Super Eagles of Nigeria Thread: 2017 AFCON Qualifiers.
This thread is primarily created to discuss the way forward for a better Super Eagles that every Nigerian will be proud of. This is not a platform for people to come and trade blames, but for progressive minded fans to champion a genuine course for a better preparation for our Eagles.

Keshi Signs New Contract As Super Eagles Coach.
Channels Television.
Updated April 21, 2015
The Nigeria Football Federation has re-engaged Mr Stephen Keshi as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles.
At a contract signing ceremony in Abuja, the Acting President of the federation, Mr Seyi Akinwunmi, said that the federation remains committed to the development of football in Nigeria.
Mr Keshi who tutored the Eagles to a Nations Cup victory in 2013, however appealed to Nigerians to support the national team in order to achieve greater success.
Stephen Keshi had, earlier in the month, appealed to Nigerian football fans to forgivethe technical crew and the team for failing to qualify for the 2015 Nations Cup.
Speaking to Channels Television in Abuja, Mr Keshi said that his second coming as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles would witness a total turn around for the team and the development of Nigerian football.
He further appealed to football loving fans to support the Super Eagles at all times, promising an improvement in the performance of the team.
There had been reports that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had agreed a new deal with Stephen Keshi,after a meeting between his representatives and the NFF in March.
Nigerians would be looking forward to the qualifiers for the 2017 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) where Nigeria is pitched in group G along with 7-time African champions, Egypt, Tanzania and Chad.
Stephen Keshi has been managing the Nigerian National Team since 2011.

No problem we will support him. whatever he needs he should ask, Now there is enough time to prepare for any competition.
This time around the snoring giant should be ready to get back to work anf reclaim the lost glory of the best african football team.

Keshi Keen To Invite Sammy Ameobi To Super Eagles
21 Apr 2015 News Update
By Izuchukwu Okosi:
Nigeria are set to call up Sammy Ameobi to the Super Eagles after his impressive form for English Premier League side Newcastle United, reports Comple tesportsnigeria.com
The younger brother of Crystal Palace striker Shola Ameobi has played 25 times for United this season as he bids to earn an extended contract at St James’ Park.
He has scored twice – against Spurs and Hull – and came on in the second half against Tottenham on Sunday.
ChronicleLive.co.uk, a Newcastle-based football website reports on Tuesday that Ameobi has caught the eye of Super Eagles Stephen Keshi who was unveiled on Tuesday by the Nigeria Football Federation in his third stint as coach of the Nigerian national team.
Keshi revealed on Tuesday that he will call Sammy up if he is eligible. “I’ve been impressed with Sammy. If he’s willing and eligible, we’ll try to get him,” Keshi assured.
Ameobi has five caps for the England under-21 side but said back in August that he wants to follow the lead of older brother Shola and declare for Nigeria, where both of his parents were born. The parents hail from Kabba in Kogi State.
“It wasn’t a difficult decision because I decided to follow my heart (to declare international future for Nigeria) and I think it’s the right thing to do,” Ameobi said.
“I saw Shola at the World Cup and for him to play at a major tournament like that is a big motivation.”
Nigeria will face Egypt, Tanzania and Chad in their 2017 African Nations qualification Group G pool.
Comple tesportsnigeria.com recalls that Sammy Ameobi was part of the Flying
Eagles’ preparing for the 2011 FIFA U20 World Cup in Colombia and played twice in the Toloun Tournament. He was eventually dropped by coach John Obuh from the final 21-man squad.

