The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mali

  • Fans hopeful Super Eagles will qualify for semi-finals

    Fans hopeful Super Eagles will qualify for semi-finals

    Some football enthusiasts in Nigeria on Sunday expressed optimism that the home-based Super Eagles would defeat hosts, Ghana, and qualify for the semi-finals of the ongoing West Africa Football Union ( WAFU ) tournament in spite of their last goalless draw,

    Bethel Ugonna, a footballer with Golden FC of Port Harcourt told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that qualifying for the semi-finals was very possible.

    Ugonna urged the Salisu Yusuf coached boys to go all out as a team against the host country Ghana on Monday, and defeat them, while advising the team to improve on its attack.

    He said that the team had to galvanise its attack to be able to convert their chances to goals.

    “The attack makes mistakes, especially when it comes to scoring goals. It is time for them to sit up at least against Ghana in order to qualify for semi-finals,” Ugonna said.

    Also, Lambert Uba, a coach said that the CHAN Eagles would reach the semi-finals.

    Uba noted that the team’s determination and coordination were key to beating Ghana on Monday as he called for total crushing of Ghana.

    He said that this was time for the Eagles to show the stuff they were made of by humbling Ghana on their own pitch.

    Hassan Isa, a football fan and a businessman urged the Eagles to show that Nigeria’s recent disgrace of Cameroon, Africa’s champions was not a fluke by beating Ghana.

    Isa said that he had no fears about the Super Eagles whether home-based or not, especially with their recent performance in World Cup qualifiers.

    Nigeria on Thursday were held to a goalless draw by Mali in their first group match having eliminated Sierra Leone in the knock stage.

    Again the Super Eagles were taken back from clinching the semifinals ticket by the Syli Eagles of Guinea on Saturday.

    The Salisu Yusuf boys will on Monday slug it out with Ghana in an all-important match to decide the semi-finals ticket.

  • Fans confident Super Eagles will reach semis despite draw

    Fans confident Super Eagles will reach semis despite draw

    Football enthusiasts have expressed confidence that the Super Eagles will qualify for the semi-finals of the West Africa Football Union ( WAFU ) Cup of Nations tournament in spite of draw in their first group game.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the home-based Super Eagles were held to a 0-0 draw by Mali in their Group A opener at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, Ghana on Thursday.

    A cross section of football enthusiasts who spoke to NAN on Friday said the group was still open as the Eagles’ could still finish on top of the table should they win their remaining games.

    Musa Talle, Chairman, FCT Football Association, said the game against Mali was an evenly and fairly contested match between the two West African football powerhouses.

    “Our game against Mali was a tough one, but the boys managed to grind out a ‘somewhat’ positive result from the encounter.

    “Even though they could not score, they also did not concede which is very important.

    “Now, they have one point with two more games to play in the group stage and I am confident that they will be ready for the games against Guinea and hosts Ghana.

    “I am sure they know the pride and history that comes with such games, especially that of Ghana, so they will be prepared to up their game,’’ he said.

    Coach Bala Mohammed of Niger Tornadoes observed that the Eagles were resilient and dogged in the defence but wasteful in front of goal.

    “I have no problem with the defence department but the attackers wasted a lot of scoring opportunities.

    “Therefore, the Eagles must ensure they work on their finishing if they hope to go far in the competition,’’ he said.

    Usman Ilerika, the Acting Secretary, FCT Football Association, said that even though the boys failed to convert some clear cut chances at goal, they were hard done by poor officiating.

    “I am not trying to make any excuse for the Eagles’ firing blank against Mali, however, I think they were hard done by some poor decisions made by the referee.

    “There were several talking points, including some questionable officiating in the first half, when the Assistant Referee wrongly ruled Festus Eduwo offside after Rabiu Ali put the ball in the net.

    “Nevertheless, the boys must put the game behind them and focus on the next against Guinea which is a must win if they hope to qualify for the semi-finals,’’ he said.

    Godwin Bamigboye, the Chairman, FCT Chapter of Nigeria Football Coaches Association said; “Hopefully, we’ll survive from the group. It is only the first game.

    “Ghana is on three points after their victory over Guinea and that puts pressure on us to also get our three points against Guinea.

    “I believe we can beat them and hope the hosts also beat Mali. If that happens, then we stand a better chance of qualifying for the semi-finals,’’ he said.

