Goalkeeper Enyeama takes 10-man Nigeria into semis

January 26, 2010

Nigeria goalkeeper Victor Enyeama turned Africa Cup of Nations matchwinner by converting the decisive kick in a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Zambia on Monday after a goalless quarter-final.

John Obi Mikel, Obafemi Martins, Obinna Nsofor and Osaze Odemwingie also scored from the spot to give the ‘Super Eagles’ a 100 percent success rate from five kicks.

Thomas Nyirenda was the unconsolable Zambian at the end after Enyeama saved his kick – the seventh of the shootout – and Nigeria scraped through despite having Onyekachi Apam sent off during extra time.

The ultra-negative last quarter-final of the biennial African football showcase was a massive disappointment after victories for Ghana, Algeria and Egypt in thrillers.

Defending champions Egypt made the penultimate stage a few hours before Nigeria thanks to a 3-1 extra-time triumph over Cameroon with 170-cap midfielder Ahmed Hassan scoring twice for his side and once for his opponents.

Back in the knockout phase of the competition for the first time since 1996, Zambia had to make two enforced changes from the side that defeated Gabon to reach the quarter-finals as shock Group D table-toppers.

Defender Chintu Kampamba and midfielder Rainford Kalaba collected two yellow cards each in the mini-league stage and young French coach Herve Renard drafted in Hichani Himonde and William Njobvu.

Nigeria retained the starting line-up from their final pool match against Mozambique that delivered an ultimately convincing 3-0 win and justification that they could go far in the tournament after a sluggish start.

Jubilant that his pre-tournament promise of a quarter-finals place had been met, Renard saw the game as a chance to embellish his reputation amid reports that he desires a more attractive African coaching post.

Rival coach Shaibu Amodu is 10 years older at 51 and under constant stress from public and media criticism despite just one competitive loss since taking charge of the national team a third time a couple of years ago.

The countries had come face to face four previous times in the Nations Cup with Nigeria winning two and Zambia one after a goalless first meeting in Ghana 32 years ago.

And after a goalless first half in this central Angolan town it was hard to fathom who would prevail this time and book a semi-finals date with the Black Stars of Ghana in Luanda on Thursday afternoon.

Chelsea midfielder Mikel ended a lot of cagey early combat with a sweetly struck drive after some slick passing, but Kennedy Mweene dived swiftly to his left and pushed the ball away with a strong one-hand save.

Zambia became more adventurous as time passed and after Enyeama rose to grasp a deep, dangerous cross, striker James Chamanga just failed to connect with a threatening ball across the six-yard box.

It was not a half for the faint hearted with some borderline tackling and by the break Zambians Felix Katongo, Himonde and Joseph Musonda had been shown yellow cards by the Egyptian referee.

The second half began as the first ended with more than fouls than thrills for a less-than-capacity crowd in the 20,000-seat venue and Apam joined the yellow-card offenders via a rash tackle on Chamanga.

Midway through the half and finally the crowd had something to cheer as Yusuf Mohammed cleared off the line to rescue Nigeria and hesitant captain Yakubu Aiyegbeni squandered a close-range opportunity at the other end.

It was painful watching the closing stages of regulation time as two teams far more concerned with not losing than winning rarely mounted threatening attacks and full-time came without a goal.

LUBANGO, Angola (AFP)

Tags: africa cup of nations, african football, ahmed hassan, algeria, Angola, apam, cameroon, central Angolan, Egypt, extra time, Felix Katongo, french coach, ghana, herve renard, James Chamanga, John Obi, Joseph Musonda, league stage, Luanda, media criticism, nigeria, obafemi martins, obinna, penalty shootout, quarter finals, rainford kalaba, Renard, rival coach, starting line, success, table toppers, Thomas Nyirenda, William Njobvu, yellow cards, Zambia

Martins winner takes Nigeria to World Cup

November 14, 2009

Obafemi Martins was the two-goal hero as Nigeria defeated Kenya 3-2 in Nairobi Saturday and snatched a place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

JOHANNESBURG (AFP)

Tags: goal hero, johannesburg, kenya, nairobi, nigeria, obafemi martins, South Africa, south africa johannesburg, World Cup

Nigeria give Utaka late World Cup call-up

August 25, 2009

Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu has added Portsmouth striker John Utaka and FC Sion defender Obinna Nwaneri to his squad for a crunch September 6 World Cup qualifier against Tunisia.

