The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Super Eagles

  • Rohr lines up Moses,Iwobi and Musa against Lions

    Rohr lines up Moses,Iwobi and Musa against Lions

     

     

     

    Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr is to unleash Chelsea forward Victor Moses, Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi, Leicester forward Ahmed Musa and Manchester City forward Kelechi Ihenacho against Taranga Lions of Senegal in London.

    The Eagles have chosen friendly matches against Senegal and Burkina Faso as shape up matches ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Cameroon and Algeria respectively as well as Afcon 2019 qualifiers against South Africa.

    Rohr who has in recent times been visiting local league venues to equally have a look at home based players, picked some to blend with the foreign based with a view to providing a level playing ground for players to  fight for shirt in the qualifiers.

    Ifeanyi Ubah’s  safe hand Ikechukwu Ezenwa and his Wolverhampton Wanderers counterpart Carl Ikeme both made the list.

    The all important shape up match Lions is scheduled for March 23 while the Stallions will take their turn March 27 at the same venue The Hive, Barnet Football Club.

    THE FULL LIST

    Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah)

    Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); William Paul Ekong (KAA Gent, Belgium); Kenneth Omeruo (Alanyaspor FC, Turkey); Uche Henry Agbo (Granada FC, Spain); Abdullahi Shehu (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Musa Muhammed (FC Zeljeznicar, Bosnia Herzegovina); Tyronne Ebuehi (ADO Den Haag, The Netherlands); Elderson Echiejile (Sporting Gijon, Spain); Kingsley Madu (Zulte Waregem, Belgium); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal)

    Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (CD Feirense, Portugal); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)

    Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Leicester City, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Isaac Success (Watford FC, England); Noah Joel Bazee (Hannover 96, Germany); Victor Osimhen (Wolfsburg FC, Germany)

  • Aiyegbeni may open goal account against Swindon

    Aiyegbeni may open goal account against Swindon

     

    Super Eagles ace Yakubu Aiyegbeni who recently pitched tent with League one Side Coventry, may open goal account against visiting Swindon Town on Saturday.

    The former Portsmouth and Everton forward has earned cumulative 49 minutes playing time with his new team coming in as substitute the 1-1 away draw against AFC Wimbledon where he saw 29 minutes action and 2-1 home defeat of Gillingham where he played for  20 minutes.

    Swindon Town who are equally in the relegation zone but two places above bottom placed Coventry will be guests at the Ricoh Arena and Coach Russell Slade and his boys have eyes set on earning crucial three points as they attempt to swim out of relegation waters.

      The embattled side have only managed to garner 25 points in 32 matches with coach Slade telling whoever cares to listen that the Yak was specifically engaged to score goals to enable them side escape relegation.

    Some Coventry fans are already predicting that the Nigerian international who scored 24 goals in 43 appearances for Chinese Super League Guangzhou R&F in the 2012/2013 season could open his goal account against Swindon.

  • Rohr reveals prayer point for Nigerian players

    Rohr reveals prayer point for Nigerian players

     

     

    Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr, has revealed a prayer point he has been saying on daily basis for Nigeria prayers at home and in the diaspora.

    At a stock taking session where he x-rayed the journey so far, the challenges ahead of the national team and the way forward, the former Gabon and Niger Sweat merchant said nothing can gladden his heart more than to see Nigerian players in action irrespective of what league they play.

    He opined that football is no longer an exclusive of a tribe or race but has become so dynamic that good football is now being played everywhere including some areas hitherto looked down upon.

    “What is important now is having good playing time, good football is being played virtually everywhere. They play good football in China and other leagues and my wish is for our players to be in action no matter the league they play in,” he said.

    The German who has continued to receive kudos in most quarters for having a smooth working relationship with his assistants, added that time when selection of players is based solely on popularity of the league in which they play are over. Using the just ended Nations Cup in Gabon as a yardstick, Rohr noted that some of the players who shone like a million stars were not known but rose to the occasion, an indication that a player can be active somewhere unknown but good enough to make the difference.

