The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Super Eagles

  • Mali dismisses Nigeria’s ‘win’ record

    Mali dismisses Nigeria’s ‘win’ record

    Nigeria has not lost to Mali, but the Eagles of Bamako coach Patrice Carteron has said all that is in the past.

    The two West African countries have clashed six times at full international level with four of such meetings being at the Africa Cup of Nations.

    And in all six previous meetings, Nigeria has won three of these match-ups, while three other games finished in draws, MTNFootball.com reports.

    The last meeting between the two teams was at the 2008 tournament in Ghana and it ended in a goalless draw.

    “We are living in the present and not the past,” said Carteron, when he was reminded of Nigeria superior record against his team.

    “Therefore we are facing a team we can beat.”

    The former Lyon and Saint Etienne defender also said the Nigerians are the favourites to win this semi-final in Durban and the pressure will therefore be on the Super Eagles.

    “Nigeria remains the favourites in this game, but we aim to beat them. The pressure is on them, we’re not under pressure because we’re not the favourites,” said the Frenchman.

    “We will play so as to win this game. We will attack because it’s important to win this game. And we want to win without going into penalties.”

    Carteron has disclosed he will start young Guingamp goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa on Wednesday ahead of the more experienced Stade Malien shot stopper Soumaila Diakite.

    Diakite kept out two penalties in the shootout against South Africa in the quarterfinal, but Carteron rates Samassa highly.

    The Mali coach has praised the tall, 22-year-old Samassa, who has represented France at age-group levels, but opted to feature for Mali at full international level and made his debut last October.

     

  • Eagles proved me wrong – Akpoborie

    Eagles proved me wrong – Akpoborie

    Ex- Super Eagles star, Jonathan Akpoborie has admitted the Super Eagles have proved him wrong after the team beat Cote d’Ivoire to reach the African Nations Cup semi-finals.

    Akpoborie has been one of the dogged critics of coach Stephen Keshi and he said before the game that it would need a miracle for the eagles to fly past the star-studded Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.

    “Great win for Stephen Keshi, against all odds. I doubted them, same with a lot of Nigerians. But for me, they have exceeded all my expectations already,” Akpoborie told MTNFootball.com

    “They believe in themselves and that was the magic. The Ivorians underrated them and our boys made the most of this.”

    Akpoborie’s former international teammate Tijjani Babangida told MTNFootball.com that the Eagles stunned the world with their display and victory on Sunday.

    “It was an amazing game they played, they surprised the entire world with their performance against Cote d’Ivoire. I don’t think I ever remember this team play such a great game,” Babangida told MTNFootball.com

    “Mikel and Onazi were outstanding, even the central defenders did well to keep Drogba, Kalou and Gervinho at bay. In fact the boys were wonderful. Keshi did magic to be able to motivate the players.”

    However, Babangida warned the players to put behind them this famous victory and focus on beating Mali on Wednesday in Rustenburg.

    “The boys should forget about this game and focus on the Mali game because it will be a different ball game, Malians are younger and more energetic than the Ivorians, but with the way Eagles played, I believe they are good for the trophy now,” Babangida added.

  • Nigeria hits AFCON semi finals

    Nigeria hits AFCON semi finals

    …Pips Cote d’Ivoire 2-1

    Super Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday defeated tournament favourites Cote d’ Ivoire 2-1 in the quarter final match of the ongoing African Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    One goal in each sent the Ivoirians, widely tipped to win the tournament packing.

    The Nigerians clearly the underdogs in this match took the game to the Elephants from the blast of the whistle and deservedly took the lead in the 41st minute through Emmanuel Emenike whose unstoppable shot from the edge of the eighteen yard box flew past Boubakar Bary in goal for the Ivoirians.

    The Elephants came out smoking in the second half in search of the equalizer which duly arrived in the 55th minute through Cheik Tiote who took advantage of a mix-up in the Nigerian defence to power a header past Vincent Enyeama.