Siasia, Keshi praise the Flying Eagles.
Nigeria senior and U-23 team coaches Stephen Keshi and Samson Siasia have heaped praises on the U-20 national team ahead of the 2015 FIFA World Cup finals inNew Zealand.
The Flying Eagles, who are the African champions, are currently in the German city ofNurnbergpreparing for the tournament which kicks off on May 30.
Boasting one of the finest collections of young talents ever assembled byNigeria, the team has at its core the same players that emerged as world U-17 champions two years ago in the UAE. Many are hoping they can go one better than the 1989 and 2005 Nigerian teams that lost in the finals.
"I hope they do well and better than we did in 2005." Siasia, coach of the team ten years ago, toldSl10.ng. "I want them to go on and win the tournament for us. If they do, it will be glory toNigeriaand we must understand that whenever a national team wins, it is for the country."
Siasia, who recently invited a few of the Flying Eagles for a crucial All-Africa Games qualifier against Zambia, is hoping more of the players would graduate to his team after the World Cup.
"They are in my plans of course," said the former Super Eagles striker. "I will watch their games at the U-20 World Cup and the best of them will join us when they're done.
"It's natural for them to progress from the U-20 to the U-23. Remember I did it too when I was the U-20 coach and later the U-23 coach.
"It's a Nigerian team and not a Siasia team. If we think anybody is good enough, we will bring them in but the U-20 boys are definitely in my plans."
Siasia conceded he has been impressed with the youngsters he worked with.
"Of course I am. Who doesn't like good things? We brought Taiwo (Awoniyi) in before our last game againstZambia, he came in and scored two goals for us so I have to be impressed."
Super Eagles boss Stephen Keshi to give Flying Eagles stars a chance.
Meanwhile senior team boss Keshi reiterated his promise to also invite the best of the U-20 side to the Super Eagles.
"I've seen them play sometimes and I think they have very good players," he said, "I have also worked with some of them; Iheanacho, Awoniyi and Alampasu so I know how good they are.
"I am not surprised they are doing well and I hope they continue to do well," he noted. "The players are talented no doubt and if they show me they are ready, I will bring them in. I have no problems with that.
"I brought three of them in before the CHAN last year, and if I see that they are ready for the Super Eagles, they will come in.
"But we have to understand there is a difference with playing for the U-20 and the Super Eagles," he added.

NFF Approves Keshi’s Programme for Afcon Qualifiers.
The federation has given the go ahead for the coach to hold his camp ahead of June’s pair of African Cup of Nations qualifying campaign against Chad and Tanzania
The Nigeria Football Federation has approved the programme for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers submitted by Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi.
The trainer submitted his programme to the NFF few days after he was unveiled as the coach for his second spell in charge.
He has suggested the month of May for the commencement of his team’s camping in Abuja which the NFF has duly obliged to.
NFF general secretary Dr. Sanusi Mohammed told Goal that the federation has approved the programme.
“Yes, Keshi’s programme for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations has been approved by the NFF. The Super Eagles team is due to start camping sometime this month,” Sanusi told Goal.
“All the necessary things needed for the successful camping in Abuja have been put in place. So we don’t envisage any problem as regards that since the first qualifying match will commence next month and the first match will be played in Abuja. So all hands are on deck for the match,” he said.
Goal also reliably gathered that at least 25 home-based players would be invited for the first phase of the camping exercise.
Keshi has also given room for the overseas-based players that would soon be on holidays after the end of their various league campaigns in Europe to join the team.
But a reliable source close to Keshi disclosed that he is not interested in any player that is not playing regularly for his club this time around.
“Keshi is desperate to achieve success in his second stint with the Super Eagles.
He has told everyone that is close to him that only players that are performing well and playing regularly for their clubs in Europe and other parts of the globe would be invited for the 2017 AFCON qualifiers,” the source said.
The list of the invited Super Eagles’ players for the June 13 battle between Nigeria and Chad would be released early next week, Goal also learnt.

Eagles’ job: Keshi Wants Amokachi Dropped.
EMBATTLED coach Stephen Keshi has approved the removal of Daniel Amokachi as his assistant and he is comfortable with his new number two Salisu Yusuf in the Super Eagles.
A source close to Keshi informed AfricanFootball.com that: “Keshi has sanctioned Amokachi’s exit and he is very much open to the appointment of Salisu even though he has not worked with him before now.
“He has even been in touch with the former Kano Pillars coach and he believes the two of them can now chart a new and more successful course for the national team.”
Former Ranchers Bees of Kaduna midfielder Salisu has previously assisted Samson Siasia at both the Super Eagles and the country’s U-20 team, the Flying Eagles.
‘DBlack’ has also handled Lobi Stars, Enyimba, Kano Pillars and most recently El Kanemi Warriors.
It has also been understood that Keshi will finally be presented to the media as the Eagles coach this week after the long-awaited announcement on Friday did not come to pass.
AfricanFootball.com first broke that Keshi must apologise before he would be considered for a second spell as Eagles supremo.
His press conference in Abuja last Friday is now expected to suffice for him to lead the Super Eagles again.
He has already formally agreed a two-year contract that will run till the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon.

