FOOTBALL MADE IN NAIJA 3

Its another beautiful Monday. And i believe you know what that means, Its time for another interesting edition of Football made in Naija.
Where we look at stories making the headline in Nigeria.

Uche secures point for Kasimpasa
Ignored Super Eagles attacking midfielder Kalu Uche opened the scoring for Kasimpasa in their 1-1 home draw with Orduspor.

Kalu gave the hosts the lead in the 40th minute of the game, however Roversio Rodrigues came off the bench to score the leveller in the 83rd minute.
Kasimpasa are now fourth on the table with 21 points from 13 games, and four points behind League leaders and defending champions Galasatary.
The 30-year-old has now scored seven goals in 13 Super Lig games for Kasimpasa and is the joint third highest goalscorer in the League, just two goals behind Galasatary's Umut Bulut who tops the scorers chart.

Nsofor seals win for Lokomotiv
Nigeria international forward Obinna Nsofor scored the winning goal in Lokomotiv Moscow's 3-2 win over Krasnoder in the Russian Premier League.

The Super Eagles absentee scored with six minutes into the second half to restore his side's lead.
Dame N'Doye has put the host in the lead twice, but Eugeni Shipitsyn and Wanderson brought the visitors back on level terms on both occasions, before Nsofor's goal sealed the game.
Lokomotiv are now placed eighth in the league with 28 points from 17 games, and are 11 points off Ahmed Musa's CSKA Moscow who have a game in hand.
Nsofor, who last featured for the Super Eagles in the Nations Cup qualifer against Rwanda, is a regular for Lokomotiv this season, but has been unlucky in front of goal, scoring just twice in 15 appearances.

Sports Writers Association honours Maigari
The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria have honoured NFF president, Alhaji Aminu Maigari with a Gold Merit Award.

The FCT-chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria who organised the award on Thursday at the Radio House in Abuja cited the efforts of Maigari at supporting the various National Teams to prepare, participate and qualify for all major football championships in the year 2012.

"We are honouring the NFF President for the support that himself, the Executive Committee and the Management (of the NFF) have given to all National Teams to qualify and take part in all major competitions this year, and this award is meant to also encourage him and the Board and Management to provide even more support for our National Teams in the year 2013," the Chairman of FCT-SWAN, Mr. Kayode Adeniyi said on Thursday.

In his acceptance speech, Maigari took the opportunity to extol the efforts of the Federal Government through the National Sports Commission at supporting the NFF.

"I am most delighted, yet humbled by this award. Let me use this opportunity to say a big 'thank you' to the Federal Government, through the National Sports Commission, for the immense support we have been receiving from them to run the National Teams. We also appreciate our partners/sponsors for their support, Maigari said.

"I wish to state clearly here that the Board of Nigeria Football Federation and the Management are committed to adequate preparation of our National Teams for the major championships they have qualified for, while we are also determined to provide all necessary support to the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals." He concluded.

 

Pillars coach raises alarm over delayed NPL kick-off

Pillars coach Mohammed Baba Ganaru has said the delay in the NPL kick-off would affect clubs in international competitions next year.

Pillars and Enugu Rangers will represent Nigeria in the CAF Champions League, while Heartland and Lobi Stars will feature in the Confederation Cup.

The new season was to have kicked off on December 1, but with the suspension of the NPL Congress until further notice, the Nigerian league can no onger begin this year.

Pillars coach Ganaru said he was concerned about the match fitness of the teams because they are most likely to begin their international campaign before the domestic championship gets underway.

"The situation on ground is not good for us, Kano Pillars and other teams who will represent Nigeria on the continent. The delay in the NPL kick off will not augur well for the clubs because we ought to be in match situation before the competition starts. Our opponents are in competitions and will definitely have an edge over us,” lamented Baba Ganaru.

Pillars reached the semi-finals of the 2009 CAF Champions league, but crashed out in the qualifying rounds the following year.

 

World Cup star Justice Christopher to prove himself in NPL

Ex-Nigeria World Cup star Justice Christopher has promised to relaunch his career with NPL new boys Nasarawa United.

The versatile Christopher who featured at the 2002 World Cup told MTNFootball.com he will prove that he still has a lot to offer in the game.

"I am now a Nasarawa United player. We have agreed and I signed a year’s deal with them. I am happy and this is an avenue to prove that I am fit as many offers are waiting for me in Europe and Asia. I will do my best with Nasarawa to show that I am still the Justice Christopher people know,” he said.

“I could leave at a point I get an offer to return to Europe, but I am sure I will play till next summer.

