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Tag: Egwuekwe

  • Egwuekwe: I played for Wolves on an empty stomach

    Egwuekwe: I played for Wolves on an empty stomach

    Azubuike Egwuekwe, Warri Wolves and Super Eagles defender, who has just signed for Finnish club Kuopion Palloseura in the Veikkausliiga League, has revealed that Warri Wolves did not win the Nigerian Premier League because he and his colleagues played on “empty an stomach”.

    Azubuike stated that he signed for Kuopion because the club showed they were really serious and committed to signing him, in spite of media reports that bigger clubs like Al Ahly of Egypt and Atalanta of Italy also wanted him.

    “I am very happy about my signing with Kups FC of Finland. It’s what I have always looked forward to,” Azubuike told The Cable. “Playing in Europe has always been one of my dreams in this profession. Besides, by 10th of January, 2016, my contract with Warri Wolves will expire and I have no intention of renewing it. By then, I will be a free agent. So, I am happy about the KUPS FC deal.”

     He said staying with Warri Wolves was not an option, as his contract was due to expire in a few days. “It is the best decision I have been taken for now, since my contract with Warri Wolves is expiring in few days’ time without renewing it, and because I have also made up my mind not to play in the Nigerian League anymore.”

    Reacting to concerns that it would have been better to sign for more recognised clubs such as Al Ahly or Atalanta, who were both interested in him, he said: “KUPS FC is the only club that really showed commitment to signing me. Al Ahly of Egypt, Atalanta of Italy and couple of others just made calls and never followed through or showed the commitment that KUPS FC showed.

    “KUPS came to Nigeria to sign me on a one-year deal while I wait for my work permit to be ready before going to Finland by the time their League will start in February or March this year. “All other clubs never showed serious commitment to signing me. Al Ahly did not come out with any offer for me. They just called me on the phone like the others did, but there was no commitment from them. It was the commitment from the Finland club side that made me sign for them.”

    The captain of Warri Wolves FC, which he joined in 2008 and scored 10 goals for in 72 games, said the team would have won the league last season but it was not motivated. “Warri Wolves could not win the NPFL because the players played on empty stomach; we played with hunger in our stomach,” he said. “There was no financial backing or whatsoever from the management to ensure that the players gave their best in the last season.

     “Warri Wolves had a team of talented and gifted players that could outclass any club out there but they got no financial backing from the management. So, the team could not give their best. Despite all these shortcomings, the team still came second and are playing in the continental championships.”

  • Egwuekwe fit to face Kwara United

    Egwuekwe fit to face Kwara United

     • Ogagotewho out

     

    Warri Wolves have been handed a defensive boost after Azubuike Egwuekwe trained with the rest of the squad ahead of Sunday’s Glo Premier League clash with Kwara United.

    The Super Eagles defender was forced off with a Knee injury during their league game win over Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan in Warri.

    The tall defender missed his side’s trip to Lafia last weekend where they secured a draw against Nasarawa United.

    Egwuekwe was replaced by Oke Ogagotewho in the match against 3SC but he got a red card in the match against Nasarawa United in Lafia.

    The club’s media officer, Moses Etu told SportingLife that Egwuekwe’s return will be a morale booster to his side as they seek to complement their position on the log.

    The Seasiders are on the second position on the log with 48 points behind league leaders, Enyimba FC of Aba who is on 52 points.

    Etu said a win over Kwara United will put them on good position to challenge Enyimba for title.

    “Azubuike Egwuekwe has recovered from injury ready to confront Kwara United. He did not travel last week due to a knee injury he sustained in the game against 3SC,” Etu told SportingLife.

    “Forward ever as we have our eyes on the league shield. More competition for shirt now but Egwuekwe will lead us to victory against Kwara United.”

  • Egwuekwe eyeing Wolves exit

    Egwuekwe eyeing Wolves exit

    Nigeria  international  Azubuike Egwuekwe looks certain to leave Warri Wolves at the end of the season, but his destination is not yet finalised.

    The defender was ready to depart Nigeria  in January with West Ham reportedly interested in signing him, but a deal never materialised.

    After the Hammers’ interest cooled, Israeli side Hapoel Tel-Aviv stepped in and went as far as announcing his signing on Twitter, before that deal also fell through.

    “Several things went wrong [with the deal to join Hapoel]. There were some minor details but by the grace of God, those issues have now been sorted out. I will very likely move [away from current club, Warri Wolves] in the summer,” said Egwuekwe.

    “I still don’t know if I will go to Hapoel in the summer. I really don’t know. Everything is in God’s hands but what I know is that I will likely leave in the summer,” he said.

    While he seems uncertain of his final destination, Egwuekwe admitted if it was up to him, he would end up at West Ham United.

    “Like I said earlier, the future can only be decided by God but if I had to make a choice, I would love to go to West Ham,” he said.

    The defender impressed European scouts while representing Nigeria at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and has scored two goals in 34 appearances for the Super Eagles.