Nigeria team official Emmanuel Attah disclosed that Amodu considered Utaka ahead of Club Brugge striker Joseph Akpala, while Nwaneri was preferred to Bolton defender Danny Shittu, who Amodu could not contact during a recent visit to Europe.

Wolfsburg striker Obafemi Martins and Yakubu Aiyegbeni were left out of the squad over fitness fears.

Tunisia lead 2010 World Cup Group Two African qualifying with seven points, while Nigeria are second on five points after three rounds of matches.

Kenya are third in the standings with three points and Mozambique are rooted to the bottom with a point.

LAGOS (AFP)

Tags: Bolton, brugge, club brugge, crunch, danny shittu, Emmanuel, Emmanuel Attah, Europe, fc sion, fears, five points, John Utaka, Joseph Akpala, kenya, LAGOS, Mozambique, nigeria, nigeria team, obafemi martins, Portsmouth, seven points, striker, Tunisia, Wolfsburg, world cup qualifier, yakubu aiyegbeni

Magath aims to bring his magic to Schalke

August 7, 2009

Having won the Bundesliga title with Wolfsburg last season, Felix Magath will now try to work the same magic on Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga when the season begins on Friday.

The 56-year-old, who won two league titles with Bayern Munich before he was sacked in February 2007, hardly put a foot wrong last season as the side he built swept the league.

While Bayern Munich faltered and eventually sacked ex-Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann in April, Wolfsburg picked up their first league crown in May, only for Magath to then quit to become coach and team manager at Schalke.

The Royal Blues spent most of last season in disarray and Magath’s first job has to be to build some team spirit and plug gaps in their defence before their first league game against newly-promoted Nuremburg on Saturday.

His replacement at Wolfsburg, Armin Veh, won the league title with Stuttgart in 2007, and his first game in charge is against his former club in the season’s opening game.

Veh is fortunate Wolfsburg have managed to keep hold of key strikers Edwin Dzeko and Brazilian Grafite despite interest from some of Europe’s top clubs while on Wednesday they were boosted as Bosnian international midfielder Zvjezdan Misimovic extended his contract until 2013.

Between them Dzeko and Grafite netted 54 league goals, but it remains to be seen if the team can repeat their surprise success or handle the step up to the Champions League where they will make their debut.

“The team is very motivated. My initial impressions from the first training camp have absolutely been confirmed,” said Veh whose attacking options have been further boosted by the arrival of Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins from Newcastle.

“We are looking forward to the season and showing what we can do.”

The man with the highest-profile job in German league football is Dutchman Louis van Gaal who arrives as Bayern Munich coach to try to succeed where Klinsmann failed.

Previous achievements count for nothing at success-greedy Bayern where domestic honours are demanded and Champions League success is expected.

The 57-year-old van Gaal has inherited an embarrassment of riches in attack with Bayern’s squad containing Germany strikers Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose, as well as Italian World Cup winner Luca Toni and Croatia’s Ivica Olic.

Promising youngster Thomas Mueller makes it five forwards pushing for two places in van Gaal’s starting line-up and the straight-taking ex-Holland coach is expected to stamp his mark on the side.

Their club president German football legend Franz Beckenbauer is in no doubt of the quality of the present squad.

“This is the best ever Bayern side,” ‘The Kaiser’ proudly declared, though, his words may come back to haunt him.

“We want to become German champions and at the very least reach the Champions League quarter-finals if not the semis.”

German national coach Joachim Loew does not share Beckenbauer’s optimism.

“It (the league title) will not be a formality,” said Loew.

“There are several sides who have made progress in the past few years in terms of consistency and quality.

“Maybe there will be another surprise winner such as Stuttgart and Wolfsburg.”

