The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Moses

  • Keshi defends Moses, Mikel

    Keshi defends Moses, Mikel

    Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi , is not bothered by the lack of playing time allocated to two of his most trusted stalwarts, Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel at Barclays English Premier League club, Chelsea.

    The duo were left out of Chelsea’s two opening league fixtures against Hull City and Aston Villa.

    Frank Lampard, Ramires, Eden Hazard, Oscar, Juan Mata and Kevin de Bruyne have been the preferred choices in midfield for the Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho in the Blues’ opening two competitive fixtures this term.

    Keshi is however calm about the situation as he insists that “there are no sentiments in issues like these.”

    “I am not in control of what happens at Chelsea. Mourinho is the manager of Chelsea. That’s what I have been trying to let Nigerians know.

    “There are no sentiments in issues like these. For top coaches (like Mourinho), it’s about the team and never about the individuals. If Mourinho feels that Mikel and Moses are not ready to play in the opening games, so be it.,” Keshi exclusively told supersport.com.

    Mourinho declared in July that players, who do not have regular playing time under their belt at their club, could struggle at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil with their respective national teams.

    Keshi has however disclosed that he has no qualms selecting both players to play for the Super Eagles whether or not they enjoy regular game time at Chelsea.

    “(Failure to get regular playing time at Chelsea) does not mean that I will not invite both players to play for Nigeria. The only reasons that will stop me from inviting these players is if they are either injured or not in good shape,” he said.

     

  • Mikel, Moses impress Mourinho

    Mikel, Moses impress Mourinho

    Manager Jose Mourinho is impressed with the Super Eagles duo of John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses as well as other Chelsea stars for coping well against Inter Milan in their latest pre-season outing.

    Chelsea secured a berth in the semi-finals of International Champions Cup, being played in America, following a 2-0 win over Inter in Indianapolis.

    The winning streak for Chelsea was further extended thanks to goals from Eden Hazard and Oscar, but played the final half-an-hour against ten-men after Hugo Campagnaro was sent-off for a late lunge on John Terry.

    “There were no injuries; the pitch was not the best, so that is good for both sides. I think it is good experience for us, good for them – they play a tactical system that is not easy to play against – three at the back and the full-backs go forward a lot so even tactically it was good for us,” Mourinho told Sky Sports News.

    “I can give the players ideas about what I want to do tactically in training, so it was good to see what they were trying to do, like Eden Hazard doing defensive work he does not normally do. So, I am happy with how the players are working.”

    More impressive displays by the Nigerian duo could further help their chances in the new Chelsea era under the ‘Happy One.’

  • Moses faces Eagles ban

    Moses faces Eagles ban

    –Over acts of insurbordination

    –Shuns Nigeria’s camp despite being cleared by Chelsea

    –Refuses to pick Keshi’s, NFF chiefs’ calls

     

     

    Chelsea FC of England’s midfield pearl Victor Moses may have played his last games for the Super Eagles if feelers from the the team’s camp and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF’s) chieftains are to be taken seriously.

    Disclosing this to SportingLife in sports colloboration programme between Silverbird and The Nation newspaper on Monday morning, NFF’s technical committee chairman Chris Green stated that Moses dodged the Eagles crowded June schedule of matches despite being released by his English club Chelsea to report for the country’s assignments.

    Green revealed further that several attempts made by coach Stephen Keshi and some concerned NFF chiefs were rebuffed by Moses, who refused to return voice messages left on his answering machine.

    Indeed, the NFF and Keshi are miffed over Moses’ conduct stressing that they hope he doesn’t turn up to show interst in playing for Nigeria when the 2014 World Cup ticket has been secured.

    Asked why Keshi or an NFF chief cannot reach him in London, Green said: “It will be very difficult. It appears he doesn’t want to play. I can tell for a fact that even if we go to London to see him as you have advocated, we may see him if he doesn’t want to see us. You talked about using Mikel to reach. Again, I can tell you that these players are not a closely-knit as you presume. Playing for the same doesn’t translate to know how well each of them fares. Suprised, do not be. Everyone for himself, God for us all, the the favourite dictum.”

    Asked if the NFF and Keshi have contacted injury-hit players such as Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Anichebe, Green said: “As I speak with you guys on this programme, Emenike is in the country. The NFF President Aminu Maigari held telephone discussions with him before he arrived in the country. Keshi has also called Emenike several times to find out how he was faring. We believe from our interaction with him, he should be back to join his mates in October. As for Anichebe, we will establish contact with him soon. It is in the works and I promise you, we will sit down with Anichebe to resolve the differences. He is a very good player. we need him in the team.”

    Asked again if the NFF has resolved the impasses between the team’s captain Joseph Yobo and Keshi, Green said: “Keshi called Yobo to congratulate him for a very remarkable season citing his being crowned the second best defender in the Turkish league. If you ask me, we are about 65 per cent through reconciling both parties. Their relationship is better than before. We are working.”

