14:13 16/06/2015
Abuja - Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama could face
sanctions after questioning the suitability of the venue for his country's last
Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Enyeama, who plays for French side Lille, suggested Kaduna
city, in northern Nigeria, should not have been chosen to host Saturday's match
against Chad on security grounds.
The Super Eagles won the match 2-0. Enyeama skippered the
side in his 101st appearance for his country -- making him Nigeria's most
capped international.
The comments reportedly did not go down well with the new
Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who said he would not attend the match
until football federation chiefs stepped in.
Boko Haram Islamists, who believe football is a Western ploy
to distract Muslims from their religion, have attacked cities in northern
Nigeria, including in Kaduna.
But the violence is largely concentrated in the northeast.
Enyeama, 32, later apologised but Nigeria Football
Federation officials said they were looking at punishing the player after
manager Stephen Keshi criticised the remarks.
"What Vincent did was unacceptable and he cannot go
unpunished for this," added Nigeria's former midfielder Garba Lawal, who
is now general manager at Kaduna United FC.
AFP
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Tuesday, 16 June 2015
Senegal goalkeeper trying to keep Brazil from history
14:13 16/06/2015
Wellington - While penalty shootouts can reduce even the toughest of players to nervous wrecks, Senegal goalkeeper Ibrahima Sy believes he has a "gift" for saving spotkicks, which could come in handy against Brazil in Wednesday's under-20 World Cup semi-finals.
The 19-year-old emerged as a fan favourite early at the tournament with his exuberant displays as Senegal's last line of defence and his reputation was enhanced when he saved three spotkicks in a shootout against Ukraine in the last 16.
That prowess may be put to the test against the Brazilians, who advanced to the last four after shootout victories in the last 16 and quarter-finals.
"I have a gift for saving penalties," Sy told FIFA's website. "I can't explain it. It's just something I have.
"On top of that, it's such a boost to keep goal for Senegal. I'm proud of that. I'm a true Senegalese, so I'm a warrior. I give everything for my people."
While the West Africans are appearing at the tournament for the first time, Brazil have won the competition five times and despite unconvincing performances in the last two rounds will start as heavy favourites in Christchurch on Wednesday.
Rogerio Micale's side beat a defensive Uruguay on penalties in the round of 16 and were outclassed by Portugal in their quarter-final in Hamilton before the Europeans suffered an attack of nerves in the penalty shootout with Raphael Guzzo, Andre Silva and Nuno Santos all missing from the spot.
"They were better than us but, that being said, I don't think anyone can say that we didn't deserve to go through," Micale said after the quarter-final.
"Though we haven't had much time to work together, we've still been able to push on and reach the last four, which shows the quality of Brazilian football."
The winner of the match in Christchurch will meet either Serbia or Mali in the final in Auckland on Saturday. The two sides met in the group stage with Serbia winning 2-0.
The Serbs are making their first appearance at the tournament as an independent nation, though Yugoslavia won the title in 1987 and Serbian defender Milos Veljkovic said that team was very much in their thinking.
"Everyone still talks about the Yugoslavia team that won in Chile and we know how famous those players became," Veljkovic said.
"But although we want to do the same as them, we're not feeling under pressure. We've already had a great tournament and we're just enjoying every moment."
Reuters
Wellington - While penalty shootouts can reduce even the toughest of players to nervous wrecks, Senegal goalkeeper Ibrahima Sy believes he has a "gift" for saving spotkicks, which could come in handy against Brazil in Wednesday's under-20 World Cup semi-finals.
The 19-year-old emerged as a fan favourite early at the tournament with his exuberant displays as Senegal's last line of defence and his reputation was enhanced when he saved three spotkicks in a shootout against Ukraine in the last 16.
That prowess may be put to the test against the Brazilians, who advanced to the last four after shootout victories in the last 16 and quarter-finals.
"I have a gift for saving penalties," Sy told FIFA's website. "I can't explain it. It's just something I have.
"On top of that, it's such a boost to keep goal for Senegal. I'm proud of that. I'm a true Senegalese, so I'm a warrior. I give everything for my people."
While the West Africans are appearing at the tournament for the first time, Brazil have won the competition five times and despite unconvincing performances in the last two rounds will start as heavy favourites in Christchurch on Wednesday.
