‘Super Eagles will soar again’

Nigeria international Raheem Lawal still sees light at the end of the tunnel, despite what has been a largely disastrous Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Lawal, who featured for the African champions during their 3-1 victory over Sudan in Abuja earlier this month, thinks that the Super Eagles will soar once again and certainly expects them to qualify for Africa's showpiece next year.

Super Eagles

The next assignment for Nigeria is a trip to Pointe-Noire midway through November and there is very little doubt in Lawal's mind that his country will beat the Congo during that highly anticipated fixture.

The harsh reality is that the defending champions have little choice but to win that match.

"The game [against Congo] will be very tough but I can assure you that we will return home with a win," Lawal told Goal this week.

The one aspect of the Nigerian team which has been subject to intense scrutiny during the past few months is the level of commitment from the players.

Lawal said that his desire to represent the country with distinction had not waned, despite all that has transpired during what has been a tumultuous period for Nigerian football. He added that there was absolutely no reason for anybody else to doubt the commitment of the players.

"On a personal note, I'm looking forward to the game, and if I get an invite from the national team selectors, it will be business as usual as I'll be ready to spill my blood for the country's success," said Lawal.

"The Congolese are a very strong side and we won't underestimate them and if they could get a win in Nigeria, then I don't see anything stopping us from paying them back before their home fans.

"It doesn't matter where Congo will take us to, all that matters is a good win. We [Eagles] are aware of the importance of the game and we have no excuse to fail."

South Africa delays naming squad for Super Eagles clash

South Africa has delayed naming its squad for its final two games in African Cup of Nations qualifying against Sudan and Nigeria after captain Senzo Meyiwa was shot dead on Sunday.

Coach Ephraim Mashaba was due to announce the squad on Thursday.

Bafana Bafana

Goalkeeper Meyiwa was killed in an apparent robbery at a house he was visiting. Police have launched a murder investigation.

A tearful Mashaba said at a news conference this week that Meyiwa would have been the first name on his list.

Meyiwa had not conceded a goal in qualifying and was a key reason why South Africa is unbeaten and top of a group containing African champion Nigeria. It needs one more win to reach next year's African Cup finals.

South Africa plays Sudan on Nov. 15 and Nigeria four days later.

Ghana denies talk with Keshi

Ghana Football Association (GFA) has denied talks with former Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi over the possible replacement of Kwesi Appiah as handler of the Black Stars.

Stephen Keshi

Keshi, who’s contract was not renewed after coaching the Super Eagles on a pay-as-you-go basis in four 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier games, expressed interest in the vacant position in Ghana.

But GFA vice-president Fred Crentsil said three coaches have already been shortlisted and interviewed for the job, and Keshi was not part of the prospective coaches.

Crentsil noted that the windows for application is closed after it was opened for a period of time.

Swiss coach Michel Pont, Spaniard Juan Ignacio Martinez and former Chelsea manager Avram Grant are reportedly the three men in contention for the Ghana role.

Super Eagles to train in Warri for Congo

The Nigeria Football Federation have announced that the Super Eagles will train in Warri, Delta State, ahead of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Congo in Pointe-noire.

General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation Musa Amadu dropped this hint while meeting with the Super Eagles technical crew and support staff inside his office in Abuja on Monday.

Super Eagles training

Nigeria is billed to confront the Red Devils of Congo on the 15th of November in Pointe-Noire in a must win game that will be played on an artificial pitch.

"The pitch in Warri where the Super Eagles will train is an artificial pitch and should provide the required feel and match conditions as the pitch where the game will be played in Congo," Amadu revealed.

"This is a very crucial game and we cannot afford to take anything for granted.

"After the game in Congo, the team will then proceed to Uyo to prepare for the last qualifier against South Africa.

"The Nigeria Football Federation is working round the clock to ensuring that all the team needs to make a success of the November assignments are provided so that the Super Eagles are able to defend their title in Morocco.

"For us, the real challenge is to go to Congo and get the desired result that will put our qualification aspirations back on the right track," Amadu added.

The Super Eagles will need to beat Congo with a clear 2 goal margin or get a higher scoreline of victory than Congo got in Calabar to be ahead of the Red Devils in Group A after the November 15 clash.

Victorious Super Falcons set for presidential handshake

President Goodluck Jonathan will receive the victorious African Women Champions Super Falcons at the federal executive council meeting on Wednesday.

