The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Faro

  • Keshi, Yobo clash at AFCON

    Keshi, Yobo clash at AFCON

    Super Eagles defender, Joseph Yobo appeared to have been involved in a major falling out with Stephen Keshi, turkish-football.com reports.

    A source from the Super Eagles camp in South Africa, according to the website, said the pair are only trying to manage the situation publicly.

    Futaa.com says the problem started before the captain arrived at the team pre-tournament camp in Faro, Portugal in late December, after officials questioned his fitness level.

    The problems further escalated after Nigeria’s opening game against Burkina Faso in Nelspruit when Yobo suffered a minor ankle knock.

    The website gathered that the incident and other issues has led to an irreconcilable difference between the duo as the skipper is still hanging around out of respect for the nation, fans and some Nigeria Football Federation officials.

    There are strong indications that the player is expected to answer questions about the incident and make a strong statement at the end of Nigeria’s campaign at the tournament.

     

  • Chelsea monitor Mikel’s injury in Faro

    Chelsea monitor Mikel’s injury in Faro

    MIKEL OBI is closely monitored by Chelsea in Nigeria’s camp ahead of the Nations Cup in South Africa.

    Mikel joined the Faro, Portugal camp on Sunday alongside fellow Blues teammate, Victor Moses. But the player is under the supervision of his agent John Ola Shittu.

    Shittu’s presence is believed to be in the interest of Chelsea who have kept the midfielder out of action for few weeks following the knock that forced him to be substituted in a Premier League clash with Norwich on Boxing Day. Mikel is feared to be nursing an injury due to his recent omissions from Chelsea games but the defender declared himself fit on arrival in Portugal.

    The former Lyn Oslo ace only signed a five-year contract extension with the Blues and with very few options in the defensive midfield, the Londoners see Mikel as a valued asset hence the decision to keep a close surveillance on him through his agent.

  • FARO CAMP MIKEL OBI CONFIRMS JAN. 5 ARRIVAL

    FARO CAMP MIKEL OBI CONFIRMS JAN. 5 ARRIVAL

    MIKEL OBI has told MTNFootball.com he will report at the Nigeria training camp in Faro, Portugal, for the AFCON on January 5. The Chelsea midfielder also played down a knock on his knee in an English Premier League game against Norwich City, saying he is fully fit even though he was not listed for Sunday’s clash at Everton. Mikel told MTNFootball.com that he will leave for Faro, Portugal, along with club mate Victor Moses immediately after an FA Cup game against Southampton.

    “I have two more games to play for Chelsea before I will resume at the Nations Cup training camp in Faro, that would be the league game against QPR and the FA Cup against S’hampton on January 5. I will leave for the camp immediately after the game together with Victor Moses,” he informed.

  • Faro trip Super Eagles depart 3pm Thursday

    Faro trip Super Eagles depart 3pm Thursday

    • Fly through Accra

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria are expected to leave the shores of Nigeria for their training tour of Faro, Portugal on Thursday by 3pm for the final round of preparations for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    A camp source informed SportingLife that the team will travel to Faro en-route Accra, Ghana.

    It was also revealed that the players, who were giving a day’s break to celebrate Xmas on Tuesday, are expected back in training this morning to intensify their preparation. They will also train on Thursday morning before embarking on their trip in the afternoon.

    SportingLife also gathered that visas have been secured for the players and officials that will make the trip.

    “All things being equal, the arrangement for the trip is going on as planned; the visa for the players that will travel from Nigeria and the officials that will follow the team is secured. Barring unforeseen circumstances the team should travel by 3pm on Thursday. That is the arrangement on ground for now,” a source said.

    14 local players will travel to Portugal to be joined by 10 Europe-based professionals for the match with Catalonia on January 2, with the remaining eight foreign-based stars linking up with the squad on January 4.

    The Eagles will play another friendly game with Cape Verde on January 9 – the same day Keshi will announce his final list.

    Africa’s football-governing body, CAF has given all 16 teams playing in the final tournament of the Cup of Nations until midnight of January 9, 2013 to submit their final list of 23 players for the event.