The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Super Eagles

  • Keshi names Eagles team against Ethiopia, Italy

    Super Eagles’ chief coach Stephen Keshi has listed Kenneth Omeruo, Reuben Gabriel and 23 others for the team’s preparations for the Nov. 16 return leg clash with Ethiopia.

    This is contained in a statement signed by the Assistant Director (Media) of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Ademola Olajire, released on Sunday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match is the reverse fixture in the 2014 FIFA World Cup Playoff, with the Eagles holding a first leg 2-1 advantage.

    NAN reports that the Eagles will host the Walyas of Ethiopia at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar, after winning 2-1 on Oct. 13 in Addis Ababa.

    The statement said Omeruo, a Chelsea FC defender, and Gabriel of Scottish clubside Kilmarnock FC will report to camp alongside others at the Metropolitan Transcorp Hotel in Calabar on Nov. 11.

    It added that the 25 players will also feature for the team against Italy in a friendly match on Nov. 18 in London.

    The list has three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and six strikers.

    The team’s stand-in skipper, Vincent Enyeama, was invited alongside goalkeepers Austin Ejide and Chigozie Agbim, while South Africa-based defender James Okwuosa also kept his place.

    Strikers Obinna Nsofor and Uche Nwofor also kept their places in the team.

    The full list has goalkeepers Enyeama (Lille FC, France), Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel) and Agbim (Rangers International).

    It also has defenders Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Braga, Portugal) Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC), Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland), Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars) and Godfrey Oboabona (Rizespor FC, Turkey).

    The other defenders invited to camp are Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), James Okwuosa (Chippa United, South Africa) and Omeruo.

    The midfielders include Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England), Victor Moses (Liverpool

    FC, England), John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra, Portugal) and Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy).

    The rest midfielders are Nnamdi Oduamadi (Brescia Calcio 1911, Italy), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain), Sunday Mba (Rangers) and Gabriel.

    The strikers include Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine), Shola Ameobi (Newcastle United, England) and Emmanuel Emenike (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey).

    The other strikers are Obinna Nsofor (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia), Uche Nwofor (SC Heerenveen, The Netherlands).(NAN)

    – See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/11/omeruo-gabriel-return-keshi-names-25-ethiopia-italy/#sthash.EAuR0aNy.dpuf

  • I’m fit for Ethiopia’s clash – Ideye

    I’m fit for Ethiopia’s clash – Ideye

    Brown Ideye has said he is fit for next month’s World Cup playoff against Ethiopia.

    The Dynamo Kyiv striker dismissed report that he will miss the crucial encounter because of injury.

    Speaking in a special interview with MTNFootball.com from his Ukrainian base, Ideye said, “I am only serving my three-match suspension, I am not in any way ruled out. I am shocked at these reports back home.

    “I have not been in the team because I was also asked to rest after the muscle strain I suffered.”

    Brown, who was a second half substitute in Addis Ababa against Ethiopia in the first leg World Cup playoff, further stated:”I have resumed training and will join the full squad by next week and hopefully be available for selection in next weekend’s game.

    “I am fit and ready to go for the Eagles. There is no truth in the report that I am injured and ruled out.”

    The Eagles go into a November 16 return leg match in Calabar with a 2-1 advantage from the first leg in Ethiopia.

     

     

  • Nigeria moves up in FIFA rankings

    Nigeria moves up in FIFA rankings

    … Now 33rd in the world

    Nigeria has moved up three places to 33 in the latest world rankings released by FIFA on Thursday.

    However, Nigeria is still number four in the Africa, behind Algeria (3rd) who dropped three places, Ghana (2nd), who moved up one place and Cote d’Ivoire (1st), who has moved to 17th in the world, MTNFootball.com reports.

    The October ranking saw the Eagles garner 724 points which is an improvement from the 707 points recorded in September.

    The Nigerians are expected to improve their rankings by next month when they host Ethiopia in a World Cup playoff return leg in Calabar.

     

  • Eagles will qualify for World Cup in style – Nsofor

    Eagles will qualify for World Cup in style – Nsofor

    Super Eagles striker, Obinna Nsofor, has promised Nigeria will qualify for the 2014 World Cup in fine style next month.

    Nigeria will host Ethiopia on November 16 in Calabar after taking a 2-1 advantage from Addis Ababa at the weekend.

    “We are not under any pressure after our win in Ethiopia. They will be the ones under pressure. We will play good football and score loads of goals to qualify for the World Cup,” Nsofor told MTNFootball.com

    The Lokomotiv Moscow forward admitted the Eagles suffered from the effects of the high altitude especially in the first half.

