The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Super Eagles

  • Star Lager Creates Fans Park for Eagles, Congo DR friendly

    As the Nigeria clashed with the Leopards of Democratic Republic of Congo on Monday, Star Lager beer fetes Super Eagles fans with live football viewing lace with Naija vibe musics in Port Harcourt.

    The Super Eagles Official Beer Partner treated to the football national team fans to premium entertainment experience in the hours leading up to the match with in-bar excitement experience at its Star Fan Park.

    Turntable specialist and artiste DJ Neptune, had hundreds of music and football fans singing along to songs off his latest album ‘The Greatness’ as they cheered on the Super Eagles on the night.


    The fans were given exclusive invites for special viewing of the match at its upscale viewing centres equipped with impressive giant screens and exquisite as expected the fans laced up with ice cold Star Lager beer and delicious canapes as they enjoyed the match.

    Before the comment of the match at 5pm, the football fans in their hundreds had access to varieties of Star themed games as well as raffle draws and giveaways to end the night.

    One of the lucky winners,  Victor Sose, expressing his delight, said, “I am super happy to have won this prize on this night celebrating the Super Eagles. It is an honour to be part of this Star Fan Park experience and I hope there will be more to come.”

    Highlighting the brand’s commitment to Nigerian football fans and the Super Eagles, Senior Brand Manager, Star Lager Beer, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Abayomi Abidakun  stated that,

    “Star Lager beer is committed to providing the best football and entertainment offering to the fans, as we continue our united support for the Super Eagles. Our goal since we started the Star Fan Parks is to continually upgrade the execution from city to city, and we can promise fans in Nigerian a much bigger and better experience when the games eventually begin in Russia in June.”

    Star Lager, an iconic national premium product, brewed by Nigerian Breweries Plc, a Heineken Company, will also be hosting a series of exclusive events in honour of the Super Eagles before their departure to Russia.

    This special event, the multi-city Star Fan Parks and all other Super Eagles related activities being organised by the Star Lager brand all come on the heels of its landmark deal with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) which was signed earlier in the year.

  • Buhari to receive Eagles Tuesday

    President Muhammadu Buhari will Tuesday receive the Super Eagles at the State House, Abuja.

    The team is expected  fly out on May 30 for its international friendly against England
    at the Wembley Stadium on June 2.

    The team will depart Port Harcourt Tuesday to Abuja.  They had played a 1-1 draw with
    Congo DR in a farewell match at the Adokiye Amiesimeka Stadium on Monday.

    Tuesday’s visit to the villa comes after a seminar for the team that is being organised by the Nigeria
    Football Federation at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel on wealth creation in the afternoon.

    NFF 2nd Vice President/Chairman of Strategy Committee, Mallam Shehu Dikko told thenff.com that the
    seminar, which will see leading voices in the private sector who are partners of the NFF delivering
    papers.

    “We believe that it is important to also afford the players and their officials the opportunity to
    listen to critical advice in the area of wealth creation, business opportunities, investments and
    portfolio management.

    “The focus should not always be entirely on playing football. Of course, the game on the pitch is
    important. But after the game, there is that aspect of human existence that also requires adroit
    management and knowledge –based action. Moreover, they cannot play football for ever. Management of
    what they have is key to life after retirement.”

    The NFF has informed players and officials about the seminar, which will hold between 1.45pm and
    2.30pm.

  • Eagles Squad: Who makes the final 23 to Russia?

     

    It is 17 days to the World cup in Russia and 19 days to Super Eagles first match against Croatia at the 35,212 capacity Kaliningrad Stadium in Russia. The Gernot Rohr tutored side made history by being one of the first teams to qualify for the month long soccer fiesta that is sure as usual to arrest attention of the entire globe while it lasts.

    With avalanche of friendly matches including that against arch world cup rivals and group stage opponents Argentina, Poland, Serbia already behind us and forthcoming friendly against DR Congo later today in Port Harcourt, against England June 2nd at the Wembley and against Czech Republic June 6 in Austria, the team can be said to have done the needful in terms of qualification and on course in terms of last minute shape up for the much awaited kick off.

    It is no longer news that Rohr like most of other coaches heading for the world cup has announced his 30-man provisional squad which includes what some have termed the regulars or better put the usual suspects plus of course seven extra players who are sure to be dropped in line with the rules that demands that every country present final 23-man list for the Muindial.

