The national women volleyball team arrived in Mexico City Tuesday evening after a 27-hour journey from Nairobi.
The team is one of the two African representatives – alongside Algeria – for the opening leg of the 2014 FIVB Grand Prix at the Olympic Hall starting on Friday.
The contingent departed Nairobi on Monday at 7pm for an eight hour flight to Amsterdam, from where the team was forced to wait for another eight hours for a connecting flight to the Central American nation.
Thereafter, the squad boarded another flight at the Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam at 2pm for a 12-hour journey that saw them arrive in Mexico City on Tuesday at 6pm (Wednesday 2am – Kenyan time), before going through another grueling one-hour checking out process.
“The journey was okay but very tiresome, thankfully we have some adequate time to recover and even prepare for the opening match against Mexico,” Kenya coach David Lung’aho told Nation Sport.
Kenya is pooled alongside hosts Mexico, Algeria, Bulgaria and Kazakhstan in the five-day tournament. All the participating teams have already arrived in Mexico for the event.
Kenya team with the 2013 African Nations VOLLEYBALL Cup
“This is our World Cup, and so we are here to do Kenya and the entire continent proud,” team captain Blackcides Agala said.
While on transit, the reigning African champions displayed commendable unity and team spirit cracking jokes and bonding in a way that probably highlights their successful returns on the continent.
The team had successful training sessions in Mexico to prepare for the tournament opening against host Mexico.
FIT & READY – Golden Eaglets training ahead of saturday’s match
Golden Eaglets’ captain, Kelechi Nwakali and gangling striker, Victor Osimhen is confident of opening Nigeria’s 2015 African Championship account on a winning note on Saturday.
Osimhen is undoubtedly Golden Eaglets’ inform striker based on recent performance after he scored a brace in the team’s 4-2 win against Egypt in Cairo early this month. He is also one of the team’s top scorers-jointly in second position with Suleiman Abdullahi on six goals and behind Kehinde Ayinde on seven.
“My focus now is on the match against Congo (Democratic Republic) and that has always been my style days before an important game,” yelled Victor.
“The good thing is that we have good attacking force in this team and my prayer is that I should be one of our goal scorers against Congo DR.”
The Golden Eaglets have scored an average of three goals per match after amassing an impressive 63 goals in 21 matches under the spell of Coach Emmanuel Amuneke (MON).
Yet Nwakali, who is not far away on the team’s top scorers’ list with four goals including an unforgettable ‘intercontinental ballistic missile’ in the 2-1 win against Abuja College of Football in April, is backing Osimhen to be amongst the goals against the Junior Leopards.
“If there is any player I’m sure of scoring a goal at least against Congo DR, it is Victor because he has improved tremendously,” sai Nwakali.
“One other thing I’m also sure about of this match is that we are going to win by the special grace of God.”
He added that anybody fielded against Congo DR on Saturday would do more than enough to ensure the success of the team insisting that the present Golden Eaglets are as gifted as their predecessors that won the FIFA Under-17 World Cup last year.
Eaglets’ captain with Ambassador Grant Ehiobuche
Congo DR drags Eaglets to Tata Raphael…CAF picks Cameroonian officials
With the works still ongoing at their main stadium, the artificial surface of Tata Raphael stadium in Kinshasa will host Golden Eaglets and Congo Democratic Republic’s much anticipated 2015 Under-17 African Championship qualifier on Saturday.
The match was earlier scheduled for the TP Mazembe Stadium in Lubumbashi but the Federation of Congolese Football Association (FECOFA) only informed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) about the changes few days before the Golden Eaglets’ departure.
The Tata Raphael Stadium is the same venue local side; AS Vita Club humbled Kano Pillars 3-1 in an African Champions League fixture in February. Meanwhile, the continental soccer ruling body, CAF, has picked officials from Cameroon to handle the second round – first leg fixture expected to be watched by a capacity crowd.
The centre referee would be 31-year-old Antoine Max Depadoux Effa Essouma who became an international referee in 2013 with his compatriots, 40-year-old Thierry Bruno Tocke and 36-year-old Hamadou Sadou serving as first and second assistants respectively.
The fourth official is 36-year-old Mandeng Bakalay Cosmas Jerome while Michel Gasingwa from Rwanda would serve as Match Commissioner.
