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Tag: Oboabona

  • Ikpeba faults Oboabona Arsenal snub

    Ikpeba faults Oboabona Arsenal snub

    Former Africa Footballer of the Year, Victor Ikpeba, has said it was wrong for Godfrey Oboabona not to undergo trials with English Premier League side Arsenal.

    Oboabona has said it was disrespectful for Arsenal to ask him to undergo trials after what he has achieved with the Super Eagles.

    But Ikpeba, who played under Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger at French club Monaco, said the Sunshine Stars skipper got it wrong.

    Ikpeba told MTNFootball.com:”Oboabona was wrongly advised, he should have gone for the trials even if he does not make it into Arsenal, another English side would have seen him.

    “I know he would say he has won the AFCON and plays for Sunshine Stars but he should understand that it’s not the same way these European coaches view European and South America players they view African players.

    “Yes, we have talent but you need to understand how they play, adjust to their weather and a lot of things, so I think he should have gone for the trials because I know Arsene Wenger has a lot of respect for African players.”

     

  • AHEAD OF CHAN 2014 Search for my replacement, Oboabona tells Keshi

    AHEAD OF CHAN 2014 Search for my replacement, Oboabona tells Keshi

    SUPER Eagles defender Godfrey Oboabona has advised Coach Stephen Keshi to start looking for his replacement ahead of Nigeria’s qualification for the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) holding in South Africa next year.

    The Sunshine Stars captain said he would be happy to represent the country at that championship, but feared he could no longer be eligible to play for the home-based Eagles when the competition begins.

    Only footballers plying their trade in their countries’ football leagues are qualified to represent their national teams at the CHAN, and Oboabona has hinted that a move to a foreign club may be on the cards for him soon.

    “I want to make a move very soon. It is the dream of every player here to go to Europe and make a big mark.

    “If every one of us leaves today, Nigeria has all it takes to raise another team that can go to CHAN and win the trophy.

    “It is our prayer to go and ensure we do our country proud; it is our duty to make our country proud if we eventually qualify. We also pray that in the process of doing this, if offers come, we should not hesitate to jump on it”.

    On his expectations on the return leg match against Cote d’Ivoire holding this weekend in Abidjan, the hard tackling defender said: “We know the Ivoirians will come all out against us when we play the second leg in their country, but we are capable of handling them.

    “We are doing everything possible to ensure we finish up that assignment by qualifying for the CHAN championship proper, because we have not been there before.

    “Since they got two red cards when they came here, over there, I am sure they are going to do everything possible to frustrate us. But in all we have to keep calm and remain focused on the game.

    “I am very confident we will subdue them in their backyard. This is a task we must accomplish. Even if we are moving to Europe before the Championship proper, we must ensure that we qualify Nigeria for the Championship. If we don’t, Nigerians will never forgive us,” he concluded.

    The AFCON 2013 star did not however mention the offers he has received.

  • Oboabona misses Eagles training

    Oboabona misses Eagles training

    Super Eagles defender Godfrey Oboabona, was not present when the team trained on Tuesday morning in Abuja.

    The Super Eagles are preparing for the return leg of the CHAN 2014 qualifier against Ivory Coast in Abidjan on July 27 after a 4-1 victory in Kaduna.

    23 players trained on Tuesday morning with only Oboabona exempted by the coaching crew because he had had a hectic schedule with his club Sunshine Stars.

    He will join his teammates on Wednesday morning, as the players battle for the 20 slots that the coach will take to Abidjan for the match.

  • Oboabona mobbed, injured by Sunshine fans

    Oboabona mobbed, injured by Sunshine fans

    Nigeria defender Godfrey Oboabona was mobbed and injured by fans when he reported for training with Sunshine Stars early this week.

    Oboabona, who has excelled with the national team, returned to his club after the Super Eagles broke camp. But in his first training session with the team at Owo Polytechnic, fans scrambled for pictures and autographs with the Eagles star. In the melee, the defender suffered a small stab wound in the hand.

    “A lot of people were rushing to take pictures with him and trying to get him to sign autographs for them, and it became uncontrollable,” a Sunshine source told KickOffNigeria.com.

    “We are not sure of it was a pen or a piece of wood that injured him, but in the end, he had to get out of there very quickly.”

    Oboabona himself confirmed the incident, but played it down. “It was not deliberate. The fans just wanted to take pictures and there is nothing wrong with that. I think maybe it happened by mistake, but I’m okay. It’s nothing serious,” he told KickOffNigeria.com.

  • CHAN: Be wary of Elephants, Oboabona warns teammates

    CHAN: Be wary of Elephants, Oboabona warns teammates

    SUPER EAGLES defender Godfrey Obabona ,has advised his teammates in the national team not to over celebrate the victory recorded over the Elephants of Cote D’ivore last weekend in Kaduna. The match was the first leg qualifiers of the 2014 CHAN championship holding in South Africa. The match ended 4-1 in favour of the Nigerians.

