The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Adokiye Amiesimaka

  • Ex-lawmaker counsels youths on peaceful elections

    Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudum Nwuche Thursday urged for peaceful polls in Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly election as well as March 2nd governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    He also urged leaders of political parties to maintain peace across the country in the interest of the country.

    Nwuche in a statement in Abuja asked Nigerian youths not to allow themselves to be used as agents of violence and destruction during and after the elections.

    The youths, he said, should refuse any form of inducement that will lead to acts that are inimical to a peaceful election.

    He emphasized that the whole essence of democracy is for the people to freely choose their leaders through an electoral process that is devoid of fraud, manipulations, intimidation and rigging.

    He maintained that free and fair elections are indicators of a developed society which engenders good governance and accountability as those who emerge through a credible electoral process that reflects the wish of the people will ensure delivery of dividends of democracy to the people.

    He urged Rivers sons and daughters who are in positions of authority to use their power for development of the state and its people, instead of using such powers to witch hunt perceived enemies and Rivers people generally.

    Read Also: 2019: Youths urged to embrace peace

    According to him, those in authority should “realise that all power belongs to God, and that they did not get into their positions only on account of their endowments but through the grace of God, and the mandate of the people.”

    Nwuche maintained that Rivers State was in dire need of entrepreneurs to employ the millions of unemployed youths who are forced into criminality.

    He urged the people in authority to build and support more Rivers entrepreneurs and business men and women for the good of the state.

    He said, “Our youths cannot thrive only in politics, but should cultivate a second address, as politics is not a full time job.”

    He condoled with the families of those who lost relatives during the stampede that occurred at the Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium in Port Harcourt during the APC Presidential campaign rally on Tuesday.

    Nwuche who regretted the incident described it as “very unfortunate.”

    He wished the survivors who are receiving treatment at various health facilities in the state speedy recovery and prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed.

  • This Eagles will make us proud in Russia – Amiesimaka

    This Eagles will make us proud in Russia – Amiesimaka

    The current crop of Super Eagles players would bring glory to Nigeria in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, a former Green Eagle winger, Adokiye Amiesimaka, has said.

    Amiesimaka, a former attacking midfielder said on Thursday in Lagos the players had shown commitment to the task ahead.

    He said: “I think we are privilege to have youthful, relatively youthful, skilful and committed players. I think we have a crop of players now that should be able to do us proud.

    “And most of them, apart from the goalkeeper who is also brilliant and the only homed-based player, I gathered all the others are playing in professional teams outside the country.

    “And from what I have seen so far, they can hold their own and it’s important, and I’m very impressed that they are all very youthful.

    ‘’Apart from the captain who is still very good and has a lot of experience to back him up; it will be a delight to watch the team play an exciting World Cup in 2018.’’

    The Super Eagles clinched the sole ticket for the 2018 Russia World Cup from CAF Group B after defeating Chipolopolo of Zambia 1-0 at Uyo last weekend

  • Russia 2018: Kick off  World Cup preparations – Amiesimaka

    Russia 2018: Kick off  World Cup preparations – Amiesimaka

    Adokiye Amiesimaka, a member of the 1980 African Cup of Nations winning squad, on Sunday urged Nigeria’s football authorities to kick off preparations for the 2018 Russia World Cup.

    The former left winger gave the advice in an interview in Lagos.

    He said that the youthfulness of the players played an important role coupled with their  dedication.

    These, he said, remained the driving force of the team and should be  sustained during the World Cup.

    “I congratulate the team for qualifying for the World Cup, they worked hard for it and the result is evidence of the effort put into it;  they have the energy and they utilised it well.

    “We now need to pay attention to the next line of action, which will also depend on the teams that will qualify for the tournament;  we know them and we should start studying them.

    “We need to study and understand their strength  and weaknesses, that’s important, you need to assess the strength of your opponents  so you can strategise to neutralise them.

    “Then you can capitalise on their weaknesses, so I think that’s the most important thing that should be done,’’ he said

    Some of the countries that have qualified for the FIFA 2018 World Cup are Iran, Japan, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, England, Germany, Russia and Spain, Costa Rica, Mexico and Brazil.

    The former Enugu Rangers Football Club player further emphasised that Nigerian teams had always underestimated the need to study their opponents in international competition.

