Final Show Down - Nigeria V Guinea News & CAMP Updates

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Match: ANC Qualifier
Date: Saturday, 8 October 2011
Venue: Abuja National Stadium
Kickoff: 2PM Nigeria time

THE TEAM

Goalkeepers: Dele Aiyenugba, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim

Defenders: Joseph Yobo, Taye Taiwo, Dele Adeleye, Elderson Echiejile, Chibuzor Okonkwo

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi, Obinna Nsofor, Joel Obi, Fengor Ogude, Uche Kalu, Ahmed Musa

Attackers: Peter Utaka, Ikechukwu Uche, Peter Odemwingie, Chinedu Obasi, Brown Ideye, Ekigho Ehiosun, Emmanuel Emenike

Standby/Ghana Friendly: Gege Soriola, Emmanuel Ekpo, Nosa Igiebor, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Ugo Ukah

Guinea Squad:

Goalkeepers: Naby Yattara (Arles Avignon, France), Abdul Aziz Keita (FC Baraka).

Defenders: Ibrahima Sory Bangoura (Djoliba AC, Mali), Ibrahima Camara (Eupen, Belgium), Alimou Diallo (Sivasspor, Turkey), Oumar Kalabane (Manisaspor, Turkey), Florentin Pogba (Sedan, France), Boubacar Diallo (Spartak Trnava Slovakia).

Midfielders: Mohamed Sacko (AS Gabes, Tunisia), Kamil Zayatte (Istanbul Buyuksehir, Turkey), Mamadou Bah (VfB Stuttgart, Germany), Kevin Constant (Genoa, Italy), Amadou Cisse (Bohemians, Czech Republic), Jean Habib Balde (Universitatea Cluj, Romania), Ibrahima Sory Conte (Gent, Belgium).

Strikers: Ibrahima Traore (Augsburg, Germany), Larsen Touré (Brest, France), Ibrahima Yattara (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Fode Mansare (without contract), Karamoko Cisse (Albinoleffe, Italy)

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Ugbade wants early goal against Guinea

Golden Eaglets assistant coach, Nduka Ugbade has charged Super Eagles to strive for early goal in match day six of the 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Syli National of Guinea.

The outcome of the final Group B duel billed for the National Stadium, Abuja will decide between Guinea and Nigeria who pick the automatic ticket for the biennial football showpiece in Equatorial Guinea/Gabon.

Guinea lead the group on 13 points followed by Nigeria’s 10 and it is reckoned that should Nigeria beat fellow West Africans 2-0 she will qualify for the football fiesta on head-to-head rule.

Guinea won the first leg in Conakry 1-0.

Ugbade told SuperSport.com that the only way Samson Siasia's side will survive the expected onslaught from Guinea and pick the vital ticket is to go for an early goal in the first 15 minutes.

“Only an early goal will help us achieve our aim and qualification. That is the only way we will put them under pressure and disorganise them and this will be followed up with a concerted push for more goals.

“Under no circumstances should we delay scoring late in the game as we did against the Barea of Madagascar in Antananarivo, a tough and experienced side like Guinea would have cashed in on the situation to make things difficult for us.

“Delay to score goals will build their confidence level and it could be disastrous.

“Guinea are not coming here for tea party, they will pull all tricks to rattle us to submission and hope to beat us for the ticket.

“We need to watch out for complacency. The target looks simple but if we are not careful it may turn against us,” Ugbade said.

The former Nigerian defender also advised against experimentation, at least, for the match against Guinea.

“Coach Siasia should stick with the players who have been with him up to this moment. It will not be a good idea to start introducing new players at the last lap of the qualification.

“Of course, he could shop for new legs after qualification but for the sake of the Guinean match, I will prefer he keeps faith with the squad that played against Madagascar,” he said.

http://www.supersport.com/football/nige ... nst_Guinea

[kdk4christ]

Guinea will be big test – Nwosu


Ex-Nigeria international, Henry Nwosu has branded the Super Eagles deciding game for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying against Guinea’s Syli Stars as a huge test.

The former Eagles player believes that the game against the Guineans billed to hold at the National Stadium in Abuja on October 8 will not be a stroll in the park.

Nwosu, 48, added that playing at home will count for nothing when the Nigerian men’s national team face their Guinean counterparts.

