Siasia confident despite tough All Africa Games Draw

Coach of the U-23 National Team, Samson Siasia has assured Nigerians that his team will perform well despite the oppositions they have been pitched against in the All Africa Games.

Following Thursday's draw held at the CAF headquarters in Egypt which saw the Dream Team drawn in Group B with Ghana, Senegal and Egypt, Siasia, is confident ahead o the ties.

The U-23 boys are currently in Port Harcourt preparing for next weekend's African U-23 Championship final round, first leg qualifier against Congo, expressed surprise that the strongest teams in the tournament, pedigree -wise, ended up in the same pool.

"I can tell you for free that this group B is a tough one, for all the countries in this group can qualify for the semi finals. All I can say for now is that we are not afraid of any of them, and will know what to do when we get to that bridge."

Coach Siasia added that for now, all his concentration is on the African U-23 Championship qualifying fixture home and away to Congo, as that is of immediate importance.

Meanwhile, the Dream Team will on Friday play a friendly game against Nigeria Nation-Wide League club, Go Round FC in Port Harcourt. The encounter kicks off at 4pm.

Source: Thenff.com

AYC: Flying Eagles to play Ghana in semi final

After finishing tops from Group A, Flying Eagles of Nigeria will now confront their Ghanaian counterparts on Wednesday, for a spot in the final of the 2015 African Youth Championship on-going in Senegal.

Flying Eagles during one of their training sessions.

The Ghanaian U-20 were edged 1-0 by Mali which saw them finished second from Group B.

In the other semi final on Wednesday, Mali will face hosts Senegal at the Stade Léopold Sédar Senghor, Dakar.

All four teams have already qualified to represent the continent at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand in June.

International Friendly: Nigeria to play Ghana in a London

Fan of Super Eagles in the diaspora would have an opportunity to watch their team as the Nigerian senior National team will play the Black Stars Ghana in an international friendly game fixed for March 29, 2015 in London.

The Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) secured the friendly game to engage the Super Eagles and to ensure that the FIFA free window is utilized.

Vanguard reports that Initially the plan was to play Brazil on that same day, however, the Selecao will be playing Chile at the Emirates Stadium that same day.

The Super Eagles will first play a friendly game against Bolivia at the Nest of Champions in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on March 26th.

After the game against the South Americans, the Nigerian contingent will depart for London.

Ghana President John Mahama rewards Player for AFCON feat

Google Image: Ghana Afcon 20015

President John Mahama of Ghana has announced a US$ 25, 000 (N4.3m) for each member of the Black Stars for finishing runners-up at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

The Black Stars were edged by Ivory Coast winning 9-8 on penalties in Sunday’s final played in Bata but their effort is being rewarded. (Vanguard report)

''And for achieving that feat, we are grateful to the team and this is a team for the future and the sky we know will be the limit,'' Mahama confirmed after meeting with the players at the Flagstaff House in Accra on Tuesday.

''Government is pleased to announce that we are giving each one of you an amount of US$25,000 for going that far.''

Ghana players pocketed US$ 50,000 each for reaching the final of the Nations Cup.

Ghana whip AFCON Host Equatorial Guinea, to play Ivory Coast in Final

Black Stars of Ghana have made it to the final of the Africa Cup of Nations after beating Equatorial Guinea 3-0 in the semi final on Thursday night.

The host were behind before the stoke of half time after conceding a penalty which was calmly slotted in by Jordan Ayew and another goal inside five minutes by Mubarak Wakaso.

Andre Ayew's goal was the big blow that hit the Equatorial Guinean fans as the Ghanaian fans were forced off the stands which saw the match halted for several minutes.

After the show of shame by the fans of the host country, match officials decided to throw the game into three minutes added time to end the match.

Ghana will now face Ivory Coast in the final on Sunday.

AFCON 2015: Guinea to face Ghana in Quarter Final as Ivory Coast tackle Algeria

Th Syli Nationale of Guinea will now face Ghana in the quarter final stage of African Cup of Nations after they were picked ahead of Mali through casting of lots on Thursday in Malabo.

Host Country Equatorial Guinea will battle Tunisia, while the battle of Congolese sees Congo trade tackles with DR Congo on Saturday.

On Sunday, it will be Ivory Coast vs Algeria in an epic battle for a place in the semis.

Ghana and Algeria go through to next round of AFCON 2015

It was indeed a thrilling encounter in Group C challenge as all teams went into the games with highhope of seeing the next phase.

