The Nation Newspaper

Tag: injury

  • RETURN FROM INJURY: Anichebe: I’ll make Baggies fans smile

    RETURN FROM INJURY: Anichebe: I’ll make Baggies fans smile

    Nigeria’s Victor Anichebe returned to West Bromwich Albion’s squad last weekend after being sidelined for over a month due to injury. The former Everton striker is very happy to be back and eager to establish himself in The Baggies’ starting eleven.

    While Anichebe was injured a lot has happened. Most importantly manager Steve Clarke was sacked and replaced with former Betis and Sevilla’s coach Pepe Mel. This gives Anichebe opportunity for a fresh start under new a manager and possibly he may receive more playing time than in the first part of the season.

    The Beijing Olympics silver medalist explained that he is happy with a draw against his former club Everton and especially praised his teammate Diego Lugano, who delivered a great assist.

    “I thought in the second half we played really well. We fought really well and the crowd got behind us. They roared us on and I thought we played really good football as well.

    “I thought James Morrison was outstanding. He played some great forward passes and passes to me.

    “I told him at the end of the game that’s what we need all the time. I thought it was a great team performance.”

    Anichebe also admitted that he wants to play more and start scoring goals. So far this season he has scored only 1 goal in 11 EPL appearances.

    “You always need goals. I need to step up, as does everyone. Diego scored a crucial goal and we need everyone to pull together and help the team,” Anichebe told the club’s official website.

  • Joel Obi injured again

    Joel Obi injured again

    • Parma’s goalkeeper denies Onazi

    The injury hoodoo of Super Eagles midfielder, Joel Obi emerged on Sunday as the Nigerian was pulled out of Parma’s 1-1 draw to Ogenyi Onazi’s Lazio at Stadio Ennio Tardini.

    Obi barely played for 26 minutes before he left the pitch due to injury, and was replaced by Jaime Valdes.

    After an uninspired first half, Keita Balde put Lazio in front early on in the second half before Alessandro Lucarelli headed home the equaliser for the home team.

    In the wet conditions, Lazio quickly took the initiative seeing most of the possession in the opening minutes. The first chance came from a Biancocelesti free-kick, Antonio Candreva putting it far of the post.

    Not long after, Lazio proved dangerous again. Hernanes put the ball into the box and after some confusion, the ball came to the feet of Ogenyi Onazi, whose shot was blocked however.

    Roberto Donadoni’s troops began to see more of the ball as the game progressed and this among other led to a good shot from distance from Marco Marchionni, not far from going in.

    Lazio continued to be the team in control with Parma luring ready to initiate their counter-attacks. Neither team however were able to really get their link-up play flowing, chances often fizzling out in the last final third of the pitch as a result.

  • WCQ: Igiebor’s injury worries Keshi

    WCQ: Igiebor’s injury worries Keshi

    The news of Nosa Igiebor’s injury will not be pleasing to Super Eagles head coach Stephen Keshi as he gears up for the final leg 2014 World Cup play-off tie against the Waylia Antelopes of Ethiopia.

    Betis in a statement on its official website confirmed that the Nigerian midfielder had suffered a groin injury in Wednesday’s training which forced him out of Real Betis’ La Liga clash against Levante yesterday at the Estadio Benito Villamarín.

    The duration of his time on the side-lines is yet to be known as the team’s medical staff are yet to determine how long he could be out for.

    The Super Eagles go into the November 16 clash in the driving seat after a 2-1 victory in the first leg thanks to two second half strikes from in-form Emmanuel Emenike.

  • Muscle injury latest: Ideye jogs alone

    Muscle injury latest: Ideye jogs alone

    To continue programme Monday

    Recuperating Super Eagles forward, Brown Aide Ideye is currently training alone from the rest of Dynamo Kiev squad SportingLife can authoritatively report.

    The Nigeria international, who returned to Kiev from international duties with a muscle injury, is expected to continue his special training in the coming week if words coming out of the Ukraine Premier League campaigners are anything to go by.

