NIGERIA 0 V 1 COTE D'IVOIRE:Late Kalou's strike sinks Super Eagles Team B

Nigeria lost 1-0 to Cote d’Ivoire in an international friendly played at the Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Sunday evening.

An 83rd minute strike by Salomon Kalou ensured the Elephants emerged victorious as they continue preparations for their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations outing in Equatorial Guinea. The Elephants came into the game with the intention of avenging their 2-1 defeat against the Super Eagles in the quarter-final of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and got their wish as the punished Daniel Amokachi’s men with less than seven minutes to the close of the game following a fleeting loss of concentration by midfielder Rabiu Ali.

Captained by the 2014 African Player of the Year, Yaya Toure, the Elephants began the game on an impressive note as they breached the Nigerians’ defence line twice in the opening two minutes.Gervinho came close to giving Herve Renard’s men the lead after two minutes but a well coordinated defence thwarted his efforts.Nigeria’s first chance came in the 11th minute as Mohammed Gambo came one on one with the Ivorian goalkeeper but failed to put the ball across the goal line.The Elephants then swung into action as they held firm of ball possession but could not get past the Eagles defence, though goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim was impressive in goal as he denied Gervinho again in the 27th minute with a well worked save.Even with the introduction of Gbolahan Salami in the second half, Nigeria failed to get the goals as their final touch in the attack was poor and often got corner kicks as consolation.With less than seven minutes to the end of the game, Kalou gave the Ivorians something to cheer about as he slotted home from Tiote’s cross after Ali had lost the ball while trying to go flashy with the ball.

Nigeria's tour of United Arab Emirates will come to an end with a game against Sudan on January 17.While the Eagles will not take part in this year's tournament, the Elephants will hope they can end their 23-year search for another continental title.

MICHAEL ENERAMO BACK TO SIVASSPOR

Through official channels, Turkish Super Lig side Sivasspor have announced that they have reached an agreement with İstanbul Başakşehir F.K regarding the signing of Michael Eneramo.

The Nigeria international has put pen to paper to a contract that will keep him at the 4 Eylül, Sivas until the end of the 2014 - 2015 season.Michael Eneramo had struggled for game time at İstanbul Başakşehir F.K after he joined them this past summer from Besiktas, with only three appearances as a substitute season the season began.In his first stint at Sivasspor, he was a household name and netted 29 goals in 79 games.

The former Esperance skipper also represented Karabukspor before his shift to BJK in 2013.

Source: allnigeriasoccer.com

Stephen Keshi Picks Ahmed Musa Ahead Of Vincent Enyeama For African Footballer Of The Year

CSKA Moscow striker Ahmed Musa was recognized as the best player in Africa by Stephen Keshi as well as coaches of Tanzania and Cape Verde.

The ex Kano Pillars star made the five - man shortlist for the African Footballer of the Year, but was not named in the final three. Ahmed Musa, alongside Vincent Enyeama, was one of the Super Eagles most outstanding players at the 2014 World Cup, scoring two goals in the last Group game against eventual finalist Argentina.

The 22 - year - old was named in the ceremonial Team of the Year by CAF. Only Guinea and Swaziland coaches picked Vincent Enyeama as the best player in Africa. 

Source:allnigeriasoccer.com

GLO CAF AWARD AWARD : TOURE BEATS ENYEAMA TO WIN AFRICA PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Ivory Coast and Manchester City of England playmaker, Yaya Toure has claimed the 2014 Glo-CAF African Footballer of the Year award, thus
winning it for the fourth straight time, since 2011. The Ivorian midfielder who is 1.88 meters tall was born in Bouake in May, 1983.

He has over 85 caps for Ivory Coast with 16 goals while his appearance for Manchester City is above 140 with over 39 goals.

The Ivorian captain defeated his nearest rival,our own Nigeria captain and first choice goalkeeper,
Vincent Enyeama and Gabon international, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Toure was voted African Footballer of The Year for 2011, 2012 and 2013 respectively. While in Bacelona, his club side won six trophies
in 2009 alone. He was nominated for The Personality of The Year Award at the MTV Africa Music Awards in July 2014. He was also nominated for the Prize in Entertainment category at the 2014 edition of The Future Africa Awards.

With this towering profile, the Ivorian captain was clearly, the pundit's favourite to cart home the prestigious award.

OTHER WINNERS
National Team of the Year - Algeria

Women National Team of the Year - Nigeria

Club of the Year - ES Setif (Algeria)

Most Promising Talent - Yacine Braimih - Algeria

Best Youth Player of the Year - Asisat Oshoala - Nigeria

Woman Footballer of the Year - Asisat Oshoala

Coach of the Year - Kheeireddine Madoui (ES Setif) of Algeria

Source: allafrica.com

HAPPY NEW YEAR READERS

Hi Naijasportainment Readers and Fans, Wishing you guys happy and prosperous New Year and I hope this year 2015 will be a successful year.

I am so sorry for not giving you guys updates on the world of sports, it was due to some issues that I had to deal with. Am back and am back to serve you better. Thank You

NIGERIA WHIPS IVORY COAST 4 V 1 IN CHAN QUALIFIERS

Nigeria's quest to qualify for the third edition of the Orange CHAN, South Africa 2014 has been handed a massive boost after the Super Eagles defeated the Ivorian National Team 4 - 1 on Saturday evening at the Ahamdu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.As midfielder Sunday Mba again dealt the Elephants a heavy blow.

The Enugu Rangers star netted a brace and created a third for the home-based Eagles as they thumped their Ivoirian counterparts 4:1 in the first leg of their final round qualifying tie for the 2014 CHAN in Kaduna.