Algeria beat Senegal to cement their place taking the lead from first half and doubling in the second 45' of the encounter.

Ghana on the other hand came from behind to see off South AFrica in a game which ended 2-1 in favour of the black stars.

The victory ensure that Ghana finished top on the log with 6pts but ahead of Algeria based on goal advantage. Meanwhile, Senegalese who many thought to be favourites finished thrid on the table with 4pts and Bafana Bafana with  just a point.

Lets go Group D on Wednesday as the llikes of Ivory Coast battle for survival.

AFCON 2015: From The Stance of A Nigerian

By Amos Joseph

Having to watch the Africa Cup of Nation which kicks off 17 January and ends February 8 without seeing the current Champions is a bit hard, but, really as a football lover, you don't want to miss a single game as every match will have its own share of thrills and action.

This is not an attempt to remind you that Nigeria failed to qualify, it is simply to keep you abreast of the AFCON schedule even if you have to cope with the fact that ''Nigeria'' will not be playing a single game.

A little digression. Imagine if Spain had not participated in the last world cup being the defending champions, what would the world have said? They would have been missed of course. But am sure they would have preferred not to have been a part of that tourney. We saw the outcome! Beaten and knocked out early enough, they didn't even go far in the Brazil 2014.

Now, from a Nigerian perspective and for the sake of good football, what can we make of this AFCON without the Super Eagles? Can one say that the team which struggled with the likes of Sudan, South Africa and Congo be missed at the African stage?

One cannot take away the follower-ship and glamour Nigerian football fan would bring to the event, but the tournament will still have its gloss as said by the CAF President Issa Hayatou 

''The whole of Africa will miss Nigeria in Equatorial Guinea. But the absence will not in any way diminish your stature as a very big and influential nation in the African game, Hayatou said in a statement to the Nigeria Football Federation.

“It would have been good to have the defending champions in Equatorial Guinea. Nigeria brings so much value to the Africa Cup of Nations.

“However, we know that you will come back much stronger, as you did in winning the cup in South Africa last year after missing out on the 2012 championship.”

Also for the sake of football and its development, the AFCON was moved to Equatorial Guinea after original host Morocco pulled out due to reason relating to Ebola outbreak.

The Oil-rich nation will host the games in four venues: the capital city Malabo on an island off the mainland; the biggest city Bata; and Mongomo and Ebebiyin on the eastern border with Gabon.

Equatorial Guinea Burkina Faso, Gabon and Congo are in Group A

Group B: Zambia, Tunisia, Cape Verde, DR Congo

Group C: Ghana, Algeria, South Africa and Senegal

Group D: Cote d'voire, Mali, Cameroun, Guinea

From the stance of a Nigerian, a football lover and a writer: let the better side win.

Ghanaian Footballer Michael Essien join #PrayForNigeria Campaign

With the spate of bombings in the country, even the world at large recognizes that Nigeria needs prayers and Michael Essien has joined the train.

The Ghanaian international who currently plies his trade in the Italian Serie A for AC Milan shared  the above image on his Instagram @iam_ess along with this post ''Pray for Nigeria''.

Let's keep praying for Nigeria.

Afcon 2015: Nigeria miss out, see countries that made it through

Title holders Nigeria will not be at Equatorial Guinea to defend the title they won last year, thanks to a 2-2 draw the west Africa played against South Africa in Uyo on Wednesday evening.

The African champions finished 3rd place in Group A with 8points, two points behind Congo who pip Sudan 1-0 to secure an automatic slot after Bafana Bafana maintained their lead as winner of the group with 12points.

Here are the teams that made it through:
Equatorial Guinea (hosts), Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia and Zambia

Good luck to them all, name your favourites for the title.

Homeboy Emem Eduok scores as Akwa Ibom Stadium gets commissioned

Dolphins striker Emem Eduok made history after scoring Nigeria's only goal against the meteors of Ghana to mark the Akwa Ibom Stadium commissioning ceremony on Friday evening.

The Akwa Ibom born striker headed home a Solomon Kwambe across to put the Home-based eagles ahead in the 35th minutes which gave Nigeria victory in the international friendly match.

The commissioning of the world-class edifice was however led by President Goodluck Jonathan, who was assisted by Ghana’s John Dramani Mahama and Ivory Coast’s Alassane Ouattara.

Modelled after Johannesburg’s Soccercity and Bayern Munich’s Alianz Arena, the 30,000 seater edifice has a bullet-proof State Box, which has 70 seats.

Courtney Dike refuses Nigeria’s $7,000 world cup Bonus, so what?

