Eagles rescue AFCON hopes

Abuja - Defending champions Nigeria beat Congo Brazzaville 2-0 on
Saturday to revive their bid to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of
Nations as South Africa and Cameroon ensured their presence in the
finals.

Second-half goals by Ikechukwu Uche and Aaron Samuel against Congo
in Pointe-Noire boosted Nigeria's prospects of making it to
Equatorial Guinea, who stepped in as hosts on Friday in place of
barred Morocco.

Nigeria now have to beat group leaders South Africa in Uyo on
Wednesday to ensure automatic qualification behind Bafana Bafana
regardless of Congo's result in Sudan also on Wednesday.

Villarreal striker Uche celebrated his long-awaited return to the
Super Eagles in style when in the 59th minute he tucked away a
penalty after Congo goalkeeper Massa fouled goal-bound Emmanuel
Emenike.

Congo failed to draw level in the 65th minute, when Vincent Enyeama
saved a penalty taken by Thievy Bifouma after Godfrey Oboabona
handled a goal-bound shot inside his box.
Substitute Aaron Samuel then made the game safe for Nigeria a
minute to full time when he struck from inside the box.

- AFP

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NFF sacks Stephen Keshi, replaces him with AmoduShuaibu

Super Eagles Head Coach, Stephen Keshi and the team's coaching
staff have been sacked despite beating Sudan 3-1 last night. The
Nigerian Football Federation, announced his sack today October 16th
after an emergency meeting which held last night in Abuja. 

Explaining
the sack, the NFF said;
"In the interest of Nigeria football and the desire to ensure
qualification for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations finals, the
Committee decided to relieve them of their duties with immediate
effect."

Keshi has been replaced with 56 year old Amodu Shuaibu who has
coached the national team before. Shuaibu is an interim coach pending
when they get a new coach. Personally, I find this annoying!

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Stephen Keshi “Moves On” From Super Eagles Coaching Talks

“

Talks over a new contract shouldn’t drag on,” Keshi told BBC Sport. “I can’t wait any more – the NFF is not serious.”

In a chat with the BBC Sports, Former Super Eagles Coaching, Stephen Keshi says “I have moved on. I can only wish the country well for the future.”

He added that;

“I’ve had about seven countries approach me in the last two months but I kept them all away.



There’s a game in two weeks (Nations Cup qualifier against Congo) but no-one is thinking about it and at the same time they expect you to win.

I understand the ongoing crisis facing the federation but the national team should not suffer from such at this crucial stage.

Sadly, I also think attention is focused more on the upcoming NFF elections and the national team is simply not a priority.

I love my country and I am aware of the dream our fans had of me taking this team to the next level.

While acknowledging the efforts of some people involved in the negotiation, I think others probably have other important things to do.”



Outside this, Keshi credits the fans and acknowledges their support of his efforts as coach. “I love my country and I am aware of the dream our fans had of me taking this team to the next level,”

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[World Cup] Eagles back home Friday

Brasilia – The Super Eagles are expected to return to Nigeria on Friday after their ouster from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

However, not all the 23 players will return with the team to the country as some of them have already gone to join their clubsides for pre-season preparations.


Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, said all logistics have been put in place for those who will not return with the team to Nigeria and those who are returning home for a hitch free trip.

Nigeria were beaten 2-0 by France in the Round of 16 to crash out of the tournament.

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