Africa Cup of Nations 2010 Groups And Schedule

Africa Cup of Nations 2010 Groups

Group A:
Angola
Mali
Malawi
Algeria

Group B:
Cote d’Ivoire
Burkina Faso
Ghana
Togo

Group C:
Egypt
Nigeria
Mozambique
Benin

Group D:
Cameroon
Gabon
Zambia
Tunisia

Africa Cup of Nations 2010 Schedule:

#01 – Jan 10th, Angola vs Mali (Group A) 17:00 kickoff

#02 – Jan 11th, Malawi vs Algeria (Group A) 14:45
#03 – Jan 11th, Cote d’Ivoire vs Burkina Faso (Group B) 17:00
#04 – Jan 11th, Ghana vs Togo (Group B) 19:30

#05 – Jan 12th, Egypt vs Nigeria (Group C) 17:00
#06 – Jan 12th, Mozambique vs Benin (Group C) 19:30

#07 – Jan 13th, Cameroon vs Gabon (Group D) 17:00
#08 – Jan 13th, Zambia vs Tunisia (Group D) 19:30

#09 – Jan 14th, Mali vs Algeria (Group A) 17:00
#10 – Jan 14th, Angola vs Malawi (Group A) 19:30

#11 – Jan 15th, Burkina Faso vs Togo (Group B) 17:00
#12 – Jan 15th, Cote d’Ivoire vs Ghana (Group B) 19:30

#13 – Jan 16th, Nigeria vs Benin (Group C) 17:00
#14 – Jan 16th, Egypt vs Mozambique (Group C) 19:30

#15 – Jan 17th, Gabon vs Tunisa (Group D) 17:00
#16 – Jan 17th, Cameroon vs Zambia (Group D) 19:30

#17 – Jan 18th, Angola vs Algeria (Group A) 17:00
#18 – Jan 18th, Mali vs Malawi (Group A) 17:00

#19 – Jan 19th, Burkina Faso vs Ghana (Group B) 17:00
#20 – Jan 19th, Cote d’Ivoire vs Togo (Group B) 17:00

#21 – Jan 20th, Egypt vs Benin (Group C) 17:00
#22 – Jan 20th, Nigeria vs Mozambique (Group C) 17:00

#23 – Jan 21st, Cameroon vs Tunisia (Group D) 17:00
#24 – Jan 21st, Gabon vs Zambia (Group D) 17:00

Quarter-Finals‘

#25 – Jan 24th, 1st A vs 2nd B, 17:00
#26 – Jan 24th, 1st B vs 2nd A, 20:30

#27 – Jan 25th, 1st C vs 2nd D, 17:00
#28 – Jan 25th, 2st D vs 2nd C, 20:30

Semi-Finals
#29 – Jan 28th, Winner #25 vs Winner #28, 17:00
#30 – Jan 28th, Winner #26 vs Winner #27, 20:30

Third place playoff
#31 – Jan 30th, Loser #29 vs Loser #30, 17:00

Final
#32 – Jan 31st, Winner #29 vs Winner #30, 17:00

The players are the heroes: Amodu

Nigeria coach, Shuaibu Amodu, has saluted the determination and commitment of his players following the country's dramatic qualification for next year's World Cup, saying the Eagles merited their ticket to South Africa.
The Eagles leapfrogged erstwhile Group Two leaders Tunisia on the final day of action in the qualifying tournament for the 2010 World Cup after they beat Kenya 3-2 and the North Africans lost 1-0 in Mozambique.

Amodu told reporters immediately after the Super Eagles victory at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi that the players never lost hope and were fired up to qualify for the World Cup.

“I will say kudos and congratulations to the players for making it happen because they are the heroes of today. This was a victory well deserved because we fought and worked hard for it," Amodu said at a press briefing monitored on Lagos radio.

“It could have been difficult for us here [Nairobi] if we didn’t have the experience, the resilience and the determination it takes to win a match of this magnitude and importance.

“This is a typical Nigerian side which you can never rule out when it is faced with difficulties to excel. This is a Nigerian side that is determine to go to the World Cup in South Africa next year and you can see the desperation and the determination to achieve this in the team in today’s match.

“This is a Nigerian side that is motivated to be there because we believe that we deserve to be there. So, today’s victory against Kenya is a victory for all Nigerians."

The Eagles are due in Abuja early Sunday morning after a five-hour flight from Kenya.

They are likely to be hosted by the government to a special reception before they leave for their overseas clubs

Martins brace seals qualification for Nigeria

Obafemi Martins came off the substitute’s bench to score a priceless brace to help Nigeria beat Kenya 3-2 and snatch a 2010 World Cup ticket that looked all but gone to Tunisia.
The North Africans did not help their cause by losing 0-1 to Mozambique in Maputo on a dramatic day of Group B qualifying.

Going into the final round of games, the Super Eagles trailed Tunisia by two points, and needed to win against Kenya to have any hope of profiting from a Tunisia slip up.

But the Eagles, who have made hard work of this campaign, made things even tougher for themselves when they went a goal behind after just 15 minutes.

Some slick Kenyan passing sliced open the Nigerian defence and Denis Oliech strode in to tuck away past Vincent Enyeama and beyond Joseph Yobo's desperate last ditch attempt to clear.

Nigeria were forcing thei way into the Kenyan area and creating half chances but failing to finish, and coach Shuaibu Amodu threw on Obafemi Martins in the second half.

That proved to be the turnng point. The impressive John Mikel Obi launched a superb ball into the area, and Osaze Odemwingie, ubiquitous as ever, cushioned his header into the path of Martins, who threw himself at the ball to draw Nigeria level.

Yakubu, who had missed a simple chance in the first half, made amends. Obinna Nsofor squeezed off a shot but the miscued ball fell invitingly for the Yak. His first effort came off the post, but the Everton striker made no mistake with his second effort.

But dreadful defending allowed Kenya back into the game. Allan Watende was allowed all the time in the world to meet a teasing cross with a powerful header, and it was as you were again.

Martins, however, showed how valuable he was when he tracked a Kenyan counter attack all the way into his half, then arrived in the box to acrobatically squeeze in a throw-in with the outside of his foot.

And the team could celebrate, and play for the final whistle when word came in that Dario Monteiro had given Mozambique an 83rd minute lead in Maputo.

That game went on to 9 minutes of additional time, but Tunisia failed to find a goal, and Nigeria held on to join Ghana and Ivory Coast on the trip to South Africa.

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Greg Etafia escapes as Eagles stoned

South Africa-based duo Greg Etafia and Idah Peterside narrowly escaped serious head injuries when the Super Eagles bus was stoned by angry fans after what has been generally seen another unconvincing performance.
The Super Eagles eked out a barely-deserved 1-0 win over Mozambique with a goal deep in stoppage time by Obinna Nsofor.

The team were booed from start to finish, but the fans did not stop there, and showed their frustrations by lying in wait for the team and hurling missiles at the brand new team bus.

Both men were sitting together in the bus and one of the missiles smashed the glass.

Etafia, who had the window seat, was rescued from the incoming projectile by the blinds, while Idah, on the aisle seat, had his quick reactions to thank for getting out of the way of flying shards.

Nigeria 1-0 Mozambique

Obinna Nsofor brought Nigeria's World Cup hopes back from the dead with a late winner deep into stoppage time on Sunday in Abuja.
Nsofor headed namesake Obinna Nwaneri's desperate lunging cross into an unguarded post in the 94th minute of the 5 added by the referee.

Booed by a scanty turn-out at the start, and intermittently throughout, the Super Eagles struggled to break down the well-drilled Mambas, and could well have gone behind early if Elias Pelembe hadn't hit the crossbar after turning a retreating Elderson Echiejile.

Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu made seven changes to the team that started against Tunisia, and the side looked shorn of rhythm, although they still carved chances out and really should have been two goals up before halftime.

The longer the game stayed scoreless, the more confident the Mambas grew and the more raggedy the Nigerians became.

The visitors even had a cheeky spell where they put nearly 25 passes together without a single Eagle touching the ball.

As the game wore on, the Eagles began to turn the screws, but were rebuffed by stoic, disciplined defending.

Chance upon chance upon chance were created but goalkeeper Rafael Joao was having a blinder of a game along with his defenders, and the Eagles could find no way through, and looked in danger of elimination until Nsofor's last-gasp winner. http://www.kickoff.com/static/news/article.php?id=11574

Siasia blames strikers, ref for loss

Flying Eagles coach Samson Siasia turned on his strikers after the team lost their second game on the bounce at the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Egypt.
The Nigerians were beaten 2-0 by Spain despite, once again, dominating their opponents and Siasia said it was down to his forwards to put away the numerous opportunities the team created.

"I believed we had more chances in the first half but I don't know why our strikers always go to sleep. I don't really know how many chances we need to score a goal.

"It is so sad that we have strikers that can't even score goals. If you don't score goals, you can't win any match," the former Nigeria international lamented.

Siasia's was equally unhappy to see his team concede a soft penalty and another player walk off with a red card for the second consecutive game, especially when a Spanish player got off with only a yellow card for a similar offence as that which got Haruna Lukman sent off in the opening game, and he did not spare the referee.

"I don't know what is going on may be the referees don't want us to go to the next round of the competition. It was obvious that the penalty given to the Spanish team was not a penalty. It is just ridiculous."

Nigeria have a slim chance of advancing as best losers if they beat group whipping boys Tahiti, and results from elsewhere go their way.

Mikel out of Mozambique match

The Nigeria midfielder was subbed after the first period in Chelsea's 3-1 loss at Wigan and it was later reported on the Chelsea website that he picked up an ankle knock.

Mikel told KickOffNigeria.com that the prognosis is a three-week layoff.

"It’s very bad and I am going to be out for three weeks," he told KickOffNigeria.com on Monday.

It means the earliest the former Plateau United star can return to action will be a week after the Mozambique game.

Mikel's absence will be a major setback to Shuaibu Amodu's match plans, with the exclusion of Kalu Uche in his call-ups for the game.

Amodu's replacement midfielders are Yusuf Ayinla, Seyi Olofinjana, Olufemi Ajilore and Sani Kaita, with skipper Nwankwo Kanu an option for the middle.

Nigeria are two points behind group leaders Tunisia with two games to go and play Mozambique on October 11 at the Abuja National Stadium.

Flying Eagles defeated by Spain

The Flying Eagles made a lively start and could have taken the lead when Odion Ighalo mis-hit the ball with just the goalkeeper to beat from five yards. King Osanga also saw a right-footed shot from 25 yards which forced Sergio Asenjo into a scampering low save. Samson Siasia's men failed to test the keeper with a succession of set pieces and long-range efforts.

