HAPPY NEW FROM ALL OF US AT THE NEWFANZONE
HAPPY NEW FROM ALL OF US AT THE NEWFANZONE
Monthly Archives: December 2014
Foreign Pros Promise To Beat Flying Eagles Jan 15 Deadline
Tottenham Hotspur youngster Musa Yahaya and Chidera Eze from Portuguese club FC Porto have promised to join up with the Flying Eagles squad by the January 15 deadline handed them.
“We have been following up on the release of the foreign pros called up for the African Youth Championship and so far the signals have been very encouraging,” said team secretary Auwal Aliyu Ibrahim.
“For instance, Musa Yahaya is off to Malaysia for an invitational tournament with the Spurs youth team and he has called to say he will join us as soon as he returns.
“Chidera Eze has also assured he will come in before the January 15 deadline set by the coach for all overseas-based players to report to the training camp in Kaduna.”
Sweden-based Taiwo Awoniyi and Musa Muhammed are so far the only pros now training with the AYC-bound squad.
The other foreign pros called up include Moses Simon, Kingsley Madu, Isaac Success, Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali.
…Flying Eagles celebrate New Year’s day with endurance drill
The Flying Eagles will open 2015 with an endurance drill in the morning of New Year’s day.
“We will begin 2015 with hard work,” said Flying Eagles assistant coach Nduka Ugbade.
“There is still a lot of work to be done before our first match at the AYC and so we cannot afford to relax even for a day.
“All celebrations therefore have to be put on hold until we have met some of our targets.
“Our New Year’s day will be when we would have qualified for the World Cup in New Zealand.”
The African Continental Hotel in Kaduna, which has severally been home to the Nigeria U20s, plans a special treat for the squad thereafter.
Football For Hope Pitches Obafemi Martins and Babatunde Micheal Against Fashola’s AllStars
As part of efforts to help the less privileged in the society the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on football matters Adeyinka Adeboye as put together a charity event tagged “Football For Hope”
The maiden edition of event organised by the office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on football Matters will hold on Saturday, January 3rd 2015.
The event, a pet project designed to help the less privileged in the society with specific emphasis on Motherless Babes homes, physically challenged personalities and ex-footballers who can no longer cater for themselves.
Two Matches will be played on the day with the first match expected to kick off at 3pm between Managers FC and Lagos SWAN.
The second match will see the Lagos state governor, His Excellency Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola and his friends square up against Nigerian Pros (a selection of Foreign and local players Nigerian footballers) at the Campos mini Stadium, Lagos.
Speaking at the Media Conference today at the Lagos State Football Association, LSFA Boardroom at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos, yesterday; the SA to the Governor, Adeyinka Adeboye expressed his optimism about the programme
“We are happy to organise the “Football For Hope” event and hopefully we will continue to promote this project using football as a platform to reach out to the less privileged in our society.
Taribo West, Obafemi Matins, Babatunde Micheal, JJ Okocha, Teslim Fatusi, Asisat Oshoala and Fatai Amoo are some of football stars current and retired expected to play in the match.
Smith And Mccullum Lead Batsmen’s Charge In Latest ICC Player Rankings
Smith and McCullum lead batsmen’s charge in latest ICC player rankings…Harris, Yadav, Shami and Hazlewood also on the move
Australia captain Steven Smith has led the batsmen’s charge in the latest Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test Batsmen following the conclusion of Boxing Day Tests.
New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by eight wickets in Christchurch, while Australia and India Test in Melbourne and South Africa and West Indies Test in Port Elizabeth ended in draws.
Smith, who scored a Test best 192 in the first innings, has gained two places to claim fifth spot for the first time in his career. He now trails number-one ranked AB de Villiers, who has regained the top spot from Kumar Sangakkara, by 40 ratings points.
New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum and Virat Kohli are the other batsmen inside the top 20 to make upward movements. McCullum, who scored 195, has achieved a career-best 12th position by climbing two places. Kohli’s contributions of 169 and 54 have earned him four places and has put him in 15th place.
Also moving in the right direction are Chris Rogers of Australia (24th, up by four places), Ajinkya Rahane (26th, up by 15 places), Kraigg Brathwaite (37th, up by 11 places), Marlon Samuels (37th, up by seven places) and Dean Elgar (50th, up by 13 places).
In the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test Bowlers, Australia’s Ryan Harris has moved up two places to second following his six wickets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), while Trent Boult has achieved a best-ever ranking of seventh after rising two places. Boult had figures of three for 25 and four for 100.
