Under fire Super Eagles’ Chief Coach Berti Vogts is expected in Abuja today for crunch talks with his employers – the Nigeria Football Association (NFA).
It will be the first time the German will be visiting Nigeria since he lead the Eagles to a disastrous outing at Ghana 2008, where they failed to get past the quarter-final stage.
Once the Eagles, who laboured to qualify from Group B, crashed 2-1 to the hosts, Ghana, the tactician headed back to Germany for a ‘short rest’.
However, in the wake of the disappointing outing of the national team there have been very stringent calls for the FA to immediately terminate the appointment of the former Scotland manager.
But the 1974 World Cup winner has put the Glass House in a quandary by refusing to tow the honourable path of resigning; instead insisting that he was already looking towards preparing the Eagles for the World Cup qualifiers, which kick off in June.
In fact the unrepentant sweat merchant in departing Accra, said he would be using his ‘break’ to see if he would be able to cope with the Nigerian media, which he sees as being very hostile towards him.
Glass House officials who confirmed the German’s arrival, also admitted to THISDAYSports that Vogts had written to notify them that he had formally written to FIFA to complain over the delay in receiving his January salary, which has yet to be paid.
“Yes it is true Vogts is arriving on Thursday (today). We expect him to formally brief us on what happened in Ghana and his plans to ensure that a repeat doesn’t happen,” explained the FA official, who insisted that as long as Vogts’ was yet to be sacked he would still be expected to carry out his job as national team coach.
“You heard what our Chairman (Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi) told the media on Tuesday, when he pleaded for patience on the Vogts issue. Until we finally decide on what to do with him he (Vogts) will continue to carry out his duties,” said the official.
However, it is clear the German will want to ‘clear the air talks’ over his status with the Glass House and also find out the true situation as regards his January salary, which should have been paid on the 25th according to the contract Vogts signed February last year.
Telecoms giant Globacom, which picks up the wages of the coach, have already told THISDAYSports that they were not the cause of the delay since going by the agreement they have with the Glass House, the second national carrier is supposed to receive a clearance letter from the NFA before remitting the money to Germany.
The company, according to officials, is yet to receive such a letter from the Glass House.
“They (NFA) know the payment process, until we receive the letter from them we won’t be sending any money to Germany,” explained the Globacom official, who assured the company has Vogts’ salary ready.
THISDAYSports also confirmed that Vogts had already been in touch with FA officials on the phone from his base in Germany inquiring about his delayed January salary, threatening to head to FIFA if the issue was not resolved on time.
He has since made good his threat by writing Zurich – a copy of which he also sent to the Glass House.
Vogts, who guided Germany to victory at Euro’96, had agreed to coach the Eagles in a blaze of publicity in a signing ceremony which took place in a high brow London hotel last February.
Showing posts with label Nigeria. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nigeria. Show all posts
Friday, February 15, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Ghana/Nigeria:Far From Truth, Aftermath Of Eagles Defeat
The Federal Government yesterday denied reports that Ghanaians in Nigeria were being attacked following Nigeria's 1-2 loss to Ghana on Sunday in the quarter-finals of the ongoing African Nations Cup, even as Nigerians in Ghana are fearing for their safety following the reports in the local media.
Mr John Odey, the Minister of Information and Communications, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that there was no truth in the reports credited to some radio stations in Accra.v"In Nigeria, no one will take it personal or physical for losing a game.Rather Nigerian fans are known to always turn to support the winning team which has been characteristic of our fans over the years," he said.
The minister also said the defeat of the Super Eagles would serve as a lesson for the development of football in Nigeria.
"Every defeat should be taken with the same spirit of sportsmanship. Better lessons are even learnt from every defeat that will encourage the development of football in Nigeria and Africa," he added.
Meanwhile, the Ghana High Commission in Abuja has described as "untrue", the reported attacks on Ghanaians in the aftermath of the match.
Mr Kwame Tenkwrang, the Ghanaian Deputy High Commissioner, told NAN that the Ghanaian government had since been informed that "there has not been any killing and a statement has been given to that effect.
"The Ghanaian Government takes this matter seriously and has since dispelled the rumour."
However, following reports of alleged assault of Ghanaians resident in Nigeria after last Sunday's 2-1 defeat of Super Eagles by host Ghana Black Stars, Nigerians in Accra and other major cities are living in fear of reprisal attacks following reports of the story in all the local media.
Both print and electronic media in Ghana had reported in the aftermath of the epic clash on Sunday that some Ghanaians died in Lagos and Abeokuta after being set upon by unhappy Nigerian fans and the fear of retaliation has made most Nigerian residence in Accra to stay indoors or avoid night life probably till after the semi final match tomorrow when the host will play the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at the Ohen Djan Stadium.