But as the game wore on, Spain began to move into the ascendancy. Emilio Nsue chested the ball into the path of Merida, who hit a left-footed volley which flew just over the bar. Uche Okafor then turned away a shot from Nsue, but in the 33rd minute the Europeans' pressure paid off.

Playing the offside trap, Nigeria failed to catch a late, well-timed run from deep from Merida, leaving the Arsenal man in acres of space, before he produced an extremely composed finish to lob the ball over the onrushing Okafor. Merida also had a great chance to double his team's advantage on the stroke of half-time, but saw a low shot brilliantly saved by the Nigerian keeper.

Neutrals were left to assume that Siasia had a few harsh words to say to his players at half-time and that his opposing coach Luis Milla ordered his players to protect their lead, given the balance of play in the second half. Spain sat back deep, inviting a lot of pressure from Nigeria, which almost cost them their lead.

Half-time substitute Omatsone Aluko forced a brilliant save out of Asenjo and in the 67th minute, Daniel Adejo headed the ball into the net, but his effort was ruled out for an infringement in the box before the corner was taken. Rabiu Ibrahim and Gbolahan Salami both were wayward in their finishing when well placed and completely against the run of play, Spain added a second.

Ibrahim was adjudged to have tripped Ander Herrera in the box during a rare Spanish attack and Merida converted the resulting penalty in the 83rd minute. Just sixty seconds later, Salami was red carded for an elbow on the double scorer to cap a truly miserable afternoon for the Africans.

The result leaves Spain presumably battling it out for Venezuela for top spot in the group, while Nigeria must look for a big win over Tahiti and hope results elsewhere go their way if they are to remain in the tournament.

Aftermath of spain defeat ;
Samson Siasia, Nigeria coach:

Today we tried to play our own game right from the start and had a lot of opportunities to score. I don't know how many chances we need to make to score a goal though. It's frustrating to have good strikers and yet not be able to put the ball away. Everyone knows if you don't score then you've got no chance of winning. But that's football, and like life sometimes things just don't work out for you. I'm a little disillusioned even though we still have a chance of going through.



Luis Milla, Spain coach:
It was a very even, keenly contested game. Nigeria made it hard for us by closing us down up front, taking the ball from us and making us run a lot to get it back. That made it a physically tiring game for our lads. They have some good players in midfield and up front, but they're a little bit disorganised at the back and we made the most of that. I want to congratulate my players because they worked hard whenever things got tough for us and they managed to come through.

source:http://www.fifa.com/u20worldcup/matches/round=253217/match=300090227/quotes.html

Nigeria lose To Venezuela

It was Venezuela's first ever appearance at a major inter-continental football tournament, and there were unsurprisingly a few nerves on show early on in the encounter. It wasn’t just the South American side that looked anxious, but also the more experienced Nigerians who struggled to find their feet early on during the contest.

Mistakes characterised the opening part of the match, as both sides squandered early chances presented to them. Venezuelan right-back Pablo Camacho delivered a tempting cross into the box, forcing Nigerian goalkeeper Ucke Okafor to tip the ball away with the follow up shot turned behind at the expense of a corner.

The Nigerians immediately responded with a chance of their own as captain Ighalo dialed up a long distance effort from over 40 yards out. What should have been a comfortable save was made to look much harder, when Romo fumbled the ball and conceded an unnecessary corner.

Gradually the Venezuelans began to take control of the game, and started to look the more composed of the two teams. A poor pass from Nigerian midfielder Oluwasina Abe gifted possession to Venezuelan striker Jonathan Del Valle, who strode forward, cut inside the recently booked Nwakwo Obiorah, who couldn’t afford to drag him down, but saw his shot bounce off the post. The loose ball was returned from the right flank back into the danger-zone, and again Del Valle was denied, this time by a combination of keeper and defence to close him down.

Halfway through the first period, the Venezuelans looked dangerous again when a long range strike from left-back Henry Pernia ricocheted off Okafor in the Nigerian goal. The follow up effort from Jose Rondon was flagged offside.

The Nigerians gradually started to establish a foothold in the game, and tested Udinese based goalkeeper Rafael Romo with two long range efforts. A curling free kick on 26 minutes from Osanga was tipped away, and Romo had to be on his toes eight minutes later when neat interplay in the midfield released Odion Ighalo to have a strong shot from the edge of the penalty area. Romo turned the effort behind for a corner.

All the good Nigerian work in getting themselves back into the contest was thrown into turmoil when attacking midfielder Lukman Haruna was sent off. Experienced referee Roberto Rosetti, a Serie A regular, had no hesitation in flashing a straight red to the Monaco player after a late lunge caught Francisco Flores on the knee.

The young Super Eagles were made to further rue Haruna’s indiscretion, when Venezuela snatched the lead with moments to play in the first half. A well flighted free kick to the edge of the penalty area was initially missed by the Nigerian defence presenting it to Del Valle, whose effort flew into the net off his shin to give the Venezuelans the edge going into the interval.

The half-time break gave the hard-pressed Nigerians time to review their approach. They started the second half more confidently, and some neat approach work down the right flank gave the lively 18-year old striker Osanga a sniff of goal. He was quickly closed down to deny the chance though.

Minutes later, a well delivered corner kick found Ibok Edet at the far post. Seemingly overlooked by the Venezuelan defence, Edet missed his first shot, but then stabbed the ball against the outside of the post. That chance ushered in a spell of concerted Nigerian pressure, which culminated in a chance on the 50th minute. Great build up play on the right flank saw a ball played in for Osanga, but at the last moment a defender managed to sneak a toe in to dispossess the striker.

Despite seeing plenty of the ball and pressing forward, the Nigerians found clear cut chances increasingly difficult to wriggle out of the Venezuelan defence as the second half progressed. In the 77th minute substitute Fatai flashed a shot wide from the left, as the Africans resorted to a more direct approach in their attempts to prise open the opposition's back line.

Venezuela could have doubled their lead as the clock ticked over to 90 minutes. Del Valle flashed a cross to the far post where Rondon was hanging around hopefully. However, the goal scorer from the first-half got far too much on the cross and despite lunging at the ball, Rondon was unable to make meaningful contact, which would have surely put the game beyond doubt.

The Nigerians once again had good fortune when Del Valle squandered yet another chance with seconds left in injury time. Venezuela broke forward from a Nigerian corner with a two-on-one advantage, but the Deportivo Tachira striker's shot narrowly missed the target.

It was to be the last major action of the game, as Venezuela secured their first ever victory on an inter-continental stage, and gave further evidence of the major strides they are making in the game. Nigeria will be disappointed with a lacklustre first half performance, especially given the significant improvement they made despite playing with a man less for the entire second period.

Eagles Team List For Mozambique

Everton’s Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Wolfsburg’s Obafemi Martins are two of eight players who have been handed recalls to the Nigeria squad as coach Shuaibu Amodu looks to pull his 2010 World Cup qualifying chestnuts out of the fire.
Also handed recalls are Fulham's Dickson Etuhu, Bolton's Danny Shittu and Dinamo Kyiv's Yusuf Ayila. Goalkeeper Greg Etafia also returns in place of the injured Austin Ejide.

Two uncapped players also got call-ups. Odense's Peter Utaka, as exclusively reported by KickOffNigeria.com, and Lobi Stars’ James Okwosa.

Okwosa is one of two players from the domestic league invited. The other is Bayelsa United's Chibuzor Okonkwo.

Camp opens October 5 and team would be camped at NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama, Dele Aiyenugba, Greg Etafia
Defenders: Joseph Yobo, Apam Onyekachi, Yusuf Mohammed, Olubayo Adefemi, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Taye Taiwo, Danny Shittu, Elderson Echiejile, Sam Sodje, James Okwosa, Obinna Nwaneri, Ayodele Adeleye
Midfielders: Sani Haruna Kaita, Yusuf Atanda Ayila, Kanu Nwankwo, Dickson Etuhu, Mikel John Obi, Seyi Olofinjana, Oluwafemi Ajiloore
Attackers: Obafemi Martins, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Obinna Nsofor, Osaze Odemwingie, Michael Eneramo, Chinedu Obasi, Joseph Akpala, Peter Utaka

Nooij Optimistic Of Mozambique WC Chances

Mozambique coach Mart Nooij has come out fighting, suggesting his side will blow their 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Group B wide open by beating Tunisia in Maputo on November 14.
MTNFOOTBALL

Coach Amodu Won't Be Sacked

The Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) rose from their meeting yesterday in Abuja to throw their weight behind the embattled Nigerian national team’s Head Coach, Amodu Shaibu to continue the chase for a World Cup ticket with the Super Eagles.

This decision to allow Amodu to continue his job with the Eagles may come as a disappointment to millions of Nigerians, but Chief Adegboye Onigbinde, a member of the Technical Committee, who addressed the media after the meeting, said it would be counter-productive to change the coach at this point in time.

He said Amodu was not totally to blame for the Super Eagles inability to beat Tunisia in Abuja last Sunday, adding that what the man needed now is support from all Nigerians so that the remaining matches can be won to see how far we can go with that.

Chief Onigbinde, who led the Super Eagles to the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan, said what happened last Sunday was one of those things that happens occasionally in the life of human beings, stressing that Amodu wanted to win the game just like every other Nigerian.

“You see, when you have a problem and you begin to panic, it could lead to some making wrong decisions. We have two matches to go and we have to concentrate on how to win those matches, hoping that Tunisians might slip. So, we cannot sit and keep playing back the match. We should forge ahead.

“We have made our recommendation to the NFF and we have to rally round Amodu now more than ever before to enable him win our two matches; who knows, Kenya and Mozambique may spring surprises that could be of benefit to us,” the FIFA advisor stated.
He said the Committee also recommended that more players should be invited to make room for more competition in the team, pointing out that there should be no automatic shirt for any player.

one in the national team.

Eagles Paid

AT a time like this when Nigerians are still agonising over the annoying 2-2 draw the Super Eagles played against Tunisia that has placed Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa in a cliff hanger, the Super Eagles enjoyed their winning bonus of 10,000 dollars after the draw.


Angry Nigerian fans, who were irked by the poor play of the Eagles, had reacted with stones and bottles but the Eagles still left the stadium richer with their 10,000 dollars.

Sports Minister and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, NSC, Engineer Sani Ndanusa, reportedly ordered that the players should be paid the winning bonus as a means of boosting their morale for the remaining matches. Ndanusa still believes that with such love shown to them, the Eagles would soar against Mozambique and Kenya to pick the ticket for the World Cup.
What he does not know, however, is that Tunisia would not let such a golden chance to slip to gift Nigeria the opportunity of finishing first. We learnt that the money is to encourage the players.
“I know that there is still chance and hope for Nigeria to pick the ticket.

