Following Wednesday’s meeting with the Head Coaches of the Super Falcons and the U-23 National Team, Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu has expressed optimism that the two teams will make progress in their different qualification races for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“We had very useful deliberations and I can tell you that both Coaches are very confident. They are not under –rating the opposition; just that they believe in their teams to make progress despite expected tough games away from home.
“From the discussions, we were able to decipher the level of support that the two teams will need to succeed. We also have immense experience of the kind of reception that the two countries offer to visiting teams, which is not flattering. We will give the tickets our very best shot.”
The Falcons could only draw 1-1 with their counterparts from Equatorial Guinea in Abuja, and countenance a showdown against the two –time African champions in Bata on Sunday, August 2. Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea are the only countries to have emerged victorious in the biennial African Women Championship since it was launched 17 years ago.
As for the U-23 boys, they defeated Congo 2-1 in Port Harcourt and know that Pointe Noire is usually a very unfriendly terrain for visitors.
“We are aware of what odds will be set against us by the home team when we go to Congo. There are no illusions. But we are up to the task. We are going there strictly for the business of 90 minutes, and that is what will matter.
“Without being immodest, I like to say that I have been in this situation several times with various National Teams. I have always come out victorious. Of course, we will need the maximum support of the NFF to succeed,” Siasia said.
Siasia’s team qualified for the 11th All-Africa Games despite drawing 0-0 with Zambia in Abuja. A 2-1 win in Lusaka sent the team to Brazzaville.
On his part, Falcons’ Head Coach Chris Danjuma assured that his girls will play the match of their lives against the bitter rivals in Bata on August 2.
“We did not go to the last Olympic Games. We will throw everything into the second leg and then look forward to the final qualifying round.”
Former Coach of the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons and coach of Nigeria Women Football league Champions, Rivers Angels, Edwin Okon has described the death of the Super Falcons media officer, Gracious Akujobi as a great shock.
Gracious who passed on last week Thursday after suddenly fallen ill at the team’s Parkview Hotel, Zone 1, and was rushed to the hospital by the team doctor and physiotherapist and other officials but died on arrival at the General Hospital, Maitama, Abuja
The former Falcons coach who worked with late Gracious during the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada where the team crashed out in the group stage, said the news came to him as a shock.
Gracious Akujobi
“Well it’s shocking news to me, the day I heard the news I wept seriously because I don’t think I expected that kind of a thing to happen to her, not that she was sick, I saw her during our last FA cup match in Abuja and only for me to hear that she died.
“I think I can’t judge, it is only God that knows the cause of her death and I think it’s a shocking one too, I only pray that her soul rest in peace” said Okon.
Here are the top football transfer stories making the rounds at the moment put together by our man Paul Ayorinde.
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Done Deals:
– Bayern Munich have confirmed the deal to sign Arsenal Target Arturo Vidal from Juventus Subject to medical
– Fiorentina have completed the signing of defender Gilberto from Botafogo.
– Watford have announced the signing of midfielder Jose Manuel Jurado from Spartak Moscow on a three year contract.
– Carpi have announced the signing of Chelsea defender Wallace on a season-long loan.
– Udinese have signed striker Duvan Zapata on a two-year loan deal from Napoli.
– Hellas Verona have completed the signing of Filip Helander from Malmo
– Watford have confirmed the signing of defender Miguel Britos from Napoli on a three-year contract.
– Wolfsburg have announced the signing of midfielder Francisco Rodriguez on a
three-year deal.
– West Ham sign Argentine midfielder Manuel Lanzini on a season-long loan from Al Jazira.
– Liverpool have completed the signing of Christian Benteke from Aston Villa.
– Atletico Madrid have confirmed the signing of Bernard Mensah from Vitoria Guimaraes.
Christain Benteke joins Liverpool fc. Photo credit LFC
Today’s reports and rumours:
– Kevin De Bruyne’s representatives have held preliminary talks with Wolfsburg over a potential move to Manchester City this summer, according to reports.
– Mateo Kovacic’s agent assured “he is staying at Inter. Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool interest was just rumours.”
– West Ham are interested in signing Esteban Cambiasso, according to reports
– Mohamed Salah’s lawyer said he “doesn’t want Napoli,” but they offered Chelsea €24million with Juan Camilo Zuniga to Fiorentina.
– Mario Suarez is poised to join Fiorentina after the midfielder’s departure from Atletico Madrid was confirmed.
– Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone will hold talks with manager Louis van Gaal before deciding whether to re-join Preston on loan.
– Roger Wittmann, the agent of Julian Draxler, has revealed that there is no agreement between the player and Juventus.
– Sergio Romero has reached an agreement with Manchester United, according to reports.
– Real Madrid are interested in Wolfsburg defender Ricardo Rodriguez, according to reports in Spain.
– According to Sky Sports sources, Rickie Lambert’s representatives are in talks with West Brom over a potential move from Liverpool.