Bowler outside the top 20 and moving in the right direction include Neil Wagner (22nd, up by two places), Umesh Yadav (36th, up by eight places), Mohammad Shami (38th, up by eight places), Josh Hazlewood (53rd, up by 16 places) and Imran Tahir (58th, up by six places).
Dale Steyn has retained his number-one ranking and is ahead of Harris by 54 ratings points.
There is no change to the top five in the Reliance ICC Player Rankings for Test All-Rounders. Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh leads the field, followed by Vernon Philander of South Africa and India’s Ravichandran Ashwin.
Meanwhile, South Africa is just a draw away from retaining the Reliance ICC Test Championship mace and with it winning a cash award of USD500,000. If South Africa draws the Cape Town Test and Australia wins in Sydney, then South Africa will finish on 122 ratings points, compared to Australia’s 119 ratings points.
However, if the West Indies wins in Cape Town Test and Australia wins in Sydney, then Australia will finish ahead of South Africa by a fraction of a point (0.2).
The side that will finishes second will pocket USD390,000, while England and Pakistan have been guaranteed USD280,000 and USD170,000 after sealing third and fourth positions, respectively, following the Christchurch Test result.
The annual cut-off for the Reliance ICC Test Championship is 1 April 2015. But with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 to be played from 14 February to 29 March 2015, the current Test series are the last for the season.
Upcoming Test fixtures
Australia v India
6-10 Jan – 4th Test, Sydney
South Africa v West Indies
2-6 Jan – 3rd Test, Cape Town
New Zealand v Sri Lanka
3-7 Jan – 2nd Test, Wellington
Reliance ICC Test Player Rankings (as on 31 December, after Boxing Day Tests)
Batsmen
Rank (+/-) Player Team Pts Ave HS Rating
1 (+1) AB de Villiers SA 893 51.43 935 v Aus at Port Elizabeth 2014
2 (-1) K. Sangakkara SL 891 58.22 938 v Eng at Kandy 2007
3 ( – ) Hashim Amla SA 887 52.40 907 v Pak at Abu Dhabi 2013
4 ( – ) Angelo Mathews SL 877! 52.83 877 v NZ at Christchurch 2014
5 (+2) Steven Smith Aus 853! 50.38 853 v Ind at Melbourne 2014
6 (-1) S.Chanderpaul WI 848 52.53 901 v NZ at Napier 2008
7 ( – ) Younus Khan Pak 818 53.37 880 v SL at Lahore 2009
8 (-2) David Warner Aus 815 48.06 880 v Ind at Adelaide 2014
9 ( – ) Joe Root Eng 789! 50.94 789 v Ind at The Oval 2014
10 (+1) Misbah-ul-Haq Pak 777 49.15 842 v NZ at Abu Dhabi 2014
11 (-1) Ross Taylor NZ 772 45.96 871 v WI at Hamilton 2013
12 (+2) B. McCullum NZ 760! 39.24 760 v SL at Christchurch 2014
13 (-1) Kane Williamson NZ 753! 41.89 753 v SL at Christchurch 2014
14 (-1) Michael Clarke Aus 740 50.79 900 v SL at Melbourne 2012
15 (+4) Virat Kohli Ind 737 44.41 784 v NZ at Wellington 2014
16 ( – ) Faf du Plessis SA 710*! 52.50 710 v WI at Port Elizabeth 2014
17 (-2) M. Jayawardene SL 695 49.84 883 v Ind at Ahmedabad 2009
18 (-1) Asad Shafiq Pak 673 40.23 680 v SA at Cape Town 2013
19 (-2) C. Pujara Ind 654 47.11 851 v SA at Durban 2013
20 ( – ) Murali Vijay Ind 653! 39.77 653 v Aus at Melbourne 2014
Selected Rankings
Rank (+/-) Player Team Pts Ave HS Rating
24 (+4) Chris Rogers Aus 643* 37.40 694 v Eng at Sydney 2014