This is football. Anything can happen”, the Minister who was close to tears when his Eagles fumbled and wobbled to allow the North Africans equalise three minutes to the end of the game said. In the first leg in Tunis where the Eagles drew, the players were also paid 10,000 dollars with the hope of motivating them to beat the Tunisians in Nigeria.

It was outrageous to see that the officials have maintained the habit of encouraging and rewarding failure instead of punishing them.
“It is not the end of the road. We want to encourage the boys and hope that Tunisia give up the advantage”, the Minister insisted on our hotline.

I won’t resign — Amodu

COACH Amodu Shuaibu may be at the cross over the pain his Super Eagles brought to Nigerians in their 2010 World Cup qualifier against Tunisia but he has no plans of relinquishing the job.

Speaking moments after the Eagles frittered the opportunity of taking leadership of Group B against the North Africans, Amodu said that he was pained that his players could not take their destiny in their hands.

“Yes, I said that I might be sacked if I lose the match. But I did not lose the match. It’s unfortunate that we did not play well but hope is not totally lost. We must put this behind us and ensure that we beat Mozambique and Kenya, hoping that Tunisia slip in their remaining matches”.
He, however, blamed the players for their poor play. “We have ourselves to blame, anyway.”

Mikel attacks defenders, Sports Minister weeps in dressing room

Mikel Obi made just one brilliant move in a 90-minute game that made the road wider for Nigeria’s exit from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Unlike him, he saw space and used it, outpacing two defenders before laying a perfect assist for Michael Eneramo to jab in Nigeria’s second goal that threw the whole country into such an ecstasy that everybody thought the World Cup was already here.

But just like it happened after their first goal, the team especially the defenders, failed to live up to the expectations and Nigeria paid the price. Two minutes to full time, Tunisia found space on the left side of Eagles defence and used it. Taye Taiwo had overlapped and failed to return. Derragi Oussma used the space he created. Goal keeper Vincent Enyeama did not run out to check the blunder. He added to it by remaining on goal line and conceding a goal from what they call impossible angle in football.

The defenders had made a mess of the lead and Mikel knew that his below par performance had become a child’s play to the combination of Taiwo and Eyeama’s blunder. He yelled openly at the defenders in the dressing room. The dressing room of Green Eagles was a scene after the match. Obi fumed and quarrelled with the defenders asking: “what kind of football were you people playing? Let’s talk the truth. What were you people doing? What did you think you were doing there. See what you have done to us now.”

One official said it was good the players told themselves the truth.
The drama continued when some players broke down in tears. Sports minister and chairman of the National Sports Commission, Sani Ndanusa, joined especially when he saw tears roll down Kanu’s cheek. He subbed and his eyes turned red. When he wiped his face and his eyes became heavier with more tears officials held him back and led him out.

The 2-2 draw meant that Nigeria’s qualification for the next World Cup was no longer in their hands. Tunisia still lead with two points and even if Nigeria win their next two matches, they can only qualify if Tunisians drop a game. And the Eagles Nigerians saw on Sunday may not beat Kenya in Nairobi. Their next match is October 12 against Mozambique, the team that held them to a goalless draw in the first match when Tunisia beat Kenya to take early lead that they seem not ready to drop.

“We didn’t play well,” Tony Nnachetta lamented yesterday. The former vice chairman of the NFA said what Eagles presented reflected the poor standard of Nigerian football in the past ten years, the same point Kojo Williams made while recalling what he said when Nigeria topped their group during the preliminary stage.

He said the Eagles were not a good side and that stronger opposition would expose that with time. He would not only blame the players and coaches but also the system that would not address problem of the local league, coaching and the right structure for youth football.
Joseph Yobo had admitted that they lacked professionalism when they could not hold their victory two minutes to time.

But the fielding of Seyi Olofinaja and Mikel Obi, two defensive midfielders in same game, was another blunder on the side of coach Shuaibu Amodu. Another was the use of Taye Taiwo without great cover from the left midfielder on the grounds that he is poor defensively, a point this reporter pointed out in our preview of the match.

NFF express confidence in SA match officials

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said on Thursday that it has absolute confidence in the match officials from the Republic of South Africa who will handle Sunday;s all-important World Cup qualifier between the Super Eagles and Tunisia.

World football-governing body, FIFA have appointed tall South African official, Daniel Frazer Bennet to take charge of Sunday’s match. He will be assisted by compatriot, Toko Malebo (first assistant), Andrew Reezers (second assistant) and Matthew Dyer (fourth official). The Referee Assessor is former FIFA referee Jean-Fidele Diramba from Gabon, while Mauritanian Ananda Vudda Malay is the Match Commissioner.

Several opinions have been expressed by ball fans about the no-nonsense Bennet, who was in charge of the 2006 World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Angola in Kano that ended 1-1 on June 18, 2005 and which consequently led to Nigeria missing the finals in Germany the following year. However, NFF president, Sani Lulu Abdullahi said: "We have confidence in the match officials, from Mr. Bennet to the fourth official, as well as in the Match Commissioner, FIFA Security Officer and Referee Assessor.

"As far as we are concerned, these are among the best match officials in Africa and we have absolutely no reason to doubt their integrity. They are noble individuals and come Sunday, they will do their job with all diligence."
"We are confident that our team will triumph in the face of fair officiating." Lulu Abdullahi also used the opportunity to appeal to Nigerians to fully observe the FIFA Fair Play Days, for which FIFA have declared September 5-9.

"We appeal to referees, fans and officials throughout the country to help praise and promote the spirit of fair play on the Fair Play Days. This initiative has the support of FIFA President, Joseph Sepp Blatter and is the 13th in the series since it was introduced in 1977.
"Fair play is essential to our sport and to everyone involved in it," declared Lulu. "We need to cherish and nurture the values of sporting spirit and work tirelessly to keep the momentum."

Mikel: It’s do or die

Chelsea FC of England and Super Eagles midfielder, Mikel Obi, insists that the players need to compliment each other very well in order to beat Tunisia in Sunday’s World Cup qualifier in Abuja.

"It’s going to be a difficult game, the out come depends on how we approach the game and how well we play. If we get out there and we play poorly we lose the game. We cannot afford to make mistakes, we got to go into the game with full concentration and make sure we give it our best and get the most important thing which is the three points at stake.

"Of course I would be playing as an offensive midfielder like I always do for Nigeria. I like playing various positions but I am always happy when I come back to Nigeria and play in my preferred role as an offensive midfielder. That is where I made my mark and that is where I love to play most time.

"I know the enormity of this match and but I do not want to play under pressure by carrying the burden of the team all alone. I cannot become a Maradona by playing every where, that is not the way it works. I play my part like the way I have always done and we must play like a team. Other guys in the team have to play well too so that our collective efforts would give us victory. It is a team game and we should play for each other to achieve result.

"I am worried that I have not been able to register my name on the score sheet in a long time and on Sunday, I would try to do just that by trying to make attempts at scoring but I won’t do that to the detriment of the team. If any one scores, good for the team but I would definitely try to make sure I score" he stated.

He said the English Premier league was too young to conclude that he had lost his starting position under new coach Ancelloti pointing out that the new coach is only rotating his team to know what every player can do "As it is in Chelsea now, anybody can be on the bench just like I have been in recent games."
He charged his Chelsea fans in Nigeria to come out in their large numbers to cheer the Super Eagles to victory on Sunday and that he would not disappoint them

Minister drums up support for Eagles

The Honourable Minister/Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Engineer Sani Ndanusa, Tuesday, called on Nigerians to storm the National Stadium, Abuja, in their large numbers on Sunday to support the Super Eagles.

Engineer Ndanusa spoke as he received top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation in his office, just before the Super Eagles began their evening training session at the National Stadium.

“We want Nigerians to come out and support the team, and wear green attires as was the case the last time the team played at home, against Kenya. We won that match 3-0 and I believe we will win handsomely on Sunday as well, with the support of our people”.

Nigeria, with five points from three matches, clash with seven -pointer Carthage Eagles in what could be the deciding match of the group. Both teams played a 0-0 draw in their first clash in Tunis in June.

Eagles get down to business

Nigeria's Super Eagles got down to business on Tuesday with 16 out of the 23 invited players put through their paces by Shuaibu Amodu and his assistants.
Only seven players were still being expected as at the time the national senior football team, Super Eagles set out to their first training at the main bowl of the National Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday evening, ahead of Sunday’s 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying cracker against the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia.

In camp were skipper Nwankwo Kanu, goalkeeper Austin Ejide, defenders Taye Taiwo, Ayodele Adeleye, Olubayo Adefemi, Yusuf Mohammed, Apam Onyekachi and Elderson Echiejile, midfielders Sani Kaita, Mikel Obi, Seyi Olofinjana and Olufemi Ajilore and forwards Ikechukwu Uche, Michael Eneramo, Chinedu Obasi and John Utaka.

By the time the team settled down to training, striker Osaze Odemwingie was already on his way from the Abuja Airport to the NICON Luxury Hotel.

Vice captain Joseph Yobo joined up late on Tuesday night after flying into the country.

Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, defender Obinna Nwaneri, midfielder Kalu Uche and striker Obinna Nsofor all arrived earlier.

The only person scheduled to arrive Wednesday morning is goalkeeper Bamidele Aiyenugba.

Yakubu And Obafemi Martins Miss Out

Nigeria will be without Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Obafemi Martins of Wolfsburg for next month’s crunch World Cup qualifier against Tunisia in Abuja.

Nigeria coach, Shuaibu Amodu, who announced a 21-man squad for the Group Two qualifier on September 6, said he left out both strikers because they are yet to attain full match fitness after recovering from injuries.

Yakubu was out with a long-term Achilles tendon injury, while Martins underwent surgery on a hernia in the summer.

However, Amodu has recalled Hoffenheim forward Chinedu Obasi for the Tunisia clash. He said he was delighted Obasi has recovered from an injury which prevented him from being part of the team in June.

Tunisa lead Group Two with seven points from three matches, two points more than closest rivals Nigeria.

