What has supporters club got to do with it?

Hopefully come Wednesday February 14th, the CHAN Eagles will be hosted by the government to officially appreciate their effort at the just concluded 5th edition of the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) in Morocco.

The Salisu Yusuf tutored side ably assisted by former Rangers coach and now Elkanemi Warriors of Borno sweat merchant, Imama Amakakpabo, went to morocco, saw but did they conquer?

Yes and No. Yes in the sense that they fought their way to the final for the first time, thus posting a better record from our initial first round and third place outings respectively. 

That no doubt is a commendable outing even though a school of thought believes that on that rainy final of February 4^th in Casablanca, the team had every opportunity to turn the table if they had gone the extra mile.

Another school of thought dismissed excuses bothered on rain, cold, general weather condition and the effect of having to play at all the four venues of Tangier, Agadir, Marakech and Casablanca compared to their final opponents who had the pleasure of playing all their matches in Casablanca.

To proponents of this school of thought, any team that qualifies for a championship like CHAN, Nations Cup, World cup, CAF

Champions League, CAF Confederation Cup etc should be prepared to play at various venues with its attendant challenges after all that is what competition is all about.

So it is either you play to win or lose since every competition is challenged by the same scenario.

Let’s simply say congratulates the Eagles and then focus on making amends for the future.

However the relevance or otherwise of the Supporters club and the cold war between it and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) came to the fore just before the final. The supporters could not make it to Morocco and were bitter about it, though they were on hand to welcome the team on return after the final.  The question is, would the presence of the Supporters club have made a difference?

Could they have served as a ginger for a last minute turn around?

The questions were prompted by outburst by President General of the club, Rafiu Ladipo who accused the present Amaju Pinnick led board of the NFF of having a disdain for the supporters club and doing everything within its powers to strangle it.

According to him the board has total disdain for the club and is plotting and praying to see the club bite the dust. The NFF he further alledged scuttled the club's plan to be in morocco by painting the black, thus making it difficult for its members to get passage to the championship. Speaking on Raypower just before the final, an angry Ladipo said the NFF said they cannot guarantee anybody. Hear him “We don't need their guarantee.  They should leave us alone.  Supporters club has been there for 62 years.  We have worked with all past Presidents of NFF chairmen of NFA, this present board of NFF is not happy that we are united and is bent on destroying the club," he submitted.

The Super Eagles have qualified for the World Cup in Russia and the Glass House taken by its words is doing everything to ensure that the usual squabbles over payment of bonuses and allowances which sometimes takes the shine off our participation and even affects performance indirectly are reduced in Russia if not eliminated.

Will the cold war between the supporters club and the NFF end before heading to Russia or will it like a virus to be allowed to grow into an unwanted distraction?

Prior to this NFF/Supporters club brouhaha, the supporters club itself has reportedly been in crisis with Rev Samuel Ikpea and Vincent Okumagba both laying claims to being in charge.  While the Okumagba faction supported by younger ones want a change and departure from the 20 dominance by Rafiu Ladipo, the Ikpea faction want the status quo to remain. Perhaps this explains why the NFF is keeping the club at arms length in the hope that its crisis does not affect the Super Eagles and perhaps by extension the country's image abroad, just perhaps.

All attempts made to get the Glass House reaction to this fresh allegation by the Supporters club proved abortive as calls and test message sent to the spokesman of the football ruling house went unanswered.

The no response posture of the football house could be well be interpreted that it does not wish to join issues with the supporters club.

Be that as it may, the manner in which the Super Eagles qualified for the World Cup in Russia has been likened to sweet melody by some Nigerians and they are hoping that the melody would continue. 

Whether Eagles fly in Russia or not is not the issue for now, they just want to enjoy the melody while it lasts and so any distraction from any quarter will be unacceptable. What this means is that the players who are the main actors of the Mundial, the NFF who administer the game in the country and the supporters club who pride themselves as being able to produce ginger to boost the fighting spirit when the going gets tough  must all be at peace with themselves for the good of all.

