The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Super Eagles

  • My best yet to come for Eagles – Ideye

    My best yet to come for Eagles – Ideye

    Brown Ideye has said his best is yet to come despite scoring a brace against Burkina Faso in Wednesday’s friendly in Kaduna.

    The Dynamo Kyiv strike said he is delighted with the goals as he was sure his goals will come for the Super Eagles.

    “I can’t say this is my best moment for Eagles because I know I’m much better than what I did and it’s just a matter of time for my goals to rain for my country,” Ideye told MTNFootball.com

    “I thank God I scored both goals and I believe the goals will spur me to more in the subsequent matches. My priority has always been to contribute my quota to the success of Eagles. But I also understand the critics, but sometimes it does not work except you are more patient.”

    Ideye said he has never allowed the criticisms to weigh him down, but rather the knocks have driven him to work harder.

    “I have never being bothered about the criticisms because I believe in myself so much and the coaches still have the confidence in me,” he told MTNFootball.com

    “I will not give up irrespective of the challenges. I am happy to show that I can score goals and I am happy to say it with the two goals against Burkina Faso.”.

     

  • World Cup playoffs biggest test for Eagles – Ameobi

    World Cup playoffs biggest test for Eagles – Ameobi

    Newcastle United striker, Shola Ameobi, has said next month’s final 2014 World Cup playoffs will be a big test for Nigeria.

    The African champions qualified for the 10-team qualifying series to be played on knockout basis in October and November after defeating Malawi 2-0 at the weekend.

    MTNFootball.com reports that the top five rated teams in Africa in Thursday’s FIFA rankings will be seeded for the draw, which will be staged in Cairo, Egypt, on Monday afternoon.

    “The big test for us will be in the playoffs and we have to show how far we have come here,” said Ameobi, who made his debut as a late substitute on Saturday.

    The striker is delighted that he is now a full Nigerian international after he represented England at various age-group levels.

    “It’s a joy to play at the world stage. The coach and the lads have been very welcoming,” he said.

    Ameobi said he hopes his English Premier League side finish the new season at the top half of the table after flirting with relegation last term.

    “Last season was a gruelling season and this wore on our thin squad, but we hope to finish in the top half of the table this campaign. We did that two years ago and there is no reason why we should not do that again,” he said.

    His personal target with The Magpies this season is to get more game time and score more goals.

    “I want to play more games, give everything I have got and score as many goals as possible,” declared the experienced striker, who is in line to start against Burkina Faso in Tuesday’s friendly in Kaduna.

     

  • WCQ: Mido wants Nigeria, Egypt pairing

    WCQ: Mido wants Nigeria, Egypt pairing

    Former Egyptian International, Ahmed Hossam Mido, is hoping that his country’s team is drawn against Nigeria in next month’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff.

    Egypt and Nigeria have both qualified for the last stage of the World Cup African zone qualifiers along with eight other teams.

    “I hope the draw gives us Nigeria. This will be very good for our national team because Nigeria has a good team and the country players are very skilled. They keep improving since they won the last AFCON and it’s better for us to play against them and get tested. They play real fast flowing football and that in the long run will only make Egypt better and will make our mission at the end easier,” Mido told supersport.com.

    “I don’t want Ghana or Ivory Coast. They are not suitable for us this time nor is Algeria because of all the tension and outside drama between the two North African teams in football, “the former Tottenham player added.

    Wael Gomaa seems to be on the same page adding, “I don’t want easy teams because Egypt plays her best games against only the tough teams.”

    “All the players have the big dream to reach the World Cup and we are ready to play with any team – big or small,” the 38 year- old concluded.

     

  • Amoebi thrilled to represent Nigeria

    Amoebi thrilled to represent Nigeria

    Newcastle United striker, Shola Ameobi , finally made his competitive debut for Nigeria in Saturday’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Malawi at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

    The 31-year-old, who has previously been capped by England at under-21 level, had made his Nigeria debut in a friendly against Venezuela in 2012.

    On Saturday, he was drafted in as an 84th minute substitute for Emmanuel Emenike and despite spending just six minutes on the pitch, the forward voiced his delight at finally representing the country of his birth in a competitive game.

    “It was a thing of joy and honour. I want to thank the coach for giving me the opportunity of helping the Super Eagles. We have a good squad of players here,” Ameobi told supersport.com after the game.

    Nigeria must now navigate a two-legged playoff against another African side to reach the World Cup finals for the fifth time, but Ameobi is calm about the prospect.

    “We cannot start thinking too far ahead. We just have to wait and see who we will play,” he said.

     

     

  • Imoke gives Eagles N24m, plots of land

    Cross Rivers State Governor Lyle Imoke has redeemed his promise made to players and officials of the Super Eagles.
    Imoke had pledged the sum of N24 million  and a plot of land each to the team following their 2013 Africa Cup of Nation success in South Africa.
    The Governor, who was part of the guests at the U.J Esuene stadium during the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Super Eagles and Flames of Malawi on Saturday, released the money and the land on Friday evening to the team.
    The announcement of the pledge which was made at the stadium during encounter on Saturday , according to the announcer, was  to motivate the team for match against Malawi.
    Super Eagles arrived in Calabar on Monday in preparation for the game against Malawi. Calabar has been the home ground for the Super Eagles qualifying matches.
    Super Eagles defeated ten-man Malawi 2-0 to progress to the final stage of the World Cup qualifiers.
    Emmanuel Emenike’s 45th minute and Victor Moses’ 54th minute goals gave the Eagles the  deserved victory.
    The African Champions had the control of the match since the blast of the whistle till the end of the game.
    The Malawians played to frustrate the coach Stephen keshi-tutored side with all their efforts was quashed by the East African team defenders.