    NAN also reports that the group’s other game saw hosts Ghana beat Guinea 2-0 on Thursday.

    The home-based Eagles’ next game comes up on Saturday against Guinea at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium, Cape Coast.

    They will then face hosts Ghana on Monday.

  • Football enthusiasts hail Eagles’ good start

    Football enthusiasts hail Eagles’ good start

    Football enthusiasts on Tuesday hailed the Super Eagles for the team’s good start to their campaign in the ongoing West African Football Union (WAFU) Cup of Nations in Ghana.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles B team got their WAFU Cup campaign underway on a positive note with a 2-0 victory over their Sierra Leoneans counterparts on Monday night.

    Late goals from Osas Okoro and Peter Eneji were the tonic needed by the Salisu Yusuf tutored lads to break the resistance of the impressive Lone Stars at the Cape Coast Stadium.

    With the win, Nigeria progressed to the Group A, which also comprises hosts Ghana, Mali and Guinea.

    A cross section of football enthusiasts who spoke to NAN noted that it was a hard fight won by the Ikechukwu Ezenwa side, adding that the team must sustain the momentum and team spirit.

    Garba Lawal, an ex-international said teamwork was germane to the Eagles’ victory against a resilient Sierra Leonian side.

    “It was a well-coordinated effort by the team from the goalkeeping, defence, midfield to the attacking departments.

    “I must particular commend Ezenwa for putting up a ‘man-of-the-match’ performance.

    “He was mountainous in goal and proved why he is ready for bigger tasks for the Super Eagles in future.

    “I hope the boys can continue playing like this and if they do, they will definitely be a handful for any other team in the tournament,” he said.

    Bala Mohammed, Technical Adviser of Niger Tornadoes FC said Rabiu Ali’s performance, among others, impressed him the most.

    “Ali is a sure stopper when he gets his bearing in games.

    “He was at the heart of the Eagles’ positive moves and linked up well with his wicked passes, just the way he does for Kano Pillars.

    “Also, Osas Okoro and Chima Akas were always venturing forward and looking to provide support to the attackers.

    “They provided width to the tactical system of the Super Eagles and weren’t found wanting.

    “Okoro’s free kick was a typical “Television Goal” and he started the move that resulted in the second goal of the game.

    “With this kind of performance, I think the boys will go very far in the tournament,” he said.

    Coach Fidelis Ilechukwu of MFM FC praised Coach Salisu Yusuf for his tactical and technical prowess which saw the game turn on its head.

    He explained that the positive substitutions made by the coach was unprecedented, noting that a difficult game was always won from the bench.

    “The trio of Peter Eneji, Ubong Friday and Gabriel Okechukwu read a script dished out by Yusuf Salisu and acted it perfectly.

    “The three attackers were menacing when they were thrown into the fray and that was the antidote needed to deal with such games.

    “Kudos to the team for a hard-fought victory,” he said.

    Dele Johnson, Coach of Henfield FC, Abuja said he was impressed by team’s style of play, adding that they made football look beautiful to watch.

    “The team played a fluid and interesting game and the goal by Peter Eneji was a sweeping team move. Tic tac, sexy football, one touch game and whoops it landed at the back of the net.

    “It was a one time finish from Eneji, who curled a low shot beyond the stranded keeper.

    “The Plateau United man reminded fans of the predatory abilities of the late Rashidi Yekini with his goal poacher’s effort.

    “Keep it up guys and keep flying the country’s flag high,” he advised.

  • AfroBasket: Nigeria beat Mali 90-67 in second Group A match

    AfroBasket: Nigeria beat Mali 90-67 in second Group A match

    Nigeria’s AfroBasket male title defence gained momentum on Saturday in Tunisia when the D’Tigers beat Mali 90-67 points in their second Group A match.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the senior men basketball team had narrowly beaten Cote d’Ivoire 78-77 points in their first group match on Friday.

    Nigeria beat Mali 20-16 in the first quarter, ended the second quarter leading 39-33, and maintained the dominance by leading 66-51 by the end of the third quarter.

    Ikenna Iroegbu, Nigeria’s point guard with Washington St in the famous National Basketball Association (NBA) in U.S., emerged the best performer for D’Tigers in the game.

