The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • LIBERIA’S Lone Star

    LIBERIA’S Lone Star

    •Camp opens September 30
    •Advance party storm Nigeria

    LIBERIA’S Lone Star are to open camp in Accra from September 30 ahead of the October 13 final African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the U.J. Esuene stadium, Calabar.

    According to reports coming out of Monrovia, the Lone Star will be in closed camp for close to two weeks before storming Nigeria on a chartered flight.

    “The Lone Star will depart the country before or by the 30th of September to have a concentration camp near Accra, Ghana for about 11 days. The camping is also intended to unify the foreign and local based players in one mind and spirit for the sole purpose of winning,” LFA president Musa Bility disclosed.

    Meanwhile, the deputy chairperson of the Lone Star mobilization committee for the 2013 AFCON, Senator Geraldine Doe-Sherif has disclosed that a high-powered advance party will be dispatched to Nigeria in the coming days.

    Speaking at the monthly edition of the Herbert Grigbsy Intellectual Forum over the weekend in Monrovia over the weekend, the lawmaker who is fondly known as ‘Lady Zico’ among admirers and fans declined to state the numerical strength, personalities (make-ups) and task of the “Advance Team” as well as when the team will fly into Nigeria.

    “The Lone Star mobilization committee for its qualification to the 2013 African Cup of Nations in collaboration with the Liberia Football Association (LFA) will send an ‘Advance Team’ to Nigeria to provide important update.

    “The Advance team will be significant to overcome some disadvantage in Nigeria,” noted Lady Zico, who was quick to add that the national football team enjoys the moral and financial support of every Liberian including the Chief Patron of Sports President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.

  • ‘President, NSC rewards tonic for 2016 Paralympics’

    ‘President, NSC rewards tonic for 2016 Paralympics’

    MONDAY Emoghavwe, the President, Paralympic Committee of Nigeria, has predicted that the country would win more medals at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

    Emoghavwe made the prediction while reacting to the honour bestowed on the athletes who won Gold at the 2012 London Paralympic Games by President Goodluck Jonathan. He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the gesture was adequate from what happened in the past.

    “The disabled sports has never had it so good and the non-recognition of disabled athletes by Nigeria’s past leaders was enough to dampen one’s spirit towards participating in sports in the country,’’ he said.

    Emoghavwe said that following Mr President’s gesture the committee would have no option than to surpass the London achievements in the 2016 games.

    “To whom much is given, much is expected. I remember vividly when a former president said we should come and receive a golden handshake, when our counterpart in China we performed better than, were given $10 million, and a house each.

    “Then, we came back and many Nigerians did not even know that we travelled for the Paralympic games.

    “We are so happy that President Jonathan rewarded us, and he made us proud when he said that we were worthy of emulation,’’ Emoghavwe said.

    The three-time paralympic gold medalist said that apart from the presidential awards, the cash reward by the National Sports Commission (NSC) was another source of motivation for the athletes ahead of the Rio games.

    NAN recalls that earlier, the NSC had given each paralympic gold medalist, $7,500; silver medalist $5,000, while each bronze medalist received $2,500.

    Emoghavwe commended the NSC leadership for its support, saying that it would ginger them to do more.

    “It was only in 2000 Commonwealth Games in Manchester that we were selected to be given winning bonuses and currently, the minister has extended it. There were loads of challenges in terms of finance and technical input, but I just thank God that our travelling to South Korea for a training tour boosted our performance.

    “You get a better result when you move an athlete out of his country to where he will focus very well and we were able to manage the challenges with the help of the minister who deemed it fit to send us on a training tour,” he added.

    NAN reports that Emoghavwe has won gold for the country in power-lifting in three paralympic games.

    His first attempt was at the 1992 Barcelona games when he lifted 48kg. He also finished top of the 60kg and 67.5kg categories at the 1996Atlanta Olympics and 2000 Sydney games respectively.

  • Azerbaijan will fall flat – Dedevbo

    COACH of the Flamingoes, Peter Dedevbo has said that his girls are not under any form of pressure as they take on hosts, Azerbaijan today in their second match of the FIFA U-17 female World Cup.

    Dedevbo, who reiterated that the match is a must-win for his team and that they will win convincingly, said that the three points at stake was the most important thing for his girls.

    “I know that my girls will win tomorrow’s (today’s) match against Azerbaijan. I’m not putting them under any form of pressure as to how many goals they will score but I know we will win convincingly,” he said.

    Similarly, Captain of the team, Victoria Aidelomon joined the coach to say that the team was looking excitedly towards the match as they are ready to erase any form of doubt the game against Canada might have caused.

