nigerian football

Nigeria's Offical World Cup Squad

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Mon, 31 May 2010 11:54:00 +0000

Nigeria have named fit-again Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi in their final 23-man squad for the World Cup, while they will not take a chance on Real Zaragoza striker Ikechukwu Uche.

Nice defender Onyekachi Apam, who has been nursing a knee problem, was also axed from the party.

Top team official, Emmanuel Attah, confirmed the final squad for the World Cup.

Mikel is recuperating from a knee surgery and only joined up with the rest of the squad Friday morning after he was certified fit by doctors of his London club.

Ikechukwu Uche was joint top scorer in the qualifiers with four goals but has been out of action for seven months following a major knee injury.

The other dropped players are Peter Utaka, Victor Anichebe, Bassey Akpan, Terna Suswan and Brown Ideye.

Nigeria coach, Lars Lagerback, said after his team’s 1-1 draw with Colombia in London on Sunday that Mikel was left out of the World Cup warm-up match so as not to put pressure on his injury.

However, he said Mikel will star in the Super Eagles next test game against fellow World Cup finalists North Korea on June 6 in Johannesburg.

AS Monaco midfielder Lukman Haruna was rewarded for his enterprise and equalising goal against Colombia with a spot in the final party. He will thus feature in three World Cups – FIFA Under-17 World Cup, FIFA Under-20 World Cup and now the senior World Cup.

Lagerback made public his final squad after a meeting with NFF top shots led by president Sani Lulu during which he defended his selection.

The final full squad:

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv/ISR), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda/ISR), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikva/ISR)

Defenders: Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille/FRA), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes/FRA), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow/RUS), Joseph Yobo (Everton/ENG), Daniel Shittu (Bolton Wanderers/ENG), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam/NED), Rabiu Afolabi (SV Salzburg/AUS)

Midfielders: Kalu Uche (Almeria/SPA), Dickson Etuhu (Fulham/ENG), Mikel Obi (Chelsea/ENG), Sani Kaita (Alaniya/RUS), Haruna Lukman (AS Monaco/FRA), Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev/UKR)

Strikers: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Everton/ENG), Chinedu Obasi (TSG Hoffenheim/GER), Nwankwo Kanu, John Utaka (Portsmouth/ENG), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg/GER), Obinna Nsofor (Malaga/SPA), Osaze Odemwingie (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia)

Van Gaal rejects Nigeria

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:42:00 +0000

Dutch coach Louis van Gaal has ruled himself out of the Nigeria job, saying he would see out his two-year contract with German club Bayern Munich.
It means that the former Barcelona coach, who joined Munich on July 1, 2009, will not be available until 2011.

Van Gaal was one of six candidates shortlisted by the Nigeria Football Federation after a meeting last Friday which ended with Shuaibu Amodu being demoted to coach a team of locally-based players.

But the Dutchman, who has been linked with the Nigeria job since 2005, says he is unavailable at this time.

"I have a contract and I'll respect it. It's not the first time that Nigeria show interest in me, but Bayern Munich represents a great challenge. I think that Bayern will be my last club, after that I'll go to Portugal and there I'll wait a nice offer to guide a great national team," van Gaal said.

The Bayern coach is one of two high profile candidates shortlisted for the post. The other, current Russia coach Guus Hiddink, is also expected to rule himself out of the running in the coming days.

However, one high-profile name who was not shortlisted, but who is believed to be keen on the Nigeria post is Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trappatoni.

The Italian is said to have a clause in his contract that allows him to walk away from the Republic job anytime until March 10.

Nigeria boss Amodu sacked

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 10:58:00 +0000

Nigeria have sacked coach Shaibu Amodu despite the team's third-place finish at this year's Africa Cup of Nations.

It is the second time the 51-year-old has been removed from his post ahead of a World Cup finals tournament.

The decision was taken after a late-night meeting of the Nigerian Football Federation in Abuja.

Dutchman Guus Hiddink, currently Russia's coach, is among those on a shortlist of preferred candidates to replace Amodu.

Earlier this week, Egypt coach Hassan Shehata claimed he had been approached by Nigeria to lead them at the World Cup later this year, while Zambia boss Herve Renard says he has been approached by several other African teams.

Amodu was in his fourth stint as national coach, having also managed Nigeria from 1994-95, 1998-99 and 2001-02.

He was also fired ahead of the 2002 World Cup finals after Nigeria again finished third at the African Nations Cup.

