The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Super Eagles

  • Russia 2018: NFSC to inaugurate Niger state chapter

    Russia 2018: NFSC to inaugurate Niger state chapter

     

    Gingered by Super Eagles qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Nigeria Football Supporters Club has embarked on expansion project aimed at beefing up for the Mundial

    The Nation gathered that the project includes recruiting more members on one hand and establishing chapters in the 36 states of the Federation on the other.

    New songs that will charge the atmosphere when the Eagles take to the pitch we also gathered are being composed.

    Already inauguration of Niger State Chapter has been fixed for October 18th at the idris legbo kutigi conference centre in Minna.

    Chairman of NFSC in Niger state comrade Muhammed Muhammed, in a chat with sports writers said necessary logistics have been put in place, adding that the launch will be of benefit to all stakeholders in the state.

    According to him “Niger state is blessed with men and women who have contributed in no small measure to the upliftment of the game of soccer in Nigeria and therefore deserve to have a befitting chapter of Nigeria football supporters club”

    The National Chairman of NFSC Vincent Okumagba he further said will be received in audience by the Niger state

    Governor‎,  Abubakar sani Bello, who has since given his backing to the proposed launch.

    Comrade Muhammed disclosed that apart from the National Executive council, all the state chapters of NFSC across the country have indicated their interest in hitting Minna lend their support.

    Super Eagles who deviated from the usual to book a place in the World cup before any other African country, will be capping their qualification with the last match against Algeria in Algiers on November 6.
    Many soccer fans in the country have given Gernot Rohr and his team a pat on the back for rising to the occassion and avoiding last minute qualification.

  • I’m happy working with Super Eagles – Rohr

    I’m happy working with Super Eagles – Rohr

    A Franco-German tactician, Gernot Rohr, has expressed pleasure working with the Super Eagles, following the three-time African champions qualification for Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup on Saturday.

    Nigeria became the first African country to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia after defeating Chipolopolo of Zambia on Saturday in Uyo.

    The current Super Eagles re-enacted the feat of the Super Eagles’ class of 1997 that qualified for the France’98 World Cup with a match to spare.

    Rohr, in a statement by Ademola Olajire, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)’s spokesman on Tuesday, said that he was happy working with the team.

    Rohr said, “I am very excited to be working with this team, a blend of the experienced and the young and ambitious ones.

    “They are a delight to be with at all times, and I believe we are on to great things.

    “At the beginning of the qualifying series, many people said we were going to be chased out.

    “We sat down together and we promised ourselves that we would go all out and get the ticket.”

    The 64-year-old coach, who was employed 15 months ago, led the team to a 1- 0 defeat of Tanzania in Uyo in September 2016; 2-1 defeat of Zambia in Ndola in October, 2016.

    Also, at the start of the 2018 World Cup race, the coach led the team to a 3-1 defeat of Algeria in Uyo in November 2016; a 3-0 defeat of Togo in a friendly match in Paris in June 2017.

    His victories also include a 4-0 bashing of Cameroon in Uyo in September 2017 and a 1- 0 defeat of Zambia in Uyo in October 2017, which guaranteed the World Cup ticket.

    The only loss was against the South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Uyo, at the start of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in June 2017.

    Rohr said, “The match was a big wake-up call for us. Now that we have the World Cup ticket, we will go all out for the AFCON ticket and get it.

    “When you have a team that has so much self-belief, a lot of things are possible.

    “Age is, but a number. I feel young and able and willing to go on working with this group.’’

    NAN

  • Ideye sets world cup target for Eagles

    Ideye sets world cup target for Eagles

     

    Still basking in the Euphoria of Super Eagles qualification for Russia 2018, Tianjin Teda forward Brown Ideye says winning the world cup is not impossible for Nigeria.

    Ideye who was left out in the final squad that edged out Chipolopolo of Zambia  Saturday in Uyo, did not only hail the Eagles for achieving the feat but also charged the players and indeed Nigerians to now think and dream of winning the world cup, insisting that the country has all it takes to join world cup winners club.

