The Nation Newspaper

Tag: friendly

  • SAFA to Bafana Bafana players: Join Anti-Xenophobic Brigade!

    Bafana Bafana players have been enjoined to join anti-Xenophonbic brigade, shun all manner of violence to serve as examples for others to emulate.

    The charge was given by the country’s football ruling body SAFA following forced cancellation of two friendly matches in less than 10 days.

    The Bafana Bafana were scheduled to take on Chipolopolo of Zambia in an international friendly on Saturday, a tie that would have marked the first in charge for new coach Molefi Ntseki.

    Unfortunately series of attacks on foreigners in the former Apartheid enclave forced Zambia to pull out just as Bafana Bafana were tidying up preparations to jet out to Lusaka.

    SAFA swiftly approached 2019 Nations cup debutants Madagascar to fill in the space but the Indian Ocean Islanders dispatched a “sorry we can’t make it” note to South Africa at the 11th hour.

    With less than 24 hours to September 7 date SAFA decided to disband the team that has been camping in Johannesburg for the friendly but not without charging the players to become campaigners against Xenophobic attacks which has not only affected business but even sports considered to be a major unifying force not only in Africa but across the globe.

    SAFA rose from a meeting with the players which was followed by a media briefing saying ““We want to reiterate that as SAFA we totally condemn these acts of violence in respect of the xenophobic attacks on fellow Africans as well as the criminal looting of businesses,”

    Nations cup debutants Madagascar pulled out of Saturday’s Friendly

    “SAFA has consistently and strong condemned the xenophobic attacks and the wanton attacks of foreign nationals. We reiterate our call that these criminals must be arrested and dealt with harshly.

    “We call on all footballers and sportspersons to join hands and unequivocally condemn any violation of the rights of fellow Africans in our country as well as xenophobic attacks. “said SAFA President Danny Jordaan

    Coach Molefi Ntseki who had looked forward to the friendly to help him shape his team ahead of the 2021 Nations Cup qualifiers billed for November, will now be hoping and praying that the usual convivial atmosphere that makes sports blossom will take the centre stage before the next international friendly window in October so that he can at least play two shape up matches before his first competitive outing in charge of the Bafana Bafana who won their first ever Nations cup in 1996 when the country hosted the Continental fiesta.

  • Lagos renews commitment to friendly policies

    Lagos renews commitment to friendly policies

    •Governor tasks social organisations on economy

    There was renewal of commitment at the weekend from the Lagos State Government to the implementation of more friendly policies for businesses to thrive.

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode made the renewal after striking a deal with social clubs on a strategic partnership in building a dream smart city for all.

    It was at the Lagos @ 50 Event – Celebrating Social Clubs – staged at the Island Club on Lagos Island. The governor was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello.

    He said the desire to forge such partnership informed why social clubs enjoy a pride of place in the Centre of Excellence.

    According to the governor, the state will remain steadfast in making Lagos work for all through the formulation of people-oriented policies.

    He said social clubs should be viewed beyond their philanthropic gestures and as tools for socialisation but seen as veritable channels meant for the protection, promotion and popularisation of government programmes to deepen the state’s economy.

    Ambode told his audience that Lagos, despite being the smallest in size, remains the most prosperous in the country and the fifth largest economy in Africa.

    The governor stated that the occasion was organised in recognition and appreciation of the contributions of social clubs to the success recorded by the state in its first 50 years.

    He said the government had a reason to celebrate the state’s achievements, adding that it would have been difficult to attain such without the sacrifice and commitment of individuals and organisations, including social clubs.

    Ambode said: “Seated amongst us here today are great men and women, who have rendered selfless services in public and private capacities to move Lagos State forward.

    “Some had supported previous administrations with great and lofty ideas that assisted in developing solutions to our challenges in different sectors.”

    The governor urged members of social clubs not to lose focus on the future by reflecting on the height they envisage for the state in the next 50 years.

    He expressed his appreciation for the immense support the administration enjoyed in the last two years.

    Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Island Club, Mr. Banji Oladapo, commended the giant strides made by Lagos in the last 50 years.

    He praised the governor for the infrastructural transformation of the state.

    The President of Eko Club, Chief Tunde Fanimokun, lauded the Ambode-led administration for the remarkable progress witnessed in the state in the last two years.

    Fanimokun said the projects implemented had demonstrated the government’s commitment to the interest and well-being of Lagosians.

    Bello presented a plaque in appreciation of Island Club’s supportive role to the government.

