The Nation Newspaper

Tag: fans

  • Fans laud Eagles for clinching bronze

    Fans laud Eagles for clinching bronze

    Football fans on Saturday commended the Super Eagles for their 1-0 victory over their Zimbabwean counterparts in the third place match of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

    Some of them who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the Eagles did well to clinch the bronze trophy after 1-4 semi-final loss to Ghana on Wednesday.

    NAN reports that Chinonso Obiozor’s 82nd minute goal was the decider for the two sides and gave the Nigerian side the victory.

    Victor Orji, the President of the Federation of Public Service Games Association (FEPSGA), said the team’s performance showed the normal Eagles’ fighting spirit.

    “Although the game saw only a goal, the players’ performance today showed the normal Super Eagles’ spirit. It was a compact game and they deserved the victory because it shows that we are growing. It is not all about winning by a wide margin’’, Orji said.

    “Although our league is not rated as one of the best, the boys proved that a Nigerian team can up its game anywhere. They were coordinated and disciplined throughout the tournament’’, Orji said.

    Erasmus Onuh, a former coach of ABS Football Club of Ilorin, said the players displayed resilience in spite of the fact that they did not qualify for the final.

    “Although everyone was out for them to reach the final which they didn’t, the team did not allow the last defeat to Ghana to weigh them down with what they played today. That shows how good the team and the technical crew are and they have done well to give us at least a bronze in their first appearance at CHAN’’, Onuh said.

  • Fans commend Eagles’ fighting spirit

    Fans commend Eagles’ fighting spirit

    Football fans on Sunday in Abuja commended the Super Eagles for the fighting spirit in their dramatic 4-3 win over Morocco’s Atlas Lions in the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN).

    Some of the fans who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said the come-back into the match was surprising as hope was almost lost at the end of the first half.

    NAN reports that the Keshi-led team won the quarter-final match on Saturday after conceding three goals within seven minutes of the first half.

    The team, however, came back stronger in the second half to level it up and eventually won.

    A journalist, Samson Kukogho, said he was happy that the Super Eagles beat the North Africans from three goals down.

    “First of all, I am elated over the unbelievable come-back not just because we have qualified, but because we beat a North African country from three goals down. It was a different team that emerged in the second half because their passes were inaccurate in the first half which was well handled by the technical crew,’’ he said.

    Kukogho, however, singled out Ejike Uzoenyi for his outstanding role and urged Keshi to consider him for a spot in the World Cup team.

    “Uzoenyi deserves a spot in the World Cup team, not just for his goals, but his overall contributions.

    “I am giving a big thumbs up to Coach Stephen Keshi because he is the best Nigerian coach ever,’’ he said.

    Another journalist, Haruna Abdullahi, said the Eagles’ come-back renewed in him the spirit of not giving up until it is over.

    He commended the technical crew for enlivening the football spirit in Nigerians.

    “Though the team suffered a humiliating first half bashing and I was berserk and near heart attack, the Keshi-tutored team proved us wrong.

    “They proved that the world can write you off but you can rewrite yourself back to life.

    “Coach Keshi has proved to the world that you don’t need foreign brains but the right attitude to make things right.

    “Just when Nigerians are at the tunnel of despair, this man comes around and enlivens our spirits. He has done it before and I am sure he will do it again by winning his debut at the championships,’’ Abdullahi said.

    A veterinary doctor, Abdulganiyu Oladejo, said that the team was a well constituted one but which had to suffer the early goals bashing due to flaws of one or two members.

    “Chigozie Agbim has once again shown the world that he is not of `Super Eagles quality’ with his school boy errors, because it was his fault that we conceded the first two goals.

    “Other than that, the boys were fantastic,’’ Oladejo said.

    A student, Olajide Ayoola, said that the team spirit won the Super Eagles the match.

    “It was a good game because it was a win earned through team spirit; but the defence is still a problem, especially the goalkeeper.

  • Shun violence, FIFA instructor urges fans

    Shun violence, FIFA instructor urges fans

    A FIFA Instructor, Emmanuel Obafemi, has called on football fans to shun violence at league venues.

    Obafemi made the call on Tuesday in Ilorin at a seminar organised for ABS FC and Kwara United players as well as fans, officials and management staff of both clubs.

    The FIFA instructor urged fans to allow referees to be punished by an appropriate body rather than resort to self help. He said referees had enormous powers to do the right thing in accordance with the laws and rules of the game.

    Obafemi, who is also the Registrar of the University of Ilorin, further warned players against unnecessary bookings during games. He urged club officials to remove unnecessary booking penalties from a player’s salary.

    Obafemi, who cautioned players against improper dressing during matches, charged the management of clubs to pay players’ salaries as and when due. He advised the Kwara Football Association to help control crowd at the stadium when the season kicks off on Saturday.

