The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Super Eagles

  • Obafemi Martins arrives for Lagos @ 50 match

    Obafemi Martins arrives for Lagos @ 50 match

    Shanghai Greenland Shenhua of China forward, Obafemi Martins has arrived in Nigeria for Sunday’s Super Eagles Commemorative match to mark Lagos 50th anniversary, Senior Special Assistant on Sports to Governor Akinwunmi Amobode, Anthony Adeyinka has confirmed.

    Adeyinka, while speaking on the preparation on ground for the match billed to celebrate the state’s contribution to sports development in the country said Martins’ arrival has made many other players to show more commitment to the match.

    According to Adeyinka, the former Inter Milan of Italy striker has been talking to his colleagues in the national team and they have all assured that they will be available to celebrate with Governor Akinwunmi Ambode who is also a lover of sports.

    “I can confirm to you that all is set for the match and I am happy that many players have been calling from Uyo to re-assure us that they will be available to come and celebrate with our Governor”, says Adeyinka

    “As I speak with you, Obafemi Martins is in the country and he has been doing a lot to make sure that other players invited are available for the match. We have done everything to ensure maximum security before, during and after the match”, he added

    The match will see Lagos born Eagles play against Eagles players from other states on Sunday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium.

    A novelty match between Stationary Stores of Lagos and Young Strikers Academy will be played in the afternoon before the Eagles match in the night.

    Players that have confirmed include Kayode Olanrewaju, Kelechi Iheanacho, Ogenyi Onazi, Dele Alampasu, Sylvester Igboun,Gbolahan Salami, Elderson Echiejile, Nnamdi Oduamadi among others.

  • Nigerian coaches drum support for Super Eagles

    Nigerian coaches drum support for Super Eagles

     

    Nigeria Football Coaches Association has challenged the Super Eagles of Nigeria to go all out for total victory against Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa in Uyo.

    The President of the Association, Isa Ladan Bosso said the team had the best preparation for the game and have no reason not to overcome their opponents.

    Bosso commended Amaju Pinnick-led Nigeria Football Association (NFF) board for organizing friendly matches for the team despite meager fund at their disposal. The Super Eagles played Corsica senior national team and Togo in the warm matches.

    The El Kanemi Warriors manager believes that the Super Eagles have quality players that can deliver against South Africa.

    “It is very important to get victory in our first game so as to boost the team’s confidence. I want to commend the leadership of the NFF under Amaju Pinnick for their initiative to organize quality friendly matches for the team before the match. I believe the coaching crew would have used the friendly games to understand the team better. I have no doubt in my mind that the Super Eagles will beat South Africa today. What they need now is total concentration and commitment. Our prayers are with the team. And I want to urge Nigerians to come out en mass to support the team on Saturday,” Bosso said

  • AFCON: Rohr not under pressure to field players

    AFCON: Rohr not under pressure to field players

    The Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr, says he is not under pressure to field players for Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

    Rohr made the assertion on Thursday in Uyo while fielding questions from sports journalists during a pre-match briefing on the Super Eagles’ preparedness for the tournament.

    “Nobody is telling me how to work, I work independently with my assistants. There is no pressure on me to field any player.

    “We have good players from Nigeria in this team, I have some fine players. We have good players who can play well for this country,’’ Rohr said.

    He said that as a professional, he monitored the progress of players in their respective clubs and watched video clips of their performances.

    Rohr said that nobody gave him directives on how to coach and he was satisfied with the selection made so far with the assistance of his technical team.

    “No pressure on me, the team is open to all good players from Nigeria,’’ the coach said.

    Rohr said that his squad for Saturday’s match was a blend of young talented players with the experienced ones.

    He added that the team was in top form feeling very good just as the people of Uyo appreciated the Super Eagles playing in the town.

    Also, the Super Eagles’ Captain, Ogenyi Onazi, said the team’s objective in Uyo was to win the game and qualify for AFCON and the even the World Cup.

    “We want to do our own and make sure we win the match on Saturday,’’ Onazi said.

    “Definitely, we need the prayers of all Nigerians. We just want to let them know that it is not going to be easy.

    “We need your support, you should come out and support us to make sure we get the three points on Saturday.’’

    Contributing, an Akwa United FC player, Alhassan Ibrahim, who is one of home-based players in the team, said that he was excited about being in the national team.

    Ibrahim said that it was an honour for him to be selected to feature for Nigeria at the national level out of the three players invited by the coach.

    He lauded the cooperation he enjoyed from the experienced players since he joined the Eagles camp in Corsica and Paris.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Bafana Bafana of South Africa had arrived in Uyo on Thursday afternoon for the match.

