Toyin Ibitoye's Blog

Tuesday, 19 November 2013

GHANA THROUGH TO BRAZIL!

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 minutes away from time, substitute Gedo was put through by danger man Ahmed Salah and he blasted past Dauda.

But against the run of play, Asamoah Gyan slid a ball through for Kevin-Prince Boateng, who replaced Abdul Majeed Waris to finish off a consolation in the 89th minute.

Egypt's Shikabala had a glorious chance to make it 3-1 but the substitute amazingly shot wide.

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 boy eventually recovering to be part of the team again as the squad progresses to the next level. It is a thing of sorrow to lose such a huge talent this way," NFF general secretary Musa Amadu said on Tuesday.

While Njengo sustained a head injury in the accident, goalkeeper Abubakar was luckier and was discharged after a few days.

At the National Hospital, an operation was performed on the player and he was thought to be recovering, though still suffering from memory lapses, until his death on Sunday night.

The Nigeria Football Federation stated on Tuesday that burial arrangements would be announced after consultations with the family.

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 God for making me score in our game today (Friday). Indeed He is a good God," Kayode said.

Kayode was recently freed by FIFA after a long-drawn transfer logjam that involved top Ivorian club Asec and a former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) top shot Taiwo Ogunjobi.

CULLED FROM MTNFOOTBALL.com

"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 the lead-up to next year’s World Cup in Brazil.

“It’s time to go back and work hard for our various clubsides and stay healthy, because that will form the basis for invitation when we resume next year,” he said.

“The truth is that not everybody here will go to the World Cup, but that is how football goes, so those who want to be part of the team must remain fit and play regularly for their clubsides.”

England-based stars like Mikel Obi, Shola Ameobi and Victor Moses have since rejoined their clubs.

Keshi and other team officials are expected back in Nigeria on Thursday morning, as they will depart London Wednesday night via Heathrow Airport for Lagos.

Keshi is expected to start preparations for the 2014 CHAN early December, with only home-based professionals. The event holds in January in South Africa.

"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 point for all those interested in keeping tabs with all the issues in Nigerian Sports and Football.

After receiving the Award,Toyin Ibitoye dedicated it to the memory of his late friend and producer Joe Ighile,who incidentally slumped and died while presenting the show on February 8,2013 while he (Toyin Ibitoye) was on his way to South Africa for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final.

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.COM

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 into Calabar City for the encounter.

"We have never played Ethiopia before, infact we don’t know them, but we want to win against them and win well," Keshi said during a last minute chat with the media in Calabar after the Eagles last training session in the Canaan City.

He however expressed optimism that the team will not let the nation down in Saturday’s game despite the fact that the Ethiopians have not lost any game away in the qualifiers.

'We have also not lost any game away and we are the champions of Africa, we must be ready at all times for any opposition and I think that is what we are set to do on Saturday," he said.

CULLED FROM FUTAA.COM