The Nation Newspaper

Tag: eagles

  • Siasia excited with Eagles’ outings

    Former Super Eagles’ gaffer, Samson Siasia has saluted the Nigerian team for their impressive performance which saw them coming out victorious in their last two games.

    Nigeria, who are the current African champions, defeated Malawi 2-0 last Saturday in Calabar, a victory which gave them the ticket to the final play offs for the 2014 world cup qualifiers.

    The Super Eagles then hammered their west African opponents, Burkina Faso 4-1 on Tuesday in the high-profile friendly game which was decided at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.

    “Super Eagles players were excellent in their last two games and I was excited with how they handed defeat to Malawi and Burkina Faso. Malawi came to Nigeria with a lot of pressure aimed to distract the Eagles, but I was elated with how our Boys responded to them to Calabar,” Siasia told Okin FM.

    Nigeria have made it to the final play offs for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying games, and Siasia is optimistic that the Eagles would make it to Brazil.

    “I am unperturbed with the final play offs because the Eagles have the pedigree to face any foes and I’m sure they would make it to the 2014 World Cup,” he stressed.

  • Eagles striker happy with Rangers return

    Eagles striker happy with Rangers return

    Home-based Super Eagles striker Sanusi Sanni has told futaa.com he is not only relieved but equally excited to resume training with his Glo Nigeria Premier League side, Enugu Rangers after over three months in the sidelines owing to injury.

    Sanni who cupped a knee injury during a CAF Confederations Cup first leg tie against CS Sfaxien months back at the Nnamdi Azikwe Stadium in Enugu told futaa.com he never expected to be away for such a long time.

    “I did not believe that I will be away for a long time like this, you remember I told you once my teammates get a good result in the second leg, I will join them immediately in the Group phase,” Sanni recounted.

    However, even though the Flying Antelopes went to Sfax and secured the result that saw them pull through to the group stage, they were sent packing from the second-tier Africa club competition on allegation of fielding an ineligible player in person of goal keeper Emmanuel Daniel.

    Sanni expectedly is unhappy about that but hopes they can still salvage something from the season.

    “I’m happy to be back even though many things happened while I was away; we just have to stay focus now and try to finish the season strongly,” Sanni concluded.

    While Rangers are seen by many as outsiders for the League crown a strong finish to their League campaign can earn them a continental ticket next season.

     

  • We are encouraging Sammy to play for Eagles -Ameobi

    We are encouraging Sammy to play for Eagles -Ameobi

    Despite the non commital nature of Sammy Ameobi to lace boots for the Super Eagles, his elder brother, Shola has raised the hopes that his Everton of England teammate will play for Nigeria soonest.

    Sammy was once invited by Coach John Obuh for the Flying Eagles qualifying series but was later dropped. It was then reported that Sammy was impressive while with the Nigerian junior national team so he was disappointed that he couldn’t make the cut despite playing regularly for Everton.

    Sammy, it was learnt then, vowed not to honour Nigeria’s invitation again if he would be sent packing like Obuh did to him when he was first invited to the Flying Eagles camp.

    But Shola told SportingLife in Calabar that they cannot really force him to play for Nigeria but they could persuade him to do so.

    “Sammy is a grown up man and he makes his own decisions. Wherever he chooses to play we will support him as a family. Although we have been trying to encourage him to play for the Super Eagles. We will continue to persuade him to play for the Super Eagles but cannot force him to do so”, Shola declared.

  • Eagles call up Enyimba skipper Udoji

    Eagles call up Enyimba skipper Udoji

    Enyimba skipper Chinedu Udoji is set to earn a Super Eagles call-up after some sparkling displays for his title-chasing club this season.

    “Udoji has been pencilled down by the Eagles coaches after some great outings in the heart of the Enyimba defence this season,” a top source informed MTNFootball.com

    The central defender Udoji is seen by national selectors as a direct replacement in the country’s ‘B’ team for Godfrey Oboabona, who has moved to Turkish club Rizespor and so will not be eligible for next year’s Championship of African Nations (CHAN) in South Africa.

    Kwara United and former Nigeria U20 star, Ganiu Ogungbe, who was on the fringes of the CHAN Eagles has also been ruled out as a replacement for Oboabona after he moved to Cyprus recently.

    Udoji has already got the endorsement of Enyimba coach Imama Amapakabo to be an instant hit at full international level.

    “Chinedu Udoji is a good player any day anytime and he is good enough to get Super Eagles call up,” Amapakabo told MTNFootball.com

    “Without mincing words, he is one of the best central defenders in the Nigeria league now and the major reason why our team have not conceded many goals in the league.

    “I have followed him very closely for two seasons now and he has been very consistent.”

