Siasia Optimistic ahead of Obama Cup

Nigerians residing in Dallas, capital of the State of Texas were at the Double Tree Hotel to receive players and officials of the Nigeria national football team, Super Eagles as the delegation landed in the United States of America.

The team of 20 players and nine officials was led by a Member of the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Olaleye Adepoju, and will play two matches in the invitational United States’ President’s Holiday Celebration Soccer Tournament, otherwise known as the Green Bowl Soccer Tournament, holding at the Cotton Bowl Soccer Stadium this weekend.

The Super Eagles, with Head Coach Samson Siasia directing affairs, will take to the pitch against their Mexican counterparts at the Cotton Bowl on Saturday at 7pm (1am, Sunday in Nigeria) and the result will determine whether they play the Losers’ Final or Final Match on Sunday at the same venue.

Costa Rica and Panama would play the first game of the two double-headers on Saturday at 4.30pm (10.30pm, Saturday in Nigeria). The Losers’ Final holds from 4.30pm Sunday (10.30pm, Sunday in Nigeria) with the Final starting at 7pm Sunday (1am, Monday in Nigeria).

Coach Samson Siasia has expressed delight at the eventual staging of the tournament, which had to be whittled down from eight-nation to four-nation, saying it would help his team re-building and re-tooling ahead of the 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier against Ethiopia on March 27.

LIBYA AYC: Flying Eagles Camp in Turkey

The Nigeria U-20 team, Flying Eagles have added five more friendly matches to their schedule ahead of next month’s 17th African Youth Championship.

Officials at the team’s Antalya, Turkey camp says the five-time African champions have games lined up against two Ukrainian clubs and one club from Kazakhstan, to be played in Antalya, and two against the national U-20 teams of Egypt and Saudi Arabia in Dubai.

Following 1-1 draws in two friendlies with the Libyan U-20 team, the Flying Eagles were also forced to a 2-2 draw by a Turkish club in a friendly on Tuesday in Antalya.

Their next game comes up on Friday (February 25) against FC Poltova from the Ukrainian first league. Next up will be a Ukrainian Super League team on Monday, February 28, before their final knock-around session with FC Artau from the Kazakhstan Super League on Thursday, March 3.

The Flying Eagles will then play the Egyptian U-20 team in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Friday, March 11 before their final warm-up tie with the Saudi Arabia U-20 team also in Dubai on Sunday, March 13.

New U 20 Captain hits camp

Newly appointed Captain Ramon Azeez and forwards Stanley Okoro and Kayode Olanrewaju would join national U-20 team mates at the Antalya, Turkey.

The duo of midfielder Azeez, who replaces dropped skipper Fortune Chukwudi, and Okoro flew to Turkey, while Olanrewaju traveled from Ibadan for the Turkish Air flight to depart to Antalya to meet with the team.

“We’re really looking forward to receiving the trio in camp. The spirit is high in camp as the other players look forward to having them around”, said Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, NFF’s Deputy General Secretary (Technical).

With the departure of Olanrewaju, Okoro and Azeez, Flying Eagles Head Coach Sam John Obuh is expecting only one more player to join his team ahead of the African Youth Championship: VVV Venlo of Holland’s rapid raider Ahmed Musa.

Maigari Applauds Match Commissioners

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari recently charged match commissioners in the country to be responsible and conduct themselves with dignity and honour whenever they have the privilege.

In a speech read on his behalf at the 2011 NFF Match Commissioners’ Seminar at the Merit House, Abuja by a member of the NFF Executive Committee, Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf, Maigari insisted that match commissioners play a very key role in the organization of matches and can help the revolution being launched by the NFF to ensure that the fans return to the stadia around the country.

“A Match Commissioner gives the go-ahead for a match, after examining the ground, the medical provisions, the security provisions and crowd behaviour. He has the power to stop a match if any of the important items is inadequate or poorly laid out.

“With these privileges, of course, go a lot of responsibilities. With so much powers, the Match Commissioner therefore, must be a man of integrity and great honour. He must bear himself appropriately, and must be able to stand above all temptations and compromise, and deliver a good football match for all to savour.

