AMUNEKE: FIGHT-TO-FINISH AGAINST GABON

Emmanuel Amuneke, Golden Eaglets’ Head coach’ has categorically told his wards nothing but a strong mentality throughout the duration of their decisive African Under-17 Championship second leg-final round qualifier against Gabon on Saturday at the U.J Esuene Sports Stadium.

Smarting from a 2-1 first leg defeat in Libreville a fortnight ago, the Golden Eaglets need at least a 1-0 win based on the away-goal rule to qualify for Niger 2015 CAN U-17 but Amuneke has demanded a Teutonic approach against the visitors.

“We all watched the 2014 World Cup and I want to remind you that the Germans won because they had a strong fighting spirit and they played collectively as a team,” Amuneke said after the team’s last training.

“The German team played against the best opposition and they were able to convince everybody they were the best team and this is the kind of mentality that we want you guys to have not only against Gabon tomorrow but even as you grow to other levels.

Golden Eaglets bench – Emmanuel Amuneke, Kabiru Baleria, Emeka Amadi

“Tomorrow is the decider for us and we must do it with all honesty; mfear of God and show everybody we are the best team and do we agree; we agree?” Amuneke said as the players chorused ‘yes sir!’ Earlier on, Amuneke had enthused that he was not perturbed about all the drama that clouded the team’s 2-1 loss in Libreville, saying he want the Golden Eaglets to win fair-and-square under the best sporting environment.

“We have forgotten about all that happened in Libreville and we don’t want to be bothered about the past rather, we want to show that we are a better side on Saturday,” the legendary 1994 African Footballer of the Year said. “Our business is on the field and we just pray that our
boys would get the job done.”

Governor Liyel Imoke

..As Imoke, Ikpeme psyche Golden Eaglets

Senator Liyel Imoke (CON), Governor of Cross River State, has in his characteristic manner send his message of goodwill ahead of the team’s crucial second leg -final round African Under-17 Championship match against Gabon on Saturday.

His Excellency who is regarded as Golden Eaglets’ foremost supporter, was quoted as saying by Hon. Patrick Ugbe, the state commissioner for sport and youth development that he as well as the generality of Nigerians is is fully behind them.

“I want to convey a message of solidarity of His Excellency, Governor Imoke to the team,” he said. “We want you to go out there knowing that the people of Cross River state and Nigerians at large are behind you.”

Similarly, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, a professional psychologist and Director Technical at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has given the Golden Eaglets some nuggets to help them achieve success against Gabon.

Speaking to the team after their last training session at the U.J Esuene Stadium on Friday, Ikpeme said it was imperative that the players were consciously aware that as the defending world champions at this level, they must beat Gabon to qualify for Niger 2015 first.

“Tomorrow is like a cup final for you and you must do everything within your power to beat Gabon on Saturday because that is the most important match for you,” Ikpeme said matter-of-factly “Calabar has been a favourable ground to Golden Eaglets and I want to remind you that your predecessors did not lose a game here at the U.J Esuene Stadium.”

Ikpeme enjoined the players not to share the erroneous sentiment that the newly grassed pitch of the U.J Esuene Stadium caused the Superm Eagles’ 3-2 loss to Congo Brazzaville in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier: “There is nothing like a bad pitch here because matches are won or loss not only because of bad pitches .No matter what, you cannot afford to allow Gabon to come and deny you the opportunity of going to Niger 2015.”

Akpan Udoh may return against Gabon

Goalkeeper Akpan Udoh would most likely start in goal for the Golden Eaglets when Nigeria’s Under-17 side tackle their Gabonese counterparts on Saturday.

Udoh agility was there for all to see as he kept clean slates in the two matches against Congo Democratic Republic in the Second Round in Kinshasa and Abeokuta as the Golden Eaglets triumphed on a 5-0 aggregate. The former National Under-15 goalkeeper, however, did not make the trip to Libreville but has swiftly regained his position ahead of the crucial game on Saturday.

Akpan has indeed been in excellent form with rare agility even during routine penalty practice fuelling speculation that he might be between the sticks against Gabon.

