AFCON 2015: Super Eagles keep hope alive, win 2-0 in Congo

THE Super Eagles on Saturday at the Stade Municipal, Pointe-Noire kept Nigeria's dream of qualifying for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alive with a 2-0 defeat of the Red Devils of the Republic of the Congo.
 
The result puts Nigeria in the second position in group A with seven points as Bafana Bafana of South Africa maintains lead now with 10 points following their 2-1 victory over Sudan also on Saturday.
 
It was a sweet revenge for the Eagles which had earlier in the first round lost 2-3 to the Red Devils in Calabar, while the match hero in Point-Noire turned out to be goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama with his heroic performance.
 
After a barren situation in the first half, returnee Ikechukwu Uche who last played for Nigeria 19 months ago shot the Eagles into the lead in the 59th minute with a spot-kick, after goal-bound Emmanuel Emenike, was brought down in the box by the onrushing goalkeeper Chancel Massa.
 
The embattled Congolese lost what would have given an equaliser and some respite in the 64th minute as Enyeama saved the penalty kick taken by Thievy Bifouma, after Godfrey Oboabona was believed to have palmed the shot taken by Prince Oniangue.

 
The save gave the Eagles more elixir to complete the Miracle of Point-Noire, as China-based Aaron Samuel in the 89th minute out of sheer brilliance beat Massa with a left-footed curled drive to seal the victory for the reigning African champions.
 
It was Samuel's second goal for Nigeria in two appearances having scored against Sudan in Abuja.
Disappointed home fans brought the game to a standstill as they began to throw missiles onto the pitch before sanity was later restored.

The Super Eagles however, need victory over Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Wednesday, November 19 at the newly-commissioned Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo, to seal their passage to AFCON 2015 now to be staged by Equatorial Guinea with 10 points.
 
The Red Devils of Congo are however, still in the race as they need to beat Sudan on Wednesday in Khartoum to finish on 10 points and pray the match between Nigeria and South Africa end in a draw.

Caption: Ik Uche scores the opening goal in Congo.

NNL Week 30 fixtures, Nov. 15

Saturday, November 15, 2014
Division A

Ranch Bees              vs      Kwara Utd
TEAP                      vs      Sokoto Utd
Spotlight                  vs       Kogi Utd
Plateau Utd             vs       DSS, Kaduna
Adamawa Utd         vs     Mighty Jets
Wikki Tourists         vs     Nigeria Prisons
Niger Tornadoes     vs     FRSC, Abuja
Jigawa Stars           vs      Supreme Court
Division B

Ekiti Utd                   vs Gabros
MFM, Lagos           vs  ABS, Ilorin
3SC                        vs  Akwa Starlets
Gateway Utd           vs  UNICEM Rovers
Abia Comets           vs  Remo Stars
Prime                       vs  COD Utd, 
Bendel Insurance      vs Stationery Stores
Go-Round                vs   FirstBank
.

2015 AFCON: Super Eagles in make or mar clash with Red Devils

. We will win in Congo-Keshi
. Enyeama goes for 98th cap
. Ik Uche returns

 
Nigeria's possible campaign in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), will apparently be ascertained on Saturday, as the Super Eagles confront the Diables Rouges of the Republic of the Congo in a qualifier billed for the Stade Municipal, Pointe-Noire.
 
A draw by the reigning African champions automatically rules Nigeria out of the bi-ennial championship now to be hosted by Equatorial Guinea, according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Nigeria is third on the table with four points in the group dominated by South Africa with eight points while Congo follows on seven points.
 
Interestingly, the Red Devils in the first round proved many bookmakers wrong with a 3-2 victory over the star-studded Eagles at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar, where Thiery Bifouma bagged a brace and the first strike by Prince Oniangue.
 
