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.

Nominees Emerge As Nigerian Sports Award 2014 Enters Voting Phase…Okagbare, Oshoala, Enyeama Top List

The 2014 edition of the Nigerian Sports Award has entered the voting phase as the top three nominees for each of the different categories of the award have emerged. The list of the top three nominees for all the categories of the award was unveiled at a Press conference on Thursday by the organisers of the Award.

Addressing the media, the General Manager, Unmissable Incentives Limited, Mr. Kayode Idowu noted that the panel received overwhelming nominations for the 2014 editions of the award from members of the public adding that it was a tough job for the collating to select the top 3 nominees for each category.

According to Idowu, Nigeria’s golden girl, Blessing Okagbare and Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama top the nomination chat as both of them were nominated in two categories.

Blessing Okagbare who won double Gold medals at the just concluded Commonwealth Games was nominated for the Track & Field Star of the Year and SportsWoman of the Year Awards while Vincent Enyeama was nominated for the Sportsman of the Year and Footballer of the Year Awards.

Asisat Oshoala, who won the Golden Boot and Ball at the just concluded Women U-20 world Cup, is nominated alongside Desire Oparanozie and Dike Courtney for the Footballer of the Year (Women) category.

Vincent Enyeama, Emmanuel Eminike, Ogenyi Onazi are nominated for the Footballer of the Year (Male)

Aruna Quadri At The Nigeria Sports Awards 2013

In the Ball Sports category, high flying Table Tennis player Aruna Quadri, who won the award last year, is nominated alongside another sensational table tennis player: Segun Totiola and Onaolapo Ojo while Blessing Okagbare and Ese Brume are the only two nominated for the track and field award.

Coach of the Falconets, Peter Dedevoh, Manu Garba and Stephen Keshi are the three nominees for the Coach of the Year Award.

For the Team of the Year Award The Falconet, Super Eagles and Golden Eaglets are the nominees.

Vincent Enyeama, Ogenyi Onazi and Osaze Odewinge are the three nominees for the Sportsman of the Year while Blessing Okagbare, Asisat Osoala and Courtney Dike are to slug it out for the Sportswoman of the Year Award.

L-R-Mrs Bunmi Oke, President AAAN,Kola Oyeyemi,And Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (Winner, Sport Governor of the year).

The three Governors; Babatunde Fashola of Lagos, Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State and Liyel Imoke of Cross River State who were nominated for the Sports Governor of the Year Award last year still emerged the nominees for the 2014 edition.

For Boxing Star of the Year Award, Ekpo Isaac, Efe Ajagba and Efetobor Akpochi are the top nominees.

Wrestler duo of Aminat Adeniyi and Odunayo Adekuroye were nominated with Teakwando Star- Chika Chukwumerije for the Combat Sports Star of the Year Award.

In the Discovery of the Year category Asisat Oshoala battles Ese Brume and Courtney Dike for the honour while Maryam Usman and Oluwatoyin Adesanmi were nominated for the Weightlifting award of the Year.

Nominees for other categories include Aminu Maigari, Solomon Ogba and Waheed Enitan Oshodi (Administrator of the Year), Green Springs School, Lekki, Toybat international school, Lagos and ST Barnabas, Ilorin (School Sports Award) while Esther Oyeama, Loveline Obiji, and AbdulAzeez Ibrahim made the shortlist for the Special Sports Person of the Year Award.

In his own remarks at the Press conference, the Chairman of the Award Panel, Mr. Ikeddy Isiguzo stated that public voting is open for the Sportsman and Sportswoman categories while other category winners would be decided by the panel.

Isiguzo explained that voting will be via SMS at the cost of N50 per SMS and for participants to vote, they would be required to text the abbreviation of the category to 33140.

For instance, the public will text SMOTY and SWOTY to 33140 Plus the name of their Favourite nominated sportsman or sportswoman award of the year respectively.

He announced that voting will commence on Thursday the 18th of September, 2014 and end on the 2nd November, 2014

Keshi, Osaze Say Eagles Best Yet To Come…

Keshi, Osaze Say Eagles Best Yet To Come…WC Debut Excites Ejike

Stephen Keshi – Super Eagles Coach

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi and striker, Peter Osaze Odemwingie have reviewed the 1-0 win over Bosnia-Hezergovina on last Saturday and came away with the submission that the team was still yet to play to its full potentials in the Mundial.

