posted
The fire service preparation of the Super Eagles for World Cup qualifer is a worrisome problem to footbal lovers in Nigeria.
In Raypower sports news this morning, they were doing phone in programme. The following points were raised:
1. The players are not committed probably because of Presideny=tial handshake.
The players understand that Obj and his kinsmen are carrying the money away through 58 foregin trips he has performed so far.
Some of these players came from the oil producing area and they know that Nigeria is not worth dying for.
The country has not been able to take care of the injured players like Dosu and others.
The submission: Lack of committement from the Govt. and the players. No incentives.
2. The NFA never organises competitions for the players, they only get them together for matches.
3. The new way of bringing up new players, only the old stocks available.
4. No sport development program, a country without vision.
Some of the callers was seeing it as if the game is against The Eagles and George Wean of Liberia.
Liberia is leading the Nigeria group with 12 points while Nigeria is 10 points and they all have equal match to play.
Nigeria is having a match on Sunday with Sudanise National team.
The chances if nigeria qualifying is as follows:
1. Liberia should lose a match and atleast draw one (in their outstandind 2 mataches). 2. Nigeria must win the remaining two matches (Sunday with Sudanises at Sudan, the next in Lagos with Black Stars of Ghana).
3. They expect Ghana to win Liberia.
The opponents: 1. Sudanise Government offered $400,000.00 to the players to make sure they win Eagles. Dividing it among the 18 players you have $22,000.00 each for sinking Eagles. 2. Ghanan should win Liberia, but Liberia won them in the first leg.
3. Nigeria Governement did not offer any motivation to the team. They are killing our sports.
On there going to Sudan: -The Minister for sports requested the presidential jet for teamn and officials. The President refused.
Emeka Offor offerdd his 100 Seater Aircraft for the team.
Emeka Offor has not offered anything to Ekwusigo L.G.A in Anambra State where he come from.
Thanks for your incisive point-by-point analysis of news in the "other" perspective.
Sports like other things Nigerian has never been devoid of ethnic and political drudgery. The players are humans, their loyalty today is not with the Nation state of Nigeria, but with their employers across the globe.
posted
Ibekwe: For your question, I will open a topic on Emeka Offor. I want my fellow Biafrans to understand who our enemy brothers are.
Posts: 128 | From: Lagos, Nigeria | Registered: Jun 2001
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___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos Posts: 2644 | From: United Kingdom | Registered: Apr 2001
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Sudan 0-4 Nigeria Nigeria gave their World Cup hopes a huge boost with a convincing victory over Sudan but it was a result on the other side of the continent which could well give the Super Eagles their place in the World Cup.
Liberia's 2-1 loss to Ghana in Monrovia means Nigeria now take a one point lead at the top of the tightly-contested Group B.
Two second half goals from Yakubu Ayegbeni help seal the convincing result and keep Nigeria well and truly in the hunt.
Austin Okasha opened Nigeria's account five minutes from half-time.
Dinamo Kiev's Ayegbeni then added his first in the 47th minute. Victor Agali increased the lead to 3-0 with 10 minutes remaining, before Ayegbeni closed it out with an 85th minute strike.
So Nigeria must now beat Ghana away in two weeks to ensure a place in Japan and South Korea next year.
___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos
You're welcome. I always use BBC African service web site. Sometimes we are fortunate to get live matches in Eurosport TV channel!
___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos
posted
Guardian report:monday,July 2, 2001 Nigeria beats Sudan, tops group
By Ibe Ojo
LIKE lions on the rampage, the Super Eagles, who have been targets of criticisms over poor performance, yesterday mauled the Sudanese national team 4-0 in Omdurman, Sudan.
The match was a World Cup qualifying game.
With the victory, Nigeria now tops the Group B while Liberia which led the pack before yesterday's match is placed second following a home defeat by Ghana's Black Stars.
The Eagles shone like a thousand stars. They dominated the game in all departments.
Austin Okocha opened the floodgate of goals in the 40th minute when he hit target off a pass from Julius Aghahowa.
Prior to that, Okocha's range rocket in the second minute had forced the Sudanese goal-keeper to stretch himself for a salvage mission. That spectacular move gave the Nigerian team the needed elixir to be more resourceful and aggressive.