Minister of sports and chairman of National Sports Commission, Tammy Danagogo revealed this when he met with the Super Falcons before they beat the Lionesses of Cameroon 2-0 in the final of the African Women Championship in Windhoek on Saturday.

Super Falcons

According to the minister, a proposal has been sent to Mr. President to receive the team at FEC meeting on Wednesday, noting that he is quite sure Mr. President will be looking forward to meet the Falcons on their return, as he praised the girls for doing Nigeria proud in Namibia.

"I know it is not just going to be a presidential hand shake alone because he likes to appreciate those who do the country proud in any sector of national endeavour. Just get the job done and leave the rest," the minister stated.

The team who arrived Lagos from Windhoek on Monday morning, will leave for Abuja on Tuesday where they will be hosted by the National Sports Commission (NSC) before the team meets with President Jonathan on Wednesday.

Super Falcons coach aims final victory

Super Falcons Coach Edwin Okon has boasted that his team is set to win the African Women Championship (AWC) for the 7th time by beating Cameroon in the final on Saturday.

Speaking in Windhoek Namibia, Okon stated that Super Falcons from the onset have made up their mind to beat any side to reclaim the title they lost two years ago.

Super Falcons

"From the onset, we said it that we shall take the teams as they come. We did not care who we play in the final because we prepared to play who ever and we are ready to beat Cameroon in the final of the AWC.

"South Africa gave us a big scare but we were unlucky not to score more than two goals in the first half. The final with Cameroon will be tougher but we shall also raise our game to beat them and reclaim the title.

"We lost to them in the third place match in Equatorial Guinea and I will not say we are seeking revenge but we want to reclaim the title. The harder they come the harder they fall. Nigerians should count on us," he said.

Also speaking, the Most Valuable Player in the match against South Africa Asisat Oshoala expressed gratitude to God for giving us victory over South Africa, stressing that it was not an easy win.

"We are happy to reach the final and by the Grace of God, we shall reclaim the title. I thank God for giving me those goals that gave us the win and if I get the chance to score again in the final, I will gladly take it but it does not matter who score so long as we win the cup," she stressed.

The Golden shoe and golden ball winner at this year's FifA U-20 Women’s World Cup said she is not under any pressure to score in the final, adding that the Super Falcons are blessed with plenty of goal bangers who can score vital goals to win.

NNL action resumes

The Nigeria National League (NNL) which was halted a forth night ago to allow for the determination of all the cases before the Disciplinary and Organizing Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), will resume this weekend.

The NNL had stopped the competition to ensure that all the cases filed by different clubs are decided to ensure equity, also to avoid any issues at the end of the competition and to give a level playing field to all the participating teams.

3SC fans

However, the NNL Secretary, Lawrence Katkem has in a release disclosed that the league will resume at the weekend as all the various protest cases filed by different clubs have been dispensed off by the NFF Disciplinary Committee even as he assured that the remaining crucial three matches will be monitored to avoid giving an undue advantage to any club.

Consequently, the outstanding Week 26 match come up across the nation on Saturday, October 25, 2014.   

Katkem, therefore thanked all the clubs for their understanding during the difficult time and promised them that the NNL will not leave anything to chance to make the league very open for the teams till the end.

Week 26

Division A

ADAMAWA UTD VS KWARA UTD

WIKKI TOURISTS FC VS SOKOTO UTD

NIGER TORNADOES FC VS KOGI UTD

JIGAWA G' STARS VS DSS FC

FRSC FC VS MIGHTY JETS FC

SPOTLIGHT FC VS TEAP FC

PLATEAU UTD VS RANCH BEES

PRISONS FC VS SUPREME COURT

Division B

ABIA COMETS FC VS GABROS FC

PRIME FC VS ABS FC

BENDEL INSURANCE VS AKWA STARLET

GO-ROUND FC VS UNICEM ROVERS FC

STATIONARY STORES FC VS REMO STARS

3SC VS MFM FC

GATEWAY UTD VS EKITI UTD FC

COD UTD VS FIRST BANK FC

NFF talks up Super Falcons ahead South Africa clash

NFF President Amaju Pinnick has charged the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons, to play with all their heart when confronting the Banyana Banyana of South Africa in the semifinal of the 9th African Women Championship in Namibia on Wednesday.