26 (+15) Ajinkya Rahane Ind 634*! 44.60 634 v Aus at Melbourne 2014
36 (-1) MS Dhoni Ind 581 38.09 662 v SA at Kolkata 2010
37 (+11) K. Brathwaite WI 579*! 39.85 579 v SA at Port Elizabeth 2014
38 (+7) Marlon Samuels WI 573 35.21 672 v Zim at Bridgetown 2013
45 ( – ) Shane Watson Aus 534 35.49 729 v Eng at Perth 2010
46 (-3) Kaushal Silva SL 528* 35.39 541 v Pak at Colombo (SSC) 2014
47 ( – ) Alviro Petersen SA 515 35.36 655 v NZ at Cape Town 2013
48 (-8) Tom Latham NZ 513* 42.86 569 v Pak at Dubai 2014
49 ( – ) BJ Watling NZ 512 34.75 574 v WI at Port-of-Spain 2014
50 (+13) Dean Elgar SA 490*! 36.05 490 v WI at Port Elizabeth 2014
Bowlers
Rank (+/-) Player Team Pts Ave HS Rating
1 ( – ) Dale Steyn SA 906 22.56 909 v WI at Centurion 2014
2 (+2) Ryan Harris Aus 851 22.77 870 v SA at Cape Town 2014
3 (-1) Rangana Herath SL 842 29.06 851 v Pak at Colombo (SSC) 2014
4 (-1) Vernon Philander SA 822 21.13 912 v Ind at Johannesburg 2013
5 (-1) Mitchell Johnson Aus 812 27.84 849 v Pak at Dubai 2014
6 ( – ) James Anderson Eng 806 29.72 813 v Ind at Edgbaston 2011
7 (+2) Trent Boult NZ 805! 27.19 805 v SL at Christchurch 2014
8 (-1) Stuart Broad Eng 774 29.90 783 v WI at Lord’s 2012
9 (+1) Tim Southee NZ 767 30.11 799 v WI at Kingston 2014
10 (-3) Kemar Roach WI 766 25.98 774 v SA at Centurion 2014
11 (+1) Morne Morkel SA 730 29.42 776 v Aus at Cape Town 2011
12 (-1) Saeed Ajmal Pak 725 28.10 855 v Zim at Harare 2013
13 (+1) Shakib Al Hasan Ban 673 31.42 700 v Zim at Khulna 2014
14 (-1) Pragyan Ojha Ind 670 30.26 773 v Eng at Kolkata 2012
15 (-1) R. Ashwin Ind 668 29.85 808 v WI at Mumbai 2013
16 ( – ) Peter Siddle Aus 654 30.45 816 v Eng at Old Trafford 2013
17 ( – ) Junaid Khan Pak 620* 28.83 652 v SL at Colombo (SSC) 2014
18 ( – ) Abdur Rehman Pak 618* 29.39 739 v Eng at Dubai 2012
19 ( – ) Nathan Lyon Aus 588 34.96 648 v Eng at Melbourne 2013
20 ( – ) Ishant Sharma Ind 580 37.30 671 v WI at Dominica 2011
Selected Rankings
Rank (+/-) Player Team Pts Ave HS Rating
21 ( – ) Sulieman Benn WI 550* 37.35 574 v Ban at St Lucia 2014
22 (+2) Neil Wagner NZ 542* 34.48 549 v WI at Bridgetown 2014
26 (-1) Dilruwan Perera SL 506* 30.08 531 v Pak at Galle 2014
28 (+1) S. Eranga SL 483* 34.86 541 v Eng at Headingley 2014
36 (+8) Umesh Yadav Ind 412*! 33.47 412 v Aus at Melbourne 2014
38 (+8) M. Shami Ind 398* 37.90 422 v NZ at Wellington 2014
43 (-2) Shane Watson Aus 388* 33.36 633 v SA at Cape Town 2011
50 (+1) Suranga Lakmal SL 346*! 47.95 346 v NZ at Christchurch 2014
53 (+16) Josh Hazlewood Aus 324*! 28.55 324 v Ind at Melbourne 2014
58 (+6) Imran Tahir SA 304* 46.39 312 v Pak at Dubai 2013
60 ( – ) Jerome Taylor WI 303* 35.45 717 v Eng at Kingston 2009
All-rounders
Rank (+/-) Player Team Pts HS Rating
1 ( – ) Shakib Al Hasan Ban 398 419 v Zim at Khulna 2014
2 ( – ) Vernon Philander SA 372*/ 376 v Aus at Cape Town 2014
3 ( – ) R. Ashwin Ind 325*/ 419 v WI at Mumbai 2013
4 ( – ) Mitchell Johnson Aus 297 384 v Eng at Cardiff 2009
5 ( – ) Stuart Broad Eng 296 382 v Pak at Abu Dhabi 2012
*indicates provisional rating; a batsman qualifies for a full rating after playing 40 Test innings; a bowler qualifies for a full rating when he reaches 100 Test wickets.