Thus Saturday's game serves as an avenue for the Super Eagles to redeem Nigeria's image and also brighten its hope of featuring in 2015 AFCON with a home game left against Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

Goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama who missed the Calabar game is expected to be on duty for the Eagles this time. Nigerians will surely pray for the CSKA Moscow player Ahmed Musa to be in his best element this time, alongside returnee Ikechuckwu Uche, who last played for Nigeria in February 2013. The Villareal of Spain forward, Uche, has been in a terrific form in recent times which makes Nigerians to call for his inclusion amid his perceived face-off with coach Stephen Keshi.
 
His recall has already boosted the camp of the Eagles as Enyeama said: "this is a good move for the team and I'm happy to have him back". 
 
Nigeria will also bank on John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Godfrey Oboabona, Emmanuel Emenike, Raheem Lawal to produce another miracle in Point-Noire on Saturday.
 
The reinstatement of Keshi as the team's chief tactician by the presidency after his initial disengagement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), is hailed by many soccer-loving Nigerians as a welcome development, as the former international is believed to still possess the magic wand that can take the Eagles back on track after a sloppy start.

Keshi while speaking before the team's departure expressed optimism about the Eagles' ability
to win in Point-Noire against all odds.

“I am sure we will win, We have done everything on our part. Now we just have to urge Nigerians to pray for us. We know what to expect in Congo. It’s never going to be an easy game but we have the players who are ready to play with their hearts and make Nigeria proud," said the former coach of Mali.

Meanwhile, Enyeama will be making his 98th international appearance in Congo since his debut in 2002, as the technical crew has certified him fit for the make or mar game amid the rumour that shoulder injury may stop him. The match holds at 3.30pm Nigeria time.

Caption: Vincent Enyeama gunning for the 98th cap against Congo.

Equatorial Guinea to host 2015 AFCON

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has named Equatorial Guinea as host of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
 
This follows the withdrawal of Morocco who hinged her decision on the outbreak of Ebola Virus in some parts of the continent. 

CAF rejected that request and subsequently stripped Morocco of the tournament's hosting
right. It also exiled the Atlas Lions of Morocco from the 2015 showpiece.
 
The CAF in a statement on Friday said: "The Head of State and President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, received the President of CAF Issa Hayatou this Friday, November 14 concerning the possibility of Equatorial Guinea hosting the Africa Cup of Nations 2015.

 "Following friendly and fruitful discussions, the Head of State of Equatorial Guinea has agreed to host the tournament from January 17 to February 8, 2015. The Executive Committee of CAF President Issa Hayatou would like to take this opportunity to express their sincere thanks and deep appreciation to the people of Equatorial Guinea, to their government, and particularly to the Head of State and President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo."

Meanwhile, the draw for the tournament will hold on Wednesday, December 3 in Malabo with other venues for the 2015 AFCON as Bata, Mongomo and Ebebiyin.

Equatorial Guinea, it will be recalled, co-hosted the 2012 AFCON with Gabon, while the country was disqualified by CAF from the ongoing AFCON qualifying series for fielding an ineligible player, Thierry Tazemeta (of Cameroonian origin) during the play-off against Mauritania.

N13.8m up for grabs at 14th Gov's Tennis Cup

THE 14th Governor’s Cup Lagos Tennis Championship serves off on Monday, November 17 at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Onikan with N13.8 million (about $84,000) at stake as total prize money.

Vice chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Engineer Afolabi Salami, at a media briefing in Lagos, disclosed this adding that logistics have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free tournament.

Salami, who represented the LOC chairman, Chief Pius Akinyelure, said the total prize money for the competition remains awesome despite the reduction in the number of days of the event this time.

"Whereas our regular two-week Futures tournament has a total prize money of $80,000, added hospitality which includes accommodation and breakfast at the Eko Hotel and Suites for our foreign invited players and a N10,000 daily subsidy in lieu of accommodation for Nigerian players for the period they remain in the championship," he said.

He stated that 32 top class Futures players- for the men and women's singles and 32 each (16 pairs) for the men and women's doubles have been invited by the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF) to feature in the invitational tournament.

