PRESIDENT JONATHAN APPLAUDS FALCONETS, SAYS TEAM CAN BECOME GREAT FORCE IN WOMEN’S SOCCER

PRESIDENT JONATHAN APPLAUDS FALCONETS, SAYS TEAM CAN BECOME GREAT FORCE IN WOMEN'S SOCCER

On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan congratulates Nigeria's under-20 women's football team, the Falconets for winning the silver medal at the just concluded FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup Tournament in Canada.

President Jonathan assures the Falconets that despite their loss in extra time to their German counterparts in yesterday's very keenly contested final, all Nigerians remain proud of the skillful, highly spirited and patriotic performance they put up throughout the tournament.

WIN TOMORROW AND GET HEROINES’ WELCOME WHEN YOU RETURN HOME, PRESIDENT JONATHAN TELLS FALCONETS

WIN  TOMORROW AND GET HEROINES' WELCOME WHEN YOU RETURN HOME, PRESIDENT JONATHAN TELLS FALCONETS

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Saturday spoke with members of the national under-20 women's football team, the Falconets and exhorted them  to go all out for victory against their German counterparts in tomorrow's final of the 2014 FIFA under-20 women's World Cup in Canada.

President Jonathan who is currently on a private visit to Germany called the Falconets at their base in Montreal at about 1515 Hours Nigerian Time and spoke with the captain of the team, Patience Okaeme, top scorer, Asisat Oshoala, Assistant Captain, Deborah Okoye, Courtney Dike, Uchechi Sunday, the delegation leader ,Chief Felix Anyansi Agwu, Head Coach Peter Dedevbo and other members of his team.

The President who commended the players for getting to the finals of the tournament once again, urged them to do their best to exceed their 2010 second place finish by overcoming the German team on Sunday and bringing greater glory, pride and joy to soccer-loving Nigerians.

PRESIDENT JONATHAN HAILS FALCONETS’ QUALIFICATION FOR UNDER-20 FEMALE WORLD CUP FINALS

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
 PRESIDENT JONATHAN HAILS FALCONETS' QUALIFICATION FOR UNDER-20 FEMALE WORLD CUP FINALS
 
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan heartily congratulates Nigeria's under-20 female football team, the Falconets on their qualification for the final match of the ongoing FIFA tournament in Canada.

 The President applauds the Falconets' scintillating display which earned them a 6-2 victory in Wednesday's semi-final encounter with North Korea as well as their very commendable performance in earlier matches.
 
As the Falconets prepare for the final match of the tournament against Germany on Sunday, President Jonathan urges them to put in their very best effort to win the under-20 Female World Cup for Nigeria and Africa for the first time in the history of the competition.
 
He assures the girls and their handlers of the full support of the Federal Government and the prayers of all Nigerians for their triumph on Sunday.
 
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
August 21, 2014

Nigeria comeback seals passage, meet New Zealand in quarter final

Nigeria edged England with a 2-1 comeback win to top Group C, leaving the Europeans to head for home. Nigeria have a strong tradition of success at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and displayed their fortitude by coming from a goal down to secure this decisive win.

England opened in perfect fashion scoring in just the fifth minute as Hannah Blundell played a clever through ball for Nikita Parris, who took one touch and then clipped a shot past the advancing Nigeria goalkeeper Ibijoke Sangonuga from the edge of the box.

The African champions drew level in an even contest four minutes before the interval after Loveth Ayila beat her marker with a skilful drag-back and shot powerfully from 25 yards. Goalkeeper Lizzie Durack got a hand to it but was unable to prevent the ball hitting the back of the net.

The second half was a tale of two penalties, with England’s Bethany Mead firstly missing after Parris was adjudged to have been fouled by Sangonuga. Within minutes at the other end, Asisat Oshoala was brought down after dribbling into the penalty area and stepped up to coolly side-foot the resultant spot-kick into the bottom-right corner.