However in a related development, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Patrick Timbillah, has assured that the safety of lives and properties all foreigners would be protected through out the competition which will end on Sunday.
He warned that residents who try to make trouble with the breach of laws under the guise of celebrating the victories of Black Stars would be prosecuted accordingly and called on all residents to go about their lawful duties without molestation."We have received information that some gangs are trying to molest foreigners especially Nigerians, my men are on the alert to protect all participants regardless of their nationalities.
"Ghanaians are peace loving people and any attempt by some disgruntle elements to make trouble will not be tolerated," he said yesterday.
The action was a follow up to the intense build up that trailed the clash last Sunday with an assurance from the Inspector General of Police Mr. Mr. Patrick Acheampong, and through out the match, no Nigerian was molested.
Mr John Odey, the Minister of Information and Communications, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that there was no truth in the reports credited to some radio stations in Accra.v"In Nigeria, no one will take it personal or physical for losing a game.Rather Nigerian fans are known to always turn to support the winning team which has been characteristic of our fans over the years," he said.
The minister also said the defeat of the Super Eagles would serve as a lesson for the development of football in Nigeria.
"Every defeat should be taken with the same spirit of sportsmanship. Better lessons are even learnt from every defeat that will encourage the development of football in Nigeria and Africa," he added.
Meanwhile, the Ghana High Commission in Abuja has described as "untrue", the reported attacks on Ghanaians in the aftermath of the match.
Mr Kwame Tenkwrang, the Ghanaian Deputy High Commissioner, told NAN that the Ghanaian government had since been informed that "there has not been any killing and a statement has been given to that effect.
"The Ghanaian Government takes this matter seriously and has since dispelled the rumour."
However, following reports of alleged assault of Ghanaians resident in Nigeria after last Sunday's 2-1 defeat of Super Eagles by host Ghana Black Stars, Nigerians in Accra and other major cities are living in fear of reprisal attacks following reports of the story in all the local media.
Both print and electronic media in Ghana had reported in the aftermath of the epic clash on Sunday that some Ghanaians died in Lagos and Abeokuta after being set upon by unhappy Nigerian fans and the fear of retaliation has made most Nigerian residence in Accra to stay indoors or avoid night life probably till after the semi final match tomorrow when the host will play the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at the Ohen Djan Stadium.
However in a related development, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), Patrick Timbillah, has assured that the safety of lives and properties all foreigners would be protected through out the competition which will end on Sunday.
He warned that residents who try to make trouble with the breach of laws under the guise of celebrating the victories of Black Stars would be prosecuted accordingly and called on all residents to go about their lawful duties without molestation."We have received information that some gangs are trying to molest foreigners especially Nigerians, my men are on the alert to protect all participants regardless of their nationalities.
"Ghanaians are peace loving people and any attempt by some disgruntle elements to make trouble will not be tolerated," he said yesterday.
The action was a follow up to the intense build up that trailed the clash last Sunday with an assurance from the Inspector General of Police Mr. Mr. Patrick Acheampong, and through out the match, no Nigerian was molested.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Kaduna 2008:Ogun Athletes in Camp
Over 700 athletes to represent Ogun State in the forth- coming national sports festival in Kaduna at the weekend commenced camping in Ijebu Ode, in preparation for the tournament
The state director of sports, Mr. Tunji Onatolu, made this disclosure yesterday in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Abeokuta, revealing that, two additional camps for the athletes are also in the offing in Abeokuta, the state capital.
According to him, efforts are being put in place to ensure that the athletes are fully prepared for the bi-ennial festival holding in Kaduna, just as he added that Governor Gbenga Daniel has directed the sports council to ensure that the state surpasses the feat it achieved in the last edition of the festival, tagged Gateway Games, held in the state capital.
His words: "We have started camping in preparation for the national sports festival as our athletes have moved to Ijebu-Ode over the weekend. About 700 of them are already in camp as part of measures to do well and surpass the record we achieved two years ago."
Onatolu stated that as part of steps to test the level of fitness of the athletes, who will represent the state at the sports festival, have been participating in virtually all the sports meet held in the country in the last seven to eight months.
"Because we are determined to perform better than before, and for us to test the skill of our athletes who will be representing us, we featured in virtually all the national competitions held recently. We participated in about seven to eight sports meet and we are already participating in Kano and Kwara now, Onatolu stated.
He stressed "All these are continuous process and we are doing it because it will give us the opportunity to compete with others and from there measure our level of fitness and preparedness of our athletes for the festival."According to him "With all these, we are looking forward to surpassing the standard that we achieved two years ago during the Gateway Games held in our state here".