    Rohr who is billed to lead Eagles against Taranga Lions of Senegal in a shape up friendly billed for March 23 in London expressed optimism that the Eagles will be equal to the task when they face Bafana Bafanna in the 2019 Nations Cup Qualifiers and Cameroon in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers respectively.

    The former Étoile Sahel Manager added that his visit to league venues in not unconnected with a desire to monitor players both home and abroad with a view to providing opportunity for those who have what it takes to achieve set target.

    “I monitor players and take notes and I have able assistants who also know this players well so we are optimistic of good outings without underrating any team,” he submitted

  • International friendly: Burkina Faso will seek revenge

    International friendly: Burkina Faso will seek revenge

    An ex-international midfielder, Waidi Akanni, says the Stallions of Burkina Faso would do everything possible to defeat the Super Eagles in their upcoming international friendly match on March 27.

    The former hinted this on Friday in Lagos that the Stallions would want to avenge their 2013 South Africa AFCON finals loss to the Super Eagles.

    “The fact that we also played them at the last Nations Cup final also mean they will want to come and take revenge.

    “So by and large I think they will want to come and play us with their full team thinking you know; it’s time for them to get revenge back on Nigeria.

    “So, it’s going to be an interesting game.’’

    Akanni, who was a member of the Flying Eagles squad that won the bronze medal at the Moscow 1985 FIFA U20 World Cup, added that the match would be a good tune-up for the Eagles.

     

  • Bidvest Wits sets target for Uzoenyi in new contract

    Bidvest Wits sets target for Uzoenyi in new contract

    Come and add strength to our attacking force. That was the mandate given to Nigerian international and former Memelodi Sundown’s winger Ejike Uzoenyi by South African Premier Soccer League side Bidvest Wits after handing him a short contract to the end of the season.
    Uzoenyi, who parted ways with Sundown at the start of the year, have been without a contract since then and the Bidvest Wits deal will offer him an opportunity to rejuvenate his career in PSL.
    The 24-year-old becomes the Clever Boys’ second signing this year after the capture of Granwald Scott.
    The club announced Uzoenyi’s deal on its website Wednesday saying “We are pleased to welcome Chris Uzoenyi to the family. Good luck as you add strength to our attacking force.”
    The Super Eagles ace made minimal appearance for Sundown and will be hoping to enjoy better playing time at Bidvest.
    Wits‚ are three points off Absa Premiership leaders Cape Town City having played three games less. The Gavin Hunt tutored side are desperate to win the Professional Soccer league this season, the closest they came to winning was in 2002/2003 season when they finished third. They had a very poor run the 2004/2005 season finishing in the 16th position leading to relegation but bounced back to finish in the 13th position in the 2006/2007season.

  • Odemwingie still relishing time with Okocha, kanu.

    Odemwingie still relishing time with Okocha, kanu.

     

     

    It may have been over three years since Nigerian international Osaze Odemwingie last played for the Super Eagles, but the former Stoke and West Brom star is yet to shake off fond memories he had in the national team dressing room.

    The 35 year old who became a free agent after leaving Rotterdam last year, went nostalgic in a chat with Fantasy football, admitting that his entry into the senior national team interestingly came earlier than he expected, and was like a dream come true as it afforded him the opportunity to play alongside stars he had watched with admiration.

    “Things went really fast for me. I couldn’t believe what happened in the space of three months. “I just signed for Bendel Insurance, played three months, and had 10 goals in 11 games.

    “Then I had a call-up straight to the senior international team when I was expecting probably an Under-21 call-up,”

    “Then within three months I was with Jay Jay Okocha, Nwankwo Kanu and Taribo West in the same dressing room – players who I used to watch on the TV,” he enthused.

    Odemwingie who has been named among players being targeted by the Chinese Super League, revealed that he came close to playing for West Ham United in the past even as there are strong indications that a second chance will come in the summer transfer window.

    “My agent, Billy Jennings, a former player was a household name at West Ham.

