The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Super Eagles

  • Eagles ready for 2015 AFCON qualifiers – NFF

    Eagles ready for 2015 AFCON qualifiers – NFF

    The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari, believes that there is nothing to worry about as the Super Eagles will be very much ready for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nation qualifiers which begin in September.

    Nigeria has been drawn in Group A alongside South Africa and Sudan, as well as the winner of the two preliminary rounds among Namibia/Congo Brazzaville and Libya/Rwanda, and Maigari who was at the draws ceremony in Egypt on Sunday believes nothing can hinder Nigeria from progressing from the group.

    “We are in Group A and we will come out with an ‘A’ grade,” an optimistic Maigari told KickOffNigeria.com.

    The qualifiers commence in the first week of September, and all six matches will be played over two-and-half months between September and November.

    This is as a result of the decision by the Confederation of African Football to move the tournament to odd years, and the African Nations Championship to even years.

    Maigari, however, informed that the Federation’s primary focus at the moment is geared towards ensuring Nigeria excels at the World Cup this summer.

    “We are presently focused on making a major impact at the FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil in the summer,” Maigari, also a member of CAF’s Organising Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations, said.

    “But I tell you, by the time the qualifying series for Morocco 2015 starts, the Super Eagles will be super ready.”

     

  • ‘I don’t have problem with presidential task force’

    ‘I don’t have problem with presidential task force’

    President of the NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, has welcomed any contribution from the Presidency that would help the performance of the Super Eagles in the World Cup.

    There was insinuation in some quarters that the Presidency is planning a Task Force that will assist the Nigeria Football Federation in preparation for the 2014 World Cup as well as during the competition.

    The NFF boss told journalists in Abuja yesterday that the football house will welcome any intervention from the Presidency that will help the national team to excel at the tournament.

    A task force was put in place by the Federal Government under late President Umaru Yar’Adua prior to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

    “Anything presidential is important to us, we need that intervention if it comes, so we need that presidential support and the Task Force is part of the presidential support,” Maigari said.

    Maigari also expressed confidence on the ability of the Super Eagles to do well at the Mundial even as he insisted that the NFF does not impose players on the national team coaches.

    On the alleged semi-final mandate given to the national team by Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Dr. Tamuno Danagogo, the NFF president said there is no target given to the team because that may mount pressure on them which he argued may be counter productive.

    Maigari also reassured on the Eagles American camp which he said will be comfortable enough for the country.

  • Eagles will stop Messi at World Cup – Ambrose

    Eagles will stop Messi at World Cup – Ambrose

    Super Eagles defender, Efe Ambrose, believes the team is capable of containing any threat posed by Lionel Messi and his teammates when Nigeria clash with Argentina in the final Group F game of the 2014 World Cup.

    Ambrose has impressed against the Argentine when Celtic clashed with Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League, and the defender is confident Messi and his teammates will be well contained when the two teams meet in Brazil.

    “It makes no difference; it is the same player whether for club or country. Nigeria is blessed with good defenders who can stop Messi and any other striker in the world,” KickoffNigeria quoted Ambrose as saying on Africanfootball.com.

    The player refused to be drawn into making predictions on how far Nigeria will go in this summer’s World Cup, but he was optimistic the team will do well at the competition.

  • Esin seeks support for Keshi

    Esin seeks support for Keshi

    Former Super Eagles star, Etim Esin, has urged stakeholders not to interfere with Stephen Keshi’s selection process ahead of the 2014 World Cup.

    Esin voiced his support for Keshi’s decision to delay to the release of the provisional list, stating that there are lots of quality players to choose from.

    “Keshi is taking his time to release the World Cup list because he does not want to be underexposure when assembling the team. He has enough quality players to pick from and nobody should intervene in the selection process,” the former Calabar Rovers star told KickoffNigeria.

    Esin urged the Nigeria Football Federation to give Keshi a free hand to run the team as he has proved himself since he took charge of the Super Eagles, having led them to conquer Africa in 2013.

    “You should understand that Keshi knows what he is doing because he was the coach that returned the Eagles to their winning ways by winning the AFCON and qualified the team for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

    “Nigerian football was in a critical state before Keshi took charge. Any attempt to disorganize Keshi’s selection process would hinder the Eagles’ success in Brazil.

