The Nation Newspaper

Tag: keshi

  • Ethiopia will be tricky, Esin warns Keshi

    Ethiopia will be tricky, Esin warns Keshi

    The draw for the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying round in Africa that threw up the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia clash has continued to generate reactions from members of the football fraternity in Nigeria.

    Former international midfielder, Etim Esin is the latest in line to air his views as well as throw a challenge at the Stephen Keshi-led team to do their best and make the nation proud.

    Esin, who was part of the Flying Eagles squad to the Under-20 World Cup in Chile in 1987, told supersport.com he is optimistic that Nigeria will get to Brazil in 2014.

    “On paper, It looks like an easy game. But I must warn that we shouldn’t take them lightly at all.

    “There are no more minnows in the African game again and we have to be at our best considering what happened in the last tie we played at Addis Ababa.

    “The boys have to be physically fit and willing to run beyond 90 minutes. But I trust Stephen Keshi to prepare his team for the battle,” he reiterated.

    The former SK Lierse player also said the approach to the game should be like a one-legged affair where winner-takes-all.

    “I would not remind anyone of the altitude issue because we are all aware of it.

    “The Super Eagles need to approach this game like a one-legged play-off game, we need to at least get a goal or two.

    “Whatever happens, we must not lose to the Ethiopians in the first leg away. It would be a disaster if we do, because the second leg could be a cagey affair and the pressure will be on us,” he concluded.

    Nigeria were drawn to play the final leg of the Africa zone of the FIFA 2014 World Cup against Ethiopia, in what promises to be an interesting encounter.

    The last time the two sides met was at the group stage of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, where a brace from Victor Moses, who is on loan to Liverpool from Chelsea, gave Nigeria a 2-0 victory.

  • Keshi invites 23 for Ethiopia

    Keshi invites 23 for Ethiopia

    Nigeria’s Head Coach, Stephen Keshi has named a list of 23 players to battle for shirts ahead of the first leg of the 2014 FIFA World Cup final elimination fixture against Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes in Addis Ababa.

    The African champions take on the Antelopes inside the National Stadium, Addis Ababa on Saturday, October 12. Both teams will

    clash in the return match at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Saturday, November 16.

    Big guns headlining the list are stand-in skipper Vincent Enyeama, England-based midfielders Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, and forwards Brown Ideye and Emmanuel Emenike.

    Keshi has called three goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders and six strikers as the Eagles aim for a win in Addis Ababa to make the second leg in Calabar a much easier session.

    Home-boys Chigozie Agbim, Francis Benjamin, Solomon Kwambe, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Sunday Mba return to high-level furnace as part of their build-up to the 2014 African Nations Championship in South Africa.

    THE FULL LIST

    Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille FC, France); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

    Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal); Francis Benjamin (Heartland FC, Nigeria); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland);

    Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); James Okwuosa (Chippa United, South Africa)

    Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra, Portugal); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Nnamdi Oduamadi (AC Milan, Italy)

    Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England); Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Obinna Nsofor (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); Uche Nwofor (SC Heerenveen, Netherlands)

  • OPERATION CRUSH ETHIOPIA: Enyeama, Mikel, Moses picked

    OPERATION CRUSH ETHIOPIA: Enyeama, Mikel, Moses picked

    • Emenike, Ameobi, Musa, Nwofor, 14 others too

    Nigeria’s Head Coach, Stephen Keshi has named a list of 23 players to battle for shirts ahead of the first leg of the 2014 FIFA World Cup final elimination fixture against Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes in Addis Ababa.

    The African champions take on the Antelopes inside the National Stadium, Addis Ababa on Saturday, 12th October, 2013. Both teams will clash in the return match at the U. J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Saturday, 16th November.

    Headlining the list are stand-in skipper Vincent Enyeama, England-based midfielders Mikel Obi and Victor Moses, and forwards Brown Ideye and Emmanuel Emenike.

    Keshi has called three goalkeepers, seven defenders, seven midfielders and six strikers as the Eagles aim for a win in Addis Ababa to make the second leg in Calabar a much easier session.

