ETIM ESIN: AMEOBI, DIKE WILL SHINE FOR EAGLES

Ex-International, Etim Esin says he was excited with the performance of the Super Eagles against Venezuela. In this interview with IZUCHUKWU OKOSI, he believes that Nigeria will not fail  in South Africa

The Super Eagles had a good game when they defeated Venezuela 3-1 in a friendly on the 14th of this month in USA. Do you think the team  is now taking shape or are there other things you feel Stephen Keshi still need to do to have a good team for the Nations Cup?

The team is taking shape and I believe that they will have a good tournament. What is there to be done is for the NFF to provide them with everything that will help their campaign in South Africa- finance and what have you…

The Nigeria Football Federation is planning to have the team play some more friendly games before the Nations Cup in South Africa. What is your opinion about the plans to have them play a Catalonia side?

It will be nice for the team to play that game because it will be against some great players but I hope they will also play against African teams as promised because they need to play teams that will have similar playing styles with our Nations Cup opponents. I’ve read about Angola and Sudan and they are decent teams which can help the team prepare well for the tournament.

The plans of the Super Eagles to have Sydney Sam for the Eagles at the Nations Cup have been dealt a huge blow by the fact that FIFA cannot facilitate it before the Nations Cup commences in January. Do you think the Eagles will miss him in South Africa?

It’s unfortunate that he will not be available but I know that the World Cup qualifiers which start in March, 2013 will be more realistic. It would have been great to have Sam play at the Nations Cup but I know we have enough players that can do the job for Nigeria.

The issue of where Mikel Obi is best suited to play in the national team is still a topic that seems not to be settled yet. Where do you think Mikel should play for Nigeria at the Nations Cup?

Mikel is a creative player whose game was changed by Jose Mourinho when he came to Chelsea. I believe Keshi can play him in either the defensive midfield or attacking midfield position depending on the players available to him.

Shola Ameobi recently made his Eagles debut alongside Bright Dike. What was your immediate reaction when you heard that the two of them will play for Nigeria?

I want to commend Shola for deciding to represent Nigeria. That is what we are saying; that African players must realise that they cannot get the respect they deserve outside the continent and their country of birth in particular. Same goes for Dike.

There has been call by some sections of Nigerians that Nwankwo Kanu should be drafted into the coaching crew of the Super Eagles. Do you think it will help the team?

I cannot comment on that because I believe Kanu has his own long-term plan. He will make a wonderful coach because he reads the game intelligently, but I feel he has his mind on something else.

You played at the 1987 U-20 World Cup in Chile, what is your advice to the players that could be discovered at the National Sports Festival for the youth teams?

This is an opportunity for them to showcase their talents. They have to keep working hard and also be dedicated.
What is your view about the plans by the Nigeria Football Federation to camp the Super Eagles in Faro, Portugal for the Nations Cup?

Faro has always been where the team used to hold the camp, alongside Papendal in Holland. So, I believe they will have a great time there. I know they will come back to the continent on time before the Nations Cup proper. So, it shouldn’t be a problem.

You’ve always pleaded to be given a responsibility in any of the national teams. What is the latest on your pursuit?

I was part of  those ex-internationals who played a novelty game in honour of Akwa Ibom State governor, Godswill Akpabio and something positive could be on the line soon, God willing.

Tell us about the novelty game?

The governor used the occasion to launch an Academy, the Godswill Akpabio Academy which will be handled by Taribo West and Paul Bassey.

 Thank you for your time…

You’re welcome!

BABAYARO: KESHI NEEDS TAIWO FOR AFCON

Retired Super Eagles left back, Celestine Babayaro who featured in a campaign against AIDS football match played at the weekend, says the senior national team needs the experience of Taye Taiwo to have a solid defence at the 2013 AFCON. He spoke with JOHNNY EDWARD...

Having retired from football, how would you describe life outside the game?

Well, life’s been good and I’m happy to have played for about 15 years both for club and country. And with the achievements I’ve recorded so far, I am grateful to God. I’m now a football agent and would love to be involved in Nigerian football very soon. I'm available and ready to serve if my country needs me but I would only love to do that if I am asked.

How does it feel playing to create awareness for the dreaded HIV/AIDS and the fight against killer diseases like Tuberculosis and Malaria in a charity game like this?

Firstly, I would like to thank the Founder & CEO of Friends Africa, Dr. Akudo Anyanwu Ikemba, for organizing this event with a view to eradicating discrimination against people living with AIDS. I’m so happy to be part of the event and I will always support such initiative.

And how did you feel meeting with many of your colleagues whom you had played with in the past?

Obviously, I’m happy playing with them again despite the fact that I haven’t seen most of them for quite some time. It was a good feeling and I don’t intend to keep distance because we all have a lot to offer ourselves both as individuals and in football fraternity.

You featured for the Super Eagles in three Africa Nations Cup; do you think the country has a team in place to compete for honours in next year’s edition in South Africa?

We have a team with a bunch of players who could win the Nations Cup for Nigeria despite the emergence of Zambia and the wealth of experience in the Ivorian team. We have the pedigree and on top of that, we also have a coach who could win the title for us. I’m a Nigerian and I will be backing our team all the way to win the trophy irrespective of the teams we are going to face.

So, that means you’re tipping Nigeria to qualify from our group…

Sure; we will qualify from our group.

How would you describe the tenure of Coach Stephen Keshi since he took over?

I have been very impressed with his impact because a lot of competitions have returned since he took over which would make the team stronger and in no distant time, Eagles will be world beaters again. The team has been well rejuvenated with quality additions; they’re playing good football now and winning games.  The defence department has been a source of worry for many soccer fans with the full backs particularly the most problematic. As a versatile left back during your playing days, would you say you are satisfied with the level of performance of the likes of Taye Taiwo, Elderson Echeijile and Juwon Oshaniwa in the national team?

