ubamobile

31
Sat, Oct

Guest Columnists

Opinions

News

News

Sports

An attempt to bite the’ dust’ would not reflect a society norm but will certainly face the wrath of such normalcy. To be an athlete is not a norm but rather a symbol of eccentrics. Let me explain, less than 10% of our society considers themselves as athletes in their lifetime for whatever reason and majority of the population will ask for what purpose would a sprinter be running or who is pursuing him /her or why an individual is chasing after football. Gratuity / rewards showered on the individual or acceptance that the person partakes in in this endeavor is not the issue rather why less than 10% consider sports good hobby for them.

Who Controls National Sports Commission (NSC)

Few days ago this writer penned a report on observation about the consensus view that the Sports Minister Mr. Bolaji Abdullahi had been reduced below a toothless barking dog by his staffs. Strange enough every single day those staffs had been coming out to reverse his directives. Below is excerpt of one of the directive and latest verbatorial by one of his staff Dictator Ojo-Oba:

·On January 7, 2013(Guardian)

The Honorable Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi has directed Secretaries of the Sporting Federations to prepare their handover notes ahead of their redeployment to the Commission.

·On January 9, 2013 (Punch)

The NSC on Monday announced that the secretaries of the federations/associations are to be withdrawn and redeployed to the Commission to pave the way for the employment of new secretaries from outside the government setting by the federation in what is explained as a bid to give them greater autonomy.

The minister, who was on his way to Portugal to visit the Super Eagles in camp preparatory to the 2013 Africa Nations Cup, said that there were other fresh ideas being injected to make the federations more professionally run.

·On January 22, 2013

Minister of Sports, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi has debunked the claims that the Commission is planning to retrench all sports federation secretaries who have been redeployed to the NSC Headquarters in Abuja.

Trustsports gathered that the redeployment of the secretaries is part of the reform of the sports federations, where the federations will be empowered to appoint their own secretaries, thereby granting them greater autonomy.

Speaking at an interactive session with members of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, Lagos chapter at the weekend, Abdullahi made it clear that the reform is meant to make the federations function better, just as he said redeployed the secretaries would be posted to all the geo political zones of the country to administer the grassroots programme of the commission.

·On April 8, 2013 (Guradian)

Dictator Bolaji Ojo-Oba said: “So the secretaries are still in place and functional; what we have advised them is that they (sic) should prepare their handing over notes, because they will not remain in office after the new boards have been inaugurated,”

I ask, can anyone believe any new directive by the Sports Minister. I think not. Is Ojo-Oba telling Nigerians that it takes 4 months to prepare hand-over notes?  Talk about incompetency and foolishness on how Nigerians will perceive Ojo-Oba statements. Did the Minister say that those illegal secretaries should remain in office until new Boards?  I don’t think so. Is this not National Sports Confusion I wrote about last year? Is this not a palace coup? Do Nigerians care? I think they should because salaries been paid Ojo-Oba should have been directed towards athletes not him. And I ask who the hell is Ojo-Oba?

Federations’ Election is Scam, Sham and must be slammed!

Ojo-Oba who believes he is the Chairman of NSC when he announced further that the recalled NSC staffs who illegally occupied the federations’ secretariat will conduct those federations’ elections. This usurper may think he has spoken well but I hate to tell him that his pink slip at NSC is been prepared and he has just ‘gassed’-out.

Unsuspecting Nigerians would likely want to know why these Ojo-Oba statements are mere rubbish and ought to be disregarded along with its messenger, to that, I will identify few key areas where even a primary school drop-out will understand.

Firstly, any credible election demands Independent umpire and that is key requirement in conducting any election even for class prefect in schools as well as in Universities that I think Ojo-Oba holds some sport degrees. Now, why would an illegal occupier of the secretariat who also is a potential candidate is mandated to conduct an election where his / her fellow Board members are contesting? Anyone that fails to see a problem in this scenario ought to be severely ‘flogged’. If I have my way Ojo-Oba will be sent to school to learn Basic Ethics in administration.

Secondly, skills required to conduct an election must be learned and I fail to hear or see any federation secretary trained in electoral processes. I should ask, if Ojo-Oba does not know that independence is key in conducting an election then how can he comprehend that special skills are necessary? Either way it’s clear, idiocy is the only requirement because athletes are considered dumb by NSC and they failed to challenge NSC in anything, so far. I personally don’t consider any athlete dumb but I don’t understand why federations’ boards’ leadership run is not part and parcel in athletes’ quest for glory.

Thirdly, infrastructure to conduct an election (credible or not) simply does not exist although no one believes that NSC will spend less than N100 Million in salaries for its so-called illegal secretaries and many ghost workers including cats, dogs, eagles and other animals with dead men (women) names.

Fourthly, the timing is not convenient considering pending NSC Act, training for those illegal secretaries, Dictator Ojo-Oba, Sports Minister, etc. These people are never trained in conducting an election but yet an election is to take place in less than 2 weeks.

Fifthly, NSC or shall I say Ojo-Oba fails to inform Nigerians who is eligible to vote in such election, are we not to guess that only those illegal secretaries, Ojo-Oba, Sports Minister, current federations’ board members are the only ones allowed to vote. To this end I say the estimated N100Millions for this so-called election is nothing other than redistribution of the country taxpayers’ funds to the pockets of those illegal secretaries, Ojo-Oba, etc. essentially money grabs.

Moving Forward

1.Ojo-Oba must be called to order or dismissed by the Sports Minister immediately.

 2.So-called Federations’ elections must be postponed because those illegal federations’ secretaries lacked the skills to conduct any election and are not independent of those sports federations and I might add any conduct of national election will likely falls within INEC jurisdiction because it has broad powers not just derived from Nigeria constitution (on elective offices) but by any law or decree.  It is my position that independence and skills must not be toyed with, therefore, Sports Minister simply has to invite INEC to assist based on his Ministerial authority (the question is he a Minister with power).

Excerpt of INEC Act

Independent National Electoral Commission Decree (Decree No 17 of 1998)

 4. (1) The functions of the Commission shall be to-

(a) organise, conduct and supervise all the elections and matters pertaining to elections into, all the elective offices provided in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1979, as amended or any other enactment or law;

Electoral Act of 2006 (Update)

Section 2. (1) In addition to the functions conferred on it by the 1999 Constitution, the Commission shall

have power to: (a) conduct voter and civic education.

(b) promote knowledge of sound democratic election processes.

3.The Sports Minister must seek INEC help to determine who is eligible to vote as well, failure of which, the result of such election will be scam, sham and slammed by even ghost workers.

Again, Ojo-Oba you need a serious lesson in administrative ethics, corruption, electoral processes, laws of Nigeria and many other things. I aint mad at you but I royally disagree with you.

I rest.

Dr. Rashid A. balogun, CPA, LLB(Hons.),

Reigning African champions, the Super Eagles of Nigeria held its first training session in the Canaan City of Calabar on Monday as the team began its final preparation for the Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifier against Kenya next Saturday.