Don’t Expect Much From Keshi – Babayaro.
As Nigerians continue to react to the return of Stephen Keshi as the Chief Coach of the Super Eagles, former international, Emmanuel Babayaro has warned Nigerians not to expect much from the coach.
Babayaro who has been critical of the former captain of the national team said his position which is not personal is based on the fact that the coach can only give what he has.
Emmanuel Babayaro
He however said the only thing that can count differently is if Keshi has learnt from the mistakes he made in his first stanza.
“In terms of expectations I want to tell you that I am not necessarily expecting anything new from Keshi because at the end of the day it is still Keshi, he is not going to give us what he does not have. We want to believe that when he was away he may have probably learnt one or two lessons especially in terms of humility and understanding.
I always say that nobody can claim to know it all, you need to humble yourself sometimes and listen to other peoples opinion, I think in that particular aspect I want to hope and believe he must have learnt some lessons.
“Technically speaking, it is still the same, it is still the same Keshi and with all due respect it still means we are not going to play the best of football, absolutely not.
“Talking about winning, if we win, it is basically the usual thing; our individual talents because we are Nigeria and in my opinion after Brazil in the world it is Nigeria.”
According to him, “the focus now should be on grassroots and the age grade competitions. Nigerians always have their hearts in their mouths each time the country is playing.”
On the likely fate of the National U-20 team at the forthcoming World Youth Championship (WYC) in New Zealand, Babayaro said he expects that the Coach Manu Garba tutored side will at least progress to the semi finals of the tournament.

Eagles to Resume Camping on May 18 in Abuja.
The camp of the Super Eagles will now officially open on May 18, ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations first leg qualifier against Chad at the Abuja National Stadium.
The earlier date given was May 17, but league games expected to be played that weekend, the players have given the 18th and 19th of May to report to the team’s Abuja camp ahead of the game against the Chadians.
The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Chadians comes up on June 13 in Abuja, and as expected, the Super Eagles camp will be opened by home based players.
Keshi, in the earlier stages of his stint as the Super Eagles head coach always opened the Super Eagles camp with home based players, most times for weeks for the games, but that program was eventually discarded.
And with the pressure now on him to take Nigeria to the Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations after failing to do so the last time, the ‘Big Boss’ said during his signing ceremony for his present two-year contract that he would like to resume the program.
He said: “I’ve always enjoyed working with the home based lads. It’s not something new to me because I did it earlier and haven’t deviated and I hope to continue with it.
“Every time we come to camp and I see them, I’m always happy and it is a good thing that most of them have now gone on to become core members of the team and I hope to continue building on that,” he said.

Salisu Yusuf Confirmed as Keshi’s New Assistant, Amokachi Exits.
The El Kanemi trainer has been listed in the Super Eagles technical crew to take on Chad in next month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier
El Kanemi coach Salisu Yusuf has been confirmed as the new assistant coach of the Super Eagles who will work with Stephen Keshi in his second spell as coach.
It means that Daniel Amokachi will no longer be part of the team, in fulfillment of speculations that have held sway for the past month when Keshi signed his contract.
Though the Nigeria Football Federation declined to announce the new change, it subtly put it out when it released the list of players from the Nigeria Professional Football League called up to camp in preparation for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad next month.
Amokachi’s name was missing in the list as Salisu Yusuf was listed assistant coach. The former Enyimba trainer had been part of the NFF team that recently underwent training in London to use the Prozone football technology.
Yusuf’s choice stems from his deep knowledge of the domestic scene where he has had spells at the biggest clubs including winning the league with Kano Pillars.
Meanwhile, former international Ike Shorunmu remains as goalkeeper trainer.
Nigeria will play their first Afcon 2017 qualifier against Chad in Kaduna on June 13.

