The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CHAN

  • No CHAN target for Keshi

    No CHAN target for Keshi

    Nigeria head coach, Stephen Keshi, has declared that he has no target of winning the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) from his employer, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Keshi’s team recovered from a stuttering start against Mali to win their last two matches against Mozambique and South Africa to set up a quarterfinal contest against Morocco.

    The Nigerian trainer has now eased himself of any pressure stating that he was never handed “a mandate to win the CHAN.”

    “I’m happy the team have turned things around and we are taking each game as it comes. We are focused on each game as they come and I must tell you that I don’t know of a mandate (from the Nigeria Football Federation) to win the CHAN,” Keshi told supersport.com.

    Keshi, who turned 52 on Thursday, took time to express gratitude for the assistance and support he has received from different quarters since he assumed the head coach role of the Nigerian men’s national team in November 2011.

    The former Mali and Togo manager was also full of appreciation for the surprise birthday celebration he got at the team’s Green Court Hotel lodgings in Cape Town but remained focused on the clash with Morocco.

    “I feel really good to be alive and well, and I’m happy to be here (in South Africa with the team). The atmosphere has been good and I can’t thank God less for what I’ve achieved with this team.

    “I’m also speechless and at the same time happy with the celebration. It’s always good to feel loved and appreciated by people but I’ve told the team it’s not party time as we can’t afford to take our eyes off the ball. We are very focused on the next game (against Morocco),” Keshi said.

    Since becoming Nigeria’s head coach, Keshi has guided the Super Eagles to win the Africa Cup of Nations and qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

  • Eagles target N120m jackpot

    Eagles target N120m jackpot

    • Runner-up will get $400, 000 (about N63.7m)

    • 2nd,3rd runner-up get $250, 000 (about N39.8m)

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria could pocket about N120 million (US750, 000) in prize money if they win the ongoing African Nations Championship in South Africa, it was announced on Tuesday.

    The coach Stephen Keshi-tutored side defeated Bafana Bafana of South Africa 3-1 on Sunday to book a place in the quarter-final against Morocco on Saturday.

    The Nigerian team already has about N28 million($175,000) in their kitty for reaching the quarter final stages.

    The Local Organising Committee (LOC) announced that the total prize money for CHAN would be $3.2m (about N509.9m).

    According to the LOC, the runner-up will get $400, 000 (about N63.7m) and the third and fourth placed teams will receive $250, 000 (about N39.8m) each.

    The losing quarter finalists would take home $175, 000 (about 28m) each, the teams placed third in the group stage $125, 000 (about N20m) each, and those placed fourth in the group stage $100, 000 (about N16m) each.

    The Super Eagles came second in group A with six points behind Mali who recorded seven points to top the group.

    The tournament, which is being hosted by South Africa, ends on February 1.

  • 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.

     

  • Shehu issues Eagles battle cry

    Shehu issues Eagles battle cry

    •Alampasu compares team to UAE Eaglets

    Emerging Super Eagles midfield star, Abdulahi Shehu, says the best is yet to be seen of the team as the African Nations Championship progresses, declaring that the team will be better in the knock out stages of the competitions.

    Team’s Media Officer Ben Alaiya quotes the Kano Pillars middleman as saying thus: “tell them they have not seen anything yet, we are here for nothing but the trophy and we have shown that with our game against South Africa, but I must say that is not our best match, the games ahead will show our true quality”.

    Shehu, who has been described by his injured team mates duo of Benjamin Francis and Ikenna Paul as the heart of the CHAN Eagles, said he was prepared to justify the huge confidence reposed in him by his teammates and the technical crew in the coming games and was sure to do the nation proud at the end of the tournament.

    On his part teenage goalie, Dele Alampasu, said the loss against Mali jolted the Eagles to reality and there will be no mistakes until the cup is won. “The same thing happened to us at the U17 level when we all thought Sweden was a walk-over but when they showed us in our first game, it became a lesson and we did not take our legs off the pedal again until we won the championship in the United Arab Emirates, it’s about to happen here again”, he said.

  • Keshi, family, fans helped me

    Keshi, family, fans helped me

    • Obanor’s debut thrills Big Boss

    Goalkeeper and skipper of the Super Eagles at the ongoing CHAN African Nations Championship, Chigozie Agbim, has attributed his quick return to form to the counseling of Head Coach Stephen Keshi, his family members and fans who kept urging him on when others had written him off.

    “After the last match I came under heavy criticism but I had to go into prayers and God heard me, then my family members were calling to say I can do it, some of my fans back home also called to wish me well. But most importantly my coach had the belief in me when most people wrote me off, I have to say thank you to him”, Chigozie said in a pensive voice.

    He also has soothing words for his teammates who were always behind him in times of criticisms. “My mates were there for me all the time and that also helped me to pull through my travails.”

    Meanwhile, Coach Stephen Keshi has hailed the superb debut of Bendel Insurance of Benin wing back, Obanor Erhun, describing him as a beckon of hope for players in the lower rung of the Nigerian league. “We brought 23 players here because we believe any of them can fit in when crisis arises and Obanor demonstrated that on Sunday. Other players in the league, whether amateur, national or Premier league should have the belief that they can make the national team once they are good enough, because Obanor has proved it and there are no biases if a player is good”.

