RIO DE JANEIRO (AFP) – A Brazilian judge has canceled Sunday’s
friendly game between Brazil and England in Rio’s iconic Maracana
stadium, citing safety concerns at the recently renovated facility.
The O Estado de Sao Paulo daily on Thursday quoted court sources as
saying a Rio judge acted following a request from state prosecutors, who
said Maracana did not “meet the minimum necessary conditions to host
games or events”.
Calls to the court for confirmation of the report were unanswered. Thursday is a public holiday in Brazil.
The Rio state government however said in a statement that “all safety
requirements were met,” attributing the problem to a bureaucratic
glitch.
The daily said the Brazilian Football Confederation was collecting
all the documents demanded by the judges so that the suspension can be
reversed.
An estimated 74,000 people had been expected to watch Sunday’s game,
which was to have been the second test for the stadium inaugurated on
April 27 after a multi-million-dollar 30-month renovation.
The friendly was to have served as preparation for the Brazilian
national squad ahead of the Confederations Cup in the country from June
15 to 30.
The Maracana stadium will host four Confederations Cup matches as
well as seven World Cup games next year, including the finals of both
tournaments. In 2016, it will host the opening ceremony of the Summer
Olympics.
England are already in Brazil having flown on a private jet straight after Wednesday night’s friendly draw in Ireland.
Since 2007, the Rio state government has invested an estimated $430
million in the Maracana renovations, which ultimately will comprise a
multi-purpose arena featuring bars, restaurants and shops.
However, the redevelopment has met with controversy in some quarters,
with protesters taking aim at the plan to privatize the venue.
Two consortiums are competing for a 35-year lease to operate the Maracana and its surroundings.
Thursday 30 May 2013
Ogun Police arrest 8 robbery suspects
ABEOKUTA—The Ogun State Police Command, yesterday, said it arrested
eight armed robbery suspects that specialised in car snatching and
other criminal acts in Ifo communities of Ifo Local Government Area of
the state.
In a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, stated that the arrested suspects were members of the gang that have in recent time terrorized the Ifo community.
Adejobi said: “ Biodun Olugbodi, is the leader of a secret cult group that had threatened to carry out a reprisal attack on members of the unregistered Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, last May 9.
“Other suspects are; Seun Sunday, Dare Busari, Dayo Sotade Alaba Busari, Sola Akinfenwa, Seun Ewejobi and Tope Adebisi.”
“ Men of the Ifo Police Division arrested the duo of Seun Sunday and Dare Busari at Ilepa axis of Ifo township inside a Honda Accord (EOD) car with registration number (Lagos) AY 26 EPE which they have snatched at Quary area of Abeokuta, the state capital.
“ The confessional statement of Seun and Busari led to the arrest of the six others who were eventually picked up at different locations in Abeokuta and Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
“Several ammunition, which included two locally made pistols, the Honda Accord (EOD) car, as well as a Toyota Camry with registration number (Lagos) AU 255 KRD were recovered from the suspects who have confessed to many car snatching, shop breakings and other criminal activities in the state”.
In a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, stated that the arrested suspects were members of the gang that have in recent time terrorized the Ifo community.
Adejobi said: “ Biodun Olugbodi, is the leader of a secret cult group that had threatened to carry out a reprisal attack on members of the unregistered Oodua People’s Congress, OPC, last May 9.
“Other suspects are; Seun Sunday, Dare Busari, Dayo Sotade Alaba Busari, Sola Akinfenwa, Seun Ewejobi and Tope Adebisi.”
“ Men of the Ifo Police Division arrested the duo of Seun Sunday and Dare Busari at Ilepa axis of Ifo township inside a Honda Accord (EOD) car with registration number (Lagos) AY 26 EPE which they have snatched at Quary area of Abeokuta, the state capital.
“ The confessional statement of Seun and Busari led to the arrest of the six others who were eventually picked up at different locations in Abeokuta and Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
“Several ammunition, which included two locally made pistols, the Honda Accord (EOD) car, as well as a Toyota Camry with registration number (Lagos) AU 255 KRD were recovered from the suspects who have confessed to many car snatching, shop breakings and other criminal activities in the state”.
Kenya embarked in a specialised training for Eagles
Kenya coach Adel Amrouche has commenced
specialised training for the Harambee Stars in Naivasha Ahead of next week’s World Cup qualifying match against the Super
Eagles of Nigeria in Nairobi,
Speaking to the Standard Newspaper, Amrouche, said the team will not be intimidated by the African champions, despite the absence of two key players.
