Sports Minister, Bolaji Abdullahi, on Wednesday expressed concern over the type of politics that is being introduced into the forthcoming Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Council seat election.
Abdullahi in Abuja said that the place of origin of an intending candidate should not be made a major condition for the election.
He said that such a development could thwart the emergence of the right candidate for the post.
Aminu Maigari, the Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), has offered himself for election into the available seat in the West Africa Zone B.
The election is scheduled to take place in Marrakesh, Morocco, on March 10.
Maigari is expected to contest the election with Anjorin Moucharaf of Republic of Benin and Hima Souley from Niger Republic. “What I know is that there are different interests across the Africa zones and there are also issues of Francophone and Anglophone but it is my hope that we will surmount this.
“For us, the important thing is that we want to have a seat in the CAF Executive Committee. We will do our best to get it but that is not going to stop anything.
“Nigeria stands to benefit a lot if we are able to get the seat,’’ Abdullahi said.
The minister said the Federal Government had thrown its weight behind Maigari to signify the importance of the seat to the country.
“We are giving him absolute support. Personally, I have visited the CAF president and I told him clearly that this is the candidate for Nigeria.
“The CAF president assured me that Nigeria is very important to him; but added that he cannot pitch his tent with a particular candidate but will be fair to all..
“As you know in every election, you have to campaign and mobilise people. We have been meeting almost everyday to strategise on these issues,’’ Abdullahi added.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The Super Eagles will play a high profile international friendly match with Mexico’s national team in Houston, Texas, U.S. on May 31, a statement said.
The Eagles are the current champions of Africa while the Mexican team are the champions of North and Central America.
Ademola Olajire, Assistant Director, Media, Nigerian Football Association, announced the plan in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.
It said the match was to prepare the Eagles for their World Cup qualifier with Harambee Stars of Kenya in Nairobi on June 8 before travelling to the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Nigerian international, Sunday Mba has moved to voice his opinion over the long drawn battle between Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubs, Warri Wolves and Enugu Rangers.
Both clubs claim they own the player but the midfielder has now declared that he is surprised the issue has hogged the headlines in recent days.
Mba said he signed a contract with Enugu Rangers before the commencement of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa with Enugu Rangers.
“I signed a contract with Rangers even before I left for South Africa for the 2013 Afcon and I am surprised Wolves are saying Rangers have no right of ownership over me,” Mba told supersport.com on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old also revealed that Warri Wolves was aware he had completed a move and signed a contract with Rangers.
“Wolves are aware of this and I am surprised they are saying I am still their player,” Mba said.
Meanwhile, the committee set up by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to resolve the controversy will meet in Abuja on Wednesday.
The committee has invited officials of two-time Caf Champions League winners, Enyimba as well as Enugu Rangers, Dolphins and Warri Wolves, alongside the player.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Inter Milan ace Joel Obi and Shola Ameobi are likely to make the 25-man Eagles squad for a 2014 World Cup qualifier against Kenya later this month.
Obi missed the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa due to a long-term muscle injury, while Ameobi’s contract at English premier League club Newcastle prevented him from the tournament. However, defensive midfielder Obi has not been involved with his Italian Serie A club lately.
Officials are also insisting that injured Spartak Moscow striker Emmanuel Emenike will be fit in time for the March 23 clash against the Harambee Stars in Calabar.
Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi is expected to meet with the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation on Wednesday to defend his call-ups.
Top officials of the Federation told MTNFootball.com,”Keshi is to defend his team list for the World Cup qualifier against Kenya on Wednesday before the list is released.”
”Coach Stephen Keshi is expected to come up with a 25-man list for the game against Kenya,” further stated NFF general secretary Musa Amadu.
The Super Eagles are expected to re-group this weekend at a training camp in Abuja with players from the domestic league before they relocate to Calabar a week to the match.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
AHEAD of this month’s 2014 World Cup qualifier against the Harambee Stars of Kenya in Calabar, former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Alhaji Sani Ahmed Toro has cautioned the Super Eagles not to be swayed by their 2013 Afcon victory in South Africa.
Newly appointed head coach of Harambee Stars of Kenya, Adel Amrouche had boasted that Nigeria’s 2013 Afcon victory was not enough reason for Kenya to fear the Super Eagles.
He tasked Eagles’ head coach, Stephen Keshi and his players not to rest on their oars.
“I believe by now Keshi must have submitted his programme for the World Cup and the FIFA Confederation Cup and the earlier the FA approves of it, the better.