  • Egwuekwe not afraid of Cote d’Ivoire

    Egwuekwe not afraid of Cote d’Ivoire

    Aheadof the January international friendlies against Ivory Coast and Sudan, Super Eagles defender Azubuike Egwuekwe has boasted that they are ready to face their African adversaries in just a couple of weeks, despite just having opened camp.

    Players started arriving the team’s camp on Wednesday and have had only their first training session ahead of the games, but Egwuekwe believes they will be ready for the challenges ahead.

    “We will be ready for the games, I don’t think that should be a problem. The players are in high spirits and everything is fine so I don’t think there should be any problems,” he said.

    A predominantly home based Super Eagles team will file out against the Elephants of Cote D’ Ivoire and Sudan in January and will be led by Super Eagles assistant coach, Daniel Amokachi.

    Egwuekwe, who has been a mainstay in the regular Super Eagles team over the last three years, said there is nothing to be worried about playing against Sudan and Ivory Coast.

    “They are good teams but there is nothing to be worried about. We beat Ivory Coast at the last Cup of Nations and we played Sudan during the last AFCON qualifiers, so we can face them,” he added.

  • Penafiel in talks to sign Egwuekwe

    Penafiel in talks to sign Egwuekwe

    SL10.ng understands that Portuguese Primeira Liga club Penafiel are thrashing out terms with Warri Wolves for the signature of their skipper and Nigeria international Azubuike Egwuekwe.

     Following a string of fine performances for the Super Eagles in recent matches, the towering central defender has caught the attention of affiliate teams Watford, Granada and Udinese.

     But the Portuguese setup, who are fighting against relegation, are hoping to steal a march on their rivals by offering Azubuike Egwuekwe a contract too good to turn down.

     It looks like Penafiel intend to sign the stopper on loan until the end of the 2014-2015 season, and their plan is to acquire his sporting rights next summer if they manage to beat the drop.

     The higher-ups at the Red and Black are aware that relegation to the Segunda Division will mean a drop in revenue, and, therefore, they are not willing to commit their finances into the outright purchase of the Super Eagles stopper at the moment.

     While negotiations are at an early stage, Penafiel plan to offer Warri Wolves 300,000 euros to secure the signature of Egwuekwe next summer, with a 20 percent sell – on clause inserted into the deal.

     Last summer, Red Star Belgrade launched a bid for the 25-year-old, but Warri Wolves refused to sanction the transfer after the Serbian champions failed to meet the club’s 350,000 euros valuation.

  • Egwuekwe: Prayers can get Eagles AFCON ticket

    Egwuekwe: Prayers can get Eagles AFCON ticket

    • Says Eagles’ players have resolved to win in Congo

    Super Eagles’ defender Azubuike Egwuekwe has disclosed that the country’s national team players are aware of what is at stake and would ensure that they secure victory in the last two rounds of the 2015 African Cup of Nations  (AFCON) qualifiers against Congo and South Africa next month.

    The Eagles, the defending champions of the AFCON by virtue of the feat recording last year in South Africa are in danger of missing out on the next edition.

    They are third in the qualifiers with four points from four matches and must win their final two matches to stand a chance of defending the crown won at the expense of Burkina Faso in 2013.

    Egwuekwe in a chat with SportingLife revealed that the recent plight of the Eagles in the qualifiers has always been on their mind  and they are resolved to get the maximum points in their last two qualifying matches to pick a ticket to AFCON.

    The Warri Wolves’ captain opined that Nigerians should not fret as the Eagles players have talked to themselves to ensure that the nation is not deprived of the opportunity to watch their stars at the next AFCON,  hence the determination to approach their last two matches with all their might.

    “We know what is at stake and we have promised not to disappoint Nigerians.

    We  don’t need to be told to win. We know winning is a must. We are happy with our recent position on the AFCON qualifiers’ log and we have joined forces to ensure that we get the ticket.

    “We know that we would be setting a bad record for ourselves if we do not qualify because Nigerians still remember vividly those that didn’t manage to take the Eagles to AFCON in the past. We don’t want to be associated with such record,” Egwuekwe said.

    Eagles must score three goals against Congo and hope that the Red Devils do not get more than one, when they play them on November 14th in Brazzaville before another must win tie at Uyo on November 19th.

    But Egwuekwe added that both matches are surmountable adding that what the Eagles need right now is  prayers and that the players would ensure that they complement the prayers with work on the pitch in both games.

  • Uzoenyi linked with Orlando Pirates

    Uzoenyi linked with Orlando Pirates

    CHAN Most Valuable Player, Ejike Uzoenyi, is on his way to a top South African club believed to be Orlando Pirates.

    Two other Nigeria players from the 2014 CHAN squad, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Solomon Kwambe, are also on the verge of securing deals with South Africa teams.

    The trio did not return with the rest of the squad on Sunday night when they arrived in Lagos.

    Warri Wolves skipper Egwuekwe’s likely destination is Bidvest Wits. The “Clever Boys” had been searching for a top-class centre back after releasing Musa Bilankulu and due to the fact that Matthew Booth is not getting any younger.

