Ghana sealed a third straight World Cup finals slot despite losing 2-1 to Egypt on Tuesday night in the return leg of the 2014 playoff played at the Air Defense Stadium in Cairo. The Black Stars advanced 7-3 on aggregate to become the fourth African country to qualify for next year's finals in Brazil.
Egypt went ahead on 25 minutes through Amir Zaki after Black Stars goalkeeper Fatau Dauda made a hash of an Aboutreika freekick. Six...
Tuesday, 19 November 2013
EAGLET DIES
Nigeria Football Federation has been thrown into mourning on Tuesday after news of the death of Golden Eaglets defender Friday Njengo filtered out.Njengo, a regular in Coach Manu Garba's team through out the qualifiers for the 2013 African Youth Championship had been in intensive care at the National Hospital, Abuja, for more than nine months after sustaining injuries in a car crash."This is very sad news. We had looked forward to the...
KAYODE HITS HAT TRICK!
Former Flying Eagles star Olanrewaju Kayode scored Maccabi Netanya’s
opener in a 2-0 win over Maccabi Umm al-Fahm on Friday.
Maccabi Netanya remain top of the league table with 23 points from
10 games. Kayode scored the opener for Maccabi Netanya in the 82nd minute to
send the home fans into wild jubilation and the Nigerian said he is delighted
with his goal. "I just want to thank...
"WE SHOWED TOO MUCH RESPECT!" - Keshi
Nigeria would have beaten four-time world champions Italy on
Monday but showed them too much respect, according to coach Stephen Keshi.
Monday night’s friendly at Craven Cottage ended in a thrilling
2-2 draw.
“Maybe, we had too much of
respect for them, but am sure if by chance we meet at the World Cup, we will
put up a better performance,” Keshi looking back at the game.
He therefore demanded more work
and focus from his players in...
"AND THE WINNER IS........"
Toyin Ibitoye was on Saturday night in Calabar awarded the prestigious
Nigeria Football Pitch Award for the best TV journalist in Nigeria for
the year 2013.
According to the awards organizers,Ibitoye's unique
presentation style,maturity,attention to details and unbiased approach
to issues stand him out,making Sports Tonite,the programme he produces
and anchors every night(Monday through Friday) on Channels
Television,the reference...
Friday, 15 November 2013
BATTLEGROUND CALABAR!
The U.J. Esuene Stadium earlier this evening. This is the venue of the make or mar encounter between ths Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia.
PICTURE COURTESY OF SUPERSPORT.C...
KESHI PHILOSOPHICAL
Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, has said there is need for first grade professionalism, total concentration and presence of mind at all times when the national team takes on their Ethiopian counterparts in the second leg, final round qualifier against Ethiopia on Saturday afternoon in Calabar.
The game is scheduled for the UJ Esuene Stadium and fans, supporters and administrators of the game have been trooping...
DEL BOSQUE EXTENDS CONTRACT
Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque has signed a new contract to stay in charge of the world champions until 2016.
The 62-year-old coached Real Madrid and Turkish club Besiktas before being appointed Spain in 2008.
During his reign he has guided the team to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the 2012 European Championship.
Spain, who have qualified for the 2014 World Cup, had the chance to add the Confederations Cup...
INTER MILAN GET NEW PRESIDENT AS MORATTI STEPS DOWN
Erick Thohir has been elected the new president of Inter Milan at a general board meeting.
After 18 years at the helm of the Serie A club, Thohir’s predecessor, Massimo Moratti, said the time had come to "pass the reins" to Thohir, who has taken a 70 percent share in the club.
“I am leaving this club with the certainty that I am leaving it to people who have a sense of responsibility and respect for the colours and the history of...
"I'M 100% CONFIDENT!" - Sewnet Bishaw
Ethiopia coach Sewnet Bishaw has vowed his men will give whatever it takes to overturn a first-leg defeat when they take on Nigeria in their World Cup play-off on Saturday.
Ethiopia hope to continue their surprising World Cup journey when they face Nigeria in the return leg, despite a 2-1 loss at home in mid-October.
Bishaw said in an interview "This is the biggest match of my life. I want to win it. I'll fight to the maximum.
"There's...
"ETHIOPIA WILL BE TOUGH!" - Onazi
Lazio midfielder, Ogenyi Onazi reckons Ethiopia’s Walia Ibex will give the Super Eagles a torrid time when the two sides face off in a second leg World Cup qualifying playoff in Calabar on Saturday.
The Super Eagles won the reverse fixture 2-1 in October and are now heavy favourites to progress to next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil.
Onazi however believes things will be a lot more complicated when the two sides eventually face...
