Onazi Misses Tuesday Morning Training

Nigeria midfielder, Ogenyi Eddy Onazi was missing in the Super Eagles training session on Tuesday morning.

The reports has cast doubts on his participation for the team's crucial African cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa on wednesday at the Akwa Ibom Stadium, Uyo.

The Lazio midfielder had a little arguement with John Obi Mikel in the 2-0 win over Congo Brazzaville on saturday in Pointe Noire.

The reasons for his absence can not be ascertained in the time of filling this report. The team concentrated on shooting and goal scoring in the morning training session.

In his absence, Sharks Fc midfielder Joseph Nathaniel was tried and is a likely starter for the cracker on wednesday.

Meanwhile, the draws for the forthcoming nations cup will be held in Malabo, Equitorial Guinea on 3rd december 2014.

Injury made me Emotional -Akpan

Just saw this now and decided to write something about it, the shirtless guy is Hope Akpan, he plays for Reading football club in the English championship,  he's been a real rock in the heart of the eagles midfield lately, returned to the Eagles setup in the game against Sudan and has been present ever since. Akpan was having a pretty good game in Pointe Noire before he fell awkwardly and injured his arm. Akpan told footballlive.ng he felt very emotional because of the injury "I don’t think I’ll be fit for the game on Wednesday in Uyo. I have a very special attachment to the city because that’s where my family is from.

” I know a lot of them will come to watch me on the pitch but it’s really upsetting that I’ll be missing out on the game.

” I cried but not because of the pain, rather it was realizing I won’t be playing. I suppose this will make me a stronger and better player in the future.

PREVIEW: Nigeria vs South Africa

The Super Eagles of Nigeria host the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the new Akwaibom stadium, Uyo knowing that their destiny lie in their own hands if they are to make the trip to Equitorial Guinea.

Nigeria coming to this game earned impressive back to back victories over Sudan and Congo respectively with the later  played away in an hostile environment in Pointe Noire.

The Eagles who only managed one point from their first three games were on the brink of elimination, but a change in fortune in the last two games saw them topple Congo to second place on the log. A win for the eagles irrespective of what happens in Sudan takes them through.

On the other hand, South Africa are already through to the nations cup having secured 11 points from 5 games and has not lost a game thus far in the qualifiers. 

Shakes Mashaba seem to have revitalized this side that struggled to qualify for major tournaments in recent years having made it through to the AFCON for the first time since 2008(not as host).

The earlier fixture in Cape Town ended in a barren draw with South Africa undoubtedly the better side.

Head To Head

The two teams has met 10 times:

Nigeria win: 7

South Africa: 1

Draw: 2

South Africa has never beaten Nigeria in a competitive fixture with their only victory over the eagles coming in 2004 in an international friendly,the mandela cup. Ended 2-1

Nigeria last 5 games: D L W W W

South Africa last 5 games: W D W D W

A9F 11 vs South Africa

A9F makes just two changes from the team that beat Congo, Aaron Samuel comes in for the injured Hope Akpan, while Sone Aluko starts in place of Emmanuel Emenike.

Formation: 4.2.3.1

Enyeama, Efe, Egwueke, Oboabona, Oshaniwa;Mikel, Onazi; Samuel, Aluko, Musa; Uche

Kickoff: 6pm

On this day in 9ja Football

OnthisdayinNigerianfootball: 19 November

2011: Yakubu Aiyegbeni scored his fourth goal of the season for Blackburn Rovers in an away 3-3 draw at Wigan Athletic.

2008: Colombia 1-0 Nigeria, international friendly game in Colombia.

1967: Sudan were 2-1 victors over Nigeria, in an olympic games qualifier played in Sudan.

1983: Cedeao tournament played in Senegal, Senegal lost by a lone goal to the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Four Countries to battle it out for Afcon 2017

The Confederation of African Football have confirmed that the list of countries in line to host the 2017 African Nations Cup has been whittled down to four. Seven nations met the September 30 deadline to replace war-torn Libya as host of the continental championship, but only four of those have been determined as “compliant” with the criteria required by CAF. And so one of Algeria, Egypt, Gabon and Ghana will play host to the 2017 finals, with CAF yet to set the date for when they will make a final decision. Gabon seem an unlikely winner as the 2015 tournament will be in nearby Equatorial Guinea and CAF will almost certainly take the event to another region on the continent. Ghana are always a strong option and have proven facilities, but hosted as recently as 2008. Egypt likewise have all the required infrastructure but are still a fragile society after the political turmoil that ousted a succession of presidents from office in the last few years. They last hosted in 2006 and at the weekend missed out on yet another finals appearance when they were ousted from the qualifiers for 2015. They have not been to the continental showpiece since winning it in 2010. Algeria must be seen as a strong option, it would keep the tournament in north Africa and is the only chance for the region to host over a 19-year period with the finals up until 2023 already having been allocated to Cameroon (2019), Ivory Coast (2021) and Guinea (2023). The last time the tournament was held in north Africa was Egypt in   2006 and the region may hope to make up for missing out on 2015 too after Morocco withdrew over fears of Ebola.

