The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Super Eagles

  • Nostalgic Vincent Enyeama shares album photo

    Nostalgic Vincent Enyeama shares album photo

    One of the best ways of fighting temporary draw backs is to make a flash back at good old times savor the goodies that come with it and by so doing lighten up the mood of the present.

    That appears to be what former Super Eagles number one goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama is doing as recently he shared his photo with some former internationals and coaches of the national team.

    Lined up in the impressive photograph includes former Super Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen, former Eagles captains Austin Okocha and Nwankwo Kanu, Mutiu Adepoju, Ike Shorunmu and Uche Okechukwu.

    Enyeama who was recently relegated to Lille reserve team by Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa who has left no one in doubt he wants to work with new players, is hoping to get a deal to continue his impressive  career.  The 34 year old who is on the  radar of Nice and Nantes has become again subject of debate over his possible return to the national team following recent diagnosis of current number one carl Ikeme with acute leukemia. Some soccer fans have however maintained that Enyeama who announced his retirement from the national team after winning his 100th cap should be allowed to enjoy his retirement and continue his club career while other goalkeepers are given opportunity to prove themselves. Those fronting for the return of the former Enyimba and Iwuanyanwu Nationale ace revealed that that their call has been fueled by fear of losing ground to hard fighting Indomitable Lions of Cameroon and  Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the course of fighting for ticket to the 2018 World cup in Russia and 2019 Nations Cup in Cameroon.

    Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr who suffered a shock 0-2 defeat in Uyo, recently threatened to dump the Eagles following a barrage of blames being heaped on his table, insisting that the only way he can continue with the job is for intruders to stay of his team lists adding that he is “ready to take responsibilities” for his actions enroute Russia 2018.

  • Iwobi teammates keep a date with Taronga Zoo

    Iwobi teammates keep a date with Taronga Zoo

    Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi and his Arsenal teammates  enjoyed a day with kangaroos and koala bears at Taronga Zoo in Sydney as they continue their pre-season preparations.

    Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny are used to trying to feed strikers hungry for goals.

    But they and a number of their Arsenal team-mates swapped footballs for food on Wednesday when they enjoyed a day with the animals at Taronga Zoo in Sydney.

    Arsene Wenger’s side are currently on a pre-season tour of Australia ahead of the Community Shield against Chelsea and the upcoming Premier League season.

    The players were introduced to exotic birds at the zoo, which overlooks the city of Sydney

    And a number of his players made the most of their time Down Under to explore some of the country’s famous wildlife.

    Alex Iwobi, Xhaka, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson and Joseph Willock were pictured feeding kangaroos and posing alongside koala bears.

    They were also introduced to exotic birds while overlooking downtown Sydney and the famous Harbour Bridge.

    The Gunners play two against two local sides in Sydney before moving on to China where they will face Bayern Munich and

    Chelsea. Their final pre-season matches see them play Benfica and Sevilla back at the Emirates.

    The season’s traditional curtain-raiser against Premier League champions Chelsea will take place at Wembley on August 6, just five days before Wenger’s side begin their Premier League campaign against Leicester.

  • Hibernian declares Efe wanted

    Hibernian declares Efe wanted

    Out of favour Super Eagles defender, Efe Ambrose has been declared wanted by his Scottish League side Hibernian. Ambrose who incidentally contributed in no small measure to getting the side into the Premier League is yet to show face at training and the technical crew does not consider it a laughing matter.

    Hibernian manager Neil Lennon who is eager to begin very serious preparation for next season is furious with the Nigerian international insisting that his absence amounts to pulling back the hands of the clock while giving a hint that the 28-year-old will may face the hammer on return.

    “There’s no sign of Efe – so he is in a bit of trouble with the manager now. I can’t get a hold of him at all,” Lennon told Edinburgh News.

    “He was given a wee bit of time off, but I think he is pushing the boundaries at the minute. The sooner he is back, for his sake, the better.

    “I expected him back a lot sooner than this and it will be getting discussed behind closed doors. He’s got that to look forward to when he gets back!”

