The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2018 World Cup qualifier

  • Dalung lauds Super Eagles for Cameroon’s 4-0 defeat

    Dalung lauds Super Eagles for Cameroon’s 4-0 defeat

    The Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has applauded the Super Eagles for their Friday’s massive 4-0 triumph over visiting Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a 2018 World Cup qualifier in Uyo.

    The team will receive N20 million for the four goals scored following the Federal Government’s promise to reward every strike with N5 million during a pep talk before the game.

    Dalung thanked the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the team for not letting Nigerians down knowing the importance of qualifying for the World Cup in Russia next year.

    “The NFF has been on its toes to ensure that the Super Eagles qualify for the next World Cup.

    “You worked very hard for this victory and Nigerians are proud of you for always raising the flag when it matters most.

    “We know the consequences of not being at the World Cup in Russia in 2018,’’ the minister said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Nneka Ikem-Anibeze.

    “We determine the pulse of African sports and set the tune and agenda for Africa in global sports, so, it is very key and critical to us.

    “Moreover, the absence of Nigeria at any international competition always denies the world of the pattern, style and tradition of the Nigerian variety of football.

    “So, we will be going to Russia with another different pattern and style of football.’’

    The minister called on football stakeholders and Nigerians to continue to support the players with their prayers and objective criticisms.

    “The Federal Government will continue to support our players because they have been making so many sacrifices for the country.

    “There is nothing we can do to compensate them for what they have done except to continue to appreciate and celebrate them in this critical journey to Russia,’’ the statement said.

    Nigeria now top Group B with 9 points and will face Cameroon again on Monday at the Stade Omnispirts Ahmadu Ahidjo in Yaoundé at 6 p.m.

  • Nigerians in S/Africa hail Super Eagles’ defeat of Cameroon

    Nigerians in S/Africa hail Super Eagles’ defeat of Cameroon

    Some Nigerians in South Africa have hailed the Super Eagles for their 4-0 win against Cameroon in a 2018 World Cup qualifier.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that with the victory, Nigeria still leads its group with nine points having won all three matches played.

    Adetola Olubajo, Secretary-General of Nigeria Union South Africa, said the Eagles had done Nigerians in South Africa proud.

    “ With this victory, I can smell Russia. They still need to work harder to win out remaining matches.

    “ The team should remain focused and I am optimistic that with hard work and dedication, the Eagles will qualify,” he said.

    Ifeyinwa Obi-Emedo, Secretary of Nigerian Women Association, South Africa, said she was overwhelmed with joy with the win.

    “Each time the Eagles play so well, its like another decade has been added to my life.

    “ The Eagles should keep it up, forward ever, backward never,” she said.

    Collins  Mgbo, Secretary of the Union in Limpopo Province, said the win had rekindled the hope and aspiration of Nigerians in the team.

    “We urge them to continue this way up to the finals in Russia in 2018. I am optimistic Nigeria will qualify,” he said.

    Ale Olorunfemi Joseph, a Nigerian resident in Pretoria, expressed joy with the Eagles victory over the defending African champions, Cameroon.

    “ I also commend the President of Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF), Amaju Pinnick for working hard to ensure the victory of the team and eventual qualification for the World Cup.

    Michael Evah, who lives in Johannesburg, praised the Eagles for giving Nigerians joy and hope with the victory.

    “The Super Eagles have shown zeal and purpose with this victory. I urge them to continue and qualify for the World Cup. I wish the team good luck in their subsequent engagements in the qualifiers.

    Ikele Odefa, a Johannesburg based businessman, said the Eagles had rekindled hope and put smiles on the faces of Nigerians, especially those living in South Africa.

    “I believe that we have the team to qualify for the World Cup. The team should remain focused and continue with same determination,” he said.

  • World Cup Qualifiers: Rohr scared of Cameroon

    World Cup Qualifiers: Rohr scared of Cameroon

     

    . Sourced for match tapes

     The Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr has expressed fear at the new found strength of the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon as they perform well at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) holding in Gabon.

    The NationSports gathered from the Head of the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) Technical

    Department, Bitrus Bewerang, that Rohr is  making efforts to get all the match tapes of the Indomitable lions to enable him prepare the team  before the home and away games.

    Rohr observed that the Cameroonians have gone back to old pattern of  physical football which can easily affect Eagles in their  World Cup qualifiers.

    Rohr noted that though the Eagles  have  all it takes to conquer Cameroon based on the current

    form of the Nigerian  players in Europe.