“It is going to be a big test for the Super Eagles. Remember that the game is the decider for who gets automatic qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations next year. So expect the Guineans to come here very prepared.

“I also think this mentality of playing at home will mean nothing. This is because the Guineans will come here knowing that our team need an outright win. So our team will be the one to dictate the game while they sit back and hope to take any chance that comes their way,” Nwosu said.

However, the former Under17 head coach wants the Super Eagles to hit the ground running by scoring early in the match.

He believes that an early goal in the game will hand Samson Siasia’s men the initiative to take apart the Syli Stars on October 8 in Abuja.

“The Super Eagles will need to score an early goal. That way they will be able to settle down and play their game. At the same time, they must be very alert defensively so that they do not concede any goal,” he advised.

Nigeria are currently on 10 points – three behind Guinea – in Group B of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification and need just a 1 – 0 win to pick a straight ticket to the competition.

Nwosu is remembered for scoring a dramatic late winner against Guinea in a Fifa World Cup qualifier in 1981.

© SuperSport.com

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NFF to determine Enyeama's future


The Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will decide on the future as Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama soon.

Enyeama had reportedly alongside John Mikel Obi and Victor Anichebe expressed dismay over travelling plans for the game against Madagascar on September 4.

The trio had demanded for a bigger aircraft to avoid a stop-over. They also allegedly requested that the trip be moved forward by two days.

Enyeama has, however called up Nigeria head coach, Samson Siasia to apologise.

Siasia has accepted the apologies of the 29-year-old goalkeeper but the matter has taken a new twist.

SuperSport.com has also been informed that the football federation will decide on the keeper's future soon.

The former Enyimba shot-stopper could face sanctions from the Nigerian federation for his role in the alleged mutiny.

"Yes he called to apologise and I've put that behind me as we are a big family and it is expected that there will be misunderstanding at some point. He was genuinely apologetic.

"But the technical committee of the federation has taken up the case and will make their decision known. I had to report back to the people who gave me this job and they have decided to look into the matter," the Nigeria manager said.

The OSC Lille Metropole keeper was dropped by Siasia from the side that defeated Madagascar by 2-0 in Antananarivo.

Enyeama, however, excused himself from the trip to Dhaka, Bangladesh where Nigeria lost 1-3 to Argentina in an international friendly.

© SuperSport.com

[kdk4christ]

Eagles List For Guinea Match Out Next Week

Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia, will next week forward the list of players he intends to invite to camp for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Syli Nationale of Guinea to the Nigeria Football Federation.

The must-win encounter is slated to hold at the Abuja National Stadium next month.

The Super Eagles need at least a 1-0 victory to upstage Guinea from the summit of Group B to pick the automatic ticket from the group.

Siasia, according to the Chairman of the Technical Committee of the NFF, Christopher Green, will turn in his list of players to the committee next week.

"We are grateful to God for the Super Eagles victory in Madagascar which has brightened our qualification chances for the 2012 Nations Cup," Green prayed.

"Now , our focus has shifted to the match against Guinea which is the last but decisive game in the race; so we are going to give it all the attention it deserves because we cannot afford to slip up at this point.

"After the list must have been handed to the Technical Committee, we will look at it and then the Secretariat will send out invitations to the players and their clubs.”

[kdk4christ]

Ayila’s Return Excites Ideye

Super Eagles new striker, Brown Ideye, is happy over the recovery of his compatriot Yusuf Ayila who recently strained his groin in training inside the Abuja National Stadium while preparing for the games against Madagascar and Argentina.

There were fears that the versatile player was going to be out for six weeks after initial diagnosis, but Ideye noted that he was delighted to see the former Union Bank midfielder train with the rest of the Dynamo Kyiv squad prior to their 3-1 win over Illichivets on Sunday where he provided an assist for the opening goal.

"Ayila is fit and is able to play again. He is recovering very fast and I think this is good for both club and Country,” Ideye told Complete Sports.

"He will be able to play again from next weekend. The other players are in good condition too. Ayila is an important player for the team."

The 22-year-old striker who moved from Sochaux in France during the summer after scoring 15 goals in the French league last term further brushed aside the threat of the Syli Nationale of Guinea in the final game of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

"We will be playing at home and nobody should expect anything other than victory on that day. We are all fit now ahead of the game which will earn us top spot in the group."

