CHAN 2014: I'm parading rookies--Keshi

SUPER Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi has said that the 1-2 loss suffered by his wards in the hands of Mali in the opening group A game of the third African Nations Championship (CHAN) did not come to him as a surprise.
An exasperated Keshi said after the match at the Cape Town Stadium last weekend that he is prosecuting the biennial competition with a bunch of inexperienced players.
"I was expecting this kind of result because of the anxiety that comes with this kind of championship for players that have not been exposed to tournaments like this,” the man who coached Togo to the 2006 World Cup declared.
He stated that the CHAN opener defeat has served as a lesson for his players to up their game while acknowledging that the Malians deserved victory on the day.
"We did not play our game. We only started playing well in the last five to 10 minutes and that
was too late. At the half time break, I asked them to feel free and express themselves and I don't know if
that worked because we still lost the game," said the former coach of Mali.
He also blamed the lacklustre performance of his wards to lack of competition on the domestic scene just as he savoured the great opportunity being provided for local players to be exposed.
"I think this is a perfect opportunity for home-based players to move forward and get exposure. If it’s about the league of each country, we have been out of action for like four months and we have had these players for only three weeks, but I don't know if that was responsible for today," Keshi who captained Nigeria to the 1994 World Cup said.
Mali had through the goals from Abdoulaye Sissoko (18th minute) and Adama Traore (50th minute) recorded their first ever victory over Nigeria at the senior level, with Gbolahan Salami's glancing header in the 54th minute serving as consolation for the African champions.
Nigeria will on Wednesday also in Cape Town face the Mambas of Mozambique who also suffered a
1-3 loss to the hosts, Bafana Bafana in the first group A match.

Caption: Stephen Keshi.

CHAN 2014: Nigeria open campaign against Mali

REIGNING African champions, Nigeria's Super Eagles will face the Eagles of Mali in the second group A match of The third African Nations Championships (CHAN) which begins on Saturday (January.11) in South Africa.
The match holds at the Cape Town Stadium at 21.00 (7pm Nigerian time) after the opening match of the competition between the hosts, Bafana Bafana of South Africa and the Mambas of Mozambique at 5pm.
Nigeria it will be recalled beat Mali 4-1 in the semi-final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) enroute to their victory just as Saturday's clash provides the Malians an ample opportunity to avenge the defeat.
Three members of the AFCON winning squad, Chogozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Ejike Uzoenyi
will be on parade for the Super Eagles.
Keshi has however, warned Nigerians not to expect his team to win this time saying that he will miss some of the key players like Sunday Mba and Godfrey Oboabona who have secured foreign clubs after Nigeria's qualification, just as he declared that Nigeria are not going to South Africa to make up the numbers.
Meanwhile coach of South Africa, Gordon Igesund believes the victory over Spain late last year in an international friendly would propel Bafana Bafana to excel at CHAN 2014
“After beating Spain, we should carry on with the habit of winning and [the African Nations Championship] is a type of tournament where it is important for the team to do well,” Igesund told 'City Press'.
The tactician is equally confident based on the strength of his team which composed of players
from the Premier Soccer League (PSL)-Kaizer Chiefs, Bidvest Wits, Mamelodi Sundowns, Moroka
Swallows, Platinum Stars, Bloemfontein Celtic and University of Pretoria.
“The challenge is to get Bafana going to a point that we get into the top eight in Africa so that we can be seeded when the draw for big tournaments is made,” Igesund said.
The hosts will no doubt bank on the experience of goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune alongside Siphiwe Tshabalala and Bernard Parker, among others to go for their first CHAN title after finishing in the quarter-final in their debut two years ago in Sudan.
The Mambas of Mozambique coached by Joao Chissano are well prepared for the tournament with the
players drawn from Liga Muculmana and rivals Costa do Sol who supplied five players each
while Ferroviario de Maputo, Maxaquene and Ferroviario de Beira have three players each. 
Mozambique in one of their build up games to CHAN 2104 lost 1-2 loss to the Warriors of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo and the result according to Chissano has exposed his team's weaknesses which would be corrected before the all-important opener against Bafana Bafana.
The debutants bank on experienced players in veteran defender Dario Khan, Miro, Gabito and Alvarito to combine with youngsters in Maninho and Diogo to make a statement in the Rainbow Nation.
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Caption: Goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim.
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Why I beat Mikel to Glo-CAF award---Yaya Toure

