The Super Eagles of Nigeria have arrived in Swaziland ahead of Friday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup African Qualifying Round 2 clash with the Sihlangu Somnikati.
The delegation led by NFF 1st Vice President, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi, traveled aboard a chartered ARIK Air Boeing 737-800 aircraft from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and landed at the Matsapha International Airport, Manzini at 4pm Swazi time (3pm Nigeria time), after six hours.
NFF President Amaju Pinnick, still travel–weary following a 2 –hour shuttle from Chile where the Golden Eaglets retained the FIFA U-17 World Cup on Sunday, saw off the delegation that also included Chairman of NFF Technical and Development Committee, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu.
The delegation also included NFF Technical Committee member, Mutiu Adepoju, 24 players, Coach Sunday Oliseh, other technical and backroom staff, NFF Management officials Chris Andekin, Bola Oyeyode, Ademola Olajire and Tunde Aderibigbe, some football stakeholders, few media representatives and some members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club.
At the Matsapha International Airport, the group was received by about three dozen excited Nigerians based in Swaziland, who cheered lustily and sang various songs as players and officials walked into awaiting buses. They were clad in T-Shirts specially made for the occasion.
“We really appreciate this show of love from fellow Nigerians, who have left their businesses in various areas of Swaziland to come and welcome the National Team of Nigeria,” said leader of delegation, Barr. Seyi Akinwunmi.
Also at the airport were NFF Executive Committee member, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and Assistant Director (Technical), Rafiu Yusuf, who had gone ahead of the delegation to make arrangements for the team’s comfortable stay. Chief Executive Officer of the National Football Association of Swaziland, Frederick Mngomezulu, was also at the airport.
The Super Eagles had a feel of the Somhlolo National Stadium, venue of Friday’s match, as Coach Sunday Oliseh supervised a 45 –minute session under the floodlights.
Sunday Oliseh photo credit sundayoliseh.tv
Oliseh: “Our objective is clear. We are here to play well and win well. The NFF are doing their part well by ensuring comfortable traveling and accommodation arrangements. Now, we will go to the field tomorrow and give our very best for our country.
“I have confidence in this group. The players still need time and matches to bond together very well, but I love the hunger to achieve that I see in these boys.”
Friday’s match will kick off at 7pm Swaziland time, which is 6pm in Nigeria.
As at Tuesday afternoon, Head Coach Sunday Oliseh was expecting only three players in the Super Eagles camp as preparations were intensified for Friday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Swaziland in Lobamba on Friday.
In camp are Captain Ahmed Musa, goalkeepers Carl Ikeme, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Dele Alampasu, defenders Efe Ambrose, Austin Oboroakpo, Chima Akas, Jamiu Alimi, Kalu Orji, Godfrey Oboabona, Wilfred Ndidi and Elderson Echiejile, midfielders Paul Onobi, John Mikel Obi, Sylvester Igbonu and Rabiu Ibrahim, and forwards Odion Ighalo, Ezekiel Bassey, Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon.
Portugal –based defender Abdullahi Shehu, midfielder Ogenyi Onazi and US–based forward Obafemi Martins were being expected on Tuesday night.
The strike embarked upon by workers of Lufthansa Airlines delayed the arrival of most of the players, as the Nigeria Football Federation had to quickly re-book players on British Airways.
Officials of the National Football Association of Swaziland confirmed to the NFF on Tuesday that landing permit for the chartered flight, which will fly the Nigeria delegation to Swaziland, has been secured.
The ARIK Air Boeing 737-800 aircraft is expected to depart from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja at 7am on Thursday, and will land at the Matsapha International Airport by 2pm same day.
Super Eagles’ players and officials will stay at The Sun Hotels, while the official training at the Somhlolo National Stadium, Lobamba has been set for 7pm on Thursday.
The match between the Super Eagles and the Sihlangu Somnikati will kick off at 7pm on Friday, 13th November, with Germain Koole of Benin Republic as the referee. He will be assisted by compatriots Bienvenu Dina, Sena Ulrich Houedin and Gustave Eugene Tohouegnon as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively.
Mohamed Bahou from Morocco will be the referee assessor with Zambian Joseph Nkole as match commissioner.
The Nigeria delegation will depart Swaziland immediately after the match and fly direct to Port Harcourt.
Both teams will clash in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, 17th November, with the winner going straight into the 20–team, mini-league phase beginning next year.
With a firm accent on current form and ability, Head Coach Sunday Oliseh has invited 23 players, including USA–based Obafemi Martins and six home –based professionals, for the Super Eagles’ 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture against Swaziland.
