I WANT TO SCORE FOR SUNDAY OLISEH – OBAGOAL

eagles star says his present form will brings goals, and goals for oliseh, hinted keshi never liked him, ready to join epl or italian serie A to save eagles career…

I WANT TO SCORE FOR SUNDAY OLISEH – OBAGOAL

eagles star says his present form will brings goals, and goals for oliseh, hinted keshi never liked him, ready to join epl or italian serie A to save eagles career.

Nigeria international, has asked new Super Eagles coach sunday oliseh to give him a chance to prove himself just as he has backed the coach to succeed.

The Nigerian striker, who was left out of the afcon qualifier against tanzania and international friendly game against niger, only returned to action for Seattle Sounders last weekend after two months out, netting braces as they crushed Orlando 4-0.

One of the goals was voted AT&T Goal of the Week – the third time that the former Newcastle and Inter Milan man has taken home the gong but the star player says his present form will bring goals for new eagles head coach sunday oliseh.

Obafemi Martins

“I hope I will soon get another chance to score goals for Nigeria again and I also believe that with time and a little more patience the Eagles will come back to winning ways under new coach sunday oliseh, becuase he has got all the experience we need in a coach, he has played the game before and am realy happy to see him in eagles again.

On the 4th of december 2014 , local media in africa and italian sports paper misquoted martins saying he had retire from international football.

However, Obagoal has denied ever making such announcement of him willingly retiring from international football.

Martins who plays at the Major League Soccer (MLS) for Seattle Sounders last played for the Super Eagles in 2013 and since then he has not been looked at by the former Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi.

The former newcastle forward, has 39 caps with 18 goals since he debuted for Nigeria but he has however stated that he is still open for call up from the new eagles head coach , oliseh

“I never announced my retirement, in any form or anyway , it was not official at all ,I was unhappy to be treated as if am not a nigerian footballer, i have represented nigeria , at the nations up, world cup, and i still want to play more, its a new eagles now, led by oliseh , so why will i retire now , am still young.

Obafemi Martins

Obagoal made a scoring debut for Nigeria on May 29, 2004 against the Republic of Ireland.

On November 17, 2007, the attacker captained his country for the first time in a friendly against Australia that marked his 19th appearance.

His 83rd minute strike on November 12, 2009 in Nairobi ensured the Super Eagles qualified for the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa.

Oliseh returns next week

Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh, will return to the country next week, as preparations hit top gear for next month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.

The former Super Eagles’ captain is presently in the United Kingdom with his assistant, Jean Francois Loscuito, and a number of meetings with senior Nigerian internationals in that country are on-going.

Oliseh, officially presented on July 15, has assured that he is already working assiduously towards raising a solid squad to pick up three vital points from East Africa in four-and-half weeks’ time.

“The match in Dar es Salaam is very, very crucial, not only because it will be my first match as Head Coach, but also because we have no choice than to win. The three points are important for us to keep up the tempo in our group.

“We are on the same three points with Egypt, though they have scored a goal more. That is why we cannot afford any slip along the way. We will deal first with the match in Tanzania, and then we will start thinking about the CHAN qualifiers with Burkina Faso in October, and then the World Cup qualifying fixture in November. There is a lot of work. After these matches, we will now start working towards the two AFCON qualifying matches we have with the Pharaohs in March next year.”

Oliseh, in company with NFF President Amaju Pinnick, will also be involved in a number of sessions with some corporate groups interested in partnering with Nigeria football.

“We will spread our dragnet far and wide, and any player who is in great form and we believe can add value to the Super Eagles will be invited to fight for shirt to represent Nigeria.”

The Super Eagles play Tanzania at the National Stadium, Dar es Salaam on Saturday, 5th September, with an international friendly to fulfill a few days later.

