The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Super Eagles

  • Eagles didn’t agree N1million bonus – Siasia

    Eagles didn’t agree N1million bonus – Siasia

    Former Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, has denied there was an agreement between the players and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to peg the bonus for the team home win during qualifiers for major tournaments at N1million.

    The NFF spokesman, Ademola Olajire and the Super Eagles coordinator, Dayo Enebi, have both claimed that officials as well as captain and vice-captain of the national team were at a meeting held in March in Kaduna where the decision to peg the players’ bonus at N1million was taken.

    But Siasia has now rubbished such claim.

    “I don’t know anything about one million (Naira),” Siasia told africanFootball.com on Thursday.

    “The agreement was that they will pay the equivalent of dollars at the bank rate, official rate. I don’t know about anything else.”

     

  • Ighalo laments AFCON miss

    Ighalo laments AFCON miss

    Watford forward, Odion Ighalo, has admitted that he is unhappy that Nigeria will not be participating at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon.

    Seven-time champions, Egypt, secured the AFCON ticket from Group G that also paraded Tanzania and Chad, Goal reports.

    The ex- Granada striker said the reality of Super Eagles failure will finally hit home when the championship begins on January 14.

    “I felt bad – not just me but Nigerians as a whole are not happy,” Goal quoted Ighalo as saying to BBC Sport.

    “Seeing teams playing in the Nations Cup and you see yourself at home. You know you’re not going to the Nations Cup and that’s when I am going to feel bad.”

    “You know you don’t have to dwell on that. We don’t have to kill ourselves about that.

    “We have to work towards the next one and keep pushing. Hopefully we will qualify.”

     

  • FIFA rankings – Super Eagles maintain position in Africa’s top 10

    According to the latest ranking released by World football governing body FIFA, the Super Eagles of Nigeria are now 51st in the world and number eight football playing nation in Africa.
    In the ranking released on Thursday, Nigeria dropped out of the top 50 position, as they are now 51st as opposed to last month where they were 50th.
    Their World Cup qualifiers rival Cameroon and Zambia are behind the Eagles as they are placed 65th and 88th respectively but Algeria are still ahead of the Eagles in the latest rankings.
    However, they are still in the top 10 in Africa where they are now 8th, behind Senegal, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Congo Dr and Burkina Faso, but are ahead of Ghana and Morocco who are 9th and 10th respectively.
    Globally, Argentina are still the number one while, respectively Brazil, Germany, Chile and Belgium make up the top five in the ranking for November.

  • FG pays protesting Falcons, Super Eagles bonuses

    FG pays protesting Falcons, Super Eagles bonuses

    The Federal Government has released more than a million dollars to cover outstanding entitlements for the country’s football teams including the women’s team whose members protested at the National Assembly on Wednesday.

    According to an official statement, the office of the Accountant General of the Federation has released $1,173,820.00 to pay outstanding win bonus for the Super Eagles in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers and for the Super Falcons participation at the 10th Women’s Africa Nations Cup in Cameroon.

    The female players carried placards with various inscriptions demanding they be paid their entitlements and have vowed not to release the trophy they won in Cameroon until they are paid.

    The ladies are holed up at their Abuja hotel since they returned to Nigeria from Cameroon in protest over the non-payment of their entitlements despite reassurances from top officials including the country’s Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung.

    Super Eagles, africanFootball.com reports will also be paid a win bonus of $5,000-a-player for the victories against Zambia and Algeria in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

    Nigeria leads the qualifying group for Russia 2018 on six points from two matches.

    Cameroon lies second with two points, while both Zambia and Algeria have a point each.

  • No time to waste for Alex Iwobi

    No time to waste for Alex Iwobi

  • Nwosu, Okoku, Disu, Sadi, Fuludu Spread Spread Message Of Hope To Abuja IDPs

    Ex-international, Paul Okoku’s Greater Tomorrow Children’s Fund took message of hope to some Internally Displaced Person’s Camp in Abuja to inspire the IDPs on a better future. The train included ex football internationals who served as icon of hopes and source of inspiration to the campers in Karamajiji and Kuchigoro; suburbs of Abuja.

    Free medical services, football competitions and donation of food stuffs were high points of the visit, and Paul Okoku, the founder of the foundation said he had to bring his colleagues of the Eagles’ class of 1983 (Yisa Sofoluwe, Baba Otu Mohammed, Tajudeen Disu and Dahiru Sadi) with Henry Nwosu and Edema Fuludu to visit and inspire the IDPs because they felt the need to give back to the society that helped them. “I have been involved in humanitarian services in the United States, why not in Nigeria? From what l have seen of their living condition it is pathetic. This is not how human beings should live and our leaders can do better to improve their living conditions and give them hope for better future.”

    For Henry Nwosu (MON), the message of hope was important because even though they live under pathetic conditions, they showed great enthusiasm to live and have a good life someday.”I had to let them know that there is hope for them. Who will believe that l could become a star after what l saw during and after the civil war. I went through this kind of experience as a kid after the civil war and I want to let them know that life is not always rosy. After all that I went through l still became a star. They must not give up hope.”

