The Nation Newspaper

Tag: AFCON

  • A dream to sign off on AFCON – Yobo

    A dream to sign off on AFCON – Yobo

    Super Eagles skipper, Joseph Yobo, has said it was a dream come true to crown his last African Nations Cup tournament with his first international trophy.

    Yobo made his AFCON debut in 2002, where the Eagles finished third in Mali.

    He also featured in the competition in 2004, 2006 (third place medal), 2008 (quarterfinal) and 2010 (third place).

    The 32-year-old Yobo had a limited game time at the tournament after he lost his first-team place to youngster Kenneth Omeruo, MTNFootball.com reports.

    “This is a dream come true. I have been around for 11, 12 years. This was my sixth AFCON and I have said this would be my last. Not because I can no longer play anymore, but I have given my international career a lot of time,” said Yobo, who holds the record international appearance for Nigeria with 94 caps.

    “I’m short of words because this is a massive achievement in my national team career.

    “I’m very delighted. I feel so blessed. I’m so grateful to God for answering my prayers.”

    He attributed Nigeria’s long-awaited triumph to the stronger unity in the squad.

    “Unity has not been that strong in the previous squads but it is a lot stronger in this squad,” he said.

    Coach Stephen Keshi, who has been under pressure to win in South Africa, has dedicated the victory to local coaches in Africa.

    Brazilian Otto Gloria and Dutchman Clemens Westerhof led Nigeria to win its first two Nations Cups in 1980 and 1994, respectively.

  • Super Eagles victory should ignite unity, patriotism – Yero

    Super Eagles victory should ignite unity, patriotism – Yero

    Governor Mukhtar Yero of Kaduna State has expressed the hope that the victory of the Super Eagles at the just concluded African Nations Cup in South Africa would ignite a lasting spirit of patriotism and unity among Nigerians.

    Yero, who watched the AFCON final at the NUJ Press Centre in Kaduna, said the Eagles had made all Nigerians proud.

    He said the victory should serve as a pedestal for unity, sacrifice and mutual coexistence among Nigerians.

    The governor pledged to invest in the sports sector, to further consolidate government efforts in the search for peace and unity in the state.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that residents of Kaduna had gone into wild celebrations at the end of the match, with hundreds of youths trooping to the streets, chanting victory songs and the Nigeria’s national anthem.

    Reports from Zaria indicated that football fans and other residents also celebrated the Super Eagles victory.

    A resident, Musa Dogara, described the victory as historic and memorable, adding: “we are happy to be associated with the Super Eagles, we are proud of them.”

    In Kafanchan, youths were also on the streets in celebration.

    Samuel Ona, a student, said:“I hope our victory will bind us together.”

    Another fan, Sani Uba, said the Federal Government should motivate the team so as to enable it to remain committed in future competitions.

     

     

  • Jonathan Celebrating Super Eagles Victory

    Jonathan Celebrating Super Eagles Victory

  • AFCON: Nigeria is African champion

    AFCON: Nigeria is African champion

    Super Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday in South Africa lifted the 2013 African Cup of Nations,

    The team defeated the Stallion of Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final match played at the National Stadium in Soweto, South Africa.

    Sunday Mba’s 40th minute goal was the decider in the match dominated by the  the Eagles.

    With this victory, Nigeria will represent Africa at this year Confederation Cup slated for June in Brazil.

     

     

  • Lam-Adesina charges Eagles to win

    Lam-Adesina charges Eagles to win

    Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Dapo Lam-Adesina has charged the Super Eagles of Nigeria to go all out against the Stallions of Burkina Faso and ensure they win the African Cup of Nations’ trophy on Sunday.

    The Commissioner said this in his goodwill message to the Super Eagles of Nigeria who are due to play Burkina Faso in the final of the 29th edition of the African Cup of Nations.

    He said the good people of Oyo State like other sports-loving Nigerians are earnestly praying for the success of the team in the match while also congratulating the team for the success recorded so far despite not being considered as favorite.

    He charged every member of the team to show the true spirit of Nigeria which has been the driving force and a major contributing factor in reaching the final. Winning the trophy at this time, he said, will be good for the image of the country and serve as encouragement to upcoming footballers.

    He particularly praised Coach Stephen Keshi for keeping faith with locally based players who have distinguished themselves.

    Lam-Adesina also praised the effort of the technical crew as well as the Nigeria Football Federation for the support given to the team.

    He said the present administration in Oyo State is willing to partner with the NFF on Football development in the grassroot which has been one of the cardinal programmes aimed at restoring the lost glory of Sports in Nigeria, while also hoping to see one of the National Teams play their home matches in Oyo State.

  • ‘Emenike’s injury not serious’

    ‘Emenike’s injury not serious’

    Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike’s injury is not serious, while a scan will be carried out for Victor Moses, officials told MTNFootball.com.

    Emenike injured his right leg during the semi-final victory over Mali while shooting for goal, but team spokesman Ben Alaiya said it was not a serious injury as the doctor is expected to confirm this later Thursday.

    Alaiya said, “Emenike’s injury is not serious, he had just a knock which is minor. He should be fit for final, but we are waiting for the medical report on him which should be ready by lunch time.”

    Emenike has scored four goals so far in the tournament with two assists to top the goals chart at the African Nations Cup in South Africa.

    He suffered what look like a hamstring injury while shooting from long range at goal against Mali on Wednesday.

    Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi disclosed that a scan will be carried out on Chelsea winger Moses, who also picked up an injury against Mali.

    “We hope it is not serious and he will play the final,” said Keshi.

