Beach Eagles Beat Tahiti, Face Brazil
Posted: Sep 07, 2011
Nigeria kept their nerve in a do-or-die final match of Group C at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Ravenna, Italy.
With both sides needing a win to move on to the knockout stages of the competition, the West Africans, playing in their fourth Beach Soccer finals, were able to ride out a 4-1 result.
The first period ended scoreless, a surprise as both sides created a number of chances in front of goal. Nigeria controlled possession and the tempo of the opening exchanges, but the Oceania representatives – playing in their first-ever Beach Soccer world finals – looked dangerous on the counter-attack.
The goals finally came in the second period, with the Nigerians opening up what seemed a comfortable lead. Victor Tale opened the scoring with a clever lob before Tahitian player-coach Teva Zaveroni tied it up with a fierce strike. Further goals from Tale and Musa Najare saw Nigeria increase their lead 3-1 by the close of the second period.
Not much changed in the third and final period but Ogbonnaya Okemmiri did add one more goal to see the Africans win out 4-1, a result that flattered. Nigeria will now move on to play Group D winner Brazil on 8 September in the quarter-finals, while debutants Tahiti head for home with their heads held high.
Yobo Signed Fenerbahce Contract At The Airport
Posted: Sep 07, 2011
Joseph Yobo will play for another season on loan at league champions Fenerbahce. The Nigeria skipper arrived Istanbul on Monday night and signed a contact at the Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport minutes before the close of the transfer window.
The Everton player, who misses the Eagles friendly against Argentina on Tuesday, is happy the transfer saw the light of day.
Yobo said in a statement: ''I am very happy to have returned. I indicated I wanted to leave Everton. I said I wanted to return to Istanbul. In this period, the transfer negotiations sometimes take a long time.
''Andre Santos and Diego Lugano, I'm really sorry they left the team. The club is doing the work necessary to fill the gap. That's why I'm here. Forget what happened (match fixing allegations, Ed) and focus on the championship.''
Fenerbahce have also announced the capture of the Young Boys striker Henri Bienvenu, a direct replacement for Emmanuel Emenike, who joined Spartak Moscow in the summer market. Fener also had eyes on Rubin Kazan forward Obafemi Martins. But that did not materialize.
The Everton player, who misses the Eagles friendly against Argentina on Tuesday, is happy the transfer saw the light of day.
Yobo said in a statement: ''I am very happy to have returned. I indicated I wanted to leave Everton. I said I wanted to return to Istanbul. In this period, the transfer negotiations sometimes take a long time.
''Andre Santos and Diego Lugano, I'm really sorry they left the team. The club is doing the work necessary to fill the gap. That's why I'm here. Forget what happened (match fixing allegations, Ed) and focus on the championship.''
Fenerbahce have also announced the capture of the Young Boys striker Henri Bienvenu, a direct replacement for Emmanuel Emenike, who joined Spartak Moscow in the summer market. Fener also had eyes on Rubin Kazan forward Obafemi Martins. But that did not materialize.
Nigeria League
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| Dolphins | 34 | 20 | 4 | 10 | 41 | 27 | 14 | 64 |
| Sunshine Stars | 33 | 20 | 3 | 10 | 46 | 28 | 18 | 63 |
| Warri Wolves | 34 | 17 | 8 | 9 | 39 | 24 | 15 | 59 |
| Kano Pillars | 34 | 18 | 5 | 11 | 42 | 28 | 14 | 59 |
| Rangers International | 33 | 16 | 5 | 12 | 38 | 23 | 15 | 53 |
| Sharks | 34 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 36 | 35 | 1 | 53 |
| Kaduna United | 33 | 15 | 7 | 11 | 35 | 28 | 7 | 52 |
| Enyimba | 31 | 16 | 3 | 12 | 34 | 20 | 14 | 51 |
| Lobi Stars | 33 | 15 | 5 | 13 | 29 | 32 | -5 | 50 |
| Heartland FC | 34 | 14 | 4 | 16 | 34 | 32 | 2 | 46 |
| Kwara | 33 | 14 | 4 | 15 | 34 | 33 | 1 | 46 |
| Niger | 34 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 32 | 38 | -6 | 46 |
| Bukola Babes | 34 | 13 | 6 | 15 | 33 | 33 | 0 | 45 |
| Gombe United | 34 | 12 | 7 | 15 | 29 | 34 | -5 | 43 |
| Ocean Boys | 34 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 33 | 39 | -6 | 42 |
| Shooting Stars | 34 | 11 | 8 | 15 | 31 | 36 | -5 | 41 |
| Zamfara | 34 | 10 | 6 | 18 | 23 | 49 | -26 | 36 |
| Plateau | 34 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 33 | 48 | -15 | 35 |
| Crown FC | 33 | 10 | 4 | 19 | 30 | 39 | -9 | 34 |
| JUTH FC | 34 | 7 | 8 | 19 | 25 | 46 | -21 | 29 |
SIASIA: MESSI IS SIMPLY UNSTOPPABLE
Posted: Sep 07, 2011
Super Eagles coach,Samson Siasia last night hailed Lionel Messi's electric performance and admitted the Barcelona forward was the difference between Nigeria and Argentina after the newly installed Argentina captain produced a magical performance at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday to guide the Albicestes to a comfortable 3-1 win over Nigeria in their FIFA international friendly.
