U17 World Cup: Eaglets
favourites for q/finals
Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets are hugely fancied to beat Iran on Tuesday and reach the quarterfinal of the FIFA U17 World Cup in the UAE.
The game will kick off 5 pm Nigerian time with the winners taking on the winners of Uruguay/Slovakia match in the quarterfinals.
The Eaglets have the edge over Iran as far as this competition is concerned having reached the final six times more than any other country and winning it three times, a feat only matched by Brazil.
Eaglets are favorites to go through to the last eight, but they must be careful with Iran, who have enjoyed some good results against Africa opposition in their last two appearances.
Iran beat Mali 1-0 in the 2001 tournament and defeated Gambia 2-0 in the 2009 edition.
Iran are appearing in this competition for the third time after their first participation at Trinidad and Tobago 2001 was disastrous for them as they failed to get a point, losing all three games to finish bottom of their group.
However, they reached the Round of 16 in their second attempt in 2009 after they finished as group leaders with wins over the Netherlands and Gambia, before they lost the second round game to Uruguay 2-1 after extra time.
At the current championship, Iran drew 1-1 with Argentina, drew with Canada and beat Austria to finish second in Group E with five points behind group winners Argentina.
Eaglet’s assistant coach Nduka Ugbade has predicted victory over Iran.
“We have been keeping tabs on all our likely opponents and I paid so much attention to the game between Iran and Austria on Friday which they won by a 1-0 margin,” stated Ugbade, who captained Nigeria to win the trophy in 1985.
“The Iranians are a good side no doubt but with all modesty, we should be able to cope well against them.”
Ugbade said the Golden Eaglets are not being carried away after an impressive first round performance where they scored an impressive 14 goals in three matches including a 6-1 thrashing of defending champions Mexico.
“Of course, we are getting better since we defeated Mexico and the boys did well against Iraq on Friday with a 5-0 win, but I have no doubt that we would overcome the Iranians if we can correct some specific lapses we have noticed,” he noted.
The Eaglets will again be without Africa U17 top scorer Isaac Success, who is nursing a hamstring injury. The hard working Taiwo Awoniyi is again expected to stand in for him with Kelechi Iheanacho spearheading the charge for goals
STDC Emerges Champions Of
Senator Sylvester Anyanwu’s
Owerri Inter-club Tennis Championship
The maiden edition of Sylvester N Anyanw’s Owerri Inter-Club Tennis Championship came to its crescendo on Sunday October 27 at the Safari Recreation Club, Shell Camp, Owerri with Standard Tennis Development Club, Owerri (STDC) emerging over-all champions of the one Month tournament.
Speaking at the award ceremony which also took place at the same venue, the president of the host club, Barr Law Uzowuru thanked the donor, Senator S Anyanwu Okigwe-Senatorial Zone at the for finding worthy to it former senator of the game of Tennis in the State especially in Safari Club adding that the event has for the past one Month brought together all the participating club members to not only engage in the game of tennis but further strengthen the brotherly love that have long existed within the various club members.
Barr Uzowuru also revealed that five tennis clubs participated in the tournament that was making its debut such as, Safari Recreation Club, Owerri Sports Club, Standard Tennis Development Club, Prisons Tennis Club, Owerri and Owerri Club, stating that STDC located at the Dan Anyiam Stdium emerged winners while the host Safari Club and Owerri Club came second and third respectively.
In his speech, the winning president Hon Osigwe, while expressing his gratitude to the donor maintained that his club will always remain humble even in their victory adding that with tournaments of this nature, tennis will soar in the state.
Meanwhile, the representative of the donor, Dr Orikeze Ajumbe described Senator Anyanwu as a true lover of the game tennis who wants the game to be sustained in this part of the country.
He further stated that Senator Anyanwu would have loved to be in the event but for pressing issues that needed his attention and has promised to make the event an annual one which he hopes to also incorporate the younger tennis players who will further carry-on with the game.
Dr Ajumbe also reiterated on the need to organize such competitions among our Secondary Schools using the various clubs as a plat form to enhance tennis development in the State while he congratulated the winners and losers for exhibiting professionalism during and after the games announcing that every team apart from the cash awards will receive two nets.
In his closing remark, the State Association Chairman and Accountant General of the State, Hon George Eche congratulated the LOC members for a job well done thanking the donor Senator Anyanwu who has led by example but called on the clubs to also carry the young players along by helping to sponsor them to national and international events for exposure.
Ndubuisi waves off Heartland
Suspended Heartland coach, Nduka Ndubuisi has said he is no longer looking in the direction of the Naze Millionaires to restart his career for the 2013/14 Glo Premier League season.
The former Sharks gaffer was placed on an indefinite suspension by Heartland’s management shortly after their Match day 20 home defeat to oriental neighbors, Enyimba at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri and was never recalled as the season ended on October 20.
Ndubuisi said he has received offers from few clubs insisted that he is no longer thinking of returning to Heartland, a club he guided to win the 2012 Federation Cup.
“I’m no more thinking of Heartland even if I’m asked to come back. I believe I’ve given my best to them and time has come for me to move on with my life as well as career.
“Some clubs have approached me for the purpose of handling their sides for the upcoming season, discussion is still ongoing as nothing concrete has been agreed.
“I’m weighing up the options available, I’m certain to hook up with a side for the upcoming season but not a return to Heartland.
“I’m certain there is life outside Heartland and that’s what I want to explore to the fullest not wait on a side endlessly to be seen as never-do-well so come next season coach Ndubuisi will be on the bench of a team dishing out instructions.
“I’ve decided to keep the identity of clubs I’m having discussion with under cover until agreement is reached,” said the former Plateau United coach.
Heartland finished the out gone 2012/13 Glo Premier League season on the 11th spot on 52 points.
UAE 2013 FIFA U-17
29/10/13
Uruguay — Slovakia @ 2pm
Morocco — Ivory Coast @ 2pm
Argentina — Tunisia @ 5pm
Nigeria — Iran @ 5pm
ENGLISH CAPITAL ONE CUP
29/10/13
Arsenal — Chelsae
Birmingham — Stoke
Burnley — West Ham
Liecester — Fulham
Man United — Norwich
30/10/13
Newcastle — Man City
Tottenham — Hull City
SPANISH LA LIGA (29/10/13)
Espanyol — Malaga
Celta Vigo — Barcelona
30/10/13
Valencia — Almeria
Valladolid — R/Sociedad
Osasuna — R/Vallecona
R/Madrid — Sevilla
ITALIAN SERIA A (29/10/13)
Atalanta — Inter Milan
30/10/13
AC Milan — Lazio
Cagliari — Bologna
Fiorentina — Napoli
Juventus — Catania
Livorno — Torino
Sassulo — Udenise
HON EMMA OKEWULONU’S UNITY CUP
26/10/13
Umukabia 1 1 Umualumaku
Atonerim 1 0 Awuchinumo
NGOR OKPALA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Ngor 0 2 Obiangwu
Ihitte 0 0 Nnorie
Eziama 2 1 Alulu
Umuchulu 1 0 Obokwe
Elelem 3 1 Ubichukwu
Umuekwune 1 1 Upe
27/10/13
Imerienwe 3 0 Nguru/Umuowa
Logara 0 0 Umuhu
Ohekelem 1 0 Ntu
Ikem 1 1 Okpala
Obike 0 0 Ozuzu