Rogerio Micale's side beat a defensive Uruguay on penalties in the round of 16 and were outclassed by Portugal in their quarter-final in Hamilton before the Europeans suffered an attack of nerves in the penalty shootout with Raphael Guzzo, Andre Silva and Nuno Santos all missing from the spot.
"They were better than us but, that being said, I don't think anyone can say that we didn't deserve to go through," Micale said after the quarter-final.
"Though we haven't had much time to work together, we've still been able to push on and reach the last four, which shows the quality of Brazilian football."
The winner of the match in Christchurch will meet either Serbia or Mali in the final in Auckland on Saturday. The two sides met in the group stage with Serbia winning 2-0.
The Serbs are making their first appearance at the tournament as an independent nation, though Yugoslavia won the title in 1987 and Serbian defender Milos Veljkovic said that team was very much in their thinking.
"Everyone still talks about the Yugoslavia team that won in Chile and we know how famous those players became," Veljkovic said.
"But although we want to do the same as them, we're not feeling under pressure. We've already had a great tournament and we're just enjoying every moment."
Reuters
Asia unmoved by reports of possible Blatter U-turn
13:15 16/06/2015
Kuala Lumpur - The Asian Football Confederation remains unmoved by reports that Sepp Blatter may seek to stay on as FIFA president despite announcing his intention to resign amid a major corruption scandal.
Swiss newspaper Schweiz am Sonntag reported that Blatter had not ruled out staying in office after being honoured by messages of support from African and Asian football associations.
Support for Blatter's leadership has traditionally been strong in the 46-nation Asian bloc but the AFC declined to throw its weight behind any push to keep the Swiss in power for a fifth term.
"With regard to recent media stories, the Asian Football Confederation confirms its position as previously outlined, namely that the AFC takes note of the FIFA President's intention to step down at an Extraordinary Congress scheduled to be called later this year or early 2016, which will be the subject of the upcoming FIFA Executive Committee meeting on 20 July," the AFC said in a statement emailed to Reuters on Tuesday.
"AFC fully respects the decision of the FIFA President to step down and is sure that it was taken after deep and careful consideration."
Africa's soccer confederation (CAF) said on Monday it had not heard of any of its members asking Blatter to stay on.
"At CAF level we are not aware of any African countries who have written to ask Blatter to stay on," Kalusha Bwalya, a CAF executive committee member and president of the Football Association of Zambia, told Reuters.
"We feel it is better to get on with our own work in the mean time and see what everyone has to say in the next months. Everybody is waiting for clarity."
Reuters
Kuala Lumpur - The Asian Football Confederation remains unmoved by reports that Sepp Blatter may seek to stay on as FIFA president despite announcing his intention to resign amid a major corruption scandal.
Swiss newspaper Schweiz am Sonntag reported that Blatter had not ruled out staying in office after being honoured by messages of support from African and Asian football associations.
Support for Blatter's leadership has traditionally been strong in the 46-nation Asian bloc but the AFC declined to throw its weight behind any push to keep the Swiss in power for a fifth term.
"With regard to recent media stories, the Asian Football Confederation confirms its position as previously outlined, namely that the AFC takes note of the FIFA President's intention to step down at an Extraordinary Congress scheduled to be called later this year or early 2016, which will be the subject of the upcoming FIFA Executive Committee meeting on 20 July," the AFC said in a statement emailed to Reuters on Tuesday.
"AFC fully respects the decision of the FIFA President to step down and is sure that it was taken after deep and careful consideration."
Africa's soccer confederation (CAF) said on Monday it had not heard of any of its members asking Blatter to stay on.
"At CAF level we are not aware of any African countries who have written to ask Blatter to stay on," Kalusha Bwalya, a CAF executive committee member and president of the Football Association of Zambia, told Reuters.
"We feel it is better to get on with our own work in the mean time and see what everyone has to say in the next months. Everybody is waiting for clarity."
Reuters
AGN president replies Ernest Azuzu
16:12 16/06/2015
Lagos - In a recent interview President of Actors Guild of Nigeria(AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima has said that Ernest Azuzu failed to pay his guild dues, and also register for the health insurance scheme, reports Pulse.ng
In May, it was reported that Nollywood actor Ernest Azuzu was seen begging for money at a popular mall in Lagos, and blamed AGN president for ignoring his recovery from stroke.