Whenever the little magician had the ball at his feet there was a sparkle in the match and an anticipation that something was about to happen. Messi scored none of the three goals that Argentina scored last night, yet he was in the heart of every move that Albicelste made.
“Is there any doubt, really?” said a smiling Siasia when asked at the post match conference if Messi was the difference between the sides.
“It was impossible to contain Messi. Everything goes around him. We tried to contain him, but you know he is the best player in the world and it's impossible,” he said.
The Nigerian thanked the fans but captain John Obi Mikel pointed out with an ironic smile that they were indeed slightly partisan.
But the coach was quick to point the positives: “Since we came here, everything has been wonderful. We liked the support, the people and the atmosphere.”
Siasia,in another report in mtnfootball said he expects his team’s 3-1 loss to Argentina to toughen them for the bigger challenges ahead.
“I wish to apologise to the fans for not winning this match but I can assure them we will be back stronger,” Siasia was reported to have said.
“This was a real test we want for our boys to toughen them and to discover grey areas we need to work on.
“The next real test and all-important match is the home match against Guinea in October. We are working hard to win this match to seal our qualification to the 2012 Africa Nations Cup.”
He continued: “I won’t say I am totally disappointed with my players considering we lost. I said if before this match that it was the Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Madagascar that was key and paramount in my mind, which we won 2-0 on Sunday.
“I would have been very happy if we had won or drawn this match but we should also realise that we went through hell in Antananarivo where we played on what I would say one of the worst pitches I have seen. That pitch cost us Victor Anichebe.
“We could have been stronger with our captain, Joseph Yobo, Anichebe and Taye Taiwo in this team but kudos still goes to my boys for holding their own especially in the second half of the game.
“We conceded two goals that we could have avoided but that is the essence of playing this kind of a game.”
Argentina enjoyed the possession particularly in the first 45 minutes with star attraction Messi very central in their revenge win.
He created two of his team’s goals, while Efe Ambrose put the ball through his own net for the South Americans third goal.
The Super Eagles lacked organisation in the midfield and this allowed Argentina to pile pressure directly on a very experimental back four of Elderson Echiejile, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Efe Ambrose and Dele Adeleye.
Nigeria, who were missing skipper Joseph Yobo and first choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, were led by Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi.
Argentina controlled things from the first whistle as Nigeria preferred to sit back and defend inside their own area.
Messi enjoyed his free role as he was always behind all the good things by Argentina.
In the 24th minute, Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain controlled a first-time pass by Messi right inside the box before he fired home the opening goal in this rematch.
Two minutes later, Messi robbed Mikel of the ball in the middle of the pitch, before he ghosted past four Nigerian markers.
His shot was slowed down by a diving goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba only for Angel di Maria to easily tap home the rebound for the second goal.
Coach Samson Siasia threw in Ahmed Musa and Chinedu Obasi into the fray for the restart and Nigeria were promptly rewarded three minutes after the break when Obasi fired home off a Mikel cross from the left.
Nigeria went on the back foot boosted by this goal. They were more comfortable on the ball and passed the ball among themselves with confidence.
However, Argentina fought back soon after to get a lucky third goal in the 66th minute.
It was an own goal by Efe Ambrose just when it seemed the Eagles defence had shut out Higuain inside the box, the ball came off the body of the Israel-based central defender to give the South Americans a two-goal cushion.