Second choice goalkeeper, Austin Ejide, Michael Babatunde and Fegor Ogude were the first foreign-based stars to join the Super Eagles camp. They were among the 12 out of the 23 players expected to feature for the national team against the Harambee Stars of Kenya that started training in Calabar.

Ogude flew into Calabar with the team from Abuja, while Ejide joined the others at the Transcorp Metropolitan Hotel about an hour after the team’s arrival. Babatunde was just on time to hop into the team’s bus for the day’s training session.

The team departed for training at about 3:30pm at the Abraham Ordia Sports Complex inside the University of Calabar and will repeat same tomorrow and all through the days leading to the match against Harambee Stars.

Head Coach, Stephen Keshi says he expects a full house by this morning, adding that training will be the same time and all players expected should have been in, as he needs a good number of training sessions for the team to jell against Kenya.

“We would have a full house for Tuesday’s evening training and from there we see how ready the players are for the task at hand,” he declared.

The team had a light training session with the UNICAL Football team before it went into its own session that was supervised by Keshi and his assistants. The nine Nigeria Premier League stars in the team are Chigozie Agbim, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwueke, Gabriel Reuben, Sunday Mba, Solomon Kwambe, Benjamin Francis, Obinna Nwachukwu and Gambo Mohammed.

The chances of another El=Classico pitting Spanish giants, Real Madrid against their arch rivals Barcelona in the Champions League final at Wembley remained alive when the Spanish giants were kept apart in the draw for the quarterfinals.

Barcelona will face David Beckham’s side Paris St Germain - he is the only English player left in the competition - while Real Madrid will take on Turkish giants, Galatasaray. In the other two quarterfinals, Bayern Munich’s reward for seeing off Arsenal is a meeting with the Italian “Old Lady” Juventus, while the other German quarter-finalist, Borussia Dortmund will play Spanish side Malaga. Unlike in previous seasons, UEFA did not also make the draw for the semi-final pairings at the same time - that will now take place next month.

Real Madrid head coach Jose Mourinho is aiming to become the first manager to win the Champions League with three different clubs, having achieved it previously with Porto and Inter Milan. Real Madrid eliminated Manchester United after very questionable refereeing in the first knockout round and also qualified from a tough group comprising the domestic league champions of Spain, Germany, England and Holland. Galatasaray’s squad includes two former Mourinho favorites - ex-Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and former Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder.

Barcelona, who came from 2-0 down in the first leg of the last round to beat AC Milan 4-2 on aggregate, will come up against their former striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who now plays for big-spending French clubside, Paris St. Germain.

Fans around the world hope the matches among the last eight will be just as intriguing. Of all the clubs left standing after group play and the first knockout stage, Turkish side Galatasaray and Spanish side Malaga, who often get overshadowed by La Liga counterparts, are the most surprising.

Among the top contenders are Bayern Munich, which reached the final last season before upstart Chelsea claimed the trophy, fellow German club Borussia Dortmund and the two Spanish giants, Barcelona and Real Madrid. The first legs will be played on either April 2 or 3 and will be followed by the second legs the next week, on either April 9 or 10.

Meanwhile, the three English teams remaining in the Europa League were kept apart in the quarter-final draw. Tottenham appeared to be handed the easiest draw after being paired with Swiss side Basle, while Newcastle will play Benfica from Portugal and Turkish side Fenerbahce will face Lazio of Italy.

Rubin Kazan will be tough opponents for Rafa Benitez’s Chelsea team. The Russian side has already knocked out two Spanish teams - holders Atletico Madrid in the round of 32 and Levante, winning 2-0 after extra time. Rubin Kazan were unbeaten in a tough group that include Inter Milan, and are particularly strong defensively, having conceded only three goals in 10 European matches.

Spurs’ opponents Basle scraped into the quarter-finals after Russian side Zenit St Petersburg missed a late penalty against the 10-Swiss side.

Our governments have spent billions of naira over time to promote a positive image for Nigerians everywhere.  Regrettably, the popular perception of the Nigerian character remains that of greed, self-interest and other such antisocial escapades.  The promoted brand of "Good People, Great Nation" never really took off, and it has become clear that neither catchy slogans nor sexy packaging can change public perception of what is intrinsically a bad product!  Ultimately, our football team's derisive nickname of 'Super Chickens' became a neater fit of our national image than our own self-invention of 'Giant of Africa'; consequently, most foreigners believed that nothing good could come out of this supposedly 'cursed' land!

The question then is, how did the Super Eagles against all odds win the coveted elusive ‘Africa Nation's Cup’, with qualities and focus supposedly alien to the Nigerian character?  With our tradition of tardy preparations, inadequate funding and poor team selection, how did the shrubs we sowed transform into sweet-smelling roses?

As we celebrate the unexpected exploits of the Super Eagles, we may also draw lessons from the performances of the following three members of the team; Stephen Keshi’s exemplary leadership, the indomitable spirit of home grown Sunday Mba and also, the dynamite and humble enigma called Victor Moses!

Undoubtedly, unity, cohesive teamwork, strong determination to succeed, utmost self-belief, and a driving hunger for personal glory and honour to the fatherland produced the Eagles’ unexpected success! 

Keshi's courageous leadership was certainly a major factor in the AFCON victory; his team list was based on the perceived fighting and winning mentality of each player and the readiness of his selection to play according to instructions.  Indeed, Keshi, himself maintained that individual skills alone do not win such tournaments, and in spite of intense pressure, he remained undaunted and unapologetic for leaving out some star players; for Keshi, merit without consideration of ethnic affiliations or federal character was the benchmark for team selection!

The Coach consistently took full responsibility for his team's shortcomings, without overtly apportioning blame to anyone!  Consequently, he earned his players’ respect and their resolve to give 101 per cent in every match.  Keshi, in return, showed genuine fatherly concern and motivated his players.

Meanwhile, unknown to Nigerians, Keshi was silently hurting; but despite unpaid salary arrears and other official deprivations, he refused to moan but instead encouraged Nigerians to have faith in the team’s ability, and confidently remained upbeat about fulfilling his contract terms to take the Super Eagles to the semi-finals of AFCON 2013,!

Curiously, also, unknown to most Nigerians, midway through the tournament, the Football Federation had allegedly threatened to summarily sack Stephen Keshi if he refused to accept a foreign technical adviser as his boss; in response, Keshi offered to voluntarily resign as Coach immediately after the Super Eagles unexpectedly beat the star-studded tournament favourites, Ivory Coast!  Consequently, Keshi’s dedication of the victory to all African Coaches and the subsequent aborted resignation were clear statements of protest! 

Fortunately, the Eagles camp remained unusually convivial and harmonious despite the distractions!  The excellent team spirit was no doubt a testimony of  resilience and the matured leadership skills of Coach Keshi; an attribute that has unfortunately been absent in the affairs of our nation for too long!