     

  • Emenike: Malawi was tough

    Happy to return with goal
     The Fenerbache of Turkey forward has admitted that the Flames of Malawi made the Super Eagles labour for their 2-0 victory on Saturday  in the  2014 World Cup qualifiers at the U.J Esuene Stadium, Calabar.
    Emenike, who scored the Super Eagles first goal, told SportingLife that the Malawians had a game plan for the match.
    “We thank God that we won the match and through to next stage. Malawians were difficult opponents, if not we would have scored more than two goals,” Emenike said.
    The CSKA Moscow of Russian striker was  also happy to return to the team with a  goal  after a long spell on the sideline due to the injury he sustained at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
    “I am happy to score again today. I always feel honoured to score for Super Eagles. The goal came at the right. I was at the right position when the ball came, I was expecting in and it came. This is a good boost for us in our fight for the world Cup ticket.”
     

     

  • WCQ: We will attack Malawi – Keshi

    WCQ: We will attack Malawi – Keshi

    Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi , has said his team will attack against Malawi in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier.

    The Super Eagles lead Group F with nine points and need only a draw to advance to the final rounds of the qualifying tournament, but Keshi said they will still go for broke against the visiting Flames of Malawi.

    Speaking to MTNFootball.com in Calabar, Keshi said, “Nothing will change from how we use to play, we play attacking football and that is what we will play on Saturday.

    “What I want now is for my boys to remain in good health, which I am happy God has granted us. We are in high spirit and the boys are hungry.

    “Despite the short time for training, I must say I am impressed on how the boys have responded, no sign of tiredness or stress from long trip. Well we will see how it goes.”

    Although Keshi was not forthcoming on his starting XI, he said “The usual suspects will start – Mikel, Efe, Oboabona, Vincent, Elderson and that’s all.”

    The match kicks off by 4pm Nigeria time.

     

  • Nigeria No.1 SHIRT: Enyeama:

    Nigeria No.1 SHIRT: Enyeama:

    Eagles can’t rely on me alone
    •Says no competition with Ejide, Agbim, others

    Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama insists he is not under pressure to keep the team’s No. 1 shirt ahead of Nigeria’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Flames of Malawi on Saturday at the U.J.Esuene Stadium Calabar.

    The Lille of France shot-stopper told SportingLife during Wednesday’s media parley at the team’s Transcorp Hotel Calabar that he is privileged to be chosen to be the No 1 by the technical crew, stressing that he is not competing with other goalkeepers.

    ‘’I’ve always said it that I am not under any pressure to keep the No 1 position and there was never a competition for Eagles number one position. This is my opinion and I stand by it.

    ‘’Ejide is a good goalkeeper, Chigozie Agbim is good too. Nigeria is blessed with so many talented players so the coach cannot rely on Vincent Enyeama alone to take care of all games. The coaches know the number of games I can play and those Ejide and Agbim will play too,’’ he said. Enyeama who has so far enjoyed four games in the French topflight with Lille remains grateful to Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi and his assistants.

    ‘‘I want to thank the coaching crew for believing in me for the opportunity given to me to be the number goalkeeper.

    ‘’ It is the decision of coaching crew to decide who will be on duty and I am grateful to them for believing in me,’’ Enyeama said. Speaking on his Eagles’ future, the Lille of France shot-stopper said: ‘I will leave the stage soon but there is no time frame,’’ he added jokingly amidst laughter.

     

  • CHAN: LOC ready for Eagles, others

    CHAN: LOC ready for Eagles, others

    Members of the Local Organising Committee for the third African Nations Championship (CHAN) said they are excited and ready to welcome Nigeria and the other participating Member Associations to South Africa.

    An elated LOC Chairperson, Chief Mwelo Nonkonyane was full of praise in congratulating the teams that have made it into the Final 16.

    “On behalf of the LOC board, SAFA and the rest of South Africa, we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the 15 teams that have made it through the stiff competition of the qualifying rounds.

    “The strong determination and tenacity displayed during the gruelling qualifying stages of the tournament guarantees us that we will without a doubt experience a mouth-watering and historical CHAN 2014.

    “We also want to give special congratulations to Mauritania who for the first time in the country’s history, has qualified for a continental cup competition, “futaa.com Nonkonyane was quoted as saying on caflonline.com.

     

     

  • WCQ: Kwambe replaces injured Ogude

    WCQ: Kwambe replaces injured Ogude

    Sunshine Stars defender, Solomon Kwambe, would replace injured Norway-based Fegor Ogude for Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Malawi.

    The African champions lead their qualifying group on nine points from five matches and would need only to avoid defeat against second-placed Malawi next week Saturday at home in Calabar to advance to final round of qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

    The Malawians are on seven points, while Namibia has five points and Kenya remains at the bottom with three points.

    Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, specially told MTNFootball.com that Fegor is out of the Calabar clash and would be replaced by Kwambe.

    “Fegor is out of the game against Malawi,” Keshi told MTNFootball.com

    “We were thinking that by now the injury which he sustained in South Africa would have healed, but unfortunately it hasn’t.

    “Sunshine Stars Solomon Kwambe has been drafted as a replacement for Fegor ahead of the Malawi game.”

    The inclusion of Kwambe takes the number of home-based players in the squad for the Malawi game to three following Godfrey Oboabona and Sunday Mba’s move to Turkey and France respectively.

    The players from the domestic league are goal keeper Chigozie Agbim, Azubike Egwuekwe and Solomon Kwambe.

    “You have all the names of the home-based players already, just add it to the invited foreign-based with the exemption Fegor and you have my list for the Malawi game,” Keshi said when asked about his final squad.