Ideye who joined Swiss side Neuchâtel Xamax in January 2008, where he scored 23 goals in 55 appearances, made an impressive debut for the Super Eagles in their 3-1 loss to Argentina in an international friendly in Dhaka, Bangladesh last Tuesday to earn the praise of Super Eagles boss Samson Siasia after the game.

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MTNFootball.com weekly round-up of Nigerian performances in top flight action in Europe:

BELGIUM

Joseph Akpala netted the winning goal for Club Brugge in the 54th minute away at KV Mechelen.

The 2-1 away win shot Club to third place on the table as they now have 12 points from six matches, a point behind front runners city rivals Cercle Brugge and KAA Gent.

Little known Nigerian striker Derrick Chuka Ogbu scored twice as his club Oud-Heverlee Leuven beat RAEC Mons 3-1.

Ogbu, who was recently on trials at Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, scored in the 70th and 83rd minutes.

His club have moved up to seventh place with nine points.

DENMARK

Peter Utaka was on target after 57 minutes as OB Odense won at Silkeborg IF 3-1.

Odense are third on the table with 14 points from eight matches, eight points adrift of table topper Copenhagen.

ENGLAND

Osaze Odemwingie made an immediate impact on his return from an ankle injury as he fired home what would eventually prove to be the match winner for West Bromwich Albion at Norwich City.

‘Osas’, wearing a newlook bleached-white hair, used his pace to cash in on a defensive mix-up after only two minutes.

“Osaze looked very sharp when he scored a very good goal,” remarked ex-international Victor Ikpeba.

However, he somehow blotted his copy book when his penalty kick was saved by the goalkeeper in the 76th minute.

The win earned ‘The Hawthorns’ their first points of the new English Premier League season.

NORWAY

Eagles rising midfield star Fengor Ogude scored his fourth goal of the season as his club Valerenga beat IK Start 2-1. Compatriot Solomon Owello featured for Start.

NETHERLANDS

Youth international striker Uche Nwofor made a goal-scoring debut for his new Dutch club VVV Venlo as they drew 3-3 at home to PSV Eindhoven.

The ex-Rangers striker, 19, found target on 52 minutes to tie the scores at 2-2.

Nwofor was one of five Nigerians who featured in this game. Ahmed Musa, Alex Nkume and Michael Uchebo starred for VVV, while Rabiu Ibrahim came in as a sub for PSV.

TURKEY

Former Warri Wolves striker Ekigho Ehiosun also got off to a dream start in Europe for newly promoted Samsunspor.

The Nigeria international was on target after 38 minutes against Genclerbirligi in a game his new Turkish team won 3-2.

Michael Eneramo was not so lucky on the opening day of the Turkish season as his team Sivasspor lost 2-1 away at Karabukspor and the big striker was booked in the 83rd minute.

RUSSIA

Eagles star Obinna Nsofor inspired a remarkable comeback for Lokomotiv Moscow at home against Zenit St.Petersburg, who raced to an early 2-0 lead.

Nsofor scored his team’s first goal as they fought back to win 4-2.

The railway men are now fifth in the standings with 23 points from nine matches.

UKRAINE

The rave of the moment here is Olympic international left winger Michael Babatunde, whose assists propelled his club Kryvbas to a 2-1 victory over ambitious Tavriya.

Tavriya have three big-name Nigerians on their books – Sani Kaita, Dele Adeleye and Lucky Idahor – who all watched from the bench as former Heartland forward Babatunde tormented their defence endlessly.

Babatunde has since been rewarded with a Murano jeep by his club.

Kryvbas are now fourth in the standings, a spot above Tavriya.

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Guinea Star Scared Of Eagles Strikers



Guinea midfielder Fode Mansare is warning his teammates of the potential pitfalls they face when they visit the Abuja National stadium to lock horns with the Super Eagles of Nigeria for the sole ticket of the 2012 Africa Nations Cup in group B.

"The main danger is Nigeria's quality in attack. They are a team with great players," Mansare was quoted by Guinean website,mirinet.net.gn.to have said.