Kenya will be without team captain Dennis Oliech and goalkeeper Arnold Origi, who are both suspended for the match and Amrouche has challenged local players to step on the big stage.
“We have a young squad and I expect to field a good number of local players. I believe they are capable of giving us positive results against Nigeria.
“The training has been good, so far. We still have a few more days to tie up lose ends.
“We have settled on Naivasha because it is conducive and will give our players the concentration required to focus on the game. We don’t want them to be distracted by other family and domestic problems,” Amrouche said
Speaking to the Standard Newspaper, Amrouche, said the team will not be intimidated by the African champions, despite the absence of two key players.
Kenya will be without team captain Dennis Oliech and goalkeeper Arnold Origi, who are both suspended for the match and Amrouche has challenged local players to step on the big stage.
“We have a young squad and I expect to field a good number of local players. I believe they are capable of giving us positive results against Nigeria.
“The training has been good, so far. We still have a few more days to tie up lose ends.
“We have settled on Naivasha because it is conducive and will give our players the concentration required to focus on the game. We don’t want them to be distracted by other family and domestic problems,” Amrouche said
Customs arrests foreigners over attempts to export elephant tusks
THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Murtala Muhammed International
Airport Command, has arrested two Chinese nationals and a Malian for
attempting to smuggle out of the country more than 21 kilograms of
processed ivory and elephant tusks.
The alleged smugglers had concealed the illegal items as hand bangles, hair attachment, building materials, beads and decorative samples, it was gathered. They were smuggling the items through the cargo wing of the Lagos International Airport.
According to Customs, the items were packaged as courier in 176 separate packages to be flown to Liberia, South Africa and China, before they were discovered and intercepted during a joint examination by Customs officers at the cargo sheds of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
All items and the suspects, according to the Public Relations Officer of the Airport Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs. Thelma Williams, will be handed over to National Environmental Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for further actions.
According to her, but for the diligence of officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Command, the prohibited items would have been smuggled out of the country against the worldwide practice of protecting endangered wildlife species from extinction.
The alleged smugglers had concealed the illegal items as hand bangles, hair attachment, building materials, beads and decorative samples, it was gathered. They were smuggling the items through the cargo wing of the Lagos International Airport.
According to Customs, the items were packaged as courier in 176 separate packages to be flown to Liberia, South Africa and China, before they were discovered and intercepted during a joint examination by Customs officers at the cargo sheds of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
All items and the suspects, according to the Public Relations Officer of the Airport Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Mrs. Thelma Williams, will be handed over to National Environmental Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA) for further actions.
According to her, but for the diligence of officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Command, the prohibited items would have been smuggled out of the country against the worldwide practice of protecting endangered wildlife species from extinction.
We are committed to ensuring robust performance(Livestock boss)
Livestock Feeds Plc has said that it will maximize every available
opportunity in its operation to ensure the achievement of a robust
performance in the current financial year.
Chairman Board of Directors of the Company, Mr. Larry Ettah, who disclosed this while addressing shareholders of the company at the Annual General Meeting, AGM in Lagos, said that that they would strive to consolidate on 2012 performance work notwithstanding the challenges especially of high cost and shortage of some of the major input material currently facing the industry.
According to him, “Despite the various challenges that are facing the industry, which was compounded by the flooding of the growing belt of the nation, your board and management team is working hard to overcome these emergent challenges.”
“We will also optimise the synergy with our sister company in the UAC Group, Grand Cereals Limited, especially in technical and raw material procurement to realise this objective,” Ettah said.
Additionally, he asserted that the poultry industry growth that was estimated at about 20 percent in 2012 over 2011 was largely propelled by the growing expansion of many medium to large scale farmers, who were beneficiaries of the Central Bank’s Commercial Agricultural Scheme.
In addition he said, “The continued expansion of the scheme considerably neutralised the effects of the disappearance of many small scale farms during the year, he explained.
Speaking on the company’s integration into UACN, he maintained that plans and investments in rebuilding, renovating and making improvements in infrastructure and other critical areas have already commenced, adding that it was necessary to stabilise and improve the company’s operation to guarantee a sustainable future that will ensure better returns to the company’s shareholders.
“We have just concluded plans for the installation of a brand new 12 metric tons per hour feed mill at our Ikeja factory later this year, he added”
“Other areas of quick wins and optimisation of synergies are being explored, especially in inventory acquisition, cost efficiencies, engineering and product quality stability, which are critical to the company’s operations that will lead to improvement of its competitiveness,” said Ettah.