“I think the competition for shirts have been very impressive and exciting,” Prince Udofia, Golden Eaglets coordinator said.”The contest between the three goalkeepers (Udoh; Ebuka Nwokoecha and Benjamin Amos have been intense but Udoh seems to have a slight edge.”

The Golden Eaglets probable line up might include defensive quartet of Anas Muhammed; Ayodeji Bamidele; Douglas Uzama and Abass Usman. Skipper Kelechi Nwakali would expectedly lead the midfield along Jack Ipalibo, Promise Orji and Suleiman Abubakar in a 4-4-2 formation that
could see Samuel Chukwueze pairing with Ebere Osinachi in attack.

Coach Emmanuel Amuneke however, has reckoned that players eventually picked would give their best since the sole objective of the team right from the outset was to win.

“We don’t want to be distracted in anyway because the only thing on our mind on Saturday is victory,” he said.”Though we are going to miss mVictor Osihmen and Ernest Agenor but we have been working well with other players too.”

Meanwhile, the Gabonese contingent as well as match referees from Morocco and the match Commissioner from Sudan have all landed in Calabar.

While match officials came in on Friday, the Golden Eaglets’ opponents breezed into Canaan City aboard a chartered flight on Saturday’s afternoon.

Eagles Full House Excites Keshi

It’s been drumming hard in Calabar, the Cross River State capital in terms of rainfall and the Super Eagles seem to have shown that they are up to rain ball by the way they trained on Wednesday evening in the Canaan City.

Head Coach Stephen Keshi, his technical crew and even backroom staff were all out in the rain as the national team filed out with full compliments in Wednesday’s evening training.

The last two players to arrive, Emmanuel Emenike of Fernabahce of Turkey and Inter Milan’s Joel Obi were in full flight and the atmosphere was to say the least enthralling.

Though, Elkanemi goalie, David Obiaozor missed, officials say he can come and still be part of the team as he is a material for the future.

Nigeria Super Eagles starting 11 With Babatunde Micheal at the 2014 World Cup photo credit Reuters

At the end of the rain-soaked training, Keshi again said he expects his wards to acquit themselves very well against the Red Devils of Congo on Saturday.

The team has changed its training schedule from 4pm local time to 5pm, which is the time the continental soccer ruling body CAF, approved for the match on Saturday.

Keshi has also spoken of one of Nigeria’s most talked about players, Ikechukwu Uche, who plays for Villareal in the Spanish Laliga.

Asked why Uche has not been invited to the national team recently, Keshi revealed that he was supposed to be part of the Nations Cup preparatory team currently in Calabar but he wanted to be begged.

“He was supposed to be part of the team that is presently in camp but he said we must beg him first to play for Nigeria because he was left out of some competitions but I can’t beg anyone to play for Nigeria, impossible. That’s why he is not here.”

Gov. Imoke Charges Golden Eaglets…As Team Heads To Kinshasa

Senator Liyel Imoke (CON), Executive Governor of Cross River State, one of the pillars behind the success of the Golden Eaglets in recent time, has enjoined the team to go all out and claim victory in this weekend’s 2015 African Under-17 Championship away to Congo Democratic Republic on Saturday.

“We want to send our best wishes as you travel for your first match against Congo Democratic Republic this weekend,” the amiable Governor Imoke was quoted as saying by the state’s Commissioner for Sport & Youth Development, Hon. Patrick Ugbe. “Be assured of our prayers and support and we want you to emulate the last set of the Golden Eaglets by winning all your qualifying matches starting with this weekend’s match .”

A squad of 18 players along with officials led by Amuneke flew into Lagos on Wednesday’s evening from the team’s base in Calabar for Kinshasa via Nairobi aboard Kenyan Airlines. Also on the trip are Messer Rafiu Yusuf and Emmanuel Adesanya who respectively heads the technical and Inter-clubs department at Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Golden Eaglets bench – Emmanuel Amuneke, Kabiru Baleria, Emeka Amadi

…Amuneke warns against complacency

Meanwhile, Emmanuel Amuneke (MON), Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach, has warned his wards against any form of complacency even as he craves for a winning mentality in their African championship qualifier against Democratic Republic of Congo.

The eagerly awaited match according to Federation Congolaise de Football Association (FECOFA) would take place on Saturday (July 26) after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) graciously shifted it from July 20 due to earlier suspension of the NFF by FIFA.