Keshi's effortless response to questions in both English and French must have endeared him not only to French speaking Africans, but also to those Nigerians, who cringe at the poor performance of our national leaders in front of international media. 

In similar vein, Nigerians witnessed the amazing exploits of Sunday Mba, one of six domestic players in Keshi's 23-man team.  The unusually high quota of local content was justified by the excellent performances of Mba and other homegrown players.  Mba certainly lifted the spirits of most Nigerians with his two mesmerizing winning goals against Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals and Burkina Faso in the finals respectively; better-known international icons like Pele and Maradona would have been proud to have scored either goal.  Indeed, despite technical and capacity limitations locally, there are undoubtedly many more Mbas, loaded with the ‘Nigerian Spirit’, waiting to explode in the service of our country in various fields of endeavour whenever the enabling economic environment presents itself.

Mba's electric performance and Keshi's success sent out a strong message that the object of our expensive foreign travails may actually have remained idle in the pockets of our 'shokoto'.  This same syndrome of lack of belief in ourselves, and the cringing adoration for everything foreign, even when the imported quality is inferior can still be observed in all facets of governance and corporate management in our country!

Finally, we cannot comment on the apparent total commitment of Victor Moses to the national team’s success without a twitch of guilt or at best some embarrassment.  Indeed, after his petulance in retaliation to tackles in the pre-tournament match against Cape Verde, it was unlikely that the same player would win the fair-play award in the final match of AFCON 2013.  Moses certainly responded positively to the reformative chiding by a very unhappy Coach Keshi after the Cape Verde match, as the young man subsequently rode more vicious tackles without any visible emotional outburst in the six AFCON matches played by the Super Eagles!  Despite the threatening injury he sustained in the earlier match against Mali, Moses went on to give a superlative account of himself also in the finals.

Surprisingly, Victor had a choice to play for England and ultimately enjoy the same cult status of key players in the English team, but it is to his credit and his sense of loyalty that he chose, instead, to play for his fatherland; unknown to most Nigerians, the parents of this young man were mindlessly murdered in the mayhem that followed the aborted Abuja Miss World Beauty Contest in 2002!  Painfully, the perpetrators of that heinous act remain free; Victor Moses may never forget the brutal separation from his parents, but for him to have given so much of himself to Nigeria in the AFCON 2013 tournament, the young man must have found it in his heart to forgive his countrymen!

Nigerians everywhere thank the Super Eagles, the team's support staff and travelling fans for burnishing our national image and delivering on their promise to put a smile on the faces of longsuffering compatriots; however, we also pray that our smiles become a wider grin at the Confederation Cup in June!  Good Luck!

 

By Henry Boyo

 

 

 

Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Fashola on Friday announced a cash gift of N54.5m to members of the Super Eagles of Nigeria for clinching the 29th African Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy.

The excited governor made the announcement when he hosted the team in his Lagos House office at Alausa, Ikeja. In addition to the gift, he announced another donation of N2.5m to Coach Stephen Keshi.

Keshi's immediate assistant, Daniel Amokachi received N2m while each of the other four assistant coaches got the sum of N1.5m. Captain of the team, Joseph Yobo also got an extra N1.5 million.

The governor gave each of the players who scored the team’s 11 goals at the tournament the sum of N1.5m each while others got N1 million each. Also, Governor Fashola gave the backroom staff of the team a total sum of N15m while the supporters’ club received another N4.5m.

Describing the gesture as a token, he commended the team for lifting the spirit of the country and its citizens through its excellent performance at the tournament. He described the successful outing as a victory for the country and its sports, especially considering the team’s latest position on the FIFA ranking.

Fashola urged them against relenting, saying they should rather build on the recorded success as they prepare to meet Kenya next month in a World Cup qualifier.

“Let us remind ourselves that Zambia, the immediate defending champions of the tournament, did not make it to the second round,” he said reminding the team of the forthcoming Confederations Cup which is to begin in June.

“The Confederations Cup provides us with an opportunity to improve on our performance. Yes, we have moved from very abysmal ranking to 4th in Africa and 30th in the world but we must remember that the ranking used to be better because in 1994, we were ranked 5th in the world.”

He implored them to always be conscious of the fact that the job is far from completion, saying “We must begin to plan ahead and do all the right things to ensure the team performs better.”

While using the opportunity to call for the improvement of the local league and grassroots football since they both have prospect for the country's performance in international competitions, he urged sport officials to desist from interfering with coaching matters in the national teams.

With no car, no official accommodation and four months of salary arrears, relations between Keshi and the NFF had degenerated to the point that Keshi had contemplated quitting on the eve of the nations cup tournament.

But for the personal intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan who read the riot act to the Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, Stephen Keshi’ would have made good his resignation as coach of the Nigerian national football team, the Super Eagles. Keshi rescinded his decision to resign as Super Eagles coach barely 24 hours after tendering his resignation letter to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Upon learning of the unsavory development which dampened the national mood of triumph and celebration after winning the African Cup of Nations, President Jonathan is said to have called the Sports Minister who officially headed the delegation to South Africa and instructed him to do everything within his power to get Keshi to reconsider his decision and save the country from what was turning out to be a major embarrassment. Jonathan, sources told Huhuonline.com even spoke to Keshi on the phone and pleaded with him to change his mind.

After hours of frantic negotiations which dragged on into Tuesday morning, and with all outstanding issues resolved by the minister who doubles as the chairman of the National Sports Commission, Keshi agreed to stay. He was part of the Eagles’ delegation that arrived Abuja to a tumultuous welcome on Tuesday and was present at the official reception hosted by Jonathan at State House.

Keshi admitted on arrival in Abuja that it took the intervention of the Sports Minister to rescind his decision to quit the Eagles job. The coach said he decided to call it quits because of the way he has continuously been treated by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the technical committee.

Huhuonline.com learnt from a source close to the former national team skipper that Keshi was working under conditions unbefitting of the coach of the Nigerian national team. The source explained that the NFF has treated Keshi without even a modicum of respect; hanging the prospect of hiring an expatriate coach over Keshi’s head like a sword of Damocles and acting as if they were doing Keshi a favor by giving him the job of coach of the national team.

The source told Huhuonline.com that in a malign display of sheer provocation, a member of the technical committee told Keshi his face that the NFF would appoint a foreign technical director and make him the overall boss of all Nigerian coaches, adding: “If you listened carefully, you will recall Keshi always talking about African countries’ penchant of employing carpenters and farmers as coaches because of the color of their skin. This explains why Keshi dedicated the victory of the Super Eagles to all indigenous African coaches,” the source explained.

The rift between Keshi and the NFF, the source explained, had degenerated to the point that Keshi had contemplated quitting the job on the eve of the African Nations Cup, but decided to use his position to prove that indigenous coaches could do better than the foreigners the NFF was thinking of hiring.

