The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ogu

  • Ogu slams Ndidi CAF snub

    Super Eagles’ midfielder John Ogu has expressed his frustration after seeing no Nigerian named in the inaugural CAF next XI, positing that the likes of Wilfred Ndidi and William Troost-Ekong deserve a place in the selection, AOIFootball.com reports.

    Despite playing at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and qualifying for the AFCON with a game to spare, no Nigerian was deemed fit to make the cut, a decision that has left sour taste for Ogu.

    “Let’s put sentiments aside. I can argue this anywhere that Ndidi and Troost-Ekong, even Ighalo should be there. Awards are based on your performance for club and country and not how big of a club you play in. Ndidi plays in arguably the best league in the world.

    “How someone comes up here and says clubs they play matters. Like are you kidding me? Ekong and Ndidi had a better seasons for their clubs, made it to the World Cup. They had decent performances at the World Cup and you say clubs they play for matter? Aurier, Bailly, Keita all didn’t make it and the latter two are even bench warmers,” Ogu twitted expressing his disappointment.

    The Hapoel Be’er Sheva midfielder, however, praised the duo of Ndidi and Ekong, saying he remains proud of them despite the snub by CAF.

    “My brothers Ndidi and Troost-Ekong, we are proud of you. I see you guys every day in the national team and I see how dedicated and motivated you both are. I’m super proud of you two. Never stop working. You guys are destined for the top,” Ogu concluded.

     

  • Mikel, Ogu get special roles in Eagles’ defence

    Worried by the thought of his team struggling to defend properly in set piece situations, coach of the Nigerian team Gernot Rohr has handed special roles to two of the tallest players in his team in captain John Obi Mikel and John Ogu.

    The duo have been partially responsible for the two goals Nigeria conceded from a set piece in their last two friendly games, and the coach took out time to address their positioning during their closed-door session.

    Although zonal marking has been preferred by most coaches, Rohr is, however, not keen on going that way as he still favours the man to man marking style which many consider outdated following recent developments in football.

    Ogu who has been converted to a defender when Eagles played with a back three, has been mandated to pick the tallest man in the team of the opposition, while Mikel will defend the first pole.

    Mikel will be teams’ first defender on the line with Ogu behind him, while the central defence duo of William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun will concentrate on winning the second balls.

  • Ogu to Efe: We’re fearless

    Ogu to Efe: We’re fearless

    Super Eagles midfielder, John Ogu is optimistic of yet another victory against Scottish Celtic FC as both teams lock horns in the UEFA Champions League playoffs today in Scotland.

    Ogu’s Hapoel Be’er-Sheva have been maintaining a superlative form from the start of the campaign, and their consistency have seen them dump out Greek Champions, Olympiakos FC in Champions League playoffs.

    The former Almeria player displayed another impressive form as Hapoel Be’er-Sheva claimed the Israeli Super Cup win last Thursday.

    “Getting this level of qualification takes us lots of extraordinary hard work for every individual in the team as well as the fans and the club as a whole, we are proud of what we are doing and that’s why we are here at this point.

    “Celtic is another top team who are familiar with UEFA Champions League competition, they equally have good players but we are fearless of any threat. They are already under pressure because of the threat we possessed against Olympiakos, we just need to keep that focus of doing it right again,” said Ogu.

    “We have always been respecting our opponents and we will do the same thing with Celtic. Football is all about 90 minutes, but we always hope to get results in that minutes. As for me, I believe in our dream, I believe we can do it against Celtic and they can under rate us at their own peril.”

  • Ogu shows off new boot

    Ogu shows off new boot

    Nigerian international, John Ogu has taken to social media to show off his latest pair of New Nike Mercurial Victory football boots ahead of Hapoel Be’er Sheva’s trip to Beitar Jerusalem in the Israeli Premier League next week.