Osaze said at the post match media parley that the team has what it takes to reach the very final if all of the players play to full potential. “I saw a Brazilian on the street who told he foresaw Nigeria playing the final against Brazil and I said to myself why not, going by the level of our players and the fact that they are yet to peak”.

Osaze Odenwingie goalscorer, Nigeria vs Bosnia-Herzegovinia

The Stoke City forward who scored Nigeria’s only goal in the encounter said the goal also served as a compensation for his missing out of last year’s Nations Cup in South Africa. “But mark my words we have a very resilient defence, a creative midfield and an attack force that can trouble any defence in the world if we play to our potentials we can go all the way”, he declared.

Keshi on his part, said he will not relent at ensuring that he gets the team in the right mood for the championship but said the players are just gradually coming up. “The annoying thing is that they get criticized unnecessarily back home. When that comes from the man on the street you can understand but when people who should know like ex-footballers criticize the team, I don’t enjoy it at all but the players have showed that they are good enough for the World Cup but they are yet to play to full potential”.

Winger Ejike Uzoenyi, who played his first World Cup game against Bosnia, said he was excited at his debut. “It was like a dream but I thank God, the NFF and the coaches for making me realize the dream of playing at the world’s biggest stage in football. I am a fulfilled man”.

Imoke, Unicem Rovers Hail Eagles…Says Maigari Is History Maker

Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, says he has been enjoying the performance of the Super Eagles and believes that the team has the potential to go all the way. Imoke, whose government hosted all the team’s qualifying games was also in Brazil prior to the start of the championship.

“This team has the potential of making Nigeria one of the biggest football super powers in the world and I also believe that the NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari and his board are on the verge of also becoming the best football administrators that the country ever produced”, he was quoted as saying by Sports Commissioner, Hon Patrick Ugbe.

Also newly appointed Chairman of Unicem Rovers FC of Calabar, Maurice Inok, says the entire team and its officials are backing the team to lift the World Cup adding that the club has a bunch of youthful players that he will invite the national team technical crew to come and pick from for the future.

“We are behind the NFF, Keshi and his entire crew and I can promise that when he returns to a garland of celebration we won’t be behind because the team has raised the bar of football in Africa and the world”, Inok said in a statement from Calabar.

Nigeria Police Force

Nigeria Police Shines In Brazil 2014

The Nigeria Police Force has been one of the strong ambassadors here in Brazil representing the country in various categories of the competition and they have been turning out in flying colours.

Apart from national team Chief Security Officer, ACP Abubakar Baba, there are eight other top officers here and carrying out various World Cup task and they could be seen in the different centres of the championship.

Led by the Officer in charge of Sports in the Nigeria Police, Commissioner of Police, Sani Mohammed, the team includes another CP Abimbola Marcaulay, SP Gabriel Alobo DSP Femi Okunowo, Inspector Kikelomo Ajayi, herself a former skipper of the Women National team, the Super Falcons and Inspector Wakili Isah Shall.

They have been everywhere and helping to ensure that the flag of Nigerian is flown in the security circle very high, even preventing a former top sports administrators from Nigeria from being arrested over branding in the stadium. Nigeria is really going places in Brazil.

Photo Credit: Super Eagles Google+ page

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.

Imoke Picks Strong Team To Revive Rovers…Inok, Ene Okon Listed

Imoke Picks Strong Team To Revive Rovers…Inok, Ene Okon Listed…Wishes Eagles Well In Brazil

Cross River state Governor and the number one governor supporter of the national teams, Senator Liyel Imoke, has made good his plans to make football a thriving enterprise in the state by appointing a robust team to reinvent Unicem Rovers of Calabar in the coming years.

State Sports Commissioner, Hon Patrick Ugbe, said in statement that former Chairman of the Cross River State Sports Council and respected DJ and sportscaster, Maurice Inok, will head a 12-man management committee of the club that includes some of the best hands in the football game in the country. He also revealed that Gov Imoke has been praying daily for an excellent outing for the national team come Brazil 2014.

Inok, will be assisted by Paul Atila Edum, while Paul Akoli and Charles Unoh Eko will serve in the management committee. Okori Ijani will serve as Team manager, Ene Asuquo as Media Officer, Hon Ukot Obono Eno will be Marketing Manager, while George Obi Etu will serve as Team Secretary in a determined force to make the club a brand name in Nigeria.

On the technical side, Imoke picked former Super Eagles midfielder, John Okon Ene as Acting Head Coach, he will be assisted by John Aniah, while former goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt will serve as the goalkeepers’, Michael Ushie was named team Coordinator.
Speaking on his appointment, Inok said it will witness a new phase in Nigerian football management as he was ready to go to the private sector to solicit for support even as he believes he will not be abandoned by the state government.