    He scored 18 points, nine rebounds, five assists and one steal.
    Similarly, Ikechukwu Nwamu contributed 22 points, while Ayodeji Akindele, another U.S.-based player, had 10 rebounds, three blocks and scored four points to humble Mali.

    However, Ibrahim Djambo of Mali who scored 24 points, seven rebounds and two steals to emerge top performer for his side.

    Nigeria will now face DR Congo on Sunday in their last Group A match.

    D’Tigers are the competition’s defending champions, having won the last edition in 2015, while their female counterparts D’Tigress are champions of the 2017 Women’s AfroBasket.(NAN)

  • Basketball: You’ve elevated Nigeria’s status globally, envoy tells D’Tigress

    Basketball: You’ve elevated Nigeria’s status globally, envoy tells D’Tigress

    Mr Ken Nwachukwu, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Mali, has hailed the Musa Kida-led Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) and the National  Women Senior Basketball Team for raising Nigeria’s global status at the 2017 FIBA Afrobasket

    D’Tigress were unbeaten in their  seven matches to the final of the continental championship.

    This was made known on Sunday in an electronic mail sent by NBBF to the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) in Abuja.

    NAN reports the girls defeated formidable teams, including defending champion, Senegal and the hosts Mali, 48-47 points in their semi-final match on Saturday in Bamako.

    Nigeria will have a duel on the court against Senegal again on Sunday, having defeated them in a group match by 58-54 points on Thursday.

    Nwachukwu commended NBBF and D’Tigress during their courtesy visit to the Nigerian Embassy in Bamako, Mali.

    During interaction with the tram,  led by NBBF President Kida, some board members and D’Tigress, the envoy  said sport was an element of power.

    “In international relations, there is something we call elements of power, they include population, education, minerals, human resources and sports.

    “Given your accomplishment at this tournament, you have become part of the power projection of our country, Nigeria,” he said.

    The ambassador, at a dinner for the team, said resounding victories recorded after their group games had not gone unnoticed on the streets of Bamako and throughout Africa.

    “Your gallantry has again confirmed the giant status of Nigeria on the continent,” he noted.

    He praised the new NBBF board for assembling a crop of dedicated players and a sound technical crew which had not only shown commitment to duty but also defended integrity of the country.

    He added that the Federal Government was aware of their patriotism.

    “Let me inform you that the President, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari is aware that you are here.

    Despite just returning to the country recently, in his usual meticulous self, he knows you are here on international assignment and he is monitoring your progress,” he said.

    Nwachukwu urged the team to sustain their winning streak throughout the tournament.

    He added that if the momentum showed by the current board was maintained, Nigeria’s basketball would soon become a reference point in the world.

    “Coming to Mali and going unbeaten is part of power projection. When you walk as a Nigerian on the streets of Bamako, you walk as a star by what you have done.”

    He added that if the momentum showed by the board was maintained, Nigeria’s basketball would soon become a reference point in the world.

    Responding, the NBBF president said the dominant performance of the team was due to the new policy statement of his board on athletes’ welfare after their swearing-in.

    “In fulfilment of our mandate as a board, Nigerian players all over the world are our clients because without them there will be no basketball federation.

    “Players are now free to express their opinion and table their grievances which has given them a new status.

    “They now see themselves as an integral part of the system rather than just mere tools in the hands of administrators.”

    “The accommodation arrangements during their weeklong camping and prompt payment of their entitlements, have shown that players welfare is paramount to the new NBBF.

    “Players and the coaching crew have nothing to worry about than just to play basketball,” Kida said.

    He later presented Nwachukwu with a replica jersey of the team during the event.

  • Afrobasket: NBBF President in Mali to boost D’Tigress morale

    Afrobasket: NBBF President in Mali to boost D’Tigress morale

    Musa Kida, President, Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF), has arrived in Mali on Thursday to boost the morale of D’Tigress ahead of their quarter-final match of the 2017 Women Afrobasket Championship on Friday.

    “The NBBF President, Kida, will touch down in Bamako, Mali on Thursday ahead of Friday’s game against Cote d’Ivoire to boost the mood in the camp of the D’Tigress,’’ an NBBF statement said in Abuja on Friday.

    The NBBF President and sports lovers in the country have commended the impressive performance of D’Tigress against their age-long rivals, Senegal, in the match on Wednesday.

