The Nation Newspaper

Tag: AFCON

  • Egwuekwe: Prayers can get Eagles AFCON ticket

    Egwuekwe: Prayers can get Eagles AFCON ticket

    • Says Eagles’ players have resolved to win in Congo

    Super Eagles’ defender Azubuike Egwuekwe has disclosed that the country’s national team players are aware of what is at stake and would ensure that they secure victory in the last two rounds of the 2015 African Cup of Nations  (AFCON) qualifiers against Congo and South Africa next month.

    The Eagles, the defending champions of the AFCON by virtue of the feat recording last year in South Africa are in danger of missing out on the next edition.

    They are third in the qualifiers with four points from four matches and must win their final two matches to stand a chance of defending the crown won at the expense of Burkina Faso in 2013.

    Egwuekwe in a chat with SportingLife revealed that the recent plight of the Eagles in the qualifiers has always been on their mind  and they are resolved to get the maximum points in their last two qualifying matches to pick a ticket to AFCON.

    The Warri Wolves’ captain opined that Nigerians should not fret as the Eagles players have talked to themselves to ensure that the nation is not deprived of the opportunity to watch their stars at the next AFCON,  hence the determination to approach their last two matches with all their might.

    “We know what is at stake and we have promised not to disappoint Nigerians.

    We  don’t need to be told to win. We know winning is a must. We are happy with our recent position on the AFCON qualifiers’ log and we have joined forces to ensure that we get the ticket.

    “We know that we would be setting a bad record for ourselves if we do not qualify because Nigerians still remember vividly those that didn’t manage to take the Eagles to AFCON in the past. We don’t want to be associated with such record,” Egwuekwe said.

    Eagles must score three goals against Congo and hope that the Red Devils do not get more than one, when they play them on November 14th in Brazzaville before another must win tie at Uyo on November 19th.

    But Egwuekwe added that both matches are surmountable adding that what the Eagles need right now is  prayers and that the players would ensure that they complement the prayers with work on the pitch in both games.

  • Sani Kaita backs Amodu to deliver AFCON ticket

    Sani Kaita backs Amodu to deliver AFCON ticket

    Nigeria midfielder Sani Kaita has thrown his weight behind interim Eagles coach Shuaibu Amodu to deliver an AFCON 2015 ticket next month.

    He said Amodu and others on the technical crew that replaced the dismissed Keshi led crew have what it takes to see Nigeria through.

    “I believe Shuaibu Amodu will surely deliver the AFCON 2015 ticket because he had a lot of experience. The other coaches appointed to assist him will help him,” said Kaita.

    “We started the qualifier poorly, but that doesn’t mean we won’t qualify. I truly believe we will be there to defend our title with the quality we have everywhere.”

    He further told AfricanFootball.com: “The game against Congo away will be a World Cup final for Eagles.

    “South Africa are then coming to Nigeria and I am confident we will beat them.”

    Amodu made history when he became the first Nigerian coach to qualify the country to the World Cup in 2002. He repeated this feat for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

     

  • Morocco denies pulling out as hosts of 2015 AFCON

    Morocco denies pulling out as hosts of 2015 AFCON

    Morocco has denied that it had withdrawn hosting of the 2015 AFCON.

    The North African country however insists that they still want the tournament postponed, forcing a conflict with organisers.

    The Confederation of African Football has maintained its stance that the tournament, to be held between January 17 and February 8, must go ahead as planned.

    The ebola virus has claimed more than 4,000 lives since the start of the year, and with around a million spectators expected to travel to watch the tournament, Morocco sports minister Mohamed Ouzzine reiterated the country’s desire to for a postponement.

    “Our concern is the health of Africa, and based on WHO [World Health Organisation] reports and guidelines, we have to listen,” he said.

    “Zero safety does not exist, but one has to take the necessary precautions so that the coming tournament will be a football feast, bringing together our African brothers, but given the current ebola situation we don’t think such a feast can take place as expected.

