Monday 29 April 2013

Quote of the day



   “How we think shows through in how we act. Attitudes are mirrors of the mind. They reflect thinking.”

― David Joseph Schwartz

Sunday 28 April 2013

Quote of the day

"Investing should be more like watching paint dry or watching grass grow. If you want excitement, take $800 and go to Las Vegas." - Paul Samuelson

Rangers Returns to the top

Today, Rangers International of Enugu defeated Kano by 4-0. Other results in the NPFL:


28/04 Kaduna 1-0 El-Kanemi Warriors
28/04 Wolves 2-1 Kwara
28/04 Nembe City 2-0 Gombe
28/04 Enyimba 2-0 Dolphins
28/04 Nasarawa 1-1 Lobi
28/04 Enugu Rangers 4-0 Pillars
28/04 Heartland 3-0 Wikki
28/04 Sharks 1-1 Bayelsa
28/04 Sunshine 3-0 Akwa
28/04 ABS FC 1-0 Shooting Stars

Tables


Take Pride in the Eaglets Performance

Despite the loss to Ivory Coast, the Nigerian Eaglets deserve some commendation. The eaglets were the highest goal scoring team in the tournament and we are cultivating the future of the Super Eagles.

More on the CAN U17: Cote d'Ivoire beat Nigeria to lift first CAF U-17 title & Top Scorers CAF U-17


Congratulations to the Baby Elephants.

Saturday 27 April 2013

Nigeria and Cote d’ Ivoire clash in the CAF U17

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria face Cote d’ Ivoire in the final match of CAF U-17 Morocco Telecom Championship to be played in Marrakech on Saturday. Cote d’ Ivore is the only team to have beaten Nigeria so far at the finals taking place in Morocco and the Nigerians have made it no secret that the defeat is still fresh in their minds and they are seeking redemption come Saturday. The Baby Elephants for their part have said, they will not dwell on what happened in the Group B match (which they won 1-0) but will approach the new match with a mindset for victory. Nigeria last won the title in 2007 while Cote d’ Ivoire is assured of its best ever finish at the U-17 finals regardless of the final score. Up until the Ivorians beat host Morocco to reach the final the best they had achieved before was a third place in the 2005 edition.
It has been described by many as Nigeria’s second chance at beating and avenging the earlier defeat to their fellow West Africans but some Nigerians among them Paul Bassey (a CAF committee member ) warned against an approach laden with revenge. “Yes Nigeria would like to win and set the record straight after the earlier defeat but you need cool heads to go about that and not been too bent on a revenge mission but aim to do what you do best and win the game as just another game” Bassey said


Baby Elephants’ defence which has been mean at this tournament will need to repeat their sterling work to keep out the most deadly strike-force at the tournament. The meanest defence versus the sharpest strikers is the main plot then for the final but the Ivorians though not as frequent scorers as the Nigerians a have a mobile midfield and in Dogbole Niangbo who scored only on when these two sides last met, they have a poacher of top quality ably assisted up front t by Chris Bile Bedia. Then there is the threat from the dribbling wizard in Junior Ahissan who plies the wings interchangeably tormenting defenders.


Many thought Nigeria had approached their last meeting with some complacency hence losing that tie and such a lot believe; the Golden Eaglets cannot repeat that error. Nigeria coach Manu Garba told Cafonline.com his team have an opportunity to write the past wrongs when they play the Ivorians, "They beat us in the group match and we know what we did wrong but also belief it was the destiny of that game but come Saturday our wish to put it right has been granted and we want to make sure we turn the tables on the Ivorians and win the title" said Garba. 


The Nigeria pair of Success Isaac and Kelechi Iheanacho has notched twelve goals between them and in the highly unlikely event that they don’t score, in Musa Yahaya, Ifeanyi Mathew and Bernard Bulbwa they have goal-getters too. The last meeting between the two sides was not devoid of chances but settled on how clinical the finishing was, as coach Garba put it, “ In that first match against Cote d’ Ivoire we were unlucky not to score from the numerous chances we created , come Saturday we want to be sharper and more accurate with our chances”


Culled from cafonline

Wednesday 24 April 2013

CAN U17: Which Eaglets will soar highest in Marrakech?