The full squad

Goalkeepers: Austin Ejide (Bastia/FRA), Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv/ISR), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei-Yehuda/ISR)

Defenders: Onyekachi Apam (Nice/FRA), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes/FRA), Adefemi Olubayo (Boulogne/FRA), Taye Taiwo (Olympique Marseille/FRA) Joseph Yobo (Everton/ENG),Dele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam/NED), Oluwafemi Ajilore (Groningen/NED)

Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Chelsea/ENG), Sani Kaita (Rubin Kazan/RUS),Yusuf Ayila (Dynamo Kiev/UKR),Seyi Olofinjana (Hull City/ENG), Kalu Uche (Almeria/SPA

Strikers: Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth/ENG),Chinedu Ogbuke (Hoffenheim/GER) Osaze Odemwingie (Locomotiv Moscow/RUS), Obinna Nsofor (Inter Milan/ITA), Michael Eneramo (Esperance/TUN), Ikechukwu Uche (Real Zaragoza/SPA)

Nkume faces Siasia wrath

Flying Eagles defender Alex Nkume was on Monday thrown out of camp by coach Samson Siasia on Monday after the player returned from trials to Europe.

Nkume reportedly left camp to go on trials without informing the coaches and Siasia was left fuming when the player returned.

"He sneaked off to go on trials and then he just tried to walk back into camp," Siasia said. "I threw him out. He should go back to where he came from."

However, following entreaties, Siasia finally allowed the player back in, but made it clear there would be repercussions.

"He will have to face some disciplinary measures," the former forward said. "We cant have players just abandoning camp and going off on trials because it disrupts our preparations."

Siasia, who has also had to deal with a similar situation involving Kingsley Udoh, another defender, advised the players that with a little patience, they would not need to cheapen their value by going on trials.

"What better way to show yourself than at the World Cup in Egypt. A good performance there will have the clubs queuing up for them and t heir value will rise.

"Instead, they are going there on trials and effectively begging the clubs to sign them."

Kanu signs one-month extension

Nigeria captain Nwankwo Kanu has signed an extension to his Portsmouth contract, but it is for just one month.
A statement on Portmouth’s official website said Kanu, 33, has extended his contract by a month.

Kanu scored the winning goal for Pompey in their FA Cup title win in 2008 and has scored 21 goals in 94 games for the South Coast club.

The Nigerian international has made 78 appearances for his country and is the only current Premier League player to have won the Uefa Champions League, Uefa Cup, Premier League, FA Cup and an Olympic gold medal.

Me i think that he should look for another club. what happens after the one month contract?

U-17 World Cup Draw Results

Venue - Abuja
Group A
1. Nigeria
2. Germany
3. Honduras
4. Argentina

Venue - Lagos
Group B
Brazil
Japan
Mexico
Switzerland

Venue - Calabar
Group C
Iran
Gambia
Colombia
Holland

Venue - Enugu
Group D
Turkey
Burkina Faso
Costa Rica
New-Zealand

Venue - Kano
Group E
UAE
Malawi
Spain
Usa

Venue - Kaduna
Group F
Urugauy
Korea Republic
Algeria
Italy

Nigeria face Germany in opener

The draw that took place at the International Conference Centre in Abuja today (7 August 2009) has pitted reigning FIFA U-17 world champions and hosts Nigeria against Germany in the opening match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009. The tournament will be played in Abuja, Bauchi, Calabar, Enugu, Ijebu-Ode, Kaduna, Kano and Lagos from 24 October to 15 November 2009.

The draw ceremony also included the unveiling of the official mascot of the tournament. Bobo the eaglet was chosen due to the eagle's intrinsic link with Nigeria. He symbolises the friendliness and strength of the Nigerian people whilst also representing the passion that football arouses in the host country. He eats, sleeps and breathes football and cannot wait to welcome visitors to the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Mozambique Coach Prays For Nigerian Triumph In Qualifiers

Mozambique national team head coach, Mart Nooij, is praying fervently for the Super Eagles of Nigeria to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa as this will make it easier for his charges to qualify for the Nations Cup in Angola.

The Dutch coach said his prayer was for the Eagles to win their next two matches before the last game against Mozambique.

"I'm confident that Nigeria will beat Tunisia and Kenya and qualify for the World Cup," Nooij was quoted as saying in the Nigerian Tribune.

"My only prayer for Nigeria is to beat Tunisia 2-0 and also beat Kenya. That will be a breakthrough for us."

The tactician obviously hopes that the Mambas will get a result against Tunisia and Kenya when they go visiting in Maputo to edge closer to clinching one of the three Africa Cup of Nations tickets.

The Mambas are last in the group and will face Kenya’s Harambee Stars in Maputo on September 5. They are currently preparing for a friendly match against the Ivory Coast on August 12 while Harambee Stars, their main rival for the continental ticket, will be playing Malaysia on the same day to be ready for the crucial qualifiers.

Brazil to play in Lagos

Following a special request from the Local Organising Committee to FIFA, three-time champions Brazil have been given special status and will play at the Lagos Centre during this year's FIFA Under-17 World Cup.
The South Americans have been seeded automatically as the top team in Group B.

Hosts Nigeria are the top seeds in Group A and will play in Abuja.

Eight Nigerian Cities To Host FIFA U17 World Cup

FIFA have picked eight cities across Nigeria to stage this year's Under-17 World Cup, with only the southern city of Warri excluded.

Fans in the country's capital city of Abuja, Lagos, Bauchi, Calabar, Enugu, Ijebu-Ode, Kaduna and Kano will therefore have the chance to see the world's future stars from October 24 until November 15.

FIFA vice-president, Jack Warner, said Warri lost out because the pitch in its stadium was in an "extremely poor state".

Before now, there were concerns over the safety of teams in the oil-rich town, which is in the heart of the restive Niger Delta, where militants have been violently agitating for better life for people in the oil-producing region.

Bauchi, earlier ruled out as a match venue and only recently at the centre of a religious riot that left several hundreds dead, was a surprise choice by FIFA.

U-17 WC draw

Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba and Wilson Oruma, who first broke into the international limelight when they featured for the country's Under-17 team, are set to participate in the draw for the 2009 FIFA Under-17 World Cup to be staged in Nigeria in October.
A top official of the Nigeria Football federation (NFF) informed Goal.com: "We have invited these players to serve as draw assistants for the draw taking place in Abuja on August 7.

"We believe their presence will add colour to the event."

Also invited for the draw is former Eagles skipper Austin 'Jay Jay' Okocha.

Hosts Nigeria are expected to be seeded for the 24-team tournament, which kicks off on October 24 in various cities across the country.

This will be the second FIFA competition Nigeria has stage, after they hosted the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship.

BREAKING NEWS: Jon Obi Mikel Signs New Five-Year Deal At Chelsea

Chelsea have today confirmed that midfielder Jon Obi Mikel has signed a new five-year contract at the club, joining French winger Florent Malouda, who yesterday inked a new three-year deal at the club, in committing himself to the Blues.

The powerful 22-year-old was delighted to have extended his time at the club, telling the Blues' official website, "It was easy to commit to because I am happy here and when the opportunity came it was good to sign after speaking to the club.

"My future with the new manager will be bright, and I think we have a good working relationship already,' he added.

"All the managers I have played for here have their own type of systems they want us to play, and whoever comes in will want to change little bits and pieces.

"There is not much to change but they all bring in different views, and the new manager wants us to play in a certain formation which we need to get used to before the season starts."

Obi Mikel featured for Chelsea in their friendly against Inter in the Rose Bowl last night, and is enjoying getting back to full sharpness under the management of Carlo Ancelotti, who has altered the Chelsea tactics, lining the side up in a 4-4-2 formation, with a diamond-shaped midfield.

"It has been hard work getting back to fitness but we all want to be sharp for the start of the season, training is hard work but we have to do it," the Nigerian international added.

"The new formation doesn't make too much difference to me in defensive midfield,' he explained, 'but perhaps it is a little harder as I have to cover more ground for the team, but I feel I am up to the task and I am sure I can do it."

Flying Eagles soar over Black Satellites

Gbolahan Salami converted an 86th-minute penalty to help Samson Siasia's Flying Eagles edge Ghana 1-0 in their opening game of the Four-Nation Under-20 tournament in Egypt.
The victory was tinged with some trepidation after midfielder Mohammed Shagari was taken away in an ambulance following a collision in the first half.

Ever-buzzing striker Daniel Chima Uchechi was the architect of the penalty when he had his foot grabbed by the Ghanaian goalkeeper on his way to goal. Salami stepped up to convert the spot-kick and earn Siasia's wards their first competitive victory.

As is always the case in games between the two west African rivals, there were no quarters asked, none expected, and certainly none given.

But it was the Nigerians who looked sharper and created the better opportunities in the opening period.

Other teams in the tournament are hosts Egypt and Kenya, who replaced Togo.

The tournament winners will get $50 000 in prize-money, second place will get $35 000 and the third-place finisher will get $25 000.

Image rights scuppers Nsofor deal

Obinna Nsofor’s move to Napoli has fallen through after both sides failed to agree on the player’s image rights.
Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis insists the club should benefit from player-related royalties, but that view was not shared by the players’ camp. The club chief executive says the transaction is now over.

“The discussions for Obinna are closed,” he told Il Corriere Dello Sport. “Image rights are fundamental for us and I see football as a business as I am a businessman. Therefore I retain that the image rights should be ours. Players who accept this are fine, those who don't, well there are always other players.”

De Laurentiis is also expected to meet with Argentina star Ezequiel Lavezzi to sort out a similar disagreement.

“I will meet with him and we will see if he has ideas which are different to ours,” he said.

Enyeama escapes kidnapping

Vincent Enyeama came close to being abducted for ransom while on holiday in Nigeria.
Enyeama returned to Israel on July 14 to join up with his Hapoel Tel Aviv teammates for pre-season, and kidnappers broke into his house in Uyo a day later.

The would-be abductors asked for the goalkeeper, but met only his cousin and a friend at the house. The friend, whose name was given as Dan, was taken away, but released two days later at Ikono.

Enyeama was left thankful for his and his family's safety, he said, “I was led by God to send my family to Lagos to stay with my sister for the last week of the holiday, and I left Uyo a day before they came, but they took my cousin Tony’s friend. They released him on July 17 when they found out that he had nothing to do with us."

Fellow goalkeeper Austin Ejide also reportedly narrowly escaped being abducted this summer, as football players appear to have become targets for the kidnap trade in Nigeria's Niger Delta.

The first high-profile kidnap case involving a football star happened last summer when Nornu, brother of Everton and Nigeria star Joseph Yobo, was kidnapped.

Rabiu Ibrahim Joins Nigeria's U20s In Egypt Tournament

Portugal-based Rabiu Ibrahim is expected to team up with Nigeria's Under-20 side, the Flying Eagles, in time for an invitational tournament in Egypt after he failed to make the team's training camp in Qatar due to visa problems.