    Giant Egwuekwe is the exact type of centre back that coach Gavin Hunt loves to work with – tall, good in the air, powerful and composed.

    MTNFootball.com reports that the likely destination of Sunshine Stars right back Solomon Kwanbe is not known yet.

    According to the former media officer of Warri Wolves, Timi Ebikagboro, Egwuekwe has undergone a medical in South Africa already.

    “Super Eagles and Warri Wolves defender Azubuike Egwuekwe having done his medical and with Emmanuel Ibru on the ground in South Africa to finalise the deal will hopefully sign for Wits FC of South Africa, while Ejike Uzoenyi will likely sign for Orlando Pirates of South Africa,” MTNFootball.com quoted Ebikagboro as saying on his Facebook page.

     

  • Egwuekwe: Nigeria down, not out

    Egwuekwe: Nigeria down, not out

    Defiant Egwuekwe Azubuike has said Nigeria should not be written off at CHAN despite a losing start to Mali on Saturday.

    Aboulaye Sissoko and Adama Traore’s goals were enough to give the Malians a good start in the biennial tournament on Saturday night at the Cape Town Stadium with Gbolahan Salami pulling a goal back for the Super Eagles.

    Nigeria are now second from bottom of Group A without a point after hosts South Africa beat Mozambique 3-1 in the opening game.

    But Azubuike told MTNFootball.com that although they are very disappointed as a team, this defeat will drive them to even work harder in their other Group A matches.

    “No one should write us off because there are some teams that start badly and win all remaining games in the tournament, and we are capable of doing that,” said the confident defender.

    The big Warri Wolves central defender admitted the Nigeria backline struggled against a sure-footed Mali attack.

    “As defenders we lost communication several times when the Mali strikers came at us and it’s something we must correct,” he said.

    Egwuekwe, who claims he is set to move to Italy after CHAN, said Nigeria have no option now but to go all out and beat Mozambique in their next game on Wednesday.

    He restated their determination to repeat the country’s 2013 AFCON triumph at CHAN.

    “We know what this tournament means to us as players and a country and this will make us work even harder since we even lost the first game,” said the defender.

  • Egwuekwe, Uzoenyi pray for Mali’s defeat

    Egwuekwe, Uzoenyi pray for Mali’s defeat

    • Want team-mates to be focused

    Azubuike Egwuekwe and Ejike Uzoenyi have admonished their team-mates not to be carried away when they step out against the Eagles of Mali today at the Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town in the first day of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) hosted by South Africa.

    Nigeria’s Eagles are making their maiden appearance in the CHAN competition meant for players who are playing in their respective nations.

    But Egwuekwe who is also the captain of Warri Wolves implored his colleagues to be 100 percent focused from start to finish since they do not know much about the Malians and their other two first round foes.

    He pointed out that it would be nice for Nigeria to commence the competition with a win and even grab victory in their first two matches before the decider with the hosts on January 19.

    “We know we have a serious battle on our hands and we are up to the task. We must not display pride or arrogance that we would beat our first round opponents when we do not know about them. We must come all out to secure a win against Mali and the second one against Mozambique before we can start talking about a berth in the next round. We must fully concentrate on the task ahead if we want to make impact,” Egwuekwe advised.

    Enugu Rangers’ striker, Ejike Uzoenyi also charged his colleagues in the Eagles to sustain the tempo right from the start as the battle can only be won by those that endured till the end.

  • We won’t take Ethiopian game like friendly —Egwuekwe

    We won’t take Ethiopian game like friendly —Egwuekwe

    Super Eagles defender, Azubuike Egwuekwe has said nothing short of outright victory will be satisfactory to his side against the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia.

    The Eagles will host the East African opponents in a build-up match for the forthcoming African Nations Championship (Chan) in South Africa on Saturday at the Abuja National Stadium.

    The Nigerian campaigners will vie for a quarterfinal spot in Group A with hosts, South Africa, Mali and Mozambique while the Ethiopians will tackle Ghana, Congo and Libya in Group C.

    Egwuekwe said his side will not allow the East Africans to take shine off his side in the friendly duel no matter how hard they fight.

    “The Ethiopians won’t take the encounter easy with us though a friendly game, they’re here to win, at least, to settle scores with us over the defeat of their mainstream side by the Nigerian counterparts in the race for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

    “Ethiopians have never defeated us in Nigeria and we’re determined to maintain the status quo when both sides clash on Saturday.

    “We’ll surely defeat them to keep the tradition intact as well as assure Nigerians we’re prepared to excel at the third African Nations Championship in South Africa,” said the Warri Wolves strong man to supersport.com.

    Egwuekwe, who was named in the coach Stephen Keshi 23-man Chan squad, said his teammates will repeat the feat their mainstream counterparts achieved in the last Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    “I’m always a positive person, South Africa have been a fertile ground for us. The Super Eagles Team A won the Africa Nations Cup title there early last year, we’ll surely repeat the feat at the Chan competition,” Egwuekwe said.

    The Eagles will kick start their Chan title campaign against West African foes, Mali in Cape Town on January 11.