The Nation Newspaper

Tag: MTNFootball

  • Late arrival cost us victory – Bayelsa ace

    Late arrival cost us victory – Bayelsa ace

    Bayelsa United forward Uche Ihuarulam has told MTNFootball.com fatigue caused by their late arrival in Congo denied them victory in a CAF Confederation Cup tie against AS Kondzo.

    The Nigerian club held hosts Kondzo to a goalless draw after they arrived barely 12 hours to the match on Friday due to late release of cash for the trip.

    “The late arrival affected us but we just fought hard to maintain our country’s name and image, as well project our club Bayelsa United in good light,” Ihuarulam told MTNFootball.com.

    “We played well and we would have won if not for the stress of the journey that tell on us on the pitch. We still thanl God for the draw.

    “We knew went very late and people will not be expecting a good result from us due to fatigue, so we decided to go extra mile and get a favourable result.”

    Bayelsa, who were drawn bye in the preliminary round of the competition, will host Konzo in the return leg match next Saturday in Sapele.

     

  • Enyimba aim for big win over Real Bamako

    Enyimba aim for big win over Real Bamako

    Enyimba plan an emphatic win over AS Real Bamako of Mali in a first round, first leg CAF Champions League clash today in Aba.

    In the preliminary round of the competition, Enyimba eliminated Anges de Notse of Togo and Real Bamako brushed aside FAR Rabat of Morocco.

    ‘The Peoples Elephant’s’ first-choice goalkeeper Femi Thomas told MTNFootball.com they are looking forward to winning the game comprehensively to make the return leg a mere formality.

    “We have been preparing hard for the game against Real Bamako. Our target is to beat them with a wide goal margin so as to make the second leg a non issue,” Thomas said.

    “We know what we went through in Lome, we don’t want to give room for that again. If we beat them very well here, there won’t be any pranks from them.”

    In same vein, Enyimba striker, Mfon Udoh told MTNFootball.com he hopes to score his first goal on the continent against Real Bamako and help his team win well.

    “We know how important every game in the Champions League is to our ambition of winning the trophy. We are ready to teach Real Bamako a football lesson,” Udoh declared.

    “I am looking forward to be among the goal scorers as we beat them silly.”

    Enyimba defeated Dolphins and Akwa united in tune up games ahead of the all important clash.

    They defeated Dolphins 1-0 courtesy Ayo Saka’s lone strike with Paul Godwin in goal, while they beat Akwa United 3-0 Sunday with goals from Emeka Nwana(Ayaya), Mfon Udoh and Ifeanyi Ede with Femi Thomas in goal.

  • We’re lucky to be alive-Sunshine player

    We’re lucky to be alive-Sunshine player

    Sunshine Stars striker Kingsley Eduwo has told MTNFootball.com that he and his colleagues are lucky to be alive after their team bus was involved in an accident.

    “It was a serious and fatal accident. I thank God for the gift of life. No player died, but some have injuries,” a shaken Eduwo told MTNFootball.com

    “Sunday Emmanuel, Paul Onobi and three other players as well as our masseur are currently in the hospital.”

    The Sunshine players escaped death when their team bus was involved in a ghastly accident on their way back to Akure from Ijebu Ode, where they have been training ahead of the new season and even played a game against 3SC Starlets before they left for Akure.

    The accident happened on Friday afternoon around Ore town when the Sunshine bus had a head-on collision with a jeep.

  • JONATHAN TO SPLASH MILLIONS ON CHAN Eagles

    JONATHAN TO SPLASH MILLIONS ON CHAN Eagles

    Players and officials who won third place for Nigeria at the 2014 CHAN in South Africa are to be get cash rewards.

    Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan will host the team at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday.

    MTNFootball.com has since scooped that coach Stephen Keshi will get N2m for his most recent exploits in South Africa.

    His assistant coaches will receive N1.5 million, while the players will each be N1m richer.

    The team officials will get N.5m each.

    Nigeria beat Zimbabwe 1-0 to win the third-place match in Cape Town on their debut appearance at the bi-ennial tournament reserved for players who feature in their local leagues.

  • Rangers win again in pre-season

    Rangers win again in pre-season

    Enugu Rangers defeated non-league side, Police Machine F.C. 3-0 to continue a fine run in their pre-season build-up on Monday.

    Playing with a makeshift team that included several trialists, The Flying Antelopes took an early lead courtesy of an Efe Tobori well-struck penalty in the eighth minute after returnee Jude Aneke was wrestled down in the vital area.

    Two late goals in the 70th and 80th minutes off the boots of Kenneth Anyanwu and teenager Chibueze Ezema put the game beyond the DSP Ebere Amaraizu-led side, who did all they could to try and beat goalkeeper Uche Okafor.