  • Super Eagles need more media support – Sanusi

    Super Eagles need more media support – Sanusi

    Mohammed Sanusi, the General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Thursday appealed for media support for the Super Eagles as they resume their campaign for qualification for major events.

    Sanusi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the media needed to report positive issues which could encourage the players and push them to winning ways.

    “The media stands between the players and fans but when the players realise that reports on them are only negative it discourages them.

    “When the players know that they are being supported at home, they will give their all in a match and that is what we all want to see,’’ he said.

    The General Secretary also advised the senior national team not to underrate any side in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

    NAN reports that the Super Eagles will take on the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Uyo on Saturday in a Group A match of the 2019 AFCON Qualifiers.

  • AFCON 2019: Super Eagles Vow to Win for Keshi

    AFCON 2019: Super Eagles Vow to Win for Keshi

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria are prepared to beat South Africa and dedicate the victory to the memory of the late Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi.

    Super Eagles Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr has said; “We will dedicate our expected win over South Africa in Uyo on Saturday to Keshi to mark the one year of his death. The boys will play this game with all their might to ensure we get a win in memory of the former coach of Super Eagles,” Rohr states during a chat.
    Keshi who led the Super Eagles to win the AFCON in South Africa in 2013 died in June 2016 had also won the AFCON as a player in 1994.
    “Keshi was a committed person as a player, I played against him in the French league while he was with Strasbourg. He was a good leader and good coach. We will play for him.”
    On his young team, he expresses confidence in the ability of the boys to get things done according to plan, adding that they will blend and mature with time. He believes South Africa will be tough, but the Super Eagles will overcome.
    Rohr reiterates his earlier statement that he would respond to the Bafana Bafana’s boasting on the pitch stressing that he would rather prepare his players than to play mind games.
    Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF on Wednesday remembered the late Super Eagles captain Stephen Keshi who died exactly one year ago in Benin City, Edo State.
    In an emotional message on its Twitter account, the NFF appreciated the life and times of the former defender.
    “We say not in grief you are no more, but we live in thankfulness that you were. Rest on BIG BOSS! Late Stephen Keshi (23/01/62 – 7/6/2016).”

    We say not in grief you are no more, but we live in thankfulness that you were. Rest on BIG BOSS!

    The NFF handle also wrote about Saturday’s 2019 African Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa saying:

    “Nigeria is on the march again.  There’s no stopping us. We are confident. We are winners.  We are SUPER!  #SoarSuperEagles.”

    — The NFF ?? (@thenff) June 7, 2017

  • AFCON Qualifiers: Mikel, Ighalo’s absence won’t make difference -Fuludu

    AFCON Qualifiers: Mikel, Ighalo’s absence won’t make difference -Fuludu

    A former international, Edema Fuludu, says the absence of Mikel Obi and Odion Ighalo will not make any difference in the Super Eagles formation when they play South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Sunday.

    The Eagles will host the South African national team at Uyo in the ongoing qualifiers for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be staged by Cameroon.

    Fuludu, a member of the victorious 1994 AFCON squad, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that the coach, Genort Rohr, had reasons for not playing them.

    NAN reports that the captain of the team, Mikel, and striker Ighalo, will be missing in action in the qualifying match against Banana Banana of South Africa on June 11.

    “The truth is that whether they are present or not, the show must go on and it’s important that we don’t disrupt the current formation of the players.

    “They have won their matches back to back which has shown that they are making progress; the technical adviser has an approach to each match.

    “I’m sure there are still roles that they can play and also remembering that Mikel has an injury.

    “Contrary to speculations that the choice of the location of their clubs maybe a hindrance, everyone has a fair chance of playing in the team,’’ he said.

    Fuludu, a former central defender, said that one of the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) mandates to Rohtr Gohr is to ensure that the Super Eagles qualify for the Nations Cup.

    “How he chooses to go about the qualifiers is totally up to him to a large extent.

    “He has a target and in his projection, he must have been able to analyse the players that fit into his plans.

    “So, it’s totally up to him, their absence is not a snub whatsoever, we know they are experienced players, we can’t take that away from them,’’ he said.

    On his expectations, the former Manager of Warri Wolves FC, told NAN that the match won’t be a walk in the park.

    “The thing is that in as much as this match is crucial to us, we must tie all loose ends; there is no luxury for slips, we need to take our chances.

    “It’s key that they play as a team, also they should play according to instruction and they should use their discretion when necessary,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that Group B of the competition consists of Nigeria, Zambia, Algeria and Cameroon.

  • Hard working Eagles remember Keshi in Uyo

    Hard working Eagles remember Keshi in Uyo

     

    Super Eagles currently burning the calories in Uyo ahead of the 2019 Nations cup qualifier against Bafana Bafana, took some time out to remember former national team coach and captain, Late Stephen keshi .