Thursday, 14 November 2013
"SPRAY DE PEPPER!" Niger State reward Eaglets
Niger State Governor Mu'azu
Babangida Aliyu has rewarded world champions Golden Eaglets with cash
gifts.
Apart from the cash gift of 12 million
Naira and 5 million Naira respectively to the players and technical crew, a
cash gift of 3 million Naira was given to the accompanying NFF's board members
and officials.The Governor honoured the
victorious team at a dinner banquet held at Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International
Conference Centre...
"IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK!" - Bright Dike
Toronto FC striker Bright Dike has said that he is
delighted to return to the Super Eagles after a long absence.
Dike, who missed the final cut to the 2013 AFCON and then suffered
a long-term knee injury, was a late replacement for injured Heerenveen striker
Uche Nwofor. The hefty hitman
said he missed the Eagles and was like being away from his family. "I am excited to
be back in the Eagles....
THE ETHIOPIANS ARE IN TOWN!
The Wayla Antelopes
of Ethiopia have arrived Calabar, the capital City of Cross River State for
Saturday’s 2014 World Cup second leg play-off clash against the Super Eagles of
Nigeria.
The Ethiopians touched down at the Margaret Ekpo
International Airport on Thursday afternoon on board a chartered flight with
some of their fans, who are expected to cheer them to victory against the
Eagles before proceeding to their camp at the Channel...
MERCY AKIDE INDUCTED INTO USL HALL OF FAME!
Former Super Falcons star Mercy Akide-Udoh alongside two other individuals have been chosen for the USL Men’s and Women’s Hall of
Fame Class of 2013. The lone inductee into the USL Men’s Hall of Fame
in 2013 is Charleston Battery Head Coach Mike Anhaeuser (Coach), while
Charlotte Lady Eagles President Pat Stewart (Builder) and former Hampton
Roads Piranhas star Mercy Akide-Udoh (Player) will join the Women’s
Hall of Fame.
These individuals...
Wednesday, 13 November 2013
FIFA LISTS NIGERIAN REFEREE FOR WORLD CLUB CUP
FIFA have named Nigerian referee Peter Edibi as one of the referees to
officiate at the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup, scheduled for Agadir and Marakech
from December 11 to 21 in Morocco .
The Cross River born state official joins the list of six other
African referees invited, including Gassama Bakary Papa of Gambia (who will
handle Nigeria’s match against Ethiopia this week end ) Alioum Neant of
Cameroun, Ogbamarien Angeson of Eritrea,...
BRAZIL 2014: "BRAZIL AND ITALY ARE THE BIGGEST THREATS!" - Mata
Spain midfielder Juan Mata is wary of the threat posed by hosts
Brazil and four-time champions Italy at the FIFA World Cup next year. Vicente del Bosque's Spain won their first World Cup in South Africa
three years ago and they will be among the favourites to lift the trophy
again next year.
The Spaniards also won a
second successive UEFA European Championship last year after ending
their long wait to be crowned world champions.
"I...
WAHALA IN SWEDEN!
The
Swedish Football Association has caused a storm in the famously
gender-equal country by giving Anders Svensson a car to mark his record
146 caps while his female counterpart walked away empty-handed.
Midfielder Svensson was presented with the key to a
brand new Volvo during the annual Fotbollsgalan ceremony on Monday in
recognition of breaking Thomas Ravelli's record of 143 caps. Also in the audience, however, was 36-year-old...
CHINEKE! CHELSEA STILL PAYING DI MATTEO'S SALARY!
According to an extraordinary report in British newspaper the Daily Mail, Chelsea are still paying former manager Roberto Di Matteo £130,000 per week, or an eye-watering £6.7m per year. Di Matteo, who won the FA Cup and the Champions League in 2012 after stepping in to replace Andre Villas-Boas, was sacked as Chelsea
manager in November of the same year after failing to impress Roman
Abramovich with his team's performances both home...
"ABEG I NO BE YEKINI O!" - Emenike
Super Eagles and Fenerbahce forward Emmanuel Emenike has rejected comparisons with the legendary Rashidi Yekini, who holds Nigeria's all-time
international scoring record of 37 goals.
"Rashidi Yekini's shoes are still too big for me to wear. I am only
trying to do what I know is best for my fatherland, and I have not done
anything yet," Emenike said.
"I still have a lot to do to get to the heights reached by such a legend."
Emenike...
BRAZIL 2014: "AFRICAN TEAMS WILL BE DANGEROUS!" - Hodgson
England manager Roy
Hodgson feels African countries have an edge over their European rivals at next
year's World Cup in Brazil. An African team has never progressed beyond the
quarter-final stage of the event, with Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana getting the
furthest in 1990, 2002 and 2010 respectively.