!indicates career-highest rating
For more information, go to http://www.relianceiccrankings.com.
Nigeria Rugby Football Federation Holds First Annual General Assembly
History was made on the 29th of December 2014 as rugby clubs representatives and stake holders assembled in Lagos for its first ever general assembly. The meeting was imperative In line with RUGBY AFRICA/WORLD RUGBY policy and standard.
The meeting which was held at the Media Centre of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos had over 30 club representatives and rugby stake holders in attendance. The meeting also had in attendance representatives from Rugby Africa Ms Gifty Annan-Myers from Ghana, NOC and NSC representatives.
While crucial matters were discussed at the meeting, it was chaired by the president of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation and also witnessed by the board of the federation.
A referee and coaches association was inaugurated at the event, Ntiense Williams was nominated as coordinator of the associations and also Joy Meyaki a member of the board was nominated as the female rugby coordinator.
The president of the federation reacted expressing his pleasure over the outcome of the assembly, ‘I am glad we held these assembly, It simply means we have conformed with the expectation of World Rugby which we are affiliated to. I am optimistic they will be impressed with us and our ties with them will automatically be strengthened, the assembly will also gave room for wider participation in the administration and governance of the sport in Nigeria, we believe the assembly will trigger a revolution in the development of Rugby in Nigeria’
Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 – Round 8, Mechelen, Qlassic Victory For Delestre At Longines Leg
Simon Delestre produced a devastating turn of speed from the stallion Qlassic Bois Margot to clinch victory at the eighth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014 Western European League at Mechelen, Belgium today. Last to go in an intriguing nine-horse jump-off, the 33-year-old Frenchman shattered the early target set by Britain’s Joe Clee to scoop maximum points and set himself firmly on the path to the series Final in Las Vegas, USA next April.
The first-round course set by Belgian course designer, Lucien Somers, presented a tough test for the 39 starters, with the double at fence seven and the triple combination at fence 12 proving particularly influential. “The triple was very difficult – the double of oxers with one stride followed by a vertical at the end of the course meant you needed a fit horse with a lot of scope today” Delestre commented afterwards.
First to go
Clee really threw down the gauntlet when first to go in the jump-off with the 10-year-old stallion Utamaro d’Ecaussines who gave it everything he had to set a strong target in 32.42 seconds. And the 36-year-old rider who is married to the youngest daughter of the late Eric Wauters, in whose memory the popular Belgian fixture is staged, then had to stand back and watch the rest try to better that.
America’s Lucy Davis and Barron lost their chance at the very first fence, but Sweden’s Douglas Lindelow left all the timber intact when steering Casello home in 35.07, and he wouldn’t regret being a little cautious when this eventually proved good enough for third place.
The packed stadium of spectators gasped with dismay when the first of the two Belgian contenders, Judy-Ann Melchior and her grey mare Cold as Ice Z, also fell foul of the opening vertical, but they were gripping their seats with excitement as Jos Verlooy galloped down to the last well up on the clock with the 11-year-old gelding Domino. One of the new wave of super-talented young Belgians blazing a trail on the international circuit right now, the rider who turned 19 just two weeks ago decided to take a stride out to the final oxer however and paid the price as it came crashing down for four faults in 34.60 seconds. He couldn’t forgive himself afterwards. “I made a terrible mistake and I’m so disappointed. I will never get the chance to win a competition like this again!” he insisted, but of course a young man of his calibre has a great future ahead of him.
Could be beaten
He had shown that Clee’s target time could be beaten, and although French stars Kevin Staut (Qurack de Falaise HDC) and Roger Yves Bost (Nippon d’Elle) each left a fence on the floor, and Germany’s Christian Ahlmann played the percentage game with a safe but slow clear from Cornado ll which would earn them fourth place in the final analysis, Delestre and his black stallion never looked like they were ready to compromise.
The precision of their opening round suggested they are a pair right on form, and when the Frenchman asked for a colossal effort at the last, the horse never flinched, galloping through the timers more than two seconds faster than Clee to put the result beyond doubt.
Tried to do my best
“I thought Joe was very quick and I wasn’t sure I could do a better time but I tried my best without going crazy. It was a good jump-off track for my horse, we could take one stride out in every line and he’s always very quick, but I was sure to be careful because twice before in the qualifiers this season I have been really fast but picked up four faults!” said Delestre afterwards.