Emotional return for uche

Uche, whose last appearance for his country was in the final of the 2013 African Cup of Nations against Burkina Faso, tucked away a penalty in the 59th minute to set the Super Eagles in flight.

On a dramatic day in Pointe Noire, Vincent Enyeama saved a Thievy Bifouma penalty when his side were 1-0 up.

Aaron Samuel struck the vital second goal for Nigeria in the 89th minute.

"It was an emotional return and I thank my team-mates and the coaching crew for the support," said the Villareal hitman

"It's great to come back to the squad, reunite with some wonderful people and more importantly win away from home.

"Delighted to score but that's behind us as we must shift our focus to Wednesday in what is a very big game for us."

Nigeria will finish second and snatch a berth in Equatorial Guinea if they beat South Africa when they host them on Wednesday in Uyo, as they have now scored more goals than Congo in their two meetings.

"We've been saying Wednesday is like a Cup final against South Africa and all the players know what is at stake," said Uche.

"The mood is great, we know the expectations of our fans and we must give everything on the pitch to get the win.

"After that important win against Congo we now have our fate in our own hands."

Uche is widely regarded as one of Nigeria's most reliable strikers at international level and is one of his nation's all-time top scorers, with 19 goals in 46 appearances, behind Rashidi Yekini, Segun Odegbami and Yakubu Aiyegbeni.

He was omitted from the country's squad to the 2013 Fifa Confederations Cup and this year's World Cup in Brazil.

But the Villarreal striker remains philosophical and has put the past behind him, insisting he is just happy to wear the white and green colours of Nigeria again.

"To move forward in life you can't focus on the past so you need to stay positive for what lies ahead," he added.

"It's always an honour to play for Nigeria with a huge talent base, so it's like living a childhood dream whenever I get the chance to represent my country.

"I just want to give my best when I get picked. Football is a team sport and I feel honoured to play alongside these talented players and under a coaching crew who also command huge respect in Nigeria."

All9jafootball's observations from Congo vs Nigeria

Nigeria took bold strides towards Equitorial Guinea 2015 after beating Congo 2-0 in Pointe Noire on saturday,16 November 2014. All9jafootball writes on her observations during and after the encounter from a nigerian perspective 

1. Enyeama is Africa's Best Player

     Undoubtedly Nigeria's best goalkeeper in history, the Lille shot stopper should be number one contender to displace Yaya Toure as CAF footballer of the year 2014 after impressing for both club and country in the year under review.

He led Nigeria to the round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and helped club, Lille to third place finish in the french Ligue 1 keeping 21 clean sheets in the process. He showed the world again against Congo that his recent nomination for BBC African footballer of the year Award is not a fluke.

  He led from the back against the Red Devils and capped a remarkable perfomance with a penalty save. 

2. Chinese league is no push Over

     The general notion here in Nigeria and Africa at large is that the Chinese league is for ageing, finished and Asian players only but thats not the case.

It might not be glamorous or even in the class of the EPL, la liga or the bundesliga but its fast becoming a force to be reckoned with considering the talents discovered from there.. No wonder they say treasure lies in hidden places.

Samuel Aaron has thus far shut his critics with fine strings of performance scoring 2 goals in 3 appearances for his country after starting just once. 

With his blend of skills ,agility and athletism the Guangzhou R&F attacker is already a local hero in Nigeria.

   

3. Egwuekwe has come of age

     A player basically used as backup for first choice pair of Omeruo and Oboabona, the Warri wolves skipper has staked a claim for regular starting berth after impressing in two successive games against Ghana and  Congo respectively.

The defender has always been on the fringes with the main Eagles team having featured at the 2013 Afcon and 2014 WC. 

Against Congo He was a rock at the back, winning both aerial and ground duels. His interceptions were timely and was always at the right place to make important tackles. No wonder he got bandaged on the head after colliding with a Congolese attacker. 

4. Keshi needs to improve on his tactics/stop experimenting 

   A building under construction since 2011 and yet hasnt beeen completed should be effectively checked by the client. Ask Coach Stephen Keshi about his team and you know the obvious response. The manager has been criticized constantly for his choice of players and tactics.

One keeps wondering why Keshi either plays

players out of position or uses them wrongly with his tactics. Against Congo, Mikel played an unfamiliar Attacking midfield role and failed to make any impact but later flourished when played in his familiar double pivot role. Efe Ambrose has constantly been played out of position, Emenike as well was used out of position against Congo. 

