Ag Sports Director
Hails Okorocha
On Commissioner
…Says Eaglets Achievement
will propel Imo athletes in NYG
Governor Rochas Okorocha has been commended for the re-appointment of Comrade Kenneth Emelu as the Commissioner for Youth and Sports for the second time by the Imo State Acting Director of Sports Mrs Chizotam Agbomma Aretola.
Mrs Aretola while reacting to the appointment described Okorocha as a great achiever of our time considering the amount of infrastructural and monumental projects that has been completed and are still going on within two years of leadership adding that Imolites have never had it so good before.
She stated that with the return of Emelu, Sports particularly will once again return back to the top especially to reclaim the trophies Heartland fc, Flickers and other teams won in the past.
Aretola noted that Emelu’s return is a timely one considering that the Five Imo State born Golden Eaglets gave a golden touch to his appointment as they were welcomed home on Wednesday adding that it will go along away to propel the government to release funds for our contingent who will be in Abuja next month for the National Youth Games as well as the Heartland Flickers who are billed for the African Hockey Club Championship next month.
The Imo State young athletes will participate in games like Handball (female), Taekwondo, Track and Field events, Judo, Boxing, and Weightlifting.
Mrs Aretola also used the opportunity to congratulate the four members of the victorious Golden Eaglets, Coach Emmanuel Amuneke, Kelechi Iheanacho, Eze Chidera, Chidiebere Nwakali and Uzoho Francis who were instrumental in lifting the FIFA U-17 World cup in United Arab Emirates stating that their achievements will help to spur our athletes to do well in the upcoming National Youth Games in Abuja.
Nigeria Set to Clinch World Cup Ticket
Nigeria will be expected to wrap up their qualification to the 2014 World Cup with another win over Ethiopia in a final playoff on Saturday.
Nigeria won the first leg 2-1 courtesy of a brace from on-form Fenerbahce hit man Emmanuel Emenike and will be looking forward to seal a fifth World Cup ticket in Calabar.
Nigeria have lost only once to Ethiopia, a 1994 AFCON qualifier in Addis Ababa, in their previous eight meetings with the Eagles victorious in five of these games.
The Eagles will be without Real Betis midfielder Nosa Igiebor and striker Uche Nwofor from Dutch club Heerenveen on account of injury.
Igiebor, who was a second-half substitute in Addis Ababa, is to undergo surgery for a groin injury, while Nwofor has been replaced by Bright Dike from the MLS side Toronto FC.
They also welcome back Chelsea defender Kenneth Omeruo and defensive midfielder Gabriel Reuben, who features for Scottish club Kilmarnock. Both players have been away from the team due to long-term injuries.
Ethiopia, on the other hand, will welcome back South Africa-based forward Getaneh Kebede, who missed the first game due to injury.
Kebede is his team’s joint leading scorer in the qualifiers with four goals and has insisted on playing this game even after he was knocked out cold during the South African league match this past weekend.
The pace and directness of Egypt-based striker Saladin Said will again be expected to test the Eagles back four.
Efe Ambrose disclosed that Eagles are gunning for outright victory.
“To me the match against Ethiopia is just like any other game. I don’t feel anything special about it, we are going to approach it like every other game and go for victory,” Ambrose stated.
CSKA Moscow forward Ahmed Musa told the press that they are going to approach the game as a cup final.
“It won’t be easy and we are not taking it easy. We will approach the game with all seriousness that a cup final deserves. We won’t underrate Ethiopia despite winning the first leg in Addis Ababa,” Musa assured.
Ehime-Mbano Unity Cup Kicks-off
The Commander Commanding Nigeria Army Records lokoja Major General Adolph’s Nwachukwu has called on youths of Ehime Mbano to sit-up and make good use of their Gods giving talent.
Major Gen Nwachukwu made the call at the kick-off ceremony of the first edition of his pet project for youths of in his area tagged “Major for General Nwachukwu’s Unity football Competition for all the Communities in Ehime-Mbano LGA stating that he has put in place every necessary arrangements for the success of the program expecting all talented footballers within the area to take advantage of the opportunity to take their career to the next level as winning the team will go home with a hansom reward.
The General who captained the Army team in this playing days asked the Nigeria Football Federation to move members of the under 17 team to the under 20 for continuity.
He also predicted that Nigeria will beat Ethiopia to qualify for the world cup in calabar this weekend while calling on private Organizations and individuals to always create an enabling environment for our youths to discover their talents on their way to becoming future leaders of tomorrow.
PLAY-OFFS (FIFA WORLD CUP)
AFRICA 16/11/13
Nigeria — Ethiopia
Senegal — Ivory Coast
17/11/13
Algeria — B/Faso
17/11/13
Cameroon — Tunisia
EUROPE (15/11/13)
Iceland — Croatia
Greece — Romania
Portugal — Sweden
Ukraine — France
RESULTS (13/11/13)
Jordan 0 5 Uruguay
Mexico 5 1 New Zealand
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES
15/11/13
Libya — Niger Rep
S/Korea — Switzerland
Russia — Serbia
Denmark — Norway
Italy — Germany
England — Chile
Scotland — USA
16/11/13
Ecuador — Argentina
Holland — Japan
Uganda — Rwanda
E/Guinea — Spain
17/11/13
Honduras — Brazil
NNL PLAY-OFF GAMES
Abia Warriors 5 pen 4 FC Taraba
Giwa fc 5 pen 4 Crown fc
FINAL 14/11/13
Abia Warriors — Giwa fc
CHIEF EMMA OKEWULONU’S CUP
17/11/13
Amuzi — Umuhi
