The Nation Newspaper

Tag: PLAYERS

  • ‘We had to work on our players’ confidence

    Mexico’s U-17 gaffer, Raul Gutierrez has admitted that he and his technical officials had to do a lot to lift the morale of his players after their heavy loss to the Golden Eaglets in the Group F opener last Saturday.

    The Nigeria representatives thrashed the reigning champions 6-1 at the Khalifa Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain to send chills down the spines of other teams in the United Arab Emirates.

    But coach Gutierrez in a post-match interview noted that the serious confidence building discussion had a special effect on his boys, as they came all out against Iraq to put their second round qualification quest on track.

    “We had to do a lot of talking to our players after the loss to Nigeria. It was not good for our confidence and it was not the kind of result we expected as the defending champions of this competition.

    “We dug deep and I am happy that we achieved our objective which is getting the three points against Iraq.

    “We shall improve in our next game having overcome this defeat,” Gutierrez, who spoke through an interpreter explained.

    Mexico are third after getting their first win – a 3-1 victory over Iraq in Al Ain yesterday.

  • CHAN 2014: Keshi plans for new players

    CHAN 2014: Keshi plans for new players

    Super Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi has declared that his home-based squad remains a work-in-progress, thus leaving room for new additions as the occasion demands.

    Speaking on arrival from Abidjan on Sunday where he achieved another historic feat to qualify Nigeria for the first time for the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), the Big Boss assured the local stars they will definitely get a look-in once they do their bit to work hard.

    “Of course, we still have to look at some other players before the tournament proper which is still some months away.

    “I will say this team is a work in progress so we will keep adding and subtracting till we get what we want,” Keshi stated.

    The Super Eagles over the weekend broke the jinx that saw her miss the first two editions of the CHAN tournament exclusively for footballers plying their trade in their country’s domestic League. Ghana shut out the Eagles from the inaugural edition in Cote d’Ivoire in 2009 while the Eagles’ path to Sudan 2011 was barred by Niger Republic.

  • Federation Cup OUSTER: Sunshine fans attack players, officials

    Federation Cup OUSTER: Sunshine fans attack players, officials

    SOME Sunshine Stars fans have accused the team’s technical adviser Fatai Amoo of making wrong player selection in the team’s Federation Cup round of 16 game defeat to Nasarawa Utd.

    SportingLife gathered from a source who watched the game live that: “The coach’s decision to leave some regular players on the bench cost us this match.

    “Ajani, Olorundare, Onobi were all left to watch from the sidelines which we aren’t happy about”

    “In the first half the boys played badly, our midfield was so porous and the attackers upfront were not potent enough to convert chances.

    “We are not happy at all considering the fact that we travelled from Akure- Lokoja to watch this game”

    Some other supporters of the team were however not so level-headed as they went beserk on players and officials after the loss and subsequent exit.

    The trouble erupted at the end of the game when angry supporters of Sunshine Stars launched an attack on the team’s players and officials, in a violent display of their displeasure.

    However, security officials intervened and quelled the commotion.

    Sunshine Stars of Akure crashed out of the Federation Cup losing 0-1 to Nasarawa United in the round of 16 encounter.

    The match played at the Confluence Stadium, Lokoja, saw Malachy Iloh scoring the winning goal in the 41st minute

    In a fiercely contested encounter, all efforts from Sunshine to get an equaliser proved abortive as Nasarawa United kept their defence rock solid.

  • Heartland read the riot act to coaches, players

    Heartland read the riot act to coaches, players

    • Want wins in four of the next five matches
    • Panel to investigate the club’s problems inaugurated

    The Management of Heartland of Owerri has given the coaches and players of the club an ultimatum to amass at least 12 points from their next five matches of the Globacom Premier League or be ready to face severe sanctions.

    The chairman of the club, Fan Ndubuoke, told sports writers that the the decision was arrived at in order to halt the recent spate of bad results which saw the club lose five of six league games.

    Ndubuoke also stated that issues concerning renewal of coaches’ contracts had been suspended until the fortunes of the team improved.

    The club also imposed other sanctions on players and coaches including an embargo on frivolous journeys.

    To fortify the technical crew, a former player of the club, Mangut Mbwas, was recruited as an assistant coach.

