The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CHAN

  • CHAN 2014 LOC intensify mobilisation for Eagles

    CHAN 2014 LOC intensify mobilisation for Eagles

    African champions, Super Eagles, are sure to again face huge fans when they begin their campaign for glory in the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa.

    Local Organising Committee for the championship gave the hint on Monday at a briefing to reveal the level of preparations for the championship billed for January 11 through to February 1.

    Chief Executive Officer of the LOC Mvuzo Mbebe said though the body has been lagging behind in mobilising fans ahead of the championship, efforts are being intensified to pull crowd just like was witnessed at 2013 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) which Nigeria won with a relish. “From an infrastructure perspective we are ready, but from a marketing perspective, there is still a long way to go.

    “We are 50% there. For operational planning, we are 70% there. Now we need to get to the public, that is where we are lagging behind,” Mbebe revealed, adding that all hands are now on deck to fast track mobilisation for the championship.

    Nigeria qualified for the final for the first time after defeating Ivory Coast on 4-3 aggregate. The Stephen Keshi tutored side lost 0-2 in Abidjan but reaped the fruit of impressive 4-1 defeat of the Ivorians in the first leg in Kaduna.

    South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Fikile Mbalula had earlier said Chan would be another opportunity for South Africa to showcase its ability to host events, and counted the blessings of hosting continental championships.

    “Football has helped us forget about poverty. This is what Chan is about. South Africa is the number one destination of mega events in the world and many people get to know our country through these events”,” said Mbalula.

    CHAN 2014 will be held in three cities of Cape Town, Bloemfontein and group D in Polokwane

  • SOUTH AFRICA 2014: Gero: Eagles can win CHAN

    SOUTH AFRICA 2014: Gero: Eagles can win CHAN

    RANGERS striker, Alhaji Gero has said that the Super Eagles have all it takes to win the African Nations Championshp (CHAN) trophy which comes up in January next year.

    Gero, who was part of the team that qualified for the competition for the first time in Abidjan last weekend, told Goal that the squad can repeat what the main team did in South Africa this year by winning the CHAN trophy for the first time.

    “I believe we are going to win the trophy because we have players in Nigeria who can become the best with the right motivation.

    “I don’t have any doubt in my mind that we will do well. Now that we have qualified, you are going to see how the players at home will take the competition.

    “This is the opportunity we have been waiting for, and now that it has come, we are not going to let it go without the trophy resting in Nigeria.

    “It was a good feeling beating a tough Ivorian side to participate in the CHAN competition for the first time. I knew that there was no way we were going to lose to the Elephants.

    “We are going to prepare very well and with coach Stephen Keshi in charge, you can be sure we are on the right track,” said Gero who was recently promoted from the U-20 team.

    Nigeria missed the first two editions of the nascent championship, exclusively for footballers plying their trade in their country’s domestic League. Ghana shut out the Eagles from the inaugural edition in Cote d’Ivoire in 2009 while the Eagles’ path to Sudan 2011 was barred by Niger Republic.

    Nigeria join Morocco, which eliminated cup holders Tunisia, as well as Libya, Ghana, Mauritania, Ethiopia, Uganda and hosts South Africa in the 16-team finals due from January 11 next year.

  • CHAN: Eagles blinked in Abidjan – Akpeyi

    CHAN: Eagles blinked in Abidjan – Akpeyi

    Super Eagles goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, has said anticipation of harassment from the Ivoirians caused the team defeat in Saturday’s final qualifying match of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) at the Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan.

    The Eagles lost 0-2 to the Ivoirians courtesy of a first half brace from Kevin Koelly Zougoula but the Nigerians qualified for the biennial football fiesta in South Africa next year on superior 4-3 aggregate score line.

     

    Akpeyi told supersport.com that his side was overwhelmed by the expected Ivoirians antics to pay attention to the game at hand which made them to concede two quick goals in the grudge encounter.

    “We were overwhelmed by the expected harassment and antics of the Ivoirians and it affected our confidence level leading to silly mistakes that caused us the two quick goals though the penalty was clearly undeserved.

    “I think the Ivoirians took advantage of the momentary confused state of mind to show brilliance and domination in the first half of the game but after the half time pep talk from the coaches we came strongly in the second half and were able to cage them leaving the score line at 0-2.

