The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Malawi

  • Nigerian girl inspires Malawi children

    Nigerian girl inspires Malawi children

    Following her historic feature in the Forbes Africa magazine August 2013 edition, Zuriel Oduwole, the incredibly gifted and talented Nigerian Girl child, has just concluded a visit to Malawi, where she formally launched the second country destination point in her Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up program.

    The program aimed at inspiring the African Girl Child was first launched in Nigeria in March this year.

    She was welcomed to Malawi on Wednesday, October 2 by the US Ambassador, Jeanine Jackson and the Public Affairs officer, Gabriel Hons-Olivier.

    Ambassador Jackson described Zuriel as a true Ambassador of Mutual Friendship, who has done an incredible job as a global citizen to bring a fresh perspective on the need to educate the African Girl Child.

    Zuriel visited several schools, including the Bishop McKenzie School, Dzuka Girls High School, and the largest school in Africa for AIDS related Orphans – Jacaranda School.

    She interviewed the schools founder; Marie Da Silva, a CNN Hero winner in 2008, on the challenges of delivering on the promise of the schools free education for the Orphans, in a tough environment like Malawi.

    Zuriel capped off her stay with a visit to a radio station, where she spoke to students and their parents on the value of early education, and the need to keep the Girl Child in school.

    She has since left Malawi for Tanzania, another East African country in the next stop of her program tour.

    Zuriel has interviewed eight current African Presidents and two former African Presidents, covering a wide variety of topics from the UN Millennium Development Goals, to the Education of Africa’s children.

    They include the current Presidents of Liberia, Kenya, Cape Verde, South Sudan, Mauritius, Tanzania, Malawi, and Nigeria.

    She also recently interviewed a select few high power delegate in New York to the just concluded Clinton Global Initiatives, including the Rev Jesse Jackson, and the Denmark delegation to the UN, on DANIDA’s activities in Africa.

    The Caribbean region is her  next focus , where she is scheduled to start meeting with leaders from the region starting with Jamaica, later this month.

     

  • How Eagles rate vs Malawi

    How Eagles rate vs Malawi

    MTNFootball.com rates the individual performances of the Super Eagles against Malawi in a 2-0 win on Calabar on Saturday.

     

    •6 Vincent Enyeama: He was practically on holidays as he was not really tested. He had to rush out twice to narrow the angles for Malawi not to get a sight at his goal. He rushed out once to take the ball off the feat of advancing striker. He made a save late in the second half.

    •7 Efe Ambrose: He was a delight to watch on the right side of defence, and as usual he joined the attack well with good crosses and even had a wonderful shot at goal which was turned out for corner by Malawi goalie. He was a threat going forward.

    •7 Elderson Echiejile: He did well in his primary work as a defender, while he also joined up the attack when it was necessary.

    •6 Godfrey Oboabona: Rizespor of Turkey defender was in charge of the defence which was not really troubled. He saved a situation when a Malawian striker was about to pull the trigger.

    •7 Azubuike Egwuekwe: He struck an understanding once again with Oboabona and never lost any aerial battle. He was tough for the Malawians to go past.

    •9 Mikel Obi: Unarguably the best player on the pitch, he was in charge of the midfield and dictated the pace of this game. He dribbled well, blocked well and sent passes upfront. His understanding with Onazi was great as usual.

    •8 Ogenyi Onazi: He has never looked back since his debut for the Eagle, he marked well and had great long range effort. One of his telling passes was responsible for the first goal as he gave the assist.

    •6 Nnamdi Oduamadi: He can do a lot better than what he showed on this day and it was surprising he lasted that long in the game when he could have been pulled off for the several other options i attack on the bench.

    •8 Victor Moses: His pace and dribbles were too much for Malawi to handle. He scored a penalty, Nigeria’s second goal to deflate the visitors early in the second half.

    •8 Emmanuel Emenike: AFCON 2013 top scorer celebrated his Eagles return with a goal. He was so strong for the Malawi defence and he even tried to create chances for others to score. His opening goal again oozed of class.

    •7 Ahmed Musa: Started slowly but came back to his real self with good runs on the flanks. He was denied of goals twice by Malawi goalie who rushed out to block him with his body. If he could work on his finishing, he will destroy many teams at this level.

    •3 Nosa Igiebor: A 71st minute substitute for Victor Moses, he did not impress. But a lot is expected of him going forward.

    •5 Shola Ameobi: He did enough within the five minutes of action to get a rating after coming on for Emmanuel Emenike in the 85th minute. He was denied twice by the outstanding Malawi goalkeeper.

    •Uche Nwofor: He was an 88th minutes substitute, not enough time to rate him.

