The Nation Newspaper

Tag: eagles

  • Eagles to camp in Abuja

    Eagles to camp in Abuja

    The Super Eagles are expected to resume camping for the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria on November 7, five  days before the crucial encounter on November 12.

    A top source told SportingLife exclusively that the initial plans to begin camping in Uyo had to be jettisoned for logistics reasons and proper concentration.

    The Nigerian side started their World Cup qualification campaign on an impressive note by securing an away victory in Ndola against the Chipolopolo of Zambia.

    Meanwhile, the technical adviser of the team, Gernot Rohr is impressed with the responses he got when he visited some Eagles’ stars plying their trades in the English Premier League.

    The German tactician was at the training ground of Arsenal football club, where he met with Odion Ighalo and Captain Mikel Obi and also had a meeting with Chelsea’s technical director, Michael Emenalo on Wednesday in London.

    Rohr, who has since returned to Germany, told a close source that after discussing with the players,they have all agreed to work very hard to ensure Nigeria picks the qualification ticket for the 2018 World Cup in Russia starting with the November 12 game against the Desert Foxes of Algeria in Uyo.

    “Rohr was delighted with the positive attitude of the players and his recent trip to London has raised his hopes of their commitment to the national team ahead of the World Cup qualifiers.

    “During his visit, the players assured him that they were ready to work hard and give everything to make his assignment a huge success,”the source revealed.

    The purpose of Rohr’s visit was to strike a friendly relationship with Arsene Wenger and Emenalo to ensure the prompt release of players like Alex Iwobi, Victor Moses and John Mikel Obi for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Algeria and for all other upcoming friendlies and qualifier matches.

  • Chukwu warns Eagles: Algeria will be tougher than Zambia

    Chukwu warns Eagles: Algeria will be tougher than Zambia

    Former Super Eagles’ Chief Coach Christian Chukwu has urged the Eagles tutored by Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr to be wary of dreaded Algerian senior national team when the team confronts Nigeria in a second match of the ongoing 2018 World Cup qualifier next month.

    “Firstly I am very happy that the Eagles won a precious three points away in Ndola against highly rated Zambia. It is not an easy place to go and win such points. More grease to their elbows.

    “I want to warn that we don’t have a team yet but we have crop of talented youg players who are desperate to impress and make name for themselves and also enhance their positions in their various clubs abroad as a national yeam players.

    “The present Eagles comprised of talented young players that can play for this country for the next 10 years. That is the beauty and joy of having this new team led by Mikel Obi.”So winning the three points away to Zambia is a big morale. But let me warn seriously that playing the Algerian team will be another scenario. Algeria is the most ranked team in Africa and playing against them even at home here in Nigeria will be very tough. It will be tougher than playing against Zambia but I am very confident the boys won’t disappoint. I expect the Eagles to leave up to expectation”, Chukwu told SportingLife yesterday.

  • 2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: Eagles defence has been fixed, says coach Yusuf

    2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: Eagles defence has been fixed, says coach Yusuf

    Super Eagles chief coach, Salisu Yusuf has said the team have fixed some of their defensive frailties in their last three matches.

    The back four has been widely regarded as the Eagles Achilles Heel, but Yusuf said they have worked hard to make that department a lot more solid recently.

    “The defence was a worry, but in the last three matches we have played we have only conceded a goal,” he stated on a live television programme Friday.

    “We are playing with a lot more discipline back in the defence with players who are playing regularly at their clubs.”

    The central defence partnership of Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong will be dislodged for the upcoming World Cup qualifier in Zambia following injury to Balogun.

    However, Yusuf said recalled Kenneth Omeruo and Jamiu Alimi will now battle to partner Troost-Ekong in the heart of the defence with last-minute replacement, Uche Agbo from Granada CF expected to come around for the experience.

    He also revealed that both he and head coach Gernot Rohr have adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation for the Eagles because that is what suits the team with the talent at their disposal now.

  • ZAMBIA VS NIGERIA: Ikeme: Eagles ‘ll beat Chipolopolo

    ZAMBIA VS NIGERIA: Ikeme: Eagles ‘ll beat Chipolopolo

    Super Eagles goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has expressed confidence in the senior national team (Super Eagles) to beat Chipolopolo of Zambia in Ndola to get the maximum three points in the first leg Africa world Cup qualifier billed for Russia in 2018.

    The Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper in a telephone chat with NationSport said his team mates in the Super Eagles have resolved to compensate Nigerians with the 2018 World Cup ticket to erase the memory of not qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations back-to-back.

    “Playing at the FIFA World Cup finals is the joy of any footballer and some of us will not have the opportunity of playing again if we miss the 2018 edition.

    “Speaking further, he said in a meeting in Uyo, before the game against Tanzania the players resolved  to fight for the sole ticket in the group by giving their best anytime we are invited. I can assure you that we will beat Zambia in Ndola,”  Ikeme boasted.

    He also stated that not keeping regularly in his club has no effect on him when it comes to national team assignment.

    The super Eagles will play Zambia’s Chipolopolo  on October 9th in Ndola.

  • 2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: Eagles’ list out in 14 days- official

    2018 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: Eagles’ list out in 14 days- official

    Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr will pick his squad for next month’s 2018 World Cup qualifier in Zambia in two weeks, officials have disclosed. The World Cup qualifier in Ndola will be played on October 9.

