Super Falcons In Camp Ahead AWC Title Defense

Super Falcons head coach Kadiri Ikhana has declared his satisfaction with the invited players, after one week of camp, as they prepare for the 8th African Women’s Championship set to hold in Equatorial Guinea.

The camp officially opened in Abuja on Sunday 16th September, 2012 with 27 players invited to battle for places in the team.

“All the 27 players in camp have shown me that they want to be part of this team. I am very pleased with the level of discipline and commitment the ladies have shown. As a coach, I couldn’t have asked for more.”

His praise was not only reserved for the players as he also commended the work that is being put in by his coaching staff.

“The camp is organized and the team spirit is very positive. The staff are all working together and giving me the support to ensure that we have a successful outing in Equatorial Guinea.”

Ikhana also expects at least 8 foreign-based players to join the team in camp soon.

“I cannot confirm the number of foreign-based players that will be invited to camp. I am working closely with the technical department of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) to ensure that we invite the best players. 

“Players like Perpetua Nkwocha, Rita Chikwelu, and Onome Ebi will be invited alongside others. I think we will invite at least 8 more players who play outside Nigeria to join those we have in camp now.” Said Ikhana.

“We do not want to invite players just because they play in foreign leagues. We want to invite players who are in form and play regular competitive matches for their clubs.”

He added: “The tournament is just around the corner and we need to have the players join the team in camp at least three weeks to the tournament. We will most likely identify the players we need in a few days and write to their clubs this week so they can be released in time to join us.”

Ikhana was quick to add that he expects players to fight for the chance to be in his final team to participate in Africa’s biggest tournament for women, saying that no player is assured an automatic place in the final squad.

“The competition in the squad is very tough. Most of the ladies who play at home are very talented and want to make the team.

“The foreign-based players will have to work very hard to displace the ladies already in camp because they are a very talented bunch.”

The African Women’s Championship is billed to commence on October 28, 2012, with the final match to be played on November 11, 2012

Nigeria will kick-off her title defense against Cameroon on October 29, 2012, in Nkoantoma Stadium in Bata. 

Courtesy: Chisom Mbonu

Media Officer, Super Falcons

Keshi releases 'The List"

Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, has listed 23 home-based stars and 15 foreign based players for the crunch October 13 Nations Cup qualifying cracker against the Lone Star of Liberia.

Recall that the first leg of the final qualifier in Monrovia, ended 2-2, and Nigeria needs a win in this return leg scheduled for the South South city of Calabar tagged Canaan City to book a place in the tournament proper scheduled for next January in South Africa..

Expectedly the foreign based are led by skipper Joseph Yobo, but Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel returns, same for Inter’s Joel Obi, while former Golden Eaglets star, Ogenyi Onazi of Lazio in the Italian Serie A makes a debut for the national team.

The home-based as usual is led by Warri Wolves keeper, Chigozie Agbim, his team mate Azubuike Egwuek is included, while regulars like Godfrey Oboabona and Juwon Oshaniwa also make the cut. The home-based players are expected in camp by Sunday, September 30

th, at the Bolton White Hotel in Abuja, while their foreign based counterparts will join the team by October 8 in Calabar unfailingly. “We hope to have at least five training sessions together and that should be enough for the team to do well against Liberia”, Eagles Media Officer, Ben Alaiya quotes Head Coach, Stephen Keshi as saying.

Below is the full list.

