The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Super Eagles

  • Super Eagles mobbed in Ethiopia

    Super Eagles mobbed in Ethiopia

    Super Eagles players were mobbed by adoring fans on Saturday after the team chartered plane landed in Addis Ababa for Sunday’s crucial World Cup qualifier against hosts Ethiopia, futaa.com reports.

    The fans, who will come out in their thousands on Sunday to cheer the Walya Antelopes put patriotism aside and openly expressed admiration for the star-studded Nigerian team.

    According to reports, John Obi Mikel, who has won two European trophies in the last two years with English Premiership side Chelsea, was one of the major attractions.

     

     

  • Mikel unfazed by Ethiopia’s ‘bumpy’ pitch

    Mikel unfazed by Ethiopia’s ‘bumpy’ pitch

    Chelsea star Mikel Obi has said he is unfazed by reports the Eagles will play on a “bumpy” pitch in Ethiopia in Sunday’s World Cup playoff.

    The Nigeria advance party to Ethiopia led by the Nigeria Football Federation technical committee chairman Chris Green has already warned the players that they will play on a bumpy pitch at the Addis Ababa National Stadium.

    However, Mikel has assured the Eagles will cope with the poor pitch.

    “We have heard about the poor pitch, but that should not stop us from qualifying for the World Cup because most of us started on such pitches,” Mikel told MTNFootball.com

    “Personally, I started my football on the streets of Jos, playing with stones and rocks, and I know the various injuries and problems we suffered doing that.

    “I don’t have a problem with such a pitch as long as it is not an artificial pitch.

    “Our focus is qualification for the World Cup and so we hope to win on Sunday.”

    Fellow Eagles star, Victor Obinna Nsofor, also told MTNFootball.com they are very much aware of the difficult local conditions in Ethiopia.

    The Lokomotiv Moscow striker, who was part of the team who played out a 2-2 draw with Ethiopia two years ago, insisted a sharp change in weather, bumpy pitch and a partisan home crowd will not affect them.

    “We are not taking the Ethiopians for granted, we are aware of what we are going there to face on Sunday. I played there in 2011 and I know how bad the pitch was, we expect same on Sunday,” Nsofor said.

    “The weather too wasn’t friendly and the fans will be there to support their team. But we know all these and they won’t affect us because they are not strange to us.

    “We have prepared well for the game. We believe in ourselves and God will crown our efforts.”

     

  • Brazil 2014 ticket our motivation – Ameobi

    Brazil 2014 ticket our motivation – Ameobi

    Nigeria striker Shola Ameobi has said that the pride of putting on the green and white jersey in Addis Ababa would fire up the players to victory in Sunday’s first leg play-off 2014 World Cup qualifier.

    Ameobi, who made his competitive debut in September’s game against Malawi, confessed that it took him long to finally get the opportunity to play for his fatherland, and he considers it a rare privilege and would risk anything to ensure the Super Eagles emerge victorious against the Walya Antelopes if he is fielded by coach Stephen Keshi.

    While reacting to President Goodluck Jonathan’s approval of funds to ferry 200 supporters of the team to Ethiopia, Ameobi said they will repay Nigerians’ faith by getting victory against Ethiopia.

    “We don’t need any extra motivation whatsoever to beat Ethiopia. Every player in this squad knows the importance of being at the World Cup and I think that is the motivation we need to do our country proud,” Goal.com quoted Ameobi as saying to reporters in Abuja on Wednesday.

    “Everybody has tipped us to win the game but we must remember that the Ethiopians are not pushovers. They topped their group like we topped ours and they want to be at the World Cup like we want. But we would go there and give our best for our country to ensure that the result is favourable.”

    Ameobi has also dismissed speculations regarding his fitness ahead of this showdown. “I worked really hard to ensure that I’m fit for this game and I can tell you that I’m fully fit for the encounter. I am happy to be here,” he said.

     

  • Eagles won’t fail in Ethiopia – Kwambe

    Eagles won’t fail in Ethiopia – Kwambe

    Super Eagles defender, Solomon Kwambe, has assured the side will not disappoint against the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia on Sunday.

    The African champions will confront the Ethiopians in the first fixture of the two-legged African World Cup play-offs at the Addis Ababa National Stadium.