Which Eaglets will soar highest in Marrakech?
And so we enter the home straight of the 10th CAF U-17 Morocco Telecom Championship 2013 and in Marrakech it has come down to a clash of the Eaglets as Nigeria and Tunisia meet in the second semi-final. The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria come into this match as the top goal scoring side with thirteen (13) strikes while The Carthage Eaglets have scored eight (8) times.

Nigeria stormed out of the blocks handing a 6-1 thrashing to The Black Starlets of Ghana before being derailed but Cote d’ Ivoire (1-0). The general verdict after that shock defeat to the Baby Elephants was that the Nigerians had become complacent and were made to pay. The Golden Eaglets have since redeemed their campaign with a 7-0 win over Congo and coach Manu Garba wants no repeat of the Ivorian episode. In preparing for the semi-final match The Golden Eaglets worked on different strategies that included practicing penalty kicks.

CAF U-17 matches go straight into penalties without playing extra time and according to Garba, “We have never excluded taking penalties from our training even before this preparation for Tunisia game. Almost all the players are good at taking penalties but we are going to work even more as we prepare for Wednesday match. That some of the world’s best players often choke and collapse under the weight of expectations during penalty shootout is a known fact hence the Nigerian lads are being tutored against becoming a choking on the big stage” said Garba.

The Tunisian defence that has been breached four times so far in the competition will have the top two leading strikers in Success Isaac (6 goals) and Kelechi Iheanacho (4 goals) to contend with come Wednesday. For their part The Carthage Eaglets have found goals in striker Ben Larbi Mohamed Firas with three so far and Haj Hasen Hazem who has found the net twice. Gong by the potent strike-force both sides bring into the match it looks like one game you can be assured of goals but puts the attention of defending. Nigeria gave away two goals and Tunisia twice as many as their opponents in the group phase of the competition. Can the sharp strikers be kept on Wednesday? That is the key question

"We are happy that we have eventually qualified for the World Cup because that was our first priority at this championship and we thank God that we have achieved that," Garba said. The affable coach went on to say that the Congo win is behind them now and keep focused on the goal ahead is the key and all attention is on the semi-final game.

Tunisia finished second in Group A after a 3-1 win over Botswana in their opening game, then beat Gabon 4-2 and played out a 1-1 draw with hosts Morocco in their final group game.  
The winner of the Niger vs. Tunisia semi-final will meet Cote d’ Ivoire (who beat Morocco 2-1) in the final to be played on Saturday 27th April in Marrakech. The loser will play Morocco for third and fourth place match also in Marrakech in a game before the final.

Copied from  WWW.cafonline.com

Quote of the day


   “Thinking: the talking of the soul with itself.”

― Plato

NPFL Fixtures

This week's NPFL fixtures. Analysis coming up later....

24/04 Kwara 16:00 Nembe City
24/04 El-Kanemi Warriors 16:00 Shooting Stars
24/04 Bayelsa 16:00 Sunshine
24/04 Wikki 16:00 Sharks
24/04 Pillars 16:00 Heartland
25/04 Kaduna 16:00 Wolves
25/04 Gombe 16:00 Enyimba
25/04 Dolphins 16:00 Nasarawa
25/04 Lobi 16:00 Enugu Rangers
25/04 Akwa 16:00 ABS FC


Tuesday 23 April 2013

Quote of the day


   “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.”

― Abraham Lincoln

Sunday 21 April 2013

CAF Champions League: Rangers held by Recreativo

Nigeria’s Enugu Rangers were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Recreativo Libolo of Angola in a CAF Champions League third round tie. 

Rangers deserved to win as they attacked their opponents from the blast of the first whistle, but Landu in goal for the Angolans proved his class as he stood between Rangers and goal. 

However, Emeka Eze could have snatched a late winner for the home team in the dying moments of the encounter when he faced a begging net only to blast his effort off target. 

The first half ended goalless even after Rangers attacked the visitors for most of that period. 

The Nigerian club recorded 10 corners to Libolo’s one in the first 45 minutes, but they could not make anything out of these. 

