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Tag: Ambrose

  • Efe Ambrose, Celtic in cruise control

    Efe Ambrose, Celtic in cruise control

    That Super Eagles centre-back Efe Ambrose is currently in excellent form is not in doubt as the former U-20 and 23 ace was outstanding for his Scottish side Celtic Sunday.

    The former FC Ashod of Israel ace remained effective all through the 90 minutes duration of the clash against hosts Dundee United at the Tannadice Park.

    Ambrose and his teammates, despite ruling the Scottish league, left no one in doubt they had adopted victory as a tradition when they began a goal rain as early as the 11th minute. It was Kris Commons that registered the first goal in the 11th minute and Joe Ledley increased the tally six minutes later.

    Greece import Geiogios Samaras striked in the 27th minute to give Celtic a 0-3 lead. The remaining 63 minutes turned into a ding-dong affair as Dundee United tried to at least earn a consolation goal to no avail, even as Celtic continued the hunt for more goals.

    The visitors’ tenacity paid off in the 85th minute when Anthony Strokes found the net after coming in as substitute for Patrick McCout in the 68th minute.

    Sunday’s victory created a 16 points margin between Celtic (79) and second placed Motherwell (63) who unfortunately their tie against St. Johnstone 0-2 away

    Coach Neil Lennon has never hidden his admiration for Efe Ambrose who has made over 27 appearance for the Scottish League champions.

    The current form of the AFCON 2013 winner will no doubt come in handy as Coach Stephen Keshi looks to a good result in the World Cup qualifiers against Kenya and Namibia on the one hand and a good outing at the FIFA Confederation Cup in Brazil on the other.

  • Lennon our inspiration-Ambrose

    Lennon our inspiration-Ambrose

    SUPER Eagles Celtic defender, Efe Ambrose, believes Neil Lennon can certainly lead his side to the double this season.

    “He’s a manager that brings out the best in you”.

    The Hoops have already secured a second successive SPL title and face Hibernian in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park later this month.

    And the Nigerian insists that Lennon remains the driving force during a season in which the Parkhead giants have also experienced a successful European campaign.

    “He inspired the team this season and I must say he’s been the main strength of this team,” Ambrose told the Daily Record. “He’s a manager that brings out the best in you and it says a lot when you see what his players become in the future. Lennon is a great manager.”

  • Ambrose nears Scottish title with Celtic

    Ambrose nears Scottish title with Celtic

    SUPER EAGLES returnee, Efe Ambrose was in action for Celtic as Kris Commons help the Scottish topflight campaigners ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against Hibernian – but the Nigeria international must wait to be crowned champions as they need to avoid defeat in their next league match for the title win to be declared a mathematical certainty after second-placed Motherwell’s 2-2 draw with St Mirren put the Bhoys’ celebrations on hold until at least their next game.

    James McFadden equalised for Motherwell six minutes from time in their 2-2 draw with St. Mirren to deny Ambrose and his Celtic pals but revive their hopes of playing Champions League football next season.

    Former Scotland boss Craig Brown’s final game as a manager ended in defeat as his Aberdeen side conceded the only goal of the game right at the death at Dundee United.

    Michael Ngoo netted two goals in the day’s early kickoff in Hearts’ 4-2 defeat of Ross County and bottom side Dundee picked up a rare victory at Kilmarnock.

  • Ambrose targets Hibernian’s scalp

    Ambrose targets Hibernian’s scalp

    Ahead of Celtic’s weekend clash with Hibernian, Nigeria stopper Efe Ambrose says the club should focus on the upcoming fixture instead of reminiscing on the drawn game with St Mirren .

    Speaking to the official website of Celtic, celticfc.net, Ambrose said: ”In football it doesn’t always go the way you planned. It can go in an ugly way and sometimes it can go in a good way.

    ”The most important thing is for us to keep our heads straight and our aim on the championship, work harder and prepare well.”

    Celtic could win the Premier League title if they defeat Hibernian and closest challengers Motherwell lose to St Mirren at home.

    Knowing that the championship could be won on Saturday, The Bhoys have stepped up preparations.

    ”We came back for the first game after representing our countries and it takes a little bit of time.

    ”But everyone will train a little bit together again and we will come back to where we were before,” Ambrose said.

    Efe Ambrose has started 20 games for Glasgow Celtic in the Scottish Premier League.

  • Eagles missed Emenike, Ambrose against Kenya- Siasia

    Eagles missed Emenike, Ambrose against Kenya- Siasia

     Says Stars will be difficult to beat in Kenya

     

    Former Super Eagles Chief Coach, Samson Siasia has blamed the 1-1 draw of the team against the Harambee Stars of Kenya on the absence of key players namely defender Efe Ambrose and injured striker Emmanuel Emenike.

    “It was very glaring in today’s (Saturday’s) match that Efe Ambrose and Emmanuel Emenike were sorely missed. There was nobody to coordinate that defence line effectively. Also we all know the effectiveness of Efe from the right back which he uses to even run down opponent’s defence at will because of his attacking prowess too.