    “The altitude affected most of us and we waited for them in the first half to give us what they have,” he said.

    Meanwhile, second-half substitute Nosa Igiebor has declared that his best is yet to come for the Super Eagles.

    Igiebor replaced Nnamdi Oduamadi in Addis Ababa to stabilise the midfield of the Eagles and allow Mikel Obi a free role behind the Eagles front men.

    “It was a difficult game for us all, but we fought as a team to get the needed result,” he said.

    “I was introduced to stabilise the midfield and I did it to the best of my ability but sincerely my best is yet to come for the Super Eagles.

    “One thing I can say for now is that I will continue to give my all for this team to ensure that we make our country proud, for sure.”

     

  • Super Eagles, Supporters return from Ethiopia

    The Super Eagles on Monday arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, after securing a 2-1 victory over the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia, in a World Cup qualifying play-off in Addis Ababa.

    The match, played at the Addis Ababa National Stadium on Sunday, saw Emmanuel Emenike scoring twice for the Eagles to silence the hosts who took the lead in the 57th minute.

    23 Super Eagles players arrived in Abuja aboard a chartered Boeing 777 Ethiopian Airliner at exactly 4.30am together with four coaches and eight backroom staff.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Executive Committee members of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), led by its Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, accompanied the team back home.

    Some National Assembly members, including the Senate Committee Chairman on Sports, Adamu Gumba, and his House of Representatives counterpart, Godfrey Gaiya, were in the entourage that arrived with the team.

    Others were officials of the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Nigeria Football and Other Sports Supporters Club, as well as the management and secretariat staff of the NFA

    Media representatives were also in the 263-member Nigerian delegation that made the trip to Ethiopia.

    NAN also reports that most of the foreign-based players connected flights immediately back to their bases in Europe, in preparation for this weekend’s matches in various European leagues.

    NAN recalls that the Super Eagles suffered various degrees of intimidation and humiliation in the hands of the Ethiopian security personnel and football fans.

    The intimidation and harassment started when the Eagles were given a bus infested with cockroaches, on arrival, while the police team attached to the team usually took routes in gridlock.

    This was deliberate to ensure the Eagles arrived late when it was time for training.

    The intimidation reached a crescendo on match day, when all manner of soft drink bottles were hauled at the Nigerian players and supporters when the Ethiopians thought that they had been denied a goal in the first half.

    Television replays later showed that Godfrey Oboabona cleared the ball off the line.

    The attack on the pitch was taken outside it as some fans ambushed the Eagles and hauled stones at the team’s bus as it made its way back to Saro Maria hotel, after the game.

    One of the heavy stones shattered the rear windscreen of the bus, sending all persons inside the bus scampering for safety and taking cover under their seats.

    Nosa Igiebor, the Real Betis midfielder, was unlucky as one of the stones slashed his right palm leading to profuse bleeding that was immediately attended to by the team doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran.

     

  • World Cup playoff: It was a team victory – Emenike

    World Cup playoff: It was a team victory – Emenike

    Super Eagles striker, Emmanuel Emenike, has said Sunday’s victory in Ethiopia was achieved by the entire team.

    Emenike scored twice for the Eagles to take a 2-1 advantage into November 16 return leg in Calabar.

    “We prepared well for this game and we deserved the three points. It was not all about me because this was a collective victory for us. We all worked hard as a team to show the spirit of champions,” Emenike told MTNFootball.com

    “It was a tough game, it is one of the toughest games I have played for Eagles so far and I am happy to have conquered the fears.

    “I went to Ethiopia with a determination for victory, so the victory was a mission accomplished. We remain humble in victory.

    “I must give God the glory and adoration because he made it happen for me and my team.”

    The 2013 AFCON top scorer said he expects the return leg to be even tougher.

    “The return leg will be tough, we are not there yet, but we are in a comfortable zone. We just need to be focused and wrap it up in the second leg with another victory,” he said.

    Italy-based Nnamdi Oduamadi told MTNFootball.com he did not panic even when Ethiopia went ahead.

    “It was a tough match no doubt, they came at us to win but we gave our best to curtail them. I never felt we will not win the game, I was very upbeat there was no way the Ethiopians will beat,” he said.

    “I was sure of victory. I am happy to be part of the team. World Cup here we come!”

    Oduamadi was one of Nigeria’s best performers at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil in June and said he will be glad to return there for the World Cup.

