The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Thomas

  • Thomas Dennerby dreams AWCON title

    After accomplishing their first target of grabbing a ticket to the FIFA World Cup, Nigeria’s next target is to retain the Women AFCON title by beating South Africa in Accra on Saturday, says Head Coach Thomas Dennerby.

    He said at the post-match conference: “When we arrived in Ghana, we made it clear our first target was the ticket to the World Cup, and after that, retaining the trophy. Now, we have achieved our first target. On Saturday, we have the opportunity of achieving our second target. We will go in there and give it our best shot and take the trophy back to Nigeria.

    “Sincerely, I was not happy with our performance in the first 20 minutes of the match. We lost the ball too many times; we  were too anxious and the defenders and midfielders couldn’t contribute to the attack. However, the positive from this tournament is our defence is very good. We have a compact team and that is why we made it today. Going to the World Cup, we need to improve the way we attack. We need to create chances and make the best use of the opportunities that come our way.”

  • APC chieftain Thomas passes on

    The burial arrangements for Mr Omolayo Thomas, a chieftain of the All  Progressives Congress (APC) have been announced by the family.

    In a statement signed by the deceased’s younger brother, Dr Dapo Thomas, the funeral ceremonies commence with a service of songs on May 25 at his residence,  4B Fatiregun Street,  Apapa Road,  while the Christian wake-keep has been slated for May 26 at the same venue.

    The church service takes place on May 27 at the Foursquare Gospel Church,  Moss Street, Apapa Road, by 10am. The internment will be done at the Ikoyi Cemetery.

    Mr Omolayo Thomas died at his Apapa Road residence after a protracted illness.

    He is survived by two wives and several children.  Mr Thomas was an active member of the Dapo Sarumi-led “Primerose”.

  • Friendly goalkeeping rivalry: Thomas hails CHAN Eagles

    Friendly goalkeeping rivalry: Thomas hails CHAN Eagles

    Enyimba goalkeeper, Femi Thomas has said the three goalkeepers in the Eagles camp for CHAN 2016 are fighting hard to fly Nigeria’s flag high and proudly in Rwanda.

    Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars) and Okemutie Odah (Warri Wolves) are the other goalkeepers on the squad.

    Former Akwa United safest hands, Thomas said the shot stoppers are one big happy family and are working together to bring the best out of each other.

    “The three of us are here to serve the nation and to put smiles on the faces of Nigerians. We have been relating well, our being together is really bringing out the best out of us. We are working for a common goal like brothers and family,” said Thomas.

  • Enyimba’s Thomas wants more success on the road

    Enyimba’s Thomas wants more success on the road

    Goalkeeper Femi Thomas wants more success on the road after helping Enyimba earn a share of the spoils in Oghara against Bayelsa United on Saturday.

    The game may have ended 1-1 and Enyimba will believe they deserved more from the tie but Femi Thomas is the reason the six-time champions did not leave empty handed.

    His left-handed save in the 84th that kept out Eric Frimpong’s header was one of the many crucial saves the 26-year-old had made in the Matchday 23 fixture and it underscored his brilliance on the day.

    After the game, Thomas told EnyimbaFC.net he wants his club to continue picking points on the road.

    “This our match with Bayelsa United shows the league is getting tougher and away victories will be hard to get, but I just want the team to continue getting points anytime we play away,” he said.

    “If we keep picking up away points, whether from draws or victories, it will help us a lot by the end of the season, so I’m okay with our result against Bayelsa.

    “You can’t win every away match and no team is a small team, so we must accept this one point but be ready to get more from other matches. As long as we can win our home games, away points will ultimately help us win the league.

    “As a goalkeeper, I will continue to do my best to make sure we don’t concede many goals. I have very good defenders in front of me and it makes my job easier. It’s just for us as a team to keep our heads up and make sure we win as many games as possible,” Thomas said.

    Enyimba will host Kano

    Pillars on Wednesday in Aba.

  • Cup hero Thomas targets the double

    Cup hero Thomas targets the double

    Enyimba cup final hero goalkeeper, Femi Thomas has told MTNFootball.com his club are gunning for a league and cup double this season. The former Akwa United and Nigeria U20 shot stopper saved Warri Wolves skipper Azubuike Egwuekwe’s penalty to give his team a 5-4 penalty shootout win after scores at fulltime stood at 2-2.

     

    Congratulations on your cup victory

    Thank you very much.

    How does it feel being your team’s hero with that massive save during the penalty shootout?

    First, I don’t see myself as a hero, we played together and won as a team.

    I am so excited. This has never happened in my career before, I give God the glory.

    This is the first time I am winning this title and making the penalty save in the final.

    How would you describe the game generally?

    As far as I am concerned, it was a good match, very interesting and explosive. It really lived up to the billing.

    What was going through your mind when Wolves took the lead twice during the game?

    I just kept believing in God that we will get the goals and I have so much confidence in our players to deliver, the never-say-die attitude I saw in them made me to continue to believe we will get it right.

    I know God was on our side because we committed the game to him to take charge as we kept doing our part.

    What would you say won the game for you?

    Self belief and determination to achieve.

    Who are you dedicating your cup winners’ medal to?

    It is for my wife. She has been there for me always. She always encouraged and prayed for me, so she deserves it.

    Did you undergo any special penalty training before the match?

    Not really, but we practiced penalty kicks normally since it was a cup final and it could get to that.

    What are you expecting from the Abia State Government as reward for a third Federation Cup triumph?

    There have been no promises yet, but our chairman told us before the final that the Governor promised to change our lives for better if we won the trophy, so we are waiting to see him do that.

    After the Federation Cup triumph, what next?

    Immediately the final whistle was blown, my attention shifted fully to the league. My attention and that of the team is now on the league match against Wikki Tourist. We can make it the double this season.