The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Ogbu hoping for victory in Calabar

    Ogbu hoping for victory in Calabar

    • Counts blessings of short stay in Eagles’ camp

    Forward, Brendan Ogbu said he will be on his knees praying for a Super Eagles’ victory against the Lone Star of Liberia on Saturday in Calabar.

    Ogbu is among the domestic players Eagles’ manager, Stephen Keshi declared surplus to requirements for the crucial 2013 AFCON qualifier against fellow West African side.

    Both sides shared the first fixture spoils 2-2 in Monrovia. Ogbu said he did not feel bad about the decision of the coaches to drop him from the make-or-mar encounter.

    “I didn’t feel bad at all more so as those retained were mostly defenders.

    “I enjoyed the few days I stayed in camp, in fact, the coaches made us to feel very much at home. We knew that all of us couldn’t play or be selected at the same time, so life goes on.

    “Perhaps some other day the selection would tilt more towards the forwards and less on defenders. It’s not that we’re bad or couldn’t fit into the game’s programme.

    “What’s important to me is the team’s victory on Saturday and not who was picked or dropped.

    “I’ll be on my knees praying for the team’s victory; a win will rub positively on all of us and as a Nigerian I have more reason to pray for their success.

    “I’m optimistic of a win once the players can replicate what the coaches taught us in training. I’m part and parcel of the team and I want them to win, I want Nigeria to be at South Africa next January.

    “We were not party to the last game in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, it will be unpardonable if we fail to make it to the next edition,” said the Heartland striker to supersport.com.

  • Keshi to watch Golden Eaglets

    Keshi to watch Golden Eaglets

    • Manu boys pray for Eagles

    Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has indicated interest to watch live the Golden Eaglets when they square up against their Guinean counterparts in Sunday’s 2013 African Under-17 qualifier.

    This is a busy weekend for Nigerian football with both the Super Eagles and Golden Eaglets expectedly taking their turn at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

    While the Super Eagles play Liberia in a 2013 African Cup of Nations decider on Saturday, the Golden Eaglets have a date with Guinea in a second round, first leg game 24 hours later.

    “Coach Stephen Keshi as well as other members of the coaching crew would be watching your game against Guinea on Sunday after ours against Liberia on Saturday,” informed Ben Alaiya, the Super Eagles’ media officer. “We have heard and read so much about the Golden Eaglets and we want to see things for ourselves.

    “This is good for Nigerian football and hopefully some of these players would be able to play for the Super Eagles in the nearest future,” added Alaiya in a frank exchange with an official of the Golden Eaglets.

    The same inkling was given by Dr. Robinson Okosun, the Super Eagles’ psychologist, saying that he is impressed with the positive vibes emanating from the camp of the Golden Eaglets.

    Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets have added the success of the Super Eagles in Saturday’s AFCON crunch game against Liberia as one of their prayer points.

    Musa Mohammed, the team’s captain said it’s imperative that Nigerians should rally behind the two teams on the verge of qualifying for their respective tournaments next year.

    “The Super Eagles are our big brothers and we are praying for them because they missed qualification for the Nations Cup co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea,” the lively Mohammed said with a boyish smile. “We are lucky because we would see their game on Saturday before we play Guinea on Sunday. We want Nigerians to pray for the two teams so that we can be successful.”

  • Eagles keepers’ form delights Shorunmu

    Eagles keepers’ form delights Shorunmu

    • Agbim, Ejide, Enyeama dazzle in training

    Super Eagles goalkeepers’ trainer, Ike Shorunmu, was truly excited on Tuesday morning when the team had its second training session at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

    At the time of the session, Shorunmu was the only technical crew member that had his team of three keepers complete, as Vincent Enyema, Austin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim were already in town and raring to go. He promptly seized the opportunity of the keepers’ early arrival to drill them maximally and came away smiling at their forms.

    “I’m happy at the form of all the three keepers and I must say any of them can be in goal on Saturday with what I have seen so far. All they need is a little pep up from the public perception of them and we are already getting results even on that”, he said.

    Shorunmu called on Nigerians to always support the team and not to put the blame of any mishap in games at the doorstep of only the goalkeepers. “These are some of the best goalkeepers in the world and there is no goalkeeper, no matter how great that cannot make mistakes, we must be careful the way we criticize so that we don’t destroy the team and even the careers of our players”.

  • BATTLE OF CALABAR SHOCKER Yobo out

    BATTLE OF CALABAR SHOCKER Yobo out

    • Suffers knee injury in club game

    • Weeps in Turkey

    Captain of Nigeria’s senior team Joseph Yobo has been ruled out of Saturday’s crucial 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Liberia due to a knee injury he sustained while playing for his Turkish side on Monday night.

    SportingLife gathered from those who should know about the team’s captain in Turkey that the Nigerian wept like a kid on the stretcher that took him out of the pitch after playing remarkably well for 70 minutes.

