Nigeria drop again in FIFA rankings

Nigeria have dropped six places on the latest monthly FIFA rankings released on Thursday by the world soccer-governing body as they now occupy 47th position in the world.
Nigeria who placed 41st in the previous rankings surprisingly moved to 47th despite finishing third at the just-concluded African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa.
The reigning African champions keep a date with Mexico, who are ranked 21st on the FIFA rankings, in a friendly billed for March 5 in the United States.
Nigeria are also ranked eighth on the continent behind Cote d'Ivoire, Algeria, Cape Verde Islands,Ghana, Egypt, Tunisia, Cameroon respectively while Mali and Burkina Faso occupy the ninth and tenth positions respectively in the latest rankings.
Meanwhile, Ghana surprisingly dropped 13 places in the rankings to 34th place and are down to fourth in Africa.
The rankings also showed Ghana losing their second position to Algeria and Cape Verde who were both not in action in the past months.
FIFA had last month confirmed that they have agreed to add the CHAN tournament to its recognised
A matches which are used for the monthly rankings of the national teams.

Caption: The Super Eagles assemble for prayer before a game.

Odemwingie scores debut goal at Stoke

OUT-Of-favour Nigerian international, Osaze Odewingie on Saturday evening made a statement as he scored his debut goal in the colours of Stoke City against Southampton in a Barclays English Premier League game at the St. Mary's Stadium which ended in a 2-2 draw.
The former West Brom striker had late last year told whoever cares to listen that he is very much available to play for Nigeria in the World Cup billed for Brazil later this year if coach Stephen Keshi is willing to give him a chance.
His attempt to relaunch himself  back to reckoning during his short stay with Cardiff City failed before he secured a Stoke offer in the January transfer window in his bid to be among Nigerian foreign-based players who could be at Brazil 2014.
The Edo State-born player had a sweet tale to tell in his debut game for Stoke as The Potters secured a 2-1 win over the Barclays English Premier League reigning champions, Manchester United at the Old Trafford.
At St. Mary's Stadium, Odemwingie equalised for Stoke in the 38th minute as he latched on to a defence splitting pass from Charlie Adam, after the homers had taken the lead in the sixth minute through Ricky Lambert.
Gangling Peter Crouch eventually saved the day for Stoke when he cancelled the 41st minute lead by Steven as both sides fired blank in the last half of the game.
The result helped The Potters to climb up to the 12th position on the log with 26 points from 25 games.
Meanwhile, Nigeria captain, Joseph Yobo also on Saturday night made his debut with Norwich City in the home game against red-hot Manchester city which ended in a barren draw.
Yobo who combined with Sebastian Bassong in his first game after joining for the Canaries on loan from Fenerbahce showed flashes of his old self as he deployed his wealth of experience to ensure his team picked up a point against all odds.
The captain of Nigeria's Super Eagles which won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in South
Africa had at the early exchanges saved what would have been the visitors' lead with a well-timed clearance.

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Caption: Osaze Odemwingie.

EXCLUSIVE: Why Ghana lost CHAN trophy to Libya

THE Black Stars of Ghana may have lost to the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in Saturday's final of the third African Nations Championship (CHAN) played at the Cape Town Stadium, South Africa to Ghana/Nigeria jinx.
Reason: Checks by harmonysport.blogspot.com reveals that Ghana have been battling with jinx of losing in the final in the last two decades any time they defeated Nigeria in a tournament.
The jinx started at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Senegal '92 when Ghana defeated Nigeria
2-1 in the semi-final only to lose to the Elephants of Cote d'Ivoire in the final of the competition 10-11 via penalties.
At the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosted by Ghana in 2008, the Black Stars defeated the Super Eagles 2-1 in the quarter-final only to lose in the semi-final to Cameroon by a lone goal.
At Angola 2010 AFCON, Ghana equally defeated a star-studded Nigeria 1-0 in the semi-final only to lose to Egypt in the final by a lone goal.
Thus, the episode in Cape Town last Saturday confirmed the Ghana/Nigeria jinx as the Libyans were least expected to emerge champions of Africa by pundits.
Interestingly, the prayer of Libya to avenge the AFCON ' 82 loss to Ghana after 33 years was granted at the CHAN 2014 final which made the victory of the North Africans indelible.
Ghana had defeated Libya before their teeming fans in Tripoli 7-6 via penalties to win the Nations Cup in 1982 after both sides had settled for a 1-1 draw in the group stage; while the same scenario played itself out in South Africa as Libya had earlier in group C held Ghana to a draw before losing via penalties, 4-3 in the final.
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Caption: Line up of Ghana's Black Stars.

Fallout of CHAN 2014: It is time for Europe--Obiozor

NIGERIA striker, Chinonso Christian Obiozor is already thinking of plying his trade in Europe after his  solitary strike gave the Super Eagles a 1-0 victory ove the Warriors of Zimbabwe in the third place match of the third African Nations Championship (CHAN) decided at the Cape Town Stadium, South Africa.
Obiozor whose 85th minute's header off a cross from Ejike Uzoenyi gave Nigeria the bronze medal of the biennial championship speaking moments after the match in Cape Town said CHAN had given him the leverage to seek greener pastures abroad.
“I thank God that I had this great opportunity to play in this competition and I am now looking forward to moving to Europe. In fact, any better offer that comes I will go,” said the Rangers forward.
He described the match against Zimbabwe as one of his best moments in his career.
“Thank God because it was not easy being my first match, and to win the man of the match award was a very great experience for me," Obiozor said.
The lanky striker declared that working under the Stephen Keshi-led technical crew was a boost to his career and his team-mates saying that "every young player will love to play under Keshi because he is one person who always motivates players to have self confidence that 'come on boys, you can do it' he inspires us a lot".
Obiozor holds the record of playing only one match in the 2014 CHAN with a goal which made him the hero of the match against Zimbabwe.
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Caption: Obiozor, time for Europe deal.