By Amos Joseph
Facts have shown that players request or riot over unpaid allowances is more rampant among African nations as clearly exhibited during the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup. This show of shame tells the world how football is being administered in this part of the world when it comes to remuneration which could either be allowances or tournament reward.

Ghana, Cameroun and Nigeria were at the fore of this dismal show as players held their national teams to ransom while in competition mood, which however cannot be extricated from the performance of the team at that time.

 

Courtney Dike

How money can be a huge distraction.

When the news broke that a player who represented Nigeria at this year’s FIFA Under 20 Women’s World Cup turned down the monetary reward offered her by the Nigerian Football Federation, it quickly spread like a conflagration owing to its oddity.

Simply put, we are not used to this kind of news when it comes to sports in Nigeria. Courtney Dike was born and bred in the United States of America, plays for Oklahoma State Football Team, she preferred to represent fatherland for ‘’patriotism sake’’ since she refused the $7,000 World Cup bonus handed her which sent shock down our spines.

Courtney told the Nigerian officials who called her that playing for Nigeria was enough, and that she prides over monetary reward. What a mentality you may want to say. But please don’t forget where she is coming from.

For arising as a compatriot and heeding to Nigeria’s call, she and her family deserve all the plaudits they are getting right now, it is an uncommon act that will send a message around the world of how a Nigerian can damn the ‘’papers’’ all in the name of patriotism. (Nigeria’s national anthem capture the story of her action)

Courtney Dike

Bringing this home, how many of our players (Women, Men including foreign based) can show such bravery when it comes to matters such as this? Please try not to count because you may just find no one. The reason is not farfetched as our players receive peanuts as salaries which come in trickles, save for a few clubs.

How can bread winners of families have their ‘’bread’’ held by their employers an yet expect them to give their best? How can players who are being owed for several months afford to take care of their family, and then reject monetary rewards when they come to the national team? How can players Travel for most part of the year by road in a bid to represent their clubs in the league almost every week? The questions are endless….

Based on these numerous questions demanding answers, it could however be said that Courtney Dike’s perception has been greatly influenced by the values she has been inculcated with while growing up. The economic situations are not at par and this send a message to our leaders and administrators

It is crystal clear that the society where Courtney was brought up has left us behind and we are playing catch up, that’s if we can.

All pictures in this report are from Google.

Ivorian footballer Salomon Kalou and Yvonne Nelson look perfect in this pose

Ivory Coast forward Salomon Kalou shared a pic of himself and Popular Ghanaian Actress & Model, Yvonne Nelson.

He posted along with the image "Meet one of the most talented African movie star" on his Instagram.

They look like a couple you know. Or What Ya Say?

Kalou joined Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin from Lille of France during the summer transfer.

Michael Essien cries out, dismisses report that he contracted Ebola

Just has the image in the cut depicts, Ghanaian Midfielder Michael Essien has come out to shut those who are spreading rumours that he had contracted Ebola up.

The AC Milan midfielder took to social media to deny the fast-spreading news with a picture of himself.

AFCON Qualifiers: Eagles, Bafana Bafana finish goalless as Cameroun bash Ivory Coast

African champions, Super Eagles of Nigeria coming from a shocking defeat to Congo at home, played out a goalless draw against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Cape Town on Wednesday evening.

The result means that the Eagles maintained a record of never losing or conceding against South Africa in a competitive match.

Meanwhile in other results

Group A
South Africa 0-0 Nigeria
Congo Brazzaville 2-0 Sudan

Group B
Malawi 3-2 Ethiopia
Algeria 1-0 Mali

Group C
Lesotho 1-1 Gabon
Angola 0-3 Burkina Faso

Group D
Cameroon 4-1 Ivory Coast
Sierra Leone 0-2 Democratic Republic of Congo
Note: match switched from Freetown because of Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone

Group E
Uganda 2-0 Guinea
Togo 2-3 Ghana

Group F
Cape Verde Islands 2-1 Zambia
At Maputo
Mozambique 1-1 Niger

Group G
Egypt 0-1 Tunisia
Botswana 0-2 Senegal

Suddenly, the Brazilians are worried ahead of semi final clash against Germany

Suddenly the Brazilians are worried, terrified and angry. For obvious reasons you'll say. Following the early exit of their star striker, Neymar, worsened by the suspension of the team's captain Thiago Silva and confronted by the machines from Germany who have not been convincing themselves but have always picked necessary result from each game.

