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Tag: Ameobi

  • World Cup playoffs biggest test for Eagles – Ameobi

    World Cup playoffs biggest test for Eagles – Ameobi

    Newcastle United striker, Shola Ameobi, has said next month’s final 2014 World Cup playoffs will be a big test for Nigeria.

    The African champions qualified for the 10-team qualifying series to be played on knockout basis in October and November after defeating Malawi 2-0 at the weekend.

    MTNFootball.com reports that the top five rated teams in Africa in Thursday’s FIFA rankings will be seeded for the draw, which will be staged in Cairo, Egypt, on Monday afternoon.

    “The big test for us will be in the playoffs and we have to show how far we have come here,” said Ameobi, who made his debut as a late substitute on Saturday.

    The striker is delighted that he is now a full Nigerian international after he represented England at various age-group levels.

    “It’s a joy to play at the world stage. The coach and the lads have been very welcoming,” he said.

    Ameobi said he hopes his English Premier League side finish the new season at the top half of the table after flirting with relegation last term.

    “Last season was a gruelling season and this wore on our thin squad, but we hope to finish in the top half of the table this campaign. We did that two years ago and there is no reason why we should not do that again,” he said.

    His personal target with The Magpies this season is to get more game time and score more goals.

    “I want to play more games, give everything I have got and score as many goals as possible,” declared the experienced striker, who is in line to start against Burkina Faso in Tuesday’s friendly in Kaduna.

     

  • Ameobi eyes Eagles first XI shirt

    Ameobi eyes Eagles first XI shirt

    Newcastle of England forward,Shola Ameobi says he is ready to compete for the Super Eagles first team shirt.

    Ameobi came on as 81st minute substitute for Emmanuel Emenike during Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Malawi during 2014 World Cup qualifier at the U.J Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

    He was also a 61st minute replacement for Obafemi Martins when he made his debut for Nigeria in an international friendly match against Venezuela at the Marlins Park, Miami Florida. Nigeria won the game by 3-1.

    Ameobi in a chat with SportingLife after Saturday’s game said he has no regret playing for Nigeria despite lack of first team action.

    “Eagles are blessed with talented players which are capable of doing the best for the country. I love the atmosphere around team. The players that started against Malawi did the job well.

    “I hope people could have seen my contributions to the team with the little time I have been given so far.

    I will love to start for the Super Eagles and give my best to the team. I don’t have any regret choosing Nigeria ahead of England because I love it here in Nigeria and I know I can achieve something great with the team.”

     

  • Ameobi thrilled with official debut

    Newcastle of England striker, Shola Ameobi has described his competitive debut for the Super Eagles against the Flames of Malawi in a 2014 World Cup qualifier as realisation of a dream.

    Ameobi came on to replace Emmanuel Emenike in the 81st minute. It was his first official match for Nigeria after he completed his switch of nationality last year.

    He was slated to play at the AFCON in South Africa and at the FIFA Confederation Cup but he couldn’t make it because of various reasons.

    The Newcastle United star told SportingLife that he was looking forward to playing as many more matches for the Super Eagles barring injuries and ill-health.

    He rued the chances he fluffed which he reckoned would have made his debut to be impressive.

    “I thank God for everything. It was an achievement for me on a personal note to wear the green and white colours of the country. I will continue to make myself available for Nigeria for as long as I am wanted.

    “I would have loved to mark it with a goal but it didn’t come. I hope I am a bit fortunate next time,” Ameobi said.

    SportingLife recalls that Nigeria beat Malawi 2-0 through goals from Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses to qualify for the final round of the qualifier. The draws will hold on September 18th.

  • Amoebi thrilled to represent Nigeria

    Amoebi thrilled to represent Nigeria

    Newcastle United striker, Shola Ameobi , finally made his competitive debut for Nigeria in Saturday’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Malawi at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

    The 31-year-old, who has previously been capped by England at under-21 level, had made his Nigeria debut in a friendly against Venezuela in 2012.

    On Saturday, he was drafted in as an 84th minute substitute for Emmanuel Emenike and despite spending just six minutes on the pitch, the forward voiced his delight at finally representing the country of his birth in a competitive game.

