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Tag: eagles

  • Foreign Coach for Eagles: It’s a big lie, says NFF

    Foreign Coach for Eagles: It’s a big lie, says NFF

    The leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has voiced it loud and clear that they have no plans to hire a foreign coach for the Super Eagles as it was being rumoured in some quarters.

    The Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation Media Committee who is also a Board member of the federation, Emeka Inyama on Tuesday said on NTA that whoever is carrying the rumour should put a stop to it.

    The issue of hiring a foreign coach was more in the news shortly after the Eagles managed to win the bronze medal of the last Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa. But the NFF chieftain has come out publicly to rubbish the claims.

    “This is not the first time we have been hearing this (that the NFF wants to hire a foreign Coach for the Super Eagles) even after we won the African Nations Cup in South Africa on February last year (2013). It was everywhere that the NFF wanted to bring a foreign Technical Adviser to the team even at the middle of the AFCON 2013 in South Africa then.

    “I have discussed with the President of the Nigeria Football Federation and I want to speak officially on this matter also that there is no truth in the rumour, there is no truth in the speculations, there is no truth in the comments going all over. Keshi is in charge and there is no contemplation to employ a foreign Technical Adviser for the team.

    “Honestly speaking, I don’t know anything about any body language to hire a foreign coach for the team; the truth is that there is no contemplation to employ a foreign Technical Adviser for Stephen Keshi of Nigeria for the World Cup and that is official”, he stated clearly.

    Inyama also made it clear that the Federation would give full support as usual to Keshi to be able to lead the team to an impressive campaign in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil come June.

    “We will give Keshi all the support as Nigeria Football Federation to ensure that the best legs are the ones that would take us to the World Cup in Brazil this year. Nigeria has always been a team that adds colour to any international competitions like we did at the 1994 World Cup in USA, The Atlanta 1996 Olympics and the Saudi ’89 U- 20 World Cup and so on. This time around we want to add a positive colour to the Brazil 2014 World Cup. The Nigeria Football Federation will continue to give Keshi the enabling environment to do his job”, he promised.

  • FIFA 2014 WORLD CUP: ‘Eagles are strong physically,

    FIFA 2014 WORLD CUP: ‘Eagles are strong physically,

    Iranian goalkeeper, Daniel Davari has stated that it would be a stiff challenge between them and African champions, Nigeria in the 2014 World Cup Group F second opening game in Curitiba, Brazil on June 16.

    The German Bundesliga side, Eintracht Braunschweig custodian told FIFA in a recent interview published on Wednesday.

    After being drawn against Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Nigeria in Group F, Iran’s path to the knockout rounds is anything but straightforward. “Argentina are the clear favourites in our group,” Davari said.

    “Bosnia also have a great team with a lot of good players, many of whom play in the Bundesliga or elsewhere abroad. And then there’s Nigeria. On the whole, African teams are very strong, especially physically. It’s a massive challenge and I’m glad we have three really tough games.”

    “We’re still very optimistic,” Davari continued. “You shouldn’t give up as long as it’s still mathematically possible, and we won’t. We believe we’ve got a good chance, especially as we’ve improved a lot coming into the second half of the season. We need to keep going into our game ready to give everything.”

  • MEXICO vs NIGERIA: Eagles to hit U.S. March 2

    MEXICO vs NIGERIA: Eagles to hit U.S. March 2

    • As NFF applies for visa date

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles will fly out on March 2 to the United States of America for the international friendly against Mexico billed for the Georgia Dome and AT&T Stadium in Georgia, Atlanta three days later.

    SportingLife understands that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have applied for an appointment date for visas with the U.S. Embassy in Abuja for players and officials.

    “Most probably we should get a February 23 date,” said a top source from the federation.

    For now the secretariat are yet to collect the team’s international passports. “That we should start any moment from now since the list of 23 players invited for the match has been made public,” said the source.

    Players invited from the domestic league will report to the team’s Abuja camp at the end of this month while their foreign based counterparts will fly straight to Atlanta from their respective clubs.

