PHOTO: SUPER EAGLES' EJIKE UZOENYI RECEIVES MAN OF THE MATCH AWARD
WHO DESERVES TO WIN THE COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD? STEPHEN KESHI OR MANU GARBA? NIGERIAN SPORTS AWARD HOLDS TODAY!
MORE LARGESSE FOR SUPER EAGLES
The Super Eagles since their triumphant arrival into the country have not only been lavished with praises from fans, friends and Nigerians as well, millions of naira in cash and kind have been expended on them.
Before their grand reception party at the Aso Rock Villa where they rewarded with cash prizes and plots of land by President Goodluck Jonathan, business mogul, Mike Adenuga gave out a Range Rover Sport, Posh apartment in Lagos and $200,000 to Stephen Keshi, other players were also rewarded.
Recently, the Delta State Governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan named the Asaba stadium after Super Eagles coach who hails from his state. In another reception held at the Asaba international
event center in Delta State, the ex-footballer was given N8m cash and a duplex. Daniel Amokachi, Sylavnus Okpalla and Ike Shorunmu got N4m each, Warri Wolves players; Sunday Mba, Chigozie Agbim, Azuibike Egweke and Brown Ideye got N5m each, others got N2.5m each.
A day ago, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State while commending the team for their hardwork and victory in the AFCON tournament also doled out cash prizes to them. Stephen Keshi, got the sum of N2.5 million, while his assistant, Daniel Amokachi got N2 million and captain of the team, Joseph Yobo, N1.5 million. Four other assistant coaches got N1.5 million each.
The 22 members of the team got the sum of N1million each and N500, 000 per goal for each of the 11 goals they scored during the tournament, while N15 million was donated to the backroom staff of the Super Eagles.
We hope and sincerely pray they win the World Cup.
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
AFCON 2013: NIGERIA PETITIONS CAF OVER POOR OFFICIATING
Asides the not-too-impressive performance of the Super Eagles since the whole African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament started, the officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) think Nigeria has been a victim of unfair refeering decisions.
Citing the two games played so far, (against Burkina Faso and Zambia), they claim the bookings were not only too much but Ogenyi Onazi’s red card was uncalled for.
They have therefore penned their complaints to CAF and even requested for fairer treatment.
Did NFF go overboard? Or was writing the petition right and timely?
Source: www.kickoff.com
PHOTO: GUINNESS UNVEILS WORLD'S LARGEST JERSEY FOR SUPER EAGLES
This news should make up for our dismal performance yesterday. Guinness Nigeria, as part of its unwavering support for the Super Eagles at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) holding in South Africa, has unveiled the world’s largest jersey.
Made in the colours of the Nigerian national team, the jersey which is believed to be the largest jersey ever with a size 275.5 by 249.9 square meter was unveiled at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, on Monday, 21st January, 2013.
Commending Guinness Nigeria for the achievement, Dr Abiola Awonuga the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Sports and Youth Development who represented the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, said
“We are pleased to support Guinness Nigeria Plc in their quest to boost the Super Eagles’ dream of lifting the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa.”
Also, the Guinness Marketing and Innovative Director, Mr. Austin Ofomba believes the jersey will be transmitted to the Eagles. “It’s going to be preserved because it is a big monument for us. We’re going to celebrate this jersey beyond the Nations Cup and I believe Eagles will continue to fly.” He affirmed.
STEPHEN KESHI UNVEILS SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS; DROPS MIKEL, TAYE TAIWO&ODEMWINGIE
Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi has unveiled the squad who would participate in significant qualifying matches in June for the Nations and World Cups.
Missing on the list are England-based John Obi Mikel, Taye Taiwo and Peter Odemwingie; Aiyegbeni whose performance in this season's English Premier League has been impressive was also exempted.
While Odemwingie was excluded as a result of his injury and his forthcoming wedding in June, others were dropped for reasons best known to Stephen Keshi.
On June 3, Nigeria will host Namibia in in a World Cup qualifier in Calabar and a week later travel down to continue the qualifying series. They are also expected to tackle Rwanda in their second leg qualifier for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations; winning is crucial because the first leg ended a goalless draw.
Complete list of invited players:
1) Vincent Enyeama
2) Austin Ejide
3) Joseph Yobo
4) Efe Ambrose
5) Elderson Echiejile
6) Fengor Ogude
7) Ike Uche
8) Ahmed Musa
9) Omatsone Aluko
10) John Utaka
11) Victor Moses.
EAGLES GET SHOCKING RULE FROM STEPHEN KESHI
Stephen Keshi |
Stephen Keshi is serious about this and Eagles have to stick to it. Addressing Super Eagles on tuesday February 7, 2012, Super Eagles coach, Stephen Kesi has placed a ban on European trials by the players.
The former Eagles captain said the trial issue has been affecting the building of a strong national team as players stroll in and out of camp to embark on trials in Europe and other parts of the world.
He however advised players who have the intention of going for trials in foreign clubs in the next 60 days to leave the camp so he can’t invite replacements.
“I’m distracted everytime players walk up to me and ask for permission to travel that has to stop now. Those who want to travel can come and I will pray for them, its no quarrel”
He stated further that he feels insulted each time players travel for trials and sometimes return without success, “If we train players here and they make the national team such players don’t need trials in Europe to be engaged by top clubs“.
Citing Ghanaian Legend, Abedi Pele who after unsuccessful trial attempts in france was trailed back to Ghana by another club who saw him play in a trial game, he said, “if you are good enough, clubs in Europe will come down here to sign you instead of you exposing yourself to health risks. European managers know my pedigree, if I tell them any player is good such player will be signed on.“