    With score standing at 1-1 the two teams went out in search of the winning goal and Enyeama’s superb double saves prevented the Ivoirians from going in front in the 73rd minute.

    Nigeria went ahead in the 76th minute through Sunday Mba who struck an unstoppable volley past Bary.

    From then it was a ding-dong affair and the Nigerians held on to secure a famous victory over the much heralded Didier Drogba- led Ivoirians.

    Nigeria will meet Mali in one of the semi final matches on Wednesday.

     

     

     

     

  • Jonathan tasks Super Eagles against Elephants

    Jonathan tasks Super Eagles against Elephants

    … Reiterates desire to watch final match

    PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has again reiterated his desire to be in South Africa for the final match of the 29th Africa Cup of Nations, provided that the Super Eagles make it that far.

    This message was passed to the Super Eagles on Friday by the Honourable Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, through the President of NFF, Alhaji Aminu Maigari.

    Nigeria’s sports-loving number one citizen will be among heads of state expected at the closing ceremony inside the National Stadium (known until recently as Soccer city) in Soweto on Sunday, February 10.

    This is also contingent on the Eagles overcoming the Ivorian Elephants on Sunday, and then winning their semi final clash against the winner of Saturday’s clash between host South Africa and Mali in Durban.

    “President Jonathan has told me that he wants to be at the final match, and that is only on condition that you are in the final. That is why you have to go all out, first against the Ivoirians on Sunday. Let us take it one match at a time,” said Abdullahi.

    President Jonathan was a surprise guest at the Super Eagles’ training session at the National Stadium, Abuja, days before the team’s first leg, final qualifying-match against Liberia in Monrovia in September 2012.

    He is the first head of government of Nigeria to personally attend the national team’s training since Alhaji Shehu Shagari visited the team camp on the eve of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

    The President spoke with each member of the team prior to the Group C clash with Zambia in Nelspruit on January 25.

    It can also be recalled that President Jonathan was at the Super Eagles’ camp at Protea Hotel Wanderers in Johannesburg on the eve of their opening 2010 FIFA World Cup match against Argentina.

    The Sports Minister will speak with each member of the squad before Sunday’s battle.

  • Super Eagles to offer big test for Elephants

    Super Eagles to offer big test for Elephants

    Africa Cup of Nations 2013 favourites, Cote d’Ivoire, face their first big test against Nigeria today at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg in the quarterfinals of the continental competition.

    The team qualified for the second round of the tournament after their second Group D match, following two successive wins against Togo and Tunisia.

    A draw against Algeria followed and the Elephants now meet up with one of Africa’s football greats to fight for a place in the semis.

    But for the Selefanto national team coach, Sabri Lamouchi, the discourse remains the same ahead of this crucial clash, given that the only alternative to qualification is a return trip home.

    “As much as we don’t fear anyone, we don’t underestimate anyone either,” stated the French-Tunisian tactician at a press conference.

    “There is a sense of the collective, solidarity, a passion to win that is important. That is what we have to hold on to. Our goal of six finals remains steadfast.

    “Now, it’s Nigeria and we have to go and get this win to remain in the competition. It won’t be easy, but we have the players necessary to go and secure this victory on our way to continental glory,” stated Salomon Kalou.

    While Sabri Lamouchi will have his whole team available for selection, the Nigerian national coach, Stephen Keshi, will be missing midfielder Fegor Ogude, who was awarded two yellow cards in the group phase.

    Nigeria finished second in Group C at the end of the group phase, qualifying for the quarterfinals of the AFCON 2013 by beating Ethiopia 2-0, after being held to a draw by both Burkina Faso and Zambia.

    In their five past Africa Cup clashes, the two teams have each won twice, with one draw between them, but the Elephants dominated in their two most recent matches, winning 1-0 in both the AFCON 2006 semi final and during the group phase of the 2008 edition.

  • How Nigeria can defeat Cote d’Ivoire

    How Nigeria can defeat Cote d’Ivoire

    Ahead of Sunday’s crucial match against Cote d’Ivoire, we asked our Twitter followers @thenationnews what message they have for Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi and the players.