    “The Ivoirians were not superior only that we allowed the presumed attack from the side’s supporters to overwhelm us. It was a mind thing and we almost paid dearly for it but thank God we came back to our senses and fought hard to pick the qualification ticket.We’re wiser right now and won’t suffer such psychological break down in our subsequent matches, “ Akpeyi said.

     

  • Morocco qualifies for CHAN

    Morocco qualifies for CHAN

    The Moroccan national football team on Saturday qualified for the African Cup of Nations (2014 CHAN) after being held scoreless by its Tunisian opponents.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that match was played in the city of Tangier in northern Morocco.

    This is Morocco’s first qualification for the CHAN, having defeated reigning champions Tunisia 1-0 at Soussa’s Olympic Stadium in the first leg, two weeks ago.

    The finals would be held from January 10 to February 1 in South Africa.

     

  • Eagles ‘debut thrills Oladapo

    Eagles ‘debut thrills Oladapo

    Shooting Stars midfielder, Olufemi Oladapo, has hailed his Super Eagles debut against Cote d’Ivoire in a 2014 CHAN qualifier.

    The former U-20 star was on from start to finish as the Eagles ‘B’ side thumped the Ivorians 4-1 in last weekend’s tie played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

    “I’m so happy with the result we recorded and also for being a part of the squad,” the defensive midfielder told MTNFootball.com

    “The game was very tough in the first half, but the second half was different as we banged in more goals to win well.

    “It was a good thing to play alongside Sunday Mba and Ayo Saka. And I believe I took my opportunity.”

    The former Anderlecht and IK Start of Norway ace predicted the Eagles will again beat Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan in the return leg.

    “Going to Abidjan for the second leg will be different, but with what I saw in the first leg we will win again to qualify for the CHAN,” he declared.

    “We have the squad who can deliver anywhere and at any time,” he added.

     

  • CHAN: Keshi invites 24 for Abidjan tie

    CHAN: Keshi invites 24 for Abidjan tie

    Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, on Thursday, called 24 players to camp for the CHAN qualifying match against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in Abidjan on July 27.

    The New Agency of Nigeria reports that Nigeria defeated Cote d’ Ivoire 4-1 in last weekend tie in Kaduna.

    The Assistant Director (Media) of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ademola Olajire, said in a statement in Abuja that the match was to qualify the team for the tourney slated for South Africa next year.

    He said the 24 players are expected to report in Abuja on July 15, where 20 players would be selected for the July 27 encounter.

    The statement said, “Keshi has invited four new players, including one defender, one midfielder and two strikers, in line with a pledge to inject few new faces, following last Saturday’s opening leg win at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

    “They are Kwara United’s former junior international defender Ganiyu Ogungbe, Kano Pillar’s midfielder Rabiu Mohammed, junior international striker Abdullahi Gero of Enugu Rangers and Osadinye Joseph of Warri Wolves.’’

    It added that Sunday Mba, who scored two goals and made two others in the commanding 4-1 win, topped the list that also includes goalkeeper and skipper Chigozie Agbim.”

     

    The full list:

    Goalkeppers: Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC)

    Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves FC); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars FC); Ganiyu Ogungbe (Kwara United FC); Kwambe Solomon (Sunshine Stars FC); Chibuzor Okonkwo (Enugu Rangers FC); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars FC); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC); Ezekiel Bassey (Lobi Stars FC).

    Midfielders: Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers FC); Rabiu Mohammed (Kano Pillars FC); Olufemi Oladapo (Shooting Stars FC); Ayo Saka (Enyimba FC); Mohammed Jiya (Bayelsa United FC).

    Strikers: Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars); Gomo Onduku (Bayelsa United FC); Ifeanyi Edeh (Enyimba FC); Ezekiel Mbah (Akwa United FC); Abdullahi Gero (Enugu Rangers FC); Osadinye Joseph (Warri Wolves FC); Haruna Babalo (El-Kanemi Warriors FC); Etebo Oghene (Warri Wolves FC); Dele Olorundare (Sunshine Stars FC).

     

  • Keshi: CHAN, AFCON Elephants are same

    Keshi: CHAN, AFCON Elephants are same

    The home-based Ivorian football team are same in style with the Ivorian Star sturded team.Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi has declared.

    Speaking to futaa.com in the aftermath of Saturday’s 4-1 victory over the home based Ivorian national football team, the Big Boss opined that there is barely any difference in style between the team gunning for qualification in the Africa Nations Championships and that which featured at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa earlier in the year.

