The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nations Cup

  • Efe Ambrose to Eagles: Focus on one match at a time!

     

    As Super Eagles gear up to the kickoff of their 2019 Nations cup in Egypt against Swallows of Burundi on Saturday, holidaying free Agent Efe Ambrose has urged the team to focus on one match at a time as no two matches are ever the same and no two opponents are the same even with same set of players.

    Super Eagles profile according to the former Celtic defender has risen to an all-time high and this should be an added advantage for the team.  “The national team has become a big brand and the popularity of the team keeps growing and I think this will be an added advantage. The Eagles should just focus on each game at a time and give every game its deserved attention not worrying over the entire group matches at the same time to avoid undue pressure,” he said

    Ambrose who was recently released by EFL Championship Club Derby County after a short term contract believes Eagles stand a good chance of winning the nations cup but must resist the temptation to underrate any team including the debutants.

    The 2013 Nations cup winner under late Coach Stephen Keshi, played five out of six games including the final which he started against Burkin Fasso at the 85,000 capacity FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.

    Some analysts say Eagles were handed a soft draw with two debutants Burundi and Madagascar with Guinea as the only opponent in the group with Nations cup experience having featured in the continental fiesta  over 11 times finishing as runners up in 1976 and as quarterfinalists on four occasions.

    Despite wearing the toga of under dogs going into the opening match against Eagles on Saturday, Burundi Coach Oliver Niyungeko insists that the Swallows stand equal chance of success as every other team in the competition.

    He said it is wrong to opine that debutants have nothing to prove as they have to prove that their qualification for the event is not fluke.

    “My target is to ensure we do our best.  We have to compete and show that our qualification was no fluke. There are 24 teams and each has an equal chance and we are also part of that with an equal chance” he enthused

  • Nations Cup: CAF insists on the best in pre-tournament Ref course

     

    Confederation of African Football (CAF) may have declared operation only the best is good enough at the intensive training for over 56 referees and their assistants in Rabat Morocco ahead of the 2019 Nations cup in Egypt.

    Information emanating for the venue in Rabat indicate that the whistle men and their assistants are being exposed new techniques and approaches all aimed at reducing to the barest minimum mistakes associated with officiating.

    The Video Assistant Referee is also in use at the training as part of the practical component of the course which started on April 28 and is expected to end on Sunday may 5th. Nigeria’s Baba Adel is among the 56-man squad on whose shoulders a lot will depend when the Nations cup gets underway in Egypt from June 21 to July 19.

    It is however not only about training as the officials are also undergoing medical and physical test besides theoretical and practical sessions under the supervision of experienced CAF Instructors.

    Also to be discussed are the amendments to the Laws of the Game, which takes effect Jun 1 2019, and which are expected to the implemented during the championship.

    A blend of youth and experience, Egypt and Tunisia have the biggest number of representatives – five (5), consisting of three referees and two assistant referees.

    The 2019 Nations cup will for the first time feature 24 teams with some analysts predicting that it will be full of fireworks as nations hitherto dubbed underdogs in the round leather game in the continent have risen to the occasion and shown signs of readiness to spring a surprise and give regular winners and more experienced countries a run for their skills.

    Madagascar, Burundi and Mauritania will be making their first appearances in Egypt with analysts warning that teams underrating them as new comers may be doing so at their own risk as the era of minnows in football has since disappeared.

  • AFCON 2019: No time to experiment with new players – Rohr

    Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr says two months to the Nations Cup in Egypt is too short a time to experiment with new players.

    Rohr who has dismissed insinuations in some quarters that he is under pressure to win a laurel with the team he inherited from former international Sunday Oliseh in 2016, maintained that the devil you know is better than the Angel you know nothing about.

    Some analysts had opined that though the Eagles did well in qualifying for the Nations cup without the usual migraine before qualification, the team needs to be given a close look with a view to effecting some changes especially in the goalkeeping area considered a bit shaky.

    But in a swift reaction Rohr told whoever cares to listen that he has decided on the trio of Francis Uzoho, Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa.

    “We have a little challenge because our young goalkeeper Uzoho has not really played at his club this season,” Rohr told BBC Sport.

    “Uzoho made one mistake in the last qualifier [against Seychelles] but we gave him a chance with the youth under-23 and it was good for his confidence.

    “Daniel Akpeyi is playing now for a big team in South Africa and doing very well. Our third goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa too is good so we can work harder with them.

    “We have a good spirit as a team since the World Cup, so there’s no time to bring in new players,” he submitted

    Luckily Eagles who got what has been described as soft draw will face two debutants of the Nations cup Burundi and Madagascar with only Guinea expected to pose a bit of a challenge having been to the Nations cup 11 times and posting their best performance in 1976 in Ethiopia where they ended up as runners up to eventual winners Morocco.