He stated that Daniel had directed that all those who won medals in the Gateway Games, and their coaches too, should be employed immediately and should prepare for the festival.
"In line with this directive, we have recruited so many atheletes because our amiable Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel said that we should employ those who won medals at the last festival, about 600 of them. We have recruited them, I mean all those that won medals and we are looking forward to recruiting more, so that we can do better in the Kaduna festival", the director said.
The state director of sports, Mr. Tunji Onatolu, made this disclosure yesterday in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Abeokuta, revealing that, two additional camps for the athletes are also in the offing in Abeokuta, the state capital.
According to him, efforts are being put in place to ensure that the athletes are fully prepared for the bi-ennial festival holding in Kaduna, just as he added that Governor Gbenga Daniel has directed the sports council to ensure that the state surpasses the feat it achieved in the last edition of the festival, tagged Gateway Games, held in the state capital.
His words: "We have started camping in preparation for the national sports festival as our athletes have moved to Ijebu-Ode over the weekend. About 700 of them are already in camp as part of measures to do well and surpass the record we achieved two years ago."
Onatolu stated that as part of steps to test the level of fitness of the athletes, who will represent the state at the sports festival, have been participating in virtually all the sports meet held in the country in the last seven to eight months.
"Because we are determined to perform better than before, and for us to test the skill of our athletes who will be representing us, we featured in virtually all the national competitions held recently. We participated in about seven to eight sports meet and we are already participating in Kano and Kwara now, Onatolu stated.
He stressed "All these are continuous process and we are doing it because it will give us the opportunity to compete with others and from there measure our level of fitness and preparedness of our athletes for the festival."According to him "With all these, we are looking forward to surpassing the standard that we achieved two years ago during the Gateway Games held in our state here".
He stated that Daniel had directed that all those who won medals in the Gateway Games, and their coaches too, should be employed immediately and should prepare for the festival.
"In line with this directive, we have recruited so many atheletes because our amiable Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel said that we should employ those who won medals at the last festival, about 600 of them. We have recruited them, I mean all those that won medals and we are looking forward to recruiting more, so that we can do better in the Kaduna festival", the director said.
Eagles determine to nail Elephants of Cote D'Ivoire
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will today in Ghana open their MTN African Cup of Nations campaign against the West African rival, Elephants of Cote D'Ivoire, in Sekondi, Ghana.
The contest is a direct clash between two of the favourites to win the biennial championship.
This will be the fifth clash between the two West African countries in the competition, with Nigeria winning two of the encounters.
One of those victories was the 1994 semi-final tie in Tunisia which the team battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw before the stalemate was settled on a penalty shoot-out and Nigeria went on to clinch their second Africa cup of nation title.
However, two years ago when the two renewed their rivalries in Egypt, the Ivorians won 1-0, courtesy of a Didier Drogba of Chelsea controversial goal to reach the final.
That set the tone for the grudge match today.
Nigeria is one of the premier African football nations and is ranked best in the continent by the world football governing body, FIFA.
Today marks the nation's 15th appearance in the tournament which it had won on two occasions: 1980 and 1994, and finished among the top three in the last four editions.
With eyes on the first ever World Cup in Africa in 2010, the Super Eagles German handler, Berti Vogts, according to analysts, has instilled European discipline and organisation into the team, particularly in the defence since he took charge in March 2006.
The Joseph Yobo-led defence alongside Danny Shittu, Rabiu Afolabi, Onyekachi Apam and Taye Taiwo now allows very little to go past them.
More than ever before, Nigeria, according to football analysts, are well prepared ahead of the tournament.
The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has endured all criticisms over the choice of Malaga, Spain as training camp ahead of the tournament with a section of the local media insisting that the weather in Spain was too cold and so far from being a suitable place to prepare the team for a play under hot conditions in Ghana.
But some analysts said it has been the best preparation by the team for a major competition as they trained together for at least 10 days and tested their readiness with 2-0 defeat over fellow finalists, Sudan, before leaving for Ghana.
The issue of money, which has often been a flash-point between the players and the NFA, officials said, has been settled well ahead of the tournament, leading to players knowing what they would earn per match as a winning bonus.
The Ivorian team received a major boost with the return of their inspirational skipper, Didier Drogba, after knee surgery in December and Chelsea of England has deadly striker, announced his comeback with a goal against Kuwait in a warm-up game prior to the tournament.
And Super Eagles, defence led by Everton defence marshal, Joseph Yobo, will need extra work to block the reigning African player of the year.
However, in spite of Drogba's huge influence on his team, the Elephants are not a one-man band.
