Eagles recall excites West Brom striker Ideye

Google Image: Ideye Brown

West Bromich Albion striker Brown Ideye has expressed his excitement to have been invited back into the Nigerian senior national team fold.

Ideye last saw action in the colours of Nigeria at the last Confederations Cup (2013) but has been named among the players to feature in friendlies this month.

The 26-year old shared on twitter '' So happy to be back with the National team #supereagles #keepbelieving''

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are to play South Africa and Bolivia later this month but reports have it that Bolivia are opting out due to security concerns.

CAF U-17 Championship: Nigeria to play South Africa in semi final

Golden Eaglets of Nigeria will confront South Africa in the semi-finals of the ongoing CAF U-17 Championship in Niamey.

The Amajimbos defeated Cameroon 3-1 on Sunday, in one of the Group B matches to fix a semi final date with the Eaglets.

Emmanuel Amuneke’s boys had booked their place, after a 3-1 win over the Junior Chipolopoloof Zambia on Saturday.

Guinea and Mali also have a date in the second semi final clash on Thursday.

All four teams have already qualified for the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which will be hosted by Chile later in the year.

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.

Nigeria had a bit of luck to have picked a draw says Shakes Mashaba

Despite ensuring that Nigeria did not qualify for the 2015 Equatorial Guinea Africa cup of Nations, South Africa coach Shakes Mashaba believes the Africa champions were lucky to have draw the game.

The men from the south shocked the home side just before half time and pulled another in the second half through Toke Rantie but thanks to Hull City midfielder Sone Aluko who "savaged" the situation scoring twice to see the match end in stalemate.

"The boys did everything right until referee’s optional time at the end of the game – we lost shape and the goalkeeper was obscured at the second goal,” said Mashaba in an interview with Super Sport after the match.

“It is a question of luck (the fact that South Africa have not beaten Nigeria) – we should have beaten them at home and this one as well.

“They had a little bit of luck to come back against us in the referee’s optional time, but they are a good side.”


Do you agree?

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.

AFCON 2015 QUALIFIER: South Africa starting XI against Nigeria

Coach of South Africa, Shakes Mashaba has named his starting line up for the game against Nigeria in their last round of AFCON qualifying match which will kick of 6pm in Uyo.

The Bafanna Bafana have qualified and sits atop the group while the Super Eagles need to win on the day, or draw if Congo fail to beat Sudan.

Bafana XI: Darren Keet, Sibusiso Khumalo, Anele Ngcongca, Eric Mathoho, Tefu Mashamaite, Dean Furman, Reneilwe Letsholonyane, Oupa Manyisa, Mandla Masango, Bongani Ndulula, Tokelo Rantie.

Subs: Brilliant Khuzwayo, Rivaldo Coetzee, Ntsikelelo Nyauza, Themba Zwane, Kermit Erasmus, Andile Jali, Lehlohonolo Majoro

Source: Soccerladuma

Oboabona Out, Omeruo in for South Africa clash

Super Eagles defender Godfrey Oboabona will not taste action when Nigeria trade tackles with South Africa in the win or burst Africa cup of nations qualifying game on Wednesday evening.

The Rizespor of Turkey defender was handed a yellow card for handling the ball in the area in Saturday'sgame against the Red devils of Congo.

He join Reading midfielder on the sidelines while Kenneth Omeruo might make his return back into the squad after he had missed Congo clash due to injury.

Afcon 2015 Qualifier: Nigeria vs South Africa game kickoff time confirmed

The all important Afcon 2015 qualifying clash bewteen Nigeria and South Africa will kick off at 6pm.

Reports had it that the match which was earlier scheduled for 5pm has been confirmed for an hour later, dailypost reports.

According to NFF head of international department, Bola Oyeyode, said on Monday: ''We got information that the match will now kick off at 6pm, and not 5pm as earlier slated.''

The Super Eagles go into the match in search of three maximum points to make it to the Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

John Mikel Obi doubtful for Congo tie, will the Super Eagles miss him?

I hear Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has not fully recovered hence may not be fit enough to feature in the make or mar encounter against Congo and South Africa.

