Nigeria have been drawn into Group F with
what might turn out to be either familiar
foes or total strangers, or a mixture of both
for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
Malawi, whom the Super Eagles played recently
as 2005 under Christian Chukwu, are in Group F,
where they will be joined by the winners of the
first round ties involving Seychelles/Kenya and
Djibouti/Namibia.
If both Kenya and Namibia triumph, it will be
familiar terrain for the Super Eagles.
But if Djibouti and Seychelles advance, it will be
uncharted territory for Samson Siasia and his
wards.
Whatever the qualifiers throw up, Nigerians will
expect Siasia to negotiate a path to the final
round, where the group winners from all 10
groups will play off in a two-legged tie to
determine who gets África's 5 tickets to Brazil
2014.
AFRICAN ZONE DRAW:
Group A: South Africa, Botswana, Central African Republic, Somalia or Ethiopia
Group B:
Tunisia, Cape Verde Islands, Sierra Leone,
Equatorial Guinea or Madagascar
Group C: Cote d'Ivoire, Morocco, Gambia, Chad or Tanzania
Group D: Ghana, Zambia, Sudan, Lesotho or
Burundi
Group E: Burkina Faso, Gabon, Niger, Sao Tome e Principe or Congo
Group F: Nigeria, Malawi, Seychelles or Kenya, Djibouti or Namibia
Group G: Egypt, Guinea, Zimbabwe, Comoros or
Mozambique
Group H: Algeria, Mali, Benin, Eritrea or Rwanda
Group I: Cameroon, Libya, Guinea-Bissau or Togo, Swaziland or Congo DR
Group J: Senegal, Uganda, Angola, Mauritius or
Liberia
Source: Kickoff
Sports News From Nigeria, Africa And (Sometimes) The Rest Of The World.
Sunday, 31 July 2011
Sunday, 24 July 2011
Anichebe breaks long barren spell
Nigeria striker Victor Anichebe got on target for Everton for the first time in over a year as they rounded off their tour of the USA with a deserved 3-1 win over DC United on Sunday.
The 23-year-old broke the deadlock after just four minutes when he raced onto a through ball by Leighton Baines to beat the goalkeeper from a tight angle.
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov doubled the Toffees' advantage in the 16th minute after finishing off a fine team goal, while new boy Magaye Gueye scored late on to seal the win after Chris Pontius gave the hosts hope shortly after the restart.
The goal will be a confidence boost for Anichebe, who failed to score for Everton last season, ahead of the new campaign.
SOURCE: AP
The 23-year-old broke the deadlock after just four minutes when he raced onto a through ball by Leighton Baines to beat the goalkeeper from a tight angle.
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov doubled the Toffees' advantage in the 16th minute after finishing off a fine team goal, while new boy Magaye Gueye scored late on to seal the win after Chris Pontius gave the hosts hope shortly after the restart.
The goal will be a confidence boost for Anichebe, who failed to score for Everton last season, ahead of the new campaign.
SOURCE: AP
Obinna Nsofor banks on new Eagles
Lokomotiv Moscow forward Obinna Nsofor said he hopes the new spirit shown by Nigeria will be taken into an August 9 clash against Ghana.
"There is a new spirit in the team and I hope we can take this into the game in London as well as the next Nations Cup qualifier against Madagascar,” the striker who recently moved to Russia told MTNFootball.com.
"The pressure will come from the fans who want us to win against Ghana and that is to be expected.
"We are involved in a lot of friendlies but our main focus is the 2012 Nations Cup."
With a huge Nigerian and Ghanaian communities expected for the game at Vicarage Road, home of Watford, Nsofor said he knows the Eagles have to turn the heat on the Black Stars.
"I've heard several things being said about this game but a verbal match is not going to earn us anything, we need to go out there and give our best against Ghana," said a delighted Nsofor, who is looking forward to a return to London, a city he adores.
"We haven't beaten them recently and there is so much expectations as the rivalry is very intense between both countries."
With eyes on London and Ghana, Nsofor was quick to recall the hard-fought 2-2 draw against Ethiopia in the Super Eagles last match.
"We showed a lot of resilience and desire to fight our way back into that game and got something out of it." Nsofor told MTNFootball.com.
"There is a new spirit in the team and I hope we can take this into the game in London as well as the next Nations Cup qualifier against Madagascar,” the striker who recently moved to Russia told MTNFootball.com.
"The pressure will come from the fans who want us to win against Ghana and that is to be expected.
"We are involved in a lot of friendlies but our main focus is the 2012 Nations Cup."
With a huge Nigerian and Ghanaian communities expected for the game at Vicarage Road, home of Watford, Nsofor said he knows the Eagles have to turn the heat on the Black Stars.
"I've heard several things being said about this game but a verbal match is not going to earn us anything, we need to go out there and give our best against Ghana," said a delighted Nsofor, who is looking forward to a return to London, a city he adores.
"We haven't beaten them recently and there is so much expectations as the rivalry is very intense between both countries."
With eyes on London and Ghana, Nsofor was quick to recall the hard-fought 2-2 draw against Ethiopia in the Super Eagles last match.
"We showed a lot of resilience and desire to fight our way back into that game and got something out of it." Nsofor told MTNFootball.com.
Flying Eagles Sure Of Repeating Ghana’s Feat In Colombia
Despite a poor run in preparation for the U-20 World Cup in Colombia, soccer loving Nigerians still expect the Flying Eagles to deliver on a promise to conquer the world at this level. The championship will last for July 29 to August 20.
The Flying Eagles, then known as the Junior Eagles, first qualified for the World Youth Championship in 1983 with a team overflowing with such talent like skipper Ali Jeje, Tarila Okorowanta, Paul Okoku, Christopher Anigala, Olukanmi brothers and Taju Disu.