“Now is the moment of truth for us because the serious business of qualification for Niger 2015 would begin for us in Congo (DR),” Amuneke informed the players.” All what we have done before is now in the past because we would now be judged based on our performance particularly in this match.”

Speaking to the players during Wednesday’s training at the University of Calabar, Amuneke told the players to have nothing but a winning attitude, assuring that the players selected for the encounter are fit and ready to do the country proud yet again.

“We must go to Congo with the sole of objective of winning and that is the mental attitude we are must all have,” noted the 1994 African Footballer of the Year. ”

We must be ready to show all what we have been learning in our training and we the coaching crew believe that you have what it takes to win this match but we must not be over confident.”

Golden Eaglets Felicitate With Gov. Imoke

Senator Liyel Imoke, the Executive Governor of Cross River State has been described as the best thing to have happened to sport in Nigeria even as he is being feted by the National Under-17 team on his birthday anniversary.

Imoke who clocked 53 on Thursday has undoubtedly contributed more than anybody to the cause of the Golden Eaglets as Nigeria won a record fourth World Cup title in 2013.

Apart from camping the Golden Golden Eaglets felicitate with Gov. Imoke Senator Liyel Imoke, the Executive Governor of Cross State has been described as the best thing to have happened to sport in Nigeria even as he is being feted by the Under-17 national team on his birthday anniversary.

Imoke, who clocked 53 on Thursday, has undoubtedly contributed more than anybody to the cause of the Golden Eaglets as Nigeria won a record fourth World Cup title in 2013.

Apart from camping the Golden Eaglets for several months towards their African Under-17 Championship in Morocco and World Cup campaign in the United Arab Emirates, the amiable ‘Golden Eaglets’
Godfather’ rewarded officials and players of the 2013 World Cup-winning team with a house.

He has also extended his magnanimity to the Golden Eaglets this term by impressively approving their camping in Calabar towards their qualifiers for the 2015 African Championship to be hosted in Niger.

“We want to use the opportunity of Governor Imoke’s birthday to extend our sincere thanks for his huge support to us since 2012,” stated Coach Emmanuel Amuneke.”We pray God grant him many more years in good health in the service to humanity.”

Home-boy, Etiboy Akpan who hails from Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, equally praised Governor Imoke for his uncommon support to the Golden Eaglets as well as development of sport in the state.

“I’m very proud of what our Governor has done for sport in the state and particularly his support for the Golden Eaglets,” said Etiboy who grew through the rank from the Under-13 and Under-15 national teams. “May God continue to bless him for having so much confidence on the Golden Eaglets.”

No Barriers: Cross River Promises Additional Funding To Cover Exam Fee Cost

The Cross River State Universal Basic Education Board (CR-SUBEB) on Monday said it will take responsibility for the cost of exam fees in all public schools in the South-Southern Nigeria State beginning from 2015.

About 360,000 children learning in Cross River schools pay 150 Naira (a little below $1) each session, but divided into three terms to enable them sit for examination. Authorities say about half the number usually do not comply.

In a meeting with 1 GAME Founder and A World at School Global Youth Ambassador, Philip Obaji Jr. in commemoration of Day of the African Child, Chairman of CR-SUBEB, Joseph Ebam gave the backing of his board for the No Barriers Campaign with a pledge to be responsible for the cost of exam fees in public schools from next year.

Ebam said: “We already have in the plan of the board to take away any iota of fees, whether exam fees or purchase of books from the schools and from the pupils. We intend to include that in the next budget. “

When asked if the proposed budget will be endorsed by the Cross River State Governor who gives the final approval before it is presented to the legislature, Ebam was full of confidence in his response.

“I’m sure that with the passionate nature of His Excellency (the Governor of Cross River State) to education, there’s no way he would not approve that. We are very optimistic that His Excellency will approve.”

A little above 50 million Naira (about $300,000) will be needed annually to cover for the cost of setting exams in Cross River schools. Though the figure seems relatively high for a state that has not so much in terms of resources, Education Campaigner Philip Obaji Jr. says it is worth sacrificing for every child.

