The Nation Newspaper

Tag: eagles

  • NFF calls for Nigerians’ patience over Eagles

    NFF calls for Nigerians’ patience over Eagles

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has called for more understanding from the supporters of the Super Eagles and stressing that African football can not continue to remain stagnant.

    The NFF President, Aminu Maigari in a post match interview in Calabar reckoned that the unpredictability of the game called football has now made it necessary for the Eagles to continue to remain on top of their game, if they do not want to be shocked by the supposed minnows.

    Maigari confirmed the Glasshouse was satisfied with the draw got at home but admonished the senior national team to go all out in search of a road victory in Nairobi, during the next round of matches.

    “I was so impressed with the way we played. They say half bread is better than none. This is a game of football and Nigerians need to be patient. We are hopeful. The qualifying matches are not over yet. Let’s wait until the end of the qualifiers but I want to assure you that we will do well and make Nigerians proud,” Maigari said.

    “I must say to you that African football is growing day by day. Going by the history, Kenyans have never defeated Nigeria and they will never defeat Nigeria God’s willing.

    “I was in a way surprised by the Kenyans played and by another way I won’t say I was too surprised. The game of football is a game that keeps changing and no team is ever out to remain in one place.”

  • MOSES TO EAGLES MATES: We must plan to stop Kenya

    MOSES TO EAGLES MATES: We must plan to stop Kenya

    Super Eagles and Chelsea of England forward Victor Moses has charged his mates in the Nigeria male national team to continue to think of the best approach to stop the Kenyans in the reverse fixtures in Nairobi of the 2014 World Cup qualifying match later in the year, even as he stressed that the Stephen Keshi tutored-side will be seeking a win against Kenya’s Harambee Stars in the reverse fixtures.

    “We shall get better. We will go back to our respective clubs and think of ways to plot their defeat in Nairobi. It is possible,” the former Wigan ace told SportingLife moments after Nigeria battled Kenya to a 1-1 draw in last Saturday match at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

    Speaking further, Moses disclosed that he never expected the level of opposition from the East Africans whom he noted surprised them and were almost successful in their attempt to secure a famous victory in Nigeria.

    “We were awed at the playing style of Kenya. They had a strategy which worked so well for them. They frustrate our game plan and sat at the back for almost the duration of the game. I have to thank my team mates for maintaining their decorum and also for their patience even in the face of an imminent defeat staring them in the face. We shall get better. Go back to our respective clubs and think of ways to plot their defeat in Nairobi. It is possible,” added Moses who couldn’t stamp his authority in the game and had to be substituted for John Ogu, who made his international debut for Nigeria, in the 87th minute.

    The Blues whiz kid also found time to praise the fighting spirits, doggedness and determination of his colleagues which

  • Oduamadi rescues Eagles against Harambee

    Oduamadi rescues Eagles against Harambee

     Scores in the additional time

    AS Varese attacking winger, Nnamdi Oduamadi, scored a goal at the death as African champions, Nigeria, could only salvage a point against Kenya in a World Cup qualifier on Saturday.

    The African champions were without the like of Joseph Yobo and injured Emmanuel Emenike as Kenya opted to play deep in their half in the opening half hour while Nigeria pulled the strings.

    Obafemi Martins and Victor Moses played a two-one in a bid to open the Kenyan backline but saw their attempt turned out for a corner kick inside five minutes.

    Kenya continued to play 10 men behind the ball and were almost caught off guard on 23 minutes when Martins played in Moses before Arnold Origi goes down well to save.

    The resultant corner kick was cleared off the line by Jamal Mohammed as the Kenyans defended deep.

    Within minutes, the Martins and Moses combination worked well to free up Brown Ideye, who got the ball in the net, but it was chalked off for offside.

    And with eight minutes to the break, the African champions find themselves in unfamiliar territory.

    Thika United’s Francis Kahata curled in a free kick with so much curve on the ball into the top left corner of Vincent Enyeama from 25 yards as Kenya surprisingly took the lead.

    Kenya’s goal was the first on Nigerian soil in 28 years thereby ending a 10,199-day wait for an Harambee Stars’ away goal against the West Africans.

    Nigeria then went agonisingly close twice through Moses, whose attempts were blocked as a disciplined Kenyan side protected their one-goal lead into the break.

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles started stronger in the second half as Moses delivered a pin-point free kick into Kenya’s area but Martins’ headed attempt was deflected off target.

