The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Super Eagles

  • Leon Balogun weeps for joy as Eagles hit Russia

    Leon Balogun weeps for joy as Eagles hit Russia

     

     

    Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun shed tears of joy Saturday as Nigeria earned the much needed three points in the tie against hard fighting Chipolopolo of Zambia to earn a ticket to the world Cup in Russia.

    Balogun immediately after the final whistle sort the shoulders of his captain John Obi Mikel in an emotional embrace.

    FSV Mainz 05 of Germany defender was first called up by Nigeria for a March 2014 friendly against Mexico as a replacement for Joseph Yobo but was injured after 20 minutes in a collision with signage on the touchline. He however bounced back and played his second game for Nigeria in a 1-0 loss against Uganda on March 25 2015.

    He played his third game for the country on 13 June 2015 when he featured in a 2–0 win over Chad in the opening game of qualifying for the 2017 African Nations Cup. But Saturday’s outing could pass as on the most crucial encounters the 29 year old had to play for Nigeria and it turned out to be a match that handed Nigeria a ticket to the world cup for the sixth time.

    Though the Eagles failed to wrap up the match in the first half as many had hoped they team however came back in the second half to put up a good fight. Substitute and Arsenal forward turned out to be the decider of the day as his goal ended the anxiety to set up celebration platform.

    In the other match of the group Cameroon handed Algeria a 2-0 defeat in Yaoundé to occupy the third place with 6 points.

  • Nigeria qualifies for 2018 World Cup

    Nigeria qualifies for 2018 World Cup

    Super Eagles of Nigeria on Saturday qualified for next year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    The three-time African champions defeated hard fighting Chipolopolo of Zambia 1-0 inside the magnificent Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

    Arsenal youngster, Alex Iwobi, was the hero for Nigeria, scoring the decisive goal in the 73rd minute of the encounter.

    Russia 2018 will be Nigeria’s sixth appearance in FIFA’s premier soccer tournament.

    The country participated in the 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010 and 2014 editions of the tournament.

  • Rohr retains Cameroon conquerors for Zambia’s clash

    Rohr retains Cameroon conquerors for Zambia’s clash

    Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, has retained the starting XI that claimed four points from the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in last month’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for Saturday’s crunch clash against the boastful Chipolopolo of Zambia.

    Nigeria and Zambia clash in the penultimate 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the magnificent Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

    Nigeria needs an outright victory over the Southern African nation to get an unassailable 13 points and a ticket to next year’s premier soccer tournament in Russia, while the Zambians must defeat the three-time African champions in front of a boisterous home crowd in the coastal city of Uyo to keep alive their slim hope of first FIFA World Cup ticket.

    For Saturday’s clash, the Franco-German coach has listed Ikechukwu Ezenwa in goal, while the defensive quartet that kept the Cameroonians at bay in September will provide the cover against the Zambians.

    The midfield will be anchored by Skipper Mikel Obi, Wilfred Ndidi and Ogenyi Onazi.

    The trio of Victor Moses, Simon Moses and Odion Ighalo have been handed the task of wreaking the Zambians with goals when the match kicks off at 5:00 p.m. Nigerian time.

    Starting XI: Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Shehu Abdullahi, Elderson Echiejile, William Troost-Ekong, Leon Balogun, Ogenyi Onazi, Wilfred Ndidi, John Obi Mikel, Moses Simon, Odion Ighalo, Victor Moses

  • IT IS WAR! As Eagles battle Chipolopolo in Uyo

    IT IS WAR! As Eagles battle Chipolopolo in Uyo

     

    Finally today is here!. In a couple of hours the much talked about and awaited battle of all wars between Super Eagles of Nigeria and Chipolopolo of Zambia will take the centre stage at the Nest of Champions Uyo. It is one match that both teams have declared a much win because it will to a large extent determine whether or not they will be on parade at the 2018 world Cup in Russia.