    “Let us all think & dream of winning the World Cup in Russia 2018, We have all it takes!#LetsStartDreamingbigger” he submitted via social media Monday.

    Ideye who joined the Chinese Super League side in a €12 million contract that will run till the summer of 2019 has so far made about 14 appearances for the side with four goals to his credit playing alongside his Eagles and also club captain John Obi Mikel.

    Though most Nigerians hit cloud 9 following the qualification for the World cup, many however insist that the team still needs to be fortified ahead of the Mundial, an observation which head coach Gernot Rohr appears to agree with as he confirmed that there is need for build a stronger team for the battle in Russia.

    “The work is not finished,” said Rohr. “Now we need to build a solid team for the World Cup,” he enthused

    Substitute Alex Iwobi scored the match winner in the 73rd minute to hand the country their sixth World Cup appearance.

    The Eagles will round up their world cup qualifying campaign with away clash against Algeria November 6. Coach Rohr is likely to rest most of his stars for that match which has been dubbed a formality tie with World cup ticket already in the kitty.

    Nigeria first appeared at the world cup in 1994 in USA and has not looked back since them missing on the 2006 edition in Germany.

  • Gov. Ahmed urges Eagles to start early preparations

    Gov. Ahmed urges Eagles to start early preparations

    Gov. Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has called on the Super Eagles to commence preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup scheduled for June in Russia in earnest.

    A statement by Ahmed’s Chief Press Secretary, Abdulwahab Oba, disclosed that the governor on Sunday in Ilorin also congratulated the Super Eagles for qualifying for Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.

    According to it, Ahmed said Eagles’ qualification has once more demonstrated the nation’s strength in football, which made Nigeria the first African country to qualify for the tournament in Russia.

    The Super Eagles qualified for their 6th World Cup appearance with a match to spare after beating Zambia 1-0 in Uyo on Saturday.

    Gov. Ahmed commended the players for their doggedness and determination to fly Nigeria’s flag at the competition.

    “The Super Eagles should commence preparations for the World Cup immediately, so that Nigeria won’t just make up the number at the biggest football fiesta, but further make Africa proud,” he added.

    The governor however urged the Federal Government to monitor strictly the team’s preparation for the World Cup because of the unity sports generally brings to Nigerians.

    He also promised to further make the state enabling for sports development.

    Ahmed pledged to renovate the state’s indoor sports hall to world standard before the end of his tenure.

    NAN

  • I’m Now ‘Relaxed and Relieved’, Eagles Manager Reveals

    I’m Now ‘Relaxed and Relieved’, Eagles Manager Reveals

    Super Eagles Manager, Gernor Rohr on Sunday afternoon said he just had the chance to watch the replay of the tension soaked Nigeria versus Zambia match and that Eagles got a victory from the tough match was a breathe of life.

    A number of Super Eagles players and coaching staff including Rohr were sighted at the Akwa Ibom Airport on Sunday afternoon to jet out to Lagos and Abuja.

    Alex Iwobi, Ola Aina, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong, Ahmed Musa, Abdullahi Shehu and Chidozie Awaziem were among some of the players sighted  as they make their way back to Europe.

    Before the Dana Air plane left the airport, manager Gernot Rohr reiterated that the Zambians pushed his team all the way, but the Super Eagles defence soaked their attacks and the contribution of Chelsea wing-back Victor Moses and Anorthosis Famagusta midfielder Abdullahi Shehu in the far front  gave Alex Iwobi the assist to score.

    ” Zambians gave us a tough match. Not that it was not expected, but I just watched the replay now, we defended well, Eagles did well. Alex Iwobi came on and changed the game, Victor Moses did well to dribble and Shehu’s cross went straight to Iwobi who scored.”

    ”I am now relaxed and relieved,” the 64 year old Eagles coach said with a smile. he added that “greater task still lies ahead.”

    This can however be well understood going by the tension and pressure that soaked not just the player both also the technical crew from the start to finish of that Saturday game in Uyo.