     

  • ENYEAMA REVEALS: I was trained by Barca coach for AFCON

    ENYEAMA REVEALS: I was trained by Barca coach for AFCON

    Assistant Captain of the Super Eagles, Vincent Enyeama has told SportingLife that he was knocked to shape by coaches from Barcelona, Israel and Turkey and also surrendered the winning of the 2013 AFCON to almighty God.

    Soccer fans in South Africa have been amazed and thrilled by the awesome form of the Israel based goalkeeper who has been the stand-in Super Eagles Captain since Nigeria’s match against Ethiopia.

    He, however, confessed to SportingLife that it was as a result of hard one month training in the hands of coaches from Barcelona, Israel and Turkey that brought out the best in him in the on-going 2013 AFCON in South Africa.

    “I will give much credit to my coaches because I had coaches from Barcelona, Israel and Turkey they really helped me. We had one month training together before the commencement of the final build up for the Nations Cup,” he said.

    He also declared that he has never worried about rejection and condemnation from Nigerians most especially when he was not having good games since he is aware of the emotional attachment of Nigerians to football.

    “ It is not a new thing to be criticized by Nigerians. I was criticized before coming to the Nations Cup but I thank God for where we are today. I am used to this because I have played for this country for 11 years and I can tell how we react to matches and results. When you make a mistake my people will come down hard on you pom, pom, pom,” he said with laughter.

    He was also spiritual about Nigeria’s chances of winning the AFCON Trophy. “God is author and finisher of everything if He wishes us to win we will win, if not there is nothing we can do about it,” he added.

  • Nigeria hits AFCON final

    Nigeria hits AFCON final

    … routs Mali 4-1

    Super Eagles of Nigeria on Wednesday qualified for the final of the ongoing African Nations Cup in South Africa.

    The team defeated the Eagles of Mali 4-1 in the first semi final played at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

    Elderson Echiejile opened the floodgate with a perfectly timed header from Victor Moses pull out in the 25th minute.

    Brown Ideye doubled the lead in the 29th minute, taking advantage of a long ball from Emmanuel Emenike to leave the Malian goalkeeper Samassa Mamadou and his defenders stranded.

    The third goal arrived in the 44th minute through Emmanuel Emenike whose low shot from a free kick took a slight deflection off a Malian defender and rested at the back of the net.

    The strike brought Emenike’s tally in the tournament to four.

    Substitute Ahmed Musa added the fourth goal in the 60th minute, while the Malians pulled a goal back through Cheick Amadi Diarra in the 74th minute.

     

  • Onazi retains place in Eagles starting XI

    Onazi retains place in Eagles starting XI

    Lazio youngster Ogenyi Onazi will keep his place in Nigeria starting XI against Mali in Wednesday’s African Nations Cup semi final.

    Onazi was expected to give way for returnee Fengor Ogude who served a one-match suspension in the quarter final duel against Cote d’Ivoire.

    But Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has lined up an unchanged team for the match against the fellow West African nation in Durban.

    The versatile Onazi stood in for Ogude on Sunday to earn praise from Keshi for his energetic display in defensive midfield.

    “Onazi did a wonderful job (vs Cote d’Ivoire),” saluted Keshi.

    He also filled in at right back for suspended Efe Ambrose for a group game against Zambia.

    Onazi told MTNFootball.com he is driven for glory.

    “Well, it is not by my power that I did well against Yaya Toure and (Cheick) Tiote in the midfield, but the special grace of God that gave me the strength to be able to play my game,” he said.

    “Motivation is by the grace of God in my life. Step by step I am achieving my heart desire and my long time dream to not only line up among the best, but to always come out tops. That in itself is a lot of motivation.

    “Don’t also forget that we play for our country knowing the name of our family is at stake. Motivation is never missing when you are a Nigerian.”

    He also told MTNFootball.com that Prophet T.B.Joshua’s prayer has propelled him in South Africa.

    “Prophet T.B Joshua is not only my Father in the Lord, he is also a figure I look up to as well as respect a lot,” he revealed.

    “He has always been praying for me and the team, and he always gives advice which has been the key to my success and that of the team.”

     

  • Mali dismisses Nigeria’s ‘win’ record

    Mali dismisses Nigeria’s ‘win’ record

    Nigeria has not lost to Mali, but the Eagles of Bamako coach Patrice Carteron has said all that is in the past.

    The two West African countries have clashed six times at full international level with four of such meetings being at the Africa Cup of Nations.

    And in all six previous meetings, Nigeria has won three of these match-ups, while three other games finished in draws, MTNFootball.com reports.

    The last meeting between the two teams was at the 2008 tournament in Ghana and it ended in a goalless draw.

    “We are living in the present and not the past,” said Carteron, when he was reminded of Nigeria superior record against his team.

    “Therefore we are facing a team we can beat.”

    The former Lyon and Saint Etienne defender also said the Nigerians are the favourites to win this semi-final in Durban and the pressure will therefore be on the Super Eagles.

    “Nigeria remains the favourites in this game, but we aim to beat them. The pressure is on them, we’re not under pressure because we’re not the favourites,” said the Frenchman.

    “We will play so as to win this game. We will attack because it’s important to win this game. And we want to win without going into penalties.”

    Carteron has disclosed he will start young Guingamp goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa on Wednesday ahead of the more experienced Stade Malien shot stopper Soumaila Diakite.

    Diakite kept out two penalties in the shootout against South Africa in the quarterfinal, but Carteron rates Samassa highly.

    The Mali coach has praised the tall, 22-year-old Samassa, who has represented France at age-group levels, but opted to feature for Mali at full international level and made his debut last October.