    Kwambe said victory is already assured in the crucial game given the winning aura his teammates are bringing into the match as shown in their smiles upon arrival at the camp.

    “The mood in camp and among the players is charged with anticipation of resounding victory against the Walya Antelopes in Sunday’s duel in Addis Ababa.

    “There is no iota of panic among the players in camp as the new arrivals wore broad smiles.

    “Victory is written on everybody’s faces, all the players are smiling indicating that fortune will smile at us on Sunday.

    “I don’t think there is any cause for alarm, we just need the support and prayers of every Nigerians to further soften the challenge.

    “It won’t be an easy game, it’s a match one can’t predict straight-forward the outcome as the Ethiopians are surely preparing and want to win the duel as well as ourselves.

    “I’ve heard a lot about the harsh weather over there in Ethiopia but that’s nothing compared with the winning mentality right now among the players.

    “Twice of the anticipated harsh weather nor the Ethiopians won’t stop us from winning the match right there in Addis Ababa.

    “We’re the African champions and we must demonstrate the stuff that made us African kings in whatever and wherever we see ourselves, we’ll surely triumph against the Ethiopians,” said the Sunshine Stars strongman to supersport.com.

     

  • Jonathan to reward Eagles for World Cup ticket

    Jonathan to reward Eagles for World Cup ticket

    President Goodluck Jonathan will reward the Super Eagles when the team qualifies for next year’s World Cup in Brazil, officials said.

    Nigeria will face Ethiopia in a first leg World Cup playoff on Sunday and officials said they are confident the African champions will prevail over the Walya Antelopes to reach Brazil 2014 and be received by Mr. President.

    The Director- General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Gbenga Elebeleye, informed MTNFootball.com that “a Presidential package” has been planned for the Eagles on qualification.

    “We have a special package for the Eagles once they qualify for the World Cup. It’s a Presidential package. And we are already preparing for the package because we know the Eagles will qualify,” stated  Elegbeleye.

    President Jonathan has already approved 200 fans to cheer the team in Addis Ababa on Sunday.

    In February, the President rewarded the team will hefty cash gifts, plots of land and national honours after Nigeria won a third Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    In the meantime, Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi arrived the Eagles training camp in Abuja Tuesday morning, while Ogenyi Onazi, Spain-based Nosa Igiebor and Efe Ambrose from Scottish club Celtic are expected shortly.

  • Eagles ready for anything — Ogu

    John Ogu has said Nigeria are so inspired to reach Brazil 2014 and so they will handle whatever Ethiopia throws at them in Addis Ababa.

    There are reports that hosts Ethiopia have brought the game to an early kick-off and

    the high altitude in Addis Ababa could also work against the visitors.

    The Walya Antelopes will also be counting on a massive home support to galvanise them to only their second win over their more illustrious foes on October 13 inside the National Stadium.

    But Portugal-based midfielder Ogu told MTNFootball.com nothing will stand between the African champions and the ticket to next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

    “I am aware of the weather and I am sure my team mates too are. But that won’t affect us. That will not be an excuse for us as we are looking forward to getting a favourable result from the game in Addis Ababa,” declared the player, who is back playing for his Portuguese club after he was reportedly overlooked because of international duty.

    “I am focused and nothing is distracting me,I keep working hard and preparing my mind towards that game.

    “Getting the World Cup ticket is my biggest target now.”

    He added: “As a Super Eagles player, my goal now is to help my country qualify for the World Cup in Brazil. We are on course and we have only Ethiopia to go past, which I am sure we will.”

    The Eagles will begin training for the epic clash on Tuesday in Abuja when all 18 Europe-based professionals join up.

    They will fly out to Ethiopia on two special chartered flights on Saturday,just hours to the big kick-off.

  • World Cup playoff: Eagles get October 8 deadline

    World Cup playoff: Eagles get October 8 deadline

    Nigeria expects all the 23 invited players for a 2014 World Cup playoff in Ethiopia to report to training camp in Abuja latest October 8.

    “We expect all the players to be here latest by noon on Tuesday, October 8, to begin the preparations for the match,” MTNFootball.com quoted Emmanuel Ikpeme, director of the technical department of the Nigeria Football Federation, as saying on Wednesday.