Mali’s Withdrawal Alters Eagles’ Abu Dhabi Schedule…As Steven Ukoh Joins Squad

The change of plan by the Federation Malienne de Football concerning the Les Aiglons’ final camping ahead of the 30th Africa Cup of finals in Equatorial Guinea has slightly altered the programme of the Super Eagles’ B for their January tour of United Arab Emirates.

With this change, the Eagles B, bronze medallists at the 3rd African Nations Championship held in South Africa early this year, will now play Cote d’Ivoire and Sudan instead.

Super Eagles Training in Uyo

The game against the Elephants, 1992 African champions and Super Eagles’ quarter final victims at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations also held in South Africa, comes up on January 11, while the clash with the Falcons of Sudan will come up on January 17.

In view of these changes, the players invited to camp at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja are now expected to arrive on Tuesday, 30th December, and not 28th December as earlier planned.

Steven Ukoh FC Biel, photo credit: (UrsLindt/freshfocus)

Meanwhile, former Swiss junior international, Steven Effiong Archibong Ukoh, whose application to represent Nigeria at senior level was recently approved by world football–governing body, FIFA, has confirmed his availability for the mini-tour. He becomes the 25th player on the invitation list.

Eagles To Play Elephants, Les Aiglons In Abu Dhabi

In kick –starting its pledge to ensure that the Senior National Team, Super Eagles is engaged for all the FIFA –free days available next year, the Nigeria Football Federation has secured two international friendly matches for the team prior to the 30th Africa Cup of Nations finals.

NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, confirmed on Wednesday that the Eagles will confront two teams they battered on the way to a third African title in South Africa early last year, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in January 2015.

The Super Eagles will confront 1992 African champions Cote d’Ivoire, whom they edged 2-1 in the quarter finals in South Africa, on 9th January, and take on fellow Eagles of Mali, who were overhauled 4-1 by the Nigerians in the semi finals in South Africa, four days later.

“We are working round the clock to make sure that the Super Eagles will have opponents for all the FIFA windows available in year 2015, and we are happy that the two games with the Ivorians and the Malians are sealed.

“The Elephants and the Les Aiglons are on their way to the 30th Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea, so they are sure to give our team good games.”

Already, Assistant Coach Daniel Amokachi has drawn a list of 24 players who will do battle for shirts for the two matches.

Gombe United goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim leads the invitees, with Azubuike Egwuekwe, Kwambe Solomon, Umar Zango, Rabiu Ali, Emem Eduok, Kingsley Sokari, Mfon Udoh, Gbolahan Salami and Gambo Muhammad also called.

Players are expected to report at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on Sunday, 28th December with their international passports and four passport photographs.

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

Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Gombe United); Daniel Akpeyi (Warri Wolves); Theophilus Afelokhai (Kano Pillars)

Defenders: Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Idris Aloma (El-Kanemi FC); Chimma Akas (Sharks FC); Nelson Ogbonna (Heartland FC); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Erhun Obanor (Bendel Insurance); Bright Esieme (Enyimba FC); Umar Zango (Kano Pillars)

Midfielders: Ammel Angel Wilfred (Kogi United); Joseph Nathaniel (Sharks FC); Charles Henlong (Giwa FC); Stanley Dimgba (Warri Wolves); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Chinedu Udeaga (Enugu Rangers); Emem Eduok (Dolphins FC); Kingsley Sokari (Enyimba FC)

Forwards: Mfon Udoh (Enyimba FC); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); Osaguona Christian (Enugu Rangers); Gambo Muhammad (Kano Pillars); Christian Obiozor (Enugu Rangers)

NFF Lauds Seina Marine, ARIK On Support For Referees’ Training

The Nigeria Football Federation has applauded Seina Marine Limited and ARIK airline for the support both companies are offering to 20 Nigerian elite referees going to the United Kingdom for the arbiters’ next capacity enhancing programme.

NFF President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick said: “Seina Marine Limited is bankrolling the cost of the three –week exercise as well as the stay of the 20 referees in London.