    Nigeria leads the group with 10 points with Zambia in hot pursuit with 7 points. Call it different strokes for different folks and you will be perfectly correct.  The Super Eagles are searching for consolidation while the Zambians are hoping to turn the table. The technical crews of both teams have done all the boasting and all the talking and even the players have done likewise, but today is here.  It is not a day for too much talking any more.

    It is not a day to dwell on pedigree and past records.  It is a day for action on the pitch.  It is a day 90 minutes action will say who indeed is the master of the game.  No doubt the game will be technical and only the team that is technically and tactically disciplined will carry the day.  Each team will be looking out for

    Loopholes, and costly mistake that can be capitalised upon. Complacency definitely has no room in this game because it will come with unpleasant consequences.

    A confident Zambia Coach Wedson Nyirenda who insists he and his boys are not under pressure, is optimistic they can turn the table. Guarding his tactics jealously Nyirenda says he sees his team singing victory song at the end.

    The Eagles according to him have experience no doubt but the strength of the Zambians he added will make the difference.

    Nyirenda insists when Eagles enjoyed victory in Ndola last year, his team appeared to have minimal concentration but now the story is different adding that “Eagles will be making a mistake if they assume that it will be business as usual”.

    One thing going for Gernot Rohr is that he has the full compliments of his team coupled with the determination of the John Obi Mikel Captained team to go all out for the kill.  Operation wrap it up has been the slogan since Mikel arrived from his base in china. His coordination and contribution in what has been achieved so far is worthy of note and he has given the credit to his teammates while urging them not to rest until the ticket is in the kitty.

    The two teams are not strange bed fellows. They have clashed 17 matches, in both friendlies and competitive games with the Eagles winning seven while Chipolopolo won on five occasions. Five other encounters ended in a draw. Mathematically speaking Nigeria has an edge and desires to continue to lead.  As for Zambia the desire to turn the table and spring a surprise is so high. The trainings have been completed, now is time to walk the talk.

    To say that the nest of champions will be full to the capacity today is to put it mildly.

    Who will effectively translate the training and shape ups into result on the pitch?

    That all important questions will be answered in 90 minutes so let the battle begin, No blinking!

  • NFF signs partnership agreements with TGI Group, PayPorte

    NFF signs partnership agreements with TGI Group, PayPorte

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has signed partnership agreements with two companies, Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group and PayPorte for the sponsorship of the Super Eagles.

    The partnership which will last three years will make TGI Group’s products, such as Big Bull Rice, Chivita, Hollandia Yoghurt and Renew Starch, the official food of the Super Eagles.

    The agreement with the PayPorte on the other hand will make the company the official online shop for sales of Eagles’ jerseys for the next three years.

    Signing the agreement on Friday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, the Executive Director of TGI Group, Onyekachi Onubogu, noted that football is a unifying factor in Nigeria.

    Onubogu, who represented the TGI Group Managing Director, Rahul Savara, said: “We are enormously ecstatic to come on board as supporters of the Nigerian national football teams.

    “The sponsorship is a further demonstration of the commitment of our business to the development of Nigeria in all facets.

    “We strongly believe in our investments in the agricultural value chain and its impact on the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

    “And this new partnership we are starting with the NFF will allow us to expand our footprints to the development of football in the country.

    “We are resolutely committed to increasing our investments in the Nigerian economy, increasing employment and local content while supporting the communities we operate in.”

    The Chief Executive Officer of PayPorte, Eyo Bassey, said his company decided to partner with NFF as its own Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy.

    Bassey, who signed the agreement on behalf of his company, said his company intended to create an authentic and internationally accepted platform, where Nigerians can access sports merchandise.

    “This is a strategic partnership, as we are the preferred e-commerce company in this part of the world.

    “We have come to associate with NFF to reach out to our customers. We want to assist NFF to promote grassroots football in Nigeria,” Bassey said.

    The NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, signed the two agreements on behalf of NFF.