    The Gernot Rohr tutored side who have increased the intensity of their training after recording a full house with all the invited players in camp, observed minutes silence in the course of their training Wednesday at the Nest of Champions.

    The players and technical crew we gather, were unanimous in their believe that keshi was not only a coach he knew his onion and worked hard to achieve laurel for the country but have a fantastic human relationship with his assistants the players by constantly putting himself in their shoes.

    The technical crew and the players are however not the only ones that are remembering the big boss with nostalgia one year after.

    Many Nigerians have taken to the social media and live programs to express the agony of losing keshi who many say departed when he still had a lot to contribute to   sports in the country, they however re-echoed their prayer for him to rest in perfect peace.

    keshi passed on  7th June 2016.He won 64 caps playing for the Super Eagles, died at the age of 54. He captained the Nigeria national team and was one of only two people to win the Africa Cup of Nations both as a player and a coach.

    Meanwhile Captain of Bafana Bafana Thulani ‘Tyson’ Hlatshwayo has admitted that the clash in Uyo will not be a tea party adding that overcoming the Eagles in Uyo in front of their teeming fans will not come on a platter, but did not rule out the possibility of earning vital point.

    “It more like a baptism of fire to get this ahead of the Nigeria game but we have played Nigeria before and we came close to beating them twice in our last two meetings and I think they are there for the taking this time around.

    “It’s somehow a familiar environment because I was then involved in those last two encounters and we should come back with a positive result. But Nigeria is a strong side, we need to respect them and show real character,’ he added.

    “It’s going to be a grudge game this one. We denied them a place to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations and they will be out for revenge and that might work exactly to our advantage,” he said

  • Anichebe ‘undecided’ on Super Eagles’ return

    Anichebe ‘undecided’ on Super Eagles’ return

    Former Super Eagles striker, Victor Anichebe, has expressed his indecision over a possible return to the senior national team.

    Anichebe, who announced his retirement from international football in 2012, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Wednesday that he was happy with the crop of young talented players in the team.

    The premiership great, who sponsored a grassroots football competition in Anambra, said although there had been pressure on him to return to the Super Eagles, he considered himself too old for the team at 29 years of age.

    “I had a few calls from Nigeria asking the possibility of me coming back to the team, but I just think now that we are at that stage where we have a lot of great young talent and coming through.

    “We have Kelechi, we have even Odion, we have even Iwobi, and we have a bunch of really good young people playing in the team.

    “I just think we are on a great journey now, I look at the Nigerian national team, so many faces I don’t even know but they are doing so well.

    “So it just shows that we are nurturing more and more talents, therefore I consider myself an old man now, am 29.

    “I don’t know whether I will be coming back.”

     On the forthcoming world cup qualifier against South Africa, Anichebe urged the team to go all out and do the country proud.

    “I just hope that they are victorious, first of all I hope that everyone stays injury-free.

    “Obviously I hope that they win but football is crazy and sometimes you might not win, sometimes they might get a draw.

    “And I know how expectant Nigerians are, they expect a lot from the team but I just hope they can go out and do the country proud,”  he said.

  • AFCON qualifiers: Bafana Bafana arrives Wednesday

    AFCON qualifiers: Bafana Bafana arrives Wednesday

    • As Eagles commence training

    The South African Football Association has confirmed that the Bafana Bafana delegation will fly to Nigeria on Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles slated for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

    Meanwhile, 21 invited  Super Eagles players, alongside their  technical crew and backroom staff, have commenced training sessions today ahead of  Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

    Although the Bafana Bafana have never beaten the Super Eagles in a competitive game, Nigerians would remember that a 2-2 draw at the same venue between both teams in November 2014 meant the Eagles missed the cut for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

    Tokelo Rantie scored both goals, before left –sided midfielder Sone Aluko also replied with a brace – something that is a usual occurrence in matches between both nations.

    Before Rantie and Aluko, Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory), pacy wingers Tijani Babangida and Osaze Odemwingie and forwards Uche Nwofor and Ejike Uzoenyi had bagged braces in matches between both nations at senior level.

    Midfielder Ogenyi Onazi, who will lead out the Super Eagles on Saturday in the absence of recuperating captain Mikel John Obi, told thenff.com on Tuesday: “It is a big game, and we are one for the big occasion.

    I have confidence in the group that we have now and the ambition oozing in the camp. We want to go to the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations. Starting well on Saturday will be key to our aspiration

    Winger Ahmed Musa, who netted a brace in a 3-0 defeat of Togo in a friendly in Paris on Thursday, alongside defender Kenneth Omeruo and newly–wed wing back Elderson Echiejile were the only squad members given until Tuesday to arrive camp.