    “He is in charge of the Super Eagles, he knows the players that are fit for the World Cup better than any other person,” he added.

     

  • ‘Why I’m supporting Super Eagles with my hairstyle’

    ‘Why I’m supporting Super Eagles with my hairstyle’

    Olaboludele Simoyan, the 8th Wonder as she’s more popularly called is wearing a series of hairstyles leading up to the commencement of the world cup in Brazil to inspire the Super Eagles to bring the cup home. But there’s more to this woman than her theatrical hairstyles as she tells Adetorera Idowu in this interview.

     

     

    How would you describe yourself?

    Name is Olaboludele Simoyan also known as the 8th wonder. And I’m the author of a two in one book ‘8th wonder of the world Made in Nigeria’. I’m an architect by profession, a nation builder and patriot.

    Tell us about your hair and the story behind it?

    This hair is an 8th wonder world cup hairstyle. It can be called an extraordinary world cup hairstyle, the reason I did this hairstyle is to inspire the super eagles to do the extraordinary at the world cup and bring the world cup back home. It’s a campaign for the super eagles.

    I do this because I dare believe; I believe the super eagles can do that because if anyone is inspired, they can do anything.  What I’m doing is to inspire the super eagles and inspire coach Keshi to believe in themselves and believe that it is possible to bring the world cup back home. The hairstyle is called “Keshi kick off right” there are other hairstyles that I’ve planned for a series of world cup hairstyles. I’ve been talking to people and distributing the stickers “I dare believe” to sensitize the people as to what we are about and why we believe the super eagles can bring the world cup back home if they are inspired.

    What is your inspiration?

    I’m a patriot and I believe in Nigeria. I believe that Nigeria is a great nation; I also know that many of us don’t believe in Nigeria, many of us don’t think it’s possible for us to make Nigeria a good country. That’s what my book is about, building Nigeria to become the 8th wonder of the world so that people can wonder if it’s the same Nigeria we are seeing now. Just like Dubai became the darling of the world in less than 10 years and I’m saying that Nigeria can become the darling of the world once we begin to believe in ourselves and believe in the possibility of our nation becoming one of the great nations of the world.

    I’m passionate about Nigeria because I love Nigeria, I wasn’t born in Nigeria. I’m a diplomat’s kid and was born in Washington DC but I have only one passport, the Nigerian passport and that’s what I carry and I don’t intend to get an American passport because I believe that Nigeria is the greatest country in the world we are better than this, better than where we are. I believe a lot of us don’t even know what we have but foreigners come in and out of this country every day, they see the potential and the opportunities.

    There’s so much mineral resource but I talk more about the human potential. There is a lot in Nigeria and a lot in us the people. We need to believe in ourselves and see that it is possible for us to achieve greatness. It is possible for us to bring out the best in ourselves and take Nigeria to the promised land of greatness where the world would look at Nigeria as a country to reckon with.

    What have you achieved so far?

    I believe in a generation change and I work with a lot of young people and I’ve been doing so for the last 25 years. I go to secondary schools because I believe that if I can sow the seeds in them now, in 5-10 years from now we can create the new Nigeria of our dreams. I tell them not to come with an entitlement mentality rather come out with the belief that you are the answer to a problem in Nigeria because you’ve been wired in a particular way to solve a particular way to solve a particular problem. Look for that problem and solve that problem. If you and I do that, we would have a lot of problems being solved and we can build the new Nigeria of our dreams.

     

  • Babangida calls for total support for Keshi’s Super Eagles

    Babangida calls for total support for Keshi’s Super Eagles

    A former Nigeria international, Tijani Babangida, on Thursday urged the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) and well meaning individuals to support Stephen Keshi and the Super Eagles ahead of the World Cup.

    Babangida told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that by so doing, the team would be spurred to improve on what other African countries had done at the World Cup.

    “We must avoid any pitfall. I read about the query they gave him (Keshi) in the newspapers.

    “All that is unnecessary at this stage, such distractions, shouldn’t even be made public. It is not good at all.

    “Keshi is someone I’ve known for a long time and I have no doubt that he will do the nation proud if the NFA can give him all the necessary support he needs.

    “I have a good feeling Nigeria will do well at the World Cup,’’ he said.

    The former winger endorsed the country’s quest for a credible performance at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, adding that he was optimistic that Keshi was the right man for the job.