Thee idea of playing long balls isnt working for Nigeria, but the adamant tactician seems daft and hasnt seen any problems with this. A backup plan is always required in football incase your master plan fails, but as for Keshi its a one way trafic, like for like subs with no meaningful change in tactics. 

If Nigeria eventually progresses, Keshi needs to better his tactics and stop experimenting with the players.  

6. Uche is not the Messiah 

     Wrote a piece earlier in the week on "who has more point to prove on return to the national setup, Uche or Keshi?". To me, Uche had more to prove considering the manner the whole country clamoured for his return after being overlooked by the big boss.

    Uche, undoubtedly is very talented, his goal ratio in a Nigeria jersey speaks volume. He got a goal on his return against Congo but was he worth the hype? It's a no for me.

Uche apart from a few classy touches here and there was anonymous and isolated for most part of the game and does not posses the physique and energy required to lead the line for the eagles, but is a quality alternative to have in your team.    Thank God he got a goal against Congo, if not the big boss would have picked up his hammer and never extend a call up to the Villareal striker just as he did to Obafemi Martins 

Keshi describes away win as encouraging.

Nigeria super eagles manager Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, has described the super eagles win against the Red devils of Congo as an encouraging result, speaking to journalists after the game Keshi hailed the character of his lads who uped their game to produce an excellent result. "The game was definitely a difficult one for us, the Congolese where eager for a positive result and so gave their all, also the home fans where right behind their team all the way, but our boys rose to the challenge and we got the victory, this is a very encouraging result for our team".
The super eagles go into the game against south Africa on Wednesday in Uyo knowing that they need just a win to secure qualification for Equatorial Guinea 2015.

Match report Congo 0-2 Nigeria

 Super eagles of Nigeria put themselves on course for qualification to AFCON 2015 after a 2 nill win away at Congo in Pointe Noire.
In a keenly contested encounter the Eagles began the encounter the livelier of the two sides, pushing early on for the opener, in the 7th minute the Eagles launched an onslaught, Ike uche pushed the ball towards the left and then squared the ball to Mikel in the box whose shot kept rising over the bar. In the 10th minute the Eagles where at it again uche once again finding Emenike who's shot was deflected wide by goalkeeper Massa for a coner, the resulting coner taken by musa was headed wide by mikel.
Congo seemed to come to life after that coming at Nigeria with waves after waves of attacks but being unable to break the deadlock. At half time it was still nill nill with Nigeria happy to hear the whistle, after the break the game continued in its usual fashion with both teams failing to take the initiative. Nigeria was forced into making a substitution when Reading's midfielder Hope Akpan was stretchered out after falling awkwardly from a corner, he was subed by Sony Aluko. But it was to be Nigeria who would draw 1st blood, Mikel slid the ball to Emenike who was hacked down by goalkeeper Massa before he could take a shot, referee Grisha promptly pointed to the spot and returnee striker Ike uche stepped up and buried it low to the right of Massa. The Red devils where to win their own penalty minutes later when Rizespor defender Godfrey was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, Congolese striker Bifeoma stepped up and blasted his kick straight at Enyeama who had been terrific all through.   China based Aaron Samuel was later introduced for Emenike, and it was to be Samuel to get the 2nd, firing past Massa from a tight  angle.
Then it was to be fans trouble as irate Congolese fans started throwing objects at the Super Eagles players with the stadium almost empty. The referee was forced to stop the game for over 7 minutes. At full time at Pointe Noire it was Congo 0-2 Nigeria.
Nigeria now have 7points going into the game against already qualified South Africa on Wednesday and would require nothing short of a win to get a ticket to Equatorial Guinea.

OnThisDayInNigerianFootball: November 15

-15 November 2012: Goals from Ogenyi Onazi, Nosa Igiebor and Brown Ideye gave the super eagle's a 3-1 victory over Venezuela in an international friendly game played in Miami, Florida.

-15 November 2011: The Uche brothers, Kalu and Ikechukwu were on song as Stephen Keshi recorded his first victory as head coach of the Nigerian national team against Zambia.

-15 November 2009: Switzerland pip Nigeria 1-0 to become FIFA U17 world champions hosted by Nigeria.

-15 November 1982: Former Espanyol and Almeria midfielder Kalu Uche was born

-15 November 1983: In the Cedeao tournament played in Nigeria, the super eagles beat Senegal 1-0.

Congo vs Nigeria: Head To Head

 With the all important battle of Pointe Noire looming, We take a look at the previous meetings between these two sides.

Nigerian and Congo have met eight times at full international level with both sides notching three wins, three losses and two draws respectively.

