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Tag: Igiebor

  • Betis chairman backs Igiebor

    Betis chairman backs Igiebor

    Real Betis FC of Spain’s President, Miguel Guillen has declared his ‘total confidence’ in Nosa Igiebor, the team and its Coach, Pepe Mel Los Beticos, are under scrutiny for an indifferent start to the season, which was compounded on Sunday evening with defeat at home to 10-man Elche.

    “The analysis of the defeat to Elche is clear to everyone, Guillen said at a Press conference on Monday.

    “We have not begun the season as we had intended. We have had a serious drawback. There are no excuses. Not with injuries nor on the field.

    “We have to work to offer the fans what they expect from the team. We continue to maintain total confidence in this team, the coaching staff and the Coach”

    “We still have to work to show that we have created a team that we will continue to believe in firmly, that is prepared for the three competitions and ready to have a very decent season.

    “We have not begun well, but we are used to getting out of these situations with effort and unity and the club”

    “That is what we intend to do, we have the capacity for that. The fatigue and wear so far is not an excuse, we are ready to sign in the January transfer window if it is necessary”

    Betis will face Vitoria Guimaraes in the Europa Cup on Thursday, before travelling to Madrid to face Atletico.

  • Igiebor benched as team falls at home

    Igiebor benched as team falls at home

    Super Eagles midfielder, Nosa Igiebor was a non-participant as his Spanish La Liga side, Real Betis suffered a home loss at the hands of lowly Elche.

    Igiebor, who has been one of the characters in an unfolding international argument between Ethiopia and Nigeria, was left on the bench for all of 90 minutes as Betis recorded a third straight game without a win.

    The loss is also their second at home this season, following a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Celta Vigo back in August.

    Elche, who had won their last two matches at Betis, with both games played when the two teams were in the Segunda Division, started the journey to a hat-trick of wins, when Manu opened scoring for the visitors in the 29th minute.

    Fidel made it two just five minutes later, to send the home side reeling, but Jorge Molina pulled one back for the hosts with four minutes left to play.

    Betis dropped to 15th on the La Liga table with eight points, while Elche improved to 13th with nine points.

  • No hurry to re-new Igiebor’s deal

    No hurry to re-new Igiebor’s deal

    Real Betis are not in a hurry to re-evaluate the existing contract of Nosa Igiebor which expires in the summer of 2016, with an option inserted into the deal.

    With the midfielder’s form for club and country on the rise in recent months, it is widely expected that the Betis hierarchy will increase the wages of the Nigeria international from the 250,000 euros net he currently earns.

    The Spanish representative of Nosa, Kenneth Asquez says talks have not yet started regarding the review of his client’s contract.

    Estadiodeportivo quoted Kenneth Asquez as saying: “We have not been called yet. Betis, If they wish to discuss the terms of a renewal, we would sit with great haste.

    “This is the club that has given him the opportunity to play in Europe’s elite, so it’s the least we could do.”

    The Spanish intermediary downplayed the incident after the World Cup play – off match against Ethiopia, where Nosa suffered a cut on his hand after rival supporters attacked the Super Eagles bus.

    Nosa will make the squad to face Elche on Sunday if manager Pepe Mel deems him appropriate.

  • IGIEBOR PROMISES: My best yet to come

    IGIEBOR PROMISES: My best yet to come

    Second-half substitute Nosa Igiebor has declared that his best is yet to come for the Super Eagles.

    Igiebor replaced Nnamdi Oduamadi in Addis Ababa to stabilise the midfield of the Eagles and allow Mikel Obi a free role behind the Eagles front men.

    “It was a difficult game for us all, but we fought as a team to get the needed result.

    I was introduced to stabilise the midfield and I did it to the best of my ability but my best is yet to come for the Super Eagles,” he said.

    “One thing I can say for now is that I will continue to give my all for this team to ensure that we make our country proud.”