  • Emenike: Malawi was tough

    Happy to return with goal
     The Fenerbache of Turkey forward has admitted that the Flames of Malawi made the Super Eagles labour for their 2-0 victory on Saturday  in the  2014 World Cup qualifiers at the U.J Esuene Stadium, Calabar.
    Emenike, who scored the Super Eagles first goal, told SportingLife that the Malawians had a game plan for the match.
    “We thank God that we won the match and through to next stage. Malawians were difficult opponents, if not we would have scored more than two goals,” Emenike said.
    The CSKA Moscow of Russian striker was  also happy to return to the team with a  goal  after a long spell on the sideline due to the injury he sustained at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
    “I am happy to score again today. I always feel honoured to score for Super Eagles. The goal came at the right. I was at the right position when the ball came, I was expecting in and it came. This is a good boost for us in our fight for the world Cup ticket.”
     

     

  • WCQ: Nigeria 2 Malawi 0

    WCQ: Nigeria 2 Malawi 0

    Super Eagles of Nigeria, Saturday, defeated their Malawian counterparts in the second leg 2014 World Cup Qualifier match in Calabar.

    The Nigerian side were two goals better than the Malawians. The first goal came from the boot of Fernabache’s forward, Emmanuel Emenike in the last minute of the first half.

    Victor Moses consolidated the lead for the Eagles in the early part of the second half from the penalty spot after Oduamadi was brought down in the 18 yard.

    Malawi played with a man down after the penalty was converted by Moses as Eagles missed so many scoring chances.

    Ahmed Musa had a couple of clear cut chances but failed to bury them.

    Nigeria are now through to the next round, leading the group with five points ahead of  the second placed Malawi.

  • Malawi on $500-a-man to beat Eagles

    Malawi on $500-a-man to beat Eagles

    Malawi will receive $500-a-man as bonus if they upset Nigeria on Saturday to qualify for the final round of the World Cup qualifiers. This is over 500% increase from the usual $85 dollars win bonus The Flames receive.

    Malawi Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet disclosed to MTNFootball.com on arrival in Abuja on Thursday: “My boys would be going home with a winning bonus of $500 compared to the $85 they received before. I don’t think the motivation for the players is the money but national pride. I am surprised when I hear that players of your Super Eagles are discussing money and winning bonus.”

    Malawi could not stage a proper training camp before this match because of the financial problems facing Football Association of Malawi (FAM).

    Saintfiet said he remains bullish about his team’s chances on Saturday in Calabar despite the 1-0 loss they suffered in their final warm-up game

    “We made many changes (in that game) and really we are not worried about that result. I’m focused on winning this match even though there was no cash for a training camp. We work with what we have going by our financial limits, but I believe we will be ready for the match on Saturday,” he defended.

  • Malawi delegation arrives today, to stay at Dannic hotel

    Malawi delegation arrives today, to stay at Dannic hotel

    The delegation of Football Association of Malawi to Saturday’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against African champions, Nigeria will land in Abuja on Thursday morning. The contingent will arrive from Accra, Ghana.

    Already, General Secretary of the Football Association of Malawi (FAM), Mr Suzgo Nyirenda arrived in Nigeria on Monday, and is in Calabar to see facilities for himself ahead of his team’s arrival.

    Nyirenda, who fired a letter to world-football governing body, FIFA last month suggesting that Calabar is not safe for the qualifying cracker, has turned around to praise the NFF for its professionalism, maturity and hospitality.

    “On behalf of FAM, I would like to thank you and the entire Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the warm welcome that you accorded me and my accountant (advance party) both in Abuja as well as in Calabar. We are now in Calabar where your Director of Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme gave us a fantastic reception.

    Thank you for welcoming us at your offices in Abuja and football is a unifying factor and we are indeed brothers.

    “We will be accommodated at Dannic Hotel which is generally very good.We will inspect the training pitch and the venue of the actual match…,” Nyirenda wrote in a mail to NFF’s Head of International, Mr Bola Oyeyode.

    The NFF has already guaranteed visa-on-arrival for the delegation, which will be flown to Calabar aboard Arik Air’s morning flight from Abuja to Calabar on Thursday.

  • Treat Malawi with respect, Amodu tells Eagles

    Treat Malawi with respect, Amodu tells Eagles

    • Warns team on Saintfiet’s antics
    • Urges players to accept $5,000 winning bonus

    The Technical Director of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Shaibu Amodu has warned the Super Eagles to take the Flames of Malawi seriously in Saturday’s make-or-mar 2014 World Cup qualifying game slated for the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

    Amodu, who disclosed this to SportingLife in Abuja yesterday, also urged the players to accept the $5,000 win bonus the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has concluded henceforth to pay.

    “What else do you expect the Malawian coach to say? He will come with his psychological warfare as usual and will try to throw tension into our camp. But I think we have gone past that stage and we should be more mature and experienced to understand that he is just playing mind games.

    “However, we should not take them for granted, anything can happen in football. I cannot see them being a threat if all is well in our camp”, the former Super Eagles gaffer assured.

    The ex-Orlando Pirates Football Club of South Africa coach also appealed to the players of the Super Eagles to reason with the NFF on why it will no longer be able to pay $10,000 as win bonus. He urged them to accept the $5000 which the Glass House has now proposed to pay.

    Amodu opined that it is not professional for footballers to be in the habit of crying over issue of bonuses every time.

