ZAMBIA SKIPPER CHRIS KATONGO POISED FOR WAR:

BOASTS: ‘SUPER EAGLES CAN’T STOP ZAMBIA!’

Chipolopolo of Zambia’s inspirational skipper, Chris Katongo was the versatile playmaker who almost single-handedly inspired the Zambian team to the 2012 African Cup of Nations trophy.
The left footed striker who plays for the Chinese team, Hena Construction FC will be leading his countrymen to defend their crown in South Africa next year in a group comprising the likes of Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
The fearless striker tells Complete Sports Saturday’s DAVID MESHIOYE in this interview, that Nigeria cannot stand in their way as they are poised to successfully defend the title they impressively won in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon earlier in the year.

HELLO Chris, how are you doing captain?
I am fine and you?
Very well.  How are you looking forward to AFCON 2013 with the like  of West African  football heavyweights, Nigeria?
Well, you have to ask fewer questions because I really don’t want to talk about Nigeria.

Okay. How is Chipolopolo looking forward to defending  the trophy they won in Equatorial Guinea this past January?
Everything is under control; Zambia will always be the team to beat but we will do everything within our power to prepare adequately for the competition. We will always have time to come together as a team and put things right in our preparations  and hopefully we will do well to defend our trophy. We are ready for the games.
Bafana Bafana of South Africa have been tipped as one of the new entrants that could spark lots of surprises  at AFCON 2013.They have been earmarked to give Zambia a run for their money in the upcoming AFCON.
Hmmn… of course we are not under any pressure. Aside from the Mandela Challenge, there are more preparations  coming up next month for the competition but it is up to the coach to select his players for the competition. We will be in South Africa to give the fans something to cheer. The fact that we had it rough through the qualifiers does not mean we will be under pressure in AFCON 2013.

Is Chipolopolo under pressure to deliver come January?
No we are not.
Lots of soccer cynics have argued that Zambia may not have won the last edition of the Nations if the likes of Egypt, Cameroun  and Nigeria had taken part. What is your take on this?
I think everybody is entitled to their own opinion as regard the Zambian team. I know Egypt, Nigeria and Cameroun are great teams but the fact that they failed to qualify for the last edition means they were not good enough to play in that edition. Every team that qualified for the last edition of AFCON merited it and deserved to win it. But we played our best games in the competition and we could have still won if those three countries were in attendance.
How far do you think Zambia can go in AFCON 2013, looking at your group which comprises Nigeria, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso? Besides, do you think you can go all the way with the absence of Egypt and Cameroun?
The main reason why we qualified for the African Cup is to defend the trophy. We would not have bothered ourselves trying to qualify if we don’t have any business in South Africa. Even if Egypt are there or not,  all the teams that qualified for the competition are good teams. Don’t even talk about teams that are not there. All the teams that qualified for the African Cup are  very good teams that deserve to be there. If Cameroun is not in African Cup of Nations , they are not amongst the best.

You have always had it tough against Nigeria, do you think the present generation of Chipolopolo is ready to correct that wrong this time around?
I cannot  really say that this team or that team will qualify for the next round in our group, but I know we are coming to defend our trophy and Nigeria cannot stand in our way. The game  against Nigeria is a crucial one but you will  find out what will happen  after 90 minutes of that match.

What would you say has been the key to success of this team so far in African football?
Of course, we need team spirit and hard work to succeed as a team. We have been playing together as a team under the  same Manager and that has really helped us to play as a unit. I think that is one of the factors that has helped our team so far. In the last edition, we had to work hard and win the Cup at the expense of Cote D’Ivoire. We have played together for so long and we have the team spirit which I think unites  us as a family now. We don’t have problems with one another on the field of play and everybody understands one another, which was why we won the last Nations Cup in Equatorial Guinea/Gabon. We can still do the same in South Africa.

Chris, how does it feel like having two brothers in the national team?
Yeah, it’s fantastic to have your brother playing alongside you in the national team. For decades now, the Zambian  national teams have been  featuring brothers  in the national team and the fans themselves are used to the trend. Most of the time, we have always had brothers playing in the senior national team and it does not have any negative effects on the team itself, so that  is fantastic.
Your fans out there would like you to explain the meaning behind the way Chipolopolo celebrate their goals. A lot of fans out there really want to know what you say in between those celebrations.

The simple meaning of our celebration is; “Don’t tell them, don’t cry and don’t even say anything to anybody but just keep quiet,  that is the meaning. We are just trying to say we are the underdogs but we are going to have to do something to shut people’s mouth”

How would you describe life in the communist  China? How is it like playing alongside other top African players like Drogba, Aiyegbeni?
It’s been fantastic for me and my family.

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.