    The last Group B match between the two teams ended 54-58 points in favour of Nigeria.

    The statement also said that the team’s Coach, Sam Vincent, as well as the players had reacted to their victory against Senegal in a match dubbed “Final before final’’.

    Vincent said they needed to keep celebrations to the barest minimum ahead of the crunchy quarter-final tie against Cote d’Ivoire that finished fourth in their group.

    It said that Peter Ahmedu, the first Assistant Coach, praised the girls for defying all odds and showing a commendable level of resilience to maintain their lead till the end of the game.

    It attributed the victory to due diligence and scouting reports put together by the technical crew.

    “We were able to study the Senegalese off and on the court. The style we deployed was a different ball game to what they expected and it was very helpful,’’ the statement said.

    It added that Senegal, the defending champions, were under a lot of pressure during the match.

    NAN reports that Senegal did not recover from the debilitating injury inflicted by D’Tigress in the first two quarters that ended 26-34 points in spite of enjoying huge support from their Francophone fans.

    Evelyn Akhator, star player of the match, was not deterred on the night in spite of the massive support for the opponents by a horde of Senegalese fans and by their French speaking hosts Mali.

    The Dallas Wings player led by example with 15 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal as the team confirmed it’s superiority over the Senegalese they defeated at the group stage of the 2015 edition.

    Also, Atonye Nyingifa contributed with 8 rebounds, 5 assists and 6 points, Adaora Elonu gave the team 10 points, 4 assists and 5 rebounds.

    Similarly, inspiring Kalu Ezinne, who was all over the court dictating the tempo, helped with 11 points.

    The Nigerian team is expected by fans at home and abroad to return the nation to its days of glory in Women AfroBasket.

  • AfroBasketball 2017: Aboderin visits D’Tigress, charges them to win

    AfroBasketball 2017: Aboderin visits D’Tigress, charges them to win

    Wale Aboderin, the Proprietor of Dolphins Basketball club of Lagos, on Friday urged the Senior National Women’s Basketball Team, D’Tigress to go for victory in the 2017 Afrobasket Championships in Mali.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that D’Tigress opened their account against Mozambique, before squaring-off against Congo Democratic on Saturday and Egypt on Sunday.

    Aboderin, however, expressed confidence in the team’s abilities to do well, having watched them train some few hours before their first group match.

    Aboderin had visited the team immediately after their training at the Olympe Hotel, Bamako base to lend his support.

    In a brief chat with the players and the Technical team led by Sam Vincent, Aboderin said he came purposely to cheer the team to victory.

    According to him, nothing was too much to sacrifice for the nation or her assets (D’Tigress) just to ensure victory at the end of the tournament.

    “This is a great team and I have the confidence that you can excel, there are other tough teams in the group, but with good teamwork, you can excel at the end.

    “The whole nation is solidly behind you and believes that at the end, you will make everyone proud,’’he said.

    Meanwhile, the host and the defending champion Senegal, who will engage D’Tigress in their final group game, got the ball rolling with a 105-39 victory over Guinea.

    Egypt also recorded their first three point’s victory by overpowering Democratic Republic of Congo, 99-72.

    The competition which dunked-off on Aug. 18 will be concluded on Aug. 27.

  • NIS repatriates 450 illegal immigrants from Edo

    NIS repatriates 450 illegal immigrants from Edo

    The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Tuesday, said it arrested and repatriated no fewer than 450 illegal immigrants from Edo in the first quarter of the year.

    Comptroller of Immigration in the state, Mr David Adi, disclosed this at the presentation of a refurbished Hilux van by the Management of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc to the command, in Benin.

    Adi said that those repatriated were mainly from Niger Republic, Mali and Ghana, adding that they were “irregular immigrants’’ and security risks to the country.

    He said that the affected foreigners had no regular travel documents and credible means of livelihood.

    Adi commended Okomu Oil Palm Company for the vehicle, saying that the gesture would help the command in achieving its statutory duties.

    He said that the success of the raid on illegal aliens’ domain was attributable to logistics support by some companies, including Okomu Oil Palm Company, in the state.

    “The company had sunk a borehole at our outpost station at Iguobazuwa in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo.

    “The command additionally requested for the company’s assistance in refurbishing the van and the managing director agreed.

