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Tag: Mutiu Adepoju

  • England’s friendly to decide Eagles team – Mutiu Adepoju

    England’s friendly to decide Eagles team – Mutiu Adepoju

    A former Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju, on Friday said the upcoming international friendly match between the Three Lions of England would be a good rehearsal before the World Cup.

    Adepoju, who featured for the Super Eagles at the USA `94 and the France `98 World Cup, said in Lagos that the match would likely decide final team selection.

    “Well it’s a Grade A match, and it will definitely give the team an insight into what to expect at the World Cup proper.

    “It’s a very good test match, probably this will be the last match before the World Cup.

    “And I think it’s a good one that will put the team in proper perspective for the main event,’’ the former Super Eagles midfielder said.

    The Three Lions will lock horns with the Super Eagles on June 2, at the iconic Wembley Stadium.

    Read Also: Keshi was a role model to us – Mutiu Adepoju

    The friendly encounter will be the third time both teams will be engaging each other, their first encounter was a friendly match at Wembley Stadium which England won 1-0 shortly, after the 1994 World Cup.

    While their second encounter was at Osaka, Japan in a Group F match at the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup which ended in a goalless draw.

    NAN

  • Mutiu: Eagles don’t need a new headmaster

    Mutiu: Eagles don’t need a new headmaster

    Former Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju terrified defenders with his awesome heading abilities during his active days but opined that the current team does not need another ‘headmaster’ because they’ve got quality and speed.
    The three-time African champions have lost just once under German manager, Gernot Rohr and continued their good run of form with a 1-1 draw against Algeria on Friday and a comprehensive 4-2 victory over the La Albiceleste of Argentina in Krasnodar, Russia on Tuesday.
    Interestingly, the Eagles are yet to record a headed goal since Rohr took charge of the team but Adepoju is unperturbed as he dismissed fears that they need a heading specialist to bail them out of tight matches.
    “No, I don’t think so,” Adepoju replied when SportingLife asked if the Eagles needed a new headmaster. “Although, I would’ve love to see somebody scoring goals with the head in the team. It would’ve been an added quality to what the team has already.”
    “We have players with speed and individual quality.”
    Nigeria is the first African country to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and will know their opponents when the draws are held on December 1.
  • Kanu, El-Hadji Diouf, Apiah, Amokachi , others to light up Kano

    Kanu, El-Hadji Diouf, Apiah, Amokachi , others to light up Kano

    African football legends are billed to light up the ancient city  of Kano on December 14 in a novelty match against Kano Pillars.
    According to the General Coordinator,Moo Mohammed Mustapha, he listed the  ex-international footballers who will feature in the match to include former Super Eagles and two-time African Footballer of the Year, Kanu Nwankwo, El-Hadji Diouf of Senegal, Steven Apiah of Ghana, Mohammed Kalou of Sierra-leone.
    Others include Fabian Makati of South Africa, Samson Siasia, Tijani Babangida, Lukas Kadiebe of South Africa, Garba Lawal, Mutiu Adepoju, Peter Rufai, Daniel Amokachi and the host of others.
    However, Kanu Nwankwo who was present at the Press Conference in the company of Diouf appealed to the Federal Government and state governments to pick interest in the December 14 football match, designed to help the IDPs.
    “We have to do this for the IDPs because people talk about and forget about them. We call on the Federal Government, state governors, corporate organizations, wealthy individuals and Nigerians in the Diaspora to respond positively to this clarion call.
    “We should make sure that we all play a role. We want the Federal Government and the state governments to be part of this. This is a very big statement and we have to do it. This game is very important to Nigeria. It is important to raise the hope of the IDPs. We have to come to their rescue,” he stated.
    The tourney is  designed to drum up support for a fund-raising to assist the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country.
    Meanwhile, the chairperson of the MATCH4IDPS Local Organizing Committee, Abi Goodman, the event is a charity game to raise awareness for the need to help IDPs who are victims of Boko Haram insurgency and others who are in camps across the country over one problem or the other.
    Goodman who addressed sportswriters during a pre-match press conference to create awareness for the event said, “we are here to introduce a charity and the purpose is to use the opportunity to raise awareness on the situation going on in IDP camps across Nigeria.
    “The match is designed to kick-start campaign to raise fund for the IDPs. The Match is between African football legends and Kano Pillars football club.
    It will hold at Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano on the 14th of December, 2017.”
    According to her, the event became necessary to help IPDs, adding that donor agencies such as the United Nations, UNICEF and other Non Governmental Organizations have run out fund, “and there is need to use other avenues such as football to attract donors to help and support our brothers and sisters who are practically suffering in the IDPs across Nigeria.”
  • Mutiu: Rohr can take Eagles to special heights

    Mutiu: Rohr can take Eagles to special heights

    Former Nigeria international Mutiu Adepoju has claimed that current Gaffer of the Super Eagles Gernot Rohr can lead the team to ‘special heights’ following his 100% start to life in charge of the three-time African champions.