The two –legged fixture will take place over four days next month, with the first leg in Lobamba on Friday, November 13 and the return at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, November 17.
Martins, who has not featured for the Super Eagles in two years, has been in great form in the Major League Soccer, and his invitation shows clearly that FIFA Technical Study Group member Oliseh has an open mind to all Nigerian players across the globe.
The invitation is also a sweet birthday present to Martins, who celebrated his big day on Wednesday. He scored for Nigeria on his debut in a friendly match against Republic of Ireland in London in May 2005.
Six home–based professionals, who all played notable roles in Nigeria’s qualification for the 4th African Nations Championship at the expense of Burkina Faso, are in the 23–man mix.
Chelsea of England midfielder John Mikel Obi, Portugal–based former junior internationals Dele Alampasu and Abdullahi Shehu and Arsenal FC’s Alex Iwobi are also invited, as well as former junior international defender Wilfred Ndidi.
Oliseh has directed all the players to arrive at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja on Sunday, November 8 as training commences same day by 7pm.
The Isihlangu defeated Djibouti 2-1 in Lobamba on Saturday to conclude an 8-1 aggregate triumph over the East Africans and earn the right to face five-time World Cup finalists Nigeria
The Super Eagles will have to negotiate past Swaziland to reach the group phase of the 2018 FIFA World Cup African qualifying race.
The Isihlangu defeated Djibouti 2-1 in Lobamba on Saturday to conclude an 8-1 aggregate triumph over the East Africans and earn the right to face five-time World Cup finalists Nigeria twice during the month of November.’
Swaziland won the first leg in Djibouti 6-0 and were never threatened at the Somhlolo Stadium in the delayed return leg.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles drew bye in the first round and will fly into Lobamba in the first week of November for the first leg, buoyed by a 3-0 victory over rivals Cameroon in a friendly in Belgium a week ago.
The Super Eagles have played at the 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010 and 2014 World Cup finals, reaching the Round of 16 in 1994, 1998 and 2014.
Swaziland Vs Nigeria
Niger Republic Vs Cameroon
Tanzania Vs Algeria
Namibia Vs Guinea
Chad Vs Egypt
Burundi Vs DR Congo
Madagascar Vs Senegal
Botswana Vs Mali
Mauritania Vs Tunisia
Liberia Vs Cote d’Ivoire
Comoros Vs Ghana
Ethiopia Vs Congo Brazzaville
Kenya Vs Cape Verde
Sudan Vs Zambia
Libya Vs Rwanda
Morocco Vs Equatorial Guinea
Benin Republic Vs Burkina Faso
Mozambique Vs Gabon
Togo Vs Uganda
Angola Vs South Africa
Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh, has added Arsenal FC starlet Alex Iwobi to the list of invited players for next month’s friendly internationals against Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon in Belgium.
Iwobi, who trained with the Nigeria U-23 squad ahead of an All-Africa Games qualifying return leg match early March 2015, is eligible to represent Nigeria despite featuring for England at youth level.
World football –governing body, FIFA has clarified that the 19–year old can dorn Nigeria’s colour without further ado as he did not feature for England in an official game. The NFF has now received from The Football Association a list of seven matches that Iwobi played for England at youth level, none of which was an official game.
FIFA underscored that Iwobi can put on the green-white-green since he has permanent Nigerian citizenship and did not represent another association (country) in a match in an official competition.
The Super Eagles play the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo on October 8 and the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon three days later, in Belgium. The winner of the preliminary round between Swaziland and Djibouti will host the Super Eagles on November 9 in a 2018 FIFA World Cup first round qualifier, with the Eagles hosting the return leg in Nigeria eight days later.
All invited players are expected to arrive in Belgium on Monday, 5th October.
Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); Obiora Nwankwo (Coimbra FC, Portugal); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Al Ain, UAE); Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (West Ham United, England); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Prince Aggrey (Sunshine Stars); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England)
Super Eagles Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh is happy with results of the 2018 World Cup preliminary draw held in St.Petersburg, Russia on Saturday.
Drawn bye from the first round of the African qualifiers, Nigeria begins her campaign for a place at the 2018 finals in Russia in November away to the winner of the Djibouti vs Swaziland first round playoff.
While appealing for caution, the Super Eagles handler told thenff.com that there are a number of reasons for him to be happy.
“Of course,I am happy with the draw,”Oliseh stated.