They failed to go past the first round in a group that included Brazil and the Netherlands.
The team has since played in two championship games, in 1989 and 2005. They also finished third best in 1985.
In May, the Flying Eagles emerged champions for a record sixth time in Africa. The last such triumph was six years ago in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
Two years ago, the Black Satellites of Ghana raised the bar for African participation in the U-20 World Cup when they became the first African team to win it.
The joy of this epic triumph was that several players from this team would go on to star for the full international side at the 2010 World Cup as Ghana became only the third African country to reach the last eight of the global showpiece.
According to MTN Football, both Flying Eagles coach, John Obuh, and president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari, have made direct reference to the record set by archrivals Ghana, saying it’s a challenge they are up to.
The NFF has invested heavily in this team, the core of who are the boys from the country’s U-17, who reached the final of their age group World Cup, also two years ago.
This has included training stints in Libya, Turkey and Dubai before the AYC and then an invitational tournament in South Korea before training camps in Portugal and Panama preparatory to the World Cup.
In three warm-up matches on the trot, the Flying Eagles have failed to find the back of the net, before they broke their duck against Mexico on Friday.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN
The Flying Eagles, then known as the Junior Eagles, first qualified for the World Youth Championship in 1983 with a team overflowing with such talent like skipper Ali Jeje, Tarila Okorowanta, Paul Okoku, Christopher Anigala, Olukanmi brothers and Taju Disu.
They failed to go past the first round in a group that included Brazil and the Netherlands.
The team has since played in two championship games, in 1989 and 2005. They also finished third best in 1985.
In May, the Flying Eagles emerged champions for a record sixth time in Africa. The last such triumph was six years ago in Cotonou, Republic of Benin.
Two years ago, the Black Satellites of Ghana raised the bar for African participation in the U-20 World Cup when they became the first African team to win it.
The joy of this epic triumph was that several players from this team would go on to star for the full international side at the 2010 World Cup as Ghana became only the third African country to reach the last eight of the global showpiece.
According to MTN Football, both Flying Eagles coach, John Obuh, and president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari, have made direct reference to the record set by archrivals Ghana, saying it’s a challenge they are up to.
The NFF has invested heavily in this team, the core of who are the boys from the country’s U-17, who reached the final of their age group World Cup, also two years ago.
This has included training stints in Libya, Turkey and Dubai before the AYC and then an invitational tournament in South Korea before training camps in Portugal and Panama preparatory to the World Cup.
In three warm-up matches on the trot, the Flying Eagles have failed to find the back of the net, before they broke their duck against Mexico on Friday.
SOURCE: GUARDIAN
Obuh picks Azeez, Musa, 19 others for World Cup
Nigeria’s Head Coach, Sam John Obuh has picked a list of 21 players to represent the West African nation at this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in Colombia.
Dimunitive midfielder Ramon Azeez and vertically impressive defender Kenneth Omeruo, stars of Nigeria’s gorgeous run to the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup on home soil two years ago, top the list that also includes Senior National Team winger Ahmed Musa and full backs Terna Suswan and Emmanuel Anyanwu, who have also represented the Olympic Team.
Goalkeeper Danjuma Paul, midfielder Abdul Jeleel Ajagun and forwards Omoh Ojabu, Olanrewaju Kayode, Terry Envoh, Edafe Egbedi and Sani Emmanuel, who was voted the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, complete the nine members of the squad who have been with Obuh from the FIFA U-17 World Cup days.
Goalkeeper Gideon Gambo, centre-back Ganiu Ogungbe, midfielder Philemon Daniel and striker Uche Nwofor were part of the squad that won the African Youth Championship in South Africa on the first day of May, but goalkeeper Kazim Yekini, defenders Felix Udoh and Chimezie Mbah, midfielder Sani Tahir and striker Bright Ejike are new legs in the team.
Italy-based forward Sani Emmanuel has not been part of the set-up for quite some time but he has fitted well at the residential training camp in Portugal ahead of the tournament.
Obuh has so much to worry about after his team failed to score in three pre-World Cup friendlies and then concluded their Four-Nation campaign in Panama with a 4-1 hammering by Mexico on Friday.
Nigeria’s first game of the FIFA U-20 World Cup is against Guatemala in Armenia City on Sunday, with two other matches to come against Croatia (also in Armenia) on August 3 and against Saudi Arabia (in Pereira) on August 6.
THE FULL SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Danjuma Paul (Nasarawa Utd, Nigeria); Gideon Gambo (Sharks, Nigeria); Kazim Yekini (Kwara Utd, Nigeria)
Defenders: Terna Suswan (Setubal, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Standard Liege, Belgium); Ganiu Ogungbe (Gateway, Nigeria); Emmanuel Anyanwu (Heartland, Nigeria); Felix Udoh (First Bank, Nigeria), Chimezie Mbah (Warri Wolves, Nigeria)
Midfielders: Sani Tahir (Vejle, Denmark); Abdul Jeleel Ajagun (Dolphin, Nigeria); Philemon Daniel (Kwara Utd, Nigeria); Ramon Azeez (Almeria, Spain)
Forwards: Omoh Ojabu (Dolphin, Nigeria); Ahmed Musa (VVV Venlo, Netherlands); Bright Ejike (Sharks, Nigeria); Olanrewaju Kayode (ASEC Mimosas, Cote d’Ivoire); Terry Envoh (Sharks, Nigeria); Uche Nwofor (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Sani Emmanuel (Lazio, Italy); Edafe Egbedi (unattached).