    The Zambians played the match as if there was no tomorrow says one of the Nigerians fans at the capacity filled stadium, he however breathe relieve that a decisive goal eventually came through Iwobi.

    Meanwhile, about 13 countries have already booked their place for the 2018 World Cup in Russia with final qualifying matches still to be played.

    See the Countries below:

    Europe: Belgium, England, Germany, Russia (as hosts), Spain

    Africa: Nigeria

    Asia: Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea

     North, Latin America: Costa Rica, Mexico

    South America: Brazil

  • Football remains the greatest unifier of Nigerians – APC

    Football remains the greatest unifier of Nigerians – APC

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) has said that sports in Nigeria, particularly football, remained one of the greatest unifier of people across political affiliations, religion, gender, tribe and other divides.

    Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, APC National Publicity Secretary stated this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

    Abdullahi joined millions of Nigerians in celebrating and congratulating the Super Eagles for their qualification to next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    He also congratulated the Ministry of Sports, the Nigerian Football Federation, the technical crew, management, and backroom staff for securing Nigeria’s sixth appearance at the World Cup.

    The APC spokesman said it was indeed a delight watching the Super Eagles defeat the Chipolopolo of Zambia in front of excited home fans at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo.

    He noted that the victory put Nigeria on an unassailable 13 points at the top of Group B and charged Nigerians to take advantage of the feat to further foster harmony amongst themselves.

    Bolaji, a former sports minister, however, called on the sports authorities not to rest on their oars but to begin early preparation ahead of 2018 to ensure that the Super Eagles perform well at the global tournament.

    NAN

  • Business mogul,splashes N50m on Super  Eagles

    Business mogul,splashes N50m on Super  Eagles

    Multi –millionaire business mogul, Chief Kensington Adebutu, on Saturday rewarded the Super Eagles with the sum of N50 million, after the three –time African champions became the first African country to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

    Adebutu was full of praises for the Super Eagles for their determination, professionalism and commitment throughout the qualifying campaign, which saw them overhaul the so –called Group of Death with a game to spare.

    Speaking with the duo of midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and match –winner Alex Iwobi, the successful businessman urged the team not to rest on its oars, but to prepare hard to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria and Africa at the FIFA World Cup finals in Russia next year summer.

     Meanwhile, defender Ola Aina, who played at junior level for England but opted to represent fatherland at senior level,  and was handed his Nigerian debut on Saturday is celebrating his birthday today.

    Aina, who was cleared by FIFA to dorn the green-and-white just before the away match against Cameroon in Yaounde last month, got his opportunity after left back Elderson Echiejile got injured in the 79th minute.

     “He did pretty well. He tackes well, joins the attack, has the heart for the big game and very calculating,” Rohr praised Aina at the post –match conference.

    In the same vein,the Super Eagles have qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after playing seven matches, and wrapping up the ticket on 7th October 2017. Those seven matches include the home-and-away preliminary round against Swaziland in November 2016.

    After a 0-0 draw in Lobamba on 13th November, Moses Simon and Efe Ambrose got the goals that qualified Nigeria for the group phase at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium, Port Harcourt on 17th November 2015.

    On 9th October 2016, they defeated Zambia 2-1 in Ndola with goals from Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho and; on 12th November 2016, they overcame Algeria 3-1 in Uyo. Two of the goals were by Victor Moses and the other by Captain Mikel Obi.

    On 1st September 2017, African champions Cameroon suffered a 4-0 reverse in Uyo (the goals by Odion Ighalo, Mikel, Moses and Iheanacho), and three days later in Yaounde, the Eagles were forced to a 1-1 draw. Moses Simon scored Nigeria’s goal.

    On Saturday, 7th October 2017, the Super Eagles got the job done, beating the Chipolopolo 1-0 with a 74th minute goal by Alex Iwobi.

    Seven different players have scored Nigeria’s 13 goals of the series so far: Victor Moses (3), Mikel Obi, Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Kelechi Iheanacho (2 each), Odion Ighalo and Efe Ambrose (one each).