    “We appreciate the long-standing relationship between the company and the command.

    “I will definitely pass on this gesture to the Comptroller-General of Immigration Service and I hope other stakeholders will emulate this good gesture,’’ he said.

    Earlier, the Managing Director, Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, Dr Graham Heifer, had said that the gesture was the company’s way of fulfilling part of its corporate social responsibility to NIS to enhance its operational efficiency.

    “Immigration service has always assisted us in the area of educating our expatriates to ensure that they do the right thing with regard to immigration laws,’’ Heifer said.

    According to him, we have 15 expatriates from countries such as South Africa, Kenya and America in our company.

    “We ensured they came into the country following approved protocol.

    “It is our obligation as part of our corporate social responsibility, to assist Immigration Service to enhance its operational efficiency.

    “Our company hopes that this refurbished van will improve the service’s operational efficiency,’’ he said.

  • Gunmen attack resort outside Mali’s capital, killing two – Official

    Gunmen attack resort outside Mali’s capital, killing two – Official

    Authorities say gunmen on Sunday attacked a luxury resort popular with Western expatriates just outside Mali’s capital, Bamako, killing two people.

    Mali’s Security Minister Salif Traore who called teh attack a terrorist act, said that 36 guests were rescued.

    Four gunmen arriving on motorbikes and a car stormed Le Campement Kangaba, near Dougourakoro, to the east of the capital Bamako, a resort that foreign residents visit for weekend breaks.

    Malian security forces backed by French troops deployed to push them out.

    Traore said: “At first we thought they were armed bandits but we know how armed bandits operate, they don’t hold territory, so now we think it is a terrorist attack.”

    According to a Reuters witness, Malian security forces, UN peacekeeping mission vehicles and French military armored vehicles surrounded the resort.

    A helicopter circled overhead.

    In a later news conference, Traore said Malian forces fatally shot two of the attackers but the other two escaped and were being pursued.

    The minister said an attacker had been wounded and fled, leaving a submachine gun and six bottles of explosives behind.

    “We’re now in the process of combing the area to verify no one is hiding anywhere,” Traore said.

    One of victims killed in the attack was a French-Gabonese citizen, while the other has not yet been identified, Traore said.

    He said that both were killed by gunfire.

    The minister said two hotel staff workers and two guests were also wounded by bullet.

    Traore said eight policemen were wounded in the shootout with the attackers.

    Security has gradually worsened across Mali since French forces pushed back Islamist and Tuareg rebel fighters in 2013 from swathes of the north they had occupied the previous year.

    Initially concentrated in the desert north, attacks have increasingly struck the center and south, around Bamako.

    Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and another militant group claimed responsibility for an attack on a Bamako hotel in 2015 in which 20 people were killed.

    Traore said of the 36 people who escaped unharmed, there were 13 French citizens, 14 Malians, and also Spanish, Dutch, Egyptian and Kenyan nationals.

    Daniel Okwogo, a Kenyan guest who witnessed the attack, said that about 30 minutes after his arrival he heard the gunshots.

    “So … we took a cover, slipped under the bed and then the security team came and evacuated us,” Okwogo said.

    Witness Boubacar Sangare was just outside the compound during the attack. “Westerners were fleeing the encampment while two plainclothes police exchanged fire with the assailants,” he said.

    French troops and a 10,000-strong UN peacekeeping force have battled to stabilise Mali, a former French colony riven by ethnic conflict and plagued by dozens of armed groups.

    A spokesman for French forces in Mali declined to comment.

  • Insurgents kill three UN peacekeepers in Mali

    Insurgents kill three UN peacekeepers in Mali

    Insurgents killed three United Nations soldiers and injured three others in northern Mali, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali  (MINUSMA) said on Friday.

    MINUSMA in a statement said the peacekeepers, stationed in the volatile West African nation to counter terrorism, were attacked on Thursday outside the UN camp in the town of Kidal.

    The mission said the attackers also launched dozens of shells of different calibers at the camp, injuring five soldiers.

    The attack comes eight days after rebels fired five shells at the airport of the historic northern town of Timbuktu, injuring five French soldiers.

    A French military intervention in January 2013 turned back a jihadist and separatist insurgency in Mali’s north, but various Islamist groups still stage attacks.