He returned to the role in 2008 having ended a spell as manager of Nigerian Premier League side Sharks FC three years earlier.

The Super Eagles boss was under intense pressure going into the African Cup of Nations in Angola, with calls from several quarters for him to be fired.

Despite guiding Nigeria to the semi-finals the team's style of play, his tactics and key decision-making were all questioned during the tournament.

The Super Eagles lost 1-0 to Ghana in the final four but beat Algeria by the same scoreline to secure third place.

The NFF must now move swiftly to recruit a new coach with the World Cup finals in South Africa just over four months away.

Nigeria are in Group B along with Argentina, Greece and South Korea, with their opening match against the Argentines on 12 June in Johannesburg.

NFF media officer Idah Peterside said: "The technical committee of the federation has been mandated to have a new man in place by the end of the month."

Other names in the frame are thought to include former England caretaker manager Peter Taylor, Bruno Metsu, who coached Senegal to the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals, and Ratomir Dujkovic, Ghana's coach at the last World Cup in Germany.

Amodu, meanwhile, has been given the task of overseeing Nigeria's home-based players for the new African Nations Champions tournament, a competition for players who play their club football in Africa.

Peterside added: "He will be in charge of talent identification and finding players for the future."

Giresse: Nigerians Are Impatient

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:14:00 +0000

Former French great Alain Giresse has slammed calls for the removal of Nigeria Head Coach, Shaibu Amodu by highly –placed Nigerians, saying the calls are ill –motivated.

“I used to be interested in the Nigeria job, I think six years ago or so. But not any longer. I don’t know what is going on. How can someone qualify his country for the World Cup and then, because he lost a match, everyone is saying they should sack him.

“Please allow the guy to do his work. Nobody is perfect, but if someone can qualify his country for the World Cup, then he deserves some respect. I even heard that it is the second time he has qualified Nigeria for the World Cup. That is huge.

“Sincerely, I don’t want a job like that; I prefer the peace. But let me say that Nigerians should leave the Coach alone. Let him do his work and he can get good results for your country”.

Martins inline for Nigeria start

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:53:00 +0000

Obafemi Martins is in the frame to start Wednesday’s Group C clash between the Super Eagles and the Mambas of Mozambique in Lubango.
The former Newcastle FC of England star returned to the African finals after dashing off to the UK for a court appearance and has since been showing good form at training for the two–time African champions.
Nigeria nned to get a result from Wednesday’s meeting with the southern Africans at the Tundavala Stadium to be sure of a slot in the tournament’s last eight. With the competition being governed by the head-to-head rule, it means Nigeria can no longer finish at the head of the table.
Egypt, on six points, play Benin Republic in Benguela knowing they are confirmed Group C winners as victory for Nigeria over Mozambique can only take the Eagles to six points but having lost to Egypt, are worse off on head-to-head.
It was raining heavily in Lubango on Tuesday afternoon but the wet conditions did not stop the Nigerians hitting the Tundavala Stadium for their last training session in the evening.
Toothache–disturbed midfielder Dickson Etuhu is now much better after his troubles were sorted out and will also be looking forward to a place in the starting line–up, while fellow midfielder Yusuf Ayila is also out of the sick room.

Nigeria Ready To Overcome Crisis Of Confidence

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:51:00 +0000

World Cup-bound Nigeria were thrashed 3-1 in their opening match against African champions Egypt and were lucky to scrape to a 1-0 win over unfancied Benin thanks to a penalty.

But Nigeria are now ready to live up to their billing as one of the front runners for the title.
“Having lost to Egypt we had to expect there was a crisis of confidence in our camp and we had to be careful in our game against Benin. Even when we were up against them, we were not confident but at least we got our points,” coach Shaibu Amodu said.

Striker Peter Odemwingie pointed out that Nigeria had a habit of starting slowly in tournament before adding: “Every game we play we get better.

“We have the quality players to go to the final. If we play to our potential, we believe we can win the cup.”
A draw against Mozambique in their last Group C game in Lubango on Wednesday would carry them into the knockout phase.

Amodu has been without striker Obafemi Martins, who is recovering from surgery on a shin injury, and will also probably have to cope without captain Joseph Yobo, who injured a hamstring on Saturday in the win against Benin.
Despite his injury woes, Amodu reminded the depth of talent he had at his disposal.

