The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Super Eagles

  • Eagles will qualify for 2014 World Cup – Maigari

    Eagles will qualify for 2014 World Cup – Maigari

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, on Wednesday assured Nigerians that the Super Eagles will qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.

    “I have no doubt that we will qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals. We expected the team to win here but things didn’t turn out that way. However, nothing has changed. All we need do is beat Malawi in September and we’ll be through to the final round of the elimination series.

    “Not only will we get there, we will also conquer whichever team comes our way and get the ticket to the World Cup finals,” the NFF president told journalists.

    Maigari spoke at the Nigeria House in Windhoek, hours after the Super Eagles forced the Brave Warriors to a 1-1 draw in a hard-fought 2014 World Cup qualifying match at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.

    Following Malawi’s 2-2 draw with Kenya in Blantyre earlier in the day, the Group F became Nigeria’s to conquer with a win against the Namibians. But after a bright opening spell, during which Sunday Mba and Anthony Ujah missed opportunities, the hosts began to grow in confidence and looked dangerous going forward.

    The Brave Warriors combined pace and endeavour with commendable ball sense, but they found the central defensive network of Kenneth Omeruo and Godfrey Oboabona impregnable.

    At the other end, Germany-based forward Ujah shot wastefully over the bar with the net gaping.

    On the hour mark, the hosts could have taken the lead with a fierce shot, but Enyeama was equal to the task. Their attacking menace continued to cause apprehension among the few Nigerians at the stadium.

    In the 74th minute, Ahmed Musa, hero of the 1-0 victory over Kenya in Nairobi a week earlier, fluffed a great chance when clean on goal. And two minutes later, Namibia shot into the lead.

    Substitute Deon Hotto Kavendji was unmarked in the area to steer a pull-out from the left past Vincent Enyeama.

    As it has happened in all their four previous qualifying matches, Nigeria would not get a goal until after 80 minutes. Defender Godfrey Oboabona lashed a free-kick from the edge of the box, which goalkeeper Virgill Vries could only help into his net in the 83rd minute.

     

  • WCQ: Super Eagles battle Namibia’s ‘chilly weather’

    WCQ: Super Eagles battle Namibia’s ‘chilly weather’

    Players of African champions, Nigeria would battle chilly conditions when they face Namibia tonight in a 2014 FIFA world cup qualifying game in Windhoek, Supersport.com reports.

    The maximum temperature for Wednesday has been set at 9 degree Celsius and players of the Super Eagles trained with gloves and protective clothing on Tuesday.

    Head coach of the Nigeria team, Stephen Keshi, has now taken the time to discuss the effect the weather conditions would have on his wards ahead of Wednesday’s match.

    “We are trying to prepare ourselves (for the game on Wednesday). The weather is very cold. It’s winter in Namibia. We would get used to it by the time the match comes round (tonight),” Keshi said.

    The former Togo and Mali national team trainer however expressed confidence that his players would come to terms with the conditions since most of them are based in Europe where weather conditions can sometimes go below freezing levels.

    “It’s okay. Most of the boys are used to it. All we need to do is to concentrate and face the game,” he concluded.

     

  • Namibia will fall- DG NSC

    Namibia will fall- DG NSC

    The Director General of the National Sports Commission Gbenga Elegbeleye has boasted that the Mighty Warriors of Namibia will not be a threat to the Super Eagles in their World Cup qualifier holding in Windhoek, Namibia today.
    Speaking exclusively to Nationsports in Abuja, the former member of the Federal House of Representatives said “we have nothing to fear against Namibia in tomorrow’s match. The Kenyans were very boastful, and at the end of the day they were humiliated. Nothing would stop the Mighty Warriors of Namibia from falling. All the Super Eagles needs to do is remain focus, and endeavour to take the game to the Namibians just like what they did against the Kenyans, and ensure that they were not complacent at any point all through the match. I am sure nothing would stop them from picking the maximum points. Our target is getting to the World Cup in Brazil next year, and I don’t think the likes of Namibia will be a hindrance to us” he said
    The Namibia national football team, nicknamed the Brave Warriors. They have never qualified for the World Cup but have made two appearances in the Africa Cup of Nations.
    Namibia played its first international under the name South-West Africa on 16 May 1989 at home against neighboring Angola and lost 1–0. On 23 March 1990, only two days after gaining independence from South Africa, they hosted neighbour Zimbabwe and lost 5–1.