MANCHESTER CIty player, Yaya Toure has said that his five-star performance in the national team contributed more to his emergence as the 2013 African Player of the Year.
The Ivorian international stunned millions of Nigerians who stayed glued to their television sets on Thursday night to watch the live transmission of the colourful Glo-CAF award held at the Eko Hotels and Suites when he beat Nigerian international John Obi Mikel to the famous award for the third year running
Toure, who expressed surprise while presenting his post victory remark later told a Ghanaian radio station, Citi FM that his victory was largely due to his contributions to the national team of Cote d'Ivoire.
"I think the award was given based on one's work with his national team and we, the contenders were judged based on that.
"A good national team showing is crucial for us. Of course, great club form is also important because it is never easy combing both things. Playing week in, week out at that level for Manchester City is very difficult."
"It has been one year since I won the last Player of the Year award so it is really challenging," said the former player of Beveren of Belgium, Metalurh Donetsk of Ukraine, Olympiacos of Greece, AS Monaco of France and FC Barcelona of Spain.
Toure did not hide the fact that Mikel (Chelsea of England) could have equally been a worthy winner of the prestgious Clo-CAF award.
"To be very honest with you, being touted as the favourite and not winning is really painful. I really feel for Mikel because he also deserved to win it. That said, I will just will just keep working hard and improving myself," he submitted.
Harmonysport.blogspot.com can authoritatively reveal that Toure clinched the award with (373
votes) as a result of Francophone influence as the voting pattern showed that he was preferred to Mikel who finished with 265 votes.
Out of the first 22 countries on the voting list, Mikel only won (10 points) in his country, Nigeria and Sudan while Toure led in all the remaining 20 countries except in Ghana and Congo (Asamoah Gyan), Egypt (Mohammed Aboutreika) and Gabon (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang).Two-time winner Didier Drogba finished third with 236 votes.

Caption: Yaya Toure.
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CHAN 2014: I have no team yet------Keshi

HEAD Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi has said that he is yet to get a solid team for the third African Nations Championship (CHAN) which begins on January 11 in South Africa.
Keshi made this known while speaking shortly after the home-based Super Eagles defeated the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia 2-1 in a friendly at the National Stadium, Abuja.
"We are not yet a team, we are still working to get a team. You cannot get a team under three weeks, it’s impossible, expect you are magician," he said.
The man who coached Togo to the 2006 World Cup however, said he was impressed with the performance of his team.
"I am very impressed with the performance of the team especially on tactical play. If I get this kind of performance in all our games in CHAN, I will be satisfied.
"We played against a very good side. This is the first team of Ethiopia, very experienced team, they have been together for a long time," said the former Super Eagles captain.
The Delta State-born tactician said the outcome of the match was a lesson to his boys.
"This match serve as a lesson to us. We have never conceded a goal from a throw-in. Today we saw that goals can be scored from throw-ins, we have learned from that and we will try to correct our mistakes."
"The essence of this match is to give younger players experience though they have been together for long. So, this game is just for exposure and we have learned a lot from it," said the winner of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON),.
The former trainer of Mali acknowledged that his wards played a bit under pressure which they would overcome in a matter of days.
"Really my boys played under a little pressure, they wanted to impress the crowd, they wanted to impress the media. In the first half they played together and I think it should be like that, but in days to come they would improve," he said.
Goals from goals Ifeanyi Ede and Ugonna Ozochukwu gave Nigeria a 2-0 lead in the first half before goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim's blunder gave the Ethiopians a consolatory goal..
Nigeria drawn in group A at CHAN 2014 will begin their campaign on January 11 in Cape Town against Mali while they will also face Mozambique and the hosts, South Africa in the group.
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Caption: Keshi

FA Cup: Arsenal can't stop Adebayor--Tottenham manager

TOTTENHAM Hotspur's Manager, Tim Sherwood believes Emmanuel Adebayor is in a devastating form to make victory possible at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday when they face Arsenal in the third round of the English FA Cup.
The Togolese international has maintained hundred per cent scoring form since his return after the exit of Andre Villas-Boas who had sent him to Team B, as Sherwood has kept faith with him.
The former Monaco forward copped an injury during the last game where he scored the opener in the 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford, but his manager believes Arsenal fans should not celebrate yet as the lanky striker is fit enough for the game.
Interestingly, Adebayor in less than 24 hours will be facing the North London club which brought him to limelight.
"How important will Adebayor be tomorrow? It's huge," Sherwood said. "I think if Arsene Wenger saw him limping off at Old Trafford, I'm sure there were a lot of pleased Arsenal fans and management and players.
"But, unfortunately, he's going to be walking out against them tomorrow. It didn't look great did it when he came off on that stretcher but he is a warrior. There is no holding him back at the moment."
Meanwhile, the Gunners Manager, Arsene Wenger equally acknowledged that Adebayor whom he signed from Monaco in 2006 is a threat given his current form.
"What is amazing for him is how fit he was when he came back – how quickly he adapted to top-level competition again. He (Adebayor) is a player with special talent, I'm in a good position to know," said Wenger.
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Caption: Adebayor in action against Southampton.