Keshi Names Akpeyi, 25 Home-Based Eagles for Chad.
Head Coach of the Senior National Team, Stephen Keshi has released a list of 26 home-based professionals who will kick-start the team’s camping programme ahead of next month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad.
Familiar faces Daniel Akpeyi, Solomon Kwambe, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Azubuike Egwuekwe, Rabiu Ali, Kunle Odunlami, Gbolahan Salami and Ezekiel Mba are joined by exciting new faces Ibrahim Shaibu, Onoriode Odah and Igbinosa.
Record scorer in the Nigeria elite division, Mfon Udoh is accompanied by former junior international goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Nelson Ogbonnaya, Nathaniel Joseph and Moses Ekpai Ubong.
Enyimba FC captain Chinedu Udoji, Giwa FC’s Henlong Charles, Joe Omale of Dekina Dragons and FC Taraba’s Samuel Olabisi are coming into camp for the first time.
All the invited players are expected to report at the Bolton Hotel Apartments, Wuse, Abuja on Tuesday, 19th May, 2015
Goalkeepers:
Daniel Akpeyi (Warri Wolves); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Chidiebere Eze (Gabros International)
Defenders:
Solomon Kwambe (Warri Wolves); Chibuzor Okonkwo (Gabros International); Idris Aloma (Enyimba FC); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Nelson Ogbonnaya (Heartland FC); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Chinedu Udoji (Enyimba FC); Samuel Olabisi (FC Taraba); Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars)
Midfielders:
Nathaniel Joseph (Sharks FC); Michael Egbeta (Warri Wolves); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Igbinosa Esosa (Nasarawa United); Moses Ekpai Ubong (Kano Pillars); Henlong Charles (Giwa FC).
Mfon Udoh (Enyimba FC); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); Ibrahim Shaibu (Giwa FC); Joe Omale (Dekina Dragons); Stanley Dimgba (Warri Wolves); Ezekiel Mbah (Kano Pillars); Onoriode Odah (Enugu Rangers); Azeez Shobowale (Kano Pillars)
The technical crew will be led by Coach Stephen Keshi, while he will be assisted by Salisu Yusuf. The goalkeeper trainer is Ike Shorounmu, while the backroom staff will be remain intact has constituted during the last international friendly against South Africa in Nelspruit on Sunday, 29 March, 2015.
AfricanFootball.com first broke that Keshi must apologise before he would be considered for a second spell as Eagles supremo.
His press conference in Abuja last Friday is now expected to suffice for him to lead the Super Eagles again.
He has already formally agreed a two-year contract that will run till the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon.

What do you think about these jerseys?

right now i think the super eagles dont have any good player to boast of, now sammy ameobi..his club is in shambles, aluko, the same. Mikel doesnt play.echiejile warms bench. Just name them. Am sorry but i have to say this. Nigerai has to wait till the flying eagles guys to graduate and make the team proud again if they dont follow the ways of their predecessors. But as for now with this current crop of players, we re going nowhere.

seankafor:
right now i think the super eagles dont have any good player to boast of, now sammy ameobi..his club is in shambles, aluko, the same. Mikel doesnt play.echiejile warms bench. Just name them. Am sorry but i have to say this. Nigerai has to wait till the flying eagles guys to graduate and make the team proud again if they dont follow the ways of their predecessors. But as for now with this current crop of players, we re going nowhere.

That means we will have to forfeit the 2017 Afcon right?
I don't thing that is enough reason for us to wait. Rather it should spur us to fish out the hidden talents both within and outside the country who will help us do the job, while waiting the present Flying Eagles to graduate to the SE.

