SODJE: EAGLES SHOULD NOT EXPECT EASY GAMES

Nigeria International, Sam Sodje, says the Super Eagles should be very serious in every game they play at the 2013 Africa Nations Cup in South Africa, saying no team is easy anymore. In this interview with IZUCHUKWU OKOSI, he expresses his readiness to play for the Super Eagles again.

Many Nigerians have not heard much about you. What is happening to your career?

I'm having an operation this week. At the moment, I do not have a club because I'm a free agent after my contract with Notts County ended in May. So I can sign for any team, but my fitness is uppermost in my mind while my agent will take care of that.

Okay, let’s talk about the Super Eagles. You have not played for the Nigerian national team for a while now, but have you been following events back home?

Of course, I've been impressed with the Super Eagles performance since Stephen Keshi took over the national team. There is a new dawn in the Eagles while there are still rooms for improvement in the team so that they can get stronger. You can see that the team is taking shape now.

Many have criticized Coach Stephen Keshi for his concentration on home based players, do you believe in the idea of building the team from the local league?

I know why Nigerians are complaining. People feel that the home-based Eagles are not as good as their foreign-based teammates. But I know where Keshi is coming from; I mean most of the foreign-based players started out in the local league, so he has to look inwards to see how he can discover talented players from the league. Personally, it is not a bad idea at all because soon, we shall start seeing the result.

Neither you nor any of your brothers have played for the Eagles for a long time. Do you guys feel bad about that?

We are not bitter about it. The thing is that we have always given our best whenever the national team coaches inviteed us. Personally, I believe I have a future in the Eagles and would love to be invited by Keshi very soon.

The Super Eagles have been grouped alongside Zambia, Burkina Faso and Ethiopia in Group C of the 2013 Africa Nations Cup in South Africa. Do you think the Eagles will have an easy ride in the group?

There will be no easy group in the 2013 Africa Nations Cup and we should not delude ourselves that there are countries

that will be beaten easily next year. The Zambians will not want to lose against Nigeria for the third time in recent memory. Burkina Faso are West African opposition and would be tough because we're from the same part of the continent, while Ethiopia who held the Eagles to a draw during the 2012 Nations Cup qualifiers would want to prove that their effort was not a fluke. It will not be an easy Nations Cup for some so-called big teams. Nigeria must beware of the so-called ‘small nations’ as well.

So, you don't think that the ‘giant killers’ will be overawed during the Nations Cup?

There will be one or two upsets in South Africa. It may not be the likes of Cape Verde but some nations that were originally not tipped for the title could be spoilers. The game has improved a lot in Africa and the players have been playing

in Europe and all these have helped to improve the quality of our players on the continent.

Now, if you think the foreign based players are better, are you saying that Stephen Keshi will do better in South Africa with only the foreign-based players?

I've not said that the home-based players are not good enough for the national team. There are home-based players who are even better than the guys in Europe.

Sam do you think the Eagles can win the Nations Cup?

I think so. Good preparation will do it for us, and I don't think there is any reason to be afraid if we prepare well. Nigeria is a country other African teams want to beat anyway.

Let's talk about the fight against racism in football. What is your opinion about the punishment being meted out to offending teams?

The teams whose fans and players indulge in such acts should be banned. It’s not enough to fine such teams, how much do UEFA and FIFA fine the teams anyway? What happened in Serbia recently was a shame.

The Kick- It-Out-Campaign got into gear in the wake of the racial slurs suffered by Danny Rose and other English U-21 stars but we heard that Rio Ferdinand wants to establish a breakaway Players Union for black players.
What is your reaction to that?

I think we should have a common front and not have divided bodies. My brothers and I supported the Kick It Out campaign and my brother wore the t-shirt, but I still prefer a one-body union but you can't blame Rio  or anybody for that matter.

LET THE SHOW BEGIN

Falcons begin title defence against Cameroun

Nigeria's Super Falcons will begin the chase for their title defence against Indomitable Lionesses on Monday, a day after the 2012 African Women Championship kicks off in  Equatorial Guinea.
Nigeria won the title in South Africa in 2010 after defeating 2012 host Equatorial Guinea  in the final to retain the trophy lost in 2008.
The Indomitable Lioness concluded their preparations for the tourney with a 1-1 draw with Banyana Banyana of South Africa on thursday and will aim to stop Nigeria's dominance in the African Women Championship.