Huhuonline.com learnt from NFF sources that several months after he took over the job as coach of the national team, Keshi is yet to get an official car and accommodation. As if that was not enough, the Federation has not paid Keshi his salary for the last four months. Rather, NFF officials have taken turns to interfere with his job; questioning not only his selection of players but also his tactics; something Keshi with over 35 years of big football time experience considers unacceptable.

To add insult to injury, NFF officials reportedly booked their tickets back to Nigeria a day before the Nigeria-Cote d’Ivoire quarterfinal match because they believed the Eagles will be eliminated and even when the Eagles produced a heroic performance and eliminated the Elephants, the officials attributed it to mere luck. “Keshi pondered on his resignation before the final and I was not surprised that he tendered the letter after the game,” the source said.

“I don’t think the NFF has treated Keshi well; even when it was obvious that the coach was on the verge of leading the team to a great feat, he did not get the support of his employers. After the final match on Sunday, some NFF officials visited Keshi in his room in a hypocritical display of solidarity, but the coach walked them out of the room because they never believed in him. Normally, Keshi was expected to join the celebration in the hotel court, but he decided to stay alone in his room because he felt the people that employed him did not believe in him.”

The source revealed that before accepting to change his mind, the Sports Minister promised Keshi would be given a free hand to do his job, while all the money owed him would be settled immediately. He also promised a good accommodation in Abuja, and other appurtenances of his office.

The Nigerian government has already started making good the promises as Keshi received N10 million yesterday at State House during the official reception offered the Eagles by President Jonathan. In addition, he was conferred with the nation’s fourth ranking national honor – Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

The bonus galore will see each player bag at least $65,000 extra should they win the trophy but the Super Eagles must first take care of Ivory Coast in one of two West African derbies that promise to generate fireworks on Sunday.  

Having already each received $30,000 for making the knock-out stages of the competition, the Super Eagles will each receive $15,000 if they beat Cote d’Ivoire and qualify for the semi-final of the 2013 AFCON on Sunday. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) disclosed that each player will earn $20,000 if they triumph in the semi-final. For victory in the finals on February 10 at the National Stadium in Johannesburg, each player will pocket another $30,000.

Guinness, the official sponsor of the Super Eagles has also made a financial commitment for goals scored at the AFCON 2013, while the Eagles are also expecting Nigeria’s richest man; billionaire business magnate, Alhadji Aliko Dangote to reach into his deep pockets after they reached the last eight. Each player received about $80,000 when Nigeria finished third at the 2010 Nations Cup in Angola.

The game against Ivory Coast will be tough, but the Super Eagles must rise up to the challenge and take their chances which will be few against an Ivorian side bookmakers consider the tournament favorites featuring an armada of stars like Didier Drogba, Gervinho, Yaya Toure, amongst others.

The quarter-finals which begin on Saturday features eight teams; seven from West Africa – Nigeria, Ivory Coast; Burkina Faso, Togo; Ghana, Cape Verde and Mali; signaling a profound domination of the 2013 edition of the tournament by West Africa. After sending the North and East Africans packing, the only outsider is the host, South Africa who play Mali in the quarter-finals. Should the Bafana Bafana lose, the semi-finals and finals will be an all-West African affair.

Ahead of Sunday’s crucial match-up, the inability to finish off teams is something Keshi has to work on in the locker room. The Eagles failed to close out their first two games from a winning position; snatching a draw from the jaws of victory against Burkina Faso who equalized with the last kick of the game to rescue a point in their opening group match. Even if the Eagles take the lead, the Ivorians will always feel there is the opportunity for a late equalizer or winner, since Nigeria has conceded late goals toward the end of their first two games.

It’s important that the Super Eagles take their opportunities, especially when facing the 1992 African champions; unarguably the dream team of the tournament. Coach Stephen Keshi needs to encourage a free-scoring tendency especially from dead ball situations like spot kicks and corner kicks because the midfield is going to be very tight in open play, so the Ivorians will be hoping to catch the Eagles napping and hit them at the break with a counter-attack.

The Elephants played to a 2-2 draw against Algeria in their last group match on Wednesday night, a match which proved to be a tough test for the Group D winners as they had to come back from being two goals down. That should tell Keshi something about the character of the Ivorian team who came back twice to beat Senegal (4-2) in the final round of qualifying matches.

Victor Moses was the hero of the day when the Eagles booked their place in the quarter-finals as he won and converted the two penalties that won the game. But that should not make him the choice penalty taker in the team. Keshi should work this out during training sessions to be ready for the eventuality of a penalty shoot-out which is mentally and psychologically draining.

However, regardless of the decision by the Egyptian referee following the controversial penalty call that gave Zambia the late equalizer against Nigeria in their second group match, the fact remains that the referee didn’t make John Obi Mikel miss the penalty, which his body language showed that he was ill-prepared to take the shot.

It was a tactical error for Mikel, who has never scored in 261 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, stepping up to take the spot kick. He hasn’t been the best option for Nigeria in this tournament, and he was obviously the wrong choice for the task. Keshi ought to have known better!

Against the Elephants of Ivory Coast, has to prove that they can dominate a game, not just put in a patchy performance and expect to win as they did against Ethiopia. Obi Mikel, despite his problems finding the net, should be shore up the midfield and control possession through the middle.

Cote d’Ivoire will be looking for its third straight win over Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations after beating the Super Eagles (1-0) in 2006, with Didier Drogba scoring the only goal, while Salomon Kalou secured another (1-0) win two years later.

On Sunday afternoon at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, the Eagles face 1992 champions Ivory Coast. The winners of this match-up will clash with the winners of the quarter-final between hosts South Africa and Mali; less fancied opponents which gives the Eagles a better shot at the finals should they overcome the Ivorians who will be a hard nut to crack.

 

 

While the fate of the Super Eagles hangs on the balance, Ivory Coast, South Africa and (wait a minute), Cape Verde have booked their tickets for the knock-out stages.

With two points and two goals from two games played so far, Coach Stephen Keshi’s “Plan

A” of topping the group to play a quarterfinal game at Nelspruit seems to have become a luxurious desire as Keshi comes under increasing pressure for his technical and tactical options, while his selection of some players has been called into question.

Keshi however remains upbeat about the Eagle’s chances of making the round of sixteen on Tuesday in their last group game against Ethiopia; arguably the whipping boys of the group.

 

Ethiopia tops the group from the bottom having been whitewashed (0-4) by Burkina Faso in their second game. Burkina Faso needs just a draw in their last game against reigning champions Zambia who have two points and just one goal scored in their first two matches.

All the permutations show the odds are against the Super Eagles who must beat Ethiopia to ensure qualification. Since Nigeria played a (1-1) tie with both Burkina Faso and Zambia, its goal differential with the two countries is (0). Should Zambia beat Burkina Faso in their final group match and Nigeria beats Ethiopia, Zambia and Nigeria will qualify from the group with five points each. Meanwhile, if Burkina Faso beats Zambia; Nigeria will need just a draw against Ethiopia to make the knock-out stages but Ethiopia will qualify with four points by beating Nigeria.

