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Tag: Super Eagles

  • Whose jinx? (My World Cup diary, 11)

    Engage any soccer-crazy Nigerian in a discussion on the Brazil 2014 World Cup, he or she would recount jinxes that the Super Eagles have broken in this series. Before Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to Argentina, these pundits would tell you that the Eagles are the only team not to have conceded a goal after two years. You would be told that the coaches have broken the jinx of winning a world Cup game for Nigeria since France’98. You would be educated about the achievement of qualifying for the second round since 1998. These posers become more bizarre when you see people waiting for the predictions of a certain prophet on our matches before they are played. Unthinkable. Yes, because if the prophet is that good, why don’t we hand over the team to him and start celebrating.

    Have we forgotten that this is our fifth appearance and that we need to join the league of World Cup winners at the senior level after our dominance in the age-grade cadres? The only way the world would applaud Nigeria as a football nation is when the Eagles lift the World Cup at the senior level. Every edition, Nigeria is always tagged the favourites, at least from the African perspective. We disappoint pundits because of our tunnel-vision of trying to surpass a feat that we achieved 24 years ago.

    Football isn’t mathematics where cumulative figures add up, according to various theorems. Football, for some people, celebrates exceptional talents, such as Argentina’s gazelle Lionel Messi.

    Wednesday’s last group game between Nigeria and Argentina lived up to its billing, with the fixture hinged on the sublime skills of Messi and Nigeria’s John Mikel Obi. Messi and Mikel emerged from the FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Holland, with Nigeria losing 2-1 to Argentina. Messi has grown to become FIFA’s Player for the Year of four times. Mikel has a remarkable career with Chelsea. While Messi has immensely talented mates for both club and country. Mikel has been Nigeria’s star-of-the-pack, with most of his Eagles mates being average players.

    In 2005, Mikel and Messi were two of the best attacking midfielders in the world at the U-20 level. Messi has maintained playing  in that role. He has developed into an amazing

    talent. But, Mikel has been played out of the attacking midfield role. Mikel now plays as the defensive general, an assignment given to him by Jose Mourinho. Mourinho converted Mikel to the defensive midfield because he needed to replace ageing Frenchman Makelele at Chelsea FC in London. The Nigerian has done well but his knack for scoring goals has melted away like ice-cream under the scorching sun.

    Against Argentina on Wednesday, Mikel’s seeming commanding presence in Eagles’ defence, playing in front of the defenders, would have yielded us more dividends for the Eagles, if we had someone else with Mikel’s talent and skills. This has been Eagles’ albatross since Mikel broke into the team.

    Eagles in the last six years have not played attacking soccer anchored on creative midfielders like we have seen with Messi in Argentina, Neymar in Brazil, Pogba in France and ageing Snieder in Holland. If Holland, Brazil, Argentina and France make it to the semi-finals, it would be because of the remarkable contributions of these foursome.

    On Wednesday, the Argentines showed that they watched Eagles’ matches by exploiting the team’s weaknesses. Messi remained in the vacuum created between the Eagles’ left back Juwon Oshaniwa and the left winger, where Ahmed Musa functioned, us

  • Maigari backs Eagles to defeat Bosnia

    Maigari backs Eagles to defeat Bosnia

    Nigeria Football Federation President, Aminu Maigari, has backed the Super Eagles to bounce back from the stalemate with Iran by beating Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday.

    Maigari made this disclosure when he paid a morale boosting visit to the team’s camp on Wednesday afternoon to assure the players of the Federation’s backing.

    He also told the players he is confident they will advance to the next round of the competition in spite of their slow start.

    Maigari reminded the team of how it struggled at the beginning of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, but later went on to win the competition.

    “We have heard the barrage of criticisms against you by the same people who say you are the best in the world only a few days ago,” kickOffNigeria.com quoted Maigari as saying to the players.

    “But we know that it was the same thing that happened at the Nations Cup and helped to rejuvenate the team.

    “I am certain that those who have criticized you today, will be the same people that will join to celebrate you in the coming weeks and it will be to the glory of God and the greatness of Nigeria,” he declared.

    In response, Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, said he was aware of the criticisms especially in the social media but declared that the team remains undaunted and will once again prove critics wrong in Saturday’s match.

    “We know the football family is behind us, we know the NFF is behind us and we will not let the nation down when the time comes for us to be counted among great football nations,” he said.

    The NFF President thereafter presented the papers of the landed properties given to the team by President Goodluck Jonathan after winning the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa.

    Maigari was accompanied on the visit by the Chairman of NFF Technical Committee, Barr. Chris Green, Chairman, Media and Publicity of the NFF, High Chief Emeka Inyama, Executive Committee member and Enyimba FC boss, Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu and the Assistant Director Media, NFF, Demola Olajire.

    Also with the NFF President were – former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu and the Personal Assistant to the NFF President, Jubril Nasir.

     

  • Eagles were not Super

    Eagles were not Super

    Considering the predictions before the Super Eagles took on Iran, Nigerians believed that the Super Eagles would score plenty of goals against Iran but that didn’t happen as passionate Nigerian fans were left in shock as the Super Eagles were forced to share points with Iran in their World Cup opener in Group F.