    Ambrose who made 113 appearances for 48-time Scottish League champions Celtic scoring five goals before moving on loan to Championship side Hibernian.

    He scored his first goal for the side in a 2-1 win against Falkirk and won Scottish Championship player of the month award in March 2017.  He subsequently signed a two-year contract with Hibernian and fired the side to premier league promotion.

    The newly-promoted Scottish side were 2-0 victorious over Berwick Rangers in their build-up to Saturday’s League Cup encounter against Montrose.

  • Omeruo gears up for new season

    Omeruo gears up for new season

     

    Super Eagles ace kenneth Omeruo will be hoping to finally enjoy a sojourn with English premier league side Chelsea when the new season gets underway next month.  The 23 year who has been a journey man following series of loan assignments returned to parent club Chelsea after  a till season end sojourn with Alanyaspor where he made 26 appearances. The Nigerian international joined teammates at the Cobham training base for the first full day of pre-season on Monday – and manager Antonio Conte joined in as they began preparations for the defence of their Premier League title.

    The 47-year-old took part in a gruelling opening session alongside members of his squad as they again look to set the pace during the upcoming season.

    Gary Cahill, David Luiz, Pedro and Willian were among those put through their paces on Monday, while young players including Lucas Piazon, Andreas Christensen, Jake Clarke-Salter and Kenneth Ommeruo also joined in the session.

    Some players were however absent from the pre-season session, including controversial striker Diego Costa.

    The Spain international forward was given additional time off as he looks to seal a move away from Stamford Bridge back to his former club Atletico Madrid.

    New signing Antonio Rudiger was another player who did not take part in the session. The defender has also been given an extended lay-off as he looks to recover from Germany’s Confederations Cup win in time for the new season.

    Injured forward Eden Hazard, meanwhile, was back at Cobham but he trained separately from his team-mates as he continues to recover from a broken ankle that is set to keep him out until September.

    Chelsea starlet Ruben Loftus-Cheek was also among the Chelsea squad members who trained alongside their manager on Monday, despite reports linking him with a move to London rivals Crystal Palace.

    The Premier League champions begin the new season with the Community Shield against Arsenal on Sunday August 6 at Wembley.

  • Disu warns Super Eagles against Indomitable Cameroon

    Disu warns Super Eagles against Indomitable Cameroon

    Former Nigerian international and current boss of the Lagos branch of Players Union, Taju Disu, has advised the Super Eagles to take upcoming double header against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon very serious.

    The first leg of the crucial qualifier is billed for August 31st in Uyo according to Disu would determine the fate of Nigeria towards qualifying for the Russia World Cup.

    “The first leg in Nigeria is crucial and must be taken seriously by coach and players. There will not be room for excuse should Nigeria lose that match. A win will help us face the second leg in Yaoundé positively but a loss with be devastating,” stated the captain of defunct Abiola Babes.

    The Nations Cup qualifying loss to South Africa, he noted, has exposed the Super Eagles:  ” Cameroon will come here with the mind to beat us, because South Africa recently took away three points here. It is a morale booster to them and so, we need to beat them at their game.”

    Disu thus advocated for a blend of old and new in the Super Eagles while evaluating the new-look team under Franco-German coach, Gernot Rohr.Nigeria tops the Group B Africa World Cup group with 6 points followed by Cameroon with two points.

  • Sports fans lament, pray for Ikeme

    Sports fans lament, pray for Ikeme

     

    It was lamentation galore as the news broke that the nation’s number one goalkeeper and Wolves safe hand Carl Ikeme has been diagnosed with leukemia. A cross section of fans who reacted on social media, radio and  television phone in programs described the situation as heart aching. Some regretted that the unfortunate development is coming at a time when the Super Eagles has been boxed into a corner by poor blend among new invitees to the national team coupled with goalkeeping shortfalls which has forced some to tinker with the idea of calling Vincent Enyeama out of retirement.

    They were however unanimous in praying for  Ikeme who they say is not only a dedicated goalkeeper but also an epitome of humility.

