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Tag: eagles

  • Fans commend Eagles’ fighting spirit

    Fans commend Eagles’ fighting spirit

    Football fans on Sunday in Abuja commended the Super Eagles for the fighting spirit in their dramatic 4-3 win over Morocco’s Atlas Lions in the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN).

    Some of the fans who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the come-back into the match was surprising as hope was almost lost at the end of the first half.

    NAN reports that the Keshi-led team won the quarter-final match on Saturday after conceding three goals within seven minutes of the first half.

    The team, however, came back stronger in the second half to level it up and eventually won.

    A journalist, Samson Kukogho, said he was happy that the Super Eagles beat the North Africans from three goals down.

    “First of all, I am elated over the unbelievable come-back not just because we have qualified, but because we beat a North African country from three goals down. It was a different team that emerged in the second half because their passes were inaccurate in the first half which was well handled by the technical crew,’’ he said.

    Kukogho, however, singled out Ejike Uzoenyi for his outstanding role and urged Keshi to consider him for a spot in the World Cup team.

    “Uzoenyi deserves a spot in the World Cup team, not just for his goals, but his overall contributions.

    “I am giving a big thumbs up to Coach Stephen Keshi because he is the best Nigerian coach ever,’’ he said.

    Another journalist, Haruna Abdullahi, said the Eagles’ come-back renewed in him the spirit of not giving up until it is over.

    He commended the technical crew for enlivening the football spirit in Nigerians.

    “Though the team suffered a humiliating first half bashing and I was berserk and near heart attack, the Keshi-tutored team proved us wrong.

    “They proved that the world can write you off but you can rewrite yourself back to life.

    “Coach Keshi has proved to the world that you don’t need foreign brains but the right attitude to make things right.

    “Just when Nigerians are at the tunnel of despair, this man comes around and enlivens our spirits. He has done it before and I am sure he will do it again by winning his debut at the championships,’’ Abdullahi said.

    A veterinary doctor, Abdulganiyu Oladejo, said that the team was a well constituted one but which had to suffer the early goals bashing due to flaws of one or two members.

    “Chigozie Agbim has once again shown the world that he is not of `Super Eagles quality’ with his school boy errors, because it was his fault that we conceded the first two goals.

    “Other than that, the boys were fantastic,’’ Oladejo said.

    A student, Olajide Ayoola, said that the team spirit won the Super Eagles the match.

    “It was a good game because it was a win earned through team spirit; but the defence is still a problem, especially the goalkeeper.

  • Glo celebrates Eagles’ victory

    Glo celebrates Eagles’ victory

    • Describes match as ‘Miracle of Cape Town’

    Leading telecommunications operator, Globacom, has commended the amazing performance of the home-based Super Eagles who came from three goals down to defeat the Atlas Lions of Morocco in the quarter finals of the on-going African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Cape Town, South Africa on Saturday.

    Globacom in a press statement released in Lagos immediately after the match gave kudos to the Super Eagles for not only restoring the national pride but also qualifying for the semi finals of the competition.

    The hard-fighting Moroccans had dominated the first half of the match, scoring three goals in the process.

    The Eagles, with pep talk from the Stephen Keshi-led coaching crew at half time, resumed the second half with strong determination which resulted in goals from Ugonna Uzochukwu, Rabiu Ali and the equaliser from Man-of-the-Match, Ejike Uzoenyi in the 90th minute.

    Aliyu Ibrahim topped the great comeback with his goal at 115th minute, thus sending the Super Eagles to the semi finals of the competition for the first time.

    “The Super Eagles were unlimited in their performance against Atlas Lions, we urge them to sustain the momentum when they face the next opponent at the semi finals,” Glo said.

    “The match was tough. The Moroccans were a hard nut to crack, having been described as the best technical side in the tournament. We commend the Super Eagles for their hardwork, concentration and never-say-die spirit which earned them the victory. We once had the Miracle of Daman. This victory can be described as the Miracle of Cape Town. It is rare for a team to come back from three goals down and still go ahead to win the match”, the statement added.

