World Cup Qualifiers;Super Eagles Set
To Consolidate Position On Top
Super Eagles recorded a big road win in Nairobi but another win on the road on Wednesday against Namibia would give Nigeria a more comfortable lead in their World Cup qualifying group.
Nigeria currently set the pace in Group F with eight points after four rounds of matches, two points ahead of second-placed Malawi and could well extend their advantage even before their last game at home against Malawi in September.
FIFA Confederations Cup-bound Nigeria beat Namibia 1-0 in the reverse fixture in June, but it was anything but an easy win and it needed the individual brilliance of Ikechukwu Uche to make the difference.
The tone has been set for Wednesday’s showdown following the sensational resignation of Swedish coach Roger Palmgren as Namibia coach.
Palmgren threw in the towel following threats to his family and the Brave Warriors will thus be led by Ricardo Manetti.
Both countries have clashed five times with the Eagles winning all, a feat they would wish to continue with on Wednesday at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek.
Last week’s goalless draw Namibia recorded against hosts alawi will be a morale boaster for them to challenge the African champions, but the Nigerians are equally fresh from a hard-fought win in Kenya.
The match winner against Kenya Ahmed Musa said that this encounter is also crucial and they hope to win to keep them on track for a place at next year’s World Cup in Brazil.
“We are all Nigerians and what we love most when it comes to football is victory, so we are prepared for that and going for it. We are not taking this game lightly and that informed why we came here straight from Kenya,” said the CSKA Moscow striker.
“I will do my best again to get one of the goals, while also playing for the team to win.”
Academica de Coimbra of Portugal midfielder John Ogu also stated that he is looking forward to his second victory with the Eagles.
“World Cup ticket is our target and so this game against Namibia is as important as the previous ones. We are approaching it the same way we have done for our other games and we want to win again,” he said.
“I am personally looking forward to another victory and probably getting my second international goal for Nigeria. But we are not going to underrate them.”
Scotland double champion Efe Ambrose informed that the spirit is high and they are carrying over the Kenya victory spirit to Namibia.
“We the players desire victory than anyone else; we know we are representing our nation. We are well prepared for the game. It is important to us,” said Ambrose.
“I am calling on Nigerians to pray for us as we give our best to win on the pitch. Their prayers are very important and we won’t let them down.”
For Namibia, a shock win could see them leapfrog Malawi in second place in this group.
Amuzi, Ahiazu In For Prof. Onwuliri’s Charity Cup Semi’s
Community and LGA teams of Prof. Celestine Onwuliri as both made it to the semi-finals of the ongoing charity football competition in honor of the late professor.
The two teams, who competed in group A alongside Orlu and Aboh LGA, had to wait till the last game to actually know their fate.
Amuzi finished second with 3 points from three games but relied on Ahiazu to beat Aboh (3 2) last Saturday to book a place in the semis against Okigwe zone this Thursday who finished top of group B.
Meanwhile the first semi-final game this Wednesday will be between Ahiazu group A leaders against Owerri Zone that finished second from group B.
According to the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) chairman Hon. Sam Nkem Otuibe (Melo), the third place match will take place on Saturday June 15 while the final is slated to be on Sunday June 16 at the Amuzi Central School Field, St. Jude Catholic Church Amuzi.
The competition which started on June 12 is to commemorate the one year memorial service of the former vice chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri who died in the ill-fated Air mishap last year.
The Charity competition as reported by Melo is also to show the love the former Commissioner for Youth, Sports, Culture and Tourism had fore sports development as well as the legacy his life and times on earth left behind for to emulate.
NPFL WEEK 17 RESULTS
Rangers 3 1 Heartland
Dolphins 1 1 Kano Pillars
Kwara Utd 2 — 0 Bayelsa Utd
Gombe Utd 1 0 Wikki Tourist
Nasarawa 1 — 0 Sharks fc
Enyimba 1–0 Sunshine
Nembe City 0 –1 ABS fc
Wolves 2–1 3SC
Kaduna Utd 2 — 1 Akwa Utd
Lobi Stars 1 — 1 El Kanemi
WEEK 18 GAMES (12, 13/6/13)
El Kanemi — Rangers
3SC — Kaduna Utd
Kano Pillars — Lobi Stars
Sharks fc — Enyimba
Wikki Tourist — Dolphins
ABS fc — Warri Wolves
Bayelsa Utd — Gombe Utd
Heartland — Nasarawa
Sunshine — Nembe City
CAF WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS (12/6/13)
Namibia — Nigeria
Malawi — Kenya
EUROPE (11/6/13)
Belarus — Finland
Sweden — Faro Island
Denmark — Armenia
PROF ONWULIRI CHARITY CUP
Ahiazu 3 2 Aboh
Okigwe 3 w/o 0 Ezinihitte
SEMI-FINAL GAMES (12/6/13)
Ahiazu — Owerri
(13/6/13)
Okigwe — Amuzi