“This year, it is the determination of the Nigeria Football Federation that our Match Commissioners must perform to the letter. The present administration at the NFF has laid out a holistic programme for the general development of the domestic game and among these is good match organization at the local front”, said Maigari.

A book written by a member of the Nigeria Women’s League, Mrs Edith Nwakire, titled ‘Essentials And Principles of Football Match Commissioning: The Nigerian Situation In A New World Order’, was launched at the seminar. The 94-page book dwells extensively on how to write a match report, how to efficiently commission a football match and how to ensure the security of match officials before, during and after a match.

Another member of the NFF Executive Committee, Mr. Suleiman Kwande was present at the event, alongside Assistant General Secretary (Competitions) of NFF, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi who represented the Ag. General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu. Two former Secretaries-General of the NFF, Dr. Tijjani Yusuf and Mr. Momodu Kadiri were also present.

EXPRESS DISCOUNT LIMITED KNOCK-OUT MATCH AS WELL AS RESCHEDULED IRIS SMART TECHNOLOGY CLUB CRICKET COMMITTEE LEAGUE

BRFCC DISPATCH REDBULL CRICKET CLUB TO MAINTAIN THEIR UNBEATEN RUN

Captain Sean Phillips of BRFCC struck 102 runs off 64 balls as his team thrashed RedBull Cricket Club by 173 runs in the Quarter-Final match of Express Discount Limited Knock-out series competition.

Friday Udoh and Ademola Onikoyi shared 74 runs while the duo of Bejide Jide (22 runs) and Oyede Leke (19 runs not out) added to the 269-8 total in 30 overs.

Spinner Rohit Khatri took 4-48 and was ably supported by Seam bowler Sabir Khan 2 wickets for 26 runs in 3 overs.

RedBull Cricket Club started brightly hitting boundaries before losing their opening batsmen and things turned from bad to worse for the Asians.

Zeeshan top scored for his side RBCC with 36 runs and Jaymin Parab’s 12 runs was all the team that finished 2^nd in Division 2 could muster as they all crashed on 96 all out in 16.2 overs.

Varun Behani (5-7) and Joshua Ogunlola (4-26) ensured the Asians were uncomfortable in their batting crease after electing to field following their loss of toss.

BRFCC have now played 9 matches in all competitions this season and are yet to drop a game with a potential Semi-Final clash with familiar opponent Federal Government College Warri Old Boys Cricket Club.

GCIOBCC INFLICTS FURTHER PAINS ON LAGOS ASIANS CRICKET CLUB

All rounder and newly appointed Vice-Captain of Nigeria’s Cricket National Team Adegbola Kunle took 3-16 as Government College Ibadan Old Boys Cricket Club thrashed Lagos Asians Cricket Club by 8 wickets in a rescheduled Division 1 fixture at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval.

Tayo Okusanya and Obed Harvey each claimed 2 wickets as the Ricky Sharma led team were bowled out for 131 in 44.2 overs.

GCIOBCC needed only 27.1 overs to knock off the runs,with Obed Harvey posting 38 and opening batsman Gill Ramit 34 runs off 27 runs.

Ricky Sharma was the best batsman for LACC with 26 runs while Yaawar Khan supported with 17 runs but was not enough as they got relegated.

Foundation Cricket Club who got relegated at the end of last season gained promotion from the lower Division to the elite league while Lagos Asians Cricket Club would have to cope with life in Division two.

Willy gifts Nigeria Victory in Banjul

Nigeria's four finest golfers made the country proud as they take turn at the top of the table in the closing round of the Gambian International Golf Championship, in Banjul, Gambia. Port Harcourt based Gift Willy returned home with best score of nerve wrecking final round to win the event.

Willy, formerly based on the Sunshine Tour shot 67, two under par at the all-brown Fajara Golf Course in Gambia’s capital city, Banjul to finish tops and in two strokes advantage over two other Nigerian players, Umoh Edet and Gboyega Oyebanji who at different times had led and dropped shots during the final round.

“its definitely my putting” Willy admitted after he rocked the ball 22 times in the final round on the brown, which he said has been his major weakness that has now gotten better.