Striker Efe Yarhere was caught offside at least four times as the home team pressed for a go-ahead goal. 

Newly signed goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim was captain with Ugonna Uzochukwu brought in as makeshift centre half alongside Madu Chibuzor in the absence of injured Cyril Oriaku, Pape Sane and Ekene Iwuorie. 

The second leg will be played in a fortnight at Libolo over 200 kilometres from the capital city of Luanda with the winners qualifying for the money-spinning group phase of the competition
.


Copied from mtnfootball

Suarez: The Good, the Bad & the Ugly

In as much as the support for Suarez is increasing in the English Premier League, Suarez has again reenacted his vampire skills in football.

Suarez took a bite at Ivanovic's hand in the Liverpool vs Chelsea football match.



The Good: Suarez had a very beautiful flick to setup Sturridge for the first goal by Liverpool.

The Bad: Suarez literally had a hand in the second goal by Chelsea. In his dubious manner, he handled the ball in his penalty area.

The Ugly: Suarez exhibited his madness by taking a strong nibble on Ivanovic.

Redemption: The English FA will definitely not take the ugly incidence likely ; however, Suarez ended up grabbing the needed equalizer in the last minute of the game.

Sure, he will definitely be the talk of the news.

Quote of the day.


   “Get Every great man, every successful man, no matter what the field of endeavor, has known the magic that lies in these words: every adversity has the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit.”

― W. Clement Stone

Saturday 20 April 2013

Mba sagger continues

Rangers have claimed that they are unaware of any decision from the Nigeria Football Federation regarding the ownership of Sunday Mba and Chigozie Agbim.

Read more on: Rangers in the dark on NFF decision - News - Kick Off

Currently, Rangers are skeptical about fielding the duo in the CAF Champions League.


Golden Eaglets decimate the Congoleses

The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria returned to winnings ways with an emphatic 7-0 victory over Congo during the last Group B match played in Marrakech on Saturday. Congo played for about an hour with nine men after two expulsions in on 32nd and 39th minutes but Nigeria was already 2-0 up at the time of the first expulsion. The win took Nigeria into the semi-finals of the CAF U-17 Championship and also ensured qualification for the FIFA World Cup to be played in October and November in United Arab Emirates. The match was only three (3) minutes old when Kelechi Iheanacho hooked home with his left boot for the opening goal from inside the box. A cross from the right sailed over everyone in the box and Musa Yahaya sent back into the box a low cross which Iheanacho converted into the match’s first goal. After conceding the early goal Congo then steadily played themselves back into the game and threatened Nigeria goal with Nyatsongo Obassi, Gassama Issambet and Kader Bidimbou involved. 22 minutes into the game Bidimbou did well to beat his marker and create some space to run at the next defender but he was adjudged to have gone down in the box too easily and Nigeria escaped with a free-kick. A few minutes afterwards Nigeria made a charge into the Congolese box and current tournament top- goal scorer, Success Isaac reacted quickest to to-poke past advancing goalkeeper Mpea Darnet Ombandza and Nigeria had their second goal. It got worse for the Junior Red Devil on 31st minute when defender Ngampio Imouele used his hands to stop a goal bound effort from Benard Bulbwa. While Imouele who was the last man in line of defence when he handled was marching off the field Success dispatched the spot kick to make it 3-0 to Nigeria. At the other end Congo came close to their first goal but Issambet hit the cross bar from about six meters out. Despite the man disadvantage the Congolese maintained their offensive style of play but worse got worst for the Congolese when Sakou Yobi was sent off for a bad challenge on Abdullahi Mutsapha 39 minutes into the game. Four minutes later Nigeria with a numerically advantage attacked from the left flank, stretching the Congolese defence and Success managed to pick out Iheanacho with a ball across goal which the latter tapped in for Nigeria’s fourth. After the interval it took just three minutes for The Golden Eaglets to score their fifth. Musa Yahaya finished off a move that broke through the center of the Congolese defence. Yahaya had enough time to pick his spot and tuck the underneath Ombandza. The nine men Congolese tried hard but were always on the back foot chasing the ball and trying to stop the ceaseless Nigerian attacks. Soon the match resembled an attack versus defence training session drill and on 59th minute it was Ifeanyi Mathew‘s turn dribbled and break through to score the sixth goal for Nigeria Iheanacho completed his hat-trick after profiting from goalkeeper Ombandza’s error to score the seventh goal. Nigeria finished top of Group B and will now play Tunisia in Marrakech while Cote d' Ivoire who drew 0-0 with Ghana finish behind Nigeria and will play host Morocco in Casablanca to complete the semi-final line-ups.