    Babangida, who plied his trade with Ajax FC of Amsterdam, advised that Keshi should be allowed to pick the players of his choice against the backdrop of undue pressure on him.

    “I will advise that we all allow Keshi to select whom he wants.

    “If he feels he needs the experience of Osaze Odemwingie, or the sharpness of Ikechukwu Uche, that’s fine. If not, so be it.

    “Win or lose, the buck stops at his table. Nigerians are very difficult to please.

    “We are going to the World Cup as the current African champions. Surely that must count for something.

    “I think we need to respect Keshi more and allow him do what he feels will be good for Nigeria,” he said.

    Babangida, who was also part of the 1998 World Cup squad in France, said the Eagles should be wary of Iran, who might turn out to be the spoilers in the group.

    “A lot of people are looking at Argentina and Bosnia-Herzegovina, while forgetting Iran as a potential threat.

    “Argentina are familiar foes. Bosnia-Herzegovina we know a bit, but Iran being an unknown quantity can spring a surprise or two. It shouldn’t be against us.

    “I think we need to be at our best in all games. No team will be a pushover. Our first game against Iran should be like a cup final,” Babangida said.

    Nigeria is grouped alongside Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group F in the Brazil 2014 World Cup.

    The Super Eagles will play their first group match against Iran on June 23.

  • Enyeama: Champions League spot ‘ll boost World Cup readiness

    Enyeama: Champions League spot ‘ll boost World Cup readiness

    •Seeks truce in Nigerian football

    Super Eagles’ deputy skipper, Vincent Enyeama, has declared that most players of all qualified nations for the Brazil 2014 World Cup are not thinking of the championship at the moment but the fate of their various clubsides across the globe.

    “We are talking of top professionals who are heavily rewarded for what their clubs get during the season, some are fighting for a place in the Champions League, like my club, Lille Metropol, others are fighting to get Europa league positions and some very good players are even fighting against relegations for their clubs.”

    So to many of us, we don’t want to discuss the World Cup at the moment, what we want is good placement for our club sides and then we can shift focus to the World Cup. If my club gets a Champions League spot for instance, it will help me focus properly for the World Cup and I know Nigeria will do well, trust me”, he said.

    Enyeama, who has been the regular skipper of the national team in the absence of Joseph Yobo, also called on football authorities to refocus and let sleeping dogs lie for the good of the game in the country. “We read a lot about happenings in Nigeria, which most times are not palatable but we are the African Champions and we must let ourselves enjoy the moment while it lasts so that we can take a very determined spirit to the World Cup and I trust the NFF people will listen and help concentrate on better preparation for the World Cup. In essence we don’t want to hear any story of disagreement in the football family, please.

  • Westerhof:Keshi must make Eagles one family

    Westerhof:Keshi must make Eagles one family

    Former Nigeria coach Clemens Westerhof has tipped the Super Eagles led by Stephen Keshi  to perform well  at the World Cup in June.
    The Dutchman took the Super Eagles to their first World Cup 20 years ago in United States  and had Keshi as his captain in a side that won the Africa Cup of Nations.
    Keshi has spoken of his admiration for the motivational tactics of the 74-year-old European who has in turn urged his protege to conquer the world in Brazil.
    “Nigeria can be among the last four in the World Cup and the time for this is now. I dream that this is Nigeria’s time and I want Keshi to make the team a family so that they can play for each other on and off the field, make discipline high so that nobody loses his head, make good preparation and select well. If it goes like this, Nigeria will be among the last four,” Westerhof stated.
    “You have fantastic goalkeepers. And I tell you, Nigeria have many players in Europe. Not all of them are known to Nigerians but there are many good ones. Keshi can do better than I did. He should. And he can. Nigeria can be among the last four.
    “You have many good players but they are silent. Ike Uche is good but he must be a team player. And the boy in Newcastle [Shola Ameobi] can be made strong and made to play behind the central attacker. [Emmanuel] Emenike is strong.
    “You must have a strong left footer like [Emmanuel] Amunike or Friday Elaho. You can make the players very fit, very strong and Oyibo is in trouble, I tell you. Then you ensure there’s strong discipline. I dream every time about Nigeria.
    “The time for Nigeria is now and I know that Keshi can do it,” Westerhof said.
    The Super Eagles reached the last 16 at USA 94 under Westerhof and were defeated Italy with two goals from  Roberto Baggio.
    Nigeria matched the second round record in 1998 but have since failed to make it past the first round in 2002 and 2010.
    Keshi will hope to lead his side beyond the second round in Brazil to eclipse the record set by the enigmatic Dutchman.
  • World Cup: NFA budgets N2.08bn for Super Eagles