“I have made the point before that all of the 23 squad members are capable of playing in this tournament. We have enough in reserve,” Amodu told reporters.

Nigeria last won the Nations Cup in 1994. They have reached the semi-finals four of the last five tournaments.

Eagles Arrive Lubango Without Yobo

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:03:00 +0000

The Nigeria national team, Super Eagles arrived in Lubango just after noon on Monday and immediately moved to their Hotel Serra da Chela ahead of Wednesday´s Group C game against the Mambas of Mozambique.

However, team stand-in Captain Joseph Yobo, who was injured in Saturday´s narrow win over Benin Republic, was left behind in Benguela as medics continue the search for a place where he could do a proper scan of the hamstring trouble.

Physiotherapist Ekundayo Ogunwale is with the Everton FC of England ace defender as the Nigeria Football Federation is determined to take care of the player.

The Super Eagles will train at the Tundavala Stadium by 5pm on Monday evening, as they get set to pick the three points against Mozambique that will guarantee them a place in the quarter finals.

Champions Egypt head Group C with six maximum points from two games, followed by Nigeria with three while Mozambique and Benin Republic prop the table with one point each.

QUEIROZ, ADELAKUN WANT EAGLES TO SHOW FIREPOWER

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:05:00 +0000

Portugal Head Coach, Carlos Queiroz says he wants to see the Super Eagles fire from cylinders as he has been disappointed by their showing so far at the African Cup of Nations in Angola.

The former Real Madrid FC of Spain Head Coach made this known at the VIP box of the Estadio Nacional De Ombaka in Benguela on Saturday as the Eagles laboured to a 1-0 win over tiny neighbour Benin Republic in Group C.

"I expected a better performance, honestly. But I believe they will pick up as they go ahead in the tournament". Organizers of the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals South Africa have been planning a match between Nigeria and Portugal as part of the activities to mark 100 days to the World Cup, but Queiroz´s statement could mean he is no longer keen on a game with a team playing the way the Super Eagles are doing.

Speaking in the same vein, NFF consultant Tunde Adelakun said in Lubango on Monday morning that there is a wide room for improvement for the Nigeria team at the on-going championship.

"I believe the team has far more capacity and ability than it has shown. Perhaps one or two things have not gone right and it makes the entire team look bad. But I know they can rise from that and

Officials Mum Over Yobo Scan Result

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:54:00 +0000

Top team officials have chosen not to reveal the result of a scan done on injured Eagles skipper Joseph Yobo, insisting that they would prefer that they are fully briefed before they could make further comments on the hamstring injury the player suffered.

"We are waiting for them to rejoin the team before we can comment on the situation. We want to get the full details of the situation from the experts," said top Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) official, Taiwo Ogunjobi.

Initial diagnosis said Yobo will be out of action for at least two weeks, which effectively rules him out of the Nations Cup.

The Everton defender was forced to have a scan on his suspected hamstring injury in Luanda after he failed to get a proper facility in Benguela, where Nigeria were based for their first two Group C matches.

"Yobo had his scan in Luanda and we expect him and the physio in Lubango this morning (Tuesday)," said Ogunjobi.

Yobo stayed back in Benguela when the Eagles departed for Lubango Monday afternoon following a three-hour delay at the Catumbela air strip.

He, along with the physio, later flew out to Luanda, where a scan was done on his torn hamstring.

Shooting Incident: Nigeria Empathise With Togo

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 16:35:00 +0000

The Nigeria Football Federation on Friday evening expressed sympathy with the Togo Football Federation over the shooting incident on the team bus that left the driver dead and eight persons injured.

Rebels attacked the Togo contingent bus at the Angolan border as they travelled by road from Point Noire in Congo to their Group B base in Cabinda.

“Our hearts are with the Togolese contingent at this moment and we pray that the Almighty Allah will heal those who are injured. This is a very sad occurrence”, said NFF President Sani Lulu Abdullahi, who flew with the Nigeria contingent into Benguela hours after the incident.

Officials of the Local Organizing Committee have already stated that the Togo team was not expected to travel by road. But NFF President Lulu Abdullahi said that was not important for now.

“What is important is for the entire football world to rise to the side of the Togo team and pray for quick recovery for those injured. It is very sad that the driver has died, and we sympathise with his family.

“The Nigeria Football Federation has already reached out to the LOC on the need for greater security around the participating teams”.

The shooting incident, which affected three players, is the first of such in the 53 –year history of the African Cup of Nations.