    Next month’s friendly has been arranged to prepare both sides for the World Cup in June in Brazil.

    At this level, the meeting between both countries which is the third has always been a friendly.

    10 months ago, precisely May 31, they clashed at the Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas with scores ending 2-2. The first was at the Estadio Olimpico Benito Juarez in Chihuahua, Mexico on October 2007. It also ended 2-2. The Georgia Dome, one of the largest indoor sporting facilities in the United States, is the primary home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.

  • MEXICO FRIENDLY: Yobo returns to Eagles

    MEXICO FRIENDLY: Yobo returns to Eagles

    • 22 others too • Ike Uche missing

    Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, has listed Skipper, Joseph Yobo in his squad of 23 for the international friendly against Mexico in Atlanta, USA on Wednesday, 5th March.

    Yobo, who is back in the keenly-followed English Premiership, this time with Norwich City, on loan from Fenerbahce FC of Turkey, last played for the African champions at the 29th Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, which Nigeria won.

    Also returning are Israel-based defender, Juwon Oshaniwa, 2014 African Nations Championship Most Valuable Player, Ejike Uzoenyi and Canada-based striker Bright Dike.

    New faces include former junior internationals, Ramon Azeez and Shehu Abdullahi, and Belgium-based strikers Imoh Ezekiel and Michael Uchebo. Centre – back Kunle Odunlami, who made CAF’s list of Best Eleven at the recent African Nations Championship in South Africa, is also called.

    Usual suspects like goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide, defenders Elderson Echiejile, Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Kenneth Omeruo, midfielders John Mikel Obi and Ogenyi Onazi, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike and Obinna Nsofor will also fly to America.

    THE FULL SQUAD OF 23

    Goalkeepers:

    Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)

    Defenders:

    Elderson Echiejile (Monaco FC, France); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough FC, England); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Joseph Yobo (Norwich City, England); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars)

    Midfielders:

    John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Ramon Azeez (Almeria FC, Spain); Shehu Abdullahi (Kano Pillars); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers)

    Forwards:

    Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Victor Moses (Liverpool FC, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC. Turkey); Obinna Nsofor (Chievo Verona, Italy); Bright Dike (Toronto FC, Canada), Imoh Ezekiel (Standard Liege, Belgium); Michel Uchebo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium)

  • Super Eagles’ U.S. camping site: NFF to decide on Friday

    Super Eagles’ U.S. camping site: NFF to decide on Friday

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has said it will on Friday decide which city in the United States the Super Eagles will camp in for its preparations for the 2014 World Cup.

    NFF’s Head of Media, Ademola Olajire told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja the decision was delayed to enable the association’s agent conclude all arrangements. NAN reports that the 2014 FIFA World Cup will hold from June 12 to July 13 in Brazil.

    Olajire said it would have been improper for the NFF to announce the camp site when the agent was yet to conclude the camping arrangements.

    “It is obvious that the Eagles will camp in the U.S., but we will announce the city by the end of this week. I am in touch with the agent and he will finalise the arrangements by Friday,” he said.

    On the Eagles’ involvement in an eight-nation tournament in the U.S., Olajire said the NFF had no financial commitment in the tournament. He said the Major League Soccer (MLS), the organisers of the tournament, had already communicated the NFF on the national team’s involvement.

    Olajire said the Eagles were among the invited teams by virtue of being the African champions. NAN reports that Cote d’ Ivoire and Nigeria as well as one of the country’s World Cup Group F opponents, Bosnia-Herzegovina, are part of the tournament.

    Other participants are Spain, Greece, Honduras, Bolivia and El Salvador. The tournament is expected to hold between May 27 and June 10.

  • Awolowo Stadium to host Eagles soon

    Awolowo Stadium to host Eagles soon

    • Elegbeleye orders total renovation

    The Director General of National Sports Commission (NSC) Gbenga Elegbeleye has frowned at the dilapidating state of the first modern stadium in Africa (former Liberty Stadium) now Obafemi Awolwo Stadium Ibadan. He has ordered the total refurbishment of the edifice.

