The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • We studied Sunshine’s games — Ahly coach

    We studied Sunshine’s games — Ahly coach

    Al Ahly coach Hossam Al-Badri has opined that the match tapes they got on their CAF Champions League semi final opponents, Sunshine Stars of Nigeria proved to be of immense help in their thrilling 3-3 draw at the Dipo Dina Stadium, Ijebu Ode in the first leg.

    The coach in a brief chat with SportingLife after the match stated that they knew that the Akure Gunners would be a hard nut to crack, hence their decision to view how the Nigerians had prosecuted their matches thus far in the ongoing Champions League campaign.

    Hossam Al-Badri stressed that Ahly still have a mountain to climb in Cairo and would not allow the draw secured in Nigeria to get into their heads ahead of the second leg in a fortnight.

    ” We know that Sunshine are a good side and we expected what we got in Nigeria, and the way Sunshine fought back in the match showed their team character too.

    “I think we gained a lot from the information we got on Sunshine and we will not relent because we know that they are a good side,” the coach of the six times Champions League winners said.

  • Lato: 90% of my players won’t leave Kaduna Utd

    Lato: 90% of my players won’t leave Kaduna Utd

    Kaduna United chief coach, Saleh Tanko Lato has said that he will retain majority of his players for the next season if he get 100% commitment from them.

    The former Ranchers Bees of Kaduna ace told SportingLife that the team will try to avoid the difficulty witnessed last season when a majority of experienced players left for other clubs.

    The former Iwuanyau National of Owerri star, who replaced the former Technical Adviser Maurice Cooreman when the Belgian left for Warri Wolves, said he would build a team around his present crop of players for the next season for the sake of continuity.

    Two weeks to the end of 2011/2012 season the team parted ways with ten players.

    “The team has resumed training and we have started screening of new players. We want to do everything fast and by the end of the week we will know who will stay and who will go,” Lato, who captained the Home-Based Eagles under Clemence Westerhorf in 1990, told SportingLife.

    “We don’t want the repeat of last season when we lost most of our valuable players to other clubs. Two weeks to end the 2011/2012 season, we sacked 10 players and worked on the rest to achieve what we were able to achieve last season. Majority of players are new and, if I have my way, I will keep 90% of them for the sake of continuity and to build around them for next season, which I believe will make my job very easy.

    “At the moment we don’t know who among of them may have the interest of moving to another club, because you can’t predict players. That is why I want to sort this out quickly. But if I get 100% commitment and assurance from them, majority of them will stay.”

    The former Zamalek of Egypt player also informed SportingLife of his intention to beef-up his squad with ten more players.

    “As it is now, there is no board on ground and we will present our proposal to the ministry. They (ministry) are the policy makers and we don’t know what their intention will be, whether they will agree with us or not. I think 35 players will be okay for the team to prosecute our programme next season, meaning that we may sign at least 10 more players.”

  • OTOROGU WAGE DEMANDS MAY SCUTTLE RANGERS’ MOVE

    OTOROGU WAGE DEMANDS MAY SCUTTLE RANGERS’ MOVE

    A TOP official of Enugu Rangers has stated that Ezenwa Otorogu’s dream of playing for the Flying Antelopes may not materialise if he doesn’t lower his wage demands.

    The official who craved anonymity expressed that the former Enyimba of Aba hitman asked to be paid between 10 and N12m as sign-on fees for just a season.

    He added that Rangers does not have that much to spend on a player and that the club may wish not continue with further negotiations with the striker if he does not bit the rate down drastically.

    “We are in negotiations with Otorogu that I can confirm to you but his asking price is too much. He is asking for between 10 and 12 million naira as sign on fees. We cannot afford that and I don’t think the deal will pull through if he doesn’t lower his wage demands.

    “We depend of the state government for our daily upkeeps and a playing charging that much will know doubt create a big hole in our purse. We are still studying the situation but nothing is concluded until we meet him again,” the source told SportingLife.

    Among other things the source noted that Otorogu gave his experience as a CAF Champions League player and a past winner of the Nigeria Premier League highest goals scorer as the impetus for Rangers to give him a fat package.

    The Owerri born player got five goals for Enyimba in the 2008 Champions League to rate among the club’s top scorer alongside Stephen Worgu who netted 13. He added the NPL goals king the same year with his 15 goals for the Peoples Elephant.

