Siasia optimistic about new eagles

Samson Siasia has told his charges that the new Nigeria senior team he is building must live up to the name of the ‘Eagle’ and fly!

In his first official meeting with the group with which he intends to re-build the team, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos on Tuesday morning, the former international striker made it clear that there would be no ‘big man’ in the side, but all must respect team Captain Joseph Yobo and also respect one another.

“Nigerians want to see a new team, with a new and positive attitude and we have our work cut out trying to meet the high expectations of a people who have tremendous passion for the game”, Siasia said in the first official meeting with the group.

He added: “We must respect one another in this set-up. We also have to work hard. It is important that we get some good results as we start in order that our people will forget the disappointment of the FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.

“You may think the Sierra Leone match is a friendly and a small game, but Nigerians will begin to judge us from this first game, and it is very, very important that we show great spirit. We must fight for the ball and play for one another.

“This match will prepare us for the African Nations Cup qualifying match against Ethiopia coming up next month. And we all know we must win all our remaining matches in the qualifying series.

"What I know and what I can tell you for sure is that Nigerians are good people. If you show the spirit and you fight for the ball, they will support you all the way”, said Siasia.

The Super Eagles had their first training on Tuesday morning on the turf of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, after which they interacted with media representatives.

Nigeria take on Sierra Leone in an international friendly game at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos starting from 7pm on Wednesday.

BRFCC stretches winning streak

ONIKOYI AND SOLEBO SET RECORD FOR BRFCC AGAINST LACC TO RECORD SIXTH STRAIGHT WIN

BRFCC ripped through Lagos Asians Cricket Club’s batting order to seal a 150 runs victory with 2 matches left .

The table toppers in Division one were restricted to 326 runs for loss of 8 wickets in 50 overs as Srinivas continued his impressive bowling for LACC by taking 4 wickets for 66 runs in 10 overs.

Onikoyi Ademola and Femi Solebo set a new partnership record in Nigerian cricket league by scoring 168 runs to displace the former record achieved by Oluwaseun Odeku and Anofiu Salako.

Opening batsman for Nigerian Cricket National team and BRFCC Onikoyi improved his batting record as he scored his first century of 2011 and was ably supported by the trio of Solebo Femi 66runs, Olympio Seye 34 runs not out and Udoh Friday 22 runs.

It was another insipid display from LACC’s batsmen, whose poor form is a major source of concern in their quest to remain in Division one of Iris Smart Technology Club Cricket Committee League.

Yawar made his debut match count by notching up 79 runs from the 176-8 posted by the newly promoted Clubside while the duo of Ricky Sharma and Srinivas had 19 and 18 runs respectively.

BRFCC’S bowlers failed to hit top form as Captain Sean Phillips was the only player who took 2 wickets for 3 runs in 2 overs.

The big question on every cricket enthusiasts, players and officials lips is when will the league champions of Club Cicket in Nigeria suffer their first loss this season? Only time will tell.

ILCC 2 CLAIMS A SURPRISE VICTORY OVER FGCWOBCC

Adeboro was 13 runs short of half century as he helped his team Ibeju lekki Cricket Club 2 to an 8 runs victory over third placed Federal Government College Warri Old Boys Cricket Club in a Division one match at the Tafawa Balewa Cricket Oval.

The trio of Idris Lumus (24 runs), Ogunbayo Dayo (23 runs) and Shola Anyia (19 runs) added runs to the 205-9 in 50 overs posted by ILCC 2.

Earlier Omozejele Frank had taken 3 wickets, 30 runs, 3 maidens in 10 overs while the duo of Oguntoke Femi and Olabiwonnu Kehinde both took 2 wickets each for FGCWOBCC.

Second innings saw ILCC 2 bowlers going on rampage Ogunbayo David and Olympio Olugbon had 3 wickets but the duo of Garuba Seun and Idris Lumus were not also left out following their 2 wickets success.