Victories over Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia and Namibia shot the six –time champions to the semifinals on maximum points from their three matches, with victory against South Africa to guarantee a place in the tournament final and a berth at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Canada.

Super Falcons

“I am truly impressed with the way the team has played in the tournament and they have no doubt, made Nigerians happy. Now, they have come to a point where they cannot afford to make any mistakes.

“Against South Africa, we have to be close to perfection. The rivalry between our two countries will make the match more competitive. So, we have to be at our very best. Our girls must play with their hearts.”

The clash at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek, which starts at 5pm Namibia time (4pm Nigeria time), is a repeat of the 2012 match –up between both teams in Equatorial Guinea, which the Banyana won to reach the final.

“I have told the girls that they have to overcome the South Africans to qualify for the final, because I want to travel to Namibia to watch them play the final on Saturday,” Pinnick added.

CAF to inspect new Akwa Ibom stadium

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has agreed to send its officials to inspect the brand –new Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo, which is being put forward by Nigeria as venue for next month’s 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

Initially, CAF raised the issue of the fact that the venue had not yet been inspected and therefore would not stand a chance of hosting the match. However, the NFF assured the continental body of the quality of the facility and the readiness of the Akwa Ibom State Government to guarantee safety and security of all persons at the match.

Akwa Ibom Stadium

On Tuesday, CAF agreed to send an official to check out the venue next week, as the NFF pushes ahead with all arrangements to have a hitch –free match between the Eagles and the Bafana Bafana on Wednesday, November 19.

The 30 -000 capacity, all –covered facility with a bullet –proof State Box for 70 persons, is one of the most magnificent sporting infrastructure on the African continent.  It will be officially commissioned on Thursday, November 6.

The cracker between the Eagles and the Bafana will be explosive, as it is most likely to determine Nigeria’s qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Oscar Pistorius bags five year jail term

South African athlete Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to five years in prison for the death of girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Judge Thokozile Masipa handed down her sentence shortly after 10:30 on Tuesday morning.

"Count 1, culpable homicide, sentence imposed is maximum of five years."

"I have taken into account the seriousness of the offence, which led to the death of the deceased, the personal circumstances of the accused, and the interests of society.

A weeping Oscar

"I am of the view that a non-custodial sentence would send the wrong message. A long sentence would also not be appropriate either as it would lack the element of mercy."

"If sentences are too lenient, the administration of justice will fall into disrepute and people will take law into their own hands," she also said.

"A suspended sentence would not be appropriate in my view," Masipa said.

"The loss of life can't be reversed. Hopefully judgment on sentence will provide some sort of closure for all concerned."

During the trial Steenkamp's parents June and Barry were present on some days, along with family and friends. Barry Steenkamp broke down in court as his niece Kim Martin told the court last week she was Reeva's voice.

Martin was the only Steenkamp family member to take the stand. She said Barry Steenkamp had said he would "lose it" if he had to testify.

Pistorius's sister Aimee and brother Carl gave interviews to television broadcasters CNN and eNCA on Monday, talking about how “very taxing” the last few months have been.

“It’s been a taxing 20 months for us… The landscape of our lives remains forever changed,” Carl said during the interview.

Ahmed Musa plans Man City shock

CSKA Moscow striker Ahmed Musa is looking forward to a victorious outing when his side host Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, according to a report on Soccerway.

Musa, at the weekend, scored a brace in CSKA’s 6-0 win over Kuban Krasnodar on Saturday, after scoring twice for Nigeria in a 3-1 victory over Sudan in an AFCON 2015 qualifier on Wednesday in Abuja.

Ahmed Musa

The player said City has not been in a very good form so far this season, and CSKA will seek to take advantage of the their weakness.

He added that his Russian club has the quality of players to carry out the assignment on Tuesday, with the sole aim of claiming maximum points.

The game will be played behind closed doors at Arena Khimki as punishment for racism and crowd trouble from CSKA fans.

Super Eagles coach makes AFCON promises

The newly appointed coach of the Super Eagles Amodu Shaibu has asked that Nigerians be moderate in their expectations of the team even as he promised to give his best in salvaging Nigeria's hopes of participating at next year's Africa Cup of Nations.

Shaibu, along with Salisu Yusuf, Gbenga Ogunbote and Alloysius Agu were named in the new Super Eagles technical crew on Thursday, with their immediate task being prosecuting the last round of qualifying matches to Africa's biggest soccer showpiece next January.

