The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Uzoenyi

  • Egwuekwe, Uzoenyi pray for Mali’s defeat

    Egwuekwe, Uzoenyi pray for Mali’s defeat

    • Want team-mates to be focused

    Azubuike Egwuekwe and Ejike Uzoenyi have admonished their team-mates not to be carried away when they step out against the Eagles of Mali today at the Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town in the first day of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) hosted by South Africa.

    Nigeria’s Eagles are making their maiden appearance in the CHAN competition meant for players who are playing in their respective nations.

    But Egwuekwe who is also the captain of Warri Wolves implored his colleagues to be 100 percent focused from start to finish since they do not know much about the Malians and their other two first round foes.

    He pointed out that it would be nice for Nigeria to commence the competition with a win and even grab victory in their first two matches before the decider with the hosts on January 19.

    “We know we have a serious battle on our hands and we are up to the task. We must not display pride or arrogance that we would beat our first round opponents when we do not know about them. We must come all out to secure a win against Mali and the second one against Mozambique before we can start talking about a berth in the next round. We must fully concentrate on the task ahead if we want to make impact,” Egwuekwe advised.

    Enugu Rangers’ striker, Ejike Uzoenyi also charged his colleagues in the Eagles to sustain the tempo right from the start as the battle can only be won by those that endured till the end.

  • Rangers place 150,000 Euros price tag on Uzoenyi

    Rangers place 150,000 Euros price tag on Uzoenyi

    Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Enugu Rangers have placed a bounty of 150, 000 euros on the head of Nigeria international Ejike Uzoenyi.

    Having spent half of the 2012 – 2013 campaign on loan at Rennes, Uzoenyi was not offered a permanent contract when the agreement between the French Ligue 1 side and their Nigerian counterparts expired.

    His curriculum vitae has been bandied around by agents. So far, no luck in getting him a new team.

    The winger does not fit the profile that most European teams are in the market for.

    Plus he has not been invited to the national team since the African Cup of Nations, where he made an appearance in the semi – final against Mali.

  • Apam, Uzoenyi get new coach in France

    Apam, Uzoenyi get new coach in France

    French Ligue 1 side Rennes has named Philippe Montanier as new manager for the team following the resignation of Frederic Antonetti, Futaa.com reports.

    Antonetti, who replaced Guy Lacombe in 2009 and guided the club to a 9th placed finish in his first full season in charge announced his intention to leave the club at the end of the season after four years of service.

    Rennes in a statement on its official website confirmed that Montanier will join up with the squad for pre-season training on July 1.

    Super Eagles duo of Onyekachi Apam and Ejike Uzoenyi play for the Brittany side.

     

  • Rennes confirm Uzoenyi’s arrival

    Rennes confirm Uzoenyi’s arrival

    French Ligue 1 campaigners, Stade Rennes through a statement on the official website has announced the arrival of Nigeria international Ejike Uzoenyi.

    The former Enugu Rangers captain and a member of the Super Eagles squad at the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa, joined Rennes on a six-month loan deal, with an option to purchase inserted into the contract.

    ”I am very happy to be here and I hope to do well,” Uzoenyi told staderennais.com.

    Courted by several Ligue 1 clubs including Marseille, the exciting winger opted for the Brittany based outfit.

    He links up with another Nigeria international and another Enugu Rangers export, Onyekachi Apam.

    ”Having Apam, this is an opportunity. I knew him before. He is a big player in Nigeria and this will facilitate my adaptation. ‘Stade Rennais club is very well structured. I feel I can grow here. I would first like to show what I can do and then why not win a trophy!”

  • BATTLE OF CALABAR: Keshi Picks Agbim, Egwueke, Uzoenyi

    BATTLE OF CALABAR: Keshi Picks Agbim, Egwueke, Uzoenyi

    •Four others home-based too for Liberia

    •15 dropped

    •FC Abuja hold Eagles to 1-1 draw

    SUPER EAGLES boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, has kept to his promise of naming his home-based professionals that will join their foreign counterpart for the weekend’s Nations Cup final round qualifier against the Lone Star of Liberia in Calabar.

    The list was announced to the players at lunch time after they were again held to a 1-1 draw in a second tune game against Pro League side FC Abuja, in a match played at the Practice Pitch of the Abuja National Stadium.

    The lucky seven are: skipper, Chigozie Agbim of Warri Wolves and his teammate, gangling Azubuike Egwueke, Sunshine Stars skipper, Godfrey Oboabona, also made the cut, same for Enyimba’s Henry Uche, Benjamin Francis of Heartland , hardworking Kano Pillars central defender, Umar Zango and dare-devil Rangers winger Ejike Uzoenyi.

    It leaves 15 home-based players stranded and they have since left camp, but Keshi made them a firm promise even as he questioned their fitness as a result of the break of the Nigeria Premier League. He said: “keep yourself busy and fit football wise because we have a friendly soon and we have other qualifiers that you will again be called upon to come and fight for a shirts.”

    Before the announcement, the players showed some lethargy when they took on a more forceful FC Abuja, Saturday morning in a game that spoils were evenly shared, which led the technical crew to order for training after the game to jerk up the players’ fitness level.

    After near misses by Saviour Fidelis-header, Sanni Sanusi-over the bar and Philip Asuquo’s miskick- Tony Okpotu finally rose to the occassion when he nodded home a well taken angular from Asuquo in the 37th minute of the game. FC Abuja responded through Awolo Shuaibu and midfield anchor, Peter Adah, but the half ended 1-0, in favour of the Eagles.

    The Eagles continued their wastefulness in front of goal when centre referee Aniete Okoh, restarted the game with Ejike Uzoenyi, Brendon Ogbu and Sunday Mba, the fresh culprits. It was no surprise when rampaging Awolo of the Abuja side connected an Adah cross with his head to even scores in the 80th minute. The scoreline stood like that till the referee’s final whistle.

    Keshi said he was not surprised at his side’s display, as most of them were called back from holidays but advised them as professional footballers they must never play with their level of fitness. The team will depart for Calabar, venue of the match on Monday.

    Dropped Players are: Akpeyi Daniel-Heartland,Stanley Okoronkwo-Sharks, Kalu Orji-Heartlan, Edzekiel Bassey-Lobi Stars, Kingsley Udo-Heartland, Mba Sunday-Warri Wolves, Christian Ofili-ABS, Kwara, Jabason Solomon-Akwa United, Sanusi Sanni-Gombe United, Philip Asuquo-3SC, Brendon Ogbu-Heartland, Anthony Okpotu-Lobi Stars, Ubale Manir-Kano Pillars, Ohanduku Gomo-Sharks, Fidelis Favour-Nasarawa United.