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Tag: Babayaro

  • Babayaro defends Amokachi‘s absence from Eagles

    Babayaro defends Amokachi‘s absence from Eagles

    The Secretary General of  Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) Emmanuel Babayaro has defended  Daniel Amokachi for  shunning  the Super Eagles  camp in Uyo due to  the condition attached to his contract as the team’s first  assistant  coach.

    Amokachi was named as  an assistant  during the unveiling of  Super Eagles head coach Finidi George in Abuja  but  without making the terms of his contract available to him.

    Babayaro stated that Amokachi met a brick wall when the contract terms given to him indicated that he won’t be entitled to salary and that his appearance in camp for Eagles games would be at the discretion of the head coach.

    “Unfortunately and sad, Assumptions happen to be the best stock in trade of the average Nigerian. Hardly do you ever see Nigerians make comments based on facts,” Babayaro said. “I just noticed the shamefully wrong assumptions and comments been peddled about DANIEL DE BULL AMOKACHI concerning his absence from the super eagles camp in Uyo.

    Read Also: FIFA World Cup 26: New  call-up Sodiq set to thrill for Super Eagles  

    “First, the man had to endure the many bashings and unappealing comments that greeted his appointment, unfortunately some of the comments emanating from supposed colleagues in the game, now it’s his absence from the eagles Uyo camp and the NEVER SEE GOOD people are at it again.”

    He reasoned that it was demeaning for Amokachi to be offered  such a job without  salary attached , describing the whole arrangement as shoddy.

    Babayaro however appealed to Nigerians to allow the technical crew and the players to concentrate on today’s game with South Africa as any slip up could further dent the country’s chances of Qualifying for the 2016 World Cup.

    “My only plea is to allow us concentrate on our game against South Africa tomorrow, unnecessary distractions are detrimental,” he concluded.

  • Ndidi playing at half his Potential —Babayaro

    Ndidi playing at half his Potential —Babayaro

    Former Chelsea ace Celestine Babayaro says Wilfred Ndidi is yet to reach his full potential despite a whirlwind start to his career in England with Leicester City following his transfer from Genk of Belgium in January.

    Ndidi has earned praises for his performances since joining the foxes for a fee in the region of 16 million pounds, but Babayaro believes Ndidi has more to offer the team when he finally settles down to life in the English Premier League.

    “Some people will think he is playing his best football at the moment but to me , there’s more to his game, and in a not too distant future the world will get to see his true potential “, Babayaro told Owngoalnigeria.com.

    “When you watch Ndidi play, you clearly feel there’s something inside him that is yet to come out. It will come out soon because he is working really hard. He worked his way to the top in just 18 months.

    A regular in the team of the champions of England at the age of 20 and just two years as a professional footballer, he will definitely get better”.

  • How Babayaro convinced Ranieri to splash £15m on Ndidi

    How Babayaro convinced Ranieri to splash £15m on Ndidi

    Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal that former Chelsea ace Celestine Babayaro was the brain behind Leicester City splurge on Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.

    During the summer when the English champions lost N’golo Kante to Chelsea, Claudio Ranieri who is still very close to Babayaro after the pair first met at Chelsea, asked his former player to make a check on the Nigerian.

    Babayaro who started his career in Belgium contacted close friends who are still residing in the country, and received glowing reports about the 19-year-old before traveling down to Belgium to scout Ndidi himself.

    The former Chelsea star now turns scout watched Ndidi play five times in Belgium before compiling a report to his former boss on Ndidi, which prompted talks between Leicester City and Genk a month ago.

    An agreement was struck on Tuesday for a fee in the region of £15m for his transfer, which will be made official in January when the transfer window reopens for players transfer.

  • U-23 AFCON: Babayaro wishes Dream Team VI good outing

    U-23 AFCON: Babayaro wishes Dream Team VI good outing

    Former Nigeria International, Celestine Babayaro has wished the Dream Team VI a winning start in their bid to reach the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

    Babayaro, who helped Nigeria to its first Olympic gold medal in football at the Summer games in Atlanta, hailed his former teammate, Samson Siasia who has announced his 21-man list for the U-23 Afcon which gets underway this weekend, for his mental strength and ability to keep his team committed despite the many hiccups in their preparation for the competition.

    The former Chelsea and Newcastle defender hoped the Dream Team VI will put smiles on the faces of football fans in the country like the Golden Eagles securing Nigeria’s 5th U-17 World Cup title earlier this month.

