The Nation Newspaper

Tag: confident

  • Hearts striker Aguidi confident of Togo recall

    Hearts striker Aguidi confident of Togo recall

    The Phobians forward believes scoring a lot of goals for his club in the Ghana Premier League will earn him a place in Togo national team.

    Hearts of Oak striker Foovi Aguidi is confident that his improving form with his side in the Ghana Premier League will earn him an invitation to Togo national team, as new coach Tom Saintfiet hopes to qualify the Sparrow Hawks to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

    “I had a call from the officials in Togo to join the national team but they were not able to notify my club, Hearts of Oak, on time so I could not join them,” Aguidi told the club’s website.

    “I’m happy to get the attention of the coaches and I’m ready to work harder with Hearts to get a chance back to the national team.

    “I know it’s my performance at Hearts that will get me a call up to Togo team.

    “I’m beginning to understand the Ghana Premier League better and I’m praying to God to help me score more goals,” he said.

    Aguidi shot blank in the first round of the league despite scoring twice in Hearts’ CAF Confederation Cup campaign. He finally ended his goal drought after netting the only goal for Hearts in their win over city rivals Great Olympics in the Accra derby at the start of the second round.

    He was part of the Hubert Velud’s men who qualified Togo to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations held in Angola but could not make the final squad for the tournament.

    Aguidi’s Hearts of Oak currently lie 10th on the Ghana Premier League log with 25 points with 11 matches to end the season.

  • Nwabuoku confident ahead of World Cup

    Nwabuoku confident ahead of World Cup

    Super Falcons skipper Evelyn Nwabuoku is in buoyant mood as the team continue their build up to the FIFA 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada.

    The Falcons are currently in Toronto preparing for the tournament which will see them play the United States, Sweden and Australia in the group stage.

    Nwabuoku told supersport.com that the girls are getting down to their paces and cannot wait for the tournament to start.

    “We are getting set for the tournament as we are preparing hard and are focused on the business ahead,” the Biik Kazygurt of Kazakhstan player said.

    “The girls know what is at stake and will definitely give their best when the tournament starts.”

    Nigeria will start the tournament with a crunch game against European powerhouse, Sweden, on June 8 at the Winnipeg Stadium in Winnipeg and will be looking to surpass the quarterfinal feat of 1999 when Nigeria lost to Brazil in that unforgettable game coming from 3-0 down to tie the game at 3-3 before losing 4-3 in extra time through a Sissi golden goal.

    Nwabuoku wants the current squad to beat that feat and go all the way to show that African and Nigerian women’s football can be a force to reckon with.

    “I want us to surpass previous outings first, that’s the first objective,” the Falcons skipper revealed.

    “After that we want the world to see women Nigerian players as a force to reckon with by playing good and attractive football.”

    Nigeria are in Group D of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup which starts on June 6, 2015.

  • NFF Scribe confident of Flying Eagles

    •As team jets to New Zealand

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed confidence in the the Flying Eagles’ readiness to take the world by storm in New Zealand during the U- 20 World Cup.

    The Scribe of the NFF, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed, told SportingLife from London yesterday that the Flying Eagles left Germany for New Zealand with high hopes of doing well in the FIFA U- 20 World Cup that kicks off this Saturday.

    Hear him: “I have seen through the departure of the Flying Eagles to New Zealand this evening and I can tell you that the players and their coaches are battle-ready for the task ahead.

    “What impressed me most is the determination and desperation of the players and the technical crew to perform well in New Zealand. They told me that they were going to the tournament to win not to make up the number. By the expression on their faces I realised the fact that they meant every word they spoke.”

  • Akleche confident after Lobi’s first win

    Akleche confident after Lobi’s first win

    Lobi Stars midfield-maestro, Sunday Enockela Akleche, has tagged his team’s 1-0 victory over Heartland FC as crucial to reinvigorating their Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season.

    Bashir Abdulrahaman’s 19th minute goal gave Lobi Stars their first victory of the season after six draws and three losses.

    Akleche, an ex-ABS midfielder who also had a short stint with Sunshine Stars this season, expressed happiness after his second game for the Suswan Boys.

    “I’m happy for the victory against the Naze Millionaires and hoping for better things to come as the season continues.

    “We are all happy for the result and we pray for more success and great games in our subsequent matches, it’s a sign of great things to come and we are hopeful that Lobi Stars will improve,” Akleche said.

    The playmaker applauded the brilliance of former ABS FC goal machine, Bashir Abdulrahaman for his superb strike and first league goal of the season.

    “He’s a good player and I’ve been longing to play with him, my teammates are superb and the entire Lobi Stars family are wonderful,” Akleche concluded.

  • Rotimi confident Pyagbara will shine for Dolphins

    Rotimi confident Pyagbara will shine for Dolphins

    Veteran goalkeeper and Captain of NPFL side Dolphins FC of Port-Harcourt Rotimi Sunday has said  the Garden city outfit has taken the appropriate step to replace former striker of the side Emem Eduok with the inclusion of Christian Pyagbara in the team.

    Rotimi told www.footballlive.ng that Emem has been replaced but that it will take a little while for his replacement to come   as he still needs to settle and blend with the style of the club.

    ” The coaches duly got a replacement for Emem, but for the new player [Pyagbara], he’ll have to adapt to a new style of playing and get used to playing in the team and this could take a little while, but that job is on-going.”

    Last season, Emem Eduok finished as Dolphins highest goal scorer in the League (21) and also helped them to the final of the 2014 Federation Cup final.

    Eduok was prolific for Dolphins last season and finished as the top scorer in the league.

  • Hong confident of victory

    Hong confident of victory

    Former Minister of State for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation Dr. Idi Hong has said he is sure of  getting the governorship ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The position became vacant, following the impeachment of former GovernorMurtala Nyako. The PDP primaries is expected to hold on Saturday.