CHAN: Super Eagles bank on history to win bronze

HISTORY favours the Super Eagles to win the bronze medal of the third African Nations Championship (CHAN) as they face the Warriors of Zimbabwe on Saturday at the Cape Town Stadium, South Africa.
Nigeria since 1978 had never lost a third place match in Africa thus stand the chance of leaving the Rainbow Nation on Sunday with bronze.
Nigeria and Zimbabwe will be meeting for the ninth time at the senior level. 
Interestingly, Zimbabwe will be chasing their first win in 33 years over Nigeria. The only time Zimbabwe
defeated Nigeria was the first meeting of both sides on August 1, 1981 in a friendly which ended 2-0 in Harare.
The Super Eagles last defeated the Warriors at the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt 2-0 with goals from Christian Obodo and John Obi Mikel.
Also, the Warriors have over the years become easy preys for the Super Eagles but coach Ian Gorowa could rewrite history in Cape Town this time as anything is possible in football.
Coach Stephen Keshi is expected to make a major change in the line up of the Eagles this time as many Nigerians are clamouring for the introduction of teenage goalkeeper, Dele Alampasu as the third place match means little to the country.
Camp sources also indicated that second choice keeper, Daniel Akpeyi may take over from Chigozie Agbim this time as the latter has not been able to impress many Nigerians in his last five appearances.
Though, the Eagles lost 1-4 via penalties to the Black Stars in the semi-final last Wednesday in Bloemfontein, some Nigerian soccer fans were of the opinion that he (Agbim) ought to have stopped one of the kicks like his Ghanaian counterpart, Stephen Adams did during the penalty shootout.
Also, Gbolahan Salami who missed the last game is expected to be on duty against the Warriors and possibly start from the bench as Barnabas Imenger jnr who always come on as a substitute making the startling line up this time.
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CHAN 2104: Nigeria battle Morocco in q/final

ATLAS Lions of Morocco on Monday night emerged Nigeria's opponents in the qurter-final of the ongoing third African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The Lions rallied to a 3-1 win over the Cranes of Uganda to top group B with five points and  booked a showdown with the Eagles on Saturday.
Nigeria had defeated hosts, South Africa 3-1 on Sunday night at the Cape Town Stadium with goals
from Ejike Uzoenyi, who got a brace and Ifeanyi Ede, who converted a spot-kick awarded his side.
Uzoenyi belives there is no stopping the Eagles having reached the knockout stage saying that "We are here for a goal and we will not relent until we achieve that goal".
His teammate, Shehu Abdullahi also expressed optimism that winning CHAN is not impossible after the elimination of the hosts.  
"Tell Nigerians that they have not seen anything yet, we are here for nothing but the trophy and we have shown that with our game against South Africa, but I must say that is not our best match,” said the Kano Pillars midfielder.
Meanwhile, Masimba Mambare’s lone strike also on Monday night gave the Warriors of Zimbabwe a
1-0 victory over the Stallions of Burkina and a place in the next stage of the biennial showpiece.
The Warriors of Zimbabwe will take on group A leaders, the Eagles of Mali in the quarter-final on Saturday.
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Caption: Super Eagles' duo of Ejike Uzoenyi  (L) and Gbolahan Salami. Both have appeared on the score sheet in the ongoing third African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa.

CHAN 2014: Super Eagles can stop Bafana Bafana---Siasia

ERSTWHILE coach of the Super Eagles, Samson Siasia believes Nigeria have what it takes to beat hosts, South Africa in Sunday's last group A match of the third African Nations Championship (CHAN) billed for the Cape Town Stadium.
Siasia noted that the performance of the Stephen Keshi-piloted side in the last game which brought the team back in contention for the quarter-final ticket after a 4-2 win over the Mambas of Mozambique has rekindled the never-say-die spirit of a Nigerian team.
The man who coached Nigeria to win the silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics said that the only way to conquer Bafana Bafana in front of their teeming fans is for the Eagles to ensure total concentration.
"Yes, the boys did well against Mozambique but they need to raise their game on Sunday to beat South Africa to qualify because it a must win for us. They must not lose concentration come what may. The South Africans will no doubt enjoy home support but if our players can go out to raise their game and guard against any silly mistake, we will definitely win," said the former Nigeria's forward.
He noted that the Eagles must improve in goalkeeping as well saying that the goalkeeper (Chigozie Agbim) must be made to realise and correct his follies in the last two games before the crucial game against the hosts.
"It is going to be a final of sorts because as hosts, South Africa will not want to end the competition this way and we have to show our worth too on the continent," said the man who coached the Flying Eagles to win the silver at 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Holland.
Meanwhile, Keshi has equally warned his wards to be up and doing if they want to beat South Africa.
He noted that the presence of the three players from Bafana Bafana could spell a doom for the
Nigerian team on Sunday.
“South Africa is a very good team. (Itumeleng) Khune, (Siphiwe) Tshabalala and (Bernard) Parker
are very experienced players who can change the game at any moment,” said the 2013 Africa Cup of
Nations (AFCON) winning coach.
Nigeria with three points after 1-2 loss to Mali in the opening game need a win on Sunday to move to the knockout stage of the competition while South Africa with four points from two games need a draw to advance.
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Caption: Striker Gbolahan Salami, who scored Nigeria's only goal in the 1-2 loss to Mali in the opening game.