  • Babayaro blasts Nigeria can’t win World Cup

    Babayaro blasts Nigeria can’t win World Cup

    Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Emmanuel Babayaro has  told soccer loving Nigerians including administrators, coaches and players to wake up from their slumber and face the reality that the Super Eagles of Nigeria cannot win the 2014 World Cup holding in Brazil as from June 12 this year.

    Optimism is on the rise from all Nigerians led by the Honourable Sports Minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, who set the 2014 World Cup target for the Super Eagles, while the Eagles gaffer Stephen Keshi, players and eminent Nigerians have also joined in the campaign of “Nigeria can win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil”, but the former International has come out to say Nigerians should wake up from their slumber and face the reality that we don’t have the material and capability to win the World Cup now.

    The ever blunt former Eagles goal tender told Sportinglife in Abuja yesterday that Nigerians talk out of wish. “We are a very religious and believing people. 99.9 per cent of us speak out of wish but not out of preparedness. I just finished a song now titled let us go and win and bring the World Cup.  This is our way and our wish but funny enough you will be amazed that millions of Nigeria will actually fast and pray for the Eagles to win the World Cup.

    ‘Yes this is possible but when you are talking about technical  preparedness and otherwise we know we do not have what it takes. But that is where the average Nigerian will tell you that the grace of God comes in because the grace of God makes miracles happen. Are we deserving of the World Cup? No, should we get it? Yes by the grace of God like Nigerians pray and believe.

    “The truth is simple, technically, I keep saying that we are better now but we are still not up there.  As regards preparedness we are even starting very late because I learnt that the Eagles are just starting camping this weekend while other teams  coming for the competition have already shaped up and have gone ahead to name their final 23 man squad for the competition. In terms of preparations I think we are really not prepared.

    “But if 150 out of 170 million or more come together to pray to God for victory for a team, you know what that means, so the miracle could Happen and the Eagles might just win it,” he said.

    “Our biggest problem is our defence. I am not scared of the attack. Our attack might not be the best in the world but they have a way of wriggling themselves out and creating one or two chances. Our midfield is slightly okay but our defence is the biggest, biggest problem”, he warned.

    Babayaro, however tipped the Eagles to sail through to the second round of the competition. “I am sure that the Eagles will qualify for the second round of the competition. If they fail to, God forbid, I will personally look for cane to flog my senior and my boss, Stephen Keshi”, he joked.

  • Dolphins drop Victor Babayaro

    Dolphins drop Victor Babayaro

    Dolphins football club have reportedly released veteran midfielder, Victor Babayaro, stating that the Kaduna born star is a surplus to requirements for the upcoming season.

    Babayaro, who had played for Enugu Rangers, arrived at Port Harcourt from Bauchi where he also starred for Wikki Tourists.

    The former junior international has made 291 appearances for the Port Harcourt side, and was looking forward to completing 300 appearances, before he was asked to leave.

    Sources in Port Harcourt told Futaa.com that the midfielder is well liked and fans had called into a radio programme where he was a guest some weeks ago, to congratulate him on his impending 300th appearance achievement.

    Dolphins are currently in Sapele, where they are taking part in a pre season tournament.

  • poor season: Babayaro blasts Dolphins’ players

    poor season: Babayaro blasts Dolphins’ players

    Dolphins defender, Victor Babayaro has said the players and no one else should be blamed for their poor performance in the league this season.

    For the second consecutive season, Dolphins had to wait until the last day to guarantee their safety after they beat Wikki Tourists in Port Harcourt. Babayaro boldly stated that the players and no one else must be blamed.

    “I agree it was a difficult and hectic season coupled with the fact that some of the new players were not able to cope with the old ones and I can say that was one thing that caused our poor outing,” Babayaro said.

    “But having said that the players have themselves to blame for the poor outing of the team. We must blame none other but ourselves, including me because we did not live up to expectations,” he said.

    Just like last season when Dolphins needed a last day 2-0 win over Rising Stars to escape relegation, it was a 1-0 win over Wikki Tourists this time to ensure they escaped the drop.

  • Babayaro warns Kaduna Utd No minnows in Federation Cup

    Babayaro warns Kaduna Utd No minnows in Federation Cup

    • 28 players hit Lokoja

    Kaduna United chairman Sabo Babayaro yesterday warned his players not to underrate their Nigerian National League opponnents, Abia Warriors, in today’s Federation Cup round of 32 tie in Lokoja.