    “What has been  happening in the past more often than not is that we do not bother to look at the teams of our opponents, that’s a big mistake.

    “We shouldn’t wait for the World Cup itself to start before looking at those issues, you do that over a period of time  before the competition starts.

    “That will give you a better idea of what to expect, if you know the psychology  of a team, then you are in a better position to know how you are going to play against them,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that the 2018 Russia World Cup is scheduled to hold between  June 14  and  July 15 in Moscow.

    Amiesimaka, a former Chairman of Sharks Football Club of Port Harcourt,  also urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to organise regular top-grade friendly matches before the  World Cup.

    “What they need to do, if it can be arranged,  whatever opportunity we have to put them together for friendly matches should be utilised so they can play together often.

    “With that, we can strategise better and the players themselves will understand one another better.

    “If we can do that I’m sure we will have an exciting performance at the World Cup in 2018,’’ he said.

    A 73rd minute goal from Alex Iwobi  ensured  Super Eagles appearance at the 2018 World Cup.

    NAN

  • Register NFF as an NGO in CAC – Amiesimaka

    Register NFF as an NGO in CAC – Amiesimaka

    Ex- Green Eagles winger, Adokiye Amiesimaka, says the recent Nigeria Football Federal bill passed by the Senate is a waste of time.

    Amiesimaka made the assertion in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the telephone from Port Harcourt.

    He, however, said that the NFF should be registered as a Non-Governmental Organisation at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as required by FIFA.

    “What the National Assembly has done is an absolute waste of time and taxpayers’ money, that is not what FIFA wants.

    “FIFA does not want an act of the National Assembly to determine how we run our football no, FIFA itself is in Switzerland is an NGO, a Non-Governmental Organisation.

    “ Which is incorporated just like we incorporate any NGO. it is incorporated under the laws of Switzerland that is what we are expected to do here,” he said.

    According to Amiesimaka, we are expected to incorporate the Nigeria Football Federation with the Corporate Affairs Commission, under part C of the Companies and Allied Matters Act as an NGO.

    The ex-international, who was part of the 1980 Nations Cup winning team, said the NFF will be in friction with World Football Governing body, FIFA with the new bill.

    “It is to be known and recognised by our law but not established by law, FIFA doesn’t expect any of his affiliate to be established by law, and they were expected to be incorporated under our law.

    “So, what the National Assemble has done as I said is an absolute waste of time and taxpayers money, they are still going to be in friction with FIFA I can tell you that,” he said.

    Amiesimaka stated that what FIFA said was that if you are a stakeholder in its association, its affiliate, they can participate in the running of that association or federation.

    “So, all we need to do is to reflect the role of the federal government as a stakeholder in the running of in the status, when we do that, the federal government will no longer be seen as a third party,” he said.

    The sponsor of the bill, Sen. Obinna Ogba,  said it would bring court cases to rest as issues regarding the NFF would be tackled by the Court of Arbitration and not regular courts.

  • Ndidi’s award excites Amiesimaka

    Ndidi’s award excites Amiesimaka

    Ex-Green Eagles Winger, Adokiye Amiesimaka, says recent young player award bestowed on Wilfred Ndidi by English Premiership Club, Leicester, is a big plus for Nigerian football.

    Ndidi, 20, a Super Eagles midfielder and former Nigerian youth international, joined the EPL side from Genk FC of Belgium.

    Amiesimaka told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on telephone from Port Harcourt on Wednesday that the award by the former league champions showed that Ndidi was a top quality player.

    “For him to be given such an award by Leicester who won the Premier League only last season is obviously a plus.

    “It means he is a top quality player and its impact on us here is good, by virtue of the fact that he is a member of the national team,’’ he said.

    Amiesimaka, former Chairman, Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, said the award was also an indication that Nigerian football had a quality player in one of the best organised leagues in the world.

    “Even more importantly is what we’ll do with that plus, how do we make the most of that in the national team and how will it benefit us?’’ he said.

    He said that the derivation of the award should be translated to his optimal use in the national team to achieve good results in major national and international matches.

    Amiesimaka said that the welfare of Ndidi and other members of the national team should be a priority to excel in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying matches.

    NAN reports that Ndidi started his career playing for the Lagos-based Nath Boys Academy in the Lagos Junior League (J-League) and won numerous accolades.