"Rabiu will team up with the Under-20 squad on Friday in Egypt," disclosed the player's agent, Bertram Ekenwa.

"He had some complications with his passport, which expired this month and as a result he could not make the trip to Doha."

Nigeria have been invited by 2009 FIFA World Youth Championship hosts Egypt for a four-nation tournament as part of the build-up for the championship slated for September.

The Flying Eagles are drawn in a first round group that includes Spain, Venezuela and Tahiti.

Seyi Olofinjana Close To Completing Monaco Switch From Stoke City

Monaco have endured a somewhat frustrating transfer campaign, failing to secure the services of a number of strikers. However, they are making progress with their midfield corps and are on the verge of signing Seyi Olofinjana from Premier League side Stoke City, according to L’Equipe.

The Parisian-based publication notes that the two clubs are “about to reach an agreement” with regard to the player, who is 29-years-old.and has played in England in each of the last five campaigns, four of which he spent with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

An experienced Nigerian international, Olofinjana has a contract with the Potters that expires in 2012, having only joined the club from Wolves last summer.

Should he complete the switch to the principality club, he will join Djimi Traore at the Stade Louis II, the former Liverpool and Portsmouth player having completed his move to the Guy Lacombe-coached outfit in the opening weeks of the window. Monaco’s only other new recruit to date this summer is Zenit St. Petersburg centre-back Sebastien Puygrenier, who has made the switch on loan.

Meanwhile, Lacombe continues to chase offensive reinforcements after a move for Steve Savidan fell through due to the striker possessing a heart condition that forced him to quit the game.

Nigeria Rule Out Friendly Before World Cup Clash Against Tunisia

The secretary-general of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Bolaji Ojo-Oba, has announced that the country will not play a warm-up game before their World Cup qualifier against Tunisia in Abuja on September 6.

"The European season would have commenced fully by August 12 and our players would be struggling for first-team shirts at their respective clubs," argued Ojo-Oba.

"If we get them to play the friendly, that could affect them in that regard.

"However, the team will play a friendly after the game against Tunisia in Abuja."

Head of the NFF technical committee, Taiwo Ogunjobi, said last week that the association was considering a warm-up against a North African team, just like Tunisia, for August.

Nigeria coach, Shuaibu Amodu, has already turned down a proposal for the Super Eagles to take on Uruguay in an August friendly in London, insisting he would prefer an African opposition.

Tunisia lead Group Two with seven points from three matches, while Nigeria are second and two points adrift.

Maputo Draw Still Haunts Super Eagles

Saturday's 0-0 draw inside the impressive November 7 Stadium in Rades, near Tunis, would have been better celebrated had the Super Eagles not dropped two points away to Mozambique in March.

There was a huge public outcry when the Eagles barely escaped from Maputo with a point, 24 hours after Tunisia had recorded a valuable 2-1 victory in Kenya.

Supporters of the team could not understand why the Eagles were so knocked about after this result, arguing that the team were still unbeaten in the qualifying tournament for the 2010 World Cup.

The draw in Mozambique meant that the Eagles dropped two points, and the situation was further worsened by the fact that Tunisia, who were always going to be Nigeria's main rivals in this group, gained two points on the road against a decent Kenyan side.

An official described Saturday's draw in Tunis as a 'Golden draw'. Had Nigeria lost, they could well have kissed World Cup qualification goodbye.

What this result now means is that the Eagles' home game against the same north Africans on September 6 in Abuja will assume far greater importance. A win, even by the narrowest of margins, would shoot Nigeria to the top of the group, while a draw or a victory for the Tunisians will again restore the advantage to the Carthage Eagles.

The stalemate in Tunis has now afforded Nigeria the chance to determine their destiny, rather than depend on other teams and other results to decide their fate.

Yet, getting victory on September 6 is another thing altogether.

On Saturday, what we saw was a Nigerian team that lacked ambition and were understandably the happier of the two teams when the Malian referee sounded the final whistle.

Attacking football has always been the forte of Nigerian football, but against a beateable Tunisian team, the Eagles' strike force was non-existent.

Ikechukwu Uche, the liverwire of the Nigerian campaign thus far, was always going to be a marked man, but in fairness to him, the midfield lacked the capacity to create things going forward.

Team officials informed that it was the responsibility of Chelsea's Mikel John Obi to initiate these attacks, but we all saw that on the day, he did not produce.

Kalu Uche was the other player expected to create chances for the frontmen, but he too was anonymous, meaning that the few chances the Eagles created in front of goal were by Obinna Nsofor and one delightful low cross by Osaze Odemwingie, which Michael Eneramo failed to direct towards goal in the closing stages of the encounter.

The biggest positive from the Tunis match would most probably be the compusure, athletism and understanding in defence. Olubayo Adefemi has not played club football for the past six months, but he did not suffer any match rustiness.

Once upon a time, the right full-back position was the personal property of Chidi Odiah, but now the CSKA Moscow ace is third in the pecking order behind Adefemi and Yusuf Mohammed.

In the heart of the defence, the combination of Joseph Yobo and Dele Adeleye appears finally to be the answer to the prayers of the team handlers who have agonised over this position.

Yobo and Adeleye played for each other, and for many, including this writer, Adeleye was Nigeria's best performer on the day. It is a very fitting reward that he will get married this coming week. The next thing would be for him to move to a better club than Dutch perennial relegation battlers Sparta Rotterdam. His talent deserves far more than that.

Between now and September is a very long time in football.

In this time, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have got an agreement for a friendly against Uruguay in London, even though coach Shuaibu Amodu would prefer an African opposition. Whatever the case, the Eagles are obliged to play a warm-up in August.

Nigerians hope that the likes of Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Obafemi Martins and Chinedu Ogbuke would have recovered fully from injuries because the Eagles need their best for this must-win game.

But again, who will be that player to create things from midfield for these top-class finishers?

Nwankwo Kanu?

Nigeria Hold Tunisia To Draw

Tunisia still lead Group Two of African World Cup qualifying after nearest rivals Nigeria hold them to a 0-0 draw at the November 7 Stadium in Rades, near Tunis, on Sunday.

After three matches, Tunisia are on seven points, two points ahead of second-placed Nigeria. Kenya, who defeated Mozambique 2-1 also on Saturday, are third in the group with three points.

First Half

The host team were led by Karim Haggui, while the very experienced Radhi Jaidi was dropped to the bench.

Nigeria, on the other hand, made four changes to the starting team that beat Kenya at home two weeks ago with Everton defender Joseph Yobo, Taye Taiwo from Olympique Marseille, Chelsea's Mikel John Obi and right fullback Olubayo Adefemi all back in the fray.

The Super Eagles kicked off this crunch game, but it was the Tunisians who really launched into attack in search of an early go-ahead goal.

Within the first 15 minutes Nigeria conceded three corner kicks as the North African outfit dictated the pace of the game.

The closest the home team came to going ahead was in the 16th minute when Seif Ghezel was allowed a free header off another Tunisian corner inside the box, but goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama did well to scramble the ball to safety.

It was not till about the 20th minute that the Nigerian Eagles put together their first real attack when Obinna Nsofor dashed free of his marker on the left wing, but his final cross beat he lone Nigerian striker inside the box as well as the Tunisian defenders.


Before the half hour, both Dele Adeleye and Yobo had to come to Nigeria's rescue as Tunisia continued to mount pressure.

It was therefore a frustrated Tunisia that let in Nigeria towards the closing stages of the first period to make two fine efforts at goal. First, Kalu Uche shot wide from the top of the box and moments later, Nsofor tested the reflexes of Kasroui with a shot from inside the 18-yard area.

Second Half

At the restart, Tunisia continued to attack.

Anis Boussaidi was fouled by Taiwo on the left side of the vital area but Tunisia could not make anything out of the eventual free kick as Nigeria continued to hang on for dear life.

The goal hero against Mozambique two weeks ago, Oussama Darragi, was lively in the Tunisia frontline but Yobo always kept a close watch over him.

The Super Eagles made two changes soon after with Nwankwo Kanu in the ineffective Kalu Uche and Michael Eneramo replacing injured Nsofor.

The Carthage Eagles continued to attack but not with the same tempo of the first half.

In one of the few Nigerian attacks in this half, Taiwo tried one of his trademark thunderbolts, although it did not trouble the Tunisian goalkeeper.


Eneramo would have emerged as a hero late on in the game, but he failed to direct a cross delivered by Osaze Odemwingie with the Tunisian defence beaten.

Adeleye in the heart of the Nigerian defence was outstanding as he did not put a foot wrong as Tunisia pressed on for a goal.

However, as the minutes ticked away, the host team appeared frustrated while Nigeria were only too happy to hold out for a result on the hope that they will take all three points when both teams clash again in September in Abuja.

Eagles ready for any intimidation

The Nigeria team arrived in Tunis on Thursday set to face any kind of intimidation from Tunisians before, during and after Saturday’s World Cup qualifying match at the November 7 Stadium in Rades.

Team captain Nwankwo Kanu minced no words when he said the Eagles do not expect niceties from the North Africans. "We are here to play an important match and that is what we will concentrate on. Our mission is to get a result; not bother how they try to undermine us. Football is serious business and the World Cup is much more serious business."

After three days of useful tactical and technical training in Ta Qali, the capital city of the tiny European country of Malta, the Eagles travelled 65 minutes by air into Tunis, the Mediterranean –bordered capital city of Tunisia, arriving in the early hours of Thursday.

Officials confirmed that the 23 Eagles who were in Malta trained on natural grass and artificial turf at different times. "We wanted to be prepared for any eventuality," said a Member of the technical crew.

On arrival at the Aeroport Tunis de Carthage on Thursday, the players and officials were received by the Ambassador of Nigeria in Tunis, Alhaji Abdulkadir Abdulkadir Musa and staff of the Mission. They were driven to the Hotel Laico, the top –ranking hotel in Tunis, which used to be known as Hotel Abou Nawas.

At lunch on Thursday, Ambassador Musa urged the players to be focused and expect all kinds of intimidation from players of the Tunisian team and even the fans. "However, I know that you are all professionals and will not allow those things to bother you", he said. Ambassador Musa could not be at the team’s training session yesterday because he was invited by the British Embassy to attend the birthday ceremonies of Queen Elizabeth 2.

Just after lunch, the team was pleasantly surprised to see defender Joseph Yobo, goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba, striker John Utaka and assistant Coach Daniel Amokachi, who were actually being expected in the evening. The players decided to travel by British Airways out of Nigeria and Wednesday and by their ticket were expected to land in Tunis by 18h00 on Thursday.