Bayern captain Mark van Bommel said the players are responding to van Gaal’s direct approach.

“He clearly tells us what he wants to see. He’s a straight talker, he corrects you and urges you on.”

Raised voices on the practice ground from time to time are not a problem, says van Bommel.

“It’s criticism to help you improve. It’s well-intentioned, to stop it happening again.”

The Dutchman’s first league game in charge is against last season’s dark horses Hoffenheim who led the league on their debut Bundesliga season at Christmas before falling off the pace.

The loss of striker Vedad Ibisevic with a cruciate ligament injury in the winter break was a devastating blow, but coach Ralf Rangnick can ill-afford another collapse which saw his side slump to mid-table.

Of the three sides coming up – Nuremberg, Freiburg and Mainz – Nuremberg can be expected to handle the move up after only two seasons out of German’s top flight.

Mainz by contrast hardly enter the season in a good state, though, they have already made Bundesliga history before a ball has been kicked after they became the first ever side to sack their coach prior to the start of the season when they removed Norwegian Jorn Andersen on Monday.

BERLIN (AFP)

Tags: bayern munich, felix magath, grafite, initial impressions, jurgen klinsmann, league crown, league game, league goals, league titles, louis van gaal, nuremburg, obafemi martins, plug gaps, schalke 04, surprise success, team spirit, top clubs, zvjezdan misimovic

No Milan for Dzeko after contract extension

August 2, 2009

Edin Dzeko has pledged his loyalty to VfL Wolfsburg, as the player signed a contract extension with the German champions.

The Bosnian’s future was a popular topic of speculation in recent weeks. Italian giants AC Milan reportedly had a big rejected for the striker.

“I am delighted that we managed to agree terms before the start of the Bundesliga season,” Dzeko said. “I’m looking forward to playing in the Bundesliga and in the Champions League.”

Dzeko, who is now set to remain at the club until 2013, joined Wolfsburg from Teplice in 2007 and was a key player in the VfL team that won the Bundesliga last season.

The contract extension is announced a day after the signing of Nigerian forward Obafemi Martins from Newcastle United.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: ac milan, bosnian, Bundesliga, champions league, contract extension, german champions, giants, loyalty, Milan, NEWCASTLE, newcastle united, obafemi martins, roorda, speculation, striker, Teplice, Wolfsburg

Obafemi Martins switches to Wolfsburg

August 1, 2009

German champions VfL Wolfsburg have announced the arrival of Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins from Newcastle United.

“This is exactly the type of player that we had been looking for, in addition to Grafite and Edin Dzeko,” said Wolfsburg manager Armin Veh. “He isn’t just fast, he also proved to be dangerous in front of the goal.”

“Since he can play on the wing, we will now have the possibility to field two or three strikers. Despite his young age, he gained a lot of experience in Italy and England and also knows the Champions League.

The 24-year-old came to Europe as a youth player, joining Reggiana in 2000. Martins made his breakthrough while playing for Internazionale from 2001 to 2006, after which he joined Newcastle.

Jonathan Roorda

Tags: Armin Veh, champions league, edin dzeko, England, Europe, german champions, grafite, internazionale, Italy, NEWCASTLE, newcastle united, obafemi martins, reggiana, strikers, vfl wolfsburg

Martins wants to stay at Newcastle

June 12, 2009

NEWCASTLE, England (AFP) – Nigeria striker Obafemi Martins admits he would like to help Newcastle back into the Premier League, but he knows the crisis-torn club are likely to sell him.

With Newcastle managerless and up for sale after their relegation to the English Championship, it would be easy for Martins to look for an escape route from St James’ Park.

The former Inter Milan star insists he would be happy to stay but, with Arsenal and other top European clubs interested, it seems certain Newcastle will opt to cash in on his 10 million pounds valuation to soften the financial blow of relegation.

“I hope I am not sold,” Martins told the Evening Gazette: “If the club decide to sell me, I have no choice but to go. But my aim is to stay and help get Newcastle promoted next season.

“I love living in Newcastle, and there are few better places to live and play.