    Yisa Sofoluwe said Paul Okoku gave them rare opportunity to be part of messengers of hope in a seemingly hopeless situation for the IDPs. “I am happy to be part of this train because who knows one of these children may grow up from these camps to. E one either a governor or president someday. We have to inspire them and give them hope.”
    Edema Fuludu was shocked to realize that there were IDPs in Abuja. “Sometimes perception is a function of awareness. I am happy to be part of this because most of us from the south are not in the picture of is happening up north. Now l have seen courtesy of this visit. As a former star I am ready to give back and build the children psychologically and give them hope and desire to live . But we need to advice our government to do more and allow other NGOs to come in and help these children to become future leaders. It is possible that in another 20 years future leaders can come from these displaced children. So, they need psychological boost, help, inspiration and hope.”

  • KAITA: I can still do business for Super Eagles

    KAITA: I can still do business for Super Eagles

    Some six years after he saw red against Greece at the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010, Sani Kaita has offered to play for his beloved Super Eagles again. “Oh! I’m not too old to still play for the Super Eagles,” Kaita now plying his trade in Finland told MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN days after the national team’s heart-warming 3-1 win against Algeria in the 2018 World Cup qualifier in Uyo last month.

    A hardworking combative midfielder, Kaita was a member of the Flying Eagles – complete with current Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi – that nearly won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands in 2005 and played like a Trojan for the Super Eagles in the run up to the first FIFA World Cup on the continent in 2010 but best remembered for the acrimonious manner he was sent off against Greece following a needless tackle on Vasilis Torosidis.

    “Playing at the World Cup (in South Africa) was my best moment playing football though the drama spoilt the fun,” noted Kaita who is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most-travelled players after playing for 14 clubs in nine different countries under 12 years. “I’m always proud playing for Nigeria, and if I can have the chance, why not? I had done a lot of good job before, so why not?

    “I’m so happy about the Super Eagles’ performance against Algeria. It was a fantastic game; the guys did all Nigerians proud. I congratulate them for the amazing job. The guys can do wonders and I really congratulate every Nigerian for the great victory (against Algeria).

    “I agree with you that the coach (Gernot Rohr) is good and what makes a good coach is having an understanding the game itself and giving the players confidence.

    “The Super Eagles is such a tough job because the team needs to play good football and getting results at the same time. I think the coaching crew are doing an amazing work too. They should just focus on the Cameroon game now and I’m sure they are getting details about Cameroon team now,” he added.

    Kaita, who had his 30th anniversary in May, believes he’s still smart enough to fit into the scheme of things under Super Eagles’ Franco-German Gernot Rohr, saying he’s still very much in shape to contribute meaningfully to the Super Eagles.

    “I have always been like this,” he purred over his sharp-looking physique. “In fact, I’m fit and let me tell you an interesting story.

    “When I was with Enyimba (in 2014), we went to Port Harcourt to play against Sharks FC and some of the fans who wanted to have a closer look at me came in front of our dressing room but one of them eventually recognised me and they started shouting ‘he’s a young guy and he’s not old.’

    “I just burst into laughter and was telling myself ‘so these guys actually think I’m old?’  I actually started playing football very early in my life and I’m happy about who I am. I’m just a hard-working guy and it (hard work) will always pay up.

    “Of course, I know my qualities very well and I don’t need to mention them now, but every football fans should know it,” he reasoned.

    Kaita has indeed had a storied career from his days with native Nigeria Premier Football League side, Kano Pillars, from where he was snapped up by Dutch side, Sparta Rotterdam, where he featured between 2005 and 2008. He had a brief stint with French top side, AS Monaco, on his way to the Eastern European countries where he played on loan for FC Kuban Krasnodar and Lokomotiv Moscow through 2009. Ukrainian Premier League side, Alania Vladikavkaz, signed the midfielder on loan in 2010 and he equally featured for FC Metalist Kharkiv between 2010 and 2011. On the last day of the 2011 winter transfer window, Kaita moved to Greek Super league side, Iraklis, on a six-month loan. In April 2014, Kaita was back in Nigeria training with Enyimba FC. He made his debut against Sharks F.C. on May 7 and spent a three-month loan with the Aba side. The loan was part of the League Management Company’s elite initiative for foreign based professionals. He signed for Ifeanyi Ubah in the Nigeria premier league for the season 2015 but played only a few matches for the team. In 2016, he joined a Finnish club, JS Hercules, which is coached by his former national team coach Daniel Amokachi.

    “I don’t know now (how long I will keep on playing) but I just want to keep enjoying my playing career,” he admitted. “Yes, I have much experience playing in several countries but it is at Russian club, Kuban Krasnodar, that I have enjoyed most

    “My first season in Finland was also a good experience and I’m now looking forward to the next season with my new team Rops (Rovaniemen Palloseura) FC which is a bigger club in Finland.

    “Finland’s weather is similar to that of Russia, so I don’t have problem with the weather,” remarked Kaita who revealed his other passion aside playing football is table tennis.