    “I was at the Confederations Cup this year, I am glad that I will be going back there for the World Cup, it is a football country,” Oduamadi told MTNFootball.com.

     

  • WCQ: Nigeria beat Ethiopia 1-2

    WCQ: Nigeria beat Ethiopia 1-2

    Super Eagles of Nigeria secured an away win on Sunday against their Ethiopian counterparts in the first leg of the of FIFA 2014 World Cup Play-Off.

    The African Champions came back from a goal down in Addis Ababa to snatch three points from the determined Ethiopians ahead of the second-leg billed for November.

    Behalu Assefa put his side up in the 56th minute  through a cross from the left flank. His effort was adjudged a goal for crossing the line even though it was caught by the Nigerian goalie, Vincent Enyeama.

    Emenike found the back of the net in the 67th minute with a powerful shot from the edge of the box sending the stadium quiet.

    The CSKA Moscow forward was dragged down in the box for a clear penalty — he calmly dispatched the penalty to give  Eagles the victory and a leg in Brazil.

     

     

     

     

  • Eagles unchanged for Ethiopia’s clash

    Eagles unchanged for Ethiopia’s clash

    Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, has retained the squad that featured against Malawi for Sunday’s clash against Ethiopia, MTNFootball.com reports.

    The Eagles flew past Malawi 2-0 in Calabar, but for some poor finishing and some brilliant goalkeeping, Nigeria would have won by a bigger margin as the boys played with a lot of understanding and confidence.

    Keshi therefore wishes to attack hosts Ethiopia and so rather than go for a defensive-minded midfielder, he has kept faith with Italy-based Nnamdi Oduamadi in a 4-3-3 formation.

    Sunday Mba and Real Betis ace Nosa Igiebor will therefore start from the bench.

    The attack is led by Emmanuel Emenike with support on the wings from Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses, while the back four has the central defensive partnership of Godfrey Oboabona and Azubuike Egwuekwe.

    Ethiopia has also gone with the tried and tested for Sunday’s clash.

    Saladin Said will partner Shemeles Bekele in a 4-4-2 formation.

    Skipper Degu Debebe will take charge in the defence.

     

    Nigeria starting XI:

     

    Vincent Enyeama – Efe Ambrose, Elderson Echiejile, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe – Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Nnamdi Oduamadi – Victor Moses, Emmanuel Emenike, Ahmed Musa.

     

    Ethiopia starting XI:

    Jemal Tesaw – Abebaw Butako, Degu Debebe, Aynalem Haile, Siyoum Tesfaye- Asrat Megersa, Minyael Teshome, Adane Girma, Behailu Asefa – Saladin Said and Shemeles Bekele

     

     

  • Nigeria faces Jordan October 26

    Nigeria faces Jordan October 26

    Nigeria will face Jordan on October 26 in a friendly as part of the country’s build-up to next year’s CHAN in South Africa.

    It will be the first meeting between the two countries.

    A top official of the Nigeria Football Federation informed MTNFootball.com that the match will be played by players from the domestic league and a list of call-ups will be announced this week.

    The squad will train in Abuja before flying out to Amman.

    MTNFootball.com reports that Nigeria makes its debut at the 2014 CHAN after two failed attempts.

    The Super Eagles will meet hosts South Africa, Mali and Mozambique in the first round of the tournament reserved for players featuring in their domestic leagues.

     

  • Jonathan visits Eagles in Ethiopia

    Ahead of the World cup qualifier match against the Ethiopian Team on Sunday , President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday  visited and encouraged the Super Eagles during their training in Addis Ababa.

    He charged the team to do everything possible to win the match.

    Jonathan was in Ethiopia for the Extra Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).

    He shook hands with the players and exchanged pleasantries with them including assistant coach, Daniel Amokachi at the stadium.

    He told the players, in a short speech, that the time has come for the team to show to the world that Nigeria has come of age.

    He said: “Surely you will make it, the spirit is there. I wish you success. It is a determining match. Definitely we have been going to the world cup, but this year we are not just going to the world cup, we will make an impact.”

    “The world will begin to know that we have arrived as a nation. We will give you all the encouragement required. Thank you for what you are doing for us.” He said.

    The President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari thanked the President for taking out time to encourage the players stating that he is the first President to do so twice in a row.

    He said: “I assure you, we will be able to deliver and we will deliver. We will do our best. We have a good team. Goodluck Jonathan is the only President who has created time amidst his tight schedule to be with the super eagles twice.”

    “This is the biggest motivation and we will make you proud. We will be in Brazil” he promised.