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Siasia names squad for Ghana friendly
Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia on Tuesday made public his team list for the national team’s August 9 friendly match against Ghana’s Black Stars.
The game which comes up at London’s Vicarage Road, home ground of English Championship outfit Watford, will serve as a preparatory game for the Super Eagles ahead of September’s 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Madagascar in Antananarivo.
And with no other preparatory game lined up before the crucial game against the Madagascans, Siasia has called on his top repertoire of Europe-based players for the game against the Black Stars including a recall for Osaze Odemwingie.
Odemwingie had previously been left out of the Super Eagles side by Siasia after the West Bromwich Albion forward left the team’s camp without permission at the end of last March’s qualifying match against Ethiopia in Abuja.
As a result, the 30-year-old was left out of the national team’s friendly games against Kenya and Argentina, as well as the reverse fixture against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa where the Super Eagles escaped with a fortuitous 2-2 draw to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for next year’s Cup of Nations to be co-hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.
Both Siasia and Odemwingie have since resolved their differences and the latter will be looking to lead the Super Eagles to victory over a Ghanaian side that has in recent times gotten the better of the Nigerians.
Also making a return to the Super Eagles after a long absence is Elderson Echiejile who will battle for the left-back position alongside AC Milan’s Taye Taiwo.
Siasia also handed a call-up to former Enyimba star Emmanuel Ekpo who now plays for United States Major League Soccer outfit Columbus Crew, as well as Solomon Okoronkwo, who like Ekpo, was in the Nigerian side that finished with a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China.
Siasia was the coach of that Nigerian Olympic team, and a total of eight players from that side are in the squad for the game against the Ghanaians.
THE FULL LIST:
VINCENT ENYEAMA - FC LILLE LOSC (FRANCE)
BAMIDELE AIYENUGBA - BNEI YEHUDA FC (ISRAEL)
CHIGOZIE AGBIM - WARRI WOLVES FC (NIGERIA)
CHIBUZOR OKONKWO - HEARTLAND FC (NIGERIA)
TAYE TAIWO - AC MILAN (ITALY)
GEGE SORIOLA - HEARTLAND FC (NIGERIA)
ELDERSON ECHIEJILE - SPORTING BRAGA (PORTUGAL)
JOSEPH YOBO - EVERTON (ENGLAND)
YUSUF AYILA - DYNAMO KYIV (UKRAINE)
EFE AMBROSE - ASHDOD MS (ISRAEL)
MIKEL OBI - CHELSEA FC (ENGLAND)
FEGOR OGUDE - VALERENGA FC (NORWAY)
JOEL OBI - INTER MILAN (ITALY)
KALU UCHE - ALMERIA FC (SPAIN)
EMMANUEL EKPO - COLUMBUS CREW (USA)
SOLOMON OKORONKWO - VALERENGA FC (NORWAY)
OBINNA NSOFOR - LOKOMOTIV MOSCOW (RUSSIA0
VICTOR ANICHEBE - EVERTON FC (ENGLAND)
IKECHUKWU UCHE - ZARAGOZA FC (SPAIN)
OSAZE ODEMWINGIE -WEST BROMWICH ALBION (ENGLAND)
EKIGHO EHIOSUN - SAMSUNSPOR (TURKEY)
EMMANUEL EMENIKE - FENERBAHCE FC (TURKEY)
Flying Eagles fire blanks again
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles failed to score for the second successive pre-World Cup game as they drew 0-0 with Panama Monday night.
The home team dominated this build-up game in Panama City even though Nigeria would be right to feel hard done by the referee Jaffeth Perea’s decision to disallow two second half goals they scored.
Ahmed Musa first found the back of the net on 67 minutes, but his effort was disallowed for offside.
And seven minutes later as Nigeria piled on the pressure, Bright Ejike smashed home from a rebound after the goalkeeper failed to hold on to a Musa shot only for the referee to again overrule the goal.
“We have no reasons to challenge the referee’s decisions because his decisions are final,” said Flying Eagles coach John Obuh.
Like Nigeria, Panama will also feature at the U20 World Cup in Colombia later this month and they enjoyed more of the ball in front of about 2,000 fans at the 35,000-capacity Estadio Rommel Fernandez.
They also created more chances, but in Kwara United goalkeeper Kazim Yekini, they found a bridge too far.
Yekini made at least three inspired saves in the first half and on one of such occasions he was forced to handle the ball outside his box when a Panama striker went clear of the Junior Eagles defence.
He was most certainly busier than his opposite number Luis Mejia.
The skipper Kenneth Omeruo-led defence was also kept on its toes by the speedster Cecilio Waterman as Omeruo and Emmanuel Anyanwu held firm in the heart of the back four.
In midfield, Abduljaleel Ajagun was in his element, pulling the strings with class and efficiency as the Flying Eagles played with more purpose and cohesion than they did last week in another barren draw against Portugal.
However, the strike force must again be a cause for serious concern for coach Obuh. The partnership of Uche Nwofor and Bright Ejike never got going so much so that skipper Mejia in the Panama goal did not make any notable save in the first 45 minutes.
It was also baffling that Ejike lasted the entire 90 minutes even when he looked heavy and hardly put a foot right.
In the second half, substitute Sani Emmanuel combined well with Omoh Ojabu and a minute to full time a near post header by the MVP of the 2009 Under-17 World Cup forced the confident goalkeeper Mejia to scramble for a corner.
In the opening game of this four-nation tournament, Portugal came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Mexico.
Danilo Pereira was the hero for the Portuguese with two late goals in the second half after Mexico pushed ahead with two goals by 41 minutes.
Portugal were most certainly the happier of the two teams after this Great Escape.