“I know the club is for sale and that is hard for the fans. Yet I hear there could be some light at the end of the tunnel eventually.”

Meanwhile, talks over the future ownership of Newcastle were ongoing as interested parties prepared to make their moves.

It is understood the front-runners in the race to buy out owner Mike Ashley are ready to conduct due diligence as they prepare to firm up their intention to make a formal bid.

There have been reports on Tyneside that a South African-led consortium is among the most advanced potential bidders, while former chairman Freddy Shepherd has been repeatedly mentioned.

However, sources close to the club have suggested there is strong interest from elsewhere.

Investment bankers Seymour Pierce, whose chairman Keith Harris is handling the sale, has been in contact with up to four prospective purchasers, including the Singapore-based Profitable Group, but there is still some way to go before the club could change hands.

The players are due back for pre-season training on July 1, with the Championship campaign starting in eight weeks’ time, although there is as much work to be done on the playing side as there is behind the scenes before then.

Newcastle currently have no manager – Joe Kinnear’s contract has expired and Alan Shearer was employed only for the final eight games of last season.

The 38-year-old former England striker has made no secret of his desire to take the job on a permanent basis, but the current regime has little intention of appointing either him or anyone else with several of the prospective new owners having indicated they want to take that decision themselves.

Tags: alan shearer, due diligence, England, English Premier League, escape route, evening gazette, financial blow, freddy shepherd, front runners, inter milan, investment bankers, james park, joe kinnear, keith harris, light at the end of the tunnel, mike ashley, Milan, NEWCASTLE, newcastle england, nigeria, obafemi martins, pre season training, prospective purchasers, relegation, seymour pierce, St James, st james park, tyneside

Keane earns Ireland friendly stalemate with Nigeria

May 30, 2009

LONDON (AFP) – Robbie Keane saved the day for Ireland, the Tottenham captain producing the equaliser to earn Giovanni Trapattoni’s side a 1-1 draw with Nigeria in Friday’s friendly at Craven Cottage.

Michael Enemaro bought beleaguered Nigeria coach Shuaibu Amodu some precious breathing space with a fine goal in the 30th minute to put his team in front.

Eight minutes later Keane plundered the a deserved equaliser for Ireland.

Trapattoni will have been reasonably satisfied with his evening’s work as he prepares for next Saturday’s World Cup qualifier in Bulgaria, where they can all but rubber-stamp a top-two finish in qualifying Group Eight.

Even so, the Italian might have been disappointed that his in-form side could not have disposed of a Nigeria team stripped of John Mikel Obi, Joseph Yobo, Obafemi Martins and Chinedu Obasi through club commitments or injuries.

In truth, most of the players looked as if they would rather be on the beach resting their aching limbs than turning out in south-west London, and entertainment was at something of a premium for the supporters who turned the stadium into a sea of green.

What little urgency there was came mostly in the first half. Ireland might have taken the lead early on when Keane’s canny through-ball almost set up Leon Best, only for the debutant to be beaten to it by goalkeeper Austin Ejide.

That set a suitably frustrating tone for Best. The Coventry striker, making his international debut, was then denied in the 27th minute by a last-gasp sliding tackle by Sam Sodje and then hit the post with a header from point-blank range.

Best was given a masterclass in finishing from Enemaro. The midfielder swept in a fine first-time shot after being picked out 12 yards out by Femi Olubayo’s fine cross from the right.

That should have given Nigeria a platform for victory, but Ireland were level by the break. A cute pass from Keith Andrews found Keane in the area and, once the Ireland skipper had rounded Ejide, the equaliser was inevitable.

Ireland might have been ahead before half-time, only for Best to strike the post from point-blank range with a header, but they maintained their momentum after the break.

In the 52nd minute, Ejide’s poor clearance was seized by Shane Long and the Reading striker lobbed back towards goal. The goalkeeper only just made his ground in time to palm behind.

There were few chances worthy of the name as the game ground to a close, as both teams made a spate of substitutions to keep legs fresh for more pressing engagements in the days to come.