Salami added that a clinic will be organised for the kids to be drawn mostly from various schools in the state between the ages four and 16 years on the last day of the week-long tourney.

The final of the highest money spinning circuit on the continent is fixed for Saturday, November 22.

It will be recalled that Croatian Borna Coric and compatriot Ante Pavic won the 2013 edition of the Futures I and II men’s singles titles respectively, while Tadeja Majeric of Slovenia and Italian Gioia Barbieri claimed the Futures I and II women's singles titles respectively.

Nigeria will be led to the 14th Governor's Cup by the reigning Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) men's and women's singles champions, Abdulmumuni Babalola.

The full list of players invited for the tournament on the home fronts: Adegoke Sarah, Samuel Blessing, Agugbom Christy, Akingbade Ronke, Pam Elizabeth, Kienka Loila, Aiyegbusi Aanu, Donatus Loveth, Airhunwunde Osariemen, Olowu Bukola, Ebijimi Pauline, Ibrahim Omotayo Osewa,Quadri Aminat, Anuna Blessing Dirisu Ngozi and Esorae Nosakhaire.

Nigerian male players

1.      Enosoregbe Clifford
2.      Babalola Abdulmumin
3.      Atseye Henry
4.      Shehu Lawal
5.      Otu John
6.      Otu Thomas
7.      Madueke Nonso
8.      Omoile Samuel
9.   Micheal Moses
10.  Imeh Joseph
11.  Balami Umaru
12.  Paul Christian
13.  Emmanuel Sylvester
14.  Adamu Sani
15.  Alade Kehinde
16.  Idoko Emmanuel

           Foreign players (female)

1.         Scheepers Channelle (RSA)
2.         Jabeur Ons (Tunisia)
3.         Simmond Chanel (RSA)
4.         Le-Roux Madrie (RSA)
5.         Fouroclas Natasha (RSA)
6.         Razafinmhtratra  Zarah (Madagascar)
7.         Abou Zekry Ola (Egypt)
8.         Sherif Mayar (Egypt)
9.         Hattingh Ilze (RSA)
10.       Sammons Michelle (RSA)
11.       Grandin Natalie (RSA)
12.       Ibbou Ines (Algeria)
13.       Atit Rita (Morocco)
14.       Hanza Yasmine (Egypt)
15.       Qostal Lina (Morocco)
16.       Andria Marosoa Sandra (Madagascar)

Foreign players (male)
1.         Safwat Mohammed (Egypt)
2.         Sabry Sherif (Egypt)
3.         Garanganga Takanyi (Zimbabwe)
4.         Mark Fynn (Zimbabwe)
5.         Hossam Karim (Egypt)
6.         Kiegou Alexis (Benin)
7.         Roelofse Ruan (RSA)
8.         Gooch Damon (RSA)
9.         Janse Van Rensbury Benjamin (RSA)
10.       El-Amram Reda (Morocco)
11.       Saidu Diallo (Mali)
12.       Tunde Segodo (Benin)
13.       Theophile Segodo (Benin)
14.       Hassan NdaYishmiye (Brundi)
15.       Mamoun Kaim Mohammed (Egypt)
16.       Ira Dunkwda GlynOrly (Burundi)

Caption: Henry Atseye, one of Nigeria's players to be on parade.

AFCON snub: No grudge against Keshi--Moses

NIGERIA international and Stoke City forward, Victor Moses says he doesn't bear a grudge against the head coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi for excluding him from the list of invited players for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Republic of the Congo and South Africa.

The reigning African champions will this weekend in Point Noir face the Red Devils of Congo in a must win game with only four points to show on the table in group A, being dominated by Bafana Bafana of South Africa with seven points.
 
Nigeria's last AFCON qualifier holds on November 19 at the newly-commissioned Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo, which could be a formality clash if the Eagles lose to Congo already with six points on the log.
 
Moses who is on loan from Chelsea told Stoke Sentinel that he was pleased with the decision of Keshi, who he said will never do anything that will jeopardise his career.
 
