The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Super Eagles

  • EMMANUEL DANJUMA ATTAH: My unforgettable world cup moments

    In his first major interview since he left the scene as the coordinator of the Super Eagles, Emmanuel Danjuma Attah shares his good and bad times in the WC 2014. The interview was conducted by MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN.

    EMMANUEL Danjuma Attah served as the coordinator of the Super Eagles during the other ‘golden era’ of Nigerian football; a repeat of the 1990s glorious period when the national team won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations and debuted at the USA’94 World Cup.

    In the following cycle, Nigeria also won the African Cup of Nations in 2013 and earned a qualification to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Attah has described this spell under the late Super Eagles’ coach, Stephen Keshi, as one of his unforgettable moments.

    “I had great moments as coordinator of the Super Eagles but first and foremost, I want to be grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to serve in that capacity,” Attah who is currently Osun State’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) coordinator exclusively told The Nation. “One of my most unforgettable moments was winning the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013 in South Africa because this was against all human expectations.

    “Another important moment for me was qualification for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. It’s good to watch the World Cup on TV but you can’t compare it with the same feeling of being a part of it as a competitor. I was lucky to be at two World Cups with the Super Eagles; 2010 and 2014, but 2014 was greater because we were also there as the African champions. We would have gone beyond the second round in 2014 but some extraneous factors stopped us from achieving such result. We did not deserve to lose that match to France. One of the major lessons I took away from the World Cup in Brazil is that administrators and players must resolve all financial issues before going to a major tournament. In fairness to the NFF, they were to get the World Cup bonus from FIFA after the event but there had been a lot of mistrust with the players who felt they might not be able to get what was agreed as their own share if they were not paid at that point. There were so much bickering within the team before that match and even when the money was paid, the team had already lost focus because so much time had been wasted on resolving the bonus matter. The government interfered and brought the money to be paid but that alone took its toll on the team and the result was the loss to France. Frankly, we shouldn’t have lost to France because we controlled the game for almost 70 minutes but we were tired in the last 20 minutes of the game. We saw ourselves beating France but you can’t cheat nature.”

  • Brazilian president sends message of support to Super Eagles

    Brazil’s President Michel Temer has expressed his best wishes for Nigeria’s Super Eagles at the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.
    Temer made this statement of support when Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama,  paid him a courtesy visit in Brasilia.
    A statement by the Media Aide to Onyeama, Ms Sarah Sanda, on Saturday in Abuja, said the minister was on a week working visit to Brazil.
     Temer’s support was coming as Nigeria’s Super Eagles kick off their Russia 2018 World Cup campaign on Saturday, with a match against Croatia.
     The President of Brazil stressed the importance of the historic warm relations between both countries, which has been enhanced by the visit of Nigeria’s Foreign Minister to Brazil.
    Earlier, Onyeama said the objective of his trip was to strengthen the long standing cordial political, economic and socio-cultural relations between Nigeria and Brazil.
    According to him,  it is also to explore new areas of mutual benefit for the two countries.
    Onyeama then  conveyed to Termer, the fraternal greetings of President Muhammadu Buhari  and his optimism of stronger Nigeria-Brazil collaboration in the coming years. (NAN)

  • Eagles, Blazers in battle of Kaliningrad

    After all the razzmatazz associated with Super Eagles jersey and the Swag that followed their camping in Austria, take off and eventual landing in Russia, it is time to get down to business on the pitch.

    And so today at the Kaliningrad Stadium the Gernot Rohr tutored side will file out against their Croatian counterpart in what many have dubbed a must win encounter if the beautifully kitted Eagles are to prove that all that glitters is indeed gold.

    Of the five African countries in quest of glory in Russia, Nigeria is considered to be in a vintage position to rise to the occasion parading a team of young players who have proved in the course of the qualifiers that they can deliver. Although their performance in the friendly matches leading to the world cup were below par, some say the team would be fired up at the competition proper.

    Coach Gernor Rohr who does not appear perturbed by the poor run of his boys in the friendly ties especially against England and Czech Republic, believes the boys will find their rhythm and will go all out against equally determined Croatia others called the Blazers.

    Already the players have been speaking about their determination to give their best all the way.