Keshi Must Not Depend on Emenike, Uche – Fuludu.
Edema Fuludu has declared that Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi needs to adjust his attacking approach to win the Super Eagles’ first two games of the Gabon 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Nigeria are drawn in Group G of the qualifiers alongside record seven-time champions Egypt, Chad and Tanzania. The top two teams from the group will claim automatic qualification spots. The Eagles host Chad in Kaduna on June 13 and travel to Dar es Salaam on September 5 to face Tanzania.
Fuludu, who won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Keshi in Tunisia, says his former teammate cannot afford to rely on his team’s first choice strikers Emmanuel Emenike and Ikechukwu Uche for goals in the qualifiers.
Emenike, who was the lynchpin of Keshi’s attack when Nigeria won the tournament in South Africa in 2013, has endured a torrid time at Fenerbahce, scoring just four league goals in 27 appearances for the Turkish outfit. And Uche has failed to replicate last season’s stunning form that saw him scoring 14 goals for his Spanish La Liga outfit Villarreal in all competitions. The 31-year-old, who has struggled with injuries and poor form, has scored only six goals in 23 appearances this season for the Yellow Submarine with two games to go.
Former Turkey-based midfielder Fuludu, who empathises with the players, urged Keshi to adopt tactics that will enable the midfielders to score goals for the team.
“It’s unfortunate that Emenike and Uche are going through rough patches this season. It happens to every football player,” the ex-BBC Lions star told our correspondent on the telephone during the week.
“While their clubs are helping them, the NFF (Nigeria Football Federation) can also do something to boost their confidence. They need our help at this stage.”
He added, “We should be worried that our top players are not doing well at their clubs at the moment.
“I feel for Emenike and Uche. They are good players. But we can still get the best out of them in the qualifiers.
“The coach (Keshi) can make the team play in a way that our goals will come from the midfielders. We must not depend solely on Emenike and Uche for goals.
“The job of a midfielder is not only to pass the ball. He can also score goals.
“If the established strikers are not ready, we can invite (Flying Eagles forward) Taiwo Awoniyi.
“He’s a good player. I think we can rely on him. He’s not too young to play for the senior national team.”
The former Bendel Insurance coach, who hailed Keshi for inviting 26 domestic league players ahead of the Chad fixture, believes some of the players could break into the first team if they are given a chance to play.
“We should focus on the domestic league for players, because some of them are good,” Fuludu said.
“With a standing home-based national team, we can get players who can be called upon if the foreign-based players are not fit.
“The league has improved a lot. Teams are now winning away matches. It means the league is becoming competitive.
“We shouldn’t ignore the league because there are talented players there. (Former Nigeria manager) Clemens Westerhof didn’t have much problems getting good players for matches because there was a standing home-based team.”
The ex-NNB player, who donned the colours of Turkish side Altay SK between 1994 and 1997, warned the Eagles not to underestimate Chad, saying the Central Africans, who have never qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations, could spring a surprise in Kaduna.
“We should not make the mistake we made against Congo (in the Equatorial 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers) last year,” he said.
“We lost the match (3-2 in Calabar) because we underrated the Congolese.”

10-goal Ahmed Musa Targets Champions League Spot.
Nigeria international Ahmed Musa has told AfricanFootball.com his target now is to help his Russian club CSKA Moscow finish second and clinch the UEFA Champions League qualifying slot after missing out on the championship.
CSKA Moscow are second on the Russian Premier League table with 56 points, eight points adrift of winners Zenit St.Petersburg with two games to the end of the season.
Ahmed Musa, who scored his 10thgoal of the league on Sunday in CSKA Moscow's 4-0 thrashing of city rivals Spartak Moscow, said he is disappointed they failed to retain the league crown, but they will now fight to stay second on the table with two rounds of games to spare.
The jet-heeled forward scored his team's fourth goal in the 63rd minute.
"Our target was to win the league but that is not to be, that is football. Our target is now to finish the season in second position to secure a place in the UEFA Champions League, that is what we are playing for now," he told AfricanFootball.com.
The former VVV Venlo star, who also provided assists for the first and the third goals against Spartak, said he hopes to score more goals.
"I have scored 10 goals now which is more that the seven that I scored in the league last season. I am looking forward to getting more in the remaining two games," Ahmed Musa told AfricanFootball.com.

More goal ma guy.
Chad here we come.

Adepohu Warns Eagles Ahead Of Chad Tie.
Ahead of next month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad, former Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju has warned that Nigeria cannot afford to drop points against the Chadians.
Adopuju, a veteran of three World Cups for Nigeria, says the Super Eagles must avoid ‘by all means’ how they started the qualifiers for the last Africa Cup of Nations.
“They must not start the way they did the last when Congo came here and beat us 3-2. They must by all means, ensure they don’t drop any points in that game against Chad.
“It’s easy to underrate them because they are not a prominent football nation on the continent but the players must understand that any team facing them irrespective on their standing on the continent would always put in extra effort to get something.
“It’s the same thing the Congolese did and also the same thing the Sudanese did the last time when they all beat us.
“We must not allow that happen this time because if we start that way again, it could be a disaster for us,” he said.
Adepoju, who’s fondly called ‘The Headmaster’ for his knack of always scoring with his head during his playing days, also says Stephen Keshi must select only the best players at all times.
“The coach must pick the best players always. No room for rusty or unfit players,” he added.