"We chartered a flight from London to Tunis in the morning when we realized we could miss the training session in the evening. That would not be good because these players missed all the training sessions in Malta," explained Amokachi.

All 26 players in camp are in high spirit and Head Coach Shuaibu Amodu confirmed: "Everyone is in great shape. We will be able to pick the best from the lot."

PLAYERS IN CAMP: Goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama, Bamidele Aiyenugba and Austin Ejide; defenders Joseph Yobo, Ayodele Adeleye, Onyekachi Apam, Danny Shittu, Obinna Nwaneri, Taye Taiwo, Elderson Echiejile, Yusuf Mohammed, Olubayo Adefemi and Sam Sodje; midfielders Nwankwo Kanu, Osaze Odemwingie, Sani Kaita, Kalu Uche, Olufemi Ajilore, Mikel Obi, Seyi Olofinjana and Dickson Etuhu; strikers Obinna Nsofor, Ikechukwu Uche, Joseph Akpala, John Utaka and Michael Eneramo.

The last time both teams played on the turf of November 7 Stadium, in February 2004, it was the semi finals of the African Cup of Nations. The match ended 1-1 after regulation and extra time, with both goals coming through penalties. Nigeria scored first after Nwankwo Kanu was double –teamed in the box, and Beninoise referee Codjia Coffi pointed to the spot. Skipper Jay Jay Okocha converted.

Riadh Bouazizi equalized for Tunisia with only 13 minutes left, after Seyi Olofinjana was adjudged to have fouled Ziad Jaziri in the Nigeria box.

But Nigeria players will remember the day for the antics of Tunisian officials, who played the old Nigeria anthem of ‘Nigeria, we hail thee’ before kick–off and only played the right one of ‘Arise o Compatriots’ at the start of the second half. The Nigeria team bus was stoned severally as the Eagles made their way out of the Stadium that night.

The weather is fine in Tunis as this is summer, and the Nigeria team will train this evening at the hour of the match: 19h00. Saturday’s game will start at 19h10.

The chartered Arik aircraft that will convey Members of the Presidential Task Force, ministers, other politicians and members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club will land in Tunis by 16h00 Friday, according to the schedule.

Nigeria Beat Kenya

Like it was in 1997 and 2003, Nigeria on Sunday at the Abuja National Stadium trounced visiting Haramabee Stars of Kenya 3-0 to keep the chase on Group Two leaders Tunisia.

Spain-based Ikechukwu Uche opened scoring for the home side after just two minutes. However, it was in the second half that Nigeria enjoyed much respite from a hard working Kenyan side when Inter Milan ace Obinna Nsofor netted from the penalty spot after Osaze Odemwingie was felled inside the box.

Nsofor hit a brace four minutes later when he thundered home from inside the box. Tunisia stay top of the group with six points from two matches, while Nigeria are two points behind in second place. Both teams clash in Tunis in two weeks time at the Rades Stadium in a match that could well give a good indication of the overall leadership of this group.

First Half

A packed 60,000-capacity Abuja National Stadium, awash with Nigeria's colours of green and white, welcomed a youthful starting XI without high-profile absentees from the Super Eagles recent friendlies - Joseph Yobo, Mikel John Obi and Taye Taiwo.In the heart of the attack, goal hero against Republic of Ireland, Michael Eneramo, is preferred to Joseph Akpala, who grabbed the winner against France in Saint-Etienne.

Kenya also made three changes from the team that started against Tunisia in Nairobi in March - goalkeeper Arnold Origi and midfielders Oboya and Austin Makacha.It took Nigeria only two minutes to get off to the perfect start when Ikechukwu Uche found the back of the net. The Getafe forward combined with his older brother, Kalu Uche, but it was really a poor clearance by Kenyan defender, George Owino, that allowed Ikechukwu Uche to continue with his run on goal before he coolly drove home past goalkeeper Arnold Origi.

Even after his goal, Uche remained a constant danger to Kenya, while youngster Elderson Echejile grew so much in confidence that he even joined the attack from his left fullback position. Kenya's first attempt at goal came after quarter of an hour when Dennis Oliech let fly from distance but goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama saved easily.

The Harambee Stars steadily began to have a say in proceedings as they began to string passes between themselves. MacDonald Mariga tested Enyeama with a cleanly struck shot on 26 minutes, and a minute later, Oliech came even closer but his shot from the edge of 18-yard box shaved the crossbar.Disjointed play by Nigeria at this point in the encounter.

Oliech again came close in the 34th minute, when he found himself inside the box only to see his shot miss its mark. Moments later, Odemwingie would have doubled Nigeria's lead when he was set up by Ikechukwu Uche, but Origi blocked his powerful shot. The Russia-based striker wasted an even better chance three minutes later when his effort from top of the box missed target by inches. Just before the interval, Kenya's Origi spilled an Ikechukwu cross from the right but Esperance of Tunisia striker Eneramo could not take advantage of this clanger with the ball metres from the goalline.

Second Half

Nigeria make one change by the interval - Nwankwo Kanu in for an annonymous Dickson Etuhu. The Super eagles go into attack immediately after the restart.In the 54th minute, Odemwingie's effort from an acute angle on the left is scrambled awayby Origi for a corner.

But in the 62nd minute, Kenya had two chances in quick succession - Auxerre's Oliech was involved in both occasions, first he preferred to square the ball with the Nigerian defence on the back foot and seconds later, he again decided to pass the ball inside the box after he had rounded up goalkeeper Enyeama. It was a big let-off for Nigeria, who finally got the buffer goal in the 72nd minute when substitute Obinna Nsofor tucked home a penalty.

Goal-bound Osaze was felled inside the box and Moroccan referee El Achiri Abdellah pointed to the penalty spot. Four minutes Nsofor thundered home from inside the box for Nigeria's third goal. A great move started by Kanu saw Echejile thread through a cross from the left, Ikechukwu miskicked to allow Nsofor control the ball before firing home.Nsofor almost completed a hat-trick five minutes from time but his low shot missed target only just.

Nigeria - Vincent Enyeama - Yusuf Mohammed, Dele Adeleye, Sam Sodje (Onyekachi Apam 76), Elderson Echejile, Seyi Olofinjana (Capt), Kalu Uche, Dickson Etuhu (Nwankwo Kanu 45) - Ikechukwu Uche, Michael Eneramo (Obinna Nsofor 54), Osaze Odemwingie
Coach: Shuaibu Amodu

Kenya - Arnold origi - Joseph Owino, George Owino, Musa Otieno (Capt), John Njoroge - Austin Makacha, MacDonald Mariga, Robert Mumba (allan wanga 65), Paschal Ochieng, Patrick Oboya (Mugabe 74) - Dennis Oliech (Peter Opiyo 87)
Coach: Antoine Hey

TEAM NEWS

TEAM NEWS

Nigeria

Newcastle United striker Obafemi Martins will not be available against both Kenya and Tunisia this month as he has opted for a hernia operation this summer.Nigeria are sweating on the fitness of several players ahead of Sunday's game.

The players include Hoffenheim forward Chinedu Obasi, Bolton defender Danny Shittu as well as Everton star Joseph Yobo.Defender Obinna Nwaneri will not be available for this match as he is serving out a one-match suspension after he picked up his second booking in Mozambique in March.

Former international Victor Ikpeba ruffled a few feathers after he suggested that some of the high-profile absentees during the friendlies against Republic Ireland and France should not be considered for this game.

Squad:

Goalkeepers - Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Dele Aiyenugba

Defenders – Onyekachi Apam, Yusuf Mohammed, Joseph Yobo, Danny Shittu, Obinna Nwaneri, Taye Taiwo, Chidi Odiah, Elderson Echiejile, Dele Adeleye, Olubayo Adefemi, Chibuzo Okonkwo

Midfielders - John Mikel Obi, Sani Kaita, Seyi Olofinjana, Kalu Uche, Yusuf Ayila, Oluwafemi Ajilore, Dickson Etuhu

Forwards - Nwankwo Kanu, Obafemi Martins, Osaze Odemwingie, Obinna Nsofor, Ikechukwu Uche, Chinedu Obasi, Joseph Akpala

Kenya

Midfielders John 'Mo' Muiruri and Austin Makacha have been recalled to the team for the trip to Nigeria. 'Mo', 30, who last featured for Kenya in a 2-1 shock loss against Eritrea at Kasarani in September 2006, plays for Norway's second tier side Moss FK.

Austin Makacha, a kingpin in the Kenyan midfield and 2008 Kenya Premier League midfielder of the year, returns to the team after missing the Tunisia tie following a club-country controversy. Makacha plays for IK Sirius in Sweden's lower league.

Allan Wanga of Angolan side Petro Atletico is also back in the fold to boost the Stars strike force. Coach Hey did not fly out with the team to Nigeria over a pay row. He later travelled after the sports minister intervened.

Squad:

Goalkeepers- David Okello, Willis Ochieng’, Arnold Origi

Defenders- Joseph Shikokoti, Musa Otieno, Pascal Ochieng’, Mulinge Munandi, George Owino, Julius Owino, John Njoroge

Midfielders- MacDonald Mariga, Victor Mugabe, John Muiruri, Austin Makacha, Robert Mambo, Peter Opiyo, Osborn Monday

Forwards- Patrick Oboya, Dennis Oliech, Allan Wanga

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nigeria - Osaze Odemwingie: The Russia-based forward posted a stinker against Mozambique in March but he has since redeemed himself with a man-of-the-match performance against France in Saint-Etienne. He covered every blade of grass, from defence down to attack, and a similar showing against kenya would propel the Eagles to a resounding victory.

Kenya - MacDonald Mariga: For a squad with seven defenders and seven midfielders, defence will be the name of the game. Parma’s MacDonald Mariga, fresh from helping his side gain promotion back to Italian Serie A, is expected to take the commanding role in midfield with his ball winning and passing skills. He has already been linked with a transfer to a top Italian club in the summer.

Nigeria President To Watch World Cup Tie Versus Kenya

Nigeria sports minister, Sani Ndanusa, has announced that the country's President, Musa Yar'Adua, will be among the crowd at the Abuja National Stadium to cheer the Super Eagles to victory on Sunday.

"The President has declared that he will be the number 12th man for the Eagles. He will therefore be at the game against Kenya on Sunday," said sports minister Ndanusa.

Last month, President Yar'Adua inaugurated a special task force to ensure that Nigeria qualify for the 2010 World Cup, saying it will be a national disaster if the country fail to do so.

