The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Victor Moses

  • I didn’t want Moses to quit the Eagles – Rohr

    Super Eagles technical adviser Gernot Rohr has stated that he did his best to ensure that Chelsea winger Victor Moses did not quit the national team after Nigeria’s poor outing at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia but his efforts ended in futility.

    Victor Moses on August 15, 2018 called time on his Super Eagles career with reasons of focusing on his club, career and his young family as well as allowing the next generation of Super Eagles stars step up and florish in their various positions.

    Gernot Rohr replying questions from football lovers across the world at the Peak Breakfast with Rohr organised for Sport editors in Lagos said: “I tried to convince him that it was not the best time to retire but he said he wanted to focus on his club career. I hope he will get an opportunity to play in Chelsea or with another club.

    The Franco-German tactician also stated that the door is not closed to the versatile player. “I hope he will change his mind because he is only 27-years-old. That is too young to retire.”

    Victor Moses, who helped Nigeria win her first Africa Cup of Nations trophy in 2013 after 19 years and also featured at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, has had a difficult time at Chelsea since the arrival of Maurizio Sarri playing just twice in the ongoing English Premier League.

  • No action for Moses as Chelsea hammers Cardiff 4-1

    *Ndidi, Iheanacho lose

    It was yet a no show situation for Nigeria international Victor Moses, as he was left out in Chelsea squad that hammered visiting Cardiff 4-1 at the Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

    Moses who is on the verge of returning to the National team after bidding goodbye to international football has not tested action in the last three league matches.

    He was last in action against Huddersfield Town stepping in as late substitute for Pedro in the 81st minute. Goal feast for the Blues on Saturday began in the 37th minute with a strike by Eden Hazard who enjoyed an assist from Oliver Giroud.

    That was however 21 minutes after visiting Cardiff had shot into the lead thanks to Ivorian import Souleymane Bamba. But that was the much the visitors could do as the flood gate of goals opened for the Maurizio Sarri tutored side. It was a hat trick for Hazard who was on target again in the 44th and 80th minutes respectively.

    Teammate Willian finally nailed the coffin in the 83rd minute. While it was a no show situation for Moses at the Bridge, same cannot be said of compatriots Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho who were in action for Leicester against a rampaging Bournemouth. 

    While Ndidi saw full 90 minutes action, Iheanacho was in action for 29 minutes after stepping in as replacement for Demarai Gray. It was however not a sweet song for the duo as Leicester were beaten 4-2 in front of 10,543 Spectators at the Vitality Stadium.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Victor Moses Becomes Ambassador for Online Trading Platform, Binomo

    Nigerian professional footballer, Victor Moses has signed a partnership with an online trading platform, Binomo.

    The partnership deal will see the 27 year-old Chelsea FC star, contributing to the company’s brand image and marketing appearances in Nigeria and across the African market.

    Moses, who was named by the Nigerian Football Federation as the 2018 Nigerian Footballer of the Year represented Nigeria in the FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia will have put his image affront as he now function as Brand Ambassador for the financial assets broker.

    Speaking about the currency and commodities trading platform Moses said,

    “I’m really proud of this partnership with a reputable brand like Binomo and look forward to working with them to engage my fans and friends across the continent of Africa. The Binomo platform is safe, secure, and reliable, and that was a major attraction for me.”

    Also speaking on the partnership deal, representatives of Binomo expressed their delight,

    “Victor Moses is one of Africa’s most talented and successful footballers who perfectly personifies the ideals of Binomo brand: being a goal-oriented person, smart decision maker, a hard worker and someone who inspires millions of people in Nigeria and across the world. We are truly excited to work with him.”

    Victor Moses who plays as a winger on either flank, is an accomplished professional with 38 caps for the Super Eagles since 2012, during which time he has scored 12 goals for the Nigerian National Team. Moses who has also appeared for West Ham and Stoke City in the past, has played 63 EPL games for Chelsea since the 2016/17 season.

    Binomo expressed excitement at having Victor Moses on board believing that his fans base is a clout to leverage to penetrate the African market,

    “We understand that Victor Moses has a huge following in Nigeria courtesy of his various achievements in the field of soccer. This includes his impressive accomplishments with both club and country. He was one of the key players who made it possible for Nigeria to become the first African nation to book a ticket to the mundial in Russia. From this, you can see that our partnership is a union of two top players in separate fields.”

    The company remarked on the unique qualities of the platform, and its plans for the Nigerian market.

    “We strongly believe in our service offerings and the potential to empower young Nigerians who desire financial freedom. However, we realised that to achieve this we needed to understand the Nigerian
    market and carefully communicate our value proposition. Hence, the Victor Moses partnership.”

    The Binomo platform offers some impressive features which include a wide range of financial assets, analytical services for client trading, customer support for both the experienced and the novice trader, as well as helpful tutorials to aid first-time users.