Arsenal centre half, Kolo Toure is a tower of strength and efficiency in the defence, Didier Zakira and Barcelona age, Yaya Toure, pull the strings in midfield while the tricky Aruna Kone and Solomon Kalou will compliment the physical presence of Drogba upfront.
A cross-section of fans in a chat with our correspondents yesterday across the country described the crop of players selected by coach Berti Vogt as the "fittest Nigerian players currently in the football world."Some of them, however, expressed serious concern over the non-inclusion of Yusuf Ayila and Chidi Odiah, saying that the duo would have increased the depth and quality of the team.
The fans argued that had such inputs been available to the Super Eagles before now, they would have won at least one of the three previous editions of the championship.
"Since the exit of Clement Westerhof and Bonfere Joe. we will now get in Berti Vogt what were missing in Shuaibu Amado, Christian Chukwu and Augustine Eguavoen," Wole Olafinlade one of the fans, told LEADERSHIP.
The contest is a direct clash between two of the favourites to win the biennial championship.
This will be the fifth clash between the two West African countries in the competition, with Nigeria winning two of the encounters.
One of those victories was the 1994 semi-final tie in Tunisia which the team battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw before the stalemate was settled on a penalty shoot-out and Nigeria went on to clinch their second Africa cup of nation title.
However, two years ago when the two renewed their rivalries in Egypt, the Ivorians won 1-0, courtesy of a Didier Drogba of Chelsea controversial goal to reach the final.
That set the tone for the grudge match today.
Nigeria is one of the premier African football nations and is ranked best in the continent by the world football governing body, FIFA.
Today marks the nation's 15th appearance in the tournament which it had won on two occasions: 1980 and 1994, and finished among the top three in the last four editions.
With eyes on the first ever World Cup in Africa in 2010, the Super Eagles German handler, Berti Vogts, according to analysts, has instilled European discipline and organisation into the team, particularly in the defence since he took charge in March 2006.
The Joseph Yobo-led defence alongside Danny Shittu, Rabiu Afolabi, Onyekachi Apam and Taye Taiwo now allows very little to go past them.
More than ever before, Nigeria, according to football analysts, are well prepared ahead of the tournament.
The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has endured all criticisms over the choice of Malaga, Spain as training camp ahead of the tournament with a section of the local media insisting that the weather in Spain was too cold and so far from being a suitable place to prepare the team for a play under hot conditions in Ghana.
But some analysts said it has been the best preparation by the team for a major competition as they trained together for at least 10 days and tested their readiness with 2-0 defeat over fellow finalists, Sudan, before leaving for Ghana.
The issue of money, which has often been a flash-point between the players and the NFA, officials said, has been settled well ahead of the tournament, leading to players knowing what they would earn per match as a winning bonus.
The Ivorian team received a major boost with the return of their inspirational skipper, Didier Drogba, after knee surgery in December and Chelsea of England has deadly striker, announced his comeback with a goal against Kuwait in a warm-up game prior to the tournament.
And Super Eagles, defence led by Everton defence marshal, Joseph Yobo, will need extra work to block the reigning African player of the year.
However, in spite of Drogba's huge influence on his team, the Elephants are not a one-man band.
Arsenal centre half, Kolo Toure is a tower of strength and efficiency in the defence, Didier Zakira and Barcelona age, Yaya Toure, pull the strings in midfield while the tricky Aruna Kone and Solomon Kalou will compliment the physical presence of Drogba upfront.
A cross-section of fans in a chat with our correspondents yesterday across the country described the crop of players selected by coach Berti Vogt as the "fittest Nigerian players currently in the football world."Some of them, however, expressed serious concern over the non-inclusion of Yusuf Ayila and Chidi Odiah, saying that the duo would have increased the depth and quality of the team.
The fans argued that had such inputs been available to the Super Eagles before now, they would have won at least one of the three previous editions of the championship.
"Since the exit of Clement Westerhof and Bonfere Joe. we will now get in Berti Vogt what were missing in Shuaibu Amado, Christian Chukwu and Augustine Eguavoen," Wole Olafinlade one of the fans, told LEADERSHIP.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Kanu:Urge team mates to go all out for the cup
The Super Eagles have assured Nigerians that they are capable of winning the 26th edition of the African Cup of Nations beginning in Ghana this Sunday.
Nwankwo Kanu, captain of the senior national soccer team yesterday gave this declaration on behalf of his colleagues during a whistle-stop over at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos enroute Secondi, Ghana where they are to campaign in Group B alongside Cote d'Ivoire, Mali and Benin Republic.
The Nigerian hopefuls who arrived Lagos at 4.40pm were looking trim and fresh from 12 days of drilling at a camp in Malaga, Spain. They are, however, not relying on their skills alone to give them the cup but prayers of Nigerians who are equally passionate about the country winning for the third time after picking bronze in the last three consecutive editions.
