The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ameobi

  • ‘OSAZE, MARTINS, AMEOBI TOO OLD FOR EAGLES’

    ‘OSAZE, MARTINS, AMEOBI TOO OLD FOR EAGLES’

    FORMER Super Eagles forward, Jonathan Akpoborie believes the trio of Osaze Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins and Shola Ameobi have no business in the 2013 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) bound squad.

    The 44 years-old ex-Wolfsburg striker took to the social network on Monday condemning the Stephen Keshi-led technical crew overextending invitation of the trio citing age grounds.

    “I don’t understand why they have to bring back Osaze or Martins even Ameobi. The World Cup is 2014 and these people are over 30 years, I mean while we have younger players for all these positions. Hmmm I don’t understand o.”

    Osaze last played for Nigeria in a 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda on February 29 in Kigali, Rwanda while Martins returned to the national team in last month’s international friendly against Venezuela, with Ameobi also handed his debut, however Akpoborie has cautioned against the crave for some foreign-based players at the expense of the home-based counterpart.

    “I really want to trust people when they talk. When Keshi came, he said he wanted to rebuild a home based dependent Eagles, yes or no? Then I said that would not be possible, because of the quality and development of players at home.

    “All of a sudden, we are looking at players abroad, and trying to bring in our old stars. Have no problem with that. But, I believe, it will be better to give the young ones the exposure they crave to serve us in the long haul… Please everybody should read and understand what I am talking before responding. The inexperience we are all talking about could be a thing of the past if we expose them now with this opportunity,” Akpoborie posted on his facebook wall.

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles will battle Burkina Faso, Zambia’s Chipolopolo and Ethiopia in the group stage of the 2013 AFCON from January 20, 2013.

     

  • Newcastle manager regrets Ameobi’s injury

    Newcastle manager regrets Ameobi’s injury

    Newcastle boss, Alan Pardew has said he would have wished for the return of Shola Ameobi for Monday’s clash against Wigan.

    Nigeria international striker Ameobi has been out of action for more than a week due to groin injury.

    Pardew said he expects some of his injured players back for the Wigan home game but was unsure about Ameobi, Gabby Obertan and Ben Arfa.

    “One or two are due back. But I don’t know if they will make the next game, it is a bit tight.

    “We can take plenty of heart into the game. I feel sorry for the players. In fact all three should be fit for our game at Craven Cottage, where we will try to get the win against Fulham,” MTNFootball.com quoted the Newcastle manager as saying on Sunday.

    All three though are close to full recovery, while Shola’s younger brother, Sammy, is in line to replace Shane Ferguson on the left wing.

     

  • Ameobi storms Eagles’ camp in Miami

    Ameobi storms Eagles’ camp in Miami

    • Calls family to announce arrival

    Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi has joined up with the Super Eagles in Miami, USA, with only late invitee Bright Ejike still awaited.

    “Ameobi was the last player to join the squad after his flight from England was rescheduled. As a result he could not be part of our first training,” disclosed Eagles spokesman Ben Alaiya.

    “But he is very excited to join the team for the first time and even called up his family on his arrival.”

    He is expected to be taken on a special drill before joining up with the rest of the squad for full training at the match venue.

    Timberwolves striker Bright Dike, who was a late call-up after the withdrawal of Chelsea stars Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, is the only player still being expected.

    Levante striker Obafemi Martins, Elderson Echiejile from Portuguese club Sporting Braga, Ogenyi Onazi from Lazio and goalkeeper Austin Ejide were among the players who trained at the Miami International Stadium.

    “Martins was all over the place in training. He wants to prove he deserves to be part of the team after a long absence,” Alaiya disclosed.

    “He has promised to put in his best and see that Venezuela fall to justify his recall and make Nigerians happy. Obagoal has netted 18 times in 37 matches for Nigeria. The mood in camp is very high and we expect a good performance on match day.”

    Venezuela have also arrived Miami, officials further informed. The match will kick-off 8pm Miami time, which will be 2am Thursday in Nigeria.

  • Ameobi joins Eagles for Venezuela match

    Ameobi joins Eagles for Venezuela match

    Newcastle United striker, Shola Ameobi has joined the Super Eagles in Miami, United States, for Thursday’s international friendly with the Venezuelan national team, MTNFootball.com reports.

    However, late invitee Bright Ejike is still being awaited.

    “Ameobi was the last player to join the squad after his flight from England was rescheduled. As a result he could not be part of our first training.