“On their part, ARIK Airline has offered to fly the referees at only half the fare and we are very appreciative of this gesture. I can tell you that this is the beginning of what is sure to be useful relationships between Seina Marine and NFF, as well as ARIK Airline and NFF.

“There were 10 referees involved in the first batch that returned to the country on Sunday. There will be 20 referees in the second match that will leave the country on January 25, 2015, for another two –week capacity building exercise.”

It is confirmed that 17 highly –qualified persons, including coaches and ex-internationals will fly to the United Kingdom mid –January for a three –week match reading technique and backroom analysis exercise, aimed at helping all the National Teams in international engagements.

…Congratulates MFM On World Cup Triumph

MFM FC

The Nigeria Football Federation has congratulated the MFM Football Club on its victory at the inaugural Church World Cup which ended in Goa, India on Sunday.

In a letter of congratulations addressed to the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Dr. Daniel Olukoya on Wednesday, and signed by General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, the NFF lauded the feat and affirmed that it was worthy of recognition and good mention.

“The new Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation is determined to celebrate excellence in all spheres of the Nigeria game, and the laudable achievement of your football team, which has brought honour to our dear country, deserves recognition and good mention.

“We also want to express deep appreciation of the NFF and the Nigeria football family for the keen interest of the General Overseer and the entire leadership of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries in football, and also commend your huge investment in the football sector, which has seen MFM Football Club become one of the strongest teams in the Nigeria National League – the second tier of our country’s domestic football.

“The NFF believes that the excellent feat of MFM FC in India will encourage the leadership of your church to invest even more in football for the benefit of the youth of our nation.”

NFF doubles Flamingoes’ win-bonus, allowances

The camp of the U-17 Women National Team, Flamingoes, erupted in joy on Thursday after NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, announced that the Federation had decided to increase their allowances and match bonus by one hundred percent.

While on a visit to the team’s Serob Legacy Hotel, Abuja on Thursday, on his way to a special meeting with CAF President Issa
Hayatou in Cairo, Maigari charged the girls to go all out and do Nigeria proud at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup finals taking place in Costa Rica from 15th March – 4th April.

“Only yesterday, our dear leader, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR pledged even more support for sportsmen and women vying to bring glory to Nigeria. And as you are also aware, every individual or team that lifted the name of the nation in one way or the other has been honoured by President Jonathan.

“The NFF charges you to concentrate very well and be focused during your final training camp and to pay attention to the instructions of your Coaches. That is the only route to success in Costa Rica. I have faith that after your final training programme, you will be well
prepared to lift the World Cup trophy.”

The Flamingoes are now scheduled to depart Nigeria through Abuja on Friday, 21st February, aboard a Lufthansa Airline flight, for a 19-day training camp at the Browns Sport and Leisure Club in Faro, Portugal.

Already, the Nigeria Football Federation has secured a top grade friendly for the team, with the U-17 Women National Team of Belgium, to be played in Brussels on Tuesday, 4th March. A number of games with some clubs in Portugal are also on the line.

The team will return to Faro from Brussels and then fly from Madrid, Spain to San Jose, capital of Costa Rica, on 12th March, with their first match of the tournament against China on 16th March.

GLO CAF Awards fallout…Eagles Salute Maigari Over Awards Sweep…Tip Mikel For Future

GLO CAF Awards fallout…Eagles Salute Maigari Over Awards Sweep…Tip Mikel For Future

Despite Super Eagles and Chelsea midfield maestro, John Mikel Obi not being named the African Footballer of the Year at Thursday’s awards ceremony in Lagos, it was plaudits galore for the NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maiagari, his executive committee and all Nigerians over the near clean sweep of awards at the Eagles camp in Cape Town on Thursday night.

From Assistant Coach, Dan ‘the bull’ Amokachi, Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor to other officials and indeed the players it was clapping and praises galore as award after award was named after Nigeria. Even the Protocol Official attached to the team, Lawrence Kentu and other security personnel in the team were not left out of the praise for the NFF and its leadership.

