Osaze Odemwingie likely to make Eagles comeback after apologising to Stephen Keshi
2014 World Cup: Stephen Keshi clears the air on his choice of players.
VICTOR MOSES, MIKEL, STEPHEN KESHI, BLESSING OKAGBARE OTHERS SHINE AT THE NIGERIAN SPORTS AWARD
Nigerian international, Victor Moses has edged out John Obi Mikel and Sunday Mba to win the Nigerian Footballer of the Year award 2013. Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi also defeated Man Garba, Golden Eaglets coach to win the Nigerian Coach of the year award.
The ceremony took place at the Muson Centre,Onikan, Lagos on Wednesday, November 27, 2013. Super Falcon’s Perpetual Nkwocha also won the female footballer of the year award.
Other winners
(1) Ball Sports Personality of the year award- Aruna Quadri.
(2) Aminu Maigari – Sports Administrator of the year award.
(3) Blessing Okagbare – Track and Field Star of the Year, Sports Woman of the Year awards
(4) Divine Oduduru- Discovery of the year award.
(5) Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of
(Delta State) – Sports Governor of the Year Award.
(6) Mikel Obi- Sports man of the year
award
WHO DESERVES TO WIN THE COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD? STEPHEN KESHI OR MANU GARBA? NIGERIAN SPORTS AWARD HOLDS TODAY!
MIKEL OBI WINS DOUBLE AT NIGERIA PITCH AWARDS. + LIST OF WINNERS
Chelsea FC midfielder scooped two awards at the maiden edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, which took place at the Pearl Hall of Transcorp Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar on Saturday 16th November, 2013. The ex-PSG player won Best Midfielder and King of Pitch (Player of the Year), prominent female footballer, Perpetua Nkwocha, also clinched the Queen of Pitch award.
No member of Super Eagles team (coach and players) were present at the occasion, despite being lodged in the same hotel where the event took place. Shina Phillip, co-ordinator of the awards couldn’t help but voice out his disappointment, “Our players need to be schooled about how to be socially responsible. I don’t hold anything against them because I want to adduce their attitude to the fact that they needed rest ahead of their trip to London for the engagement against Italy. But even at that, a five minute appearance would have been enough for them.”
Governor Liyel Imoke however commended the team for their groundbreaking feats. “It is a long time that our country, our people have had so much to celebrate within a short span of time. We have just won the FIFA U-17 World Cup trophy only eight days after lifting the FIFA U-17 World Cup to set a global record. In fact, the successes have piled up so high that we are almost forgetting that it is in this same year that we won the Africa Cup of Nations.”
WINNERS
(1) Stephen Keshi (Coach of the Year)
(2) Vincent Enyeama (Goal keeper of the Year)
(3) Emmanuel Emenike (Striker of the Year)
(4) Jelili Ogunmuyiwa (Referee of the Year)
(5) Godfrey Oboabona (Defender of the Year)
(6) John Shittu (Players’ Agent of the Year)
(7) Kano Pillars (Club of the Year)
(8) Ade Ojeikere (Journalist of the Year – Print)
(9) Bimbo Adeola (Journalist of the Year – Radio)
(10) Toyin Ibitoye (Journalist of the Year – TV)
(11) Lagos State (Best Grassroots Development Programme).
(12) Felix Anyansi (Manager of the Year- Eyimba Club)
(13) Football-friendly Governor of the Year (Governor Liyel Imoke)
(14) Etubom Paul Bassey (CAF General Coordinator- Special Recognition award)
(15) Jay Jay Okocha ( NFF Technical and Development Committee member- Special Recognition award)
PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN REWARDS SUPER EAGLES HANDSOMELY
Dividends of hard work: The victorious Super who arrived the country yesterday were treated to a grand reception party at the Banquet hall of Aso Villa in Abuja.
Before announcing and presenting some of their prizes, President Goodluck thanked the entire team for their victory in the just-concluded tournament and most importantly for making the nation proud.
”I thank coach Stephen Keshi and all members of the team who have worked very hard and played with great focus, dedication, artistry and patriotism to make Nigeria the proud champions of Africa once again after 19 years of setbacks in the competition.” He added.
All the 23 players and the four assistant coaches got a cash gift of N5m while the team’s coach, Stephen Keshi was given N10m. The other crew members got N2M each.
The team was also conferred national honours. Keshi was conferred with the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) while his assistants; Sylvanus Okpalla, Ike Shorunmu, Daniel Amokachi and Valerie Houandinou as well as Eagles captain,Yobo were conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). Other players got the Member of the Order of Niger (MON).
PHOTOS: ENTER THE VICTORIOUS SUPER EAGLES
Yes the Champions, victorious Super Eagles led by their amazing coach Stephen Keshi and other officials are back in the country. They arrived this afternoon and are having a grand reception party tonight in Abuja.
2013 African Cup of Nation (AFCON) winners! Ooooshey!!!
The taste of victory is sweet!
Photocredit: Linda Ikeji
STEPHEN KESHI WITHDRAWS RESIGNATION; ISSUES STATEMENT
Stephen Keshi’s resignation issue I garnered is more than “leaving while the ovation is loudest”. There was more to it. The Big Boss as fondly called as however withdrawn his resignation. He issued a statement via Demola Olajire, NFF media director.
“My attention has been drawn to reports in the media that I have resigned my appointment as the Head Coach of Super Eagles of Nigeria.
While I have had cause to express my displeasure over some issues that happened in the course of our participation in the AFCON 2013, which my team won by the grace of God, especially concerning my relationship with the Nigerian Football Federation, I have since had opportunity to discuss the various issues with all concerned. I am therefore pleased to say that I have reconsidered my position and have decided to continue with my job.
I want to thank the Honourable Minister of Sports, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, for his swift and kind intervention.”
Signed
Stephen Okechukwu Keshi
STEPHEN KESHI RULES MIKEL OBI OUT OF AFCON 2013 QUALIFIERS
Just few days Ago, Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi mentioned that only fit players would be invited to participate in the AFCON qualifiers. “We have three major qualifiers, there is CHAN 2012, AFCON 2013 and the World Cup qualifiers, so we are just building and everyone would get a chance but right now only fit players will be invited”. He avowed
He stated further that”My list will consist of only players who are in action every week.”
According to a reliable source, Chelsea midfielder, Mikel Obi has been ruled out of the game and replaced with Blackburn Rovers striker, Yakubu Aiyegbeni.
Though Yakubu has been occupying the back seat ever since he missed a sitter against South Korea at the 2010 world cup but he’s been putting up performances in his club especially this season. Mikel on the other hand has been largely missing. This to a large extent could be the criterion the coach used.
Below is the list of the players to represent Nigeria in Rwanda on the29th of February for the first leg of AFCON 2013 qualifier
Vincent Enyeama,
Joseph Yobo,
Taiye Taiwo,
Dickson Etuhu,
Sani Kaita,
Joel Obi,
Ike Uche,
Osaze Odemwingie,
Yakubu Ayegbeni,
Ahmed Musa