The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Swaziland

  • Ex-Super Eagles goalkeeper Ikeme quits football

    Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper Carl Ikeme has announced his retirement from football after a year-long battle with acute leukaemia, the English Premier League club said on Friday.

    The 32-year-old who was Super Eagles’ number one goalkeeper has been with Wolves for his entire career, making over 200 appearances for the club.

    Ikeme said his decision to retire comes on medical advice after “a tough year and intense chemotherapy’’.

    “I spoke with the doctor and he suggested I should retire, because of the toll the treatment has taken on my body,” Ikeme told the club website.

    “He thinks it’s what is best for me and I can’t really risk trying to come back. My health is the priority.

    “I want to be here for my children, family and friends. In the grand scheme of things with my life in danger, it’s the minimum price I have to pay to spend the rest of my time with my family.”

    Ikeme was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in July 2017 but entered into complete remission only last month.

    Last month, he had announced on his twitter handle: “After a tough year and intense chemotherapy treatment I would like to let everyone know I am in complete remission.

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    “I still have hurdles to get over to be cured but I can hopefully now move forward with some normality.’’

    Ikeme was in goal for Nigeria’s first three matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying series.

    These were the home and away ties against Swaziland in the preliminary stage, and away to Zambia in the opener to the group phase campaign before being diagnosed of acute leukaemia.

    His first cap was in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away to Tanzania in Dar es Salaam in September 2015.

  • UNAIDS lauds Swaziland on achieving 73% HIV viral load suppression

    UNAIDS lauds Swaziland on achieving 73% HIV viral load suppression

    The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) has congratulated the Kingdom of Swaziland on achieving over 73 per cent viral load suppression among adults living with HIV and a major reduction in HIV incidence between 2011 and 2016.

    The UN HIV/AIDS agency said in a statement that new study showed the viral load suppression, congratulating U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) for its unwavering commitment to the global AIDS response.

    “UNAIDS congratulates the Kingdom of Swaziland on the findings of the Swaziland HIV Incidence Measurement Survey (SHIMS 2) announced by Prime Minister Barnabas Sibusiso Dlamini today in Mbabane, Swaziland that 73 per cent of the adult population aged 15 years and older are virally suppressed.”

    UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé said “this figure is made up of 76 per cent of adult women and 68 per cent of adult men.

    “The survey, part of the Public Health Impact Assessments (PHIA), was conducted with funding from United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

    “Swaziland has demonstrated to the world that shared responsibility and global solidarity produces results.

    “Working together with PEPFAR and partners, Swaziland is saving lives and on track to control the epidemic.”

    SHIMS 2 findings on viral load suppression among adults of 15 years and older of 73 per cent affirms UNAIDS estimates of 68 per cent.

    Compared to the 2011 SHIMS1 survey which had a similar design, the survey results suggest that the rate of new HIV infections among adults (ages 18 to 49 years) has decreased by half from 2.5 per cent in 2011 to 1.4 per cent in 2016 (2.0 per cent for adult women and 0.9 per cent for adult men).

    This is similar to the decline in incidence among adult ages 15 to 49 as published by UNAIDS, from 2.5 per cent in 2011 to 1.7 per cent in 2016, it said.

    In 2016, UNAIDS estimated that 220,000 people were living with HIV in Swaziland, and that new HIV infections were reduced from 12,000 in 2011 to 8,800 in 2016.

    Prevention of mother to child coverage in Swaziland has been between 90 and 100 per cent since 2011 and was estimated to be 95 per cent (81 per cent to less than 95 per cent) in 2016.

    As a result, fewer than 1,000 children became infected with HIV in Swaziland in 2016, the UNAIDS chief said.

    “UNAIDS welcomes the Swaziland PHIA results as further affirmation of the validity and accuracy of our modelling estimates,” Sidibé said.

    In addition to the Swaziland survey, similar data from Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe were gathered through critical household surveys, in collaboration with local governmental and non-governmental partners in 2016.

    PEPFAR works with more than 50 countries, to maintain access to life-saving treatment, provide services for orphans and vulnerable children, ensure that the most vulnerable and key populations have access to services to prevent and treat HIV and accelerate progress toward the end of the AIDS epidemic.

  • WCQ: Nigeria beat Swaziland 2-0

    WCQ: Nigeria beat Swaziland 2-0

    Nigeria on Tuesday qualified for the final round of the 2018 World Cup  qualifier, African Zone, after defeating Swaziland 2-0 at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Two second half goals by Moses Simon (51st minute) and Efe Ambrose (87th minute) secured victory for Nigeria.

