Vanguard, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2014 —59
Keshi demands chartered flight to Sudan BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja
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HEAD of the must win 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between Nigeria and Sudan this weekend, Super Eagles Chief Coach Stephen Keshi has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to make provision for the team to travel with a chartered flight. Keshi told journalists in Abuja yesterday that travelling on a chartered flight will help the players to give their best because it would have reduced the trouble of travelling in a passenger aircraft in a region like Africa. He further argued that since the team will be playing another round of the two legged encounter next week, going by a chartered flight will make movement back home easier especially after the first leg. “Yes it will be nice to travel with a chartered flight because it is always an issue travelling within Africa in a passenger aircraft. In a fixture like we have, the ideal thing is to move in there play the game and leave immediately to come and prepare for the return leg."
L-R Media Director NCF, Mr. Femi Solaja, the Scribe, Mrs. Bidemi Ganiyu-Opolo, President of the Federation, Mr. Lekan Adeyemi, NBL representatives, Mr. Patrick Olowokere and Edem Vindah at the formal presentation of the trophy of this year’s Chess Championship.
Eagles will cope with Sudan heat, astro turf —Echiejile
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LDERSON Echiejile has said Super Eagles will cope with the heat and playing on an artificial pitch in Sudan on Saturday. Nigeria visit Sudan on Saturday and then welcome the same team four days later. Congo top Group A with six points after two rounds of matches, South Africa are second with four points, while Nigeria are third on a point. Sudan are yet to record any points.
“Personally, I prefer playing on a natural grass pitch, but we just have to adjust, be smarter and work on our timing when we play on astro turf and we will be okay,” said Elderson, who will be visiting Sudan for the first time. “And as for the weather, we are first and foremost Nigerians and born in Africa and so we should also be able to cope on the day.” And the Monaco defender has said the Super Eagles are targeting wins in both
games against Sudan particularly as the last two qualifying matches, away to group leaders Congo and at home to South Africa, next month would be a lot tougher.
•Echiejile
NB Plc boost Chess players with N2.3m prize money
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HE 37th Nigerian B r e w e r i e s International Open Chess Championship received a major boost yesterday, following the 50 percent increase in the prize monies in all the categories. At a crowded press conference held in Lagos yesterday to usher in this year’s tournament, the Corporate Affairs Adviser, Mr. Kufre Ekanem, who was represented by the C o r p o r a t e Communication/Public Affairs Manager, Mr. Patrick Olowokere, disclosed that the total prize money in all the
Friday, McCloud win double titles at SNEPCo Junior Tennis finals
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ABRIEL Friday from Kaduna and Dubai based Angel McCloud won titles in two age categories as the weeklong SNEPCo Junior Tennis Championship ended with fanfare at the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club. Twelve year old Friday easily beat Solomon Adesida from Ogun State 9-3, in the boys 14 finals
Ex-Rangers stars plan big for USA convention F
ORMER Rangers of Enugu stars have set out to hold their maiden convention on November 8 in Maryland, USA. Disclosing this during the week, Ike OfojeI, who is the Director of Soccer and head Men’s Soccer Coach at the Uni-
•Chukwu,
versity of South Carolina , Aiken , said the convention would feature the biggest ever gathering of former stars like Christian Chukwu, Emma Okala, Dr. Patrick Ekeji and other great players, who passed through the ranks of the Flying Antelopes. “This is a historic event. We are expecting thousands of quests from different part of the United States of America, Nigeria and around the world, including government and nongovernment officials. Guests will also have the opportunity to celebrate and enjoy the companies of dignitaries, friends, families and ex-Rangers players, comprising Emmanuel Merenini, Samuel Onyeaka, Nnamdi Anyafu, Dr. Totty O. Totty, Donald Igwebuike, Kenneth
Boardman, Okey.ozoh, Alex Nwosu, Ike Ofoje, Charles Okoye, Vincent Chika , Azuka Harbor, Francis Okaroh, Ben Okaroh Emma Okonkwo and many more”. Ofoje said a brochure of the convention will be produced to raise funds for the association “Our Brochure will be packed with ads from different kinds of businesses such as nursing homes, consulting, doctor’s offices, law offices, retail stores, online stores, and dentist. Families are welcome to put ads for birthday wishes, marriage wishes, anniversaries and etc. Individuals can wish families and friends good wishes on our brochure as well. “We encourage everyone to attend but for some reason you cannot attend, you can still
place the ad for your business or your family. The brochure will reach thousands of people both here in the States
categories of play would be N2.3m as against the N1.5m that was spent last year. According to him, “we are pleased with the level of organisation of the championship over the years and delighted to raise the level of the event. For us in the Nigerian Breweries Plc, this sponsorship remains a key element of our youth empowerment and talent development initiatives. It is a further demonstration of our dedication to being a responsible corporate citizen committed to winning Nigeria,” he stated.
and Nigeria. We know the rich history and records of Rangers International of Enugu”.
and then struggled to overcome Emmanuel Jebutu from Lagos, 97, in the boys 12 finals to win the two age categories. Angel McCloud, 13, the revelation of the tournament, clinically eliminated Fortune Aniso the second seed in the Girls 16s, 9-0 in the semifinals and went on to beat Marylove Edwards 9-6 in both the Girls 14s and 16s.Edwards, on the other hand, had in the semifinals upset the number one seed Zainab Oladimeji from Ondo 98 coming from 8-4 down to clinch the tie break at 9-7. Both girls were awarded the most outstanding players of the tournament.
Wenger lost it with Mourinho, says Koscielny
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AURENT Koscielny has acknowledged Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger lost his temper with Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho but offered an explanation for the boss’ behaviour, ESPN reports. Wenger was angered by a challenge from Gary Cahill on Alexis Sanchez during the Blues’ 2-0 win over the Gunners on Sunday at Stamford Bridge. Wenger and Mourinho were involved in an altercation in the aftermath of the tackle, with the Frenchman appearing to shove the Portuguese. “There’s*Keane a long friend-
EYEBALL-2-EYEBALL: Wenger (l) and Mourinho ship between them,” Koscielny said, wryly. “It’s one of those things that happens in a game. It came about after a firm tackle by Cahill on Sanchez, and the coach was an-
noyed because Alexis had had the same thing done to him three days earlier against Galatasaray and the defender had only been booked. That’s why Arsene lost it a bit.”