Flashback: Duels between Nigeria and Congo.

30 November 1970 Africa Nations Cup, Congo 2 Nigeria 1

5 August 1972, Fifa World Cup, Africa qualifiers , Nigeria 2 Congo 1

15 August 1972 Fifa World Cup qualifiers, Congo 1 Nigeria 1

13 June 1975, Africa Nations Cup qualifiers, Congo 0 Nigeria 1

20 December 1992, Fifa World Cup qualifiers, Group D Congo 1 Nigeria 0

7 February 1993 Fifa World Cup qualifiers, Group D ;Nigeria 2 Congo 0

28 January 2000, Africa Cup of Nations, Group D game; Nigeria 0 Congo 0

7 September 2014, Africa cup of Nations qualifier
Nigeria 2 Congo 3

Form coming into the game;

Nigeria;

 L D L W W

Congo;

L W W L D

Enyeama, Okagbare Dominate Nigeria Sports Awards 2014

Incase you missed the Nigeria Sports Awards 2014 held thursday,13th November at the Muson center Lagos, here's a run down of the award winners.

Vincent Enyeama
 Footballer of the Year (Men)

Vincent Enyeama
 Sportsman of the Year

Falconets
Team of the Year

Asisat Oshoala
Footballer of the Year (Women)

Peter Dedevbo (Falconets)
Coach of the Year

Courtney Dike
 Discovery of the year Courtney Dike

Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN)
Sports Governor of year

Blessing Okagbare (Athletics)
Sportswoman of the Year

Aruna Quadri
Ball sports personality of the year

Odunayo Adekuroye
Combat sports person of the year

Efe Ajagba
 Boxer of the year

Maryam Usman
Weightlifter of the Year

Blessing Okagbare
Track and Field Star of the Year

Godwin Enakhena
Sports Journalist of the year (Radio)

Ayodele Ojo
Photo Journalist of the year

 Miyen Akiri
 Sports Journalist of the year (TV)

teamA9F will be hoping for some recognition and nomination in the near future

Joel Obi Gets New Manager as Inter Milan Fire Walter Mazzari

Walter Mazzari has been fired as coach of Inter Milan after a dissapointing start to the 2014/2015 season reports in Italy claim with former coach, Roberto Mancini set to return to the San Siro.

Mazzari, who led Napoli to runner-up spot in 2013, joined Inter in time for the start of last season but has consistently seen his side Underperform. He was sacked on thursday morning to be replaced by former Man city and Galatasaray boss who led the Italian giants to a club record three consecutive league titles.

Joel Obi has had a new lease of life under the Italian having made eight appearances thus far this season after struggling to make an impact in previous seasons.
The Nigerian will be hoping that a change in management doesnt affect his fine run of form for the club this term.

Konyaspor eyes Yobo

Former super eagles captain and Fernabahce is being reported to be in the sights of turkish super league side konyaspor. Yobo who has been without a club since being released by Fernabahce due to quota system being applied in turkey against foreign players.

Now Konyaspor manager who is former Fernabahce manager Aykut Kocaman, has identified Yobo as a top target and has given the go ahead for the deal.

Equitorial Guinea/Qatar favourites to host Afcon 2015

Equatorial Guinea have emerged as front-runners to host the 2015 African Nations Cup finals after it was revealed that CAF president Issa Hayatou would visit the country on Friday to court president Teodoro Obiang Nguema.

But Middle East nation Qatar have stated that they are willing to step into the breach as well and should be considered a strong option for CAF, with the infrastructure in place and world-class facilities in the 2022 World Cup host country.

But first prize for CAF is to keep the competition in Africa and Hayatou will hope to persuade Equatorial Guinea to take over the hosting after Morocco withdrew due to fears over Ebola.

“Issa Hayatou is arriving here on Friday to offer the organisation of AFCON 2015 to the President of the Republic,” David Monsung Ndrung, the head of Communication for the Equatorial Guinea Football Association, said.

But the country has just two viable venues, both used when they co-hosted the 2012 finals with Gabon.

With 16 teams and four groups, it would appear four venues would be a minimum, potentially meaning CAF will be seeking a co-host, possibly Gabion again.

Qatar would be a ‘safer’ bet with just two months to the finals tournament and they have said they are willing to step in.

“If officially asked, Qatar is ready to offer any help in hosting the African Cup due to its strong relation with Issa Hayatou, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF),” said Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed al-Thani, head of the Qatar Football Association.

And for the Qataris, it would be an opportunity to dispel some of the negativity around their country following allegations of vote-rigging in their award of the 2022 World Cup.

It would also give the FIFA the chance to test their theory that a World Cup held between November and March would be the right time for the 2022 finals.