“We are not playing the first round, which is a preliminary round and which we knew before the draw. We will also be playing the first leg of the second round away which means we have an advantage of playing the more crucial return leg at home, in front of our fans”.
Sunday Oliseh photo credit sundayoliseh.tv
The coach also warned against complacency, revealing that there are lots of dangerous teams around that could hurt if taken for granted.
“Djibouti and Swaziland need to be given the respect that they deserve and either of them that we face in the second round will not be underrated. We respect every nation and will battle anyone that emerges with our full strength.
“With the draw now concluded, we can safely say that the race to Russia has officially started. I am optimistic we will run this race very well, we will give it our very best and pray it will be good enough to get us one of the five slots available for Africa,” Oliseh concluded.
Iranian rider, Davood Pourrezal, galloped to gold in an exciting three-way jump-off against the clock in the closing competition at the FEI World Jumping Challenge Final 2015 in Zhitnica, Bulgaria yesterday. South Africa’s Simon Hendry took silver ahead of Namibia’s Michelle Kuenzle in bronze at the event which was staged at the HRC Trakietz Equestrian Centre.
The Final is open to Category A riders from 10 FEI regional zones and this year attracted 22 riders from 17 countries. And the flags of Bermuda, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, India, Iran, Libya, Morocco, Namibia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Syria, Swaziland, Uruguay and Venezuela were all flown with pride over the four days of competition.
Underway
The action got underway last Wednesday when 29 horses were presented for the veterinary inspection. The purpose of the FEI World Jumping Challenge series and Final is to introduce less experienced riders in comparatively remote countries to international-level competition. And the first test they face at the Final is building a relationship with a borrowed horse which is no mean feat at any time, even for the most professional of riders.
As always, the horse-and-rider combinations were decided by a draw, which was followed by a training session and then a confidence-building Warm-up competiiton. Run under Table A, article 238.1.1 rules, athletes with equality of penalties shared the prizes, so it was a seven-way divide between Giorgia Iermazzo from Dominican Republic, Uruguay’s Jorge Rossi, South Africa’s Simon Hendry, Chile’s Alfonse Anguita, Colombia’s Alejandro Castilla Galan, Saad Jabri from Morocco and India’s Rushil Patel when they all jumped clear.
The official Opening Ceremony was held that evening with all 22 competitors taking part in the athletes parade, and it was a very special occasion as the Organising Committee put together a programme that included traditional music and a video montage for each competing nation. Afterwards the athletes released air balloons to mark the beginning of the event.
Perfect start
The eventual champion got off to a perfect start the following day when, partnering the nine-year-old Drazki, he topped the one-round First Qualifier ahead of Colombia’s Castilla Galan while Saudi Arabia’s Meshal Alharbi slotted into third. It was an impressive opening effort from all the competitors, with 14 steering their mounts clear over the course.
It was in Friday’s Second Qualifier that South Africa’s Hendry began to look seriously competitive when lining up second in the two-round class over a 1.20m course with the 11-year-old Mirella Freni. Winner here was Saad Jabri with the 10-year-old Finesse whose speedy turn of foot in the second round gave the Moroccan rider more than two seconds of a winning advantage. Giorgia Ieromazzo finished third with Viziorka while Bulgaria’s Zhelyazko Dimitrov was fourth when producing the only other double-clear of the competition with Piquer.
The results of the first two qualifiers decided the top-10 who would go into the final day.
Satisfying result
Sunday’s action began with the Farewell competition for the athletes that didn’t make the cut to the Final, and Bermuda’s Krista Rabain had a particularly satisfying result when finishing third here with Rubine following her elimination for a fall in Friday’s class. There were only two clear rounds, and Venezuela’s Diego Malave Cariello produced by far the quickest of these when taking the win with Charizma who raced through the timers in 62.43 seconds. India’s Rushil Patel opted for a safe clear with Paris, and the decision paid off handsomely when the pair broke the beam in 77.8 seconds but left all the timber in place for runner-up spot.
Now it was down to the Final itself, and when only three managed to stay double-clear over the first two rounds, a thrilling jump-off was guaranteed. And it didn’t disappoint.
First out was Hendry who really put it up to the others when clear and fast in 36.00 seconds with Mirella Freni. And when Namibia’s Michelle Kuenzle had a pole down with her feisty stallion Charodey, then only Pourrezal stood between the South African and the coveted title.
