The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Henry Nwosu

  • W/CUP: Goalkeeping dept my biggest fear- Nwosu

     

    Former Super Eagles captain Henry Nwosu has identified the goalkeeping department as the biggest source of worry for the Nigerian team ahead of the world cup in Russia.

    Nwosu who was reacting to the 30-man provisional list dished out by Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr, Monday, said experience will be completely missing in goal insisting that former national number one Vincent Enyeama should have been given an opportunity to at least make the provisional list where his fitness readiness and attitude would be properly assessed to aid final decision on whether to drop or take him along.

    He however gave the German tactician pass mark for players selected for other departments noting that he kept faith with players who helped the nation qualify for the world cup.

    “I believe it was a good provisional list, my only worry is the goalkeeping department where there is no experience and that is a very important department in a team. I have no problem with the goalkeepers that have been called up but I think that Vincent Enyeama should have been called because of his experience.  At least he should have been invited so that his fitness, readiness and all that can be properly assessed before deciding whether or not to leave him out.  Experience matters a lot in the world cup,” he said

    The former U-17 coach challenged players that have been invited to give their all as fitness, readiness and attitude will all combine to determine who makes the final 23.

    “Making the provisional list is good but it calls for hard work. Those invited must put in their best, they must psyche themselves. It is serious business and they must see it that way,” he submitted.

    The four goalkeepers that made the provisional list include Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba) Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United) Francis Uzoho (Deportivo de La Coruna) Dele Ajiboye (Plateau United)

    Coach Rohr is expected to submit his final 23 by June 4th. There friendly matches have been lined up leading to that final decision. The team will face DR Congo in Port Harcourt on May 28, tackle England on June 2nd and the Wembley Stadium and round up the shape up with tie against Czech Republic June 6th.

  • Nwosu: Gateway Utd deserve to qualify

    Nwosu: Gateway Utd deserve to qualify

    Gateway United’s head coach, Henry Nwosu has asserted that the Ogun State side would show Prime FC the reason they deserve to qualify for the last four ahead of the Osogbo based team.

    Gateway started the Federation Cup campaign with the defeat of Kano Pillars and they had followed that up with victories over FC Abuja and Bayelsa United and it is on the premise of these impressive outings that Nwosu holds his belief that the Abeokuta based team would progress ahead of Prime FC.

    Prime FC have always left their fingerprints in the Federation Cup in recent seasons and even grabbed the bronze medal ahead of Kano Pillars in 2012 after they had thrashed Enyimba 2-0 in the quarter final. They also beat Enugu Rangers and Sharks along the way before finally losing to Heartland of Owerri on penalties in the semi final in Ilorin.

    Nwosu informed SportingLife that Prime FC won’t be a match to their semi final aspiration and that his players have assured him that nothing would hinder their performance in the last eight encounter.

    Nwosu revealed:”We are playing against a club with Federation Cup tradition but we won’t be afraid of them as we fix our sights on the semi final. It will no doubt be tough but we won’t allow our team to derail our Federation Cup final ambition.”

  • World Cup: Eagles won’t miss Uche, Obasi – Nwosu

    World Cup: Eagles won’t miss Uche, Obasi – Nwosu

    Former Green Eagles skipper, Henry Nwosu, has insisted that Super Eagles will not miss the services of Ikechukwu Uche and Chinedu Obasi at the 2014 FIFA World Cup starting next month in Brazil.

    Uche and Obasi were excluded from coach Stephen Keshi’s 30-man provisional World Cup list released on Tuesday evening.

    In a chat with Goal, Nwosu who is Gateway United’s head coach is confident that players invited by Keshi will defy all odds to make the nation proud.

    “We have a very good squad and with this, we are sure of doing well at the World Cup because we have our star players there,” Nwosu told Goal.

    “It is now left for those whose inclusion has steered controversy to prove their worth before the world.

    “The absence of the likes of Uche and Ideye [Brown] will definitely not be a minus as long as those invited prove their mettle. But if the reverse is the case, then people would naturally feel their absence.

    “Obasi wouldn’t have made any difference if invited because he is just returning from injury. I know him too well and he is a good and determined player but unfortunately he is not in his best form.

    “In the real sense, he wouldn’t have made the squad because it will be very difficult for Keshi to drop his regular players for him.

    “IK Uche on his own part has got scores to settle with Keshi and his crew because reports have it that he does not feel too good any time he comes in from the bench which makes him not to give his best . This kind of attitude is not good for the success of the team,” Nwosu told Goal.

  • Nwosu insists on victory at COD United

    Nwosu insists on victory at COD United

    Gateway United coach, Henry Nwosu has vowed to grab the three points at City of David (COD) United on Saturday.