    “It’s the same thing. Keshi simply offered when asked if there are marked differences in style between the team he ousted at the 2013 AFCON and the one he defeated in Kaduna.”

    It will be recalled that the Super Eagles sent the star studded Ivorian team packing in the quarter finals of the Nations Cup in South Africa courtesy of a winning strike from Sunday Mba who also played a vital role in the latest victory in Kaduna.

     

  • CHAN: Keshi ‘not satisfied’ with Eagles’ victory

    CHAN: Keshi ‘not satisfied’ with Eagles’ victory

    Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has said he expects improvements from his team after beating Cote d’Ivoire 4-1 in a CHAN qualifier on Saturday.

    And as such, Keshi revealed that he plans to call up at least new three players ahead of the return leg slated for Abidjan in a fortnight.

    The Eagles coach also told MTNFootball.com that it was difficult for the coaching staff to get the players to understand how they wanted them to play against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.

    Keshi equally expressed disappointment at the poor defending that led to the only goal scored by the Ivorians during the match.

    “We have practised how defenders close down attackers in the box area in training, but unfortunately the defenders didn’t do well to defend. It only means we still have a lot of work to do,” he said.

    “However I must confess that the experience of several players, Sunday Mba, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubike Egwuekwe and even Gambo Mohammed who were at the Confederations Cup, paid off in this game.”

    Keshi also explained why he did not use Nigeria league leading scorer Dele Olorundare in the match.

    “I noticed that my two holding midfielder where becoming weak and Gambo Mohammed was still doing the job. So, I left him on the pitch because I needed to balance if I make any changes. That is why most of my changes came from the midfield,” he offered.

     

  • CHAN RETURN LEG No cause for worry – Hamilton

    CHAN RETURN LEG No cause for worry – Hamilton

    •Hails Kaduna state for massive support 

    FORMER Super Eagles handler Paul Hamilton, has described 4-1 demolition of Elephants of Cote’d Ivoire Saturday in Kaduna, as an impressive outing and an indication that the home based Eagles will do well in this year’s African Championship (CHAN)

    The Stephen Keshi tutored side according to the former Super Falcons coach did not only take the encounter seriously but also proved that they have what it takes checkmate anything on a good day.

    “They played very well and the result is good ahead of the return leg in Abidjan. The blend in the team is a good omen and it also shows that the more exposure the local players get the better for the national team,” he said

    He ruled out the possibility of turning the table in Abidjan, adding “It is only if a miracle happens, if not I don’t see the Ivoirians cancelling the result at home, no, I don’t think so”

    Kaduna state governor Alhaji Ramalan Yero ordered that the gates be thrown open to enable Nigerians cheer the Eagles to victory, a decision which Hamilton said had a good impact.

    “The decision to throw the gates open was a good idea and I commend the Kaduna state government for doing that. There is no doubt that it had a positive effect,” he submitted

    The return leg of the showdown takes place in two weeks time in Abidjan.

  • Eagles’ invitation thrills Olorundare, Oladapo

    Eagles’ invitation thrills Olorundare, Oladapo

    Sunshine Stars striker, Dele Olorundare, has said he is excited his goals in the league have been rewarded with a call-up to the Super Eagles.

    Olorundare is the leading scorer in the Nigeria league with 11 goals and has been called up for next month’s 2014 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) qualifier against Cote d’Ivoire in Kaduna.

    “I always believe one day my effort and hard work will yield a positive result,” Olorundare told MTNFootball.com

    “I feel great and excited to be picked. It is a thing of joy to me and a dream come true.

    “When an opportunity like this comes, it shows you are being followed and it means one is doing well. I will go there and put in my best and pray to God to crown my effort.”

    Another fresh Eagles invitee, Olufemi Oladapo, told MTNFootball.com said his decision to return from Europe so as to re-establish himself in the national team has already paid off.

    “I am here in the country to play for a league club in order to establish myself in the national team and now my dream has come to pass,” said the former Anderlecht starlet.

    “The national team has been doing well – winning the AFCON was a great achievement after 19 years and they just featured at the FIFA Confederations Cup and I want to believe that joining up with the team, I could also contribute my own quota. I promise not to disappoint my fans,” said the former U-20 international.

    Oladapo said he is willing to battle the likes of Chelsea star Mikel Obi for a place in the team.