But Hodgson believes that the climate in Brazil will help
the teams.
"I think they may have a stronger chance than any of the
European...
LARGERBACK GUNNING FOR ANOTHER WORLD CUP APPEARANCE!
Who remembers former Super Eagles coach Lars Largerback? Well the 65 year old Swede is hoping to appear at the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Iceland if they can beat Croatia in the European World Cup play-offs.
"Because they haven't made it to a final tournament
before, it makes it extra big for them," he said in an interview before
the first leg in Reykjavik on Friday. "From being a small country and not believing it in the beginning,
it's...
"WE MUST BE CAREFUL AGAINST ETHIOPIA." - Emenike
Super Eagles' striker Emmanuel Emenike expects his team's second leg against Ethiopia will
be tougher than the first despite having home-ground advantage. The 26-year-old striker will be one of the key players for Nigeria when
they host Ethiopia on Saturday in Calabar for a spot at next year's
World Cup in Brazil.
Emenike is in good
form, having scored both goals as Nigeria won the first leg in Ethiopia
2-1 last month, while he...
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
EAGLES TRICKLING IN.
Super Eagles assistant captain, Vincent Enyeama was among the 14 players that took part in the team’s first training session today at the UJ Esuene Stadium. The other players who trained on Tuesday include Gabriel Rueben, James 0kwuosa , Chigozie Agbim, Victor Moses and Nnamdi 0duamadi.
The list of Eagles stars who trained on Tuesday evening was completed by Azubuike Egwuekwe, Goidfrey Qboabona, Sunday Mba, Bright Dike, John 0gu,...
UPGRADE!
The Nigeria Football Federation have announced world champions Golden Eaglets will be promoted to the country’s U20 team, the Flying Eagles. The NFF have also disclosed that they will elevate one of the three coaches of the Golden Eaglets with the team to the U20.It is most likely head coach Manu Garba will be moved up to handle the Flying Eagles, while his assistants Nduka Ugbade and Emmanuel Amuneke take charge of the new...
ITALY TO UNLEASH BALOTELLI ON EAGLES!
Italy Coach Cesare Prandelli has released the names of the squad he plans to use for upcoming friendly matches against the Mannschaft of Germany and the Super Eagles of Nigeria with AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli making the cut.
The Azzuris will first host Germany in Milan this Friday and then travel to London where they will meet the African champions at Fulham's Craven Cottage ground next Monday.
Apart from, other names on the list...
"IF I GET THE CALL, I'LL ANSWER." - UCHE
In-form Villarreal striker Ikechukwu Uche says he is not concerned by his continued omission from Stephen Keshi's Nigeria squad. He is not part of Keshi's plans for the second leg of their World Cup play-off against Ethiopia despite three goals in his last four matches in Spain.
"Sometimes it [snub] crosses my mind but I remain a fan of the Super Eagles."
"If I get another chance I'll honour the call," he said. Nigeria hold a 2-1...
THE RETURN OF GETANEH!
Striker Getaneh Kebede has returned to the Ethiopian national team for Saturday's World Cup play-off second leg against Nigeria in Calabar.
The 21-year-old Bidvest Wits player missed the first leg, which ended 2-1 to Nigeria, because of a knee injury.
Coach Sewnet Bishaw will be delighted to have his joint top scorer back as the Walias aim to make it to Brazil 2014 for their first World Cup finals.
Striker Saladin Seid and midfielder...
Monday, 11 November 2013
"IT'S NOT OVER YET!" - Salhadin Said
The Walia Antelopes of Ethiopia all time goalscorer Salhadin Said is upbeat ahead of their crucial return match against Nigeria on Saturday in Calabar. However ‘Sala’ as he is popularly known by his peers still remembers
about his ‘goal’ that denied by the referee when the two sides met in
October saying it was one of his worst moments in football.
Despite the disappointment, Salhadin is delighted to welcome his
striking partner Getaneh...
IBRAHIMOVIC EFFORT IN CONTENTION FOR GOAL OF THE YEAR!
The race to determine the winner of the FIFA
Puskás Award for the “best goal of the year” has started today, 11
November 2013, on FIFA.com and francefootball.fr.
Fans from across the world will decide which of the ten goals selected
by FIFA and selected Football Committee members will be the winner of
this award.
The ten goals are (in alphabetical order of the scorer’s names):
Peter Ankersen – 10 August 2013 - Esbjerg fB...
ANTELOPES FOR DINNER!
The Wayla Ibex of
Ethiopia have confirmed that they will hit Nigeria on Thursday November 14 2013
for their crucial second leg World Cup 2014 playoff clash against Nigeria's
Super Eagles. The delegations from Ethiopia are expected to fly straight
to Calabar aboard a chartered Ethiopian
Airlines from Addis Ababa for Saturday’s make or mar final clash against the
African champions.