    “Emenike undoubtedly is the best striker we have now going by his performance in the last Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. If he had played this game I believe he could have converted one or two in this match,” Siasia told SportingLife shortly after 1-1 score draw between the Super Eagles and the Harambee Stars of Kenya in the 2014 World Cup qualifying match decided at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar Saturday.

    He added: “The Kenyan team came with a game plan which they almost succeeded in carrying out. They put only one player upfront, but more men in the middle while everybody was defending. But it was good that we got a draw so we have the chance and time to prepare very well for the next match and with more friendly matches played before going to Kenya I hope we will get a good result there.

    “But my fears is that Kenya would be very difficult to beat in the front of their fans. But I am confident the team can do it.”

    It will be recalled that the Super Eagles defeated Kenya 3-0 in a friendly match played under the former Coach, Siasia while preparing for the 2012 Nations Cup qualifier which Nigeria failed to qualify.

  • OPERATION CRUSH KENYA No replacement for Efe Ambrose

    OPERATION CRUSH KENYA No replacement for Efe Ambrose

    Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi will not replace defender Efe Ambrose who has been ruled out of the World Cup qualifier against Kenya due to accumulated cautions.

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) disclosed last week that the Scotland-based defender will not be part of the contingent as he is on suspension as a result of accumulated yellow cards from previous World Cup qualifying matches.

    Media officer of the team Ben Alaiya said there are no plans to call up a replacement for Ambrose, as the team gets set for next weekend’s game.

    “There will not be any fresh invitation to replace Ambrose,” Alaiya told futaa.com.

    “We have enough players in camp to play in his position.”

    Nigeria, who sit on top of the group with four points, will play Kenya on March 23, 2013 at the UJ Esuene stadium in Calabar.

  • Sunderland deny link to Ambrose

    Sunderland deny link to Ambrose

    SUNDERLAND manager Martin O’Neill has denied suggestions the northern club are interested in the services of Nigeria’s Nations Cup winner and Celtic centre-back Efe Ambrose.

    The former Kaduna United skipper has made himself indispensable to the Scottish champions since arriving from Israeli side Ashdod for a fee of N388m (1.5 m pounds) in the off-season. The 24-year-old’s performances are believed to have drawn interest from several English Premier League clubs, but O’Neill has denied discussing Ambrose’s future with Celtic manager Neil Lennon.

    “ It’s been news to me. I’ve not spoken to Neil Lennon about Ambrose,” O’Neill told the Sunderland Echo.

    The defender was at fault for two goals and missed a glorious chance at the other end as the Scottish outfit succumbed to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Juventus in the Champions League.

  • Ambrose: Dream come true to play at AFCON

    Ambrose: Dream come true to play at AFCON

    GLASGOW Celtic utility defender Efe Ambrose is delighted to have made the Eagles squad for the African Cup of Nations. In an interview with the official website of the Scottish club, he spoke on the chances of Nigeria winning silverware at Africa’s premier soccer competition.

    ”It’s a dream come true, because I’ve never played in the Africa Cup of Nations. It’s my first time and for me it is important to be among that 23-man list. I used to watch the tournament when I was younger and I remember seeing a lot of good players in the competition. That was nice but being a part of it would be amazing,” says Ambrose to celticfc.net.

    He added: “For us it’s been a long time since we have won the Nations Cup. This is a chance for us to put things right and prove to the world that we are back. We want to be the giants of Africa. I know football has changed, there are no bigger or smaller countries, everybody is equal. Everyone is up for the task, and there is a lot of talent – a lot of countries have a lot of good players. It is going to be a good Nations Cup, and if you are to win it you have to beat the best. You have to work hard, train hard, and believe in yourself.”

  • Ambrose ready to lose Celtic shirt for Nigeria

    Ambrose ready to lose Celtic shirt for Nigeria

    CELTIC defender Efe Ambrose has said he does not bother if he loses his first team shirt on return from the Africa Cup of Nstions, as he is dedicated to play for Nigeria at the competition in South Africa. Ambrose knows that if the club did put the squeeze on him he would be in a tricky position. “If the club says I can’t go, then I can’t go. It all depends on what they say. I believe the manager has his own opinion. If they say I can’t go, I don’t have any option. But I believe they will come to the right choice for me. I won’t be worried about losing my place. If that is the challenge I have to face when I come back, I will face it. I will just have to fight my way back into the team.

  • Ambrose will be late to camp

    Ambrose will be late to camp

    CELTIC defender Efe Ambrose will join the late arrivals from the EPL at the Faro training camp on January 5.

    Officials have already disclosed that English Premier League trio of Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Shola Ameobi will be the last players to join the Eagles squad in Portugal on January 5.

    “I cannot confirm right now on when I would hit camp because we have a game on January 2 after which I will discuss with the club,” he told MTNFootball.com

    “But I think at the latest I should already be in camp by January 5.”

    The central defender said he believes all the players on the 32-man squad deserve their call-ups.

    “Everybody on the list deserves to be there, that is why the coach invited them. I am happy I am on the list, but the most important thing is that we know what Nigerians want and we are ready to give a 120 per cent,” he said.

    “As for those not on the list, I would (not? ed.) like to say anything about that but the coach would have his reasons and like you know, the coach has the final say.”