  • WCQ: Mikel to play in Namibia’s ‘artificial pitch’

    Chelsea star Mikel Obi will defy doctor’s orders and play for Nigeria on artificial pitch against hosts Namibia In Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier.

    Mikel has suffered a recurring back injury and only recently nursed a hip injury with Chelsea doctors maintaining he should avoid playing on the hard surface of an artificial pitch.

    He shone in Monday’s training, along with goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and Kenneth Omeruo, who is soon to join up at Stamford Bridge.

    Incidentally, Galatasaray-target Mikel has often been knocked for not showing enough commitment to the national team.

    Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, told MTNFootball.com that he does not expect any of his players to struggle with playing on the astro turf at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek, venue of the match.

    “I don’t expect us to have any problems with the pitch. We have trained on astro turf and just decided to use grass today (Monday). Tomorrow (Tuesday) we will train at the match ground again,” he said.

    The Eagles on Monday had an hour’s training session in the cold in Windhoek with temperature going to as low as six degrees.

    Keshi also declared that the boys are battle ready for the Brave Warriors.

     

  • Keshi unveils Confederations Cup squad

    Keshi unveils Confederations Cup squad

    … Picks eight local players

    Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi has picked eight players from the domestic league for the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil, MTNFootball.com reports.

    The players from the local league include five who made the final squad to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, where Nigeria won a third continental trophy.

    Enugu Rangers supply three of these players, Sunday Mba, Chigozie Agbim and Emeka Eze, while Sunshine Stars had two players – Godfrey Oboabona and Solomon Kwambe.

    The other players are Gambo Mohammed (Kano Pillars), Benjamin Francis (Heartland) and Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves).

    Heartland left winger Obinna Nwachukwu and Sunshine defender Odunlami Kunle were dropped.

    14 members of the Confederations Cup squad led by Chelsea midfielder MIkel Obi were also in AFCON.

    Nigeria opens its Confederations Cup campaign on June 17 against Tahiti. Other teams in the group are Spain and Uruguay.

     

    Eagles Full squad:

    Goalkeeper: Chigozie Agbim (Warri Wolves), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Beer Sheva), Vincent Enyeama (Lille)

    Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves),Efe Ambrose (Celtic Glasgow), Elderson Uwa Echiéjilé (Sporting de Braga), Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag), Godfrey Oboabona, Solomon Kwambe, Francis Benjamin (Heartland FC)

    Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea), Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio), John Ogu (Academica de Coimbra), Sunday Mba, Emeka Eze (Enugu Rangers), Babatunde Michael (Kryvbas), Fegor Ogude (Valerenga)

    Forwards: Joseph Akpala (SV Werder Bremen), Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kiev), Anthony Ujah (FC Cologne), Nnamdi Oduamadi (Varese), Gambo Mohammed (Kano Pillars), Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow)

     

  • WCQ: Jonathan hails Eagles victory in Nairobi

    WCQ: Jonathan hails Eagles victory in Nairobi

    President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the Super Eagles on their victory over the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier played at the Arap Moi Sports complex in Kasarani, Nairobi.

    The Eagles defeated their Kenyan counterparts by a lone goal scored by Ahmed Musa in the 81st minute.

    The President, who spoke at the Presidential Launch of the “Rhythm N Play” programme of the National Sports Commission in Abuja on Thursday, expressed optimism that the Super Eagles would qualify for next year’s World Cup holding in Brazil.

    He said, “You would recall that late last year, we convened the Retreat on Sports which not only analyzed the challenges in the sector but also came up with a clear road map for its development in the short, medium and long terms.

    “Already year 2013 is turning out to be a successful one for the country in Sports. In February, our gallant Super Eagles won the African Cup of Nations. Two weeks ago, I hosted a joint reception for the Golden Eaglets who represented the country at the African Under- 17 Football Championship in Morocco as well as our Athletics Team which emerged overall winners of the maiden Under- 18 African Athletics Championship in Warri.

