The Nation February 13, 2013 by The Nation

NATIONSPORT WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2013

NATION SPORT

MBA SEEKS

Imoke hails Eagles

ROSS RIVER state governor, Senator Liyel Imoke has hailed the Super Eagles for delivering on their promise of winning the AFCON trophy. Nigeria defeated Burkina Faso 1-0 on Sunday in South Africa to claim her third AFCON trophy and Gov Imoke is thrilled the team has done him, the government and people of Cross River state who supported the team all through the qualifying games for the championship and indeed 160 million people proud. “I am delighted that the Super Eagles have delivered on the promise they made to me during their last qualifying game against Liberia in Calabar that they will win the AFCON trophy and bring it to Calabar to present to me”, revealed Gov Imoke who spoke through his Sports and Youth Development Commissioner, Honourable Patrick Ugbe. Imoke is particularly happy that his government played a huge part in ensuring the Super

Eagles had a conducive atmosphere and very accommodating people, urging them on as they ensured the heartache Nigerians suffered when the team failed to qualify for the 28th edition of the championships last year in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea was not repeated. "My government and the good people of Cross River state are delighted we provided the platform for the Super Eagles to restore their joy and Nigeria`s pride as well as paste smiles on the faces of Nigerians who have waited 19 long years for the team to be crowned African champions. "I congratulate coach Stephen Keshi and the boys as well as the Nigeria Football Federation on this historic feat. We are delighted to be a part of the success story and wish to assure the team of our continued support”, said the governor who, according to Ugbe is eagerly waiting to host the team in Calabar.

and Prince Afejukwu.He also remembers Akeem Alade and Demola Adekogbe," Kalu continued. And now Keshi's patriotism."In 1993,Coach Gilbert Gress of Stasbourg France,took the Captain's band from the Nigerian for playing in a World Cup qualifier against South Africa.In 1994,Keshi was sacked by Belgian club RWD Molenbeek,again, for choosing country over club.He was also attacked by armed robbers at Oshodi losing his Benz car and almost losing a brother in the process.Do not forget he was sanctioned by the NFA in 1985 and sacked in 2002 after assisting to qualify Nigeria for the World Cup,"Kalu said. Yet Keshi stood by his country.In Kalu's words,"As far back as 1992,South African journalist Mark Gleeson had tipped Keshi to coach Nigeria,describing him as world class.You saw how Keshi screamed when Gleeson asked him questions after the Ivorian feat.It took Nigeria 20 years to hire Keshi as Manager.And for the very first time,Eagles beat a team they could not defeat in the group phase, in the grand-finale.Manfred Hoener could not do it against Cameroun in 1988,nor Clemens Westerhof against Algeria in 1990.Homeboy Keshi achieved it.”

Nigeria v Kenya fixture changed

Europe dream F

IGERIA's unlikely hero in the final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, Sunday Mba, has said he hopes he has done enough to earn a dream move to Europe. On Sunday in Johannesburg, the 24-year-old Warri Wolves forward scored the goal that ended Nigeria's 19-year wait for a continental glory as they won their third Nations Cup trophy at the expense of Burkina Faso. In the 1994 final in Tunisia, Emmanuel Amuneke came off the bench to fire two goals past Zambia and give the Super Eagles their second Nations Cup triumph after they first won the tournament on home soil in 1980. Amuneke, who was then playing for top Egyptian side Zamalek, would subsequently move to Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon and eventually Barcelona. "I hope I can also get a deal in Europe after what I achieved at the Nations Cup," said the