The company recorded an improved turnover of N5.43 billion, a 50 percent growth compared to N3.62 billion in the previous year, while its profit before tax rose by about 42 percent over 2011 to N216.2 million.
Its profit after tax was N139.1 million, while earnings per share improved by 42 percent at 11.59 kobo, when compared with 8.16 kobo in 2011.
The increased insecurity in the northern part of the country in 2012, which is generally recognised as the major source of grains as well as key in poultry eggs consumption, and distribution, along with the weakening of consumer purchasing power in the face of increased poultry production invariably resulted in egg glut across the country.
Chairman Board of Directors of the Company, Mr. Larry Ettah, who disclosed this while addressing shareholders of the company at the Annual General Meeting, AGM in Lagos, said that that they would strive to consolidate on 2012 performance work notwithstanding the challenges especially of high cost and shortage of some of the major input material currently facing the industry.
According to him, “Despite the various challenges that are facing the industry, which was compounded by the flooding of the growing belt of the nation, your board and management team is working hard to overcome these emergent challenges.”
“We will also optimise the synergy with our sister company in the UAC Group, Grand Cereals Limited, especially in technical and raw material procurement to realise this objective,” Ettah said.
Additionally, he asserted that the poultry industry growth that was estimated at about 20 percent in 2012 over 2011 was largely propelled by the growing expansion of many medium to large scale farmers, who were beneficiaries of the Central Bank’s Commercial Agricultural Scheme.
In addition he said, “The continued expansion of the scheme considerably neutralised the effects of the disappearance of many small scale farms during the year, he explained.
Speaking on the company’s integration into UACN, he maintained that plans and investments in rebuilding, renovating and making improvements in infrastructure and other critical areas have already commenced, adding that it was necessary to stabilise and improve the company’s operation to guarantee a sustainable future that will ensure better returns to the company’s shareholders.
“We have just concluded plans for the installation of a brand new 12 metric tons per hour feed mill at our Ikeja factory later this year, he added”
“Other areas of quick wins and optimisation of synergies are being explored, especially in inventory acquisition, cost efficiencies, engineering and product quality stability, which are critical to the company’s operations that will lead to improvement of its competitiveness,” said Ettah.
The company recorded an improved turnover of N5.43 billion, a 50 percent growth compared to N3.62 billion in the previous year, while its profit before tax rose by about 42 percent over 2011 to N216.2 million.
Its profit after tax was N139.1 million, while earnings per share improved by 42 percent at 11.59 kobo, when compared with 8.16 kobo in 2011.
The increased insecurity in the northern part of the country in 2012, which is generally recognised as the major source of grains as well as key in poultry eggs consumption, and distribution, along with the weakening of consumer purchasing power in the face of increased poultry production invariably resulted in egg glut across the country.
We ‘ll swim or sink with Amaechi(Rivers lawmakers)
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| Gov. Amaechi and President Jonathan |
The assertion by the lawmakers came as the faction of the Nigerian Governors Forum, NGF, opposed to Governor Amaechi’s leadership, opened a new secretariat in Abuja with a promise not to antagonize President Goodluck Jonathan.
The opening of the Governor Jonah Jang-led factional NGF secretariat, however, exposed a setback for the faction as Vice-President Namadi Sambo and three governors that earlier identified with the faction stayed away.
The 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly including the speaker, Daniel Amachaere, in a joint statement, rebuffed insinuations that some of them had caved in to entreaties to join a plot to impeach the governor.
While pledging to swim and sink with the governor, the lawmakers were, however, mute on whether approaches had been made towards enlisting them into such a plot.
Five of the 32 members of the House who have in the past been associated with the anti-Amaechi tendency did not sign the statement.
The five lawmakers who did not sign the release were Evans Bipi, Kelechi Nwogu, Michael Chinda, Martin Amaewhule and Victor Ihunwo.
In a statement made available to Vanguard, the lawmakers who also declared loyalty to President Jonathan said:
“We have observed with consternation rumours making the rounds, even appearing on the pages of National Dailies that we, the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have been financially induced to impeach Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Governor of Rivers State, and Chairman, Nigerian Governors Forum.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we make bold to categorically state as follows: that we have not and will not receive any pecuniary gratification or marginal oil fields.
“That we are united in our resolve to commit our unalloyed loyalty to His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike R. Amaechi Governor and the people of Rivers State; that we the undersigned do not contemplate the impeachment of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike R. Amaechi as an option.