    These seven players that must be dropped some analysts who choose to be sarcastic have dubbed “training materials” It like looking at a cup that is not filled up to the bream. While the optimist will say it is half full the pessimist will say it is half empty.

    For a player to have made the 30-man provisional world cup list is in itself an achievement which implies that as at the time of heading to the World cup you are among the best 30 players in nation that parades legions of players both locally and internationally is no mean achievement.

    So whether selected in the final 23 or not, such a player can be said to have come, seen and conquered!  Coach Rohr at a recent media parley hinted that he already has 20 players on board which implies that all that is needed is additional three and the doors will be closed!

    With all this said the question still remains, who makes the final 23 due to be announced any time after today’s friendly against Congo?

    Moses Simon has been ruled out due to thigh injury he sustained at the Super Eagles camp in Uyo preceding today’s friendly.

    Kano Pillars Junior Lokasa is the talk of town as the highest goal scorer in the Nigeria Professional football league.  While his inclusion into the 30-man squad has been hailed some have raised doubt over whether he can make the last 23 considering his limited experience on a bigger stage, but with Moses Simon out does it increase the chances of Lokosa stepping in? In goal keeping department Daniel Akpeyi may not be in the good books of some but will his experience exposure not count in his favour?

    Going by hint given by Coach Gernot Rohr and looking at who did what doing the qualifiers;

    Eagles final 23 man list is likely to be thus:

    Goalkeepers:  Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba FC); Francis Uzoho (Deportivo La Coruna, Spain); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa)

    Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (Ado Den Haag, The Netherlands); Olaoluwa Aina (Hull

    City, England); Elderson Echiejile (Cercle Brugge KSV, Belgium); Brian Idowu (Amkar Perm, Russia); Chidozie Awaziem

    (Nantes FC, France); William Ekong (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany)

    Midfeilders: : John Mikel Obi (Tianjin Teda, China); Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester

    City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (UD Las Palmas, Spain); Belgium); Joel Obi (Torino FC, Italy); Mikel Agu (Bursaspor FC,

    Turkey)

    Forwards:Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Nwankwo Simeon (Crotone FC,

    Italy) Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England)

    Those likely to be dropped baring last minute change of tide:

    Goalkeeper:

    Dele Ajiboye (Plateau United)

    Defenders

    Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Stephen Eze (Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Bulgaria)

    Midfielders

    John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Uche Agbo (Standard Liege,

    Forwards:

    Junior Lokosa (Kano Pillars) Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium)

  • Eagles hits PH in Star branded bus for DR Congo match

     

    The Super Eagles are already warming up for Monday’s international friendly match with DR. Congo in Port Harcourt.

    Coach Gernot Rohr’s led national team landed in the state capital in style and star and checked in to their Meridien Hotel on Saturday.

    Captain John Mikel Obi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, John Ogu, Francis Uzoho,  and the entire 30 players in Eagles camp preparing for the World Cup landed in high spirit as for the pre-World Cup duel.

    The Super Eagles players were conveyed in colourful branded buses provided by Star Lager beer who had earlier in the year signed a multi-year mega deal with the Nigerian Football Federation as official beer of the senior national team.

    The player have been training in Uyo following the friendly game against Atletico Madrid, and have since resumed training on Sunday at Adokiye Aimesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.

    Only Victor Moses is not in the camp. He has been granted permission to join  the rest of the team  in London, where Eagles will play against England on the 2nd of June at the Wembley Stadium in another international friendly.

    The Leopards of Democratic Republic of Congo have settled down in Port Harcourt ahead of the friendly match and are currently lodged at the Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt.

  • Super Eagles vs. Atletico Madrid: The Thrills & Frills @ Star Fan Park

    Star Lager Beer has reiterated commitment to bring unique and exciting experiences to passionate football fans in Nigeria and the Super Eagles. This was not anyway less when Super Eagles team B, trailed tackles visiting Atletico Madrid in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital.

    The 30,000 capacity stadium was filled to the brim to watch thrills and frills of the highly profile friendly watch which saw Coach Diego Simeone, Fernando Toress among the Spanish side that trailed tackles with the Coach Salisu Yusuf led Super Eagles.

    The spectacles on the field and the side attraction from Star Lager Beer via its Fan Park were uncommon. The Nigeria’s premium beer brand and the official beer partner of the Super Eagles, Star Lager Beer thrilled fans with an unforgettable football and music spectacle at the Star Fan Park.