The tournament continues Wednesday night with Nigeria taking on the Portuguese in the first game of the day, while Mexico and hosts Panama battle two hours later.
Kick-off time for the Flying Eagles match is 7pm Panama time or 1am Thursday in Nigeria.
MATCH STATS
July 18 at Estadio Rommel Fernandez Panama City
Panama 0
Nigeria 0
Ref: Jaffeth Perea (Panama)
Booking: Kazim Yekini 25
Nigeria line-up: Kazim Yekini – Terna Suswan, Emmanuel Anyanwu, Kenneth Omeruo (Skipper) Felix Udoh – Philemon Daniel Chimezie Mbah 48)Ahmed Musa (Sani Emmanuel 80),Abduljaleel Ajagun, Terry Envoh (Edafe Egbedi 48), Uche Nwofor (Omoh Ojabu 53), Bright Ejike
The home team dominated this build-up game in Panama City even though Nigeria would be right to feel hard done by the referee Jaffeth Perea’s decision to disallow two second half goals they scored.
Ahmed Musa first found the back of the net on 67 minutes, but his effort was disallowed for offside.
And seven minutes later as Nigeria piled on the pressure, Bright Ejike smashed home from a rebound after the goalkeeper failed to hold on to a Musa shot only for the referee to again overrule the goal.
“We have no reasons to challenge the referee’s decisions because his decisions are final,” said Flying Eagles coach John Obuh.
Like Nigeria, Panama will also feature at the U20 World Cup in Colombia later this month and they enjoyed more of the ball in front of about 2,000 fans at the 35,000-capacity Estadio Rommel Fernandez.
They also created more chances, but in Kwara United goalkeeper Kazim Yekini, they found a bridge too far.
Yekini made at least three inspired saves in the first half and on one of such occasions he was forced to handle the ball outside his box when a Panama striker went clear of the Junior Eagles defence.
He was most certainly busier than his opposite number Luis Mejia.
The skipper Kenneth Omeruo-led defence was also kept on its toes by the speedster Cecilio Waterman as Omeruo and Emmanuel Anyanwu held firm in the heart of the back four.
In midfield, Abduljaleel Ajagun was in his element, pulling the strings with class and efficiency as the Flying Eagles played with more purpose and cohesion than they did last week in another barren draw against Portugal.
However, the strike force must again be a cause for serious concern for coach Obuh. The partnership of Uche Nwofor and Bright Ejike never got going so much so that skipper Mejia in the Panama goal did not make any notable save in the first 45 minutes.
It was also baffling that Ejike lasted the entire 90 minutes even when he looked heavy and hardly put a foot right.
In the second half, substitute Sani Emmanuel combined well with Omoh Ojabu and a minute to full time a near post header by the MVP of the 2009 Under-17 World Cup forced the confident goalkeeper Mejia to scramble for a corner.
In the opening game of this four-nation tournament, Portugal came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Mexico.
Danilo Pereira was the hero for the Portuguese with two late goals in the second half after Mexico pushed ahead with two goals by 41 minutes.
Portugal were most certainly the happier of the two teams after this Great Escape.
The tournament continues Wednesday night with Nigeria taking on the Portuguese in the first game of the day, while Mexico and hosts Panama battle two hours later.
Kick-off time for the Flying Eagles match is 7pm Panama time or 1am Thursday in Nigeria.
MATCH STATS
July 18 at Estadio Rommel Fernandez Panama City
Panama 0
Nigeria 0
Ref: Jaffeth Perea (Panama)
Booking: Kazim Yekini 25
Nigeria line-up: Kazim Yekini – Terna Suswan, Emmanuel Anyanwu, Kenneth Omeruo (Skipper) Felix Udoh – Philemon Daniel Chimezie Mbah 48)Ahmed Musa (Sani Emmanuel 80),Abduljaleel Ajagun, Terry Envoh (Edafe Egbedi 48), Uche Nwofor (Omoh Ojabu 53), Bright Ejike
MIKEL OWES CAREER TO MOURINHO
Super Eagles midfielder, John Obi Mikel has hinted that for the foresight of former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho,he wouldn't have made his English Premier League breakthrough at the Stamford Bridge.
It's a dawn of a new era at Chelsea with the arrival of Andre Villas-Boas, following the exit of Carlo Ancelotti, and Mikel is setting new personal goals. He is forging ahead at Stamford Bridge, but not without paying glowing tributes to his godfathers who made things happen at the inception as far as his Chelsea career is concerned.
"My shoutout to uncle Piet de Visser, that's the scout that recommended me to Chelsea," Mikel says gleefully, recalling his arrival from Lyn Oslo of Norway in the summer of 2006. He adds: "And my shoutout also to Jose (Mourinho), for believing in me," Mikel says ahead of his departure to Asia with Chelsea to round off Villas-Boas' pre-season training programme.
For the umpteenth time,the Super Eagles midfielder is getting in the mood and raring to go in the EPL new new season with Chelsea.
Last week, he mooted his desire to come better in the new season, especially under new manager, Villas-Boas' reign. He told Chelsea and Super Eagles fans that he would strive to score goals too this season, his defensive midfield role notwithstanding.
Mikel reflects before leaving England with Chelsea on Sunday: "I hope my talks about getting goals didn't make guys lay it as a yardstick to judge Mikel. Easy guys, my prime target is to defend a goal."
Mikel was in action last Saturday as Chelsea won 1-0 away at Portsmouth in their second tune up match of the pre-season, thanks to an own goal by their former boy Tal Ben-Haim.
"That's not the kind of result we should have wanted," Mikel states. "But it was all about fitness, and we are getting there."