  • KESHI TO KENYANS:I don’t need Emenike, Moses to beat Harambee Stars

    KESHI TO KENYANS:I don’t need Emenike, Moses to beat Harambee Stars

    SUPER Eagles boss, Stephen Keshi has told Kenyans in clear terms that his team does not need the services of injured duo, Emmanuel Emenike and Victor Moses to beat the Harambee Stars in today’s 2014 Group F World Cup qualifers at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

    SportingLife gathered that a confident Big Boss while speaking with a swarm of Kenyan reporters after the Eagles five minutes training said his players would prevail without the star forwards.

    “We have a lot of players, we don’t depend on one player, we depend on the team, if Victor is not here, if Emenike is not here, Nigeria is going to play,” he added.

    With the FIFA Confederations Cup looming, Keshi insisted his focus at the moment was on picking maximum points against Kenya and Namibia to bring their World Cup dream closer and they were under no strain to win the match.

    “We have four teams in this group, so the pressure should be spread around, it’s everybody and its all pressure around, Kenya wants to win, Malawi wants to win and Namibia wants to win.”

  • ‘Mikel, Moses can take extra week of holdays’

    ‘Mikel, Moses can take extra week of holdays’

    Incoming Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is happy for ‘Super Eagles duo of John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and their other Blues mates to have an extra week off this summer.

    The Sun says Blues players are due back for pre-season training at the start of July.

    But their incoming boss thinks that is too soon, especially with two gruelling pre-season tours lined up.

    So Mourinho is trying to push their return back to July 7.

    The later start still gives the Europa League winners 10 days to get in shape for their Far East trip.

  • Moses gets Chelsea’s July 6 ultimatum

    Moses gets Chelsea’s July 6 ultimatum

    Current Europa Cup champions Chelsea FC have said Nigeria winger Victor Moses is expected to be fully fit again by July 6.

    Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi told MTNFootball.com the English Premier League club have informed his team official they expect Moses to be back playing again by July 6.

    Chelsea say Moses has been battling injuries towards the tail end of the season and as such he is unavailable for a series of matches involving Nigeria.

    The 22-year-old Moses passed a late fitness test to be in the Chelsea squad for the all important clash with Aston Villa earlier this month. Moses picked up a knock in a 2-2 draw at home against Tottenham Hotspur.

    “Chelsea have informed us that Moses cannot play again till July 6, but he will be with them in the US,” Keshi disclosed.

    However, it is not clear the nature of the winger’s injury. The injury-hit Moses has already pulled out of the Nigeria squad for a series of matches beginning with a friendly against Mexico on May 31 in the United States of America.

  • Moses provides as Chelsea finish third

    Moses provides as Chelsea finish third

    It was a tale of two Nigerian Victors as Victor Moses and Victor Anichebe both played a part in the final day match-up between Chelsea and Everton in an English Premier League game played on 19th May 2013.

    But it was Moses who turned out to be on the victorious side as his Chelsea ran out 2-1 winners, with the Nigerian providing the assist for one of the goals.

    Fernando Torres, who is rumoured to be on the way out of Chelsea, scored his first league goal since December to confirm third place and automatic Champions League qualification for Chelsea.

    In Rafael Benitez’s last game, the Europa League winners led after six minutes when Juan Mata swept in after Tim Howard saved from Demba Ba.

    With David Moyes also in charge for the final time, Everton pulled level with Steven Naismith’s neat finish from an Anichebe assist after 14 minutes. But with 14 minutes left to play, Torres thumped in from a Victor Moses knock-down to earn the win.

  • Chelsea are Champs! Mikel, Moses lift Europa League

    Chelsea are Champs! Mikel, Moses lift Europa League

    Nigeria’s duo of John Obi Mikel and Victor Moses despite spending all 90 moniutes on the subs bench in Wednesday’s Europa League final were crowed Europa League champions after an injury-time goal from Branislav Ivanovic guaranteed the Stamford Bridge outfit with a 2-1 win over Benfica in Amsterdam Arena.

    The Portuguese side dominated much of the opening 45 minutes, refusing to allow Chelsea on the ball while creating plenty of chances in front of goal.

    Oscar Cardozo put an early header over the crossbar before Nicolas Gaitan flashed his shot high and wide. Rodrigo then fluffed his lines from close range by slipping on the slick playing surface as Benfica overwhelmed their opponents in all areas of the pitch.

    Chelsea showed some signs of life midway through the half and they managed their first attempt on goal with 28 minutes played as Oscar’s long-range effort was held at the second attempt by goalkeeper Artur.

    Despite struggling to get into the match, a final opportunity of the half fell the way of Chelsea as Frank Lampard’s swerving drive was tipped over the crossbar by Artur.