    “It is rather unfortunate that this is coming at this time when the Eagles need serious beef up ahead of the World cup and Nations Cup qualifiers. With the loss to South Africa everybody expects the technical crew to beef up the team before facing Cameroon but this is a huge set back”, they submitted adding we really need to pray for Ikeme because nothing is impossible for God

    Some did not stop there as they equally sent personal messages to the 31 year old goalkeeper via @carl_ikeme

    Meanwhile Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen has sent a heartfelt message of support to Carl Ikeme following his diagnosis.  The Barca safehand on twitter said ” A tweet simply too short to express my thoughts about Carl Ikeme,” afterwards he turned to his facebook which gave him more space to express himself and encourage other goalkeepers even as he expressed hope that the Nigerian international can adopt a positive mind in his period of trial.

    “Today I read the story about Carl Ikeme, a goalkeeper for Nigeria and Wolverhampton, who’s been diagnosed with acute leukemia [sic]. A person I’ve never met but his story affects me and touches my heart.

    “I can’t underline how important health is. In sport, it means a lot for every athlete; and it’s not just crucial so that we perform well but our health does affect us mentally also. I try to be in the best possible shape, remembering to follow my diet and regularly check up on my health status. I think about this all time. I would never want to see a player get injured, especially when it’s serious. I know the feeling and it’s the worst.

    “But more alarming than an injury, is having to stop what you love because of your health. It’s complicated to understand and a painful reality to relax. I am speechless. I don’t know what to say.

    “I wish Carl and his family all the strength in the world. I’m sure his team-mates and club will be there too, and all their fans. It’s important to be united! And me too, I offer all my possible support. I’m hoping he can fight like goalkeepers always do, with a calm and positive mind,” said Ter Stegen

    Aside from Ter Stegen, a number of social media posts wishing Ikeme well have been sent from across the soccer world with Manchester United’s David de Gea and former Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas among the latest to send their support.

    Ikeme who stepped in as Nigeria’s number one following the retirement of former number Vincent Enyeama, made his debut for the Super Eagles on 5 September 2015 against Tanzania in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification game.

     

     

     

  • Super Eagles Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme Down with Acute Leukaemia

    Super Eagles Goalkeeper Carl Ikeme Down with Acute Leukaemia

    Super Eagles first choice goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme is to begin chemotherapy after being diagnosed with acute leukaemia.
    The 31-year-old Nigerian returned “abnormal blood tests” during pre-season testing and further checks confirmed the diagnosis.
    Ikeme has been with Wolves for his entire career, making more than 200 appearances for Wanderers.
    Thirty-three of those came last season, having previously been in the team that won the League One title in 2013-14.
    “It would be an understatement to say that everyone at Wolves has been shocked and saddened to hear the news of Carl’s diagnosis,” said Wolves managing director Laurie Dalrymple.
    “That relates to both players and staff as Carl has been at the club for a very long time and remains such an integral personality within the group.
    “At the same time, we all know what a fighter and a competitor Carl is, and I have no doubt that he will take all of those attributes into this battle.
    “Similarly, its goes without saying that Carl and his family will receive the full love and support that we at Wolves can provide – we are all with him every single step of the way towards a full recovery.”
  • Ighalo on target as Yatai hit Beijing Guoan 2-1

    Ighalo on target as Yatai hit Beijing Guoan 2-1

     

    Super Eagles forward Odion Ighalo adopted a no nonsense approach Saturday grabbing the opener in the 21st minute as his Chinese Super League side Changchun Yatai beat visiting Beijing Guoan 2-1. Ighalo had enjoyed a timely assist from teammate and homeboy Tan Long and did not hesitate to covert to the delight of the team’s teeming supporters.

    Teammate Fan Xiaodong increased the tally in the 40th minute and the hosts maintained the 2-0 lead to the end of the first half.

    It was not until 14 minutes to the end of the match that the visitors got their consolation goal thanks via a 76th minute penalty.

    Ighalo who was in action for the full duration of the match, maintained a perfect sportsman record in a match in which three of his teammates Wu Yake, second goal scorer Fan Xiaodong and substitute Zhou Dadi all saw yellow. Only Uzbekistan import Yegor Krimets was shown the yellow card in the visitors line.