Dignitaries expected to watch the match include Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Congo DR, Dr.
Grant Ehiobuche, Governor of Kinshasa City, Mayor of Kalamu Community, DR Congo’s Minister of Youth Matters and sports as well as executive members of FECOFA.
In the meantime, Ambassador Ehiobuche has equivocally told the Golden Eaglets to go out for victory against the home team: “I would be there with you and that means, President Goodluck Jonathan (GCFR) is also with you in spirit,” he said at the team’s lunch time on Friday.
“Please, grant us victory against Congo DR because I was so ashamed when our team, Kano Pillars was beaten here the last time. You are our future hope and I want you to prove that by beaten Congo DR on Saturday, “he added.
Golden Eaglets pose in front of their hotel camp in Kinshasha
Nigeria’s Under-17, the Golden Eaglets would be going for nothing but victory when they face the Junior Leopards of Congo Democratic Republic in an African U-17 Championship on Saturday in Kinshasa.
This much was said by the team’s Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke (MON) after the team’s final training session on Friday ahead of the match fixed for 3:30pm local time( 3:30pm Nigerian time) at the Tata Raphael Stadium.
“We are here to win and it is as simple as that but we know that the game would not be as simple as that,” said Amuneke who scored match-winning goals when Nigeria won the 1994 African Cup of Nations and Atlanta’96 Olympic Soccer Gold medal.
“We have constantly told the boys that all what we had done in the past are now in the past and
the moment of serious business is here for us.”
Keen followers of the team could readily predict the team’s line up after remarkably playing 21 matches undefeated in regulation time (bar the penalty shoot-out loss to Benin at the WAFU B Tournament in Togo) fuelling suspicion that the 1994 African Footballer of the Year might stick with his reliable against Congo DR.
FIT & READY – Golden Eaglets training ahead of saturday’s match
“The only difference between Saturday’s match and the ones we had played in the past is just the circumstance because this is one of the qualifiers for Niger,” he explained. “So it is important for us to win irrespective of what Congo would throw at us because we know Kinshasa is a difficult place to win matches.”
Typically, Amuneke refrained from picking any particular player as the joker for the match saying that all the 18 players on the trip are physically and psychologically ready for what is regarded within the rank of the team as ‘The Battle of Kinshasa.’
“Joker? I don’t have any joker for the match,” he bluntly said. “What we have is a team with winning mentality and we have brought players we believe would do the job for us.”
The transfer market has been very busy today and so as our man Paul, and here are Friday’s transfer stories and some football titbits.
You can follow Paul on twitter: @El_Pauleta on twitter and also follow @NewFanzone and we will follow you right back, lets keep the discussion going.
Done Deals:
– Official: Didier Drogba returns to Chelsea on a one-year deal
– Hellas Verona have completed the signing of Brazilian Striker Nene on a free transfer.
– Juventus have completed the signing of Udinese midfielder Roberto Pereyra on a season-long loan.
– Millwall have completed the signing of striker Magaye Gueye after he was released by Everton earlier in the summer.
– Hannover 96 have completed the signing of Nurnberg attacking midfielder Hiroshi Kiyotake
– Chievo Verona have completed the signing of 32-year old defender Alessandro Gamberini from Napoli on two-year deal.
– Fiorentina have announced they have reached an agreement with Monterrey to sign Argentine international Jose Maria Basanta.
– Former USA progidy Freddy Adu have joined Serbian club FK Jagodina
– Real Sociedad have confirmed the signing of Argentine goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
– Benfica have completed the signing of Manchester United winger Bebe.
– Crystal Palace have confirmed the signing of Frazier Campbell from Cardiff City on a three-year deal.
– Ghanian Striker Asamoah Gyan has signed a new four year deal with UAE side Al-Ain worth $250,000 per week.
Didier Drogba
Todays Report and Rumours:
– Sevilla are ready to make an approach for Norwich midfielder Leroy Fer
– Sunderland is interested in a loan deal for Chelsea defender Patrick van Aanholt.
– Atletico Madrid have joined Inter Milan in the race to sign £15million rated Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez
– According to reports,Arsenal have offered Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas a five-year deal worth £1.5million per year
– Liverpool Captain Steven Gerrard is on the verge of signing a new deal that will keep him at the club till 2016.