 

In the unlikely scenario of a (0-0) tie amongst all the four teams, Burkina Faso will top the group with five points and Nigeria will still be able to sneak into the round of 16 with three points from three draws. But if Zambia plays a (2-2) tie with Burkina Faso, Nigeria is out on goal difference.

 

Ahead of Tuesday’s crucial game, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has urged the Super Eagles to redouble their efforts to qualify for the quarter finals, warning that failure to make it to the next round of the competition would be an embarrassment to the nation. “It will be a shame to the whole country if we fail to pick a quarter final ticket,” the National League’s Ahmed Kawu said in an interview.

 

Before their second match, Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi gave the players $100,000 and promised more as they progress, a motivation the players could not build on. The Federal Government had released over N700 million for the team’s preparation and participation in the tournament but as the team struggled to grab another draw against Zambia, soccer aficionados have been questioning Keshi’s technical and tactical options, including the caliber of players he assembled for the tournament.

 

Although consensus opinion agrees the team is a work in progress, of particular worry is the fitness level of some of the players for the competition, whose performance have become the source of controversy and anger. For example, team captain Joseph Yobo has been facing some fitness issues in his club and was definitely not 100% fit for this competition, yet Keshi included him.

 

Yobo, who said he was making his last appearance at the Nations Cup for Nigeria was on the bench throughout the game against Zambia. Since injury did not allow Yobo to play in some of the qualifying games, Yobo ought not to have made the final 23. It is believed Keshi included him in the squad to offer him a befitting exit from the Eagles and to recognize his services rendered to the nation.

Besides Yobo, even Gabriel Reuben was injured, yet Keshi still included his name on the list.

 

It is also hard to understand Keshi’s preference for Ahmed Musa who has not been at his best, while a player like Ikechukwu Uche has started all the first two matches from the bench. Keshi has introduced Uche late in the two games despite his good run of form, suggesting there might be some locker room issues between the coach and the player. Also, questions have arisen as to the presence of Fegor Ogude in the team, with speculations rising that Keshi like his counterparts before him, has adopted a mercantilist quid pro quo attitude of using the Nations Cup as platform to expose players and later sell them to foreign clubs for a kickback.

 

Eyebrows have also been raised over the performance of John Mikel Obi who has been anything but convincing in the midfield. Mikel Obi has not been inspiring and creative and he compounded his poor performance by losing a penalty against Zambia.

“If he had scored that goal, perhaps we could have gone two goals ahead before Zambia got their goal and in that case Nigeria would still have won. When did Mikel suddenly become a penalty player for the Eagles? He clearly showed the keeper the direction he was kicking the ball. He did the same in our last qualifier against Liberia in Calabar though he scored. Mikel is not inspiring in the midfield and he needs to up his game,” an angry supporter told Huhuonline.com at the end of the match.

Meanwhile, host country, South Africa, debutants, tiny Cape Verde and tournament favorites, Ivory Coast, have booked their tickets in the knock-out stages. After edging a gutsy Togolese side (2-1) in their first game, the Ivorians defeated Tunisia (3-0) in their second game and have Algeria, already eliminated in their third group match. Togo battles Tunisia in another make or break match for second place.

Debutants Cape Verde qualified for the last eight after coming from behind to beat Angola 2-1 in Port Elizabeth. The Angolans took the lead through an own goal from Cape Verde defender Neves. The Blue Sharks equalized with nine minutes left, after defender Fernando Varela headed in from close range.  Substitute Heldon snatched the winner in the 90th minute to secure second place in Group A behind South Africa which played a pulsating (2-2) tie with Morocco.

Former Barcelona FC coach, Josep Guardiola has been appointed the coach of Bayern Munich Fc of Germany, beginning from the 2013/2014 season. Guardiola departed Camp Nou in 2012 after winning a total of 14 trophies in a space of just four seasons.

At the bundesliga club where he has signed a four-year deal until 2016, he succeeds Jupp Heynckes, who ascended the position in 2011 but confirmed late last that he would be relinquishing the post at the end of the current season.

A host of top European clubs, including last year’s Champions League winners, Chelsea, and Manchester United had been linked to the Spaniard but he opted for Munich in the end. “We are very pleased that we have succeeded [in appointing] the football expert Pep Guardiola, who was courted by many famous clubs and contacts,” said Bayern CEO, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. “Guardiola is one of the most successful coaches in the world and we are sure that he can [help] not just Bayern, but German football, shine.”

He also praised outgoing coach, saying, “As a club and as Jupp Heynckes' friends, we have to show understanding for this decision. We have to accept it and we have to respect it. “During personal talks with Jupp Heynckes, we assured each other that we will do anything we can, and now even more, to have a successful second half of the season, in which we want to get the title to Munich.”

Argentine and Barcelona playmaker, Lionel Messi has been named winner of the 2012 FIFA Player of the Year award (also known as Ballon d’Or), thus completing a remarkable year in which he shattered series of histories.

Messi’s 91 goals in the 2012 calendar were the highest by any footballer, and he has now completed his record-replete year by becoming the first footballer to win the Ballon d’Or a whopping four times.

At the award, held in Zurich on Monday, Messi received 41.60 per cent of votes cast by coaches and captains of national teams. Christiano Ronaldo claimed 23.68 per cent of the votes to place second while Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta emerged third with 10.91 per cent of votes.

“To tell the truth, this is really unbelievable to get the fourth award. I am so nervous,” Messi said at the event.

In other award categories, the Female Coach of the Year 2012 award went to Pia Sundhage, former coach of US women national team

Coach of the Spanish national team, Vincent Del Bosque was named Male Coach of the Year while the FIFA Presidential Award went to German Franz Beckembauer.

The Uzbeskistan Football Federation won the Fair Play award, Miroslav Stoch won the Puskas Award for Best Goal of the Year, and Aby Wambach won the FIFA Female Footballer of the Year award.

FC Barcelona Club's Medical Services have announced that FC Barcelona's manager has suffered a parotid ailment relapse. Tito Vilanova will undergo surgery on Thursday

The Club’s Medical Services have issued the following medical report on the health of FC Barcelona’s manager, Francesc ‘Tito’ Vilanova:

“An extension of the pathology has been detected in [Vilanova’s] parotid gland. The manager requires surgery which he will undergo this Thursday. He is expected to remain in hospital for three to four days.

After the surgery, Francesc ‘Tito’ Vilanova will undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatment for approximately six weeks. During this time, and depending on how well he recovers, Vilanova’s treatment may be compatible with his normal schedule.

In line with the patient’s wishes, we urge respect and privacy during this process.”

Reports of the resignation of Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi, less than a day after winning the 29th African Cup of Nations (AFCON), have been received with sadness by Nigeria fans.