"We have been given an assignment that is tough and very challenging but not one that is impossible to accomplish. We will give it our very best and see how things can be turned around."

Shuaibu Amodu

"I think this situation is very similar to what we had in the qualifiers to the 2002 World Cup. We worked hard, did our bit and were fortunate to have results elsewhere also going our way."

"There are some things that, as humans, we cannot control just as there a lot more we can influence. I can assure everybody that we will give this assignment all we have and then hope that all other things fall in place for us."

"Let us all be modest in our expectations so that we do not put ourselves under undue pressure. Let everybody involved in the game in Nigeria pull together in the right direction and then we see what we can achieve with the next two games as mandated by the Nigeria Football Federation." Shaibu said.

On his specific plans for the games in November, the Super Eagles coach said a detailed plan of action will be unveiled to the media as soon as ongoing deliberations are concluded.

"Planning has commenced. A lot of deliberations and discussions are already going on. We need to be very thorough with all aspects of our planning. Once we have concluded all these, we will unveil them to the media." He concluded.

The Super Eagles are third in Group A of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers behind South Africa and Congo. Nigeria will need maximum points from their remaining games to be sure of their place at the biennial tournament she won in South Africa in 2013.

South Africa not ready to host AFCON 2015

South Africa is not ready to host the Africa Cup of Nations in January if Morocco withdraws because of the Ebola epidemic, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula said Monday.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reportedly approached South Africa, Ghana and five others countries ahead of a November 2 meeting to decide on the future of the continent's premier football event.

CAF logo

But the minister tweeted: "Hosting AFCON (Africa Cup of Nations) is a NO NO." He told South African media that the country had a responsibility to help fight the Ebola epidemic that has killed more than 4,500 people, mainly in West Africa, with the UN predicting a surge in deaths and cases.

"Even before taking the matter to cabinet, I can tell you unambiguously and categorically that hosting is a no no," he told South African media.

"We do not have a ready-made abundance of resources to be shifted to AFCON.

"We did it (host the 2013 AFCON) in solidarity with Libya last year. Our budget cycle will not allow us to host the (2015) AFCON. It is totally impossible.

"We would like to give this one a pass."

Mbalula added: "We will share the responsibility to fight Ebola -- we are not immune to that.

"We must be prepared to share our skills, our doctors, to reinforce the research to find a vaccine."

South Africa were among seven countries sounded out by the CAF as possible replacements should Morocco pull out.

The republic have twice been 'emergency' hosts of the competition, replacing cash-strapped Kenya in 1996 and strife-torn Libya last year.

South Africa has world-class stadia having become the first African hosts of the World Cup four years ago.

Ghana have also been another country that was approached by CAF, according to the sports minister of the west African country.

The identities of the other five countries have not been officially revealed.

Moroccan government officials have said last weekend they wanted the January 17-February 8 tournament postponed because they feared a spread of the deadly Ebola virus.

But Cairo-based CAF reacted swiftly, saying the 16-nation tournament should go ahead as planned, in a different country if necessary.

NFF appoints Siasia U23 coach

The Nigeria Football Federation has appointed former player Samson Siasia as coach of the national U23 side.

Siasia, a former handler of the Super Eagles, has also coached the national U20 team of Nigeria.

Samson Siasia

“The (NFF) Committee has appointed Mr. Samson Siasia as the new Head Coach of the U-23 Men’s Team. He will be assisted by Fatai Amoo.”

Siasia’s immediate responsibility will be to qualify Nigeria for the football event of the 2016 Olympics which will be held in Rio de Janeiro Brazil on Aug 5-21.

Siasia has now replaced Austin Eguavoen who was sacked after failing to qualify Nigeria for the football event of the 2012 Olympics.

NFF replaces Keshi with Amodu

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced Amodu Shuaibu as the replacement for sacked Stephen Keshi to coach the Super Eagles for the two remaining Africa Cup of Nations qualifying games.

Keshi was sacked few hours after reviving Nigeria’s hope of qualifying for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-1 victory over Sudan in Abuja on Wednesday.

Stephen Keshi 

The result put Nigeria on four points from four games, and in the third spot in Group A, with South Africa and Congo Brazzaville ahead.

NFF in a meeting after the victory over Sudan announced Keshi’s sack and his replacement.