    Ex-International,Edema Fuludu noted that tactical failure was what cost the Super Eagles the maximum points in that match.

    “The Super Eagles were not Super against Iran. The match was poor more because of tactical failure, they were doing long balls to our attackers in the first half and they continued in the same fashion in the second half,” said Edema.

    Nigeria will have to step up in their second match on the 21st of June when they face Bosnia & Herzegovina who lost to Argentina but pundits rate Bosnia as much tougher than Iran. Edema Fuludu believes that the Super Eagles will launch their plan B in their second match.

    “I believe there will be a plan B against Bosnia-Herzegovina. Every first match is tough with obvious anxiety dominating the teams. We will improve in the next game,” Edema said confidently.

     

  • Mark to Eagles: Improve against Bosnia

    Mark to Eagles: Improve against Bosnia

    Leader of the Federal Government’s delegation to Brazil 2014 and President of the Senate, David Mark, on Tuesday urged Super Eagles’ players to step up their game against Bosnia Herzegovina in order to qualify for the next stage of the competition.

    Reacting to the Super Eagles goal-less draw against the Iranian national team, Mark said the Nigerian lads tried but they need to improve their game against Bosnia if they are to make the needed impact.

    Mark was quoted in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Kola Ologbondiyan, to have said that: “Every team is important and every match must be taken seriously. The Super Eagles must therefore bring their resilience and the indomitable spirit of Nigeria to bear and deliver goals.

    “Nigerians are eagerly waiting for an improved game in your next match. The national image and pride is at stake and you cannot afford to let our people down.”

    He assured the team that the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria would continue to support them.

    He enjoined them to put the draw with Iran behind them and move ahead.

  • Keshi looks forward to Bosnia test

    Keshi looks forward to Bosnia test

    Nigeria’s coach Stephen Keshi has played down the effect of the 0-0 stalemate with Iran in Monday’s game at Curitiba by assuring fans that his team will aim for a win in the next game against Bosnia Herzegovina.

    Keshi was disappointed that his players could not translate their dominance into goals, but noted that it’s not an unusual trend in football for a dominant team to have goal scoring problems.

    “This is football, were you can dominate ball possession but cannot score goals. I don’t know (what went wrong), but that is football,” kickOffNigeria.com quoted Keshi as saying after the match.

    The “Big Boss” however insisted that the players will have to move on from the game against Iran by improving on their performance and go for victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday.

    “I wanted a win, but we must take the draw,” Keshi said after the game. “We must do better to get a win against Bosnia,” he added.

  • Super Eagles fail to fly against Iran

    Super Eagles fail to fly against Iran

    •Lack-lustre match ends goaless

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles failed to fly last night, labouring to a poor goaless match against Iran – the first drawn tie in what has been a scintillating World Cup – a dismal tie that left both sides still chasing their first victory at a finals, since 1998.

    Both teams were whistled and booed off the field by the largely Brazilian crowd of 39,000 after a first half that looked shockingly meagre compared to the goal feasts served up elsewhere.

    Iran packed their defence as expected and Nigeria, with Emmanuel Emenike rarely posing a threat as the main target man for the African champions, squandered their chances with long balls to nowhere and passes straight to opponents

    While Iran could take some small satisfaction in keeping a clean sheet for the first time since their debut in 1978, the bore at the Baixada arena stood out like a suit salesman on Copacabana beach.

    With Lionel Messi’s Argentina, installed as clear Group F favourites, and exciting debutants Bosnia still to come, Nigeria and Iran look destined for an early exit unless they can raise their game considerably.

    The Super Eagles had the ball in the back of the net after seven minutes in a goalmouth scramble but Ecuadorean referee Carlos Vera, perhaps harshly, ruled it out for a push on goalkeeper Alireza Haghighi.

    Ogenyi Onazi then drilled a shot wide two minutes later.

    Iran came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 33rd minute when goalkeeper/captain Vincent Enyeama produced a fine save from Reza Ghoochannejhad’s header in their first corner of the game.

    Defender Godfrey Oboabona made an early exit from the fray, replaced by Joseph Yobo on the half hour after earlier receiving treatment on the touchline following a heavy tackle.

    Coach Stephen Keshi said after the tie: “When you dominate possession and you can’t score goals; that is football.” He was referring to the 67 per cent possession that the Eagles had to iran’s 33 per cent.

    Nigeria had 10 shots at goal to Iran’s 8, plying seven corner kicks while Iran played two.

    The draw in Curitiba means that both teams are yet to win a match at the World Cup since 1998, when Nigeria pipped Bulgaria 1-0 and Iran stopped USA 2-1.

    It was the 13th match of Brazil 2014 and it was also the first draw and the first match that did not produce any goals.