The Germans are in a confident mood and full in strength having all their players 100% fit as reports reveal.

Estadio Mineirao will be lightened up on Tuesday night, but without much spark from the camp of Les Selecao owing to Neymar's absence as he seemed to be responsible for driving the attack. The rest of the team must prove their worth and show to the entire world that they have a team that can survive without the Barcelona star.

What does Thiago Silva bring to the team? Solidity, confidence, blocking and above all Leadership.

It might just be their best match tonight without the missing duo but that will be if they turn up and take the match to the Germans or have it otherwise.

History has it that both teams have met 21 times, including games contested by the former West Germany. The Selecao can only claim four wins compared to 12 for the Germans, with five draws.

How they reached the semis
They topped Mexico, Croatia and Cameroon, Brazil saw off Chile following penalties in the first knockout stage to progress to the quarter-finals. Their subsequent clash with Colombia could have fallen apart in the dying minutes after Los Cafeteros scored a late penalty, but Brazil held on for a 2-1 win, booking their place in the final four.

How they reached the semis
Germany topped a tough group featuring the U.S.A, Portugal and Ghana, before eventually seeing Algeria off in extra time during their round of 16 clash. Up next were France, who had looked one of the strongest sides in the competition until that stage, but Joachim Low’s side managed.

Muntari, Boateng expelled from Ghana World Cup Team

Sulley muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng will not be a part of the Ghana squad that will face Portugal in today's last Group G match encounter after the duo were suspended by th Ghanaian FA. Muntari reportedly physically attacked a member of the Black Stars’ management team, while Kevin Prince Boateng received the same punishment for hurling verbal abuse at coach Kwesi Appiah.

“The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has suspended Sulley Ali Muntari indefinitely from the Black Stars with immediate effect,” read a statement on the Ghana FA’s official website.

“The decision was taken in the wake of his unprovoked physical attack on an Executive Committee member of the GFA and a management member of the Black Stars, Mr. Moses Armah on Tuesday 24th June, 2014 during a meeting.

“Muntari’s accreditation for the 2014 World Cup has been withdrawn with immediate effect.”

A separate statement read: “The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has approved coach Kwesi Appiah’s decision to suspend Kevin- Prince Boateng indefinitely from the Black Stars.

“The decision takes immediate effect.

“The decision was taken following Boateng’s vulgar verbal insults
targeted at coach Kwesi Appiah during the team's training session
in Maceio this week.

“Boateng has since showed no remorse for his actions which has
resulted in the decision.

“Boateng’s accreditation for the 2014 World Cup has been withdrawn with immediate effect.”

Iran 0-0 Nigeria, USA beats Ghana

African champions, Nigeria failed to beat Iran in their opening Group F game on Monday night.

The much anticipated match needed in a stalemate as both teams could not find the back of the net.

Earlier in the day, Group G teams Germany hammered Portugal 4-0 in a match which saw the Portuguese finishing with 10-men after Pepe was sent off for a careless head-butting on Thomas Muller who grabbed the first Hatrick of the tournament.

Cristiano Ronaldo's effort couldn't go unnoticed but was not enough to help his side as they were disorganized by the machines after conceding a penalty early in the game.

Ghana on the same night lost to the USA 1-2 in a pulsating encounter.

The United States drew the first blood with just 30 seconds into the match though captain Clint Dempsey before the Africans could settle.

Ghana had the better of possession which paid off in the 82' minutes after Andre Ayew saw the back of the net only for USA to take the lead five minutes later through John Brooks who came on as a substitute.

"I am responsible for Ronaldol's injury" - Ghanaian Witch Doctor

A Ghanaian Witch Doctor who spoke with the Guardian in the UK, claims he is responsibility for Cristiano Ronaldo's injury threatening his world cup participation.

Nana Kwaku Bonsam whose name translates "Devil on Wednesday" earlier in February predicted that Ronaldo would miss this summer's World Cup in Brazil. Meanwhile A statement from the Portuguese FA on Wednesday confirmed that Ronaldo is suffering from tendinosis in his left knee as well as nursing a muscle problem in his left thigh, which caused him to miss the 0-0 draw with Greece at the weekend.

Ghana will be playing Portugal in their last Group G match in the world cup.

Read More here non Guardian.co.uk

Ghana World Cup Squad Jet to the States for final Preparations

This photo was shared by Kevin Prince Boateng via his Instagram @prince09_ on Sunday.

The Black Stars lost 0-1 to Netherlands in a warm up game on Saturday and now on their way to USA for final world cup camping.