“Nothing is too much to sacrifice for our children. Any government that invests on its children, invests on a secured future,” Obaji said.

“No child should be excluded from basic education because of cost,” he added.

Monday’s meeting was organized to coincide with the Day of the African Child which is celebrated every year on June 16, to honour those students massacred in their struggle for equal education in apartheid South Africa.

Cross Rivers State Host stakeholders Forum for 19th National Sports Festival

Centenary Games, Calabar 2014

Cross Rivers State Host stakeholders Forum for 19th National Sports Festival tagged “Centenary Games”
Theme – Relish The Paradise Experience

19th National Sports Festival – Cross Rivers 2014 ” Centenary Games” stakeholders Forum held monday at the Wheatbaker Hotel, IKOYI, Lagos

Chris Parkes, of Chris Parkes Marketing

The first presentation at the forum was made by Chris Parkes, of Chris Parkes Marketing, Marketing consultant to the games who enumerated the abundant mileage to be gotten by prospective sponsors and partners. Parkes posited that

“Sponsorship without reward is a merely a donation” and that the drive for sponsorship for the National sports festival would not be a “one way thing”

Sponsors stand to get a lot of Exposure for their brands from the “massive media blitz” that’s being planned by the organisers.

He also mentioned that the Centenary Games will be happening side by side the Annual Calabar Christmas Funfair.

Centenary Games ambassador and former Olympian Mary Onyali-Omagbemi during her presentation Acknowledged the massive support that the late MKO Abiola gave her and other athletes. She said MKO attended virtually every game were she was competing.

Mary Onyali-Omagbemi

She however seized the opportunity to call on Corporate Nigeria to join her in her “Adopt A Talent” programme.

Her plan is to have different corporate bodies and individuals adopt an upcoming athlete and help with preparing the athlete towards the forthcoming “Rio 2014 Olympics”

One very distinct factor about the forthcoming National sports festival in Calabar is that it has been thrown open for the first time in the history of the games Onyali Announced.

This is to give all Nigerian athletes from home and abroad an opportunity to compete thereby providing a platform for them to be recognised and also possibly get drafted into the Nigerian national teams.

Prior to now previous editions was limited solely to homebased amateur athletes.

Onyali’s Presentation was followed by “The Investiture of Patrons”

Which was anchored by Hon Patrick Ugbe – Honourable Commissioner of Sports Cross River state . The investiture of the Three Patrons was done by the Governor Of Cross River State.

They are Alhaji Aliko Dangote who was represented by Mr Joseph Makoju.

Governor Liyel Imoke With Engineer Makoju, who Represented Alhaji Aliko Dangote

Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw of the NDDC was the Second Patron to be presented with “certificate” by the Governor Of Cross Rivers, followed by Mr Tunde Folawiyo of Folawiyo Industries who also unavoidably absent but he was represented by Mr Jide Coker.

Then came the address of the Chief host of the event Governor Liyel Imoke , he like all the other speakers at this “Stakeholders Forum” emphasised the importance of private sector participation in Sports development.

He said Estimated cost of hosting the games is put at about 8billion Naira. And that the state government had already started Spending by investing massively in sports infrastructure development, which is also a part of the estimated cost.

Governor Liyel Imoke also said that Calabar as also been the home of The Super Eagles and Golden Eaglets, and both teams have not lost a single game played Calabar in the past to years.

Governor Liyel Imoke

“We are going to use technology to make this games the best ever in the history of the games” he said.

All aspects of the games will be properly put together to ensure that international best practices are fully adhered to.

From Security to accommodation and feeding, Logistics, etc no stone will be left untouched in the process of delivering a World Class tournament.

Speaking during the Interactive section Senator Ewa Heshaw –
Said the NDDC would into various ways they couldpartner with Cross River State on the hosting of the 19th National Sports Festival, and that would also look at the possibility of putting together a swimming and football tournament for the NDDC states.

Joseph Makoju on his own part Promised that Dangote Group would partner the state government on this project as it had done with other projects and they would also be interested in working with Mary Onyali on Her “adopt a Talent Project”

Honourable Godfrey Gaya , Chairman House Committee on Sports:

Honourable Godfrey Gaya , Chairman House Committee on Sports

Gaya announced that The “National Sports Commission Bill” has gone thru it’s second reading and its main thrust is to see how the private sector and public sector can work together to move sports forwards.