Other Opponents in the group are  Ethiopia and Cote D’Ivoire. Group A has hosts Equatorial Guinea, South Africa, Congo DR and Senegal.
African women's football powerhouse, Ghana, failed to qualify as they were eliminated by Cameroun. It would be recalled that Super Falcons' striker, Perpetua Nkwocha has set a target of 15 goals for the upcoming African Women's Championship in Equatorial Guinea.

INSPIRATION!
S/Africa High Commissioner tasks Banyana Banyana

Banyana Banyana wrapped up their 5-day training camp in Yaounde, Cameroun and landed in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea on Thursday, 25 October 2012, to put the finishing touches to their preparations for the eight-nation CAF African Women Championship 2012.
The African women's football showpiece event starts on October 28, with the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana in Group A action against hosts Equatorial Guinea.

Banyana Banyana received further words of motivation from the South African High Commissioner to Cameroun, Ms Ntshadi M Tsheole, who paid a surprise visit to the national team's training session.
"As a commission, we are so excited to have Banyana Banyana training here in Cameroun and wish them the best of luck for the tournament in Equatorial Guinea," said Tsheole.
"We are politicians, but Banyana Banyana are ambassadors for South Africa in their own right. Everywhere they go, so do the media and these young football players are a real credit to our country."
Meanwhile, national head coach Joseph Mkhonza looked also a bit more relaxed as the team's technical staff joined the players in a small size field practice match.

"The spirit in the camp is high, particularly after the effort put in during the 1-1 all draw against Cameroon in an international friendly match played in Yaoundé on Monday," said Banyana Banyana head coach Joseph Mkhonza.
"Having a national training camp in the humid conditions here in Cameroun was crucial to our build up to the CAF African Women Championship 2012 as we are likely to find similar conditions in Equatorial Guinea. Safa and Sasol, our team sponsor, need to be commended for allowing our team the opportunity to prepare here in Cameroon.".
The national coaching staff has been impressed with the way in which Durban Ladies (KwaZulu Natal) striker Silindile Ngubane and club-mate and defender Charlotte Mshengu have fitted into the Banyana Banyana set up.


Ikhana not missing Ordega, Oparanozie

Coach of Nigeria’s Super Falcons  Kadiri Ikhana has said he is not missing the absence of Super Falconets duo of Francesca Ordega and Desire Oparanozie who were not released by their new Russian club Rossiyanka.
The Super Falcons are currently training in Ghana ahead of the 2012 Africa Women’s Championship scheduled for Equatorial Guinea from the 28 of October.
Ikhana said there are other good players who can replace the absentees.

We are not going to miss them much. Because there are other players who can stand in their position and perform well.
Their absence is not going to have any negative effect on the team. Ikhana said.
 The Super Falcons are expected to leave for Equatorial Guinea on Thursday ahead of their first game against Cameroun.

Warning Signal
Falcons send warning signals, wallop Hasaacas

Super Falcons on Wednesday defeated Sekondi Hasaacas 6-1 in their second build-up match to the 8th AWC in Equatorial Guinea at the Lizzy Sports Centre in Accra, Ghana.
The team had on Sunday defeated a first division side, Immigration 3-0 to the delight of manager, Kadiri Ikhana.
"This was a better performance than the first friendly we played here. I'm happy with the performance of my players especially in the first 45 minutes. All the players used in that half were fantastic.

CALL TO DUTY
Two Ghanaian referees for 2012 AWC

Two Ghanaian referees have been selected to officiate at the 2012 African Women’s Championship (AWC) scheduled for October 28 to November 11 in Equatorial Guinea.
The duo, Christine Ziga Enyoman and Emmanuella Aglagoh will be the only Ghanaian representation at the tournament the Black Queens will be sitting out for the first time.
Information gathered by GNA Sports indicates that the two referees made it into the list of 26 selected officials based on their performance in recent times.