“I am fit so I have to start playing because all the club that I contacted in Europe and Asia tell me it’s been long I played, so they want me back in action before anything."

A lingering knee injury has dogged his once promising career after he last played for Hefolge in Denmark in the 2006/2007 season.

Christopher has also featured for Katsina United, Sharks, Insurance in Nigeria as well as Royal Antwerp (Belgium), Levski Sofia (Bulgaria), Trelleborg (Sweden) and Alania (Russia).

 

Gabriel Reuben yet to sign for Pillars

Eagles star Gabriel Reuben has yet to sign for Pillars, fueling speculations he could finally be on his way to Europe in the winter.

Top officials informed MTNFootball.com that the highly-rated Reuben has already been cleared by a London-based agent, who will now sell him when the January transfer window opens.

“He has not signed for Pillars for the new season. He has been sold to an agent,” an official informed.

Gombe United ace Samuel Mathias has already been signed by champions Pillars as a direct replacement for Reuben.

The former Enyimba defensive midfield star passed over a chance to join top Belgian club Gent in the summer.

Reuben, who has been nursing a groin injury, has therefore not been training with Pillars, while his other national team players at Pillars like Papa Idris, Umar Zango and Mannir Ubale have rejoined the team.

Papa Idris, for one, featured for Pillars in Tuesday’s friendly against the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) football team.

 

Emenike won't rule out jealousies for slump

Emmanuel Emenike has said he has not scored in a long time possibly because some of his teammates at Spartak Moscow are jealous of him.

The Nigeria striker, who has set a personal 20-goal target for this season but so far he has scored seven goals, was rewarded with a super contract after his first season with the Russian club believed to be worth more than 2 million Euros a year.

“May be they are jealous of me because I don’t get passes this term as I used to get last season. I don’t know why this is happening,” he told MTNFootball.com

“I am at Spartak to deliver and but being economical with passes has affected us upfront. At times, I go to the midfield to get the ball and all these things stress a striker as I get burnt out after a time.

“The management would have to interfere. It has affected us a lot this season.”

He added: “I have been slowed down. I wanted to pay back Spartak with goals and possibly take the club to next round of the Champions League, but individual interest is affecting the dream.”

However, Emenike told MTNFootball.com if Spartak could now play as a team, they could still fight back and win the Russian league championship.

“The league is still wide open. But we just have to work as a team, as one family and battle for the title. We should be focused and play as a team so as to compete with the likes of CSKA Moscow, who are totally united and that is why they are getting the results.”

Spartak are fifth on the table with 29 points from 16 matches, 10 points adrift of leaders CSKA.

 

Alabi Rasheed begs for Eagles chance

Central defender Alabi Rasheed has asked Eagles coach Stephen Keshi to give him a chance in his team heading to the AFCON.

The Omonia Nicosia of Cyprus defender told MTNFootball.com that he believes he has all it takes to add value and stability to the Eagles problematic central defence.

"I am a Nigerian and I have a dream to play for Nigeria. I have been here in Cyprus for a while, playing at top level,” he declared.

“I have featured in the UEFA Cup (now Europa League). I am matured to play for Eagles and if given the chance by the coach, I will grab the opportunity with both hands, all I need is the chance and the rest will be history."

The tall defender’s career highlight was scoring on his UEFA Cup debut against Manchester City in 2010 where he was assigned to mark Robinho.

"I can't forget our game against Man.City in the UEFA Cup when I scored a goal, I also did well marking out Robinho in the game," he recalled.

He has played all games this season for Omonia Nicosia.

The 26-year-old defender has won the Cyprus league in 2010, Cyprus Cup twice in 2011 and 2012 as well as FA shield in 2008 and 2012.

 

Eaglets begin training in Abuja
The Golden Eaglets began training in Abuja on Monday ahead of a return leg African U17qualiifer against Mali this weekend.

A team of 18 players and officials arrived the Federal Capital Territory on Sunday evening aboard Arik Airlines from their Calabar camp base, where they have won their three home matches including a 2-0 defeat of Junior Eagles of Mali.

The second leg of their game against Mali will be played on a synthetic pitch hence the shift to Abuja for the team to perfect their strategy ahead of the trip to Bamako.

Temperature on arrival in Abuja was put at 35°C, which is similar to what was obtainable in Bamako at the same period and officials maintained the condition would suit their plans.

“Coming to Abuja is just the continuation of our preparations for the match in Bamako and it is strategic that the team play on a synthetic pitch before we travel to Mali,” said Eaglets co-ordinator Suleiman Abubakar.

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