The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Gabriel Reuben

  • Reuben returns to full training

    Reuben returns to full training

    … Full house for Eagles

    Gabriel Reuben has returned to full training, ensuring that Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi would have full team for Monday’s clash against Iran.

    Reuben has not trained with the squad for two days due to fitness concern. But in the team’s first session since arriving at their Curitiba match venue, the ex-Kano Pillars’ midfielder looked ready for the crucial group F clash against the Asian giants.

    Although he is not expected to start, the midfielder’s return is a welcome boost to Keshi, who continues to rue the injury-enforced departure of Elderson Echiejile.

    “I’m not very happy he is not here with us, because he is one of our best players, but Juwon (Oshaniwa) is stepping up, and he is improving.

    “But I’m happy everybody is fit and we hope to be ready before our match,” Keshi told kickOffNigeria.com.

    The game kicks off at 4Pm local time (8PM Nigeria time).

     

  • Gabriel Reuben: I hope to make Brazil 2014

    Gabriel Reuben: I hope to make Brazil 2014

    Nigerian midfielder, Gabriel Reuben has said he hopes to be at the World Cup in June after he moved to Belgium to save his career.
    This followed a rather forgettable spell at Scottish club Kilmarnock.
    In an interview with Waasland-Beveren TV, Reuben also spoke of his target to be better than Manchester City star Yaya Toure, who he has been widely compared with.

    How would you describe or rate yourself as a player?

    I don’t like to talk about my performance or rate myself. I leave that to the fans who watch me play, they are the ones who can judge my performance. Mine is to enter the pitch and put in my best with full concentration.

     

    Many people compare you with Yaya Toure, what do you have to say about that?

    Yaya is a good and fantastic player. I have heard people comparing me with him. I will work hard to be better than him by God’s grace.

     

    How do you feel coming to Waasland-Beveren?

    I am excited and feel happy to join this team, I am happy to change my environment and the conditions I met here are good for me.

     

    What do you think of the club?

    The team is good, they are so friendly and accommodating. They accepted me well.

     

    Everyone thought you would sign for Tottenham, why the change?

    I was there at Tottenham Hotspur for trials, I was training with them. I put everything in the hand of God, then that his will should be done.

     

    Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup is close, are you thinking of getting a chance to play for Nigeria there?

    Yes, the chance to play for Nigeria at the World Cup will be possible with God. Nigeria has good players. If it is my time to play at the World Cup in Brazil, I will make the team. I will be working hard and pray to God to make it.

     

    What are your targets with Waasland-Beveren?

    To do my best to make the fans, coaches and management happy and get to play as many games as possible. That is what every footballer needs to improve and succeed.

  • Reuben joins Belgian club

    Reuben joins Belgian club

    Nigeria international Gabriel Reuben has joined Belgian club Waasland-Beveren, his agent Tony Harris has disclosed.

    The 23-year-old defensive midfielder has signed a one-and-half year deal.

    His agent had earlier described the move as “interesting”.

    Reuben told MTNFootball.com he is thrilled with his latest move.

    “I am happy at the club, I feel like I am at home. I am back in great shape and will give my best for the club,” he told MTNFootball.com

    “Joining this club is a positive step in my career.”

    This transfer will also improve his chances of being on the flight to Brazil 2014 in June with Nigeria.

    Reuben is a free agent after he terminated his contract at Kilmarnock following a series of disputes with the Scottish Premier League club.

  • Agent confirms Reuben at Spurs

    Gabriel Reuben has been training with EPL side, Tottenham Hotspur, his agent Tony Harris has confirmed to MTNFootball.com.

    “It’s true that Gabriel joined Tottenham for training and if the deal materialises, the intention is for him to be loaned out to a club abroad,” Harris told MTNFootball.com.

    “Gabriel is fully recovered and back to the form that earned him rave reviews towards the AFCON 2013 as well as during the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifiers.”

    He added: “There are several offers on the table but the key thing now is that Gabriel starts playing matches and enjoying his football in a competitive league. I expect his move will be finalised soon.”

    Reuben ended his stay at Scottish side Kilmarnock on a mutual agreement after he requested for his contract to be terminated. He is in a late race to make Nigeria’s squad to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil in June.

     

  • Keshi ‘gingers’ new Eagles’ stars

    Keshi ‘gingers’ new Eagles’ stars

    The coach of the Nigeria Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, has revealed that the coaching crew have been trying to boost the confidence level of the new boys, ahead of the assignment in South Africa.

    The Big Boss is convinced that the players are naturally gifted, but only need a little bit of self confidence when on the pitch.

    “That is what we have been trying to do, so that when we come out fighting everything is possible and nothing will be impossible, the results we are getting are quite positive,” he said.

    Keshi has seen the exit of the likes of Godfrey Oboabona, Sunday Mba, Gabriel Reuben, Papa Idris, Juwon Oshaniwa and many others who started the battle with the national team as home based stars two years ago.

    Now,the former coach of the Hawks of Togo has been forced to rely on new stars on the bloc and he insists they will not disappoint.

    But the Big Boss was also quick to point out that the trophy should not be given to the Eagles just yet,because of lack of experience.

  • Otekpa claims Pillars switch

    Enyimba midfielder Enegie Otekpa has said he is very close to joining champions Kano Pillars for the new season.

    “I have completed negotiations with Pillars over my personal terms. I only need to get my clearance from Enyimba to complete my move,” Otekpa disclosed.

    Last season the defensive midfielder, who has been capped by the Super Eagles, was frozen out at Enyimba after an appendectomy. He had earlier hinted on a return to former club Lobi Stars.

    Pillars, who will feature in their third CAF Champions League after they reached the semi-finals of the competition in 2009, have been shopping for a top defensive midfielder since the departure of Gabriel Reuben overseas.

  • Gabriel Reuben back to training

    Power playing Super Eagles midfielder, Gabriel Reuben, who was left behind to recuperate from a freak sickness during last Wednesday’s Exhibition match against the Catalonia selected side is back, healthy and running again.

    Reuben revealed that no sooner had the team left for Barcelona than he started feeling a lot better and wished he had been part of the game against world stars like Puyol, Xavier Hernandez and Gerald Pique. “But I’m happy to be back and running again, but it was a little lonely but thank God all that is behind now, we should be looking at the Nations Cup proper in South Africa,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Turkey based Uche Kalu, who has a groin strain is still in camp with rest of the squad but not training with them as he has been placed under close observation by the medical team. Head Coach Stephen Keshi, said he has asked the medics to give him a final word on the player by next week before he takes a decision on the strongly built striker.

    Apart from the two incidences there are no injury worries in camp but selection headache for the coaches as the likes of Sunday Mba, Benjamin Francis and Solomon Kwambe lay claim to Nations Cup shirts ahead of the release of the final list of players for the tournament.