"The likes of Osaze, Nsofor, Musa, Ideye and the rest are very dangerous players",he added.
Mansare, who featured in his side's 1-0 win over the Eagles in the first leg in Conakry further said stopping the Nigerian attack from scoring will be the team's aim when they meet on the 9th of October.

"It will be important for us to get one point or win. It is possible," said the Syli National star.

"Nigeria are a strong team at home who will be fighting for the top place in the group. We hope to win it for our fans," he noted.

The Syli Nationale who missed the last edition of the Nations Cup in Angola need only a draw to win the group.

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Siasia seeks 3-0 vs Guinea



Nigeria coach Samson Siasia has said his team will aim to beat Guinea 3-0 at home next month so as to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in style.

The Super Eagles only need to win 1-0 on October 8 in Abuja to finish top of Group B ahead of the Syli Stars and book their passage to the Nations Cup in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in January.

But Siasia said he wants to teach the visitors a big football lesson by beating them “silly” next month.

“The issue now is not beating the Syli Stars of Guinea, but to beat them silly,” said Siasia, who will release his list of call-ups for the crucial qualifier next week.

“We need to beat them by as many as three goals to nil.

“We have to prepare well and find a way to win convincingly to earn the sole group ticket.

“They have nothing at stake in Abuja, they will surely fall.”

Guinea last visited Nigeria fourteen years ago and lost 2-1 in a 1998 World Cup qualifier with Daniel Amokachi firing a brace.

Guinea pipped Nigeria 1-0 in Conakry last October and have led the qualifying group that also includes Ethiopia and Madagascar.

Siasia also said he has accepted goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama’s apology following the incident over the team’s travel plans that forced the coach to drop the Lille star from the matches against Madagascar and Argentina.

“I have received and accepted his apology,” said the Eagles handler.

“It was very unfortunate that the incident happened before our departure. I dropped the player because I was afraid of his state of mind before such an important match.

“But it is now left for the federation to decide on his future with the team.”

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Injury stops Yusuf Mohammed

Nigeria ace Yusuf Mohammed will miss a crucial CAF Champions League tie next weekend at Morocco’s Raja Casablanca after an Achilles tendon injury recurred.

Mohammed’s Sudanese club Al Hilal will need a result at Raja to have any chance of reaching the last four of the Champions League. They are third in Group A with seven points, same as second-placed Cotonsport of Cameroon.

However, right back Mohammed has again been ruled out of his team’s campaign after the Achilles tendon injury he suffered at last year’s Nations Cup in Angola relapsed during a recent training.

The former Enyimba star will now visit specialists in Dubai to assess the injury.

“I have concluded plans to travel to Dubai to see some doctors, who I have the belief will help me put an end to this career-threatening injury. I have absolute faith in Almighty Allah that I will surmount this injury problem,” he informed MTNFootball.com

“I was contacted by the Eagles coach (Samson Siasia) for the country’s recent matches against Madagascar and Argentina, but I couldn’t join the team due to injury.”

Mohammed had surgery for the injury in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola.

[Tbite]

Goddam it I want Yusuf Mohammed in that team Why Why Why

The guy can play LB and would be a great backup for taiwo..he can play as a Left Wing Back also..creating more ammo upfront...in a Sergio Ramos manner.

He is a workhorse.........Taiwo is an even better workhorse

but Echieljile is useless.

Yusuf Mohammed should be moulded as Taiwo's backup

[Naijaboy19]

Guinea Star Scared Of Eagles Strikers



Guinea midfielder Fode Mansare is warning his teammates of the potential pitfalls they face when they visit the Abuja National stadium to lock horns with the Super Eagles of Nigeria for the sole ticket of the 2012 Africa Nations Cup in group B.

"The main danger is Nigeria's quality in attack. They are a team with great players," Mansare was quoted by Guinean website,mirinet.net.gn.to have said.

"The likes of Osaze, , Musa, Ideye and the rest are very dangerous players",he added.
Mansare, who featured in his side's 1-0 win over the Eagles in the first leg in Conakry further said stopping the Nigerian attack from scoring will be the team's aim when they meet on the 9th of October.

"It will be important for us to get one point or win. It is possible," said the Syli National star.

"Nigeria are a strong team at home who will be fighting for the top place in the group. We hope to win it for our fans," he noted.

