Nigeria has climbed 10 places to perch at 34th in the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday.
The great leap has occurred as a result of the Super Eagles’ Round of 16 berth at the recently –concluded FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014, and also sees the African champions rising to third place in Africa, behind Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire.
Ironically, Cote d’Ivoire’s Elephants failed to reach the knock–out stage at the FIFA World Cup finals, while Algeria, like Nigeria, also crashed out at the Round of 16, after losing to eventual champions Germany in extra time.
World champions Germany now occupies the number one position, followed by Brazil 2014 runner –up Argentina, with bronze medalists The Netherlands moving 12 places to perch at third.
In Africa, seven –time continental champions Egypt occupy fourth place, followed by Ghana, Tunisia, Guinea, Cameroon, Burkina Faso and Mali in that order.
Algeria occupies 24th place in the world, with the Ivorians at 25th.
First Row (L-R), (1) Shehu Dikko of LMC, (2) Gov. Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State, (3) Senate President David Mark and (4) Gov. Liyel Imoke of Cross River State. 2nd Row(L-R), (1) Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil Adamu Azimeyeh Emozozo, (2) Minister of Sport/Charman NSC, (3) SA to Senate President, and (4) FCT Minister Senator Bala Mohammed.
Jonathan Promises To Shock Eagles If…As Mark Motivates Team In Brazil
Promises of a bounty reward came from the highest office in Nigeria Friday, when President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan said he will shock the national team if they are able to make a major impact at the ongoing World Cup being hosted in the South American country of Brazil.
Speaking through Senate President David Mark, who led a powerful Federal government delegation to wish the Eagles well in the championship, Jonathan said it was time an African country wins the World Cup, adding that the African champions are motivated enough to do the magic. “When we won the Olympics gold medal at Atlanta 96, we defeated countries like Argentina and Brazil, so I believe we can have a repeat performance at this year’s World Cup, with the talents available to us in this team”, he said.
The Federal Government delegation which includes Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Muhammed, Youth, Bonny Haruna, Culture, Chief Edem Duke and host Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo, who also declared that he has absolute confidence in the abilities of the team to cause upsets in the championship that will remain indelible in soccer annals. Also in attendance were two state governors including that of Cross River, Senator Liyel Imoke, where the team played all its qualifiers for the World Cup, Chairman Senate Committee on Sports, Sen. Adamu Gumba and his House of Representatives counterpart, Hon Godfrey Gaya.
Senator Mark assured that the government was ready to do all it can within available resources to make the team comfortable in the championship, adding that he will personally remain to attend all the team’s games in the opening rounds of the championship. He praised the good conduct of the players so far and thanked the Mayor of Campinas, Mr Donas Donizete, who was also present for his support for the team.
Earlier, NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, who introduced the huge presence of dignitaries, said he was thrilled that such a delegation was in town to motivate the players and officials of the team. The NFF also had in attendance Vice President, Chief Mike Okeke Umeh and Chairman of the Technical Sub-Committee, Barr. Chris Green. Maigari assured that with the caliber of players paraded by the African champions, Nigerians and indeed Africans will not be wide of the mark if they start thinking of winning the World Cup.
Responding, Head Coach of the team, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi said he was happy to see top government functionaries visiting the team before they kick their first ball of the tournament as that has been a motivating factor for him in his playing days, which saw him captaining the squad for 14 years.
Team Skipper, Joseph Yobo, assured Nigerians once again that the team will not disappoint at the tournament, while calling for prayers and positive attitude from all and sundry.
Mark presents Yobo with flag
After the speeches, Senator Mark presented Yobo, with the national flags, while Keshi also received a flag for the team, same as Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, that will be displayed on the team’s bus during each game they played. All the 23 players also received the national flags from dignitaries present, with all of them assuring that they will not let the nation down. After the eventful occasion, the August visitors went into a private session with the players and coaches during which sundry issues concerning the team’s welfare were discussed.
Campinas Goes Wild For Eagles…As Team Departs For Curitiba
Friday’s open day at the national team’s basecamp in Capinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil turned out to be another exciting time for Brazilians soccer fans to show their love for the Super Eagles as they turned out in their thousands to cheer the team at their training ground in Estadio Brinco de Ouro da Princesa.