The pair have had a busy and super-successful year, with the team silver medal at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy followed by a second-place finish at the Global Champions Tour in Vienna, fifth at the Longines qualifier in Lyon (FRA) and 12th at Stuttgart “and now we won – I’m really so happy with him!” Delestre said of his horse. “He will do Basel (SUI) and Bordeaux (FRA) and then go breeding for seven weeks. Last year he covered about 300 mares, he is a great stallion for the French mares with a fantastic bloodline” he added.
Very special
Talking about his stallion he continued “Qlassic is special in many ways, he’s full of energy, but not stupid energy, and he’s usually very careful. He can be sensitive sometimes if things are not going well, but we understand each other. He’s best when he’s been jumping over a few days. On Thursday we jumped a class, and then we went in a jump-off but we went slowly. He needs a few times in the ring to be happy, and today he was really ready!” he added.
With 37 points the Frenchman has now moved up to eighth place on the Western European league leaderboard and is already planning his trip to the Longines Final. However he’s not sure which horse he will take. “I will think about it closer to the time. It’s a very small ring there for a horse like Qlassic, so I might take Ryan (Ryan des Hayettes) instead” he pointed out this evening.
The next leg takes place in Leipzig, Germany on Sunday 18 January 2015.
Result:
1, Qlassic Bois Margot (Simon Delestre) FRA 0/0 32.42;
2, Utamaro d’Ecaussines (Joe Clee) GBR 0/0 34.93;
3, Casello (Douglas Lindelow) SWE 0/0 35.07;
4, Cornado ll (Christian Ahlmann) GER 0/0 39.53;
5, Barron (Lucy Davis) USA 0/4 32.88;
6, Qurack de Falaise HDC (Kevin Staut) FRA 0/4 33.91;
7, Domino (Jos Verlooy) BEL 0/4 34.60;
8, Nippon d’Elle (Roger Yves Bost) FRA 0/4 34.82;
9, As Cold as Ice Z (Judy-Ann Melchior) BEL 0/4 35.64.
Facts and Figures:
Mechelen in Belgium presented Round 8 of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League today.
This is the 34th edition of the fixture created by the late Eric Wauters whose family continue to be deeply involved in the staging of the event.
9 horse-and-rider combinations qualified for the second-round jump-off against the clock including two from both Belgium and France.
4 produced double-clear performances.
Course designer was Belgium’s Lucien Somers.
Winner was 33-year-old Frenchman Simon Delestre partnering Qlassic Bois Margot, the 10-year-old stallion with which he helped the host nation claim team silver at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy.
Quotes:
Sweden’s Douglas Lindelow who took the Leading Rider of the Show award – “the oxers were quite big but they suited the capacity of my horse. The short distances were difficult for him in the first round but he was great in the jump-off. Sweden only has two places at the (Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping) Final so I am hoping for more invitations to the qualifiers so that I can get to Las Vegas. I’m the leading Swedish rider in the standings right now so I’m hoping I can get there!”
Joe Clee GBR “this was my first World Cup of the season so to finish second was great!”
Joe Clee GBR – “I’d love to go to Las Vegas but we also have the European Championships to think about next year so even if I do qualify for the Final we will have to have a discussion about whether it will be right for my horse to go”.
Joe Clee GBR, joking about Simon Delestre’s victory which pinned him back into runner-up spot – “Last year in the Small Grand Prix Simon also beat me, so I don’t think we should send him an invitation next year!”
Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League – Standings after Round 8 at Mechelen (BEL):
1. Steve Guerdat SUI – 57
2. Kevin Staut FRA – 49
3. Harrie Smolders NED – 47
4. Marco Kutscher GER – 44
5. Daniel Deusser GER – 43
6. Lucy Davis USA – 42
7. Edwina Tops-Alexander AUS – 39
8. Simon Delestre FRA – 37
9. Marcus Ehning GER – 36
10. Bertram Allen IRL – 34
11. Jur Vrieling NED – 33
12. Reed Kessler USA – 30
13. Jos Verlooy BEL – 30
14. Roger Yves Bost FRA – 29
15. Douglas Lindelow SWE – 29
16. Martin Fuchs SUI – 28
17. Malin Baryard-Johnsson SWE – 28
18. Christian Ahlmann GER – 28
19. Pius Schwizer SUI – 27
20. Francois Mathy Jr BEL – 25
by Louise Parkes
Amuneke Prunes Golden Eaglets’ Recruits…As Training Session Enters New Phase
Emmanuel Amuneke, Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach, has fore closed likelihood of screening fresh players with hordes still drooping to the NFF/FIFA Goal Project Pitch in Abuja.