"After the work (training) in Spain, we are all high in spirit to go out there and win but we will also ask all Nigerians to pray for our collective success," observed the Portsmouth forward fondly called Papillo by ball fans.
The former Arsenal forward while admitting that team work would go along way in helping the cause of Nigeria in the quest for the trophy, hinted that there will be no complex problem in the Eagles as in previous tournaments.
"Team work means a lot to us. Team work is now very high more than ever before and can assure Nigerians that there are no super stars. We are all in the team for the common good of the country," he noted.
Kanu, while re-iterating the conducive atmosphere the team trained in while in Malaga, said after undergoing such a programme they were in the right mood to go all out for the title.
Commenting on the claim by Benin Football Federation (FBF) President El-Hadj Anjorin Moucharaf to use juju to destabiles their foes, including Nigeria, in Sekondi, Kanu stressed that was why it was important for Nigerians to get behind the team with their prayers.
“Although I don’t believe in the ability of juju to influence the outcome of matches, that does not mean that we shouldn’t pray against such things,” he said.
Earlier, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos who received the team along with NFA chairman Sani Lulu Abdullahi, Ademola Adeniji Adele, Lagos State Sports Commissioner and Waidi Akanni Lagos FA chairman on behalf of President Umar Musa Yar'Adua had urged the players to be disciplined in everything they do.
"Football is life in Nigeria. It is the only thing that makes us to forget our differences. As the No. 1 team in Africa according to FIFA rating, you must at all times be disciplined, work as a team for the success of the team. Your coach is a veteran who is well known for discipline.
Nwankwo Kanu, captain of the senior national soccer team yesterday gave this declaration on behalf of his colleagues during a whistle-stop over at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos enroute Secondi, Ghana where they are to campaign in Group B alongside Cote d'Ivoire, Mali and Benin Republic.
The Nigerian hopefuls who arrived Lagos at 4.40pm were looking trim and fresh from 12 days of drilling at a camp in Malaga, Spain. They are, however, not relying on their skills alone to give them the cup but prayers of Nigerians who are equally passionate about the country winning for the third time after picking bronze in the last three consecutive editions.
"After the work (training) in Spain, we are all high in spirit to go out there and win but we will also ask all Nigerians to pray for our collective success," observed the Portsmouth forward fondly called Papillo by ball fans.
The former Arsenal forward while admitting that team work would go along way in helping the cause of Nigeria in the quest for the trophy, hinted that there will be no complex problem in the Eagles as in previous tournaments.
"Team work means a lot to us. Team work is now very high more than ever before and can assure Nigerians that there are no super stars. We are all in the team for the common good of the country," he noted.
Kanu, while re-iterating the conducive atmosphere the team trained in while in Malaga, said after undergoing such a programme they were in the right mood to go all out for the title.
Commenting on the claim by Benin Football Federation (FBF) President El-Hadj Anjorin Moucharaf to use juju to destabiles their foes, including Nigeria, in Sekondi, Kanu stressed that was why it was important for Nigerians to get behind the team with their prayers.
“Although I don’t believe in the ability of juju to influence the outcome of matches, that does not mean that we shouldn’t pray against such things,” he said.
Earlier, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos who received the team along with NFA chairman Sani Lulu Abdullahi, Ademola Adeniji Adele, Lagos State Sports Commissioner and Waidi Akanni Lagos FA chairman on behalf of President Umar Musa Yar'Adua had urged the players to be disciplined in everything they do.
"Football is life in Nigeria. It is the only thing that makes us to forget our differences. As the No. 1 team in Africa according to FIFA rating, you must at all times be disciplined, work as a team for the success of the team. Your coach is a veteran who is well known for discipline.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Berti Vogts remained silent on Bayern Munich link
Super Eagles head coach, Berti Vogts has remained tight-lipped over media reports that he is poised to link up with Jürgen Klinsmann at Bayern Munich next season.
Klinsmann will succeed Ottmar Hitzfeld as coach of the Bundesliga giants in the summer and speculation has suggested Vogts could work alongside him at the Allianz-Arena as a more experienced tactician.
Vogts, who took Germany to glory at Euro 96 finals with Klinsmann as his captain, is currently in charge of Nigeria and is preparing for the African Nations Cup, which kicks off in Ghana on January 20.
"Bayern is the best run club in the world. It is clear that it would be fun to work for Bayern," he said.
"But for now, I am focusing only on the African Nations Cup. Therefore I ask for you to understand that at the moment I don't want to say anything more on this subject."
Klinsmann will succeed Ottmar Hitzfeld as coach of the Bundesliga giants in the summer and speculation has suggested Vogts could work alongside him at the Allianz-Arena as a more experienced tactician.
