The Nation Newspaper

Tag: AFCON

  • AFCON: Ahmed Musa promises victory over Tanzania

    AFCON: Ahmed Musa promises victory over Tanzania

    CSKA Moscow star, Ahmed Musa, has promised to captain Super Eagles to victory in Saturday’s African Nations Cup qualifier in Tanzania.

    The jet-heeled winger has been picked to lead the team on Saturday in the absence of Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.

    He first wore the captain’s armband in a friendly against South Africa earlier this year.

    “For me, I think am not under pressure to lead the team. I did it before in South Africa and by the grace of God we would return with victory,” he told africanFootball.com.

    He added that the players have an idea of what they will come up against the Tanzanians after they watched a tape of the East Africans.

    “We watched the Tanzania game yesterday (Tuesday) and we know how they play.

    “We don’t have to under rate any country in Africa and we would just go there and do our best,” he stated.

     

     

     

  • Oliseh rues Enyeama’s withdrawal from Tanzania tie

    Oliseh rues Enyeama’s withdrawal from Tanzania tie

    Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh , has admitted the late withdrawal of skipper Vincent Enyeama from Saturday’s African Nations Cup qualifier in Tanzania has put him “in a tight corner.”

    Lille goalkeeper Enyeama has apparently pulled out of the match after he rowed with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over his comments regarding the safety of Kaduna for June AFCON qualifier against Chad, africanFootball.com reports.

    “The late withdrawal has put me in a tight concern,”africanFootball.com quoted Oliseh as saying at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.

    “He asked to be withdrawn from the team. And the reason for that I don’t know, I think it’s best you ask the player.”

    In Enyeama’s absence, Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme is now expected to make his Eagles debut in Dar es Salaam on Saturday afternoon.

    Ikeme said he will hope to reproduce for Nigeria the form he has displayed at his English Championship club.

    “I will just try and do what I do in my club,” he assured.

    “I will not be under pressure but I will give my best. I am not going to try and be Vincent (Enyeama), but I will just try and play my own game and give my best.”

  • Ebola: Lagos rejects Sierra Leone AFCON tie

    Ebola: Lagos rejects Sierra Leone AFCON tie

    Lagos State Government has withdrew from the hosting of  an African Nations Cup qualifier between Sierra Leone and African champions Cote d’Ivoire slated for Sunday because of concerns over the Ebola scourge.

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) agreed to stage the match after the Sierra Leoneans were banned from hosting international matches because of Ebola, africanFootball.com reports.

    The NFF accordingly received a clearance from the ministry of health for the game to be played at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

    “Lagos government is not comfortable for the match to be played in Lagos. The government doesn’t want to take risks. The officials argued that they have lost a lot of money and top personalities on account of the Ebola scourge,” africanFootball.com quoted a Lagos-based sports editor as saying on the matter.

    “So, Lagos will not stage the match between Sierra Leone and Cote d’Ivoire.”

    There are now strong indications the match will now be played in Port Harcourt after the NFF opened discussions with the Rivers State Government.

    “They have opened talks with the Rivers State Government for the match to now be played in Port Harcourt,” an official said.

  • Early kick off for Nigeria, Tanzania AFCON clash

    Early kick off for Nigeria, Tanzania AFCON clash

    Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania will be an early kick off on September 5, Goal reports.

    The game will commence at 2:30pm (West African Time/local time in Nigeria), the Nigeria Football Federation has said.

    The Super Eagles visits the Taifa Stars for the group’s second game at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam in an encounter to be played on natural turf at 4:30pm local time in the East African country.

    The NFF said it received notice about the schedule from the Tanzanian Football Federation’s president, Jamal Malinzi.

    The Super Eagles will fly out from Abuja on a chartered aircraft to Tanzania next week.

     

  • Sierra Leone to play AFCON qualifiers in Nigeria

    Sierra Leone to play AFCON qualifiers in Nigeria

    The Nigeria Football Federation has confirmed that Sierra Leone national team has been granted permission to play its 2017 African Nations Cup qualifiers in Nigeria.

    The Sierra Leoneans first match in Nigeria will therefore be on Sunday, September 6, against Cote d’Ivoire.

    NFF general secretary, Sanusi Mohammed, confirmed this to africanFootball.com on Wednesday.

    He said, “I can confirm to you that Sierra Leone football federation has requested to play the country’s national team’s AFCON qualifiers in our country.

    “And we have taken the request to the ministry of health who approved that the Leone Stars can  play in Nigeria.”

    Mohammed added that the NFF has offered the Leone Stars Lagos or Port Harcourt to use as a match venue.

    “We have offered the Sierra Leoneans Lagos or Port Harcourt to play their matches, so It’s up to them to choose where they would prefer,” Muhammed added.

     

  • Oliseh recalls Emenike, Haruna for Tanzania clash

    Oliseh recalls Emenike, Haruna for Tanzania clash

    Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has picked Dubai-based striker, Emmanuel Emenike, among 18 foreign-based professionals for next month’s African Nations Cup qualifier in Tanzania.

    Emenike at the weekend scored a brace to help Al Ain win the United Arab Emirate Super Cup, but many will question his invitation to the Super Eagles after Oliseh’s declaration that he will pick players featuring in the top leagues for his team, africanFootball.com reports.

    Skipper Vincent Enyeama, Kenneth Omeruo, Rabiu Ibrahim, Lukman Haruna, Joel Obi, Ahmed Musa and Anthony Ujah are also in the squad.

    However, there are a number of surprises, in line with the ex-Eagles captain’s earlier pledge to make current form and first –level football key indices for selection.