“The (NFF) Committee, unanimously, praised the excellent contributions of the technical crew of the Senior National Team, Super Eagles, led by Mr. Stephen Keshi, to the glorious accomplishments of the team in the past three years, and hailed Keshi, Daniel Amokachi and Ike Shorounmu as true national heroes. However, in the interest of Nigeria football and the desire to ensure qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals, the Committee decided to relieve them of their duties with immediate effect.”

“Committee also, unanimously, approved the appointment of a consortium of coaches to lead the Super Eagles for ONLY the two concluding matches of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series (against Congo in Brazzaville and against South Africa in Uyo), after which an expatriate Coach will be appointed.”

“The consortium, led by Amodu Shaibu, also has Salisu Yusuf, Gbenga Ogunbote and Aloysius Agu. The team also has a new Coordinator in former international Garba Lawal, while Toyin Ibitoye is the new Media Officer and Godfirst Chike is the new Equipment Manager. Team Secretary, Enebi Achor, is retained.”

Keshi has worked as an assistant under Shuaibu who his making his fourth return as coach.

Super Eagles focus on Sudan revenge

Super Eagles star midfielder, John Obi Mikel, has emphasized the need to concentrate on the next three games instead of whining over last Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Sudan in Khartoum.

The Chelsea midfield man, who himself was hysteric immediately after the game in the dressing room, later at the team’s hotel and even while the team was flying home aboard the chartered Sudan Airways plane, said the team in particular and Nigerians in general must quickly forget the ugly past and concentrate on the remaining three games.

Super Eagles training

“Why I can’t still believe how and why we lost that game it’s important to move ahead and for those saying we don’t deserve to be in Morocco, I think that is unfortunate and we must stop spreading that negativity because it gets to the team.”

“The pitch we played in was awful. You can’t move, the ball bounces when you want to control it and when you shoot it goes the wrong direction, it was a nightmare playing on that pitch”, he said.

Goalkeeper Austin Ejide, spoke in a similar vein but added that there was need for Nigerians to come together and support the team at times like this instead of condemning the team.

“It’s at times like this that we need the media and all of Nigerians but what we hear is condemnation, crucify them. That will not help the team.”

Hot shot Emmanuel Emenike in his own submission suggested that countries that do not have good pitches and proper facilities to host qualifiers should be exempted from the campaign by continental ruling body CAF.

“Where we played on Saturday is worse than when we were playing street football, CAF must act to stop nonsense like this from happening and they deliberately took us there because they know we play in better pitches.”

Keshi apologises for Sudan loss

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi has apologized to Nigerians over the 1-0 loss to Sudan in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier played on Saturday.

The Super Eagles returned to the country on Sunday morning after the shock loss in Khartoum, to a cold reception from Nigerians, which was expected, going by the passion Nigerians have for the game.

Keshi, who spoke to a handful of Sports journalists, said he was disappointed at the result like every other Nigerian, as he had hoped to use the game to kick-start Nigeria’s quest for a back to back Nations Cup trophy.

Stephen Keshi

“I must ask you to help me apologise to Nigerians for this loss because they have so much believe in this team and here we are disappointing them. The day was simply not ours, because we had a couple of early chances that we would have used to bury the game but the ball simply refused to enter into the net.”

“Once again, on behalf of the team I want to apologise to Nigerians and promise them we will make an immediate amend come Wednesday. This is the first time I am doing this in my entire career as a player and coach”, he said pensively.

Captain Vincent Enyeama also spoke in a similar vein, appealing to Nigerians not to lose faith in the team.

“We didn’t go out there to lose to Sudan but it has happened and that is now history and I apologise on behalf of my teammates for that but we must quickly forgive and forget because we have a game on Wednesday and if we win that and our last two games, we will still be in Morocco”, he said confidently.

The Lille goalkeeper said he has already spoken to his teammates and they have resolved that there will be no compromise in the battle for the nine points remaining in the next three games.

“Let Nigerians forgive us and also pray for us to win our remaining games”, he declared.

AWC: ‘Falcons best yet to come’

Ngozi Okobi who was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in Super Falcons 4-2 win of Ivory Coast on Saturday at the ongoing Africa Women Championship (AWC) says the best of the team is yet to come.

"I was overwhelmed when I was named the Most Valuable Player and I dedicate the award to my family."