    But on Tuesday morning after seeing the team’s doctors, who warned that he shouldn’t risk the leg against the Liberians in Calabar on Saturday, Yobo promised to be in the Caanan City to cherer his mates to victory, stressing that, “I will sit on the bench to urge them on. Coach Stephen Keshi has done well for the team and it is just unfortunate that I won’t be part of the team to physically destroy the Liberians.”

    “I want to appeal to Nigerians to cheer the boys ceaselessly because that is what they need to motivate them to beat the Liberians. In the first leg game, they supported their players by wearing red, the whole stadium was painted in red. It was so intimidating when we first stepped onto the pitch. The Liberians cheered their players all through the match. But here in Nigeria, they will be beaten mercilessly.

    “Thank God what we need is an outright victory. We will go for it. I have been talking with the players and they have promised to die on the pitch, if that will ensure that Nigeria’s flag is hoisted among the comity of nations in South Africa next year for the Africa Cup of Nations. We missed out of the last editon and we promised ourselves to be in South Africa,” Yobo said.

     

  • EMENIKE, AHMED MUSA STORM EAGLES CAMP TODAY

    EMENIKE, AHMED MUSA STORM EAGLES CAMP TODAY

    NIGERIA strikers Emmanuel Emenike and Ahmed Musa have confirmed their today’s arrival at Super Eagles camp ahead of this weekend’s African Cup of Nations qualifier against Liberia in Calabar.

    CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa revealed he reached that decision with Emenike after scoring once to help his Russian club to a 2-0 derby victory over Emenike’s Spartak Moscow at the weekend.

    “After the game, I went to Emenike and we both agreed to reach camp on Tuesday (today). We hope to the part of the team’s Tuesday evening’s training session,” said Musa, whose birthday comes 24 hours after the October 13th crucial battle against Lone Star.

    “Liberia cannot stop us from playing at the Nations Cup finals in South Africa next year. We would do our best to win well. My birthday is October 14, celebration will start on October 13 and a victory will serve as a perfect birthday present,” he added.

    None of the invited foreign-based players had reached the team’s camp by Monday morning. But the seven local players who made the cut Monday departed Abuja for Calabar, where they will be joined by the 15 foreign counterparts.

    However, Super Eagles and Maccabi Tel Aviv first choice Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide and Real Betis midfielder Nosa Igiebor, who scored in the first leg in Monrovia, were expected at the team’s Calabar camp on later on Monday.

    All invited 15 foreign-based players have been given today as deadline to report in camp by Stephen Keshi, who said he has not given any player permission to report a day later.

    Super Eagles rounded off preparations at Abuja with a stalemated 1-1 friendly with FC Abuja at the weekend. Apparently trying to avoid injury, the home-based Eagles team took the lead before FC Abuja restored parity.

    Speaking after the encounter, head coach of FC Abuja, Friday Christopher said Super Eagles should not be judged by the result of the match, explaining the Stephen Keshi’s charges tried to avert injury that could mar their performance against Liberia.

    Meanwhile, Liberia are expected to arrive the country on Wednesday from Ghana, where they have been training intensively for the duel.

     

  • Keshi promises Nigerians, Imoke sweet victory

    •Pomp welcomes Eagles to Calabar

    NOT KNOWN to be flippant when it comes to making promises, Super Eagles boss, Stephen Keshi, momentarily threw that to the winds when he assured Nigerians and especially Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River and the people of the state that the national team will offer a sweet victory to the nation come Saturday October 13 when they square up against Liberia at the UJ Esuene Stadium.

    Keshi who was overwhelmed by the huge reception accorded the team on arrival at the Margaret Ekpo International Airport, thanked the leadership of the state and urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the team. “Because by God’s grace come Saturday we will give the nation a sweet victory and qualify for the Nations Cup in South Africa,” he said.

    Keshi also spoke on the arrival of his army of European based professionals, revealing for the umpteenth time that he has the promise of all of them to be in Calabar today at the latest. He assured that there was enough time to prepare the team for the game against the Lone Star of Liberia, arguing that the fact that most of the players invited have been playing regularly for their club sides is enough to make up for lost time.

    The team was welcomed at the airport by the Commissioner of Sports, Hon. Patrick Ugbe, and a retinue of other top government functionaries, with the State chapter of the Nigeria Football and Other Sports Supporter Club drumming away to the delight of the seven home based players and officials.

    The Arik Air Plane that took the team to Calabar, left Abuja at 10:50am and arrived the airport at 11:50, about an hour flight, that was described as fairly smooth. The team has since moved into its abode at the Metropolitan Hotel, while expecting the foreign based legion to start streaming in later in the day.

  • Kwara Utd appoint Unuanel

    Kwara Utd appoint Unuanel

    To be unveiled this week

    KWARA United Football Club of Ilorin has appointed Coach Samson David Unuanel as the new Technical Manager of the club for the 2012/13 league season.

    The club’s Media Officer, Olayioye Ajide, informed SportingLife that Coach Unuanel was considered for the plum job by the management board headed by Barrister Bamidele Aluko following recommendation by the technical committee set up to shop for reputable coach.

    Unuanel, a former Enyimba coach will be saddled with the task of taking the team to the top four next season on the Nigerian Premier League, and possibly book a continental ticket.

