Rio 2016 : Nigeria Set up Semi Final Clash With Germany After Victory

Nigeria will face Germany Thursday for a place in the Gold medal final of the Rio Olympics after both teams won their respective quarterfinals today.

Germany humbled Portugal 4-0 and Nigeria dumped Denmark 2-0.

For Nigeria, it was a sweet revenge after they lost to the Danes 6-2 in a friendly in June.

However, on Thursday they will be without midfielder Azubuike Okechukwu, who led them to win the U23 AFCON in December in Senegal after he picked up a needless second booking against Denmark.

Nigeria won this rematch comfortably as Denmark did not really push them and also goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel was at his best as he pulled off at least three top saves to keep a clean sheet in Salvador.

A bright start by Nigeria was finally crowned in the 16th minute by a rare goal by Chelsea star Mikel Obi, who slid home a super cutback by the lively Imoh Ezekiel.

And by the time, Umar Aminu, in for the injured Oghenekaro Etebo, headed home Mikel’s corner on 59 minutes, it was over for the Danes.

All the drama that littered the build-up to this encounter for Nigeria were forgotten and possibly forgiven as coach Samson Siasia’s side took the game to their opponents from the first whistle.

A dipping volley by Casper Nielsen after 11 minutes crashed against the Nigeria crossbar, but it was Nigeria who really threatened from the onset before they got the go-ahead goal through Mikel.

Imoh Ezekiel continued to cause problems to the Denmark defence.

Nigeria goalkeeper Daniel then came up with a reaction save in the 25th minute from a looping header and moments later, he made a point-blank save as Denmark fought back in search of the equaliser.

Denmark dominated for  spell thereafter, but they still could not get past a defence led by Norway-based William Troost-Ekong.

Aminu’s goal just before the hour mark will then prove to be the killer blow as Denmark struggled to push forward with much purpose.

They were restricted to half chances to ensure Nigeria made it to their third Olympics semifinals.

Rio 2016 : Nigeria Set up Semi Final Clash With Germany After Victory

Rio 2016 Update : Nigeria"s Dream Team Grounded in Atlanta

Nigeria’s Olympic football team are facing a race against time to travel to Manaus, Brazil after being left stranded in Atlanta, USA due to unpaid flight bills.

Samson Siasia’s men are due to face Japan in their opening game on Friday and were originally scheduled to depart for Brazil on 29 July.

However, they have been left kicking their heels in Atlanta once again after failing to board their flight on Tuesday afternoon.

They will be hoping to finally jet out on Wednesday, although it is clear their preparations for the U23 tournament have been severely hampered by the latest setback.

After their opening clash with Japan, Nigeria will take on  Sweden and Colombia in their remaining Group B games.

Rio 2016 Update : Nigeria"s Dream Team Grounded in Atlanta

Keshi Laid to Rest in Nigeria

Stephen Keshi, the former Nigeria captain and manager, was buried on Friday in his country house at Ilah, in Nigeria’s Delta State.

Keshi won the Africa Cup of Nations as both captain (in 1994) and manager of the Super Eagles (in 2013).

The man affectionately known as ‘Big Boss’ was twice voted as Africa’s top coach, by the Confederation of African Football (Caf), in 2005 and 2013.

He died of sudden medical complications in his home in Benin City in June.

A huge personality in the continental game, playing in five Africa Cup of Nations finals (1982, 1984, 1988, 1992 and 1994), the former Anderlecht, Strasbourg and RWD Molenbeek central defender, had also managed Togo – earning them a 2006 World Cup place – and Mali, before taking up the Nigeria job in 2011.

“I can’t believe that Stephen is gone,” said Uche Okechukwu, the former Brondby and Fenerbahce central defender, who played with Keshi in the Super Eagles in the 1990s.

“I was to have called him a few days before he passed. But I forgot.

“Days later, my brother banged on my door one early morning and told me to check my Facebook page, as he clearly did not know how to break the news to me.

“It was a very big shock. It still is a very big shock,” Okechukwu said.

A large group of Keshi’s former Super Eagles teammates, including Okechukwu, Mutiu Adepoju, Augustine Eguavoen, Victor Ikpeba and Peter Rufai, attended the memorial service at St. John’s Catholic Church in Ilah, which took place before the burial, in Keshi’s home.

“Keshi was a man that knew his own mind. He was a very strong personality,” Ikpeba, the former AC Monaco, Borussia Dortmund striker and 1997 CAF African Footballer of the Year, told the BBC.

“As a member of the NFF’s technical committee, we often had to exchange strong words, over the way that he managed the national team.

“I was a young player under his captaincy, during the start of my career in the national team, so Keshi always felt that I should support him totally as coach. But this was not always possible, as I had my own opinion, which sometimes differed from his.

“But despite our occasional differences, over technical issues, I’ve always had a great deal of respect for him. He was, truly, the “Big Boss,” Ikpeba said.

Keshi controversially lost his job as Super Eagles coach in 2014, after the Pinnick Amaju led Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) claimed that he had “violated” the terms of his employment contract, by “seeking” to take up work with the Ivorian national team.

Kate, to whom Keshi was married, for over 30 years, died in December last year, after losing a three-year battle with cancer. He is survived by four children.