The Nation’s image has always been a source of worry, interestingly sports has often been used to launder it especially when our athletes do well in international competitions. Such intermittent goodwill should not be dented by any department or group which explains why any squabble no matter how little it is considered to be, must be addressed before heading to Russia.

Nigerians deserve to be spared unpleasant distractions during the World cup.

Okunbo @60 golf tourney tees off Monday

No fewer than 200 golfers are expected to hit the course when the Captain Hosa Okunbo @60 Pro-Am invitational golf tournament tees off in Benin Edo state on Monday

The money spinning golf tournament which is being organised by Benin club golf section in honour of Hosa Okunbo, a strong supporter of the Golf section, a philanthropist and patron of the Benin Club, will tee-off on February 12th and run till 17th, and will feature top golfers invited from various golf clubs across the 36 states and Abuja.

Chief host of the tournament, Engineer Kingsley Okunbo who confirmed this in a chat on Tuesday said invitations have been dispatched to top and active golfers in the country adding that the six day event will be action packed.

The schedule of events indicate that Day one will see the Caddies tee off on Monday through Tuesday, while the pros will take to the course on Wednesday to Saturday. Veterans and men with handicap 18-28 as well as ladies and lady veterans with handicap 29-36 will also have their time on Friday.

Saturday being the final day, will provide opportunity for special guests to have a feel of action teeing off at 6.30am, followed amateur men handicap 0-17 and ladies handicap 0-28 in that same order.

Part of activities lined up for the event according to Okunbo, is a lecture series titled “Youth migration: Present realities and its consequences” that will hold at the University of Benin main auditorium, Ugbowocampus with two eminent speakers, Professor Benson O.Osadolor, dean of students affairs,  University of Benin, and Director-General of NAPTIP, Dame Julie Okah-Donli esq as resource persons.

Okunbo had earlier assured that mouth watering prizes awaits participating golfers “It will indeed be a week of fun for players and lovers of the game alike,” he said

Nigerian flag flies high as Winter Olympics opens

Nigeria sole representatives to the Winter Olympics the trio of Seun Adigun, Ngozi Onwumere and Akuoma Omeoga were a delight to watch as the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang on Friday as a huge display of lights and fireworks provided the backdrop to a symbolic quest to find peace.

The spectacular display featured child performers, huge puppets, a world-record 1,200 drones flown simultaneously, and thousands of dancers in a celebration of Korean history and unity.

Inside the area 30,000 people, including a 200-strong North Korean cheerleading squad, watched in -3C temperatures as they were encouraged to bang drums given to them in an extreme weather kit to keep warm.

The parade of nations featured huge flags projected on to the stage for each nation, and was capped off when athletes from both North and South entered under a single united flag.  

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam, who had earlier shaken hands in an historic meeting, clapped and waved in unison as the team entered.

The Nigerian Bobsled girls are likely to be the cynosure of eyes as they are making a debut in the sport for  the first Nigerian team and also African team to participate in their discipline.

Kim Yong Nam was earlier seen meeting with President Moon, the two leaders shaking hands ahead of the opening ceremony.

President Moon has pushed the Games as a 'peace Olympics' that will open a door for dialogue to alleviate tensions on the

peninsula and seek to persuade Pyongyang to give up its atomic ambitions.

There is reportedly a 'good chance' that Ms Kim will invite President Moon to Pyongyang during a lunch on Saturday

IOC block 15 Russian athletes from Pyeongchang

The International Olympic Committee has rejected a request to invite 15 Russians to the Pyeongchang Winter Games just days after the athletes' doping bans were overturned by the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The 13 active athletes and two retired athletes working in support roles were among a group of 28 whose bans were overturned by CAS on Thursday. The ban on 11 other Russians was upheld.

In a statement on Monday, the IOC said part of its ruling was because 'the full reasoning for these decisions had not been made public' by CAS.

The IOC said 'the decision of the CAS had not lifted the suspicion of doping, or given the panel sufficient confidence to recommend... those 13 athletes could be considered as clean.'