    About 43 coaches showed interest for the Kwara United coaching job. This includes the immediate past coach, Tunde Sanni, former Bukola Babes (ABS) and 3SC coach, Festus Allen and suspended Niger Tornadoes coach, Justin Tenger, Solomon Ogbeide, Kabiru Dogo, Alphonsus Dike, Lawrence Akpokana, Mohammed Baba Gararu, among several others.

    Olayioye Ajide said Coach Unuanel will be officially presented to the public within the week.

    “He will be unveiled by either Wednesday or Thursday though we are yet to conclude on the date. With the appointment of technical manager which takes immediate effect, recruitment of players and other programmes of the club commence. We now call on all the players to resume immediately,” Olayioye announced.

    Olayioye reiterated the determination of the board to revitalized Kwara United FC in the new season.

    “The club appealed to teeming supporters and lovers of the club to keep faith with the management of Kwara darling team in their effort to clinch continental ticket in the new season,” he noted.

  • Keshi: Eagles will roast Liberia if…

    Keshi: Eagles will roast Liberia if…

    Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi says this weekend’s second leg of the final qualifying game for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations against Liberia may turn out to be a no contest if his foreign based players reproduce their club forms in Calabar.

    Keshi said he had a squad that can take the Lone Stars to the cleaners if they play to their full potential on Saturday.

    “Barring any ill health or loss of form between now and Saturday, I don’t see how the Lone Stars can stop the Super Eagles from winning and qualifying for the Nations Cup in South Africa.

    “After the first leg draw in Monrovia, we took some positives from that game and I can assure you that we are wiser now and would not give them breathing space to score us at home. It is a game we will go all out to win because we prefer that option.

    “I know the Liberians are highly motivated to cause an upset but my boys are driven by the hunger to qualify and try to win the trophy in South Africa next year. Having missed the last Nations Cup, my boys would not want a repeat of that”, he stated.

    Speaking on why he picked only seven home based players from the 22 in camp, Keshi said that with 15 foreign based players invited for the match, he does not need more than the seven to join them.The former Eagles captain noted that Calabar has become a fortress for the Super Eagles and nothing will please him more than to continue that 100 per cent win there.

    He said the fans in Calabar need also to get behind the team all through the game adding that the cheers from the crowd will ginger the players to give their best.

  • battle of Calabar: Visa hitch delays Mikel

    battle of Calabar: Visa hitch delays Mikel

    Super Eagles first choice in goal, Vincent Enyeama, Israeli based shot stopper, Austin Ejide and Real Betis of Spain midfield showman, Nosa Igiebor, are among the early birds expected in the Super Eagles camp in Calabar today.

    The trio will be joined by the rest of the squad on Tuesday morning as some of them have visa issues to sort out, especially John Mikel Obi, while yet other have late games on Sunday evening and will link up with the rest of the squad on Tuesday.

    “All the players will be here on Tuesday and that is so because some of them have little visa issues to sort out at their clubs and we expect to have a full house at Tuesday training session”, enthused Head Coach Stephen Keshi.

    The national team departed for Calabar on Sunday morning and the technical crew has already scheduled a training session for this evening at the Abraham Odia Sports Complex inside the University of Calabar. Officials say there is absolutely no time to waste ahead of Saturday’s crunch qualifier against the Lone Star of Liberia.

    Arrangements have since been made for all the invited players to find their way to Calabar and as usual the Metropolitan Hotel in the heart of the city will be the camping site of the national team. At the weekend, Keshi named seven home based players to join the 15 foreign based earlier announced for the encounter on Saturday in the Cross River state capital.

  • Eagles selection tickles Benjamin

    Eagles selection tickles Benjamin

    heartland of Owerri defensive stalwart, Benjamin Francis says he will strive to make the start list in the 2013 African Youth Championship qualifier against the Lone Star of Liberia after he was a surprise inclusion among the lucky seven home based players for the October 13 tie.

    Benjamin was one of the seven players retained by coach Stephen Keshi for the AFCON challenge alongside Azubuike Egwueke (Warri Wolves), Henry Uche (Enyimba), Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves), Gabriel Oboabona (Sunshine Stars), Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers) and Umar Zango (Kano Pillars) and in a chat with SportingLife he expressed his surprise at his inclusion but stressed that he had known he would be picked based on his form in camp.

    The soft-spoken Naze Millionaires’ warlord said he hopes to make good use of the opportunity presented him to don the green and white colours of the country and would continue to put in 100 per cent so as to realise his dream to start for the Eagles against Liberia.

    “I thank God for what he has done in my life. I was picked among the remaining seven and I am thrilled that the coaches did not allow sentiments to take priority over merit.

    “It was really heart-warming to hear my name when the coach was calling them (successful names) out. It is not yet time to celebrate anything yet; I would be happier if I could make the team on match day, so, I want to concentrate on the task ahead for the good of the country,” Benjamin declared.

    The hard-tackling defender was among the stand-out performers in the Heartland of Owerri fold last season and he was instrumental in the team’s back-to-back victory in the Federation Cup.