    “It’s very important that they arrive early because the coach needs all the time available to do the work ahead of the game. Give or take he would have four days to train with the players before we leave by noon on October 12.”

    Coach Stephen Keshi has called up 18 players based in Europe and five from the domestic league for the qualifier in Ethiopia on October 13.

    The squad is expected to fly out of Abuja on a chartered flight to Addis Ababa on the eve of the match.

     

  • World Cup playoffs: Walya Antelopes host Eagles October 13

    World Cup playoffs: Walya Antelopes host Eagles October 13

    Ethiopia will host Nigeria in a 2014 World Cup playoff on October 13 in Addis Ababa.

    MTNFootball.com reports that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had earlier complained that Ethiopia had not confirmed the match day.

    The General Secretary of the Ethiopia Football Federation (EFF), Yigsaw Bezuayehu disclosed that the match will be played on October 13.

    “We have played our home games on Sundays and the match against Nigeria will not be an exception,” said the EFF top official.

    This then means that Nigeria will fly out of Abuja on a chartered flight on Saturday, October 12, so as to beat the effects of the high altitude in Addis Ababa.

    Nigeria has picked Saturday, November 16 as the date for the return leg match at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

    The overall winners of this playoff matches will qualify for next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

     

  • World Cup playoffs: Eagles won’t rely on records – Echiejile

    World Cup playoffs: Eagles won’t rely on records – Echiejile

    Super Eagles defender, Elderson Echeijile, has said Nigeria will not depend on their past records against Ethiopia in next month’s World Cup playoffs.

    MTNFootball.com reports that Nigeria enjoys a favourable record against Ethiopia having won four, drawn two and lost only once to the East Africans.

    But Sporting Braga defender Elderson said what would matter most when both clash again next month would be what they produce on the pitch.

    “Records are always there, but we will just go all out to do our best so we could be in Brazil next year,” maintained the left back on his official website www.elderson3.com

    He said the Eagles cannot afford to underrate Ethiopia even though most Nigeria fans have already given the Eagles the ticket to Brazil 2014.

    “I can understand the belief the fans now have in the Eagles, but we cannot afford to underrate any team especially at this stage of the qualifiers,” he said.

    “What is certain is that they will come with everything at us because they also want to be in Brazil for the World Cup.

    From our match at the AFCON, they showed they are a good team. They have speed and like to keep the ball. They are tactically not an easy team to come up against.”

    The high altitude of Addis Ababa has been widely seen as a major factor that could swing the first leg in favour of the home team.

    “It could be a problem (high altitude),” admitted Elderson.

    “But we are up for everything that will come up against us because we want to be in Brazil next year.”

    The Braga star would also back Ghana to beat Egypt in possibly the toughest-looking World Cup playoffs in the African zone.

    “It will be a very tough match for both teams,” he said.

    “But I will be supporting Ghana because I have some friends in the team – Asamoah Gyan and John Boye. We were together at Rennes in France.”

     

  • Keshi Admits: Ethiopia will be unpredictable

    Keshi Admits: Ethiopia will be unpredictable

    • Predicts upsets in final round

    Super Eagles coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has spoken for the first time since the draws for the final round qualifier for the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier, (Africa zone), were held last Monday in Cairo, Egypt. The draw pitched the Super Eagles against the Walia Antelopes of Ethiopia.

    “I have a lot of respect for the Ethiopians and all the teams that made it to the last round of the qualifier and I am certain that it will be tough, unpredictable and exciting for both the so-called big teams and the minnows,” he said.

    Speaking specifically on Ethiopia, Keshi, who is on a brief visit to his family in the United States, said he foresees a very difficult opposition in the East Africans, assuring that the Eagles will not disappoint.

    “The last time we played the Ethiopians it was quite tough and I know when we meet next it’s going to be the same thing. All we need to do is to be focused, concentrate and pray for good health for our best players and the rest will be history.”

    Keshi also said all the ten teams that made it to the final qualifier round are equally matched and warned those teams having an air of superiority to beware, because there might be upsets in some of the games if the opposition is underrated. He said his list for first leg encounter in Addis Ababa will be released on time but assured that all the players are aware of the enormous task of qualifying for the World Cup and the team will show the stuff it’s made of when the games are held.