“I had some aspect of my game improved for some time now. I am swinging perfectly now for instance and I have a lot of confidence when I stand over the ball better than before, but I think it is my putting that has clearly given me the edge here. Putting 22 times in a tough round like this should give you a very good score” he added.

At the first round of the event, Willy returned 70, one over par to set himself up for the victory on the 36 holes tournament.

With the victory, he is expected to pocket about $5, 000 USD which in Gambian’s record is the biggest price purse ever doled out for a professional golf event. The balance of $25, 000 USD from the total winning purse will be shared by other top ten finishers at the event.

Gambian’s best ranked player, Kebba Drammeh said the Nigerian players were better experienced and that the cancellation of the first day game was in their favour but there was nothing they could do because it was the committees decision. He said the Nigerian’s who were first time players in Gambia had the chance to improve on their first day performance and “ They were definitely more calm and experienced that everybody on the field they deserve to win.”

Eagles get United States Visa

The American Embassy has issued entry visas into the US to a total of 22 players and eight officials of the national football team, Super Eagles for the Green Bowl Soccer Tournament taking place in Dallas, Texas this month end.

Acting General Secretary to the Nigeria Football Federation, Barrister Musa Amadu said the Federation was enamoured by the co-operation of the Embassy and look forward to the tournament expected to further help Coach Samson Siasia’s re-building process.

Organizers say the competition will now take place February 26-27 in Texas and will now involve four countries namely, Nigeria, Costa Rica, Mexico and Panama.

The Nigeria Football Federation also said the contingent to the tournament will travel from Lagos aboard Delta Airline flight on the night of Wednesday, February 23.

Football community finally bid Uche Goodbye

The choice detail of Nigeria football, nay sports community, descended on Imo State on Thursday to pay their final respects and be part of the final passage rites of former international player, Uchenna Okafor.

Represented at the occasion was the Executive Governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim, the National Sports Commission, a high-powered delegation from the Nigeria Football Federation, members of the Super Eagles team of 1994 (Okafor’s team-mates), the Imo State All-Stars football team, members of the Imo State Ministry of Youth and Sports, executives of the Imo State Football Association, family and friends of the fallen star.

Conspicuous among the crowd and in deep grief were Okafor’s widow, Ifeyinwa and their 15-year old daughter, Tochukwu.

A lying-in-state ceremony began the day at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, followed by a commemorative football match between Members of the 1994 Super Eagles and the Imo State All Stars, which ended 1-1. There was a short remark by the Imo State Commissioner for Sports, Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Anyikwa who represented Governor Ohakim, and the paying of final respects by the different groups ended the session at Dan Anyiam Stadium.

Among the team mates of Okafor who turned up were Benedict Iroha, Samson Siasia, Augustine Eguavoen, Emeka Ezeugo, Victor Ikpeba, Austin Okocha, Dominic Iorfa, Ike Shorounmu, Austin Popo, Alloy Agu, Uche Okechukwu, Bethel Orji, Edema Fuludu, Peter Rufai, Baldwin Bazuaye, Mutiu Adepoju and Binebi Numa. The Imo All-Stars included Kelechi Emeteole, Sylvester Oparanozie, Godwin Eke, Godwin Agbarakwe (Director of Sports), Ndubuisi Opara and Collins Amadi. Fuludu scored for the Eagles in the first half while Collins Amadi equalized for the Imo All-Stars in the second period.

There were also Prince Lemmy Akakem, Mr. Uche Ejimofor, Mr. Chris Eseka, former international athlete and President of Nigerian Olympians Association Henry Amike, former national team captain and coach, Christian Chukwu and several other guests at the programme coordinated by former Vasco Da Gama of Enugu ace, Mr. Onochie Anibeze, now associate editor at Vanguard Newspapers.

The procession then ended up at the Okafor family house in Ubomiri, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, which is about 20 minutes’ drive from Owerri. There, another lying-in-state preceded a church service, before the body of the fallen hero was committed to mother earth.

NFF’s 1st Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh led a delegation that included the Deputy General Secretary (Technical), Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, Assistant General Secretary (Marketing), Mr. Adama Idris, chief media officer Ademola Olajire, principal legal officer Okey Obi and senior sports office Christian Emeruwa. Mr. Stanley Okebugwu represented the Honourable Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Professor Taoheed Adedoja.