He quips: "Thanks to Ben-Haim for that goal though, very typical of him. I can remember one quite similar which he scored while at Chelsea.
COMPLETE SPORTS
It's a dawn of a new era at Chelsea with the arrival of Andre Villas-Boas, following the exit of Carlo Ancelotti, and Mikel is setting new personal goals. He is forging ahead at Stamford Bridge, but not without paying glowing tributes to his godfathers who made things happen at the inception as far as his Chelsea career is concerned.
"My shoutout to uncle Piet de Visser, that's the scout that recommended me to Chelsea," Mikel says gleefully, recalling his arrival from Lyn Oslo of Norway in the summer of 2006. He adds: "And my shoutout also to Jose (Mourinho), for believing in me," Mikel says ahead of his departure to Asia with Chelsea to round off Villas-Boas' pre-season training programme.
For the umpteenth time,the Super Eagles midfielder is getting in the mood and raring to go in the EPL new new season with Chelsea.
Last week, he mooted his desire to come better in the new season, especially under new manager, Villas-Boas' reign. He told Chelsea and Super Eagles fans that he would strive to score goals too this season, his defensive midfield role notwithstanding.
Mikel reflects before leaving England with Chelsea on Sunday: "I hope my talks about getting goals didn't make guys lay it as a yardstick to judge Mikel. Easy guys, my prime target is to defend a goal."
Mikel was in action last Saturday as Chelsea won 1-0 away at Portsmouth in their second tune up match of the pre-season, thanks to an own goal by their former boy Tal Ben-Haim.
"That's not the kind of result we should have wanted," Mikel states. "But it was all about fitness, and we are getting there."
He quips: "Thanks to Ben-Haim for that goal though, very typical of him. I can remember one quite similar which he scored while at Chelsea.
COMPLETE SPORTS
Friday, 15 July 2011
England, Brazil, S/Africa storm Nigeria for Beach Soccer
The first ever international beach soccer competition has been scheduled to hold between December 9 and 11 in Lagos. England, Brazil, South Africa and Nigeria are billed to compete for honours in the four-nation holding at the Victoria Island.
Kinetic Sports in conjunction with Beach Soccer Worldwide is the body packaging the competition tagged Copa Lagos. It will also involves entertainment with top musicians expected on parade to make the atmosphere lively.
Director of Kinetic Sports, Samson Adamu, said arrangements were in to gear for the event.
He said, “We have the natural skill and natural environment to stage a quality event. Beach Soccer is a big deal and that is what we are trying to promote in Nigeria.
“All the participating teams in the event are ready to be here and we are also working hard to ensure the experience will be a great one for Nigerians.
“The stadium arena will be good enough for about 4,000 fans and that will be interesting especially during the festive month of December.
“We are going to charge just a token fee from fans just to curb the crowd while there is a trophy at stake for the winner plus other attractive prizes.”
Adamu stressed that the event which has the backing of the Nigeria football Federation is also being heavily supported by the corporate world.
“I don’t want to mention names of organizations for now. Two banks are talking to us while we are also discussing with a telecommunications outfit,” Adamu added.
Former Eagles skipper, Austin Okocha was at the Eko Hotel for the event. He praised the initiative of the organizers and urged Nigerians to support the project.
“Nigeria has natural beach and talents. I am glad to be part of this as an ambassador and I believe this forthcoming event will change the face of the sport in Nigeria,” he said.
Source: Vanguard Nigeria
SIASIA PLOTS GHANA REVENGE
By Ifeanyi Ibeh
Super Eagles head coach, Samson Siasia, has submitted a list of players which he insists are good enough to beat Ghana in the international friendly match slated for Vicarage Road, England on August 9.
Speaking in Abuja, Siasia said that his team remains the same except for two or three new inclusions to the regular squad, adding that the list will be made public subject to the approval of the technical committee.
“I have submitted a list of players that I think are good enough to beat the Black Stars when we meet in the UK. Nothing will please me more than beating Ghana in revenge of their recent successes over Nigeria’s men’s and women’s teams in the All Africa Games qualifiers
“Ghana has a crack team but we have the players who can undo them in the match at Watford. I hope to use the game to prepare for our must-win African Nations Cup qualifier against Madagascar in Antananarivo. I would like to use the game to try out a few options in the attack and defence before we assemble for the Nations Cup in September
“I know most of their players and I have played against some at the Under-23 and Under-20 levels, so they won’t be strange to me. It will be tough but I cannot lose to Ghana. I hope to win and enhance Nigeria’s position in the FIFA ranking,” he stated.
Ghana has had the better of Nigeria lately, the Black Stars beating the Super Eagles 4-1 in a London friendly back in 2007 before the Dream Team and the Super Falcons fell to teams from Ghana in All Africa Games qualifiers.
The Black Stars have also eliminated the Super Eagles at each of the last two Cup of Nations tournaments in 2008 in Ghana, when they sent Nigeria packing at the quarter final stage 2-1, and in 2010 when an Asamoah Gyan goal ensured a 1-0 semi final victory for the Ghanaians in Angola.
Nigeria's last victory over Ghana arrived back at the 2006 Cup of Nations in Egypt in a game decided in Nigeria's favour courtesy of a thunderous drive from new AC Milan signing Taye Taiwo.
MIKEL SET FOR CHELSEA EXIT
Chelsea are willing to include some of their key players in a deal to bring Luka Modric to Stamford Bridge.
Tottenham have already rejected bids of £22 million and £27 million from Chelsea for the Croatia midfielder, but the Blues are not ready to give up their pursuit of the creative player.
In spite of Spurs’ insistence that Modric is not for sale at any price, even after he made a transfer request, Chelsea are confident that a very good bid would force their London rivals’ hands.
