The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Moses

  • ‘Emenike’s injury not serious’

    ‘Emenike’s injury not serious’

    Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike’s injury is not serious, while a scan will be carried out for Victor Moses, officials told MTNFootball.com.

    Emenike injured his right leg during the semi-final victory over Mali while shooting for goal, but team spokesman Ben Alaiya said it was not a serious injury as the doctor is expected to confirm this later Thursday.

    Alaiya said, “Emenike’s injury is not serious, he had just a knock which is minor. He should be fit for final, but we are waiting for the medical report on him which should be ready by lunch time.”

    Emenike has scored four goals so far in the tournament with two assists to top the goals chart at the African Nations Cup in South Africa.

    He suffered what look like a hamstring injury while shooting from long range at goal against Mali on Wednesday.

    Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi disclosed that a scan will be carried out on Chelsea winger Moses, who also picked up an injury against Mali.

    “We hope it is not serious and he will play the final,” said Keshi.

     

  • We’ll deliver KO punch against Cote d’ Ivoire – Moses

    We’ll deliver KO punch against Cote d’ Ivoire – Moses

    Chelsea star Victor Moses has said Nigeria will engage Cote d’Ivoire in a heavyweight contest on Sunday and will deliver the “knockout punch.”

    Moses scored twice from the penalty spot on Tuesday to keep Nigeria alive at the African Nations Cup and he has now said a little upset is on the cards against one of the tournament favourites.

    “Everyone expects us to lose this match, but as players we just put our heads down and come Sunday we will cause a little upset,” said Moses, who is making is AFCON debut in South Africa, told MTNFootball.com.

    “Cote d’ Ivoire has got quality players like Didier Drogba, one of the best strikers in Africa, even in Europe. But as a team we will concentrate on our own strengths.

    “It won’t be as easy game, but we will try our best and win.”

    He added: “We are preparing for the game, we are not listening to what is being said because people believe they will beat us because of the players they parade, but we are equal to the task.

    “We will go to the pitch on Sunday, work hard and go on for an upset.”

    The winger said the Eagles are committed to making Nigeria proud again.

     

  • AFCON: Moses, Yobo doubtful for Ethiopia tie

    AFCON: Moses, Yobo doubtful for Ethiopia tie

    The Nigerian duo of Victor Moses and Joseph Yobo could be left out of their African Nations Cup Group C clash with Ethiopia in Rustenburg on Tuesday.

    Moses, 22, made his debut at the AFCON against Zambia but showed signs of still struggling with his hamstring, Supersport.com reports.

    The Chelsea attacking winger played for 78 minutes in the game against Zambia before he was substituted for Brown Ideye and is yet to recover from the injury, according to head coach, Stephen Keshi.

    Captain of the Super Eagles, Yobo is also a huge doubt owing to an ankle injury after missing the 1-1 draw with Zambia in Nelspruit on Friday.

    “Victor Moses is still under observation. He’s been training but not at 100 percent right now. Same goes for Joseph Yobo who missed the last game,” said Keshi.

    But the Nigerian manager is not ruling out both players from the crucial game against Ethiopia.

    “They still have a good chance of making the squad for the game as they have been training with the team. But if they are not healthy enough we will seek other options,” he added.

    Supersport.com was also informed that Warri Wolves’ defender, Azubuike Egwuekwe, has recovered from illness that has kept him out of the Nigerian squad.

     

  • Moses returns for crunch clash with Zambia

    Moses returns for crunch clash with Zambia

    Chelsea winger, Victor Moses, who missed Nigeria’s opening game, is expected to enter the Africa Cup of Nations fray against Zambia on Friday.

    Moses’ return from injury is welcome news for the Super Eagles, who take on the defending champions four days after being forced to a 1-1 draw by Burkina Faso.

    That surprise stalemate has placed added emphasis on an already tough assignment for Stephen Keshi-tutored side, MTNFootball.com reports.

    Keshi, captain of the Nigeria side that defeated Zambia to claim the country’s second title in 1994, was in a relaxed mood at the team’s plush hotel outside South Africa’s north eastern city on Thursday.

    “That title win was 19 years ago, we have a different game ahead of us tomorrow,” MTNFootball.com quoted him as saying at a press conference.

    On Moses, set to make his Nations Cup debut, he confirmed: “Victor trained well on Wednesday and, hopefully, will be okay to play. He will bring his desire to the side.”

    Keshi has one of the most demanding jobs in African football with 180 million would-be coaches back home picking his side.

    Reflecting on that pressure, he said: “It is stressful. Everyone wants a return to the glory years, but to get there you have to develop.

    “It’s difficult because everyone wants to tell you who to play in your team, so I close my ears and do what is best for the side — it’s not easy!

    “But it’s not only a Nigeria thing — it was the same when I coached Mali.”

     

  • Burkina Faso relieved at Moses’ absence

    Burkina Faso relieved at Moses’ absence

    The Burkina Faso side that pulled off an injury time draw with Nigeria in their opening group game were very relieved to see Victor Moses’ name missing from the starting line-up. That’s according to sub Ab Traore and Keeper Soulaman who spoke briefly with supersport.com at the Riverside Park Mall as the players strolled around.

    In surprisingly fluent English they asked: “What happened to Moses?” When told that the Chelsea winger was carrying an injury Traore looked to the heavens and said: “Oh, we were glad when we did not see his name because man, he is very good and deadly”.

    Soulaman on his part thought that when Nigeria had possession towards the end and were heading to the corner flag, “We thought they were going to go there and waste what little time that was left. So, when we got the ball back we knew it was our last chance,” the Asante Kotoko keeper spoke with a wide smile. The Burkina Faso players seemed really relaxed as they strolled around taking photos with the locals.