I know Keshi is not going to gamble with or be carried away by the victory in South Africa. I also know that he will like to retain the crop of players that executed and won the African Cup of Nations.
“Yes we have won the Nations Cup, what remains now is the World Cup and most importantly, I don’t want Nigeria to underrate any team, not even Kenya”, he said.
The former Bauchi State Sports Commissioner said he is certain that Nigeria would qualify for the next World Cup in Brazil as he expressed happiness over the role played by home-based players.
He said, “I am sure the Eagles will qualify. He should ensure everything is put in place for us to qualify . Whether Nigeria is going to do well at the World Cup or win it, I don’t know.
But I am certain that Nigeria will qualify for the World Cup. We have committed players from which Keshi is going to select the best for the country. Kenya must fall on March 23rd ”, he vowed.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored the decisive goal as Real Madrid controversially came from behind to win 2-1 at Manchester United on Tuesday and reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
In a breathless game, Nani forced Sergio Ramos to put through his own goal in the 48th minute to give United a 2-1 aggregate lead in the last 16 tie, only for the Portuguese winger to then be sent off for a foul on Alvaro Arbeloa.
Madrid immediately seized the initiative, equalising through substitute Luka Modric in the 66th minute and then earning victory through United old boy Ronaldo on his return to Old Trafford.
United’s defeat meant that Ryan Giggs’ 1,000th appearance in senior football ended in disappointment, while Jose Mourinho’s Madrid can dream of a 10th European title after reinvigorating their season in recent weeks.
United manager Alex Ferguson sprang a major surprise by naming Wayne Rooney on the substitutes’ bench, but Giggs was included in the starting XI as he became only the third British outield player to play in 1,000 games.
A wave of applause for Ronaldo rippled around the ground at kick-off and the Madrid number seven unexpectedly found himself in direct opposition to Giggs, who started the match in an unfamiliar role on the right flank.
Giggs roused the home fans with a determined run down the wing in the 20th minute and from the corner he won, United came within a hair’s breadth of taking the lead.
Nemanja Vidic met Giggs’ inswinging corner with a typically emphatic header that came back off the right-hand post and goalkeeper Diego Lopez reacted well to smother Danny Welbeck’s instinctive follow-up.
Ronaldo began to drift away from the left flank in search of space and in the 28th minute Rio Ferdinand had to produce a fine block to deny his former team-mate, who had deftly brought down a lofted pass.
Encouraged, the visitors then saw Gonzalo Higuain thwarted by United goalkeeper David de Gea, before Ramos had a goal ruled out for a foul on Robin van Persie.
The action swang the other way, with Lopez doing brilliantly to divert a shot from Welbeck over the bar after he had allowed a stinging effort from van Persie to get away from him.
Despite shading the first half in terms of opportunities, United had nothing to show for their efforts, but that changed within three minutes of the second period.
After Welbeck and van Persie had both seen shots blocked, Nani picked up the ball wide on the left and played a low cross into the Madrid six-yard box that Ramos inadvertently poked into his own net.
The Portuguese celebrated the goal as if he had scored it himself, but moments later, his night was over.
In attempting to control a high ball, he caught Arbeloa in the chest with his studs and was shown a straight red card by referee Cuneyt Cakir, much to Ferguson’s evident displeasure.
United’s manager came to the touchline to rouse the home support but Madrid had the momentum and Rafael da Silva had to bravely clear a Higuain header from below his own crossbar.
Van Persie worked Lopez with a low shot, but Madrid were quickly back on the attack and in the 66th minute, they levelled.
Mourinho had reacted to Nani’s dismissal by introducing Modric in place of Arbeloa and the Croatian had an immediate impact, darting into space and arrowing a superb 25-yard shot past de Gea via the right-hand upright.
The turnaround was complete three minutes later and with poetic inevitability, it was Ronaldo who put Madrid ahead, touching in Higuain’s low cross-shot and then pointedly apologising to the fans behind de Gea’s goal.
Ferguson turned to Rooney and United went for broke, but Lopez saved from Michael Carrick and van Persie in quick succession before Rooney volleyed over.
Madrid substitute Kaka hit the post, before Lopez produced another stunning stop from Vidic to crown a decisive individual display.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke is top of the list of personalities to be honoured at the first-ever Night of Stars, preceding the inaugural Nigeria Pitch Awards, which hold at the Conference Hall of Tinapa Lakeside Hotel and Resort, Calabar on Saturday, March 23.