Four minutes later, Okocha's shot scraped the cross bar. The Sudanese embarked on a counter-attack immediately but were perfectly checked by the Taribo-West-led Nigerian defence. Goalkeeper Ike Shorunmu was also on hand to make some saves on the few occasions the Sudanese tried an onslaught.
Undaunted by their opponents invasion of their defence, the Eagles re-organised themselves.
Julius Aghahowa who scored two goals in the second-half was on course throughout the match.
His solo run in the 11th minute was a beauty to behold.
The failure by the Eagles to score from the numerous opportunities they had gave the Sudanese a temporary respite to put their act together in search of an equaliser. Making good use of their simple game tactics, the home team came close to hitting the target in the 18th minute.
Shorunmu, who was at his best, once again stopped them. His quick reflex and good anticipation came to play again even after saving the situation a few minutes later.
Maverick Okocha's free kick in the 25th minute found Agali, but his header went off target.
Okocha later broke the deadlock in the 40th minute, when his power-packed shot sailed into the net.
What would have been an immediate equaliser, was saved by Shorunmu.
Nigeria made it two in the 46th minute through a solo effort by Yakubu Aiyegbeni who had outran Sudanese defenders.
Six minutes later, Aghahowa made it three. He also had outwitted the Sudanese's defenders like Aiyegbeni before tucking the ball into the far corner of the net.
Introduction of Nwankwo Kanu into the game raised its tempo and the pace of the Eagles. This created more problem for the already destabilised Sudanese side He made some good passes one of which resulted in the fourth goal.
After dispossessing a Sudanese defender close to the centre circle, Kanu moved with the ball before finding Aghahowa who sent a low drive into the net.
On a pitch which was difficult to play on and which usually produces low score, Eagles' victory was the best in recent time.
Their performance is remarkable because many members of the squad play in the domestic league.
___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos
Matches remaining: Nigeria one match against Ghana at home, Liberia one match against S/Leone away Sudan one match at home against S/Leone, one away against Ghana. Ghana one match at home against Sudan, one away against Nigeria. S/Leone one home against Liberia, one away against Sudan
posted
Obasanjo cold to Eagle—Amodu, Keshi, Finidi, Taribo react
(Tuesday, July 3rd, 2001) By Onochie Anibeze
THE celebration of the Super Eagles over their great victory in Sudan was cut short yesterday when they met President Olusegun Obasanjo on arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja.
Their meeting with the president was coincidental. The president was travelling out of Abuja and the Eagles had just landed aboard Chrome Airlines. Sports and Youth Development Ministry officials asked them to file out at the presidential lounge, saying that it would be good for them to be met by the president. Sports followers in Nigeria are aware of the president’s handshake policy and were not expecting any monetary rewards. The players expected to meet a warm president but Obasanjo was cold to them.
The president shook them, never uttered a word and walked into a presidential jet. He waved and the jet left. "It is very disappointing that we were treated like this by our president. We thought that we had done the nation proud and we got calls from home on how the whole country celebrated our victory. But on meeting the president, we started wondering if he did not recognise that we went to battle for the country. He was too cold. No athlete can be motivated that way," Stephen Keshi said. He was sad. Coach Amodu Shuaibu also reacted.
"President Obasanjo has not shown fatherly attitude. He was very unfatherly. He couldn’t have done that to his children if they were playing football. He could not say "my children, you have done well, thank you. He could not speak for the country. What motivation can be greater than your president urging you on. They have spoilt this fun," Amodu said.
Finidi George, team captain, said: "Everything is not money. It was a chance meeting, so we were not expecting anything. But we expected our president to be warm, to be friendly to us. We expected him to say ‘gentlemen, you’ve done well,’ just some encouraging words. But nothing came from him. It is sad."
Taribo said: "This is disappointing. We’re really disappointed. We expected to be motivated but the president lowered our morale. I was surprised."
Keshi recalled President Bill Clinton’s days and said: "If it were Clinton, he would have made some jokes and raised the morale of players who had gone to represent his country. President Clinton said he was a fan of Dennis Rodman, the basketballer. Even when Rodman did some controversial things, Clinton told him that he was not behaving well but assured him that he was still his fan. We expected our president to be warm to us but he was very cold. We are not happy. You can see the reaction of the entire players."
