The Nation Newspaper

Category: Sports

  • Sports Festival: Onigbinde molested at match venue

    Sports Festival: Onigbinde molested at match venue

    THE Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti Sports Complex was yesterday turned to a battle front as irate Ado-Ekiti soccer fans descended on match officials that handled the elimination match between Team Ekiti and Team Osun.

    Crisis erupted two minutes before the final whistle after the centre referee Egunbiyi Suleiman from Oyo State signaled four minutes added time. The furious fans ran into the pitch protesting what they claimed would have been a penalty against Team Osun and the match officials were given the beating of their lives.

    After running around the pitch, Winjobi Ayodeji the AR1 from Lagos State, fainted and was rushed to the hospital by Team Ondo players, who rescued him and he was still in a state of coma at the Health Centre of the Polytechnic where he was receiving first aid treatment as at press time.

    A plastic chair was brought down on the head of the reserve referee Usman Hussein from Ogun State, as no single security personnel was present at the match venue. Alaba Abiodun Olusegun the ARII from Ogun State was brave enough as he ran for dear life.

    As if that was not enough, the infuriated fans later accosted FIFA and CAF instructor Festus Adegboye Onigbinde by molesting him for daring to prevent them from inflicting bodily harm on one of the officials. They also claimed his presence at the venue, intimidated the match officials.

    When reporters visited the match officials at the Health Centre where they were admitted, they said their official properties, which included flag (used in beating them) and other personal effects such as whistle and phones were carted away by the fans.

    Team Osun was leading by a lone goal scored by the captain Olaojoyetan Soji in the 4th minute.

  • 2012 Eko Football Festival: Lagos FA promises fun-filled event

    2012 Eko Football Festival: Lagos FA promises fun-filled event

    The Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) has once again assured of a fun-filled atmosphere during the forthcoming Eko Football Festival which is billed to hold from 27 – 30th September 2012 at the Eko Football Arena, opposite Oriental Hotel, Oniru Estate, Lekki, Lagos.

    LSFA chairman Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi stated that the benefits of hosting the Eko Football Festival are enormous especially as it coincides with the Soccerex Seminar, Lagos which will attract numerous guests from outside the state and outside the country who will witness the Festival.

    According to Barrister Akinwunmi, the Eko Football Festival will be a first of its kind event in Nigeria, where football and the entertainment industry will converge, even as he assured of adequate security during the event.

    “The reason for this press briefing is to tell you where we are in terms of our preparation for the Eko Football Festival. We will be having two events in one. We all know about Soccerex Seminar, which is the first international football business event in Nigeria, it’s bringing the knowledge from those who have done the business of football and the administration of football to Lagos. We want to share in their knowledge, and hopefully we want to have them to invest in Lagos Football and Nigerian Football as a whole,” he said.

    “This idea of having a festival is not new, but the only thing is that this is the first time we are having it at the same time with the Soccerrex event. So in put together a structure for our event, we have taken cognizance of Soccerex program and vice versa. So everything has been synchronized to ensure that nobody misses out on either events.

    “Part of Eko Football vision is something called Eko Football Lifestyle. This is a convergence of entertainment industry and football and why do we want to do that?”

  • 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Omagbemi off to Azerbaijian

    2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup: Omagbemi off to Azerbaijian

    Falconets Assistant Coach at the last FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, Florence Omagbemi on Wednesday night departed for Azerbiajian, host of the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

    The ex-international who has been holidaying in Warri, Delta State is a member of the FIFA Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the women championship.

    She has since arrived the Eastern European Country, traveling aboard a Turkish Airline from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos.

    “It is nice to be part of another tournament even though not as a coach. When you look at it, it is a different terrain for me but l am looking forward in making impact and at the same time acquiring fresh knowledge,” Omagbemi told SportingLife on her way out of the country.

    Omagbemi who resides in America would however be neutral on Nigeria’s chances.

    “I am taking a neutral position owing to my assignment in Azerbiajian, so you have to understand why l cannot comment,” she added.

    Nigeria’s Flamengoes are among Africa’s three representatives and open their World Cup campaign against Canada on September 22 in Lankaran.

    This is Nigeria’s third appearance which serves as an opportunity of surpassing its quarter-final outing in Trinidad and Tobago two years ago.

  • Igiebor gets official car

    Igiebor gets official car

    Super Eagles’ midfielder, Nosa Igiebor, has received his official car at Spanish La Liga side, Real Betis days after completing a summer switch from Isaeli side, Hapoel Tel Aviv.