    A tour of the facilities will make one wonder how brilliant the vision of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo who initiated the vision was when he started the building of the first sports stadium in 1958.

    Today, the former Liberty Stadium is aging but the beauty is still visible. The stadium, which was designed by J.E.K. Harrison Chartered Architect in consultation with the then Ministry of Works and Transport in the old Western Region is now undergoing a major renovation.

    Elegbleye, according to the zonal coordinator of NSC zone one, Steve Olarinoye, was displeased when he recently conducted a facilities inspection tour on the stadium.

    “Eagles would soon be playing here, the intention of our D-G, Gbenga Elegbeleye is to return action back to this stadium after the renovation as you can see the tartan track that was last placed here in 1994-95 when we initially had the intention of hosting the FIFA Under-20 World Cup is now giving way to a new one.

    “The renovation was started by clearing of our bushy environment as you can see the landscaping exercises going on and by the middle of this year, the stadium would be beaming with a new look”, Olarinoye said.

    It would be recalled that since the Lekan Salami Stadium was opened by the Oyo State government in 1988, Liberty Stadium is no longer the home of Oyo State Sports Council and the Ibadan darling team, Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC).

    1. The stadium has hosted a number of memorable events since it was opened in 1960. The late Dick Tiger once won a boxing title there in 1963 before his death in 1971 while Shooting Stars won the African Winners Club Cup and CAF Cup at the stadium.
  • USA 8-Nation tourney: Eagles‘ll play — NFF

    USA 8-Nation tourney: Eagles‘ll play — NFF

    • Yet to get formal letter
    • GlassHouse says Okpala’s sack final

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Aminu Maigari on Sunday exclusively informed SportingLife that Nigeria will participate in the eight-nation tourney in the U.S., provided the GlassHouse gets a formal letter from the tournament organisers.

    Maigari, speaking during a telephone interview from Abuja, revealed that the NFF was yet to get any formal invitation for the tourney, but that once they get the letter, they will mandate Eagles’ coaches to prepare the team adequately for the games.

    “The thought of the Eagles playing world-class teams like Spain, Cote d’Ivoire, Bolivia would be very revealing. Indeed, playing against these countries would help Keshi prune his team and chose the best players for the World Cup.

    “I’m very excited. I can assure that once we get a formal letter, we will accept to be part of the tournament. No doubt, Eagles need such matches and that’s why we are taking the friendly game against Mexico on March 5 seriously.

    “So far, only the Mexico game has been confirmed. We are still hoping that all our plans to arrange another friendly against Croatia comes to fruition sooner than expected.”

    On the clamour to recall Sylvanus Okpala to the Eagles’ technical crew, Maigari was emphatic in his response that no external pressure would make the NFF rescind its decision to sack the former Nigeria international.

    Said he: “As a matter of finality, Okpala was axed for gross insurbordination. In fact, Keshi knows why Okpala was sacked and as an employee of the federation, he cannot dictate to us.

    “No manner of pressure will compel us to take Okpala back into the team. Yes, we told Keshi to look for an assistant to help him but if he can’t find anybody apart from Okpala, then, he will go to the World Cup like that.”

     

  • EAGLES CODE OF CONDUCT: NFF to change name

    EAGLES CODE OF CONDUCT: NFF to change name

    Plans to replace the name of the code of conduct, drafted for the Super Eagles has commenced by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    A federation source revealed to SportingLife that NFF big weights have been rubbing minds to arrive on a suitable name that would also convey the message.”I am sure before the World Cup, a name would have been gotten. It will no longer be called the code of conduct,” said the source.

    “We believe that having another name instead of the former sounds ideal. The term code of conduct is commonly used that is why we want to be different.

    The written rules detailing how players of the different national teams are expected to conduct themselves while in camp is a five-part document that was drafted following the revolt of Eagles players over bonus payment in Namibia last year.