Vogts, who took Germany to glory at Euro 96 finals with Klinsmann as his captain, is currently in charge of Nigeria and is preparing for the African Nations Cup, which kicks off in Ghana on January 20.
"Bayern is the best run club in the world. It is clear that it would be fun to work for Bayern," he said.
"But for now, I am focusing only on the African Nations Cup. Therefore I ask for you to understand that at the moment I don't want to say anything more on this subject."
Berti Vogts build formidable defence for eagles
Super Eagles head coach, Berti Vogts is apparently living up to his creed as no-nonsense defender during his playing days, and has openly declared that his main tactical approach at the Nations Cup would be to prevent opposing teams scoring against his side.
Speaking just 12 hours to departure from Malaga, Spain for the African soccer showpiece in Ghana, Vogts declared that that defending will be key to the team’s chances of winning the trophy.
“To do well we must fight for each ball, dominate the centre of the field and keep the defence tight. If we do this we will have chances to score goals and win games.
“For me defensive strength is fundamental in a team. To face Cote d’Ivoire with Drogba and the others, Mali with Kanoute and Diarra and Benin with the tremendous rivalry as a neighbouring country makes things very difficult.
“From three potential winners, only two teams qualify for the quarter-finals. That’s why we need to be very careful and watch how we hold the ball, and stop our opponents from getting anywhere close to our goal,” he said.
Although the German coach admitted that the Eagles are currently going through a transition, he said he is confident of leading his team to success in Ghana and then gain qualification to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Vogts also noted that the Black Stars of Ghana is the team he feels could pose a threat to Nigeria’s chances at the championship, saying the hosts would be the team to beat.
“Ghana, as the hosts, have great advantages without discarding the chances of Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Cameroon, Senegal or Nigeria.
“The top teams will all do well, and I do not believe there will be many surprises in the competition,” the former coach of Germany and Scotland reasoned
Speaking just 12 hours to departure from Malaga, Spain for the African soccer showpiece in Ghana, Vogts declared that that defending will be key to the team’s chances of winning the trophy.
“To do well we must fight for each ball, dominate the centre of the field and keep the defence tight. If we do this we will have chances to score goals and win games.
“For me defensive strength is fundamental in a team. To face Cote d’Ivoire with Drogba and the others, Mali with Kanoute and Diarra and Benin with the tremendous rivalry as a neighbouring country makes things very difficult.
“From three potential winners, only two teams qualify for the quarter-finals. That’s why we need to be very careful and watch how we hold the ball, and stop our opponents from getting anywhere close to our goal,” he said.
Although the German coach admitted that the Eagles are currently going through a transition, he said he is confident of leading his team to success in Ghana and then gain qualification to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Vogts also noted that the Black Stars of Ghana is the team he feels could pose a threat to Nigeria’s chances at the championship, saying the hosts would be the team to beat.
“Ghana, as the hosts, have great advantages without discarding the chances of Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Cameroon, Senegal or Nigeria.
“The top teams will all do well, and I do not believe there will be many surprises in the competition,” the former coach of Germany and Scotland reasoned
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Eagles started on a bright note
The Super Eagles got their Nations Cup preparations to a good start on Wednesday by defeating Sudan 2-0 in a pre-championship friendly match in Malaga.
Despite missing several key players who have been arriving the squad’s camp in trickles, the Eagles proved too strong for the Sudanese.
Duisburg striker, Ishaku Mennaseh, boosted his chances of making the final squad, which is due to be announced on Thursday, by scoring his first Eagles goal in the match.
His strike partner on the night, Getafe’s Ikechukwu Uche, who just recovered from an injury, also made a strong claim for place in the final 23 with a strike of his own.
The match was played in Malaga, Spain, where the Eagles have been preparing for the Nations Cup since January 6.
Despite missing several key players who have been arriving the squad’s camp in trickles, the Eagles proved too strong for the Sudanese.
Duisburg striker, Ishaku Mennaseh, boosted his chances of making the final squad, which is due to be announced on Thursday, by scoring his first Eagles goal in the match.
His strike partner on the night, Getafe’s Ikechukwu Uche, who just recovered from an injury, also made a strong claim for place in the final 23 with a strike of his own.
The match was played in Malaga, Spain, where the Eagles have been preparing for the Nations Cup since January 6.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Uncertainty hit Eagles friendly match
There were indications last night that the proposed friendly match between the Super Eagles and Sudan scheduled for today was almost cancelled, even as team skipper Nwankwo Kanu arrived Malaga last night.
The match, which is to help the two Ghana 2008-bound teams prepare for the tournament kicking off in 11 days time, was threatened by the Sudanese demand that Nigeria share some of the cost.
