Sports
Yusuf’s Injury Not Serious
Nigeria’s Yusuf Mohammed will be available for Swiss side FC Sion from tomorrow.
It was feared that Yusuf had sustained a severely damaged left knee in Nigeria’s slim 1-0 World Cup qualifier victory over Mozambique on October 11.
The former Enyimba and Al-Hilal man was stretchered off in the first half of the tense match after a clash with a Mambas midfielder.
However, following a scan and analysis by his Swiss club, the injury was diagnosed as a minor knock.
That will come as relief, not only to FC Sion but also to Super Eagles coach Shaibu Amodu who had initially feared that he would be without the lively defender for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Kenya on November 14.
“I feel a sense of comfort now knowing that the injury is not as serious as first feared,” Yusuf Mohammed told our source from Sion in Switzerland.” I’ve started running today (Monday) and should start kicking football soon.
“Doctors told me I could have aggravated the injury but they are happy that it was just a knock and now am glad it is not so bad,” Yusuf added.
The defender, who got the nod ahead of Olubayo Adefemi in the Nigeria line-up against Mozambique, is however confident that a place in the World Cup is not impossible for the country.
In order to get to the finals in South Africa the Super Eagles must win their final game in Kenya and hope Tunisia draw or lose in Mozambique.
“We know everyone has given up hopes on us but we still have strong feeling that we can make it to the World Cup,” Yusuf explained.
“It is not going to be easy for us against Kenya just like Tunisia will also fight in Mozambique.
“I know many people have ruled us out already, rightly so because of the table, but strange things happen in football and that is why we want to fight hard for a win in Kenya.
“In the end we hope after taking care of our business, the rest will be down to the wire but I am confident we can still qualify.
“We have to say sorry to the fans for our performances so far and let them know that we need them to make what many have termed impossible to be very possible in the end.”
The championship will run from today to October 12 at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia. On the ground for the championship are athletes from Brazil, Peru, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Mauritius and Rwanda. They arrived on Sunday.
Some of the other countries were expected in the Abia State capital yesterday. Speaking on the championship, yesterday, Abia State Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Nwobilor Ananaba, said the chief host, Governor Alex Otti, has mobilised facilities and the personnel to ensure a successful event.
Speaking through the Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, Raymond Chima Ukwa, said: “We have the best mats, playing mats, especially the wheelchair playing mats, which is the first of its kind in West Africa.
“If you go around, you’ll see the hall and the preparation that has been made to ensure that people have an equitable world-class playing field.” Thrilled by Governor Otti’s support for the competition, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN) President, Francis Orbih, said that, besides making all the necessary arrangements that will ensure a successful hosting of the events, “we will have a Para-Badminton workshop for coaches and players.
“Nigeria is doing well, Abia is doing well, and we want to do better to improve on where we are, which is why all these have been put together by Governor Otti.”
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles began their campaign at the 24th FIFA U20 World Cup with a narrow 1–0 loss to Norway on Monday, despite creating several opportunities to level the game.
Norway took the lead in the 9th minute after being awarded a controversial penalty. The Flying Eagles pressed for an equaliser but were denied two penalty claims in the second half.
Kparobo Arierhi came close in the 47th minute when his shot drifted wide with the goalkeeper beaten, while Tahir Maigana struck the upright in the 63rd minute.
Nasiru Salihu’s rising effort in the 71st minute also went narrowly over the bar, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Seven minutes from time, Maigana again tested Norway with a long-range strike that went just wide as Nigeria continued to pile on the pressure.
Despite their dominance, the Flying Eagles could not find the breakthrough and now turn their attention to Thursday’s clash against Saudi Arabia in their second group match.
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