Amodu, who was severely criticised after Nigeria opened their World Cup qualifying campaign with a goalless draw against Mozambique, has a high-profile friendly with France in Saint Etienne on Tuesday but of even greater importance is the World Cup qualifier against Kenya in Abuja on 7 June.

Defeat there cannot be countenanced, so Nigeria’s sturdy performance here – albeit with a largely second-string side – will have cheered the coach.

Tags: abuja, aching limbs, Austin, breathing space, bulgaria, club commitments, craven cottage, debutant, equaliser, France, giovanni trapattoni, international debut, Ireland, john mikel obi, joseph yobo, Keith Andrews, kenya, last gasp, Leon Best, london, masterclass, Michael Enemaro, Mozambique, nigeria, nigeria team, obafemi martins, obasi, point blank range, qualifying group, Robbie Keane, Sam, Shane Long, south west london, west london, World Cup, world cup qualifier

Disallowed Viduka goal leaves Magpies on brink

May 17, 2009

NEWCASTLE, England (AFP) – Mark Viduka endured an afternoon of frustration as he failed to find a way past fellow Australian Mark Schwarzer in Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat by Fulham, which leaves the Magpies on the brink of relegation.

Striker Viduka saw a goal disallowed and another effort cleared off the line to leave Alan Shearer’s side entering the final game of the season in the relegation zone.

Diomansy Kamara’s fourth goal of the season shortly before half-time cements Fulham’s seventh place in the table and keeps them on track to qualify for the revamped Europa League.

But Newcastle’s concerns remain at the other end of the table, where even a victory at Aston Villa on May 24 might not be enough to secure safety after Hull’s draw at Bolton.

They will also have to do without key defender Sebastien Bassong through suspension at Villa Park after the French centre-back was sent off on the hour for tripping Kamara as the Fulham forward sped through on goal.

Whether Michael Owen figures in a week’s time remains to be seen. Newcastle were again without their injury-prone 16-million-pound striker, who has strenuously denied claims he’s set to retire at the end of the season to concentrate on his racehorse stable.

Owen, who is widely expected to leave the club when his 110,000-pound-a-week contract expires in the summer, failed to recover after missing training on Friday with a groin problem, to fuel speculation he has played his last game in a black and white shirt.

His replacement up front alongside Viduka, Obafemi Martins, who was clearly not 100 percent fit after groin problems of his own, struck the post with a fierce shot from 15 yards after swapping passes with Kevin Nolan on the quarter hour, before Viduka went close with a header from Danny Guthrie’s centre as Newcastle made the early running.

But it was far from one-way traffic. Steve Harper was forced to save from Zoltan Gera while Clint Dempsey shot narrowly wide before Erik Nevland curled a 20-yard effort inches wide with Harper beaten after being released by a neat Kamara flick as the visitors began to exert more influence on the contest.

Fulham’s dangerous front two combined to greater effect four minutes before the interval to finally break the deadlock.

Danny Murphy’s pass beat Newcastle’s offside trap to release Nevland, who held off Bassong to round Harper before squaring to the unmarked Kamara, who had the simple task of firing the ball into the roof of an unguarded net.

Viduka posed a constant threat for Newcastle, and the 33-year-old looked like rewarding his industry with a goal as Newcastle made an impressive start to the second-half.

But he was denied twice within a matter of seconds five minutes after the restart, first by Dickson Etuhu, and secondly by referee Howard Webb.

Etuhu was well placed to hack Viduka’s glancing header off the line after the forward reacted first to Danny Guthrie’s free-kick. Viduka found his target when heading home Guthrie’s resulting corner, only for Webb to controversially rule the effort out for Nolan’s foul on Schwarzer.

Newcastle struggled with their numerical disadvantage after Bassong’s exit, but it took two fine Schwarzer saves at the end to secure the points for Fulham.

The first, 12 minutes from time, saw the Australian international beat out a close-range Martins effort after the bustling striker forced his way past Aaron Hughes to shoot from a narrow angle.

Then, in injury-time, Nicky Butt saw his snap shot from eight yards brilliantly kept out by Schwarzer at the foot of his right-hand post.

