Tuesday 12 January 2016

Every team wants to fight Nigeria in CHAN -Oliseh


Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has expressed his thoughts about the forthcoming African Nations Championship in Rwanda.  

The biennial event billed for three cities in the Central African nation will run from 16 January to 7 February - with the Eagles making a second appearance. 

Oliseh revealed that his team will be at the receiving end of brutal attack and massive combat from other teams at the tournament. 

But stated that his wards are physically and mentally ready for the task ahead. 

“Everyone will be out to fight us (in Rwanda),” the former skipper confessed.

“But we’re on track, the boys are in high spirit and physically okay.”

Nigeria's 'B' team will be heading to Rwanda undefeated. 

Oliseh's team played three warm-up games - beating both the Elephants of Cote d'ivoire and South African side, University of Pretoria as well as a draw against Angola. 

Interim coach of the Palancas Negras, Andre Makanga, had earlier implied that his team will be ready to fight if need be against "strong" Nigeria. 

“We are taking this game seriously – Nigeria is always Nigeria – they will be very strong in every competition they play," Makanga said before his side's 1-1 draw with Nigeria in Pretoria, South Africa, last week. 

"That’s why we will head into this match to compete and try to see where we are in terms of readiness before the spectacle starts in Rwanda."

Nigeria, who finished third at the previous edition in South Africa, will begin their 2016 CHAN campaign on Monday, January 18, against Niger. 

They also battle Tunisia and Guinea in the group stage.

Revealed: Oliseh, Musa voted Messi for Ballon D'or


Super Eagles head coach, Sunday Oliseh and skipper, Ahmed Musa did vote for newly crowned FIFA Ballon d'or winner, Lionel Messi, FIFA has revealed. 

Messi clinched a record fifth FIFA World Player of the Year award at the expense of Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar at the annual award ceremony in Switzerland on Monday evening. 

The award which is voted for by a panel of journalists, international coaches and captains, witnessed a slightly different voting pattern this year. 


And according to a list released by the world soccer governing body, the Nigerian pair preferred the Argentine to his other two rivals. 

Oliseh selected Messi's Barcelona team-mates, Neymar and Luis Suarez as first and second runner-up. 

While Musa went for Ronaldo and four-time African Footballer of the Year, Yaya Toure, behind the 28-year-old.  

Meanwhile, only Neymar out of the three finalist voted another finalist for the prestigious award. 

The trio who are also national team captains of Argentina, Portugal and Brazil respectively had the opportunity to vote just like others. 

Messi, who eventually emerged victorious with 41.33 per cent of the votes, gave his top vote to Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez, ahead of Neymar and Andres Iniesta.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, who had to settle for 27.76 per cent of the votes, picked three Real Madrid team-mates as well, going with Karim Benzema ahead of James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale.

Neymar, who completed the podium with 7.86 per cent of the votes, backed Messi, ahead of Suarez and Ivan Rakitic.

Furthermore, Germany captain Bastian Schweinsteiger left out both Messi and Ronaldo from this top three, going with Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller and Neymar instead.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Arjen Robben both snubbed the Madrid star as well, naming the trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez instead.

England skipper Wayne Rooney gave Messi his vote, ahead of Muller and Ronaldo.


Al Ain prepare to offload Emenike


United Arab Emirates champions, Al Ain, are on the verge of farming out former Nigeria international, Emmanuel Emenike according to reports in the country. 

Emenike joined the Abu Dhabi side from Turkish side, Fenerbahce, on a season long loan in July with an option of a permanent deal but all these could come to an end in a matter of days. 

Despite scoring nine goals in 12 appearances for  Zlatko Dalic’s side, his performances have not been deemed strong enough to help the club’s quest for more silverware. 

Inplace of the 2013 African Cup of Nations top-scorer, Brazilian striker, Douglas Costa could be making the move to the Arab league. 

The Tokushima Vortis forward, 28, is expected to land in the UAE on Tuesday to undergo a medical after the club agreed to pay his €3.9 million asking price.

Douglas has recently enjoyed a fine loan spell at Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima, scoring 21 goals to fire the club to the J League title. 

The 28-year-old Emenike could be heading back to his parent club, Fenerbahce, before the January 25 transfer deadline.