    Benfica started the second half where they left off in the first and they had a goal disallowed on 52 minutes when Cardozo was ruled offside by the narrowest of margins when he headed in Gaitan’s cross.

    The deadlock was broken against the run of play on the hour as Fernando Torres burst past Luisao before rounding Artur to slot into an empty net.

    However, the Portuguese side were level from the penalty spot seven minutes later through Cardozo following Cesar Azpilicueta’s handball.

    Chelsea were appealing for a penalty of their own on 76 minutes when Torres was brought down by Luisao, but the referee waved away the appeals.

    As the match became more stretched late on, Cardozo came close to putting Benfica ahead with nine minutes of normal time left, but his looping volley was kept out by the attentive Cech.

    The game looked to be heading for extra time before Ivanovic got on the end of Juan Mata’s corner to see his header back across goal find the net.

  • VICTOR MOSES AFRICA’S NEXT HERO

    VICTOR MOSES AFRICA’S NEXT HERO

    AFRICA have produced a lot of top stars, from Salif Keita to Didier Drogba, with Nigeria’s Victor Moses set to soon join this elite class.

    The talented winger has shown great promise with both Chelsea and the Super Eagles of Nigeria that before long he would be talked about in the same breath as the continent’s past greats. He was instrumental to Chelsea reaching the final of the UEFA Europa League having scored four goals including two in both legs of the semi-final to see off Swiss side FC Basel. He will again be expected to play a big role in Wednesday’s final against Benfica in Amsterdam. Victor Moses was a catalyst for Nigeria’s success at African Cup of Nations in February so much that earned him a place in the team of the tournament alongside three of his fellow countrymen. Moses was particularly influential in the final game of the group stage where he won two penalties and converted them both as Nigeria recorded a 2-0 victory over Ethiopia to book their place in the knockout phase.

    Ex-international Garba Lawal told MTNFootball.com that Victor Moses has all the attributes of a great player, but he must be consistent before he could take his place alongside other African stars. “Victor Moses no doubt is a great player with good qualities. He has done well for the national team and Chelsea. We can’t say he has arrived yet as a big star, consistency makes a great star, we need to watch him, if he could keep up this pace for the next two, three years, then he is a star and legend in the making. He can get there with his display so far,” Lawal remarked. Another former international Mutiu Adepoju told MTNFootball.com that Moses will grow to become a top star pointing out that: “Moses has been doing well for Nigeria at Chelsea, we saw him at the Nations Cup and the game against Kenya, superb display. He has been an instant success at Chelsea even when people asked question how he would break into the team. “He only needs to keep doing well and then he will be a sure candidate to be an Africa great player in nearest future,” Adepoju said. Football agent Mohammed Lawal said he expects the Chelsea star to use next year’s World Cup in Brazil to announce his arrival on the big stage of world football.

    “He has settled quickly at Chelsea and should Nigeria qualify for the 2014 World Cup, Victor would use this platform to prove his worth,” he said. Victor Moses promised a lot right from his early days at Crystal Palace and his performances at the London club did not go unnoticed as several clubs in the English Premier League kept close tabs on him before he eventually landed in January 2010 at Wigan, whose coach Roberto Martinez described the player “a special talent”.

    Moses was there for three seasons and becoming an ever-more important player for Wigan in their constant fight against relegation from the top flight.

  • 2014 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: Kenya keep tab on Mikel, Moses, others

    2014 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS: Kenya keep tab on Mikel, Moses, others

     Four axed from Stars squad

     Harambe to  name foreign-based Stars next week

    KENYA’S Harambee Stars assistant coach, James Nandwa says the coaching crew are keeping tabs on the performance of Super Eagles stars in Europe as they prepare for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers 2nd leg clash against Nigeria in

    According to him, “We are aware of the changes they have made in the squad, we know that they will train outside Nigeria, probably Europe because the bulk of the players are professionals based there. From there, they will fly directly to Nairobi,” he explained.

    Meanwhile, four players have been dropped from the Harambee Stars squad gearing for the June 5 2014 World Cup qualifier against Nigeria on Tuesday by head coach Adel Amrouche.

    Tusker FC forward Ismail Dunga, Sofapaka midfielder David Owino and Thika United pair Daniel Mwaura and David Kingatua have been axed from the team.

    Nandwa confirmed the changes as he said injuries have knocked out Dunga and Owino, while Mwaura and Kingatua “need to take a break”.

    At the same time Eugene Asike and John Njuguna, both of Sofapaka, Sher Karuturi’s Andrew Murunga, Edwin Lavatsta (Gor Mahia) and Boniface Onyango of City Stars have been called up to fill the void.

    “Those are the only changes in the team so far, the rest of the players called up when we started training remain in the team,” Nandwa added.

    He als informed that the foreign-based legion for Stars is expected to be named by next week.

    Stars, who embarked on non-residential training on April 27, under Amrouche, are determined to book a ticket to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.