    Meanwhile, Super Eagles ‘B team’ will know their first round opponents in the CHAN on Wednesday.

    Nigeria secured the ticket for the first time after two failed attempts.

    Nigeria will contend for the trophy with hosts South Africa, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Congo, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

    The tournament will be played between January 11 and February 1, 2014, at the Cape Town Stadium, Athlone Stadium, Free State Stadium and Peter Mokaba Stadium.

     

  • Mikel boasts: Eagles will keep winning

    Mikel boasts: Eagles will keep winning

    Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel has promised Nigerians that the Super Eagles will keep winning momentum as Nigeria move one step closer to pick one of the African tickets for 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

    Nigeria defeated Malawi 2-0 in World Cup qualifiers at the U.J Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Saturday to emerge Group F leader with twelve points to keep a clean sheet in the matches played so far.

    Mikel, who was adjudged the Most Valuable Player in Saturday’s match, said the spirit among the players is high.

    “We are happy with what we’ve been able to do so far but we won’t rest until we reach the highest level Nigerians expect from the team,” Mikel said.

    “We want to keep winning our games and keep our focus. We will take any game as it comes. Malawi’s game has come and gone and we are determined for the next game.”

  • Glo congratulates triumphant Eagles

    Glo congratulates triumphant Eagles

    Official sponsor of Nigerian national teams, Globacom has congratulated the Super Eagles for their superlative performance against the Flames of Malawi.

    Nigeria trounced the Malawians by two goals to nil in a World Cup qualifier played at the U.J Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Saturday.

    “It was a delight seeing the Eagles play with so much confidence and fluidity which made it possible for the team to dominate possession by over 70 per cent”, said Globacom in a statement issued immediately after the match.

    The telecom giant said it was glad that the Super Eagles doused the Malawian Flames, particularly in view of the acrimonious build up to the game and the antics of the Malawian coach.

    Globacom congratulated the players for their fighting spirit and skills as well as the coaching crew led by Stephen Keshi for their tactical superiority, adding that every match the team plays is rebuilding the confidence of the nation in the team.

    “We used to have a reliable national team that all Nigerians were proud of. With the way the present Eagles are playing, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel”, added the telecom firm.

    Globacom urged the Super Eagles not to rest on their oars and prepare to fight with all their skills in order to win the last qualifier and clinch one of the African tickets for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

  • Yobo hails Eagles’ feat

    Yobo hails Eagles’ feat

    Super Eagles Captain Joseph Yobo has congratulated the team for qualifying for the knock out stage of the 2014 World Cup to be held in Brazil.
    The out –of-favour captain, who spoke to Sportinglife from his base in Turkey, said: “I want to use this opportunity to congratulate my team mates for making Nigerians happy . It was not an easy match, but they were able to stand their ground and come out victorious. I spoke to some of them before the match, telling them the need to win the match for the country, and the importance of the 2014 World Cup to Nigeria as a country. I commend their efforts, and I believe the journey has just started. We have to fight to the end. It is only the end that would justify the means”.
    He also appreciated Nigerians for their untiring support for the team, appealing that they should support the team to the end of the qualifiers. He is optimistic that the Super Eagles would make it to the 2014 World Cup.
    The Fernabache strongman prefers to remain silent over his continued exclusion from the team, but maintained that he still remains the captain, and would soon be back in the team.
    Yobo last played for the country at the 2013 Africa Nations Cup in South Africa, and was gunning for an all time record of 100 caps for the Super Eagles before he fell out with the Head Coach of the team, Stephen Keshi over some of his remarks which the coach did not take kindly. Though, Keshi has at various occasions maintained that the former Everton of England defender remains an integral part of the team, and the captain.

  • Calabar to host Eagles’ final tie

    Calabar to host Eagles’ final tie

    • Elegbeleye assures Nigerians

    Contrary to reports going round that the Abuja National Stadium will host the final round of the 2014 World Cup qualifier, the friendly UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar would still host the match.

    This much Sportinglife gathered from the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga Elegbeleye who has given a thumbs up for Calabar to host the all important match that would decide Nigeria’s fate as far as next year’s World Cup in Brazil is concerned.

    “The UJ Esuene Stadium has been a good ground for the Super Eagles so why must they move away?

    “The Abuja Stadium is ready. But we have been enjoying a friendly atmosphere in Calabar and we have never lost any match in Calabar so let the Eagles continue to enjoy the atmosphere and continue to win to get the qualification for the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

    “I am using this opportunity to praise Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River for his huge support for the NSC and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). We are full of appreciation for his good gesture.