    The document also spells out players conduct via the social media network such as Twitter and Facebook. In the past, players resorted to the social networking site to vent their anger on coaches.

    The section on media states, “Not publish, or cause to be published (including on Twitter and Facebook), anything that may cause offence or embarrass any member of The NFF, national squads or management. If any player wishes to publicly comment on any aspect of playing for Nigeria, including in books, newspaper columns, podcasts, vodcasts, diaries and any other online media services, including social networking sites, prior permission of the NFF Media Office is required.

    “No Twitter or Facebook comments the day before and day of matches, unless authorised by the Head Coach and the Team Media Officer; no Twitter or social media disclosing team or injuries the day before or on the day of the match; any comment in the media that is likely to cause embarrassment to or lower the reputation and integrity of the team, team management, the federation or the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is prohibited; and players should desist from making any comments that could be political in nature.”

    The 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil may serve as the first major test for the team.

  • 2014 CHAN SHOCKER: NFF bought Eagles jerseys in Lagos

    2014 CHAN SHOCKER: NFF bought Eagles jerseys in Lagos

    Revelations have emerged that the jerseys, which were used by the Home Eagles for the concluded Africa Nations Championship in South Africa, were not directly supplied by kit sponsors, Adidas in Germany.

    Instead, they were bought from a local sports store in Lagos by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) who took the decision to avert an impending embarrassment.

    SportingLife gathered that the reason stemmed from NFF’s delay in informing Adidas of the competition.

    “The Chan tournament was not part of the contract signed with Adidas,” said our source.

    “Secondly the decision of NFF to pull out of the competition due to lack of funds only to rescind their decision later equally contributed,”he said.

    A total of eight pairs were purchased which counter insinuations that only a pair was used throughout the competition.

    “That was not true because there were matches where the team appeared in white and others in green. So, l do not know where these people got their facts from,” he said.

    Controversies surrounding jerseys of the national teams also surfaced in 2010 when the Super Falcons, the women’s team featured at the Africa Women Championship. The names of the players on each jersey were written in markers.

  • Eagles abandonment story a ruse

    Eagles abandonment story a ruse

    • Inyama, Keshi react

    NFF Media Committee Chairman, Emeka Inyama and Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi have reacted to a story in a national daily that the Super Eagles were abandoned by Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdulahi, NFF President, Aminu Maigari and the leadership of football in the run-up to the third place match against Zimbabwe last Saturday in South Africa.

    Inyama, who spoke first, said the report was not only a calculated mischief by the reporter but one designed to downplay the huge impact the Super Eagles made at its maiden outing at the CHAN African Nations tourney.

    “I am shocked to read such a report from a respected medium, who should know better, because the Sports Minister in the company of the NFF President did not only host the team in Bloemfontein, but also redeemed his pledge to the team and even when the team did not win against Ghana, he gave the amount he promised for a win because he was impressed by the team. Does that translate to abandonment?, he asked rhetorically.

    The former Editor-in-Chief of SportsLink and former Abia State Sports Commissioner further declared that NFF President, Aminu Maigari had been with the team nearly all of the tourney and was addressing the team regularly, which was widely reported in the media adding that it was shocking that a newspaper will at the end of the championship now report that the team was abandoned by very responsible public office holders. “We hope this rather tragic report is withdrawn by those concerned in the interest of sports growth”, he declared.

    On his part, Keshi, who spoke through the team’s Media Officer, Ben Alaiya, said he does not understand what is meant by the word abandoned, because the Sports Minister, NFF President and several top members of the sports fraternity were with the team throughout the duration of the tournament. “We may not have seen much of the Supporters Club in the third place but the Minster and NFF were always with the team throughout the tournament”.

    He added that the Minister and the NFF President even addressed the team in a widely publicised event, wondering what the team needs to reach its goals in crucial encounters in major competitions. “I was shocked when I read the story and I think we should always respect those in authority without blackmail”, he said.