African Nations Cup Will Go Ahead - CAF

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:46:00 +0000

The African Nations Cup will go ahead as planned despite Friday's deadly attack on the Togo team buses which killed the driver and injured nine, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed to AFP.

"Our great concern is for the players, that's our key priority, but the championship goes ahead" Souleymane Habuba, CAF's communications director, insisted.

Tragedy struck the build-up to the Nations Cup which starts here on Sunday when gunmen fired on the Togo team as they crossed the border from Congo-Brazzaville to the troubled province of Cabinda.

The head of the Togolese football federation reported the driver had been killed and nine other passengers injured in the attack claimed by the armed wing of the Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC).

Habuba revealed that CAF's vice-president had set off from the Angolan capital of Luanda to Cabinda to find out at first hand what had occurred.

"We need to know all the facts about what's happening on the ground, we haven't got them all yet. We can't give a full reaction from reports that we have got from the media."

Habuba did, however, question why Togo, in contrast to the other 15 teams making their way to Angola for the biennial competition, had elected to travel by road rather than flying.

"CAF's regulations are quite clear, teams are required to travel by air, not road.

"We had a meeting of all the teams this morning, or at least almost all of them - Togo didn't show up, and it was only later on Friday afternoon that we heard via information from the media that they had been the victims of an attack.

"But at no point were we told they were travelling by road."

Virgilio Santos of the local organising committee confirmed they had been in the dark as to how Togo were arriving at the Nations Cup.

"We asked all the delegations to tell us how and when they were coming, as well as the players' passport numbers. Togo was the only team not to reply and they didn't tell us they were coming by road," said Santos.

Habuba said CAF would make further comment on the shooting once they had more details either later Friday or Saturday.

The Togo team came under machinegun fire as they were travelling from their training camp in Point Noire in Congo to Cabinda where they were scheduled to play their opening match against west African neighbours Ghana on Monday.

Meanwhile, the African division of the player union FIFPro called on organisers to "leave no stone unturned, assuming the Cup can go ahead, to ensure the security of players and those accompanying them."

"Football is an instrument of peace, a festival," said FIFPro. "It should not be used as a vehicle for mindless violence, whatever the claims of those who seek to take it hostage" for their own ends.

Assuming the tournament does continue as Habuba insists then CAF and the Angolan authorities have a series of major issues to tackle, not least whether to maintain the original programme with games being held in Cabinda or transfer them to the other Cup venues in Angola in Luanda, Benguela or Lubango.

The other teams in their group are Burkina Faso and the star-studded Ivory Coast whose squad includes Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure.

http://www.wsn.com/2010/01/08/football/news/africa/african-nations-cup-to-go-ahead-caf_27242/

Osaze Misses Eagles Last Training In Durban

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:11:00 +0000

Lokomotiv of Moscow forward, Osaze Odemwingie did not train with the other members of the team yesterday morning. The fair skinned striker did not even appear at the stadium as he stayed back at the team’s hotel.

After copping a slight injury in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat of Thanda Zulu ,a second division club here in Durban, Osaze was to rest the left leg for two days.

Eagles Practice Penalty Kicks

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:05:00 +0000

The Super Eagles rounded up their pre-Nations Cup camping here in Durban yesterday with a one hour forty-five minutes training at the ABSA Sharks Stadium.
The training was held inside the mainbowl of the stadium . It was conducted by head coach, Shaibu Amodu. It was a tactical session with the stadium gates closed to spectators.

Before rounding off the session, coach Amodu took his wards through a penalty shoot out session. The three goalkeepers were subjected to the players penalty kick skills.It was the team’s last training in Durban before heading to Angola this afternoon.

Big bonuses for Eagles

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:30:00 +0000

Nigeria's Super Eagles players will each be paid a $30 000 bonus for every game they win at the group stage of this year's African Nations Cup.

That figure will be reviewed and graduated upwards for the knockout stages.

Additionally, the players will be paid an appearance fee of $3 000 per game for every game they feature in at the championships.

The total bonus is an aggregate of $15 000 from the NFF and another $15 000 from the Presidential Task Force. Previously, the players were paid $5 000 as winning bonuses and half of that for a draw, getting nothing for a loss. That situation changed with the arrival of the PTF, which upped the winning bonus to $10 000 during the qualifiers. The figures were agreed on between the NFF and the players during a recent trip to the UK to meet with the team's senior players.

However, Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu has told NFF and PTF bigwigs that money was a secondary consideration for the players.

"It is not all about money. It is about how much they want to play for their country. If these boys are not committed to playing for their country, no amount of money will matter.

"What is important is for all of us as Nigerians to support the players in every way, to motivate them to give their best. All this negativity does not help."

http://www.supersport.com/football/article.aspx?id=328727&headline=Big%20bonuses%20for%20Eagles%20

Super Eagles Get Hotel Praia Morena

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:14:00 +0000

The Super-Eagles will be lodged at 3 Star Hotel Praia Morena in Benguela when hostilities begin next week in the Africa Cup of Nations. Praia Morena is the first hotel unit of Visabeira Tourism in Angola.

The Hotel is framed by a warm atmosphere, providing an environment of genuine comfort to those seeking for better stay in a business trip or leisure.
The Eagles nest for the period of the 27th edition of the Africa mundial is considered as the hotel unit of reference in the city of Benguela and it offers a wide range of services, complemented by excellent location near the entrance of the city, which facilitates access to beaches and the main cities of the province. It was opened in June 2008.

Meanwhile, the Eagles first opponents of AFCON 2010, Egypt will be lodged at Hotel Luso while Benin Republic and Mozambique will check in at the Hotel Navegantes and Hotel Tropicana respectively.

Elsewhere, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi’s Aigles of Mali who will play the opening game of Angola 2010 against the hosts next Sunday will stay at Hotel Alvalade in Luanda.
Group B is considered the ‘group of death’ by pundits and all teams in that pool, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Togo will stay at the Villa CAN 2010 Complex in Cabi

Super Eagles Get Hotel Praia Morena

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:14:00 +0000

Kanu, Yobo, Olofinjana In Special Drills

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:09:00 +0000

Super Eagles trained behind closed doors on Tuesday morning at the mainbowl of the ABSA Sharks Rugby stadium here in Durban just as Daniel Amokachi had time out to drill the trio of captain Nwankwo Kanu, his vice, Joseph Ikpo Yobo and Seyi Olofinjana at the practice pitch of the stadium. The session lasted for an hour after which they joined their teammates before they departed for their hotel.

OFFICIAL NIGERIAN TEAM LIST WITH SQUAD NUMBERS

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:03:00 +0000

PLAYERS SQUAD NO
Vincent Enyeama 1
Joseph Yobo 2
Taye Taiwo 3
Nwankwo Kanu 4
Obinna Nwaneri 5
Daniel Shittu 6
Chinedu Obasi 7
Yakubu Aiyegbeni 8
Obafemi Martins 9
John Obi Mikel 10
Osaze Odemwingie 11
Austin Ejide 12
Yussuf Ayila 13
Seyi Olofinjana 14
Sanni Kaita 15
Kalu Uche 16
Chidi Odiah 17
Obinna Nsofor 18
Yusuf Mohammed 19
Dickson Etuhu 20
Elderson Echiejile 21
Onyekachi Apam 22
Dele Aiyenugba 23

Africa Cup of Nations 2010 Groups And Schedule

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:29:00 +0000

Africa Cup of Nations 2010 Groups

Group A:
Angola
Mali
Malawi
Algeria

Group B:
Cote d’Ivoire
Burkina Faso
Ghana
Togo

Group C:
Egypt
Nigeria
Mozambique
Benin

Group D:
Cameroon
Gabon
Zambia
Tunisia

Africa Cup of Nations 2010 Schedule:

#01 – Jan 10th, Angola vs Mali (Group A) 17:00 kickoff

#02 – Jan 11th, Malawi vs Algeria (Group A) 14:45
#03 – Jan 11th, Cote d’Ivoire vs Burkina Faso (Group B) 17:00
#04 – Jan 11th, Ghana vs Togo (Group B) 19:30

#05 – Jan 12th, Egypt vs Nigeria (Group C) 17:00
#06 – Jan 12th, Mozambique vs Benin (Group C) 19:30

#07 – Jan 13th, Cameroon vs Gabon (Group D) 17:00
#08 – Jan 13th, Zambia vs Tunisia (Group D) 19:30

#09 – Jan 14th, Mali vs Algeria (Group A) 17:00
#10 – Jan 14th, Angola vs Malawi (Group A) 19:30

#11 – Jan 15th, Burkina Faso vs Togo (Group B) 17:00
#12 – Jan 15th, Cote d’Ivoire vs Ghana (Group B) 19:30