    Finance Commissioner Akinyemi Ashade and prominent leaders of the club, including All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Prince Rabiu Oluwa, were among the dignitaries at the event.

  • ABS FC post another big win in pre-season friendly

    ABS FC post another big win in pre-season friendly

    Taiye Ayinde came off the bench before NPFL side, Abubakar Bukola Saraki (ABS) could dump stubborn Black Stars of Lokoja 4-0 in a pre-season friendly played at the Confluence Stadium in Lokoja.

    The defence of the non-league Lokoja side was a hard nut for The Saraki Boys to crack as they defended with everything they had.

    All efforts by ABS to break the defence of the resilient Black Stars proved abortive in the first half, which ended 0-0.

    Coach Henry Makinwa made five changes in the second half, bringing in Adeshina Gata, Taiye and Kehinde Ayinde, Lukman Abdulhameed and Kehinde Idowu.

    Taiye Ayinde beat the offside trap to open scoring for ABS in the 75th minute.

    He got his second goal of the day two minutes later, when he again beat the offside trap of the opponents.

    Wasiu Alalade, who came in for Ossy Martins, put the game beyond the Lokoja outfit when he scored the third of the evening by lobbing the ball over the goalkeeper.

    Gata, who also came off the bench, scored the 14th goal for the team to seal a 4-0 victory for the newly promoted side.

  • Cleric seeks people-friendly policies

    The General Overseer of Imole Ayo Spiritual Church of Christ, Ketu-Lagos, Bishop Samuel Olamide Adebanjo has advised the Federal Government to review some of its policies that have placed Nigeria’s economy in recession, saying the promises of change has not yielded any good result, but hardship.

    Adebanjo, who gave the advice during his church’s community evangelism outreach, said his advice was predicated on his perception that policies and programmes evolved by the President Buhari-led administration should have humane face so much so that the masses would not suffer. Bishop Adebanjo alleged that the President is surrounded by enemies who claimed to be loyal party members.

    “You have no friend in your government, but foes. The popular slogan of change has failed Nigerians,” the cleric who urged the President take steps to reduce the hardship prevailing in the land said. He, however, said the number of the poor in Nigeria is on the increase.

    “Nigerians voted for change; believing that hunger in the land will end, but the reverse is the case currently,” he said.

     

     

  • NASME seeks ‘friendly policies’

    The Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME) has urged regulatory agencies to adjust or fine- tune some of their policies that retard business growth and job creation.

    NASME President  Prince ‘Degun Agboade, who gave the charge at a forum in Lagos, also advocated cordial relationship between Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the agencies to achieve sustained economic growth and development.

    This, he said, was necessary because of the World Bank’s report, which placed Nigeria 169 out of 189 countries on the ranking index of ease of doing business.

    A communiqué issued at the end of the forum said NASME should collaborate with the agencies to enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

    It also agreed that a harmonised commission should be put in place to cater for regulatory and certification needs of MSMEs.

  • Lobi face Nasarawa Utd in friendly tie today

    Lobi face Nasarawa Utd in friendly tie today

    Lobi Stars and Nasarawa United will later today trade tackles at the Aper Aku Stadium, Makurdi in their final warm up match before the start of the 2015/2016 Nigeria Professional Football League season on Saturday.

    The Makurdi side are hoping to better last season’s performance where they got to the final of the Federation Cup and also retained their Premier League status before the final match of the season.

    While Nasarawa United on their part got to the semi-final of the Federation Cup and also came third in the league to book a CAF Confederation Cup ticket.

    The Team Manager of Lobi Stars, Barnabas Imenger told SportingLife that both clubs would use the friendly match to put finishing touches to their preparation for the first game of the season where Lobi play away to 3SC on Sunday while Nasarawa United host MFM FC in Makurdi, their adopted home.

    Imenger added that they convinced some of the players of the state’s origin to come back home to help salvage the club and that this has yielded the return of Eneji Otekpa (Kano Pillars), David Tyavkasse (Gabon), Solomon Kwambe (Warri Wolves) and few others.

    He hailed the club’s pre-season results which fetched six victories and a draw and a defeat on penalty shoot-out to Supreme Court FC of Abuja during the Gold Cup pre season in Ijebu Ode and also thumbed up the hard work of the Godwin Koko Uwua-led technical crew.

     

  • Dream Team VI vs Brazil friendly: Siasia picks Iwobi, Awoniyi

    •Ajayi,  Oduwa, Olayinka too

    Chief Coach of the Dream Team VI, Samson Siasia has concluded plans to present a strong team against Brazil in an international friendly tentatively fixed for March 24,  which falls under the FIFA window.