Kalu crowns Keshi ‘Igwe’ ORMER Abia state governor Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu thinks Stephen Okechukwu Keshi,First Nigerian to win the Nations Cup as player and coach, deseves to be crowned the Igwe[King ] of our soccer. Extolling Keshi's profile, Kalu said, "The first Nigerian to qualify another nation, Togo, for the the World Cup, first to take three countries-Togo, Mali, Nigeria to the Nations Cup, first to play in four continents-Africa, Europe, Asia, America, first Nigerian to win AFCON gold,silver and bronze both as player and coach, and many more." The ex-governor described Keshi as a true Nigerian who cherishes friendship more than gold and a great patriot ready to die in defence of fatherland. "Born in Zaria to Igbo parents from the South-south,bred in Lagos and married to an Ishan,Edo lady,Keshi's friends are legion.At St.Paul's school Ebute-Meta,his pals were Paul Okoku and Segun Olukanmi.When he joined New Nigeria Bank, Benin in 1979,it was because of Henry Nwosu and Edema Benson,snubbing Aloy Atuegbu's better deal from Rangers.Keshi met his wife Kate through Franklin Howard's friend Lizzy.And one of his Assistants in the Eagles team Sylvanus Okpala was a pioneer Flying Eagle like Humphrey Edobor,Sam Igwenagu

2014 WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

Two Nigerian journalists brutalised by South African policemen

WO Nigerian journalists escaped being shot by South African police in Johannesburg on Tuesday afternoon after they were harassed, brutalized and almost detained for no offence. Mr. Debo Oshudun, Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, for Central and Southern Africa and John Joshua Akanji a Deputy Editor of the Sun Newspapers were onboard a taxi on their way to cover the departure of the Super Eagles when shortly after they both alighted , they were surrounded by no less than 20 armed South African Police officers who threatened to shoot them if they insist they are Journalists. The two Journalists narrated their ordeal to NationSport and thanked God for sparing their lives. “I thank God we are still alive because we could have been shot knowing the type of judicial killing in South Africa. I have never been in that situation in my life. I was dragged on the floor kicked and brutalized. I and John Joshua-Akanji were disposessed of our phones, my keys and we couldn’t contact anybody. We were detained for two hours and I was really traumatized for the time the police dealt with us and still imagining it up till now. “The police claimed that they stopped our car because the taxi we were in has a plate number with two different characters. Immediately they stopped us they removed the plate number. They lied that they had been trailing us,”, Oshundun told NationSport in Johannesburg on Tuesday afternoon. Joshua-Akanji had to miss his South Africa Air flight due to this torture he received from the South Africa Police.

From Segun Ogunjimi, Johannesburg The Sun Newspaper Deputy Editor also narrated his ordeal to NationSport in Johannesburg yesterday. “I was in a trance. I thought I was acting out a movie. I never thought it was for real. I have never seen a thing like this all my life. But I am happy to be alive to tell the story”, the visibly shaken journalist disclosed. 20 policemen who had already cocked their guns pointed to my head and my colleague, Oshundun’s, were shouting I will shoot you, I will shoot you. Who are you? Do you think you are special. I will blast your brains off”, Joshua-Akanji revealed. Lieutenant Colonel M F Tshabalala station commander, Sandringham Command South Africa Police service, SAPS, later apologised for the treatment meted out on the Nigerian Journalists. It took the intervention of the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg to secure the release of both men. There are no indication yet, if the Journalists will press for charges against the South African Police. The two journalists, however, commended the taxi driver named Hope for daring the South Africa Police by defending them and shouting that “these men are responsible journalists that have come here to cover the Afcon. They are like brothers to me. I ate and dinned with them. They have been wonderful to me as a South African. Why are you treating them this way? It’s not fair, it’s not fair”, Joshua-Akanji claimed Hope cried out while the policemen were brutalizing them.

•Bolaji Abdullahi

PORTS MINISTER, Bolaji Abdullahi has called for reorganisation of sports administration in the country after which he believes the results would follow. While reviewing the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations won by the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday, Abdullahi said that Nigerian sports administrators should use the victory as a spring board to learn how to administer sports well in the country. “The reason we have failed in football is not because there are no talents but because we have had difficulties in the way we have organised ourselves; the way the federation is organised and

From Segun Ogunjimi, Johannesburg

operated”, Abdullahi disclosed. “We can use this victory as a turning point in the development of sports generally and football in particular for Nigeria. We all know the place of football in our environment. No matter what you do in other sport if you don’t get football right you have not done a n y t h i n g . B u t t h a t notwithstanding, I am not a football minister, so I will look at the general implication of what victory means for sports in Nigeria. “If you will recall, we came out of the London 2012 without winning