    “It was a thing of joy and honour. I want to thank the coach for giving me the opportunity of helping the Super Eagles. We have a good squad of players here,” Ameobi told supersport.com after the game.

    Nigeria must now navigate a two-legged playoff against another African side to reach the World Cup finals for the fifth time, but Ameobi is calm about the prospect.

    “We cannot start thinking too far ahead. We just have to wait and see who we will play,” he said.

     

     

  • Ameobi eyes big show for Sir Bobby

    Ameobi eyes big show for Sir Bobby

    Super Eagles striker Shola Ameobi is hoping he can be in his best element when his English Premier League side, Newcastle United, host Portuguese outfit Sporting Braga in a friendly put in place as part of events to mark the Sir Bobby Robson National Football Day.

    Ameobi was handed his Newcastle debut as a raw teenager almost 13 years ago, and the 31-year-old owes a huge debt to Robson, who passed away three years ago after a long battle against cancer.

    With Sir Bobby having spent many years managing in Portugal, Ameobi feels United’s choice of opposition is appropriate.

    “Obviously, it’s Sir Bobby Robson Day,” Ameobi told the Gazette. “He was a great man and mentor in my life. To be playing a Portuguese side as well is very fitting. I’m excited about that. Hopefully, I can get a few more minutes again, top up my fitness and keep on scoring.”

    Ameobi has enjoyed a fine form in pre-season with four goals to his name already. Saturday’s game pitches him with Super Eagles teammate, Elderson Echiejile.

  • Ameobi injured again

    Ameobi injured again

    Super Eagles striker Shola Ameobi is once again injured after helping Newcastle United to a 1-0 victory over Blackpool in a pre-season friendly played on Sunday.

    The Nigeria international grabbed his third goal of pre-season with just five minutes on the clock and that proved enough to lead the visitors to a narrow win over their Championship opposition.

    Manager Alan Pardew has now confirmed Ameobi’s latest injury, and is not sure he will return for the friendly against St Mirren today.

    “Shola Ameobi picked up a dead leg, which was a shame, because he looked in really good shape,” Pardew said on skysports.com.

    Ameobi, who is expected to make a return to national team duty for a friendly against South Africa in August after his debut in November, suffered an injury in Newcastle’s first pre-season game on Saturday July 20, 2013.

    The highly publicised injury was just a minor as he returned for their next game where he scored to ensure Newcastle pick a draw in the 1-1 result.

  • MANDELA CHALLENGE Ameobi fit, HEALTHY —Keshi

    MANDELA CHALLENGE Ameobi fit, HEALTHY —Keshi

    •Eagles perfect strategies against CIV

    SUPER Eagles Head Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has said that Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi is healthy and fit for next month’s Mandela Challenge in South Africa, despite media reports to the contrary.

    Keshi phoned the attacker to find out his true health situation after reports of his injury broke on Sunday.

    Ameobi told Keshi that he only suffered a knock on the arm and he would be ready for the friendly against the Bafana Bafana.

    “I have spoken to Shola and the guy is fit and healthy and will be available for the Mandela Challenge.

    “He told me so himself, so, any other news to the contrary, I don’t believe,” Keshi said.

    The Eagles resumed their preparations for the second leg tie against Cote d’Ivoire in Abuja yesterday evening with the coaching crew concentrating on shooting and accuracy in front of goal. In the course of the session, top striker Gambo Mohammed and El Kanemi’s Haruna Babalo both had knocks and were asked to sit out half of the session so as to quickly recover for today’s test game against TEAP FC of Abuja.

    The medical crew said there was nothing to worry about but the precautions were taken so as not to aggravate knocks on any player.

    Nigeria will play the return leg of the Championship of African Nations qualifier against the Elephants of Cote d‘Ivoire in Abidjan on Saturday.

  • Ameobi set to break Shearer’s record

    Ameobi set to break Shearer’s record

    Super Eagles and Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi will be making his 50th appearance in Continental competition today, should coach Alan Pardew decide to unleash him against Benfica in today’s Europa clash at the Estádio do Sport.