  • Four key Swaziland players out

    Four key Swaziland players out

    Swaziland national team captain, Tony Tsabedze, was among the 28-man delegation that travelled to Nigeria on Saturday for the World Cup qualifying fixture against the Super Eagles in Port Harcourt.

    At the Somhlolo National Stadium on Friday, the midfielder picked up his second yellow card of the qualifying series in the 22nd minute, meaning he is not eligible to face the African powerhouse on Tuesday.

    Felix Badernhost (Mbabane Swallows) and Mcolisi Lukhele (Moneni Pirates) did not travel with the squad to Port Harcourt as they are both nursing injuries, while  Xolani Sibandze has stayed back in Swaziland due to academic commitments.

    Tsabedze, Badernhost and Lukhele were named in the starting line – up in the first leg clash against Nigeria, while Sibandze was introduced in the 80th minute.

  • NIGERIA VS SWAZILAND: FIFA rejects shift to Abuja stadium

    NIGERIA VS SWAZILAND: FIFA rejects shift to Abuja stadium

    •Insists on Port Harcourt for World Cup game
    •Cites failure to meet 10 days mandatory notice for change

    World football governing body FIFA have turned down a request by Nigeria for Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier against Swaziland to be moved from Port Harcourt to Abuja.

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), it was  learnt, demanded the match be moved to Abuja for “logistical reasons”, but FIFA said the application was not received within the mandatory 10 days allowed for such a request.

    “The request failed because it was done within the 10-day window allowed for such a request,” an official disclosed.

    The southern Nigerian oil city of Port Harcourt has hosted Nigeria’s home games this year thanks to the generosity of Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, but his election has now been nullified by a tribunal which has ordered for a new election.

    Minnows Swaziland held star-studded Nigeria to a goalless draw in the first leg of the 2018 World Cup qualifier in Lobambo and the return clash is slated for Tuesday afternoon in Port Harcourt.

    The overall winners of this match-up will advance to the group stage of the qualifying series for Russia 2018.

  • Fall out of Swaziland, Nigeria tie – Oliseh, doctor blast Rabiu Ibrahim

    Fall out of Swaziland, Nigeria tie – Oliseh, doctor blast Rabiu Ibrahim

    •AS Trencín star blames injury for poor game

    Super Eagles’ Head coach,Sunday Oliseh got angry with AS Trencin midfielder,Rabiu Ibrahim after last Friday’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Swaziland,SportingLife can reveal authoritatively.

    The ex-Eaglets’ star came in for Sylvester Igbonu at the start of the second half only to be replaced again by Oliseh in the 65th minute in a manner  that Oliseh substituted Ibrahim because he was deemed not to be playing according to instruction and the coach felt leaving him to continue the match was too risky considering that the Eagles were under severe pressure from the rampaging Swazis.

    After the game,it was gathered that when Oliseh enquired from the player why he played so woefully in the dressing room, the Slovakia based player responded by saying he was nursing an injury he sustained while playing for his club in Europe.

    “Oliseh was very angry with Ibrahim’s excuse because the player has been training with the national team since  lastTuesday and neither complained nor showed any sign of injury.

    “I think the coach just wanted the player to admit he performed below expectation and show remorse by apologising to his teammates and the coaches for letting them down in such a crucial stage in the game.”

    The team doctor and the physiotherapist were also livid at the excuse given by the diminutive midfielder because they felt the player was being economical with the truth.

    “Ibrahim did not reckon that what he said amounted to a huge indictment on the medics of the team who felt that there was no iota of truth in his explanation.

    “The medical crew argued that how can a player undergo rigorous training for almost a week without complaining of any pain, only to turn around to blame a mysterious injury for his poor outing against Swaziland,”the source disclosed.

  • Eagles disappointing in Swaziland, says Akwuegbu

    Eagles disappointing in Swaziland, says Akwuegbu

    Former Super Eagles striker Benedict Akwuegbu has described as “disappointing” a barren draw recorded by Nigeria in the first leg 2018 World Cup qualifier in Swaziland on Friday night.

    However, the FK Gratkon of Austria manager has urged Nigerians to be patient with Sunday Oliseh’s new team.

    Nigeria complete with their Europe-based stars including Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi and Watford striker Odion Ighalo were shut out by a team of players who all play their football locally in Swaziland and are ranked 130th in the world.

    “To be frank it was a disappointing result considering the calibre of players both countries paraded and their ratings as far as football is concerned,” said Akwuegbu, who featured at the 2002 World Cup.