    “I would like to beg every one of us who are stakeholders to play down on that, for obvious reasons. All of you know that five thousand dollars is not small money. I am not saying that they cannot go more than that, but if this is the position of the FA for now, since the players are not playing football depending on the bonuses they earn from the national team.

    “I think we should appeal to them to be more mature and to understand the situation, not only for the NFF, even for their own image. It is not good for them to come and be crying over bonuses here,” he said.

    The former Super Eagles gaffer also said that the bonus does not make much difference in the lives of the players.

    “I know for sure that so many of those players get that bonus and they end up sharing it here before they leave. So, it’s not as if that is what they depend on.

    “So, from that premise we can appeal to their inner conscience to say, look, gentlemen for the interest of this country because NFF is not existing as an entity it’s an arm of government, and so by extension they are representing Nigeria. And if the funds available to them can only permit five thousand dollars, we are sure they can improve later if we progress in the competition. For now I think it should not be an issue, we should just plead with the boys to accept it and play for Nigeria as they have always done,” Amodu said.

     

  • 2014 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: Malawi bows, say Calabar is safe

    2014 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: Malawi bows, say Calabar is safe

    •Hails NFF’s support  •FA settles for Dannic Hotel

    FOOTBALL Association of Malawi (FAM) is comfortable with Calabar to host the crucial World Cup qualifier against Nigeria.

    This is in contrast to the association’s fears over the choice of Calabar which prompted Fam to lodge a complaint to Fifa to consider it changing the venue because of security concerns.

    Fam General Secretary Suzgo Nyirenda, who left earlier week as an advance party with the association’s accountant Christopher Mdoloto to check on the condition of the state, said their counterparts have given them a warm reception.

    Nyirenda stated in a media statement yesterday that they were given a chance to inspect some hotels and settled for Dannic Hotel.

    “Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) welcomed the two in Abuja as well as in Calabar. They inspected some of the hotels in Calabar and they have settled for the Dannic Hotel (10 minutes to the stadium). The hotel is new and resembles the Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe and it is generally a good hotel,” Nyirenda said.

    Contrary to their expectations, Nyirenda confessed that NFF has been supportive.

    “NFF has provided every support required and there a are no stones unturned in making sure that all is set for the game. Everyone in Calabar is talking about the game and the game fever is so high here,” reads the statement.

    The Flames advance party inspected the training venue and then attended a preparatory meeting to be conducted by the NFF.

    Nyirenda is optimistic that the Flames would find the weather favourable since its rainy season in Nigeria.

    “In terms of weather, it has been showering this Monday afternoon as we are still in the rainy season in Nigeria. It is generally cool and I think our players will like the weather,” he said.

    Flames, who are in Botswana for a friendly game on Tuesday are expected to leave today for Accra, Ghana where they will now connect to Calabar on Thursday.

     

  • Super Eagles should not underrate Malawi, says Akpoborie

    Super Eagles should not underrate Malawi, says Akpoborie

    Former Nigeria international Jonathan Akpoborie has advised the Super Eagles that will take on Malawi on Saturday not to think that the game will be easy.

    The Nigeria side would need at least a draw against the Flames to qualify for the play off stage of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

    Akpoborie noted that matches like these are difficult to play because everybody thinks the Super Eagles will win.

    “My simple advice for them is that they should not underrate the Flames of Malawi. Yes it is true that we need to play out a draw, but we should approach the game with the mindset that we must win,” Akpoborie told Goal.

    “We are far better than the Malawians.They cannot be compared to us. But that should make us handle them very well and finish off the game before they know what is happening.

    “Stephen Keshi has invited the best legs for this game and I know the players are confident of winning the match. But caution should be the word here.

    “We have the advantage in the game. Malawi will not sit back to defend. They will attack and that will give us the opportunity to create chances and score goals.

    “I believe we are going to win. But we must play well to win the match,” Akpoborie said.

  • Eagles’ camp scanty ahead Malawi clash

    Eagles’ camp scanty ahead Malawi clash

    •Okwosa is Europe’s early bird

    •Others expected Tuesday morning

    •Mba arrived Abuja Monday night

     

    The Super Eagles’ Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar camp was almost empty as at 8pm last night, as only James Okwosa of Chippa United, South Africa had arrived Calabar yesterday morning.

    Other four players that later joined Okwosa are home based and they are: Heartland left back, Benjamin Francis. Chigozie Agbim of Rangers, Sunshine Star right back Solomon Kwambe and Azubuike Egwuekwe of Warri Wolves.

    Chief Coach Stephen Keshi who also arrived Calabar in the company of his assistants Daniel Amokachi, Valere Onduonu and goalkeeper trainer Ike Shorunmu is, however, expecting a full home today.

    Keshi has also fixed full training sessions for tonight when he is so sure that all the invited players would have joined camp.

    Sunday Mba who couldn’t tie down a contract with CA Bastia as a result of disagreement between Warri Wolves’ boss Pinnick Amaju and the French as a result of transfer fee issue arrived Abuja yesterday and will join the Calabar Camp this morning.