The Nation Newspaper

Tag: eagles

  • Eagles Shirt: Nothing for Yobo -Keshi

    Eagles Shirt: Nothing for Yobo -Keshi

    Super Eagles manager Stephen Keshi has dismissed Joseph Yobo as a talking point, as the countdown to the crunch World Cup qualifier against Malawi begins.

    The Super Eagles coach, who spoke with futaa.com on the eve of the triumphant qualification for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, insists that Yobo is not an issue with the Super Eagles.

    Some publications have insinuated that the presence of the former Everton defender may have averted the crisis in Namibia, when the Eagles refused to board the plane for Brazil.

    Keshi strongly disagreed: “I really don’t think the presence of Yobo has anything to do with what happened out there in Namibia,” the Big Boss said.

    “Anyone who has followed the history of Nigerian football will know that players and administrators disagree at times. And that happens sometimes in spite of the presence of the leader.

    “I am also sure that some of the players were probably in contact with him, as the captain. There is every likelihood that he is aware of what was going on, I am not saying he is, but it’s likely.”

    Keshi continues to insist that Yobo remains his skipper despite the continuos absence of the Fenerbahce man from the Eagles.

  • Eagles eye double over Cote d’Ivoire

    Eagles eye double over Cote d’Ivoire

    Nigeria have vowed to do a double over Cote d’Ivoire in today’s Championship of African Nations (CHAN) second leg qualifier.

    Speaking with MTNFootball.com the Eagles said there is no reason for them to take the game lightly despite 4-1 win in first leg.

    Sunshine Stars right back Solomon Kwambe told MTNFootball.com it will be a tough encounter but they will not take anything for granted.

    “It will be a tough game. We all know matches between Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire are not always easy. We are going to approach the game very seriously because we want to win it,” Kwambe said.

    Ever-present defender Godfrey Oboabona told MTNFootball.com they hope to extend their supremacy against the Ivorians in Abidjan.

    “Winning is on my mind. We won the first leg and we are approaching the game in such manner. We are equal to the task and our spirits are high,” Oboabona declared.

    “All I want is to win the game over both legs, we will strive hard to get a positive result from Abidjan,” left winger Onduku added.

    Nigeria will be missing Kano Pillars striker Gambo Mohammed after he suffered a muscle injury that will keep him out for at least six weeks.

    Nigeria U-20 striker Alhaji Gero therefore has his chance to stake a claim in the team after he scored in a test game as TEAP FC.

  • Eagles hit Abidjan, ready for Elephants

    Eagles hit Abidjan, ready for Elephants

    The Super Eagles on Thursday afternoon landed safely in Abidjan, the Ivoirien capital ahead of the final leg, CHAN qualifier against host the Elephants scheduled for Saturday in the Ivoirien commercial capital.

    The team of 18 players and officials was led by NFF Vice President, Chief Mike Okeke Umeh and had on board, NFF Head, Technical, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, President General of the Nigerian Football and Other Sports Supporters Club, Dr. Rauf Ladipo and several other actors in the football fraternity.

    The Air Afrique flight which conveyed the team from Lagos to Abidjan took about one hour, thirty minutes to land in smooth condition with showers of rain welcoming the team to the city. The flight landed at exactly 10:50 local time, which is 11:50am Nigerian time and was well received by members of the Ivoirien FA.

    The bus that took the team to its hotel in the heart of the city took about 30 minutes to reach its destination at Ibis Hotel. The team promptly checked in and took its lunch immediately. The Eagles will have its first training session at 3:30pm local time which is 4:30 Nigerian time to coincide with the time the game will be played on Saturday.

  • Eagles overpower TEAP FC

    Eagles overpower TEAP FC

    •Malomo salutes Eagles

    The Super Eagles had their last test game before travelling to Abidjan on Tuesday evening in Abuja and came away with a hard fought 2-0 win over The Everlasting Arms Parish (TEAP) FC, of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

    The highly entertaining game had in the stand former NFF board member and Technical Adviser of Lobi Stars, Dominic Iorfa, current board member and Chairman of the NFF Media Committee, Chief Emeka Inyama, NFF Director of Technical, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, National Competitions Director, Dr Sanusi Mohammed, former Flying Eagles’ and Golden Eaglets’ Assistant Coach Ben Iroha and NFF technical officer, Siji Lagunju.