  • BATTLE OF CALABAR: Keshi Picks Agbim, Egwueke, Uzoenyi

    BATTLE OF CALABAR: Keshi Picks Agbim, Egwueke, Uzoenyi

    •Four others home-based too for Liberia

    •15 dropped

    •FC Abuja hold Eagles to 1-1 draw

    SUPER EAGLES boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, has kept to his promise of naming his home-based professionals that will join their foreign counterpart for the weekend’s Nations Cup final round qualifier against the Lone Star of Liberia in Calabar.

    The list was announced to the players at lunch time after they were again held to a 1-1 draw in a second tune game against Pro League side FC Abuja, in a match played at the Practice Pitch of the Abuja National Stadium.

    The lucky seven are: skipper, Chigozie Agbim of Warri Wolves and his teammate, gangling Azubuike Egwueke, Sunshine Stars skipper, Godfrey Oboabona, also made the cut, same for Enyimba’s Henry Uche, Benjamin Francis of Heartland , hardworking Kano Pillars central defender, Umar Zango and dare-devil Rangers winger Ejike Uzoenyi.

    It leaves 15 home-based players stranded and they have since left camp, but Keshi made them a firm promise even as he questioned their fitness as a result of the break of the Nigeria Premier League. He said: “keep yourself busy and fit football wise because we have a friendly soon and we have other qualifiers that you will again be called upon to come and fight for a shirts.”

    Before the announcement, the players showed some lethargy when they took on a more forceful FC Abuja, Saturday morning in a game that spoils were evenly shared, which led the technical crew to order for training after the game to jerk up the players’ fitness level.

    After near misses by Saviour Fidelis-header, Sanni Sanusi-over the bar and Philip Asuquo’s miskick- Tony Okpotu finally rose to the occassion when he nodded home a well taken angular from Asuquo in the 37th minute of the game. FC Abuja responded through Awolo Shuaibu and midfield anchor, Peter Adah, but the half ended 1-0, in favour of the Eagles.

    The Eagles continued their wastefulness in front of goal when centre referee Aniete Okoh, restarted the game with Ejike Uzoenyi, Brendon Ogbu and Sunday Mba, the fresh culprits. It was no surprise when rampaging Awolo of the Abuja side connected an Adah cross with his head to even scores in the 80th minute. The scoreline stood like that till the referee’s final whistle.

    Keshi said he was not surprised at his side’s display, as most of them were called back from holidays but advised them as professional footballers they must never play with their level of fitness. The team will depart for Calabar, venue of the match on Monday.

    Dropped Players are: Akpeyi Daniel-Heartland,Stanley Okoronkwo-Sharks, Kalu Orji-Heartlan, Edzekiel Bassey-Lobi Stars, Kingsley Udo-Heartland, Mba Sunday-Warri Wolves, Christian Ofili-ABS, Kwara, Jabason Solomon-Akwa United, Sanusi Sanni-Gombe United, Philip Asuquo-3SC, Brendon Ogbu-Heartland, Anthony Okpotu-Lobi Stars, Ubale Manir-Kano Pillars, Ohanduku Gomo-Sharks, Fidelis Favour-Nasarawa United.

  • Flamingoes apologise to NFF, Nigerians

    Flamingoes apologise to NFF, Nigerians

    •Team decamped

    COACH of the national U-17 side, Flamingoes, Peter Dedevbo has apologized to his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and by extension, Nigerian soccer fans over his team’s inability to go past the quarterfinal stage of the ongoing FIFA U-17 World Cup in Azerbaijan.

    The team, which had showed so much prospect coming into the competition after dominating the group stages, succumbed to defeat in the hands of France via penalties and Coach Dedevbo has said he and his girls are truly sorry for the ouster because of the immense support and goodwill they enjoyed both from the federation and the country.

    “We are really deeply saddened that we could not go past the quarterfinal stage of the competition and are sorry because we enjoyed tremendous support from the Nigerian Football Federation and soccer-loving Nigerians before and during this competition.

    “We did not plan to come back now because we thought we were going to make it to at least the finals. This is the saddest thing and we apologise for disappointing Nigerians who have had so much faith in us.

    “We didn’t take our chances and I cannot explain why. These are the same girls who had been scoring goals but when it matters most, they couldn’t find the back of the net. We really regret it and are still living with the shock” he said.