– Burnley are lining up a bid for Nottingham forest midfielder Henri Lansbury
– West Brom are keen on signing £3million rated sassuolo striker Leonardo Pavolletti
– According to reports in France, QPR has joined the race to sign French International Mathieu Valbuena
– Atletico Madrid are hoping to hijack a deal for Lille striker Divock Origi
– Rafa Benitez have rubbished reports that Napoli are interested in signing Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez.
– Everton are stepping up their interest in AIK winger Nabil Bahoui
– Barcelona have turn their attention to signing Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen after been told by Paris Saint-Germain that Marquinhos is not for sale.
– Borussia Dortmund are on the verge of signing 18-year old striker Carlos Standberg from BK Hacken for €1.5million.
– According to reports, Manchester United Manager Louis van Gaal has told Dutch winger Memphis Depay to stay at PSV for another year.
– Rennes midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko is set to complete a move to Monaco.
– Benfica are close to signing Argentina world cup goalkeeper Sergio Romero from Monaco
Football tit bits:
– Claudio Ranieri has been appointed as coach of Greece on a two-year deal.
– The Court of Arbitration for Sport could rule on the appeal by Luis Suarez against his four-month ban for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup at around the time the Spanish league season begins.
– FIFA has fined the Argentine FA 30,000 Swiss francs (19,330 pounds) after members of the national team were pictured standing behind a political banner before a World Cup warm-up match against Slovenia on June 7.
– FIFA has rejected calls to move the 2018 World Cup from Russia, saying the tournament “can achieve positive change.” Russia’s alleged involvement in shooting down a Malaysia Airlines plane over Ukraine last week prompted calls from some lawmakers in Germany to review the country’s hosting rights. FIFA issued a statement saying it “deplores any form of violence” and would support only peaceful, democratic debate about the World Cup.
– Cristiano Ronaldo is set to become the first client of Young Money Entertainment mogul Lil Waynes’s sports management company.
– Bayern Munich have today Unveiled their New Away Kit
The Nigeria Football Federation has moved next Thursday’s Men Federation Cup semi final clash between holders Enyimba FC and fellow Professional Football League side, Giwa FC to the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta.
Although there was a desire to ensure both semi final matches are played at the same venue for reason of close monitoring and the probability of Supersport Television broadcasting both games live, officials have now decided to move one of the matches to ensure equidistance for both competing sides.
Ruth David, Head of Federation Cup unit, stated: “We have now moved the match between Enyimba FC and Giwa FC to Abeokuta. Abuja, the venue picked earlier, is much closer to Jos, home of Giwa FC than it is to Aba, the base of Enyimba FC.”
However, four –time champions Dolphins FC and Prime FC will still square off at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja, also on Thursday. Both matches kick off at 4pm.
There was also a change in the women’s event, with the match between Sunshine Queens and Nasarawa Amazons now to take place in Lokoja, on Friday. Rivers Angels and Delta Queens retain their FIFA Goal Project, Abuja venue for the same day.
The semi final matches of this year’s Men and Women Federation Cup competitions will take place at the FIFA Goal Project, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the Nigeria Football Federation said on Friday.
The two matches in the men’s event, featuring Cup holders Enyimba FC against Giwa FC and Dolphins FC against Prime FC, will be played on Thursday, 31st July, before Rivers Angels tackle Delta Queens and Nasarawa Amazons go up against Sunshine Queens in the women’s event, at the same venue on Friday.
Enyimba FC bundled out Sharks FC of Port Harcourt 2-0 at the quarter final stage, also at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja on Wednesday as Lobi lost 2-4 to Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt in Enugu.
Prime FC of Oshogbo, the only non-elite division club in the last four, eliminated Gateway FC of Abeokuta on penalties and will need everything they can muster against four –time champions Dolphins FC.
Giwa FC also prevailed over Crown FC following penalty shoot –out and must work harder against the Cup holders on Thursday.
In the women’s event, Rivers Angels, who ejected Bayelsa Queens in the last eight, will trade tackles with Delta Queens in a must –see tie at the FIFA Goal Project on Friday, after Sunshine Queens would have faced Nasarawa Amazons in the first semi final.