“It’s simply the best era in Nigerian football and we pray and hope that it will be sustained in the coming years”, declared an obviously elated Emmanuel Attah, who is the team’s Coordinator. Gangling defence ace, Azubuike Egwuekwe, said he was not too disappointed at Mikel’s loss because head or tail, Nigeria was the champion of the night. “We are sure that Mikel or a Nigerian will win the next award”, he said excitedly.

Team Psychologist, Dr Robinson Okosun spoke in a similar vein, declaring that with the clean sweep of awards, the year 2014 will be a better one for Nigeria. “Yes we may be a little disappointed that Mikel did not win but are assured that we will do better in the New Year, starting with the CHAN tournament and we will return again next year to take what rightly belongs to us”.

Amokachi, who is normally not used to emotions said there was a lot to cheer from the award ceremony. “We had a clean sweep and we must comment President Maigari and his board but the message is for us to work harder and remain the dominant force in African football”, he said. Team’s Media Officer Ben Alaiya, simply said he could not agree more with the deluge of accolades that were poured on Nigerian football and the Maigari led NFF. “Its congratulations and more work to be done”.

These Eagles Will Go Places, Says Keshi… Maigari, Bako Hail Team

These Eagles Will Go Places, Says Keshi… Maigari, Bako Hail Team

Major football stakeholders in the country were at the Abuja National Stadium on Saturday, when the Super Eagles took on the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia in a CHAN pre-tournament tune-up. The game ended 2-1 in favour of Nigeria.

Among them was the Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Hon Bolaji Abdulahi, the NSC Director General, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye, NFF President Alhaji Aminu Maigari, former NFA Chairman, Col Abdulmumuni Aminu, NFF Technical Committee Chairman. Barr Christopher Green, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, who heads the secretariat department of the technical committee, NFF Scribe Barr Musa Amadu and indeed all executive committee members of the federation.

It was a fitting test for the Super Eagles, who are first time qualifiers for the African Nations Tournament that starts next week in South Africa.

After an impressive and dominant first half, which saw the Eagles score through impressive hitman Ifeanyi Ede in the fifth minute and Ugonna Uzochukwu in the 26th minute it looked like the Nigerian national team will have a game full of goals but misses were too many and that gave the Ethiopians room to come back in the second half and score against Nigeria.

From an outsider’s point of view, Ikenna Paul was outstanding as his two long throws resulted in Nigeria’s two goals. Azubuike Egwuekwe was obviously the Nigerian man of the match, goalkeeper and skipper, Chigozie Agbim, looked shaky atimes in goal, Abubakar Aliu was very hardworking but wasteful in front of goal and Kwambe Solomon needs to justify the tag of ‘Cafu’ the Brazilian legend that many now refer him to. Ebenezer Odunlami was a delight in the centre back, Shehu Abdulahi was good in the middle of the pack when he came on in the second half through dangerman Asrat Megersa.

All others, especially the substitutes need to work on their game and Head Coach Stephen Keshi knows so. Speaking moments after the match, Keshi says he believes in the team he has been able to work with under three weeks. “Three weeks is too short to raise a national team but for me the scoreline does not matter because we are getting the results we want from the players, they will sure go places”.

NFF President Aminu Maigari towed a similar line, declaring that sooner than later the Nigerian league will form the fulcrum of the future Super Eagles. Maigari spoke through NFF Technical Committee Chairman, Barr Chris Green, who also praised the job that Keshi is doing with the home based squad.

On his part former National Broadcasting Commission Chairman and an avid football follower, Mallam Danladi Bako declared that finally Nigeria is getting it right in football politically and technically. “I told a few friends on the executive committee that all they need to do is to be patriotism, dedication and the results will come for Nigeria. Barr Green will bear me out, today we are seeing the results but we must not rest on our oarse”.