    The fun and excitement before the match attracted thousands of excited Super Eagles fans in Uyo thronged the Godswill Akpabio Stadium to watch the National team, take on the newly-crowned Champions of the UEFA Europa League.

    Star at the Fan Park fused music and football with live performances and special appearance from DJ Neptune and DJ Big N who went head to head in a friendly match-up at the Uyo venue.

    As MC Laugh Up entertained the audience with his witty jokes and football banter, fans participated in exciting Star-themed games and a raffle draw, with the winners awarded instant prizes, including refrigerators, generator sets and flat screen television sets among several others.

    Speaking to the media, the Marketing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Franco Maria Maggi declared,

    “We take pride in delivering highly engaging and memorable moments to our consumers nationwide, and we are determined to keep upgrading football viewing experiences for Nigerian fans. We have a few more exciting activities lined up for fans in the coming weeks through our ‘Nigeria United We Shine’ campaign, and we are truly delighted to be part of this national support for the Super Eagles and Nigerian football in general.”

    Adding to this, Portfolio Manager, National Premium, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Yinka Bakare said,

    “Star Lager Beer is a consumer-focused brand, and a listening brand. We know how passionate Nigerians are about good football and we are proud to be involved with this friendly match, being a major one for all Nigerians as our partners, the NFF and the Super Eagles prepare for Russia.”

    As official beer of the Nigerian national football team, Star Lager provided the ultimate Star experience with two luxury buses to convey the Super Eagles throughout their stay in the Akwa Ibom state capital. The iconic Nigerian brand and product of Nigerian Breweries Plc, which is a Heineken International Company, has enjoyed decades of success since its launch as the first indigenous Nigerian beer brand in 1949.

    Reiterating the essence of the multimillion naira partnership with the Nigerian Football Federation and the Super Eagles, Star Lager Beer promises to continue bringing unique and exciting experiences to passionate football fans in Nigeria.

  • Fans back S/Eagles Team B as main team feeder

    Football fans in Ebonyi have lent support to the calls for Super Eagles Team B to be used as the main team’s feeder after Russia 2018 World Cup.

    The fans expressed their support in Abakaliki while reacting to the team’s impressive performance against Atletico Madrid FC of Spain in Tuesday’s GOtv MAX Cup in Uyo.

    Atletico Madrid, the current Europa League champions won the international friendly match played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium or “Nest of Champions Stadium’’ 3-2 to lift the competition’s maiden trophy.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the game is part of the collaboration between the Nigerian League Management Committee (LMC) and the Spanish La liga.

    Sam Mgbada, a former Ebonyi Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, told NAN the players were impressive, adding that many of them deserve places in the Russia-bound Eagles.

    “The players played with confidence which left many fans wondering if they were actually from the domestic league and little known clubs across Europe.

    Read Also: Eagles to get Buhari’s blessing May 29

    “They were unlucky that the match was played after the release of the main team’s World Cup provisional list because many of them could have made the team,’’ he said.

    Jones Okafor, who played for the defunct Nitel Vasco Dagama of Enugu, urged the NFF to utilise the match’s positives by ensuring that the team replaced the main team flops in Russia.

    “The players’ impressive performance against Atletico Madrid affords the NFF, the luxury of strengthening the main team after the World Cup instead of inviting fresh players across the globe.

    “Effective combination of the main team’s performers with those of the Team B, will result in a fortified Super Eagles capable of qualifying and winning the AFCON 2019 in Cameroon,’’ he told NAN.

    Chikezie Ubah, Technical Adviser, Renaissance FC, Afikpo, noted that players such as the Kelechi Nwakali brothers and Ebube Duru among others deserved slots in the main team.

    “Chidebere Nwakali’s performance in holding the midfield could have solved the main team’s problems with the injury to Wilfred Ndidi and Ogenyi Onazi’s recent display.

    “The performance of his younger brother, Kelechi in the attacking midfield role could have complemented Mikel Obi’s effort in the position with injuries to Joel Obi among others,’’ he said.

    Another soccer buff, Josiah Aligwe, however, warned against undue pressure on Coach Gernot Rohr over the inclusion of players that impressed in the match in the main team.

    “Rohr complied with FIFA’s directive of submitting the provisional list for the World Cup; he wisely stuck with the team that qualified the country for the Mundial.

    “The Team B players adopted the mentality of impressing the fans to lay claim for the main team’s shirts and it will be unfair to over-rate them with a one match performance,’’ he said.

    Collaborating Aligwe’s assertion, a soccer enthusiast, Joyce Okwudini, called for more support to the team with prayers as the round up preparations for the World Cup.

