Adedeji, Gambo Rue CHAN Cup Miss…Others Vow To Fight On….Keshi Preaches Consistency
Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi confessed on Tuesday morning that it has become very difficult for him to drop any of the players in camp, as all of them deserved to be in South Africa for the CHAN tourney which kicks off January 11, but situation compelled him to do so.
Among those who were released were top striker Gambo Mohammed and star left back, Adeyinka Adedeji and the two players said when they were departing camp that they believe that their miss is an act of God and they will sooner than later be back in the national team scheme of things.
Adedeji, who spoke first said he has missed several important engagements due to sudden injuries but that will never deter him from aspiring to be one of the best left backs in the world. “It’s sad that I have to drop out due to injury but am happy that I never allowed the past to duel in my heart and soon I will return. I thank Coach Stephen Keshi and other members of the technical crew for giving me this opportunity and I assure that when next I am called I won’t fail the team and the nation.
On his part, Gambo who has been out for close to two weeks due to a hamstring problem said it was simply an act of God. “These things do happen and I take it in good faith and I will soon be back. I wish my teammates the best of luck in CHAN”, the Kano Pillars forward declared.
Another star, Ikechukwu ‘Small’ Azubuike, who was very impressive but also suffered the chop of the technical crew said he has had a big learning process with the team and he will be back and better in the coming months. Mfom Udoh, Pius Abdulahi, and Eaglets’ Taiwo Awoniyi also took their release in good faith, promising that when next they get a call up they will be more than ready to displace contenders for their position.
Keshi has meanwhile told the released players and those who made the list for CHAN to remain consistent and pray for their teammates as that will form the basis for their future invitation to the national team. “We must pray for our brothers who made it because tomorrow it will be our turn but most importantly we must be discipline and play consistently for our various club sides”, he said.
Maigari Gets Best African FA President Award…Eagles Back Kick-out Malaria Campaign
The deluge of awards for Nigerian football players and administrators in recent months continued on Tuesday when Global Dream Foundation in concert with Ubachukwu Nnanna Foundation and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth And Students’ Matters declared, NFF President Alhaji Aminu Maigari, as the best federation President in Africa for the year 2013.
The impressive but brief ceremony was held at the Super Eagles camp in Bolton White Apartment, with CHAN Eagles skipper, Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Daniel Akpeyi, Solomon Kwambe, Ejike Uzoenyi and Shehu Abdulahi all present.
National Team Coordinator, Emmanuel Danjumah Attah, was on hand to receive the award on behalf of Maigari, while team Psychologist, Dr Robinson Okosun received the special award bestowed on the NFF by the tripartite body which has been battling the malaria scourge in Africa.
Speaking at the occasion, Queen Esther Kanu, who is the face of the battle against malaria scourge in Nigeria said Maigari, the NFF Executive Committee and indeed all officials of football teams in the country deserve a pat on the back in the outgoing year for their consistency and the results that the teams have churned out in the course of last year. “Indeed, our football at all levels has witnessed tremendous growth and the players and Alhaji Maigari have become role models to Nigerian youths who in the last few years have sought in vain people that they can to look up to”
Other representatives, Uzor Nnachukwu and Sam Ekeh spoke in a similar vein and wished that the national team will do Nigeria further pride and good by winning the forthcoming African Nations Tourney known as CHAN in South Africa.
In his remarks Project Coordinator, Benjamin Larbi, said he believes strongly that the Eagles will again win the CHAN tourney in South Africa, adding that the team’s consistency have been very impressive. He said the Eagles support for the kick-out malaria campaign has saved several lives in Nigerian and Africa and assured that the organization will never relent in the drive to make Africa malaria free.
Maigari through Attah, said the award will help to ginger him to greater heights in the New Year and called on Nigerians from all works of life to support the national team and the fight against malaria elimination in the country and Africa.
Eagles Groove Into 2014 At Bolton
Officials and players of the national team on New Year eve had a rare time off their tight and Spartan schedule as they were treated to a Cross-Over party by the management of Bolton White Apartment in Abuja, where the team is camped.
All the players and officials led by Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, ate and danced into the New Year with comedians and other invited dancers adding groove to the event. The compere for the show Christian Doherty kept ribs cracking for the entire duration of the night as Eagles goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi prayed the team into the New Year with his prophetic comments and very distinct English accent.
Keshi thanked the management of the hotel for the occasion and told players that training resumes immediately on Thursday morning because of the CHAN task at hand. Team Coordinator, Emmanuel Attah, praised the discipline that has enveloped the team since Keshi took over and said it will continue with the triumph at CHAN 2014.
Manager Special Duties of Bolton White, Chika Udeochi aka ‘Special’, whose dexterity led to the successful organization of the event along side Apartment Manager Vivian Nwosu said the event was organized to help the national team unwind ahead of the CHAN tourney after daily rigorous training sessions. “Bolton is a wonderful and lucky place for the Super Eagles and I can beat my chest to say when next we will be sitting down like this it will be to celebrate the CHAN trophy win”, she said.
Photo Caption: Robinson Okosun, Queen Kanu and Emmanuel Attah display the awards won by NFF President Aminu Maigari
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