#13 – Jan 16th, Nigeria vs Benin (Group C) 17:00
#14 – Jan 16th, Egypt vs Mozambique (Group C) 19:30

#15 – Jan 17th, Gabon vs Tunisa (Group D) 17:00
#16 – Jan 17th, Cameroon vs Zambia (Group D) 19:30

#17 – Jan 18th, Angola vs Algeria (Group A) 17:00
#18 – Jan 18th, Mali vs Malawi (Group A) 17:00

#19 – Jan 19th, Burkina Faso vs Ghana (Group B) 17:00
#20 – Jan 19th, Cote d’Ivoire vs Togo (Group B) 17:00

#21 – Jan 20th, Egypt vs Benin (Group C) 17:00
#22 – Jan 20th, Nigeria vs Mozambique (Group C) 17:00

#23 – Jan 21st, Cameroon vs Tunisia (Group D) 17:00
#24 – Jan 21st, Gabon vs Zambia (Group D) 17:00

Quarter-Finals‘

#25 – Jan 24th, 1st A vs 2nd B, 17:00
#26 – Jan 24th, 1st B vs 2nd A, 20:30

#27 – Jan 25th, 1st C vs 2nd D, 17:00
#28 – Jan 25th, 2st D vs 2nd C, 20:30

Semi-Finals
#29 – Jan 28th, Winner #25 vs Winner #28, 17:00
#30 – Jan 28th, Winner #26 vs Winner #27, 20:30

Third place playoff
#31 – Jan 30th, Loser #29 vs Loser #30, 17:00

Final
#32 – Jan 31st, Winner #29 vs Winner #30, 17:00

The players are the heroes: Amodu

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:39:00 +0000

Nigeria coach, Shuaibu Amodu, has saluted the determination and commitment of his players following the country's dramatic qualification for next year's World Cup, saying the Eagles merited their ticket to South Africa.
The Eagles leapfrogged erstwhile Group Two leaders Tunisia on the final day of action in the qualifying tournament for the 2010 World Cup after they beat Kenya 3-2 and the North Africans lost 1-0 in Mozambique.

Amodu told reporters immediately after the Super Eagles victory at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi that the players never lost hope and were fired up to qualify for the World Cup.

“I will say kudos and congratulations to the players for making it happen because they are the heroes of today. This was a victory well deserved because we fought and worked hard for it," Amodu said at a press briefing monitored on Lagos radio.

“It could have been difficult for us here [Nairobi] if we didn’t have the experience, the resilience and the determination it takes to win a match of this magnitude and importance.

“This is a typical Nigerian side which you can never rule out when it is faced with difficulties to excel. This is a Nigerian side that is determine to go to the World Cup in South Africa next year and you can see the desperation and the determination to achieve this in the team in today’s match.

“This is a Nigerian side that is motivated to be there because we believe that we deserve to be there. So, today’s victory against Kenya is a victory for all Nigerians."

The Eagles are due in Abuja early Sunday morning after a five-hour flight from Kenya.

They are likely to be hosted by the government to a special reception before they leave for their overseas clubs

Martins brace seals qualification for Nigeria

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:36:00 +0000

Obafemi Martins came off the substitute’s bench to score a priceless brace to help Nigeria beat Kenya 3-2 and snatch a 2010 World Cup ticket that looked all but gone to Tunisia.
The North Africans did not help their cause by losing 0-1 to Mozambique in Maputo on a dramatic day of Group B qualifying.

Going into the final round of games, the Super Eagles trailed Tunisia by two points, and needed to win against Kenya to have any hope of profiting from a Tunisia slip up.

But the Eagles, who have made hard work of this campaign, made things even tougher for themselves when they went a goal behind after just 15 minutes.

Some slick Kenyan passing sliced open the Nigerian defence and Denis Oliech strode in to tuck away past Vincent Enyeama and beyond Joseph Yobo's desperate last ditch attempt to clear.

Nigeria were forcing thei way into the Kenyan area and creating half chances but failing to finish, and coach Shuaibu Amodu threw on Obafemi Martins in the second half.

That proved to be the turnng point. The impressive John Mikel Obi launched a superb ball into the area, and Osaze Odemwingie, ubiquitous as ever, cushioned his header into the path of Martins, who threw himself at the ball to draw Nigeria level.