    The Permanent Secretary, Kwara Ministry of Sports, Rhoda Ajiboye, said the seminar was to enable everyone reassess the role they played last season and adjust where necessary. Ajiboye called for all hands to be on deck to return Kwara United and ABS FC to the Globacom Premier League next season.

    In his address, the Chairman of Kwara Football Association, Busari Ishola, praised Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for bringing in technocrats into football administration.

  • Ethiopia fans dying to see Mikel, Moses

    Ethiopia fans dying to see Mikel, Moses

    Many Ethiopian fans are not only looking forward to the match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Walyas Antelopes of Ethiopia but once in a lifetime opportunity of seeing Nigerians tars plying their trade in the English Premier League.

    Many of the fans who spoke with SportingLife on Friday expressed happiness at the prospect of meeting Chelsea midfielder, Mikel Obi and on-loan Liverpool striker, Victor Moses, who they only watch on television.

    According to Beleke Tesfu, a taxi driver, who noted that Mikel has been wonderful in Chelsea midfield, congratulates the Nigerian for scoring his first premier League goal for the Blues.

    “Mikel is my player anytime any day. I’m a Chelsea fan and enjoyed how he plays. Even I was very happy when he scored his first goal in the premiership some weeks back. I learnt the Nigerian team will be arriving for the match on Saturday (today), I will be at the stadium as early as possible to welcome them, especially my Mikel.

    Another fan, Shinma Fuyma, a contraction worker, said he can’t wait to meet Victor Moses face to face as he is also planning to be at the airport.

    “My African brother, though this game is an important one for us, what I’m really happy for about this game is that it will give me the opportunity of meeting some of the Nigerian foreign players in the Premiership who I’ve been watching every week.

    “My best player is Moses (Victor). I loved him more when he joined my team Liverpool on loan. Though I wonder why Mourinho will loan out such a player, I still hope we can get him on a permanent deal,” he said.

  • Enyimba: Aba fans slam NFF appeal body

    Enyimba: Aba fans slam NFF appeal body

    Enyimba FC supporters have branded the NFF Appeal body’s decision to have their league game against Kano Pillars replayed as “disgraceful’’.

    It could be recalled that the NFF Disciplinary Committee on 27th day of September 2013 reversed the initial decision of the League Management Company to replay the Kano Pillars vs Enyimba week 31 game in Lagos following a reported invasion of the pitch by Kano Pillars fans.

    The NFF O&D in its ruling on the said date awarded maximum points and three goals to the Aba based side.

    The Aba fans in a chat with futaa.com expressed their shock at the NFF new ruling and noted the NPFL will continue to be in shambles with decisions like this.

    “It’s really a shame that our League is being run like this, what did the NFF see in Kano Pillars that have made them change their mind on their ruling? This is why we cannot have a league in the country, it’s a shame and am really disappointed,” said an angry fan.

    Futaa.com checks within the Aba metropolis discovered that most of the fans are of the opinion that the NFF always tend to be in support of the Northern team Kano Pillars.

    “I am disappointed with how Football is being run in this country, you can imagine the NFF changing their mind after ruling that Enyimba deserved three points and three goals.

    “You see the Abracadabra in our football league, who is deceiving who? Who will sponsor a league like ours that is full of Magical moments like this? It’s a shame to our football,” a fan who identified himself as Okechukwu Kalu stated.

    Meanwhile some of the fans have are optimistic that the Peolple’s Elephants are well prepared to beat Kano Pillars whenever they will play.

    “Even if they take us to the mountain, we will play and get our points against Kano Pillars.This is the same thing that the NFF did last season when Enugu Rangers should have won the league only to be dethroned in the closing stages by the same Kano Pillars, am already sensing foul play from the NFF and LMC. Why must it be Kano Pillars all the time,” said another fan who identified himself as Nonso Ifeanyi.

    Enyimba who on Wednesday recorded a 1-1 draw in Ibadan against 3SC FC will now prepare for a replay against Kano Pillars in Lokoja, kogi state as against the earlier scheduled Teslim Balogun stadium.

  • My goal is for the fans, says Mikel

    My goal is for the fans, says Mikel

    • Jose happy for Nigerian after shock goal

    Nigeria midfield star Mikel Obi has told MTNFootball.com his first-ever English Premier League goal is for Chelsea fans.

    “I thank God for the goal. I am really excited about it. I am dedicating the goal to my fans and all Chelsea fans around the world. They have supported me and the team,” Mikel told MTNFootball.com.

    “The fans deserve this because they have been steadfast in their support for me and the team. Winning the game eased the pressure on us, we needed the victory. I am looking forward to more of this.”

    Mikel has now scored three goals for Chelsea in all competitions since joining them in 2006.

    However, Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel hit a rare goal in victory over Fulham.

    Nigeria midfielder Mikel found the net for the first time since January 2007 to make certain of victory.

    Blues boss Jose Mourinho, who praised Mikel’s all-round display, said: “It’s good for him, good for us, good for his confidence. I think people enjoyed seeing John score a goal. The finish was good.”