Now, Chelsea are ready to include Super Eagles midfielder Mikel Obi as make weight in the deal for Modric, meaning the Nigerian would go in the other direction if Modric were to arrive at Stamford Bridge.
Other players Chelsea are willing to sacrifice are Brazilian defender Alex and young Englshman Daniel Sturridge.
Interestingly, Mikel has been hailing the training methods of new coach Andreas Villas-Boas since the start of pre-season, hoping to impress the 33-year-old Portuguese and retain his key role at Chelsea.
Spurs are waiting for Chelsea’s inevitable next bid, and the inclusion of the likes of Mikel, who could play an important role at White Hart Lane club, might sway Harry Redknapp and chairman David Levy to let Modric go.
Chelsea are willing to include some of their key players in a deal to bring Luka Modric to Stamford Bridge.
Tottenham have already rejected bids of £22 million and £27 million from Chelsea for the Croatia midfielder, but the Blues are not ready to give up their pursuit of the creative player.
In spite of Spurs’ insistence that Modric is not for sale at any price, even after he made a transfer request, Chelsea are confident that a very good bid would force their London rivals’ hands.
Now, Chelsea are ready to include Super Eagles midfielder Mikel Obi as make weight in the deal for Modric, meaning the Nigerian would go in the other direction if Modric were to arrive at Stamford Bridge.
Other players Chelsea are willing to sacrifice are Brazilian defender Alex and young Englshman Daniel Sturridge.
Interestingly, Mikel has been hailing the training methods of new coach Andreas Villas-Boas since the start of pre-season, hoping to impress the 33-year-old Portuguese and retain his key role at Chelsea.
Spurs are waiting for Chelsea’s inevitable next bid, and the inclusion of the likes of Mikel, who could play an important role at White Hart Lane club, might sway Harry Redknapp and chairman David Levy to let Modric go.
Ekigho Ehiosun Joins Turkish Club
Nigeria international Ekigho Ehiosun has signed a one -year deal with an option for an additional two years with Turkish Super League club Samsunspor.
The bulky 21 - year- old forward scored 17 goals in 41 games last season for Warri Wolves. In addition, he has scored eight times in 11 games in the national team's colours.
Ehiosun says he is delighted to have signed for Samsunspor and hopes to achieve his targets for the 2011 - 2012 season.
The striker has been a regular for the Super Eagles and the U-23s since making his national team debut against Sierra Leone in Lagos in February.
He had initially rejected an offer from South African side Mamelodi Sundowns, insisting that he would only accept the right offer.
Completesportsnigeria.com
Osaze: Only Europe's best can tempt me from WBA
Osaze Odemwingie says only a good offer from one of Europe's 'Big 10' clubs will convince him to leave West Brom.
The Nigeria striker is in talks with the Baggies over a new deal but remains in the thick of transfer speculation after a smashing first season in England.
It is a situation that has left the 29 year old unruffled, as he continues his pre-season exertions with West Brom.
"We are still talking and maybe soon, when we get back, the situation will be more clear and I can extend my contract for a year or two.
"It is closer to being something positive. It's not 100 per cent, but if things run normally then something will be agreed.
"The transfer window is long and it's normal for players to have rumours about them.
"Of course, if I get an offer that pleases the club and myself and it's from the ‘big 10' clubs in Europe I would take a look at it.
"But I'm not worried, because I'm in a team where I am happy and playing well.
"I would think hard before leaving West Brom, because things are going well for me here and I am enjoying myself."
Baggies coach Roy Hodgson is equally unfazed about the speculation over his prize asset, but says there is a difference in what the club are prepared to pay, and what the players representatives want.
He said, "We would like to reward him for his efforts last season but, at the moment, there is a difference between what his agent thinks the rewards should be and what we are prepared to pay and that negotiation is ongoing.
"But, whatever happens, Peter (Osaze) Odemwingie has got two years left on a contract, so the only question is about what salary he is going to be playing on."
Kickoff.com
Obuh drops three
Flying Eagles coach John Obuh has dropped skipper Ramon Azeez and two others after they failed to beat his arrival deadline to the team's training camp in Portugal.
NFF Chief Media Officer Ademola Olajire said on Thursday that Azeez, along with Stanley Okoro and Mohammed Goyi Aliyu, failed to secure entry visas and will not arrive for residential training in Faro before Friday’s announcement of the final list of 21.
Obuh says he will not risk naming players whose form and fitness cannot be guaranteed.
"The dimunitive Coach has ruled out long-time regulars Ramon Azeez, Stanley Okoro and Mohammed Goyi Aliyu who failed to arrive for residential training in Faro before Friday’s announcement of the final list of 21," Olajire said.
The squad will leave for Panama on Friday ahead of a Four-Nation Invitational tournament.
On Monday, the Flying Eagles take on Panama’s Under-20 side, before further matches against Portugal and Mexico on Wednesday and Friday respectively.
The team will fly out of Panama City straight to Armenia (venue of their first two Group D games) on Sunday, July 24, where they will stay at the Hotel Campestre Las Camelias.
Nigerians will have to stay awake till the early hours to watch the Flying Eagles matches, with their earliest game coming against Guatemala at 10pm Nigeria time on July 31.
Their next two group games, against Croatia and Saudi Arabia, come up at 3am Nigeria time on August 3 and August 6 respectively.
Kickoff.com
NFF Chief Media Officer Ademola Olajire said on Thursday that Azeez, along with Stanley Okoro and Mohammed Goyi Aliyu, failed to secure entry visas and will not arrive for residential training in Faro before Friday’s announcement of the final list of 21.
Obuh says he will not risk naming players whose form and fitness cannot be guaranteed.