    “He had connections at the club there and after a game against Scotland he said ‘you can train at West Ham?’

    “I said ‘of course, that’s fantastic’. It wasn’t a trial but he wanted to look at how I’d be in the set-up in England.

    “It was a physical league and I was just 21 and he wanted to see my quality.

    “I was with Paolo Di Canio, Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand – big names – so it was a dream come true to me.

    “It was really nice experience. That’s when I thought this is the place I want to play football – but it took eight years after that,” he recalled

  • Onazi challenges younger ones on hard work

    Onazi challenges younger ones on hard work

    Super Eagles and Trabzonspor of Turkey midfielder Ogenyi Onazi is not only interested in taking his career to the zenith but also interested in seeing up and coming ones grow into better individuals capable of achieving set goals.
    The 2012/2013 Copa Italia winner, went philosophical Wednesday in advising younger ones especially his fans that nothing good comes easy but can only be achieved through hard work and determination.
    Onazi who has made 18 appearances for Trabzonspor with two goals in the kitty since joining them August last year from Italian side Lazio, took to the social media to inform the younger ones that it is one thing to get inspiration but another to build on it.
    “You can find inspiration from others but determination is solely your responsibility,” he said
    The 2013 Nations Cup winner who has made over 38 appearances for the Super Eagles is under contract with the Turkish side till 2018.
    Follows of the former U-17 and U-20 ace are sometimes tickled by some of his posts which some say can really be inspiring.
    One of such tweets was his submission just few days to Christmas, adding “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them,”
    Onazi saw 66 minutes action as Trabzonspor demolished visiting Gaziantepspor 4-0 late last month. The club are 9th on the log with 27 points in 19 matches even as the coach Ersun Yanal tutored side put finishing touches to preparation ahead of their away clash against 6th placed Osmanlıspor on Saturday.

  • Russia 2018: Erico wants compact Eagles for Lions

    Russia 2018: Erico wants compact Eagles for Lions

     

     

    Former Super Eagles Goalkeeper Coach Joe Erico says Nigeria will need to prepare very well ahead of the World Cup qualifier against Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in August.

    Erico who hailed the lions fighting spirit as they came from behind to beat Egypt 2-1 for their 5th Nations Cup title in Gabon, opined that the team were determined to emerge champions and they did all they could to achieve their aim, despite the absence of most of their regulars.

    “I watched the final and I saw a team that was determined to win and they won, they refused to give up and the effort paid off, I congratulate them,” he said adding that their blend and form is an indication that they will not be cheap when the face Nigeria in the qualifiers.

    on the best approach to ensure that Eagles emerge victorious in the qualifiers and earn a ticket to Russia 2018, the former NEPA of Lagos ace canvassed for  quality friendlies to ensure that the Eagles blend enough just like the victorious Lions have blended to point of playing as a team with determination.

    “We have to work harder to be able to overcome them; we can achieve this by organising quality friendlies.  We should be able to play at least three quality games before August,” he submitted.

    Nigeria will host Cameroon August 27 just as Zambia and Algeria battle it out same day in Lusaka. The Eagles are at the moment in good standing after 2-1 and 3-1 defeat of Zambia and Algeria respectively in the first of two legged encounters.

  • W/Cup: Fans urge Super Eagles not to panic over Cameroon

    W/Cup: Fans urge Super Eagles not to panic over Cameroon

    Soccer fans in Ebonyi have urged the Super Eagles and its officials not to be scared over Cameroon’s victory at the just concluded 2017 AFCON.

    The Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on Sunday defeated the Pharaohs of Egypt 2-1 to record its fifth AFCON title, after triumphs in 1984, 1988, 2000 and 2002.

    The victory, however, seemed to pose a nightmare to soccer fans as the Eagles would confront the Lions in a doubleheader, for Russia 2018 qualifiers in August.

    Currently, Nigeria is leading Cameroon with four points.