    The Heartland boss also reminded the players to be dedicated and determined to succeed. He advised them to eschew lifestyles that negatively affected their present performance as well as their lives after retirement.

    Heartland also set up a panel of inquiry to proffer solutions to problems facing the club this season.

    The three-man committee has Mcdonald Amadi, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Imo State on Media as chairman, V.T. Eke and Mazi Chuka Iregbu as members.

    The panel, which was given two weeks to submit its report, has the following as its terms of reference:

    1. Investigate the possibility that the club’s home matches may have been compromised or sold out.

    2. If the above is in the affirmative, identify the role of management members, coaches and or players in any such sell out.

    3. Identify reasons for the sudden decline in the club’s performance in the league.

    4. Identify the person or persons within Imo State working against the progress of the team and promoting the perceived gang up against the club at home.

    5. Investigate the role of security agents in the intimidation of the team at its home ground.

    SportingLife recalls that two Heartland officials were recently placed on indefinite suspensions in the wake of the club’s 0-1 home loss to Enyimba.

  • Keshi defends striking players

    Keshi defends striking players

    •Big Boss wants to return to Brazil in 2014

     

    After the Super Eagles embarked on a strike action that threatened the country’s participation at the FIFA Confederations Cup, manager Stephen Keshi has defended his players.

    “I can’t say I’m upset with my players. Their decisions depend on what you are going through. We are here to do our job and make Africa proud. We just have to focus and play our game tomorrow (Monday),” Keshi told TV Globo.

    Keshi has been denied twice the opportunity of leading an African Nation to the premier soccer competition in the world, the FIFA World Cup.

    In 2002, he and Amodu Shuaibu were sacked after the Super Eagles could only manage third position at the African Cup of Nations. That same year, Nigeria participated at her third World Cup but were led to the tournament by Chief Adegboye Onigbinde.

    Then four years later, despite guiding Togo to a historic World Cup qualification, Keshi was relieved of his appointment four months before the start of the tourney after the Hawks failed to progress from the group stages of the 2006 AFCON.

    The ex-New Nigeria Bank libero told reporters: “Togo was not the first country that denied me . Nigeria itself denied me this in 2002. Togo was one more.

    ”Now I can bring my country to this stage of football … this is one of those dreams that have come true. If I can bring Nigeria back here for the World Cup, I’ll be very happy. I still think I’ll get something in football as a coach.”

  • Eagles coach opens door for more new players

    Eagles coach opens door for more new players

    SUPER EAGLES coach, Stephen Keshi has said that the door is still open for new players to be called up into the side, despite the Nations Cup success the Eagles enjoyed in 2012.

    “If I see a new, quality player, I’ll bring him in. You never stop building. I’m just 15 months in the job.

    “I’m looking for intelligence and a work ethic on the field. I also like to have a fire burning inside my players, the feeling that they don’t want to lose.

    “Mostly, though, I want them to enjoy the game,” Keshi said.

  • 3SC allege plan by Kwara Utd fans to attack their players

    3SC allege plan by Kwara Utd fans to attack their players

    KWARA UNITED: it is a lie and cheap media hype

    SHOOTING Stars Sports Club(3SC) of Ibadan have alleged they have uncovered plans by some section of the Kwara United fans to attack their players before their Globacom Premier League Week 19 tie in Ilorin.

    In a text message to SportingLife, the media officer of the Oluyole Warriors, Jubril Arowolo said they discovered this during their Saturday afternoon walkout at the Kwara State Stadium when fans alleged to be loyalists of Kwara United started raining curses on the players of 3SC when they cited them making their way into the pitch.

    Arowolo alleged that the fans vowed to be more daring during the game today.

    Quoting the text of Arowolo:”Shooting Stars have uncovered the grand plan by some section of Kwara United fans to attack the players tomorrow(today) before our Week 19 game against Kwara United in Ilorin.

    “This much was discovered this afternoon(yesterday) when they cited the players and started raining curses with a threat to be more daring tomorrow(today).”

    Reacting to the allegation made by 3SC, the head of protocol, Kwara United, Ademola Kiyesola described it as a mere media hype and effort by 3SC to create tension and panic where there is none.