Ziga, 30, a centre referee will be making a second appearance at a major continental championship since receiving her international badge in 2010.
For 32-year old assistant referee Aglagoh, the tourney will be her third major international competition after the recent FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan and her role at the All African Games in Maputo,  Mozambique in 2011 where she officiated alongside Ziga.
Ghanaian referees have performed creditably at the flagship continental women’s football  championship, with retired Mercy Quarcoo Tagoe going all the way to officiate the final match of the 2008 edition also staged in Equatorial Guinea.



Team     Pld     W     D     L     GF     GA     Pts
 E. Guinea     0     0     0     0     0     0     0
 South Africa     0     0     0     0     0     0     0
 Senegal     0     0     0     0     0     0     0
 Congo DR     0     0     0     0     0     0     0

FIXTURES

VENUE: MALABO
28 October 2012    14:30
Equatorial Guinea      v      South Africa
28 October 2012    17:30
Senegal      v      Congo DR
31 October 2012    14:30
South Africa      v      Senegal
31 October 2012    17:30
Equatorial Guinea      v      Congo DR
3 November 2012    17:30
Equatorial Guinea      v      Senegal
3 November 2012    17:30
South Africa      v      Congo DR

Group B
Team     Pld     W     D     L     GF     GA Pts
 Nigeria     0     0     0     0     0     0     0
 Ethiopia     0     0     0     0     0     0     0
 Cameroun     0     0     0     0     0     0     0
 Côte d'Ivoire     0     0     0     0     0     0     0

FIXTURES: BATA
29 October 2012    14:30
Nigeria      v      Cameroun
29 October 2012    17:30
Côte d'Ivoire      v      Ethiopia
1 November 2012    14:30
Cameroun      v      Côte d'Ivoire
1 November 2012    17:30
Ethiopia      v      Nigeria
4 November 2012    17:30
Nigeria      v      Côte d'Ivoire
4 November 2012    17:30
Cameroun      v      Ethiopia

Four Obudu Champions Return For 2012 Race

As many as four former winners of the Obudu International Mountain Race have confirmed their participation in this year's race which holds next month at the Obudu Ranch Resort in Obudu, Cross River State.

 Top on the list of the former champions who are staging a return is Ethiopia's double winner
Abebe Dinkesa, who will be gunning for an historic hat-trick of titles at the race.

Dinkessa won the men's title and the accompanying $50,000 top prize in 2008 and 2010 to become only the second man in the history of the race to win the title twice. Another Ethiopian, Habtamu Fikadu, won in 2007 and 2009.

 Also staging a return to challenge for the top prize is the men's defending champion, Ethiopia's Hunegnaw Mesfin, who ran the second fastest winning time (41:50) to win last year. Dinkesa holds the course record and the fastest winning time ever (41.45 seconds) which he ran in winning his first title in 2008.

For the women, reigning Obudu  mountain running champion, Genet Yalew  of Ethiopia,  tops the list of champions who are staging a return to the race come next month at the Obudu Ranch Resort. She will however battle Kenya's Businei Rita Jepto  for the title and the %50,000 top prize.

Jamaican Coach Faults American Mode

As Nigerians continue to mull over the disappointing performance of Team Nigeria to the London 2012 Olympics,  legendary Jamaican National and Track Athletics coach, Bertland Cameron,  has ruled out living and schooling in America as a means of realising one’s Olympic dream.

The Jamaican coach who spoke yesterday in Asaba in the Delta Sports Summit said that Olympic dreams are not and cannot be realised in America.

“American coaches don’t coach you to be become Olympic champion. Instead, they use you to their benefits and make you burn out before major events,’’ he said at the Grand Hotel venue which was packed with all the stakeholders in sports.  

‘’No Jamaican athlete goes to the US for scholarship or to develop his or her talents.  That is why Olympic champion, Usain Bolt, did not go America. We’re competitive-driven and are based at home.”

BABANGIDA: EAGLES CAN WIN IN S/AFRICA IF...

Former Super Eagles winger Tijani Babangida believes that Nigeria can win the Nations Cup trophy in South Africa if the players show enough commitment. He spoke with BAMIDELE BOLUWAJI

Having known Super Eagles’ opponents at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, what do you think Keshi should do before the kick-off next year?

 Well, it is a tough group because I always believe that no team is small or weak anymore having played to qualify for the main tournament, so Keshi should try as much as possible to make sure he invites players that will share the same team spirit with him and he should try as much as possible to use the rest of this year to prepare the team for the Africa Nations Cup.