    “We are really looking forward to the match against the hosts. We intend to use this match to make a strong statement that we are strong contenders for this year’s title. Any doubt Nigerians might have had after our game against Canada would surely be laid to rest after that match,” said Victoria.

    Match commissioner for the match is Sun Wen (China) while center referee is Arellano Alondra (Mexico), assisted by Perello Shirly (Honduras) and Santos Mady (Honduras).

  • MARTINS SETS 15 GOALS MARK

    MARTINS SETS 15 GOALS MARK

    GINGERED by his fruitful debut Sunday against Real Sociedad, Nigeria international and Levante forward Obafemi Martins is optimistic he can supercede the contributions of Ivorien Intenational Arouna Kone who left the club for Wigan Athletic making way for him to fill the gap.

    Kone made 34 appearances for Levante scoring 15 goals for the side before heading for Wigan.

    Speaking in his post match comments to Spanish Media, the Nigeria international says he wants to better Koné’s record even as he dismissed insinuations in some quarters that Levante is a moderate club.

    “In the first practice I saw that the club Levante is not as small as some think and I’m very happy to be here,” Martins was quoted as saying by superdeporte.es.

    The former Inter Milan star who thanked his parents and brother who stood by him during the long period uncertainty just before landing levante deal, described the debut goal and the three points claimed in the bargain as a major boost. The 27 – year -old popularly called Obagoal by his fans is the 11th Levante player to score on his debut in the Spanish top flight.

  • October 13 AfCON qualifier: ‘Eagles ‘ll roast Lone Star in Calabar’

    October 13 AfCON qualifier: ‘Eagles ‘ll roast Lone Star in Calabar’

    Home-based Super Eagles Captain Chigozie Agbim has boasted that nothing would spare the Lone Stars of Liberia from being roasted in Calabar when the two teams meet in the all-important Africa Nations Cup reurn leg qualifying match on 13th October.

    The Wolves of Warri safe hands said: “I don’t think of defeat at all. We have all it takes to win the match. They were very lucky to pull that draw on their home ground, If they could not win in their country, I don’t know what is giving them that confidence that they can do it here in Nigeria. I can assure you that nothing can spare them here in Nigeria. Our boys are charged up; they were not happy with that draw in Monrovia and are very much poised to inflict a high defeat on the Liberians here in the return leg. I don’t see them standing between us and the Nations Cup. We want to be in South Africa next year, and that is the ultimate for most of us now, after that, the World Cup”.

    The former Court of Appeal FC of Abuja goal tender said he was not worried by the invitation of more foreign-based goalkeepers in the team, and that he is ready to learn from them.

    “I am not bothered if more foreign-based goalkeepers are invited to the team. It makes for more competition, and makes me to learn more from the most experienced ones, and from there, better my game. Being in the national team alone is an expereince that cannot be quantified in whatever way. The experience whatsoever, supersedes that of the club, and I am very proud to be a part of it,” he concluded.

  • FIFA FREE WINDOW FRIENDLY: Eagles’ inactivity worries NFF

    Chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have stated categorically that only Super Eagles chief coach Stephen Keshi can authorise the negotiation of international friendly games on FIFA free windows.

    Disclosing this exclusively to SportingLife on Sunday, a top NFF boss stressed that there are a lot of countries eager to play against Nigeria, pointing out that: “A few that we got were rejected by the Eagles chief coach, who most times insisted on having African foes since we are engaged in continental qualification series.

    “We cannot force him to play against any country that does not fit into what he wants to achieve tactically from the international friendlies that he sanctions. But, we hope to meet with Keshi this week to see if the Eagles can play an international friendly in the FIFA-free window in November,” the NFF egg-head said.

    Meanwhile, NFF President Aminu Maigari, leaves Abuja, tonight for Switzerland to attend a crucial FIFA committee meeting on Tuesday.

  • Obuh promises 2013 AYC qualification

    Obuh promises 2013 AYC qualification

    Coach John Obuh has promised that the Flying Eagles will qualify for next year’s AYC in Algeria after they drew 1-1 with South Africa in Nelspruit on Friday.

    The Flying Eagles are the defending African champions having won the 2011 competition in South Africa and they maintained an unbeaten record in the qualifying tournament for the 2013 edition after they fought back from a goal down to tie with a good and spirited Amajita of South Africa.

    The return leg match will be played on Sunday, October 7, in Ilorin with the overall winners advancing to the eight-nation AYC in Algeria in March.

    “It won’t be an easy game in Ilorin against a good and fast South African team, but we will qualify. I’m okay with the draw in South Africa as well as the overall performance of the team. We gave away the ball rather easily at the beginning, but we later settled down and took the game to them,” declared Obuh.

