THE NATION SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2011
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NATION SPORT
Osaze can do better—Hodgson R
OY Hodgson is confident Peter Odemwingie will recapture his best form after admitting the West Brom striker is not at the same level as last season. Odemwingie scored 15 goals during his debut
campaign in the Premier League and the Nigerian striker was rewarded with a new three-year contract in August. However, the 30-year-old has netted just twice in eight appearances this term and has been overshadowed by
Keshi visits Glasshouse • Confirms loyalty calls from players • Says indiscipline will be treated as family matter
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EW Super Eagles’ coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi on Friday visited the Glasshouse secretariat of the NFF in Abuja. Keshi who was accompanied to the Football Secretariat by the team’s coordinator Emmanuel Atah, said that his visit was purely to familiarize himself with activities in the secretariat. He said that he intends to use the two friendly matches to interact with the players and endeavour to know them better. The man popularly called the ‘big boss’ by his admirers said “I want to tell you that 50 percent of the players have called me to express their loyalty. Joseph Yobo, Dickson Etuhu, Osaze Odenmwingie, Vincent Enyeama have called and they spoke very well, and their willingness to work with me. They have shown a lot of zeal to succeed with the Super Eagles, and I am very happy with them, when they come around next weekend, we would meet and know our selves better”. On whether he is ready to apply the big stick on erring players, the former national team captain said such issues will no doubt occur, but it would be treated as family affairs which would not be allowed to degenerate to such an extent. Keshi appealed to the NFF to make the green and white jerseys of the national team available in the market to enable Nigerians have them as a way of solidarity “I will want the NFF to make the green white jersey available for people. In other countries where I have served, on match days you would see every where with the national colours, that is exactly what I would want for Nigerians and from Nigerians too. If they are not available, we should discuss
Siasia explains court action
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ORMER Super Eagles’ coach, Samson Siasia has explained his decision to seek court redress over his dismissal by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as coach of Nigeria He also reflected on the game that cost him his Job, Nigeria’s 2-2 draw with Guinea in Abuja. “I did everything that was expected. We played a good game, created so many chances. I’d say luck was against us. If you ask me, I can’t really say this is what went wrong .” When confronted with the fact that at 2-1, Nigeria would have progressed since the results of the earlier games were already known, he took a swipe at the support structure. “Why would I want to commit more men forward? There wasn’t communication that at 2-1, we would qualify.”
From Patrick Ngwaogu and Andrew Abah with sponsors companies to make them available in the market, I am sure Nigerians are willing to buy” he concluded. Nationsports scooped further that the former Togolese handler has decided to pick Sylvanus Okpala as his second assistant.
the performances of summer signing Shane Long. With Republic of Ireland international Long currently sidelined by injury, Odemwingie has a chance to cement his place in the team again providing he overcomes a knock to the knee ahead of tonight’s trip to Arsenal. “Peter knows he can do a lot better, we all do,” said Baggies boss Hodgson. “He’s had a bit of a stop-start season with one or two injuries he picked up. “We haven’t had that fortunate situation we had last season when for about 10 games in a row he was fully fit, playing and training at the level he wants to be at. “But we know his qualities, what he can do, and we know what value he has to us.
“It is just a matter of time before we see that again but I’m sure he’d agree he’s not playing to the level he was at the end of last season.” Hodgson, though, has played down the suggestion that the arrival of Long from Reading has had a negative impact on Odemwingie’s contribution to the team. He added: “Most players are grateful if they’ve had to shoulder a heavy burden to have it shared. “I don’t subscribe to it (Odemwingie’s form) is down to Shane coming in and doing well. “He plays with small margins and, when things aren’t going well, the margins always seem to be against you. Then you try to play catch-up. Then you try to over complicate matters.”
WOGT: Raimi, Tobias win professional category
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HE Eight in the series of the annual Wuraola Ojo Memorial Golf tournament got off to a good start on Monday with the duo of Chidi Tobias and Tunde Raimi tying for the first position. While Raimi signed for a 1over par 70, Tobias also carded 70 to tie Raimi for top position, leaving Femi Olagbenro, 72 and former order of merit leader, Lateef Lasisi, 72 in the third position. Dolphin golf club’s resident professional, Francis Ugbong came fourth, while Jaiyeola Liadi from MicCom Golf and Country club, Ada, ducked in the Sixth position. Francis Ekpe 78, Liman Mohammed 81, Wale Laniyan 81, were the other professional golfers who competed in the professional category. The Toyota sponsored
Wuraola Ojo memorial tournament is an annual event staged in memory of the late wife of the Chairman of Toyota Nigeria, Elizabeth Wuraola Ade-Ojo, who in her lifetime was not only a member of Ikeja golf club but used her influence to enhance the growth of the game in the country. It is in recognition of this and her immeasurable contribution to the success of Toyota automotive brand in Nigeria. Unlike the previous tournament, this year’s event featured a special kitty to celebrate the brand name of the sponsor, while the Most Amiable Woman; a key aspect of the competition was also retained. Men, women, guest and invited players are also featuring in the competition that will be rounded off with a gala night tonight.