The Nation Newspaper

Tag: AFCON

  • Côte d’Ivoire ready to withdraw from AFCON

    Côte d’Ivoire ready to withdraw from AFCON

    Côte d’Ivoire are ready to withdraw from the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2015 qualifiers should CAF force them to host Sierra Leone on September 6.

    The Elephants are scheduled to face the Ebola-hit nation in their Group D opener in Abidjan.

    With a large part of the continent fighting the spread of the deadly virus, the Ivoirian government is set to refuse entry to the Sierra Leone national team regardless of the sporting consequences of such a decision.

    “The Côte d’Ivoire authorities do not want to expose their people.They made an official statement which supports their views. And according to this statement, we are not allowed to host this game in Côte d’Ivoire,” Ivoirian Football Federation vice-president Malick Tohé said in a press conference in Abidjan on Thursday.

    “We took the matter to CAF for various options to be considered, including relocation or withdrawal,” the FIF official added, while insisting that “Sierra Leone, who want to play, assured that none of their players residing in the country will be picked.”

    The discussions continue between FIF and the Ivoirian government.

  • AFCON: South Africa, Nigeria match tickets on sale

    AFCON: South Africa, Nigeria match tickets on sale

    Tickets for the upcoming 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between South Africa and Nigeria scheduled for September 10 in Cape Town are now on sale, supersport.com reports.

    Tickets went on sale at Computicket, Shoprite and Checkers Shoprite outlets on Tuesday and they are going for R50, R100 and R150. The match will be played at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday, September 10 and kicks off at 20h00.

    Bafana Bafana will first travel to Sudan on September 3 for the opening 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Sudan on September 5.

    The former African champions will fly back soon after the game and will arrive on September 6 before heading straight to Cape Town to continue preparations for the match against African champions, the Super Eagles.

    Fans are urged to get their tickets early to avoid disappointments.

  • Wassland Beveren sack Reuben Gabriel

    Wassland Beveren sack Reuben Gabriel

    Reuben Gabriel’s unstable career has taken another turn for the worse as the AFCON 2013 winner is presently clubless after Waasland Beveren refused  to prolong his stay.

    Prior to the World Cup,in January 2014, he was reported to have signed an 18-month deal with the Belgian outfit after terminating his contract with Scottish side Kilmanorck.

    However, according to reports gathered by SL10, Reuben Gabriel signed an initial six months deal with Wassland Beveren with an option of a further 12 months if he impresses.

    At Waasland Beveren just as it was at Kilmanorck, where he made two appearances in six months, he made just five appearances for the team and picked up one red card amassing just 179 minutes.

    A poor World Cup showing, where he appeared just once for Nigeria in the second round lose to France further convinced Waasland Beveren to release the midfielder.

    Waasland have already played five games this season and are presently on a poor run of form placed 16th after five games.

    Gabriel’s number 20 jersey has been given to young belgian Niels De Pauw,while the midfielder was spotted by SL10 in Kaduna State Nigeria training in the southern suburb of the State.

  • Keshi to handle Eagles against Congo, South Africa

    Keshi to handle Eagles against Congo, South Africa

    The agent of Stephen Keshi has claimed the coach has reached an agreement with the country’s sports minister to handle the Super Eagles next month so as to avert “a disaster.”

    Nigeria hosts Congo on September 6 in Calabar and faces South Africa four days later in Cape Town in 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, africanFootball.com reports.

    Keshi’s manager Emmanuel Ado revealed to africanFootball.com that his brother has agreed to an appeal from federal government to return to his post to avert “disaster” in these matches while contract talks continue.

    Talks with Keshi’s agents were at an advanced stage, but had stalled no thanks to the leadership tussle rocking Nigerian football.

    “I want to announce that we have reached an agreement between Keshi and the minister of sports,” Ado told africanFootball.com.

    “The agreement is all about Nigeria. And as a patriotic Nigerian, Keshi has no choice than to answer to the appeal of Mr. President.

    “Talks will resume after the two matches, but my client and brother has agreed to take charge of the games, so as to avert any form of disaster.”

    Sports minister Tammy Danagogo has not hidden his preference for the 52-year-old to continue as Nigeria coach after he guided the Super Eagles to the knockout stage of the World Cup in Brazil.

    However, the general assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday in Abuja is expected to deliberate on the coach’s future with the team.