– Ajax are being linked with a swoop for AC Milan teenager Hachim Mastour.
– West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City have asked Inter Milan for Japan international Yuto Nagatomo, according to reports
– Galatasaray midfielder Felipe Melo admits ‘if I could go to Inter it would be best for me’, as his family are unhappy in Turkey.
– Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says Mario Balotelli’s future is ‘entirely’ down to him
– Salvatore Sirigu says he has had ‘no contact’ with Roma, but warns he wants to be a starter at Paris Saint-Germain
– Liverpool are eyeing a return for midfielder Xabi Alonso, according to reports
– West Brom are interested in Borussia Dortmund’s striker Adrian Ramos, according to reports.
– Manchester United are taking a look at New York Red Bulls 16-year old defender Matt Olosunde, according to reports.
– Albin Ekdal’s agent claims that he has received an enquiry from PSG about the availability of his client’s services.
– Bordeaux have made a contract offer for French midfielder and free agent Yoann Gourcuff, according to reports.
– Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will have talks with Sergio Ramos, who has verbally agreed on a salary with Manchester United.
– Newcastle United have not written off their hopes of signing Marseille winger Florian Thauvin this summer, according to reports.
– Norwich boss Alex Neil says attracting players to his newly promoted side has proved “difficult” this summer.
– Swansea City have rejected a lucrative offer from Al Ahly for striker Bafétimbi Gomis.
– Aston Villa have tabled an €18million bid for Bordeaux striker Diego Rolan, according to reports.
Angel Di Maria, photo credit Mufc
– PSG have formally upped their offer for Manchester United forward Angel Di Maria to €65m plus bonuses, according to reports.
– According to L’Équipe, AS Monaco right back Fabinho will be remaining at the club for at least another season.
– Louis van Gaal has suggested his “surprise” signing for Manchester United will not be a striker.
– Barcelona have struck a deal with Fluminense midfielder Gerson, according to the reports in Brazil.
– Fabio Borini “has spoken to Fiorentina and will decide also based on Liverpool’s needs,” confirmed his agent.
– Zlatan Ibrahimovic remained tight-lipped on his PSG future amid speculation linking him with Manchester United, saying his destiny is in the hands of agent Mino Raiola.
– Anderlecht defender Chancel Mbemba on verge of joining Newcastle United.
– Chelsea midfielder Oscar has rejected talk of a move away from the Premier League champions, amid interest from Juventus.
Luis Enrique, credit fcbarcelona.com
– Barcelona coach Luis Enrique has stressed that any interested clubs will have to meet Pedro’s exit clause if they are to lure the Spain international away from Camp Nou. “Pedro? If he wants to go, a club will have to meet his
release clause,” He said.
Football tit bits:
– The Gabonese government have denied claims that Barcelona’s Lionel Messi was paid £2.5million to visit the country to take part in a ceremony at one of the venues for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
– UEFA will push the European Commission to accept proposals by the Football Association chairman, Greg Dyke, to increase the number of homegrown players in squads, despite Premier League opposition.
– Emmanuel Frimpong has criticised the Russian Football Union after it rejected allegations that he was racially abused by Spartak Moscow supporters. The Ufa midfielder described the verdict as “beyond a joke”.
– Four Chelsea fans accused of refusing to allow a black man on to the Paris Metro have been banned from attending football matches for up to five years.
The Executive Committee of Nigeria has resolved that due regard and appropriate honour be accorded to all partners and sponsors at all of the Federation’s events and programmes, including matches of all the National Teams.
It is the first time ever that the NFF is making a policy decision to give its partners and sponsors appropriate treatment and to facilitate the companies’ derivation of maximum mileage from all NFF programmes.
NFF President Amaju Pinnick led the charge, following a presentation by the football body’s marketing consultant, Mr. Mike Itemuagbor.
“We are determined to give all our partners and sponsors their due regard henceforth. They put their money into supporting the Federation’s programmes and deserve every respect and honour at all our events.
“Certainly, we need more corporate bodies to partner with us in our efforts to seriously improve Nigeria football. But prospective partners will normally do a check on how you treat your current allies before deciding to pitch tent with you. It is natural.”
Even before Itemuagbor’s presentation, which dwelt on the imperative of taking into consideration the interests of partners and sponsors before making important decisions, Pinnick, Vice Presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, and chairman of the Marketing Committee, High Chief Emeka Inyama had been pushing for new and refreshing attitude towards sponsors.
Weeks ago, the Executive Committee adopted a comprehensive document tabled by Inyama for an entirely different approach to marketing, as well as to sponsors and partners.
Pinnick said on Wednesday: “I have said over and over again that what we are doing presently is to focus hard on what needs to be done and summon the courage to do those things. We are carefully putting in place the building blocks for a sustainable football culture, while not forgetting the mission of turning around the National Teams in order that they will always do the country proud at international level.”
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