LIST OF HOME BASED PLAYERS

GOALKEEPERS

1. AGBIM CHIGOZIE

-WARRI WOLVES, NIGERIA

2. AKPEYI DANIEL

-HEARTLAND FC, NIGERIA

DEFENDERS

EGWUEKWE AZUBUIKE

-WARRI WOLVES, NIGERIA

PAPA IDRIS

-KANO PILLARS, NIGERIA

OBOABONA GODFREY

-SUNSHINE STARS FC, NIGERIA

ZANGO UMAR

-KANO PILLARS, NIGERIA

KWAMBE SOLOMON

-SUNSHINE STARS FC, NIGERIA

EZEKIEL BASSEY

-LOBI STARS FC, NIGERIA

KINGSLEY UDOH

-HEARTLAND FC, NIGERIA

MIDFIELDERS AND FORWARDS

UZOENYI EJIKE

-RANGERS FC, NIGERIA

MBA SUNDAY

-WARRI WOLVES FC, NIGERIA

GABRIEL REUBEN

-KANO PILLARS FC, NIGERIA

HENRY UCHE

-ENYIMBA FC, NIGERIA

CHRISTIAN OFILI

-ABS KWARA, NIGERIA

JABASON SOLOMON

-AKWA UNITED FC, NIGERIA

SANUSI SANI

-GOMBE UNITED FC, NIGERIA

PHILIP ASOQUO

-3SC FC, IBADAN, NIGERIA

IZU AZUKA

-SUNSHINE STARS FC, NIGERIA

BRENDON OGBU

-HEARTLAND FC, NIGERIA

ANTHONY OKPOTU

-LOBI STARS FC, NIGERIA

UBALE MANIR

-KANO PILLARS FC, NIGERIA

OHANDUKU GOMO

-SHARKS FC, NIGERIA

FIDELIS FAVOUR

-NASARAWA UNITED, NIGERIA

LIST OF FOREIGN BASED PLAYERS

GOALKEEPERS

ENYEAMA VINCENT

-MACCABI TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

EJIDE AUSTINE

-HAPOEL BE’ER SHEVA, ISRAEL

DEFENDERS

YOBO JOSEPH

-FENERBAHCE FC, TURKEY

EFE AMBROSE

-CELTIC FC, ISRAEL

ECHIEJILE ELDERSON

-FC BRAGA, PORTUGAL

MID FIELDERS AND FORWARDS

NOSA IGIEBOR

-REAL BETIS, SPAIN

NWANKWO OBIORA

-CALCIO PADOVA FC, ITALY

MIKEL OBI

-CHELSEA FC, ENGLAND

JOEL OBI

-INTER MILAN FC, ITALY

VICTOR MOSES

-CHELSEA FC, ENGLAND

AHMED MUSA

-CSKA MOSCOW, RUSSIA

UCHE IKECHUKWU

-VILLARREAL FC, SPAIN

EMENIKE EMMANUEL

- SPARTAK MOSCOW, RUSSIA

IDEYE BROWN

-DYNAMO KYIV, UKRAINE

OGENYI ONAZI

-SS LAZIO, ITALY

BEN ALAIYA

Media Officer, Super Eagles Of Nigeria

Keshi Lists 15 Foreign Pros, 23 Home-based For Lone Star Battle…Mikel Returns, Onazi Breaks Through

…Foreign Pros Get October 8 Deadline

Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, has listed 23 home-based stars and 15 foreign based players for the crunch October 13 Nations Cup qualifying cracker against the Lone Star of Liberia.

Recall that the first leg of the final qualifier in Monrovia, ended 2-2, and Nigeria needs a win in this return leg scheduled for the South South city of Calabar tagged Canaan City to book a place in the tournament proper scheduled for next January in South Africa..

Expectedly the foreign based are led by skipper Joseph Yobo, but Chelsea’s John Obi Mikel returns, same for Inter’s Joel Obi, while former Golden Eaglets star, Ogenyi Onazi of Lazio in the Italian Serie A makes a debut for the national team.

The home-based as usual is led by Warri Wolves keeper, Chigozie Agbim, his team mate Azubuike Egwuek is included, while regulars like Godfrey Oboabona and Juwon Oshaniwa also make the cut. The home-based players are expected in camp by Sunday, September 30

th, at the Bolton White Hotel in Abuja, while their foreign based counterparts will join the team by Ontober 8 in Calabar unfailingly. “We hope to have at least five training sessions together and that should be enough for the team to do well against Liberia”, Eagles Media Officer, Ben Alaiya quotes Head Coach, Stephen Keshi as saying.

