The Nation Newspaper

Tag: EJIDE

  • AFCON: ‘Ejide’s injury not serious’

    AFCON: ‘Ejide’s injury not serious’

    Goalkeeper Austin Ejide will be fully fit for Nigeria’s 2013 Africa Cup of Nations challenge in South Africa.

    The Hapoel Be’er Sheva shot-stopper limped out of Nigeria’s friendly against Cape Verde on Wednesday with what looked like a hamstring injury.

    Officials of the Super Eagles have now moved to allay fears over the fitness of the 29-year-old for the AFCON.

    “He has not been assessed by the doctors yet but from what we can see, he’s in good condition. He was walking normally after the game (on Wednesday) and we believe he will be fit for the competition,” SuperSport.com quoted spokesman of the Super Eagles, Ben Alaiya, as saying on the goalkeeper.

    The Eagles’ media chief also revealed that a full assessment of Ejide’s situation will be made on Thursday.

    “The game against Cape Verde ended at around 11pm Wednesday Nigerian time so it was impossible for tests to be conducted on him at that time.

    “The doctors will look at him today (Thursday) but like I hinted earlier, I don’t think the injury is serious,” he stated.

    Ejide made his Nigerian debut in 2001 and has played 22 times for the Super Eagles.

     

  • EJIDE LISTS EAGLES, ELEPHANTS AMONG FAVOURITES

    EJIDE LISTS EAGLES, ELEPHANTS AMONG FAVOURITES

    •Black Stars too

    SUPER EAGLES goal keeper, Austin Ejide has listed Nigeria’s Super Eagles alongside Ghana’s Black Stars and Elephants of Ivory Coast among favourites to clinch the 2013 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa.

    Speaking on the chances of the Stephen Keshi tutored-side ahead of the February 10 AFCON kick-off date , Ejide said: ”We have players with great potential and a coach who works hard. Ghana, Ivory Coast and Nigeria are candidates to win the championship. I think it would be a good tournament because South Africa has excellent facilities. Who will be the first choice goalkeeper, me or Enyeama? The coach will decide, not us.” Interestingly, Ejide was looking forward to help Hapoel Be’er Sheva claim all three points against Maccabi Netanya to get their season back on track at press time.

    ”When you find yourself in the unpleasant situation you need to understand what did not go well and work hard to improve.

    “We will do everything to win against Netanya because it is a very important game for us. Overall we lost so far, only four games this season and we are not far from our goal,” Ejide was quoted as saying by one.co.il.

    After the match against Maccabi Netanya, Ejide will join his international colleagues in Faro, Portugal.

    ”The most important for me is to focus on that we get three points before I leave but I’m an international player and I am committed to Nigeria,” he said.

  • AHEAD 2013 NATIONS CUP Ejide Vows: We’ll win the trophy again

    AHEAD 2013 NATIONS CUP Ejide Vows: We’ll win the trophy again

    HAPOEL BE’ER SHEVA goalkeeper Austin Ejide has said the current Super Eagles squad is is determined to make sure that Nigeria win the Nations Cup trophy again.

    Ejide while expressing delight at leading the Super Eagles to a win over Venezuela in Wednesday’s friendly in Miami, USA noted that it’s been a long time that Nigeria last won the Nations Cup and said the current squad will be going after the title in South Africa in 2013.

    He said: “It’s been a long time that Nigeria have won the Nations Cup and the current squad is determined to make sure that we win the trophy again. The players have to work hard and be more dedicated to achieve the dream.”

    Ejide has been living in the shadows of Vincent Enyeama in the goalkeeping role and was happy to lead the team against the South Americans.

    He added: “I’m satisfied with my performance because it’s been a long time that I have played for the country,” added the former Gabros FC goalkeeper who also commended the players for their performance which ensured that the team got a victory in what was their first official preparation match for the upcoming Nations Cup in South Africa.

  • Nigeria vs Venezuela clash Ejide is Eagles captain

    Nigeria vs Venezuela clash Ejide is Eagles captain

    • Ameobi, Dike celebrate call
    • Martins vows Afcon place

    Gangling Israeli based goalkeeper, Austin Ejide, will step out of the shadows of his national teammate, Vincent Enyeama, on Wednesday night in Miami, United States, when he leads the team out as skipper in the international friendly against Venezuela at the Marlins Stadium in the American city.

    Head Coach Stephen Keshi said after critical consideration, he has decided to hand Ejide the armband for the match. Indeed, Ejide first joined the national team from Gabros of Nnewi, in the run-up to the Korea-Japan 2002 World Cup, alongside Enyeama and the likes of Justice Christopher. The Eagles number one jersey has since been alternated between the duo, with Enyeama having the lion’s share, but Wednesday’s game will be another opportunity for Ejide to lay claim to the Eagles number one shirt.

    In the meantime, Newcastle United of England’s longest serving player, Shola Ameobi, has said he was simply delighted to be part of the Nigerian set up for the first time and hopes it turns out well on Wednesday (Thursday morning in Nigeria). Ameobi spoke after dinner on Monday night on arrival from England. “Its good to be here and I will learn to speak Pidgin English as the players have directed”, he joked after his former teammate at the Toons’, Obafemi Martins challenged him to start speaking in Pidgin English, which Keshi has adopted as the official language each time the team is in camp.

    Also in ecstacy over his call up is Bright Dike of MLS side Portland Timbers in the United States, who was the last to join camp. Dike said at breakfast on Tuesday morning that it was a dream come true for him to be part of the Nigerian set up, as Assistant Coach, Sylvanus Okpala tries to size up abilities to speak the Ibo language. “I understand it but don’t speak fluently, it will get better now that I will start coming to Nigeria”, he said amidst smiles.

    Obafemi Martins, who is styled the Weapon of Mass Destruction, has vowed to get a shirt with his performance on the pitch on Wednesday and in subsequent camping of the team. “My return is for real and Nigerians will see”, he said. Indeed, Martins looked the sharpest among attackers in camp as he banged in goal after goal in Monday evening training.

    The game will be played at the Marlins Stadium in Miami 8pm Miami time and 2am Thursday Nigerian time.

  • VENEZUELA FRIENDLY EJIDE MAY MISS CLUB DUTIES

    VENEZUELA FRIENDLY EJIDE MAY MISS CLUB DUTIES

    AS reported by sports.walla.co.il, Hapoel Be’er Sheva, the Israeli club of Austin Ejide, are concerned with his invitation by coach Stephen Keshi for the friendly against Venezuela in Miami next Wednesday.

    Two days after the friendly, Hapoel Be’er Sheva are guests to Hapoel Ramat Gan in the tenth round of matches in the Ligat ha’Al . Because of the time difference and crowded flight schedule(Miami – New York, New York – Israel), it is unlikely Ejide would be in the plans of coach Elisha Levy for the game.

    Ejide’s earliest return date to Israel is Friday morning . Thus, he won’t be able to participate in the club’s last training before the match.

    ”We get flight times and will be dealt with,” Hapoel Be’er Sheva said in a statement on Friday.

    The Nigeria goalie has played eight games in the championship this campaign. Galil Ben Senan is the candidate to replace Ejide in goal next Friday if he is unavailable against Hapoel Ramat Gan.