Governor Imoke, whose administration has hugely supported the re-invigoration of the Senior National Football Team, Super Eagles and the U-17 Team, Golden Eaglets, will be honoured alongside the Honourable Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, NFF Executive Committee and Management, Super Eagles’ players, and a dozen stars of the Nollywood industry on a night that aptly marries football and entertainment. The two-hour event starts at 9pm, with the red carpet on from 8pm.
Matchmakers Consult International Limited, endorsed by the Nigeria Football Federation to organize the Nigeria Pitch Awards, is putting together this event that will annually precede the Awards, and has gone to great length to ensure it would be a roaring success.
“We are putting together something that will amply reflect the huge progress that our country has made in both football and entertainment sectors in the past few years.”
It is auspicious that this is coming at a time that the Super Eagles has just won the Africa Cup of Nations and Nollywood is celebrating 20 years on stream, but the truth is, this event has been in the works for some time now.
“As it has turned out, and for good too, this inaugural Night of Stars will principally celebrate Nigeria’s triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations and the rapid growth of the Nollywood industry in only two decades,” Shina Phillips, CEO of Matchmakers, said on Tuesday.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Adamu Gumba and the Chairman of House Committee on Sports, Hon. Godfrey Gaiya are also expected on a night that will see players and coaches of the Super Eagles as principal guests.
Expected from the Nollywood sector are top stars such as Desmond Elliot, Bimbo Akintola, Keppy Ekpeyong, Nse-Ikpe Etim, Francis Duru, Ejike Asiegbu, Bimbo Manuel, Fred Amata, Lancelot Imasuen and Chika Ike.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
THE cheery news that the Super Eagles of Nigeria against all odds, have been crowned the new king of African Soccer with their victory over Burkina Faso in the finals of the 2013 African Cup of Nations, has been heard in all the football regions of the world.
Here at home, the echos of the sweet victory will be heard in every nook and cranny because of its meaning and significance. The reason is not far-fetched. In one single stride, the Super Eagles have taken Nigeria 19 years out of soccer wilderness to limelight. What a feat!
For us in Nigeria, football is the greatest national passion and a tremendous unifying factor, a bridge over our numerous divisive forces as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. This is why football elicits the interest of most Nigerians, young or old, big or small.
As we bask in the euphoria of the heroic victory therefore, it is important that we spare sometime to distil and reflect on the lessons inherent in the entire episode, particularly the resilience of Coach Steven Keshi and his faithful soccer ambassadors.
Throughout the entire course of the championship, including the preparatory stage, Keshi became a Philosopher and Preacher of sorts on some virtues implicit in life such as strength of character and positive mental attitude. It was like a dialogue of the deaf as nobody seemed to be listening to his admonitions but he was unrelenting.
Interestingly, the Super Eagles and their handlers we celebrate and eulogize today, were yesterday caricatured, derided and called names. Nobody gave them an outside chance of even qualifying from their group let alone winning the cup. They were harangued and variously described as “Super Chickens”, “Featherless Eagles” and “Wingless Eagles”, etc.
The one that amused me most was the cartoon of a little boy who went to court to seek a court injunction to live neither with his mother or his father. Asked why by the presiding judge, the boy said it was because the mother and father beat him every so often. Asked further who then he would like to live with? The boy answered, the Super Eagles because they beat nobody. Can you imagine!
Thank you King Eagles for freeing us from the suffocating grip of negativism and cynicism. We are really grateful to you for a gift so precious, something to love and cherish and something different from the misery and despair we feel from the daily dose of stolen billions, armed robberies, kidnapping and other myriad of social malaise. What is more, you and your dedicated handlers refused to be distracted by the barbed and irritating criticisms of pundits and analysts. Rather, these criticisms fired your spirit which has produced the result and handsome dividend we are celebrating today.
It will be recalled that these pundits, for whatever reasons, dissipated so much energy in drawing parallel between you and your fore-bearers who won the African Nations Cup 19 years ago and hastily concluded that you were inferior to them. To begin with, there is no rational basis for the comparison. You are just starting and half of your players are debutants.
There is no need to mention names as these impatient pundits know themselves. Today, some of them are singing a swan song. In fact, some have been bold enough to apologise for their hasty predictions, while only a few still remain defiant and unrepentant. That is neither here or there. It can’t change anything now but suffice it to say that in the battle of wits, the Super Eagles and their handlers are the winners. They fought many battles on and outside the field of play and won all of them.