    Odion Ighalo one the players the German tactician expects to rise to the occasion said the team knows what is at stake and will not disappoint.  The Eagles have a date with Iceland and Argentina respectively in Group D but analysts believe doing well in the first match will determine to a great extent how far the team can go. Nobody expects Croatia will be a tea party which means the tie will be a hard nut to crack.

    Eagles must resist the temptation to delay coming to party as the Croatians have got pace and will not wait for any opponent that might want to boot before rising to the occasion.

    Rohr having the full complement of his team must hand hungry players the starting shirt because of the need to earn points in this first match.  The speed of Ahmed Musa will be needed to checkmate equally pacy players that will be on parade for Croatia including Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Mario Mandzukic among others.

    Luckily for the Eagles Wilfred Ndidi is back and good to go.  With the midfield comfortable being marshaled by Captain John Obi Mikel and enjoying the compliments of Ndidi the strikers must resist the temptation to gloss over begging chances while the back four now popularly called “oyibo wall” must be vigilant for the entire duration of the game.

    A victory in this first match will not only serve as a ginger but will prove those who believe that the Eagles have gone to Russia to model impressive jersey.

    The fashionable Eagles have landed, now let the Eagles fly!

  • Nigeria, Argentina Will Qualify – Okocha

    Austin ‘Jay jay’ Okocha has predicted Argentina and the Super Eagles of Nigeria will advance to the round of 16 at the ongoing FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    The Ex- Nigeria international shared views on the chances of Nigeria to advance in the group stage of the Russia mundial on Super Sport on Thursday.

    He said, “For the first time we are going into such a tournament without bonus issues, without financial issues, hopefully with this there will be a sustained team spirit that will get Eagles through the knock out stages.

     “I know Argentina can and why I believe Nigeria can also is that things are changing, for a very long time we have not had a very consistent team but now the new manager has gotten young and experienced players to play together as a team and I see things are changing.

     “Yes our expectations are high which is expected when we have such array of talents, but the issues have been off the pitch, we must give kudos to the Nigeria Football Federation and the players’ managers for doing a good job.”

    The Super Eagles on Thursday moved to the city of Kaliningrad where their first match will be played.

    The match will be played at 35,000 capacities Kaliningrad Arena‎.

  • My dreams for Super Eagles, by Pinnick

    As Nigeria prepares to compete with other nations in the ongoing 2018 World Cup in Russia, which begins yesterday, The Nation newspaper Editorial Board Chairman Sam Omatseye, takes on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Amaju pinnick on the Super Eagles’ preparation, welfare and other football-related activities in this interview. The interview was on TVC’s The Platform. Excerpts…

    How prepared is the team?

    Thank you for having me. It’s a privilege once again to come to TVC. TVC is my home as far as I’m concerned and I’m very proud of what TVC is doing for Nigeria and beyond. I can say clearly that we’re ready for the World Cup. And we’re very excited about our preparation, to me, in all modesty which have been top notch. I must also say I want to thank the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for not only creating the stability we enjoy in football today which has indeed metamorphosed into a lot of prospects for Nigerian football but to take personal interest in ensuring that everything that we require, we got. So, Mr President, again, I would say ‘thank you.’

    Also, I want to thank the minister of sports. He has always been there, very supportive. He has been the pillar behind a lot of the successes we record. But beyond that and more importantly is the team. What we have right now is a team that is, for the first time in the history of Nigeria that is so united. You don’t hear of a Super Eagles that has different factions. We have a team headed by Mikel Obi who has displayed exemplary leadership. He has displayed a lot of dexterity that even me I cannot even comprehend. So, the team is so closely-knit and they talk to themselves for the first time. After every friendly game, they speak to themselves, even before the technical crew comes to talk to them. Then, we also have a coach that is very seasoned, very matured and know exactly what he’s doing. It’s based on this that we said, we’re not going to wait until after the World Cup. We have renewed his contract, which means there is continuity. And one of the other reasons we did that is because we believe we have, statistically, we have the youngest team going to the world Cup. But beyond that, we’re looking at a team that, of course, can make an appreciable and decent presence in this World Cup.

     

    What do you mean by decent?