Read more at Pulse.ng
Lagos - In a recent interview President of Actors Guild of Nigeria(AGN), Ibinabo Fiberesima has said that Ernest Azuzu failed to pay his guild dues, and also register for the health insurance scheme, reports Pulse.ng
In May, it was reported that Nollywood actor Ernest Azuzu was seen begging for money at a popular mall in Lagos, and blamed AGN president for ignoring his recovery from stroke.
Ibinabo Fiberesima said that her silence did not mean she is foolish.
She insisted that Ernest Asuzu should stop begging and take care of himself.Read more at Pulse.ng
Security clampdown in Chad capital after 'Boko Haram' suicide attacks
17:19 16/06/2015
N'Djamena - Scores of police and soldiers patrolled Chad's capital N'Djamena on Tuesday, a day after twin suicide bombings blamed on Boko Haram jihadists killed 24 people and wounded more than 100 in the first such attacks in the city.
The security forces had sealed off the area around the presidential palace, as well as the police headquarters, which was one of the bombers' targets.
Vehicles with tinted windows had been barred from the streets and cars travelling near mosques, churches and markets were routinely searched, AFP journalists reported.
Chad, which has taken a lead role this year in a regional offensive against the Islamist militants operating out of neighbouring Nigeria, had previously come under attack from Boko Haram in border areas.
But Monday's attacks, which targeted the police headquarters and a police academy, were the first in the capital, where they caused deep shock.
"It's terrible...I never would have thought that such a thing would happen in N'Djamena," Ali Gamane, an engineer working for the agriculture ministry, said.
Doctors at the city's Amitie hospital were struggling to cope with the influx of wounded.
"Many of the injured risk dying if the public doesn't come forward to donate blood," nurse Ache Zenaba warned.
Four "terrorists" were also killed in the blasts, according to the authorities, who gave no further details.
President Idriss Deby's government called for calm.
"These attacks, which aimed to strike fear into the people, will not slacken Chad's determination to combat terrorism," the government said, assuring the situation was "entirely under control."
Although Boko Haram has yet to claim responsibility for the bombings, both Chad and France, which relies heavily on N'Djamena in the fight against jihadist groups in the Sahel region, accused the militants of being behind the attack.
"There is no doubt that Boko Haram is responsible and will be brought to justice for this new humanitarian horror," French President Francois Hollande said during a visit to Algeria.
'Unspeakable cruelty'Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau had threatened several times to attack Chad and other countries that joined forces against the group, whose bloody six-year insurgency is increasingly spilling across Nigeria's borders.
In February, the group carried out its first attack inside Chad, crossing Lake Chad by boat under cover of darkness to attack the village of Ngouboua, torching homes and killing several people.
Monday's attacks were the first however in the capital of the former French colony, which also hosts the headquarters of France's Sahel counter-terrorism force, Operation Barkhane.
"We're used to seeing these things (terrorist attacks) in other places but thought it would never happen here," said Andre Toal, a civil servant, told AFP, admitting to "living in fear".
Opposition politician Brice Mbaimon called on the government to "quickly implement a plan of national vigilance" and encourage people to "monitor the movements of suspicious people".
President Mahamadou Issoufou of neighbouring Niger firmly condemned the "acts of unspeakable cruelty" in a statement read Monday on state television.
Issoufou urged the international community to back member states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission in a joint struggle against Boko Haram, which killed 74 people, including 28 civilians, in a raid inside Niger on April 25.
Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Benin and Cameroon agreed last week to set up a regional task force of 8,700 soldiers, police officers and civilians, based in N'Djamena, to combat Boko Haram.
Months before that decision, troops from Chad and Niger began a ground and air offensive on Nigerian soil and took back big swaths of territory from the Islamists, whose name loosely translates as "Western education is forbidden".
The movement is believed still to be holding more than 200 schoolgirls abducted in a raid on a state school at Chibok in northeastern Borno State in April 2014.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement, condemned Monday's attacks in N'Djamena and praised Chad "for its courageous role in the fight against Boko Haram".
N'Djamena - Scores of police and soldiers patrolled Chad's capital N'Djamena on Tuesday, a day after twin suicide bombings blamed on Boko Haram jihadists killed 24 people and wounded more than 100 in the first such attacks in the city.
The security forces had sealed off the area around the presidential palace, as well as the police headquarters, which was one of the bombers' targets.
Vehicles with tinted windows had been barred from the streets and cars travelling near mosques, churches and markets were routinely searched, AFP journalists reported.