  • Nigeria vs zambia: Shehu Abdullahi Pockets N1M MoM Prize

    Nigeria vs zambia: Shehu Abdullahi Pockets N1M MoM Prize

    Super Eagles defender Shehu Abdullahi won the One Million naira (N1,000,000) prize money for Man of the Match(MOM) in the Nigeria versus Zambia World Cup Qualifier played in Uyo on Saturday.

    The cheque was presented to the Nigeria international who plies his trade for Anorthosis club short after the Super Eagles won the match by 1-0 through Alex Iwobi’s goal at the 75th minutes.

    Through Alex Iwobi’s goal Nigeria on Satuday Nigeria has become the first African side to seal a place at next year’s World Cup in Russia. The win put the national team on an unassailable 13 points at the top of Group B.

    Chances were missed at both ends by the time Shehu Abdullahi provided the cut-back for Iwobi to finish from inside the box in the 73rd minute.

    Odion Ighalo, John Mikel Obi, Victor Moses and Moses Simon went close for the Super Eagles but failed to score.

    Zambia goalkeeper Kennedy Mwenne produced an acrobatic save to deny Wilfred Ndidi in the second half in a pulsating end-to-end encounter.

  • Buhari Congratulates Super Eagles for W/Cup Qualification

    Buhari Congratulates Super Eagles for W/Cup Qualification

    President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the Super Eagles on their victory over the Chipolopolo of Zambia, describing it as “very sweet, soothing and a 57th Independence Anniversary gift to the nation.”

    The Super Eagles, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom, on Saturday defeated the Zambian national football team by 1 – 0 through a goal by Alex Iwobi.

    The President, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, applauded the Super Eagles for the feat of making Nigeria the first African country to qualify for Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament, with a match left to play.

    He, therefore, joined millions of football-loving Nigerians in rejoicing with the players and their coaching crew

    President Buhari called on all Nigerians to apply the values of perseverance, resilience, discipline, hard work and team-spirit, which propelled the players to excel since the beginning of the qualifying matches, to all sectors of national life.

    The President promised that the Federal Government would continue to support the team within available resources so that the nation will maximise the unifying potentials of sports in general and football in particular.

    He enjoined the entire team and Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) officials to “remain steadfast and focused when they begin preparations for the global football fiesta in order to make Nigeria proud’’.

    President Buhari urged public, private organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to continue to assist the Super Eagles as the team heads for a sixth appearance in the summit of football competition.

    The President also thanked the government of Akwa Ibom State for the invaluable support it had been rendering to the football team, describing it as worthy of emulation.

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria, with an away-match left to play against the Algerian national team, has already qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia with an unassailable 6-point lead after 5 matches in Group B.

  • Super Eagles’ World Cup qualification, independence gift to Nigerians – Buhari

    Super Eagles’ World Cup qualification, independence gift to Nigerians – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday congratulated the Super Eagles on the team’s victory over the hard fighting Chipolopolo of Zambia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

    Nigeria defeated Zambia 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, to qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President described the victory as “very sweet, soothing and a 57th Independence Anniversary gift to the nation.”

    He applauded the Super Eagles for making Nigeria the first African country to qualify for Russia 2018 with a match left to play.

    The statement reads: “As he joined millions of football-loving Nigerians in rejoicing with the players and their coaching crew, President Buhari called on all Nigerians to apply the values of perseverance, resilience, discipline, hard work and team-spirit which propelled the footballers to excel since the beginning of the qualifying matches, to all sectors of national life.

    “The President promised that the Federal Government will continue to support the team within available resources so that the nation will maximise the unifying potentials of sports in general and football in particular.

    “He enjoined the entire team and Nigerian Football Federation officials to remain steadfast and focused when they begin preparations for the global football fiesta in order to make Nigeria proud.

    “President Buhari urged public, private organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to continue to assist the Super Eagles as the team heads for a sixth appearance at the summit of football competition.

    “The President also appreciated the government of Akwa Ibom State for the invaluable support it has been rendering to the football team, describing it as worthy of emulation.”