    Hong said that he has a bright chance at the shadow poll, assuring that he will get an overwhelming endorsement.

    He described himself as the most qualified aspirant, urging delegates to vote for him.

    The former minister, who spoke in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), said: ‘‘I have no fear whatsoever as I have a clean bill of health because I have met all the requirements of the party and that of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’’

    He described himself as a loyal party chieftain, whio had resisted the temptation to jump ship.

    Hong added: “My commitment to the party is unquestionable as a grassroots politician that has done his best for the party. I have the kind of following that  is needed to win the by-election billed for October 6.”

    Other aspirants include the acting governor, Ahmadu Fintri, Buba Marwa, Nuhu Ribadu and Ahmed Gulak .

    Hong expressed confidence in his own credentials, saying he is not bothered by the credentials of the other contestants.

    He promised to develop the state, if elected as the governor.

    Hong said:”I am on a rescue mission to save the soul of the state, which has been badly battered by maladministration.”

  • Dike confident ahead of quarter-finals

    Dike confident ahead of quarter-finals

    Super Falconets striker Courtney Dike has described the feeling in the team’s camp as ‘friendly’ and ‘family-like’, following their qualification to the quarterfinal of the ongoing FIFA Women’s U-20 World Cup in Canada.

    The Falconets beat England 2-1 in their final group game to progress to the last eight of the competition for the sixth straight time and Dike has not  hidden her delight at being a part of the Nigerian set up.

    “The staff and coaches are great and I would say it is a very friendly atmosphere in the camp; more like a family,” she said.

    “I’m really happy to be here right now and everything has been going right so far. Everybody in camp is so approachable and it makes me feel at home.”

    The 19-year-old Oklahoma State forward, who has so far scored a goal in 145 minutes of football for the Falconets at the World Cup, also said the unity they have as a team could be what will see Nigeria win the competition for the first time.

    “We learn more things in the game here, and maybe that’s what makes us different from other teams in the competition. It’s more than soccer, what we have .

    “It showed in the way we played against England and we won the game so I’m just so happy and I think that’s what will take us farther than the other teams.”

  • Nigerians confident of Falconets

    Nigeria’s Women’s Under 20 national team, the Falconets, will start their outing in the 2014 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada against Mexico tonight.

    The Falconets’ best performance at this stage was a second place finish in 2010 behind Germany, but Nigerians are hopeful that the Falconets will make them proud.

    SL10 got feedback from Nigerians from different cities across the country and all of those interviewed expressed belief in the team’s ability to do well. Below is what some of them said.

    Fatai Olatunbosun from Ogbomoso:

    I trust the women, the Commonwealth Games just ended, what they did for Nigeria is still fresh in the heart of fans. They have always represented us well, Blessing Okagbare and Co. have just done well and I so much believe that Nigeria will do well in Canada.

    Victor Sochima from Calabar:

    I am expecting the team to start well and show the strength of female football in Nigeria. It’s a platform for them to shine and put smiles on the faces of Nigerians.

    Obanta from Ogoja:

    Nigeria 3-1 Mexico

    Al-Ameen from G5 Jos Rd by Ibadan Street, Kaduna

    What I expect from them in tomorrow’s (tonight) match is total victory and I believe that they will make us proud.

    Sanusi Pedro from Lokoja, Kogi:

    We at home must support them with our prayers because those girls will make Nigeria proud. I see Nigeria scoring twice against the Mexicans. Nigeria 2-1 Mexico.

    Banker Fouad from Magodo, Lagos:

    It’s victory or nothing.

    Funsho Abiola from Ikeja, Lagos:

    There were a lot of distractions outside of football in Nigeria, but the women have alway done us proud. A minimum of a quarter final finish is what I expect.

  • Haruna confident despite Cup loss

    Dynamo Kiev midfielder Lukman Haruna is still confident ahead of the Ukrainian League campaign which kicks-off this weekend, despite losing in the Super Cup.

    League champions Shakhtar Donetsk beat Dynamo 2-0 on Tuesday in the Super Cup and Haruna, who came on as a second half substitute, tells the club site that he feels it is too soon to have concerns ahead of the new season.

    “We tried very hard and did everything possible to win the Super Cup, but unfortunately lost. However, this is only the beginning of the season, I believe that this year we will win the championship,” he said.

    It’s been five years since Kiev won the League title.

  • Nembe City still confident

    Nembe City still confident

    Nembe City coach, John Aranka is confident his side will avoid relegation at the close of the 2013/14 Glo Premier League season.

    The Nembe-based side sit at the base of the 20-team elite league log on 16 points from a possible 57 at the close of first stanza hostilities.

    The side are expected to restart the second stanza campaign against Sunshine Stars on Sunday in Akure.

    Aranka said the task of pulling the side out of the woods looks insurmountable but with the new additions to the squad the seemingly tough hurdle will be subdued.

    “The toughest task facing us right now is how to permanently get the side out of the relegation zone.

    “That’s the task before us as we get ready for the commencement of the second stanza of the season on Sunday.

    “The task looks insurmountable but to us it is achievable with the quality of players in our fold.

    “We’ve pencilled down few experienced players to boost the squad and once we’re done with their clearance they’re sure to bring added value to our survival campaign.

    “I’m confident Nembe City will maintain its status in the Premier League next season,” said Aranka to supersport.com.

    Aranka assured his side will not comeback empty-handed from their trip to Akure on Sunday.

    “Our plan is to pick, at least, a point at Sunshine Stars. Avoiding defeat will boost our morale going into the next matches.

    “The players have promised to give their very best in the game so we’re hopeful to start the second term on a good note more so now we’ve no business with the Federation Cup,” Aranka said.