    Pinnick said the private sector partnership with NFF was borne out of the transparent ways his board members had handled football affairs so far.

    “The opportunity to have the support of TGI Group and the reward for the “Man of the Match” award will have a huge benefit for the team to achieve our goals.

    “We also talk a lot about creating memories and no doubt working with TGI Group will create some fantastic memories,” Pinnick said.

    NAN

  • Why Super Eagles must qualify for 2018 World Cup

    Why Super Eagles must qualify for 2018 World Cup

    When the Super Eagles class of 1997 qualified for France ’98 World Cup, they did so with a match to spare; and 20 years later history is about to repeat itself.

    But for the Super Eagles to qualify the way their illustrious predecessors did in 1997, under the tutelage of Phillipe Troussier, the famed “White Witch Doctor’’; the team must scale the Chipolopolo obstacle.

    With three points separating the two archrivals, with the Super Eagles topping Group B with 10 points and closely followed by the Chipolopolo with 7 points; the Zambians believe that they can close the gap.

    The back-to-back victory recorded by the Chipolopolo over hapless Desert Foxes of Algeria, and the 1-1 draw with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at Yaoundé; the Zambians are now hopeful of qualifying for the World Cup.

    Even though the Super Eagles have all, but qualified for the 2018 World Cup, they must affirm their qualification by beating the Chipolopolo in Uyo; before the final qualifying match against the Desert Foxes.

    This is where the tactical acumen of Coach Gernot Rohr must be brought to bear on the Super Eagles as they engage their very worthy opponents; who are hell-bent on knocking the Eagles off their perch.

    The likely defensive quartet of Shehu Abdullahi, Leon Balogun, Troost Ekong and Elderson Echiejile must play as a cohesive unit, and maintain their shape against the expected onslaught from the Zambians.

    As for the midfield, depending on the combination, Mikel Obi is expected to roam box-to-box, Wilfred Ndidi and Ogenyi Onazi or whoever, must provide a near impregnable cover for the defence line.

    Victor Moses and Odion Jude-Ighalo and others in the attack must be razor sharp in front of goal, and make hay when goal scoring opportunities come their way.

    The Super Eagles must be focused, must be professional in their approach, must be their “brother’s keeper’’; so to speak; by closing ranks when the team is under attack from the rampaging Zambians.

    The team must guard against conceding a goal before scoring their own, because where the Zambians should score before the Super Eagles; we stand the chance of conceding more goals from counter attacks.

    Even if the Zambians should score against us, let it be after we might have scored a couple of goals that would likely swing the match our way; even a 1-0 scoreline and the vital three points would be enough to take us to Russia.

    The fans must not relent in their support for the Super Eagles, even if the team is not living up to their expectations, their ultimate aim is to cheer the team non-stop until victory is achieved against the Chipolopolo.

    Even a draw against the Chipolopolo; much less a defeat can reduce our chances of qualifying for the World Cup to the barest minimum; hence the need to go for an outright win against the Zambians.

    By beating the Chipolopolo, the Super Eagles will automatically qualify for the FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia with a match to spare, thereby making the final qualifying match against the Desert Foxes a mere formality.

    NAN

  • Don’t invade pitch, Umar urges fans

    Don’t invade pitch, Umar urges fans

    CP Garba Umar, Senior Security Advisor to the Super Eagles, has urged football fans to be orderly as they throng Uyo to watch the team’s World Cup qualifier against Zambia on Saturday.

    Umar made the appeal when he spoke with a reporter on Friday in Awka on the crucial 2018 World Cup qualifier against the Chipolopolo of Zambia at the Godswill Akpabio  International Stadium, Uyo.

    He said that the team had been talking to fans on the need to be ruly as well as the consequences of field encroachment.

    The Police Commissioner in Anambra said that enough mobilisation of personnel had been done ahead of the game in the light of the high expectations and excitement that would surround the game.