Ighalo Eyes Another Eagles Call-Up.
Watford striker, Odion Ighalo, has described Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi as a very good coach and says he’s happy the ‘Big Boss’ is back as coach of the Africa champions.
The 25-year old striker made his debut at senior level for Nigeria in the 0-1 loss to Uganda in March in Uyo, and played his second game in the 1-1 draw against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana three days later, but is yet to play under Keshi as both games he’s featured in had Daniel Amokachi as coach.
But that notwithstanding, he says he’s happy Keshi will continue as the Nigeria coach.
“I think it’s a good thing that Keshi is back. He’s a good coach and he has done well by leading us to win the Africa Cup of Nations two years ago and I think he deserves more time.
“They should give him time and support him and he will do well because we have good players and we have a good team, we just need to train more together,” Ighalo said.
The former Udinese of Italy forward scored 20 goals as Watford returned to the English Premier League and is expected to be on the list of invited overseas based players for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad in Kaduna.

Fresh Crisis Hits NFF Over Deal With Nike.
The last may not have been heard over the slave five-year “Kit Sponsorship Contract” the Nigeria Football Fed­eration (NFF) signed with an American-based kits company, Nike, as facts have emerged that the deal has no retainer­ship fee.
A staffer of the fed­eration, who spoke to the media in confidence, challenged the eggheads of the federation to explain to Nigerians why NFF board spearheaded by the President, Mr. Pinnick Amaju, should sign such slave kit sponsorship contract without retainer­ship fee, lamenting that it was against the practice all over world.
Explaining that the federation was raking in a sum of €850,000 (about N204 million) annually as retainership fee from the just ended Adidas deal, with equipment worth €1.3 million (about N312 mil­lion), the staffer queried how Nike, which was ready to negotiate from an initial proposed $12.5 million retainership fee could get Nigeria so cheap to advertise their products without any monetary reward.
The staff further main­tained that he could not see the reason Nike should be paying South Africa a handsome retainership fees in addition to kit supplies, but could not do same to a bigger football country like Nigeria, insisting that the contract was a complete departure from what other countries Nike is kitting are getting.
Revealing the under­hand tactics that trans­pired in the signing of the sponsorship deal, the staffer said: “We have already packaged a very robust renewal proposal for Adidas after the 2014 World Cup, but the kit company later pulled out of the deal for many rea­sons. We exploited other avenues to sign another kit sponsor. The bill we gave to Nike was $12.5 million as retainership fee based on global perspective of what they are giving other countries.
“I don’t know how deep the federation president has committed himself that he insisted on signing Nigeria into such slave kit contract. We never objected our signing Nike, but what we objected was Nike taking an undue advantage of us.”

Keshi Calls for Prayers.
Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi has urged all Nigerians to support and pray for the team as they prepare for the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Chad Republic next month.
Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi
Keshi, who won the nation’s third AFCON title for the country, 19 years after they won their second title explained that he understands what is expected of him but added that without the support of Nigerians, there’s no way the team can succeed.
“ My expectation is higher than any other person’s. This is my job this is what I love to do, its my country.
The former Mali and Togo boss said he hopes to build a formidable team that can make the country proud again, but he can’t achieve that without being given total support by Nigerian.
He said: “ Having spent more than half of my life playing and working for Nigeria, we have to push one another to get there.

I Inherited Battered NFF From Maigari – Pinnick
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has insisted that his board is doing a lot to take Nigeria’s football to appreciable level, saying he inherited NFF with a batter image and empty treasure from his predecessor.
Pinnick, who disclosed this yesterday while briefing newsmen on the activities of the federation, said the perception have about Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are nothing to write home about, but he is doing a lot of image laundry, repairing and re-branding to reposition the federation and make it acceptable to people across the globe.
He appealed to media to cooperate with the federation to help move the country’s football forward.
“I have done a lot of repair, image laundry, re-branding and one thing that bungling our mind whenever we go to talk to people and organisation, like FIFA and other corporate bodies in Africa and beyond is that before you say anything they will tell you 20 thing about Nigeria’s football that are negative. So, even you want to plan, you have to first do the repair.
“While we will not want to apportion blame to anybody, we should look at the country first before any other person. The glorious years of our football history is the last four years and yet no sponsor want to partner with us. This means something is fundamentally wrong. Our image is batter and we inherit empty treasure, but yet people keep asking about money. Do you know how match it takes to organise matches for the Super Eagles and what it take funds 13 national teams?”
He urged media and the general public to be constructive in their criticism of the federation. “Nigeria is very important and if the federation does not exist, it means that football does not exist also in Nigeria. Let think of Nigeria first because this is the country that we are all proud of.
Let us try as most as possible in all our criticism to the federation to very emphatic, constructive, instructive and devoid of sentiment.
“For us to build Nigeria’s football to an appreciable level we need your support and we can’t do without you. If you said today that Amaju Pinnick is a thief, is not going to affect me alone because nobody would want to business with the NFF again. I am the face of the federation as the president. We are quite accessible and you call us for any information,” added.

