Nigerian Football

Fitness of Players to Decide Starters for Super Eagles

Published

7 years ago

September 1, 2017

BY BOLAJI OKUNOLA.
There may be element of surprise in the Super Eagles’ line up in the World Cup qualifying match Cameroon this Friday. Goalkeeper trainer, Alloy Agu told Sports Village Square that apart from the starting goalkeeper that has been announced, Gernot Rohr is keeping to his chest the other outfield players.
FC IfeanyiUbah goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa was on Wednesday handed the starting shirt following the injury on Daniel Akpeyi who has been in goal in the absence of the preferred Carl Ikeme. Agu who was a former Super Eagles’ goalkeeper in the early 1990s disclosed that fitness during training will be a major decider of Nigeria starting line-up.
This might not be a big surprise considering that the Cameroonians are often physical in their approach to potentially explosive matches.
Meanwhile, two Nigerian former internationals, Garba Lawal and Yisa Sofoluwe have urged fellow Muslim faithful to spare some moments for the Super Eagles in this year’s eid-el-kabir festival. The Super Eagles are facing Cameroon in a World Cup qualifying match on the day of the eid-el-kabir festival.
Both specially asked Muslims at the various praying grounds to remember the Super Eagles in their various prayers.

Nigerian Football

Westerhof recommends Siasia for Super Eagles’ job

Published

11 hours ago

September 11, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Clemens Westerhof and Samson Siasia in London

BY KUNLE SOLAJA, who was in Arnhem, Netherlands.

Former Nigeria manager, Clemens Westerhof has recommended one of his former players, Samson Siasia as the substantial coach for the Super Eagles.

Siasia was one of his players of the famed golden generation of the Super Eagles.

“I called him last month to greet him for his birthday and also to celebrate with him for the end of his five-year ban”, Westerhof told Sports Village Square at his house in Arnhem in the Netherlands.

According to him, Siasia is just like Keshi and that he has the capacity to turn the Super Eagles around for the better. Westerhof, the author of the famed ‘Golden Generation’ of the Super Eagles made his suggestion shortly after Germany’s Bruce Labbadia turned down the Nigerian job offer.

Westerhof remarked that he was surprised about the choice of Labbadia in the first instance and that the now Mali coach, Tom Saintfiet who is his friend could have been a better choice.

Saintfiet, a Belgian, was speculated among the coaches initially short-listed for the Super Eagles’ job. But Westerhof, before the naming of Austin Eguavoen, another member of his famous 1994 squad, strongly back Siasia for the job.

He remarked that he was in touch with the former striker as well as Austin Okocha whom he met with in London recently.

To Westerhof, Siasia has the same quality like Stephen Keshi to handle the Super Eagles. “He has done it before and I think he can still do it.”

Nigerian Football

Plateau United’s Doyeni is first scorer of Season 2024/25

Published

3 days ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Olawale Doyeni braces up for the NPFL's first goal of the season via penalty kick

The balls hit the nets 17 times this Sunday as the Nigeria Premier League Season 2024/25 burst into life this Sunday.

The first of the goals was from Plateau United’s Olawale Doyeni who converted a 24th minute penalty kick against Katsina United in an eventual 1-0 home win.

Another star-man of the the day is Enyimba’s Clinton Jephta who has become the season’s first hat-trickster. His three goals in the 65^th , 70^th and 73^rd minutes sank heartland 3-1 in their home match.

Nigerian Football

Three away wins mark the opening phase of Nigeria’s Season 2024/25

Published

3 days ago

September 8, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The Nigerian Premier Football League burst into life this Sunday with eight matches on the card and contrasting results. Three of the eight matches resulted in away wins signalling level playing field of the league.

It is a sharp departure from the past seasons when it is almost predictable that home teams would win. Remo Stars, Enyimba and Niger Tornadoes have away wins and with scoring multiple goals.

Remo Stars won against Abia Warriors by 2-0. Enyimba came from a goal down to win 3-1 against Heartland while Niger Tornadoes beat Kwara United 2-1 away from home.