    “The Eagles squad list for the match in Zambia will be announced by the third week of this month,” an official informed.

    Rohr has already hinted that the call-ups for this game will mainly be those who were involved in the recent AFCON 2017 qualifier against Tanzania in Uyo, which was used as a warm-up for the Zambia match.

    The Franco-German coach has also said Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi and Portugal-based Oghenekaro Etebo will be invited after they have recovered from injuries.

    Rohr has said he will meet up with Lille goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama to rescind his decision to quit international football. However, Chidozie Awaziem and Imoh Ezekiel, who did not make the match-day squad for the Tanzania game are not likely to be invited.

    Awaziem, a midfielder who has been converted to central defender, has been demoted to the FC Porto second team this season after the Portuguese club did not register him for the UEFA Champions League.

  • I won’t build Eagles around one player – Rohr

    I won’t build Eagles around one player – Rohr

    Technical adviser of Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr has revealed that he will not build his team around one player because the national team has no such quality player in the likes of Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo that can take responsibility to   rescue the team in danger.

    Speaking exclusively in a chat with Sportinglife, the German said the players in the Super Eagles are good but not in the class of Messi or Ronaldo adding that  Eagles are on and off and not solid as expected.

    Rohr stated that the players Nigerians claimed that are good are average players that need to be refined to have a good  product. ” I know I will do my  best within the period I will be in charge to make the players work as a team but to build the team around one player, the answer is no”

    ” I have good players but I don’t have scorers.  If we must qualify we must score goals. I don’t want entertainment players I want those who can score goals. Football is about goals “. Said Rohr

    When pressed further about doing well at the global scene if Nigeria qualified from the group, the German has this to say. ” If Super Eagles qualified good for me and you because I want to be in Russia in 2018 but to reach semi- final and win the World Cup good thinking but not real. How, by magic ? Rohr queried.

  • Eagles open camp for Tanzania

    Eagles open camp for Tanzania

    Nigeria’s senior men’s squad, the Super Eagles will open camp in Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State today for Saturday’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Tanzania.

    NFF Deputy General Secretary,  Emmanuel Ikpeme arrived in the Akwa Ibom State capital on Friday as a one-man advance party, ahead of the team’s assistant coaches and backroom staff due in town today .

    Both the Super Eagles and Taifa Stars have little other than pride to battle for in Saturday’s game, as Egypt’s Pharaohs have already picked the lone ticket from the group to Gabon. But the Eagles and their new Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr will use the match as a rehearsal for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Series Matchday 1 clash with Zambia in Ndola on  October 8.

  • Mikel joins Eagles camp Tuesday

    Mikel joins Eagles camp Tuesday

    Super Eagles skipper, Mikel Obi is due to join the team’s training camp in Uyo on Tuesday ahead of an AFCON qualifier against Tanzania.

    The AFCON clash is billed for Saturday afternoon inside the Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo.

    Mikel, fresh from leading Nigeria to Olympic bronze in Brazil, is expected to arrive at the team’s Le Meridien Hotel on Tuesday, team officials disclosed.

    Goalkeepers Emmanuel Daniel and Ikechukwu Ezenwa as well as Jamiu Alimi from the domestic league are expected in Uyo on Monday alongside a number of overseas –based professionals, including defenders Musa Mohammed, William Troost-Ekong and forward Odion Ighalo.

    Team officials confirmed on Sunday that Franco-German Rohr, who keenly followed Nigeria’s campaign at the Rio 2016 Olympics and travelled to Spain to see the country’s domestic stars in a couple of friendly matches against Spanish La Liga sides, will also be in Uyo today.

    Both the Super Eagles and Taifa Stars have little other than pride to battle for in Saturday’s game, as Egypt’s Pharaohs have already picked the lone ticket from the group to Gabon.

    But the Eagles and their new coach Gernot Rohr will use the match as a rehearsal for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Series Matchday 1 clash with Zambia in Ndola on October 8.

  • Troost-Ekong hits Eagles camp today

    Troost-Ekong hits Eagles camp today

    • Ighalo,Daniel too

    FK Haugesund skipper, William Troost-Ekong will be one of the invited foreign-based professionals to arrive at the Super Eagles camp in Uyo ahead of their African Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Tanzania next weekend.

    The central defender departed Scandinavia on Sunday morning, and is expected in Akwa Ibom State latest today.

    Troost-Ekong is not lacking confidence ahead of the game against Tanzania, having starred at the Olympic Games, and he picked up the Man of the Match award after scoring his third goal of the season against SK Brann on Saturday.

    Watford striker Odion Ighalo, Emmanuel Daniel, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Jamiu Alimi will hit camp today, according to a release by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

  • Eagles to face Akwa Utd in friendly game

    • Rohr to use tie to assess players

    Super Eagles will play a test game with Akwa United this week before the senior national team 2017 AFCON qualifier against Tanzania on Saturday and the tie would be used by the Eagles’ technical crew headed by German Gernot Rohr to assess the depth of the team.

    Rohr was named head of the Eagles’ technical crew few weeks ago and he signed a two year contract with the NFF and the tie with the Taifa Stars of Tanzania is his first competitive match for the national team.

    Chris Green,who is the Chairman of the NFF’s Technical and Development Committee, told SportingLife that the game has been arranged for the team to help Rohr grade his players.