Igbinoba Braced for Eagles Adventure.
Nasarawa play-maker Esosa Igbinoba has expressed readiness for the task ahead with the Super Eagles.
Igbinoba is one of the players in the Glo Premier League invited to the Super Eagles camp ahead of the AFCON qualifier against Chad.
Interestingly, it is his first invitation to the Super Eagles.
“Expect the best from me at the Super Eagles camp because I want to justify my invitation. I’m determined to excel with the team because I’ve waited for this chance to come,” Igbinoba, who is one of the few dead-ball specialists in the league, said to supersport.com.
Last season, he scored a hat-trick against relegated Nembe City and remains a consistent scorer for his side.
Scouted by Lobi Stars at lower division side Bendel Insurance, Igbinoba joined Nasarawa in 2014 from the Makurdi outfit.
Source: thenationonlineng.net/new/igbinoba-braced-for-eagles-adventure/

NFF Boss Demands 200% from Eagles.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has restated his charge to the Super Eagles that they must give 200% every time they play for the country.
“We have told all players that henceforth when they see an invite we expect that once you accept to come, you must be ready to give 200 per cent for the country,” Pinnick stated at a press conference in Abuja.
“That is why we are having the code of conduct. So, it is not business as usual.
“We have asked players to think over an invitation before they accept to come and don the white and green colours.”
The Eagles begin their quest to feature at the 2017 AFCON in Gabon next month when they host Chad in Kaduna.
The NFF boss equally gave more insight to the recent kit contract the country entered with Nike.
“We had a lot of challenges securing sponsors. I almost wept signing money for us to buy jerseys. I started this Nike talks in Malabo,” he offered.
“For Nike to even say yes, I know people I talked to before they eventually called me for a meeting. I am not telling you that it’s a dream contract because if you want to have a dream contract you must achieve some mileage for instance winning the World Cup.
“We had to do a lot of convincing talks before getting this deal. For the fact that we are not going to buy jerseys, we are going to get accumulated bonuses better than some big countries.
“But the truth is that the contract process was tricky, that is why we did not make it public initially.
“If we had made it public like many Nigerians had wanted, maybe today we would not have a sponsor. But today we can beat our chest to say we signed with the biggest brand.”
Source: thenationonlineng.net/new/nff-boss-demands-200-from-eagles/

Barcelona-like Flying Eagles.
Chairman of the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Felix Anyansi-Agwu, has said the Flying Eagles have improved tremendously, adding they remind him of the mighty Barcelona.
Anyansi visited the Flying Eagles in Germany and watched them wrap up their build-up matches prior to the U20 World Cup in New Zealand with a 4-1 trouncing of SC Freiburg IIon Tuesday.
The Nigeria U20 team thus won all three test matches in Germany, scoring a total of 14 goals and conceding 3.
Anyansi said he was impressed with the remarkable progress the Flying Eagles have made under coach Manu Garba.
“From the quality of what I saw there has been tremendous improvements in the team and I am confident this team will represent the country very well at the World Cup in New Zealand,” said the Enyimba chairman.
“Watching them play reminds me of Barcelona, but you have to have that quality of Barcelona to take the ball from your goal and go and score at the other end.
“It was very important that they created so many chances, but in a match situation they should make use of these chances.
“I’m not being boastful but from what I have seen this team should get to the final of the World Cup.”
The Flying Eaglesare pitched against five-time champions Brazil, North Korea and Hungaryin the first round of the tournament, which begins on May 30.

Source: africanfootball.com//news/533266/Anyansi-hails-improved-Barcelona-like-Flying-Eagles

Keshi Denies Dumping Bench warmers.
Super Eagles chief coach STEPHEN KESHI has declared that he along with his coaching crew, will invite Nigerian Players that they believe will be useful to the team’s progress. In an exclusive chat withSportinglife, Keshi stated that there was never a time he decided not to invite Super Eagles Stars not playing regularly in their Club sides in Europe and elsewhere.
Keshi insisted that he would invite players that would contribute to the team’s success even if they are bit-part players in their teams because they could have genuine reasons why they are not playing in their Clubs due to the Club Coaches preferences.
According to Keshi:”I don’t know where you got that information from. There was never a time I said I will not invite players that do not feature regularly in their club sides. What I said was that most players are no longer regular in their teams and that we will see what will happen. If there is anyone that we can use, that can help us out, we will get him in.”
Source: thenationonlineng.net>Home>sports>Sports