In the meantime, 30 players will train later Friday at the Abuja Stadium ahead of the clash against Kenya. The players include skipper Nwankwo Kanu, Taye Taiwo, Mikel John Obi, Joseph Yobo, Chidi Odiah, John Utaka, Dickson Etuhu and Osaze Odemwingie.

Hoffenheim striker Chinedu Obasi, who has been nursing a hip injury will join up with the squad later today, so also Newcastle frontman Obafemi Martins.

Both players are not expected to play any part in Sunday's qualifier. Martins is set to undergo a hernia operation this summer, but Obasi could well return to action in time for the June 20 clash against Tunisia in Tunis.

Super Eagles expected to win

Confidence is again on the high for Nigeria after two solid showings against Republic of Ireland and France ahead of Sunday's World Cup qualifier against visiting Harambee Stars of Kenya.

This was contrary to fears expressed by some of the country's top officials that these two games were coming too close to a crucial World Cup qualifying match.

The on-form Irish could only force a weakened Nigerian team to a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage last month and days later, a largely experimental Eagles team recorded a heart-warming 1-0 victory over 1998 world champions France in Saint-Etienne.

It was not just the results of these games that caught the eye, but also the whole-hearted commitment by several players like Olubayo Adefemi, Sam Sodje, Michael Eneramo and Dele Adeleye, who have been on the wings of the national team. Former Lobi Stars striker Eneramo was top scorer for Tunisian champions Esperance with 18 goals this past season and showed he can crack it at the highest level with a superb finish against the Irish.

His arrival on the international scene comes at a time when Nigeria are on the lookout for a big striker following the absence of injured Everton star, Yakubu Aiyegbeni. Nigeria boast a great record against the Kenyans, but the country's officials are leaving nothing to chance to ensure a big home win on Sunday and so have offered an additional $200,000 win-bonus, if the Eagles can ship three goals without reply past their East African opponents.

The setting is certainly a lot better than it was in March when the team barely survived in Mozambique against a fired-up home side.

Defensive Kenya Fight For Respect

The Harambee Stars got their World Cup qualification off to a poor start in March when they lost 2-1 to Tunisia in Nairobi. Since then, German coach Antoine Hey has come under heavy fire. His problems were further compounded when he clashed with some of the local clubs over signing of a commitment form for their players in the national team.

Hey has promised to get a result in Abuja, but going by past records between the two countries, this will really be an uphill task for his team. The last time, they had visited Nigeria in 2002, they let in three goals, the same scoreline in 1997.

"It will not be easy against Nigeria but with a good game plan and some luck, we hope for a surprise," said Hey.The Kenyans' build-up for the Nigeria game was not helped also by a cash crunch, which forced Hey to suspend training this week as he and other officials shopped for funds to settle the players' allowances.

A proposed training tour of Germany was called off because of this reason and after they failed to play a warm-up against Malawi, the Harambee Stars had to settle for test games against local clubs.

However, on the bright side, Norway-based goalkeeper Arnold Origi is expected to ensure that some of the goalkeeping blunders by Noah Ayuko, which cost Kenya all three points in Nairobi in March are not repeated.

Kenyan sports journalist, James Wokabi, predicted: "Hey has not won a match in Africa, whether with Liberia or Lesotho. He has also left out Kenya's best defender, Edgar Ochieng. I will be happy with anything better than a 3-0 loss."

Kenya Coach Finally Joins His Squad

Kenya head coach Antoine Hey was yesterday paid his outstanding salary, amounting to Kshs 5.2 million (£40,000), and immediately flew out of the country to join his charges in Nigeria. The payment is for the three months that the coach has been with the team.

Hey was presented the cheque by Kenya’s Sports Minister, Professor Hellen Sambili at a press conference yesterday. Sambili explained that her Ministry was in the dark about the coach’s predicament and blamed the salary woes on the FKL (Football Kenya Limited).

The coach told the media that he had failed to travel with the team because the cheque he had been given earlier by the FKL bounced, making him worried that he might not get his money.

But Sambili said that her Ministry was not aware of the coach’s woes, even after it settled the players’ allowances on Wednesday.

It yesterday emerged that the government, through the Office of the Prime Minister (who had negotiated the coach’s contract with the Germany government), had availed the cheque to the FKL to settle the coach’s outstanding dues.

The officials not only deposited the cheque into a frozen account, but also slashed the amount to Kshs 1.4 million (£12,000) - a quarter of what was actually owed to the coach.

When he raised the two issues with the top FKL officials, they promised to solve it in a matter of days but instead flew to the Bahamas to attend the annual FIFA congress.

After handing the coach his cheque yesterday, the Minister revealed that the coach’s salary will henceforth be paid by the German Government, who seconded him to the Kenyan Government in February this year.

In the contract, the Government of Kenya was supposed to pay his salary in the initial three months before the German Government took over thereafter

Coach Of Kenya's Harambee Stars Promises Trouble For Nigeria

Kenya's head coach, Antoine Hey, who failed to travel with the national team to Nigeria, has promised the Super Eagles a tough battle on Sunday when the two sides meet for the 2010 World Cup/Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Speaking after presenting his travelling 20-man squad to Nigeria yesterday, Hey was quoted in the Daily Nation as saying that his charges, known as the Harambee Stars, have been motivated by reports that Super Eagles players will be given hefty bonuses if they hammer the Kenyans by more than three goals.

“What has affected the morale of this team is that there are some companies and the government offering special bonuses if they (Nigeria) beat us with more than three goals.

“This is a lack of respect for any team whether it is Kenya or another team going to play there. And they will learn their lesson,” Hey said. Hey further told the media at the team’s training camp at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, that their target is to scoop four points in their two matches this month.

“We want to have at least four points from playing Nigeria and Mozambique to stay in the competition for the World Cup. Anything other than four points, then we will only be playing for the Africa Cup of Nations,” Hey said.

“This is our chance to rewrite history by coming back from Nigeria with a respectable performance,” he added.

Hey picked three goalkeepers - Arnold Origi, Willis Ochieng and David Okello. The defence will be selected from the likes of Musa Otieno, Pascal Ochieng, George Owino, John Njoroge, and Joseph Shikokoti.

The midfield will pose a selection headache with Macdonald Mariga, John Muiruri, Peter Opiyo, Robert Mambo and Austin Makacha fighting for positions. Dennis Oliech will be the lead striker, possibly to be partnered by Patrick Oboya or Allan Wanga.

The players who were dropped yesterday include Bernard Mwalala, Mike Baraza, and Boniface Ambani of Yanga FC, plus Ibrahim Shikanda and Chrispin Odula of Azzam FC. Ambani was top scorer in the Tanzanian top league in the season just ended with 24 goals.

Kenya's Head Coach Boycotts Trip To Nigeria

Kenya’s national team’s showdown against Nigeria was this morning thrown into a spin after the Harambee Stars' head coach, Antoine Hey, failed to accompany the squad he had selected the previous day to Abuja, Nigeria, for Sunday's crunch match against the Super Eagles.

Hey arrived at the airport 30 minutes after the plane had taken off, alleging that he had been held up in the traffic; but he later revealed that he deliberately boycotted travelling with the team after Football Kenya Limited failed to pay him his salary.

The team's physical trainer, Kamal Harat also joined the head coach in the boycott over non-payment of their salaries. The assistant coach Swaleh Muhiddin had left for Nigeria earlier in the week, and will now possibly handle the team in the absence of Hey, who was appointed in February this year.

His short tenure has been blighted by turf wars with premier league clubs, which have almost derailed the national team’s preparations for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

Since he was appointed, Harambee Stars have only played one international match - against Tunisia in March - which they lost 2-1.

The boycott came hot on heels of the players also boycotting training on Tuesday, demanding to be paid their allowances after staying in the camp for three weeks.

But yesterday the government, through the Minister of Youth and Sports Hellen Sambili, settled their allowance claims by presenting Kshs. 2.7 million to Harambee Stars captain Musa Otieno.

There has been confusion as to who is in charge of the national team. While FKL as the football governing body, should take charge of the team, its mandate has been taken over by the Harambee Stars Management Board chaired by Hussein Mohammed, who was present when the minister presented the money to the team captain.

The Kenyan squad that left for Nigeria this morning was led by Hussein Mohammed, FKL second vice-chairman Erastus Okul. The other top FKL officials are attending the FIFA Congress in Nassau, Bahamas.

Victor Anichebe Nearing Full Fitness For Everton

Everton striker Victor Anichebe, whose season was curtailed by a reckless tackle from Newcastle United's Kevin Nolan that damaged knee ligaments, keeping him out for the final three months of the campaign, has confirmed today that he is returning to full fitness, as he nears completion of his rehabilitation.

Prior to Nolan's challenge, Anichebe had been out for two months with hamstring and back problems, and endured a frustrating time in a campaign when Everton began to look like they would pose a challenge to the dominance of the top four.

"I'm getting on well," he told the club's official website. "It's quite a slow progress and was slow at the start but now I'm kicking on."

The Toffees endured an injury crisis amongst their strikers just after the turn of the year, with dynamic midfielder Tim Cahill often functioning as a lone striker, supported by Marouane Fellaini.

Anichebe concluded by paying tribute to the way in which the rest of the squad had responded to the absence of strikers.

"The squad's done really well," he added.

"Look at the amount of injuries we've had this year. People have had to play in different positions but we're confident whoever we play. We're not scared of anyone."

Siasia ready for Trinidad and Tobago

Head Coach of the National U-20 team, Samson Siasia said on Thursday that he has a team ready to confront the U-20 team of Trinidad and Tobago in an international friendly game at the National Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday.

“We are working very hard even though many of the uninvited players disappointed and we have turned back a large number. I believe we will be able to raise a good team to play the boys from The Caribbean,” said the former World Cup star.

Siasia is working on producing a high –quality team that will do Nigeria proud at the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in Egypt later in the yearand the Trinidad and Tobago test is his first since taking the job anew penultimate month.

The match was earlier slated for Monday but the Trinidadians, who are on a world tour of sorts as they prepare for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, have pleaded for 24 hours relief as they are also scheduled to play the U-20 team of Niger Republic in Abuja on Sunday.

Siasia’ boys are presently training at the Old Parade Ground as the training pitches of the National Stadium, Abuja are being worked on for the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals that Nigeria host later this year.

A 25-man Trinidad and Tobago contingent arrived in Abuja on Tuesday and are staying at the Bolingo Hotel. The Flying Eagles are scheduled to leave for Malaysia at the end of the month, to defend the Intercontinental Cup won last year by the Nigeria U-23 team.

Yobo impresses Moyes

Everton manager David Moyes has backed Joseph Yobo to step up to the mark in the absence of injured defender Phil Jagielka.