    The surprise invitees are Wolves of England goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, midfielder Izunna Ernest Uzochukwu and forwards Emem Eduok, Sylvester Igboun and Moses Simon.

     

    The full squad:

     

    Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England).

    Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Kingsley Madu (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Troost Ekong (FK Haugesund, Norway); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa SK, Turkey).

    Midfielders: Joel Obi (Torino FC, Italy); Izunna Ernest Uzochukwu (FC Amkar Perm, Russia); Obiora Nwankwo (Coimbra FC, Portugal); Lukman Haruna (Anzhi Machatsjkala, Russia); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia).

    Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emem Eduok (Esperance ST, Tunisia); Emmanuel Emenike (Al Ain, UAE); Anthony Ujah (Werder Bremen, Germany); Sylvester Igboun (FC UFA, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium).

     

  • AFCON: Oliseh invites 23 for Tanzania tie

    AFCON: Oliseh invites 23 for Tanzania tie

    Two of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) leading scorers, Tunde Adeniji of Sunshine Stars and Heartland’s Bright Ejike are among the 23 players invited from the domestic league for  next month’s 2017 African Nations Cup qualifier against Tanzania

    Adeniji currently leads the for the AFCON qualifier are – Etebo Oghenekaro, Ezekiel Bassey, Gbolahan Salami, Bright Onyedikachi and Prince Aggreh.

    Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, also invited three goalkeepers namely – Olufemi Thomas, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and David Obiazo for the battle of Dar-es-Salam.

    The full squad:

    GOALKEEPERS: Olufemi Thomas (Enyimba FC); David Obiazo (Heartland FC); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars).

     DEFENDERS: Orji Kalu (Enugu Rangers); Solomon Kwambe (Warri Wolves); Idris Aloma (Enyimba FC); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Nelson Ogbonnaya (Heartland FC); Samson Gbadebo (Lobi Stars); Jamiu Alimi (3SC); Stephen Eze (Sunshine Stars).

    MIDFIELDERS: Ifeanyi Mathew (El-Kanemi Warriors); Usman Mohammed (FC Taraba); Azubuike Okechukwu (Bayelsa United); Lordson Ichull (Warri Wolves); Kingsley Sokari (Enyimba FC).

    FORWARDS: Etebo Oghenekaro (Warri Wolves); Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); Bright Ejike (Heartland FC); Tunde Adeniji (Sunshine Stars); Bright Onyedikachi (FC Ifeanyiubah); Prince Aggreh (Sunshine Stars).

  • AFCON: Enyeama leads Eagles’ old guard to Tanzania

    AFCON: Enyeama leads Eagles’ old guard to Tanzania

    Super Eagles captain, Vincent Enyeama, is expected to lead several established Super Eagles stars to Tanzania for the 2017 African Nations Cup qualifier against the Taifa Stars, africanFootball.com reports.

    Oliseh is expected to release his list of invited players for the game against Tanzania in the second week of August with the foreign-based professionals expected to join the team in Dar es Salaam.

    Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi is ruled out of the encounter after his dismissal against Chad last month, but there will be a return for Enyeama, Mikel Obi and Victor Moses.

    Enyeama, whose differences with the Nigeria Football Federation over his comments after the game against Chad have been sorted out, has been tipped as a key player in Oliseh’s plans for the team.

    “From the way Oliseh spoke about Enyeama in our meetings, it tells you that the coach wants him to play a huge role in his team building for the Eagles,” a top source told africanFootball.com.

    “He said the experience of Enyeama is needed by the team.  But he also highlighted the need to install discipline in the team.”

  • 2017 AFCON qualifier: Tanzania sack coach ahead of Eagles’ clash

    2017 AFCON qualifier: Tanzania sack coach ahead of Eagles’ clash

    The Tanzanian Football Federation have confirmed they have dismissed the Dutchman after becoming frustrated by his poor results

    Coach Martin Ignatius has been fired as head coach of the Tanzanian national team.

    The Taifa Stars has lost their last two international games under the Dutchman’s stewardship, with their 3-0 home defeat to Uganda in a CHAN 2016 qualifier their latest.

    Last Sunday’s 3-0 defeat away at Egypt in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier proved to be the straw that broke the Camel’s hunch, after they had lost all their games at the Cosafa Cup – with the 61-year-old now officially relieved of his duties with his back room staff.

    Tanzanian Football Federation president Jamal Malinzi released a statement that the coach popularly known as ‘Mart Nooij’ ceases to be the handler of the Taifa with immediate effect.

    “TFF announces the termination of employment of current coach Mart Nooij together with his entire technical bench with immediate effect following the spate of poor results involving the national team Taifa Stars” the statement read.

    Nigeria travel to the east African nation for their next game of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

  • AFCON: No kid treatment for Chad – Akpeyi

    AFCON: No kid treatment for Chad – Akpeyi

    Super Eagles goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, has said the Chadian national team will not get any kid treatment from the former African champions.

    Eagles will meet against Chad in one of the 2017 African Nations Cup qualifiers at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, on Saturday.

    Akpeyi told SuperSport that the Super Eagles has trained well for the crucial encounter.

    “We are looking forward to winning the three points at stake against Chad in Kaduna on Saturday.

    “We expect a good game as every win is important in the qualification campaign.

    “Not at all, Chad will never be treated as underdogs, football has gone beyond the level you treat your opponents as pushovers,” he told SuperSport.

    “We are well prepared for the Chadians as the three points in the clash cannot be negotiated.

    “We do not have adequate information about their strengths but it’s quite possible they have full dossier and knowledge of us.

    “We learned Chad is coming with 100 per cent foreign-based players and not even one domestic player is in their midst.”