    The team, which arrived Lagos aboard a Turkish airline on Friday night have since been decamped.

  • UBAH TO F/EAGLES BEAT AMAJITA GET N2.3M CASH

    UBAH TO F/EAGLES BEAT AMAJITA GET N2.3M CASH

    •Players to get N1.6m

    •MVP N313,000

    •Officials N470,000

    OIL tycoon Ifeanyi Ubah has promised the Flying Eagles an instant cash reward of $15,000 (about NN2.3m) if they qualify for next year’s AYC. The Nigeria U20s will today battle South Africa’s Amajita’s for the ticket to the 2013 AYC in Algeria. Both teams played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg qualifier in Nelspruit a fortnight ago.

    “This is our country and we know the role of football in its unification. And so my foundation will give this cash to the Flying Eagles to ensure they qualify for the AYC,” said the chief executive of Capital Oil and Gas, who is also the Nigeria Youth Football Ambassador.

    “This is the Ambassador’s bonus and it is our own little way of supporting the team.” A further breakdown of the cash reward shows that the players will get $10,000, officials $3,000 while the Most Valuable Player will get $2,000.

    Ubah also disclosed that he will host the country’s team to this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, the Flamingoes, who reached the last eight before they lost 5-3 on penalties to France on Thursday.

    It would be recalled that Ubah also shelled out N10 million along with electronic capsules to the Flying Eagles when they reached the last eight of the 2011 U-20 World Cup in Colombia.

  • Fans to pay N300, N1000, 3,000

    Fans to pay N300, N1000, 3,000

    As the countdown for the October 13 Nations Cup qualifying decider between Lone Star of Liberia and Nigeria’s Super Eagles intensifies, host state Cross River says it’s leaving no stone unturned to ensure the victory of the national team on the day.

    Already, Governor Liyel Imoke has ordered that prices of gate fees be slashed to ensure that the U.J. Esuene Stadium, venue of the encounter is jam-packed for maximum support for the team. Senator Imoke, who spoke through his Sports Commissioner, Hon Patrick Ugbe on Friday, says the popular side will be charged at N300, from its original N500, covered seats will attract N1000, down from its original N3000, while the State Box Extension is going for N3000 from the N5000, that is usually charged.

    Ugbe also revealed that the government has regrassed the Abraham Ordia Sports Complex, where the Eagles normally train and it is now wearing a new look while some patches noticed at the U.J. Esuene Stadium have since been put right.

    “It’s in keeping with our maintenance culture in Cross River and also to ensure that the pitch is in good shape for our top players to strut their stuff come October 13”, he said.

    Fans, he said, are expected to don their green white attire to the stadium, even as he quoted the governor as saying Calabar cannot wait to receive the national team back to its original home.

    “Calabar is now the original home of the Super Eagles, that is why we are so anxious to welcome them back and the usual hospitality of our people will be extended to the team, the governor has promised”.

    The Eagles are now expected to jet out on Monday to Calabar, five days before the crucial encounter and Head Coach Stephen Keshi is expected to prune his home based squad of 22 by this weekend on time for the trip to Calabar.

  • Mikel marks 250th appearance today

    Mikel marks 250th appearance today

    Super Eagles returnee, John Obi Mikel has no intention of taking his foot off the gas as he looks to help maintain Chelsea’s blistering start to the season as he marks his 250th Chelsea appearance against Norwich today.

    The European champions go into the clash at Stamford Bridge three points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League, having dropped just two points from their opening six matches. Even a draw would be enough to see them end the weekend at the summit but midfielder Mikel is determined to build on the Blues’ four successive wins in all competitions.

    “I’ve been pretty happy with the way we’ve started the season,” said the 25-year-old, who should make his 250th Chelsea appearance. “We are where we want to be. We’re top of the table and unbeaten still. We want to keep that going.”

    Chelsea have so far confounded the doubters who did not believe they could overhaul Manchester City and Manchester United after finishing 25 points adrift of them last season and engaging in a revolution in their style of play.

    Last weekend’s win at Arsenal was their biggest test yet and they passed it with flying colours.

    Mikel told Chelsea TV: “When we played against Newcastle, I said it was going to be a big test for us and we managed to beat them 2-0 and it was a great win for us.

