The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Eight clubs for Lagos State City Basketball League

    Eight clubs for Lagos State City Basketball League

    Eight clubs, including Team Lagos Basketball team, will fight for honour at the seventh annual Lagos State male Basketball City League, according to an official.

    Gbade Olatona, the Technical Director, Lagos State Basketball Association (LSBA), the organisers of the competition, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

    Olatona said that the championship scheduled for between Sept. 28 and Nov. 10, would hold at the Indoor Sports Hall of the National Stadium, Lagos.

    The other clubs, he said, were Police Baton, Islanders, Rookies, Slane, Chonmart, Warrior Academy and the Nigeria Air Force.

    “This year’s edition is specifically organised to perfect our team for the forthcoming 18th National Sports Festival holding in Lagos from Nov. 27 to Dec. 9. Our team at the championship will battle with the seven invited clubs to further fine-tune our preparation for the festival,” the director said.

    According to him, the league will also serve as a developmental programme for talented young players to display their prowess against experienced ones.

    “The young and talented players will be more exposed, while hopefully, they may be recognised for call up into the national camp,” the director said.

    He added that the men’s league would immediately be followed with the women’s league, also to further prepare the state women’s team for the festival.

    The competition is co-sponsored by Power Horse energy drink and the Lagos State government.

  • BATTLE OF CALABAR Liberia raise N42m for Eagles’ tie

    BATTLE OF CALABAR Liberia raise N42m for Eagles’ tie

    Liberia’s Lone Star are US$270,000 (about N42m) richer ahead of the October 13 final African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Nigeria’s Super Eagles at U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

    Reports coming out of Monrovia Friday suggest that the Lone Star Mobilization Committee raised the money meant for camping and other related undertakings.

    Our source further revealed that Committee members are positive that a focused camp will “greatly contribute to Liberia’s win against the Super Eagles.”

    “The training camp at the Red Bull Academy is intended to fortify the team psychologically, tactically and physically for the decisive 2nd leg match against the Super Eagles in Calabar, Nigeria on Saturday, October 13, 2012.

    “Despite local critics about the training camp outside Liberia, it will also help the team with full concentration on the match that Liberia needs to win to overturn the first leg 2-2 tie in Monrovia on September 8,” said Henry Flomo, Liberia Football Association (LFA) Director of Communications.

    Meanwhile, the 24-man delegation comprise about 12 local and four foreign based (Indonesia) players and eight technical and support staff of the Lone Star will depart the country this Sunday or early next week to have a concentrative camp in Accra, Ghana ahead of Nigeria’s match, a credible source at the LFA confirmed.

    The delegation will then return to Monrovia before departing along with scores of Liberians for Calabar on a charter flight, provided by Cellcom GSM.

  • Oliseh spells out winning formula

    Oliseh spells out winning formula

    Former Nigeria captain, Sunday Oliseh says only a combination of hard work and good fortune can return Super Eagles footballers to world-class status.

    Oliseh told journalists in Lagos that “there is no shortcut to success” if footballers in the country want to be ranked among the elite class in the sport around the globe.

    The ex-Juventus and Borussia Dortmund man also pointed to Portuguese star, Cristiano Ronaldo who rode on hard work to stardom.

    “When I did my coaching course, Ryan Giggs was my course mate and one day, I asked him some things about Cristiano Ronaldo and he told me that ‘we practically had to always drag him off the pitch after our normal team training and Alex Ferguson also had to drive him off the pitch at times because when the training is over Ronaldo spends one or more hours practising free kicks and other skills.’

    “So basically what I’m driving at here is that there is no shortcut to success. You just have to work hard and pray that God blesses you that you don’t have injuries and that your best comes when the moment counts.

    “I’ll give you an example about moments that count. You people are talking about the goal I scored against Spain but if you look at the goals I had scored during that period some of them are even finer than the one I scored against Spain. But God made that moment happen at the World Cup where the whole world was watching. If I hadn’t taken the chance then plus worked hard too, may be it wouldn’t have been appreciated that much. So our players need to work hard and pray that God adds that touch of glory when it matters most,” said Oliseh.