The IOC said the two coaches 'should not be considered for an invitation' because of previous evidence available to the IOC.

The ruling by the sports court was a blow to the IOC and has shifted some of the focus away from Friday's opening of the Games in frigid South Korea with around 3,000 athletes participating.

On Sunday, IOC president Thomas Bach called the CAS ruling 'extremely disappointing and surprising' and said the Olympic body needed to see the 'reasoned decisions' from the sport court.

The court had said those might not be ready until the end of the month.

'The IOC, we would never have expected this,' Bach said as uncertainty lingers over the Russian athletes. 'We feel that this decision shows the urgent need for reforms in the internal structure of CAS.'

'We only know about the reasons from a very few sentences in a press release,' Bach added. 'So far the panel was not able to produce a reasoned decision which we are eagerly waiting for.'

John Coates, an IOC member and also the president of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport, tried to assure Bach the judicial reasoning would be forthcoming.

'The reasoned decisions in high profile cases are critically important,' Coates said. 'We look forward to their publication as soon as possible.'

The IOC has invited 169 Russians to compete in Pyeongchang as 'Olympic Athletes from Russia' under a neutral flag, but has said it reserves the right to review and appeal the CAS decision.

The Winter Olympics begins on Friday in Pyeongchang  with about 15 different sports including, Ice Hockey, Speed skating

Bobsleigh, Cross-country skiing among others on parade.

Nigerian trio of Ngozi Onwumere, Akuoma Omeoga and Seun Adigun

will be showcasing their skills in the Bobsleigh event as the first Nigerians and Africans to feature in that event.

Other African countries competing in other events include Togo, Eritrea, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Madagascar and Morocco.

Eboue ready to go anywhere just to play

Former Arsenal and Ivorian defender Emmanuel Eboue has admitted he is desperate to return to the football pitch following the revelation of his heartbreaking personal struggles.

The Gunners' cult hero previously revealed he had seriously considered taking his own life after financial mismanagement had left him penniless, with a bitter divorce meaning he has been estranged from his three children since the summer.

Eboue has now opened up about his recent downward spiral, insisting he wants to play football again as he feels 'abandoned' and 'completely alone'.

Although Turkish side Galatasaray initially indicated an interest in giving him a coaching job in the club's junior team, it is apparent that that promise is yet to be fulfilled. 

The free agent told French TV show Canal: 'All I want is to return to football once more. I still possess ability.

'I would even go to places like Baghdad or Pakistan just to play football. I don't care where. 

'I live with my bags already packed, as there is a chance I could be kicked out of my house.

'I don't have anyone by my side nowadays. I feel abandoned. I used to get on well with my children and my family, and now I am completely alone.' 

At the height of his career at the Emirates he took home a seven-digit sum every year during his time in North London, earning a further £1.5 million annually playing for Turkish giants Galatasaray.

However, with his former wife Aurelie being awarded of all the couple's assets, he has been forced to dodge police and bailiffs following a court order - insisting he hand over his home in Enfield to her.

Unfortunately  Eboue has been unable to visit his kids since the estrangement from Aurelie back in June last year.

The 34-year-old, who once played in a Champions League final for Arsenal against Barcelona in 2006, has been hit hard with misfortune. Only recently report went viral that he had committed suicide at his sister's place in London, a report that was later discredited.

Some of his fans who read the initial death story and then the ture position thanked God that he didn’t end his life that way.

Some prayed for him in the hope that either Galatasaray or Arsenal will remedy his situation.

However those still angered by the legal battle with his wife that led to loss of everything, believe he can still head back to court if he is lucky to get a job and earn some money, accusing the wife of reaping where she did not sow

 Eboue who began his football career with Asec Mimosa of Cote d Ivoire, played for Belgian club K.S.K. Beveren, making 70 appearances and scoring four goals for the side before moving ahead to play for Arsenal and Galatasaray respectively making 132 and 77 appearances for the clubs respectively.