Centreback Jagielka is recovering from an operation in midweek to repair the anterior ligament he ruptured in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester City. Yobo will slot in alongside Joleon Lescott in Jagielka’s absence and Moyes insists the Nigeria defender is an excellent replacement.


“I think if you look at the games we’ve played Yobo has played a lot of games,” Moyes said. “You certainly cannot go through the season with only two centrebacks or two centre-forwards. Joe has played a big part of the season already, so I don’t think him coming into the team is that big news.”

Forward James Vaughan, who has missed five months of this campaign with a knee problem himself, said the latest blow on the injury-front was just something the squad had to take in their stride.


Earlier in the season they lost Aiyegbeni Yakubu (Achilles), Mikel Arteta (knee) and Victor Anichebe (knee).


“Phil’s probably been our best player, but we’ve coped all season without important players and we will have to do the same again,” Vaughan told the Daily Post. “I’ve been there, but Jags is a professional and he will get his rehab done and be back as soon as possible.”

Nigeria To Host Argentina In November

South American giants Argentina have proposed to tackle Nigeria in a friendly on either November 14 or 18. Officials have even proposed Nigeria as the venue for this game.

NFF marketing chief, Idris Adama, disclosed to Goal.com: "This is a marvellous opportunity for us and we have passed on the proposal for the team handlers to also assess it. Hopefully, we should have a deal on this."

This historic match is most likely to be staged in the capital city of Abuja, officials told Goal.com

Argentina are expected to parade their key stars for this trip to Africa - Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano.

The Argentines hope to use this game to further familarise themselves with the African style of football as well as the playing conditions on the continent as the World Cup will be played in Africa for the first time next year.

The world champions in 1978 and 1986 were earlier linked with a London friendly against the Eagles in August, but officials informed Goal.com that Nigeria coach, Shuaibu Amodu, has instead asked for an African opposition for that window.

Nigeria have clashed with the Argentines twice at full international level, losing both games at the 1994 World Cup and eight years later at the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup.

The two countries have also clashed at Olympic level. Nigeria beat Argentina 3-2 in the final of the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, only for the South Americans to avenge this defeat by pipping the West Africans to the gold at last year's Games in Beijing.

The Nigerian Team list

The Full squad:

Goalkeepers - Vincent Enyeama(Hapoel Tel Aviv/ISR); Austin Ejide (Bastia/FRA), Dele Aiyenugba (Bnei Yehuda/ISR)

Defenders - Joseph Yobo (Everton/ENG); Danny Shittu (Bolton/ENG); Obinna Nwaneri (FC Sion/SWI), Taye Taiwo (Oly Marseille/FRA); Chidi Odia (CSKA Moscow/RUS); Elderson Echiejele (Rennes/FRA); Dele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam/HOL); Dennis Aogo (Hamburg/GER); Olubayo Adefemi (SC Rheindorf Altach/AUS); Chibuzor Okonkwo (Bayelsa United), Onyekachi Apam (Nice/FRA)

Midfielders - John Mikel Obi (Chelsea/ENG); Sani Kaita (FC Kuban/RUS); Seyi Olofinjana (Stoke City/ENG); Kalu Uche (Almeria/SPA); Yusuf Ayila(Dinamo Kyiv/UKR); Ebenezer Ajilore (FC Groningen/HOL); Dickson Etuhu (Fulham/ENG)

Forwards - Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth/ENG); Obafemi Martins (Newcastle/ENG); Osaze Odemwingie (FC Moscow/RUS); Obinna Nsofor (Inter Milan/ITA); Ikechukwu Uche (Getafe/SPA); Chinedu Obasi (Hoffenheim/GER); Joseph Akpala (Club Brugges/BEL)

Golden Eaglets coach Sacked

Golden Eaglets coach Henry Nwosu has been given the boot by the Nigeria Football Federation.

Nwosu's position has been under threat since performing dismally at the Dubai Invitational tournament this month and the NFF Technical Committee, at their meeting in Abuja on Thursday, approved his dismissal.

The committee, headed by Taiwo Ogunjobi, met in Thursday in Abuja and recommended the replacement of the former Green Eagles captain.

A press statement by NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire after the meeting noted that "the U-17 team had been performing dismally and therefore recommends Nwosu’s replacement."

Nwosu's assistant, Monday Odigie has asked to take temporary charge of the team pending a substantive appointment.

Nigeria are defending Under-17 World champions, but under Alphonsus Dike, failed to qualify for the African championships, leading to Dike's dismissal.

Nwosu was asked to take charge but has come under unrelenting criticism over his selection and tactics

Amodu submits 29-man list

Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu has submitted a 29-man list of players to prosecute next month's upcoming friendly matches against Ireland and France, as well as the 2010 World Cup qualifiers in June.

The squad list, and Amodu's programme for the summer, were approved by the committee, which also pointed out that the coach was "quoted out of context on the issue of quality of players in the Super Eagles," and implored the players to and the nation to regard the result of the last match as "a challenge and stepping stone to higher heights."

Consequently, the committee resolved to move forward from the 0-0 draw in Maputo.

"Considering the possible factors that might have contributed to the poor performance of the Super Eagles in Maputo, it was agreed that the unsatisfactory result be put behind us while we make concerted efforts to ameliorate the effect of such factors in future.

"The Committee and the Super Eagles Head Coach affirmed implicit confidence in the players and their sense of patriotism," the statement read.

Martins to miss Tunisia clash

Obafemi Martins may miss Nigeria's 2010 World Cup qualifying games against Kenya and Tunisia in June in his bid to help his club Newcastle avoid relegation from the English Premier League.

Martins flew to Milan last week where a specialist confirmed that he needed an operation on a troubling groin problem.

But after discussions with manager Alan Shearer, the striker has opted to postpone the procedure and play through the pain barrier to help preserve Newcastle's Premier league status.

The Nigerian international will fly to Italy for the surgery at the end of the season and is expected to be fit for the start of the new campaign.

Martins has also opted against the use of pain-killing injections after being told by the specialist that it could lead to long-term damage.

Instead, he has advised Shearer that he will only be involved when he feels properly able to perform at a high standard.

Martins will now be rested between matches in an attempt to manage his injury, and will most likely now be used as a high-impact substitute like he was against Tottenham Hotspur last weekend.

With Yakubu Aiyegbeni also injured, Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu will need to dig deep to find goalscoring forwards, although Joseph Akpala is also available

Flying Eagles To Train In Spain

Nigeria's Under-20 coach, Samson Siasia, has disclosed to Goal.com that he plans to finalise his preparations for the World Youth Championship in Egypt in September with a residential training camp in Mallorca.

"I have made the necessary arrangements for this camp. The weather in Spain in August will be the same with what we will encounter in Egypt the following month," Siasia told Goal.com

He also said that his build-up for Egypt 2009 will also include playing in an invitational tournament in Malaysia next month, while he also plans to take on another Egypt-bound team, the United States of America, in a friendly prior to the start of the competition.

"The USA will train in Italy before they leave for Egypt, so we could play them either there, in Spain or in Cairo," he said.

Nigeria are drawn in a first round group along with Spain, Venzuela and Tahiti.

"Spain will be the favourites in our group, but we will take all three teams very seriously. Our first two games against Venezuela and Tahiti will be very crucial. I expect a very tough tournament," Siasia told Goal.com

KANU SCORES

Super Eagles and Portsmouth of England striker, Nwankwo Kanu literally came back from the dead on Saturday when he ended a long goal drought by scoring against Bolton Wanderers.

The lanky striker who has had a turbulent season consigned to the bench came off the bench for David Nugent to score the decisive goal and secure the three maximum points at stake.
Kanu’s goal was the silver lining in a rather drab encounter.

However, the woes of compatriot, John Utaka continued as he sat out for the duration of the match as an unused substitute.
Kanu’s goal provided some respite to the team’s relegation battle and will also gladden the hearts of Super Eagles coach, Amodu Shaibu as he prepares for the June World Cup qualifiers against Kenya in Abuja

Martins explains Saturday withdrawal

Newcastle United forward Obafemi Martins insists he made the correct decision not to play during the Premier League fixture away at Stoke City on Saturday.

The Nigerian international withdrew from the Magpies squad at 11am on Saturday morning, much to the frustration of manager Alan Shearer who had only hours to reorganise his prearranged tactics.

However, according to the British broadsheet The Guardian, the 24-year-old cleared the air with his boss during a meeting on Monday.

"I understand why the manager was frustrated because he had to change his plans," Martins is quoted as saying.

"But I woke up in so much pain that I knew I could not give 100%, so I decided I couldn't play. I didn't want to let the team down.

"And, with so many important games coming up, I needed to think about staying fit for the future."

It is claimed that the former Inter star has been playing through the pain barrier due to a groin injury aggravated while playing for Nigeria recently because, it is suggested, he wore soft ground boots on a hard surface.

Apparently, Martins trained throughout the week leading up to the game as he did not want to disappoint Shearer, who had claimed the forward could be key to the Magpies' survival, but appeared to do so anyway.

Venezuela To Prepare For F/Eagles In Spain

Coach, Federation President Speak On U-20 W/Cup Draw

The Venezuelan U-20 National Team, the Vinotinto will camp in Spain, as part of preparations for the U-20 World Youth Championship coming up in Egypt in September.


The team is grouped alongside Nigeria, Spain and Tahiti in Group B and already the coach of the team, Ceasar Farias believes the Flying Eagles have an advantage over the other teams in the group.


“We are in a very hard group. Especially Nigeria who will be playing on their home continent and are well adapted to the heat,”


The coach who refused to predict how far his team will go in the tournament, however insisted they will not be pushovers


“We are not going to Egypt to be extra at the tournament. We are going to work so that we can earn respect for Venezuela”.


Football Federation, Seraph Boutureira reckons his country’s group is a very difficult one with two World Champions. He argued that even though Nigeria are yet to win this competition, they had reached the finals on two occasions and won the U-17 trophy. Spain on the other hand, according to Boutureira, were runners-up to Nigeria at the last U-17 World Cup and have won the U-20 trophy before in 1999.


“Even we have take into account that if Tahiti are in the World Cup, it is because they are also good so we cannot underrate or take them for granted,” Boutureira said


He also reiterated the need to adequately prepare knowing fully well the quality of opposition they will confront.


“It is very important for us to carefully choose the squad that will be able to with stand the opponents, because our rivals have a great soccer tradition and we, as newcomers to the World Cup, must continue working to overcome all difficulties”.


The Vinotintos are expected to play two friendly matches while Farias carries out an extensive search for players to beef up the squad before finally moving to Spain for the final phase of camping.