    On 63 minutes, Ogenyi Onazi played Ideye through but the Dynamo Kiev forward could only shoot straight at Origi.

    With less than 11 minutes left, Dennis Oliech played Kahata through but Enyeama rushed out to narrow him down as he shot off target.

    Three minutes into added time substitute Oduamadi put Nigeria level after the Kenyans failed to clear a bubbling ball.

    Nigeria still top Group F of the 2014 Fifa World Cup qualification on five points after Malawi won 1-0 at Namibia on Saturday.

  • Eagles parade AFCON 2013 trophy

    Eagles parade AFCON 2013 trophy

     Thank Cross River Governor, fans too

     

    The Super Eagles on Saturday paraded the 2013 AFCON trophy to the fans at the U.J.Esuene stadium moments after their 1-1 with Kenya’s Harambee Stars alongside a banner thanking the government and people of Cross River State for their show of love and support during the qualifiers for the Africa’s soccer fiesta where they emerged victorious.

    “From the Super Eagles of Nigeria to his Excellency Governor Liyel Imoke and the good people of Cross River state,” the message in the banner read in part.

    Interestingly, the players led by skipper Vincent Enyeama paraded round the stadium with the coveted trophy while observing a lap of honour that drew applause from the scanty fans left after most had left for their various homes.

    Nigeria it will be recalled defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final of the AFCON to replace Zambia as the African champions for the next two years.

  • Keshi: Eagles will make corrections

    Keshi: Eagles will make corrections

     Apologizes to Nigerians

    Super Eagles Head Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has stressed that no special meanings should be reading to the two points lost at home against Kenya’s Harambee Stars in a Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier played at the U.J Esuene Stadium, Calabar.

    The Big Boss who gave no post match press conference said the Eagles would correct the mistakes noticed against Kenya before the next qualifiers and the forthcoming FIFA Confederation Cup competition both in June this year.

    He admitted his boys were not at their best but noted that Kenya did everything possible to frustrate the Eagles and were almost getting away with an undeserved victory before the Nnamdi Oduamadi’s goal raised the bars and drew the Eagles level.

    “I don’t have much to say about the game. We drew and it is not the end of the world. We are going to revisit our game plan and look at what we have done wrong. Today (yesterday) performance won’t repeat itself again. I apologize to Nigerians and our fans we are going to make amend next time,” Keshi stated.

    SportingLife can report that it was the 94th minute goal from substitute Nnamdi Oduamadi that saved the country from an embarrassing home loss.

  • Eagles missed Emenike, Ambrose against Kenya- Siasia

    Eagles missed Emenike, Ambrose against Kenya- Siasia

     Says Stars will be difficult to beat in Kenya

     

    Former Super Eagles Chief Coach, Samson Siasia has blamed the 1-1 draw of the team against the Harambee Stars of Kenya on the absence of key players namely defender Efe Ambrose and injured striker Emmanuel Emenike.

    “It was very glaring in today’s (Saturday’s) match that Efe Ambrose and Emmanuel Emenike were sorely missed. There was nobody to coordinate that defence line effectively. Also we all know the effectiveness of Efe from the right back which he uses to even run down opponent’s defence at will because of his attacking prowess too.

    “Emenike undoubtedly is the best striker we have now going by his performance in the last Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa. If he had played this game I believe he could have converted one or two in this match,” Siasia told SportingLife shortly after 1-1 score draw between the Super Eagles and the Harambee Stars of Kenya in the 2014 World Cup qualifying match decided at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar Saturday.

    He added: “The Kenyan team came with a game plan which they almost succeeded in carrying out. They put only one player upfront, but more men in the middle while everybody was defending. But it was good that we got a draw so we have the chance and time to prepare very well for the next match and with more friendly matches played before going to Kenya I hope we will get a good result there.

    “But my fears is that Kenya would be very difficult to beat in the front of their fans. But I am confident the team can do it.”

    It will be recalled that the Super Eagles defeated Kenya 3-0 in a friendly match played under the former Coach, Siasia while preparing for the 2012 Nations Cup qualifier which Nigeria failed to qualify.

  • FIFA Rankings NFF target top 15 for Eagles

    FIFA Rankings NFF target top 15 for Eagles

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are hoping to see the Super Eagles move up at least to the 15th spot on the monthly FIFA rankings by the time the current round of World Cup qualifiers are over in June futaa.com has gathered.

    General Secretary of the NFF Barrister Musa Amadu gave the indication in Abuja while speaking with newsmen as he reckons that the African Champions need to be better placed in the ordering of football countries.