    The Sunshine of Akure strongman said the Ivoriens have a quality team that are ready to turn the table anytime “you saw what they played against us, even when they were two men down, that shows that they were a very good team. Based on that, we should not over celebrate our victory here, until we must have completed the second leg. That is the reason why the Coach told us to remain in good shape while in our clubs, and ensure we put in the best when we return to camp“.

    On the goal they conceded against the Ivoriens, the hard-working player regretted the lapses, saying that it was purely lack of concentration on their part, promising that they would not allow such lapses again in future.

    The Ivoriens would need to score three goals in the return leg match next three weeks to eliminate the Super Eagles. Nigeria has never qualified for the CHAN championship since its inception four years ago.

  • Keshi names Agbim, Oboabona, Mba, 21 others for CIV

    Keshi names Agbim, Oboabona, Mba, 21 others for CIV

    Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Stephen Keshi has swiftly turned his attention to the 2014 African Nations Championship qualifying match against Cote d’Ivoire, by calling up 24 home boys for the game billed for the end of next week.

    Even as the African champions were rueing several missed chances in the 3-0 defeat to World and European champions Spain at the FIFA Confederations Cup tournament in Brazil, Keshi pencilled down goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim, defenders Azubuike Egwuekwe, Godfrey

    Oboabona, Solomon Kwambe and Benjamin Francis, midfielders Emeka Eze and Sunday Mba and forward Muhammad Gambo from the squad that were with him in Brazil, and added 14 more from Nigeria’s top flight and two from the lower division.

    Returning are goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi, defender Kunle Odunlami and striker Obinna Nwachukwu and Gomo Onduku who were part of the team’s training camp in Germany ahead of the international friendly with Mexico in Texas, USA.

    Defender Chibuzor Okonkwo, who is no stranger to the senior team camp, is joined by familiar faces Umar Zango and Ezekiel Bassey, Ayo Saka and Anthony Okputu.

    Nigeria Professional Football League top scorer Dele Olorundare of Sunshine Stars is joined by former junior international midfielder Olufemi Oladapo.

    New faces are Mohammed Ajia of Bayelsa United, Enyimba FC’s Ifeanyi Edeh, Pius Samson of Ranch Bees, Festus Ajah of Union Bank FC and Warri Wolves’ Etebo Oghene.

    The players are expected to report at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on Sunday, 30th June, 2013.

    Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has announced that the match will be played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna on Saturday, 6th July.

    “We are happy for the favourable response from the Kaduna State Government, and we have also approached the National Sports Commission for permission to use the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna for the encounter.

    “The grass is excellent and the entire facility is well maintained. The Super Eagles will find the place comfortable,” Barrister Musa Amadu, NFF General Secretary who was in Kaduna on Monday, said.

  • Oboabona, Mba vow to break Namibia

    Oboabona, Mba vow to break Namibia

    SUPER Eagles’ duo of defender Godfrey Oboabona and AFCON 2013 hero, Sunday Mba, have vowed to break the resolve of Brave Warriors of Namibia in Wednesday’s crunch 2014 World Cup qualifier slated for the Independence Stadium in Windhoek.

    Namibia ‘s coach, Roger Palmgren, has said his wards can upset the Super Eagles come June 12, though the Super Eagles are very much confident of victory in the Battle of Windhoek.

    “We are already looking forward to the game,” said Oboabona. “We have strived hard to get to this stage and it will be very painful to lose focus in a game like this.

    “Our focus is still very much intact, and our belief is to win in Namibia irrespective of their challenges. We won’t leave anything behind to ensure victory at all cost,” Oboabona assured.

    Similarly, Mba has declared that the Super Eagles are not going to handle the Brave Warriors of Namibia with kids’ gloves, stressing that victory on Wednesday will make it a special day in Nigeria. “I know we are facing another tough side because Namibia plays good football. We just need to keep our head straight.

    “They mean business too but the best way to prove superiority is on the pitch. We will all do our best to get all the maximum points,” he added.

  • HOUSTON SHOWDOWN: Oboabona vows to stop Chicarito

    HOUSTON SHOWDOWN: Oboabona vows to stop Chicarito

    Godfrey Oboabona has told MTNFootball.com he will stop Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez “Chicharito” in a friendly against Mexico.

    The high-profile match will be played in Houston, Texas, in the United States of America on Friday night, which will be 2am Nigerian time on Saturday.

    “If I could stop players in the calibre of Didier Drogba, Yaya Youre, Gervinho at the Nations Cup, I can’t be afraid to face any striker in the world. I will do my best to stop Chicharito and Giovanni dos Santos,” Oboabona told MTNFootball.com from Houston.

    “Both players are unarguably world-class strikers and they are very deadly but marking out Drogba has boosted my confidence not to fear any striker.”

    He added: “We are also looking forward to an interesting match that will boost our confidence ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Kenya and Namibia because that is the main thing all Nigerians are eagerly waiting for, but we will also give our best to maintain our record against the Mexicans.”

    Super Eagles midfielder Sunday Mba further told MTNFootball.com they will go for broke against the CONCACAF champions.