Open days are normally organized periodically for fans and the media to have an intimate experience with the team at their team base camp and what an experience it was for the fans of the Nigerians side, their players and officials. Apart from the thousands who were able to gain access into the arena, others lined out the route to the stadium as the team drove in from their Vitoria Hotel abode.
At a point, the situation almost degenerated as police battled to cage the fans who were by now running onto the pitch where players and the technical crew were doing their business to have a closer look at the Super Eagles.
No violence was however recorded during the over two hours that the team trained at the venue. At the end of the session both the international press and their Nigerian counterparts that includes such heavyweights as Kunle Solaja, Mumini Alao, Akinloye Oyebanji, Paul Ogazie, Tony Ubani, Kunle Salami, Kayode Tijani, Christian Opara, also had their turns to interact with the players and officials and left with very positive positions.
The national team is scheduled to depart for Curitiba, Saturday morning at about 10:30am local time, which is about 2:30pm Nigerian time, the Brazilian city will host the Group F game between the Super Eagles of Nigeria playing against Asian representatives, Iran,
The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that certificates for those who purchased their FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 match tickets through the NFF are now ready for collection.
Speaking at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, NFF’s Director of Marketing, Adama Idris stated that the certificates will enable those supporters to apply for their entry visa into the Federal Republic of Brazil for the finals, slated for 12th June – 13th July this year.
“We want to use this opportunity to call on all Nigerian supporters who purchased their match tickets through the NFF to come to our
office in Abuja, in person, to collect their certificates.
“These certificates will facilitate their process of securing entry visa into Brazil for the championship.”
Adama also called on concerned persons to contact himself, Tolulope Abe or Alizor Chuks for more details about the certificates.
Ambassador Emozozo (left) with NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari in Abuja on Wednesday.
Ahead FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014: Nigerian Ambassador to Brazil visits Glass House, as Maigari foresees brilliant Eagles outing
The newly-appointed Ambassador of Nigeria to Brazil, His Excellency Adamu Emozozo, on Wednesday pledged that the Embassy of Nigeria in that country will give every needed diplomatic support to the Super Eagles to make a big impact at the 20th FIFA World Cup finals, taking place this summer.
His Excellency Emozozo, who has concurrent accreditation to Paraguay and Bolivia, replaces Ambassador Victor Okoedion, who was recently posted to another country.
Speaking during a visit to NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, at the Glass House, Emozozo declared that while the Embassy would facilitate several things in the diplomatic sector, it would not interfere with technical and administrative issues that would be entirely left to the NFF.
“I am coming into this position at a time that Brazil is staging several major events, including the FIFA World Cup this year and the
Olympic Games in 2016. While carrying out the transformation agenda, we are also committed to seeing that our football continues to rise.
“It is a great thing that our football teams have been going from one success to the other. Yourself, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, is one of the
most prominent persons I will be working with in the next few months. I believe our Super Eagles can perform well at the FIFA World Cup finals if we all work together.”
The NFF President congratulated the new Ambassador and promised that the NFF would work in tandem with the Embassy to make things much easier for the Super Eagles and the entire Nigeria delegation to the World Cup finals.
Also present at the meeting were NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, Assistant Director (Communications), Mr. Ademola Olajire, former NFF Head of International, Mr. Charles Ojugbana and Mr. Raymond Okey Nebo, senior counsellor at Embassy of Nigeria in Brazil.
FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014: Hard Ticket Application Forms Now Ready
The Nigeria Football Federation disclosed on Monday that Hard Ticket Application Forms (HTAF) for tickets of group phase matches of the 20th FIFA World Cup finals taking place in Brazil this summer are now ready.
“The Hard Ticket Application Forms have been sent to us and we can now send to interested persons in PDF format, through email, for them to fill out the forms, pick the category of match tickets they want and return the completed application forms to the NFF, also through email, for processing,” NFF’s Director of Marketing, Mr. Adama Idris, said.
He stated categorically that payment for the requested tickets cannot be made until confirmation of application is received from world
football-governing body, FIFA.
Nigeria play Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Argentina in the group phase, in that order, at the finals slated for 12 June – 13 July in
Brazil.
Adama also directed interested persons and groups to contact NFF officials Tolulope Abe (abe.tolu@gmail.com, 07039003476) and Alizor Chuks (alizorco@yahoo.com, 08036018023) for more details on securing
the hard ticket application forms.
“However, it is important that interested persons and groups note that collection and return of completed application forms will close by February 5, 2014,” Adama added.
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