    Here are ten responses for Keshi and the players to take seriously.

    Victory starts from d mind, dedication in all passes, just deliver by all means possible.

    Adeniba  Adesina

    Play without fear and pray without doubt.

    Alade Abiodun

    Don’t use Amhed Musa at all.

    L.A Durodola

    Park d bus, attack on the counter, takes your chance.

    Theophilus   Ilevbare

    Concentrate and be focused, avoid mistakes and gain more possession of the ball.

    Amahie Martins

    He should be serious and shouldn’t take Nigerians integrity for granted. Nigerians need GOALS on Sunday!

    Caleb Adams

    Park the bus, attack on the counter take your chance.

    Douglas Baye-Osagie

    The coach tactical discipline and the players give your very best and every chance that comes your way. The Best of success

    Oluwaseun  Raji

    Go an extra mile.

    Sylverdude

  • Mark urges senators to fast for Super Eagles

    Mark urges senators to fast for Super Eagles

    The Senate President, David Mark, on Thursday in Abuja appealed to senators to fast for the Super Eagles, if it would ensure their victory over the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.

    The national team will file out against their Cote d’Ivoire counterparts in Sunday’s quarter-final match of the ongoing 29th Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.

    “Individually, you can fast if you think it will make them to win,’’ the News Agency of Nigeria quoted Mark as saying to the senators on Thursday.

    According to him, national pride is at stake and therefore, the Super Eagles must play their best to ensure victory.

    He told the Deputy Leader of the Senate who, he said, was the contact person between the Senate and the Super Eagles, to inform them that the prayers of all Nigerians were with them.

    “We will pray as hard as we can but they must play as hard as they can because our prayers alone cannot score goals,’’ Mark said.

     

  • Senate salutes Eagles

    Senate salutes Eagles

    The Senate on Wednesday congratulated the Super Eagles over their victory against the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia in the ongoing Africa Nations Cup in South Africa.

    Senate President, David Mark, who made the commendation in his opening remarks on the floor of the Senate, however reminded the players that Nigeria’s pride is at stake.

    Mark urged the players to work harder to carry the day in their next encounter with the Ivoirian team.

    For the Senate President, the Keshi tutored lads should not let the country down.

    He said, “We congratulate the Super Eagles for their success against the Ethiopians. Our prayers are with them. We thank God that they were able to convert the two penalties that were awarded to us.

    “From now till Saturday when they will play again we will continue to pray for them.

    “They should do more remembering that our national pride is at stake. They must not let us down.

    “The players should take the tournament more seriously. We are with them.”

     

  • Cash rolls in for Eagles

    Cash rolls in for Eagles

    Super Eagles will get $30,000 each for reaching the African Nations Cup quarterfinal, while sponsors and businessman Aliko Dangote will also splash on the team.

    Nigeria defeated Ethiopia 2-0 in last group game on Tuesday to book a quarterfinal match-up against Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday, MTNFootball.com reports.

    Team secretary Dayo Enebi will hand over the qualification bonus to the players who are still basking in the euphoria of their qualification on Wednesday.

    Officials have already promised more financial windfall.

    Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi who gave the team $100,000 has also told them that Dangote has promised them a huge sum of cash if they advance to the last eight of the tournament.

    Team sponsors Guinness also promised $5,000 for each goal scored by Eagles and so the boys have so far fetched $10,000 after their 2-0 win over Ethiopia.

  • Nigeria ‘limps’ to AFCON last eight

    Nigeria on Tuesday qualified for the last eight of the ongoing African Nations Cup in South Africa.

    Two penalty goals scored by Chelsea’s Victor Moses in the second half spared the Super Eagles blushes.

    It was a generally poor performance by a Nigerian team that failed to muster one single shot on target throughout the first 45 minutes.

    Nigeria which finished second in group C will meet group D winners in one of the quarter final matches next week.