    The 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner also holds the view that the Super Eagles should not fret over confronting Liberia in the qualifying game for South Africa 2013.

    But he pointed out that Stephen Keshi and his team need to defeat Liberia’s Lone Star to reach the finals of the 2013 Afcon.

    “I don’t think there should be any fear about facing Liberia. If we really want to go to the Nations Cup in 2013 what we need to do is to win. Nothing else,” said Oliseh.

  • Anichebe out

    Anichebe out

    Super Eagles and Everton forward Victor Anichebe is sure to be out of action against Southampton today as he has been knocked out by a chest infection.

    Anichebe who opened his first Premier League start in 2012/2013 with a goal in Everton’s 3–0 win over Swansea with a left footed effort from close in was ruled out alongside Seamus Coleman and Steven Naismith to the disappointment of Coach David Moyes.

    Darron Gibson and Tony Hibbert had initially been confirmed as the only absentees, but Moyes became more worried when it was confirmed that the Nigerian may not be fit enough for today’s all-important clash especially after the midweek Carling Cup exit at Leeds United.

    He said: “We’ve got doubts over Seamus Coleman and Steven Naismith and Victor Anichebe’s got a chest infection, so he’s a doubt too.

    Moyes is hoping that Kevin Mirallas keeps his place, alongside Jelavic most likely. Everton are a good bet this week hosting Southampton, and I’m hoping Mirallas continues his “shoot on sight” policy.

    Anichebe, who suffered long set back late last year after sufffering groin injury while on international assignement, returned as a second half substitute on 1 January 2012, against West Bromwich Albion and scored in the 87th minute to give Everton a 1–0 away win.

    He continued his comeback by coming off the bench to score the equaliser in a 1–1 with Aston Villa . He has since registered goals against Wigan Athletic maintaining his record as Everton’s most used substitute in the history of the club, breaking Duncan Ferguson’s old record, which explains why his current infection is giving moyes a lot to worry about.

  • Emenalo watches Omeruo

    Chelsea of England’s Technical Director, Mike Emenalo has stepped up the Blues quest to have the Flying Eagles’ defender, Kenneth Josiah Omeruo rejoin the club at the end of season from Dutch side, ADO Den Haag where he is currently on loan.

    Emenalo, who was in the Super Eagles’ squad to the USA’ 94 World Cup, was in the stands last weekend when Omeruo’s Dutch Club held league reigning champions, Ajax Amsterdam to a 1-1 draw.

    A source who confirmed the development to SportingLife said that Emenalo was excited with the performance of Omeruo and admonished him to continue with his impressive display.

    The impeccable source further noted that the Chelsea’s Technical Director reliably told him that Omeruo may be invited for the Stamford Bridge landlord’s next pre-season for trials.

    “Emenalo was in Holland last weekend and he watched Omeruo in their 1-1 draw at home to Ajax Amsterdam. Kenneth was very fantastic in that game and was all over Ryan Babel who just rejoined Ajax from Hoffeinham of Germany.

    “Babel was made to have an off day from his wing play owing to the impressive outing of Kenneth and it was when he swapped position that he was left off the hook and was allowed to get the equaliser.

    “After the match, Emenalo took a photograph with him and praised him on his display but cautioned him against complacency. He also collected all the tapes of the matches played thus far by Den Haag.

    “It was thereafter he told me that Chelsea would review all the matches Omeruo played at the end of the season and from there they will be able to make a pronouncement on whether it is suitable for him to join the main squad or to continue with his steady rise,” the source told SportingLife.

    Omeruo who was in the Golden Eaglets’ squad that won a silver medal at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2009 also featured in the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia with the Flying Eagles who were beaten 3-1 by France in the quarter-final.

    He has played the entire duration of the 7 league matches prosecuted by his Dutch club and in a Cup game this season.

  • No automatic shirt for Enyeama, says Keshi

    No automatic shirt for Enyeama, says Keshi

    Indications abound that Super Eagles number one goalie and Maccabi Tel Aviv safehands, Vincent Enyeama may not start against Lone Star of Liberia October 13 in Calabar, following Coach Stephen Keshi’s submission that the former Enyimba ace has been picked in the past owing to his superior form.