    According to Amadu, expected victories against the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Calabar and a good run in the remaining World Cup qualifying fixtures should see the Eagles take a leap from her present 30th spot in the world and fourth on the continent.

    “At least by the end of June we want to see the Super Eagles in a more respectable position, at least like the 15th spot,”Amadu stated.

    Nigeria’s best position on the monthly rankings is a 4th placing achieved just after the USA ‘94 World Cup.

  • 11 Eagles train for one hour

    11 Eagles train for one hour

    Super Eagles Head Coach Stephen Keshi has charged Nigerians to keep backing the team with prayers as they get set for Saturday’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against Kenya’s Harambee Stars at the U.J. Esuene stadium, Calabar.

    In a brief chat with NationSport at the University of Calabar sports ground on Monday, the Big Boss noted that the prevailing hot weather was largely responsible for the 60 minutes session the team had.

    “We could have done more but not under this weather condition we have here. However, I want Nigerians to keep backing the team with prayers as we look forward to Saturday,” the former Mali coach added.

    Interestingly, only 11 players comprising nine home-based and two foreign-based took part in the day’s session that involved mostly ball work and pace exercises which were geared towards putting the boys in shape after arriving from Abuja earlier in the day.

  • African Youth Championship (AYC) Manu, Amuneke tip Flying Eagles

    African Youth Championship (AYC) Manu, Amuneke tip Flying Eagles

    The Golden Eaglets are solidly behind the Flying Eagles as they begin the defence of their Under-20 African Youth Championship title against Mali in Algiers today.

    Speaking from the team’s camp at the Aspire Centre in Doha, Golden Eaglets’ head coach Manu Garba (MFR) is confident that Nigeria will record another crucial win against their West African rivals. The Golden Eaglets as well as the Super Eagles respectively battered their Malian counterparts in recent fixtures and Manu believes the Flying Eagles can take a cue from it.

    “We have absolute confidence in the ability of the Flying Eagles to defend their title,” said Garba, 2007 Under-17 World Cup winner. “This is going to be an interesting match because of recent results between the two countries.

    ” The Super Eagles beat the Eagles of Mali 4-1 on their way to winning the African Cup of Nations and don’t forget that the Golden Eaglets stopped Mali from qualifying for the CAN Under-17 Championship in Morocco when we beat them on a 4-0 aggregate win.

    “I believe Flying Eagles will continue the winning streak for Nigeria against Mali and that would boost their chances of retaining the trophy,” he added.

    Speaking in similar vein, assistant coach Emmanuel Amuneke (MON) said the Flying Eagles have capable hands to guide the team to glory, adding that the Super Eagles have set a standard for other national teams to emulate.

    “From here we send our best wishes to the Flying Eagles and we know they are capable of going all the way to defend the title they won in South Africa two years ago,” said the former African Footballer of the Year who incidentally made his breakthrough as a youth international at Cairo’91 All-Africa Games Football Tournament.

    Nigeria hold the best record at this level having won the championship on six previous occasions and the rank and file of the Golden Eaglets is backing the present team all the way.

    “Our prayers are with our brothers in Algeria,” added Golden Eaglets’ captain, Musa Mohammed.” We beat Mali last year to qualify for our tournament in Morocco and we pray for the Flying Eagles to do well in Algiers.”

  • OPERATION CRUSH KENYA 23 boys battle for Eagles’ shirts

    OPERATION CRUSH KENYA 23 boys battle for Eagles’ shirts

    All 23 invited home based professionals save for injured Kano Pillars central defender, Zango Umar opened training Tuesday morning at the Practice Pitch of the Abuja National Stadium in preparation for the March 23 World Cup qualifier against Harambee Stars of Kenya.

    Before training commenced, Head Coach Stephen Keshi, told the players to forget about the triumph of the team at the Nations Cup and concentrate on picking a ticket for the World Cup, coming up next year in Brazil. To the new players he said if they show enough readiness to break into the team they will be given the chance.

    The training itself was intense, Spartan and very physical, with emphasis on quick and simple play. It lasted for about two hours with all the five coaches of the team playing their assigned roles.

    Meanwhile, the coaching crew have decided to replace injured Umar with First Bank of Lagos central defender, Festus Ajah. Ajah is said to have impressed national team scouts in some of his club’s games and now has an opportunity to make an impression at the national team level. He was expected in camp by Tuesday evening on time for this morning’s training session.