The Syli Nationale who missed the last edition of the Nations Cup in Angola need only a draw to win the group.

at least they recognize the strength of our attack

[Sir V]

Guinea Star Scared Of Eagles Strikers



Guinea midfielder Fode Mansare is warning his teammates of the potential pitfalls they face when they visit the Abuja National stadium to lock horns with the Super Eagles of Nigeria for the sole ticket of the 2012 Africa Nations Cup in group B.

"The main danger is Nigeria's quality in attack. They are a team with great players," Mansare was quoted by Guinean website,mirinet.net.gn.to have said.

"The likes of Osaze, , Musa, Ideye and the rest are very dangerous players",he added.
Mansare, who featured in his side's 1-0 win over the Eagles in the first leg in Conakry further said stopping the Nigerian attack from scoring will be the team's aim when they meet on the 9th of October.

"It will be important for us to get one point or win. It is possible," said the Syli National star.

"Nigeria are a strong team at home who will be fighting for the top place in the group. We hope to win it for our fans," he noted.

The Syli Nationale who missed the last edition of the Nations Cup in Angola need only a draw to win the group.

at least they recognize the strength of our attack

--and the weakness of our defence.

[kdk4christ]

Yobo wants CAF to take pitch action

Nigeria captain Joseph Yobo wants the Confederation of African Football to set minimum standards for playing surfaces that host international matches on the continent.

The defender was speaking following the last but one weekend of qualifying matches for the 2012 African Nations Cup, which saw three Nigerian players picking up pitch-related injuries.

Yusuf Ayila picked up a groin injury and was forced to withdraw from the Nigeria squad when he stepped on a bad portion of the pockmarked surface of the Abuja National Stadium while training.

Victor Anichebe and Emmanuel Emenike, who did play the said game, suffered injuries playing on the terrifyingly chequered surface in Antananarivo.

Anichebe has now been ruled out for three months, and will take no part in Nigeria's final game against Guinea.

Yobo says it is time for CAF to take firm action.

"I think it’s about time they looked into things like this. The pitch in Madagascar was very poor. That pitch and the one we played in Ethiopia, I don’t know which one is worse.

"I don't think that we as professional players should be made to play on pitches like these. It’s really terrible.

"This is something that CAF and the national teams have to look into. They don’t have to wait until something disastrous happens before they realise that it is very dangerous. I don’t think it is ideal for anybody to play on surfaces like this."

The Nigeria skipper, who has traversed the continent in 10 years of playing international football for Nigeria, says pitch conditions have become progressively worse, and suggests that CAF should take decisive action.

"I've been around a few years and I believe it is getting worse. It’s about time they look into it.
"Countries that cannot provide good pitches should be made to play their games to a place where they have good pitches," he said.

Although most African federations are cash-strapped, Yobo insists that they can afford the cost of maintaining pitches to basic standards.

"It does not cost that much to have a good pitch. We are not asking for the type of facilities we have in Europe, we're just asking for a pitch where you can bounce a football and pass a football and be able to run with a football without worrying about getting injuries.

"We are not asking for an excellent pitch just an average, good pitch that you can play on with peace of mind."

Colin Udoh

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Joel Obi Seeks First Start In Europe

Super Eagles dazzling midfielder, Joel Obi will be aiming for his first UEFA Champions League start today when his Italian Serie A club,Inter Milan play Turkish side,Trabzonspor in tonight's clash at the ---San Siro.

Joel Obi has been involved in all the official games played by the black and blue this season, including Sunday's 3-4 dramatic loss to Palermo in the Serie A is among the squad of 20 players named by Inter for tonight's game.

The 20-year-old midfielder made his Champions League bow against Werder Bremen on September 29 2010 and it was his competitive debut for the Nerazzurrini.He replaced Stankovic in the final stages and was on the pitch for less than a minute when Eto'o completed a memorable night for Inter with his third and Inter's fourth.

[kdk4christ]

NFF stay out of Siasia, Enyeama row
by Sammy Wejinya 14 September 2011, 11:10

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will not dabble into the much publicised fallout between Super Eagles coach, Samson Siasia and goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama.

Enyeama was dropped from the Nigeria squad that beat Madagascar 2-0 in a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on September 4 after he protested against the team’s travel arrangements.

He also missed the 3-1 friendly defeat to Argentina in Dhaka, Bangladesh on September 6.