  • AFCON: Nigeria, South Africa to play in Cape Town

    AFCON: Nigeria, South Africa to play in Cape Town

    The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between South Africa and Nigeria will be played in Cape Town, kickOffNigeria.com reports.

    The Super Eagles will face Rwanda at home on September 6 in the opening match of the qualifying campaign before traveling to South Africa for the Bafana Bafana clash at the Cape Town Stadium on September 10.

    Nigeria is in Group A with South Africa, Rwanda and Sudan and Super Eagles is expected to cruise through and qualify for the African showpiece being hosted by Morocco in January.

  • AFCON QUALIFIER: Nigeria must prepare well

    AFCON QUALIFIER: Nigeria must prepare well

    Former Nigeria goalkeeper Joseph Dosu has warned that the Super Eagles should be given the best of preparation if they hope to scale above their opponents in Group A of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying round which starts next month.

    Nigeria will face Rwanda, South Africa and Sudan in the battle to secure a ticket for the 2015 Afcon billed for Morocco.

    The 1996 Olympic gold medalist insists the group is a tough one but is optimistic that the Super Eagles will make it to Morocco if the NFF put their house in order and settle the coaching contract of Stephen Keshi early enough.

    “A lot of countries have been playing games against each other while we are still not settled but I believe Nigerians should have told Keshi to continue, and then the coaching crew can now decide on which players to invite,” Dosu told Goal.

    “For sure, we shouldn’t be afraid but the important thing is for our federation to put their house in order and decide on the choice of coach they want to continue with the national team,” he added.

    The draw is seen as a rekindling of rivalries between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana, the South Africans are hoping to earn their first victory in a competitive match against the reigning African champions.

    “There is no pushover in football anymore; all now depends on how your preparation is. If we have good preparations, I think we can beat them home and away.

    “We have done that against the South Africans and we should be able to overrun the Rwandans in both legs but for me, preparation is important.  Determination and confidence will come into play despite having the right players, he concluded.

  • Okwuosa targets 2015 AFCON

    Okwuosa targets 2015 AFCON

    South Africa-based defender James Okwuosa has told AfricanFootball.com he hopes his form at newly-promoted Chippa United will earn him a place on Nigeria’s squad for next year’s African Cup of Nations.

    The former Enugu Rangers skipper was part of the Super Eagles squad in the qualifying tournament for Brazil 2014, but was eventually overlooked for the championship.

    “I want a return to the Eagles and I hope that my performance at Chippa United by God’s grace will help me make the AFCON final squad,” Okwuosa told AfricaFootball.com

    The big central defender played a big role as Chippa United bounced back to the South African top flight after they were relegated last season.

    He said he hopes to now ensure the club do not go down again.

    “We are in pre-season now and my main target with Chippa in the new season is to retain our PSL status, any other thing would be a bonus,” he declared.

  • NFF appoints new Media Officer for Flamingoes

    NFF appoints new Media Officer for Flamingoes

    The Nigeria Football Federation has appointed Jennifer Ifeoma Okoye, the Media Officer of the U-17 national women side, nicknamed Flamingoes.

    The appointment letter from the NFF which confirms Okoye’s media role with the Nigeria women age-grade side and “takes immediate effect” from 20th December 2013 and will “take charge of all media-related activities with the U-17 women national team”.

    Until her appointment, Jennifer Okoye who holds a Degree in Mass Communication from Ebonyi State University Abakiliki, was a Nigerian correspondent for BBC Fast Track, even at the World Cup 2010 in South Africa, wrote for Goal.com Africa and is a one-time seasoned Sports Presenter/Producer at the confluence Television and Grace 95.5 FM Lokoja, as well as an activist, founding the Young and Vibrant Initiative, (YVI).

    The well-travelled international sports journalist under a Lokoja-based media firm, Confluence Cable Network covered Ghana AFCON 2008, Egypt U-20 World Cup 2009, Angola AFCON 2010 amongst other international tournaments.

    She is expected to intimate the public with activities of the Coach Bala Nkiyu-led wards as they prepare for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Costa Rica later this year.

    On her appointment, Miss Okoye thanked the Nigeria Football Federation for the opportunity to serve and promised to bring her wealth of experience to bear in the course of her duties.

