The Nation Newspaper

Tag: PLAYERS

  • 2016 ITF/CAT AFRICAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS: South Africa embassy denies Nigerian players visas

    2016 ITF/CAT AFRICAN JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS: South Africa embassy denies Nigerian players visas

    Five out of six Team Nigeria players were on Friday denied visas by the South African embassy in Abuja.

    A seven-man Team Nigeria comprising six players and a coach were seeking for visa to participate in the forthcoming ITF/CAT African Junior Championship holding from March 9-18 in Pretoria, South Africa.

    But only one player, Marylove Edwards and coach Mohammed Ubale were granted visa while the other five players were rejected.

    Those that were denied visas are Angel McLeod, Christopher Itodo, Christopher Bulus, Gabriel Friday and Michael Osewa.

    The team is scheduled to travel today but the latest development is a huge setback for its quest to excel at the tournament.

    National Junior Tennis Head coach, Mohammed Ubale expressed frustration at the development saying it’s a big blow to the country’s preparation.

    “The South African Embassy took us by surprise this morning (Friday) by denying five out of the six players that are going for the AJC.

    “We have submitted our passports since ten days ago and they keep requesting for one thing or the other which we presented to them before they gave us appointment to come and collect it today (Friday) which was why we fixed our departure for Saturday (today) because our plan was to travel earlier,” Ubale, who alongside Marylove Edwards were the only two of the seven-man contingent that were granted visas for the tournament billed for the ITF High Performance Centre, Pretoria, said.

    He added: “What annoyed me mostly is the fact that why would you grant visas to just two of us when we are all covered by one letter which the organisers sent to them in the course of seeking clarifications.”

    NTF president, Engr Sani Ndanusa as at Friday afternoon was making efforts to make sure that the whole team were eventually granted visas as he made several calls to the International Tennis Federation headquarters in London as well as the Confederation of African Tennis in Tunis for intervention.

    “It’s very frustrating because virtually all the countries were scheduled to arrive the venue on Saturday but from what is on ground the earliest we can be in South Africa is Monday. The most annoying part of it is that all the players have travelled several times to various parts of the continent and even beyond for tournaments,” he said.

  • Rangers to wrap up transfer of foreign players

    Rangers to wrap up transfer of foreign players

    • Enugu side suspends Hebem for improper conduct

    Enugu Rangers have until February 1 to wrap up transfer formalities for the foreign players in their team before the expiration of the FIFA transfer window if they are to have their International Transfer Certificate sent that will make them eligible to play in the new Glo Premier League season.

    Presently, the Flying Antelopes are having their pre- season in Benin City with four Togolese and three Ghanaian training with them and after impressing the technical crew, head coach, Imama Amapakabo has authorised their purchase.

    The Media Officer of the club, Foster Chime told SportingLife that Rangers management has been going round to source for funds to meet up with the FIFA transfer deadline of Monday.

    He said Rangers are confident of securing the services of the players from their current clubs in Togo and Ghana before the expiration of the transfer window.

    Meanwhile, Rangers have suspended one of their players, Maurice Elete Hebem for gross indiscipline and improper conduct and the player has been told to vacate the club’s Benin camp until the technical crew revisits his case again in the near future.

    Chime told SportingLife that the club’s head coach, Amapakabo said he decided to  suspend the player so that he doesn’t serve as a negative influence on the other players in camp.

  • Gov Udom’S largesse: Akwa United players cry out

    Gov Udom’S largesse: Akwa United players cry out

    Players of Akwa United have cried out over the unpaid Federation Cup financial reward promised them by  Governor Emmanuel Udom.

    Reports revealed that Udom is yet to redeem the sum of N2million and residential apartments to each player of the team for winning a historic first Federation Cup.

    The Promise Keepers defeated Lobi Stars 2-1 in the final of the 2015 Federation Cup at the Teslim Balogun Stadium with goals from Nnamso Edo and Abdulafeez Awakan, who was voted the most valuable player of the competition.

    Edom, who promised to reward the players with mouth watering incentives should they win the trophy in what was their first attempt, has failed to fulfil his promises, according to futbalgalore.com.

    Akwa United, who barely escaped the drop at the end of the 2014/2015 season as a result of the feat, will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup next season.

    Some of the players, who didn’t want their names mentioned in print, have appealed to the governor to make them happy in their quest for success in the upcoming campaign.