Below is the full list.

LIST OF HOME BASED PLAYERS

GOALKEEPERS

1. AGBIM CHIGOZIE

-

WARRI WOLVES, NIGERIA

2. AKPEYI DANIEL

-

HEARTLAND FC, NIGERIA

DEFENDERS

EGWUEKWE AZUBUIKE

-

WARRI WOLVES, NIGERIA

PAPA IDRIS

-

KANO PILLARS, NIGERIA

OBOABONA GODFREY

-

SUNSHINE STARS FC, NIGERIA

ZANGO UMAR

-

KANO PILLARS, NIGERIA

KWAMBE SOLOMON

-

SUNSHINE STARS FC, NIGERIA

EZEKIEL BASSEY

-

LOBI STARS FC, NIGERIA

KINGSLEY UDOH

-

HEARTLAND FC, NIGERIA

MIDFIELDERS AND FORWARDS

UZOENYI EJIKE

-

RANGERS FC, NIGERIA

MBA SUNDAY

-

WARRI WOLVES FC, NIGERIA

GABRIEL REUBEN

-

KANO PILLARS FC, NIGERIA

HENRY UCHE

-

ENYIMBA FC, NIGERIA

CHRISTIAN OFILI

-

ABS KWARA, NIGERIA

JABASON SOLOMON

-

AKWA UNITED FC, NIGERIA

SANUSI SANI

-

GOMBE UNITED FC, NIGERIA

PHILIP ASOQUO

-

3SC FC, IBADAN, NIGERIA

IZU AZUKA

-

SUNSHINE STARS FC, NIGERIA

BRENDON OGBU

-

HEARTLAND FC, NIGERIA

ANTHONY OKPOTU

-

LOBI STARS FC, NIGERIA

UBALE MANIR

-

KANO PILLARS FC, NIGERIA

OHANDUKU GOMO

-

SHARKS FC, NIGERIA

FIDELIS FAVOUR

-

NASARAWA UNITED, NIGERIA

LIST OF FOREIGN BASED PLAYERS

GOALKEEPERS

ENYEAMA VINCENT

-

MACCABI TEL AVIV, ISRAEL

EJIDE AUSTINE

-

HAPOEL BE’ER SHEVA, ISRAEL

DEFENDERS

YOBO JOSEPH

-

FENERBAHCE FC, TURKEY

EFE AMBROSE

-

CELTIC FC, ISRAEL

ECHIEJILE ELDERSON

-

FC BRAGA, PORTUGAL

MID FIELDERS AND FORWARDS

NOSA IGIEBOR

-

REAL BETIS, SPAIN

NWANKWO OBIORA

-

CALCIO PADOVA FC, ITALY

MIKEL OBI

-

CHELSEA FC, ENGLAND

JOEL OBI

-

INTER MILAN FC, ITALY

VICTOR MOSES

-

CHELSEA FC, ENGLAND

AHMED MUSA

-

CSKA MOSCOW, RUSSIA

UCHE IKECHUKWU

-

VILLARREAL FC, SPAIN

EMENIKE EMMANUEL

- 

SPARTAK MOSCOW, RUSSIA

IDEYE BROWN

-

DYNAMO KYIV, UKRAINE

OGENYI ONAZI

-

SS LAZIO, ITALY

BEN ALAIYA

Media Officer, Super Eagles Of Nigeria

FIFA/Azerbaijan 2012: Nigeria set for Canada test

The FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, Azerbaijan 2012 is shaping up to be a memorable event when it kicks-off this weekend and the Flamingoes are not leaving anything to chance in their quest to clinch the title.

Yesterday, the team took time to practice set pieces and the coaches are leaving nothing to chance in bolstering the squad for glory. 

The team will have one training session today for just an hour which will take place by 5pm at the venue for the Saturday’s match against Canada to enable them feel the turf of the stadium.

Meanwhile, ace sports journalist, Mitchell Obi who arrived Azerbaijan Thursday, took time off his busy schedule to accompany the Flamingoes to training.