As customary with visiting teams, an advance party...
"MY BOY IS WORTH A MILLION EUROS!" - Iheanacho's father
Star of the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup in the UAE, Kelechi Iheanacho, is now valued at a million Euros by his father. Iheanacho scored six goals and created seven more at the tournament as Nigeria clinched a record fourth
title in fine style. It was has now been learn't that Iheanacho’s father has now asked the
rash of clubs and agents scrambling over themselves for the exciting player to cough out a million
Euros (more than 200 million Naira)...
BBC African Footballer of the Year shortlist revealed
The five candidates for the 2013 BBC African Footballer of the Year award have been revealed on the BBC's Newsday programme.
Ivory Coast's Yaya Toure has made the shortlist for the
fifth consecutive year and is joined by Nigerians Victor Moses and John
Mikel Obi, Burkina Faso's Jonathan Pitroipa and Pierre-Emerick
Aubameyang of Gabon.
The winner will be decided by African football fans, who have until 18:00 GMT on...
IGIEBOR OUT!
Nosa Igiebor has been ruled out
of Nigeria’s World Cup playoff on Saturday and will now undergo surgery for a
groin problem.
According to information on the official website of Real Betis, the Eagles midfielder who is set to undergo surgery on his left leg later this week and is not expected back in action earlier than mid
January 2014.
Igiebor at the weekend suffered a relapse of a
groin injury he sustained last week while training...
MESSI OUT FOR TWO MONTHS!
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has been ruled out for between six and eight weeks because of a hamstring injury. The 26-year-old limped off in Sunday's 4-1 away win over Real Betis and has a muscle tear in his left hamstring.
The Argentina international has been hampered by
injuries this season and had to be substituted against Atletico Madrid
in August with a left thigh problem.
He also injured his thigh against...
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
NFF TO BORROW MONEY FOR ETHIOPIA!
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will again have to borrow for
next weekend’s 2014 World Cup playoff against Ethiopia, officials disclosed.
The NFF need at least 50 million Naira for a November 16 playoff
for a place at next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
This cost has been reduced because of the part sponsorship from
the Cross Rivers State Government.
This will be to cover match bonuses as well as the return ticket
refunds for the...
SHAKHTAR HUNTING FOR EAGLETS!
Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk are the latest club to show
interest in players of the Golden Eaglets led by new star Taiwo Awoniyi.
The other players who have caught the eyes of Shakhtar are skipper
Musa Muhammed, Samuel Okon and Musa Yahaya.
“Shakhtar are ready to break the ban for four of the Eaglets –
Awoniyi, captain Musa Muhammed, Samuel Okon and Musa Yahaya,” a top team
official has revealed. “Like most big European clubs,...
REAL MADRID AND MICROSOFT IN TALKS OVER BERNABEU!
Real Madrid have held discussions with computer giants Microsoft with
a view to securing naming rights for their Bernabeu stadium.
Real president Florentino Perez last month revealed the Spanish giants
are seeking a sponsor for the iconic stadium, which is to be
redeveloped.
And Maria Garana, the president
of Microsoft's Spanish operation, has revealed the software firm have
been in talks with the nine-time European champions.
...
"ENGLAND CAN WIN WORLD CUP!" - Beckham
Former England star David Beckham believes Roy Hodgson's side will enter the 2014 FIFA World Cup believing they can win it. England have not reached the final four of a World Cup since 1990 and have won the tournament just once, in 1966.
Despite sitting 10th in the FIFA world rankings, Beckham - who won 115
caps for England - feels that Hodgson's squad will feel confident about
their chances at next year's showpiece in Brazil.
...
FIRST GROUP DONATES $30,000 TO KANU HEART FOUNDATION
As part of efforts to help Nigerians
suffering from heart-related diseases, Dubai based Property Company, The
First Group, has donated $30,000 to the Kanu Heart Foundation. The donation was made in Lagos on Tuesday at the KHF secretariat in Ikeja.
The Chief Operating Officer, TFG, Rob
Burns, while presenting the cheque to CEO, KHF, Onyebuchi Abia,
described the man behind the foundation and Nigerian football legend,
Nwankwo Kanu,...
NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR LEAGUE BLOGGERS AWARD!
The League Bloggers Awards
(LBA) has announced the nominees for this year's edition of its
end-of-the-season awards for the Glo Premier League, otherwise known as
the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).It
will be a November to remember as outstanding actors in the NPFL vie
for individual and club honours in 16 categories while Victor Namo will
be crowned the leading scorer of the 2012/13 season.This
year the LBA has added...
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