    The Syli Nationale, have also made it to the quarterfinals four times, the latest being at the 2015 edition in Equatorial Guinea.

    Incidentally Eagles were absent in the last two editions and will need to show on the pitch that indeed they are back.  All the 24 teams that will battle for honours in Egypt have till June 10th to submit their final 23-man squad.

  • Osimhen grabs hat-trick as Olympic Eagles hit Libya 4-0

     

    The Nation’s Olympic Team Monday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium zoomed into the third round of the African under 23 Nations cup qualifier, beating their Libya counterpart 4-0.

    The Imama Amapakabo led side that lost the first leg 2-0 in Tunis rose to the occasion in front of vociferous crowd in Asaba to effectively turn the table and edge close to qualifying for the Nations cup billed for Egypt in November.

    The team now has a third round clash against either Kenya of Sudan as the only hurdle to jump before hitting Egypt.

    Victor Osimhen fired the team into the lead in the 4th minute of the match, coming just few minutes after Samuel Chukwueze had hit the woodworks.   Although the team produced a lot of action and ventured regularly in the vital areas of the opponents their efforts failed to produce another goal before the end of first 45 minutes.

    On resumption of hostilities in the second half Osimhen was again on target in the 67th minute. In what looked like a day of harvest for Osimhen he again registered his third goal in the 81st minute making a clinical finish of a pass from Chidebere Nwakali.  David Okereke produced the icing on the cake in the 90th minute to conclude a 4-0 demolition.

    Although the boys drafted from Eagles into the team last minute barely had time to blend their performance was hailed by many fans that had turned out in large numbers to cheer the team to victory.

    The Nigeria versus Kenya or Sudan clash will hold between 3rd and 11th of June.

  • CAF names 2019 Nations Cup hosts

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) says the decision on who will replace Cameroon as hosts of this year’s African Nations Cup (AFCON) finals has been brought forward to Tuesday.

    Executive Committee members were initially set to vote in Dakar on Wednesday but will now do so 24 hours earlier, with the decision to be announced at a subsequent news conference.

    CAF, however, did not provide a reason for the change.

    Egypt and South Africa were the only two countries to put forward their candidacies to replace Cameroon, which was stripped of hosting rights late last year.

    It will be the first time there will be 24 teams at the tournament.

    CAF, after several inspection visits over the last two years, said Cameroon would not be ready in time.

    There were no plans to have presentations from either Egypt or South Africa, but both countries have representation on the executive committee.

    Read Also: CAF Awards: Ordega, Kgatlana challenge Oshoala for 2018 women’s best player

    “We are ready to host the event tomorrow if needs be,” South African Football Association (SAFA) General Secretary Russell Paul told Reuters on Tuesday.

    “But we expect the vote will be a purely political decision.”

    South Africa plans to use the infrastructure built for the hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup if it is awarded the tournament.

    Egypt also has extensive football facilities, although in recent years attendances at local matches have been restricted because of security concerns in the wake of the Arab Spring revolution.

    Morocco had been the favourite to step in after repeatedly promising to do so if needed, but then surprisingly said it was not interested once Cameroon was stripped of hosting rights.

  • Mikel tasks Tianjin Teda ahead Guangzhou R&F clash

    Mikel tasks Tianjin Teda ahead Guangzhou R&F clash

     

    Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel is to bounce back to action come July 9. Return of the Eagles skipper will be a major boost for Nigeria as the Gernot Rohr tutored Eagles attempt to regain their momentum in the Nations cup qualifiers following the 2-1 loss to South Africa at the Nest of Champions in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. At the club level, Tianjin Teda coaches and players are elated as recovery report on the Nigerian international indicates that he could be in shape for the club’s home tie against Shandong Luneng on July 9.

    Meanwhile, the former Chelsea midfielder who doubles as captain of Tianjin Teda has reportedly charged his teammates to ensure they sing victory song Saturday as they host table toppers Guangzhou R&F at the Tianjin Tuanbo Soccer Stadium.

    Though currently occupying the 12th position on the 16-team log, the recuperrating Tianjin Teda captain believes the team can gradually push their way to the top four by picking vital points away and avoiding losing points at home.

    “”At every point home or away we must put in our very best,” he was quoted as telling his teammates who are eager to have him back in action.  The Nigerian international picked up an injury against Chongqing Lifan, forcing him to miss international duties especially

    Super Eagles Nations Cup qualifiers against South Africa which saw the Eagles lose 2-1 at home to the Rainbow City boys for the first time in a competitive match.

    At the club level the 30-year-old has missed ten games for the Tianjin Tigers since suffering a strain.

    In other Chinese Super league fixtures this weekend, Nigerian international Obafemi martins who has been consistent for his side

    Shanghai Shenhua will be hoping to register his name on the score sheet as they take on Yanbian Funde away.

