The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Okonkwo

  • Okonkwo, Ajiboye bear no grudges for Eagles axe

    Okonkwo, Ajiboye bear no grudges for Eagles axe

    TWO of the Super Eagles invitees dropped by Coach Stephen Keshi on Sunday, Chibuzor Okonkwo of Rangers and Dele Ajiboye of Shooting Stars (3SC) have declared that they hold no grudges against anyone for their exit.

    Okonkwo, who was a prominent Eagles right back under former Eagles Coach Samson Siasia, said he would be back in the team. “I am using this opportunity to thank Coach Keshi for calling me back to the Eagles. I will patiently wait for my time and when it comes I will grab it with both hands,” he told NationSport after the final list of nine home based Eagles was announced after breakfast at the Bolton White Apartment, Zone 7 camp of the team Sunday.

    Also, Ajiboye disclosed: “If the training is anything to rely on, I think we have a very good chance of winning this match. We really trained hard for this match and with the addition of our colleagues from Europe, we are stronger and have a very good chance of emerging winners on Saturday. I am confident that we will beat Kenya and Nigerians will be happier at the end of the match”.

    Two goalkeepers, namely Daniel Akpeyi of Heartland and Dele Ajiboye of 3SC were dropped while Chigozie Agbim of Rangers made the cut to join the other Israel-based duo, Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide. Okonkwo was dropped for Sunshine defender Kwambe Solomon.

  • Okonkwo begs Eguavoen

    Okonkwo begs Eguavoen

    • To return Shark’s money Thursday
    • Vows to make Eagles’ AFCON final list

    Super Eagles returnee Chibuzor has told SportingLife exclusively that he would return the N300,000 pre-contract fee he collected from Sharks Football Club to the club tomorrow.

    The player, who has just been recalled to the Stephen Keshi-coached Super Eagles, used the medium to apologise to Shark FC Technical Adviser and former Super Eagles handler, Augustine Eguavoen for his actions which he told SportingLife was taken in his best interest.

    Eguavoen popularly called Cerezo has alleged that the bulky right back collected money from Sharks on the pretext that he will play for the Port Harcourt club in the coming season and then absconded.

    “Chibuzor has no business being in the national team. He is a bad example for a national team player. Can you imagine that Chibuzor came to Sharks collected our money, signed and absconded?” a furious Eguavoen had told an online football website.

    The player, however, confided in SportingLife that he had already called Eguavoen and made arrangements with him on how the money would be paid back to the coffers of the club latest tomorrow.

    “Firstly, I am using this medium to apologise to Coach Eguavoen for not getting in touch with him on time, it was due to communication lapses. I have also spoke with him today (Tuesday) on the matter.

    “The truth is that I collected the sum of N300,000, a kind of pre-contract fee from Sharks (Football Club) but right now I am no longer interested in joining the team. So I got in touch with Coach Eguavoen and I have promised to pay back the money on Thursday (tomorrow).

    “He (Eguavoen) has promised to send his account details to me so that I can send it through him on Thursday when the bank would be working and since I am still in Eagles camp I can’t go to the club to do so”, Okonkwo explained.

    The former Dream Team IV player while thanking Super Eagles handler Stephen Keshi for giving him a second chance in the team, has vowed to make the team’s final list to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations slated for South Africa from January 19th to February 10th, 2013.

    “I won’t mind shedding my blood if necessary to make the final squad. This is a rare opportunity and I am grabbing it with both hands. I am most grateful to Coach Keshi and his assistants for giving me a second chance in the team”, he told SportingLife yesterday.

  • No hard feelings – Okonkwo

    No hard feelings – Okonkwo

    SUPER EAGLES’ centre back, Chibuzor Okonkwo has said he nurses no hard feeling over failure to make the 32-man preliminary AFCON list.

    Eagles’ manager, Stephen Keshi overlooked the former Heartland strongman in his Afcon squad for the January 02 international friendly against the Catalonian side at the Estadi Cornella El Prat.