However, Nigerian officials insisted last night that they were not ready to part with a kobo since the match was agreed to at the behest of the Sudanese in the first place.
“We never asked for the match it was they (Sudan) and as such they should have prepared adequately,” said a Nigerian official at the Eagles’ Atalaya Park Golf Hotel in Malaga, Spain last night.
In agreeing to play the match Nigeria is believed to have waived her appearance fee since FA officials saw it as being beneficial to the Super Eagles in their Nations Cup build up.
It was, however, learnt that Sudan, which is making her first appearance at the Nations Cup since Ethiopia’76, ran into difficulties when Atalaya Park Golf Hotel made it clear that they could not use their football pitch for the friendly.
Apparently in pushing to play the two-time champions, the Central Africans felt that they would only need to come up with allowances for the match officials, but the hotel’s position meant they would have had to hire a ground from a local club side – thus increasing the cost.
Incidentally one of the attractions of sticking with the original plan of camping the team in Malaga, in spite of wide opposition because of the weather condition, was the friendly match with Sudan, which is also training in the area.
But after a late evening negotations between both parties it was finally ageed that the match should go ahead.
Ostensibly both parties realised the damage of not playing would have on their Nations Cup build up since neither side has any other firm games planned before the Ghana 2008 kick off.
However, despite the uncertainty surrounding the friendly, FA officials said the players are in high spirits, sweating it out two times a day in an effort to bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians.
The players are also taking part in volleyball sessions as a way to build bonding within the team.
The players were divided into four teams, with two teams having five players each and the other two teams having six players each.
After three games per team, the group of five led by Vincent Enyeama and Seyi Olofinjana emerged champions after winning all their three games and were rewarded with extra bottles of water, which they proudly paraded around. The other members of the winning team were Mannasseh Ishiaku, Sani Kaita and Richard Eromoigbe.
The match, which is to help the two Ghana 2008-bound teams prepare for the tournament kicking off in 11 days time, was threatened by the Sudanese demand that Nigeria share some of the cost.
However, Nigerian officials insisted last night that they were not ready to part with a kobo since the match was agreed to at the behest of the Sudanese in the first place.
“We never asked for the match it was they (Sudan) and as such they should have prepared adequately,” said a Nigerian official at the Eagles’ Atalaya Park Golf Hotel in Malaga, Spain last night.
In agreeing to play the match Nigeria is believed to have waived her appearance fee since FA officials saw it as being beneficial to the Super Eagles in their Nations Cup build up.
It was, however, learnt that Sudan, which is making her first appearance at the Nations Cup since Ethiopia’76, ran into difficulties when Atalaya Park Golf Hotel made it clear that they could not use their football pitch for the friendly.
Apparently in pushing to play the two-time champions, the Central Africans felt that they would only need to come up with allowances for the match officials, but the hotel’s position meant they would have had to hire a ground from a local club side – thus increasing the cost.
Incidentally one of the attractions of sticking with the original plan of camping the team in Malaga, in spite of wide opposition because of the weather condition, was the friendly match with Sudan, which is also training in the area.
But after a late evening negotations between both parties it was finally ageed that the match should go ahead.
Ostensibly both parties realised the damage of not playing would have on their Nations Cup build up since neither side has any other firm games planned before the Ghana 2008 kick off.
However, despite the uncertainty surrounding the friendly, FA officials said the players are in high spirits, sweating it out two times a day in an effort to bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians.
The players are also taking part in volleyball sessions as a way to build bonding within the team.
The players were divided into four teams, with two teams having five players each and the other two teams having six players each.
After three games per team, the group of five led by Vincent Enyeama and Seyi Olofinjana emerged champions after winning all their three games and were rewarded with extra bottles of water, which they proudly paraded around. The other members of the winning team were Mannasseh Ishiaku, Sani Kaita and Richard Eromoigbe.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Berti Vogts Plan Nigeria's Super Eagles Matches For Abuja
Super Eagles may end up playing an international friendly at the Abuja National Stadium later this month, according to plans set in motion by the team's head coach, Berti Vogts.
Vogts is contemplating lining the Eagles out against an African team in Abuja on the last lap of his preparations for the Nations Cup in Ghana, while also using the game as a special send forth from Nigerian soccer fans for the squad.
Details of Vogts' programme revealed that the Abuja encounter would follow on the friendly against Sudan, which has been confirmed to hold in Malaga, Spain on January 9.
Should the German tactician's plans materialise, the Eagles will leave their camp in Malaga on the 13 of this month, in order to play the friendly before heading to Ghana a few days earlier than originally planned.