    Ahead of today’s showdown in lisbon however, Ameobi is not concerned about record breaking but Newcastle rising to the occasion and even running away with resounding victory to make return leg billed for April 11 at the St James Park a big pressure free.

    He nonetheless agrees that his feat so far in Newcastle is worth celebrating but insists that there is room for more improvement.

    Ameobi is just a single appearance away from moving beyond the Geordie legend and behind Shay Given in the all-time appearance chart.

    Given is on 62 and Ameobi will hit a half-century tonight in Lisbon if he plays.

    “I am lucky enough to have played at the club for that long to have achieved that many games. It has been a pleasure. I have enjoyed every minute of it and sometimes I have to pinch myself. Playing 50 European games is no small thing.I have been lucky enough to do that. I am really happy,” he said.

    The 31-year-old has challenged younger players and indeed whoever gets the opportunity to play in today’s encounter to see it as a serious business that should be given maximum concentration.

    “Hopefully, we can get a good result out there. We know the challenges ahead, but it is great we have the second tie at home.

    “If we can bring something back with us, as hard as it will be, it will give us confidence,” he enthused in a chat with the Chronicle.

  • Ameobi: My parents wanted me to be a doctor

    Ameobi: My parents wanted me to be a doctor

    Super Eagles’ forward Shola Ameobi has taken time to think back how he started his football career in England.

    The Newcastle striker said it was not easy combining school and the game of football as he faced difficult times in the beginning.

    “When I was a young kid, it was football, football, football. All I did was play football, at home, at school, out on the street, he told dailymail.co.uk

    “I came home from school and I’d sneak out if I was not allowed and jump out of the window. Our parents John and Margaret were only interested in studies.

    “Fundamentally they wanted to pass on that we had a good education, so there were a lot of tears growing up. I wanted to play football, they wanted me to be a doctor.

    “I remember them saying ‘you won’t play unless you have finished your work’. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to work, I just wanted to fit it round football.

    “I was grounded all the time for jumping out of windows to play football and coming home late. (younger brother) Sammy? He was weird. He was into computers.

    “I joke with him now, that he doesn’t know what it was like. He got a lift every week to games and training because we had a car by then. I had to go on the bus or walk. A different generation.

    Ameobi made his international debut for Nigeria in a friendly game against Venezuela on November 14, 2012 in Miami.

    He would have featured for Nigeria at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, but was held back because of club duties.

  • Ameobi, Martins top list

    Ameobi, Martins top list

    Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi is likely to invite the duo of Newcastle United forward, Shola Ameobi and Levante striker, Obafemi Martins for the Super Eagles’ next tie against the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Calabar on March 23

    He declared that he will explore the option of calling up players outside of the squad that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa last month.

    The Super Eagles are billed to play their first competitive game later this month against Kenya’s Harambee Stars in a 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying since becoming African champions.

    But the Big Boss, as Keshi is also called, would rather keep to his chest the names of the players he intends to hand recalls to the team.

    “I won’t rule out bringing in players that were not with us in South Africa for the Nations Cup. Like I’ve always said the national team’s door isn’t closed to players who are in top shape and form with their clubs.

    “Right now we will need all of our best players who are ready to play for the country for our next game (against Kenya). As for the names of players I’ll invite for our next game you’ll have to wait,” said Keshi.

    But sources close to the Nigerian manager revealed to supersport.com that the duo of Newcastle United forward, Shola Ameobi and Levante striker, Obafemi Martins, could be considered for recalls after missing the AFCON.

    Keshi also stated that he is not giving up on injured Spartak Moscow forward, Emmanuel Emenike ahead of the clash with Kenya.

    “Currently I can’t say much about his health as he is not with us now though I hear he’s out for several weeks. But we are not totally ruling him out of the game, and we will get the true picture of things as it concerns him in a matter of days,” said Keshi.

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles will play hosts to their Kenyan counterparts, the Harambee Stars in Calabar on March 23.

    The African champions lead Group F of the 2014 FIFA World Cup on four points ahead of Namibia, Malawi and Kenya.