    “We have been working towards a hitch-free game, talking to fans against pitch invasion or encroachment because FIFA is very strict about such behaviours.

    “Our men have been mobilised and are on ground, we understand the nature and tempo of the game, it is a crucial one.

    “And we hope that with the preparations on ground, it will be a very free security atmosphere,’’ he said.

    Contributing, Arthur Ebunam, the Chairman of ex-Rangers International players in Anambra, said that though pressure would be on the Eagles, they would come out triumphant.

    Ebunam, a former Green Eagles player, said they should approach the game with positive minds and attack their opponents and score as many goals as possible.

    He the Eagles were almost World Cup-bound but should play the Zambians as though their qualification depended on the game.

    “Our team is under pressure whether you like it or not; they have almost qualified, people are hoping they win the game; they are at home unlike their opponents who are here to spoil their fun.

    “Technically, they should attack, attack and attack, get many goals in the first half and consolidate in the second half, I am confident we will win,’’ he said.

    A win over Zambia in Uyo will be enough to see Nigeria return to the Mundial after reaching the second round in Brazil in 2014.

    NAN

  • Alex Iwobi: Zambia’s Nightmare

    Alex Iwobi: Zambia’s Nightmare

    Nigeria international and Super Eagles forward Alexander Iwobi could be one of the danger men in the second leg qualifier against Zambia if he makes Nigeria’s starting eleven on Saturday in Uyo.

    The Super Eagles players are already in top shape for the must win match as they had a closed door training on Thursday ahead the Saturday game.

    Recall that Iwobi and Moses Simon plays the right side of the mid-field and both are currently among the top shape 25-man squad of the Super Eagles for the 2018 World Cup qualifier against the Zambians.

    The Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Premier League club Arsenal marked his return to the Gunners with a goal against Brighton this past weekend, and Zambia will be hoping that form does not translate to the Super Eagles. The youngster missed a few matches due to injury in September.

    The Chipolopolo still remember that the last time they faced the Arsenal starlet, in October 2016 in an earlier qualifying round in Ndola, the attacking midfielder sizzled imperiously and opened the scoring for his side. His short passing, direct running, and intelligent movement proved too much for the host defenders to handle as the Super Eagles ran out 2-1 winners.

    His return now, after missing last month’s two-legged fixture against Cameroon, will leave Chipolopolo cursing their luck and this fixture’s timing. Incidentally, that goal remains his only strike for the Super Eagles in 10 appearances, since making his international debut in a 2-0 defeat against DR Congo friendly in Belgium nearly a year ago.

    Iwobi’s partnership with Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho can bring the party home fro Nigeria as both players on and  off the pitch have developed this sort of telepathic understanding that defenders get nightmares about.

    When they play together, Iwobi is always looking to give-and-go with Iheanacho; his tendency to pinch into the middle complementing the Foxes man’s own inclination to drift out wide on occasion in search of the ball.

    Even without Iheanacho, Iwobi not only has the ability to link play with whichever central striker is ahead of him, but also to find gaps in defensive positions and thread excellently-weighted passes through them. Whether he starts or not, Iwobi’s return presents all sorts of trouble for this particular opposition.

    With Victor Moses, Moses Simon and Ahmed Musa, the Super Eagles are already spoiled for choice in the wide forward areas. Throwing in the 21-year-old Gunner just makes the competition even stiffer.

    With Chelsea’s Moses out injured previously, Gernot Rohr had settled on Iwobi and Simon as his starting wide forwards. But the Chelsea man is a dead cert to start, leaving competition for the other spot down to the other three men.

    Whoever gets to start does so knowing he has two more champing at the bit, waiting to come in, and mistakes will be harshly judged.

  • No need for too much talk – Mikel Obi

    No need for too much talk – Mikel Obi

     Super Eagles’ captain Mikel Obi said on Wednesday that the Nigerian national team players have no need to say too much before Saturday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Zambia’s Chipolopolo.

