Nigeria"s Para - Athletes Given Heroic Welcome After Making History

Team Nigeria Paralympians returned to Nigeria on Sunday to a heroic welcome after they emerged with the highest number of medals for Africa.

Nigeria won a record eight gold, two silver and two bronze medals at the Rio Paralympics.

Tunisia and South Africa both won seven gold and six silver and bronze medals each, as they both finished with a total of 19 and 17 medals respectively and placed 21st and 22nd finish respectively.

In all, 43 African countries participated in the 15th edition of the Paralympic Games, which had 2,347 medals up for grabs in the games.

The tournament, which was topped by China in the gold medal table with a total of 107, was followed by Great Britain, Ukraine, USA and Australia, with 64, 61, 40 and 22 gold medals respectively.

Ghana lost out on the medals table as Nigeria, Tunisia, South Africa, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Namibia, Kuwait and Cote D’ivoire completed the gold medal table for Africa respectively.

Nigeria"s Para - Athletes Given Heroic Welcome After Making History

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

Nigeria Staring Ban From FIFA

World football governing body has warned Nigeria from enforcing the judgement of a high court which nullified the election that brought Amaju Pinnick and his board into the Nigeria Football Federation.

 

The tough times for Nigerian football continued this week, as the entire federation (NFF) faces a possible suspension after being sanctioned by FIFA.

Having failed to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations a few weeks ago, FIFA has now sent a warning to the federation after a Nigerian court ruled that former NFF president Amaju Pinnick be replaced by Chris Giwa.

Under FIFA rules and regulations, the national government is not allowed to interfere with the federation’s decisions.

Below is extract from FIFA letter

The decision of the Federal High Court in Jos, if implemented, would likely be considered as interference in the internal affairs of the NFF and the case would be brought to the highest authorities of Fifa for consideration of sanctions, including the suspension of the NFF.

 

All members associations have to manage their affairs independently and with no influence from third parties. In addition and according to article 68 of the Fifa Statutes, recourse to ordinary courts of law is prohibited unless specifically provided for in the Fifa regulations.

 

Furthermore, it is the duty of each member association to ensure that these provisions are implemented by its members and possibly take sanctions against those which fail to respect these obligations.

Nigeria Staring Ban From FIFA

Nigeria Slips In April FIFA Rankings

Nigeria’s senior national team have dropped to 67th in the latest Fifa world ranking released on Thursday.

 

This fall is not far-fetched from the Super Eagles inability to defeat Egypt in two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in Kaduna and Alexandria – and in the process lost the ticket to feature at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations billed for Gabon.

 

The Super Eagles slipped five places to be ranked 14th best African side behind Algeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Senegal, Egypt, Cape Verde, Tunisia, Congo DR, Guinea, Congo, Camerron, Morocco and Mali.

 

Meanwhile, Algeria remain at the summit of African football after moving four places to the 33rd position in the world while second-placed Cote d’Ivoire climbed two places to 34th and Egypt zoomed nine places up to 44th in the world but are fifth in Africa.

 

Argentina leapfrogged over Belgium to take the top spot in the world ranking as South American champions Chile stay third in the world.

 

The two most outstanding performers for April hail from the African continent. Guinea-Bissau (up 45) have climbed the most positions by rank, while Morocco (131 points) enjoy the biggest move by virtue points.

Nigeria Slips In April FIFA Rankings

Nigeria Miss Out On AFCON 2017 After Egypt Defeat

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have crashed out of the race, while Egypt are on the brink of qualifying for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after defeating Nigeria 1-0 in Alexandria on Tuesday.

The result means the Super Eagles have missed out on their second straight AFCON.The only goal of the game was scored by Ramadan Sobhy in the second half.

Only two big wins for Tanzania at home to Egypt and away to Nigeria would stop Egypt from attending their first AFCON since 2010.Egypt came close to opening the score in the fifth minute but the header struck the post and went away for a goal kick.

In the seventh minute Egypt skipper El Said had a chance after a bringing down a cross but his left-foot shot missed the target.

Aminu Umar had Nigeria’s first chance in the eighth minute following a right-wing cross from Abdullahi Shehu only to shoot straight at the keeper.

Odion Ighalo had a chance in the 15th minute after controlling a long pass from Shehu but blasted wide.

In the 29th minute, a left-wing cross by El Said went across the Eagles 18-yard without any Egyptian player connecting with the ball.

Goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi was called to action in the 40th minute, parrying a straight shot away for a corner.

A minute later, he made a brilliant diving save off a header.

Nigeria Miss Out On AFCON 2017 After Egypt Defeat

Siasia Optimistic About Beating Egypt In Alexandria

Samson Siasia, Super Eagles Interim Coach, is still optimistic of upstaging Egypt in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers despite the 1-1 game played in Kaduna on Friday.

The reverse fixture is in Alexandria on Tuesday with Super Eagles needing a win to leapfrog Egypt.

After the 1-1 draw in Kaduna, Siasia expressed his optimism thus, “we’ve not thrown in the towel yet and we are going to Alexandria to beat Egypt and go top of the group.”

He blamed the players for conceding a late equalizer, saying, “the players should blame themselves” for failing to beat Egypt.

“The players should blame themselves for the result. They wasted the chance to win the game and totally lost their focus in the final minutes despite my warnings,” he said.

The coach added: “You don’t leave a dangerous player like Salah alone.

“I blame the defenders for their play. You don’t lose concentration in the dying seconds of the game.”

The two teams will meet again on Tuesday in the return fixture in Alexandria and Siasia is not giving up hope of qualifying for Gabon 2017.

Siasia Optimistic About Beating Egypt In Alexandria