Though the ‘screening window’ to beef up Niger 2015-bound Golden Eaglets was concluded over a week ago with about 100 players picked from a rigorous exercise, the coaching crew magnanimously allowed few more recruits since they had travelled far and wide to Abuja.
“We don’t have time on our hand again and we have been kind enough to see what some of you can offer but today is the final day,” said Amuneke after Tuesday’s evening session.”Our philosophy is simple
which hard work is and we are not going to compromise it.
“I want you to go back to your various academies and continue to work harder because there could be another opportunity if we qualify for the World Cup in Chile by the grace of God,” said the former Nigerian
international.
Already about 20 players with various documented irregularities have been cut off from the pool and a further 44 screened for lacking the technical and tactical abilities. Officials said the remainder are
being subjected to intensive training in order to ascertain their consistency over a time frame and would further be pruned to a manageable number in the coming days.
“We are gradually getting to the moment of truth,” noted Prince Udofia, Golden Eaglets’ coordinator.”The coaching crew has done a very good job and there is no way the screening can go on forever; of course, many would want to be given another chance but the time before the start of our competition is short,” he noted.
Niger 2015, the 11th African U-17 Championship would be held in Niamey between February 15 and March 1st.
The Golden Eaglets are drawn in Group A along with host, Niger; Guinea and Zambia. Nigeria and their northern neighbour, Niger, would play the championship’s opening fixture of February 15 at the Stade Général Seyni Kountché (SGSK) multi-purpose stadium in Niamey.
…as training session enters new phase Golden Eaglets’ training session was taking to a new level on
Wednesday with intensive ball work by the players while the goalkeepers underwent agility test.
Emmanuel Amuneke, Head Coach, said it was important for the players to be put through new routine since there size is now manageable:”It is about time we start reminding ourselves of what we used to do and I
want the new ones to pay special attention to what we are doing. The Under-17 national team is not a bunch of friends set up and anybody that is picked should be able to defend us very well; so serious work
starts.”
Unlike the last three weeks when they mere played to impress s the coaching crew, the youngsters were able to show how strong they are on the ball in confined space. According to Kabiru Baleria, Golden Eaglets’ Assistant Coach who was a gifted striker in his playing days, the rationale behind the new session was to see how the players can effectively dominate the ball when under intense pressure.
“Apart from the passing drill, we can see the marking ability of the players,” said Baleria who was sourced from three-time Premier League Champions, Kano Pillars.”Now, it is easier for us to see much better how skilful thee players are unlike a situation whereby some would hide in full pitch.”
On the other end, Emeka Amadi, Goalkeepers’ trainer put his wards under challenging task including ball work, foot work, and endurance test amongst others.
“The goalkeeping area is a crucial aspect and unfortunately, our young goalkeepers are not properly trained from their respective academies,” said the German-trained Amadi, a former youth international.” But my
objective is to ensure that any of the goalkeepers can man the goal post at any given time.”
Presently, five goalkeepers picked from the screening exercise have joined the trio of Amos Benjamin; Ebuka Nwokeocha and Akpan Udoh who are already Golden Eaglets’ set regular faces in serious competition for a place in the 21-man squad for Niger 2015.
Eagles Camp In Full Swing…Valere Denies CAS Intention
Eagles Camp In Full Swing…Amokachi In Subdued Birthday Celebration…Valere Denies CAS Intention
Only Emem Eduok, who is reportedly in Tunisia and Igudia Godwin, who replaced Erhun Obanor, who is with the U23 national side are yet to arrive camp as all invited players made it to the Bolton White Apartment Hotel of the team on Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. All the players had lunch with the technical crew comprising Dan “the Bull’ Amokachi, Houandinu Valere and Ike Shorunmi.
Amokachi who addressed the players after lunch told them to brace up for the challenge of training only seven days for two grade A international friendlies against Cote ‘D Ivoire and Sudan in Abu Dhabi. He added that only 19 players from the 25 invited to camp will make the trip and that current form and not sentiments or past appearance in the team’s camp will be the yardstick for picking the players.
The national team Assistant gaffer who marked his birthday on Tuesday December 30 in a subdued form, said as he grows older, he has become wiser and it will show in the forthcoming friendly games against Cote D’ Ivoire and Sudan, even as he acknowledged the huge influence, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi has had on his coaching career.