    Decent can mean ‘win the World Cup.’

     

    Winning the World Cup is not decent

    It’s super-decent

     

    It’s spectacular

    (Laughs) What I mean, going to the World Cup, first must congratulate the 32 teams that made it to the World Cup. You understand the dynamics of going to the World Cup has changed. If you look at great footballing countries like Italy, not being in the World Cup, Netherlands, they were in the semi-finals in the last World Cup, US, a recurring decimal in the World Cup, Chile, the incumbent winner of CONCACAF, the current champion of CONMEBOL. So, you can go on and on. So, the 32 countries, you must congratulate them. Then, again, Nigeria, you must give them special congratulations because, when we started our campaign, nobody gave Nigeria a chance because the four countries in our group, these four countries, AFCON winners.  It’s the strongest group in the history of any World Cup qualifiers anywhere in the world, not just in Africa. Of these four countries, three of these countries were in the last World Cup. Then, if you look at the politics of the game, of these four countries, three of these countries had key members….

     

    What are these countries?

    Zambia had Kalusha Bwalya in the CAF Executive Committee, Cameroon, of course, Issa Hayatou, who is the boss, then Algeria had Mohamed Raouraoua. Nigeria had nobody. But we had God. And to me, that’s what saw us through.

     

    And Guts?

    God and guts. If you have God, it encapsulates all. That’s the truth. So, we told ourselves, we needed to do this. We needed to make Nigerians happy. And indeed, I think we’ve been able to do that. But look at it, from the beginning when we qualified, we had a meeting with the team. Our strategic studies committee, the organising committee and the technical committee, we had to come together and say, okay, what has been the impediment in the past since we started going to the World Cup, not just this last World Cup. Right from USA 94 till all the other world cups till date. So, we look at it, look at some of the pluses, look at some of the minuses. Let’s look at the minuses and see how we can take those off our radar and include some pluses. And that was exactly what we did. We start with the team, had a contract with the team and they signed. We didn’t stifle them. We didn’t put them under duress. They’re adults. We spoke to them the way I speak to my oldest daughter, my oldest child and say, ‘what do you want? Look at what we’re proposing, take. Take your time, go and study it, consult extensively with your players. Mikel said, no, no, no, president, whatever you say is okay. I said, ‘no, it’s not okay. Please go with your coach. Let the coach be your father. No, I’ll give him that title now. I’m your father. So, you people should go. And they went.…. After like about half an hour, they came back and said, ‘president, we’ve agreed on the FIFA funds. The FIFA funds is supposed to be $8m. This money, mind you, it doesn’t come before the World Cup. It comes after the World Cup. But if you look at the incident, because of lack of trust in the past, they feel after the world cup, nobody listens to them, nobody talks to them. So, they always want the money before the world cup. We believe even though they showed exceptional discipline but anything can happen. We didn’t want anything that can happen to happen. So, at that point, we said okay, we sat, we did everything and we agreed on 30% which translates to $2.8m. Appearance fees for the five friendly games at $3,000 and the backroom staff, everybody. Then match winning bonus. We decided to say that, okay, the first match that they will play.

     

    Is it in the world cup?

    The World cup. The world cup, we’re going to be paid $15,000. We needed that motivation because the first hurdle is going through the first round. Yes, to us, to the team, they’ve displayed patriotism but we also need to add some monetary motivation in making sure that our approach is not just being patriotic. It’s about looking at something that they also can get and also a comprehensive insurance package from our insurers in case anything happens. Beyond what FIFA is providing as a cover. We have our own comprehensive insurance. And we made all these things clearly known to them, this is the area we’re going to. This is exactly what we want to do. And in all of these, I was always communicating with the honourable minister and he consented to practically everything that we did. And we promised them, you’re going to get your money before the World Cup. They were surprised.

     

    Have they gotten the money?