     

  • First Bank BC begins training, signs seven new players

    First Bank BC begins training, signs seven new players

    First Bank Basketball Club will begin training for the 2015/2016 season at the sports hall of the National Stadium today with 10 old  and seven newly signed players with one other serving as a player for the future.

    According to coach Peter Ahmedu, who made the list available at he weekend, the returning players are skipper Chioma Udeaja, Atosu Upe, Iornumbe Regina, Nkechi Akashile, Ulabo Queen, Juliet Chinyere, Elawure Odion Tina, Adekoya Biliqis, Akaraiwe Nkem and Chidinmma Nwakama

    The new players, who successfully went through screening, which had 30 players in attendance, are Daniel Buki Idowu, Benin Republic import Kondoh Aishatou, Ezeh Jennifer Adaezeh, Anaswen Josette, Isuombut Mary Okon, James Happy Rita, Kato Magdalene and Akinbode James Onome Mary, who is making the team as a player of the future.

    Ahmedu stated that the new players were selected based on their all-round ability on the basketball court. He noted that they were tested on their ball handling skills, offensive and defensive play, their positioning on the court and their level of stamina.

    “I must admit that basketball requires lot of skills and any player who hopes to be a successful basketballer must have vast knowledge in basic skills of the game.  However, a good player must also have the stamina to go all the way. Basketball demands a lot of energy and at First Bank BC, we need players that can complement their skills with stamina.

    Ahmedu, who took over the team in November, also said that all old players must be prepared for stiff competition from the new ones, who showed exemplary skills and commitment at the screening, which took place last week at the Dodan Warriors Basketball court in Ilupeju.

    “The screening showed that we still have talented players in the country and with the right training and attitude they can become top stars. I would say the purpose of organising the screening camp was achieved and I am grateful to the management of the team, First Bank Nigeria PLC for giving us (the coaching crew) the opportunity to hold the camp.”

    He also said that the aim of the team is to reclaim the national title, retain its FIBA Zone Three title and better her fourth place finish at the African Championship. To achieve this objective, he will be assisted by coaches Chris Okoh and Taiye Adeniyi.

  • Oliseh roars: My players will get exposure

    Oliseh roars: My players will get exposure

    As Nigeria plays Niger today in their first Group C game, Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh has said that his team is not obsessed with winning but is more interested in exposure for the players adding that they will nonetheless do the needful by playing their game.

    “I must say that we are not obsessed with winning the championship but we will take each match as it comes and ensure that we put in our best in every match.”

    On Niger’s tendency to play defensive games at all times, Oliseh said every team has the right to play whatever pattern they want but his business is to ensure that his players give a good account of  themselves.

    Oliseh, who thumbed up the CHAN organisers for what he called excellent facilities at the disposal of participating teams, said his players are not under pressure and will not be made to play under pressure.

    “I have told my players to go and play a good game and avoid playing under pressure to avoid unnecessary mistakes,” he added

  • Kano Pillars sack 10 players

    Kano Pillars sack 10 players

    The management of Kano Pillars Football Club has fired 10 of its players ahead of the 2015/2016 Glo Premier League season.

    Idris Malikawa, Media Officer of the club made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Kano.

    Malikawa said the 10 players were sacked based on medical ground and poor performance.

    “The management of the club felt the only way to make headway in the plan to have a good season in the NPFL is to weed out 10 aged and unproductive players.

    “This is to make way for new boys that will strengthen the team,’’ Malikawa said.

    The media officer disclosed that the club would recruit new players “to beef up the team in some critical areas.’’

    He said the team had already resumed training ahead of this year’s campaign, assuring that the transfer formalities would be completed on time.

  • Mali coach names 30 players for CHAN 2016

    Mali coach names 30 players for CHAN 2016

    The new coach of the Malian local football team, Djibril Dramé, has released a list of 30 players called up ahead of the 4th edition of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

    The event is to be hosted from Jan. 16 to February 7, 2016 in Rwanda.

    Sources close to the Malian football federation (FEMAFOOT) told PANA that among those selected are Samuel Diarra and Aly Mallé elected respectively as best goalkeepers and third top scorer in the world -17 championship in Chile.

    The list of the selected players includes the great majority players from Stade Malien (7), Onze Créateurs de Niaréla (6) and As Real (5).

