Harry Redknapp is looking at the possibility of luring convalescing Super Eagles and Everton forward, Yakubu Aiyegbeni (YaK) this summer from Goodison Park immediately the bulky striker returns to fitness at the end of the season.
And with Everton’s gaffer, David Moyes very keen on bringing in Wagner Love from CSKA Moscow at the end of the season, additional talks about taking David Nugent from Portsmouth and making Jo’s loan move from Manchester City permanent, the Yak could definitely fall down the pecking order of Toffees forwards.
Indeed, the fact they have played pretty well without Yak for majority of the season, with the likes of Cahill, Felliani, Anichebe, and Jo, all doing well they look to be set up front, making simple for an exit for Aiyegbeni probable.
Harry remains a big fan of the Yakubull and shrines him to no end as none of the present spurs strikers can clean his boot. He hopes to tempt Everton with a 8.5 Million pound bid at the end of the season.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
AMODU RESTATES WORLD CUP MISSION
Super Eagles head coach, Shaibu Amodu has stated that his players know exactly what is at stake in the upcoming 2010 Nations/World Cup qualifiers and are determined to qualify for the finals in South Africa next year.
After meeting with the top hierarchy of the Nigeria Football Federation in Abuja on Wednesday, Amodu said the players and technical crew remain focused and not disturbed by comments of a below-par outing against Jamaica in an international friendly in London two weeks ago.
He said: "We are not worried by the comments, because at the end of the day, we know where we are going.
"Is it better for us to break bones and win a friendly against Jamaica and then go below strength to a World Cup qualifier in Mozambique and lose? That is the critical question," Amodu pondered.
He went on to speak about his vision for the Eagles, but admitted that they cannot win all their matches.
"I want the team to win every match, the entire technical crew wants the team to win every match.
"However, there are situations you get to that you know there is nothing in being penny wise and pound foolish," he theorised.
Amodu also used the opportunity to deny reports in a national newspaper that he was telling some Nigerians at the team's London hotel after the Jamaica international friendly that the Glasshouse was owing him and his assistants.
"I never spoke to anybody about being owed salary or salaries, and I think the story is in bad taste.
"I never, ever spoke to anyone concerning non-payment of my salary, or the salary of my assistants, or the salary of other coaches for that matter," he said.
The list of players for the 2010 World Cup qualifier against Mozambique will be released this week, with the players to fly directly to South Africa for a training camp.
The players will arrive their Johannesburg camp from Monday, March 23, and the contingent is to depart for Maputo, capital of Mozambique on Friday, March 27.
The Eagles take on Mozambique's Mamba on the artificial turf of Machava Stadium, Maputo on Sunday, March 29.
After meeting with the top hierarchy of the Nigeria Football Federation in Abuja on Wednesday, Amodu said the players and technical crew remain focused and not disturbed by comments of a below-par outing against Jamaica in an international friendly in London two weeks ago.
He said: "We are not worried by the comments, because at the end of the day, we know where we are going.
"Is it better for us to break bones and win a friendly against Jamaica and then go below strength to a World Cup qualifier in Mozambique and lose? That is the critical question," Amodu pondered.
He went on to speak about his vision for the Eagles, but admitted that they cannot win all their matches.
"I want the team to win every match, the entire technical crew wants the team to win every match.
"However, there are situations you get to that you know there is nothing in being penny wise and pound foolish," he theorised.
Amodu also used the opportunity to deny reports in a national newspaper that he was telling some Nigerians at the team's London hotel after the Jamaica international friendly that the Glasshouse was owing him and his assistants.
"I never spoke to anybody about being owed salary or salaries, and I think the story is in bad taste.
"I never, ever spoke to anyone concerning non-payment of my salary, or the salary of my assistants, or the salary of other coaches for that matter," he said.
The list of players for the 2010 World Cup qualifier against Mozambique will be released this week, with the players to fly directly to South Africa for a training camp.
The players will arrive their Johannesburg camp from Monday, March 23, and the contingent is to depart for Maputo, capital of Mozambique on Friday, March 27.
The Eagles take on Mozambique's Mamba on the artificial turf of Machava Stadium, Maputo on Sunday, March 29.
OSAZE OPTIMISTIC ON SUPER EAGLES’ WORLD CUP CHANCES
Lokomotiv Moscow forward, Peter Osaze Odemwingie has projected ahead of the final round of World Cup 2010 qualifiers and declared that the Super Eagles are ready to take their game to the next level in the decisive stage kicking off next month.
The half caste star, who expressed satisfaction with the team’s impeccable run in the first round, said the players are determined to do better this time round to prove that Nigeria is still the giant of Africa on the pitch.
“We all know we can do much better, we don’t lack talents in Nigeria and we will always be the giant of Africa and not let our people down,” he said.
The half caste star, who expressed satisfaction with the team’s impeccable run in the first round, said the players are determined to do better this time round to prove that Nigeria is still the giant of Africa on the pitch.
“We all know we can do much better, we don’t lack talents in Nigeria and we will always be the giant of Africa and not let our people down,” he said.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Eagles’ games moved to Sunday
Starting from the 2010 World Cup qualifier against Kenya in June, the Super Eagles will now play all their home qualifying matches on Sundays rather than Saturdays.
"It is a proposal based on the fact that the stadium was filled for our World Cup qualifier against South Africa, which was played on Sunday, as against the previous ones played on Saturdays," NFF Media Officer Ademola Olajire said, According to him, coach Shuaibu Amodu has been consulted and is agreeable.
Subsequently, the NFF have informed FIFA of the proposed change.