    “I don’t think there is any state or any country that has the necessary capabilities to monitor, check and control the current ebola situation when faced with these numbers. This is our real problem. We don’t have a problem with visiting teams, we have a problem with visitors.”

  • AFCON qualifier: Akpan, Samuel in Eagles’ starting XI

    AFCON qualifier: Akpan, Samuel in Eagles’ starting XI

    Reading midfielder Hope Akpan and China-based striker Aaron Samuel will start for Nigeria against Sudan in Wednesday’s African Nations Cup qualifier in Abuja, africanFootball.com reports.

    It will be their full international debuts for Nigeria.

    The first choice fullbacks Efe Ambrose and Elderson Echiejile, have been dropped with Ogenyi Onazi now to start at right back for the first time since AFCON 2013.

    Coach Stephen Keshi has also picked Turkey-based midfielder Raheem Lawal ahead of Nosa Igiebor, who started the reverse fixture in Khartoum at the weekend.

    CSKA Moscow winger Ahmed Musa, who was a major injury doubt for this make-or-mar match, has recovered from a knock he picked up in Sudan and will start again for the African champions.

    Starting XI

     

    Vincent Enyeama – Ogenyi Onazi, Juwon Oshaniwa, Kenneth Omeruo, Godfrey Oboabona – Mikel Obi, Raheem Lawal, Hope Akpan, Ahmed Musa – Aaron Samuel, Emmanuel Emenike

  • Onazi sure of AFCON spot

    Onazi sure of AFCON spot

    Super Eagles midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi has tipped the Super Eagles to win its next three qualifying matches and seal a place at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco.

    Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying currently hang on a thread after two defeats and a draw in their first three qualifying matches but Onazi believes the African champions can pull the chestnut out of the fire and record remarkably positive results in their next three games.

    “Nobody is happy we lost to Sudan but we just have to put it behind us because we still have three more games to play beginning with our match against Sudan today.

    “It’s a must win game and I am sure that by God’s grace, we will achieve that,” Onazi said to supersport.com.

    Large sections of the Nigerian fans have turned against the team in recent days following the underwhelming results posted in their first three qualifying matches.

    Onazi said the fans will “soon smile” as the players have resolved to win their next three matches and hoist the country’s flag amongst the gathering of nations in Morocco in 2015.

    “We know the fans are not happy. We perfectly understand that and we promise that they will soon smile.

    “We want to win against Sudan and there are special characteristics in this team.

    “I set out to win every game I play and it’s the same thing with all members of this team.

    “The most important thing we have going for us though is that we put God first in everything we do,“he said.

  • Musa doubtful for Sudan

    Musa doubtful for Sudan

    Super Eagles suffered a blow after CSKA Moscow forward, Ahmed Musa skipped training ahead of tomorrow’s AFCON clash against Sudan.

    Musa could be a major injury concern for Nigeria in the encounter holding at the Abuja International Stadium.

    Team officials said Ahmed Musa is nursing a knock he picked up from Saturday’s 1-0 loss in Sudan.

    The flying winger has started the Eagles last three matches.

    Nigeria missed Stoke City star, Victor Moses and Ukraine-based forward, Babatunde Michael for the first AFCON qualifier in Sudan on account of injury.

    The African champions host Sudan tomorrow by 5pm in Abuja.

  • Michael returns for Eagles

    Michael returns for Eagles

    Fit-again Eagles winger Babatunde Michael has told AfricanFootball.com Nigeria will still qualify for AFCON 2015 despite the tight corner they find themselves in.

    “Personally, I have not lost hope. I believe we can still make it to the Nations Cup. Instead of me to lose hope, I will urge everybody in the team to declare war on our opponents in tomorrow’s game against Sudan,” Michael told AfricanFootball.com

    “I don’t think there is any player in this team that doesn’t want to play at the Nations Cup, and that is the more reason why we cannot lose hope irrespective of the circumstances we are in.

    “Of course, we are in a tight corner, but optimism can play a big role in this situation. As a team, we all felt bad losing in Sudan, but at the same time, any other big country could go to Sudan and lose on that pitch.”