    The Nigerian technical crew met with the board of the Nigerian Football Federation at a hotel in Nelspruit. The meeting that lasted a little under 2 hours ended with all parties coming out with smiles. At the end the NFF president Aminu Maigari assured that “there was no pressure put on the crew to perform nor targets mandated to them.”

    Coach Keshi agreed also, saying “we are all working together and no issues at the moment”!

    Nigeria take on Zambia in their next group game on Friday.

  • Moses remembers dead parents

    Moses remembers dead parents

    • Says they would have been proud of him

    Chelsea winger Victor Moses, who fled to England after his parents were killed in sectarian riots, hopes to crown his debut at the African Cup of Nations by helping Nigeria win the trophy.

    Moses has come a long way since his father and mother were slain in the northern Nigerian city of Kaduna, forcing him to abandon his homeland at the age of 11 and begin a new life in a strange environment.

    “Wherever they are, they should be proud of me,” Moses, 22, told British media last year when he remembered his parents, Austin, a Christian pastor in Kaduna, and mother, Josephine.

    On the tournament in South Africa, he was positive. “I am confident of a good outing in South Africa,” he says of the three-week African football showcase to be staged at five of the 10 stadiums used for the 2010 World Cup.

    “We have prepared well and, having missed the last tournament, wish to make Nigerians proud by the end of this one. This is my first African Cup of Nations and I want to make it a memorable one. I want to play in every match, score when the opportunity presents itself and help players in good positions to also score. When all these things happen, the supporters can be sure that we are going to bring back the trophy,” said Moses.

    Nigeria have won the tournament twice with their last triumph being in Tunisia 19 years ago. Few would argue against a third victory now that Moses has proven to be a valuable addition.

  • Moses hopes for big impact

    Moses hopes for big impact

    NIGERIA striker Victor Moses says he is hoping to mark his debut appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations by helping the team lift the trophy next month. The Chelsea hitman is currently training with his Super Eagles team-mates ahead of the South Africa showpiece, which kicks off at the National Stadium on Saturday. Nigeria begin their campaign against Burkina Faso at the Mbombela Stadium on Monday, and Moses hopes he can have a big impact on the continental showpiece, and help the country forget about their short-comings prior to the 2012 showpiece. “I am confident of a good outing in South Africa. We have prepared well and, having missed the last tournament, wish to make Nigerians proud by the end of it. This is my first Africa Cup of Nations and I want to make it a memorable one. I want to play in every match, score when the opportunity presents itself and help players in good positions to also score. When all these (things) happen, they (supporters) can be sure that we are going to bring back the trophy,” he said.

  • NO INJURY CONCERN FOR VICTOR MOSES

    NO INJURY CONCERN FOR VICTOR MOSES

    AGAINST THE backdrop of the news making the rounds in the media, the Super Eagles’ media officer, Ben Alaiya has said Victor Moses had no injury worries despite being substituted in the team’s 1-0 victory over Sparta Rotterdam on Saturday.

    Enugu Rangers’ pint sized striker, Ejike Uzoenyi replaced Moses in the first substitution made in the encounter but Alaiya in an interview from Portugal informed that the Chelsea of England man was asked to leave to give another player a chance to exhibit his talent.

    “No, Victor Moses is alright. He didn’t suffer any injury at all. He was substituted to give others chance to play. We won the game 1-0 and we are preparing for another one against Farense FC on Tuesday next week.

    Everyone is raring to go,” Eagles will open their AFCON challenge on January 21st against Burkina Faso and they are expected to arrive South Africa about 5 days before the encounter.

    Nigeria’s senior national side were winners of the competition twice in 1980 and 1994.

  • FARO TRAINING CAMP Mikel, Moses, Ameobi due Jan 5

    FARO TRAINING CAMP Mikel, Moses, Ameobi due Jan 5

    CHELSEA stars Mikel Obi and Victor Moses as well as Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi will be the last arrivals at the Nigeria AFCON camp.

    The major leagues across Europe will be on Christmas break, but not so with the English Premier League.

    Both Chelsea and Newcastle will play their first match in the New Year on January 2.

    Chelsea host a London derby against strugglers Queens Park Rangers, while Newcastle are home to Everton.

    “The players from the EPL will be the last to arrive in Faro because they are still playing, while other leagues in Europe are on break. So, we hope to get Mikel, Victor Moses and Ameobi in latest January 5,” a top team official informed MTNFootball.com.

    “All the other players should be in Portugal by January 4, while the boys from the EPL we expect a day because that is 14 days before the first match at the Nations Cup.”

    Keshi will name his final 23-man squad on January 9 immediately after the warm-up game against Cape Verde in Portugal.

  • AFCON: Mikel, Moses, Ameobi join Eagles’ camp January 5

    AFCON: Mikel, Moses, Ameobi join Eagles’ camp January 5

    Chelsea stars Mikel Obi and Victor Moses as well as Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi will be the last arrivals at the Nigeria African Cup of Nations camp, MTNFootball.com reports.

    The major leagues across Europe will be on Christmas break, but not so with the English Premier League.

    Both Chelsea and Newcastle will play their first match in the New Year on January 2.

    Chelsea will host a London derby against strugglers Queens Park Rangers, while Newcastle is expected to play at home to Everton.

    “The players from the EPL will be the last to arrive in Faro because they are still playing, while other leagues in Europe are on break. So, we hope to get Mikel, Victor Moses and Ameobi in latest January 5.

    “All the other players should be in Portugal by January 4, while the boys from the EPL will arrive a day later because that is 14 days before the first match at the Nations Cup, ” a top team official informed MTNFootball.com.

    Keshi will name his final 23-man squad on January 9 immediately after the warm-up game against Cape Verde in Portugal.