    Globacom observed that the victory has re-affirmed Nigeria’s rating as African Champions. The company also enjoined Nigerians not to relent in giving the much needed support to the Super Eagles as they prepare for the next 90 minutes in the semi final.

    Globacom is the major partner of the Nigeria Football Federation and official sponsor of the Nigeria national teams.

  • Half time drama: Keshi walks out on Eagles

    Half time drama: Keshi walks out on Eagles

    The magical words that Super Eagles’ coach Stephen Keshi told his team at half time that inspired their comeback from three goals down against Atlas Lions of Morocco in the quarter-finals of the ongoing Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) decided on Saturday, has finally been revealed.

    SportingLife learnt exclusively from South Africa that in the dressing room after the first 45 minutes, a stern Keshi told his players, “You people think you can shame me? You want to shame me? It’s not me o, it’s yourself,” and then walked away. Assistant Coach Daniel Amokachi then addressed the players.

    Apparently, the message sank in, because when the Eagles returned for the second half, it was with full vitality. They scored two goals within 10 minutes while the equaliser came during extra time.

    SportingLife recalls that the coach’s reaction was the same at half time in the Eagles’ third group match against South Africa and Nigeria came out smoking in the second half to win the match 4-2.

    Keshi, however, later showered praises on his team for living up to expectation and tipped them to win the competition if they continued to improve.

    The ‘Big Boss’ was quoted as saying, “The boys have been awesome in the competition so far, most especially in the match against Morocco. The team is getting better per game they play. They are a bunch of players that want to learn and they are learning fast. They actually proved their fighting spirit quality against Morocco. They proved they can fight in a very tight situation.

    “So, the boys have shown clearly that they can go all the way to win the trophy that is if they don’t rest on their oars.”

  • ‘Victory over Morocco a miracle’

    ‘Victory over Morocco a miracle’

    A member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Joe Amene, has described Nigeria’s come-back to defeat Morocco at the quarter-finals of the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) as a “miracle”.

    The Super Eagles rallied from 0-3 down to beat Morocco’s Atlas Lions 4-3 during an extra time to reach the semi-finals of CHAN in South Africa.

    Amene told NAN in Onitsha on Sunday that the victory which, he said, he had yet to fully grasp was “a clear Act of God’’.

    “This is an indication that the God of soccer is with us in this tournament. And I rejoice with all Nigerians. I tell you sincerely, the victory was electrifying and miraculous in its nature. I salute the resilience and character of never-say-die within the Eagles,’’ he said.

    Amene, however, urged Coach Stephen Keshi to sharpen the midfield and defence so that the mistakes that gave the Moroccans an edge over the Eagles within a few minutes of play did not recur.

    Also reacting, Rommy Ezeonwuka, Proprietor, Rojenny Multi-Purpose Stadium and Tourist Village, Oba, Anambra, told NAN that the comeback was an indication that God reserved “a special love for Nigeria.

    “This kind of miracle is a fortune only reserved for Nigeria among hundreds of football-playing countries,’ he said.

  • Amiesimaka warns Super Eagles: Don’t underrate Ghana Black Stars

    Amiesimaka warns Super Eagles: Don’t underrate Ghana Black Stars

    Former Green Eagles winger, Adokiye Amiesimaka, on Sunday urged the Super Eagles not to underrate their semi-final opponents, Ghana Black Stars at the ongoing Africa Nations Championship, (CHAN) in South Africa.

    Amiesimaka gave the advice to the team in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Cape Town. He told NAN on telephone that having beaten the Atlas Lions of Morocco 4-3 at the quarter-finals, the team should remain focused and tackle Ghana with seriousness.

    Amiesimaka said the victory over Morocco had shown that the Eagles had character and resilience to meet challenges in spite of being three goals down at half time.

    “What the victory against Morocco should teach us is that we have the ability to conquer, at least in Africa. We should expect a better performance because we can deliver. There are minor challenges in the team that can be cured.

    “Overall, our potential is undisputed. So, playing against Ghana, we shouldn’t take them as a push over. We should approach that match with seriousness and try to learn from the mistakes of the past. Understand the football mentality of Ghana, so that we can try to neutralise their strong points and capitalise on their weaknesses,’’ he said.