“I thank Governor Imoke, his deputy and the Sports Commissioner for this challenge and I wish to assure them that I will not fail in this onerous task of rediscovering football at the highest level in Cross River state”, he declared.

Golden Eaglets get 2-1 win against Yuguda Boys

Golden Eaglets made it two wins in as many test matches following a 2-1 win against Yuguda Boys at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja on Wednesday.

Two goals in each half by Suleiman Abdullahi and Kehinde Ayinde put the new Under-17 recruits in front but the youngsters from Bauchi eventually pulled one back via a penalty kick barely a minute to the end of the match.

In attendance to watch the mid-morning match were Alhaji Mohammed Fresh, board member and chairman of the NFF’s youth committee as well as former Nigerian international Patrick Pascal amongst others including Muhammed Musa- the inspirational captain of the 2013 Golden Eaglets’ World Cup-winning team who breezed in towards the end.

However, it was the Yuguda Boys that nearly went in front in the 34th minute when a well-struck free kick by Babaji Abubakar on the
periphery of the box was punched away by Amos Benjamin in goal for the Eaglets.

Golden Eaglets’ first goal, however, came in the 44th minute when petit Kehinde Ayinde broke free from the right flank and after
evading his shadows, he flicked a pass to Henry Akibi who in turn, passed to Suleiman Abdullahi to slot home the first goal.
On resumption, the Eaglets increased the tempo of the game as substitute Kelechi Nwakali combined beautifully with Ayinde to
terrorize their markers.

In the 79th minute, Kelechi swiftly launched a through pass to Ayinde; who swerved and rounded off goalkeeper Sani to push the ball into an empty net for the second goal of the highly-charged encounter. Yet the Yuguda Boys did not give up as they piled pressure on the Eaglets’ defence that eventually conceded a penalty which was buried into the net by Ibrahim Yahaya barely a minute to the end of the match.

Both Coach Emmanuel Amuneke (MON) and Bala Maijama’a Umar of Yuguda Boys praised the gallantry of the two sides:” Frankly I’m with the Eaglets bearing in mind that they are just putting them together,” said Umar.”It was a good opportunity for us too to ascertain thereadiness of our boys before going for a youth tournament in
Portugal.”

…As Gov. Imoke tasks new technical crew

Senator Liyel Imoke (CON), Executive Governor of Cross River State, has sent message of solidarity and best wishes to the new technical crew of the national Under-17 team.

Imoke, who is one of the visible hands behind the victorious 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Eaglets, said it was imperative to build on the success of last year.

Speaking through Hon. Patrick Ugbe, the state’s commissioner for sport and youth development, Imoke said he was proud to associate with the Golden Eaglets even as the new team is being put in place.

“We can’t forget so soon about what the Golden Eaglets did the last term,” the amiable Governor was quoted as saying.”There is no doubt that we are proud of the role we played since our government was there all the way to support them.”

The Golden Eaglets class of 2013 camped in Calabar throughout their campaign where they won all their qualifiers en route to the CAN Under-17 Championship in Morocco. Governor Imoke would later reward players and officials with a house after they won the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

“It is our hope that the present team would emulate the success of the last set,” the Governor reportedly said.

In the meantime, Prince Udofia, newly appointed Golden Eaglets’ coordinator, said the present team would equally appreciate the Governor’s father-figure support in the days ahead.

“My colleagues who were part of the last set told me how wonderful it was camping and playing in Calabar because it is a peaceful place,” said the former Bayelsa United star who incidentally hails from Akwa-Ibom state.” We are praying that the Governor would also extend his benevolence to the present team because he is regarded as the Golden Eaglets’ godfather!”

Senate committee heaps encomiums on NFF… As NFF praises Governor Imoke

The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Tuesday heaped plaudits on the Nigeria Football Federation for utilising the money appropriated to it to bring countless laurels to Nigeria in year 2013.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports and Social Development, Senator Adamu Ibrahim Gumba, extolled the managerial virtues of the NFF leadership, saying that despite not having enough money to play around with, the Aminu Maigari-led NFF scratched the bottom of the barrel to prepare Nigerian teams adequately for international competitions and bring glory to the nation. The NFF received the sum of N1.8 billion from the Government last year.