    The fans, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Monday, urged relevant soccer stakeholders to redouble their efforts to ensure Nigeria qualify for the World Cup.

    Desmond Ome, Secretary, Ebonyi Football Association, urged the Sports Ministry and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to come out with a plan that would stop Cameroon.

    “It is a known fact that the Lions re-surged at 2017 AFCON and would be spurred by their triumph to confront the Super Eagles in August.

    “The victory will also make its established stars who shunned the tournament to itch for a comeback and make the team more formidable to confront Nigeria,” he said.

    Julius Ibekwe, defunct Might Jets of Jos player, advised the Eagles not to panic in spite Cameroon’s smothering form.

    “Nigeria found itself in Cameroon’s current shoes because of its failure to qualify for 2017 AFCON.

    “However, the Eagles put its house in order to record two wins in the world cup qualifiers.

    “Cameroon, contrastingly, recorded two draws during the world cup qualifiers, but became resurgent in Gabon, dusting big names such as Senegal, Ghana and Egypt to win the trophy,” he said.

    Glober Okoro, a soccer historian went down memory lane to offer a recipe for the Eagles to effectively cage the Lions in the August World Cup qualifiers.

    “Nigeria confronted Cote d’Ivoire who were the 1992 AFCON defending champions during the ‘USA’ 94 qualifiers in May and September 1993.

    “The Eagles carelessly lost 1-2 in the first meeting in Abidjan on May 2, 1993, but needed Presidential intervention to beat the Ivorians 4-1 in Lagos on Sept. 24, 1993.

    “It earned a 1-1 away draw in Algeria on October 8, 1993 to qualify for its first world cup,” he said.

    Chamberlain Alegu, a soccer buff, warned that Cameroon would deploy CAF politics to cancel the Eagles four- point advantage in the group.

    “The Lions with the assistance of Issa Hayatou, CAF President and stooge referees, would plan to frustrate the Eagles during the first leg in Uyo and use CAF influence to record a win at home, three days later.

    “Nigeria should use counter political measures to earn favourable results in both legs and preserve the comfortable point margin before confronting Zambia and Algeria afterwards,” he said.

    Miss Chika Onu, a student and soccer enthusiast, urged the NFF, Coach Gernot Rohr and the players to shun unnecessary media boasts and concentrate on the task ahead.

    “Much talk would unwittingly expose the team’s plans and tactics to Cameroon as it would be the gaffe of the century if the Eagles surrender the four-point gap to Cameroon,” she said.

  • Odemwingie not ruling out China move

    Odemwingie not ruling out China move

     

     

     

    Nigeria international Osaze Odemwingie is not ruling out the possibility of joining the league of Eagles in China.  The former Stoke City forward who turned down an option to renew short term contract with Championship side Rotherham United last month, revealed there had been offers from China in the past which he had ignored then because of the need to play top flight football in Europe and also stand a chance of playing in the National team.

    The Chinese Super League according to him is becoming strong as more experienced and even younger players are being signed on to beef it up , hinting that it wouldn’t be a bad idea to head towards that direction should a good offer come knocking at the doors.

    Odemingie whose superlative performance alongside former Super Eagles captain Jay Jay Okocha in the 4-0 demolition of Bafana Bafana in the Tunisia 2004 Nations Cup has not been lost on Nigerians, expressed optimism that he will get back to action on or before the next transfer window.

    “You don’t limit yourself, in the past I had offers from Qatar and China but had to ignore them because I needed to remain in top flight, but right now I have done virtually everything I need to do here and I have no problems traveling, interestingly I have a wife who also does not mind traveling and so we see how it goes in coming months and next transfer window,” said the former Lokomotiv Moscow ace who made 75 appearances for the Russian side scoring 21 goals in the bargain.

    Nigerian players who have joined the Chinese Super league in the last one year include Obafemi Martins who plays for Shanghai Shenhua, Anthony Ujah (Liaoning Whowin), John Obi Mikel  Tianjin Teda) and Odion Ighalo ( Changchun Yatai)