    The Super Eagles midfielder who scored four goals for The Camels last term is yet to hit the back of the net after six games this season. And apparently aware of the former Associação Académica de Coimbra predicament, one of the world’s leading sportswear manufacturers, Nike has now sent him a set of boots which will no doubt boost his confidence when the Ligat ha’Al resumes after the international break.

    Ogu posted the picture of himself holding the new Mercurial Victory boot with another set in front of him on his personal Twitter account yesterday.

    The Nigerian midfielder, who is expected to wear the boots when his team take on Beitar Jerusalem at the Teddi Malcha Stadium on October 19 shared the snap and wrote: “Thank you @nikefootball”.

  • Ogu confirms readiness for Israeli league season

    Ogu confirms readiness for Israeli league season

    Hapoel Beer Sheva of Israel midfielder, John Ogu has told SportingLife that he is in top shape for the start of the Ligat HaAl season and has dispelled injury rumour against him.

    Ogu, a Super Eagles’ player was reported to have sustained an injury that kept him out of the start of the season but the former Portugal based player has told SportingLife that he is fit and raring to go ahead of their league tie at Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona on August 23.

    Ogu revealed to SportingLife that he only sustained a knock and that he had since resumed training and was even in the thick of action in his club’s latest friendly game win on Wednesday which they won 4-0.

    “I am not injured as being peddled in the media. I am fine and in top shape now. I was only advised to rest from the knock I received but I

    am fine now. I even played 90 minutes in my club’s last pre season game on Wednesday,” Ogu disclosed to SportingLife yesterday from his base.

  • Ogu targets cup glory in Israel

    Ogu targets cup glory in Israel

    Nigeria international midfielder John Ogu has told AfricanFootball.com he has his sights on winning the Israel State Cup with Hapoel Be’er Sheva this season after his team crashed out of Europa League Thursday night.

    What are your targets with Hapoel Be’er Sheva this season?

    I want to win trophies with my club this season.

    You scored a wonderful goal in Europa League qualifying round second leg on Thursday, but eventually lost, do you think the red card to one of your team mates contributed to this loss?

    It contributed, but that is in the past now. I am looking forward to a great season, I am focused on the domestic trophies at stake.

    What didn’t you achieve last season that you hope to this season?

    That is Israel State Cup, we almost got it.

    Austin Ejide is no more with your team, do you miss him?

    Yes. I miss him because he made it possible for me to settle down fast at the club and in Israel, but God knows best.

    Do you have another Nigerian in your team?

    Yes, I have a friend and brother, Tony Nwakaeme, as my team mate, he joined this summer.

    You were offered an improved new deal at the end of last season, what can you say about this?

    Let me say it is the reward of my hard work last season, it’s just an upgrade.

    What was your best moment last season?

    That should be the award I received as the best foreign player in the Israeli league last season and also been in the best eleven of the season.

    The Super Eagles started AFCON 2017 qualifiers on a winning note against Chad, what do you have to tell your fans and those of the Eagles as we look forward to the next game in Tanzania?

    They should keep supporting and keep believing in the team.

    Oliseh has taken over as new Eagles coach, what do you have to say?

    I congratulate him on the appointment. It’s great to have another great ex-international coming in as the coach. With his experience, I think he will do well and take the Eagles to the top.

  • Onazi, Ogu, Elderson congratulate Oliseh

    Onazi, Ogu, Elderson congratulate Oliseh

    Super Eagles players  are beginning to send their congratulatory messages to Sunday Oliseh who has been appointed as the new head coach of Nigeria.

    Former Nigeria captain Oliseh, who won 63 caps for his country and played his part in the Africa Cup of Nations success in 1994, was confirmed as Stephen Keshi’s replacement on Wednesday.

    Players such as Lazio midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi, Hapoel Be’er Sheva central midfielder, John Ogu, AS Monaco FC left back, Elderson Echiejile and Ex-Gronigen defender William Troost-Ekong all took to the social media to welcome the new national team boss and wished him a successful spell.