    It was a changed Rangers from the one that pipped new premiership side Abia Warriors at the weekend as the Enugu club fielded players like Chigozie Egwu, Uche Okafor, Kenneth Anyanwu and Chinedu Ezimora.

    “It was a good game and it was not easy as the Police boys came all out to make a name for themselves,” Rangers coach Kingsley Obiekwu told MTNFootball.com.

    “I give the players kudos for a job well done. We are still working on the team to present a perfect team before the start of the season.”

    Teenager Chibueze Ezema promised more in subsequent games.

    “I thank God for an injury-free match and scoring a goal in this match. I hope to work on my weak points in future matches.”

  • Agent confirms Reuben at Spurs

    Gabriel Reuben has been training with EPL side, Tottenham Hotspur, his agent Tony Harris has confirmed to MTNFootball.com.

    “It’s true that Gabriel joined Tottenham for training and if the deal materialises, the intention is for him to be loaned out to a club abroad,” Harris told MTNFootball.com.

    “Gabriel is fully recovered and back to the form that earned him rave reviews towards the AFCON 2013 as well as during the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifiers.”

    He added: “There are several offers on the table but the key thing now is that Gabriel starts playing matches and enjoying his football in a competitive league. I expect his move will be finalised soon.”

    Reuben ended his stay at Scottish side Kilmarnock on a mutual agreement after he requested for his contract to be terminated. He is in a late race to make Nigeria’s squad to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil in June.

     

  • Esieme ready to step in for banned Kwambe

    Esieme ready to step in for banned Kwambe

    Enyimba right back Bright Esieme has told MTNFootball.com he is ready to step in for banned Solomon Kwambe in Saturday’s CHAN quarter-final.

    Kwambe will miss the quarterfinal in Cape Town after he was sent off in a final Group A match against South Africa on Sunday.

    Esieme, who has played at left back and also as a holding midfielder at this tournament is now expected to move to his familiar right back position on Saturday.

    “I am ready to give my best all the time. In the game against South Africa, I started at holding midfield position and moved to the right back, which is my preferred position, and I am happy that I was able to do very well,” Esieme told MTNFootball.com on Monday in Cape Town.

    Heartland left back Benjamin Francis is also expected to return to the first team after recovering from a knee problem.

    Nigeria will know their quarterfinal foes after Group B matches on Monday.

     

  • Ajagun scores again for Panathinaikos

    Ajagun scores again for Panathinaikos

    Nigeria U-20 skipper Abduljaleel Ajagun scored his third goal for Panathinaikos as they won 3-1 at Veira on Sunday.

    The attacking midfielder was on target after 34 minutes and was later replaced in the 67th minute.

    Panathinaikos remain in fourth place in the Greek Super League with 36 points from 20 matches, 20 points behind leaders Olympiacos.

    However, several months after Ajagun left for Greece, his Nigeria league club, Dolphins are yet to receive the 200,000 Euros agreed for the player’s transfer. His youth club in Kaduna are entitled to 30% of this sale.

    “Dolphins are still to be paid for Ajagun’s transfer,” a top source informed MTNFootball.com.

  • Iheanacho senior gets half pay

    It has been learnt that Kelechi Iheanacho’s father and Taye Academy have received half of what was promised them by Manchester City.

    That would mean City have splashed at least 300,000 pounds to secure the talented Iheanacho, who was picked by FIFA as the best player at last year’s U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

    MTNFootball.com specially gathered that City have rescinded a decision to make payments to the Iheanachos until January next year and both the player’s father and the academy that started him out have thus received half of what was agreed with them.

    “Iheanacho senior is now smiling to the bank as he has been paid half of what was promised him after his son signed for City. This shows how badly the EPL want the youngster,” a source familiar with this transaction told MTNFootball.com.

    Iheanacho, who was voted the CAF Most Promising Talent for 2013, could not honour a special invitation to the FIFA Awards in Switzerland is now working on his travel papers to England.

    Iheanacho’s U-17 teammate, Chidiebere Nwakali, has also secured a four-year contract with Manchester City.

  • Onazi set to sign a new agent

    Onazi set to sign a new agent

    Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi is now free to negotiate fresh terms with any reputable agents, MTNFootball.com can specially reveal.

    With the 2014 transfer window proving to be one of the most dramatic in recent years, the much-sought-after Onazi no longer has an exclusive contract with any agent.

    His contract with Leo Giusti will run out in the first week of January after which he is free to enter

    into discussions with any agent of his choice.

    Interestingly,there are numerous enquiries from top European clubs who are keen to sign the Lazio star.

    A source close to the player told MTNFootball.com: “Being a young player it is very important for him to make the right choice.

    “The choice of agent could make or ruin a footballer’s career,so it’s crucial to settle for a honest and reliable one at this stage of his professional career. Once that is sorted, he could focus on his football.”

    The player has been linked with English, French, German and Turkish clubs lately.