Federation Cup
FIXTURES
MEN
Dolphins FC Vs Prime FC – 31/07/2014 (2pm)
Enyimba FC Vs Giwa FC – 31/07/2014 (4pm)
WOMEN
Sunshine Queens Vs Nasarawa Amazons – 01/08/2014 (2pm)
The ISAF Youth Match Racing World Championship on water action matched the warm climate as the competition heated up on the second day in Helsinki, Finland.
Temperatures in Helsinki reached a new summer high but that not did stop the on-water action with 12 more flights completed. The situation is incredibly tight ahead of the last ten flights.
The day commenced at 09:45 local time with one flight in a dying breeze. As the wind filled in, racing resumed at 11:45 with a 10-11 knot breeze ensuring fair racing across the remaining flights.
Joachim Aschenbrenner (DEN) is sitting with level with Sam Gilmour (AUS) on 8-2 at the top, matching each other blow for blow. Overnight leader Nevin Snow (USA) sits on eight points but counts three losses.
The trio are followed by Mark Lees (GBR) at 7-2 and Valerio Galati (ITA), Pierre Quiroga (FRA) and Chris Steele (NZL) on 7-3.
One notable thing about the regatta thus far is the comments from the Umpires and Race Committee about the behaviour of the young sailors. Cool, calm and composed heads ensures that match racing is truly a gentleman’s sport in the youth division.
The racing continues on Friday at 09:30 local time. The forecast is for similar conditions with a lot of sun and heat, but luckily also some wind.
jibing action
2014 ISAF Youth Match Racing World Championship Results:
Joachim Aschenbrenner, DEN 8-2
Sam Gilmour, AUS 8-2
Nevin Snow, USA 8-3
Mark Lees, GBR 7-2
Valerio Galati, ITA 7-3
Pierre Quiroga, FRA 7-3
Chris Steele, NZL 7-3
Nelson Mettraux, SUI 5-5
Tyler Rice, ISV 5-6
Markus Ronnberg, FIN 4-5
Philip Bendon, IRL 4-6
Jakob Klitte, SWE 3-7
Slawomir Plichta, POL 1-8
Florian Haufe, GER 1-9
Vladislav Abramov, RUS 0-11
Rivers Angels defeated their South-South counterpart, Bayelsa Queens 2-1 to progress to the semi finals of the Federation Cup.
Gabrielle Ndengue opened scoring for Bayelsa Queens in the 33rd minute in this game decided at the Ondo State Sports Complex, Akure. Her fantastic effort from more than 30yards sailing past Charity John in goal for the Angels.
A persistent Angels team, playing without the inspirational Asisat Oshoala who is on her way to Canada to feature for the Falconets at the FIFA U-20 Women World Cup eventually got an equalizer six minutes before the break.
Sherifat Saheed’s pass was dummied by Soma Oraegbuam, allowing Lola Philips to bury the ball home. Honours were even at the interval and it remained same till the 74th minute when after a sustained period of pressure, Mercy Amanze fired home what turned out to be the winner from outside the penalty box.
Rivers Angels head coach, Edwin Okon says they are on course to defend their title.
“I don’t consider any team as a small team. On no occasion have I said I will demolish Bayelsa Queens, said Okon”.
“We are the defending champions and our expectation is to win the FA Cup and retain it in subsequent editions, he said”.
Rivers Angels will face Delta Queens in the semi-final in Abuja.
After clocking almost 10 hours on flight, Nigeria’s Under-17 team, Golden Eaglets landed safely in Kinshasa-capital of Congo Democratic Republic-on Thursday brimming with confidence ahead of their 2015 Second Round -First leg match slated to hold on Saturday in Kinshasa.
The team which departed their Calabar base for Lagos on Wednesday, flew out of the Murtala Muhammed Airport(MMA) same night aboard Kenya Airways and made a stopover in Cotonou before embarking on a five-hour nonstop journey arriving at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport 8:30 am local time(6:30am Nigerian time).
They boarded immediately another two-and-half hour Kenya Airways flight for DR Congo and finally touched down at the N’djili Aeroport International in Kinshasa exactly 10:10am local time-exactly the same time in Nigeria.