    The Binomo brand also takes great pride in being one of the leading platforms in the currency trading niche and this is highlighted by its impressive track record.

    This includes a long list of Awards such as Best Broker for Beginners (2015 Forex Expo Awards), Broker of the Year (2016 IAIR Awards) and ‘Category A’ rating by Financial Commission, an independent self-regulatory and external dispute resolution (EDR) body, dedicated specifically to Forex.

  • Fans urge Moses to reconsider international retirement

    Football fans in Ebonyi have urged Chelsea FC of England’s Victor Moses, to reconsider his retirement from the national team.

    NAN reports that on Aug. 15, Moses announced his international retirement from the Nigeria national football team, much to the shock of anyone and everyone involved.

    The fans interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Sunday, were reacting to Moses’s snub by Coach Mauricio Sarri in the team’s 2-0 win over Bournemouth on Saturday, a streak witnessed since the start of the current season.

    Bright Igboatu, Former Chairman of Chelsea Fan Club Abakaliki branch, noted that Moses was misguided by thinking that retiring from the Eagles would make Sarri look his way.

    “The problem is not due to Moses’s commitment with the national team but because Sarri is employing a system different from that of former Coach, Antonio Conte which made the player tick.

    “Conte employed a 3-5-2 formation which made Moses combine both defensive and offensive roles at the right wing but Sarri employs a 4-3-3 formation which features players on both the right-full back and outside right positions.

    Jude Omagwe, defunct Jasper United of Onitsha player supported this assertion, arguing that featuring for the national team would even enhance Moses’s chances of breaking into Sarri’s main team.

    “Chelsea’s blistering start to the season would make it difficult for Sarri to drop any play from this group that have adapted to his new system.

    “Matches in the Europa league, Carabao and Federation Cups in which Moses and other fringe players can feature, are not played regularly as the focal attention is the premier league,” he said.

    Chika Nwangele, Ebonyi United of Abakaliki Captain advised Moses to realise the impact playing for the national team could make in his dire situation.

    “Luca Modric of Croatia has recently overthrown Christiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi to emerge Europe’s best player and this was due to his scintillating performance at the world cup.

    “Moses should realise that established players such as Cesc Fabregas, Adreas Christensein among others are facing similar situations as the national team affords him the opportunity of being match-fit,” he said.

    Samuel Chukwuemeka, A Soccer historian, recalled that the national team afforded several Nigerian stars not playing regularly at their clubs, the avenues of being relevant.

    “The world acclaimed ‘USA 94’ team for instance, had several players that had no clubs or were not regulars at their clubs during the world cup qualifiers and competition proper.

    “Late Uche Okafor and Stephen Keshi fell out with their clubs management while Peter Rufai, late Wilfred Agbonavbare among others were not regulars,” he said.

    Mrs Chidinmma Akanno, Youth Activist and football enthusiast however urged Nigerians to continue praying for Moses to reclaim his first team place at Chelsea.

    “I am optimistic that by the time Moses starts playing regularly for Chelsea, he would be motivated to reconsider his stand of retirement from the team,” he said.

  • Europa League: Iwobi, Moses get Sporting, PAOK Challenge

    Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi and his Arsenal teammates will open their Europa league campaign against Portugal side Sporting CP following the draw which was dished out on Friday.

    The Nigerian international who has been in great shape for the Emirates landlords will be looking forward to help the side compete for title after missing a place in the Champions league finishing in the 6th place last season with 70 points.

    Compatriot Victor Moses who recently announced a decision to retire from the national team and concentrate on club assignment will be facing Greek side PAOK with his Chelsea teammates.

    The 27 year old who reportedly is being approached by the Super Eagles coaching crew to have  a rethink into what has been dubbed his ‘shocking and early retirement from international football’,was left out in the Blues 2-1 away victory over Newcastle last week prompting some of his mischievous critics to predict that it will be hard for him to get the required playing time under new coach Maurizio Sarri. 

    He was equally an unused substitute earlier when Chelsea hosted Arsenal in a tie that ended 3-2 in favour of Chelsea with Iwobi enjoying 75 minutes action garnished with a 41st minute goal to his credit. In other Europa league fixtures AC Milan face a more difficult campaign against Olympiacos, Real Betis and Dudelange in Group F.

    Steven Gerrard’s Rangers are also facing a difficult group stage, having been pitted against Villarreal, Rapid Vienna and Spartak Moscow in Group G.

    Last season’s semi-finalists Marseille will meet Lazio, Eintracht Frankfurt and Apollon in a competitive Group H

    Below is the full picture of the groups.

