The Nation Newspaper

Tag: WCQ

  • WCQ: Nigeria draws Ethiopia

    WCQ: Nigeria draws Ethiopia

    …  Ghana to meet Egypt, Ivory Coast vs Senegal

    Super Eagles of Nigeria would meet the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia in the final round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier for African zone.

    In the draws held on Monday morning in Cairo, Egypt, Ivory Coast was paired with Senegal, while Ghana would square up with seven-time African champions Egypt.

    Other pairings are – Algeria versus Burkina Faso and Cameroon versus Tunisia.

    The matches would be played in October and November to determine the continent’s five representatives in next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

     

     

  • WCQ: Mido wants Nigeria, Egypt pairing

    WCQ: Mido wants Nigeria, Egypt pairing

    Former Egyptian International, Ahmed Hossam Mido, is hoping that his country’s team is drawn against Nigeria in next month’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff.

    Egypt and Nigeria have both qualified for the last stage of the World Cup African zone qualifiers along with eight other teams.

    “I hope the draw gives us Nigeria. This will be very good for our national team because Nigeria has a good team and the country players are very skilled. They keep improving since they won the last AFCON and it’s better for us to play against them and get tested. They play real fast flowing football and that in the long run will only make Egypt better and will make our mission at the end easier,” Mido told supersport.com.

    “I don’t want Ghana or Ivory Coast. They are not suitable for us this time nor is Algeria because of all the tension and outside drama between the two North African teams in football, “the former Tottenham player added.

    Wael Gomaa seems to be on the same page adding, “I don’t want easy teams because Egypt plays her best games against only the tough teams.”

    “All the players have the big dream to reach the World Cup and we are ready to play with any team – big or small,” the 38 year- old concluded.

     

  • Amoebi thrilled to represent Nigeria

    Amoebi thrilled to represent Nigeria

    Newcastle United striker, Shola Ameobi , finally made his competitive debut for Nigeria in Saturday’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Malawi at the UJ Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

    The 31-year-old, who has previously been capped by England at under-21 level, had made his Nigeria debut in a friendly against Venezuela in 2012.

    On Saturday, he was drafted in as an 84th minute substitute for Emmanuel Emenike and despite spending just six minutes on the pitch, the forward voiced his delight at finally representing the country of his birth in a competitive game.

    “It was a thing of joy and honour. I want to thank the coach for giving me the opportunity of helping the Super Eagles. We have a good squad of players here,” Ameobi told supersport.com after the game.

    Nigeria must now navigate a two-legged playoff against another African side to reach the World Cup finals for the fifth time, but Ameobi is calm about the prospect.

    “We cannot start thinking too far ahead. We just have to wait and see who we will play,” he said.

     

     

  • WCQ: We will attack Malawi – Keshi

    WCQ: We will attack Malawi – Keshi

    Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi , has said his team will attack against Malawi in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier.

    The Super Eagles lead Group F with nine points and need only a draw to advance to the final rounds of the qualifying tournament, but Keshi said they will still go for broke against the visiting Flames of Malawi.

    Speaking to MTNFootball.com in Calabar, Keshi said, “Nothing will change from how we use to play, we play attacking football and that is what we will play on Saturday.

    “What I want now is for my boys to remain in good health, which I am happy God has granted us. We are in high spirit and the boys are hungry.

    “Despite the short time for training, I must say I am impressed on how the boys have responded, no sign of tiredness or stress from long trip. Well we will see how it goes.”

    Although Keshi was not forthcoming on his starting XI, he said “The usual suspects will start – Mikel, Efe, Oboabona, Vincent, Elderson and that’s all.”

    The match kicks off by 4pm Nigeria time.

     

  • WCQ: Kwambe replaces injured Ogude

    WCQ: Kwambe replaces injured Ogude

    Sunshine Stars defender, Solomon Kwambe, would replace injured Norway-based Fegor Ogude for Nigeria’s World Cup qualifier against Malawi.

    The African champions lead their qualifying group on nine points from five matches and would need only to avoid defeat against second-placed Malawi next week Saturday at home in Calabar to advance to final round of qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

    The Malawians are on seven points, while Namibia has five points and Kenya remains at the bottom with three points.

    Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, specially told MTNFootball.com that Fegor is out of the Calabar clash and would be replaced by Kwambe.

    “Fegor is out of the game against Malawi,” Keshi told MTNFootball.com

    “We were thinking that by now the injury which he sustained in South Africa would have healed, but unfortunately it hasn’t.

    “Sunshine Stars Solomon Kwambe has been drafted as a replacement for Fegor ahead of the Malawi game.”

    The inclusion of Kwambe takes the number of home-based players in the squad for the Malawi game to three following Godfrey Oboabona and Sunday Mba’s move to Turkey and France respectively.

    The players from the domestic league are goal keeper Chigozie Agbim, Azubike Egwuekwe and Solomon Kwambe.

    “You have all the names of the home-based players already, just add it to the invited foreign-based with the exemption Fegor and you have my list for the Malawi game,” Keshi said when asked about his final squad.

     

     

  • WCQ: Keshi explains players’ invitation

    WCQ: Keshi explains players’ invitation

    … Foreign-based players get Sept. 2 deadline

    Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, has explained the rationale behind the invitation of 24 home-based professionals when only five of them will eventually join the 18 overseas-based stars for the game against Malawi, as well as the international friendly against the Etalons of Burkina Faso in Kaduna on September 10.