    On paper some Shanghai Shenhua     fans have said it should be tea party for their side who are 10th on the log against Yanbian Funde who are rooted in the relegation zone with just seven points in 13 matches. In the same vein, Super Eagles forward odion Ighalo and his Changchun Yatai teammates will attempt to rattle Chongqing Dangdai Lifan away. This weekend’s ties will mark the 14th game since the new season began in the Chinese Super League that is recording improved profile following the import of several top players from the English premier league and other leagues across the globe.

  • Nations Cup Qualifier :Eagles never came to the party-Owolabi

    Nations Cup Qualifier :Eagles never came to the party-Owolabi

     

    Former international Felix Owolabi has described Super Eagles performance against South Africa on Saturday as embarrassing and condemnable. He opined that the team did not only gamble with an opportunity to  improve the country’s chances of being at the  2019 Nations Cup in Cameroon after missing the Equatorial Guinea and Gabon editions, but also failed to show character as non of the departments from goalkeeping to midfield to attack showed desire to sing victory song on the occasion.

    “”There was no leadership in the team, there was so much disconnect. For you to win a match you need an attack that is coordinated, a midfield that can feed the attack and above all you don’t need a defenceless defence,” It was indeed a bad outing and both players and technical crew share the blame, “he said

    While admitting that there is nothing wrong with introducing new players to the national team, Owoblow as he was fondly called in his national team days, said it is a technical default to play so many new and unblended players in a crucial match like the Nations Cup qualifiers.

    “Players need to be given a chance, so there is nothing wrong with introducing new players into the national team but it is a gradual process. You introduce them one at a time as they blend with experienced ones, you don’t throw many of them in a match at the same time, “he submitted

    He however canvassed for inclusion of more local league players in the national team, noting that a number of them who have shown in the course of the league that they are capable of rising to the occasion.

    “I don’t see why we shouldn’t have up to six players from the local league in the national team; the national team is about hunger to

    excel,” added the 1980 Nations cup winner.

    Nigeria will next turn attention to the World Cup qualifiers where the Eagles will face Lions of Cameroon August 28.

    Many say the mother of all flops recorded on Saturday is an indication that the China legion of John Obi Mikel, Odion Ighalo, Brown Ideye as well as England based but sometimes elusive Victor Moses are being missed in the squad.

  • MAHREZ BOASTS: I want to help Algeria win Nations Cup

    MAHREZ BOASTS: I want to help Algeria win Nations Cup

    Leicester City of England and Algeria star Riyard Mahrez who was crowned African Player of the Year 2016 in Abuja, Nigeria on Thursday has shifted focus to help his country Algeria win the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations holding this month in Gabon.

    “I’m very happy to win it. Honestly, it was between two big players. It is never easy to win a big award like this. I’m very happy and very pleased; [I am not done yet ] as I just have to keep going,” Mahrez disclosed after receiving his award.

    “The next thing after this award is the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. My team will try to do good things there. It is not going to be easy in Africa but it will be good maybe to win the title”, he said at the press conference after the awards held at the International Conference Centre, Abuja on Thursday.

  • Howard canvasses friendlies for Eagles

  • Gbagada Mock Nations cup enters quarter final stage

    The annual Mock Nations cup organized by Gbagada Grassroot Sports  Association (GGSA) will enter the quarter final stage tomorrow. The competition, which kicked off with 42 teams in October, is in its 13th edition.

    According to the spokesperson of the organizer, Kemac Emina, Current FC (South Africa) will lock horns against TalentoFC (Cape Verde) by 4pm on Monday, while Citifut Escola (Algeria) will play Power FC (Angola) on Tuesday.

    The battle for a place in the semi-finals of the prestigious competition will continue on Wednesday, when Junior Milan FC (Gabon) play Holy FC (Morocco). On Thursday, Lisbon Sporting FC (Dr Congo) will battle Nice Base FC (Ghana) for the last spot in the semi-finals.

    Emina disclosed that this year’s edition of the competition will witness a huge improvement from past editions. He said the decision of betting game giant, bet9ja, to sponsor the competition has added colour and value to it.

    “I can tell you that this year’s competition will turn out to be one of the best ever in the history of Gbagada Mock Nations Cup. Bet9ja has promised to join hands with us to ensure that we organize one of the best competitions in recent times. “

    Also speaking, the Marketing Manager of bet9ja, Tunji Mesh, said the company’s interest in the sponsorship of the competition was informed by its decision to provide a platform for young boys and girls who are in search of avenues to polish their hidden talents.

    “We want to offer those young boys and girls who are seeking ways to explore their talents. We want to take them of the streets and provide for them a platform to make them world beaters in their respective sports,” Mesh said.

    The winner of the competition will go home with a whopping sum of N450,000 prize money and a giant silver trophy. The second, third and fourth placed teams will win N250, 000. N200,000 and N100,000 respectively.