“I must commend the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation. Our National Teams won so many laurels from international championships last year and even Mr. President (His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR) was so elated each time that he hosted the teams and rewarded them for doing the country proud,” Senator Gumba remarked, when NFF officials led by General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, appeared before the committee to present its 2013 budget performance and defend its 2014 budget proposal.

Gumba continued: “We won the Africa Cup of Nations, won the FIFA U-17 World Cup and the Super Eagles qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. We also won trophies from international friendly matches against Catalonia and South Africa, and our U-17 and U-20 women teams qualified for the FIFA U-17 and FIFA U-20 Women World Cup competitions taking place this year. Let us also not forget that our country represented Africa at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Brazil.

“This committee is very happy with the performance of the NFF in the year 2013 and we charge them to maintain same tempo, or even do better, in this year 2014. ”

Speaking at the budget defence session, NFF General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu, lauded the excellent co-operation the NFF has enjoyed with the Senate Committee led by Senator Gumba, and also praised the support and assistance of the National Sports Commission and some State Governments, especially Cross River State Government, for Nigeria National Teams.

“We played all our home matches in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying series in Calabar, thanks to the Cross River State Government, with Governor Liyel Imoke spearheading the support and show of love for our team. The NFF is also very grateful to Governor Imoke and his Government for adopting the U-17 National Team and giving all the support for the team to win the silver medal at the African U-17 Championship in Morocco and then go on to lift a record fourth FIFA U-17 World Cup title in the United Arab Emirates.”

At the presentation, to which the NFF was led by the Honourable Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission, Dr.
Tamuno Danagogo, with the Director General of NSC, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, Amadu explained that the NFF would require the sum of slightly over N2 billion to prosecute the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil and the sum of N3.9 billion for other competitions, events, overhead, capital and personnel matters this year.

Maigari hands over land deeds to Eagles, as Imoke fulfills pledge

Players and officials of the Super Eagles were overjoyed on Wednesday in Atlanta, USA as President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, handed over to them, Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) of plots of land promised them by the Executive Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, CON for their triumph at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

“It is my pleasure to present to you the Certificates of Occupancy of plots of land promised you by Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, a true lover and supporter of Nigeria football, for your victory at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

“Governor Imoke has once more demonstrated that he is a man of his words. He has also told me that he has something special for you all if you do Nigeria and Africa proud at the FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil. He will be there in Brazil to support you,” Maigari told
players and officials at their W. Buckhead Hotel in Atlanta, following the impressive 0-0 draw with 19th-ranked Mexico in an international friendly at the Georgian Dome.

Sports-loving Governor Imoke made the pledge when he hosted the players and officials at the Government House, Calabar where the team had presented him with the glittering trophy. He also gave out cash rewards.

The Certificates of Occupancy were collected from Governor Imoke and delivered to the NFF President in USA by NFF’s Director of Technical, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme.

Most of the players invited for the friendly against Mexico were part of the 23-man squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations for Nigeria for only the third time ever last year. All the coaches and backroom staff present in Atlanta are also legitimate beneficiaries.

FIFA VP Webb backs Eagles to fly high in Brazil

President of the Confederation of Central American and Caribbeans Football Associations (CONCACAF), Mr Jeffrey Webb, on Wednesday expressed belief that the Super Eagles of Nigeria will dazzle the world at the 20th FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil this summer.

Captivated and truly bowled over by the confidence, audacious skills and firmness of the Eagles in the friendly against Mexico at the
Georgian Dome, Atlanta, USA, Webb, a FIFA Vice President, left his suite and searched out the FA President of the African champions in the Nigerian suite.

“I am very much impressed by the skills and confidence of your players. They will definitely do well at the World Cup.

“I was in Johannesburg when you won the Africa Cup of Nations last year and I can see that the team has even improved tremendously, going by the way they are standing up to a top team like Mexico,” Webb said in his brief chat with NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari.

Webb, from Cayman Islands, who was last year tipped by incumbent FIFA President Sepp Blatter to succeed him as world football’s supremo, was also impressed by the programme the NFF has laid for the team’s preparation for the biggest showpiece in world football.

“The team will only get better and have greater confidence by playing the likes of Scotland, Greece and USA leading up to the finals in
Brazil. I wish you the very best,” said Webb, who also noted that Maigari is a member of “a very powerful FIFA committee” – the FIFA
Players’ Status Committee.

NFF President Aminu Maigari thanked Mr. Webb and assured that the African champions from the most populous black nation on earth will not only seek to do Nigeria and Africa proud in Brazil, but will be carrying the banner of the black world in South America.