    Amiesimaka, former Chairman of Sharks FC of Port Harcourt, said the Eagles had the potential to go far in the tournament if they put their acts together. He commended Coach Stephen Keshi and the players for their resilience and hard work.

    Amiesimaka also said that the team should look beyond being African champions and aim at getting to the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

    “If our local clubs can produce players who can show such resilience, commitment and occasional flashes of true brilliance, we should hold ourselves to blame for not being among the very best in the world.

    “All we need to do is to get our acts together. We should be talking about ruling the world. We have the endowment, the requirement and potential to do it,’’ he said.

  • Eagles relax in Cape Pool

    Eagles relax in Cape Pool

    The Super Eagles had an early morning splash at their Garden Court Hotel abode before their departure for Bloemfontein, for their semi-final match in the CHAN.

    The players, led by Assistant Coach, Dan ‘the Bull’ Amokachi, swam and had exciting moments in the pools for nearly two hours, just to relax their nerves after the encounter against Morocco.

    “It was good but I never made any mistake of going to the deep end of the pool after my experience in Niger Republic,” Ejike Uzoenyi said.

  • Eagles’ goalkeeping department: ‘Keshi needs to work hard’

    Eagles’ goalkeeping department: ‘Keshi needs to work hard’

    A football administrator, Emmanuel Adesanya, on Saturday in Abuja advised coach Stephen Keshi to improve the goalkeeping department of the Super Eagles at the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN).

    Emmanuel Adesanya, the Head of Inter-Clubs Competition Department, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), gave the advice as Nigerians bask in the euphoria of the Eagles’ victory over the Atlas Lions of Morocco.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Eagles rallied from three goals down to win 4-3 after extra time in their quarter-final encounter in Cape Town, South Africa.

    The win gave the Nigerian side a semi-final ticket in their maiden appearance at the competition which is for players featuring in domestic leagues on the continent. However, Adesanya told NAN that the three goals scored by Morocco were cheap goals the goalkeeper should not have conceded.

    He said the team’s entire defence line was also weak and needed to be strengthened before the next game.

    “I must tell you that Nigeria is yet to arrive when it comes to the goalkeeping department. Chigozie Agbim is not the best that we have. I don’t know why Keshi is insisting on him. He is always giving people heart attacks because a time may come that we may not be this lucky. The three goals scored by Morocco were uncalled for,’’ the NFF official said.

    Adesanya, however, expressed joy at the victory stating that the team brought joy to the country.

    The Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL) board, Emeka Inyama, on his part said the 4-3 win was a miracle victory.

    “It is always not easy after three goals down the line for a team. But the Eagles played a quality match by equalising and winning. Keshi has done a great job,’’ he said.

    Inyama, however, noted that the semi-finals would be tough, stating that Nigeria nonetheless would surely win the trophy.

    Ahmed Kawu, the Chairman, Nigeria Nation-Wide League (NNWL), said Nigeria had really prayed for the victory, and it was God who gave the country the victory.

  • We have confidence in Eagles — Anyene

    We have confidence in Eagles — Anyene

    The Chairman, Nigerian Union in South Africa, Ikechukwu Anyene, says the union has confidence in the Super Eagles’ ability to win the ongoing Africa Nations Championship (CHAN).

    Anyene made the assertion in Cape Town, South Africa, on Sunday while reacting to the Eagles’ spectacular 4-3 victory over Morocco in a quarter-final match on Saturday.

    “It is rare to see a team come from behind — three goals down – to win in a major game in a tournament like CHAN. It should serve as a signal to other nations.

    “It shows the resilience of that team. Honestly, the Eagles did the nation proud and we pray they win the tournament,’’ he told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

    Anyene also commended Coach Stephen Keshi for guiding the team to victory in spite of being three goals down at half time.

    “I know that some coaches will consider it an uphill task to recover from such shock but Keshi never gave up, instead, he gave his team the confidence to go and conquer.

    “I must also praise the Moroccans for their fighting spirit. It requires a team like Nigeria to overcome them,’’ he said.

