The Nation Newspaper

Tag: eagles

  • Keshi: Eagles will roast Liberia if…

    Keshi: Eagles will roast Liberia if…

    Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi says this weekend’s second leg of the final qualifying game for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations against Liberia may turn out to be a no contest if his foreign based players reproduce their club forms in Calabar.

    Keshi said he had a squad that can take the Lone Stars to the cleaners if they play to their full potential on Saturday.

    “Barring any ill health or loss of form between now and Saturday, I don’t see how the Lone Stars can stop the Super Eagles from winning and qualifying for the Nations Cup in South Africa.

    “After the first leg draw in Monrovia, we took some positives from that game and I can assure you that we are wiser now and would not give them breathing space to score us at home. It is a game we will go all out to win because we prefer that option.

    “I know the Liberians are highly motivated to cause an upset but my boys are driven by the hunger to qualify and try to win the trophy in South Africa next year. Having missed the last Nations Cup, my boys would not want a repeat of that”, he stated.

    Speaking on why he picked only seven home based players from the 22 in camp, Keshi said that with 15 foreign based players invited for the match, he does not need more than the seven to join them.The former Eagles captain noted that Calabar has become a fortress for the Super Eagles and nothing will please him more than to continue that 100 per cent win there.

    He said the fans in Calabar need also to get behind the team all through the game adding that the cheers from the crowd will ginger the players to give their best.

  • Eagles now train twice a day

    Eagles now train twice a day

    Head Coach Stephen Keshi has upped the team’s training schedule from once a day to twice, starting from Tuesday.

    He said on Tuesday that he had been very impressed with the response of his players in training. “The attitude is good and professional and if we maintain it, we will get the result we want against Liberia”, he said.

  • Jonathan to cheer Eagles

    Jonathan to cheer Eagles

    President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to lead members of his Federal Executive Council to the make-or-mar Africa Nations Cup qualifier between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Lone Star of Liberia holding at the U.J. Eusene Stadium, Calabar on Saturday 13th October.

    President Jonathan, it would be recalled, became the first-ever president of the country to watch the senior national team in training, when he visited the Super Eagles during a training session at the Abuja National Stadium before their deaparture to Liberia last month, for the first leg match which ended 2-2. The President had promised the team that he would be in South Africa in January to cheer them to victory, but for that to happen, they would first have to qualify.

    SportingLife’s source at The Presidency said: “The President is not taking his promise lightly, and in order to show the seriousness he attaches to it, he will be in Calabar personally to cheer the team on to victory on that day. He is expected to lead every member of his Federal Executive Council, and some National Assembly members led by Senator David Mark, the Senate President. Over 20 governors would also be in the stand to cheer the Super Eagles to victory.“

    “The boys need this morale booster at this time. Remember we were in the same position last year, but could not get it right, so, this time round, the Presidency has seen the need to ensure that the Super Eagles get that qualification. That is why President Goodluck Jonathan is leading the campaign,” the source concluded.

    Nigeria needed a slim victory in the last qualifying match against Guinea at the Abuja National Stadium, instead they managed a 2-2 draw which saw them not making it to the last edition held in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea early this year.

  • BATTLE OF CALABAR 21 EAGLES TRAIN

    BATTLE OF CALABAR 21 EAGLES TRAIN

    •Reuben, Idris ruled out

    •Okoronkwo, Orji replace Pillars duo

    IT was good and the not too good news on Monday morning when the national team; Super Eagles resumed training for the October 13 duel against the Lone Stars of Liberia in Calabar.

    As expected all the players invited save for the Sunshine Stars duo of Izu Azuka and Solomon Kwambe, beat the Sunday evening deadline and were part of the training session at the training pitch of the Abuja National Stadium. “They have special permission to stay away for now”, declared Head Coach, StephenKeshi speaking on the Sunshine Stars duo, who are preparing to host Egyptian giants, Al Ahly Nationale this weekend in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.

    The not too good news however is that midfield ace, Gabriel Reuben and his Kano Pillars teammate, Papa Idris, have yet to recover well enough to be part of the team that will confront Liberia on October 13. Reuben suffered a groin injury during the finals of the Federation Cup in Lagos, while Idris has been battling a nagging knee injury, which has slowed down the usually pacy central defender.

    After Monday morning’s training, Keshi and his crew had a lengthy meeting after which it was decided that the two players should be excused, going by the crucial nature of the game at hand. They have since left camp and would be replaced by Heartland’s Kalu Orji and Stanley Okoronkwo of Sharks FC of Port Harcourt. “It was a painful decision to let the two players go, but we have to look at the future of the players and the fact that we will need the two of them at the South Africa 2013 Nations Cup, that is why we have said we should give them more time to go and get themselves healed. After the game against Liberia, they should be back in the team”, Head Coach Stephen Keshi explained.

