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Bonus Row, Unrest Unsettle Super Eagles

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A cricketer battling for honour at Indomie Secondary School Championship in Port Harcourt,  Rivers State recently

A cricketer battling for honour at Indomie Secondary School Championship in Port Harcourt, Rivers State recently

It has emerged that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and members of the Super Eagles squd, are yet to reach an agreement on the bonuses the players will be paid at the 2014 World Cup.
According to sources close to the team, “From conversations and exclusive with Joseph Yobo, Eagles are unified as team boards plane to Brazil with bonus issue (hopefully) settled”.
Although the federal government has approved a $12.2m budget for the tournament, the Federation’s officials could not conclude a deal with the Brazil-bound players.
Other African countries seem to have sorted out allowances with their players. The Indomitable lions of Cameroon will get $104,000 each, while the Black Stars of Ghana will receive $75,000 each.
Meanwhile, Stephen Keshi had to come in to settle a feud between the Super Eagles duo of John Mikel Obi and Emmanuel Emenike.
According to reports, the two senior players have been at loggerheards since the goalless draw against Greece last week, but after keshi’s intervention, they both hugged and shook hands.
“Keshi had a family chat with the boys yesterday and in the meeting he made it known to Mikel and Emenike that their rift is unsettling the team”, a source said.
“Äfter a heated exchange both players poured out their minds after which Keshi settled them but not without getting involved in a shouting game with one of them”.
At the end both players shook hands, hugged and even ended up in each other’s room chatting before going to bed, it’s over thanks to Keshi spotting it early”.
It is also understood that other squad players were given the chance to pour out their minds, so that every dispute could be settled ahead of Nigeria’s participation at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The Eagles face Iran in their opening Group F match on Monday.
However, President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Aminu Magari, is confident the Super Eagles will impress at the World Cup despite their recent struggles in friendly games.
Maigari  arrived on Monday  in Sao Paulo, Brazil for the 64th Fifa Congress billed for yesterday  and today. The Congress precedes the 20th Fifa World Cup finals, which kicks-off in the same city tomorrow, with host Brazil clashing with Croatia.
Maigari, who was with the Super Eagles at their final training camp in the United States before flying to Brazil for the important gathering of the world’s football administrators, said in Sao Paulo on arrival that he was satisfied with the Super Eagles’ build-up to the tournament and is confident the African champions will impress at the finals.
“I want to assure Nigerians at home and in the diaspora that the Super Eagles will not disappoint in Brazil,” Maigari said.
“For sure, our people would have wanted the team to win the matches against Italy, Mexico, Scotland, Greece and USA. But we drew the first four and lost the last one.
“I have spoken with the head coach and he is optimistic that his boys will be ready for the finals. The earlier draws, and the loss to Team USA have afforded our boys a lot of lessons, which will be useful against Iran in the first match and subsequently,” he added.

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CAFCL: Finidi Laud Players Over Impressive Performance 

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Rivers United FC of Port Harcourt head coach, Finidi George, has lauded his players (boys) after they defeated Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 in the second leg of preliminary round of the CAF Champions League (CAFCL).
He admitted that the game was a perfect display of football artistry from both sides but believe that his players  will  grow stronger against Black Bulls in the second preliminary round in Mozambique.
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Finidi said this on Sunday shortly after his side saw off Les Aigles du Congo 1-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
 This feat qualified the pride of Rivers State for the second round of the preliminary stage by 1-0 goal aggregate, as their opponents forced them to goalless draw in Congo.
“It was not far from a perfect display, my players to get the job done by getting the only goal of the game. We know it has not been easy, but we’ll build on this win.
“The most important thing is that we have scaled through this round and  now we will focus on our next opponent” Finidi said.
He noted that the players were nervous in the first half and missed key opportunities to seal the tie early.
” We had chances, but there were lapses and mistakes, during first half break we advised them to  calm down, in the second half, we also created more opportunities but could not convert the chances as they come ” he said.
Finidi also explained the inexperience of his squad, with several players making their continental debut.
“Most of my players have not played at this level before, so the nervousness was expected. In every game, they’ll gain confidence. I’m not worried, they will get better,” he stated.
The former Super Eagles Coach assured fans that Rivers United are ready for the Mozambican champions and make a statement.
“We’ll prepare well for the Black Bull. It’s going to be tough but this win gives us something to build on” he added.
Rivers United will travel to Maputo for the first leg of the second preliminary on October 17, 2025 before returning to Uyo for the return leg where the winner over the two legs will make it into the group stage of the CAFCL.
By: Kiadum Edookor
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Umuahia Hosts Africa Para- Badminton Championship 

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A badminton fever has gripped Umuahia with the arrival of over 150 athletes and 60 officials from 14 countries for the maiden Abia International Para-Badminton and All-African Badminton Championship.

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.”

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FIFA U20: Flying Eagles Narrowly Loss to Norway 

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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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