    The Super Eagles’ head coach added that in spite of Enyeama being top of the nation’s goalkeeping pecking order he will still be subjected to scrutiny ahead of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Liberia in October.

    “I didn’t gamble with him (in the last game) because he was clearly the best at that time. Gambling is part of the game anyway and it’s part of life. But if he must continue to remain our number one then he must prove it when he comes to camp.

    “I will not hesitate to continue with Vincent should he prove again that he’s better than the other goalkeepers that we currently have. Otherwise, I will have no option than to pick whoever is the best for the game against Liberia,” said Keshi.

    Enyeama has come under criticism from his countrymen following his blunders in the games against Malawi and Liberia in Blantyre and Monrovia respectively while Nigeria were in winning positions.

    But Keshi rose to the defence of the goalkeeper saying: “No goalkeeper or outfield player goes into a game with the intention to make errors. Players often have their bad periods and in the case of Enyeama it is no different.”

    Nigeria play host to Liberia in an Afcon qualifier on October 13 in Calabar after the first leg ended 2-2 in Monrovia.

  • Team Ondo’s preparation right on track

    Akin Akinbobola, the Senior Special Adviser on Sports to the Ondo State Government, has allayed fears that Team Ondo’s preparation for the 18th National Sports Festival (NSF) was being disrupted by political activities.

    Akinbobola made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos. The special adviser said that the coaches saddled with task of preparing the athletes, have been working round the clock to ensure good performance at the National Sports Festival being hosted by Lagos State.

    “Those directly involved with the training of the State’s athletes have been busy putting them through their paces and the ongoing political activities have not in any way interfered with preparations. The coaches are all committed towards ensuring that we deliver good results, and our sports’ loving governor has charged us not to settle for less,” he said.

    Akinbobola also told NAN that the state’s Sports Council has been mandated to ensure that all logistics were adequately addressed.

    “To show that other activities are not being disrupted, the governor ordered that funds should be released for Sunshine Stars FC, as they prepare for their Continental assignment in October,” Akinbobola said.

    He stressed that Team Ondo’s athletes were in a positive mood in the build-up to the forthcoming NSF, and would give other states a run for their money when the games begin.

    “Our athletes have prepared hard for the competition, and our opponents stand the chance of being overwhelmed if they underrate us,” the Special Adviser said.

  • Dedevbo plans all attack strategy

    Dedevbo plans all attack strategy

    Flamingoes’ coach, Peter Dedevbo said his wards will go all out to attack Colombia in today’s last day group game at the Fifa Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan.

    Nigeria leads the group on four points same as Canada but on superior goals and Colombia on three points while hosts, Azerbaijan are at the rear with no point. The Nigerians need at least a draw to cement their foot in the quarterfinals, the stage they exited in the last edition.

    Dedevbo said his wards will not be contented with split points with the South American side.

    “Whatever strategy they adopt against us it will not affect us as my players are strong. We will go all out for victory and get the maximum points at stake that is our focus. We don’t want to bother ourselves with the strength of our opponents. We are taking it one game at a time.

    “Our highest goal scorer is young. I’m happy the attackers are scoring goals and are not selfish,” Dedevbo told visiting NFF first vice president, Mike Umeh who charged the team to go for the world title.

    “We are praying for you, we strongly believe victory will be yours against Colombia. I charge you to qualify for the semifinals and go for the title.

    “I have come here to appreciate you and not to distract you. Nigerians back home are solidly behind you,”Umeh said.

    Captain of the side, Victoria Aidelomon assured the NFF top gun that they are going for the kill against Colombia.

    “I and my teammates assure you that we’ll win our last game against Colombia to get to the quarterfinals,” said Aidelomon.

    Flamingoes’ lethal finisher, Chinwendu Ihezuo holds the hotshot record at the moment on six goals.