Nigeria England in tug of war over Adarabioyo

Who will blink first or better still, who will make the first move?  That is perhaps the big question as Nigeria Football Federation NFF and the England FA work towards having Nigeria born Manchester City defender Tosin Adarabioyo in their senior team fold 

The highly-rated central defender has been tipped for senior international honours and represented England juniors all the way up to Under-19 level. 

However, the 20-year-old is being targeted by Nigeria, his country of heritage further intensified by desire of countries who have qualified for the World cup in Russia to aggregate all their best legs with a view to selecting the best in each department for the showdown in Russia from June 14 to July 15.

Adarabioyo was made available for loan by City during the final 48 hours of the transfer window following the signing of Aymeric Laporte but a deal failed to materialise, with the youngster named on the bench by Pep Guardiola for City’s win over West Brom on Wednesday night.

The Super Eagles technical crew plan to watch Adarabioyo play sustained senior football before deciding whether to tempt him with a place in their World Cup squad.

Nevertheless, Nigeria’s concrete interest in Adarabioyo remains, leaving the Football Association in a fight to keep hold of the defender, who has made seven first-team appearances for City.

Nigeria have successfully persuaded Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi, who have both played for England at junior level, to change their international allegiance in recent years. Ogbonna who plays for West Ham however opted to play for Italy.

Players are only fully committed to a nation once they’ve played a competitive fixture. He was listed but did not play in the 1-1 Man City draw against Burnley on Saturday

Adarabioyo joined the youth system at Manchester City at five,made his U18 debut for the club at 14 and was captain of  the U18s at16. 

On 21 February 2016, Adarabioyo made his first-team debut in an FA Cup match against Chelsea.He made his Champions League debut on 24 August 2016, as a substitute in a 1–0 win over Steaua București, in a Champions League play-off round match.

Interestingly Nigeria and England have a friendly match scheduled for June 2nd at the Wimbley stadium where Adarabioyo may be listed to play for either side depending on who eventually succeeds in the ongoing tug of war.

CHAN final: Mind your business on the pitch Kaoje tells Eagles

Eagles must mind their business on the pitch, remain disciplined and ignore possible act of antagonism if they are to emerge victorious Sunday in Morocco.

Former Minister of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission (NSC) Hon. Bala Kaoje who gave the charge hailed the CHAN Eagles for making it this far, noting that what is needed ahead of the final is complete focus and determination. 

Kaoje is making the submission amidst fears expressed by analysts that the Eagles will be playing not just against the Moroccan team but against the entire host nation in the 80,000 Grand Stade de Casablanca

"The Eagles have done well so far and have improved while progressing to the final. What they need now is focus.  The players and coaches must work together and avoid distractions. They just have to ignore effect of home support for their opponents and mind their business on the pitch," he said

Prior to Eagles defeat of Sudan and eventually qualification for the final,  a cross section of soccer fans in the country had expressed their preference to meet Libya in the final, noting that playing the hosts will not be a tea party as the vociferous home fans and their antics may be intimidating.

CHAN Eagles coach Salisu Yusuf has however dismissed the fears insisting that his boys are ready to take the bull by the horns on Sunday.  Despite having about four players sidelined by injury and caution, Yusuf who admitted that the clash will not be easy however said his boys are determined to hold their own.

"We are happy to be in the final and we are determined to play and achieve victory. Yes we have some players sidelined but we good to go," he enthused

DR Congo won the maiden edition of the Championship reserved for players plying their trade at home in 2009 in defeating Ghana 2-0 in Abidjan. Tunisia claimed the second edition hosted by Sunday in 2011 defeating Angola 3-0.

Libya who incidentally will be playing the third place match against Sudan in Morocco clinched the third edition hosted by South Africa beating Ghana  4-3 on penalty after the encounter ended 0-0 at regulation time. 

The 2016 edition in Rwanda provided DR Congo another opportunity to clinch the title for the second time beating Mali 3-0 at the Stade de Amahoro.

Both Nigeria and Morocco are playing in the final of the championship for the first time.