    He then played as a central defender for Nigeria’s youth team, the Golden Eaglets in 2013 for the African U-17 Championship.

    He later played for the Manu Garba U-20 youth team of Nigeria that played in the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.

    Ndidi was called up to the Senior Nigeria team, the Super Eagles, on Oct. 8, 2015, making his debut in the friendly game against DR Congo.

    He also played again a few days later in the 3-0 win against Cameroon, when he replaced Mikel Obi in the 63rd minutes.

    He was selected by Nigeria for their 35-man provisional squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

     

  • Amiesimaka decries fading glamour of FA Cup

    Amiesimaka decries fading glamour of FA Cup


    Former international Adokiye Amiesimaka has challenged the football federation in the country to do something about the disappearing glamour of the federation cup.

    Finals of the oldest cup in the country he recalls in a recent media chart,  used to be a carnival of some sort but has in  recent times  become a mere ritual devoid of color.
    Many who hitherto followed the FA Cup with passion no longer enjoy the fun as even presentation to eventual winners during the finals has become shambolic.


    “The glamour is completely gone and that is rather unfortunate.  The football federation just has do everything to bring back the glamour, even the presentation of trophy no longer carries with it the fun that the FA cup is known for,” he said.


    Thea former Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice in Rivers State challenged sports administrators in the country to aspire to improve the system they met on ground rather than lowering the standard.  On the chances of clubs flying the nation’s flag on the continent, the former Rangers international ace said there is no alternative to good preparations   as pushovers no longer exist in the round leather game.

    “Playing in the continent is not a tea party and preparation cannot be taken for granted, you just have to prepare well to stand a chance,” said the former Sharks chairman.


    Interestingly his former club Rangers international will be flying the nation’s fly this season in the champions league alongside Rivers United while Wikki Tourist and Federation Cup winners FC Ifeanyi Ubah will battle for honors in the Confederation Cup

  • We don’t have quality players in Super Eagles – Amiesimaka

    We don’t have quality players in Super Eagles – Amiesimaka

    Ex-international, Adokiye Amiesimaka, says the lack of quality players in the Super Eagles is responsible for the drawback the team has been experiencing in recent times.

    Amiesimaka, who was a member of the victorious Green Eagles squad that won the 1980 AFCON in Lagos, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Wednesday.

    The former winger added that the players lacked the finesse needed to play at the world stage compared to what was obtainable in the 1980s and 1990s.

    “Sometimes one just gets bored you know talking about same thing; I have never seen any people as indulgent in wishful thinking as Nigerians.

    “We just don’t have the players; we don’t have the players; look at them individually; look at the quality; compare them to what we see every week in the (English) Premier League.

    “Compare (them) to what we see every week in La Liga; compare (them) to what we see every week in the Bundesliga; compare (them) to what we see every week in the South American league.

    “We just don’t have the quality expected; and if you like bring Alex Ferguson, bring Mourinho, bring Capello – still zero.

    “We don’t have the quality and I’m not surprised we did not win.

    “Even if we had won this game – from an objective analysis of it – you cannot be inspired, you cannot be inspired by it.’’

     

  • Adokiye Amiesimaka pours encomium on wife

    Adokiye Amiesimaka pours encomium on wife

    Adokiye Amiesimaka, legendary Nigerian international, took to the social media – Facebook – Friday, to celebrate his adorable wife and companion of 33 years, Barr. Mrs. Florence Adokiye Amiesimaka. Sparring nothing, he lavished compliments on the mother of his children, whom he said married him at a tender age of 20 in 1977.

    The former Green Eagles star wrote: “My beloved, my sugar, the fresh air that I breathe, the clean water that I drink, the delicious food that I eat, my sunshine, my sweet song, my wife – Barr Mrs. Florence Adokiye Amiesimaka, it’s thirty-three short years since we made our wedding vows. Undeserving though I am of you, you have been steadfast and true, my inspiration and strength. As a young man of 20 in early 1977, I asked God to show me the special woman that would tolerate me as a husband. A few months later God led me to you, my angel. I still remember how you flourished and bloomed like a radiant flower when I first saw you near Moremi Hall at Unilag. My lifeblood, my rock, and strength, thank you for being the best homebuilder any man could ask for. May the grace of God always be with us,” added Amiesimaka.