    Nigeria are top of Group B of the CAF 2018 World Cup qualifier after wins over Zambia and Algeria.

    However, after lacklustre performances by the team which resulted in failure to qualify for two consecutive African Nations Cup, Mutiu have been very impressed by the resurgence of the Super Eagles under the guidance of the German.

    “It is commendable how Gernot Rohr has improved team work in the Eagles and the players have developed a good team spirit which is very important for the growth of any team in the world,” Mutiu told SportingLife.

    “Right from the first time I met the Eagles manager, he looks calm and have convinced me that he can take the team to a special height.

    “Going forward the team should not be complacent because there are still four matches to be played so they should stay focused.”

    Some section of the media observed that the Super Eagles last seven goals in competitive matches have been scored by players plying their trade in the premier league but Mutiu insists that it was a collective effort and it doesn’t matter who scores.

    “Goals can be scored by anybody so we shouldn’t just look at the fact it is being scored by players in the premier league or in the Nigerian league. It’s lovely that the players are in form,” the headmaster informed.

    Nigeria leads Group B with six points, four more than second placed Cameroon while Zambia and Algeria have a point each in third and four place respectively.

  • Keshi was a role model to us – Mutiu Adepoju

    Keshi was a role model to us – Mutiu Adepoju

    Erstwhile Super Eagles midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju has said that most of them were looking up to the departed Stephen Keshi as a role model in the national team.

    “Before we joined the national team, we were all looking up to him as captain. He was such a cool and calm person who never talked too much while in the team. He was very firm and nice to all of us when we joined the team. He was respected on the team because of the way he carried himself,” he said.

    Adepoju, however described Keshi as a motivator, particularly during crucial matches involving the national team. “We all respect him because he had good intention and he was always motivating the team. When we joined the team, we had a good relationship with him.”

    The former 3SC star said he spoke to the late coach last month, while acknowledging that during his tenure as the gaffer of the Eagles, Keshi brought sanity to Nigerian football when he led the team to win the AFCON in 2013.

    “I think Nigeria will remember Keshi for his efforts to bring sanity to Nigerian football at a time when everybody has lost hope. He gave direction to Nigerian football by defying all odds, with the introduction of home-based players into the national team.

    “Particularly players that were now known, but he took the risk and it was these same players that ensured that we won the title in South Africa. He will also be remembered as the only Nigerian to win the AFCON as a player and as a coach. We will surely miss him and it was painful that he had to leave at this time,” Adepoju lamented.

  • Siasia will succeed with Eagles – Adepoju

    Siasia will succeed with Eagles – Adepoju

    Former Nigeria midfielder, Mutiu Adepoju, has hailed the appointment of Samson Siasia as Super Eagles coach, saying he will succeed with the team.

    Siasia was re-appointed Nigeria coach, hours after Sunday Oliseh resigned from the position and he will be assisted by Nigeria U-20 coach Emmanuel Amuneke, Salisu Yusuf  and Alloy Agu ahead of next month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Egypt.

    The Super Eagles sit second in Group G, two points off the Pharaohs at the summit, and must avoid any slip to avoid missing out of the biennial African football showpiece.

    And Adepoju argued that Siasia will rejig the team and succeed in his second stint.

    “His appointment is okay and I am sure he will do a good job,” Adepoju told Goal.

    “Definitely he will surely deliver not minding the situation we have found ourselves. He has been there before and has the experience.”

     

  • KFA appoints Adepoju as new CEO

    KFA appoints Adepoju as new CEO

    The Board of the Kwara Football Academy, Ilorin, has appointed ex-international, Mutiu Adepoju, as the new Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the academy.

    A statement signed on behalf of the academy by the Head of Corporate Affairs, Harmony Holdings Ltd., Tunde Abodunde, said the appointment takes effect from January 2.

    The statement said Adepoju was expected to use his multiple competencies as a football administrator to enhance the profile of the Academy. It added that Adepoju was considered for the position based on his skills garnered in football management.

    “We believe he will use his experience and proven ability to strengthen the development and marketing of youthful football talents at the academy,’’ the statement said.