He confirmed that the third and final reading would soon come up, and it is believed that when passed into law this will help create an enabling environment for private sector participation in sport development.

Going by the way the event was packaged and judging by the huge success of the Last edition of the Sports Festival, it is Safe to say Cross Rivers State looks to match or even possibly surpass the last edition.

In attendance were:

Gov Liyel Imoke – Executive Governor, Cross Rivers State.

Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye , DG National Sports Commission.

Honourable Godfrey Gaya , Chairman House Committee on Sports.

Engineer Joseph Makoju – Representing Aliko Dangote and Dangote Industries.

Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw – Chairman NDDC

Mary Onyali Omagbemi – Ex International, also in attendance were Media Practioners, Captains of industry. Amongst others.

NFF confirms Calabar Camping For Eaglets

Calabar, the idyllic capital city of Cross River State, would host the Golden Eaglets upcoming 2015 CAN Under-17 qualifiers just as the Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) confirmed that the Executive Governor, Senator

Golden Eaglets

(CON) has graciously approved the camping of the team at the Canaan City yet again.

This much was disclosed by Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme, Director Technical of the NFF while speaking to officials and players of the Golden Eaglets after their hard won 3-2 win against Egypt in Kaduna on Wednesday.

Ikpeme said the sport-loving Governor who is regarded as the pillar behind the National Under-17 Team successful campaign in 2013, has granted NFF’s request to have Calabar as its base even as he charged
the team to be up and doing.

“I want to congratulate you for the victory against Egypt because it was not an easy game for you,” Ikpeme said.”Personally, I came here not with the impression that you were going to beat the Egyptians rather, to see what the coaches have been doing over the last few weeks and I’m impressed with what I saw; though the truth is that you still have a lot of work to do.

” The reason the federation organised the friendly matches was for the coaches to have a continuous assessment of your performance and I want to commend the chief coach, Emmanuel Amuneke and other member of
the technical crew as well as the back room staff but I’m confident you would get better by the time you go into closed camping.

” As a matter of fact, I want to use this opportunity to inform you that His Excellency, the Governor of Cross River State has approved your return to Calabar which we believe would give you a conducive
environment to work on these young players,” he said.

Apart from camping the Golden Eaglets in their successful campaign the last term, Governor Imoke rewarded players and officials of the 2013 World Cup winning Golden Eaglets with house gifts.

Speaking on the Governor’s latest gesture, Tayo Egbaiyelo, 2013 World Cup-winning secretary, commended the continuous magnanimity of the people and government of Cross River State, saying that the team would
remain steadfast in the pursuit of excellence.

Eaglets, Junior Pharaohs renew hostility Junior Pharaohs’ Coach Gamel Mohammed Ali has vowed to ring tactical changes when playing the Golden Eaglets yet again in another international friendly at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium on Friday.

Both sides played a pulsating match when the Egyptians surrendered a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 to the Golden Eaglets on Wednesday at the same venue.

Speaking ahead of Friday’s match, Ali said he’s now tactically aware to deal with the Golden Eaglets, adding that the second encounter would equally be interesting.

“First, I want to congratulate Nigeria for the victory today (Wednesday) because they came from a difficult position to achieve victory,” said Ali.”We scored two early goals but my players were tired thereafter but I warned them that Nigerian players could be dangerous if you allowed them to express themselves.”

Ali said the match on Friday would be interesting for obvious reasons, insisting that he would make thing difficult for the Golden Eaglets next time out.

He further said:” The result of the match is not really important since we have been able to test the strength of my players against a physical team like Nigeria because we are going to play Sudan in the
African qualifiers.

Sudanese players have good physical fitness and almost same style like Nigerians, so it is good for my team.

“Friday’s match is also going to be very good because I now know the Nigerian team much better and I will make my team played to instruction in order for us to get good result.”

Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets have spoken in unanimity about correcting the lapses that made them concede two early goals against the North Africans while reviewing Wednesday’s match.

“We marked poorly and lost concentration but we are surely going to do very well on Friday,” noted Kolawole Gbadamosi, the left- full back.