“We reiterate our loyalty to the President and Commander-in- Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the leader of our Great Party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.”
Jang opens alternate NGF office in Abuja
In the absence of Vice President Sambo, the secretariat of the faction of the NGF was formally unveiled by Governor Jang himself at 5.45 pm.
Besides Sambo, three other governors who had last weekend aligned with Jang also failed to turn up or send representatives to the opening ceremony.
The three were Governors Sullivan Chime of Enugu State, Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara and Saidu Dankigari of Kebbi.
Present at the Commissioning of the Secretariat at Number 2, Nana Close, off Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja were governors of Taraba, Ondo, Kogi, Delta, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Cross River, Anambra, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Katsina and Plateau. The governors of Gombe and Benue sent their deputies.
The invitation letter sent to the governors for the commissioning, dated May 28, 2013, and signed by Governor Jang read in part, “It is my honour and pleasure to invite your most esteemed self to the above meeting which is scheduled as follows. Date: Thursday, May 30, 2013. Venue: 2 Nana Close, by Erie Crescent, off Nile Street, Maitama, Abuja.
“The meeting which shall be preceded by the official commissioning of our new Secretariat by the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, shall among others, deliberate on ways and means of consolidating the Forum.”
The NGF before its breakup last weekend had maintained a secretariat at No. 1 DengXiaoping Street, Asokoro, Abuja.
14 of the 16 governors, who were at the event were from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, while the other two, Olusegun Mimiko and Peter Obi were from Labour Party, LP, and All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, respectively.
PDP governors who shunned the event were those of Kwara, Kebbi, Adamawa; Sokoto; Jigawa; Kano; Enugu; Rivers and Niger states.
Absense of some govs ‘ll not undermine Jang’s credibility — Dickson
Meanwhile, Governor Serikae Dickson of Bayelsa State yesterday insisted that the absence of some governors would not undermine the credibility of Jang as chairman of the NGF.
“At the meeting in Kwara State where Governor Rotimi Amaechi was elected, only seven governors and six deputies, and that made it a total of 13 as we are going on more people will join.”
Affirming that the forum was not established to antagonize the presidency, he said: “This forum does not exist on personal aggrandizement; this forum does not exist for antagonizing the presidency and other people in authority.
“This forum is not a platform for opposition politics, the forum is not to be used to promote an agenda that will be like promoting an alternative government, what we have done is to insulate the forum from holding meetings in governors lodges and so on.
Also speaking at the occasion, the factional chairman, Governor Jang said the opening of a secretariat was to reduce the cult of personality in the NGF.
“It is not proper that governors should meet at private residences, and this informed the reason why we decided to get a suitable place, where we will feel comfortable. Hence this will further strengthen the forum and Nigerians will see unity among us”.
Jang’s secretariat to launch a website
In a related development, the secretariat has concluded plans to launch a website that will among other things reflect “the new thinking, perception, goals and orientation of the NGF under a presidential system of government.”
According to a statement issued by the factional NGF, “The website is equally expected to project and propagate the vision and mission of the NGF under Dr. Jang as a non-confrontational, fence mending, bridge-building and above all supportive of Mr. President and all other leaders in their quest to build a new Nigeria of our collective dreams and aspirations.
“The NGF is out to strengthen the democracy we have all painstakingly nurtured over time, serve the collective interest of Nigerians devoid of selfish tendencies, which could threaten the unity, peace, stability and progress of the Nation.
“The NGF under the guidance of Governor Jang will in no circumstance run a parallel government to that of the President, but will rather work hard to sustain all existing democratic structures as will clearly be captured in the website.
“It is hoped that, when formally launched, it will afford Nigerians the opportunity to regularly and objectively comment and make contributions on issues of common and national interest, so that we can collectively build our democracy to enviable heights.”
Rivers group wants NGF to release video of last election
Meanwhile, Pilot Group has called on the NGF to release the full video coverage of the last NGF election and “other electoral process observed in the course of the said election”.
A statement made available to newsmen, yesterday, in Port Harcourt and signed by the Chairman, Publicity committee of the group, Mr Egbe Festus, expressed hope that a release of the full video coverage of events during the NGF election would lay to rest the controversies that had dogged the outcome of the election.
While congratulating Governor Chibuike Amaechi for his victory at the NGF election, the body urged the National Working Committee of the PDP to exercise caution in the way it meddles into the internal affairs of the state chapter of the party, adding that the suspension of the elected officials of Obio Akpor local government should be thoroughly looked into to determine the legality of the action before applying sanction on any member of the party.