    He said Kwara State is a peaceful state and that Ilorin fans are law abiding and very peaceful too that will not reduce themselves to thuggery and hooliganism.

    According to Kiyesola:” It is a lie and a complete media hype by 3SC to create tension and panic where there is none. We are peaceful people and Ilorin fans are among the best in the country. They cheer good football and even support away team if Kwara United is not doing well.”

     

     

  • EMENALO CAUTIONS YOUNG PLAYERS AGAINST FAME

    EMENALO CAUTIONS YOUNG PLAYERS AGAINST FAME

    •Gives tips on high performance

    EX-SUPER EAGLES defender, Michael Emenalo has cautioned youngsters wishing to make a living out of football to guide against fame and glory associated with the round-leather game.

    Emenalo, who is currently technical director at English Premier League side, Chelsea stressed that aspiring footballers must be ready and willing to make some sacrifice.

    “Professional football requires devotion and dedication, but the fame and glory associated with the game of football automatically removes such hurdles, and you do find enough time for regular and rigorous practice.” Speaking further, the hard-tackling defender who won 14 caps for Nigeria that included two against Argentina and Greece at FIFA 1994 World Cup in USA warned that warm-up exercises in football just like in most sports must be taken seriously.

    “You must make different parts of the body habitual to getting hit by the ball. Make sure the chest, the knees and even the head don’t get hurt when the ball hits the body. This could be done by regular practice and some exercise. “Stretching the body always insulates it against damage, so be sure to participate in games like running and swimming.

    Concluding, Emenalo who joined Chelsea during Avram Grant’s reign as manager in 2007 further gave tips for trials at the Stamford Bridge.

    “Trial is open for both men and women. The selected few are invited to attend training courses under our professional coaches. Our football academy conducts such trials for young men and women aiming to make it to the professional world. “You could get a trial in the best football stadium with great facilities if you join our football academy.

    Chelsea football club organise this trials every now and then because the Club always needs talents in the form of professional football players. One only needs to have the potential for playing football to enter the professional club like CFC, and this is where open football trials could be of use. “The path to glory is strewn with pebbles all the way, and unless you are enthusiastic about regular practice and devoting quality time to the game, you could miss the bus to the professional world. So, these trials are only a part of the effort, you must join a good professional football academy now,” Emenalo posted on his official facebook wall.

  • Shorounmu fumes: Blame players for home draw

    Shorounmu fumes: Blame players for home draw

    Says they were too casual with their approach

    Super Eagles’ goalkeeper trainer, Ike Shorounmu has heaped a verbal rant at the players of the senior national team for not playing up to expectation in the 2014 World Cup qualifier against Kenya last weekend in Calabar.

    Shorounmu noted that the Eagles’ players’ approach to the game from kick-off showed they were never ready to take the full points.

    “What we saw is that our players took the game lightly and the aggressiveness to the game was so alarming. We have to continue doing it right and learn to remain focus and never be distracted for the duration of the game,” he said.

    He called the home draw a turning point for the Eagles and that the technical crew would sit down to have a reappraisal of what transpired and what to do in the not too distant future.

     

  • 368 players vie for AFCON trophy

    368 players vie for AFCON trophy

    The African Cup of Nations starting in South Africa on Saturday will feature 368 players from clubs in 55 countries, showing how widely dispersed African players are.

    Futaa.com reports that there are 27 European countries represented, including Liechtenstein and Luxembourg, and clubs from Brazil, China, Japan and the United States.

    The French league traditionally provides the most players, this time a total of 50, all but 15 of them from Ligue 1 clubs, who will miss key matches for the three-week tournament.

    There are 15 players from the Premier League in England, 14 from the top flight in Portugal, 10 from La Liga in Spain and six from Serie A in Italy.

    FIFA rules stipulate players had to be released by their clubs to prepare 14 days ahead of the competition.

    Struggling French club AJ Ajaccio are paying a heavy price, losing five regulars to the Nations Cup at a time when they are attempting to stay out of the Ligue 1 relegation zone.

    It is not easy especially when you face a difficult fixture list without them, assistant coach Stephane Paganelli told the sports daily L’Equipe.