Dele Alampasu with Eaglets before their departure
After completing immigration formalities, the Golden Eaglets alongside Messer Rafiu Yusuf (NFF’s Head of technical department) Emmanuel Adesanya (NFF’s Head of Inter-clubs department) and Kut Kut Fon of NFF’s accounts department) were received by Mr. Masiala Gaspard of the Protocol department of Federation Congolaise de Football Association (FECOFA).
The contingent was later driven to Kampo Hotel on Avenue de la Commune and they are already settling down even as officials from the Nigeria’s Embassy have promised to assist them for a successful outing.
“We were here earlier with the Ambassador ( His Excellency, Dr. Grant Ehiobuche) earlier in order to welcome you but unfortunately, you were not around then,” informed Mr. Ibrahim Miringa,Head of Chancery at the Embassy during lunch.”But there is nothing to worry about as we would do everything possible so that your outing would be successful here.”
In a related development, two stars of the 2013 Golden Eaglets’ World Cup team, goalkeeper Dele Alampasu and midfielder Chidiebere Nwakali, were on hand at the MMA on Wednesday night to wish the team a successful outing.
Nwakali (middle) with Golden Eaglets shortly before their departure at MMA
Here’s Paul Ayorinde’s pick of trending Football Transfer news from across the globe just for you
You can follow Paul on twitter: @El_Pauleta on twitter and also follow @NewFanzone and we will follow you right back, lets keep the discussion going.
Done Deals:
– Swansea city signs Ecuador winger Jefferson Montero on a four-year deal.
– Chelsea Forward Lucas Piazon has joined Eintracht Frankfurt on a season long loan
– Official: Frank lampard joins New York City FC on a free transfer.
– Alejandro Puzuelo has joined Rayo Vallencano from Swansea city for an undisclosed fee
Today’s Report and Rumours:
– Burnley have joined the race to sign striker Troy Deeney but Watford are holding out for £10million
– West ham are ready to offload Ravel Morrison because the midfielder is not in Sam Allardyce’s plan.
– Inter Milan are said to have agreed personal terms with Southampton striker Pablo Osvaldo
– QPR coach Harry Redknapp is reportedly keen on bringing Samuel Eto’o to Loftus Road.
– Tottenham are set to make a cash plus Lewis Holtby on loan offer in order to secure the signing of Aston Villa captain Ron Vlaar
– Arsenal have told Atletico Madrid they will have to pay £15million to sign Santi Cazorla
– Manchester United are favorites to sign Colombian star Juan Cuadrado after Bayern Munich ended their pursuit in the £30million rated Fiorentina man
– Arsenal are set to submit an offer to Hoffenheim for 22-year old attacker Roberto Firmino.
– Everton are close to signing Bosnian midfielder Muhammed Besic
– Crystal Palace are keen on signing Marseille midfielder Morgan Amalfitano, who spent last season on loan at West Brom.
– Liverpool are battling to resurrect an £8million deal for Chelsea left back Ryan Betrand
– QPR have had a £5million bid for Leroy Fer rejected by championship side Norwich city
– Manchester city have made enquiries about the availability of Real Madrid midfielder Isco
– According to reports, Monaco Striker Radamel Falcao is on the verge of joining Real Madrid on a season long loan
– According to reports, James Rodriquez cost Real Madrid more than €90million,which they didn’t reveal
Football tit bits:
– Luis Suarez could make his debut for Barcelona against arch rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. The date of the first “el clasico” of the season is set for the weekend for the weekend of October 25-26;on the Sunday the Uruguayan’s four month suspension comes to an end.
– Mexican Javier Aguirre has been appointed as the new coach of Japan.
– Louis van Gaal was impressed after his first game in charge of Manchester United ended in a comprehensive 7-0 win over LA Galaxy. “It is fantastic how they have performed today, when you see us train, you can expect something but not 7-0.It was a surprise but they were beautiful goals and beautiful attack” van Gaal said.
– Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has told goalkeepers Thibaut Courtois and Petr Cech that they will both be staying at the club whether they like it or not.
– Since James Rodriquez signed for Real Madrid, the club has already sold £20million worth of ‘James’ shirt worldwide.
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