    Nigeria’s army on Saturday will include former junior international Kelechi Iheanacho, who has scored in seven of his last eight matches for the Super Eagles, as well as record scorer in the FIFA U17 World Cup, Victor Osimhen. There are also this season’s top scorer in the Austrian Bundesliga, Olanrewaju Kayode, the pacy Moses Simon and the nimble –footed Alex Iwobi.

    The last outing between both teams was a friendly match at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit two years ago, which ended 1-1. Ahmed Musa scored a late goal in a game in which Daniel Akpeyi (likely to start in goal for Nigeria on Saturday) saved a penalty, but there was still time for the Bafana Bafana to draw level.

    Eagles for Battle
    Daniel Akpeyi
    Ikechukwu Ezenwa
    Dele Alampasu
    Kenneth Omeruo
    William Ekong
    Abdullahi Shehu
    Tyronne Ebuehi
    Elderson Echiejile
    Chidozie Awaziem
    Maroof Youssef
    Ogenyi Onazi
    Wilfred Ndidi
    Oghenekaro Etebo
    John Ogu
    Uche Agbo
    Mikel Agu
    Alhassan Ibrahim
    Ahmed Musa
    Kelechi Iheanacho
    Moses Simon
    Alex Iwobi
    Henry Onyekuru
    Victor Osimhen
    Olanrewaju Kayode

     

    NIGERIA & SOUTH AFRICA AT SENIOR LEVEL

    10 Oct 1992: Nigeria 4 South Africa 0 – Lagos (World Cup Qualifier)
    16 Jan 1993: South Africa 0 Nigeria 0 – Jo’burg (World Cup Qualifier)
    10 Feb 2000: Nigeria 2 South Africa 0 – Lagos (AFCON semi final)
    31 Jan 2004: South Africa 0 Nigeria 4 – Monastir (AFCON group stage)
    17 Nov 2004: South Africa 2 Nigeria 1 – Jo’burg (Mandela Challenge)
    1 June 2008: Nigeria 2 South Africa 0 – Abuja (World Cup Qualifier)
    6 Sep 2008: South Africa 0 Nigeria 1 – Port Elizabeth (World Cup Qual.)
    11 Aug 2013: South Africa 0 Nigeria 2 – Durban (Mandela Challenge)
    19 Jan 2014: South Africa 1 Nigeria 3 – Cape Town (CHAN group stage)
    10 Sept 2014: South Africa 0 Nigeria 0 – Cape Town (AFCON Qualifier)
    19 Nov 2014: Nigeria 2 South Africa 2 – Uyo (AFCON Qualifier)
    29 Mar 2015: South Africa 1 Nigeria 1 – Nelspruit (Friendly)

  • Battle of Uyo: No cause for alarm says Fuludu

    Battle of Uyo: No cause for alarm says Fuludu

     

    Former international Edema Fuludu has expressed optimism that the crop of players invited to camp for the Nations Cup qualifier against South Africa will do the needful in Uyo, come June 10.

    He poured cold water on fears in some quarters that absence of some regular players in the team could affect performance, noting that virtually all players who made it to the national team have shown from their performance that they deserve to be there and are ready to do the nation proud.

    He particularly frowned at continuous finger pointing at the goalkeeping area as one department that needs to be beefed up by some fans and analysts alike describing some fears as unfounded and unnecessary.

    “” I believe that there is not cause for alarm. We have a formidable team and those who have been invited are not entirely new they are players who have been playing and active. I strongly believe they will rise to the occasion.  I don’t really like it when people constantly dwell on the past like when you talk about the absence of Vincent Enyeama and Carl Ikeme. When one player is not there another player should fit in that is what football is all about.  You only worry when you don’t have a replacement when you have players who can fit in why the worry?”, he queried

    Super Eagles coach according to Fuludu is at liberty to invite and use anybody he likes to prosecute the qualifying matches standing between him and Russia 2018 on one hand and Cameroon 2019 on the other. “” “”He has a mandate to qualify the nation for Russia 2018 and his at liberty to use any player he deems good enough to help him deliver, “he submitted

    Eagles’ opponents Bafana Bafana are expected in the country Thursday ahead of the battle at the nest of Champions in Uyo on Saturday.

    The Eagles are heading into the match fresh from a 3-0 demolition of Hawks of Togo in a shape up friendly match in France. Leicester

    City forward Ahmed Musa who grabbed a brace in match and Manchester City ace Kelechi Iheanacho who scored the third goal, will no doubt will hoping to re-enact their super form in Uyo.