Done deals: – Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini from Hellas Verona on a four-year deal. – Newcastle have completed the signing of Jesus Gamez from Atletico Madrid on a two-year deal. BREAKING: We're happy to announce the signing of Sone Aluko! #WelcomeSone > https://t.co/QvHXqHcimF pic.twitter.com/Fi25ZcUK2r — Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) […]
via Newfanzone Football Transfer round up for July 8th 2016 — newfanzoneblog
Our man Joel Musa takes a look at the Afcon 2015 Qualifier between the “Bafana Bafana of South Africa and the “Super Eagles of Nigeria, for comments or feedback you can tweet @slysage and @NewFanzone also follow both handles and we will follow you right back
The Super Eagles took an arduous trip to Cape Town after getting outclassed on home turf by the Red Devils of Congo on a wing and a prayer. The morale was dampened, perhaps aided by the uncertainty surrounding the Coach’s future and maybe the shenanigans of the egg heads at the Glass House.
Shakes Mashaba had been throwing taunts all week and had raised the hope of his countrymen who are desperately seeking for a competitive win against their bitter rivals but were able to snatch a fair draw, their second competitive point against the reigning African Champions in 20 years, after a dogged performance.
The game started on an attritional note, both sides easing their selves into the game with short, sideways passes. Both teams maintained a good shape but the Bafana Bafana sat deep, overcrowding the trequartista – Nosa Igiebor and allowing bulky forward Emmanuel Emenike no space at all. Ahmed Musa hadn’t no joy on the flank as the fullback was equipped to nullify his pace.
The notable moment of the half came towards its end when Mikel got into a spat after South Africa’s No. 11 rough handled him. Nigerian fans might still be frustrated by his performances but he seems to have some passion lately.
The second half saw the standard of the game degenerate. The visitors visibly fatigued while the hosts were seemingly content to hold out for a draw.
Osaguana Ighodaro, who came in for Gbolahan Salami almost scored after good work on right by Ahmed Musa on the 63rd minute but a defender cleared on the line.
On the 71st minute, former England youth player Sone Aluko came in for Igiebor and his most notable contribution was a tame shot from outside the box.
South Africa almost snatched a late win after a goal-mouth melee, but the Eagles defenders cleared. The draw means Nigeria is third in the group with a single point. It also means that Stephen Keshi’s team has won just one of its last ten matches.
Joel Musa
Eagles Camp Bubble, As Mikel, Onazi, Six Others Arrive
…Keshi Replaces Enyeama With Obiazor
Lunch time in Calabar for the Super Eagles technical crew was a delight on Tuesday, as camp suddenly upped to 17, with more players expected before training in the evening after only nine players trained in the morning training session.
Head Coach Stephen Keshi and his assistants were grinning from ear to ear as Ahmed Musa, Ogenyi Onazi, Efe Ambrose, Kenneth Omeruo, Juwon Oshaniwa, Sone Aluko, John Mikel Obi and standin captain Austin Ejide arrive on time to have lunch with the rest of the team.
Mikel’s entrance was particularly hilarious as he came in with hand gloves and asked Coach Keshi if he will need some with the fear of the Ebola disease in mind. “Coach I have up to four hand gloves and if you don’t mind, I can hand one pair to you”, he said jokingly with the rest of the team reeling with laughter.
The spirit in camp in camp is very buoyant with the arrival of the super stars and Keshi says he expects the best from the players on Saturday in the game against Congo.
The national team Head Coach also announced that he has decided to replace Vincent Enyeama, who is absent for personal reasons with Elkanemi of Maiduguri first choice keeper, David Obiazor. “We have been monitoring the Nigerian league and we see that the keeper of Elkanemi is a talent, that is why we want to give him a trial. We will see how it turns out when he arrives camp”, Keshi said after lunch on Tuesday.
Imoke, Ikpeme So Sure Of Eagles
Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, says he believes that the Super Eagles will come out tops against Congo, despite the short time the team had to prepare for the Morocco 2015 Nations Cup qualifier in Calabar, the state capital.
Imoke spoke through Youth and Sports Commissioner, Hon Patrick Ugbe, who also promised that the fans in Calabar will turn out enmasse on Saturday to cheer the national team to victory. Ugbe, added that he was happy with the quick response of the players to national call and was sure that the team will excel.
Earlier, NFF Director of Technical, Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, who has been pulling the strings here to ensure the comfortability of the national team, said he was impressed by the showing of the players in the morning training session. Dr Ikpeme, who defied the early morning downpour in Calabar to join in the morning training session, said he will ensure that all that the team needs for a victory against Congo are provided, in conjunction with the Cross River state government.
“I am a son of the soil and we have had a very cordial working relationship with the government and people of Cross River state. That should ensure that we come out tops on Saturday because all of us in the team and government are on the same page”.
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