    The AFCON 2013 hero said the Eagles will give as much as they get even though they are without several players due to injury and club engagements.

    “We are here for business, though it is a friendly winning this match will send the right signal to our World Cup qualifiers opponents that we are coming to get the ticket,” Mba told MTNFootball.com.

    “We are champions, they are champions, and our spirit is high irrespective of the pressure. I am sure we will beat Mexico.

    “When you play a team like Mexico, the expectation of our fans is victory and that is what they will get.”

    Both teams are using this game to also prepare for the FIFA Confederations Cup, which will be staged by Brazil next month.

  • Ajibola savouring Oboabona’s impact

    Last year, Otegbeye Ajibola played fourth level club football in Nigeria, but on Sunday, he played for ABS in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Matchday 11 tie against Sunshine Stars which was live on SuperSport.

    Sharing the points was no mean feat for ABS, but Ajibola left the Akure Stadium satisfied after a rare chance on the field with 2013 African Cup of Nations winner and captain of Sunshine Stars, Godfrey Oboabona.

    Back in 2012, the upcoming forward played amateur football with Nigeria Nationwide Division 2 side, Vela FC based in Oyo town, while Oboabona blossomed with the Super Eagles. And in January, Ajibola watched the defender excel as the Eagles moved from being outsiders to eventual champions.

    Ajibola was one of the numerous Nigerians who admired Oboabona on television and dreamt of a one-on-one encounter with the utility player who is set for a summer move to Europe. Indeed, dreams come true in life and fate brought him to his football hero.

    “It will remain fresh in my mind because I prayed for the chance to come close to him. I didn’t even know it would happen so soon. However, I couldn’t talk to him after the match,” Ajibola told supersport.com.

    It was a fast-tracked journey to the top as he jumped two levels (Nigeria Nationwide Division 1 and Nigeria National League) to the top flight.

    Initially scouted by Kwara United, the forward was unable to make his top flight debut and eventually moved across to the blue side of Ilorin to play for ABS. The former Vela FC forward was determined to make the best of the opportunity.

    Interestingly, Ajibola’s teammate at Vela FC, Emmanuel Onyeka, had made his debut for ABS, while he was struggling to convince Kwara United gaffer, Samson Unuanel, that he can play at the top.

    “I couldn’t resist the chance to join ABS because it’s a chance to achieve my dream of top flight football.

    “My former team played against Kwara United Feeders in the Nationwide League and officials of Kwara United invited me for trials. I passed the test and was registered to play for Kwara United. However, I never got the chance to play for the club,” he said to supersport.com.

    In less than four months, he has gone from preparing for matches in the fourth division, where media coverage is non-existent to assume the mantle of scoring goals with ABS legend, Abdulrahman Bashir, in the top flight.

    Seven goals for Vela FC in the Nationwide Division Three (fifth division) play-offs earned him no plaudits by the sporting media. However, the youngster hugged the headlines for a while when he scored on his debut at El-Kanemi where ABS lost 1-4 and his friends now watch him on SuperSport.

    “It’s a different world in the top flight. I’ve received calls after the Sunshine Stars match from many people who watched me on SuperSport.

    “In fact, my friends had to convince the owner of a viewing centre in Oyo where they were watching the Manchester United versus Swansea match to change one of the television sets to SuperSport 9 for the match in Akure,” he stated.

    Ajibola’s career has moved at such a fast rate and hopefully it can just keep on going as the season progresses.

  • IDOKO TO SUITORS OBOABONA IS NOT CHEAP

    IDOKO TO SUITORS OBOABONA IS NOT CHEAP

    THE EXECUTIVE Director, Ondo State Sports Development Agency, Mike Idoko has told Arsenal Football Club of England that Super Eagles and Sunshine Stars defender Godfrey Obaobona won’t come to Arsenal for any trials but to go there and sign if the English club wants his services.

    The influential football administrator was of the opinion that Oboabona having shone brilliantly for Nigeria at the last Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) that was held in South Africa and also playing regularly for Nigeria, and meeting the 75 per cent requirement needed to play in the English league, proved he should just go to Arsenal to sign and no undergo any trials. ” I have heard that Clubs like Arsenal are inviting him to come for trials, this we will not accept even though I am an Arsenal fan. This is business and we must protect our interest and players. We should not allow these people to treat us with disdain. How can they tell a player who played all the matches of the Nations Cup and has also met the 75 per cent of National team appearance to come for trials. It is not fair and we must try to protect our players”, he disclosed.

    Idoko also assured that Oboabona would be allowed to go to Europe to join a good club and that he won’t go cheap since he has proved his mettle both with the national team and the club.

    “The player has proved himself as a good and talented star and should be treated such. Imagine if it was a Spanish player that have just won the European Cup, will they ask the player to go and join a club for cheap. No. We must also protect our own players and help them to get good clubs and good pay that they merit. The club that nurtured them must also benefit from the player’s stardom. So, anytime Oboabona wants to go, the club won’t stop him from progressing in his football career. But he must be treated with respect”, the Sunshine Stars boss told SportingLife.