    “The players earned the coach’s trust by qualifying for the World Cup and if properly encouraged, can replicate and even surpass the performances of the Team B.

    “The Team B players should look beyond the World Cup, maintain their present forms to lay claims for shirts in the main team,’’ she said.

  • Eagles have quality players – Diego Simeone

    Atletico Madrid Coach Diego Simeone on Tuesday said Nigeria’s Super Eagles Team B possess the qualitie needed to play in the top leagues in Europe.

    The Europa League winning coach spoke at the post-match conference after Tuesday’s 3-2 victory at the Godswill Akpabio International stadium, in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

    “There are talents in Nigeria and with the players that played today, they have the quality to join the top clubs in the world,” he said at the post-match conference.

    While hailing the team’s excellent spirit, Simone however expressed delight at the victory which he admitted did not come easy. “It was not an easy game for us, but in the end, I’m glad we got the victory,” he said.

    It was a highly entertaining encounter, that had the State Governor, Udom Emmanuel in attendance and other top dignitaries.

    Kelechi Nwakali and Usman Mohammed scored for the Eagles with Angel Correa, Fernando Torres and Borja Garces finding the net for the visitors.

    Meanwhile, Super Eagles chief coach, Salisu Yusuf has showered praises on his boys despite the limited training sessions together. He noted that he was pleased that Eagles Head Gernot Rohr was in the stands to see the qualities from the players.

  • Gallant Eagles bow 2-3 to Atletico Madrid

    Atletico Madrid on Tuesday  defeated Nigeria 3-2 in a friendly played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

    The coach Diego Simeon side came from behind to win the match despite Super Eagles B team took the lead through Kelechi Nwakali’s goal at the 32 minutes of the encounter.

    The newly-crowned Europa League champions quickly leveled through Angel Correa just two minutes after.

    Coach Salisu Yusuf’s men almost restored their lead before half time, but substitute Destiny Ashadi missed an open net after great work by Samad.

    Fernando Torres came off the bench to head Atletico Madrid in front in the second half, before Usman Mohammed equalized for the hosts with a brilliant solo effort.

    Borja Garces netted the winner for the LaLiga side with five minutes left.

  • Cancel Nigeria-Congo DR friendly, Charly Boy tells Buhari

    Charles Oputa, AKA Charly Boy wants President Muhammadu Buhari to cancel the international friendly between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and their DR Congo counterparts scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on May 28 as a result of the Ebola outbreak in the central African country.

    Buhari

    Charly Boy, who took to Social Media, wants President Buhari to prevail over Minister of Sport, Solomon Dalung, and NFF President, Amaju Pinnick to cancel the May 28 fixture to save Nigerians from a fresh Ebola threat.

    The popular Nigerian entertainer turned activist and our Mumu don do convener argued that the planned Ebola screening for the DR Congo squad on arrival on May 25 is not 100% safe.

    At least 15 people have been killed in the recent outbreak of Ebola in the giant Central African nation.

    His words: “If you know Amaju Pinnick , NFF President make una warn am. Why we wan carry Congo players come inside our country play friendly match where Ebola don kill many of dem people. If Ebola enter we country under Buhari, we don die finish 0!!!! Our Mumu suppose do. “

    Meanwhile, the Minister of Sport, Solomon Dalung has said the planned friendly will go on as planned.
    He said arrangements have been concluded to screen the team on arrival.

    “Nigeria is going to play the friendly with DRC, I have discussed with the Federal Ministry of Health with the World Health Organization in participation and we have reviewed the situation and received adequate information about it,” Dalung told journalists in Abuja on Monday.

    “Agreements have been reached that the Congolese players and officials be screened before leaving their country and we have also agreed that we would conduct our own screening when they arrive in Nigeria,” he explained.

  • Ebola: DRC players to face screening before World Cup friendly

    The Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung on Monday said that arrangement has been put in place to screen the national players of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Leopards, of Ebola virus before playing World Cup friendly with the Super Eagles.

    The disease has recently broke out in some parts of DRC.

    Read Also:Ebola: FG bans transportation of corpses from DR Congo

    But speaking with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, Dalung said that the outbreak of the disease will not stop the friendly match.

    According to him, the players will be screened before leaving DRC on flight and also screened on landing in Nigeria.

    He said that any player that refuses to come to Nigeria through the flight will not be allowed to play the match.

    Details Later…