    “And then Arsenal, wow! How are we going to go about it? But we went out there, we took the initiative.

    “We made sure we took the game to them. We played very well, we controlled the game. We know Arsenal are going to have a bit possession. But I think we actually did exactly what we wanted to do.”

  • Maigari to cheer Flying Eagles

    Maigari to cheer Flying Eagles

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari will be at the Ilorin Township Stadium on Sunday at the head of the Federation’s support for the U-20 National Team, Flying Eagles in their 2013 African Youth Championship qualifying cracker against the Amajita of South Africa.

    Sunday’s tie is delicately poised after both teams ended the opening leg 1-1 in the South African city of Nelspruit two weeks ago.

    Maigari, who only returned to the country on Friday night from Azerbaijan, where he had gone to cheer the U-17 Women Team, Flamingoes at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, is scheduled to fly into the Kwara State capital on Sunday morning.

    He will be joined by NFF Executive Committee members, Emeka Inyama, Effiong Johnson, Dr. Shehu Adamu and Ahmed Yusuf Fresh.

    Officials of the Kwara State Government have also confirmed that the Executive Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, will attend the match as Special Guest of Honour.

    “I have confidence in the Flying Eagles and I have no doubt that they will prevail over the South Africans in order to qualify for Algeria 2013,” Maigari said on Friday. The 18th African Youth Championship will be staged in Algeria in the last half of the month of March, next year.

    Midfield ace Abduljeleel Ajagun scored Nigeria’s equaliser in the first leg after the South Africans scored early in the game at the Mbombela World Cup Stadium.

    Ajagun also scored the opener in the 2-1 defeat of Tanzania at the Ilorin Township Stadium in the earlier round and will lead the line against the Amajita on Sunday.

    The Cup holders must guard their loins well after the Amajita crew made it known on arrival in Lagos on Thursday night that they would be opting for an all-out attacking game.

    Coach John Obuh, who steered the Flying Eagles to win the African title in South Africa last year and led the team to the FIFA U-20 World Cup quarter final in Colombia, says his team has prepared well enough to conquer.

    “We are ready for the South Africans. We exercise no fear because we have done our home work.”

  • Flying Eagles technical crew picks Omeruo, Mohammed

    Flying Eagles technical crew picks Omeruo, Mohammed

    The Europe-based duo of Kenneth Omeruo and Aliyu Mohammed, have been named in the Flying Eagles’ final 18-man squad for Sunday’s game against South Africa’s Amajita in Ilorin.

    The team’s Media Officer, Samm Audu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja, that Omeruo was, however, still being expected to join the team in Ilorin.

    NAN reports that the Nigerian Under-20 men football team are up against their South African counterparts in a crucial encounter. The game is the second leg game of their final qualifying round fixture for the 2013 African Youth Championship (AYC) scheduled for Algeria in March, 2013.

    “Omeruo of Dutch club ADO Den Haag is still being expected to join the team, even though the coaching crew has named him in the final squad. But Ukraine-based Mohammed is already in Ilorin, preparing for the game,’’ Audu said.

    NAN reports that both players did not feature in the first leg qualifier at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelpsruit on Sept. 21.

    Speaking on the 18-man list, Audu said that the team’s Head Coach, John Obuh and his colleagues had stuck with the core of the team from the first leg match.

    “Apart from the two foreign-based footballers, it is only Sunshine Stars’ striker, Harrison Egbune, that did not travel to South Africa last month for the 1-1 draw’’ he said.

    NAN reports that the list has two goalkeepers, namely Samuel Okani and Jonah Usman, alongside six defenders. The defenders are Ikechukwu Okorie, Chizoba Amaefule, Halilu Obadaki, Shehu Abdullahi, Kenneth Omeruo and Aliyu Mohammed.

    The list also has Moses Orkuma, Abduljaleel Ajagun, Ovboka Agboyi, Uche Agbo and Chidi Osuchukwu as the midfielders. The rest five players are strikers Alhaji Gero, Yahaya Adamu, Bright Ejike, Umar Aminu and Harrison Egbune.

    Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has named Ghanaian officials for the match scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m at the Ilorin Township Stadium. Lathbridge Reginald will be the centre referee, and he will be assisted by Salifu Alidu and Laryea David.

    The reserve referee is Bomison Seidu, while the Match Commissioner is Izetta Wesley from Liberia.