England were saved from going further behind only by the width of the crossbar as Nigeria finished strongly in a match that ended amid joyous scenes on the Africans’ bench.
Nigeria, who will feature in their fifth consecutive quarter-final, now tackle Group D runners-up New Zealand.

Source: Vanguard News

AWC: Falcons no longer strongest team –Mabo

Former Super Falcons coach, Ismaila Mabo, has warned the team against overconfidence when they face hosts Namibia, Ivory Coast and Zambia in Group A of the 2014 African Women’s Championship in Namibia from October 11 to 25.

Falcons

According to Saturday’s draw in Windhoek, South Africa will face Cameroon, Ghana and Algeria in Group B of the tournament.

The top three teams at the tournament will represent Africa at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada next year.

However, eight-time African champions Falcons will begin camping for the championship in August and Mabo believes only the best players should make the final selection by coach Edwin Okon.

Luis Suarez bite: Reaction to Fifa's four-month ban from world football

Fifa's decision to give Uruguay striker Luis Suarez a four-month ban from world football for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini has made headlines around the globe.

Uruguay's Luis Suarez grabs his teeth after biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini

He will now miss nine international matches and the first nine games of the Premier League season for Liverpool, as well as three Champions League matches.The World Cup ban is the third he has been handed for biting someone during his career.
Here BBC Sport rounds up reaction to Thursday's ruling and the possible repercussions for club and country.

Luis Suarez's controversies
July 2010: Handles the ball on the line to deny Ghana a winner in the last minute of extra time in the World Cup quarter-finals. Asamoah Gyan misses the resulting penalty and Uruguay win the shootout to reach the semi-finals.
November 2010: Given seven-match ban for biting PSV Eindhoven's Otman Bakkal on the shoulder while playing for Ajax.
December 2011: Given eight-match suspension and fined £40,000 for racially abusing Manchester United's Patrice Evra.
February 2012: Refuses to shake hands with Evra at Old Trafford and is described as a "disgrace" by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
April 2013 : Suarez apologises for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic. Gets 10-game ban.
June 2014: Given nine-match international ban and four-month suspension from all football-related activity for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup.

World Cup 2014: Lionel Messi 'is from Jupiter', says Nigeria coach

World Cup 2014: Lionel Messi 'is from Jupiter', says Nigeria coach

Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi said Lionel Messi "is from Jupiter" after the Argentina forward scored twice in their 3-2 win over the African nation.

The 27-year-old scored a half-volley and a free-kick as Argentina recorded a third win to finish top of Group F.
"Messi is one of heck of a player. He's blessed. You can't take it away from him," said Keshi, whose Nigeria side still qualified despite the defeat.
"There are good calibre players in the team but Messi is from Jupiter."

Argentina goal-scorers Lionel Messi (left) and Marcos Rojo (right) celebrate with Angel Di Maria
World Cup 2014: Nigeria 2-3 Argentina highlights
Keshi, whose team advanced to the last 16 of the World Cup after Iran lost to Bosnia-Hercegovina, added: "I feel honoured and happy it's going our way, I want to thank the players and the fans and some of the media."
Messi is now joint top scorer at the 2014 tournament with four goals, alongside Brazil's Neymar. Prior to Brazil 2014, he had scored just once in eight World Cup matches.
The Barcelona star paid tribute to Nigeria, who equalised twice through Ahmed Musa before Marcos Roja scored a second-half winner for the two-time champions.
"We played against a team that wanted to play," Messi said. "I think we saw a good Argentina. We need to continue on this path."
Messi had previously only scored one World Cup goal in 571 minutes, but former England striker Gary Lineker believes he is now comparable to Argentine compatriot Diego Maradona.
Maradona inspired Argentina to their 1986 World Cup triumph, scoring twice to eliminate Lineker and his England team-mates in the quarter-finals.
"I don't think since Maradona we've seen anyone quite like Messi on the field," said the Match of the Day presenter.