    The second leg game of Group B between Nigeria and Zambia for the 2018 World Cup qualifier is scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

    The outcome of the match would determine the chances of both teams towards qualification for the world cup in Russia.

    Obi, said in Uyo at a reception held for the team by Akwa Ibom Governor, Udom Emmanuel, that the players know what is at stake and ready to give their best.

    “We know how important the match is; that is enough motivation to go all out and give our very best.

    “There are several players in this team who have not played at the FIFA World Cup, they want to be there in Russia next year.

    “The talking will be done on the pitch. I have no doubt we have the quality to achieve victory, but we will not make the mistake of under rating the Zambians,’’ he said.

    Obi said that the team’s good performance in previous matches was achieved due to the focus, determination and massive support of all Nigerians.

    “We believe the same indices are in place for Saturday against Zambia; we have played four matches in the campaign so far, but this one is the match.

    “We are fully focused and ready. All we want is the usual support and encouragement by everyone involved, including the fans that will turn out at the match venue,’’ he said.

    Nigeria top Group B with 10 points from three wins and one draw.

    Table-toppers Nigeria will qualify for a sixth FIFA World Cup appearance with the minimum victory on Saturday.

    The match kicks off at 5pm.

    Meanwhile, a statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF Communication Director, President of the federation, President of NFF, Amaju Pinnick, has tasked the Super Eagles to be calm but clinical against their opponent.

    “The tendency is for teams to get uptight and tensed for this kind of match.

    “I have spoken to them and the approach should be to take full control from the beginning and take the chances that come without being too anxious.

    “We defeated the African champions, Cameroon, by maintaining focus and with the team imposing its game and taking the chances that came their way.

    “That should be the approach for Saturday.”

    Zambia last victory against Nigeria in a competitive football match at senior level was 32 years ago.

    The two teams have played 18 matches in all, with the Eagles winning seven and Zambia winning five, with six draws.

    This is only the second FIFA World Cup qualifying match between the two teams.

    The first leg of the 2018 world cup qualifiers was won by the Eagles 2-1 in Ndola last year.

    NAN

  • Udom redeems 50,000 dollars pledge to Super Eagles – NFF

    Udom redeems 50,000 dollars pledge to Super Eagles – NFF

    Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom, has redeemed his pledge of 10,000 dollars per goal for the matches against Cameroon to the Super Eagles.

    The Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ) made the disclosure on Thursday in Abuja.

    Gov. Udom had promised the players 10,000 dollars for every goal, two days before their clash with the reigning African champions, whom the Super Eagles walloped 4-0 in Uyo on Sept.1.

    They went on to earn a 1-1 draw with the Lions in Yaounde on Sept. 4.

    “Gov. Udom has redeemed the pledge on Wednesday, while calling on the Super Eagles to go for the broke on Saturday and expect ‘a handsome reward’ from him.

    “There will be more incentives for the Eagles if the team could earn a sixth FIFA World Cup appearance by winning on Saturday,’’ NFF’s spokesman, Ademola Olajire said in a statement.

    “I know you have the quality to overcome in this important match, but I don’t want you to underrate your opponents.

    “I love the professionalism and dedication to cause that you have shown since the beginning of this qualifying campaign. Those efforts have put Nigeria at the top of the table.

    “I want to commend the NFF, your coaches and the support staff for the great job they have all done in support of your efforts to get to this position.

    “You are just one win away from achieving your goal. The Zambians are taking this game as a do-or-die affair, so we need to be totally focused and play like soldiers,’’ it quoted the governor as saying.

    The statement said Super Eagles’ Captain, Mikel John Obi, thanked the governor and pledged to him and indeed Nigerians everywhere that the team would not disappoint on Saturday.

    “We very much appreciate the role Your Excellency, the Government and good people of Akwa Ibom State, the NFF and Nigerians from all walks of life have played to get us to this position in this campaign.

    “We know how much this match means and we will go out there and do the job,’’ he said.

    NAN