    He said: ” I can confidently tell you that Nigeria has the best forward in Africa now.  It’s just for us to be tactical  in our approach to the game

  • W/Cup: Underrate Zambia at your own peril, Mweene warns Nigeria, others  

    W/Cup: Underrate Zambia at your own peril, Mweene warns Nigeria, others  

    One of the members of the 2012 AFCON winning Zambian team, Kennedy Mweene believes Nigeria, Algeria and Cameroon would underrate Chipolopolo at the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers at own peril.

    According to The Post of Zambia, the Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa goalkeeper says that the underdog tag would spur Zambia on when they battle Nigeria and others in the qualifiers.

    “We will prove people wrong in the World Cup qualifiers because we perform well when we are written off. It won’t be easy, yes, we are in a tricky group but I think Zambia does well when written off but I can tell you our opponents know that it will not be easy. And I think going into these qualifiers as underdogs gives us that motivation to want to prove people wrong. 

    “All we need is determination; we can overcome and we have got a lot of players coming up in Zambia today. That’s why all of us need to understand that there are no personal to hold positions in the national team, we need to work very hard,” Mweene said.

    Also, Zambian veteran tactician, Jericho Shinde says Chipolopolo players need commitment to rekindle the ‘spirit of 2012’ as they embark on the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

    Shinde, who played for Chipolopolo in the 1980s, said a lot of dedication was needed from the players. “The draws are okay, the boys need to be patriotic enough and apply themselves. We need a lot of dedication from the players. We want players that are committed to the cause,” Shinde said.

    He added: “We need the players to exhibit the spirit that they exhibited in 2012. That team that won the AfCON was not the best team, but because of the spirit they exhibited, they won. If only we can rekindle that spirit as we play the World Cup qualifiers.”

    Zambia will begin its quest for a maiden appearance at the World Cup next month as the team have a tricky tie against the ‘Super Eagles’ of Nigeria on October 3.

    The former African champion is in the same group with Nigeria, Cameroon and Algeria, all of whom have featured at the World Cup.

  • We’re determined to pick World Cup ticket ahead of Nigeria – Zambia

    We’re determined to pick World Cup ticket ahead of Nigeria – Zambia

    Psychologically, President of Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) Andrew Kamanga has started psyching up the Chipolopolo ahead of the 2018 World Cup Qualifying tie against Nigeria’s Super Eagles, insisting that they are poised to pick the sole slot ahead of others in the group.

    According to The Post of Zambia, the FAZ boss who has been bashed by critics since assuming office few months ago insisted that they are focused ahead of the October qualifiers at home to the Super Eagles.

    “We are going through a tough transition. Since winning the Africa Cup in 2012 our fortunes have dwindled. Some of the poor performances we are seeing today are an accumulation of factors from back then.”

    “This is what we want to address. We have taken responsibility and we are focused on doing that. We want the team to qualify to the World Cup in Russia. But without the support of key stakeholders this dream becomes a huge challenge,” Kamanga said.

    He, however reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to uplifting the standards of football in Zambia, while dismissing malicious claims from known FAZ detractors that there were no official match balls for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya.

    “I don’t think we need to respond to such things. For example, you are asking me about no handshakes before the match. But that was a directive from CAF and nothing to do with me as FAZ president.

    “Can you see how these lies are being fanned? Suffice to say that the Association provided everything necessary for the match to go on as an Africa Cup qualifier including match balls.”

    “You see elections were in March. But some people have failed to move on. Now we need to concentrate on taking our football to a new level. We have a 4 year mandate to preside over the affairs of football in Zambia.

    “They accused me of being a failure. Even now they are saying the same things. I would urge the fans to be patient and check the motives of those who have made attacking myself and the FAZ executive based on lies as their personal calling, he added.

  • 2018 World Cup qualifier Eagles to battle Swaziland

    2018 World Cup qualifier Eagles to battle Swaziland

    Swaziland has finally emerged as the opponents of the Super Eagles of Nigeria in next month’s second round of the 2018 World Cup qualifier.

    The World’s football governing body, FIFA, had exempted 27 top ranked African countries including the Eagles from the first round of the qualifiers and after beating Djibouti 8-1 on aggregate yesterday, Swaziland cruised to the second round where they would face the Eagles.

    Sandile Hlatjwako scored twice to help Swaziland beat Djibouti 2-1 in the second leg to wrap up an 8-1 win on aggregate.

    Having secured a comprehensive victory over two legs, Swaziland could fancy their chances against Nigeria, with the winners progressing to the final group stage in the bid to reach Russia in 2018.

    After romping to a 6-0 victory in the away first leg, only an unbelievable turnaround would have denied the home side a place in the next round and they made no mistake in Lobamba.