| John Obuh |
Nigeria draw Ghana, Cameroon
Flying Eagles draw Ghana, Cameroon
Posted: 2011-01-04 16:05
John Obuh's Flying Eagles have been drawn in what immediately stands out as the Group of Death in this year's Africa Youth Championships. At the Draw Ceremony held in the Radisson Blue Hotel, Tripoli, the Nigerian cadets were drawn with fellow powerhouses Ghana and Cameroon in Group B. Gambia, another formidable side at youth level, complete the pool.
All four teams in the pool are former champions of the tournament. Prior to the competition taking on a tournament format, Nigeria won it four years on the spin from 1983 to 1989.
Cameroon’s Lionceux, Ghana’s Black Satellites and Gambia’s Young Scorpions are among the most feared youth national teams on the continent.
Cameroon won the event when Nigeria hosted in 1995, Ghana hosted and took the title in 1999, beating Nigeria in the final and Gambia were victorious at home in 2005.
Apart from winning the tournament in Cotonou, Benin Republic in 2005 and reaching the final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands the same year, the Flying Eagles also reached the competition final in Brazzaville in 2007.
Ghana’s Black Satellites are the reigning champions of the world, following a spectacular run in the FIFA U-20 World Cup staged in Egypt between September and October 2009.
Hosts Libya, Mali, Egypt and Lesotho will play in Group A of the competition taking place in Libya March 18 – April 1.
Nigeria was represented at the Draw Ceremony by the Deputy General Secretary (Technical), Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme and U-20 Head Coach Sam John Obuh.
SHOLA AMEOBI TO GET NIGERIA CHANCE
Shola Ameobi to get Nigeria chance
Ameobi to get Nigeria chance
Posted: 2011-01-04 07:11
Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi could yet get a chance to play international football, with Nigeria. KickOffNigeria.com understands that Nigeria coach Samson Siasia has made contact with Ameobi, who has publicly declared his intention to cast his lot with the Super Eagles.
Siasia is on the path to rebuilding the team after a calamitous World Cup, and Ameobi, despite his intermittent goalscoring, may get a chance to stake his claim.
Sources close to the coach informed KickOffNigeria.com that discussions have been held with Ameobi's father John, with a view to meeting up with the player when Siasia visits England later this month.
Kogi native Ameobi, 29, was born in Zaria, Nigeria, but moved to England at the age of 5.
Siasia is also said to have had fruitful telephone conversations with Sunderland defender Nedum Onuoha, although a final decision on the player's future will not be made until both men meet up face to face.
Both players, born in Nigeria, have represented England at Under 21 level but remain eligible to represent their country of birth.
City agree fee for Dzeko
January 4, 2011
GettyImagesEdin Dzeko is set to complete a move to Manchester City
Mancini has been widely linked with a move for Dzeko, 24, since the summer, and the player is understood to have written a letter to City last month expressing his desire to move to Eastlands.
Mancini has now confirmed the two clubs have reached an agreement, with City set to pay Wolfsburg £27 million.
"We have agreed a fee," he said. "He is a good player and all the teams in Europe want him, but we have an important game at Arsenal coming up and I will speak about him after that."
City face a tough task at Arsenal on Wednesday as both David Silva and Mario Balotelli have been ruled out through injury.
"It is a big problem," Mancini said. "Neither of them will be available. David has been an important player for us and has been doing well recently. Hopefully, he will be back for the Wolves game on January 15.
"Mario might be back for the FA Cup tie at Leicester on Sunday."
A victory at Emirates Stadium would only heighten the belief that City can be serious challengers for the title this season, but Mancini has been keen to play down their prospects.
"Arsenal, Chelsea, United and Tottenham all have more experience than us," he said. "Probably one of those four teams will win the title.
"We just want to work, so we can improve and try to keep getting better."
Meanwhile, City striker Roque Santa Cruz has outlined his determination to sign for Lazio.
"I am talking to Lazio and I can't wait to land in Italy and wear the blue and white shirt," Santa Cruz said in La Repubblica.
No comments:
Post a Comment