    In a chat with the Spanish press moments after marking his La Liga debut in Monday’s 1-0 win over Valladolid at Estadio Municipal José Zorrilla (Valladolid), the Nigeria international said: “I’m never going to think I’m above the team. I am grateful to Betis, and especially Miguel Guillen for making my dream of playing in the best league in the world a reality.”

    The former Warri Wolves ace, however, admitted he will be away from club should the Eagles book a passage to next year’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa; even as he was quick to add that it will be nice flying the club’s colour among Africa’s best.

    “To represent your country should not be a dilemma for anyone. I understand that, as is the FIFA calendar, teams are upset, but this is assumed when a club appreciates the signing of a player, in this case, African. Surely the coach, the Council and the fans will be very proud if I play the finals of the African Nations Cup,” he noted.

    Speaking further, the ex-Lillestrom star noted he was looking forward to better time at Betis despite his love for Barcelona.

    “Since childhood I identified more with the game of Barcelona, but Madrid with Mourinho has cut differences. They are the two best teams in the world.

    “Now I only see my future in Betis, so I signed four years. If any of these teams called we’ll sit down with the club and discuss,” Igiebor added.

  • 2013 Under-17 fifa World Cup: Ugbe, Ugbade tip Golden Eaglets

    2013 Under-17 fifa World Cup: Ugbe, Ugbade tip Golden Eaglets

    The Golden Eaglets have no choice than to qualify for the Under-17 African Youth Championship in Morocco en route to the 2013 World Cup in the UAE.

    Golden Eaglets’ Assistant coach, Nduka Ugbade and Patrick Ugbe, the Cross River State Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, said as much on the Good Morning Cross River TV show on Cross River Broadcasting Corporation on Wednesday.

    The Golden Eaglets have failed to qualify for the last two editions of the African biennial tournament but Ugbade and Ugbe both believed that the current squad would cross the Rubicon.

    “I’ve seen these boys closely during their training sessions and I’m very impressed with the quality in the team,” said Ugbe, calling on soccer fans to troop to the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar for the team’s African qualifier game against Junior Menas of Niger on Saturday. “We are ready for the game (between Nigeria and Niger) on Saturday and I’m using this opportunity to call on our people to be at the stadium to see these talented boys.”

    Ugbe maintained that hosting the Golden Eaglets by Cross River State offered the people the chance to see Nigeria’s Generation Next at close quarters, adding that the state government accepted to host the junior national team in order to inspire local youngsters.

    Said he: “We are delighted to have the Golden Eaglets because His Excellency, Senator Liyel Imoke sees this as national service though at a big cost despite the state’s lean resources. We want our people to enjoy this moment to see these players before they become full fledge professionals that they would be reading on the pages of newspapers. Saturday is their first major game here and we are calling on Nigerians far and near to come and see them,” Ugbe noted.

    Speaking in the same vein, Ugbade said there are reasons to be optimistic about the chances of these Golden Eaglets following recent failures.

    “We are condemned to qualify for both the African tournament and the World Cup and I believe we are on the right course,” said Ugbade, the foremost captain of the national cadet team.”This is the team that plays with information and not formation; and we are happy that the boys are responding well.”

    Ugbade said the team was focused but shied away from predicting the outcome of Saturday’s game against Junior Menas of Niger: “People have been saying we would massacre Niger because of our 4-1 away win in Niamey but the game would be tighter because the Nigeriens have seen the quality of our team. We just need to score the first goal and we would build on that,” Ugbade added.

    The Nigerien contingent is being expected in Calabar Thursday for Saturday’s first round, second leg match.

  • RED CARD FALLOUT: Lukaku, Long jostle for Osaze’s shirt

    RED CARD FALLOUT: Lukaku, Long jostle for Osaze’s shirt

    West Brom coach, Steve Clarke on Thusday revealed he is having sleepless night for choice as he seeks replacement for the suspended Super Eagles ace, Osaze Odemwingie for Baggies Premier League clash with Reading.

    Osaze will begin a three-match suspension on Saturday after his red card in last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at Fulham.

    Clarke is adamant with on-loan Chelsea teenager Romelu Lukaku hoping for a first start in Baggies colours.

    “He could come into the picture,” said Clarke. “He’s been in my thoughts since the minute he came into the club.

    “But I’ve said before that I’ve been delighted with Shane Long and the decision to take him off at Fulham was purely tactical.

    “We couldn’t get enough support to him in the first half and then when we went down to 10 men we needed a different type of forward in Romelu.

    “And I’ve got Marcus Rosenberg chomping at the bit, so I’ve got plenty to chew over before the weekend.

    “Peter (Osaze) is out for three games and I’ll concentrate on those we have available. I will decide on the best team to play against Reading.