    Reacting on Ideye’s state of health, Dynamo Kiev first team doctor, Leonid Mironov stressed that the Nigeria-import who missed Thursday’s Europa League 3-0 win over FC Thun returned to training on Friday to make up for lost time.

    “Brown Ideye is close to return after arriving from Nigeria with a muscle injury. Already, the Nigerian in now working with a small team on an individual programme. Most likely, he will be back to training on Monday and Tuesday,” Mironov told the club’s official website.

  • Ogunbote: Injuries won’t ruin our season

    Ogunbote: Injuries won’t ruin our season

    Sharks of Port Harcourt head coach, Gbenga Ogunbote has stated that the little break given recently by the League Management Company(LMC) to clubs in the premier league has been a blessing in disguise for his team.

    The Blue Angels have six players that have been ruled out till the end of the season and they still have some others that are not 100 per cent fit.

    Ogunbote told SportingLife that the break enabled his tired players to have a deserve rest and face the task ahead.

    He expressed confidence that Sharks would visit Enugu with the sole aim of beating Rangers and thereafter win their remaining two matches against Nasarawa United and Enyimba so as to improve further on the league table.

    Sharks began the season in the drop zone and were even at a time pencilled down as relegation candidate at the start of the second stanza before Ogunbote’s magical wand turned things around.

    The club is presently placed seventh on the log with 50 points from 35 matches.

    “We thank God for our present position on the log. I have never done anything of my own volition. It has been tough this second round because we have lost six of our players for the remainder of the league season. We also have few more who are off and on. We shall strive to do our best to go all out against Rangers on Saturday and thereafter go for the two remaining games,” Ogunbote said.

    Rangers are six on the log with 52 points from 35 matches and they are up against a determined Sharks side who are only a place below them.

     

  • Injury boost for El-Kanemi

    Injury boost for El-Kanemi

    • Captain Ejandu, Stanley return
    • Sarki, Ngbam too

    El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri have been given a major boost ahead of their Week 35 Glo Premier League game against Dolphins.

    Most of the fist team players were hit by injuries before their last league game against Sharks but the camp was in jubilation mood with the news that some of the players are now available for next game.

    The Team Coordinator, Zachary Ndjock told SportingLife that Captain Ejandu and Stanley Onuegbu, Sarki Adewale kabiru, Ebube Okpokwu, who have been out of action due to injuries, have started light training.

    Jacob Ngbam, who also missed the Sharks’ game due to two yellow cards, is available for selection.

    The cameroonian international Rapheal Bumsong and Ikenna made a suprised return to the team’s line up on Wednesday after weeks on the sideline due to the injuries.

    “We are happy that we having are best players back in the team. They are coming back at the right time because all matches at this time are very important. Their return is good news to us. Captain Ejandu is back and other first team players too. They will all be available for our next game against Dolphins,” Ndjock told SportingLife.

  • Anichebe scares Moyes

    Anichebe scares Moyes

    • Nigerian recovers from slight niggle injury

    David Moyes has singled out Nigerian international, Victor Anichebe as a threat to Manchester United in today’s English Premier League clash.

    United face a West Brom side that were knocked out of the Capital One Cup by Arsenal in midweek but Moyes is still expecting a tough test and is looking forward to meeting up with his former striker Anichebe.

    Anichebe, who arrived alongside Stephane Sessegnon as the Baggies’ big-money summer signing, has made just one start since moving from Everton for around £6m.

    “Steve Clarke has done a great job. West Brom is a stable football club that has continued to progress,” he said.

    “I’m pleased he [Anichebe] got a good move. I hope he does well – but not against us.”

    West Bromwich Albion expect striking duo Anichebe and Nicolas Anelka to be fit for the game against Manchester United. The pair sat out Wednesday night’s Capital One Cup penalties exit to Arsenal with minor injuries.

