACB Lagos (1979),NNB (1980-1984), Stade d’Abidjan (1985), Africa sports (1986), Lokeren (1986-1987), Anderlecht (1986-1987), RC Strasbourg (1991-1993), Molenbeek (1993-1994), CCV Hydra (1995), Sacremento Scorpions (1996), Perlis FA (1997).

    He played for the Super Eagles 64 times, scoring 9 goals. The Delta State born former international have managed Togo (2004-2006), Togo (2007), Mali (2008-2010), and Nigeria (2011). As a player, Keshi won various honours which include the Africa Nations cup with the Super Eagles in 1994, WAFU Cup with New Nigerian Bank of Benin (1983, 1984), Coupe Houphoet Boigny (1985, 1986) with Stade d’Abidjan, Cote’divoire premier league with Africa sports, and Cote d’ivoire coupe (1986). He won the Belgian League title with Anderlecht in 1991 and the Belgian cup in 1988

  • Efe Ambrose dedicates goal to new born baby

    Efe Ambrose dedicates goal to new born baby

    CELTIC defender Efe Ambrose has said his first minute goal against Liberia on Saturday in an AFCON qualifier is for his baby girl.

    Ambrose rose above the Lone Star defence to power home a Victor Moses free kick beyond goalkeeper Nathaniel Sherman to set the ball rolling for a big 6-1 home win and book qualification to next year’s Nations Cup in South Africa.

    “I dedicate my goal to my newly born baby, my angel Isrealle,” Ambrose told MTNFootball.com

    “I give thanks to God for the goal and victory. We deserved it and the Nigerian football fan too deserved it. We are very happy here and fulfilled to get ticket.”

    However, he saluted the courage of Liberia, who forced a 2-2 draw at home last month, and said the Eagles had to step up their game to ensure a convincing home win.

    “The fact that we scored six goals does not mean the Liberians were easy. They did well but we were far better and that was why we won with such a wide margin,” said the central defender.

    Another big winner on the day was Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi, who capped a solid performance in the heart of the engine room with his third international goal courtesy of a 50th minute penalty.

    Fans in Calabar celebrated John Obi Mikel’s return to the Eagles by cheering his every touch and held a banner with the inscription ‘Mikel Obi, The Pride of Nigera’.

    Mikel did not disappoint the fans as he capped a great individual display with a goal and an assist.

    Questions over Mikel’s patriotism should all but cease after this outing.

  • Okenla: Eagles not yet perfect

    Okenla: Eagles not yet perfect

    FOLORUNSHO Okenla said Super Eagles need more bite ahead of next January’s AFCON in South Africa.

    The Super Eagles on Saturday at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar routed the Lone Star of Liberia 6-1 and qualified for the biennial football fiesta in South Africa on 8-3 aggregate.

    The goal feast came off the head of right back, Efe Ambrose, Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses who got a brace, John Mikel Obi and second half substitute, Ikechukwu Uche.

    The first fixture on September 8 in Monrovia ended 2-2 between both sides.

    Okenla said the encounter opened up glaring areas manager Stephen Keshi must strengthen if his side will make hay at the Nations Cup.

    “Congratulations to Keshi, the Eagles and Nigerians as we’ve crossed safely to South Africa 2013 game.

    “It’s a fine game, a high goal margin compared with what we’ve seen in the past games.

    “However, it’s not yet Uhuru, not time to indulge in wide and excessive celebrations but actually time to work on the team and the time to start is right now.

    “The team is still a wasteful side despite the massive win, Liberia didn’t give a tough challenge.

    “South Africa 2013 will be tough and if our intention is to challenge for the title then we must grab the wonderful opportunity this game thrown up at us to look at some players all over and make amends.

    “Majority of the players in this encounter need to buckle up and up their game. Seriousness must be the watchword for the players irrespective of what the scoreline is, must be on top of their game and avoid complacency which is obvious in this game,” said the former Nigerian player to supersport.com.

    Keshi fielded only two domestic players, Godfrey Oboabona and Azubuike Egwuekwe while leaving the other two on the bench.