  • WORLD CUP FINAL PLAYOFFS: Igiebor warns: Huge task awaits us in Calabar

    WORLD CUP FINAL PLAYOFFS: Igiebor warns: Huge task awaits us in Calabar

    Super Eagles and Real Betis midfielder, Nosa Igiebor, says the second leg of the final round of Brazil 2014 qualifier against the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia at the UJ Esuene stadium in Calabar on the 16th of November will be a huge task.

    Igiebor and his teammates stunned the Ibex Antelopes with a 2-1 win at the Addis Ababa National Stadium. A brace from Turkey-based striker, Emmanuel Emenike gave the African champions a much needed win during the first leg with Igiebor coming on as a substitute in the second half of the game.

    Speaking with Brila FM, Igiebor stated that the team should not take anything for granted when they play in Calabar.

    “It’s not over until it is over; we will take nothing for granted when Ethiopia visit Nigeria”

    “We will fight and at the end of the day, Nigeria will smile” Igiebor confidently posited”.

    Igiebor added that every player in the team wants to play at the World mundial in Brazil come 2014.

    “We know what it takes to be in Brazil and for us young players in the team, we want to play in the World Cup, so I believe by the special grace of God it will happen.”

  • Eagles will qualify for World Cup in style – Nsofor

    Eagles will qualify for World Cup in style – Nsofor

    Super Eagles striker, Obinna Nsofor, has promised Nigeria will qualify for the 2014 World Cup in fine style next month.

    Nigeria will host Ethiopia on November 16 in Calabar after taking a 2-1 advantage from Addis Ababa at the weekend.

    “We are not under any pressure after our win in Ethiopia. They will be the ones under pressure. We will play good football and score loads of goals to qualify for the World Cup,” Nsofor told MTNFootball.com

    The Lokomotiv Moscow forward admitted the Eagles suffered from the effects of the high altitude especially in the first half.

    “The altitude affected most of us and we waited for them in the first half to give us what they have,” he said.

    Meanwhile, second-half substitute Nosa Igiebor has declared that his best is yet to come for the Super Eagles.

    Igiebor replaced Nnamdi Oduamadi in Addis Ababa to stabilise the midfield of the Eagles and allow Mikel Obi a free role behind the Eagles front men.

    “It was a difficult game for us all, but we fought as a team to get the needed result,” he said.

    “I was introduced to stabilise the midfield and I did it to the best of my ability but sincerely my best is yet to come for the Super Eagles.

    “One thing I can say for now is that I will continue to give my all for this team to ensure that we make our country proud, for sure.”

     

  • Igiebor confesses: It was good to start from the bench

    Igiebor confesses: It was good to start from the bench

    Super Eagles midfielder, Nosa Igiebor says it was good starting from the bench during Nigeria’s 2-1 win over Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes in last weekend’s 2014 FIFA World Cup playoffs at the Addis Ababa National Stadium.

    Speaking moments after that match on Lagos-based Brila FM, the former FC of Abuja and Warri Wolves ace revealed that starting from the bench enabled him to study the oppenets high and low points, even as he added that Head Coach Stephen Keshi’s tatical instructions helped the Eagles survive the battle of Addis Ababa.

    “It was a good thing for me to start from the bench as it gave me the platform to read the game and I told my team mates on the bench that if we can hold the midfield we will destabilize them, and that was what I did when I got in.’’

    “When I came on, I did exactly what I was asked to do by the Coach; he said Nosa go inside and tell Mikel to go behind Emenike and try to keep the ball the way you know how to do it,’’.The Real Betis Midfielder came on for Nnamdi Oduamadi in 67th Minute, and gave the Super Eagles midfield more bite and support.

  • BATTLE OF ADDIS ABABA: Igiebor wants ‘fighting’ Eagles

    BATTLE OF ADDIS ABABA: Igiebor wants ‘fighting’ Eagles

    Real Betis’ Nosa Igiebor has told Nigerians not to fret at the sight of the Walyas Antelopes of Ethiopia which the Super Eagles will face on October 13 in Addis Ababa in the first leg of the 2014 FIFA World Cup play-off.