But the Iranian managed to squeeze home with Drazki in 35.23 seconds and that would clinch it. Pourrezal said afterwards that he knew Hendry would be his strongest opponent. He had selected him as the rider most likely to succeed in a survey undertaken earlier in the week by all the competitors. “I knew what I had to do, and when I came into the arena and saw the cup I thought to myself that to win it would be a dream!” His dream came true only a few seconds later.
Iran’s Davood Pourrezal steered Drazki to win gold at the FEI World Jumping Challenge Final 2015 at Zhitnica in Bulgaria. (FEI/Tanya Mladenova)
Eclectic group
Pourrezal said he thoroughly enjoyed competing against such an eclectic group from all around the globe. “I’d really like to compete in an event like this again” he said. Asked about riding an unfamiliar horse he explained that he is used to different rides, so it was not a particular challenge for him. And he was delighted with the performance of the horse allocated to him.
“My first impression was that Drazki was maybe not the best in the lot, but had potential” he said. He changed his mind after riding him for the first time and winning the First Qualifier however. “I could clearly feel that he was a good horse, and we really clicked!” said the delighted new champion.
Results:
FEI World Jumping Challenge Final 2014: GOLD – Davood Pourrezal IRI; SILVER – Simon Hendry RSA; BRONZE – Michelle Kuenzle NAM.
Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Chief Executive David Grevemberg today (25 April 2015) visited the IOC’s Sport for Hope Centre in Lusaka, Zambia to meet with 18 Commonwealth Games Associations (CGAs) from African nations as part of a Commonwealth-wide consultation with the CGF membership on Transformation 2022, the Commonwealth Sports Movement’s ambitious agenda for growth and innovation.
In the Zambian capital, co-hosted by Mrs Miriam Moyo, CGF Regional Vice President and NOCZ President and Mr Gideon Sam, CGF Vice President and SASCOC President, David Grevemberg praised the work of African members in their important contributions to Sport, Development and Peace and discussed the opportunities and ambitions of the CGF’s new seven-year strategic plan.
“Transformation 2022 aims to place athletes, and the transformational impact of their achievements and performances on citizens and communities, at the heart of the Federation’s vision. And there is no better place to have such powerful discussions than in the incredible sporting continent of Africa.
This is a defining moment for our African colleagues, as they unite to support the ambitions of Durban and South Africa in their bid to host an inclusive and inspiring Commonwealth Games in 2022. It is also a defining moment for the Commonwealth Sports Movement, as we plan ambitiously for the future and develop and deliver Transformation 2022 in partnership with our members.”
Welcoming the delegation, Zambia’s Honourable Minister of Youth and Sport, Hon Vincent Mwale MP, said:
“African Commonwealth Games Associations have a vital role to play in achieving the Commonwealth Games Federation’s Strategic plan for 2022. The CGF provides a unique arrangement bringing diverse nations together for a common cause-sport.
The Commonwealth Movement embraces unity and humanity, impacting citizens and communities across our region and this is critical to foster mutual collaboration and prosperity through sport.”
The delegation comprised members from Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia.
The delegation also enjoyed a tour of the IOC’s Sport for Hope Centre and Olympic Youth Development Centre as part of the visit, which opened in 2010 to promote and facilitate access to sports for young athletes, local communities and support National Sport Federations.
CGF Regional Vice President for Africa, Miriam Moyo, who coordinated and hosted the meeting of African CGAs said:
“The Executive Board endorsed the new CGF vision and plans at our recent meeting in London. However, for Transformation 2022 to be the success we all want it to be, the on-going development and shared ambitions of the wider Commonwealth family are so important. We are therefore delighted that our members have had the opportunity to play an important part in the on-going consultations and discuss the plan’s opportunities and impacts ahead of our General Assembly in September.”
The regional meeting of African CGAs follows a successful meeting on 11 and 12 April of the European CGAs at Celtic Manor in Wales hosted by CGF Regional Vice President and Commonwealth Games Wales Chief Executive Chris Jenkins.
David Grevemberg visited Zambia en route to Durban, South Africa where he will participate in the Evaluation Commission for the 2022 Commonwealth Games bid, starting April 27, 2015.
CAVB Beach VB Continental Cup – Pool 10 Mozambique
Soth Africa attacking agaist Mozambique
Hosts Mozambique and heavy favourites South Africa secured the two vacancies of Pool 10 in the second phase (Zonal) of the CAVB Beach Volleyball Continental Cup after they finished in the top two position in both Men’s and Women’s Pool 10 of the Sub- Zonal phase at Maputo beach in Mozambique this weekend.
More than 40 African Countries will fight through 12 pools for one spot per gender at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro 2016.