“I did what I feel is right by resigning,” Keshi told Metro FM. “I gave the NFF a letter last night [Sunday] after the celebrations.”

According to the radio station, Keshi claimed to have been sacked before the quarter-final encounter with Cote d’Ivoire because NFF officials concluded that the Eagles had lost the match even before a ball was kicked, and went ahead to book a return plane to Nigeria.

He claimed, too, that it was after the semi-final that he got wind of NFF’s plan but he dismissed it so that the team could concentrate on the final.

One of the fans who spoke to Huhuonline.com lamented that keshi’s resignation is coming at a time when the country should be savouring the joy of Sunday’s monumental triumph.

“This is sad”, he said. “We should be celebrating, not destroying what we have built. I hope everything is resolved very soon.”

Though the news has been denied by Emeka Inyanma of the NFF, it was unofficially confirmed by some staff of the Sports Ministry, who further said the sports management in the country is making efforts to manage the situation because of the embarrassment it is likely to engender..

SuperSports presenter, Robert Marawa, also confirmed that Keshi disclosed he was quitting the position of coach, a report that has left many wondering why the coach would resign after leading the country to victory.

But Huhuonline.com learnt that Keshi was pissed off by the intrigues that followed earlier disappointing performances of the team at the beginning of the tournament.

According to a source in the NFF, while Keshi battled to lead the country to victory, officials of the NFF busied themselves with meetings on how to replace him should the team perform poorly.

"Keshi got wind of this and has now decided that since his employers don't have confidence in him, he would leave now that he has embarrassed them with excellent performance against their expectation.

"The Sports Ministry is not finding it funny and has been pleading with him and thinking of a way out because it means Nigeria would have to start afresh instead of consolidating on what we have currently," the source said disclosing that some African countries are already struggling to appoint Keshi to head their teams. 

The Sports Ministry and the NFF are yet to come out with a statement on the true position, but Inyanma says as far as the NFF is concerned, Keshi still remains coach and has not resigned.

Meanwhile, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri has congratulated the Super Eagles of Nigeria on their victory over Burkina-Faso, in the final match of the tournament.

Omeri thanked the Super Eagles for doing the country proud in South Africa, saying the victory was achieved with our collective efforts.

“Nigeria could not have achieved this feat if we did not do the right thing,” he said.

“The biggest point to note from this is that with the support of all Nigerians, positive development will always come our way. We did not just sit down and wished that we win the trophy, the government, the team, the head coach, all played their part. Everybody did the right thing for us to be happy today.”


The agency, in partnership with the National Sports Commission (NSC), had organised a public viewing centre at the National Stadium, Abuja, to enable sport-loving Nigerians watch the finals.

 

Omeri advised the Eagles to maintain the momentum and continue doing the country proud in future tournaments. He also called on Nigerians to be supportive and positive to the team at all times

The Super Eagles of Nigeria who began their last group match against Ethiopia as favorites clinched their quarter-final berth with a (2-0) defeat of a resilient Ethiopian side which ended the match with ten men following the expulsion of their goalkeeper, Biancha for a foul against Victor Moses who scored Nigeria’s two goals from the penalty spot.

Nigeria went into the game chasing their first win, while Ethiopia were bottom of the group with a point. The Super Eagles had their backs to the wall after drawing their first two matches against Burkina Faso and defending champions Zambia. They finished in second place in Group C with five points behind Burkina Faso with a better goal difference, having beaten Ethiopia (4-0).

Ikechukwu Uche started the match while team captain Joseph Yobo, who faced a late fitness test started from the bench and was introduced towards the end of the match.

Victor Moses scored two penalties at the 79th and 90th minutes but he scored the second with an Ethiopian player in the goal after their goalkeeper was sent off for two bookable offences. Ethiopia had already made three substitutions, so one player had to take the goalkeeper’s jersey and enter the goalposts.

When the teams last clashed, in Addis Ababa two years ago in a 2012 Nations Cup qualifying match, it ended 2-2 with Nigeria needing a last-gasp equalizer. Nigeria had won the first meeting (4-0) in Abuja.

Nigeria and Ethiopia entered the final group game knowing they both needed to find their first win in the competition to have any chance of qualifying for the knockout stage. Nigeria were one of the favorites before the competition but, having conceded late equalizers in their first two games, stand third in the table behind reigning champions Zambia, and surprise package Burkina Faso.The Super Eagles have not failed to reach the last eight since 1982 in Libya, where they finished third in a group including Ethiopia and Zambia

The Super Eagles will like face tournament favorites, Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals in a match bookmakers have predicted will be a hard nut to crack for Stephen Keshi and his boys who have to up their game if they intend to make it to the semi-finals.

 

 

 

Well, Nigeria's team at the ongoing Africa Nations Cup met stiff challenges so far and the country can only hope for better days ahead (I genuinely believe so). While some people find it easy to make a case for strong criticism, others simply recycled vague allegations and to make matters worse Patrick Ekeji, the Director General of NSC was making legal threats to anyone who criticise NSC. He said and I quote, “ …that the time had come for the NSC to use all legal instrument at its disposal to protect its image from the utterances and activities of people who he said have turned the act of disparaging the NSC into a pastime as well as a means of livelihood...insisted that the criticisms were baseless.. The decision to include elite athletes in the National Sports Festival & sack Secretary-General of Federations were met with criticism. “

 Preamble

Firstly, Nigeria is in democracy and the government are led by people representatives and those individuals must act within established laws of the land as enacted by the legislative branch. However, there comes time when those laws failed to meet the current needs of the people where it becomes useless and hindrance to development. As a result, the people representatives in the legislative arms of the country leadership are empowered to amend and create new laws.

 Nitty Gritty (koko in Yoruba slang)

If people are fed up with useless policies and rules then they must be heard by all reasonable legitimate means (I think that is one of democratic principles). For example, if a house of representative individual failed to follow up on constituents’ grievance, then, the question, whether it is reasonable to approach the media and if so, what is disparaging about it? Again here, Nigeria Sports development policy turned out to be a piece of cotton candy where with one bite the whole policy melted as noticed in the Olympics Games and God forbid at the ongoing Nations Cup. Is it time for people to use the same media NSC, the House of Assembly and the Presidency used to take up their positions and make announcements? I think so.

 Ekeji Threat (alleged)

NSC was established by a federal legislative act and nowhere in such act that NSC was required to (or) becomes a corporate body under Company and Allied Matters Acts (Chapter 54 of Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) to be able to bring an action in civil court to repair its corporate image (if any). Based on NSC act, the entity is a commission within the executive branch of the federal government and its’ actions (Policies) are reviewable by the legislatures and the Presidency.

 It will be surprising however, in private law, whether NSC can bring action directly in a civil court because a Commission generally is at the convenience of a seating government to partake a highly technical aspect of governance, as such it has no image of its own (to protect), rather it is the Attorney General that can bring action on behalf of the federal government for any alleged tarnished Federal Government (via NSC) image if practicable (I doubt it will prevail).