US-based playmaker Emmanuel Ekpo finally made his long-awaited Eagles debut as Nigeria now shift attention to their must-win nations Cup qualifier at home to Guinea next month.
Whenever the little magician had the ball at his feet there was a sparkle in the match and an anticipation that something was about to happen. Messi scored none of the three goals that Argentina scored last night, yet he was in the heart of every move that Albicelste made.
“Is there any doubt, really?” said a smiling Siasia when asked at the post match conference if Messi was the difference between the sides.
“It was impossible to contain Messi. Everything goes around him. We tried to contain him, but you know he is the best player in the world and it's impossible,” he said.
The Nigerian thanked the fans but captain John Obi Mikel pointed out with an ironic smile that they were indeed slightly partisan.
But the coach was quick to point the positives: “Since we came here, everything has been wonderful. We liked the support, the people and the atmosphere.”
Siasia,in another report in mtnfootball said he expects his team’s 3-1 loss to Argentina to toughen them for the bigger challenges ahead.
“I wish to apologise to the fans for not winning this match but I can assure them we will be back stronger,” Siasia was reported to have said.
“This was a real test we want for our boys to toughen them and to discover grey areas we need to work on.
“The next real test and all-important match is the home match against Guinea in October. We are working hard to win this match to seal our qualification to the 2012 Africa Nations Cup.”
He continued: “I won’t say I am totally disappointed with my players considering we lost. I said if before this match that it was the Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Madagascar that was key and paramount in my mind, which we won 2-0 on Sunday.
“I would have been very happy if we had won or drawn this match but we should also realise that we went through hell in Antananarivo where we played on what I would say one of the worst pitches I have seen. That pitch cost us Victor Anichebe.
“We could have been stronger with our captain, Joseph Yobo, Anichebe and Taye Taiwo in this team but kudos still goes to my boys for holding their own especially in the second half of the game.
“We conceded two goals that we could have avoided but that is the essence of playing this kind of a game.”
Argentina enjoyed the possession particularly in the first 45 minutes with star attraction Messi very central in their revenge win.
He created two of his team’s goals, while Efe Ambrose put the ball through his own net for the South Americans third goal.
The Super Eagles lacked organisation in the midfield and this allowed Argentina to pile pressure directly on a very experimental back four of Elderson Echiejile, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Efe Ambrose and Dele Adeleye.
Nigeria, who were missing skipper Joseph Yobo and first choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, were led by Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi.
Argentina controlled things from the first whistle as Nigeria preferred to sit back and defend inside their own area.
Messi enjoyed his free role as he was always behind all the good things by Argentina.
In the 24th minute, Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain controlled a first-time pass by Messi right inside the box before he fired home the opening goal in this rematch.
Two minutes later, Messi robbed Mikel of the ball in the middle of the pitch, before he ghosted past four Nigerian markers.
His shot was slowed down by a diving goalkeeper Dele Aiyenugba only for Angel di Maria to easily tap home the rebound for the second goal.
Coach Samson Siasia threw in Ahmed Musa and Chinedu Obasi into the fray for the restart and Nigeria were promptly rewarded three minutes after the break when Obasi fired home off a Mikel cross from the left.
Nigeria went on the back foot boosted by this goal. They were more comfortable on the ball and passed the ball among themselves with confidence.
However, Argentina fought back soon after to get a lucky third goal in the 66th minute.
It was an own goal by Efe Ambrose just when it seemed the Eagles defence had shut out Higuain inside the box, the ball came off the body of the Israel-based central defender to give the South Americans a two-goal cushion.
US-based playmaker Emmanuel Ekpo finally made his long-awaited Eagles debut as Nigeria now shift attention to their must-win nations Cup qualifier at home to Guinea next month.
Osaze Back In Full Training
Posted: Sep 07, 2011
Osaze Odemwingie should be fit to play for West Brom at Norwich on Sunday following Roy Hodgson's revelation that the Nigerian is back in full training, after the ankle injury that has restricted him to one substitute appearance so far this season.Hodgson said: “Peter is OK, I think. He has trained this week and things are looking OK.
“With Shane it’s too early to say. It’s a calf strain, it’s not a pull or a completely damaged muscle, it’s just the fibres.
“The medical staff are working on it at the moment but I think his chances are being put at 50-50 by the medical staff and time will tell.
“It all depends how quick a healer he is really.”
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