    Group A: Bayer Leverkusen, Ludogorets, FC Zurich, AEK Larnaca

    Group B: Salzburg, Celtic, RB Leipzig, Rosenborg

    Group C: Zenit St Petersburg, Copenhagen, Bordeaux, Slavia Prague

    Group D: Anderlecht, Fenerbahce, Dinamo Zagreb, Spartak Trnava

    Group E: Arsenal, Sporting CP, Qarabag, Vorskla

    Group F: Olympiacos, AC Milan, Real Betis, Dudelange

    Group G: Villarreal, Rapid Vienna, Spartak Moscow, Rangers

    Group H: Lazio, Marseille, Eintracht Frankfurt, Apollon Limassol

    Group I: Besiktas, Genk, Malmo, Sarpsborg

    Group J: Sevilla, Krasnodar, Standard Liege, Akhisar

    Group K: Dinamo Kiev, Astana, Rennes, Jablonec

    Group L: Chelsea, PAOK, BATE, Vidi

  • Bye to National team: Like Vardy like Moses

    England international and Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy has announced his retirement from international football, citing desire to concentrate on club football and have time for family as reasons for the move.

    The 31 year old who was part of the Three Lions squad to the World cup in Russia has already communicated head coach

    Gareth Southgate of his decision. Vardy’s reason is the same with that presented by Chelsea winger and Nigerian international Victor Moses few weeks back. Both players were in Russia where their teams crashed out in the first round and semi-finals respectively.

    Vardy has however not ruled out the possibility of a bounce back in the event of injury crisis but believes the time is right to move back from international duty. Vardy who was capped over 26 times scoring seven times for the Three Lions has scored over 83 goals for Leicester still counting.

    ‘This has been on my mind for a while,’ Vardy told the Guardian. ‘I’m not getting any younger and you can see, to be fair to the gaffer, he wants to make it more youthful, which obviously had its benefits during the World Cup.

    ‘So I just said to Gareth that I think it’s probably best from now on, especially with the way he wants to go, to bring youngsters in who he thinks have got the ability and start nurturing them into international football.’

    Vardy, who was joined by Gary Cahill in calling time on his international career on Tuesday, rose from non-league football to win the Premier League title and earn 26 England caps, scoring seven goals. He played at Euro 2016 and this summer’s World Cup.

    While Southgate may have been on the same page with Vardy, Moses’ exit was a surprise to Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr who has hinted he will talk to the 27 year old with view to making him consider a change of mind.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Retirement: NFF to discuss with Moses- Sanusi

    *commends F.G for timely intervention on Fifa ban

    The Secretary- General of Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed has commended the federal government for the timely intervention on Fifa ban which would have adversely affected millions of youths and age grade competitions.

    Sanusi said, football is a unifying factor which will not be put on hold while we wait for the amicable resolution of the crisis.

    The head of NFF Secretariat said the Federation will ensure adequate preparations for the national U-17team (Golden Eaglets) and the Super Eagles for the Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Seychelles next month

    “All the Federation is doing now is to prepare our national teams for competitions. We have two qualifiers, the Super Eagles in Seychelles, and Golden Eaglets in Benin Republic.

    Also we have Africa Women Cup of Nations billed for Ghana in November.

    What the federation is doing now is to ensure that Nigeria qualifies for all competitions and perform well”. Said Sanusi

    The former head of competitions revealed that the Super Eagles boss Gernot Rohr has been directed to make himself available in preparation for the qualifier against Seychelles.  He said the Eagle’s handler has been in contact with players he intends to use for the game.

    On the exit of Victor Moses from the national team, Sanusi said “the football house is talking with him to find out the reason and if possible convince him to rescind his decision for the sake of the country” and the youth who look up to him.

  • Moses paved way for players like me – Iwobi

    Alex iwobi has reckoned that the retired Super Eagles player, Victor Moses paved way for the latest England based Nigerian Internationals in Super Eagles.

    The Arsenal starlet hinted that he took his decision to play for Nigeria’s national team to take after Moses who chose Nigeria over England despite being opened to quality opportunities.

    Iwobi made this known has he joined other Super Eagles players to express their view has Moses, 27-year-old, retired from international football on Wednesday.

    Arsenal starlet, Iwobi wrote on his Twitter handle, “Thank You For Paving The Way For Us. You Achieved So Much For Our Country. It Was A Pleasure To Play With You, Wishing You The Best Big Bro @VictorMoses ????”.

    Saudi based Ahmed Musa could not help to relish the opportunity he shared with the Chelsea wing player at the national team.

    He wrote on twitter, “It was a pleasure to play alongside such a great player. You have served your nation well and will always be remembered. Good luck in all you do@VictorMoses”.

    Also, Shehu Abdullahi wrote, “I wish you all the best bro!”.

    Moses, before his retirement is reckoned has one of the the big players with popular figure for the Nigerian fan community. He ended his association with the Super Eagles on Wednesday, August 15, 2018.