Meanwhile, Super Eagles Assistant Coach, Houandinou Valere, has denied stories making the rounds that he intends to drag the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to the Court of Arbitration for Sports in Switzerland, noting that even if he has outstanding salaries to collect he will never do such a thing.
People should stop causing unnecessary friction between myself and my employers through insinuations and false reports as I want to take the NFF to CAS. I don’t have such intention and will never do that because we are loyal employees of the NFF” he said in Abuja on Wednesday”.
The Super Eagles had their first work-out at the mainbowl of the Abuja National Stadium On Wednesday evening.
Fashola Commends Organisers Of Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Mini Tournament
It was a day fun and excitement at Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos on Sunday the 28th of December when the Seyi Akinwunmi Charity Mini Tournament took place with matches played across various age groups in the Ekofootball Future Stars programme Under-13 and Under-15.
Women’s football was not left out with Ekofootball Golden Girls taking on a Lagos Women Football Amateur League Selected.
The climax of the highly entertaining event was the match between Lagos All Stars and the APFON selected, with the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Raji Fashola leading the All Stars International to a 4-1 victory over the APFON team.
Speaking after the event, Governor Babtunde Fashola urged Lagosians and Nigerians to emulate Seyi Akinwunmi by giving back to the society. He advised the youths to combine their football skills with education, adding that they cannot play football forever, hence the need for them to concentrate on their education as much as they are working on their football skills.
The Governor who scored a text book header to seal victory for his side in the second half said, “You can’t play football forever, even though you want to, your body won’t be able to stand it, hence it’s better you concentrate on your education so that you have something to fall back on after your playing days”.
Also speaking during the event that had the NFF/LSFA Selected team battling with the Trinity House team first novelty match of the day, and Team WOZA taking on Team ICOBA in the other matches to raise fund for Charity.
Pastor Ituah Ighodalo praised the initiative of organizers for creating an avenue to give back to the community through Charity.
Proceeds from the Charity will be shared between Courage Educational Foundation and the payment of hospital bills of some indigent members of Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria,(APFON).
also in attendance were: Governor Babatunde Fashola, Alhaji Tade Azeez, vice chairman of Lagos State Football Association; Mr. Adeyinka Adeboye, special assistant to Lagos State Governor of Football Matters; Dr. Kweku Tandoh, Director of Sports, Lagos State; Members of Lagos FA executive committee; NFF’s Assistant Director (Communications), Ademola Olajire; Mr Emmanuel Ibru; Mr. Deji Beecroft of WinnersGoldenBet and; ex-internationals like Henry Nwosu, Friday Ekpo, Yisa Sofoluwe, Fatai Amao, Mike Onyemachara, Teslim Fatusi, Gbenga Okunowo, Baldwin Bazuaye and Austin Popo.
The Newfanzone Table Tennis and Tennis Review
With the end of the 2014 tennis season, we at Newfanzone.com take a look at what happened throughout the year in the world of tennis in Nigeria and also the ATP and WTA season.
NIGERIA
This year saw Aruna Quadri hit the limelight after he had a fantastic outing at the 2014 Commonwealth games. He also dethroned the defending champion Egyptian El Sayed Lashin in the Africa top 16 tournament. The Oyo state born athlete was awarded at the Nigeria Sports award,and he is also in line to nick the award for Star of the year and Star point of the year in the ITTF awards holding in Dubai.
We cannot talk about how good Nigeria tennis without mentioning Waheed Enitan Oshodi. The sport administrator of the year at the Nigeria Sports Awards took it as a duty to make sure we tennis lovers had a lot of tennis to savour this year with exciting and prospective talents coming through not also forgetting Nigeria winning this year edition of the Governors Cup that has eluded us for years.
All in all there were positives to take home from Nigeria tennis this year (especially Table Tennis) we hope to have a much more exciting season Next Year.
THE WTA SEASON
The WTA season was very interesting this year as we had four different winners in the Grand slam events Li Na(Australian Openn),Maria Sharapova(French Open),Petra Kvitova(Wimbledon),Serena Williams(US Open). Serena of course had a good tennis year this season though she picked up her good form late in the year but it was enough to give her a Grand slam and also the season ending WTA tournament.
Victoria Azarenka injury woes this season has seen her tennis career experience a bit of low,while Li Na had to call it quit this season because of injuries though she won the Australian Open.
Petra Kvitova,Simona Halep and Eugenie Bouchard had a very fantstic year with Kvitova winning a Grand Slam defeating Canadian Eugenie Bouchard in the final. Simona Halep did well enough and was consistent to finish the year as world number 3.