I am tired of Dynamo Kyiv---Ideye

NIGERIAN international, Brown Ideye is willing to leave Dynamo Kyiv of Ukraine saying that  he is fed up with the inability to have enough playing time in the club.
His team-mate in fellow African from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Dieumerci Mbokani has apparently forced Ideye to become a bench player and this, the Edo State-born player is prepared to make a thing of the past by going to try his luck elsewhere.
“I have worked hard for Dynamo Kyiv. I scored 12 league goals in my first season at the club and 17 goals last season. The coach (Oleg Blohkin) knows what I can do but since I am no longer getting the opportunities I deserve, I believe it’s time for me to pack my bags and leave,” he said.
Ideye who joined the Ukrainian club from Sochaux of France on €9 million (about N2 billion in June 2011  has two goals to his credit in the ongoing season as against eight scored by the Congolese forward and this he attributed to the limited appearances he is bein given in the team.
“He (Mbokani) has made 17 league appearances so far this season while I have only started three games. Why would he not score more than me when he plays more? The fact that I even managed to score two goals under such conditions is a testament to my ability.
“I don’t think I have been treated fairly because Mbokani, with due respect has not achieved what I have in the game. I am a Nations Cup winner with Nigeria, I have played at the FIFA Confederations Cup and will hopefully play at the 2014 FIFA World Cup if God permits; Mbokani has not.
“They are only giving him more playing time because they spent a lot of money bringing him to the club and will want to justify the transfer fee.
“I have given my blood and sweat to Dynamo Kyiv. It was my goal that helped the club to qualify for the Uefa Champions League last season so to be treated like this is just not right,” the former Ocean Boys FC striker said.Ideye, who won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South Africa with the Super Eagles.
He however, banked on the assurance by Kyiv president, Ihor Sukis, of releasing him if any good offer comes.
“I had a serious but honest discussion with the president and we reached an agreement. He said I will be allowed to leave if the club receives a good offer but you know how these things work; nothing is decided until a deal is actually reached," said the former Neuchâtel Xamax of Switzerland player.

Keshi names Alampasu, 22 others for CHAN 2014

Head Coach, Stephen Keshi, on Tuesday named youthful goalkeeper, Dele Alampasu among the home-based Super Eagles who will represent Nigeria at the third African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa.
Alampasu who inspired Nigeria to win the FIFA U-17 World Cup, UAE 2013 and also capped it all with the Golden Glove award as the best goalkeeper of the championship impressed the technical crew with his performance during the week-long camping in Abuja hence; his inclusion in the team.
Alampasu is the only successful players among the three UAE 2013 World Cup winners invited to the camp as Kelechi Iheanacho and striker Taiwo Awoniyi could not make the team at the end.
Keshi also named 'Balotelli' of Nigerian football, Gbolahan Salami in the 23-man squad which also has three members of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winning team, goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim who is the team's captain, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Ejike Uzoenyi.
Two former Flying Eagles players at the African Youth Championship, Algeria 2013 and the FIFA U-20 World Cup, Turkey in 2013, Christian Pyagbara and Abdullahi Shehu are also included in the CHAN team.
Nigeria will begin their campaign in the competition on January 11 against Mali with hosts, South Africa and Mozambique as other opponents in group A.

The full list:

GOALKEEPERS: Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC); Dele Alampasu (Abuja Football College)
DEFENDERS: Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Francis Benjamin (Heartland FC); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars); Ikechukwu Gabriel (Bayelsa United); Umar Zango (Kano Pillars); Bright Esieme (Enyimba FC); Erhun Obanor (Insurance FC)
MIDFIELDERS: Ugonna Uzochukwu (Enugu Rangers); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Christian Pyagbara (Sharks FC); Ikenna Hilary (Sunshine Stars); Abdullahi Shehu (Kano Pillars); Joshua Obaje (Warri Wolves)
FORWARDS: Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers); Gbolahan Salami (Shooting Stars); Barnabas Imenger (Lobi Stars); Aliyu Ibrahim (Nasarawa United); Christian Obiozor (Enugu Rangers); Ifeanyi Ede (Enyimba FC)

Caption: Dele Alampasu.