Copied from cafonline

Friday 19 April 2013

Wolves renew sponsorship deal - News - Kick Off

Wolves renew sponsorship deal - News - Kick Off


NFF disappointed at Mba log-jam - News - Kick Off

The Nigeria Football Federation have expressed their disappointment at the continued standoff between Warri Wolves and Enugu Rangers over the transfer of midfielder Sunday Mba.



NFF disappointed at Mba log-jam - News - Kick Off

Funny Letter to Ghanaians from Nigeria

Dear West African Neighbours,

The news originating from your country since yesterday is that our U17 boys who trashed you 6:1 at the on going Caf Under 17 nations cup are over aged. 
Apart from the MRI machine which disqualified about three of our players, how else do you determine the age of our boys? Probably by the score line. Hahahahaha. 
Did we present over aged players at the South African nations cup where we trashed Mali and Burkinafaso that defeated you with ten men?

You must accept the fact that the giant of Africa is back to where it belongs. 
The last time you won nations cup was over thirty years ago when we were still recovering from civil war.
Now that we have recovered fully, you will not win anything again whether it is under 17 or over 17. Just pray that we dont meet you on any knockout stage of any competitive sports. We are on top now. 
Please help us tell your western neighbour of Ivory Coast what we said.
Their leader called Dede Dgoba congratulated us after we beat them in South Africa while your lousy Amasoa giam claimed that you would have beaten us if we met.


Our under 17 boys are actually under 17. The differences between you and us is malnutrition. Your boys dont feed well.. You eat bread with yam, how do you want to grow with such combination? Havent you heard about protein before? 
We are not interested in the statistics that says ''Ghana is economically growing faster than Nigeria. The economy of Lagos state is bigger than that of your entire nation. We are pretty fine down here...
Please do not make the same mistakes North Korea is trying to make by provoking the Mighty USA and China. That was why Jumong always beat Dea-So. Arrogance!!

Thank you.




Culled from Nairaland.

Thursday 18 April 2013

Quote of the day

“A man who has never gone to school may steal a freight car; but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad.” 
― Theodore Roosevelt


NPFL Update

Yesterday, Sunshine Stars FC reclaimed the 3rd position in the league after defeating Lobi Stars FC 2 - 0 in the outstanding Week 5 fixture.

TABLE
Overall Home Away
POS   TEAM P W D L F A         W   D    L    F    A                         GD Pts
1    Kano Pillars 7 5 1 1 8 3   3 0 0 4 0   2 1 1 4 3   5 16
2    Enugu Rangers 7 4 2 1 11 4   3 1 0 7 0   1 1 1 4 4   7 14
3    Sunshine Stars 7 4 2 1 11 5   4 0 0 9 2   0 2 1 2 3   6 14
4    Nasarawa United 7 4 2 1 8 3   3 1 0 7 2   1 1 1 1 1   5 14
5    Shooting Stars 7 4 0 3 13 10   4 0 0 12 4   0 0 3 1 6   3 12
6    Nembe City 7 3 2 2 9 8   2 1 1 5 4   1 1 1 4 4   1 11
7    Heartland FC 7 3 1 3 14 7   3 0 1 12 3   0 1 2 2 4   7 10
8    Bayelsa United 7 3 1 3 8 9   3 0 0 6 1   0 1 3 2 8   -1 10
9    Enyimba 7 2 3 2 4 3   2 2 0 3 0   0 1 2 1 3   1 9
10    Akwa United 7 3 0 4 8 10   3 0 0 5 0   0 0 4 3 10   -2 9
11    Kwara United 7 2 3 2 4 6   1 1 1 2 3   1 2 1 2 3   -2 9
12    Lobi Stars 7 3 0 4 6 10   3 0 0 5 1   0 0 4 1 9   -4 9
13    Gombe United 7 3 0 4 7 12   3 0 0 5 1   0 0 4 2 11   -5 9
14    Warri Wolves 7 1 5 1 7 5   1 3 0 6 3   0 2 1 1 2   2 8
15    Dolphins FC 7 2 2 3 4 7   2 1 0 4 2   0 1 3 0 5   -3 8
16    ABS FC 7 2 1 4 5 6   2 1 1 5 3   0 0 3 0 3   -1 7
17    Kaduna United 7 2 1 4 6 10   2 1 0 4 1   0 0 4 2 9   -4 7
18    Wikki Tourists 7 2 1 4 5 9   2 0 1 3 1   0 1 3 2 8   -4 7
19    El-Kanemi Warriors 7 1 3 3 6 11   1 2 0 4 3   0 1 3 2 8   -5 6
20    Sharks 7 1 2 4 2 8   1 2 1 2 2   0 0 3 0 6   -6 5