     

  • No ‘bonus distractions’ in Eagles camp

    No ‘bonus distractions’ in Eagles camp

    Officials of the Nigeria Football Federation as well as members of the playing and coaching crew of the Super Eagles have debunked rumours of a row over appearance fees and bonuses by insisting the team is focused on Monday’s game against Iran.

    NFF’s Technical Committee Chairman, Chris Green, who is in Curitiba along with other officials of the Federation lamented the fact that mischief makers in some section of the media are still fueling a matter that has been resolved.

    “When the Senate President, David Mark ,came here to meet with us and the players, he was totally convinced at our sincerity with the players and what we have on board as the team progresses but some people are just hell bent on ensuring that they raise issues that don’t even exist,” kickOffNigeria.com quoted Green as saying on the issue.

    He further explained that the NFF has agreed with the players to pay $10,000 winning bonus for first round games, $12,500 for second round game, $15,000 for quarter final and $20,000 for semi-final. That will also increase marginally to $25,000 if the team wins the trophy.

    The percentage earnings from monies that may accrue to the players from what FIFA gives to the NFF was also put at 30 percent for the group stages, 40 for the second round, 50 for the quarter final, 60 for the semi-final and 70 percent for the final.

    “When we unveiled this before the President of the Senate who represented President Goodluck Jonathan, he was full of praises for us and promised that he will add a special bonus from government to the players and promised further surprises if the team goes far in the tourney.”

    Head Coach of the team, Stephen Keshi also warned against distracting the team from its set goals, declaring that his players are focused on the game against Iran and will not tolerate any form of distraction.

    “The players may have issues but I think they have been settled amicably, so let them allow us to play,” he said.

     

     

  • Reuben returns to full training

    Reuben returns to full training

    … Full house for Eagles

    Gabriel Reuben has returned to full training, ensuring that Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi would have full team for Monday’s clash against Iran.

    Reuben has not trained with the squad for two days due to fitness concern. But in the team’s first session since arriving at their Curitiba match venue, the ex-Kano Pillars’ midfielder looked ready for the crucial group F clash against the Asian giants.

    Although he is not expected to start, the midfielder’s return is a welcome boost to Keshi, who continues to rue the injury-enforced departure of Elderson Echiejile.

    “I’m not very happy he is not here with us, because he is one of our best players, but Juwon (Oshaniwa) is stepping up, and he is improving.

    “But I’m happy everybody is fit and we hope to be ready before our match,” Keshi told kickOffNigeria.com.

    The game kicks off at 4Pm local time (8PM Nigeria time).

     

  • Eagles almost ready for Iran – Keshi

    Eagles almost ready for Iran – Keshi

    Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, has said the team is ‘almost ready’ for its World Cup opening game against Iran.

    Nigeria opens its campaign against Asia’s top-ranked team, but the Nigeria coach said his team is still a little way off.

    “I will say we are almost where we want to be,” he told KickOffNigeria.com.

    “The passing is coming the way we want it, and the players are getting things right the way we want.

    “By the time the match comes around, we should be ready.”

    The Super Eagles found goal scoring hard in the friendly games, and Keshi admitted that it was a concern.

    “Yeah, that’s something we have to work on,” Keshi conceded. “We have been doing a lot of work around that and I hope that by the time our games come around, the players will do what they have to do.”

    One area where the coach was pleased was the return to fitness of all his players, although he did express some sadness over the loss of Elderson Echiejile.

    Kenneth Omeruo, Ahmed Musa and Juwon Oshaniwa are all fully recovered from slight knocks.

    “Yes I am happy (that we have all our players fit again. But I am also not a little bit happy because Elderson Echiejile is not here. He was one of our best players.

    “But Juwon is stepping up and the other players are helping him so we should be well covered.”

    The team leaves for Curitiba on Saturday morning.

  • NFF ‘stays away’ from Eagles

    NFF ‘stays away’ from Eagles

    Nigeria Football Federation President, Aminu Maigari and other officials of the federation are keeping their distance from Super Eagles to allow maximum concentration.

    During the training camp in United States, Maigari and fellow board member Chris Greene were lodged at a different hotel from the Westin where Stephen Keshi and his wards were accommodated.

    Similarly, while in Jacksonville, no NFF official stayed at the team’s Hyatt Regency lodgings.

    Both times, the NFF bigwigs only visited when required.  Like when they arrived ahead to welcome and usher the Nigerian Consuls who came to visit the team.

    In Brazil, the NFF hotel is in São Paulo, a one and half hour drive from the team in Campinas.

    This is in marked contrast to previous years when officials would stay in this same hotel as the team, or even when they did not, would regularly visit team lodgings on a daily basis.

    Maigari told KickOffNigeria.com that the team needed the space.

    “We need to allow the players to concentrate on what they are doing,” he said. “We have our own job to do and we are doing it.

    “They don’t need any distractions. We have provided everything we think they need, but a serene environment with no distractions is important, and that is what they have in Campinas.

    “If they want something, there are easy channels of communication and we are always available to step in and solve any issues.

    “But they have a job to do and we are confident they have everything they need to do it.

    “We have confidence in the coaches and the players and we believe they will make Nigerians proud.”