 To do otherwise mean NSC is above public scrutiny and I doubt sincerely whether Ekeji threat can ever materialise into any legal victory. Imagine, the seating government telling opposition that they lacked any right to criticise. Is Nigeria in dictatorship?  Frankly, this threat suggests that NSC really need a competent legal adviser as soon as possible because going forward with establishing new rules for federation require this need as a necessity.

 Going forward

Clearly, Nigerians whatever their motives as suggested by Ekeji are within their democratic right of dissent to disagree with policies that affects them and the onus is on the federal government to mitigate such disenchantment with meaningful policies to meets current needs of the populace.

 

Go Eagles fly high.

 I rest.

 Dr. Rashid A. Balogun, CPA, LLB(Hons.), LLM(London)

 

 

Nigeria Coach, Stephen Keshi released the final list of the Super Eagles squad to the 2013 edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) with Portland Timbers of USA striker, Bright Dike, emerging the major omission from the initial 27-man contingent in camp.

Thirty-two-year captain of the team, Joseph Yobo will play in his sixth Nations Cup, which he long reckoned may be his final tournament.

Yobo began his career as a forward during the 10th FIFA World Youth Championship in 1999, which Nigeria hosted, and then went on to star for the senior team at the 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 editions, four of which the country won bronze at.

A disappointed Bright Dike wished the team well and expressed hope that he would be considered for future tournaments, the World Cup especially.

“I am disappointed not to make the AFCON final list,” he said. “But I am thankful for the experience and opportunity. I was hoping to be at the tournament, that's soccer for you. Now I am looking forward to the 2014 World Cup qualifiers and the tournament itself.”

Keshi had earlier dropped Papa Idris (Enyimba, Nigeria), Kalu Uche of Reizpur in Turkey (who was injured), Rabiu Ibrahim (Kilamrock, Scotland) and Henry Uche (Enyimba, Nigeria). And on the final day Raheem Lawal, Benjamin Francis, Solomon Kwande and Heartland Fc goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi joined Bright Dike on the rejection list.

Chelsea FC of England midfielder, John Mikel Obi will join other stars of the team such as 11-year veteran goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, and experienced forward Ikechukwu Uche at the tournament.

Below is the full list:

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel), Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheba, Israel), and Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

Defenders: Elderson Echiejile (SC Braga, Portugal), Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel), Joseph Yobo (Fenerbache, Turkey), Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland), Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria), Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands), and Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England), Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain), Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy), Obiora Nwankwo (Calcio Padova, Italy), Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway), and Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars, Nigeria)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England), Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria), Ikechukwu Uche (Villarreal FC, Spain), Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine), and Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

 

 

Sandro Rosell, President of Barcelona FC has affirmed that Tito Villanova will return to his managerial duties within twenty one days.

The coach has been sidelined since mid-December, following a relapse with parotid gland cancer.

Rosell hopes that the Tito Villanova will be able to cope with his chemotherapy and coaching Barca, but insists that Vilanova’s recovery is the priority over footballing matters.

The club president told reporters in Dubai: "He will return to work in 15 or 20 days, but he will be going back and forth from the hospital and he will be resting.

“He's going to combine the treatment with his work. The most important thing is his health. For the moment, football comes second."

Rosell avoided stating that Xavi and Carles Puyol will be given new contracts at Camp Nou, but the chief insisted that he wants the Barca legends to stay with the squad.

"They are among the best players for Barcelona and for Spain, and they are important for society because they are a great example to young people,” he added. “I hope they will remain at the club in some capacity in the future."

While on the topic of contracts, Rosell also said he believed the fact that two recent signings took pay cuts to join the Blaugrana shows the commitment players have to the Catalan club.

"We have signed two players in Cesc Fabregas and Javier Mascherano who both earn a lower salary than at their previous club,” he said. “They also paid the commission on their transfer fee. They really wanted to play for us. It's a beautiful thing."

The board of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) chaired by Victor Baribote was on Monday sacked by the NPL Congress.

In the interim, the affairs of the secretariat will be run by Executive Secretary, Tunji Babalola.

The congress proposed February 16 as date of commencement of the new season, and in addition endorsed the hosting of the Super Four preseason tournament in Kano State. It equally overturned the expulsion of Ocean Boys Football Club from the league.

The decisions are expected to be upheld when the Congress of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) holds on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Of the 20 NPL clubs, only Niger Tornadoes were not represented at the congress. Also in attendance, as observers, were Shehu Adamu, Yahaya Kwande and Emeka Inyama, who are members of the Executive Committee of the NFF.

Considering that the NPL Board had announced just on Monday that the Congress would no longer hold, there was heavy presence of security men at the Prixair Hotel in Zone 6, Abuja, where it finally held.

The board, though, mandated Baribote to relinquish chairmanship of the board to his vice Shehu Gusau in order to allow a three-man committee probe the crisis currently rocking the body.

For a series of wrong calls in Wednesday’s second semi-final match between Ghana and Burkina Faso at the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), Tunisian referee Slim Jdidi has earned a suspension from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Secretary-general of CAF, Hicham El Amrani, speaking at a news conference before the Burkinabe FA lodged an official appeal against Jonathan Pitroipa’s red card, revealed the disappointment of the continental body in the referee’s performance.

“There is a meeting tomorrow (Friday) to discuss the Pitroipa incident,” he said. “Pitroipa’s chances of playing in the final depend on the match report sent in by Jdidi because the organising committee does not have the power to change the referee’s decision unless the referee admits he made a mistake in his official report.”

But Gualbert Kabore, manager of the Stallions team, is hoping two-goal hero Pitroipa can still play in the final.

“The Burkina Faso Football Federation wrote an offical letter of appeal to CAF,” he said. “We lodged it in the two hours after the match as stipulated by the regulations.

“We think we have a good chance of winning the appeal.”

Continuing, he said, “There were some scandalous decisions, we don’t know why, we’re asking lots of questions; there are lots of theories.

“Curiously, the players reacted better than us [the team management staff]. They said if the referee is against us that must mean we are the stronger side.”

Referee Jdid infamously booked Pitroipa for a second time in the encounter for supposedly diving in the penalty zone and sent him out of the field but replays then showed the forward was fouled by a Ghanaian defende. Burkina Fasso also scored a legitimate goal that was disallowed while a strong penalty appeal was also turned down despite Ghana having takien the lead earlier off a controversial penalty call.

 

The 36 year old Egyptian referee, who officiated the match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Chipolopo of Zambia on Friday January 25th, has been dismissed from the on-going 2013 Africa Cup of Nations as a result of poor officiating.

Ghead Grisha awarded a controversial penalty to Zambia in the 85th minute which enabled them draw level in the group C match. Grisha awarded the spot kick against Onazi Ogenyi for a supposed foul on Emmanuel Mayuka. However, television replays of the tackle on the stadium scoreboard showed clearly that the offence was clearly outside the box, yet the referee went ahead to award a penalty.