"The dimunitive Coach has ruled out long-time regulars Ramon Azeez, Stanley Okoro and Mohammed Goyi Aliyu who failed to arrive for residential training in Faro before Friday’s announcement of the final list of 21," Olajire said.
The squad will leave for Panama on Friday ahead of a Four-Nation Invitational tournament.
On Monday, the Flying Eagles take on Panama’s Under-20 side, before further matches against Portugal and Mexico on Wednesday and Friday respectively.
The team will fly out of Panama City straight to Armenia (venue of their first two Group D games) on Sunday, July 24, where they will stay at the Hotel Campestre Las Camelias.
Nigerians will have to stay awake till the early hours to watch the Flying Eagles matches, with their earliest game coming against Guatemala at 10pm Nigeria time on July 31.
Their next two group games, against Croatia and Saudi Arabia, come up at 3am Nigeria time on August 3 and August 6 respectively.
Kickoff.com
We'll beat Nigeria again, says Gyan
By Ifeanyi Ibeh
Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan is confident that the Black Stars will, in continuation of Ghana's recent dominance over Nigeria, emerge victorious over the Super Eagles when both sides meet in an international friendly billed for August 9 in London, England.
Both Nigeria and Ghana will take their age-old rivalry to the English capital next month in what will be the latest in a recent line of matches involving teams from both countries, the most recent of which came up last weekend in Kumasi where the Ghanaian Under-23 side defeated their Nigerian counterparts 2-0 in an All Africa Games qualifier.
Just less than two months ago, the Ghanaian women's national team defeated Nigeria's Super Falcons 2-1 to send the African champions packing from the All Africa Games taking place in Maputo, Mozambique.
Although a Nigerian side made up entirely of players from the Nigerian league defeated their Ghanaian counterparts at the last WAFU Cup of Nations tournament which took place in Nigeria back in May, the Ghanaians have an edge over the Nigerians as far as Grade-A games are concerned.
Although, the Super Eagles have had their own fair share of victories over the Black Stars, the last time they did that in a FIFA-endorsed game was back at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Port Said, Egypt where a long range effort from Taye Taiwo ensured victory for Nigeria in a Group D encounter.
Since that late January game in Egypt, it has been Ghana all the way with the Black Stars winning three straight games against the Super Eagles with the last of them, a 1-0 victory, arriving at last year's Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.
And Gyan, who scored the solitary goal that separated the two sides in that semi-final game in Luanda, is looking at continuing his country's dominance over Nigeria on August 9 at Vicarage Road, home of Championship side Watford.
"There is a big rivalry between Ghana and Nigeria. They will try to win this time but we are also upbeat about our chances," Gyan told Accra-based radio station, Peace FM.
The 25-year-old Sunderland ace then added: "Let's see what God will do. We will win."
Before the Super Falcons get a visit from the hangman
By Ifeanyi Ibeh
High expectations can sometimes lead to unbearable pressure, and inadvertently failure, as is the case with the Super Falcons at the ongoing FIFA Women's World Cup in Germany.
Failure is probably the wrong way to put it as there has been a lot of positives to take away from the national team's opening two games against France and Germany.
For a side many had tipped to not only crash out of the first round of the World Cup but to do so on the back of embarrassing losses to the French and the Germans, the Super Falcons have surprised all.
They only lost by a lone goal to their more esteemed opponents and even at that, churned out impressive performances on both occasions especially in last Thursday's loss to the Germans in Frankfurt.
Although the Falcons appeared to lose steam against the French when it mattered the most, after going down to a second half strike, against the Germans it was an entirely different approach from the Nigerians as they matched the Germans grit for grit and skill for skill.
Had they been more precise in front of goal, or more resolute at the back when it mattered the most, the game's final outcome could had been different.
But in a country where success is only measured by the number of victories and titles a team carts home, the performance of the Super Falcons thus far in Germany is most likely to come under criticism from a number of self-acclaimed ‘experts' of the game.
But even at that, the Super Falcons exposed the frailty of the Germans so much that doubts are beginning to creep in regarding the ability of the Germans to actually defend their title and make it three World Cup titles on the trot.
So impressive were they on the night that the team's handler Eucharia Uche, pointed out that with a "little input", the Nigerian women's team "can rule the world." And it is an opinion that concurs with that held by Bola Jegede, a former Nigeria Football Federation board member, and current president of the Female Football Foundation (FFF).
Fantastic ladies
"We lost to France by the slimmest of margins and limited a German side that had a few months back defeated us to just a goal, so I am very proud of these ladies," said Jegede recalling last November's 8-0 loss to the Germans in a friendly match played in Leverkusen.
"They are fantastic ladies and as their mom, I am very proud of them," continued Jegede who was the owner of former women's league outfit, Jegede Babes, and who was one of the pioneers of women's football in Nigeria.
She added: "Considering the level of opposition they came up against, this team lost gallantly. The French were lucky to get that goal, the Germans never believed what they saw and against Canada (on Tuesday) I believe they will emerge victorious." The FFF is the nongovernmental organisation which has in recent weeks been in the forefront of the pursuit for more recognition to be accorded to women's football.
In a country where women's football is far from being accorded the same level of recognition as the men's game, the FFF aims to bridge the gap.
Although Nigerian male age-grade teams have remained dominant on both the continent and on the global stage, the last time the senior national team, the Super Eagles, won a continental title was as far back as 1994 at that year's Africa Cup of Nations.
Between then and now, the Super Falcons have won as many as seven continental titles and have been to every FIFA Women's World Cup to date beginning with the inaugural edition back in China in 1991, which was even three years before the Super Eagles made their World Cup debut.