FIFA Confederations Cup villain Gambo Mohammed opened scoring for the Eagles with a fine left-footed strike from the edge of the box after just 12 minutes, and Mba doubled the advantage with a superb half volley following an Ezekiel Mbah cross in the 28th minute.

A defensive blunder saw Tiecoura Coulibaly half the deficit just before half-time, but hopes of a fight-back were dented eight minutes after the restart when Nigeria were awarded a controversial penalty. Mba not only restored the hosts' two-goal advantage with a fine effort, but the Ivoirians, incensed by the referee's call, had Roger Assale sent off for his overzealous protestation.

Moments later Ivoirian hopes were further dimmed when they had a second man Gloudoueu sent off. Substitute Ifeanyi Ideh took full advantage of Nigeria's numerical strength when he sealed the win eight minutes from time, slotting home from an Mba cutback.

The second leg comes up in Cote d'Ivoire in three weeks, and the winner on aggregate will qualify for the CHAN finals in South Africa next year.


Other results
Mali 3:1 Guinea
Burkina Faso 1:0 Niger

Marseille may sign EJIKE UZOENYI

Reports in the French media have revealed that Uzoenyi impressed coach Elie Baup after one week of trials and is likely to be offered a contract by Les Phocéens.

Interviewed by the Nigeria edition of goal.com, Rangers's media officer Foster Chime has backed the 20 - year - old to be offered a contract by the 1993 European champions.

Chime said: ''We have always known he is a good player and we are sure he will do his best if given a contract by the French side.''

SUPER FALCONETS THROUGH TO THE SEMI FINAL AFTER WINNING BY A LONE GOAL

Desire Oparanozie got the only goal in the 109th minute of second half extra time from a looping header off a cross from right back, Ugo Njoku.

The chances came as early as the second minute in the first half as the Falconets quickly got into their stride at the National Stadium in Tokyo. Gloria Okobi shot from the edge of the box but Mexican goalkeeper Cecilia Santiago easily gathered and she was to prove a blockade for the barrage of shots from the Nigerian girls throughout the match until she was beaten by Oparanozie’s classic looping header that gave her no chance in extra time.

Oparanozie had the next shot in anger in the third minute but it was well wide. She had another shot in the 17th minute that was palmed away for the Falconets’ first corner kick. The pressure was wholly on the Mexicans as the Nigerians flooded their half of the pitch with Ibubeleye Whyte in the Nigerian goal on holidays. In the 37th minute, Oparanozie turned neatly on the edge of the box and crashed a shot goalwards which crashed against the cross bar.

Mexico threatened the Nigerians for the first time in the 41st minute but captain Gloria Ofoegbu made a good block and the danger was cleared. The second half saw the Mexicans throwing more players into attack and the Nigerians sitting back to catch their opponents on the counter.

Esther Sunday was the greatest culprit in the Falconets team of making wrong decisions in advanced areas – shooting wildly and trying to dribble too many defenders. Ofoegbu got on the end of a neat move in the 58th minute but the Mexican goalkeeper smothered the shot for a corner kick. It was one of the 33 shots that the Nigerians had in the game. With 15 minutes left in normal time, the Mexicans came on stronger and had series of corner kicks and free kicks which threatened the Nigerians with goalkeeper Whyte flapping at crosses and making mis-timed jumps.

The game ended and went into extra time where the Nigerians nicked their goal and stayed strong to grab a place in the semi-finals where they will encounter either USA or North Korea, who play later on Thursday.

NIGERIA can't afford to underestimate LIBERIA, says MIKEL

Super Eagles midfielder Mikel Obi have said Liberia must not be taken lightly in a final qualifier for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations. Thursday’s draw in Johannesburg,South Africa, will see Nigeria take on the Lone Star of Liberia for a place in the AFCON finals that will also be hosted by South Africa. The first leg of the qualifiers will be played between September 7-9 in Liberia,while the return leg will be staged in Calabar between October 12-14. Chelsea star Mikel told MTNFootball.com Nigeria could not have asked for an easier draw,but at the same time the Eagles must take the game seriously as there are no longer minnows in the world. “The draw was a good one for us,we couldn’t have asked for an easier opponent than that. I am not underrating Liberia,” Mikel said. “I see us beating them, but we have to be careful and take them seriously because there are no minnows in football, we have to give our best in the game.”

ARSENAL ADJOURN NIGERIA TRIP

The North London club had scheduled a match against the Super Eagles,which was set to take place on the 5th of August. This trip was set to be the first match that the team played in Africa, following Arsene Wenger being appointed manager of the club. However, the way things are going, it seems like this trip is no longer going to take place on the date that it was supposed to. The club has claimed that they have some logistical problems and these are going to prevent the match to take place on the scheduled dates. Marketing director Angus Kinnear is quoted to have said: "Bringing a top-level club to an international market is always complicated and logistically challenging.” "With the proposed match in Nigeria planned for early August, we could not get comfortable on everything needed to satisfy our requirements,so we have reluctantly taken the decision to postpone the team’s visit." He then went on to apologize to the African fans who were looking forward to the game, as he admitted that the club would try to balance things out and could be in the country next summer. "We have a huge and loyal following in Africa, and we are sorry that the team will not be visiting this summer," he continued. "However, we have a long-term commitment to Nigeria and we are already making plans for a visit next summer.” The club haven’t really revealed as to what the details are for the trip, since they seem to be blaming it all on logistical problems. What is rather interesting, is the fact that the club made these announcements only hours after Robin Van Persie revealed that he won’t be sticking around at the Emirates. Many believe that the club are trying to resolve that situation, before they can think of travelling to numerous countries, in order to have a successful pre season.