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF immediately sent a protest letter to the Confederation of African Football, CAF, asking the football governing body to look into the questionable call by Grisha. After reviewing the action, CAF decided that it was a bad call. “Grisha has been sent home. He will have no further action at this Cup of Nations. His decisions did not tally with best practices of the refereeing profession and we would not allow anyone to start re-writing the rules of the game here.”

“He was sent home because of his mishandling of the match. Isa Hayatou, CAF President, admitted that the penalty call by the referee was wrong. If there was a foul, it was definitely outside the 18-yard-box, and not a penalty. Referees are not allowed to re-write the rule of the game,” Hayatou was quoted to have told the Nigerian delegation.

The was jubilation in Super Eagles camp Monday afternoon as news filtered in that the Egyptian referee who awarded the dubious penalty to allow Zambia equalize has been sent home by CAF. But a top NFF official however insisted that the damage has been done and the sending away of the referee means little as it will not change the result of the match.

 

Arsenal forward, Theo Walcott has signed a new three-and-a-half year deal worth £100,000 a week with the London club.

The deal ends weeks of speculation about the future of the 23-year-old who is the club’s top scorer yet this season, after he turned down a £75,000-a-week offer last August.

Earlier in the season, Wenger had secured new contracts for Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Aaron Ramsey, Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson. Joining Walcott to the list gives him a lot of happiness.

“We are all delighted that Theo has signed a new contract,” he said. “He joined us as a 16-year-old, and since then has developed very well to become an extremely important player for both Arsenal Football Club and England.

He described Walcott has a strong player and also a great person, saying the combination of his ability and pace makes him such a valuable asset either from the flanks or down the middle.

“Theo’s contract extension now gives us a strong nucleus of ambitious young players who have committed to the club and want to be successful with us as a group,” he added.

Walcott himself expressed happiness at extending his Arsenal career despite reported interest from the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool.

"I am very happy to have signed a new contract here,” he said. “Thanks to everyone for their continued support — the manager, everyone at the club and, most importantly, the fans.

“I have made it clear from the start that I wanted to stay at Arsenal, so I am pleased we have agreed a deal that everyone is happy with. What’s important now is for the team to realise its potential and win trophies.”

 

Management of Startimes Nigeria on Tuesday unveiled plans to bid for the hosting rights of the forthcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Director Operations, Startimes, Maxwell Loko disclosed this at a press conference held in Abuja, saying the company has injected N15bn over the past two years since its entry into the Nigerian economy, via the digital terrestrial television network otherwise known as pay television.

Loko explained that the firm is currently perfecting negotiations to acquire hosting rights to air the forthcoming African Cup of Nations. He also unveiled additional packages to be provided by the company, including DVB-T2 decoder, M50 Mobile TV phone and the launch of the Door-to-Door service.\

According to Loko, the DVB-T2 technology’s unique advantage is its ability to offer more educative, informative and entertaining programmes, one frequency having the capacity for 25 channels.

Loko explained that the latest introduction places Nigeria at the same level with other African countries like Kenya, Mozambique and Uganda where, Startimes had introduced the technology.

"Besides the African Cup of Nations, which will be provided on the bouquet for Nigerians to enjoy, the Startimes DVB-T2 decoder will gather over seventy channels of great sport, music, movies, news, kids and teens entertainment, documentary, religion and lots more,” he assured.

“Other exciting channels to join the T2 decoder channel list soon are WAP TV, EuropeSports News, Africa Movie Channel, A Music Channel (AMC), Business TV, Freshwave among others.”

Loko also noted that the company has captured 16 states and promised that the expansion programme will establish its presence in 15 other states 

The Chinese company, currently sharing partnership with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), described terrestrial broadcasting all over the world as being capital-intensive.

On his part, Chief Operating Officer of Starttimes, Joshua Wang reiterated that the focus of the company is beyond profit-making but rather the challenge of achieving its corporate social responsibility, especially in relation to migration policy from analogue to digital broadcasting in the country.

“Our mission is to ensure that every home in Nigeria enjoys affordable digital entertainment backed by the collaboration with NTA, a strategic partnership that will help Nigeria in actualising its 2015 transition deadline,” he added.

 

The Super Eagles will on Thursday, Dec. 27 depart for Faro in Portugal via  Accra, Ghana for the final phase of their preparation for the 2013 AFCON in South Africa.

The team would on Thursday morning in Abuja have their last training session in the local camping phase of their preparations.

The team of players, coaches and other members would then depart same day by 3 p.m for Accra.

Team head coach Stephen Keshi told newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja that players who would not be making the trip to Portugal would be decamped on Thursday.

“It’s a shame that we can’t take all of them to Faro, but what they have done here shows that they are true professionals.

“This is the type of high level commitment that I am looking for, especially when players know that they are not going to travel and they still put in their best.

“It breaks my heart that I can’t take everyone of them to Portugal, but it’s good that they gave a good account of themselves for the future,’’ Keshi said.

The Super Eagles would play a friendly match with Catalonia on Jan. 2 as part of their build-up for the 2013 AFCON, otherwise known as the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Eagles are in Group C alongside defending champions Zambia, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso for the competition’s 29th edition scheduled for Jan. 19 to Feb. 10 in South Africa.

Injured Nigerian midfielder, Joel Obi, has moved to quell doubts over his availability for the 2013 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), which begins in 2013 in South Africa.

The Inter Milan regular starter has spent the bulk of the year on the sidelines, following a nagging muscle injury that relapsed in a Serie A encounter against Catania on 21st October.

Obi had made his return only days earlier in a Europa Cup fixture against Neftci PFK of Azerbaijan.

His long-running injury challenge is known to be a source of worry to Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen keshi, whose team is thought of by pundits as still lacking creativity in the middle of the park. And the consequence is that the highly rated youngster played only a cameo role in the qualifiers for the tournament

“I’m happy I’m back in training, trying to get 100 per cent fit and be ready for both my club and Nigeria,” Obi said on Thursday during a radio interview monitored by Mtnfootball.com. “I will be fit for the Nations Cup. I still have more to give to Nigeria.”

Obi, apparently hoping to be selected for the mundial, also promised that the Nigerian team “would not disappoint” but urged the fans to be generous in their “support.”

 

 

More Articles ...

  1. Eagles Striker, Emenike, At Risk of Three-year Jail Term
  2. Chelsea Sacks Roberto Di Matteo
  3. Balotelli adamant he wants to stay at Manchester City
Page 7 of 8
Today71
Yesterday4
This week836
This month18199
Total1451975

Visitor Info

  • IP: 216.73.217.114
  • Browser: Unknown
  • Browser Version:
  • Operating System: Unknown

Who Is Online

1
Online
2026-10-31

Joomla! Debug Console

Session

Profile Information

Memory Usage

Database Queries