Page 53 stories

Page 53 stories

Dalung, Musa talk tough ahead Egypt clash

By Mansur Abubakar, Kaduna

Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung who witnessed Super Eagles final training session at the Ahmadu Bello stadium yesterday, said he sees nothing but victory for Nigeria in today’s match against Egypt.

In a chat with Daily Trust immediately after the training session which began at 2pm and ended by 4pm so as to afford Egypt the use of the ABS pitch, the minister added that former NFA Secretary General, Sani Toro was wrong to disagree with the flight decision for the second leg as a final position hasn’t been reached on the issue.

“I see nothing but victory for Nigeria tomorrow (today), the boys are ready for battle and also ready to make Nigerians proud.

“Toro (Sani) should have come to us instead of going to the press, we haven’t reached a decision on the chartered flight issue,” Dalung answered, even as NFF President Amaju Pinnick urged him to ignore Daily Trust’s question on the issue.

Meanwhile, former skipper Ahmed Musa says the Super Eagles are in good shape for the crucial match and yesterday’s decision to strip him of captaincy wouldn’t affect the team psychology.

“No issue on that at all, we are ready to give our best for Nigeria’s victory,” Musa said.

Siasia, Mikel promise victory against Egypt

…as Mikel replaces Musa as Eagles skipper

From Mansur Abubakar & Dickson S. Adama, Kaduna

Super Eagles interim coach, Samson Siasia and the team’s new captain, John Mikel Obi has assured the country of victory against Egypt in today crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Kaduna.

The duo, who spoke at a pre-match media briefing at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, said the team cannot afford to disappoint the country.

Mikel commended Coach Samson Siasia for the confidence reposed in him by appointing him the new captain of the team, and assured that he will not let the team down.

“I know what the coach demands from me as a player and leader of the team, I will not let you down. The match means a lot to us and I will do my very best as the captain to win the match. We will not disappoint Nigerians,” he promised.

Coach Samson Siasia, in his remarks expressed the readiness of the Nigeria side to come out in their very best and defeat their opponent.

“The team is ready, I have so much confidence with the crop of players and tomorrow you will see a different ball game. The boys will come out and make Nigeria proud, win and will very well,” he stated.

Siasia also explained that the change in the leadership of the team was informed by the need to follow laid down procedure in the appointment of captain for the national team.

“We considered seniority in the appointment of the new captain, it was fair for Mikel Obi to captain the team being the most senior player in the super Eagles,” Siasia said.

Meanwhile, coach Siasia yesterday picked Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi as the new captain of the Nigeria national team, ahead of the today’s AFCON qualifiers between the Nigeria Super Eagles and the Pharaohs of Egypt in Kaduna.

This was disclosed yesterday by outgoing captain Ahmed Musa during a pre-match media briefing at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna.

Musa, who said Obi will henceforth captain the team, also assured the new captain of all the needed support to succeed.

“I want to announce now that from today, John Obi Mikel is our new captain,” Musa said at the Eagles’ press conference, yesterday ahead of today’s AFCON 2017 qualifier against Egypt.

Musa was flanked by interim manager, Samson Siasia and Mikel Obi during his announcement at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium.

Former Nigeria manager, Sunday Oliseh, in October last year appointed the CSKA Moscow winger, Ahmed Musa as the new captain of the national team, saying he appointed Musa as captain because he “is not thinking of retirement”.

“There is no captaincy tussles …For Nigeria going forward, I need a player who is regular in the team and it is Ahmed Musa, who did a great job in Tanzania under very difficult circumstances”.

“He (Musa) is the captain of the team, not somebody who is thinking of retirement. A captain has to lead by example. We are not here to build stars. If you don’t conform to what I am trying there has been a new government and the President has picked new ministers. And that is what I have also done,” he said.

Kaduna FA ready for crunchy clash

The Kaduna Football Association Chairman, Abdulkadir Kapaka, yesterday says all is now set for the first leg 2017 AFCON qualifier match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Pharaohs of Egypt.

The match is scheduled to hold at the 25,000 capacity Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna today.

Kapaka said that the Egyptian’s national team had arrived in Kaduna, while match officials were being expected for today’s clash.

He said that the Eagles are accommodated at Africa Intercontinental Hotel, while the Egyptians are housed in Assa Pyaramid Hotel.

The FA chairman said arrangement on security and logistics have been concluded by the state agencies.

“All the securities agencies will deploy their personnel and officers to the match venue and other strategic locations starting from today, to ensure safety of players, officials and the fans during the match,” he said.

Meanwhile the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said that no fewer than 250 officers, Road Marshal and Special Road Marshals would be deployed to ensure safety of commuters and motorists.

The Corp Public Enlightenment officer, Ishaku Mansur, said that the agency would deploy five ambulances to strategic areas within the city in case of eventuality.

On it part, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) says 1,000 personnel will be deployed within the metropolis with special attention to the match venue.

Terzungwe Orndiir, Public Relations officer of the Corp told NAN that the personnel would be deployed to man various locations within the city and the stadium.

The State Police Command also gave assurance of adequate provision of personnel for the match.

The Command’s Public Relations officer, DSP Zubairu Abubakar, said that unspecified number of police personnel had been assembled and placed at strategic locations. (NAN)