    Elsewhere it was however a celebration of cautions in the match between Brown Ideye’s Tiajin Teda and hosts Henan Jianye.

    The match though ended goalless, the two sides however forced the referee to flash eight yellow cards. The Nigerian international also had his own share of the yellow in the 53rd minute. While Ideye and his visiting teammates were cautioned six times their hosts had two yellow cards in the kitty. While there was near goal drought in the matches played on Saturday, it will be recalled that it was goal feast on Friday as Obafemi Martins Shanghai Shenhua made mince meat of visiting Liaoning Kaixin recording a resounding 8-1 victory in a match where Nigeria international Anthony Ujah was on parade for the visitors.

    Obafemi Martins accounted for two goals in the goal feast for his side but Anthony Ujah’s consolation goal in the 62nd minute merely looked like a drop in the ocean.

    Guizhou Zhicheng who take on Yanbian Funde Sunday, maintain their number one position on the log with 37 points in 14 matches and would be hoping to consolidate. Ighalo’s Changchun Yatai are 10th on the log while Ideye’s Tiajin Teda are 12th on the log even as fans continue to hope that return of captain John Obi Mikel soon, will fire team up the ladder.

  • World Cup Qualifiers: Cameroon should not be written off, Owolabi cautions

    World Cup Qualifiers: Cameroon should not be written off, Owolabi cautions

    Former Green Eagles wing forward Felix Owolabi on Wednesday in Lagos warned that the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon should not be written off.

    Owolabi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) there should be no room for complacency in spite of Cameroon’s poor outing at the ongoing FIFA Confederations Cup competition in Russia.

    He warned that the Super Eagles would likely meet a more determined opponent in Cameroon during the 2018 World Cup qualifier in Uyo in August.

    “The competition has served as a kind of training for the African champions, even though they didn’t go far in the tournament, but they were resilient.

    “In all of their matches, you can see they weren’t going to back down. It was always a do-or-die situation. They played like it was going to be their last match.

    “Not going far wasn’t good for their reputation, but they still have that never-say-die spirit. That’s the number one thing any good team needs.

    “Their current form shouldn’t be a threat to us if truly we have gone back to the drawing board like the team’s technical crew promised after the last outing against Bafana Bafana of South Africa,’’ Owolabi said.

    NAN reports that the Central African side played a 1-1 draw with Australia, and lost to Chile and Germany to crash out of the tournament.

    Owolabi, whose Green Eagles squad won the 1980 edition of the African Cup of Nations, said the Super Eagles must be thoroughly prepared for the Indomitable Lions.

    “I’m sure the handlers of Super Eagles are paying attention, and I hope they learnt from our last match against South Africa.

    “Experience can never be bought. A good team that will stand the test of time is a blend of young and old. Experience is everything, we shouldn’t ignore that.

    “As for the method of elimination by substitution, it should be a gradual thing. You just don’t change the composition of the team overnight,’’ he said.

  • Mighty Jets FC sacks 27 players, recruits ten

    The management of Mighty Jets Football Club of Jos on Wednesday said it had sacked 27 players for performing below the club’s expectations.

    Benedict Akwuegbu, the club’s Sporting Director, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos that the club management had in the wake of this gone on to recruit 10 others.

    He said the move became necessary in order “to create space’’ and strengthen the team to fight for promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

    The former Super Eagles forward blamed the recent suspension of the club’s head coach, Adams Usman, before the end of the first stanza of the league for the club’s poor performance.

    “But we are now optimistic of the club’s chances of gaining promotion to the NPFL at the end of the season.

    “The new players will uplift the team spirit as well as hunger for success, two ingredients which were lacking in the team in the first stanza.’’

    Akwuegbu said all departments of the team were considered in the club’s recruitment of players in order to give the team a balance.

    “Two goalkeepers, one central defender, three midfielders and four attackers were recruited,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that Mighty Jets will on Thursday host Adamawa United FC of Yola in a 2016/2017 Nigeria National League (NNL) Week 16 fixture at the Rwang Pam Stadium in Jos.