    The Volyn of Ukraine player added: “I am not trying to defend our loss in Sudan, it has come and gone but we can still be in Morocco next year.

    “All our efforts must be channeled towards winning the game tomorrow, we have nothing to do but to beat Sudan, we cannot afford any more slips.”

     

  • AFCON: Keshi alleges gang-up against Eagles

    AFCON: Keshi alleges gang-up against Eagles

    Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, has alleged there is a gang-up against him not to succeed as Nigeria face elimination from next year’s African Nations Cup in Morocco.

    Nigeria currently lies bottom of Group A with a single point after three rounds of matches in the qualifying tournament for Morocco 2015, africanFootball.com reports.

    The African champions must now win the remaining three matches and hope other results in the group were favourable in order qualify for the championship.

    “There is a sabotage by some people, who I won’t mention their names but who know themselves. They want to run this team down,” africanFootball.com quoted Keshi as saying on Monday.

    “Some people are ready to sell this country for a dime. They want to sabotage the Super Eagles.

    “It’s a shame. They don’t want this team to get to the AFCON, they want this team to lose outright. But they are not God.

    “And this is not Keshi’s team. This is a national team. Keshi is a professional coach and after this (assignment), he will get another job elsewhere.”

    Nigeria hosts Sudan in a reverse fixture on Wednesday in Abuja.

     

  • Nigeria vs Sudan fallout: Chukwu asks Keshi to resign

    Nigeria vs Sudan fallout: Chukwu asks Keshi to resign

    Following Nigeria’s 0-1 loss to Sudan in Saturday African Nations Cup qualifier in Khartoum, former Super Eagles’ manager, Christian Chukwu, has asked the team caretaker coach, Stephen Keshi, to resign honourably.

    The African champions suffered a shock defeat to the East Africans in a match played at the Municipal Stadium in Khartoum, supersport.com reports.

    Forward, Bakeber Bakri scored the match winner in the 42nd minute to hand his side the three points.

    Nigeria now sits at the base of Group A in the 2015 AFCON qualification on one point, Sudan moved to the third spot, while South Africa leads on seven points, followed by Congo on six points.

    Shocked by Eagles’ unexpected defeat in the hands of the Sudanese, Chukwu said Keshi does not need to wait any longer but take the exit option.

    “This is football for you, Keshi won the 2013 AFCON title and took us to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil and everyone was completely happy.

    “Now that he has not done well so far in the qualifiers to the AFCON 2015 in Morocco, Nigerians definitely won’t be happy with him, “the former Green Eagles captain told supersport.com.

    He added: “When Samson Siasia didn’t qualify Nigeria for the 2012 AFCON, he was fired, so Keshi knows what to expect from his employer with this painful defeat.

    “Keshi has no contract at the moment, so there is nothing anybody will lose, I think he knows exactly what to expect, though that decision is left with the Nigeria Football Federation.

    “That’s how the coaching job is, ups and downs. At one point you’re a hero and at another time you become a villain.

    “Though I didn’t watch the match, but defeat was the last thing I expected. I’m deeply shocked to learn that it’s over for us as far as Maroc 2015 AFCON is concerned.”

     

  • AFCON: Nigerian football is dead – Okocha

    AFCON: Nigerian football is dead – Okocha

    Former Nigeria captain, Austin Okocha, on Saturday said football in the country is “long dead and gone” and has refused to blame the Super Eagles or coach Stephen Keshi for the team 0-1 defeat to Sudan in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, Goal reports.

    A ferocious header by striker Bakri Abd Elgadir in the closing stages of the first half flew past goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and put the hosts ahead of the African champions.

    The result means Nigeria now walk a tight rope towards qualifying for the biennial African football showpiece billed for Morocco in 2015.

    Okocha leapt to the defence of the current crop of players and the coach, insisting the nation’s game is failing immensely.

    “Anyone that blames Keshi or the boys is short sighted. Our football is long dead and gone. This is just the confirmation” Goal quoted Okocha as saying on his Twitter handle.