___________________ Feel me? Ofu onye ana asi unu abia go. - Ednut Igbo-American . www.airamericaradio.com visit her.
FREETOWN, July 14 (Reuters) - Sierra Leone 0 Liberia 1 - result
World Cup African zone group B qualifier
Scorer: George Weah 73
Halftime: 0-0; Attendance: 35,000
P W D L F A Pts 1. Liberia 8 5 0 3 10 8 15 2. Nigeria 7 4 1 2 12 3 13 3. Sudan 6 3 0 3 5 9 9 4. Ghana 6 2 2 2 9 6 8 5. Sierra Leone 7 1 1 5 2 12 4
Guys it looks like naija will not make it this time.
Sierra Leone 0-1 Liberia George Weah came off the bench as a second-half substitute to re-ignite his and Liberia's World Cup dream in Freetown on Saturday.
Following defeat to Ghana in their previous World Cup assignment a fortnight ago, Weah quit the national team, claiming that the fans had insulted his mother.
But he had a change of heart when President Charles Taylor intervened, and the former World Footballer of the Year once again underlined his importance to the Lone Star with a well-taken goal on 75 minutes.
Came alive
The first half was littered with stray passes, but the match came alive in the second period as Liberia poured forward in search of a goal.
The victory means that the pressure is back on leaders Nigeria who play Ghana in their final qualifying match at the end of the July.
Anything other than a win would have seen Liberia kiss their World Cup hopes goodbye.
So, not for the first time, Weah came to the rescue of his beloved Liberia.
Security
There was tight security for the match between the two neighbours, whose relations remain tense amid continuing rebel activity.
Liberia denies supporting rebels in Sierra Leone who killed and maimed thousands of people in a ferocious 10-year campaign to seize power.
Liberia condemned a United Nations decision to uphold a travel ban on leading officials, denying its foreign minister, Monie Captan, the chance to watch the World Cup qualifier.
"The foreign ministry is taken aback by the (UN sanctions) committee's refusal to give consideration to the Liberian Government's request," a statement from Mr Captan's ministry said.
However, the Liberian Sports Minister, Max Dennis, did travel to Freetown for the match.
The UN travel ban took effect against Liberia in May, to punish the government of President Charles Taylor for its alleged support for the Sierra Leone rebels.
[ July 14, 2001: Message edited by: Ednut ]
___________________ Feel me? Ofu onye ana asi unu abia go. - Ednut Igbo-American . www.airamericaradio.com visit her.
Under FIFA rules Africa is entitled to five slots. The elimination arrangement is based on a system of five zones each comprising of 5 teams. Consequently, only the top teams in each zone will qualify for the final in Japan/Korea 2002.
BiafraNigeria's problem is self-inflicted as the super eagles was the seeded team of zone B and should have easily picked up the ticket playing against three war-torn countries like Liberia, siera Leone and Sudan and Ghana whose football has been on the decline for some time now.
Anyway, let's hope they beat Ghana at PH. It will be depressing for me to go and cheer some other teams at the finals.
___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos
Biafranigeria had the weakest group of nations to face but like you said, they blew it. I think that hiring that Dutchman did in biafranigerias chances.
___________________ Feel me? Ofu onye ana asi unu abia go. - Ednut Igbo-American . www.airamericaradio.com visit her.
posted
Now you see how sports can make a nation one. Politics, the most dangerous game. The world probably would have been a better place without politics.
___________________ Yara Wasa Bature Posts: 502 | From: Owasso, Oklahoma USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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That your reasoning is very shallow. I enjoy watching England play and I support them but I'll never consider myself as being one with England. Even after the disintegration of BiafraNigeria, I may cheer the Nigerian(or whatever name U choose) team if Biafra is not playing, just like I supported Cameroun at the last Olympics.
___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos
Any Israeli soccer fan who didn't applaud to the goal of tournament scored by that Saudi guy at US94 is NOT into soccer.
___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos
The originator of this thread is not alone after all, as this report confirms Aremu as the problem of Sports in BiafraNigeria.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sports
Obasanjo is the problem of sports • Ogbemudia committee told The vanguard (Wednesday, 18th July, 2001) By Tony Ubani
MEMBERS of the Samuel Ogbemudia-led committee on sports set by the presidency to find ways of reviving the dwindling fortunes of sports in the country have been advised to restrict their movements to Abuja.
The committee which has been touring some states interviewing and collecting memoranda on the way forward for Nigerian sports were shocked when told that the problem of Nigerian sports is based in Abuja.