Nigeria beats Bosnia-Hercegovina

Nigeria's Peter Odemwingie scores against Bosnia-Hercegovina

Peter Odemwingie scored the only goal to give Nigeria a victory that means World Cup debutants Bosnia-Hercegovina will not progress from Group F.
The Stoke forward struck in the first half to give Nigeria their first win at a World Cup finals since 1998.
The goal came just seven minutes after Bosnia striker Edin Dzeko had a goal incorrectly disallowed for offside.
Nigeria's Peter Odemwingie scores against Bosnia-Hercegovina
Nigeria will reach the knockout stages if they get a point against Argentina, or if Iran fail to beat Bosnia.

Ghana’s Boateng ready for ‘fight to death’ with brother, Germans

(AFP) – Ghana’s Berlin-born midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has turned up the heat for Saturday’s World Cup Group G match against Germany by comparing it to a gladiator-style ‘fight to the death’.
Boateng1“It’s like in ancient Rome. There will be people around the pitch who want to see how two teams fight,” the Schalke 04 star told German magazine Sport Bild.

Iran hold Nigeria to dour draw

Iran and Nigeria played out the first draw of the 2014 World Cup as their Group F opener ended goalless.
Nigeria dominated possession but created few chances against a disciplined side managed by ex-Manchester United coach Carlos Queiroz.

The Super Eagles' best opportunities came in the first half, when Ogenyi Onazi fired a yard wide before Ahmed Musa went close with a free-kick.
Iran's Reza Ghoochannejad forced a great save from Vincent Enyeama.
The share of the points leaves both teams well placed in the group after Argentina defeated Bosnia-Hercegovina.

Uzoenyi Lands In Brazil

Ejike Uzoenyi, Super Eagles winger

Ejike Uzoenyi, the Rangers International winger who was named by Super Eagles head coach Stephen Keshi as replacement for injured left back, Elderson Echiejile arrived Brazil yesterday around 4pm Brazil time.

As reported by Complete Sports yesterday,the player flew out of Murtala Mohammed International airport in Lagos aboard a South African Airways flight and arrived at the Oliver Thambo international airport in Johannesburg on Wednesday morning where he connected a flight to Sao Paulo.

Uzoenyi’s Brazil trip had become a major news report in Nigeria with some quoting Rangers officials that they will not release the player for the World Cup because there was no correspondent between the club and the Nigeria Football Federation. Meanwhile Eagles administrator cum secretary,Dayo Enebi Achor revealed all logistics to reintegrate Uzoenyi into the team quickly have been made.

“I guess when he arrives and start training Nigerians will finally come to the reality that we will miss Echejile in this World Cup”.

Source: Complete Sport

Eagles arrive Brazil today

The team had its last training session on Monday evening in the United States and will depart this morning for Miami, Florida, from where they will connect and American Airways airliner to Samba land Brazil. The flight from Miami to Sao Paulo is scheduled to be eight hours, according to Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor.

Already, the NFF and FIFA have perfected plans to give the team a grand welcome at the airport, including a media press conference and reception by the city authorities in Sao Paulo, before the team will retire to its camp base in Brazil’s bustling commercial capital.eagles-train.

Brazil 2014: Nigeria Picks Yobo, Osaze, 21 Others; Drops Nsofor, Mba-PREMIUM TIMES

Joseph Yobo
Super Eagles Captain

Nigeria’s captain, Joseph Yobo, will play in his third FIFA World Cup finals and has the opportunity to become Nigeria’s first ever player to have 100 international caps after he was named in the African champions’ final list of 23 for Brazil 2014.

Also going to their third World Cup are goalkeepers Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide.

Midfield anchorman, John Mikel Obi, will only be attending his first finals after Nigeria narrowly missed qualifying for Germany 2006 and he was omitted from South Africa 2010 due to injury.

Former junior international defender, Elderson Echiejile, and Olympic silver medalist, Osaze Odemwingie, who were also in South Africa four years ago, make the cut for the biggest showpiece in football, which starts on June 12.