Initially, the Eagles were billed to leave Malaga on the 19 to attend a short farewell party in Abuja before heading to Ghana, but an adjustment is now likely to be made to that schedule.
Vogts is contemplating lining the Eagles out against an African team in Abuja on the last lap of his preparations for the Nations Cup in Ghana, while also using the game as a special send forth from Nigerian soccer fans for the squad.
Details of Vogts' programme revealed that the Abuja encounter would follow on the friendly against Sudan, which has been confirmed to hold in Malaga, Spain on January 9.
Should the German tactician's plans materialise, the Eagles will leave their camp in Malaga on the 13 of this month, in order to play the friendly before heading to Ghana a few days earlier than originally planned.
Initially, the Eagles were billed to leave Malaga on the 19 to attend a short farewell party in Abuja before heading to Ghana, but an adjustment is now likely to be made to that schedule.
Congo's Withdrawal Aids Nigerian Falconets Qualifiers Into 2008 FIFA U-20 World Cup
Nigeria's Under-20 female national team has booked a place in the group stage of the African qualifiers for Chile 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup following the withdrawal of their opponents, Congo from the race.
Nigeria Football Association (NFA) was informed of Congo's withdrawal by Confederation of African Football (CAF) last Monday and the message has also been communicated to the players.
The Nigerian side tutored by Coach Daniel Evumena, who were earlier scheduled to play the first leg of their preliminary round on January 12 at the Abuja National Stadium will now wait for the winner between Cameroon and Benin Republic for the group stage, which begins in April.
Sequel to this, Sports Champion gathered that the NFA are contemplating a move to end the camp exercise, to enable the girls return home after being denied the chance of a holiday for the Salah, Christmas and New Year festivities.
Meanwhile, the first leg of the U-17 African qualifiers between the Flamingoes and their Guinean counterparts will still hold this weekend at Abuja National Stadium, after an unsuccessful attempt to stage it at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
The Nigerian female team has been moved to a posh hotel in Abuja ahead of the arrival of the Guinean delegation of 25 players and some accompanying officials.
Nigeria Football Association (NFA) was informed of Congo's withdrawal by Confederation of African Football (CAF) last Monday and the message has also been communicated to the players.
The Nigerian side tutored by Coach Daniel Evumena, who were earlier scheduled to play the first leg of their preliminary round on January 12 at the Abuja National Stadium will now wait for the winner between Cameroon and Benin Republic for the group stage, which begins in April.
Sequel to this, Sports Champion gathered that the NFA are contemplating a move to end the camp exercise, to enable the girls return home after being denied the chance of a holiday for the Salah, Christmas and New Year festivities.
Meanwhile, the first leg of the U-17 African qualifiers between the Flamingoes and their Guinean counterparts will still hold this weekend at Abuja National Stadium, after an unsuccessful attempt to stage it at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.
The Nigerian female team has been moved to a posh hotel in Abuja ahead of the arrival of the Guinean delegation of 25 players and some accompanying officials.
Nigerian Super Eagle Assistant Coach Confident Of His Team
Super Eagles assistant coach, Augustine Eguavoen has declared that the crew is ready to take their players into confidence and would not enforce any deadline for arrival at their pre-Nations Cup camp in Malaga, Spain.
According to him, they all know what is at stake and are disciplined enough to understand that truancy will not be accepted while revealing that the players and coaches are already in the mood and excitedly looking towards the championship.
"It's not a situation where people are being ordered around. It has become more of an unspoken joint agreement that things will have to be done in a peaceful and organised manner without any deadline or restrictions.
The players know what is at stake and the coaches are ready to carry them along. I believe we will do the best we are expected to in Malaga and the fans will all be happy with the outcome," he promised.
The former Super Eagles skipper, however, declined to give any hint on the final 23 man squad that will be storming Ghana, but assured Nigerians that only the best will don the nation's colours at the championship.
All I can tell you is that we are preparing to unleash 23 jokers on the continent in Ghana," he hinted.
According to him, they all know what is at stake and are disciplined enough to understand that truancy will not be accepted while revealing that the players and coaches are already in the mood and excitedly looking towards the championship.
"It's not a situation where people are being ordered around. It has become more of an unspoken joint agreement that things will have to be done in a peaceful and organised manner without any deadline or restrictions.
The players know what is at stake and the coaches are ready to carry them along. I believe we will do the best we are expected to in Malaga and the fans will all be happy with the outcome," he promised.
The former Super Eagles skipper, however, declined to give any hint on the final 23 man squad that will be storming Ghana, but assured Nigerians that only the best will don the nation's colours at the championship.
All I can tell you is that we are preparing to unleash 23 jokers on the continent in Ghana," he hinted.
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