Runsewe hosts Nigerian leaders in South Africa

•Otunba Olusegun Runsewe in a group photograph with the Nigeria Community leaders in South Africa at Jummy Kitchen, Johannesburg

•Hails their support to Eagles From Segun Ogunjimi, Johannesburg Hon. Mathias Afolabi Sagbo. Others included the President Ohaneze South Africa, Okogiri Smart, General Secretary National Association of Nigerian Students South Africa, Ozoemena Nnamdi and representative of Afenifere and Hausa Community in South Africa. Runsewe used the opportunity of the lunch to thank the major community leaders in South Africa and urged them to continue to project the good image of Nigeria in the country. “We thought it wise and necessary to see

"He will need good advisers to make a decision about this. And whatever he chooses would surely shape his career for the next two, three years." What would a European club be getting if they sign Mba? He is a skillful, hard working player who could play deep in midfield, as a second striker or even as the top striker. He shot to national prominence early last year when he scored twice for the Eagles in an international friendly in Liberia. He took his chance in South Africa when the highly-rated Nosa Igiebor from La Liga outfit Real Betis struggled. The former Enyimba star would go on to play a very deep role in the middle, using his big engine to graft for Chelsea star Mikel Obi and also having enough strength to move forward to score his two tournament-defining goals. But the only drawback for Mba is that at 24, he is a little too long in the tooth for a big breakthrough in Europe.

Clarke: Osaze still important to West Brom

Minister calls for reorganisation of sports administration T

AFCON VICTORY FALLOUTS IRECTOR General of Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe hosted some Nigerian community leaders in Johannesburg, South Africa on Monday to thank them for the huge support they gave to the Super Eagles during the team’s campaign for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations glory in the country for the past 25 days. The amiable former journalist treated the leaders to a sumptuous meal on Monday afternoon at Jummy Kitchen, Johannesburg and at the lunch were President of Nigeria Union in South Africa, Ikechukwu Anyene, General Secretary of the Union, President National Association of Nigerian Students in South Africa, Smart Nwobi, General Secretary Nigeria Union Gauteng Province,

former Nigeria Under-17 star, who was also the match winner against star-studded Ivory Coast in the quarterfinals of the competition. His exploits have already sparked off interest from top German Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. In 2008, he was close to teaming up with Spanish lower league side Elche, but the deal collapsed after his local club, Enugu Rangers, demanded too much money. "A transfer abroad is the next step for his career after his decisive goals capped a very decent tournament for him," said Nigerian football agent Vincent Alumona, who was behind the player's move to Spain five years ago. "However, this could be tricky. The window in western Europe is shut, but there are still opportunities in places like Ukraine and Russia. And that is where the dilemma for Mba lies. To move now or wait till the next window in Germany, Spain or France opens in July?

OOTBALL Kenya Federation (FKF) has confirmed that the 2014 World Cup qualifier pitting African champions Nigeria against Kenya has been changed. The development comes after Nigeria were crowned champions of the African Cup of Nations and will represent the continent in Brazil during Confederations Cup. “The World Football Governing Body FIFA has communicated to Football Kenya Federation on the possibility of changing the dates for the Kenya, Nigeria Brazil World Cup qualifier.” “This has arisen due to Nigeria's qualification to represent Africa in the FIFA confederations Cup to be played in Brazil from 15th to 23rd June 2013. The world cup organising committee has therefore requested Kenya to reschedule the return leg at least two days before the 10th of June that means the match be played between 6th or 7th of June,” the statement read. FIFA is expected to hold an executive meeting on March 19th to decide on the exact dates. FKF have also revealed that they will hire a new coach before they face Super Eagles but were keen to state that he will not be high profile like the predecessor as the team is expected to pitch camp in two week’s time. “We are not going for a high profile coach this time round and the three have a good track record for working with African teams.”