    “They were honoured for their extra-ordinary feat and display of talent in their chosen sports at the international arena. So far, we are doing well in our effort to fly the Green-White-Green in the Football World Cup tournament in Brazil next year. This is a great moment for sports in Nigeria. We must build on this momentum and trend. We must take every step to ensure that our successes are sustained. We believe that grassroots sports development and nurturing provide the way.”

     

  • Nigeria moves up in latest FIFA rankings

    Nigeria moves up in latest FIFA rankings

    African champions, Nigeria has moved up three places in the latest FIFA rankings released monthly by the world football governing body.

    Supersport.com reports that the Super Eagles moved up three places in the latest rankings having amassed 780 ranking points.

    Nigeria is now ranked fourth in Africa and 28th in the world.

    Meanwhile, former coach of the Super Eagles, Christian Chukwu has declared that the current appreciation recorded by the team should not lull the players and coaches into a false sense of security as “there is still work to be done.”

    “Of course, I am pleased at the news because it means we are doing something right but the players and coaches know the rankings will count for nothing if they fail to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. There is still work to be done,” Chukwu told Supersport.com on Thursday.

    The Super Eagles had a rewarding last 30 days having drawn 2-2 against heavily fancied Mexico in an international friendly and defeating Kenya 1-0 in Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier played in Nairobi, Kenya.

     

     

  • WCQ: Nigeria pips Kenya in Nairobi

    WCQ: Nigeria pips Kenya in Nairobi

    Super Eagles of Nigeria on Wednesday afternoon in Nairobi defeated the Harambee Stars of Kenya 1-0 in the 2014 World Cup qualifier played at the Kasarani Stadium.

    CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa’s 81st minutes strike separated the two sides.

    Nigeria’s other group rivals Malawi and Namibia had earlier played a scoreless draw in Blantyre, the Malawian capital.

    With this victory, Nigeria still tops the group with eight points, while Malawi follows with six points. Namibia is on  four points and the Kenyans have two points.

    Super Eagles will meet the Namibians in Windhoek next Wednesday, while Malawi and Kenya will slug it out in Blantyre the same day.

     

  • WCQ: Maigari, Babangida charge Eagles to defeat Kenya

    WCQ: Maigari, Babangida charge Eagles to defeat Kenya

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Aminu Maigari, has charged the Super Eagles to go for victory against Kenya on Wednesday.

    Maigari told MTNfootball.com, “I have no doubt that the Super Eagles will do us proud in this World Cup qualifier.

    “We all know what the three points in this game would do for the team. It’s a World Cup qualifier and we must pick vital away points to stay in control of our group. One of such important three points is the one from this game.

    “We have done everything to prepare the team. We have moved two steps ahead of the Kenyans to guard against any form of antics. So, we just pray that with luck on the side of the Eagles, they put the icing on the cake.”

    Former Nigeria international Tijjani Babangida also said the Eagles have all it takes to beat Kenya in Nairobi.

    “Eagles have all it takes to beat Kenya, but they must be prepared for war because the first leg result is a big morale booster to the Kenyans,” he said

    “The Eagles must play this game with all they have to win because it could decide if we will be in last round of World Cup qualifiers.”

    He also said he believes the Mexico friendly has toughened Eagles ahead of Wednesday’s clash.

    “The friendly against Mexico was good for the Eagles as it put them in match frame and gave them a chance to understand themselves more ahead of the clash. The boys and the coaches know what is at stake and I believe in them,” he said.

     

     

  • We will get the desired result in Kenya – Mba

    We will get the desired result in Kenya – Mba

    The Super Eagles midfielder, Sunday Mba, believes the players on ground will get the much needed victory against the Harambee Stars on Wednesday, Goal.com reports.

    Mba is one of the players that Coach Stephen Keshi will be relying upon to get a win against the Harambee Stars on Wednesday at the Moi Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.

    The undoubted hero from the last Africa Cup of Nations believes that though the team is shorn of some of its star players, the current squad will get the result needed against Kenya.

    “Yes, we will be without some of our top stars for the qualifiers as well as the Confederations Cup,” Goal.com quoted Mba as saying to FIFA.com.

    “We would have loved to have them with us, but we hope that we still get the results we need even without them.

    “We have set a standard and Nigerians do not expect anything less,” he concluded.