South Africa won both men and women competitions after beating Mozambique in the final. Swaziland won the Women’s Bronze medal, while Botswana came third in the men’s category.
President of Mozambique Volleybal with Team South AFrica and Mozambique with the presence of the CAVB’S Mr Antão
Men’s Ranking
1. South Africa
2. Mozambique
3. Botswana
4. Swaziland
5 Lesotho
Team South African and Mozambique
Women’s Ranking
1. South Africa
2. Mozambique
3. Swaziland
4. Lesotho
Confederation of African Rugby, Confédération Africaine de Rugby,
The Africa Cup 1C Rugby tournament came to an end on Saturday in Gaborone, Botswana, with a bang as the Black Stallions took third position on the Log despite suffering a “heavy” defeat at the hands of Impala Rustenburg of South Africa.
Playing in the opening game of the final day of the tournament the Black Stallions lost 86-10 to Impala Rustenburg of South Africa.
Nigeria scored first from set play which allowed Christian Ogar race away for a try within 5 minutes.
The South African Cell C cup champions, Impala dominated the game afterwards. The game was a good experience for Black Stallions, “we gave them the toughest game of their tournament|” said Nigeria’s Azeez Ladipo.
Meanwhile, Mauritius whitewashed Swaziland in the second game 134-0 while Zambia lost to Botswana 14-66.
POSITIVES
NIGERIA’S NATIONAL RUGBY TEAM-THE BLACK STALLIONS
Three Nigerian players were rewarded for their respective “man of the match” performance in all three matches. The trio of Christian Ogar against Zambia, Azeez Ladipo against Swaziland and Isaac Sani against Impala received their awards and commendation at the Tournaments closing Gala on Saturday night.
This is the first outing for the home based boys in the African Cup 1C division and it is a great exposure for them, it is believed that this experience will have a positive impact on the NRFF’s grassroots developmental plan.
Nigeria scored nine times as a number of players laid impressive markers in a 61-10 victory over Swaziland in Gaborone, Botswana on Wednesday.
Back line; Christian Ogar, Azeez Ladipo, Yusuf Oyeyemi, Oladipo Olawale, Samson Yahaya and Dozie Dinobi all raced home, while the efforts of forwards; Azeez Olanrewaju, Emmanuel Godwin, Hafis Ayinla and Abubakar Yakubu will not have gone unnoticed as Nigeria claimed their first victory at the on-going Africa Rugby Cup 1C.
The Black Stallions battled a highly spirited Swaziland team at the UBC Stadium.
Christian Ogar opened scoring with a well worked try which saw and over 10 passes made before he touched down for a try.
Azeez Ladipo converted 8 out of 9 tries and also got a try for himself. Swaziland later scored one try which was well converted.
Meanwhile Mauritius beat Zambia 54-17 in the second game of the day while Impala Rustenburg from South Africa whitewashed host Botswana 54-9 to end a day of fantastic rugby.
Nigeria will now meet the South Africa’s Cell C community cup champions Impala Rustenburg who replaced Morocco in their last game on Saturday.
At the completion of all the matches, the Teams are ranked one through six based on their cumulative Match points, and identified respectively as winner, runner-up, third, fourth, five and six
Black Stallions Captain Azeez Ladipo introduces players to dignitories
After match day 1 in the African Cup 1C, in Gaborone, Botswana, the Black Stallions of Nigeria lost to Zambia by 20-30. The game which was tagged the match of the day by commentators and rugby fans saw the Black Stallion forwards impose themselves on the Zambians but the back line could not contain them.
The Zambians drew first blood in the early stage of the game with two tries, the black stallions found their rhythm and retaliated with two tries by Christian Ogar and Fasimoye olatunji.
Nigeria fly half, Azeez Ladipo traded penalties with the Zambian fly half to keep the game level 13-13 at half time.
The Zambians dominated early in the second half of the game trenching the Back Stallions back line which paid off with a try.
Azeez ladipo launched an attack by setting up Samson Yahaya for another try to draw level at 20-20. The Zambians nicked it in the final third with 2 late tries to end the game at 30-20.
Other games saw Impala defeat Mauritius. 67 – 17 and Bostwana demolished Swaziland 87 – 0.
Speaking after the game Fasimoye olatunji said that “It was not a bad game for a new team, and that the players are now determined to go on to do well in subsequent games.
The Black Stallions will now take on Swaziland on Wednesday 18th June 2014 in their second game of the African Rugby Cup IC.
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