    “But he is very excited to join the team for the first time and even called up his family on his arrival,” Eagles spokesman, Ben Alaiya, told MTNFootball.com.

    He is expected to be taken on a special drill before joining up with the rest of the squad for full training at the match venue.

    Timberwolves striker, Dike, who was a late call-up after the withdrawal of Chelsea stars Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, is the only player still being expected.

    Levante striker Obafemi Martins, Elderson Echiejile from Portuguese club Sporting Braga, Ogenyi Onazi from Lazio and goalkeeper Austin Ejide were among the players who trained at the Miami International Stadium.

    “Martins was all over the place in training. He wants to prove he deserves to be part of the team after a long absence.

    “He has promised to put in his best and see that Venezuela fall to justify his recall and make Nigerians happy,” Alaiya added.

    The match will kick off 8pm Miami time, which will be 2am Thursday in Nigeria.

     

  • UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE AMEOBI HAILS NEWCASTLE FIGHT BACK

    UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE AMEOBI HAILS NEWCASTLE FIGHT BACK

    SHOLA AMEOBI has said Newcastle United’s thrilling comeback at Club Brugge proves they can match any team in the Europa League.

    The long-serving striker, who has bagged a first-ever call-up by Nigeria, and younger sibling Sammy made history by becoming the first brothers to start a game for Newcastle in 60 years.

    Ameobi senior also nudged a little bit closer to Alan Shearer in the all-time European scorers list after grabbing his 14th goal in continental competition.

    “We thought we had started off comfortably but then we gave away two sloppy goals,” Ameobi told The Chronicle.

    “It was disappointing. Having not conceded in the group stages all year, we wanted to keep that run going, but it just shows the fighting spirit we have here. We were down but not out and that is what this team is all about.”

    Ameobi’s equaliser – laid on by his little brother Sammy – ensured ‘The Magpies’ went in level at half-time. He added: “We knew the game was still there for us. They did not have much possession so we knew we could get at them. We were confident we could get back in the game. Vurnon scored a fantastic goal. That gave us a lift.”

    Ameobi’s equaliser, though, sent the Geordie fans into raptures and looking back on it he said: “To pop up and score the equaliser before half-time was a bonus. It was fantastic. The second half was anybody’s game. Both sides wanted to win it. It was quite a good game. We did not get the win but we will take the point.”

  • Ameobi, Anichebe on Eagles’ card

    Ameobi, Anichebe on Eagles’ card

    • Nigeria interested in taking Newcastle star to South Africa

    NEWCASTLE UNITED striker Shola Ameobi could be given a big decision to make in January after Nigeria expressed their interest in taking him to the African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    The Magpies will already be without Cheick Tiote in January and potentially the early part of February for the tournament. And having watched Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba see their hopes ended, it looked like they were in the clear to have a clean bill of strikers at the start of 2013.

    But Nigeria head coach Stephen Keshi said Monday: “Shola is a good striker and he has a chance to be on the plane to South Africa I’ve been watching him closely and he’s got something unique. He will definitely bring something different to the attack. I have Shola and [Everton striker] Victor Anichebe in my striking plans.”

  • Amoebi: I can’t wait to shine

    SAMMY AMEOBI says Newcastle’s young guns are ready to seize their chance to shine on the European stage.

    With United’s squad stretched through injury and the demands of competing at home and abroad, boss Alan Pardew will give his youngsters ‘unprecedented’ chances in the Europa League, rather than risk his side’s league form suffering.

    United begin their Europa League group stage campaign in Madeira at Maritimo a week on Thursday, and that could see the likes of rookie full-backs Shane Ferguson and James Tavernier, midfielder Haris Vuckic and striker Ameobi involved.

    The latter said: “This is an unprecedented opportunity for us younger players. “With the players we’ve got now, they’re top young players that are coming through.

    “I appreciate the fact the manager has put his faith in us since he took over and now it is up to us to start repaying him. “We have games to come where we will get chances that previously wouldn’t have come our way – and I can’t wait.”

    Ameobi has recovered from the serious knee injury that ruled him out of the second half of Newcastle’s league campaign last term, and got over the

    pre-season knock that has so far kept him out this season. He has been joined in the treatment room by older brother Shola, who missed the start of the season with a hamstring problem but could be in contention for next Monday’s trip to Everton.

    Ameobi Jr. said: “The Ameobi family hasn’t been a great place to be!
    “Luckily I’m back now and I don’t think he (Shola) is very far away from being ready either so it will be great to have us both back. It has been frustrating but I can see the end of it now.”