    The Abeokuta-based side will be the guests of COD United in the Nigeria National League (NNL) Division B Match day 1 at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos.

    Nwosu said the side are under the order of the management to secure a Premier League ticket for the side. He, however, hinted that the journey towards the realisation of the target will kick off when both sides clash in the season’s opener.

    “I won’t say it’s either an advantage or disadvantage starting the season on the road but I know for sure that a good performance in the game will go a long way to boost the morale of the players going into the next match.

    “I know the importance of an away win at COD United in Lagos to the psychology of the players so we’re going for the three points at stake. Three points will assist us to consolidate on the home front on our grip on the top so a win in Lagos is key as well as crucial to a smooth campaign this term.

    “Of course, the management has charged us to secure promotion ticket to the elite league for the side, we’ve taken the order as our target in addition to excelling in the 2014 Federation Cup. First, we want to commence the league campaign on a winning note at COD United, it won’t be an easy challenge but we’re condemned not to lose the encounter,” said the former Golden Eaglets coach to supersport.com.

    Gateway United struggled for the greater part of the 2012/13 Nigeria National League Division B that saw Abia Warriors and Crown FC win promotion to the top flight league.

  • Nwosu hails Eagles

    Nwosu hails Eagles

    Gateway United coach, Henry Nwosu has said Nigerian teams are good at setting positive records in football.

    The former Nigerian star’s remark is in direct reference to the stunning comeback by the Super Eagles who came from three goals down to win 4-3 against the Atlas Lions of Morocco in Saturday’s quarterfinals duel in Cape Town at the ongoing African Nations Championship (Chan) in South Africa.

    Goals in the second half and extra time from Enugu Rangers midfielder, Ugonna Uzochukwu, Rabiu Ali, Ejike Uzoenyi and substitute, Abubakar Ibrahim cancelled the North Africans’ three-goal lead in the first half.

    Nwosu said the Eagles re-enacted the famous Saudi ’89 ‘Damman Miracle’ against the North African opponents, the Atlas Lions.

    “I’m really excited that the Super Eagles have qualified for the semifinals of the CHAN as coming from three goals down to win 4-3 against the Moroccans is not a mean achievement.

    “Nigerians are used to setting good record in football, I think the Eagles have just recreated the famous Saudi ’89 ‘Damman Miracle’ in Cape Town, South Africa against Morocco.

    “I’m not surprised at the positive turn out of event, it clearly showed that God loves Nigerians, or how do you explain the miraculous comeback of the Eagles?” said the former Golden Eaglets’ coach to supersport.com.

    Nwosu, however, warned that the Super Eagles may not be twice lucky in the semifinals should they allow a repeat of the mistakes that saw them go down to the Moroccans.

    “The Eagles shouldn’t allow the complacency that saw them trail dangerously to Morocco in the quarterfinals to repeat itself in the semifinals, rather they should stamp their authority right from the blast of the whistle till the end.

    “We shouldn’t depend on mother luck to come back again; we may not get it. There are still problems in the defence as well as goalkeeping, I pray the coaches will tighten the loose ends before the next game,” Nwosu said.

    Nigeria will confront the quarterfinal winners in the encounter between Ghana and DR Congo in the semifinals on Wednesday, January 29.

    The Saudi ’89 ‘Damman Miracle’ referred to the dramatic comeback of Nigeria’s Under-20 men’s side, the Flying Eagles, from four goals down to beat their Russian foes on penalties.

  • Intl friendly: Nwosu commends Eagles performance

    Intl friendly: Nwosu commends Eagles performance

    Former Nigerian player, Henry Nwosu, has said the high profile international friendly between Mexico and Nigeria in Houston, Texas in the United States, lived up to its billing as a top flight game.

    Supersport.com reports that the Mexicans forced the African champions to a 2-2 draw at the Reliant Stadium, Houston in the early hours of Saturday.

    Nwosu said the score line was inconsequential but the opportunity it afforded the Eagles’ manager, Stephen Keshi to assess his charges especially the new ones ahead of the two crucial 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Kenya next Wednesday and Namibia on June 12.

    “Winning or losing has never come up as the main criteria for assessing the match but the performance of the players against their Mexican opponents and a 2-2 draw wasn’t a bad result more so as their performance met my assessment of a friendly game.

    “The coach must have picked some lessons from the game and those lessons will help him tremendously when he is doing correction for the next World Cup matches against Kenya and Namibia.

    “The new replacements would have registered their impressions on his mind and I’m sure those among them who proved their worth will form part of his planning for future games.

    “I’m satisfied with the outcome of the match as well as the performance of the players. It could only get better as we count down days to the Kenya and Namibia games,” said the former Golden Eaglets’ coach to Supersport.com.