The Lille Metropole goalkeeper has since apologised to the coach and his teammates but Siasia was quoted in a local website on Tuesday saying that even though he has accepted the apology, it was now left for the NFF to decide the fate of the player.

“I have received and accepted his apology,” said the Eagles handler.

“It was very unfortunate that the incident happened before our departure. I dropped the player because I was afraid of his state of mind before such an important match.

“But it is now left for the federation to decide on his future with the team,” Siasia said.

The NFF has however differed with the coach on the issue insisting that the matter is within his purview.

Spokesman of the NFF, Ademola Olajire said "the Federation is too busy to get involved in petty issues like that."

“That is not an issue for (the NFF) to dabble into. The federation is too busy for that.

“It is left for the coach, the players and other members of the team to decide whether or not they still want Vincent (Enyeama) in the team,” Olajire told SuperSport.com.

Siasia has a well-documented history of falling out with big players in his teams. He has had spats with John Mikel Obi, Osaze Odemwingie and d#$% Etuhu who has vowed never to play for Nigeria as long as Siasia remains at the saddle.

© SuperSport.com

[kdk4christ]

Afcon final qualifiers to kick off simultaneously


The Bata stadium in Equatorial Guinea will host the opening game of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations on 21 January

The Confederation of African Football has confirmed that each group's final round of 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will start at the same time.

A total of 21 matches will take place on the weekend of 08-09 September, with 10 places still up for grabs.

Caf is awaiting the preferences from the continent's various federations before announcing each kick-off time.

Joining hosts Equatorial Guinea and Gabon in January's finals are Botswana, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Burkina Faso.

However, the appearance of the Burkinabe Stallions at the Nations Cup is uncertain because of a protest over the eligibility of Herve Zengue lodged by Group F rivals Namibia.

Caf is expected to consider the issue of Zengue, who is Cameroonian-born but married to a Burkinabe, before the final round of matches.

Equatorial Guinea and Gabon will host the 2012 Nations Cup between 20 January and 12 February.

Defending champions Egypt will not be there to defend their crown after failing to win any of their first five Group G games.

Caf said in its official website:

“The Confederation of African Football has announced that the last matches of Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2012 qualifiers (match day 6) in each group will kick off at the same time as stated in article 4,3,3 of the competition regulations which stipulates that ‘The Organising Committee of the Africa Cup of Nations will be in charge of the fixing, after consulting the organizing associations, the dates, the venues and the time of kick-off of the matches.’

“Exact kick-off times will be communicated by Caf shortly after all concerned federations provide their preferences.”

For Zimbabwe, the big game will be against the Cape Verde Islands away in Group A where the top three teams can still qualify for the finals.

Mali leads the standings with nine points, the Warriors are second with eight points and the Cape Verde are on seven.

If Zimbabwe win and Liberia beat Mali, the Warriors will be through to the finals. If both Zimbabwe and Mali pick up one point, then the West Africans will qualify.

[kdk4christ]

NFF not satisfied with Enyeama's apology

Posted: 2011-09-14 10:53

Although Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has forgiven goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, the NFF say they will still investigate his indisciplined behaviour.

Enyeama disagreed with travel arrangements ahead of Nigeria's crucial Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Madagascar in Antannanarivo on September 4.

He, Mikel Obi and Victor Anichebe missed the team bus and arrived at the airport separately to the team.

Enyeama was dropped to the bench for the match.

The goalkeeper has since apologised, and Siasia has accepted, but the NFF insists Enyeama has a case to answer.

''He was too rude on the day and almost discouraged the players and scuttled our plans,'' a source from the NFF tells Tribunesports.

''He was not the captain of the team and in any case if he was, he did not approach the matter with caution required of a player of his calibre,'' he adds.

Siasia has informed the NFF that Enyeama gave an excuse not to participate in the September 6 friendly against Argentina in Bangladesh, but the Federaton says they want to the know the player's reasons.

KICK OFF

[kdk4christ]

Utaka begs Siasia for starting role

Peter Utaka has blamed his non performance for the Eagles on limited playing time given to him by coach Samson Siasia.

The Odense of Denmark striker who has made seven appearances and scored four goals for the Eagles, declared that he needs to get quality time to make the difference.

