The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2014 FIFA world cup

  • Yobo, Ikpeba visit #BBNaija House

    Adeyinka Akintunde

     

    Housemates were thrilled to receive the presence of former Super Eagles players and SuperSports analysts, Joseph Yobo and Victor Ikpeba. They also had Chisom Mbonu, TV presenter in the house.

    Yobo was part of the Super Eagles team to the 2002, 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cup, with Ikpeba participating for Nigeria in 1998.

    Big Brother gave the housemates tasks, celebrating the forthcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup.  Earlier on, the housemates had in turn filled the missing letters, of countries, in accordance to their groups at the World Cup.

    They failed to meet up to the two minutes given by Big Brother, and housemates gave each other entertaining punishments.

    Later on, the housemates went to the arena and surprising met the trio, who conducted the entertaining football match. Miracle turned out the man of the match of the day.

    The 2014 FIFA World Cup begins in Russia from 14th June to 15th July, 2018. Nigeria has been grouped alongside Croatia, Iceland and Argentina in group D.

     

  • Nigeria 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil campaign

    Sport requires a carefully planned programme, with a clear execution agenda before it can suffice to be considered as beneficial to the organizers, participants and spectators not to mention other critical groups like the media and other sponsors. Hence, because of the level and magnitude of major sport events organization across the world, sport bodies have over the years identified the need for collaboration with certain critical sectors for the provision of either technical support services or other soft skills that sport bodies may not readily have at their disposal.

    In Nigeria, we have in the past seen some level of collaboration between the private sector and the sports bodies. However, we need to see more of such especially as it affects a global campaign with same magnitude of the FIFA World Cup. We are fortunate to be among the committee of nations that have qualified to participate in the forthcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

    More importantly, is the fact that this has come without much problems orchestrated by detractors and those I term to be persistent negative cynic. Now is the time for the Nigeria football family and all well-meaning Nigerians to be seen as working together for the common good of the country. We cannot at this time have anyone in whatever guise or form attempting to disparage the efforts of the handlers of the National Team’s preparation for the World Cup.

    After carefully observing the trends around the world especially as it relates to the comments and postulations by some football stakeholders around the world, I have come to the conclusion that we have a lot to learn from those who comment on the preparation of their national teams for this Mundial football competition.

    I dare say that we need to be cautious about our various utterances as whatever we say or do in the negative may have far reaching implication in the psyche of the team. Nigeria currently is passing through a very challenging period and I believe that with the power of football we can foster unity and brotherliness.

    Hence, an attempt from some quarters very minute at that, to commence the promotion of division among all stakeholders through their utterances of negativity and voodoo priesthood against the possible success of the Super Eagles of Nigeria calls for a great concern. I have tried to reason why we have a few people that have never seen anything good in goodness itself.  They claim to be friend of football but unfortunately are hell-bent in destroying the very fabric of football a game they either have played or administered at various levels.

    I dare say, therefore, that anyone that is not constructive in his or her analysis as it relates to the expected performance of the National team should kindly hold its peace and consider him/herself as holding brief for its personal aggrandize. More annoying is the fact that such people have failed to bring up suggestions that will move the cause of the team forward. Instead of dissipating energy in this way may I suggest that we rather concentrate on things that are more productive and helpful to sport development.

    Speaking as one that has an insight on the plan for the Super Eagles World Cup preparation I want to strongly believe that with what the Nigeria Football Federation have outlined to do in terms of preparation for the team, the country should be proud of the boys during the FIFA  Mundial  Cup. An international friendly against Scotland, Greece and the United States of America coupled with the concentrated camping of the team in faraway United States of America is something that we need to commend the Nigeria Football Federation for doing a good job in terms of planning adequately for the teams preparation and build up to the World Cup.

    While it is gratifying for some myopic minded individuals to sit at their comfort zone and ignite a propelling force with the propensity of taking the nation to the panic zone through their unguarded utterances on matters they know little about. It is incumbent upon the general public and good people of this great country to rally round the Aminu Maigari led Board and Coach Stephen Keshi through their unalloyed support for the success of our dear nation as represented by the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    I wish all the players selected and the coaching crew along with the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation, the strength and wisdom through which they will successfully execute the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. I also call on patriotic philanthropists and individuals to donate generously for this cause which to me is a cause that typifies the enhancement of national unity and peace.

  • 2014 FIFA world cup: Mikel: Eagles won’t throw ticket away

    2014 FIFA world cup: Mikel: Eagles won’t throw ticket away

    Mikel Obi has told MTNFootball.com Nigeria will qualify for the 2014 World Cup this weekend as they hold their own destiny. The  Eagles have a leg in Brazil 2014 having defeated Ethiopia 2-1 in Addis Ababa last month, but Mikel has warned that the job is not done yet. Midfielder Mikel also spoke about Jose Mourinho and Chelsea this season.

    Millions of Nigerians believe the Eagles have already booked a place in Brazil 2014 after the 2-1 win in Ethiopia in the first leg of the playoff, do you share same with them?

    We are not yet there but almost. We still have a leg to play in Nigeria, so after that we can celebrate our ticket.

    Do you see Ethiopia posing a threat to the Eagles World Cup ambition despite the first leg win?

    They are a good side, there are no small teams in world football again, but we are the ones to make decisions. We are not looking for favours from anywhere. We have the ticket in our hands and we have our destiny in our hands, so we are not going to throw it away.

    What has been the driving force in the Eagles?

    We are united as one family, we are all dedicated to the cause of the team, that’s all.

    How is the approach to the return leg against Ethiopia going to be?

    We are taking it serious. It is crucial and as for me, it is a cup final that we need to win. I am sure that is the situation with every other member of the team.

    Chelsea under Jose Mourinho the second time, how has it been?

    Everyone knows the ability of Mourinho, he is one of the best in the world. It is good to be working with him again.It has been nice,he brought me here and gave me the breakthrough.He knows how to get the best out of the players.

    What are your targets with Chelsea?

    As usual,I want to win all the trophies at stake. My mentality has been to win in any competition I play. I think we are good enough to win all the trophies we are in, though it is too early to write off any team or think a trophy is won or lost.

    You have another Nigerian, Kenneth Omeruo, as your team mate after Victor Moses left for Liverpool on loan, how has it been?

    It is good to have a brother around. He is a nice guy and a good player. It is wonderful to have him around.

  • OPERATION CRUSH ETHIOPIA: Enyeama, Mikel, Moses picked

    OPERATION CRUSH ETHIOPIA: Enyeama, Mikel, Moses picked

    • Emenike, Ameobi, Musa, Nwofor, 14 others too

    Nigeria’s Head Coach, Stephen Keshi has named a list of 23 players to battle for shirts ahead of the first leg of the 2014 FIFA World Cup final elimination fixture against Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes in Addis Ababa.

    The African champions take on the Antelopes inside the National Stadium, Addis Ababa on Saturday, 12th October, 2013. Both teams will clash in the return match at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Saturday, 16th November.

    Headlining the list are stand-in skipper Vincent Enyeama, England-based midfielders Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, and forwards Brown Ideye and Emmanuel Emenike.

    Keshi has called three goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders and six strikers as the Eagles aim for a win in Addis Ababa to make the second leg in Calabar a much easier session.

    Home-boys Chigozie Agbim, Francis Benjamin, Solomon Kwambe, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Sunday Mba return to high-level furnace as part of their build-up to the 2014 African Nations Championship in South Africa.

    The Nigeria Football Federation is making arrangements to have the full squad train for four days in Abuja before the departure to Addis Ababa on the eve of the game.