Source : BBC

Keshi Laid to Rest in Nigeria

FIFA President To Visit Nigeria Next Month

FIFA president Gianni Infantino will embark on an official visit to Nigeria next month, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said on Monday.

In a statement signed by NFF spokesman, Ademola Olajire, Infantino’s visit to the West African superpower was to seek the nation’s support to the new FIFA leadership’s drive to truly develop the game of football.

“Infantino believes that Nigeria is a big country and a massive football-playing nation that should help with the FIFA’s leadership plan,” the statement said.

During his visit to Nigeria, the FIFA boss will hold an interactive session with a horde of African FA Presidents who will also be in the country to receive him, the statement added.

Infantino assumed office as head of world’s football governing body after winning election at an extraordinary general congress in Zurich on Feb. 26.

FIFA President To Visit Nigeria Next Month

CAF Fines Nigeria Football Federation

African football’s governing body on Monday fined Nigeria $5,000 (4,400 euros) for overcrowding and lack of security during their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) imposed the fine at a disciplinary meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, threatening “sanctions will be applied” if there was any repeat.

More than 40,000 spectators crammed into the 15,000-capacity Ahmadu Bello Stadium in the northern city of Kaduna on March 29 to watch the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Fans climbed onto any available space, including floodlight scaffolding, while others had to be held back from spilling onto the pitch by police mounted on horseback.

The Kaduna State government had thrown open the doors of the venue to allow fans to watch the crucial qualifier for free.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles lost the return fixture in Alexandria 1-0, ending their hopes of qualifying for the finals in Gabon next year.

CAF Fines Nigeria Football Federation

Watford Beat PSG To The Signing of Nigerian Striker

Watford appear to have fended off competition from a number of sides from Isaac Success, with his agent confirming that Granada will sell their striker to no club but the Hornets.

The 20-year-old has been dubbed as one of the brightest young strikers in Spanish football and this season has excelled for Granada’s frontline, despite their indifferent season.

Whilst the well-built Success has just six La Liga goals to his name this season, Watford have been eager to bring the Nigerian to Vicarage Road ahead of the summer transfer window.

Watford and Granada are both owned by the Pozzo family, and that appears to have worked in the favour of the former, with Quique Flores’ side beating Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan to his signature.

Watford Beat PSG To The Signing of Nigerian Striker

Redknapp To Be Named Super Eagles Coach

Harry Redknapp could be the next Super Eagles manager if the latest report from the Daily Star is anything to go by.

The Daily Star has published an ‘exclusive’ report that claims former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp will be named the new Super Eagles boss.

Earlier this week, Salisu Yusuf was named the interim manager for the Nigerian national football team and is set to guide the West African nation to two international friendlies between May 27 and June 1. The Nigerians are set to face Mali in Paris and Luxembourg during that period.

The English publication also claims that a source close to Redknapp has revealed that he will be named the new Super Eagles boss in ‘the next few days.’

But the 69-year-old’s lack of experience at the international level could be a major concern for fans of the football-loving African nation.

The former West Ham boss is fresh from managing two games for Jordan, in a deal that was widely seen as a favor for the country’s FA president Prince Ali bin al-Hussein.

It should be remembered that the former Queens Park Rangers boss was also given a chance to work as an adviser for Derby County, but insisted to work on a part-time basis, probably setting his eyes on what is considered the biggest job in African football.

Redknapp To Be Named Super Eagles Coach

Mighty Jets Player Passes Away After A Brief Illness

The management of Mighty Jets FC of Jos has received with great shock the news of the demise of the club’s defensive midfielder, John George, who passed on Thursday afternoon in Kaduna after a brief illness.

In a statement released by the club, George was described as a hardworking and committed professional who was always respectful to officials and colleagues alike.

Until his death, he was on loan at Nigeria Professional Football League side, Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi and was a regular member of the first team.

His last game was a 2-2 home draw between Lobi Stars and Kano Pillars last month and he had obtained permission from the club to return to Kaduna to treat a recurring bout of malaria, a trip he never returned from.

Before joining Mighty Jets he had played for Plateau United FC also of Jos. Mighty Jets would discuss with Lobi Stars and the player’s family on the plans and arrangements as regards his burial.

The entire management pray his family would have the fortitude to bear the loss and also pray for the repose of his soul.

Mighty Jets Player Passes Away After A Brief Illness

Shocking : Deceased Referee Named To Officiate NPL Match

Wale Akinsanya, who died in January, has been named to referee this weekend’s match Nigeria Premier League (NPL) match between Warri Wolves and Giwa.

 

This bizarre news clearly demonstrates the state at which Nigeria football is, as Nigeria Football Association (NFF) is going through a series of litigation issues

 

The state of Nigerian football is currently on the verge of crisis point, the BBC reports, with current Nigerian Football Federation president Ameju Pinnick being challenged for power by Chris Gawa, with a court order ruling that Giwa should replace Pinnock even though he is recognized by FIFA.

 

In a move to try and seize control of the Federation’s operations, Giwa went ahead and published the list of referees for this weekend’s Premier League action, but he failed to notice that Akinsanya who was penned in to officiate the Wolves vs Giwa fixture – died in January this year.

Shocking : Deceased Referee Named To Officiate NPL Match