Ejide Concedes 6 Goals In Cup Final.
Hapoel Beer Sheva’s Nigerian shot stopper Austin Ejide conceded six goals against Nosa Igiebor's Maccabi Tel Aviv who completed a unique treble with a stunning 6-2 victory in Wednesday night’s State FA Cup game.
The Nigerian international who had kept 12 clean sheets in the League was beaten four times by Tel Aviv’s Swedish forward Rade Prica while goals from Yoav Ziv and Eran Zahavi completed the rout.The Nigerian only last weekend also conceded four goals to make it 10 goals in two games in four days.
Igiebor who watched from the stands due to suspension was instrumental to his side’s brilliant performances this season.
Maccabi Tel Aviv had earlier retained the Premier League championship for the third consecutive season after defeating Ironi Kiryat Shmona 2-1 on Sunday which preceded their Toto Cup triumph earlier in the campaign.
For Ogu and Ejide the defeat means their search for club silverware continues next season.
Source: www.completesportsnigeria.com/ejide-concedes-6-goals-in-cup-final/

NFF can be so funny. How do you expect your employee to respect you when you do not care for his welfare and social security? When you always explore any available opportunity to disgrace the person. NFF please respect is reciprocal, respect begets respect. Most of them do not know what it means to work in such a pressure prone and laden place and still be owed for months. They should go and learn employer/employer relations.

Danagogo: NFF Accused Keshi Of Insubordination
Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo, has finally revealed reasons ...
Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo, has finally revealed reasons why the Nigeria Football Federation hesitated in reappointing Stephen Keshi as the Super Eagles coach.
Keshi, who recently signed a 2-year contract with the NFF to continue as the Super Eagles coach, was left hanging in the wind for nine months before he was confirmed to continue, even though he did handle the team on an interim basis after his contract expired last July.
And Danagogo has revealed that the NFF’s hesitation was not down to incompetence on Keshi’s part, but due to ‘lack of respect’ and ‘insubordination’.
“When I interviewed the NFF when they were yet to re-sign him, they weren’t even complaining about incompetence or anything of the sort.
“But it was more of them complaining of Keshi not respecting their superiority and insubordination on his (Keshi’s) part,” he told SL10.ng.
The outgoing Sports Minister however posits that he believes both Keshi and the Nigeria Football Federation have learnt their lessons and advised they should cooperate more and try to work better together.
“I believe Keshi has learnt his lessons, and so also the Nigeria Football Federation. I think they should cooperate and work well together and if they do, they will succeed,” Danagogo concluded.
Source: www.sl10.ng/news/articles/categories/super-eagles/sports-minister-tammy-danagogo-says-nff-were-concerned-about-keshi-s-lack-of-respect-and-insubordin/210206

Danagogo: NFF Accused Keshi Of Insubordination
Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo, has finally revealed reasons ...
Nigeria’s Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo, has finally revealed reasons why the Nigeria Football Federation hesitated in reappointing Stephen Keshi as the Super Eagles coach.
Keshi, who recently signed a 2-year contract with the NFF to continue as the Super Eagles coach, was left hanging in the wind for nine months before he was confirmed to continue, even though he did handle the team on an interim basis after his contract expired last July.
And Danagogo has revealed that the NFF’s hesitation was not down to incompetence on Keshi’s part, but due to ‘lack of respect’ and ‘insubordination’.
“When I interviewed the NFF when they were yet to re-sign him, they weren’t even complaining about incompetence or anything of the sort.
“But it was more of them complaining of Keshi not respecting their superiority and insubordination on his (Keshi’s) part,” he told SL10.ng.
The outgoing Sports Minister however posits that he believes both Keshi and the Nigeria Football Federation have learnt their lessons and advised they should cooperate more and try to work better together.
“I believe Keshi has learnt his lessons, and so also the Nigeria Football Federation. I think they should cooperate and work well together and if they do, they will succeed,” Danagogo concluded.
Source: www.sl10.ng/news/articles/categories/super-eagles/sports-minister-tammy-danagogo-says-nff-were-concerned-about-keshi-s-lack-of-respect-and-insubordin/210206