Continuing, the statement enjoined governors to conduct themselves in manner that would consolidate the nation’s democracy, stressing that they should accept defeat where necessary and be magnanimous in victory.
Siasia warns Eagles to avoid conceding first goal,
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| Siasia |
What should the Super Eagles avoid in their next FIFA World Cup qualifying match against the Harambee Stars of Kenya on June 5 in Nairobi?
Honestly speaking, there are many things that they must try to avoid but the key thing that the team must avoid is being scored against first because if that should happen, it is going to change a whole lot of things and give the Kenyans extra confidence that they can beat us.
The match is a delicate one and if the Eagles can avoid being scored against first, they will have an edge over their opponents.
And they also need to go for victory because they know that it is a match that they must win to improve their chances of qualifying for the next FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
I just want to wish them the best of luck in this campaign. It is important for them to avoid being scored against first because that will help them to build their confidence and stamp their authority on the match.
Do you feel that we have the quality to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014?
I think we do. The players are good, we are the African champions and the coach is someone who understands what it takes to get to that height of the World Cup. He has seen it and done it before and I am positive of our chances to qualify again.
So you are not nursing any fear as we approach this crucial period of the World Cup qualifying campaign?
I do not have any fear. As I said earlier, We have the players who can do rightly get Nigeria to the World Cup and all that we need to pray for is for the luck to be with them on that day. We can only feel be confident that these players can get the job done in their next matches.
You were at the one year remembrance and testimonial match organised in honour of former Eagles striker, Rashidi Yekini in Ibadan and at that function, you said that the late Yekini was the greatest star of Nigerian football. Some of your teammates were not there to honour their late teammate. What do you make of this development and what are the implications for those currently playing for the Super Eagles and other national teams? Are you not sad that your former teammates were conspicuously absent.
I was disappointed that a lot of people were not there. I think I was the only person with Dimeji Lawal who were there. That’s not how we are supposed to honour a legend who died and did so much for this country.. That is not the way to send him back to mother earth. It is a very bad attitude and I am sad all over again just thinking about the matter. This type pf treatment does not encourage the present stars and the upcoming ones to give their all to the national cause. It is demoralising to play and not get recognition in death.
So what do we do as a people to right our wrongs?
I think we should make amends and learn to do things the proper way. We should always remember our legends in good time and in bad time. Our stars deserve our commendation and love, whether alive or dead.
Dikko calls for caution as regards to the Shooting of smugglers
THE Comptroller – General of Customs, Dikko Inde Abdullahi CFR has
described as insensitive the circumstances that led to the unfortunate
conflict between soldiers and Customs officers in Katsina, Katsina
State.
The Deputy Public Relations Officer for Comptroller General of Customs quoted the CGC as saying that in the face of current security challenges, firing while pursuing smugglers near a Military Barrack was tactically wrong and insensitive on the part of the Customs operatives.
According to him, the CGC recalled with satisfaction instances in the past where the Military assisted in the interception of un-wholesome drugs in Katsina /Kaduna Customs Area Command.
While reminding both parties that they were partners working for the common good of the nation, he called for caution and directed the Customs Area Controller to immediately liaise with the commanding officer and resolve the issue amicably in the spirit of espirit de corps. The CGC said his office relates well with Office of the National Security Adviser, Chief Of Army Staff and all other Service Chiefs.
The Deputy Public Relations Officer for Comptroller General of Customs quoted the CGC as saying that in the face of current security challenges, firing while pursuing smugglers near a Military Barrack was tactically wrong and insensitive on the part of the Customs operatives.
According to him, the CGC recalled with satisfaction instances in the past where the Military assisted in the interception of un-wholesome drugs in Katsina /Kaduna Customs Area Command.
While reminding both parties that they were partners working for the common good of the nation, he called for caution and directed the Customs Area Controller to immediately liaise with the commanding officer and resolve the issue amicably in the spirit of espirit de corps. The CGC said his office relates well with Office of the National Security Adviser, Chief Of Army Staff and all other Service Chiefs.
Lilypond terminal loses N500 million over low container volume
THE management of Lilypond container depot in Ijora, Lagos, has said
that it lost N500 million in the past year due to inactivity at the
terminal occasioned by low container volume.
Apapa port has experienced a low volume of imports since last year, and container dwell time at the port has reduced substantially thus eliminating the need for transfer of containers to off-dock facilities. Capacity utilization at the main port of Apapa container terminal is about 60 percent at present due to low volume.
