Archived News - 29th Jan 2007

African Cup of Nations News

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Archived News

Stars-Eagles Match To Rescue "Broke" NFA

The Nigerian Football Association will not waste the US$135,000 appearance fee it will receive from the Ghana friendly in London next Tuesday (Feb 6), new chairman Sani Lulu Abdullahi has vowed.

It is an open secret that the NFA are entirely reliant on sponsors Globacom to meet the salary of incoming German manager Berti Vogts.

Similarly, it has been widely reported that the association failed to pay the relatively modest salary of his predecessor Austin Eguaveon for months at a time.

"The appearance money (equivalent of 17 million naira) is meant for the development of the NFA," said Lulu last week.
"I will discuss with the team the fact that the money is not only meant for the players, but for everybody," he added.

Lulu also disclosed that he had to meet N300 million debt owed hotels, organisations, airlines as well as staff of the association when he took over last year.

Telecommunications giant Globacom contributed N168 money to settle all renegotiated debts, outstanding staff salaries and renovation work to the Glass House headquarters.

"In keeping with my campaign promises, in the last five months we have taken positive steps which I believe will reposition Nigerian football for the better," Lulu concluded.

Nigeria waits and wonders.

Martins Told To Choose Magpies Over Eagles

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder is set to plead with striker Obafemi Martins to sit out Nigeria's friendly with Ghana.
With Michael Owen and Shola Ameobi long-term absentees, Martins has been the focal point of the Magpies’ attack this term.

Martins has taken on the challenge with relish, but he has played nearly 30 games this term and Roeder does not want to overwork the forward.

"It is only a friendly and Nigeria cannot insist on Oba playing. Because he has had so much football this season I will be asking him not to play against Ghana," said Roeder.

"He has already played nearly 30 games for us, and he has probably played more matches this season than at any time in his career.

"He is a great lad and I am sure he will understand the situation because we are a bit thin on the ground for strikers and we do not want the risk of losing him."

For his part, Martins is reportedly desperate to play and bring the Black Stars down to earth after Nigeria's West African neighbour's phenomenal 2006 left the Super Eagles in the shadows last year.

Squads

Nigeria

Nigeria are plotting to continue their 16-year unbeaten run over Ghana with a strong 20-man squad including all their stars from Obi Mikel right through to Nwankwo Kanu.

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv, Israel), Austin Ejide (Bastia, France)

Defenders: Joseph Enakarhire (Bordeaux, France), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Taye Taiwoo (Marseille, France), Joseph Yobo (Everton, England), Ifeanyi Udeze (AEK Athens, Greece), Obinna Nwaneri (Esperance, Tunisia)

Midfielders: Yusuf Ayila (Dinamo Kyiv, Ukraine), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Christian Obodo (Udinese, Italy), Wilson Oruma (Marseille, France) Peter Odemwingie (Lille, France), Patrick Ovie (Dinamo Moscow, Russia)

(Middlesbrough, England) John Utaka (Stade Rennes, France), Seyi George Olofinjana (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England)

Ghana

Uncapped Ghana internationals, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie and Ibrahim Salou have been handed call ups for the Black Stars’ first game of the year.

Goalkeepers: Sammy Adjei (Mohadon Sports Ashdod, Israel), Richard Kingson (BB Ankaraspor, Turkey)

Defenders: Hans Adu Sarpie (VFL Wolfsburg, Germany), John Paintsil (West Ham, England), Francis Dickoh (FC Utrecht, Holland), Habib Mohammed (Molde FK, Norway), Shilla Illiasu (Saturn FC, Russia) and John Mensah (Rennes, France)

Midfielders: Stephen Appiah (Fenerbache, Turkey), Michael Essien (Chelsea, England), Laryea Kingson (Hearts, Scotland) Sulley Ali Muntari (Udinese, Italy), Haminu Dramani (Genclerbirligi, Turkey), Eric Addo (PSV Eindhoven, Holland)

Forwards: Junior Agogo (Nottingham Forest, England), Joe Tex Frimpong (CS Sfaxien, Tunisia) Asamoah Gyan (Locomitiv Moscow, Russia) Ibrahim Salou (Club Brugge, Holland) Quincy Owusu Abeyie (Spartak Moscow, Russia) and Isaac Boakye (VFL Wolfsburg, Germany).

* The Ghana-Nigeria friendly international has been confirmed for 7.45pm, Tuesday February 6, at Brentford FC’s Griffin Park. For tickets (priced £22/£27) call: 0845 3456 442

Congo, Gambia, Nigeria Zambia Reach WYC

Zambia and Nigeria qualified for June's Fifa U-20 World Cup after reaching the semi-finals of the African Youth Championship in Congo on Saturday.

A brace by Clifford Mulenga helped Zambia to defeat Egypt 3-0 and earned them the top spot of Group B with six points.

Despite losing 2-0 to Cameroon, Nigeria clinched the group's other semi final ticket thanks to a better goal difference over Egypt, who also have four points.

Zambia will make their second appearance at the Fifa finals because any team reaching the semi-finals of the African Youth Championship automatically qualify for June's event in Canada.

The southern Africans will play Congo in Tuesday's semi-final while the Flying Eagles play Group A winners Gambia.

Zambia came into Saturday's game determined to clinch a place in the last four and were 2-0 up by the interval with goals from Sweden-based Mulenga and Tembo Fwaya.

Mulenga sealed the win with a close range strike late in the game.

Cameroon earned their first points of the tournament after their victory over Nigeria but the Flying Eagles had already progressed.

Remaining Fixtures (all to be played in Brazzaville)

30/01/07: Semi-Finals

02/02/07: 3rd Place Play-Off

Wome In From The Wilderness?

Cameroon coach Arie Haan has included hero-turned-villain Pierre Wome in his squad for the friendly against Togo next week despite the defender's self-imposed 15 month international exile.

Wome refused to play for the national team after he was vilified by the Cameroonian fans for missing a penalty against Egypt in October 2005 which cost Cameroon a place at the 2006 World Cup.

His absence at the 2006 Nations Cup in Egypt was lamented by Cameroon legend Roger Milla, who spoke out to remind his compatriots that it was Wome who scored the penalty which earned the country Olympic Gold in 2000.

The four-time African champions will play Togo in Lome on 7 February in preparation for their Group 5 2008 African Nations Cup qualifier against Liberia in Yaounde at the end of March.

It is the second time the Dutch coach has attempted to bring the Werder Bremen defender back into the international fold.

The former Inter star is still hurt that fans ransacked his family home after his aberration at the climax of the World Cup qualifiers.

Wome turned down the previous invitation saying he wanted to talk with the Dutch coach personally before considering a return.

Please forward all press releases and feature ideas to Barney Cullum on barney@newafricansoccer.co.uk