Wednesday January 30, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 31
Late Moses penalties put Nigeria through Nigeria qualified for the next round of the Africa Cup of Nations after two late Victor Moses penalties gave them a crucial win against Ethiopia. Moses, 22, opened the scoring from the spot after he was fouled by defender Alula Girma with 10 minutes to go. The winger earned the second penalty when he was brought down by goalkeeper Sisay Bancha, who was sent off. If Moses had not scored they would have lost a quarter-final spot to Zambia due to a worse disciplinary record. Holders Zambia and Nigeria had come into their last round of group fixtures level on points and with an equal goal difference after they drew both their opening games 1-1. Before Moses’s intervention, his side had been set for an early trip home as they had collected more yellow cards. But instead it was Zambia who were eliminated after they could only manage a goalless stalemate against eventual group winners Burkina Faso. Aware of the potential for that scenario, the Super Eagles began in Rustenberg
with an intent absent in the tournament so far. Defender Efe Ambrose - recalled to the team after missing out against Zambia through suspension - headed a Moses free-kick over the crossbar when well positioned, before Bancha was alert to stop Ikechukwu Uche reaching an incisive John Obi Mikel through-ball. Some more sharp play from Nigeria saw another chance go to waste when a selfless cut-back from Uche was blazed well over by rampaging left-back Elderson Echiejile. While struggling to retain possession in their usual manner, Ethiopia did sporadically threaten with their set-piece delivery. Nigeria head coach Stephen Keshi had decided not to select fit-again captain Joseph Yobo, and in the 32year-old’s absence, the Super Eagles struggled to convincingly deal with high balls played into their penalty area. Saladin Seid headed one Ethiopia corner over, while a number of other crosses caused panic at the back for Nigeria. Dead balls were also
causing a problem at the other end of the pitch, and Echiejile stung Bancha’s fingertips with a powerful header from a deep Moses corner. Nigeria’s suspect defending had already seen them surrender late leads against Burkina Faso and Zambia, and a comical misunderstanding between retreating winger Sunday Mba and right-back Ambrose played in Ethiopia danger man Seid but his shot was deflected harmlessly into goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama’s hands. The Walyas could then have been reduced to 10-men before the interval after Degu Debebe put in a high, twofooted challenge on the influential Mikel that was only punished with a yellow card by referee Bouchaib Al Ahrach. Nigeria had begun to lose momentum in the final minutes of the first half and Ethiopia were the team to begin the brightest after the break. Centre-back Kenneth Omeruo - who had earlier wasted a decent chance when a deflected shot fell to him in the Ethiopia box - was at his sharpest as he stretched to
::: Letter to the Sports Editor :::
What was Laudable about the GFA Congress? DEAR SIR, In an article published on page 30 of S.N. 23-01-13 captioned “Golden Jaguars FIFA Friendly match could be off” Financial constraints cited; Wilson lauds recent GFA Congress by Duncan Saul; Editor, despite not being present at the GFA, AGM, which was held on 9.01.013 at the Sleep Inn International Hotel Boardroom, may, I out of curiosity enquire publicly, if Franklyn Wilson, President (ag.) GFF, was the Federation’s official designated representative? whereby the letter of accreditation was dispatched to the GFA, prior to the AGM. With no offence meant to either the GFA or Wilson, I do hope his views expressed remains reflective of the GFF’s executive collective will. Since Wilson was quoted as saying, “It was an historic event and what had occurred will hopefully set the tone of what transpires within the other administrations.” Can this comment be interpreted to mean what occurs at the AGM of other associations and affiliates of the GFF? This question I pose out of extreme concern, since two important items of the Agenda – Hon.
Secretary’s Report and the Financial Statement (Audited) must be able to withstand any form of scrutiny. Wherein did the Hon. Secretary’s report, consist of a Competition’s Report or was it done separately? Suffice it to say, that all competitions coordinated/organized by the GFA normally entails the following: Commencement, Conclusion, Duration, Amount of goals scored; Average, Highest Goalscorer(s), Cards issued (red & yellow), Format, Fair Play Award, Winner, Runner-up, Third, Fourth, Best Offensive and Defensive Teams, and Best Goalkeeper, which upon compilation in normally forwarded to the sponsor also. In relation to the Audited Financial Statement: Does it have a balance sheet? Major issues such as Assets, Depreciation, Opening Balance as of 2010/2011, Administrative Costs, Sundry Creditors, Sundry Debtors, Balance Brought Forward along with Income and Expenditure etc. For the respective years, all remain essential towards what is obtained. Finally, if for some strange reason the Audited Financial Statement in particular
doesn’t find favour by the GFF’s Finance Committee, then the GFA executive and General Council will only have themselves to blame; since the absence of the Annual General Meeting (Half-yearly) for 2011, would have complied with the Constitutional Requirement of: i. Financial year – 1st January – 31st December. ii. 2011 GFA/Banks Beer K.O reflected in 2012 Statement. iii. 2012 GFA/Banks Beer K.O reflected in 2014 Statement, for the AGM (Halfyearly). Is the normal standard procedure normally associated with detailed reports (Secretary and Treasurer) are now being sacrificed, in pursuit of receiving nominations ahead of the GFF’s AGM? Wherein “horse trading” among potential candidates takes precedence over the high ideals associated with the administration of the sport! So, in actuality over the years, FIFA funded courses, in the areas of Administration and Finance/ Marketing have now come to zero. Is this laudable? Lester Sealey.
Nigeria players celebrate on of their goals that saw them advance (Getty Images) deny Seid a clear header on goal. Nigeria finally began to show some real intent with 20 minutes to go as they began to pick up the tempo as the threat of making only their third group stage exit in the Africa Cup of Nations drew nearer. This fate looked to have been avoided as centre-back Godfrey Oboabona rose to powerfully meet a corner but his header was cleared off the line by the diligent Abebaw Butako. Undaunted by the
clearance, Nigeria continued to pick up the pace and the exciting Moses was felled by a tired challenge in the area after he had skilfully cut inside Girma. The Chelsea winger exhibited none of the pressure surrounding his penalty as he calmly sent Bancha the wrong way. Nigeria had barely finished their jubilant celebrations, though, before their hope of progression was nearly in doubt again when Seid was picked out in the box
but Enyeama athletically tipped his effort to safety. Qualification then looked secured as Moses charged down on goal and was tripped by Bancha. The referee instantly followed up his decision to point to the spot with a deserved second yellow card for the Walyas keeper. With Ethiopia already using their three substitutions, Moses slotted past midfielder Addis Hintsa who was forced to be a stand-in goalkeeper.