    World Cup: NFA budgets N2.08bn for Super Eagles

    The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) said on Monday that it had budgeted N2.08 billion for preparation and participation of Super Eagles in FIFA World Cup 2014 tournament in Brazil.

    Musa Amadu, the Secretary-General of NFA, said this while defending the association’s budget before the House of Representatives Committee on Sports in Abuja.

    Amadu said the amount included the N1. 25billion grants from the Federal Government.

    The NFA scribe, who also defended the football house’s financial estimation for 2014, said the N829.89million deficit would be sourced elsewhere to make-up for the government’s grant.

    A breakdown of the estimate showed that each Super Eagles player would pocket about $107,500 as winning bonus, if the team goes all the way to lift the World Cup.

    Head Coach Stephen Keshi would receive $215,000 as winning bonus if his team lifts the coveted trophy.

    Further breakdown showed that each player would get $10,000 for the three matches in the first round, while the Head Coach would get $20,000.

    The round of 16 would see each player’s bonus increased to $12,500; $15,000 would be for a quarterfinal win and $20,000 for the semi-final victory.

    Also, $30, 000 would go to each of them for winning the final match, while the head coach would earn double of whatever accrued to the players.

    Three Super Eagles Assistant coaches, team Doctor, Physiotherapist, Welfare Officer as well as Secretary would receive different amounts as winning bonus

    Others to benefit from the winning bonus include the Psychologist, Media Officer, team Security Officer, Match Analyst and Equipment Manager.

    Another budget of $204,000 was made to cater for five former Sports Ministers and five former NFA Chairmen and Secretaries, while $800,000 was budgeted for 10 Nigerian artistes.

    Godfrey Gaiya, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports commended the leadership of the NFA for the successes achieved so far in football.

    He assured the NFA that all hands would be on deck to ensure the deficit of over N800 million was sourced before the start of the World cup on June 12.

    “I have always assured Nigerians that funding for our football should not be seen as a problem.

    “We have a president that is sensitive to this sector and he has said so time without number that they should make their preparation.

    “You can see that there is a grant for the world cup outside the NFA’s main budget and that grant is a proposal.

    “The moment we go beyond the round of 16, certainly more money will be given,’’ Gaiya said.

    The National Institute for Sports (NIS), led by its Director, Dr Sunny Ikhioya, was among the sports agencies that defended its budget proposal.

    Ikhioya told the committee that it was regrettable that the institute got only N484.17million as `envelope’ for its 2014 activities as against N556.91million for 2013.

    He said that poor funding had always been the bane of sports development in the country especially in the area of training of coaches and sports administrators.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all the agencies under the National Sports Commission (NSC) had their budgets approved by the committee.

    This was done in honour of the NSC Director-General, Gbenga Elegbeleye who was a Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Sports.

  • Eagles World Cup list out May 13

    Eagles World Cup list out May 13

    Officials have told MTNFootball.com that Stephen Keshi will beat the FIFA May 13 deadline for the submission of a provisional World Cup squad.

    “The provisional squad for the World Cup will be the squad for the May 28 friendly against Scotland in London and that would mean it will be made public before the May 13 deadline for the submission of provisional squads by World Cup finalists,” an official informed MTNFootball.com

    It is left to be seen whether skipper Joseph Yobo will be retained on the squad after injury stopped him from making the recent warm-up against Mexico.

    Another player who could well miss out is Villarreal striker Ike Uche, who Keshi said is not tactically disciplined as he wants to play his own way while with the national team.

    Both Uche and his club officials have since countered Keshi’s claims.

    It will be interesting to see if Osaze Odemwingie would be recalled and how many players from the domestic league will be part of the World Cup rehearsals to begin with.

    The squad will from London fly out to Houston, Texas, from where they will play two more warm-up games against United States of America and Greece before they depart for Brazil on June 11.