    Six-time African champions Nigeria will be the favourites to beat their South African counterparts in Ilorin, but Obuh warned that playing in front of the home fans would not count for much against a good team.

    “These days there isn’t such a thing as home advantage because a good team can play anywhere and win. Football has changed and so we can’t relax to ensure we finish off the job in Ilorin.”

    Amajita coach Solly Luvhengo said after the draw at the magnificent Mbombela Stadium that they were up against a very good Nigerian team, but will still hope to get a result on the road to reach Algeria 2013.

    “We played against a very good side, who showed they are the defending African champions. We had a chance to score at least two goals early in the game, we put them under pressure, but could not really hurt them,” Luvhengo remarked.

    “However, Nigeria came back at us, we took the pressure, but I was disappointed we let in a goal even though at that moment Nigeria deserved a goal. The return leg in Nigeria will be very difficult, but we will fight there. They are a good team but we will fight them. We just need to score in Nigeria and the pressure will be back on Nigeria. That is our target.”

    The South Africans will play on an unfamiliar astro turf pitch, but the coach insisted it will enhance and not affect their passing game.

    “It’s very good that we are playing on such a pitch, at least it won’t be bumpy pitch,” he reasoned.

  • Wenger: Arsenal should have won

    Wenger: Arsenal should have won

    Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was pleased with his side’s performance against Manchester City but believes they should have taken all three points.

    The Gunners fell behind to a first-half header from Joleon Lescott before Laurent Koscielny struck an emphatic equaliser eight minutes from time to level the match at 1-1.

    Wenger was pleased with how his side acquitted themselves but admitted he was disappointed not to come away with the win.

    “It’s the minimum we deserved today,” he said.

    “I am pleased with the quality of the performance and our spirit but a bit frustrated because I felt there was room to do more.

    “We had early chances and very late chances. I’m thinking especially about Gervinho’s chance at the edge of the box where he missed the target.”

  • Martins opens Lavante goal account

    Martins opens Lavante goal account

    Out-of-favour Super Eagles striker Obafemi Martins has announced his arrival in the Primera División with an 87th minute goal for Levante against visiting Real Sociedad at the Estadio Ciudad de Valencia Sunday

    The former Rubin Kazan ace, who moved to Levante this month, saw 44 minutes action after coming in as substitute in the 46th minute for home boy Vicente Iborra.

    Levante had suffered an early scare after the visitors shot into the lead in the 23rd minute through David Zurutuza.

    It took Levante 57 minutes to get an equaliser in the 70th minute thanks to a penalty by José Barkero.

    But for Martins’ goal the tie was heading for a 1-1 draw, but the former Newcastle forward held on to convert a pass from teammate Martinez Ballesteros to the delight of Juan Ignacio.

    The club’s official website eulogised the Nigerian striker for puting up a good show in the breathtaking encounter.

    “He made an exercise of power and quality in the final minutes of the confrontation,” the site submitted. It also described Martins’ goal as the icing on the cake for the former Wolfsburg striker.

  • Yobo: I’m under pressure to win

    Yobo: I’m under pressure to win

    Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo has rated the Turkish League very high among others in Europe, and that he is always under pressure to challenge for League and Cup glory at Fenerbahce.

    In an exclusive chat with SportingLife, the Fernabahce of Turkey defender said: “The Turkish League is no pushover. It is very competitive also. When I newly got there, I thought it would be an easy league, but I later found out that it has the same standard as what obtains elsewhere in Europe.

    “It is good that many Nigerian players are coming over there. It would be good for our football if they are able to make it there. It would go a long way to improve their game. It doesn’t matter which club you are playing for over there, the League is good because you play with the best of players in the World. I think the Turkish League is very competitive”.

    On why it took him much time to finalise a deal with Fernabache after staying with them for upward of two years, the record-chasing former junior International said: “I don’t know why it took time for Fernabache to finally tie a permanent deal with me, all I know is that we always talked on phone; so, I don’t know. But one thing that remains is that transactions don’t come so easy. I am happy now that everything is over, I have a three-year deal, and football goes on.”

    Continuing, the towering defender said: ” I want to put the past behind me, all I know is that everything is okay now, I’m looking to the future.

    “I went to Fernabache because I wanted to challenge for the Champions Cup; because Fernabache is such a big club which was the difference when I was playing for Everton. Now I’m in a place where I am under pressure to win the League at the end of every season, we are challenging to win the FA Cup every season; these keep me going.”

    He promised to hit camp immediately the invitations come, and said he is always in touch with the other players, as their spirits are high towards the return leg match against the Lone Stars of Liberia.