Before training started, he addressed the girls and tasked them to go all out for glory when the tournament begins

"Seeing you girls, your youthfulness touches me. I believe you have what it takes to make Nigeria proud and I indulge you to hold nothing back but go for glory.

“We are all solidly behind you and the country as a whole wish you well. Let no team stand in your way in your quest for triumph here.

“The first time Nigeria won a trophy, it was the U- 17 men, so please make the difference and be the first female U-17 to win another trophy for Nigeria.

“Nigeria is set to celebrate with winners so please just do this and write your name in gold and make history” advised Obi.

Flamingoes play their first match this Saturday against Canada by 5:00pm local time which is 1:00pm Nigeria time.

Eguavoen sets for Sharks job against all odds

Former Enyimba coach Augustine Eguavoen may not get the job at Sharks as indigenes are set to fight for the present coach Ere Dokubo to continue for next season.

Dokubo took over after the Rivers State Government suspended 17 players and coaches of Sharks.

Goal.com learnt that the deal to sign Eguavoen is almost completed but the snag is that some concerned people in Port Harcourt have vowed that they will resist every move to make Eguavoen the coach of Sharks next season.

A source close to the team revealed to Goal.com that a lot of people are gathering forces to make sure that Dokubo remains in charge next season.

"This is the chance for a coach that is well known in Port Harcourt to handle the team. We love Dokubo and we want to make sure that he is the coach that will lead Sharks next season," the source said.

"What is the essence of bringing another coach when we know what he can do. We will not agree to any move by the Sports Ministry to sign another coach apart from Dokubo.

"We have told the relevant authorities that Ere Dokubo should be the coach and we intend to make sure it remains that way."

However, there are strong speculations that the former Super Eagles coach will be in charge of Sharks next season.

Sunshine Stars dares Al Ahly in the Caf Champions League

Nigeria's Caf Champions League representatives, Sunshine Stars have stated that they would be motivated to beat Al Ahly of Egypt in the semi final of the competition in the first week of October.

Media already speculated a tie with Tout Puissant (TP) Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last 4 encounter but the 2009 and 2010 champion's shock 1-0 loss to Ghana's Berekum Chelsea on Sunday in Accra altered that. 

Mazembe will entertain Esperance of Tunisia in a repeat of the final clash of the 2010 edition which the East African side won 5-0 on aggregate.

Sunshine got to the semi final of the Caf Confederations Cup last season before bowing out to Club Africain of Tunisia but in a chat with Executive Director, Ondo State Football Agency(OSFA), Mike Idoko told Goal.com that the Akure Gunners are happy to face the North African side and that their dark horse status going into the match would only help to lessen the expectations and burdens on the team ahead of the match.

Idoko affirmed that Sunshine has a complete dossier of their opponents and this would be unleashed on Ahly when they visit Nigeria for the first leg on October 7th.

"We are happy at the choice of Al Ahly and they are a side we know too well having studied them. We are not losing sleep over their choice and the fact that we are the underdogs of the two teams will only motivate us to do everything in our reach to counter and neutralise their potency when we meet them at Ijebu Ode before the second leg fixture in Cairo," Idoko said.

"We cannot be afraid of Ahly because my team has greatly improved since we lost our first game against Esperance. We know what is expected of us and that we are going to do on that day.

"Yes Ahly is a strong side, but Sunshine Stars is on a high this season and we will take our form to the semi finals and hope for the best in the two legs. 

Sunshine came second in Group A behind Esperance of Tunisia with 6 points from possible 12 while the Tunisian side claimed top spot with three more points than the Nigerians.

The Akure Gunners' foes came top in the other Group with 11 points while TP Mazembe are second with a point less.

The first leg of the semi final fixtures hold in the weekend of 5th-7th October, 2012 while the second leg ties are fixed for a fortnight later.

Sunshine Stars dares Al Ahly in the Caf Champions League

Nigeria's Caf Champions League representatives, Sunshine Stars have stated that they would be motivated to beat Al Ahly of Egypt in the semi final of the competition in the first week of October.