    Home-boys Chigozie Agbim, Francis Benjamin, Solomon Kwambe, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Sunday Mba return to high-level furnace as part of their build-up to the 2014 African Nations Championship in South Africa.

    The Nigeria Football Federation is making arrangements to have the full squad train for four days in Abuja before the departure to Addis Ababa on the eve of the game.

  • Keshi begs for longer training camp

    Keshi begs for longer training camp

    Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has asked for a longer training camp ahead of next month’s 2014 World Cup decider in Ethiopia.

    Sources close to Keshi informed MTNFootball.com that the coach wishes to set up a training camp for players from the local league at least two weeks to the Ethiopia match.

    “He wants to use this training camp to start preparing for next year’s CHAN as well as keeping an eye on the Ethiopia match,” a source close to the coach informed MTNFootball.com

    A broke Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had jettisoned this arrangement before the final group game against Malawi, citing cash constraints. The Eagles only had one full training before the Malawi match.

    In the meantime, Keshi has hailed the performance of his players, who were in action in the UEFA Champions league and the Europa League.

    Keshi told MTNFootball.com from his US base:”I am very impressed at their showing. I watched John Obi Mikel in the Champions league, it was unfortunate they lost, but I am happy he was in action and gave a good account of himself.

    “Ogenyi Onazi was in action for Lazio and Nosa (Igiebor) played 90 minutes for Betis. I am impressed because that is what I want, to see our players in action week in, week out.”

    The Eagles coach said ahead of the first leg of the World Cup qualifier in Ethiopia: “We are ever ready. I already know my list and have my programme once I return it would be business as usual.”

    Keshi is back in the USA to take care of his sick wife and said “she is a lot better now”.

  • World Cup playoffs: Keshi wants longer training camp

    World Cup playoffs: Keshi wants longer training camp

    Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has asked for a longer training camp ahead of next month’s 2014 World Cup decider in Ethiopia.

    MTNFootball.com gathered that the coach wishes to set up a training camp for players from the local league at least two weeks to the Ethiopia match.

    “He wants to use this training camp to start preparing for next year’s CHAN as well as keeping an eye on the Ethiopia match,” a source close to the coach informed MTNFootball.com

    A broke Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had jettisoned this arrangement before the final group game against Malawi, citing cash constraints.

    The Eagles only had one full training before the Malawi match.

    In the meantime, Keshi has hailed the performance of his players, who were action in the UEFA Champions league and the Europa League.

    Keshi told MTNFootball.com from his United States base:”I am very impressed at their showing. I watch John Obi Mikel in the Champions league, it was unfortunate they lost, but I am happy he was in action and gave a good account of himself.

    “Ogenyi Onazi was in action for Lazio and Nosa (Igiebor) played 90 minutes for Betis. I am impressed because that is what I want, to see our players in action week in, week out.”

    The Eagles coach said ahead of the first leg of the World Cup qualifier in Ethiopia, “We are ever ready. I already know my list and have my programme once I return it would be business as usual.”

    Keshi is back in U.S to take care of his sick wife and said “she is a lot better now.”

    He is expected to make public his list for the Ethiopia decider in the first week of next month.

     

  • Keshi Admits: Ethiopia will be unpredictable

    Keshi Admits: Ethiopia will be unpredictable

    • Predicts upsets in final round

    Super Eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has spoken for the first time since the draws for the final round qualifier for the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier, (Africa zone), were held last Monday in Cairo, Egypt. The draw pitched the Super Eagles against the Walia Antelopes of Ethiopia.

    “I have a lot of respect for the Ethiopians and all the teams that made it to the last round of the qualifier and I am certain that it will be tough, unpredictable and exciting for both the so-called big teams and the minnows,” he said.

    Speaking specifically on Ethiopia, Keshi, who is on a brief visit to his family in the United States, said he foresees a very difficult opposition in the East Africans, assuring that the Eagles will not disappoint.