The 2013 Africa Cup of Nations top scorer, Emmanuel Emenike, is joined in the attack by England-based duo of Victor Moses and Shola Ameobi, as well as former junior international, Uche Nwofor. But there is no place for Olympic silver medalist, Obinna Nsofor, and nimble–footed Nnamdi Oduamadi.

Home based goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi; ex-Inter Milan midfielder, Joel Obi; South Africa 2013 hero, Sunday Mba; former U-23 star, Nosa Igiebor; and 2014 CHAN most valuable player, Ejike Uzoenyi; also miss out on the trip to South America.

NIGERIA’S FINAL 23 FOR BRAZIL 2014

GOALKEEPERS: Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim

DEFENDERS: Joseph Yobo, Elderson Echiejile, Juwon Oshaniwa, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kenneth Omeruo, Efe Ambrose, Kunle Odunlami

MIDFIELDERS: John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ramon Azeez, Michael Uchebo, Reuben Gabriel

FORWARDS: Osaze Odemwingie, Ahmed Musa, Shola Ameobi, Emmanuel Emenike, Babatunde Michael, Victor Moses, Uche Nwofor

Mikel, Moses listed in Chelsea mass clear-out

Chelsea are planning a mass clear-out of more than 10 players in the summer, with Fernando Torres, Ashley Cole and Mikel Obi all set to leave. Manager Jose Mourinho admitted after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Crystal Palace that changes had to be made in order to improve the squad for next season. While the Portuguese again revealed his frustration over his underperforming strikers, a number of players in different positions are on their way out according to a London Evening Standard report.

World Cup will be bonus —Osaze

Stoke City striker Osaze Odemwingie would welcome the chance to experience a World Cup ‘bonus’ with Nigeria in June.

The 32-year-old has, after a couple of difficult years, got his career back on track at the Britannia Stadium.

A swap deal involving Cardiff City and Kenwyne Jones took him to the Potteries in January, and he has responded with four goals in eight appearances for his new employers.

Spain end Nigeria’s Flamingoes World Cup campaign

Spain’s Under 17 girls have ended the World cup campaign of Nigeria’s Flamingoes, thrashing them 3-0 to book a semi final match on Monday with Italy, who had edged out another African team, Ghana 4-3 on penalties.
With a Patri Guijarro’s double, Spain dominated the quarter-final encounter with Nigeria, in the last quarter final played at Liberia’s Estadio Edgardo Baltodano Briceño, Costa Rica early today, FIFA.com reported.
The result ended a seven-match unbeaten run for Nigeria at the tournament dating back to 2012, and fell one match short of the record sequence established by Japan between 2010 and 2012.

Yobo’s flat horrifies landlord

A landlord was horrified when he saw the state in which a penthouse flat leased in the name of ex-Everton player Joseph Yobo had been left.There were burn marks on the carpet, a dirty kitchen and bathroom, and holes in the wall left from a flat-screen television.But the former Everton star says he has never lived in the apartment in South Ferry Quay, close to Liverpool Marina, nor even been there. According to him, his younger brother, Gideon, paid the rent.The keys to the flat were handed back to the letting agent over the weekend, Liverpool Echo reports. Landlord Ray Smith says he was shocked by what he found when he went to inspect it.

He said, “The state it’s been left in is just unbelievable.

Nigeria’s Flamingoes edge Colombia for quarter final

Nigeria’s Flamingoes have qualified for the quarter finals of the FIFA Under 17 World Cup tournament in Costa Rica, after coming from behind to beat Colombia 2-1.
Nigeria had earlier beaten China in their first group game by the same margin.
Needing all three points to stay alive in Group D, Colombia burst out of the blocks with a third minute goal as Angie Rodriguez looped a header from a perfect Nancy Acosta cross over the head of stranded goalkeeper Onyinyechukwu Okeke.