    The England based player lasted over six years the Super Eagles during which he won the 2013 AFCON title and represent Nigeria at two editions of the World Cup competition. He accrued a respectable haul of 12 goals for the national team before his retirement.

  • Mixed reaction greets Victor Moses’ retirement

    Nigeria football community was thrown into confusion as Victor Moses on Wednesday, announced his retirement from the Super Eagles at the age of 27.

    Victor bagged 37 caps with 12 goals in 6 years with the Nigerian senior national team.

    He had his debut game against Ethiopia in 2012 scoring both goals.

    Moses was clear by the football ruling body, FIFA after switching nationality in 2011.

    He was an integral part of the 2013 squad that won the African Cup of Nations, the third for Nigeria, where he played very well in all the matches. He had previously featured for England’s U16, U17, U19 and U21.

    The Chelsea winger’s announcement was greeted with mixed reactions on social media as Nigerian fans received the news.

    @T17i_ tweeted
    Victor you gave your heart for the badge and will go down as the greatest African to ever exist.

    @LawrenceEgun wrote
    Wow!!! Well done Victor…Thanks for the memories. Wishing you the very best Naija baller.

    “@FrancisUgboko4: Dear Victor Moses its better u never played for Nigeria how can u come and break our hearts just like that is not fair.

    @afrocanmusicpro wrote: Best wishes @VictorMoses I am proud of you’ you made us proud… am not ok with you retiring but will let you go.. Good luck mate

    @Adefola16 said:
    We appreciate everything you’ve done but it’s bad for the Nation at this your young age. Anyway you’re entitled to your own wish. I wish you good luck sha!

    @ablegodkelvin simply wrote: WE DO NOT ACCEPT.

    Some had to beg him to reconsider. Like @victordivine1 said: At age 27 Victor Moses y na, no retire abeg @VictorMoses

    @SamieMiles just wrote Victor whyyyy???? Please come back @VictorMoses #Victormoses

    @temitopeomoniyi: .@VictorMoses We receive the news of your resignation from @NGSuperEagles with great shock.
    While we understand your position to create more time for your family & @ChelseaFC, we’d like to appeal to you to consider this decision.
    We love you!
    God Bless Nigeria!
    #Superfans

    Some were seriously angry and didn’t take it lightly.
    @yincabams wrote about his earlier prediction thus, I actually don’t see Nigeria qualify out of that group after yesterday match… And I can bet it, Moses will not heed Nigeria call up for any match after the world cup. This is what I twit during d world cup. I am been justified.

    A furious @alpheusseboane wrote It’s not like he’s 37 years he’s 27 years for godsake But as usual most of this african players are selfish, in fact screw him and he’s focusing on club level idea, I hope he gets benched until his bum gets burned on that bench.

    @naijafoo who claimed to be a Belgian born Nigerian said “I personally don’t care. My own is my club must win a trophy this season moses or no moses”

    @Gauzemiller1 said (edited), ***** this dude juxt choose to play for us because he couldn’t make the english squad. Not even sure he can sing the national anthem. saw him keeping his mouth muted. When others were reciting the national anthem against Croatia. Always thinking he is Messi. (I) use to love u bro.

    Victor Moses has featured in the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cup. He went on to give reasons for his retirement saying “However I feel that now is the right time to step away in order to be able to focus fully on club career and my young family as well as allow the next generation of Super Eagles stars the opportunity to step up and flourish.“

  • Moses tells Rohr: groom new players

    Retired Super Eagles player, Victor Moses has kindly advised Super Eagles Manager, Gernot Rohr to look out for new players to make the Nigeria Senior national team.

    The Nigerian forward gave his thought from a media statement on Wednesday to announce his departure from the Super Eagles.

    The 27-year old said in the statement that he had called Rohr to inform him about his decision not to continue with Nigeria on any national assignment.

    And, that he seized the opportunity to give a piece of advice to the national team coach on the best way to position the squad for future engagement.

    Part of the statement which Moses also shared on his Instagram page to thank the National team handlers, the Nigeria Football Federation and the team coaches reads;

    “I feel that now is the right time to step away in order to be able to focus fully on club career and my young family as well as to allow the next generation of Super Eagles stars the opportunity to step up and to flourish.

    “We are blessed as a nation to have so many exciting young players coming through and now is their time.

    “I have already spoken to the manager by telephone and would like to say thank you to him and his staff, the NFF and all of my teammates for all of their support over the years.

    “Most importantly I would like to say thank you to the Nigerian people for believing in me and supporting me over the years. It’s meant the world to me and my family and I will always be a proud Nigerian supporting the team.”

    Moses whose last engagement for the Super Eagles was at the just concluded FIFA World Cup in Russia, represented Nigeria 28 times and scored 10 goals before his retirement on August 15, 2018.