    Traditionally, Eagles’ coach, Stephen Keshi put his best player forward in the opening half of the game but the likes of Chigozie Agbim, Solomon Kwambe, Benjamin Francis, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Sunday Mba, Oladapo Olufemi and even Ifeanyi Ede failed to break the resilience of the TEAP side in a half dominated by the Eagles.

    Keshi didn’t lose faith in his squad but merely reinforced it in the second half. Ayo Saka came in for Rabiu, Junior international Alhaji Gero replaced Ezekiel Mba, while Chibuzor Okonkwo took over from Kwambe. It didn’t take long for the changes to start yielding fruits as a clever move initiated by Joseph Osandaye found Sunday Mba whose leg work deflated the TEAP defence for Gero to slot in the first goal in the 48th minute.

    The ding-dong affair continued until ten minutes later when Femi Oladapo connected Okonkwo to lay a cross for onrushing Ifeanyi Ede to nod clear. It was a classic and by then the Eagles had killed the game and were just enjoying the rest of the encounhter. The coaching crew noted it and withdrew the problables. Agbim was out for Akpeyi, Gomo for Mba, Ajiya, Ezekiel Bassey and Ebenezer Oloruntoba also tasted action, same as Ganiyu Atanda. When referee Aniete Ukoh sounded the home whistle it was clear who the better side was.

    TEAP Coach Malomo Paris, said he was again impressed by the display of the national side and his own team. “It was a good game but the better side won and we know we should have done better but this is the national team.”. Keshi simply said, it was again work in progress for the national team.

  • Nsofor happy with Eagles’ return

    Nsofor happy with Eagles’ return

    Lokomotiv Moscow of Russia striker, Victor Obinna Nsofor, has said he is thrilled to return to the Super Eagles after a two-year absence.

    The former Inter Milan forward has been recalled by Nigeria for the Nelson Mandela Challenge Cup clash against hosts South Africa on August 14 and he told MTNFootball.com he is delighted as he still has a lot to offer the national team.

    “Nigeria is my country and I always want to represent it, and even when I was not invited, I still saw myself as part of the team and always supported the team,” he said.

    “I am happy to be back and I will show the stuff I am made of again.”

    Nsofor has scored 11 goals in 44 appearances for Nigeria.

    Injuries and a dip in form have combined to keep him out of the frame of the African champions for the past two years.

     

  • Eagles begin evening training

    Eagles begin evening training

    The Super Eagles will from today begin training in the evening to coincide with the time the CHAN qualifier final round qualifier game will be played on Saturday in Abidjan, Head Coach Stephen Keshi has directed.

    On Sunday the players were given a free day after a hectic training session on Saturday morning that lasted for over two hours, with the technical crew saying the training was necessary to keep the players in top shape ahead of the return to training this evening.

    Saturday’s training session which was watched by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical Director, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme and the popular All Stars Club of Abuja, was a delight to watch as the coaches sought to instill discipline and Spartan order in the team ahead of the game in Abidjan.

    The Eagles will take on the Pastor Chinedu and Dr Oby Ezekwesili-inspired, ‘The Everlasting Arms Parish ‘(TEAP) FC in a test game on Tuesday evening at the Goal Project site in Abuja. The last time both sides met last year, the Super Eagles laboured to a 1-0 win, in a game that was described as one of the best test macthes for the team by Head Coach Stephen Keshi.

    Team Coordinator, Emmanuel Atta, said he expects another testy tie from the oppostition after last week’s 1-0 win over FC Abuja in another test game. “We expect a tight game but we are talking of the national team and we expect nothing other than victory”, he said.

    The team is expected to jet out on Thursday through the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, according to team’s scribe, Dayo Enebi Achor.