Media already speculated a tie with Tout Puissant (TP) Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last 4 encounter but the 2009 and 2010 champion's shock 1-0 loss to Ghana's Berekum Chelsea on Sunday in Accra altered that. 

Mazembe will entertain Esperance of Tunisia in a repeat of the final clash of the 2010 edition which the East African side won 5-0 on aggregate.

Sunshine got to the semi final of the Caf Confederations Cup last season before bowing out to Club Africain of Tunisia but in a chat with Executive Director, Ondo State Football Agency(OSFA), Mike Idoko told Goal.com that the Akure Gunners are happy to face the North African side and that their dark horse status going into the match would only help to lessen the expectations and burdens on the team ahead of the match.

Idoko affirmed that Sunshine has a complete dossier of their opponents and this would be unleashed on Ahly when they visit Nigeria for the first leg on October 7th.

"We are happy at the choice of Al Ahly and they are a side we know too well having studied them. We are not losing sleep over their choice and the fact that we are the underdogs of the two teams will only motivate us to do everything in our reach to counter and neutralise their potency when we meet them at Ijebu Ode before the second leg fixture in Cairo," Idoko said.

"We cannot be afraid of Ahly because my team has greatly improved since we lost our first game against Esperance. We know what is expected of us and that we are going to do on that day.

"Yes Ahly is a strong side, but Sunshine Stars is on a high this season and we will take our form to the semi finals and hope for the best in the two legs. 

Sunshine came second in Group A behind Esperance of Tunisia with 6 points from possible 12 while the Tunisian side claimed top spot with three more points than the Nigerians.

The Akure Gunners' foes came top in the other Group with 11 points while TP Mazembe are second with a point less.

The first leg of the semi final fixtures hold in the weekend of 5th-7th October, 2012 while the second leg ties are fixed for a fortnight later.

World Chess Olympiad: Adesina Humiliates Grand Master

Nigerian Chess Olympiad debutant, Adeyinka Adesina, hugged global limelight in chess yesterday following his brilliant win against highly rated Grand Master Pontus Carlson of Sweden in the round eight male category of the 40th Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

Although Nigerian male team lost 1-3 to Sweden, Adesina was the star among hundreds of chess players on parade yesterday after the upset against a ore experience opponent and put him at pole post of getting a FIDE title at the end of the 11-round Swiss event competition.
Adesina, playing in the white side of Nimzo Indian Defense deviated from his opponent's prepared repertoire and forced him into finding solution to impending isolated pawn structure.

 The Grand Master ran into time trouble and thus paved way for Adesina to gain upper hand in the middle play and in the end game the Nigeria had a better pawn structure and an active Queen as against Carlson's Rook and a knight.
When Adesina acquired another Queen, just like the biblical story of David and Goliath, the respected Grand Master resigned to the admiration of chess pundits at the arena.
"This is a memorable day for me because chess pundits here (Olympiad) did not give us any chance at this event knowing fully well that Nigeria paraded unrated players, but we were able to overcome with our raw talents.
"I dedicate this win to thousands of chess players at home and knowing fully well that if the leadership of the game in the country can implement the 'chess in school' programme as promised, a lot of talents that will take Nigeria to greater height will be discovered," Adesina reacted after the game.
In spite of the loss, Nigeria Male team is still in contention for the category placement and the brilliant performances of Bomo Kigigha and Nonso Orawgu could give them high FIDE ratings and titles.
Earlier in the day, Dapo Adu had lost to GM Nils Grandelius (2562)just as Kigigha was no match for GM Han Tikkanen (2570) and Femi Balogun lost to GM Berg Emmanuel (2576).
In the female section, Nigeria secured her first match point with a 2.5-1.5 win against Zambia.
Rejuvenated Tobi Olatunji set the tone of bright afternoon with a comprehensive demolition of Woman Candidate Master Tempo Epah(1927) while Nsisong Asanga settled for a draw with Mtine Joy Jottie (1949) but Funmi Akinola restored Nigeria' s lead with a long end game win against Chileshe Mbatha after Vivian Dzaayem had lost to Lorita Mwango on board four.