  • Eagles, Black Stars ’ll be in S/Africa —Yeboah

    Eagles, Black Stars ’ll be in S/Africa —Yeboah

    Former Black Stars of Ghana star, Anthony Yeboa has tipped both the Super Eagles and the Black Stars of Ghana to pick the tickets for the 2013 Africa Nations Cup holding in South Africa from January next year.

    The Ghana football legend stormed Abuja on Saturday as a member of Ghana’s Team, Achimota Golf Club (1934) participating in this year’s edition of Nigeria’s Independence Cup, a three-day Match Play staged to mark the 52nd year Independence Anniversary of Nigeria holding at the IBB International Golf and Country Club

    Yeboah said that in as much as he is confident that Nigeria and Ghana would eventually qualify for the finals of the continent’s biggest football competition, he, however, wants the two countries to be serious with their football development programmes and preparations for major tournaments in other to maintain their dominance in the continent.

    “Definitely, I see Nigeria and Ghana playing in the finals of the 2013 Africa Nations Cup in South Africa. As for me, I don’t think there is going to be any problem booking the final tickets for both countries”, he said with full optimism.

    He, however, warned that, “Years ago when you talked about qualifications for (Africa) Nations Cup you couldn’t count Nigeria and Ghana out, but at the moment football has totally changed if you look at the performances of other countries in Africa. Other countries are also doing very well. So, we have to do our preparations very well. When everything is going well I don’t think Nigeria and Ghana will have any problem at all to deal with qualification situations”, Yeboa told SportingLife.

    The former Black Stars striker also pointed out that since football is a big business that brings big money to nations and has also enriched players, coaches and officials, the so-called minnows have buckled up and taken seriously the aspect of development and preparations for football competitions.

    “Zambia as a nation has attracted a lot of money as a result of winning the last Africa Nations Cup so other countries in Africa all mean business this time round, a reason why they are fast catching up with their big brothers in the continent”, he also explained.

  • Peter Utaka itchy for Eagles return

    Peter Utaka itchy for Eagles return

    • Plots Chinese move for John
    • Seeks improvement of Odense goal record
    • Fans want him against Lone Star

    Nigeria international and Dalian Aerbin forward Peter Utaka is desirous of a return to the Super Eagles as the Stephen Keshi-led side continues in its campaign to grab a ticket for the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa.

    The 28-year-old, who joined the Chinese Super League in January this year, has since become a hit scoring 16 goals in 23 appearances, just an inch away from holding the highest goal scorer title in the Asian country that has become a new Mecca for top footballers.

    The former OB Odense striker is hoping to re-enact his goal-scoring record in his new club in the hope that his effort will fire the club to geater heights on the one hand, and earn him a place in Keshi’s enclave on the other.

    “I care only about winning matches,” says Utaka. “It would be ideal if my team wins and I score. We are now sitting in sixth and I hope we can finish in a better position. As for me, I hope I can prove my worth with Dalian and hopefully, my club form can earn me a return to the Nigeria national team,” he enthused.

    Utaka, who left an impressive record at Odense scoring 52 goals in 108 appearances, confessed in a chat with FIFA.com that he is enjoying his sojourn in China even as he revealed efforts aimed at convincing his mother and elder brother and Montpellier striker, John Utaka to come over.

    “Everything here is enjoyable in China. I feel comfortable about the life here and I appreciate the help from everyone around me – my coach, team-mates, supporters etc. I hope my mum will come here to join me next season. As for John, we’ve chatted much about the Chinese league via phone and so it is also possible for him to move here,” he added

    Teaming up with his brother, according to the former Royal Antwerp ace, would not be a bad idea as it will further improve the club’s scoring chances

    “That would be fantastic,” he says. “It is not about the family reunion but goalscoring work. John is a good player and he can prove that with any team.”

    Apparently eager to see Nigeria at the Nations Cup next year and Brazil World Cup in 2014 especially after missing the last World Cup in South Africa, some Nigerian fans who have been following Peter Utaka’s exploits have made a case for him to be part of Keshi’s attack.

    One of such fans on Aifuwa, a social network site, said: “Utaka is one of the best in Nigeria. Keshi needs to invite him in October. Congrats Utaka. Keep it up.”

    Tambal2010, reacting from Sudan, however, said “C league still needs time to be a top league”

    Peter Utaka’s romance with the national team began in September 2009 thanks to Coach Shaibu Amodu who handed him a call up. He later made his debut for Nigeria months later in a 5–2 home win over Congo DR on 3 March 2010 and twice in a Nations Cup qualifier against Ethiopia.

     

  • FIFA FREE WINDOW FRIENDLY: Eagles’ inactivity worries NFF

    Chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have stated categorically that only Super Eagles chief coach Stephen Keshi can authorise the negotiation of international friendly games on FIFA free windows.