"We were shocked when some Nigerians told us to save our time and save tax payers money from travelling from one state to another. They said that the problem of Nigerian sports is President Obasanjo and that he is based in Abuja.
The source who said that they initially laughed over the "joke" said the reality dawned on them when they moved to other states.
"It became a sing-song. They told us that we were merely touring the states to collect our sitting allowances. They said that the president is the problem of Nigerian sports. "They asked us all sorts of questions. Some annoying and most times revealing. They say that we are repeating the work of Vision 2010."
In all fairness," the source added: "Nigerians cannot be deceived any longer. One Nigerian even predicted that Nigerian sports would suffer more as the president and his advisers would have no time from next year when they would be engrossed with the politics of re-election."
Our source advised that the president should pay more attention to sports as it is the only unifying factor and a political tool to win election if handled properly."
___________________ Awo's political idea was based on the assumption that any town beyond Owo was Igbo or Hausa. Awo was not socialised; he was not a good mixer because he did not have the opportunity, which the secondary school offered. ~TOS Benson, Baba Oba of Lagos
posted
We need all the help we can get to win this one. If they have to pay off the players and/or the officials, am for it but only this time b/c I really hate corruption in any form.
Ghana in Nigeria without key players for World Cup game By Eniwoke Ibagere
PORT-HARCOURT, Nigeria, July 28 (Reuters) - Ghana arrived Nigeria with only one of their leading players for Sunday's World Cup qualifier but remain confident they will mar their bitter rivals' chances of reaching a third consecutive finals.
Africa's most populous nation needs a win against Ghana to earn 16 points and qualify for the trip to Japan and South Korea. A defeat or draw will hand the group B ticket to Liberia, who are currently leading with 15 points.
Experienced defender Mohammed Gargo, with Italian club Udinesse, is the only overseas based player in the 20-man squad that arrived at the match venue in the southern city of Port-Harcourt.
Ghana's coach Fred Osam-Duodu had delayed the team's departure until Friday for other key players -- Emmanuel Duah, Stephen Appiah, Charles Amoah and Emmanuel Issah -- to make the short trip to neighbouring Nigeria.
``Though Appiah has injury problems he promised to join us but I can't explain why the others failed to turn up,'' Osam-Duodu told Reuters on Saturday.
The coach, however, remains confident in the ability of his squad, most of whom were in the under-20 side that recently lost 3-0 to Argentina in the final of the World Youth Cup.
DEFENDING RECORD
``We were last beaten by Nigeria in 1984 and we're here to defend that record. So this is not a formality trip for us,'' he said.
Gargo, team captain in the absence of Duah, added: ``We know all the Nigerian players are with clubs abroad and have a good team but that doesn't matter as winning is on our mind.
``Ghana are a proud side and we want to show the stuff we're made of.''
The Ghanaians with just 11 points cannot make the finals but they have the egde over their West African rivals in previous World Cup qualifiers.
They won 6-3 over two legs in the qualifiers for the 1962 World Cup finals in Chile although during the qualifying tournament for the 1970 World Cup the Nigerians squeezed past 2-1 on aggregate.
For the 1974 World Cup, it was the Ghanaians that moved to the next round after winning 3-2 on aggregate -- getting the important victory in Nigeria in a violence-ridden match.
Ghanaian officials and fans were beaten up and their team bus was burnt by Nigerians angry at the result. The Nigerian government later made financial compensation.
The Nigerian Football Association (NFA) has said it has has embarked on measures to ensure that Sunday's match is violence-free.
``Security will be tight and only 16,000 spectators which is the stadium capacity will be allowed into the ground,'' NFA secretary-general Tijjani Yusuf told Reuters.
``Giant television screens will be mounted outside the stadium and in other parts of the city to allow those without tickets watch the match.''
___________________ Feel me? Ofu onye ana asi unu abia go. - Ednut Igbo-American . www.airamericaradio.com visit her.
posted
Nigeria 3 Ghana O. And it will get even worse new half as Ghana sub keeper gets a red card while in for less than 2 mins. He wanted to take out Agali.
___________________ Feel me? Ofu onye ana asi unu abia go. - Ednut Igbo-American . www.airamericaradio.com visit her. Posts: 2447 | From: Mother Earth | Registered: Mar 2001
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