    They played under Keshi who was fired this month for breaching his contract by applying to be Ivory Coast coach.

     “Congratulations @SundayOOliseh on your new job. Thanks to the @thenff we didn’t have to wait for too long. #SuperNaijaFans,” Onazi twitted on his official handle @OnaziOgenyi.

    “Congrats to the new @NGSuperEagles gaffer @SundayOOliseh .God bless Nigeria”, Ogu said on his official Tweeter handle @ogujohnugo.

    Echeijine said on his Twitter handle @EldersonEch: “Congratulations @SundayOOliseh on your new job. Wishing you the best in this new era.”

    “Congratulations to @SundayOOliseh the new headcoach of @NGSuperEagles  @thenff! And ofcourse @PinnickAmaju”, Troost-Ekong posted.

    Also, ex international, George Abbey believes Oliseh is the right man for job and commended the President Amaju Pinnick led NFF board for the choosing his former team mate.

    “@GeorgeAbbey15: @SundayOOliseh is the right man to transform Nigerian football… with the right support he will do a great job! #No15 #UpEagles. Well done @PinnickAmaju @thenff great choice”, Abbey said.

  • Ogu hopeful of Super Eagles recall

    Ogu hopeful of Super Eagles recall

     

    Ogu admits that he misses the national team setup and would like to return to the team if given the opportunity.

    The 26-year-old, who currently plays for Israeli side Hapoel Be’er Sheva, made his debut for Nigeria in March 2013 against Kenya and got his first goal in a friendly against Mexico in the same year.

    However, since he was dropped from the 2014 World Cup squad by Coach Stephen Keshi, he has not found a way back into the team, which, unfortunately, failed to qualify for the 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), majestically won by Cote d’Ivoire.

    During a Twitter chat, Ogu was asked if he missed the Super Eagles and he replied with a thumbs up.

    ”Of course, yes…. I love my country.. Always available if selected, ” he wrote.

    He then went on to praise Nigeria’s latest sensation in Belgium, Moses Simon with Gent: “Moses Simon with Gent in Belgium is a beast… #Baller.

    Ogu was part of the Super Eagles squad that represented Nigeria at the 2013 FIFA Confederation Cup in Brazil.

     

  • Ogu glad to score 4th goal of the season

    Ogu glad to score 4th goal of the season

    Nigerian international, John Ogu has expressed  delight after scoring his fourth goal of the season for Hapoel Beer Sheva.

    The Super Eagles midfielder struck in the final minute of regulation time in a 4-2 loss to Maccabi Netanya at the Winner Stadium (Netanya) last weekend.

    Ogu, who rued his team’s inability to secure at least a point from the game said they will definitely bounce back from the defeat.

    “Not the best game and day for us but we will learn from this and bounce back stronger..Glad to have scored my 4th of the season.

    “Thank God for all. More games to play and I #believe we can achieve our goal this season… Yalla Hapoel Beer Sheva. #NEVERGIVEUP”, he tweeted.

     

  • Ogu gets N223m price tag

    Ogu gets N223m price tag

    Hapoel Beer Sheva have slapped a one million euros  (N223m)price tag on Nigeria international John Ogu

    Ogu has quickly settled into his new life at Hapoel Be’er Sheva, so much so that the club are thinking of extending his contract.

    The former Academica and Almeria man penned a 1 + 3-year deal with Hapoel Be’er Sheva this summer, but the club have retained the option of extending his contract at the end of every season.

    Having terminated his contract with Academica due to his sparse playing opportunities, Ogu arrived at the Israeli vice – champions at zero – cost.

    Any club willing to sign the central midfielder before the end of the agreement binding him and Hapoel Be’er Sheva must be ready to meet his release clause of one million euros (N223m), Sports Walla has reported.

    Ogu will earn $150,000 (N26.9m)for the first 12 months of his contract with The Camels, excluding performance-related variables.