Sports
Eagles Spurred by Liyel Imoke’s larges as Keshi U.J Esuene pitch high.
As the super Eagles (Afcon Champions) get set to engage the Harambee stars of Kanye in Saturdays Brazil 2014 world cup game, the players on Wednesday relieved amoral boost by the Cross River Government Liyel Imoke.
Governor Imoke while receiving the Afcon trophy at the Government House in Calabar Wednesday night announced a donation of 25 million naira (about 180, 000 dollars) as well as a plot of land to each member of the Nigeria squad who won the Afcon last month
Also included in the donations is assistant referee Peter Edibe, who also worked at the 2013 Afcon in South Africa, as he will share in the cash gift.
Meanwhile, striker Obafemi Martins who have just moved to Seattle Sounders in the Major League Soccer (MLS), also joined up with the rest of the team on Wednesday afternoon.
However, the Eagles gatter, Stephen Keshi has in the mean time applauded the lush green turf of the U.J. Esuene Stadium Calabar, venue of Saturday’s world cup qualifier against the Harambee stars.
Speaking in a media forum for Sports Journalists Covering the match at Transcorp Hotel, Calabar, the gatter described the pitch as the best in the country and very good for the display of good soccer artistry.
He restated his confidence leading up to Saturday’s show down promising it will be a great game as he knows one or two things about the Kenyans.
He also assured Nigerians that he has a team that is rearing to go, pointing out that it will be tough but that his boys are capable of doing a good job.
Keshi assured that the little change’s in the team was necessary as the new players in the team proves that they are Nigerians who are good in their own right.
AYC Latest: Nigeria keeps hope alive as Mali books Ticket Turkey.
Nigerian Flying Eagles on Wednesday night kept their quest for the 2013 World Youth Championship (Turkey 2013) alive with a had-fought 1- 0 win over Gabon.
Mali who had beaten Nigeria in their first game booked their ticket to the U-20 world cup in the earlier game of the day when they defeated Dr Congo 2-1 to stay top of the group (B) with six points.
Nigeria’s slim win over Gabon however means they have now shot to second place on the table with three points, while Gabon and DR Congo are bottom on a point each.
The match winner came from a sport kick that was converted by skipper Abduljaleel Ajagun after Olanrewaju Kayode who was brought down by goalkeeper Rodolphe Dgonandzela inside the penalty area.
Flying Eagles also had the same possessions they enjoyed in their first game against Mali creating begging chances, but failing at the same time to convert them until Skipper Ajagun Steped up to convert the penalty in the 19th minute of play.
Nigeria continued searching for that insurance goal to finish up their opponents but their near misses in front of goal meant the score line remained at 1 – 0.
Coach John Obuh in his statement said, “he thanks God for this victory, but we were again missing chances. Our problem of scoring goals gave Gabon the strength to fight back”, Obuh pointed out.
The skipper and the goal scorer, Ajagun also said, “This victory will boost our confidence going into our final group game against Dr Congo,” he concluded.
Flying Eagles will battle Dr Congo on Saturday by 5:30 pm in Oran while Mali also will be up against Gabon at the same time at Ain Temouchent in the group last games.
Nigeria will qualify for the World Cup in Turkey later this year if they beat DRC or pick a draw while Gabon gets a draw or lose to Mali.
Weekend games
Obulimba unity cup 2013 (23/3/13)
Semi-final games
Irete – Umuguma @ PTS
Umualim -Amakohia Ubi @ Avu
Hon. Emeka Nwafor Unity Cup 2013
¼ final games (24/3/13)
Elelem – Obike
Alulu/Oburu /Obokwe – Eziama
Obiangwu – Umuohiagu / Logara
Umuekume – Nguru/ Umuowa
Nigeria Professional Football League
Were three games 24, 25/ 3/13
Bayelsa – Wikki Tourist
Akwa utd – Kano Pillars
3sc – Lobi Stars
ABS Fc – Dolphins
Sunshine stars – Gombe utd
Sharks Fc Akwa utd
Heartland – Kaduna utd
Rangers Warri Wolves
Nasarawa utd – Nembe City
Enyimba – El-kanemi Worriors
African world cup Qualifiers (23,24/3/13)
Nigeria – Kenya
Congo – Gabon
Cameroon – Togo
Civ Gambia
Nemibia – Malawi
Senegal Angola
B/ Faso – Niger Rep.
Tunisia – Siere Leone
South Africa – Central Africa Rep.
Tanzania – Morocco
Lesotho – Zambia
Mozambique – Guinea
Ethiopia – Botswana
Ghana – Sudan
E/Guinea – Cape Verde
Selected European World Cup Qualifiers (22/3/13)
Israel – Portugal
Croatia – Serbia
N Ireland – Russia
Scotland – Wales
Czech Rep. – Denmark
Holland – Estonia
Hungary – Romania
Sweden – Rep. Ireland
Kazakstan – Germany
Maccedonia – Belgium
Bosnia H – Grecce
South America 22/3/13
Colombia – Boliva
Uruguay – Paraguay
Argentina – Venezuela
Peru – Chile
North America 22/3/13
Honduras – Mexico
USA – Costa Rica
Jamaica – Panama
Europe continued (22/3/13)
Poland – Ukraine
San Marino -England
Spain – Finland
France – Georgia
NPFL Week 2 Results
El-Kanemi 0-0 Wikki Tourist
Gombe utd 1-0 ABS Fc
Kano Pillars 1-0 Bayelsa Utd
Kwara Utd 1-1 Sunshine Stars
International Friendllies 22/3/13
Japan – Canada
IMHA Minority Leader, Olaedo Lends Support to State Sports Council
The Imo State Sports Council on Thursday March 21 received a pleasant visit when the Imo House of Assembly minority leader Barr. Lady Ngozi Ekeji (Olaedo) presented gift items to the council.
The member representing Aboh Mbaise LGA at the State House of Assembly presented Ninety-five (95) volley balls and four nets to the council in other to help the state volley ball teams train adequately for their future engagements.
In her address to the council members present during the presentation, Olaedo also stated that 50 balls and 4 nets additional to the once donated by her, is from the Federation of International Volleyball Board (FIVB), to the state volley – ball Association which she helped to transport back home from Abuja.
She continued by saying that, “We all know the importance of sports in our society especially with the recent achievement of the Super Eagles at the recently concluded Afcon 2013, Olaede noted.
Further more, she recounted the great Stars the state had produced in the recent past like the present Acting Director of Sports, Mrs. Chizotam Aretola, adding that with the gift items being made available more of such stars will be discovered.
Earlier before Olaedo’s speech, the Ag. Director of Sports, Mrs. Aretola in her welcome address thancked the House Member for finding time to visit the council while expressing her gratitude and appreciation for the gift items she donated to the council.
Mrs. Aretola extolled the House Minority Leader who is also a member of the House Committee on Sports especially on her kind gestures to the council during the Eko 2012 in Lagos.
Mrs. Lucy, the state Volley coach in her vote of thancks, expressed her joy over the gift items stating that she has been praying for such while assuring that the items will Spar them to go places.