    Igiebor is among the Eagles’ players pencilled for the epic clash and in a chat with SportingLife, the midfielder asserted that Nigerians would be all smiles at the end of the first leg encounter on matchday.

    Nigerians have been asking various questions bothering on how the Eagles would survive the Ethiopians’ heat since the Eastern African nation is noted for its high altitude.

    Since most of the players invited for the clash ply their trade in Europe which currently experiences cold weather, most football analysts are of the opinion that the Eagles would struggle just like previous outings based on the expected prevailing situation.

    But Igiebor assured that all would be well in Addis Ababa before the game would be finally settled when the Eagles host Ethiopia in Calabar on November 16.

    “We know that we are going to battle with the weather when we get to Addis Ababa but since we know what is at stake-the World Cup ticket we shall strive harder to ensure that we get our goal in Ethiopia.

    “The ultimate is the World Cup ticket and we shall do everything possible to ensure that our objective is achieved.

    “I have never played in any World Cup competition before and I only have just two matches standing between me and a place at next year’s World Cup. I won’t allow anything to stop my dream. Most of us started from Nigeria and so we won’t find it too difficult adjusting to the high altitude,” Igiebor stated.

    The Edo born player only last week scored his first goal of the season in Betis 1-0 home win over Villlarreal.

  • Igiebor hits target

    Igiebor hits target

    • Betis halts Villareal’s unbeaten run

    Super Eagles’ star,Nosa Igiebor turned the hero for his club,Real Betis as he scored the only goal with which Real Betis defeated Villareal in a Spanish La Liga game played yesterday.

    The 22 year old Nigerian midfielder displayed awareness and was quick to slot in from close range a loose ball parried tamely by Villareal goalkeeper in the 36th minute of the encounter which also had compatriot,Ikechukwu Uche featuring for the opposing team.

    Before the game which was the last La Liga fixture for the weekend at the Benito Villamarin,Villareal were unbeaten before Igiebor scored the back breaking goal that truncated their unbeaten run.

    The combative player was ignored in Betis last league game and with yesterday performance,better days may be around the corner for the Eagles’star.

  • Igiebor: My best is yet to come

    Igiebor: My best is yet to come

    Real Betis of Spain midfielder, Nosa Igiebor believes that the fans of the Andalucía side will see the best of him this season.

    The Super Eagles’ player is in his second season with Betis, but only recently recovered from an injury at the beginning of the season.

    The Nigerian midfielder was the pick of the pack for his team in Europe on Thursday in their 0-0 home draw against Lyon in the first match day of the group phase in the UEFA Europa League.

    The Nigerian went closest to breaking the deadlock in the 71st minute when his interchange with a teammate missed target by the whiskers.

    He also missed a header in the 81st minute as the Andalucía side pressed for a winner. He and his team travel to Croatia on October 3 to face Rijeka.

    In a chat with SportingLife on yesterday morning, Igiebor revealed that he was elated that his contribution was noticed but stressed that he was pained that Betis couldn’t grab maximum points.

    He said he was nonetheless thrilled that his club could pick a draw against a formidable side as Lyon of France.

    But the Edo-born midfielder has admonished his teammates to forget about their heroics in the Europa League as they face Granada tomorrow in a Spanish La Liga Matchday 5 game.

    “It is always a thing of joy to be singled out for special praise. I would have been happier if we had beaten Lyon. They are no doubt a good side andwe shouldn’t be ashamed that we picked a point against them.

    “I am assuring our fans that they will see the best of me and of the club this season. We have started not on a too good note in the league but we shall pick up starting with the home game against Granada tomorrow. We won’t give room for error at all,” Igiebor said to SportingLife.

    Betis have four points from the first four games and they are placed 11th just a spot above their Sunday opponent, Granada.