    “The last time we played the Ethiopians it was quite tough and I know when we meet next it’s going to be the same thing. All we need to do is to be focused, concentrate and pray for good health for our best players and the rest will be history.”

    Keshi also said all the ten teams that made it to the final qualifier round are equally matched and warned those teams having an air of superiority to beware, because there might be upsets in some of the games if the opposition is underrated. He said his list for first leg encounter in Addis Ababa will be released on time but assured that all the players are aware of the enormous task of qualifying for the World Cup and the team will show the stuff it’s made of when the games are held.

  • Ethiopia like Brazil, Spain – Keshi

    Ethiopia like Brazil, Spain – Keshi

    Super Eagles Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi believes Ethiopia has all the potential to spring a surprise to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

    The coach made his views known through team media officer, Ben Alaiya after the draws for the Africa play-offs were decided at the headquarters of the Confederation of Africa Football in Cairo on Monday.
    Presently in America on holidays, Keshi equally compared the East African side to Brazil and Spain and therefore warned those who may have written them off to desist forthwith.
    “Ethiopia should not be taken as an easy ride. For all you may know they could be the surprise pack and as the coach has always maintained every team in this round all have the same chances of qualifying for the global showpiece,” said Alaiya. 
    Reiterating what Keshi had always said, Alaiya told SportingLife that the coach had no particular preference for the type of opposition he expected. “Whether it id a simple or hard team, his was to look forward to the match,” he said.   
    The two sides have met seven times with Nigeria gaining the upper hand seven times. The last meeting was at the Africa Cup of Nations this year which Eagles won 2-0 to qualify for the quarter finals. Ethiopia It is only once that Ethiopia has beaten Nigeria in a Nations Cup qualifier in 1994.
  • 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”.

  • I don’t have a team, Keshi cries out

    I don’t have a team, Keshi cries out

    Nigerians might do well not to raise their hopes for the CHAN 2014 going by the statements of Team Chief Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.

    CHAN is meant for local-based Eagles players.

    Big Boss, as Keshi is fondly called, was very blunt in declaring that the Team as presently constituted is not ready.

    His words: “I don’t have a team. I had a team before. I don’t have a team anymore. Most of the players are gone. Among my regulars that are still available are Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwueke and thank God Sunday Mba is still around. We have just two of my regulars left. No team for CHAN! NO! Nigerians shouldn’t expect anything from CHAN! Let’s concentrate more on the World Cup. We stopped the camping for the home-based team. So,there’s no programme for them anymore. Let’s see how it goes. ”

    Keshi is, however, very happy at the progress of the Super Eagles in its bid to qualify for the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

    He said: “It’s part of what we are doing now. By adding and substracting. Looking for good players and I think the most important thing now is to qualify for the World Cup. Once we do, we should be ready for the World Cup 2014.”

     

  • SAINTFIET’S RACIST CLAIMS: NFF backs Keshi 100 %

    SAINTFIET’S RACIST CLAIMS: NFF backs Keshi 100 %

    • To secure world class lawyers for Big Boss
    • Maigari to seek audience with FIFA chiefs

    Eggheads of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have vowed to back Super Eagles chief coach Stephen Keshi 100 per cent in his quest to quash Malawi’s techncial adviser Tom Saintfiet’s claim that the Big Boss passed racist comments against him in one of his interviews with the international media.

    SportingLife scooped further from those who should know at the glasshouse that the federation is in talks with top legal attorneys in Europe to defend the Big Boss whenever the matter comes up for adjudication later in the year.

    Interestingly, SportingLife gathered that the NFF President, Aminu Maigari is on the verge of seeking a private discussion with FIFA men in Zurich to understand what the matter entails as a prelude to preparing Keshi for his defence.

    Saintfiet reported Keshi to FIFA for passing racist comments on him when he stated that the Belgian should return to Belguim just as he described the former Malawi chief coach as a white dude. But Keshi recanted on his statement stating that he did not mean it the way the Belgian had interpreted it, insisting that he is not racist and could not have knowingly passed racist comments on anyone, not after his stay in belgium, where he played the game.