Some measure of success has also been achieved by the country's women's age-grade teams, most notably the Falconets who finished an impressive second at last year's FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Germany.
Giving honour to whom it's due
Of course, in the tradition of the Nigerian government, the teams have been rewarded for bringing glory to their fatherland, but unlike their male counterparts who get lavished with incredible prizes ranging from cash to houses, as well as national honours, the ladies don't get as much.
They sometimes even get to be conveyed on unbefitting open-air trucks as was the case when the Super Falcons returned last November from South Africa with the African Women Championship (AWC) trophy.
Even after the team returned from South Africa, it will be recalled that there were promises to get the team quality friendly matches and training camps ahead of their preparation for the World Cup.
But none of these materialised except for the infamous international friendly against the Germans in Leverkusen. The only other games the team got to play in the months following the AWC, at least some members of the team got to play, were qualifying matches of the All-Africa Games and Olympic Games.
Is one month enough?
It wasn't until slightly over a month ago that the NFF finally got to send the team to a training camp in Austria where the team got to play some friendly matches against teams from Slovakia, Austria, the Czech Republic as well as local Austrian women club sides.
They even got to play against Under-17 boys selections and for this the NFF has been receiving praise - and even showering encomiums on themselves - for the "unprecedented" training programme lined up for the African champions.
Even the team's coach, Eucharia Uche, heaped praises on the NFF stating that her team "has had the best preparation of any Nigerian team at the FIFA Women's World Cup." But what else were we expecting her to say of her employers?
Between the conclusion of the 2007 Women's World Cup in China and the start of the ongoing tournament, the Super Falcons played just under 30 matches in the four years since the end of the last World Cup.
For their part, the French played a total of 45 Grade-A games; the Germans got to play 47 games in addition to some lesser friendly matches, while the Canadians got to play an impressive 60 Grade-A matches. The North Americans even got to camp in Italy for the two-month period leading up to the tournament.
But what else would one expect from a country where women's football takes prominence over the men's game? In fact, members of the Canadian women's national team are better known than the men's.
Another fact is that after Canada was awarded the hosting rights for the 2015 World Cup even more people have turned their attention to the women's team in a country where around 568,000 women and girls play organised football. Canada's population is just under 34 million.
"What is so special about training the team for one month? What are they (NFF) even ready to do for them when they get back home because the Olympics is just around the corner," queried Jegede.
"Let me guess," she retorted, "they will give them transport money back to their base, call them to camp two weeks to the Olympics and then book them into a hotel that is unbefitting for the national team.
"They have to do better for these ladies because these are talented ladies who take delight in playing for Nigeria even though they get insulted and abused by men in the process," she added.
A coaching problem
A coach is as good as his (or her) last result, goes a common saying within football circles. If that holds water in Nigeria, then there is a good chance that the NFF will in the foreseeable future be relieving Uche of her duties with the national team.
Yes, the former international led the Super Falcons to the AWC title and has only suffered a handful of losses to date, but with the level of performance churned out by the team so far in Germany, anyone (well, almost anyone) can see that with some technical input and variation to the team's approach, rather than the traditional 4-4-2 that every Nigerian coach gets to learn at the National Institute of Sports, Lagos, the Nigerian side can go places.
Add a number of quality friendly matches from the stable of the men's football-loving NFF into the equation and the Super Falcons will in no time be ranked among the top-10 teams in the world - a far cry from their present 27th ranking.
The Super Falcons had previously been handled by men coaches such as Paul Hamilton, Ismaila Mabo and Joseph ‘Jossy Lad' Ladipo, as well as Sam Okpodu. But of these lot, only Okpodu specialised in the handling of women players, and still does so to date in the United States of America.
A foreign coach has never handled the Super Falcons even though they are in Germany with a certain Thomas Obliers who, however, is a physical trainer.
Obliers' impact has surely been felt as the ladies have displayed a level of stamina that is uncharacteristic of the Nigerian team at the global stage, but for the Super Falcons to fulfil their potential, a world-class coach is needed urgently.
"Nigeria is big enough to employ a world-class coach," continued Jegede. "We are not saying the local coaches are not good enough but we need quality coaches for the team, and he or she doesn't necessarily have to be a Nigerian.
She added: "Uche has done her best, but someone else needs to come in for the team to move to the next level." That next level, in Jegede's opinion, will see the Super Falcons taking their dominance of the African game onto the world stage and competing for honours four years from now at the next World Cup in Canada.
Over to you, NFF!
Moses happy to remain at Wigan
By Ifeanyi Ibeh
July 14, 2011
Nigerian forward, Victor Moses insists he is happy to remain at Wigan Athletic for as long as he can despite reports linking him to a host of clubs in the English Premier League.
The former England youth international who is on the verge of switching allegiance to Nigeria joined Wigan from English Championship side Crystal Palace for a modest £2.5 million in January 2010.
His appearances for the Latics since his arrival from Selhurst Park has however been limited to just 40 Premier League games, of which only 10 have been as a starter.
As a result, Moses has been linked with a move away from Wigan since the end of the season with newly-promoted Queens Park Rangers reportedly ready to make a move for the winger.
Rangers manager Neil Warnock was Moses' boss at Crystal Palace and once rated him the most gifted player he had ever coached.
And while flattered at the attention, Moses sees his long-term future at Wigan, just as he looks to continue from where he left off last season.
"As far as I'm concerned, I'm still here, I'm happy here, I'm enjoying myself here and I want to stay here for as long as I can," Moses told England based newspaper, the Evening Post.
"It's a great club to be at, there's a real family feel to the place, and I'm really settled here."
He added: "All of the focus now is on next season, and I can't wait to get out there and show what I can do."
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