The player recently picked up a knee injury in a League Cup clash against Shrewsbury Town on October 28 and has failed to feature for the English club ever since.

Mikel was an unused substitute for Chelsea in premier league 2-1 win over Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.

Quoting from Dailypost, the Spokesperson for the team, Ben Alaiya said “We know Mikel is just returning from an injury and was listed for Chelsea’s win at the weekend. But just to be sure our medical team will still have a look at him when he arrives,” 

''But we have no fear what so ever over his fitness for the double header.''

Mikel Obi is an important player for the Eagles no doubt, but with the new crop of home-based player gradually making their way into the squad and foreign based, will Nigeria really miss him?

Have your say.

Ike Uche excited by Super Eagles recall

Nigeria international Ike Uche is glad to have been recalled for national duties.

The Villareal striker shared his excitement on his Twitter account on Saturday @Ikeuche9 saying: "Happy to be among those selected to play Congo and SA. God bless Nigeria @NGSuperEagles #Qualifiers #AFCON2015.

He has been exempted from the squad for over a year by the Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi who told journalists he doesn't want to talk about the player anymore, and now, he bows to pressure.

Update on Ocar Pistorius Trial: Court finds him guilty but not guilty

Oscar Pistorius has been found guilty of culpable homicide, which means, he's being charged for killing someone unintentionally but illegally.

 The verdict comes a day after the Blade-runner was cleared of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

 

''Viewed in its totality the evidence failed to establish that the accused had the requisite intention to kill the deceased let alone with premeditation,'' she said.

 

 

''The state clearly has not proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty of premeditated murder,'' Judge Thokozile Masipa told the High Court in Pretoria.

On the prosecuting counsel requesting that the accused should not be granted bail, the judge ruled that his bail be extended since she's not persuaded by the State's claim, which means he will be in the custody of his uncle, until october 13 which is the sentencing date.

 

It could get worse for the Super Eagles of Nigeria

Yes, the Super Eagles of Nigeria were woeful against the devils from Congo in the first match of the African Cup of Nations qualifying round in Calabar on Saturday.

 

The African Champions fell like a bag of carts, beaten in front of home fans, the continent and viewers from around the world by a team that made it to this round after Rwanda was axed by the Continent's football governing body.

 

From the blast of the whistle, it was obvious that the match would be a cracker, which of course got very interesting as the Home side took the lead in the 14th minutes of the match, much to the delight of the crowd in the stadium and Nigerians at large.

 

Thence, it seemed like it was going to be a stroll in the park for the reigning champions but the table turned around as the devils pulled their asses together and  pounced on the Eagles scoring three times before the Stephen Keshi side managed to reduce the lead later in the match as a result of their relentless effort.

 

However, from the stand point of an enthusiastic and passionate Nigerian, it was a disappointing outing.

 

Since returning from Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup, the Super Eagles have not been engaged, same would be said for other teams that represented the continent at the world stage as well. But crucifying or condemning anyone would be wrong at this point as the team have more matches ahead to ensure they make it to the competition in Morrocco next year.

 

Some say, the Eagles underestimated the Claude Le Roy tutored side, others say Nigeria is simply not an excellent side going into that match in terms of quality, in fact some say the crisis rocking the nation's football body affected the team's performance. More reason include the Keshi's new contract talks.

 

Frankly speaking, defeat is part of the results you sometimes get in football and the Congolese had the other side of the coin (Victory) in their favour. If only Nigerians will accept the fact that the team can lose and can also win games. Let's not pretend like the team has not got some unresolved issues. Let's not feel like we are African Champion therefore we should win every game. Let's also remember that Nigeria has never had it easy against Congo and against their coach during his stint with other teams on the continent.

 

Going forward, South Africa is the next opponent the Eagles will confront before playing Sudan. It could be recalled that South Africa picked up an emphatic three points on away soil which means they go into this ties with every confidence that can be imagined.

 

It could be worse for the Eagles! For the Madiba nation, this is the best time to beat the Eagles, but it must be noted that it will not be an easy task based on historical facts.