Courtesy Femi Solaja
Istanbul, Turkey

HOMELESS WORLD CUP 2012: Nigeria in Group B

Nigeria will play in the Women's Homeless World Cup in Group B alongside Brazil, Argentina, England, India, Canada and Kyrgyzstan.

The draw for the Homeless World Cup was held in Mexico City. President and Co-Founder of the Homeless World Cup Mel Young was present at the draw, as well as members of the Local Organising Committee.

Leading the Nigerian Women's Team as Head Coach is Germany based Helen Schonbrodt with Nigeria's own Jide Oguntuashe assisting.
Sarah Iloduba lead the pack of players representing Nigeria, Toyosi Alogba, Nimot Ahmad, Peace Ozehudu, Sudan Abidoye and Omolara Kolawole were selected from the three centres in Lagos. The girls were selected based on their skills, commitment and intelligence both on the pitch and during the educational and interactive sessions.
Three girls from Calabar namely: Regina Otu, Glory Henshaw, and Edikan Udoh chosen from the implementation of the Community Connects for Youth Leadership football tournament held in Cross River State in December 2011. They will be joining the girls in Lagos as part of the team for the Mexico 2012 Homeless World Cup.
While on standby are: Rita Monday, Funmilola Adediran, Ololade Fadoyin and Damilola Omotosho from Lagos and from Calabar are: Uduak Jimmy and Ruth Unwana.

Final Camping and Training for the Homeless World Cup will start on The 10th of September till 28th September at the Astroturf 2000 Osbourne, Ikoyi Lagos State.

The Mexico City 2012 Homeless World Cup tournament will take place at the Plaza de la Constitución, Zócalo Square, from 6-14 October, 2012.

WORLD CHESS OLYMPIAD: Oragwu Powers Nigeria to Victory

Chess Olympiad debutants, Nonso Oragwu, Femi Balogun and Yinka Adesina showed brilliant display in middle play and joined Bomo Kigigha to give Nigeria 3.5-0.5 win over boastful Aruba in the sixth round of the tournament.

The victory was Nigeria’s biggest win so far in 11 round Swiss-event pairing and thus moved the male team to the top in category E while their opponent who where in the second position now slide further to seventh in ranking.

Kigigha showed the team the path to victory on board one with a quick win against Candidate Master Croes Octavio (1915). The Nigerian played in black side of Pseudo-King’s Indian defense variation and after the early development of minor pieces, the Nigerian sacrificed his Knight for a Rook and further increased the tempo on c file on move 20 to win a Knight in the middle play exchange and brought the game to a ruthless conclusion with the Rook sited on seventh rank on move 31.

The win was the tonic for the rest of the debutant with Adesina brushed aside fighting Quintin Seijp after 42 moves. The Nigerian played in white side of Queen Gambit declined and in the early exchange of centre pawns, he seized the control of the game with a Bishop pin on move 14 of Bf5 to win a Rook.

Further exchange of Queens enabled the Nigerian chess master to sustain the advantage till the end of the game. While on board two, Oragwu extended the country’s win to three with a long end game against Jose Pesqueira (1986) but Femi Balogun failed to sustain his slight advantage against Pablo De Mey (1882) to give the Arubans a consolatory half point of the day.

In the female section, the Nigerian still maintain its inability to earn a match point so far in the tournament with another 2-2 score line with Zimbabwe. The brilliancies of Tobi Olatunji and Nsisong Asanga had given the country a two point lead on top boards against Melisa Zengeni and Colletta Wakuruwareiwa respectively.

The South African nation rallied back with wins against Funmi Akinola on board three when Rhoda Masiyazi won in along end game situation while Oluchi Dikeocha had her first baptism in the global chess event as she cracked from the easily to Matilda Zengeni.

Courtesy: Kunle Solaja