Keshi: Eagles don't need Dollars to beat Liberia.

Super Eagles boss, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has reacted swiftly to news making the rounds that Liberian President, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, has promised the Lone Star huge dollar rain if they can upset the form books by defeating Nigeria in Calabar, in the final round qualifier for the Nations Cup 2013.

Speaking in Abuja, during the weekly media parley, Keshi said it was good motivation for the Liberians, but declared that the Super Eagles are already motivated enough to win by the NFF, the Nigerian government and people and that will be seen when they file out on October 13 against Liberia.

“We sure need money for the players and officials but that is not the motivation now, the need to return to the Nations Cup is the driving force and the players are angry that they missed out the last time and want to prove that they have returned to be among Africa’s best. Money will surely come later”, he said.

He also said the team will be delighted to see President Goodluck Jonathan in Calabar for the game and that in itself will boost the team spirit against the Lone Star. Keshi used the opportunity of the media chat to plead for support from the media, government and the Nigerian people generally as that will help team composure.

“In Calabar, even when we don’t score early they keep cheering, believing that the goals will come, same thing happens in Kaduna, we must tell Nigerians particularly the media to spread the news that we want that type of spirit not only to qualify but to do well at the Nations Cup. The Super Eagles Sweat merchant also revealed that some players based in Europe have pleaded with him to arrive the country on Tuesday and he has granted their request and they did arrive.

Zimbabwe beat Nigeria to qualify for RWC Sevens

Zimbabwe's men celebrate winning Africa's qualifying event for RWC Sevens 2013. Zimbabwe won the CAR African men's qualifying tournament for Rugby World Cup Sevens 2013 to book their place at the Moscow showpiece along with runners-up, Tunisia.

In the all-important semi finals, the Cheetahs beat Nigeria 19-14 and the Tunisians also endured a tough encounter, beating Madagascar 7-0. 

With both sides qualified for Moscow as a result of those matches, the final was a less tense affair with the Zimbabweans cutting loose to win 33-12 in impressive fashion.

Nigeria showcased their potential by beating Madagascar 19-12 in the Plate final, Namibia beat Ivory Coast 24-7 to capture the Bowl and hosts Morocco finished on a high by beating Zambia 14-5 to finish in seventh place. 

There are now 20 men's sides confirmed for RWC Sevens, leaving only four places to fill through the Asian and South American qualifying tournaments.

Eight teams qualified directly from RWC Sevens 2009 in Dubai - champions Wales, runners-up Argentina, losing semi-finalists Kenya and Samoa and losing quarter-finalists England, New Zealand, Fiji and South Africa - along with 2013 hosts Russia.

Eleven teams have now joined them through the regional qualifiers in North America, Europe, Oceania and Africa. 

There was double delight for Tunisia when the country's women also booked their place in Moscow by beating Kenya to claim Africa's one remaining place in the women's competition. 

CAR Men's Sevens results

Knockout matches - 30 September
23 - Bowl SF: Zambia 10-22 Namibia
24 - Bowl SF: Ivory Coast 12-7 Morocco
27 - Cup SF: Madagascar 0-7 Tunisia
28 - Cup SF: Zimbabwe 19-14 Nigeria
29 - Seventh place play-off: Zambia 5-14 Morocco
31 - Bowl Final: Namibia 24-7 Ivory Coast
33 - Plate Final: Madagascar 12-19 Nigeria
35 - Cup Final: Tunisia 12-33 Zimbabwe

Pool matches - 29 SeptemberMorocco 0-10 Zambia
Zimbabwe 26-7 Ivory Coast
Madagascar 15-12 Nigeria
Tunisia 17-0 Namibia
Madagascar 45-12 Zambia
Tunisia 38-0 Ivory Coast
Morocco 7-19 Nigeria
Zimbabwe 26-7Namibia
Nigeria 17-5 Zambia
Namibia 10-19 Ivory Coast
Morocco 10-14 Madagascar
Zimbabwe 10-0 Tunisia

Straight from Super Eagles Camp

Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, has insisted that there will be no partiality between home-based stars and those based abroad in the selection of the final team that will face Liberia, October 13 in Calabar.

“I know that 15 players are coming from Europe but we already have 21 of you here, what we expect is that you go out there and prove yourself during training and leave the rest to me. No matter how fantastic players are in Europe and in their clubsides, they have to come here to prove that they are good enough to start and if those of you that are here show that you are better you will start against Liberia”, Keshi told the players at the resumed training of the team in Abuja on Monday.

He warned that those who fail to measure up will be immediately dropped because of the seriousness of the game at hand but assured the players that there will be no sentiments in the selection of players. “Prove here on the pitch that you want to play and you will be there on October 13”, he assured.

As if heeding Keshi’s call, newcomers, Bassey Ezekiel and Brendon Ogbu shone like a million star in Monday’s opening training. Central defender Kingsley Udoh, was also in his elements same for Ohanduku Ogbu, but it was Ezekiel that was the star of the opening day that was superintended by Keshi and his four assistants.

The team continues training on Tuesday with two sessions at the Training Pitch of the Abuja National Stadium.

It was good and the not too good news on Monday morning when the national team; Super Eagles resumed training for the October 13 duel against the Lone Star of Liberia in Calabar.

As expected all the players invited save for the Sunshine Stars duo of Izu Azuka and Solomon Kwambe, beat the Sunday evening deadline and were part of the training session at the training pitch of the Abuja National Stadium. “They have special permission to stay away for now”, declared Head Coach, StephenKeshi of the Sunshine Stars duo, who are preparing to host Egyptian giants, Al Ahly Nationale this weekend in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League.

The not too good news however is that midfield ace, Gabriel Reuben and his Kano Pillars teammate, Papa Idris, have yet to recover well enough to be part of the team that will confront Liberia on October 13. 

Reuben suffered a groin injury during the finals of the Federations Cup in Lagos, while Idris has been battling a nagging knee injury, which has slowed down the usually pacy central defender.

After Monday morning’s training, Keshi and his crew had a lengthy meeting after which it was decided that the two players should be excused, going by the crucial nature of the game at hand. 

They have since left camp and would be replaced by Heartland’s Kalu Orji and Stanley Okoronkwo of Sharks FC of Port Harcourt. “It was a painful decision to let the two players go, but we have to look at the future of the players and the fact that we will need the two of them at the South Africa 2013 Nations Cup, that is why we have said we should give them more time to go and get themselves healed. After the game against Liberia, they should be back in the team”. Head Coach Stephen Keshi explained.

Courtesy: Ben Alaiya

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