    “Peter is suspended so there is an opportunity for someone.”

    West Brom have collected maximum points from their two Premier League games at home under Clarke, beating Liverpool and Everton without conceding a goal.

  • Africa Youth Championship (AYC) QUALIFIER: Amajita coach: Flying Eagles must fall today

    Africa Youth Championship (AYC) QUALIFIER: Amajita coach: Flying Eagles must fall today

    South Africa’s Amajita coach Solly Luvhengo says he is confident ahead the AYC qualifier, but says it will be embarrassing to play in a home stadium ‘full of Nigerians’.

    The national Under-20s play Nigeria’s Flying Eagles in the first leg of the qualifier today at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. Kick-off is 7pm (6pm Nigerian time).

    Luvhengo says his charges are physically and psychologically ready to take on the current AYC Champions.

    Both teams completed their preparations yesterday with their final training sessions at the match venue.

    Luvhengo says Amajita are in high spirits, with all the players very much aware of the mammoth task ahead.

    “The mood is positive, the players want this win very much and I have no doubt they will give their all to get it,” he said.

    “Our job is to put them in the right frame of mind, and the rest is in their hands. It will be important for us to score and not concede.

    “We will be very attack-minded when we play this match, and have no intention of defending because we are looking for a win.”

    Luvhengo has also pleaded for support from the nation: “These are our future Bafana Bafana stars and they need all the support they can get to overcome their opponents.

    “I am making a plea to the fans to come in big numbers to support the youngsters because it would be very embarrassing to play at home in a stadium full of Nigerians.”

  • FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

    FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

    World Football governing body (FIFA) has fixed Nigeria’s group opening match of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup against Canada billed for this weekend in Azerbiajian for 1pm.

    Azerbiajian is four hours ahead of Nigeria under the time zone meaning it will be aired in the Eastern European Country at 5pm.

    This was confirmed by the team’s Media Officer, Gracious Akujobi who also disclosed that the team’s official training will hold at the Tofig Bahramov Stadium in Baku.

    But the nature of the playing turf for Saturday’s match could not be confirmed by Akujobi

    “For now we do not know whether our game is going to be played on natural grass or on an artificial pitch until today’s training. Even our Laision Officer attached to the team also does not know,” she said.

    FIFA has fixed the usual pre-match formalities for 10.30am.

    Both Nigeria and Canada have never met at the age-grade level.

    Nigeria, quarter-finalist at the last edition in Trinidad and Tobago, is among the pre-tournament favourites going by their past records.

  • Carrick: We must respect Liverpool

    Michael Carrick spoke with maturity ahead of Manchester United’s clash with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, fresh off the back of a match-winning performance in the Champions League against Galatasaray.

    The 31-year-old midfielder grabbed the only goal in Wednesday night’s encounter at Old Trafford and though he was satisfied with the club’s start to their European campaign, Carrick chose to preview a “classic” Premier League match-up.

    Carrick told reporters: “Everyone’s got a huge responsibility to respect the situation. Hopefully the football will be celebrated as it’s one of the classic football games worldwide.

    “These games are a one-off, form goes out of the window, the atmosphere is that little bit more special. We’re expecting Liverpool to bring their best game and we’ll have to bring ours.

    “To play in a game like that, they’re the ones you remember. As a player you appreciate what it means to the fans.”

  • UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE fallout: We almost punished Barca, says Emenike

    Spartak Moscow striker Emmanuel Emenike has said Barcelona came very close to paying a big price for underrating his Russian club.

    Spartak fell 3-2 to hosts Barcelona in a Champions League group game on Wednesday at the Camp Nou after they took a 2-1 lead late in the game.

    Emenike told MTNFootball.com that he was disappointed that they left Camp Nou empty-handed as it was his dream to beat Barcelona right in front of their home fans.

    “I said before the game that we would shock Barcelona, which we almost did. Let me say we lost the game because we were unlucky; we were not completely overrun by Barcelona as we made them know we were equal to the task,” he said.

    “We were determined to beat them and we almost did it. They are the best team in the world no doubt, they underrated us in the early minutes of the game and we punished them.”

    He continued: “I am not satisfied with the result because my dream was not fulfilled. It was a victory I wanted, but I was pleased with our confidence, self believe and composure on the pitch. I am very sure Barcelona will be beaten in the return leg but Celtic are our next opponent, that’s our target now.”

    On his cross that was turned in by Dani Alves for an own goal, Emenike was delighted with his contribution, but would have loved to have recorded a goal to his name.

    He said: “I was happy that I was involved somehow in that goal. I would have loved to have scored, but will do that in return leg.”