Tags: Aaron Hughes, alan shearer, Clint Dempsey, Danny Guthrie, Danny Murphy, Dickson Etuhu, England, English Premier League, Erik Nevland, final game, french centre, fulham, groin problem, Howard Webb, HULL, kamara, Kevin Nolan, key defender, magpies, mark schwarzer, mark viduka, michael owen, NEWCASTLE, newcastle england, Nolan, obafemi martins, Owen, racehorse, relegation zone, Sebastien Bassong, steve harper, villa park, yard effort, zoltan gera

Newcastle beat Middlesbrough, stay afloat in Premier League

May 12, 2009

NEWCASTLE (AFP) – Alan Shearer experienced his first victory as Newcastle United’s manager when precious goals from Steven Taylor, Obafemi Martins and Peter Lovenkrands ensured a 3-1 success over Middlesbrough in a St James’ Park relegation battle.

They are goals that could be worth up to 50 million pounds (70 million dollars) to Newcastle, who would lose a substantial portion of their income if they drop out of the Premier League.

With two games remaining against Fulham and Aston Villa, they are still far from safe, but they are out of the bottom three following a game Shearer described as the most important of his Newcastle career.

Middlesbrough, in contrast, must now accept they are heading for the Championship next season after losing a game where they took the lead and wasted several other chances.

An own goal from Habib Beye put Middlesbrough in front before Taylor equalised, with both goals coming early in a game that looked destined to end in stalemate before substitutes Martins and Lovenkrands condemned Gareth Southgate’s team to their 11th successive away defeat.

Only 45 miles separate the two teams, but – in football terms – the gap between them may be far, far wider next season after a Newcastle triumph on a date that looked ominous for Middlesbrough.

This derby fell on the anniversary of the birth of Jackie Milburn, United’s legendary centre-forward, and also Shearer’s testimonial, which marked his farewell as a player three years ago.

Five games under Shearer had produced two points and just one goal, although Middlesbrough’s form was no better, with only one win in their previous eight Premier League games – a sequence which provoked a few surprises in Southgate’s team.

The biggest was the inclusion of Dutchman Marvin Emnes, who started his first league game of the season in attack alongside Afonso Alves.

Emnes was called up because Middlesbrough – like Newcastle – had failed to score in their previous three games.

But Boro, scorers of only nine goals away from home this season, required just three minutes to go ahead through an own goal when the goal rebounded off Beye after Turkish international Tuncay Sanli’s shot was blocked by goalkeeper Steve Harper.

Mark Viduka, once a Middlesbrough player, led Newcastle’s response, hitting a post before Taylor fired over from the rebound.

Taylor proved to be far more effective with his head in the ninth minute when he outjumped Gary O’Neil and powered Danny Guthrie’s corner inside the same post.

It was the start of an awkward spell for Middlesbrough as Newcastle began to thrive on their extra possession.

Viduka’s footwork down the left led to a cross towards Michael Owen, whose header was turned over by Australian goalkeeper Brad Jones.

But Boro came close when Viduka carelessly lost possession in his own half in the 29th minute, leading to a shot by Emnes against the legs of Harper, who was fortunate when the 20-year-old forward wastefully steered the rebound wide.

Newcastle began the second half in an authoritative mood and, while pinning back Middlesbrough in the early stages, were unable to carve out clear-cut openings.

With the game becoming increasingly tense, Middlesbrough finally made some attacking inroads and Harper made a fine save from Gary O’Neil’s 18-yard effort in the 57th minute.

With an hour gone, the balance had switched in Middlesbrough’s favour as O’Neil became increasingly influential in midfield and Tuncay’s intelligent contributions were getting a response from the men around him.

But the arrival of Martins in place of Owen in the 70th minute proved decisive.

The Nigerian striker – wearing the No.9 shirt made famous by Milburn and Shearer – latched onto a header from Viduka and, as he slipped, managed to direct the ball past Jones.

And, after Jeremie Aliadiere went close to an equaliser, Newcastle put the game out of Middlesbrough’s reach when Lovenkrands turned in Kevin Nolan’s cross with just four minutes remaining.