Yakubu, who had missed a simple chance in the first half, made amends. Obinna Nsofor squeezed off a shot but the miscued ball fell invitingly for the Yak. His first effort came off the post, but the Everton striker made no mistake with his second effort.

But dreadful defending allowed Kenya back into the game. Allan Watende was allowed all the time in the world to meet a teasing cross with a powerful header, and it was as you were again.

Martins, however, showed how valuable he was when he tracked a Kenyan counter attack all the way into his half, then arrived in the box to acrobatically squeeze in a throw-in with the outside of his foot.

And the team could celebrate, and play for the final whistle when word came in that Dario Monteiro had given Mozambique an 83rd minute lead in Maputo.

That game went on to 9 minutes of additional time, but Tunisia failed to find a goal, and Nigeria held on to join Ghana and Ivory Coast on the trip to South Africa.

African Fantasy football

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 15:23:00 +0000

First of all fantasy football is a game in which participants assemble an imaginary team of real life players and score points based on those players' actual statistical performance or their perceived contribution on the field of play. Usually players are selected from one specific division in a particular country, although there are many variations.
It has evolved in recent years from a simple recreational activity into a significant business due to exposure via the internet.

This funny video says all there is to know about Choosing the right players.
For full Information visit African Football Fantasy

Greg Etafia escapes as Eagles stoned

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:41:00 +0000

South Africa-based duo Greg Etafia and Idah Peterside narrowly escaped serious head injuries when the Super Eagles bus was stoned by angry fans after what has been generally seen another unconvincing performance.
The Super Eagles eked out a barely-deserved 1-0 win over Mozambique with a goal deep in stoppage time by Obinna Nsofor.

The team were booed from start to finish, but the fans did not stop there, and showed their frustrations by lying in wait for the team and hurling missiles at the brand new team bus.

Both men were sitting together in the bus and one of the missiles smashed the glass.

Etafia, who had the window seat, was rescued from the incoming projectile by the blinds, while Idah, on the aisle seat, had his quick reactions to thank for getting out of the way of flying shards.

Nigeria 1-0 Mozambique

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:52:00 +0000

Obinna Nsofor brought Nigeria's World Cup hopes back from the dead with a late winner deep into stoppage time on Sunday in Abuja.
Nsofor headed namesake Obinna Nwaneri's desperate lunging cross into an unguarded post in the 94th minute of the 5 added by the referee.

Booed by a scanty turn-out at the start, and intermittently throughout, the Super Eagles struggled to break down the well-drilled Mambas, and could well have gone behind early if Elias Pelembe hadn't hit the crossbar after turning a retreating Elderson Echiejile.

Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu made seven changes to the team that started against Tunisia, and the side looked shorn of rhythm, although they still carved chances out and really should have been two goals up before halftime.

The longer the game stayed scoreless, the more confident the Mambas grew and the more raggedy the Nigerians became.

The visitors even had a cheeky spell where they put nearly 25 passes together without a single Eagle touching the ball.

As the game wore on, the Eagles began to turn the screws, but were rebuffed by stoic, disciplined defending.

Chance upon chance upon chance were created but goalkeeper Rafael Joao was having a blinder of a game along with his defenders, and the Eagles could find no way through, and looked in danger of elimination until Nsofor's last-gasp winner. http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=11574

Siasia blames strikers, ref for loss

noreply@blogger.com (IGBOKWE NKEMAKONAM) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 08:23:00 +0000

Flying Eagles coach Samson Siasia turned on his strikers after the team lost their second game on the bounce at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Egypt.
The Nigerians were beaten 2-0 by Spain despite, once again, dominating their opponents and Siasia said it was down to his forwards to put away the numerous opportunities the team created.

"I believed we had more chances in the first half but I don't know why our strikers always go to sleep. I don't really know how many chances we need to score a goal.

"It is so sad that we have strikers that can't even score goals. If you don't score goals, you can't win any match," the former Nigeria international lamented.

Siasia's was equally unhappy to see his team concede a soft penalty and another player walk off with a red card for the second consecutive game, especially when a Spanish player got off with only a yellow card for a similar offence as that which got Haruna Lukman sent off in the opening game, and he did not spare the referee.

"I don't know what is going on may be the referees don't want us to go to the next round of the competition. It was obvious that the penalty given to the Spanish team was not a penalty. It is just ridiculous."

Nigeria have a slim chance of advancing as best losers if they beat group whipping boys Tahiti, and results from elsewhere go their way.