    She, however, appealed for the cooperation of media colleagues and football stakeholders in ensuring the activities of the national team side are well-reported.

    “I am delighted with the opportunity and prepared for the task ahead- I will appeal for the cooperation of my colleagues in giving the team the needed publicity,” she said.

     

  • Why I don’t support Chelsea, Man United

    Why I don’t support Chelsea, Man United

    STILL wondering why he was voted repeatedly as the chief supporter of sport in the outgoing year 2013, Senator Liyel Imoke (CON), the Executive Governor of Cross River State has given a rare insight into the secret behind his Magic wand.

    “I don’t support Chelsea or Manchester United,” Imoke said with an air of finality.

    Long before now, there is suspicion on the streets of Calabar that the amiable Governor is a dye-in-the-wool supporter of one of the top English Premiership clubs but he squealed to The Nation Sport & Style where his loyalty lies.

    “The only two teams I support now are the Super Eagles and the Golden Eaglets and as a matter of fact, trust me to support any Nigerian team,” informed Imoke.

    The Governor indeed put his money where his mouth is by giving fillip as well as financial muscle to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) towards the preparation and hosting both the Super Eagles and Golden Eaglets towards their qualification for continental and global championship in 2013.

    While the Super Eagles won the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in 19 years in South Africa on their way to securing the country’s fifth World Cup appearance at Brazil 2014, the Golden Eaglets qualified for the CAN Under-17 Championship for the first time since 2007. They later won silver at the championship in Morocco before becoming a record four titlist at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in the UAE.

    “I’m very impressed with both the Super Eagles and Golden Eaglets since they justified the huge support our state gave them in winning their respective championship,” noted Imoke.

    He explained that the achievements recorded by both sides were not by accident but a painstaking plan he ensured was follow to the letter despite the state’s lean resources in the face of dwindling fortune following the loss of oil wells to a sister state.

    Three years ago, the Senator Liyel Imoke led-government put in place a Comprehensive Sports Development Programme otherwise known as CSDP with the sole aim at discovering budding talents at a tender age from the nooks and crannies of the state in order to expose them to the twin-facet of education and sport. Over 4,000 young athletes of school ages have been discovered and some of them performed creditably well at the just concluded National Youth Games (NYG) created by the National Sports Commission (NSC) to encourage youth participation in Sports. The CSDP project served as the platform for the state to host and win the National School Sports Festival in 2011 and the state recorded an encore by finishing first yet again at the 2013 National School Festival hosted by Rivers State.

    “What we are doing right is going back to the basics because we took a critical look at the performances of Cross River State in sports and decided that the only way we can improve is on investing in youth development and the driving force of this project is Governor Liyel Imoke, “Hon. Patrick Ugbe, the state’s Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, said matter-of-factly.

    There are six Sports Excellence Centres across the state with two ultra modern stadia valued at a cost of about N2.3b under construction in Ikom and Ogoja-in the central and northern senatorial districts respectively- to complement the U.J Esuene Sports Stadium in Calabar (southern senatorial district). The U.J Esuene which hosted football matches when Nigeria hosted the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 1999 and the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup is unarguably the best-maintained stadium in the country.

    The state will be hosting several sporting events in the coming months including the 2014 National Sports Festival as well as the 30th World Mountain Race Championship in 2014.

    “I always like to celebrate things differently and I was the happiest man on earth the day the Golden Eaglets won the World Cup,” he affirmed. “I was elated because we can all see the result of investing in a dream and I was excited since witnessed the history and all of us in Cross River State would forever remain proud of the achievements of the Golden Eaglets and Super Eagles in 2013.”

  • NFF sets CHAN win target

    T HE Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) has set a target of starting the new year with another silverware as the home based Super Eagles play at the African Nations Championship(CHAN) in January.

    The outgoing year has been very fruitful for the country after the Super Eagles opened the 2013 with the AFCON crown and the Golden Eaglets with the FIFA U-17 World Cup trophy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) among other accolades in the year about to pass by.

    Speaking with SportingLife on telephone, the NFF’s Chairman, Technical Sub Committee, Christopher Green said that the Football House has not given the Super Eagles’ boss any ultimatum with which to perform at the competition meant for domestic league players.

    Green affirmed that it was the duty of the NFF to set goals of what the body intends to achieve at the start of the year so as to keep pace with the expectations of Nigerians.