  • Coach urges sports federations to draw up reality programmes

    National Handball Coach, Bala Mohammed, on Friday urged all sports federations in the country to draw out a yearly “reality programme’ that would help each federation to move forward.

    Mohammed told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that it was time the federations were realistic with their proposed yearly programme.

    He said the federations were fond of including competitions in their programmes that would not hold even after sending out invitation.

    Mohammed said that inadequate competition was a major reason for the dwindling fortunes of sports in the country, adding that irregular competitions did not give room for players and coaches’ assessment.

    “A federation without a competition a year is like a student without examination or assignment to assess his or her performance.” The coach said that a federation should endeavour to organise one or two programmes in a year, stressing that some federations passed through a whole year without a competition.

    “Some of the federations always complain of lack of funds and sponsorship, even if they have chances for international tournament.”

    Mohammed said the five coaches of the federation last July attended a symposium organised by the International Handball Federation in Qatar for world top coaches. The symposium, he said, was on new techniques and tactics of the game but expressed surprise that Nigeria at the symposium was lacking behind in the new trend.

    “So far, whatever we gained at the symposium is only for the five us. Except the federation organises a symposium or competition, the knowledge remains with us.”

  • Keshi begs Chibuike not to dump Nigeria

    Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has asked John Chibuike to be patient and not consider taking up a chance to feature for Sweden.

    Rosenborg of Norway star Chibuike has revealed his frustration that he continues to be overlooked by Nigeria and has even now told MTNFootball.com he would opt for Sweden if approached again.

    “After this season, I will look into the matter of my international future, everything for now is still rumour, but I can’t resist the opportunity of playing at Brazil 2014 World Cup. If Sweden come, I may have to consider the offer,” he told MTNFootball.com.

    However, Keshi has said the former Enugu Rangers star is very much in his plans.

    “I know of Chibuike in Rosenborg of Norway and I have even spoken to him, telling him his time will come and he will be here with us,” Keshi said.

    On the back of impressive displays for BK Hacken in Sweden, the former Enugu Rangers ace caught the eye of several European clubs including one from England before he eventually chose Rosenborg, who feature in this season’s UEFA Europa League.

    The 23-year-old who started his career as defender at Rangers, before he was converted to an attacking midfielder at Hacken and now he is a striker for Rosenborg. Chibuike revealed to MTNFootball.com he is baffled by the cold shoulder from his country.

    “Nigeria is my country, but it seems they don’t need me,” he said.

    “I was interested sometimes ago when I was at Hacken in Sweden and I made it known to the world that I want to play for the Olympic team at least. But to my greatest surprise no invitation was extended to me, whereas some players called from second tiers and in unknown leagues in Europe and Asia featured in the All Africa Games and Olympics qualifiers. With due respect to the players who were called, I believe I deserved a chance. Some people have called me from Nigeria that I should wait for my time, that the last dog eats the fattest bone, am I a dog? “

    In Sweden, Chibuike was dubbed ‘The Nigerian Rivaldo’ on account of his displays.

    “When I was coming up, I loved watching Brazilian players because of their skills and I learnt a lot from them, apart from Rivaldo being my idol, I am a Brazilian fan. I watched him play all the time in order to try and learn from him,” he revealed.

    “And when I moved to Sweden, I had some Brazilian friends who saw my game and told me that I made them remember the days of Rivaldo and that is how the comparisons began.”

    After a successful season with BK Hacken in Sweden, Chibuike joined Norwegian giants Rosenborg on a three-year contract last year.

    “I am happy with my performance so far in Rosenborg. I enjoy every bit of the game,” said Chibuike, who this season has been slowed down by injury but he is now back to full fitness. “When you play for a club like Rosenborg where you amaze the fans with your skills, you will find life easy and that has been my secret.

    “Not only here, even when I was in Sweden, the fans couldn’t resist my football and I was able to pay them back with goals and some good performances. When I left Rosenborg, I had options of playing in England and Germany but I have read and seen that a lot of Nigerians have made it to bigger clubs from Norway and that was why I took that option. I am happy here and after here, I will be competing with the likes of Xavi, Kaka and Iniesta but I don’t know where the future lies.”