    Babayaro told SportingLife that the team was poised to repeat the feat acheived in 2010.

    “We won the trophy in 2010 as underdogs. So I have warned my boys not to underate Abia Warriors.

    “As a matter of fact, they are a very good team and they might be a tricky opposition. But I’m hopefull as I have faith in my boys and by the grace of God we shall win,” Babayaro said.

    The League Management Company Vice Chairman added: ”Winning the FA cup in 2010 was a brilliant experience, and by the grace of God a repeat is possible this year, but it’s not an obsession. For now, getting past Abia Warriors is our aim, it’s one step at a time.”

    Babayaro said some players who joined the team during the mid-season break were not registered for the FA Cup but would feature against Sharks

    SportingLife understands that 28 players made the trip to Lokoja, a move Babayaro said was meant to save cost and reduce fatigue.

    Kaduna United are expected to leave for Port-Harcourt from Lokoja to keep a date with Sharks of Port-Harcourt in a week 22 game of the Globacom Premier League.

  • Reuben Gabriel Transfer saga : Babayaro gives Pillars deadline

    Reuben Gabriel Transfer saga : Babayaro gives Pillars deadline

    •Vows to drag club to FIFA

    Proprietor and owner of Kaduna Based Pioneers Football academy, Emmanuel Babayaro has given Kano Pillars up to the end of this month to pay up the agreed 10 percent further sale pact contained in midfielder Ruben Gabriel’s deal when he sold the player’s right to the Kano based team shortly before his movement to Kilmarnock in Scotland.

    Babayaro told allnigeriasoccer.com: “I have been patient and have shown maximum understanding with the management of Kano Pillars owing to the fact that Ruben Gabriel is from Kaduna state like myself but it seems as if Kano Pillars are cashing in on that.

    “They promised to pay when they get their allocation from the state Government.

    “I understand they have collected the allocation because they have paid their players debts owed them but my money is still not been talked about.”

    Adding to his previous statement, Emmanuel Babayaro said:

    “The end of this month is the deadline and no going back on that.

    “If my money is not paid, my lawyers will swing into action and I won’t hesistate to sue all parties invovled to FIFA,” he warned.

    Five years ago, it would be recalled that Emmanuel Babayaro paid the sum of =N=100,000 (500 euros) for Reuben Gabriel after watching him play in State FA cup for M and G.

    He later loaned him to Kaduna United for two seasons before another loan spell at Enyimba that didn’t work out well and the player spent another year with Kano Pillars on loan before being sold to Pillars by Emmanuel Babayaro with a 10 percent sell on clause which Kano pillars reneged on when the player moved to Kilmarnock claiming he moved as a free player.

    There is conclusive evidence that the player was sold to an agent Tony Harris for 100,000 euros before his move to Scotland.

  • I did not deny LMC – Babayaro

    I did not deny LMC – Babayaro

    Admits carrying club owners along 

     

    Kaduna United chair man, Sabo Babayaro has  reaffirmed his commitment to all activities of the League Management Committee (LMC) board.

    Babayaro stated this in reaction to a statement credited to the Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi in a national daily newspaper, accusing him of calling for the sack of the body.

    Babayaro, who also doubles as the vice-chairman revealed in a telephone interview with SportingLife from Dubai on transit to India on Tuesday, that he was surprised with the minister’s statement.

    He has since distanced himself from a report claiming that he was not in support of the league body.

    “I did not at anytime deny LMC. I am the vice chairman of the commission and I am committed to all the decisions which have been taken so far by the board. I had dissociated myself from the story credited to me in the Punch newspaper and the paper has apologised to me because I did not grant any interview with the paper,” Babayaro told SportingLife.

    “It is true that the Sports Minister asked us whether we were carrying the club owners along on all our meetings and I said I yes. It is what we do from time to time. So I was surprised when I was called to be informed about the minister’s statement. I don’t know where the minister got this statement that he his accusing me of despite the fact that the said report in Puncg was false. He (Sports Minister) is a young man who I respect and I know he has good intentions for the development of sport in the country and football in particular.

    “My thinking was that he should have called me or the LMC chairman Nduka Irabor, Mike Idoko or any member of the club owners if I had granted any interview or if I was present when the club owners addressed the press.”