At the end, Umeh said: “We feel sorrow because we have lost a true patriot and hero of the Nigerian game, someone who was a role model for the younger generation in commitment, discipline and effort. But we are consoled by the fact that he left his huge footprints in the sands of time. We pray that the Almighty God will grant those he has left behind the fortitude to bear the loss and also give him eternal rest”.

Good bye Uchenna Kizito Okafor

FIFA Players’ Agents workshop get new date

The Nigeria Football Federation and organizers of the maiden edition of the FIFA –Licensed Players’ Agents Workshop taking place next month have been postponed to a later date and venue.

Organizers say the Jupiter Hall of Four Points, by Sheraton Hotel, Oniru Chieftaincy Estate, beside Shoprite, Lekki Peninsula will now host the high profile event on Thursday, 24th March and Friday, 25th March, 2011.

“This decision was arrived at after exhaustive deliberations with the top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation. We believe the setting and the new date will enable us to maximize the benefits of the programme and also achieve the objectives we have set for the workshop”, said Shina Phillips, chief executive officer of Matchmakers Consult International, the company organizing this maiden seminar.

As part of efforts aimed at raising the standard for the programme and also fulfilling the high expectations of FIFA-Licensed football agents/managers coming for the two-day event in Nigeria’s commercial and economic capital, Phillips who just returned from the FIFA headquarters where he met with some key FIFA officials with a view of getting the governing body fully involved in the workshop says By next week, the Chief Operaing Officer of Matchmakers Consult, Mr. Nelson Olafisoye, will also proceed to the United Kingdom to finalize arrangements with some resource persons.

“It is important that we organize this first event very well, and that the FIFA –Licensed Agents come out with of it having learnt a lot on how to do their job better and also having been apprised of the various other windows open to them. We want them to attain uncommon knowledge from the quality resource persons we are bringing from all over the world for this workshop”, added Shina Phillips.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has sent out letters to all FIFA Licensed Agents officially informing them of the workshop and instructing on the importance of the workshop, fees to be paid and mode of payment. The Federation will also get in touch with prospective Agents on how to be a part of the event.

NIGERIA CRICKET LEAGUE UPDATES

GCIOBCC TORTURED BY VINTAGE BRFCC

BRFCC posted a 92 run win after surviving a scare from a faint Government College Ibadan Old Boys Cricket Club in their division one match.

Sean Phillips struck a fine 92 runs off 115 balls as BRFCC racked up 211-8 at the prestigious Tafawa Balewa cricket oval before bowling out GCIOBCC for 119 all out in 25.1 overs.

BRFCC did not enjoy a fine start in the first innings, with the trio of Ademola Onikoyi, Solebo Femi and Varun Behani all losing their wickets to the trio of Obed Harvey, Adegbola Kunle and Gill Ramit who took 2 wickets each.

Right hander Ofem Endurance hit 31 runs to keep BRFCC in the game after Seye Olympio's 27 runs proved to be very vital by forming a 119 runs partnership with captain sean Phillips.

Fast bowler Akolade Saheed picked three wickets for 21 runs off his 7 overs alongside Leke Oyede 3-20 and Olympio Seye had 2 wickets for 27 runs in 5 overs.

Last batsman and opening bowler for GCIOBCC Onwuzulike Chimezie top scored with 31 runs not out in a disappointing GCIOBCC batting performance. National cricket team captain Wale Adeoye (29 runs) was the other main run-getter.

Cricket lovers tagged the clash "El Classico" but after watching both legs of the 2010/2011 Iris Smart Technology Club Cricket Committee League where BRFCC showed class, this season's fixture can be called "Hell Classico".

The defending champions of club cricket committee league did not only finish as league leaders but went on to set a record by playing in two consecutive seasons without losing a game.

Following what happened between the two sides during the regular season most cricket followers were left disappointed but are hoping for a Super Four Final that will pitch BRFCC and GCIOBCC.

Whether our wish will come to past only time will tell.