“You will see that I have not been given much playing time in the team of recent. The last time I played against Argentina I think I played like five, 10 minutes,” he revealed.

“There is a big difference starting a game or having like 45 minutes to play than coming in as a substitute for the last five or 10 minutes. So there is no way you can just settle down in time to score goals in such limited time.

“It’s not that easy at this level to get goals in a few minutes of play.

He added: “But I can’t blame the coach (Samson Siasia) because he has at his disposal many strikers for any match. I just need to wait for the time I will get enough playing time to start scoring again.

“I am even very grateful to him for picking me for the national team. But I am pleading for more playing time and I won’t disappoint him.”

[kdk4christ]

[kdk4christ]

French clubs queue for Okonkwo



everal top French clubs including Montpellier, Lyon and Bordeaux have indicated interest to sign Nigeria international Chibuzor Okonkwo.

Okonkwo has been praised by Eagles coach Samson Siasia as Nigeria’s best right back on current form.

MTNFootball.com gathered that scouts for Montpellier and Lyon are scheduled to watch the Heartland FC right back in the recent friendly against Ghana in London only for the game to be called off because of the riots in London.

“These top clubs were booked to send their representatives to watch Okonkwo in London, but unfortunately the game was cancelled at the last minute,” a top agent informed MTNFootball.com

Another Paris-based agent informed that Bordeaux are also keen to sign the Nigeria defender.

“There is a huge interest by Bordeaux for the player, but strangely it seems he is not willing to take his chance in France,” said the agent.

The former Gabros of Nnewi star only recently returned from trials in Ukraine, which did not work out.

He has also undergone trials in France, Turkey and Russia.

[kdk4christ]

Nigeria will beat Guinea - Shorunmu

Ike Shorunmu has assured that Eagles will re-enact the defeat of Madagascar when they face the Syli National of Guinea on October 8 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the National Stadium in Abuja.

The Super Eagles are three points adrift of Group B leaders, Syli National with 10 points and have to beat the Guineans by at least 2-0 to win the group’s sole ticket on head-to-head rule.

The Guineans edged Nigeria 1-0 in Conakry.

Shorunmu, who appears unperturbed of the seemingly uphill task, told SuperSport.com that the Eagles will beat fellow West Africans the same way they fell the Barea of Madagascar in Antananarivo.

“Qualifying Nigeria for the Nations Cup is the key thing for us at the moment. That is what is paramount on our minds at present and we want to do it the Madagascar way.

“Madagascar suffered a 2-0 defeat and we intend to repeat it against Guinea. It could be more at the end of the day but 2-0 is our target especially as it is the minimum score we need to book our ticket for the Nations Cup,” said the Super Eagles assistant coach.

The former Nigerian goalkeeper assured that the coaching crew will take every measure necessary to tighten any loose end in the team before the must-win duel.

“Surely, Guinea will fight like a wounded lion. They want to qualify for the Nations Cup, so we are going to make sure we do not aid them in any way.

“Our defenders are humans, the same way as our attackers and midfielders. We will fortify all the departments. Our target is to win, so we are not going to leave any stone unturned towards achieving the desired goal,” he said.

© SuperSport.com

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Osaze, Ehiosun set for Eagles return


Nigeria head coach Samson Siasia is expected to recall Peter Osaze Odemwingie and Ekigho Ehiosun when he announce the squad to face Guinea in a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier next week.

The same squad for the Cup of Nations qualifier will also be retained for the international friendly against the Black Stars of Ghana in London on October 11, our correspondent was informed.

“But the team list will first be submitted to the NFF technical committee for their usual vetting before the coach now makes an official announcement of the players in a press conference. It is very likely that the list will be announced next week,” our source confirmed.

It is understood that Odemwingie and Ehiosun were left out for the trip to Madagascar due to injury and lack of match fitness respectively.

Emmanuel Ekpo and Danny Shittu are also likely to make the team for the game against Guinea and Ghana next month, it has also been learned.

Victor Anichebe is a major doubt, as he has been ruled out due to a long-term injury he sustained in the game against Madagascar on September 4.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations provided they defeat their Guinean opponents by two-nil to progress on the head-to-head rule adopted by Caf for the qualification.

Equatorial Guinea and Gabon will play co-hosts to the biennial championship next year.

© SuperSport.com