    Assistant manager Kevin Keen told the club’s official website that both forwards are likely to be included for this weekend’s trip to Old Trafford.

    “Victor’s just got a slight niggle, which meant he couldn’t be involved [against Arsenal],” said Keen.

    “But we’re pretty sure he’ll be fine for this weekend – Anelka too, it’s not a big problem. “Everyone is coming in [to train] today and we’ll have a look and see how everyone is feeling”

    Steve Clarke’s side head into Saturday’s clash on the back of a 3-0 win against Sunderland having registered just one goal in their previous four games.

  • Injury knocks out Ameobi

    Injury knocks out Ameobi

    Super Eagles and Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi faces up to three weeks on the sidelines owing to a slight knock.

    Ameobi missed last weekend’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa with a knock, and has also been confirmed unavailable for the home game against Hull City.

    The 31-year-old suffered the problem on his return from international duty where he featured for the Super Eagles in a World Cup qualifying game against the Flames of Malawi and then in a friendly against the Stallions of Burkina Faso.

    Ameobi had scored his first goal for Nigeria in the 4-1 win over Burkina Faso. The long-serving player is joined in the treatment room by defender Steven Taylor and midfielder Jonas Gutierrez, who both have hamstring problems.

  • Keshi, Mikel dispel injury feigning theory

    Keshi, Mikel dispel injury feigning theory

    Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi and Chelsea star, John Mikel Obi, have openly lampooned insinuations in some quarters that Mikel feigned injury to avoid playing in the 4-1 friendly win against Burkina Faso last Tuesday in Kaduna.

    Keshi, who spoke through Team Scribe, Dayo Enebi Achor, said Mikel was injured even before he set out for Nigeria for the encounter but out of patriotism he offered to play the World Cup qualifier against Malawi. The doctors of the national team also passed him fit but not 100 per cent.

    “In the early part of the game the calf injury nearly recurred but when the doctors signalled to him over what the situation was, he offered to continue the game. But after the game we had to review the situation and ask him to go for proper treatment at his club before their next game, instead of risking him against Burkina Faso in the friendly,” Keshi said.

    The coach also said there was never any form of dissent from any member of the national team when Mike was excused and wondered where such stories are emanating from.

    On his part, Mikel said he has never chosen games to play for the national team but has been ruled by the coaches choices and patriotism.

    “It’s sad if people hold such views about me but I am and will always be glad to play for Nigeria. But there is nothing I can do if I am injured and I am sure that Nigerians understand that fact. My teammates also understand because many of them have been excused from the team in the recent past on account of injuries”.

  • ANKLE INJURY Alebiosu out for a month

    ANKLE INJURY Alebiosu out for a month

    Kwara United striker Segun Alebiosu, who was stretchered off the pitch during the Afonja Warriors’ match day 23 Globacom Premier League clash with Sharks of Port Harcourt, will be out of action for four weeks, a top official of the club has revealed.

    Alebiosu, 18, who was introduced as a second half substitute, only lasted five minutes on the pitch after a collision with the Blue Angels’ Gabriel Olalekan which left the youngster’s ankle badly injured.

    Coach Samson Unuanel of Kwara United said the bad tackle on his player would rule him out for between three and four weeks, according to the club’s doctors.

    “Alebiosu is still admitted at the hospital,” Unuanel began. “We thank God that the bone was not damaged but from the last discussion I had with the doctors, he won’t be able to play for the next three or four weeks.

    “He will be at the hospital for a few more days under close watch.”

    Unuanel argued that the Sharks’ player (Olalekan) shouldn’t have been alowed to continue with the game based on the magnitude of the offence committed. He also wondered why neither a foul nor a yellow card was given for the tackle.

    Kwara United played a goalless draw against Sharks last Saturday and are now 6th on the log with 35 points from 23 matches. They visit Owerri next for a tie with Heartland FC in a match day 24 encounter on Sunday.