you and also thank our community leaders in South Africa for the love and huge support you have accorded the Super Eagles and the team officials here in South Africa. I took permission from the Senate President who represented our sports loving President Goodluck Jonathan in the final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations that was won by the Eagles to come and thank you for the support you gave to the team and he happily obliged me and that is the reason I am here today (Monday). “I am particularly happy that when I came to give out souvenirs to our people here before the Sunday’s Afcon final in Pretoria on

the eve of the final I was expecting to see just 30 people but over 700 people gathered at the field that day and I was really happy and overwhelmed by the large turn-out that day. “Mr. President (Goodluck Jonathan) who sent me to you is very happy with your good conduct in this country and urged you to keep Nigeria flag flying here in South Africa. I am particularly happy with the fact that there was no single report from the South Africa Police of nay violence or criminal activities from Nigerians in South Africa before, during and after the match. That shows that Nigerians are well organized. “So I make bold to say from today (Monday) Friends of Nigeria has been launched in South Africa.” Runsewe summed up.

any medal, and there were a lot of uproar. But what I think we need was that instead of complaining that we did not win any medal, we should ask ourselves how it happened that for the first time in many years Nigeria went to the Olympics and did not win a medal. The Olympic failure was actually consistent with previous failures in other sporting competitions, the World Cup 2010, the Flacons failures and other in the last two or three years, the Olympics failure was just the highpoint of it all. “I came in shortly before the Olympics, but what is clear to me then was that what we experienced was the highpoint of the collapse of

so many years. My conclusion is that the basic building blocks for winning are not even there. The poets sector operates largely through the federations, especially the elite sports. But if you look at most of the federations, they are largely weak. “Many of them don’t even have the template that shows a connection between any process and the outcome that they desire. If you have that kind of environment, you are not going to win anything. In the absence of these basic building blocks, we have to start from the beginning to start rebuilding”, the Minister disclosed in Johannesburg on Monday.

Eagles disappointed me—Bance

URKINA FASO hitman Aristide Bance told supersport.com, a day after they lost the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final to Nigeria, that the Super Eagles did not exhibit the standard he expected during the clash at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. The FC Augsburg striker said he was expecting a merciless showdown from the Vincent Enyeama-led squad but met a relatively assailable side that struggled against them despite the avalanche of supporters and favourable previews. “Although we lost, I don’t feel personally vanquished. I have to congratulate the Super Eagles for

their victory but I can say Burkina Faso didn’t lose,” the 28year-old said. “Nigeria were lucky to have scored first, otherwise it would have been difficult for them to equalise and carry the day. The encounter was quite balanced. For a team reaching the AFCON final for the first time and holding a two-time champion to a narrow one-goal win I can say it’s a victory for us and great inspiration for the future of the team,” he said. Asked if Alain Traore’s presence would have made some difference in their favour, Bance cancelled out that possibility with the absence also of Nigeria’s rocket forward

Emmanuel Emenike. “If you say we would have probably had an edge if Alain Traore had played then you can as well say Nigeria could have done much better had Emenike played.”

•Bance

HE reintegration of West Brom's Peter Odemwingie is continuing, with Steve Clarke insisting the striker will have a part to play this season. Having travelled with the squad to Anfield on Monday night, the Nigerian sat in the stand to watch the Baggies' surprise 2-0 win over Liverpool, their first victory since Boxing Day. Clarke said the 31-year-old, who was disciplined by the club after trying to force a deadline-day move to QPR by driving to Loftus Road, was involved with the team in the pre-match build-up and hopes he can soon return in a playing capacity. Clarke had suggested prior to the Liverpool match that Odemwingie might be involved for the first time since January 19, but insisted there was nothing sinister in his eventual decision to leave him out. "It wasn't an additional punishment and he was involved, that is why he was there," he said. "He was in the dressing room, he was delighted for his team-mates and was there to support them and help them. "It is all part of what being part of a squad about. "Peter makes his contribution and will make a contribution in the season going forward." West Brom spent most of the match pursuing and pressing their hosts and they were successful enough to still be in the game with 10 minutes to go after goalkeeper Ben Foster had saved Steven Gerrard's penalty. Defender Gareth McAuley's header and Romelu Lukaku's 90thminute strike snatched victory but Clarke felt the platform had been established by his midfield. "It is the first time in a number of weeks I've had the luxury of being able to pick Mulumbu, Claudio Yacob and James Morrison in the same midfield," he said.