    Adepoju, before his retirement from active football, had most of his career in the Spanish La Liga and represented Nigeria in three World Cup tournaments.

    The ex-Super Eagles player, a holder of the UEFA Professional Coaching licence, was once the manager of Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan. He had after retirement, involved himself in football administration.

  • MUTIU ADEPOJU WARNS EAGLES:

    MUTIU ADEPOJU WARNS EAGLES:

    FOR former Nigeria midfielder Mutiu Adepoju, the Super Eagles will not find it easy at the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament in Brazil. In this interview with SportingLife’s AKEEM LAWAL, Headmaster, as he was fondly called during his playing days, said early preparations will be key to Nigeria’s success at the mundial.  The 43-year-old, who played at three World Cups  winning 54 caps between 1990 and 2002 for Nigeria tipped Chelsea midfieder, Mikel Obi to win the Africa Player of the Year Award. He also spoke about 3SC’s relegation, the inclusion of Golden Eaglets stars in the Super Eagles, Nigeria’s participation at the CHAN tournament in South Africa in January among other issues. EXCERPTS:

    You left Shooting Stars and they are back in relegation. How do you feel about 3SC’s predicament?

    Well, I feel bad considering the fact that we did a very good job when we came back from lower Division to the Premier League the last time. I was there for five years and we did everything possible to ensure that we maintained and stabilised the team. Then after I left, I feel very bad that they are back in relegation.

    What will you attribute to the problem of 3SC?

    I wouldn’t know, whether its a managerial problem or whatever, I wouldn’t know because I was not an insider so I wouldn’t be able to say, but all indications says things are not working well. They didn’t do things the right way they suppose to do it.

    Do you think the team can make a swift return to the Premier League?

    That is what we hope for. I pray for it because Shooting Stars has been my club right from when I was young, I played for them . So I want them back and I pray that they get back early.

    If they contact you, will you go back to the club?

    Well you never say never (laughs), but I don’t know. When the time comes one will be able to consider few things and see if it is viable or not.

    Let’s talk about the Super Eagles going to CHAN competition, do you think Stephen Keshi can put up a great display in South Africa?

    I think so because Keshi has been doing a great job and moreover this home based Eagles and it’s a tournament for home based players. He has been giving opportunities to the home based players in the main team, so I think he can do very well in the CHAN.

    Nigeria is drawn in the same group with Iran, Bosnia and Argentina at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Do you think we can beat the Argentines this time around?

    This is the time we have to revenge although Argentina are world power and have good players. We have good players too and if we do things right, and prepare very well, this is the opportunity for us to beat them.

    When do you think we should do right this time around to beat them?

    Against Argentina we have to prepare very well, play more than them and try and give opportunities to what we have more than them. Lets try and see what can work against them so that we can achieve our aim.

    People have been looking down on Bosnia and Iran, do you think we can just write them off like that?

    Not at all. You cannot look down on any team nowadays. If they qualify for the World Cup from their continent, that means they have good team. So, we don’t have to look down on them, its going to be a tough one, it’s not going to be easy.

    People have been calling for the return of Joseph Yobo, Osaze Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins to the Super Eagles. Will you ever support their return?

    Why not. If the technical crew believe they can add value to the team and they give the team more chances of winning, why not.

    In Nigeria’s international friendly against Italy, our defense line was shaky and people said we needed new back-four.

    If we can get more defenders, better. Its going to be good but if not we have to do with what we have. We have good players Echiejile (Elderson), Oboabona (Godfrey), they are all good players. The only thing is that we make some amendments to the team and work on the team before the World Cup, definitely we have the players.

    Stephen Keshi has come out to say that the World Cup will be tough, what is your feeling about it?

    The World Cup is going to be tough, it’s always tough. You’ll play against the best in the world and definitely its going to be tough. That means you have to work very hard so that you can win your matches. You can find anything easy at the World Cup.

    The promotion of Golden Eaglets star players like Taiwo Awoniyi, Dele Alampasu and Kelechi Ihianacho to the Super Eagles. Do you think these players should be given chance to go to the World Cup?

    To go to the World Cup, I can’t say. We should allow them to grow and including them in CHAN is an opportunity for them to gain experience and then see what happens. It is the decision of the technical crew to see what happens before the World Cup. Don’t let us rush them into the team. Including them in CHAN is a good idea.

    Africa Footballer of the year in January, do you think Mikel Obi can beat the likes of Yaya Toure?

    Well, I think Mikel has the chance to win it. He has done a good job, last year was superb for him and he won so many things. I think he deserves to win it and I hope he wins it.