The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ben Alaiya

  • Odunlami recovers from knock

    Super Eagles defender, Kunle Odunlami, has shaken off the injury he suffered in Wednesday’s international friendly against Scotland in London.

    The Sunshine Stars centre-back, who played as a right-back in the World Cup warm-up, had to be replaced by Efe Ambrose for the last quarter of an hour.

    “He is very fine. Kunle Odunlami is a very strong player. He is now walking fine without any problem. The team doctor told me he has checked him and said it is just a slight knock and nothing serious. So he is good to go.

    “During the Chan (African Nations Championship) in South Africa earlier this year he suffered the same injury in one of the games but quickly recovered to continue in the tournament,” spokesman of the Super Eagles, Ben Alaiya, told supersport.com on Thursday.

    Odunlami is now expected to make the trip to Philadelphia in United States with the rest of the provisional squad members after the scare that he might have suffered a serious injury.

    “I spoke to the coach (Stephen Keshi) and he also confirmed Kunle Odunlami is fine and will travel with the team to the United States. As I speak to you, my luggage and his luggage are being checked in for the trip,” Alaiya informed supersport.com over telephone.

    The African champions will go head-to-head with Greece at the Philadelphia Union Stadium next week.

    Keshi will name his final 23-man squad for the World Cup before June 2.

  • Ezekiel confirmed for Mexico clash

    Ezekiel confirmed for Mexico clash

    Super Eagles media officer, Ben Alaiya, has allayed fear over the availability of Standard Liege forward, Imoh Ezekiel, for the March 5 international friendly against Mexico.

    Fear has been expressed over the player’s interest in playing for Nigeria following the reported strong interest shown in the youngster by Belgium soccer authorities.

    Alaiya said the striker was the first invited player to be granted the American entry visa document for the March 5 clash against the North Americans.

    “Imoh Ezekiel has been confirmed for the friendly against Mexico thereby resting speculations over his availability for the game.

    “In fact, he was the first player to be issued with the American visa for the game.

    “Ezekiel is quite ready and eager to feature for the Super Eagles against the Mexicans, he’ll be there for the game and this is authoritative,” Alaiya told supersport.com.

    He confirmed the team’s departure on Sunday aboard Delta Airlines flight for the friendly tie.

    “All the players and officials expected to depart from Nigeria for the game have got their American Visas.

    “Azubuike Egwuekwe, Ejike Uzoenyi, Kunle Odunlami, Abdullahi Shehu, among others will all leave the nation’s shores on Sunday for the game.

    “Responses from the players have been heartwarming and they’ve vowed to give the Mexicans the toughest game of their lives,” Alaiya said.

     

  • ‘Eagles are mentally ready for Ghana’

    By Taofeek Babalola

    Super Eagles media officer Ben Alaiya has said that the team’s technical crew are working on the players’ psychology ahead of Wednesday’s 2014 African Nations Championship semi-final clash against Black Stars of Ghana.

    Alaiya said the players are in the right frame of mind and ready for the epic encounter.

    “Everything is working well for the team ahead of Wednesday match. The team’s coaching crew are taking them to daily routine as expected of them. The team’s Psychologist Robinson Okoson is also doing all he could to work on their confidence. All things being equal Super Eagles are ready to face Ghana,” Alaiya said.

    Alaiya also admitted that Eagles gave too much respect to Morocco in the quarter-final clash on Sunday which resulted in their 3-0 deficit in the first half before the miracle come-back to seal the victory on 4-3.

    He reiterated that the Eagles have learnt their mistakes from Morocco’s game and will confront Ghana with all seriousness.

    “The players gave too much respect to Morocco that was why they conceded many goals in the first half but coach Stephen Keshi told them at half time to go and play their game with no respect to their opponents and we all saw the results at the end of the day. Eagles can’t afford to slip against Ghana because they are strong team too. And by the grace of God Eagles won’t disappoint Nigerians,” he said.

  • Fans did not attack our bus – Eagles’ media officer

    Fans did not attack our bus – Eagles’ media officer

    •Says South Africans have been wonderful

    The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has described as false and baseless, the reported attack on the bus conveying the Super Eagles players to their hotel, after the match against South Africa.

    Nigeria had beaten host South Africa, 3-1 on Jan. 19 at the Cape Town Stadium, to qualify for the quarterfinal of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).

    The Media officer of the Eagles, Ben Alaiya, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Cape Town on Monday that the team’s bus was not attacked.

    “In fact, in spite of defeating their team, the Bafana Bafana, the South African fans cheered us when we were leaving the stadium. They waved at us and greeted us warmly. Nobody attacked our bus. South Africans have been wonderful hosts and we appreciate their hospitality,’’ he said.

    Alaiya said the Eagles were accorded warm reception since their arrival at Cape Town for CHAN by the Nigerian community and the South Africans.