"There's a reason I'm not in it (the Super Eagles squad) and the manager (Keshi) has said I'm just getting back from injury and he didn't want to take the risk with me,"  Moses with seven goals since his debut in the Super Eagles in 2012 said.
 
The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner who scored his first English Premier League (EPL) goal for the Potters during a 2-2 draw with West Ham United, said he derives positives after all from the development - to be in top shape to be able to play for Nigeria blessed with a lot of talented players.
 
"I think he (Keshi) was right to do that. I'm the sort of player who always wants to represent Nigeria, but I just need to make sure I get myself back to full fitness," said Moses who featured in Stoke's 2-1 away win over Tottenham Hotspurs last Sunday. 
 
Keshi while defending the exclusion of Moses from the squad to Congo said: "I left (Moses) out because he’s just coming back from injury and we don’t want to take any risks".
 
The former coach of Togo added that: "Everyone knows what I think of Victor. He’s a good kid and very talented footballer but at this point, for the upcoming games, we don’t want to take any risks".
 
Meanwhile, the former England junior international celebrated Stoke's second away victory of
the season after Manchester City demolition at Etihad Stadium, through the social media.
 
The former Wigan Athletic player in his twitter account @Victor Moses said: “Great win at a tough ground the boys were superb! Appreciate all of your support as always”.

Caption: Victor Moses

Eduok turns first goal scorer at Akwa Ibom International Stadium

ONE of the leading scorers in the Nigeria Premier League, Emem Eduok on Friday night became the first player to score at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo, which was commissioned by Goodluck Jonathan a few minutes earlier before the encounter in a colourful ceremony.

Eduok's strike came in the 35th minute in the international friendly between the home-based  Super Eagles and Ghana's Black Meteors and the effort was good enough to earn Nigeria the Transformation Cup initiated by the Akwa Ibom State governor Chief Godswill Akpabio.

The Dolphins player with 20 goals in the domestic league connected Solomon Kwambe's cross past badly positioned goalkeeper Richard Ofori for the only goal of the game.
Also on hand to grace the commissioning of the 30,000 capacity stadium were presidents of Ghana John Dramane Mahama and that of the Ivory Coast, Allasane Ouattara.  

The Nigerian team handled by ex-international Daniel Amokachi was a delight to watch while the match lasted as the Ghanaians rekindled the healthy rivalry between both countries in the game handled by FIFA-graded referee, Ferdinand Udoh who incidentally hails from Akwa Ibom State.

The home-based Super Eagles paraded Chigozie Agbim, Solomon Kwambe, Azubuike Egwuekwe,
Gbolahan Salami, Ighodaro Osagona, Christian Obiozor, Rabiu Ali, Kingsley Zokari, Bright Esieme, Umar Zongo, Emem Eduok, Mfom Udoh, Stanley Dimgba, Christian Pyagbara and Tony Edjomariegwe, among others in the grudge match.

The first player to be issued a red card at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium turned out to be Richard Yamoah of Ghana. He was sent off in the 89th minute following his offensive clash with Edjomariegwe in an attempt to stop the latter from advancing with the ball. 

Kingsley Sokari would have made it 2-0 for Nigeria in the 93rd minute but his effort was cleared off the goalline by defender Emmanuel Nti Mensah after goalkeeper Ofori had been displaced.

President Ouattara after the match decorated the Ghanaians with silver medals as President Mahama decorated the Eagles with gold medals while President Jonathan presented the gold-plated Transformation Cup to goalkeeper Agbim, who captained Nigerian on the night.

The newly-commissioned stadium known as the Nest of Champions will on November 15 play host to the Super Eagles as they tackle the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in a 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.
It will be recalled that Yakubu Mambo scored the first goal at the National Stadium, Lagos when it was commissioned on December 4, 1972 where Nigeria dumped Mali 3-0.
......
Caption: Emem Eduok, the match hero.