Nigeria to lose Ezekiel to Belgium - News - Kick Off

Nigeria may be on the verge of losing teenage goalscoring sensation Imoh Ezekiel following the player’s disclosure of his intention to obtain Belgian citizenship to enable feature for the European nation at international level.



Nigeria to lose Ezekiel to Belgium - News - Kick Off

Rangers get injury boost - News - Kick Off

Rangers get injury boost - News - Kick Off

Tuesday 16 April 2013

Ndubueze: Heartland target League title - News - Kick Off

Ndubueze: Heartland target League title - News - Kick Off


Heartland are yet to win an away game this season, they score lots of goals at home games.

Do you think Heartland FC can win the league?

Monday 15 April 2013

NFF plan big for Yobo century - News - Kick Off

NFF plan big for Yobo century - News - Kick Off

Rangers thrash Dolphins - News - Kick Off

Rangers thrash Dolphins - News - Kick Off

NPFL: Week 7 Results

Results
14-Apr  Enugu Rangers  3-0  Dolphins FC
14-Apr  Heartland FC  3-0  Lobi Stars
14-Apr  Shooting Stars  4-1  Akwa United
14-Apr  ABS FC  2-0  Bayelsa United
14-Apr  Sunshine Stars  3-0  Wikki Tourists
14-Apr  Nasarawa United  2-0  Gombe United
14-Apr  Enyimba  0-0  Kwara United
14-Apr  Nembe City  1-0  Kaduna United
14-Apr  Warri Wolves  4-1  El-Kanemi Warriors
14-Apr  Sharks  0-0  Kano Pillars

Table
POS TEAM P W D L F A GD Pts
1  Kano Pillars 7 5 1 1 8 3 5 16
2  Enugu Rangers 7 4 2 1 11 4 7 14
3  Nasarawa United 7 4 2 1 8 3 5 14
4  Shooting Stars 7 4 0 3 13 10 3 12
5  Sunshine Stars 6 3 2 1 9 5 4 11
6  Nembe City 7 3 2 2 9 8 1 11
7  Heartland FC 7 3 1 3 14 7 7 10
8  Bayelsa United 7 3 1 3 8 9 -1 10
9  Enyimba 7 2 3 2 4 3 1 9
10  Akwa United 7 3 0 4 8 10 -2 9
11  Lobi Stars 6 3 0 3 6 8 -2 9
12  Kwara United 7 2 3 2 4 6 -2 9
13  Gombe United 7 3 0 4 7 12 -5 9
14  Warri Wolves 7 1 5 1 7 5 2 8
15  Dolphins FC 7 2 2 3 4 7 -3 8
16  ABS FC 7 2 1 4 5 6 -1 7
17  Kaduna United 7 2 1 4 6 10 -4 7
18  Wikki Tourists 7 2 1 4 5 9 -4 7
19  El-Kanemi Warriors 7 1 3 3 6 11 -5 6
20  Sharks 7 1 2 4 2 8 -6 5