Maria Sharapova also had a good season as she finished the year as world number 2 and also capped her effort with the French Open title.
Former world number 1 Caroline Wozniacki will hope her 2014 form transfers into 2015 because she looks to be winning her first Grand Slam title anytime soon as she got herself playing good tennis once again.
TOP PERFORMERS
Serena Williams
Petra Kvitova
Maria Sharapova
Simona Halep
Eugenie Bouchard
FLOPS
Victoria Azarenka
Sloane Stephens
Samatha Stosur
Venus Williams
Jelena Jankovic
PLAYER(s) TO WATCH NEXT SEASON
Eugenie Bouchard-The Canadian was a threat all year long to the big names causing upsets and she even got to the Wimbledon final where she was humbled by Petra Kvitova. Bouchard will want to keep her form going till next year hopefully she might nick a Grand Slam title.
Caroline Wozniacki– She is popularly known as Rory Mcllroy’s Ex Girlfriend or better still “the world No.1 with no Grand slam title”. Wozniacki has picked form of late and if she is consistent enough she might get to win her first career Grand slam title.
THE ATP SEASON
The ATP season gave tennis followers what they wanted with breathtaking performances from the big names such as Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer,Stanislas Wawrinka and even Marin Cilic at the US Open.
Novak Djokovic who was formerly “the joker” seems to be writing his name in the tennis history books.
He was crowned the Wimbledon Champion and also won the Season ending tournament in London. The Serb was always the favourite in any competition he is and he never disappointed. He has a very tough mental strength and power that only Rafael Nadal(on clay) can match.
Roger Federer was also one top performer this year as he won the Davis cup with Switzerland this year. Federer would have won a Grand slam this season if not for spectacular displays from Novak,Rafael and Stanislas but he still managed to go as far as he can in some competition winning ATP masters title in the process. Next year provides another chance for the Swiss to get a Grand Slam hopefully he has the strength to carry on with him getting old by the day.
Stanislas Wawrinka also had a fruitful year winning the Australian Open and was in the Swiss team that won the Davis cup. Wawrinka consistency is his achilles heel and hopefully he will work on it next year.
Rafael Nadal injury problems made him a little bit irrelevant this year though he won Roland Garros and other Masters title.
British world number one Andy Murray was very disappointing this year and he cannot wait for 2015 to come.
Other top performers were Kei Nishikori and Marin Cilic(US Open winner).
TOP PERFORMERS
Novak Djokovic
Roger Federer
Stanislas Wawrinka
Marin Cilic
Kei Nishikori
FLOPS
Andy Murray
Grigor Dimitrov
David Ferrer
Jo.W. Tsonga
Alexander Dolgopolov.
PLAYER TO WATCH NEXT SEASON
Kei Nishikori- The Japenese seem to habe grown into his own this year and Next year looks like a big one for him as the whole of Asia will want him to win a Grand Slam just like his female Compatriot Na Li. Hopefully he will deliver.
The tennis season has been an enjoyable one all round from the Local athletes to their foreign compatriots and we at Newfanzone.com believes that 2015 will be much more livelier than this year especially locally.
You can send in your player of the year(Male and Female) to fanzone.fans@gmail.com or tweet @newfanzone or @demydemo.
The Newfanzone comes up every Saturday on City 105.1fm from 2pm.
Kalmar Release Awoniyi For AYC
Swedish club Kalmar have released striker Taiwo Awoniyi for the 2015 African Youth Championship (AYC) in Senegal.
Awoniyi, 18 in August 2015, is one of nine foreign-based professionals called up by Nigeria’s Flying Eagles for the AYC, which kicks off on March 8 in Dakar.
Awoniyi has since joined the Flying Eagles, who resumed training camp in Kaduna at the weekend.
The other foreign-based pro already with the Junior Eagles is skipper Musa Muhammed.
Flying Eagles team secretary, Auwal Aliyu Ibrahim, further disclosed he has also been in constant contact with English Premier League champions Manchester City over the release of Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali.
The other overseas stars invited by the Nigeria U20 team are Isaac Success, Musa Yahaya, Moses Simon, Kingsley Madu and Chidera Eze.
Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles now train twice daily at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.
They are billed to feature in an invitational tournament later in January as part of their build-up for the AYC.
The Flying Eagles will begin their AYC campaign on March 8 against hosts Senegal in Dakar.
They are also drawn in Group A along with Cote d’Ivoire and Congo.
2014 in review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 53,000 times in 2014. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 20 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.
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