Chad, which has taken a lead role this year in a regional offensive against the Islamist militants operating out of neighbouring Nigeria, had previously come under attack from Boko Haram in border areas.
But Monday's attacks, which targeted the police headquarters and a police academy, were the first in the capital, where they caused deep shock.
"It's terrible...I never would have thought that such a thing would happen in N'Djamena," Ali Gamane, an engineer working for the agriculture ministry, said.
Doctors at the city's Amitie hospital were struggling to cope with the influx of wounded.
"Many of the injured risk dying if the public doesn't come forward to donate blood," nurse Ache Zenaba warned.
Four "terrorists" were also killed in the blasts, according to the authorities, who gave no further details.
President Idriss Deby's government called for calm.
"These attacks, which aimed to strike fear into the people, will not slacken Chad's determination to combat terrorism," the government said, assuring the situation was "entirely under control."
Although Boko Haram has yet to claim responsibility for the bombings, both Chad and France, which relies heavily on N'Djamena in the fight against jihadist groups in the Sahel region, accused the militants of being behind the attack.
"There is no doubt that Boko Haram is responsible and will be brought to justice for this new humanitarian horror," French President Francois Hollande said during a visit to Algeria.
'Unspeakable cruelty'Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau had threatened several times to attack Chad and other countries that joined forces against the group, whose bloody six-year insurgency is increasingly spilling across Nigeria's borders.
In February, the group carried out its first attack inside Chad, crossing Lake Chad by boat under cover of darkness to attack the village of Ngouboua, torching homes and killing several people.
Monday's attacks were the first however in the capital of the former French colony, which also hosts the headquarters of France's Sahel counter-terrorism force, Operation Barkhane.
"We're used to seeing these things (terrorist attacks) in other places but thought it would never happen here," said Andre Toal, a civil servant, told AFP, admitting to "living in fear".
Opposition politician Brice Mbaimon called on the government to "quickly implement a plan of national vigilance" and encourage people to "monitor the movements of suspicious people".
President Mahamadou Issoufou of neighbouring Niger firmly condemned the "acts of unspeakable cruelty" in a statement read Monday on state television.
Issoufou urged the international community to back member states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission in a joint struggle against Boko Haram, which killed 74 people, including 28 civilians, in a raid inside Niger on April 25.
Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Benin and Cameroon agreed last week to set up a regional task force of 8,700 soldiers, police officers and civilians, based in N'Djamena, to combat Boko Haram.
Months before that decision, troops from Chad and Niger began a ground and air offensive on Nigerian soil and took back big swaths of territory from the Islamists, whose name loosely translates as "Western education is forbidden".
The movement is believed still to be holding more than 200 schoolgirls abducted in a raid on a state school at Chibok in northeastern Borno State in April 2014.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement, condemned Monday's attacks in N'Djamena and praised Chad "for its courageous role in the fight against Boko Haram".
Perpetual Nkwocha to equal Enyeama’s record
17:19 16/06/2015
Lagos - Nigeria captain Vincent Enyeama may hold Nigeria’s all time appearance record with 101 games, but his record is set to be matched by another Nigerian; this time from the senior women’s team.
Enyeama, who made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2002 in a friendly against Kenya in Lagos, made his 101st appearance for the Eagles when they beat Chad 2-0 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier last weekend.
And in faraway Canada, Super Falcons striker Perpetua Nkwocha will win her 101st senior cap for Nigeria if she tastes action in Wednesday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Group D clash with the United States of America in Vancouver.
This will bring her at par with Super Eagles’ goalkeeper and skipper Vincent Enyeama.
The elegant striker, who won her first cap for Nigeria in a friendly with Ghana’s Black Queens in Lagos in May 1999, won her 100th cap when she came in for Desire Oparanozie against Australia in Winnipeg on Friday.
Before the 3-3 draw with Sweden in Winnipeg on Monday, June 8, Nkwocha had been one of only two Nigerians to score at the FIFA Women’s World Cup since Nkechi Egbe netted a famous equalizer against Brazil in the quarter finals of the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the United States of America. That match, played in Washington, went to extra time before the Brazilians triumphed.
Nkwocha scored Nigeria’s only goal at the 6th FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany four years ago, netting in the 1-0 defeat of Canada in Dresden on July 5, 2011. But the Falcons failed to progress after earlier losing by the same margin to France and host Germany.