    Yes, the money has been given to them. I’m coming. We also made them to understand that this is money is going to be given to you. We know we earn big money, but we’re also going to come out with in Abuja before you leave, with a seminar. We need to get some resource persons that will come and educate you on some investment opportunities. Our relationship should not be strictly generic to pitch, playing football alone. We should be able to give you a life after playing football. You may have heard from so many portfolio managers, so many investment experts and all those stuff. But we have our partners. They’re going to do it for free, they will come and educate you on how to invest. They were very excited about it. And once we got o Abuja, because some of our sponsors from Zenith Bank, from WAPIC, from PWC, Financial Derivatives came and made presentations to them. And till tomorrow, they’re still interfacing. Why are we doing that? We observe that after their playing days, players, one year, two years, they fizzle out with nothing absolutely. And we did that. And they applauded it. It’s the first time, because what we’re trying to do, even if you look at our backroom staffing. Before you see a coach, an assistant coach and that’s it. But today, we don’t just have a chiropractor and osteopath, we have a yoga trainer. And yoga training is all about concentration before a game, full concentration. And all those are the things that we have brought into the Super Eagles. So, when you see them win, it’s not just a fluke. We have our backroom analysts that analyses the game. We have the one for defence, the one for midfield and the one attack. So, whatever you’re seeing in these friendlies, even though we lost, to me, there are a lot of positives coming out of it. I’m happy we didn’t embarrass the country in England, we didn’t embarrass the country playing Czech.

     

    You embarrassed the country in first half in England

    No, no, no. You see, the truth is, it’s a game. When Brazil in Brazil lost 6 – 0 to Germany in the semi-finals, the Brazilians were sad but they didn’t castrate the team. They supported them. Today, Brazil is back again. That is the mentality we should try and imbibe in Nigeria.

     

    Can you tell us what happened, what changed from the first half to the second half in England?

    You see, what changed was that, to me, there are some information that I have that I cannot divulge. And that’s the truth. I’m the president of Nigeria Football Federation, I swore to an oath. I talk to my coach and I know some of the things that happened. If I say it publicly, it might affect the morale of the team. But trust me, there was nothing fundamentally wrong in the team. I know a couple of things that went wrong which we corrected.

     

     

  • Yearning for Super Eagles of 94

    SIR: I dearly yearn for the Nigerian Super Eagles of 1994. I feel for those days of Rashid Yekini, Steven Keshi, Jay Jay Okocha, Emmanuel Amunike, Daniel Amokashi, Sampson Siasia, Victor Ikpeba, George Finidi, Tijani Babangida, Augustine Egwavon, name them. Those were the days Nigerian matches thrilled the world and many non-football lovers would spare the time to watch Nigerian matches. Those were the days I would not eat, even when hungry, until I watched the last action in any Nigerian match. Those were the days I used to conduct a personal prayer for the Eagles before any of their matches. Those were the days that if the Eagles lost a match, one would be convinced that they actually did play the game. And those were the days Nigerian footballers were selected/appointed to represent Nigeria on merits and they were cared for. There was little or no wicked conspiracy against them. There was no compromise over their entitlements. Unity and patriotism were their watchwords.

    And in 1996, the team, strengthened with some powerful football “magicians” like Kanu Nwankwo, conquered the world at Atlanta. Many of these Nigerian super stars are still alive. Some of them, though retired and not tired, have been contributing positively to the development of the younger footballers. The question is – with such vast experienced game masters, why are the new breeds not performing or replacing them. A reported problem is that some of these retired big players have influenced the team formation negatively because they insist that their blood brothers or relatives make the Super Eagles squad, thus causing confusion during the selection processes. And I ask – must everybody in a family be footballers? This means that some of the players are imposed on the coach or technical adviser.

    I discovered something strange while in Egypt, about how Africans take Nigeria and Nigerians. Whenever there is a football match between Nigeria and any other African country, students from other African countries would not support Nigeria. The Mandela Cup was a handy example. No one doubted what Nigeria stood for in football then. So, African students would gang up against Nigerians, despite the fact that the Nigerian team would have its way. Really, I was disturbed by this attitude.

    I took time to find out the reasons behind such acrimony towards my country by my African brothers and sisters.  I got the answer in “Nigerian people feel too big. They think they are everything. They think they know everything. They say they are Giant of Africa”.

    Yes, we sometimes feel too big to learn. But anything that requires talent and practice can only be sustained with practice. It is said that “practice makes perfect”. Let the administrators of Nigeria’s football learn why the South Americas have remained superior over the round leather since memorable times. I believe the Super Eagles of 1994 can be built, if corruption, nepotism and frivolities in the sector can be fought to a standstill.