  • Esieme ready to step in for banned Kwambe

    Esieme ready to step in for banned Kwambe

    Enyimba right back Bright Esieme has told MTNFootball.com he is ready to step in for banned Solomon Kwambe in Saturday’s CHAN quarter-final.

    Kwambe will miss the quarterfinal in Cape Town after he was sent off in a final Group A match against South Africa on Sunday.

    Esieme, who has played at left back and also as a holding midfielder at this tournament is now expected to move to his familiar right back position on Saturday.

    “I am ready to give my best all the time. In the game against South Africa, I started at holding midfield position and moved to the right back, which is my preferred position, and I am happy that I was able to do very well,” Esieme told MTNFootball.com on Monday in Cape Town.

    Heartland left back Benjamin Francis is also expected to return to the first team after recovering from a knee problem.

    Nigeria will know their quarterfinal foes after Group B matches on Monday.

     

  • Nigerian League blessed with many talents says Green

    Chris Green, the Chairman of the Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Association, on Monday said Nigeria’s league was blessed with many talents.

    Green told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Cape Town, South Africa that the Eagles in the ongoing Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) had shown that the league had potential. He said the Eagle’s 3-1 victory over South Africa had proved that the home-based players could stand to be counted their own and produce good results.

    He said: “I know the boys will play. Ours is just to have a decent performance in this tournament and that’s it. It goes to show that the boys have done well. Our league, if well managed, will go places. ‘`It’s going to help them, help their psyche and give them morale. They were very determined, mentally ready for the game. They put together a couple of passes and they showed that they could play. They were in total control of the game. So, they came with a better approach,’’ he said.

    He observed that the players were determined to have a good outing throughout the tournament. The chairman commended the South Africans for their fighting spirit, but gave kudos to the Eagles for warding off their attacks.

    He said the Eagles had improved from their last two matches, adding that they were in a position to reach the finals.

  • Uzoenyi dedidates second award to 4-year-old son

    •Promises more goals

    Super Eagles winger Ejike Uzoenyi, who has won back to back the Man of the Match for the national team at the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) tourney has dedicated the award to his four year old son David Uzoenyi, who turned four last Sunday, the day the match was played.

    “Earlier in the day my wife called me to remind me that Junior was four years on the day and I promised her that I will give him a special present with my performance. That was exactly what I did with the two goals and my Man of the Match Award. I give God all the glory for all He has been doing for me”, he said.

    Uzoenyi also seized the opportunity to correct impressions about his date of birth and true age. “Tell them I was born March 23 1992, all other reports to the contrary should be discarded because nobody but my parents can tell me my age”, he said with a wry smile.

    While also thanking his teammates for the tremendous support he received throughout the games, Uzoenyi promised that he will get better in subsequent games of the championship. “We are here for a goal and we will not relent until we achieve that goal”, he said.

  • Okala tips Eagles for CHAN finals

    Okala tips Eagles for CHAN finals

    Legendary Nigeria’s Goalkeeper, Emmanuel Okala on Monday predicted that the Super Eagles would progress to the finals of the ongoing Championship of African Nations (CHAN) in South Africa.

    The ace defunct Green Eagles’ goalkeeper made the prediction in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Awka.

    According to Okala, the team has improved by each game, an indication that it will go far in the competition. Okala said that he was impressed by the fighting spirit of the players, and singled out the goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim, for learning from his errors in past games.

    “I am happy with Agbim’s improvement after the dismal first two matches. He has a future and I believe the coaches are working on him; he made some brilliant saves yesterday. But my advice as a goalkeeper is that he should always communicate with his defenders; take his time before leaving his area and know when to parry to safety.

    “He has what it takes to be Nigeria’s safest hands. The boys have shown that they are a determined soccer side. Their match against South Africa is a good assurance for some of us. If they continue this way they will reach the finals,” he said.

    NAN recalled that Nigeria had played three matches in the championshiop, losing 2-1 to Mali in the opening match and winning 4-2 against the Mambas of Mozambique and 3-1 in their final group match against host South Africa.

    At the end of the first round, the Nigerian team placed second in Group A behind Mali.

  • CHAN: Nigeria deserved to win – South African coach

    CHAN: Nigeria deserved to win – South African coach

    South Africa head coach Gordon Igesund, has said that his men lost to a better side and have no excuse for losing comprehensively to the Super Eagles.

    Nigeria beat the hosts 3-1 to secure a ticket to the quarter finals of the African Nations Championship while the hosts crashed out, Goal reports.

    “The Nigerians deserved their victory, they were physically stronger, were hard running and fully capitalised on our glaring mistakes. I am going to offer no excuses; we were today beaten by a better side,” Goal quoted Igesund as saying to journalists after the game.

    “We however, missed some of our regular players especially at the back. But that is no excuse, I will repeat again. We were just not good on the day,” he added.

    The Bafana coach, however, insisted he would not quit as the handler of the national team unless his employers force him to do so.

    “I had no mandate going into the CHAN tournament. I think this Bafana team has improved greatly in the last few months. I will continue until my contract runs out in June.

    “But if SAFA think it is high time for me to go, that is fine with me. It is not in my hands. I would not say this was my lowest moment. We have to rise up and carry on,” he said.

    Nigeria and Mali qualified from Group A while Mozambique and South Africa crashed out.