    Disclosing this exclusively to SportingLife on Sunday, a top NFF boss stressed that there are a lot of countries eager to play against Nigeria, pointing out that: “A few that we got were rejected by the Eagles chief coach, who most times insisted on having African foes since we are engaged in continental qualification series.

    “We cannot force him to play against any country that does not fit into what he wants to achieve tactically from the international friendlies that he sanctions. But, we hope to meet with Keshi this week to see if the Eagles can play an international friendly in the FIFA-free window in November,” the NFF egg-head said.

    Meanwhile, NFF President Aminu Maigari, leaves Abuja, tonight for Switzerland to attend a crucial FIFA committee meeting on Tuesday.

  • October 13 AFCON 2013 qualifier: Mikel boost for Eagles

    October 13 AFCON 2013 qualifier: Mikel boost for Eagles

    • No return ticket for Osaze yet

     •Team list out next week

    Coach Stephen Keshi has included Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi for next month’s AFCON clash, a Glasshouse official has revealed

    Mikel opted out of the first leg in Monrovia, which finished 2-2, when it was first learnt that the game will be played on an astro turf pitch.

    Keshi’s programme was on Tuesday handed to the NFF technical department, according to top officials of the Federation.

    “The coach has plans to name a killer squad that would include Chelsea stars John Mikel Obi and Victor Moses,” the official said.

    Several top officials who accompanied the Eagles to Monrovia earlier this month clamoured for the recall of Mikel after the team’s midfield collapsed against a rampant home team.

    Mikel has yet to play under Keshi, who took charge of the Eagles in November.

    However, West Bromwich Albion striker Osaze Odemwingie will have to wait a little longer before he returns to the Eagles fold, another top official told MTNFootball.com.

    “For Osaze, he would just be returning from his three-match ban and the coach feels he has not seen enough of him so I don’t think he would be making the Liberia game,” the official revealed.

    Keshi is expected to name his squad for the AFCON return leg next week with the camp opening for home-based players in the first week of next month ahead of the rematch billed for October 13 at the U.J Esuene Stadium Calabar.

  • NFF: No plan B for Eagles

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says there is ‘no plan B’ as the Super Eagles look to qualify for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
    The Nigerian national team failed to qualify for the 2012 edition of the AFCON as they were pipped to the post by Guinea in the final round of qualifying.
    Liberia’s Lone Star currently stand between the Super Eagles and a place at the 2013 Afcon and after a 2-2 draw between both nations in the first leg of the final round of qualifying, the NFF has declared failure to qualify for the 2013 edition will not be tolerated.
    “We have just one option for the 2013 AFCON and that is to qualify for the tournament. We don’t have an option B. We refuse to be negative,” Chris Green, chairman of the NFF technical committee told supersport.com.
    Super Eagles’ coach, Stephen Keshi had declared recently that he would quit his post if Nigeria fail to qualify for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and Green said it would be difficult to see the ‘Big Boss’ staying on should Nigeria fail to go past Liberia.
    “It goes without saying. If you can’t qualify, what are you doing (staying on as Super Eagles coach). If you can’t go past Liberia, what are we talking about? What pedigree has Liberia?
    “However, I don’t think Keshi made those comments in bad faith. What Keshi is saying is that his heart and soul are in this assignment and that he will do all he can to see Nigeria’s flag hoisted in South Africa next year,” he said.
  • Eagles on Ground Zero —Kalu

    Eagles on Ground Zero —Kalu

    Expect so much from the Super Eagles, at your own peril. Former Abia State governor Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu highlighted this Thursday as he cautioned compatriots against building castles in the air.

    Kalu explained that the Golden Years of Nigerian soccer when a Segun Odegbami could be hero worshiped in Accra or a Petit Sory would salute Emma Okalla from Conakry were gone.

    He said: “You cannot give what you do not have. The present Eagles are not in anyway Super. I cannot find even the shadow of Nwankwo Kanu, or the cleats of Rashidi Yekini in the squad. It is so bad that an Austin Okocha will not make any difference. Green may have defined the Eagles of Christian Chukwu, Odegbami and Okalla. The present bunch cannot do better than greenhorns.”

    The ex-governor refused to blame Coach Stephen Keshi for the drab results so far recorded by the senior national team in the South Africa 2013 Nations’ Cup qualifiers.

    “Those who want to crucify Keshi are not followers of the team. Maybe they are Liberians. Fact is, the players do not have what it takes to rule Africa. Clemens Westerhof did well here because we had boys willing to die. Jo Bonfrere’s success came through the quality of stars. When they left Nigeria, the Dutchmen never won anything,” Kalu added.

    Kalu advised Nigerians to shift support to the women and special sports instead of concentrating on the Eagles.

    “Eagles are on Ground Zero today. Tomorrow may bring a change.We need not worry. I can go watch the Falconets or wine and dine with the paralympians. Afterall, they are Nigerians. Let us switch our support until the Eagles begin to fly again,” he summed up.