GOVERNMENT COLLEGE IBADAN OLD BOYS CRICKET CLUB SURVIVES FOUNDATION CRICKET CLUB SCARE

Defending Champions of Express Discount Knockout Series Limited Government College Ibadan Old Boys Cricket Club survived a major upset by defeating hard fighting Foundation Cricket Club by 19 runs in their Quarter-Final match at the Unilag Cricket Oval.

Batting first,GCIOBCC put on a reasonable 203-7,with Atoloye Tayo scoring 43 runs off 38 deliveries in 64 minutes.

Left- hand all rounder Olayinka Tope(55 runs) and Captain Dele Oshodi(35 runs) led the FCC run chase with a partnership of 90 runs,followed by Otegbeye Lumumba (18 runs) and Ajao Olumide's 14, but Obed Harvey snapped up 3 wickets while Captain Odeku Oluwaseun added 2 wickets to put on the pressure.

Defeat came with 9 balls remaining as FCC were all out for 184.

Tight bowling from the newly promoted team to Division one kept the run-rate pressure up,which led to Olayinka Tope's three wickets and Ogunkoya Dennis 2 wickets for FCC.

Once again Champions of three trophies last season GCIOBCC who ended former Ibeju Lekki Cricket Club's 11 match unbeaten last season inflicted the same pain on FCC who were on a 10 match winning streak.

The Ibadan based side have now booked their place in the Semi-Final of the Express Discount Knockout Series 10th edition where they will face winner between Lagos Asians Cricket Club and Ibeju Lekki Cricket Club 2.

ODUYEBO LEADS FGCWOBCC INTO NEXT STAGE OF EXPRESS DISCOUNT KNOCKOUT SERIES

An eight-wicket haul between Femi Oduyebo 5-18 and Bakare Taiwo 3-23 sparked a Foundation Cricket Club 1 batting collapse as Federal Government College Warri Old Boys Cricket Club won their Express Discount Knockout Series match by 8 wickets at the Unilag Cricket Oval on Saturday January 12th 2011.

Oduyebo has proved himself a match winner with ball but his batting of late has done nothing so far to actually suggest he is a ruthless batsman that can win matches.

Shokoya Chris(12 runs) and Chairman of Club Cricket Club Committee League Akinleye Tunde's 10 posted the most runs for Veterans FCC who all scored 57 runs all out in 15.3 overs.

Chasing a paltry 57 runs for victory,third placed team in Division one FGCWOBCC cruised to victory with the duo of Oklo (15 runs) and Austin Alikali (14 runs) scoring most of the runs while Oduyebo (7 runs not out) and Azeez Salako (6 runs not out) booked a Quarter-Final place against RedBull Cricket Club.

The Roland Ilube captained side won FCC 1by 8 wickets sending a message of intent to other participating teams in the competition that they are "contenders and not pretenders".

NFF Keeps an eye on Eagles

While the Flying Eagles is in Libya for friendlies in preparation to the African Youth Championship, The Nigeria Football Federation is closely monitoring the Lads in Libya’s second city of Benghazi as concerns the safety of the national U-20 team, Flying Eagles, currently in that city on a two-match tour.

NFF’s Acting General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu said: “We are keeping close watch on our team, and we are also talking regularly with the Nigerian Embassy in Libya. The Ambassador and Mission staff have been wonderful. They are closely monitoring our players and officials and have been advising them on where to go and where not to go.

“Although the current trouble spot is said to be somewhat far away from our team’s Al-Wahat Tourist Hotel base, it is still necessary to be in touch with them and monitor very closely what is happening there.

“Officials of the Libyan Football Association have also been up-and-doing. They have advised our players and officials to stay indoors except when they are going for their second friendly match”, said Amadu.

In their first Warm-up match on Monday, the Flying Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by their Libyan counterparts at the Hugo Chavez Stadium in the first of two friendly matches put together by the Nigeria Football Federation and the Libyan federation. Chidi Osichukwu scored for Nigeria before the Libyans equalized late in the first half via a penalty kick taken three times.

The Nigeria contingent will on Thursday fly out to Istanbul from Benghazi aboard a Turkish Airlines flight at 4.20pm (3.20pm Nigeria time), for their 25-day training camp in Antalya, before the AYC in Libya.