    Following is the full list of players:

    Goalkeepers: Djigui Diarra (Stade Malien de Bamako), Alassane Diallo (centre Salif Keïta-CSK), Cheick Kadry Sy (Stade Malien de Bamako), Samuel Diarra (Association Sportive de Korofina-ASKO)

    Defenders: Issaka Samaké (Stade Malien de Bamako), Marius Hamed Assoko (Onze Créateurs de Niaréla), Sékou Diarfa (Onze Créateurs de Niaréla), Ousmane Diarra (Onze Créatuers de Niaréla), Hinako Jean Paul Oulaï (As Réal), Mamadou Doumbia (Stade Malien de Bamako), Lassana Samaké (Onze Créateurs de Niaréla), Moussa Ballo (As Réal).

    Midfielders: Moussa Ballo Sissoko (Onze Créateurs de Niaréla), Yves Bissouma (As Réal), Aliou Dieng (Djoliba), Yaya Samaké (As Nianan de Koulikoro), Makan Samabaly (As Réal), Moussa Coulibaly (Stade Malien de Bamako), Cheickna Diakité (Us FAS), Sidy Yaya Traoré (CS Duguwolofila), Fousseyni Coulibaly (As Bakaridjan), Abdoulaye Traoré (Djoliba), Aboubacar Doumbia (As Réal), Youssouf Traoré (As Nianan de Koulikoro).

    – Strikers: Souleymane Traoré (Stade Malien de Bamako), Abdoulaye Diarra (COB), Hamidou Sinayoko (Djoliba), Mamadou Coulibaly (Stade malien de Bamako), Lamine Traoré (Onze Créateurs de Niaréla), Aly Mallé (Black stars de Badalabougou).

    CHAN is reserved only for players in the African domestic championships.

     

  • SEMI-FINAL TICKET: Siasia gives players $100 each

    SEMI-FINAL TICKET: Siasia gives players $100 each

    Nigeria coach, Samson Siasia gave $100 to each of his players for qualifying for the semi-final of the U-23 AFCON and thereafter vowed they will beat hosts Senegal on Wednesday to reach the championship final.

    Siasia redeemed a pledge to pay his players cash for reaching the last four of the U-23 championship, which doubles as a qualifier for the 2016 Rio Olympics, after they held Algeria to a scoreless draw on Saturday in Dakar.

    He then fixed his sights on reaching the U-23 AFCON final at the expense of home team Senegal by 4pm (Nigerian time) on Wednesday.

    He said he hopes to inspire his team to progress to the final after he scored against Senegal in the 1992 AFCON in Dakar.

    “At the Africa Cup of Nations in 1992, I scored here (Leopold Sedar Senghor Stadium), and this is why most Nigerians remember me, I will be around my players to repeat it on Wednesday,” he said.

    He said he was satisfied his team kept a clean sheet after capitulating in the second half of their two previous group games.

    “I congratulate my team for not conceding and qualifying for the semi-finals,” he said.

    “The most important thing was to qualify and we have achieved it. We wish we could garner the three points but I’m happy with qualifying and getting closer to Rio de Janeiro.”

  • Four key Swaziland players out

    Four key Swaziland players out

    Swaziland national team captain, Tony Tsabedze, was among the 28-man delegation that travelled to Nigeria on Saturday for the World Cup qualifying fixture against the Super Eagles in Port Harcourt.

    At the Somhlolo National Stadium on Friday, the midfielder picked up his second yellow card of the qualifying series in the 22nd minute, meaning he is not eligible to face the African powerhouse on Tuesday.

    Felix Badernhost (Mbabane Swallows) and Mcolisi Lukhele (Moneni Pirates) did not travel with the squad to Port Harcourt as they are both nursing injuries, while  Xolani Sibandze has stayed back in Swaziland due to academic commitments.

    Tsabedze, Badernhost and Lukhele were named in the starting line – up in the first leg clash against Nigeria, while Sibandze was introduced in the 80th minute.

  • Ikhana hails players for League title

    Ikhana hails players for League title

    Enyimba have  officially been confirmed champions of the 2015 NPFL season dropping the curtain on a difficult season with a goalless result against Sunshine Stars at the Teslime Balogun Stadium.

    The last time the Kadiri Ikhana led his men to Lagos was in a Federation Cup final against Dolphins and though he’ll not be defending the Cup he’ll return to Aba with the League title and a ticket for next season’s CAF Champions League.

    “I am the happiest coach in Nigeria today for winning the title. This is special. Returning to Enyimba after 12 years to win the league. Credit to my players and the club management,” Ikhana said.

    Enyimba wrapped out the League on 70 points with Warri Wolves in second – They play their match against FC Taraba today. The top two teams qualify for the CAF Champions League next season.