Logistics Manager of Lilypond container depot, Tristram Denyer, said apart from the concession fee paid to the Federal Government in 2006, the firm has invested N3 billion in the facility. The sum, according to Denyer, was spent on safety, people, equipment, information technology and better infrastructure.
Operations at Lilypond peaked in 2011 with a record cargo throughput of 47,000 TEUs; however, the company said it does not expect to see a return of this situation in the foreseeable future. When contacted on the lack of transfer of containers from Apapa to Lilypond, spokesman for APM Terminals Apapa, Mr. Bolaji Akinola, said transfer of containers to Inland Container Depots (ICDs) is no longer feasible because it adds more cost to the logistics chain and to the importer; apart from the low volume being experienced at the port.
Apapa port has experienced a low volume of imports since last year, and container dwell time at the port has reduced substantially thus eliminating the need for transfer of containers to off-dock facilities. Capacity utilization at the main port of Apapa container terminal is about 60 percent at present due to low volume.
Logistics Manager of Lilypond container depot, Tristram Denyer, said apart from the concession fee paid to the Federal Government in 2006, the firm has invested N3 billion in the facility. The sum, according to Denyer, was spent on safety, people, equipment, information technology and better infrastructure.
Operations at Lilypond peaked in 2011 with a record cargo throughput of 47,000 TEUs; however, the company said it does not expect to see a return of this situation in the foreseeable future. When contacted on the lack of transfer of containers from Apapa to Lilypond, spokesman for APM Terminals Apapa, Mr. Bolaji Akinola, said transfer of containers to Inland Container Depots (ICDs) is no longer feasible because it adds more cost to the logistics chain and to the importer; apart from the low volume being experienced at the port.
redemption needed at NFF Junior Team(Flying Eagles)
The Flying Eagles will be making their ninth appearance at the FIFA
U-20 World Cup in Turkey. The only African team that has a better record
than Nigeria at the world youth showpiece event are Ghana, who have
four semi-final appearances and one victory to their name, while the
Flying Eagles thrice have made it to the round of the last four.
In 1989 and 2005, they were beaten finalists, while in 1985 they finished third. Turkey 2013 will be the fifth consecutive appearance for the west Africans and each time the team has managed to escape the group phase, which is a record the class of 2013 are keen to emulate.
After twice losing in the final of the World Cup, the Flying Eagles are desperate to finally land the trophy. Their performance at the African U-20 championships in Algeria, where they secured their ticket for Turkey, however suggests that they will have their work cut out for them if they are secure their first global U-20 title.
A defeat against Mali in their opening match put them under pressure from the start, and although they managed the two victories against Gabon and DR Congo they needed to make the last four, they were convincingly beaten by champions Egypt in the semis. A 2-1 win against Mali in the play-off match saw them finish third, with top striker Aminu Umar grabbing both goals.
It seems likely that there will be some changes in the Nigerian side ahead of the World Cup finals – where they will face Cuba, South Korea and Portugal – later this year. As defending champions in Algeria, the Flying Eagles were expecting at least a place in the final, and even though the team finished third, it could not completely gloss over their performance.
Coach John Obuh was honest in his appraisal after the victory in the play-off. “This was not what we expected. But we had to do everything to take something back home. This is our gold after we failed to reach the final,” he said.
In 1989 and 2005, they were beaten finalists, while in 1985 they finished third. Turkey 2013 will be the fifth consecutive appearance for the west Africans and each time the team has managed to escape the group phase, which is a record the class of 2013 are keen to emulate.
After twice losing in the final of the World Cup, the Flying Eagles are desperate to finally land the trophy. Their performance at the African U-20 championships in Algeria, where they secured their ticket for Turkey, however suggests that they will have their work cut out for them if they are secure their first global U-20 title.
A defeat against Mali in their opening match put them under pressure from the start, and although they managed the two victories against Gabon and DR Congo they needed to make the last four, they were convincingly beaten by champions Egypt in the semis. A 2-1 win against Mali in the play-off match saw them finish third, with top striker Aminu Umar grabbing both goals.
It seems likely that there will be some changes in the Nigerian side ahead of the World Cup finals – where they will face Cuba, South Korea and Portugal – later this year. As defending champions in Algeria, the Flying Eagles were expecting at least a place in the final, and even though the team finished third, it could not completely gloss over their performance.
Coach John Obuh was honest in his appraisal after the victory in the play-off. “This was not what we expected. But we had to do everything to take something back home. This is our gold after we failed to reach the final,” he said.
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