 In a group where you have the defending champions, Zambia, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Ethiopia, who do you think could make it to the next round among these four teams ?

 All the teams in the group have the qualities to qualify for the second round but on paper, you may say Nigeria and Zambia will qualify. Burkina Faso and Ethiopia can play the spoilers game as well, so every team in that group has to be very careful. For me, I will go for Nigeria and Zambia but that does not mean they should underrate both Ethiopia and Burkina Faso because anything can happen in that group.

 You seem not too sure that Nigeria can make it from that group, do you have any fear?

 Not really, what I am trying to say is that the group is not going to be as easy as people thought. Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Zambia have all been there at various times and they have the experience already, so for us to qualify from the group, our players must show enough commitment, readiness and patriotism at the Nations Cup if they want Nigeria to go far. What we saw during the qualifying round will be different from what is going to happen in South Africa, so we need to prepare very well and set a target for ourselves even before they travel to South Africa.

 Keshi is planning to try few new players before the kick-off of the 2013 AFCON in South Africa, do you think the time is right for that purpose?

 I don’t think anything is wrong with that because we still have at least two months before the competition will start. But he should have it in mind that the time for experiment is over and the new players he is planning to introduce should not be more0 than two or three so that it will not affect the good work he has been doing in the last ten months. Keshi must have seen reasons for that and the only thing we can do is to support him so that the team can excel at the Championship.

 Which of the teams do you think could give the Super Eagles problem during the Nations Cup?

 Like I said earlier, all the team can give Nigeria problem but the preparation towards the tournament will determine how the team will perform. Ethiopia which everyone is seeing as the easiest team in the group could end up causing an upset. So every team should be treated the same way and they must not underrate them.

 With your experience in the game of football, do you think that the present Super Eagles squad has the quality to win the 2013 Nations Cup?

 We could all see that the team was improving during the qualifying games and the last match which they won 6-1 in Calabar was evidence that the team can always get better. If they improve on what they did during the qualifying rounds, I am sure that they will do well in South Africa. Winning the tournament is another thing and what will determine that is the team they meet in the second round, the quarter final, the semi-final and the final. I think our concentration should be on how to qualify from the group stage first. If we can qualify from the group, then we will know how to approach the other games because they would have learnt one of two things in the tournament.

 What is your assessment about the home based players so far?

 Personally, I will score them high because they have been able to prove that with time, they will be on same level with their foreign-based counterparts. We also have to thank Keshi for the confidence he has in these players because not many coaches can do what he is doing with the team. The only thing I can say is that they should be focused and concentrate on everything they are being thought in the camp.

 Nigeria will be playing Venezuela on November 14 in Miami, United States of America, what do you expect from this match?

 It is a friendly match and it should not be seen as a do or die affair. Normally, a match like that should help the coaches to know the fitness level of their players and the match will be a perfect opportunity for the coaches to try two or three new players that will be introduced  to the team. Nigerians should also be made to understand that it is a build-up game to the Africa Nations Cup, so anything can happen.

 Do you think the team needs more friendly

games to prepare for the Nations Cup?

 Yes, that is what they need but they should try to avoid unnecessary injury so that the team will not have problem of missing any important player at the Nations Cup.

 Finally, Nigeria will open her campaign against Burkina Faso, what do you expect from the match?

 It is a match we must win if the team must go far in the Championship. A victory in that match will definitely give the players confidence that they can do it. They should go out for victory and nothing less.

Joel Obi Out of Sampdoria Tie

Inter Milan coach, Andrea Stramaccioni will be looking for his eighth consecutive away win in all competition tonight at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in the San Siro district of Milan against Sampdoria without his Nigerian import, Joel Obi.

 Obi is not among the 21 players the coach has listed for tonight's game due to injury and it will be the second consecutive game the Nigerian will be missing since he made his first start of the season for the Nerazzurrini against city rivals,AC Milan penultimate weekend.He was not in action last weekend when Inter defeated Bologna 3-1 due to injury.

The Nigerian only returned to action this month after almost five months on the sidelines due to injury which ensured he missed all of Nigeria's 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and 2014 World Cup qualifiers since June.He is however expected to return for this weekend's game against Serie A leaders and defending champions,Juventus.