Not only did Nkwocha become Nigeria’s first woman ‘Centurion’ when she came in for Oparanozie against Australia, in a surprise 2-0 defeat, she also became the oldest player in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, at 39 years and 19 days. The previous older of the record, Meg of Brazil, was 39 years 18 days when she featured at the 1995 finals in Sweden.
-Soccer Laduma
Lagos - Nigeria captain Vincent Enyeama may hold Nigeria’s all time appearance record with 101 games, but his record is set to be matched by another Nigerian; this time from the senior women’s team.
Enyeama, who made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2002 in a friendly against Kenya in Lagos, made his 101st appearance for the Eagles when they beat Chad 2-0 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier last weekend.
And in faraway Canada, Super Falcons striker Perpetua Nkwocha will win her 101st senior cap for Nigeria if she tastes action in Wednesday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Group D clash with the United States of America in Vancouver.
This will bring her at par with Super Eagles’ goalkeeper and skipper Vincent Enyeama.
The elegant striker, who won her first cap for Nigeria in a friendly with Ghana’s Black Queens in Lagos in May 1999, won her 100th cap when she came in for Desire Oparanozie against Australia in Winnipeg on Friday.
Before the 3-3 draw with Sweden in Winnipeg on Monday, June 8, Nkwocha had been one of only two Nigerians to score at the FIFA Women’s World Cup since Nkechi Egbe netted a famous equalizer against Brazil in the quarter finals of the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the United States of America. That match, played in Washington, went to extra time before the Brazilians triumphed.
Nkwocha scored Nigeria’s only goal at the 6th FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany four years ago, netting in the 1-0 defeat of Canada in Dresden on July 5, 2011. But the Falcons failed to progress after earlier losing by the same margin to France and host Germany.
Not only did Nkwocha become Nigeria’s first woman ‘Centurion’ when she came in for Oparanozie against Australia, in a surprise 2-0 defeat, she also became the oldest player in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, at 39 years and 19 days. The previous older of the record, Meg of Brazil, was 39 years 18 days when she featured at the 1995 finals in Sweden.
-Soccer Laduma
Manu Garba denies bribery allegations, considers legal action
17:19 16/06/2015
Lagos - Nigeria U20 coach Manu Garba has denied allegations he collected bribes to field certain players at the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand.
In an exclusive interview with News24, Manu acknowledged that an unknown person has been using his name to solicit for bribes via Facebook, but says he has never collected bribes from any agent to field any particular player.
“I did not and have never collected bribe from any agent to field any player,” he told News24, “Somebody has been using my name and picture on Facebook to ask for bribes but that isn’t me.
“I am not on Facebook and I have never solicited for bribes from any agents or players. Whoever says he has paid bribes to me should provide proof of how they paid such to me,” he said.
The 49-year old has been under fire since Nigeria’s exit from the FIFA U20 World Cup, where they lost 1-0 to Germany in the round of 16, with allegations he collected bribes to play certain players at the expense of the more established players he had on the team.
But Manu has denied the allegations, and has pleaded with the media to help investigate the issue, adding that he will be suing for damages.
“I want the media to investigate this issue and those people that claimed to have paid bribes to me should provide the bank accounts they paid into so the culprits can be traced.
“I will also be suing for damages because I haven’t collected bribes from anybody,” he concluded.
-Soccer Laduma
Lagos - Nigeria U20 coach Manu Garba has denied allegations he collected bribes to field certain players at the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand.
In an exclusive interview with News24, Manu acknowledged that an unknown person has been using his name to solicit for bribes via Facebook, but says he has never collected bribes from any agent to field any particular player.
“I did not and have never collected bribe from any agent to field any player,” he told News24, “Somebody has been using my name and picture on Facebook to ask for bribes but that isn’t me.
“I am not on Facebook and I have never solicited for bribes from any agents or players. Whoever says he has paid bribes to me should provide proof of how they paid such to me,” he said.
The 49-year old has been under fire since Nigeria’s exit from the FIFA U20 World Cup, where they lost 1-0 to Germany in the round of 16, with allegations he collected bribes to play certain players at the expense of the more established players he had on the team.
But Manu has denied the allegations, and has pleaded with the media to help investigate the issue, adding that he will be suing for damages.
“I want the media to investigate this issue and those people that claimed to have paid bribes to me should provide the bank accounts they paid into so the culprits can be traced.
“I will also be suing for damages because I haven’t collected bribes from anybody,” he concluded.
-Soccer Laduma
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