Super Falcons

"What we played against Cote d' Ivoire is just a tip of the iceberg as Super Falcons are capable of doing greater things in this championship. We always knew the Ivoirians who eliminated the 2012 champions Equatorial Guinea will be tough so we took them seriously.”

"In the next game we will see a different Falcons. We shall play better now that we have navigated our opening game successfully. Out target is to reclaim the title and we are here to give our best to achieve that," Okobi stated.

The Super Falcons opened scoring in the 12th minute of the game through Esther Sunday who latched on to a sassy play by Okobi to beat the Ivory Coast goalkeeper.

The Ivoirians responded 10 minutes later when Rebecca Elloh was fell in the box by Onome Ebi and Fatou Culibaly Tiegnou coolly beat Precious Dede to level up score at 1-1.

Falcons persistent pressure yielded fruit in the 54th minute when Mariam Diakite scored an own goal while attempting to clear her goal area to give the Nigerians a 2-1 lead.

Desire Oparanozie made it 3-1 in the 74th with a good finish from Esther Sunday's floater. But Cote d’ Ivoire pegged Nigeria back when Christine Lehoues Yeble was gifted a loose ball to fire home.

Oparanozie completed the scoring with three minutes left of play benefitting from A pass from Asisat Oshoala to make it 4-2.

Speaking after the match Nigeria's coach Edwin Okon said the Ivoirians gave the Falcons a good game, noting that they never played under pressure.

He said that winning the cup is not negotiable and that Super Falcons will continue to improve.

Confident Falcons arrive in Namibia

Nigeria's Super Falcons who arrived Windhoek Thursday evening for the ninth edition of the 2014 African Women Championship (AWC) have expressed readiness to beat giant killers Cote D' Ivoire on Saturday as warning signs of their resolve to reclaim the title they lost two years ago.

The six time African champions were received on arrival by Nigeria's envoy to Namibia Ambassasdor Biodun Olorunfemi who urged them to be worthy ambassadors of Nigeria on and off the pitch and also to return home with the trophy.

Super Falcons celebrate

The Falcons touched down at Windhoek airport by 3.30pm (local time) after transiting at the O R Tambo airport in Johannesburg for six hours.

The team who are lodged in Safari hotel will have a feel of the Sam Nujoma stadium by 7. 30pm Friday.

Skipper Evelyn Nwabuoku in her response told the high commission that they stand by the promise they made to Mr. President and Nigerians that they would bring back the cup to Nigeria come October 25.

She said the team have also promised to show their intention in this tournament by beating Ivory Coast in their opener as a gift to striker Asisat Oshoala who celebrated her 20th birthday on Thursday.

There is no injury problem in the camp of the team and all the players are eagerly looking forward to the opening game.

Keshi forced to comment on Ike Uche again

Super Eagles Coach, Stephen Keshi was livid with rage when he read reports credited to him to the effect that he has shut the Super Eagles door permanently against Villareal of Spain striker, Ikechukwu Uche.

Clarifying what he said at Wednesday’s media parley in Abuja, Keshi said for the umpteenth time what he said was that he will not beg Uche to play for Nigeria, especially when there are other players who are willing and ready at all times to play for the Super Eagles.

Stephen Keshi

“I don’t know where they got that portion of their reports from, but I never said Uche won’t play as long as I remain coach of the team. In the near future if he changes his mind and indicates interest to play he will be considered on merit.”

He urged the media not to sensationalise the Ike Uche issue as it will not help resolve anything.

“We have to help all our players grow so that we can all build a strong national team and the media is a partner in this regard.”

He said he does not have anything personal against the Villareal striker but will not force to play for Nigeria against his will.

Super Eagles arrive in Sudan

The Super Eagles arrived Khartoum, the Sudanese capital early morning on Friday, at about 6am local time and 4am in Nigeria aboard Sudan Airways for the crucial 2015 Nations Cup qualifier game against the Sudanese national team.

Super Eagles celebrate

Reception from the Sudan Immigration was smooth while a handful of Nigeria were outside cheering the team. After airport formalities, the team was driven to nearby Grand Holiday Inn, where it will stay for two nights.

NFF Vice President, Seyi Akinwunmi led the team to Sudan, and the supporters club was on ground to cheer the Eagles to victory.

Saturday’s match is scheduled for 8pm local time and 6pm Nigeria time and the Eagles are scheduled to have a feel of the Khartoum Stadium, same time on Friday evening.