    The exploits of the brilliant winger was felt in the Nigerian senior national team in the 70s and 80s leading to Nigeria’s first win at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 1980.

    A Unilag (University of Lagos) law student, Amiesimaka, after his soccer career, rose to become an influential figure in Rivers State government and football administration. He was chairman Sharks FC of Port Harcourt and Commisioner for Justice and Attorney General at different times. He has since returned to the chamber as a lawyer.

  • Amiesimaka faults Eagles’ coaching system

    Amiesimaka faults Eagles’ coaching system

    Former Nigeria star, Adokiye Amiesimaka, has questioned the Nigeria Football Federation for appointing a consortium of coaches to lead the Super Eagles for the remaining Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Africa and Congo.

    Stephen Keshi was shown the exit door with Amodu Shaibu picked to head the team that has Salisu Yusuf, Gbenga Ogunbote and Aloysius Agu.

    According to the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winning star, sacking Keshi and employing a consortium of coaches to lead the Nigeria senior national team is not the right step.

    “Is it not the same Amodu they were disparaging? I suggested that [Amodu] should be given a chance to take the Eagles to the 2002 World Cup because he qualified the team, incidentally Keshi was his assistant then,” Amiesimaka told Goal.

    “Our most prestigious away achievement was against Sudan in Khartoum when we beat them 4-0. Despite that, was it not the same Nigeria Football Federation that said Amodu was not a good coach and threw him out?

    “On the other hand, I begin to ask why a consortium of coaches? I don’t know what the NFF wants to achieve by those decisions and even saying they would bring an expatriate. Are we making progress?

    “There are so many things that baffle one about the way we run things in this part of the world. Honestly, it suggests we don’t even step down, make a careful analysis of situations and think through. I have a lot of admiration for [Amaju] Pinnick and his deputy which the world knows, but it baffles me that they are starting on a wrong step.

    “I wish them well but I think this doesn’t speak well of us. We’ve boldly tried to discourage, discredit, unnecessarily embarrass and paint Keshi black. They have made up their mind to sack Keshi after the World Cup though this is a new board but some of those in the former board are still there.

    “That was how they sacked Sylvanus Okpala. Every coach needs a good bench, not only in terms of players but in terms of crew. [Alex] Ferguson wouldn’t have been such a great coach without fantastic assistants same as [Louis] Van Gaal. Keshi’s backbone was Okpala and they sacked him to weaken [Keshi],” he concluded.

  • Amiesimaka warns Super Eagles: Don’t underrate Ghana Black Stars

    Amiesimaka warns Super Eagles: Don’t underrate Ghana Black Stars

    Former Green Eagles winger, Adokiye Amiesimaka, on Sunday urged the Super Eagles not to underrate their semi-final opponents, Ghana Black Stars at the ongoing Africa Nations Championship, (CHAN) in South Africa.

    Amiesimaka gave the advice to the team in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Cape Town. He told NAN on telephone that having beaten the Atlas Lions of Morocco 4-3 at the quarter-finals, the team should remain focused and tackle Ghana with seriousness.

    Amiesimaka said the victory over Morocco had shown that the Eagles had character and resilience to meet challenges in spite of being three goals down at half time.

    “What the victory against Morocco should teach us is that we have the ability to conquer, at least in Africa. We should expect a better performance because we can deliver. There are minor challenges in the team that can be cured.

    “Overall, our potential is undisputed. So, playing against Ghana, we shouldn’t take them as a push over. We should approach that match with seriousness and try to learn from the mistakes of the past. Understand the football mentality of Ghana, so that we can try to neutralise their strong points and capitalise on their weaknesses,’’ he said.

    Amiesimaka, former Chairman of Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, said the Eagles had the potential to go far in the tournament if they put their acts together. He commended Coach Stephen Keshi and the players for their resilience and hard work.

    Amiesimaka also said that the team should look beyond being African champions and aim at getting to the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

    “If our local clubs can produce players who can show such resilience, commitment and occasional flashes of true brilliance, we should hold ourselves to blame for not being among the very best in the world.

    “All we need to do is to get our acts together. We should be talking about ruling the world. We have the endowment, the requirement and potential to do it,’’ he said.