    Okonkwo who was the surprised domestic lad to surface at the Eagles’ camp said he is challenged rather than dismayed at his exclusion from the 2013 Afcon squad.

    “No harsh feeling over my inability to make the cut rather I’m excited at what I achieved within the shortest stay in camp.

    “I know my recent return from injury and shortest call up put me at disadvantage but that’s history now I’m fully recovered and I’ll fight back to reclaim my spot in the team.

    “I wish the team success in their endeavours, I’ll ceaselessly pray for them as I’m still part and parcel of the team.

    “I won’t give up on the current form but consolidate on it believing that I’ll have another chance during the 2014 World Cup qualifying matches.

    “My confidence is back and I’ve more to give to fatherland now than previously,” said the former Bayelsa United strongman to supersport.com.

    Keshi will use the Catalonian tie to make up his mind on the 23 names that will fight for the Afcon title in South Africa.

  • Okonkwo wants AFCON call-up

    Okonkwo wants AFCON call-up

    Former Heartland defender, Chibuzor Okonkwo wants Super Eagles manager, Stephen Keshi to have a look in on him for the 2013 AFCON game.

    Though the door appears closed with Sunday’s resumption of camping by the invited domestic players, the Nigerian defender said he still has a lot to contribute to the side’s campaign at Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    “I’m aware the invited home lads have resumed camping in Abuja for the 2013 AFCON preparations, I still believe I’ve something to offer or contribute to the side’s success at South Africa. Keshi can still accommodate me in his AFCON programme, it’s never late especially as I have what it takes to ease his worry in the defence,” said the former Bayelsa United strongman to supersport.com.

    Okonkwo said the Eagles under Keshi stand a good chance of making gold at South Africa 2013.

    “The domestic players already in camp are capable of making it to gold in South Africa. Keshi only needs to build the confidence, psych them up and they will stand against the best in Africa. Despite being paired against Cup holders, Zambia, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia, the Eagles remain the team to beat at South Africa 2013,” he said.

    Okonkwo was a first-team player with the Super Eagles during the stint of Samson Siasia as head coach but has not featured since Keshi took charge in November 2011.

  • ‘Ex-lawmaker Okonkwo inspired us’

    ‘Ex-lawmaker Okonkwo inspired us’

    A youth group, Agune-chemba Youth Scheme (AYS), has mobilised resources to visit motherless babies and destitute homes in Anambra State, saying it drew inspiration from ex-lawmaker Senator Annie Okonkwo.

    The youths said they are set to visit motherless children as well as homes for the destitute in the state, hoping to cheer them up with gifts.

    Led by Charles Ifejika, the group said they would be happy to make a difference in people’s lives, just as the lawmaker who represented Anambra Central has done.

    Ifejika said: “Senator Annie Okonkwo is a patriotic Anambra politician and see how he has been politically stable till now. He is in APGA [All People’s Grand Alliance] and is supporting our Governor, Mr Peter Obi to take the state to the next level. He has given thousands of youths scholarship and empowered youths, women and men in the state without discrimination. In October he will be the Chairman of NUJ Zik Lecture Series at Emmaus House, Awka.”

    The youths announced that they would support Okonkwo, now a member of APGA, in any capacity he chooses to present himself for service to Anambra people.

    They also set up a 22-member committee drawn from the 21 local government areas of the state to coordiante their activities in the state.

    He said the youth scheme is committed in mobilising youths in the state to support Senator Okonkwo in 2014 judging from his investment in youth education and business and economic empowerment.

    The leader of the group insisted that the senator has empowered more people in Anambra than all the senators and members of Representatives put together, adding that only Governor Peter Obi as governor of the state, has done more than Okonkwo.

    He said that any position the senator deems fit to contest in 2014, including the governorship, will receive the backing of not only the coordinators and youths of the Agunechemba Youth Scheme but youths across the state.

    He said the visitation they would embark on to destitute homes and orphanages has the blessing of Senator Okonkwo.