For the Super Eagles, it has been a triumph of determination over cynicism. While the rest of us wallowed in despair, the King Eagles and their handlers waxed stronger in faith and spirit. Their avowed intent was to win the Nations Cup. Happily, they have achieved their supreme objective and nobody can deny them the glory which richly belongs to them and by extension, to all Nigerians both detractors and supporters.
What is really important now is for all of us to emulate the worthy examples of our glorious soccer ambassadors. This is reminiscent of John Kennedy’s inaugural address as President of the United States in which he passionately enjoined his people not to think of what America can do for them but what they can do for their country. It is important also to stress that people imbued with sense of character like Steven Keshi has demonstrated, are like possessed creatures, men and women in the thrall of belief so powerful that they ignore all else, including criticisms, however barbed and discouraging. This is similitude of what Margaret Mead once said: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world”. Yes indeed!
Negative thinking limits the potentials of what we can do. Think positive, believe, have faith. What is more, be patient, be diligent and you will overcome. The danger is that if the impression of what we are, is reduced by shallow or demeaning images, that impoverishment pursists for a long time if not nipped in the bud.
Happily, the “Big Boss”, Steven Keshi has shown us how to nip negative thinking in the bud through sheer strength of character and unshakeable determination. I salute your courage and the dedication of your young soccer ambassadors. You are winners by every consideration.
It is plausible to allude our cynic impotence, discouragement and despair to the myriad of social problems we have endured over the years and having stayed for so long in bad situations, we feel that good times are gone for ever. No! Keshi and his all conquering boys have proved that with faith and determination, trials and tribulations can be overcome.
As a distinguished speaker once said “history is not yet done with its exploration of what it means to be human especially the image of our limits and possibilities.
On this note, all Nigerians are invited not only to hail the heroism of the King Eagles but to share in their optimism that our lost glory will soon return in all facets of our national life.
That is to imply that the Super Eagles’ victory is capable of ushering in a new era in Nigeria. In this wise, the Federal Government’s transformation agenda this time around, should go beyond rhetorics. Our newly crowned kings of African soccer have shown the way.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Local and international road runners are angling to participate in the maiden Okpekpe road race billed for April 13 in Okpekpe, Edo State.
The 10km race, which will be flagged off by an IAAF representative, will attract a cash prize of N2.5m for the top winners.
And the promoter of the race, Mr. Mike Itemuagbor is hopeful that the race will make the IAAF road race label events list after the first edition. Okpekpe, a sleepy town 25km from Auchi, is famous for its hilly scenery. The race course will wind around these hills.
“Come April, we are looking forward to seeing an interesting race. We are expecting a good turn-out of athletes for the maiden event.
“The Edo State govern-ment is involved in the organisation, they are looking forward to visitors coming for the event and exploring the State,” said former Africa long jump champion, Yusuf Alli.
The IAAF road race label events are annual running competitions which have been granted recognition by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF). Races are divided into three categories: Gold, Silver, and Bronze Label Road Races. Furthermore, they are divided into three types – marathon, half marathon, and other classic distances (e.g. 10 kilometres).
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
After the disappointment of not participating at the London 2012 Olympics despite earning qualification, Nigeria Aquatics Federation president, Babatunde Fatai-Williams declared that Nigeria swimmers will return to the Olympics and make an impact in Rio 2016.
Two Nigerian swimmers qualified for the London 2012 Olympics, but they were prevented from participating by the National Sports Commission on the ground that they will not be able to fetch medals for the country. This was something that infuriated the swimming community, including Nigeria’s Olatokunbo Thomas who is a member of the executive board of the world swimming governing body, FINA.
“Our swimmers gained qualification through the universality slots. This meant that they were not given wild card entry, they earned their qualification by merit having participated in qualification trials.
“We were really taken aback when the two swimmers were left behind. Even we had to answer query from FINA as to why we did not make use of our qualification ticket, when other countries could have benefited,” said Fatai-Williams However, he submitted that the NAF has moved ahead from that let down, arguing that Nigeria has talents that can hold their heads high at international events.
“The only thing we need to do is to invest in the sport. It takes eight to ten years of continuous training to groom a young talented swimmer to Olympics standard.
“These talents have to train twice a day and six days in a week excluding competitions. Micheal Phelps didn’t come from nowhere, he was a product of continuous training and development. We can do the same too here in Nigeria. There has to be facilities, coaches need to be trained and there are other related aspects like sports medicine that has to be put in place. We cannot achieve this without funding,” stated Fatai-Williams.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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