    “All logistics have been perfected by the NFF Leadership and we must always thank the Aminu Maigari-led Executive Committee for this.

    “Hopefully by Thursday, the team should be off to Abidjan to complete the process of qualifying for the first time for the CHAN tournament after two near misses”, he said.

  • Mandela Challenge: Bafana Bafana shape up for Eagles

    Mandela Challenge: Bafana Bafana shape up for Eagles

     Beat lesotho 2-1 to win COSOFA  cup

    Super  Eagles opponents in the Mandela Challenged billed for August 14, Bafana Bafana, continued their shape up for the tie with an impressive result against Lesotho on Saturday in the COSOFA cup at the Ndola Stadium.

    Although the side merely ended up as third place finishers claiming, Bronze in the regional championship, coming from behind after Crocodiles shot into the lead as early as the 21st minute thanks to penalty a converted by Tlali Maile, an indication that the Gordon Igesund led side have not lost their fight back spirit.

    The Bafana goalkeeper prevented Maile Tlali from scoring his second penalty when he pushed out the 70th minute spot kick to prevent the game from going into extra-time, as goals from Mandla Masango and Hlompho did the business for South Africa.

    South Africa narrowly missed out on a spot in the final when they lost 5-3 to hosts Zambia in the semi-final on Wednesday evening, while Lesotho were defeated 2-1 by the defending champions Zimbabwe.

    The opening 15 minutes of the fixture brought about a good amount of ball possession from Bafana Bafana as they pegged back the Crocodiles, who surprisingly approached the game with caution.

    Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi on Thursday,realesed a 19-man list for the challenge with the duo of Obinna Nsofor and Emmanuel Emenike leading the pack.

  • Anichebe leaves Eagles in the dark

    Anichebe leaves Eagles in the dark

    Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi, says he does not know if Everton striker, Victor Anichebe is still interested in playing for the Nigeria national team.

    Anichebe had a fantastic 2012/13 season with Everton impressing with the Toffees in the Premier League and FA Cup.

    Keshi admitted that he is interested in welcoming the Everton star back in the Eagles fold but insists the striker is keeping his cards, as regards his international future, very close to his chest.

    “Victor Anichebe is just like any other Nigerian player that is eligible to play for the Super eagles. I particularly will like to see him play for the national team,” Keshi told supersport.com.

    The Big Boss revealed that he had made several efforts to get through to the player but has met with little success.

    He added that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had officially written to Everton FC on the subject but did not get a favourable response.

    “Everything depends on Anichebe. (The NFF) has made several requests and sent several e-mails to his club in England.

    “The club subsequently promised to forward the e-mails to (Anichebe) but that was the last we heard of it,” Keshi said.

    The 25-year-old has scored 18 goals in 130 appearances for Everton and is widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects in world football.

    He however seemed to sound the death knell on his international football career in May when he disclosed that he would like to concentrate more on club football.

    “I owe it to the club to manage myself correctly. I have always been proud to represent my country,” Anichebe told the BBC.

    He added that injuries were the main reasons behind his declarations explaining that he has a duty to “manage my body accordingly.”

    “It is becoming more and more evident that with the injuries I have had over the last two years or so, I have to manage my body accordingly. That’s why I feel the best thing for me at the moment is to concentrate on club football.

    “Without club football there is no international football and everyone at Everton was with me every step of the way during my injuries and rehabilitation.

    “I didn’t feel that the Nigerian Football Federation was there for me in the same manner, which was especially disappointing given that I got the injury representing my country.

    “But I don’t blame anyone for this nor do I have any issues with anybody from the NFF or Stephen Keshi our coach. He has done a fantastic job and is building a team that Nigerians can be proud of.”

    With the player seemingly pained and seriously considering whether or not to pursue his international career with Nigeria, Keshi says he is prepared to take more pragmatic steps to influence the player to rescind his decision.

    “We have tried to contact Anichebe in person but that has been very difficult,” he said.

    Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel will now be used as the “conduit” between Nigeria and the player as moves have intensified to welcome him to the fold according to Keshi.

    “During the 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup in Brazil, I spoke to Mikel about this issue. Since they are both based in England, I asked Mikel to speak to Anichebe and ask him if he still wants to play for the national team. I tried to reach Mikel about four days ago but he was not taking his calls. As soon as I hear from Mikel, I will know the next step to take,” Keshi said.

  • Keshi focuses on Eagles’ midfield

    Keshi focuses on Eagles’ midfield

    The Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, on Tuesday in Abuja said he was focussing on the home-based team’s midfield ahead of its July 27 game in Abidjan.

    Keshi said this after the team’s first training session for the clash with the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the 2014 African Nations Championship Qualifiers.

    “Although they (the players) did what I wanted in the first leg in Kaduna, there is still room for improvement. We need to work much harder, most especially on our midfield, even though the attack and our finishing can also be improved,” he told newsmen.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Super Eagles had whipped Cote d’Ivoire 4-1 in Kaduna in the first leg match of the 2014 CHAN final qualifying round.

    The Super Eagles coach said the team had had much more time to prepare for the return leg, compared to what obtained before the first leg match of July 6.

    “This has been good for the team. We need to stay together more, to be more compact, because that match (the first leg game) was the first one the team was playing together then. We didn’t have much time then. But now that we have about 10 days to prepare, we will work on those areas and hopefully, they will understand better what they are supposed to do,” Keshi said.

    He assured that the Ivorian football authorities’ decision to host the match on a synthetic field would not affect the Super Eagles.

    “We don’t want to put it on our mind that it is a synthetic pitch. All we need to do is to bear in our minds that we will qualify for CHAN. All we need to do is to play our game, no matter where they put us. Even if it is on a pitch made with cement, we have to play. We also have that mental attitude that we are here in camp to do a job, and we want to play our game,” Keshi said.

    NAN reports that 23 out of the 24 players invited to camp for the match were present at the team’s first training session, with Godfrey Oboabona as the only one unavailable.

    Keshi said the player had informed him he would be coming in late, and would report at the camp later in the day.

  • WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: Flames’ plot against Eagles suffer set back

    WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: Flames’ plot against Eagles suffer set back

    The desire of Flames of Malawi to shock Super Eagles in Calabar in the World Cup qualifiers billed for September 7 in Calabar, suffered a huge setback Saturday after the side now boosted by Belgian Tom Saintfeit failed in their bid to hit the Cosafa Cup semis Saturday.

    Flames in a bid to ensure victory in Calabar, decided to engage the Belgian whose desire to oversee Eagles as Nigeria’s Technical Adviser hit the rocks with a bang when Sports minister Boalaji Abdulahi cancelled the offer.

    Saintfeit watched as title holders Zimbabwe defeated his side on penalties in Zambia after a 1-1 draw to reach the Cosafa Cup semi-finals.

    Devon Chafa, Eric Chipeta and Ocean Mushure scored to give Zimbawe a 3-1 shootout victory, as only Chiukepo Msowoya netted for Malawi.

    Record four-time champions Zimbabwe now face the winners of the quarterfinal in Kitwe today between Angola and Lesotho.

    Zimbabwe dominated the opening half at sunny Nkoloma Sadium, in capital city of Lusaka and nudged ahead after 14 minutes.

    Malawi goalkeper Simplex Nthala parried a Tendai Ndoro header off a free kick to Masimba Mambare, who fired the ball into the net.

    Malawi were reduced to 10 men just before half time after veteran defender James Sangala was shown a second yellow card on 44 minutes, followed by a red to leave his side with an uphill task.

    Saintfeit flanked by his assistant Patrick Mabedi in post match interview, said “I am proud of how the boys played in the second half but I am disappointed that we missed three penalties”

    An equally disappointed skipper of the side, Jose Kawende, however urged Malawiams to “keep faith in the squad”

    Nigeria leads Group F with nine points with Malawi following behind with seven points, while Namibia and kenya occupy the rear with five and three points respectively.