     

    • Muhammad Ajah,

    Abuja.

  • Super Eagles printed on Star new bottle

    Star Lager has launched special edition bottles to amplify its support for Nigeria’s National team, the Super Eagles and football fans across the country.

    According to the official beer of the Nigerian Super Eagles, the limited edition bottle is wrapped with new refined looks that mirrors the Nike produced Super Eagles Jersey for FIFA 2018 World Cup.

    Super Eagles is boldly printed on the label of the new bottle.

    According to the Senior Brand Manager, Star Lager Beer, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Abayomi Abidakun the colours of the new label on the bottle represent Nigeria.

    ”With the nation about to begin their outing at the global tournament in Russia it is only befitting that we show love for our team. Star is proudly supporting the national team and millions of Nigerian football fans, and we wish the team a successful outing.”

    While three different jersey numbers — “1” representing the Star brand, “11” representing the Super Eagles, and “12” representing the Nigerian fans, who are regarded as the “12th player” on the pitch, can be found at the back of the label.

    As official sponsors of the Super Eagles, Star Lager is providing support to the national team and football fans as well as offering premium satisfaction to over 180 million passionate fans that will be cheering the Super Eagles in the “Nigeria, United We Shine” campaign as they head to Russia.

  • Eagles Will Get N18M for Every Goal Not Replied – Aiteo

    Super Eagles of Nigeria will get 50,000 USD (N18m) for every unreplied goal scored at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, oil giants Aiteo have revealed.
    Aiteo who are the official partner of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) made the disclosure on Thursday.
    According to the Executive Vice Chairman of Aiteo Global Group, Benedict Peters in a statement, the Energy company has now signed a N2.5 billion (about USD 7 million) sponsorship agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation {NFF}, to cater for the salaries of all national team coaches for a period of five years.

    “Aiteo has signed a N2.5 billion (about USD 7 million) sponsorship agreement with NFF in the bid to cater for the salaries of all national team coaches for a period of five years and to further demonstrate that we are solidly behind the Nigeria Football Federation in their quest for football development in the country.”

    Super Eagles
    He said, “Football is a phenomenon in Nigeria. We can see and feel its power on every street. It has galvanised unity amongst Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic or class differences. As the World Cup kicks off, we at Aiteo Group have solidly thrown our weight behind Nigeria national team and its ever-effervescent supporters spread across the globe.
    “We look forward to great football moments that will become historic as the Super Eagles play to covet the World Cup trophy. Last Saturday we premiered to the official theme song produced to boost the Super Eagles of Nigeria to go for glory at the Russia 2018 World Cup. This is also as we pledged to donate $50,000 to the team ‘for every unreturned goal’ scored at the Mundial.
    To raise the spirit of the Super Eagles and their supporters an official theme song for the Nigeria’s World Cup campaign in Russia has been launched. The song, titled “Dem Go Hear Am,’’ was done by Olamide and Phyno, two of Nigeria’s hottest hip hop stars.
    According to the Aiteo Director, the company sponsored the song to also authenticate their space as the optimum sponsors of the Nigeria national team.

  • 2018 World Cup: Parliamentarian rates Eagles high

    The Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Sports, Rep. Anayo Nnebe, says Super Eagles team at the World Cup in Russia is technically strong and will surprise the world.
    In an interview with News men in Abuja, Nnebe rated the Eagles’ preparation for the competition “very high’’ and expressed confidence in the team’s handlers.
    “We look forward to the team coming back with good news; even if they do not come back with the trophy, they will come back with good and cheering news.
    “I am optimistic; the team is capable of representing the country effectively and bringing glory to the country.
    “I encourage them to dedicate themselves to the progress of the country through superlative performance.
    “I am confident because the level of preparedness is high; we have the technical team, we have the coach and I am optimistic that the end will justify the means,” he said.
    On legislative support for the team, the lawmaker said that the committee ensured that enough budgetary allocation was made for the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports Development.
    He disclosed that the committee met with the Accountant-General of Federation and relevant stakeholders to address issues of non-release of funds for the ministry and the team.