    Siasia, like he did when as the Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, led the national team to beat Argentina 4-1 at the Abuja National Stadium, although without top stars like Lionel Messi, Tevez, Higuain, Mascherano is also bent on presenting a killer squad against Brazil in a match that would take place in a yet to be named venue in Brazil.

    The former Super Eagles coach on arrival from the United States of America where he went on vacation told SportingLife in Abuja that he has vowed to utilise  the FIFA free window to play international friendly matches to build a stronger team that won’t disappoint Nigeria in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil when the Olympic Football Tournament kicks off in August this year.

    “We have barely six months to the Olympics and I want to ensure we play international friendly matches within the FIFA window between now and August. That way we can bring our targeted players to play together and blend well. But this can only be done if they play together frequently and against good opponents”, Siasia disclosed.

    The Dream Team VI boss is ready to send letters of invitation to 19-year-old Glasgow Rangers of Scotland loanee, Nathan Oduwa who has rejoined his club Tottenham Hotspur and 20-year-old KAA Gent of Belgium forward, Peter Olayinka.

    Oduwa made 19 appearances for Rangers before returning to his English Premiership club, Tottenham.

    Other players that Siasia is looking to invite for the friendly includes the captain of the team, Azubuike Okechukwu, Alex Iwobi of Arsenal, Taiwo Awoniyi, Junior Ajayi and Victor Osimhen”, SportingLife reliably gathered.

  • Brazil friendly good for Dream Team VI, says Olulayo

    Brazil friendly good for Dream Team VI, says Olulayo

    Nigeria U-23 defender, Seun Olulayo has said that the upcoming friendly with Brazil will be a good test of character as they begin preparations for the 2016 Olympics games billed for Rio.

    The Dream Team VI are billed to face Rogério Micale’s side in either Nigeria or Brazil on March 24.

    Olulayo said that he is looking forward to the game against the Olympics hosts, and that the game will give his teammates a sign of what to expect when the competition begins.

    “Playing against Brazil will be a good test for us, especially in terms of physical power,” Olulayo told Goal.

    “Kudos must be given to the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) and coach Samson Siasia for plotting this game. We have to be positive. Playing against one of the best team in the world will be a good experience.

    “I have been training very hard  daily and can’t wait for the camp to open soon. I have spoken to some of my teammates on this game and we’re expecting a much more difficult game which is different from the African U-23 tournament.

    The Sunshine Stars player feels that the African champions can conquer the world in Rio de Janeiro.

    “I want to win [the Olympics],” he said.  “When we went to the U-23 Africa Nations Cup, I believed we would win and we did that in style.

    “We can rule the world as well. That is my simple confidence. I know it will shock the whole world if we do it but that is what life is about, shocking those who think you cannot achieve a certain goal,” he said.

  • Eagles consider Cameroon friendly in Europe

    Nigeria have proposed a friendly against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon next month in Europe as coach Sunday Oliseh steps up rebuilding the Super Eagles.

    The Eagles recorded a disappointing draw in Tanzania in a 2017 AFCON qualifier at the weekend in Oliseh’s first game in charge.

    And a top official has informed AfricanFootball.com that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are working on the team to play a friendly against Cameroon in Europe early next month. There are two FIFA friendly windows left for this year – October 5 to 13 and November 9 to 17.

    “The NFF are looking at getting the Eagles to face Cameroon in a friendly early next month and the game will most likely be played in Europe,” the official told AfricanFootball.com.

    Both countries have clashed 19 times since April 1960.

    Nigeria have won eight times and drawn seven times, while Cameroon were victorious on four occasions.

  • Niger friendly to gulp $300,000

    Nigeria will splash at least $300,000 for Tuesday’s friendly against next-door neigbours Niger, a top official has told AfricanFootball.com.

    This budget will include an appearance fee of $150,000 to the visiting Mena of Niger as well as their local transportation and boarding while in Nigeria for this game.

    The Eagles will each be paid $2,000 as appearance fee with coach Sunday Oliseh pocketing double that amount.

    It is hoped that hosts Rivers State Government will defray part of these expenses.

    Tuesday’s match will be played at the Adokiye Amiesiemake Stadium in Port Harcourt.

    Niger, who failed to qualify for Equatorial Guinea  2015, are fresh from a 2-0 defeat In Burundi in an AFCON qualifier.