"FIFA have given us until March to reconfirm, and that is the situation at the moment,"
"It is a proposal based on the fact that the stadium was filled for our World Cup qualifier against South Africa, which was played on Sunday, as against the previous ones played on Saturdays," NFF Media Officer Ademola Olajire said, According to him, coach Shuaibu Amodu has been consulted and is agreeable.
Subsequently, the NFF have informed FIFA of the proposed change.
"FIFA have given us until March to reconfirm, and that is the situation at the moment,"
Amokachi to replace Bosso?
Super Eagles assistant coach Daniel Amokachi has been reportedly pencilled down to replace Ladan Bosso as coach of the country's Under-20 team.
Goal website reports that the former World Cup star has been recommended to the NFF board by its technical committee, which is chaired by Taiwo Ogunjobi and includes ex international Garba Lawal.
Most Nigerians favour Samson Siasia, after his successes with the team four years ago, and his recent Olympic silver medal with the graduates of his class of 2005.
However, the report says Siasia, who ahs reapplied to work with NFF, has told the Federation that he has outgrown the Under-20 job, an indication that he may have set his sights on the main Super Eagles team.
The NFF have subsequently settled for Amokachi, although there are lingering doubts among the Nigerian football public about his temperament, from his time as Under 23 coach when he was sent off in an international friendly against South Africa.
Goal website reports that the former World Cup star has been recommended to the NFF board by its technical committee, which is chaired by Taiwo Ogunjobi and includes ex international Garba Lawal.
Most Nigerians favour Samson Siasia, after his successes with the team four years ago, and his recent Olympic silver medal with the graduates of his class of 2005.
However, the report says Siasia, who ahs reapplied to work with NFF, has told the Federation that he has outgrown the Under-20 job, an indication that he may have set his sights on the main Super Eagles team.
The NFF have subsequently settled for Amokachi, although there are lingering doubts among the Nigerian football public about his temperament, from his time as Under 23 coach when he was sent off in an international friendly against South Africa.
Amodu to face press over squad
Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu may unveil his squad list for Mozambique at a formal ceremony in Abuja in front of the press, according to NFF board member Taiwo Ogunjobi.
If that happens, it will be the first time in recall able memory that any Nigerian coach will follow that route.
Previous squad lists have been released almost in secret, by officials of the Nigerian federation, sometimes as handwritten names, with no opportunity for the media to ask questions about dodgy invites.
Asked why the press conference route has not been followed in the past, Ogunjobi, who heads the NFF's technical committee, said that the situation is poised to change.
"Like you said, it is a good idea. Unfortunately, we have not been doing it and it will not be bad if we start.
"I will look into it and speak to my colleagues on the committee and then we will recommend it to the board."
The former NFA Secretary General was quick to point to the benefits of having such a process in place.
"It will make the coaches sit up as they will have to defend their choice of players to the media.
"It will also give us a chance to give further exposure to our official partners when we announce the list on live television.
"We will definitely look into it and if the board approves it on time, we can even start with the list for the Mozambique match," he said.
If that happens, it will be the first time in recall able memory that any Nigerian coach will follow that route.
Previous squad lists have been released almost in secret, by officials of the Nigerian federation, sometimes as handwritten names, with no opportunity for the media to ask questions about dodgy invites.
Asked why the press conference route has not been followed in the past, Ogunjobi, who heads the NFF's technical committee, said that the situation is poised to change.
"Like you said, it is a good idea. Unfortunately, we have not been doing it and it will not be bad if we start.
"I will look into it and speak to my colleagues on the committee and then we will recommend it to the board."
The former NFA Secretary General was quick to point to the benefits of having such a process in place.
"It will make the coaches sit up as they will have to defend their choice of players to the media.
"It will also give us a chance to give further exposure to our official partners when we announce the list on live television.
"We will definitely look into it and if the board approves it on time, we can even start with the list for the Mozambique match," he said.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Eagles given WC semifinal target
Nigeria's Super Eagles have been set a target of reaching at least the semifinal of the 2010 World Cup, according to NFF President Sani Lulu Abdullahi.Lulu says the target was set by the National Sports Commission for both the NFF and the team and says failure to qualify is not an option.
"The NSC has given us a target that the Eagles must play in the semifinal of the World Cup, which means we cannot afford to fail in the qualifiers.
"The coaches, the players and the NFF are all working towards a great performance in South Africa," the NFF boss said.
Lulu said the federation is confident that the Super Eagles will make it to South Africa.
"We are looking at the World Cup already, not because we are underrating our opponents, but because we believe we can make it and do well in South Africa.
"The stakes are high but we cannot afford to fail. Nigeria is a big country with lots of potential in the game and that is why we are working hard to enable the team to get it right in all games."
Nigeria open their qualifying campaign away to Mozambique on March 28 before hosting Kenya's Harambee Stars in Abuja in June.
"The NSC has given us a target that the Eagles must play in the semifinal of the World Cup, which means we cannot afford to fail in the qualifiers.
"The coaches, the players and the NFF are all working towards a great performance in South Africa," the NFF boss said.
Lulu said the federation is confident that the Super Eagles will make it to South Africa.
"We are looking at the World Cup already, not because we are underrating our opponents, but because we believe we can make it and do well in South Africa.
"The stakes are high but we cannot afford to fail. Nigeria is a big country with lots of potential in the game and that is why we are working hard to enable the team to get it right in all games."
Nigeria open their qualifying campaign away to Mozambique on March 28 before hosting Kenya's Harambee Stars in Abuja in June.
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