Taye Taiwo has really impressed me so far because he has a pack of bullets in his boots and he is also good at making those runs down the flanks; but he can’t do it all alone. A tree doesn’t make a forest but I think his presence in the team will strengthen the Eagles defence more. Elderson is a different type of player who also has great qualities and his inclusion will boost our chances of lifting the trophy in South Africa because we need all of them in the team. We have a good team and I’ve been impressed with the contribution of Victor Moses. He's a quality inclusion to the team. He’s very quick, his movement is incredible and he's going to be a great player for the Eagles at the AFCON.

Victorious Golden Eaglets Return

Depart for Uyo today


The victorious Golden Eaglets flew back into the country Tuesday evening from Bamako where they secured the ticket for the 2013 African Under-17 Championship to be held in Morocco.

The team contingent led by Alhaji Muazu Suleiman, the chairman of NFF’s Referees Committee, arrived in Lagos about 4pm aboard ASKY Airlines and was the cynosure of all eyes at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja where they were received by Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, the Director Technical of the NFF amongst others.

Ikpeme said NFF and indeed all Nigerians were happy over the manner the players distinguished themselves throughout the qualifiers where they recorded six wins in as many games to break the country’s inability not qualifying for the continental cadet competition in the last two editions, adding that the team would be exposed to solid preparation before the championship proper in Morocco.

“Nigerians and indeed the NFF are happy with the Golden Eaglets because they are a model team that we would nurture to greater heights,” Ikpeme said.

“We are delighted that they qualified for the Under-17 Championship in Morocco and the federation would be waiting for the report and programme of the coaching crew towards their preparation for the Morocco showpiece.”

The Golden Eaglets will in the meantime, depart Lagos for Uyo on Wednesday where they are expected to play an Akwa Ibom Selected team in honour of Governor Godswill Akpabio who will be marking his 50thbirthday this weekend.

 In a related development, the Golden Eaglets’ assistant coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, is mourning the death of his father in-law, Mr. Miguel Alonso, in Spain.

The father of his wife, Fatimah, who died after a brief illness last Wednesday, was aged 73.

“My father-in-law was a very good man and I cannot forget all what he did for me and my wife,” a crestfallen Amunike said.

“Of course, I would have loved to be with my wife and the rest of her family when her father was sick but for the Golden Eaglets job.”

Sand Eagles Begin Copa Lagos Against Lebanon

The Copa Lagos match day schedule has been unveiled. The three-day Beach Soccer tournament starts on the 14th December and ends on the 16th December at Eko Atlantic (V/I).

Copa Lagos officials have already revealed that Nigeria (defending champions), six-times European champions Portugal, Argentina and Lebanon will all be competing.

Match day 1 (14th December) will see all four teams in action, the opening game is being billed as the clash of the titans as Portugal with five-time FIFA Golden Boot winner, Rabah Madjer, take on South American power houses Argentina at 2pm. Nigeria are next up as they take on the Cedars of Lebanon, Nigeria will need to keep Lebanese hot shot Fattal quiet if they are to make a positive start to the tournament.

The second day of the tournament (15th December) will see Portugal take on Lebanon in the first match; kick-off is scheduled for 2pm.

 The second match is a mouth-watering prospect; Nigeria versus Argentina. This fixture is always entertaining and never fails to deliver. Nigeria have proved they are capable of beating South American opposition.

Celtic Coach Slams "Ineffective Ibrahim"

Celtic coach, Neil Lennon has given the verdict on Nigerian play maker, Rabiu Ibrahim after he started his first game for Celtic in a 1-1 home draw with Arbroath.

Lennon handed starts to several players for the tie against the lower division Arbroath, as he focused on the Champions League tie against Spartak on Wednesday.

But it led to a third draw in a row for the Glasgow side, and the coach was frank in the assessment of his wards: ''The lads were complacent, they held a lead for 50 minutes and should have seen the game through'', he said.

''The guys playing for the first time wanted to make an impresion, and I commend their efforts.

''But Nigerian play maker, Ibrahim Rabiu was busy, but to no great consequence'',he said.

Oparanozie Dreams Champions League S/Final

Super Falcons striker Desire Oparanoize is wary of the threat posed by Wolfsburg as her team Rossiyanka prepare for their quarter-final first leg clash against the German side in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Oparanozie however vowed that her side will not allow complacency in their tricky tie away to the Frauen Bundesliga leader to advance at their expense.

“I think our players have shown that they are in good form but Wolfsburg will be hard to beat,” the former Delta Queens striker told Complete Sports.

Wolfsburg have scored 24 goals in their last five games- a form Oparanozie believes calls for some measure of respect.

“We will have to respect them because they are a good team, but knocking them out remains our target,” she added.

Ideye Eyes Europa Cup Glory

Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye has expressed his frustration at Dynamo Kiev’s inability to qualify from the group stage of this year’s UEFA Champions League but believes that they can win the Europa League.

Ideye who scored his 13th goal of the season for Dynamo last Friday in their 4-2 win over Horvela is optimistic about the chances of his team continuing their European adventure in the Europa League and possibly emulating Shakhtar Donetsk’s feat of 2009 when the Miners won the tournament.

“I’m very upset we couldn’t qualify from our group because we really wanted to go to the next round but unfortunately we failed,” he told Complete Sports.

“But we can still win the Europa League. Why not? We can emulate Shakhtar’s feat because in football, anything can happen. Once we are able to play in the Europa League, we stand a chance of winning it like any other team.”

The former Neuchâtel Xamax and Sochaux player is now second on the top scorer’s chat in Ukraine behind Shaktar’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan who has notched up 18 goals.