    “Like I said the Abuja National Stadium is ready but we will play the last World Cup qualifier in Calabar. After the qualifier we will start using the Abuja Stadium for friendly matches to start with and then for competitive matches”, Elegbeleye told Sportinglife in Calabar shortly after the Eagles spanked Malawi 2-0 to move to the final phase of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

  • Hamilton gives Eagles thumbs up

    Hamilton gives Eagles thumbs up

    Former Nigerian manager, Paul Hamilton has applauded Super Eagles for the emphatic 2-0 win against the Flames of Malawi in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Saturday.

    One goal in each half of the crucial encounter off the foot of forwards,

    Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses proved decisive to secure the 2013 AFcon winners the group ticket on 12 points as well as passage to the playoff. The Southern Africans finished the encounter with 10-man.

    Hamilton, who observed some lapses in the Eagles, said he hopes the coaches will move in quickly to correct the shortcomings prior to the final draw for the playoff.

    “It was a good game for us based on our situation prior to the game. We needed a draw to proceed to the final playoff that may have explained the cautious approach to the game as the players seem to be saving their best for the playoff as well as to avoid injury which will hamper their career at their respective clubs.

    Hamilton is still worried that the side have not been able to up the goalscoring ability insisting that goals may count in the last lap of the Brazil 2014 World Cup campaign.

    “In the playoff goals may be decisive of the side that head to Brazil 2014 World Cup.

    “It’s worrisome that we’re not scoring goals instead we are missing begging chances at goal.In the other games, Keshi must work on goalscoring.

    “Goalscoring gives teams confidence, our players must learn to continue scoring goals in every other match,” said the former Super Falcons coach.

    The Eagles will now wait for the playoff draws to be made to ascertain the side to face in the two-leg final duel en route to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

  • Eagles spank Malawi 2-0

    Eagles spank Malawi 2-0

    •Qualify for 2014 World Cup final round

    •As Mikel wins MVP, $5,000

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria sailed through to the final round of 2014 World Cup qualifiers after spanking the Flames of Malawi 2-0 in the match that was decided at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Saturday.

    Eagles forward Emmanuel Emenike broke the back of the resilient Malawians in the 44th minute after receiving a through pass from Ahmed Musa while Liverpool new recruit Victor Moses converted a spot-kick for his team in the 50th minute after Nnamdi Oduamadi was hacked down by a Malawian defender.

    Meanwhile, Super Eagles playmaker Mikel Obi has won the Most Valuable Player of the match and smiled home with $5,000 courtesy of Tom Tom.

    The fist half ended 1-0 in Nigeria’s favour despite the hard posture put up by the Flames of Malawi but the visitor’s defence caved in, in the 44th minute when prolific Fenerbahce forward, Emmanuel Emenike beat Malawi’s goalkeeper

    Swini Charles to score Eagles’ opener.

    Malawi’s coach Tom Saintfiet who had told SportingLife three hours to the match that his game plan was to keep a clean slate in the first 45 minutes and then to come out fully in the second half was however, disappoited that his team caved in the last 60 seconds of the first half.

    But the highlights of the first 45 minutes match attested to the fact that

    Saintfiet’s team almost achieved that scoreless plan.

    In the 3rd minute of the match Malawi’s central defender Mzava Limbikani got his first caution and was later sent off for another foul on Ahmed Musa in the 53rd minute.

    Also in the 10th minute Mikel Obi’s goal was ruled off side while Efe Ambrose goal bound effort was parried by goalkeeper Swini Charles of Malawi.

    The Flames also got a great chance to score in the 23rd minute but was missed.

    But the Eagles scored Nigeria’s second goal via spot kick in the 50th minute when Nnamdi Oduamadi was dangerously fouled in the box and the resultant penalty weas converted by Victor Moses effortlessly.

    Shortly after Moses converted the spot kick for Eagles second goal the seemingly quiet fans at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar suddenly woke up from their slumber and started shouting ‘Eeeeee…” Popular way of firing up the crowd.

    The Eagles continued to pile the pressure on Malawi and taking advantage of the expulsion of Limbikani and Musa’s effort in the 70th minute was parried again by Malawi’s keeper while Emenike’s effor four minutes later was also saved my Swini in goal for Malawi.

    Nosa Igiebor was introduced in the 70th minute to replace Victor Moses as Coach Stephen Keshi moved to 4-4-2 formation as against the previous 4-4-3 he adopted for the whole 70 minutes.

    Keshi, however, thought it wise to give Newcastle United player Shola Ameobi the chance of playing his first competitive match for Nigeria when he introduced him in the 84th minute to replace Emenike. Also Uche Nwafor replaced Nnamdi Oduamadi in the 87th minute of the match.