Okwudili Emmanuel (36 runs), UtheOgbimi (31 runs), Oguntoke Femi(28 runs) and Aroy Andrew (22 runs) gave FGCWOBCC hope but they could not stop the Yemi Amusa led ILCC 2 from reducing them to 197 all out in 45 overs thereby avenging the defeat they suffered on the 27^th of November 2010

ILCC 2 are now fourth on the log in Division one and their hopes of playing in the Super Four now depends on 2^nd placed Government College Ibadan Old Boys Cricket Club who they play next.

REDBULL CRICKET CLUB EARNS 2 RUNS VICTORY OVER IMCC

RedBull Cricket Club ended 2010/2011 Iris Smart Technology Club Cricket Committee League by winning Ibadan Metropolitan Cricket Club with 2 runs.

Returnee Okon Ukpong and Awosanmi Ope both had two wickets for IMCC as the Asians were skittled out for 142 for 7 wickets lost in 30 overs.

The Asians reached their target with Raamish 43 runs off 44 balls before Bansal Puneet added 33 runs for RBCC.

Balogun Taiwo Opening batsman for IMCC was 14 runs short of a century as he hit 76 runs off 89 balls which included 8 fours and 1 Six with captain Akinyemi Biyi adding a paltry 14 runs.

Khatri Rohit was back to his usual best for RBCC when he grabbed 4 wickets for 35 runs in 6 overs as they reduced their opponents to 140 for 8 wickets in 30 overs.

Following last Sunday’s victory over IMCC the league in Division 2 ended with Foundation Cricket Club coming first,REDBULL Cricket Club came second,third place went to Ibaban Metropolitan Cricket Club while the last team on the log was Stallions Cricket Club.

OLUBAYO ADEFEMI NOW AMBASSADOR FOR NIGERIA’S HOMELESS WORLD CUP TEAM

Super Eagles right back and Skoda Xanthi defender, Adefemi Olubayo has joined Arsenal legendary Manager, Arsene Wenger, Didier Drogba and France 98 World Cup winners, Lillian Thuram and Emmanuel Petit in supporting the Homeless World Cup movement.

Olubayo has formally thrown his weight behind Nigeria’s team to the 9^th edition of the Homeless World Cup holding in Paris, France in August 21 – 28, 2011.

Olubayo who previously accepted to work for Search and Groom –youth for development centre (official selectors of Nigeria’s National street soccer team) as an Ambassador made this disclosure in an e-mail to Yomi Kuku, Executive Director of the organisation.

In his statement, Olubayo said he believe with his penchant for youth and community development, his support will help in fund raising activities to support the Nigerian team in competing well amongst forty seven other nations including host France, defending champions Brazil, Two time winners Italy, Ghana, South Africa, at the Champs–de-Mars, in the shadow of the Eiffel tower in Paris and further use his goodwill to reconnect other successful Nigerian football personalities to help support the team.

Adefemi Olubayo expressed his gratitude for being considered to be a part of this lofty attempt in using the effectiveness of football in addressing social issues in Nigeria and promised to be personally involved before, during and after the Paris 2011 Homeless World Cup.

In his words “I was involved in charity work while playing in Israel for Happoel Tel Aviv, this is another call to service, as I look forward to the ground breaking achievements your organization and I will experience”.

He also congratulated the Nigerian team and players in previous editions of the Homeless World Cup for putting up good performances on and off the pitch.

Olubayo’s schedule as an Ambassador of Search and Groom includes participating and building community work programmes, including issues on social, child and gender related programme to be implemented in Nigeria with a minimum twice a year visit to the project.

Nigeria will be making a fourth appearance at the Homeless World Cup in Paris having played in the semi final at the Milan 2009 tournament and also a UEFA Fair play award to cap a glorious outing.

The Homeless World Cup promotes social integration through football and creates fresh, inventive solutions to end homelessness and poverty worldwide.