  • Alloy: Fans should be educated

    Alloy: Fans should be educated

    The General Manager of ABS FC Alloy Chukwuemeka has called for the education of fans in order to forestall the problem of insecurity in the League.

    There have been several incidents this season where fans of clubs like Kano Pillars, Lobi Stars, Shooting Stars and Akwa United have been accused of assaulting both match officials and members of the opposing team.

    But Chukwuemeka who also doubles as the secretary to the Club Owners Association believes that education is the first step to stemming the tide of violence.

    “Clubs should endeavour to tell their fans the history of the opponents and their attitude. They need every information and of course the dangers of attacking match officials irrespective of the circumstance, in that way we can stem the crisis in League matches,” he said.

    “When you talk about education and orientation, it is a continuous process you don’t just start it and stop, because every match comes with its own style of violence, therefore, our fans need to be informed on how to behave themselves to avoid crisis.”

  • Nasarawa Utd fans beat-up Coach Dike

    Nasarawa Utd fans beat-up Coach Dike

    Coach Alphonsus Dike was given a beaten of his life by some angry Nasarawa Utd fans after his team lost 1-0 to Enyimba in the Federations Cup round of 8 game.

    It took the efforts of the Nasarawa Utd chairman and some law enforcement agents to restrain the irate fans from inflicting a life threatening injury on the former Golden Eaglets boss, as he was whisked away from the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta to an undisclosed hotel.

    However, a remorseful Coach Dike was quoted to have said by an official who was with him when he was been taken away that: “I am very angry with our supporters.

    “What did I do wrong, I don’t know why I deserve this kind of treatment they subjected me to, I could have been worse.”

  • Fans to pay N1,700 to watch Eagles

    Fans to pay N1,700 to watch Eagles

    Soccer fans wishing to watch this year’s annual Nelson Mandela Challenge billed for Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban will pay N1, 700 and N850 respectively to do so come August 14.

    Tickets for the challenge in honour of the former South African President went on sale Wednesday in the former Apartheid enclave for R50 and R100. Bafana Bafana will host Eagles who early this year proved they are the best team in the continent when they edged out hard fighting Burkina Fasso to lift the continental diadem in South Africa.

    Shoprite and Computicket across the country have been designated as outlets for ticket sales. As a build up to the Challenge, South Africa Football Association (SAFA) confirmed a that number of activities have been lined up as part of the Mandela International Day.

    Already, local advertisements have been intensified ahead of the challenge with a view to creating awareness and ensuring full capacity turnout. Lovers of the now popular vuvuzela are sure to have a full dose of it as Bafana Bafana fans have began preparation for the D Day, with many insisting nothing can be more befitting than ensuring a grand show for the Mandela, popularly called Madiba in South Africa.

  • Olayioye: 3SC fans attacked Kwara Utd, match officials

    Olayioye: 3SC fans attacked Kwara Utd, match officials

    Irked by Wednesday’s result of the league game between Shooting Stars Sports Club, (3SC) of Ibadan and Kwara United Football Club of Ilorin which ended one goal apiece, irate 3SC fans allegedly descended on the match officials, Kwara United supporters, players and officials pelting them with missiles.

    According to a press statement by Kwara United’s Media Officer, Olayioye Ajide, Kwara United supporters, players and officials, caught unawares after the gritty encounter, ran helter-skelter seeking for cover as 3SC fans vented their spleen on them.

    Ajide alleged that Abdullahi Muritala, the cameraman of Kwara United, was badly beaten and his camera was snatched. The drum set used by the away team’s supporters was also damaged. Supporters were tortured as many were hit by objects flung at them.

    The statement further said that center referee Cristansus Okoro from Imo State had to take off his dress on the field and his uniform and other items were picked up by Kwara United officials. His first and second assistants Anthony Uzonna and Andy Ubani were rescued from the hands of the mob.

    The show of shame was also extended to the Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Babatunde Olaniyan a league match commissioner. He attempted to placate them but was also attacked.

    The 3SC fans claimed the center referee denied them goals during the game which give the advantage to the visitors. This was the reason for their violence.

    Kwara United scored in the 44th minute of the first half via a free kick by Dare Ojo but 3SC levelled up in the 66th minute through Adepoju Taofeek who headed in a cross in the vital area.

    Kwara United got four yellow cards and Dare Ojo sent off, even as 3SC won more than 10 free kicks around the arch in a match played in the rain.

    “It is highly disappointing that a traditional club like 3SC which has followers across the country could throw caution into the winds and display no decorum in their conduct.

    “What lesson are they teaching others? The Nigeria Professional Football League Board should rise to the occasion because the second and crucial stanza of the league has just started.

    “It is psychologically depressing going through such in the Nigerian league,” Olayioye sounded.

    Olayioye assured Nigerians that Kwara United would hold no grudge against them but that the NPFL should bring the culprits to book and retrieve Kwara United’s lost items.