    Read Also: Russia 2018: Fans urge S/Eagles to be wary of best fashion rating

    Nnebe said that the intervention facilitated the release of funds and enabled the team’s early preparation for the tournament.
    He called on critics of the team’s list to be patriotic and support them to succeed at the event.
    “The problem in the country is that in football everybody is a professional. We have a competent management team handling team selection and player assessment.
    “Let us not stay outside as laymen and be challenging decisions made by competent professionals,” he said.
    Nigeria will play in group D with two-time World champions, Argentina, Iceland and Croatia in the opening round of the competition.
    Nnebe commended ongoing negotiations to handover the National Stadium in Lagos to the Lagos State Government.
    He explained that the idea behind the proposed handover was to ensure regular maintenance and to bring the stadium to international standards.
    The legislator blamed the poor state of the stadium on limited funds and poor releases of budgetary allocation for its maintenance.
    “If you go round this country, you will see that most of Federal Government-owned facilities are out of use.
    “The then Presidential Hotel in Enugu and Ikenga Hotel in Awka and so on are some of them; so, if taking over the stadium by the Lagos Government would revitalise and resurrect it, so be it.
    “The Lagos State Government is a part of Nigeria, let them take over instead of leaving it abandoned and dilapidated.
    “The state government has shown performance and credibility, so let them take it over and bring it to a level of excellence,” he said.

     

  • Russia 2018: Fans urge S/Eagles to be wary of best fashion rating

    Ebonyi Football fans on Thursday urged the Super Eagles to be wary of the best fashion rating it has received from nations as the World Cup begins in Russia.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Eagles’ World Cup kits and travel outfit were rated the best by soccer fans, pundits and media across the globe with many saying they had won the World Cup in its fashion sense.

    Major sports dailies, including the Daily Mail wrote: “First, it was the announcement of their tournament kits that sent football supporters crazy.

    “Now it is their travel attire that has got everybody talking again.’’

    Eagles-England-squad-at Wembley

    The British news outfit, The Sun, also wrote: “Nigeria once again won the fashion stakes at this year’s World Cup with their incredible travel outfit.

    “A fan posted that Nigeria is winning the 2018 World Cup fashion parade.’’

    The fans who spoke with NAN on Thursday in Abakaliki on the fashion rating, noted that with the commencement of the global fiesta could be counter-productive if not adequately managed.

    Chijioke Amah, former Manager of Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium, Abakaliki, said the players should instead concentrate on correcting the flaws noticed during their friendly matches.

    “It is not a problem for the team to savour the euphoria of its global fashion rating but it should realise that the main rating will be their performances on the pitch.

    “The same attention which their attires attracted will also be applied to their performances on the pitch and if they fail, the same people who praised them would vilify them,’’ he said.

    Chika Nwagele, Captain of Ebonyi United FC of Abakaliki, urged the players to effectively utilise their underdog status to spring surprises at the World Cup.

    “The team should emulate the 1996 Atlanta Olympics winning team which lost its friendly matches but improved tremendously to win Africa’s first Olympic football-gold medal.

    “The players should realise that they have attracted global attention to themselves and faltering at the competition will make people feel their prowess lies in fashion,’’ he said.

    Emeka Nwonuma, a businessman urged Coach Gernot Rohr to correct all lapses noticed during the team’s friendly matches.

    Read Also: World Cup: Police assures football viewers 24-hrs protection

    “The team always improved during the second half of the matches and Rohr should consider using the players who turn things around for him as starters.

    “He should also work on his defence which flopped during the friendly matches to give effective cover to his first choice goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, who did not inspire much confidence.

    “The coach should also work on set-pieces because the team conceded two of the four goals against it during the friendly matches from such situations,’’ he said.

    A teacher, Mrs Clara Anyanwu, urged Nigerians to pray for the team because of the huge burden of expectations on the players.

    “The team apart from being the best dressed for the World Cup also drew global attention for having the youngest squad and the youngest first choice goalkeeper.

    “Soccer fans should not expect much from the team but be contended with whatever performance it showcases in Russia, adding that they should support the NFF to build on it for the future,’’ he said.