    “The Big Boss” is already planning ahead as he said the exercise will allow him discover more players for next year’s Africa Nations Championships (CHAN) to be staged in South Africa; a place that is fast becoming a good hunting ground for the Eagles’ gaffer.

    “We are calling up 24 home boys in order to identify new players for the 2014 African Nations Championship, for which we have already qualified, said Keshi.

    The home based Eagles secured a berth in CHAN 2014 after defeating Ivory Coast 4-3 on aggregate last month.

    Meanwhile, Keshi has given a September 2 deadline for the invited Europe-based players to arrive camp for the match against the Malawians.

    The 18 foreign-based players are expected to hit Calabar before the deadline. On their part, all the 24 home boys are expected at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on 24 August or risk missing out on the chance to fight for one of the five slots allocated to local stars in the double header and more importantly miss out on the chance to impress the technical crew ahead of CHAN.

     

  • Super Eagles has great potential – Amodu

    Super Eagles has great potential – Amodu

    The National Technical Director, Amodu Shuaib has called on Nigerians not to put too much pressure on the present Super Eagles, saying most of the players are just coming into the team and need time to “fully grow.”

    “Let us be careful not to put too much pressure on the players. Apart from goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and John Mikel Obi, the rest are young players who need time to mature into the big time.

    “Yes, we all expected them to win tonight against the Namibians. But I tell you, the Namibians are a very good side and we can only take some positives away from this match,” he told our correspondent.

    Amodu spoke at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, venue of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between the African champions and the Brave Warriors, which ended 1-1.

    Defender Godfrey Oboabona equalized for Nigeria through a fierce free-kick, after substitute Deon Hotto Kavendji had shot the homers in front six minutes earlier.

     

  • Eagles will qualify for 2014 World Cup – Maigari

    Eagles will qualify for 2014 World Cup – Maigari

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, on Wednesday assured Nigerians that the Super Eagles will qualify for next year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil.

    “I have no doubt that we will qualify for the FIFA World Cup finals. We expected the team to win here but things didn’t turn out that way. However, nothing has changed. All we need do is beat Malawi in September and we’ll be through to the final round of the elimination series.

    “Not only will we get there, we will also conquer whichever team comes our way and get the ticket to the World Cup finals,” the NFF president told journalists.

    Maigari spoke at the Nigeria House in Windhoek, hours after the Super Eagles forced the Brave Warriors to a 1-1 draw in a hard-fought 2014 World Cup qualifying match at the Sam Nujoma Stadium.

    Following Malawi’s 2-2 draw with Kenya in Blantyre earlier in the day, the Group F became Nigeria’s to conquer with a win against the Namibians. But after a bright opening spell, during which Sunday Mba and Anthony Ujah missed opportunities, the hosts began to grow in confidence and looked dangerous going forward.

    The Brave Warriors combined pace and endeavour with commendable ball sense, but they found the central defensive network of Kenneth Omeruo and Godfrey Oboabona impregnable.

    At the other end, Germany-based forward Ujah shot wastefully over the bar with the net gaping.

    On the hour mark, the hosts could have taken the lead with a fierce shot, but Enyeama was equal to the task. Their attacking menace continued to cause apprehension among the few Nigerians at the stadium.

    In the 74th minute, Ahmed Musa, hero of the 1-0 victory over Kenya in Nairobi a week earlier, fluffed a great chance when clean on goal. And two minutes later, Namibia shot into the lead.

    Substitute Deon Hotto Kavendji was unmarked in the area to steer a pull-out from the left past Vincent Enyeama.

    As it has happened in all their four previous qualifying matches, Nigeria would not get a goal until after 80 minutes. Defender Godfrey Oboabona lashed a free-kick from the edge of the box, which goalkeeper Virgill Vries could only help into his net in the 83rd minute.

     

  • WCQ: Malawi, Kenya settle for draw

    WCQ: Malawi, Kenya settle for draw

    Malawi and Kenya on Wednesday settled for a 2-2 draw in the 2014 World Cup qualifier played in Blantyre, Malawi.

    The Flames opened the scoring in the 46th minute through Robin Ngalande, while Jamal Mohammed drew the Kenyans level in the 52nd minute.

    The Malawians, who are trailing the Nigerian Super Eagles in group F shot ahead again in the 80th minute when Robert Ngambi hit the back of the net. The Harambee Stars later hit back through an own goal scored by substitute Chimango Kayira in the 90th minute.

    Nigeria and hosts Namibia will play later today in Windhoek.

     

  • WCQ: Super Eagles battle Namibia’s ‘chilly weather’

    WCQ: Super Eagles battle Namibia’s ‘chilly weather’

    Players of African champions, Nigeria would battle chilly conditions when they face Namibia tonight in a 2014 FIFA world cup qualifying game in Windhoek, Supersport.com reports.

    The maximum temperature for Wednesday has been set at 9 degree Celsius and players of the Super Eagles trained with gloves and protective clothing on Tuesday.

    Head coach of the Nigeria team, Stephen Keshi, has now taken the time to discuss the effect the weather conditions would have on his wards ahead of Wednesday’s match.

    “We are trying to prepare ourselves (for the game on Wednesday). The weather is very cold. It’s winter in Namibia. We would get used to it by the time the match comes round (tonight),” Keshi said.

    The former Togo and Mali national team trainer however expressed confidence that his players would come to terms with the conditions since most of them are based in Europe where weather conditions can sometimes go below freezing levels.

    “It’s okay. Most of the boys are used to it. All we need to do is to concentrate and face the game,” he concluded.