    The president said the union had commenced plans to mobilise more Nigerians to travel to Bloemfontein, venue of the Eagles’ semi-final match on Wednesday.

    The Eagles will take on the winners of the Ghana/Libya quarter-final match at the Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein.

    Anyene said: “The Eagles will not lack support at the stadium. We will mobilise the same way we did in their previous matches and make them feel at home.

    “The tournament has entered its crucial stage and it becomes imperative for us to give the team maximum support to win their matches.

    “ The Eagles will be made to feel at home in Bloemfontein,’’ he assured.

  • Elegbeleye charges Eagles to win trophy for Jonathan

    Elegbeleye charges Eagles to win trophy for Jonathan

    The Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga Elegbeleye, has urged the Super Eagles Team B to win the ongoing Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) for the President (Dr.) Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

    According to him, the good luck of Dr Jonathan is already shinning on the Nigerian team in South Africa after their dramatic qualification for the semi finals of the CHAN against Morocco on Saturday.

    He described the Eagles’ feat as a ‘miracle’ as they fought tooth and nail to run away with a 4-3 victory after a disappointing 0-3 first half deficit.

    “This team is good enough to win the trophy. They have shown that they have the character to win the tournament. The President is solidly behind the team and also happy with their performance so far in the competition. The National Sports Commission is also happy with the team and the technical crew,” Elegbeleye said.

    He said most Nigerians probably never thought the team could bounce back after the first half humiliation, but they proved everybody wrong and got the winner in extra time.

    “I was really thrilled to watch the Eagles display a ‘never-say-die’ attitude to win the game 4-3 in the second half from 3-0 goals down in the first half. They never lost hope in themselves even when the chips were down; they encouraged themselves and sent out the roaring Atlas Lions. They are really determined to make the best out of the championship,” he said.

    Elegbeleye said having gone thus far in the championship, no team can stop the Eagles’ ambition of winning the event in South Africa. “I think Nigeria now have the ace to win the competition.

    “The boys are hungry for success and South Africa has become a home for Nigerian football to make a good impression”

  • CAPE TOWN MIRACLE: NIGERIA ZOOM INTO CHAN SEMI-FINAL

    CAPE TOWN MIRACLE: NIGERIA ZOOM INTO CHAN SEMI-FINAL

    Abdulbakar Ibrahim’s extra time goal capped a remarkable comeback from three goals down to see Nigeria through the African Nations Championship semi-final after seeing off a shell-shocked Moroccan side.

    Morocco looked set to coast into the last four after three goals in the first half and a defensive meltdown from Nigeria, left them with what appeared to be an unassailable lead.

    Their opening goal involved Abdelkadir El Ouadi who laid the ball to Mouhssine Moutouali who slipped the ball past Chizogie Agbim on 33 minutes.

    With Nigeria reeling, their opponents nabbed a second goal thanks to Mouhssine Iajour’s low free kick from the edge of the area.

    The Eagles hopes seemed over when El Ouadi again linked up with Moutouali, before the winger unleashed a low drive beyond Agbim.

    However, the half-time break seemed to re-energise Nigeria and Ugonna Uzochukwu pulled a goal back within four minutes of the restart.

    On 55 minutes, Uzochukwu turned provider when he headed down a cross for Kabiu Ali, who rifled the ball home to give the Super Eagles hope of an unlikely comeback.

    Their equaliser came in dramatic fashion when, with the clock of 90 minutes, Ejike Uzoenyi picked the ball on the edge of the area and, after beating two players, unleashed a fierce shot that hit the underside of the bar and nestled in the back of the net.

    After forcing an extra time, Uzoenyi continued to threaten the Moroccan defence, seeing one shot saved and providing a chance for Ali in the first period.

    However, Nigeria’s winning goal came with eight minutes left as Uzoenyi’s cross was horribly spilled by keeper Nadir Lamyaghri and fell into the path of Ibrahim and, from two yards, had gifted Nigeria a place in the last four.

    They await the winners of the Ghana v DR Congo quarter-final match to know their next opponents.