 

Redeeming the situation is what should be in the mind of the players and coach of the Eagles at this point in time. The team must give their best to gain the backing of the fans for the remaining matches of the qualifying rounds to be glamorous

 

For the good of the nation, supporting the team in this trying time will go a long way to boost their confidence as they prepare for further games in the quest to be among the 15 teams that will make it through to Morrocco 2015, else, it would get worse.

AFCON 2015: Nigeria to play Congo as CAF disqualifies Rwanda

Group A Africa Cup of Nations qualifier challenge will no longer feature Rwanda after they were disqualified by the Confederation of African Football for fielding an ineligible player during their qualifying match against Congo in July.

According to a statement on the African football ruling body's website, Congo will now replace Rwanda with immediate effect after their protest was .

Rwanada was to play the Super Eagles of Nigeria on 6th September, 2014.

Cafonline reports that the decision followed a protest made by the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT) during the first leg match of the second round of qualifying played against Rwanda on 20 July 2014 in Pointe-Noire.

The statement reads: 

''The protest by Congo contested the eligibility of the player Birori Dady aligned with Rwanda, and plays for the AS Vita Club of Kinshasa with Congolese (DRC) passport as Etekiama Agiti Tady, and a different age.

''Following investigations by CAF and on the basis of documents provided by the federations of Rwanda, Congo and DR Congo, and hearing the player's testimony on 11 August 2014 at CAF headquarters in Cairo, CAF established that the two identities only referred to a single person.

''While the Rwandan Football Federation (FERWAFA) maintained that to their knowledge the player Dady Birori had one identity, investigations revealed that he was summoned as Etekiama Agiti Tady by FERWAFA to join the national team of Rwanda,'' it said.

''Based on these and other findings, the Organising Committee of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations in accordance with Article 41 of the regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, and Articles 82 and 83.1 of CAF Disciplinary Code, decided as follows:

''Immediately suspend the player Etekiama Agiti Tady / Birori Dady until further notice and ban him from playing for club and the national team

''Rwanda declared losers of No.37 against Congo, and consequently being eliminated from the competition

''Consign Congo to the group phase of the qualifiers of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco in 2015 in Group A, as replacement for Rwanda

''Reserved the right to confirm the exact length of the player's suspension and to impose additional sanctions if necessary at the next meeting of the Organising Committee scheduled for 17 September 2014

''Urged players and stakeholders to regulate the situation of dual identity

''The decision of the Committee takes effect immediately and with option for appeal in accordance with the regulatory provisions in force in CAF Disciplinary Code.''

A statement from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), said the decision followed a protest lodged by the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT), after their match against Rwanda on July 20. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/afcon-2015-caf-disqualifies-rwanda-fielding-ineligible-player/#sthash.hIBsvN8H.dpuf

A statement from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), said the decision followed a protest lodged by the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT), after their match against Rwanda on July 20. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/afcon-2015-caf-disqualifies-rwanda-fielding-ineligible-player/#sthash.hIBsvN8H.dpuf

A statement from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), said the decision followed a protest lodged by the Congolese Football Federation (FECOFOOT), after their match against Rwanda on July 20. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/08/afcon-2015-caf-disqualifies-rwanda-fielding-ineligible-player/#sthash.hIBsvN8H.dpuf

AFCON 2015 Qualifier: Cape Town to host South Africa vs Nigeria tie

South Africa Football Association has announced that the clash against Nigeria scheduled for 10 September, 2014 will be in Cape Town.

The Bafana Bafana will tackle Sudan five days before the African Champions tie on away soil in Khartoum which might be a test of strength for the team that just hired a new coach in Shake Mashaba.

Nigeria host Bafana Bafana in the return leg on November 19; South Africa plays Sudan four days before that date as well.

Meanwhile, SAFA president Danny Jordan has stated that the coach is not mandated to qualify the team to AFCON Morocco 2015, a tournament which they last hosted in 2013; but to build the team for the next formidable future.

“We will not say to Shakes that he must qualify for Morocco 2015. That is not his mandate. The mandate is to build a sustainable Bafana Bafana team for the next few years.''