    That Kaita has passion for the Super Eagles was even there to see in an earlier interview with The Nation, where he postulated that the national team can go all the way if both the administrators and players do the needful in the race to seal a ticket to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    “There are no easy games these days in Africa,” Kaita said of the Super Eagles’ World Cup group that includes Cameroun, Zambia and Algeria.  “I think it is a tough group but we can cope with the talents we have in the team and as long as they work as a team (it would be okay).

    “We should build a team that can challenge not only in Africa but the world. But we cannot do that with changing coaches and player; let us just be focussed on qualifying but not talking about the coaches. What’s important is reaching the World Cup and we should pray and support the team.

    “Of course, playing on the continent is a lot of challenge because every country wants to beat Nigeria. We have Zambia, Cameron and Algeria to battle and none of them is an easy opponent, but we can cope with the challenges to qualify for the World Cup,” he maintained.

  • EUROPA LEAGUE: Ogu, Nwakaeme savour comeback win over Inter

    EUROPA LEAGUE: Ogu, Nwakaeme savour comeback win over Inter

    Nigerian duo of John Ogu and Anthony Nwakaeme have expressed excitement after helping Hapoel Beer Sheva to fight back from two goals down to beat Italian giants, Inter Milan 3-2 in the UEFA Europa League clash at the Turner Stadium on Thursday.
    Ogu and his compatriot featured for the entire duration of the game with Nwakaeme getting his first Europa League goal for the Israeli champions.
    Goals from Mauro Icardi and Marcelo Brozovic gave the Italian giants a 2-0 lead in the first half, but Hapoel pulled one back just after the restart through Lucio Maranhao.
    Nwakaeme then leveled up from the spot in the 71 minute before Ben Sahar struck deep into stoppage time to further confirm Inter’s exit and leave Hapoel needing just a score draw in their final game at Premier League club Southampton on December 8 to progress.
    While hailing his teammates for the remarkable performance, Ogu said the focus is not on Sunday’s game against Kfar Saba.
    “Thank you Great God for the victory against Inter Milan. Great come back and fight from everyone. Our fans never gave up on us .We appreciate your support .Focus now is on Sunday against Kfar Saba,” the Super Eagles midfielder said via his Instagram page @ogu30.
    Nwakaeme is however glad to score his first Europa League goal for The Camels, while hailing the fans for standing by the team.
    “Scored my first Europa League goal last night against Inter Milan. What a comeback from 0-2 to 3-2 many thanks to the fans for not giving up on us. In Turner Impossible Is Nothing #EuropaLeague #GodIsTheGreatest #TN9 #AGuy,” Nwakaeme posted.

  • Nigeria now 50th in FIFA ranking

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles has moved 10 places up in the November FIFA World ranking to 50th.

    In the rankings on the website of the world football governing body on Thursday, Nigeria is now placed joint 50th with Burkina Faso and Slovenia.

    Nigeria garnered 616 points for the month of November after defeating Algeria 3-1 in the 2018 World Cup qualifier earlier in the month.

    With this movement, Nigeria is now joint 7th with Burkina Faso at the continental level behind Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria and Congo DR.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there have been many movements in the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings.

    Thanks to the 63 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification matches so far played and also to 71 other qualifiers and international friendly matches that took place over the past few weeks.

    On the global scene, Argentina remains top for November, but has seen their command on the summit weakened by close rivals, Brazil (2 up 1).

    The December ranking will be the final ranking for 2016 and will be published on Dec. 22.

    It will reveal the winners for the “Team of the Year Award’’, given to the team in first place by year’s end.

    “Mover of the Year’’ is awarded to the team that has won the most points over the course of the year.

  • Arsenal 2-2 PSG: Iwobi scores own goal in Gunners draw

    Arsenal 2-2 PSG: Iwobi scores own goal in Gunners draw

    Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi scored an own goal as Arsenal dropped down to second place in Group A after being held to a 2-2 draw by Paris Saint-Germain.

    A win for Arsene Wenger’s side would have ensured that they would take their place among the seeds when the draw for the knockout stages is made next month but a late own goal from Alex Iwobi left the Premier League side facing the prospect of finishing as runners-up.

    During the second half against Manchester United on Saturday afternoon, Arsenal scored with their only shot on goal and history repeated itself during the opening 45 minutes on Wednesday night.

    After Blaise Matuidi had been set free down the left-hand side of the penalty area, he crossed for Edinson Cavani who slid in at the back post to tap home from three yards.

    It was a goal which should have led to a response from the home team but they toiled against the French champions and it was PSG’s own doing that they did not reach half time with a one-goal advantage.

    After Gregorz Krychowiak had brought down Alexis Sanchez in the penalty area, Olivier Giroud stepped up to fire his spot kick into the corner to undeservedly get his team back on level terms.

    The same pattern of play continued after the restart before PSG came agonisingly close to retaking the lead when Lucas Moura’s 25-yard free kick hit the crossbar with Ospina beaten.

    For the following 15 minutes, the Gunners did an effective job in stifling the visitors but as the game entered the closing stages, PSG found an equaliser when Moura’s header was deflected into his own net by Iwobi.

    However, as Arsenal tired during the closing stages, it mattered little as PSG comfortably held on to leave their fate in their own hands when they face Ludogorets in Paris in two weeks’ time.