    “But we should be calm and take it easy with the team as we know the Eagles are undergoing a rebuilding process.

    “They will get to the promised land and be the Eagles we all want.

    “And I am sure they will finish them off in the return leg in Nigeria.”

    The return leg match will be played on Tuesday in Port Harcourt with the overall winners advancing to the league phase of the World Cup qualifying tournament in Africa.

  • Eagles resume training for Swaziland

    Eagles resume training for Swaziland

    The Super Eagles held a recovery session on Saturday evening in Port Harcourt after arriving the city from Swaziland, where they took on the Sihlangu Semnikati in a World cup qualifier.

    Under the guidance of coach Sunday Oliseh, the players jogged around the pitch in a bid to shake off the fatigue from Friday night’s encounter.

    At this stage, the major injury concern ahead of the fixture against the Southern Africans is the fitness of AS Trencin’s Rabiu Ibrahim, who had to make way for Kelechi Iheanacho 20 minutes after he came on for Sylvester Igboun in the second half on Friday.

    Since 1993, the Super Eagles have always qualified for the final round of qualifiers in the African zone, but were narrowly beaten to the ticket for the 2006 edition of the World Cup by Angola, who had a better head to head record.

  • Soccer fans urge Nigerians to appreciate Eagles draw against Swaziland

    Soccer fans urge Nigerians to appreciate Eagles draw against Swaziland

    Football fans in Abakaliki have urged Nigerians to appreciate the Super Eagles 0-0 draw against Swaziland in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier played on Friday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the match was played in Lobamba, Swaziland, and the return leg would be played in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    In separate interviews with NAN on Saturday, the fans urged Nigerians to understand the challenges that confronted the team.

    Sam Mgbada, immediate past Ebonyi Commissioner for Youths and Sports, noted that though the Eagles failed to meet the fans expectations, the draw was not a bad outcome.’.

    “It was better to get the draw than losing, as there are no longer push-overs in football and other sports, especially in Africa.

    “Un-fancied Comoros forced highly rated Ghana to a scoreless draw, South Africa beat Angola away from home, are some of the ‘shocking’ results recorded during the qualifiers,” he said.

    Emmanuel Aleke, former member of Ebonyi House of Assembly and a soccer enthusiast, said that the Eagles played under some unfavourable conditions in Lobamba.

    “The condition of the stadium’s pitch was appalling as most of the Eagles players play in Europe under excellent pitch conditions.,” he said.

    Chidi Odimke, former Nitel Vasco Dagama FC of Enugu player, called on Coach Sunday Oliseh to make some changes in the qualifier’s return leg in Port Harcourt.

    “Obafemi Martins and Kelechi Iheanacho should spear-head the attack instead of Sylvester Igboun and Odion Ighalo, as Iheanacho can provide the needed creativity lacking in the team.

    “Oliseh should also field a mobile, home-based right full back, to replace the immobile Shehu Abdullalhi ; the the team should train for longer periods for necessary blending,” he said.

    Dr Benson Eke, an Optician, urged fans to understand the team’s predicament of inadequate training periods before matche.

    “These players reported to camp from their various bases in Europe and played the match without adequate training to achieve the needed cohesion,” he observed.

    Miss Nneka Mmegwa, a student and soccer enthusiast, urged the Eagles not to be complacent in the return leg and avoid being anxious to score.

    “The players should approach the match with all seriousness and avoid playing under pressure, to save the country the embarrassment of elimination as was the case in the past,” she said.

  • Only the best will face Swaziland – Oliseh

    Only the best will face Swaziland – Oliseh

    Sunday Oliseh will not be swayed by past reputations as he looks to inspire the Super Eagles to a win in today’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Swaziland’s Sihlangi Semnikati.

    Swaziland will be looking to inflict a first competitive defeat on Oliseh at the Somhlolo National Stadium, Lobamba.

    The Nigeria national team head coach insists only “the best will play” against Swaziland.

    “It doesn’t matter to me if you have been playing ten years before or you have not been playing…it doesn’t matter.”

    Oliseh will be expecting more ‘head shakes’ against The Swazi’s – both away and at home

    “The best will play. It also does not matter if you are scoring 50 goals, 30 or 20 goals at (your club).

    “What is important is how you adapt to our style of play which will enable your teammates to play well with you.

    “We are not going to have one star player and everyone will be playing for him.

    “We will have 11 or 14 stars as the case maybe,” he said.