FIFA Cancels Nigeria’s Victory Party

A dinner party planned for the victorious Super Eagles on Monday night after the 6-1 defeat of Tahiti in their FIFA Confederation Cup match was cancelled at the instance of FIFA.

A PANA report late Tuesday said that the team was billed to have the dinner at Restaurant Atelier in Savassi centre in Belo Horizonte but FIFA officials, citing security reasons, prevented the Nigerian players from leaving their hotel at Belvedere. The FIFA security officials based their decision on the street protests in Belo Horizonte and some other parts of Brazil.

One of the organisers of the dinner, Olusegun Akinruli, lamented the turn of events.

He said, “It is sad, but we have to understand the concerns of FIFA. We would have loved to celebrate the victory with guests of Nigerian roots.”

10 Lessons From Nigeria’s Victory At AFCON 2013 By Malcolm Fabiyi

The applause has died off. The 2013 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Nigeria team have played themselves into the annals of history. However, there are timeless lessons to be gleaned from the performance and attitudes of the Super Eagles coach and players. Here are ten of the most pertinent lessons.

1.    Stand your ground. When Keshi submitted his list of players, he was roundly lampooned for the list of players he came up with. The big name, perennial stalwarts were absent. Six of the players he selected played in the lackluster local league.  Keshi and his team were written off even before the games began. It is easier to swim in the direction in which a stream flows – but sometimes, true progress can only come by taking a stand that goes against the common grain. Stand your ground, when you believe your reasoning is sound, and your cause is right.

Guinness brings Super Eagles to Lagos, hosts spectacular victory tour and concert

Daniel Amokachi, Stephen Keshi, with Guinness MD, Seni Adetu

Guinness, proud sponsor of the Super Eagles in conjunction with the Lagos state government flagged off the Super Eagles Victory tour. The day long activity in honour of the African Champions, the Super Eagles and the AFCON trophy, started out at a congratulatory reception held at the State House in Lagos after which, the Tour continued in a procession amidst fanfare and excitement, with the Trophy on display, on through major locations in the city. At every point of the journey, the procession met with and was greeted by excited and cheering Fans who expressed appreciation to Guinness for Bringing the Champions of Africa to Lagos and the Trophy to Lagos.

‘Ifreke Inyang – 'Nigeria can win the AFCON' – 6 things we learnt from today’s victory over Cote d’I

Nigeria can win the AFCON

Let me catch my breath. Was that the Super Eagles of Nigeria against the Elephants? Did we utterly dominate the quarter-final clash or what? Every single player was up for the game. Less fancied names like Onazi Ogenyi, Sunday Mba, etc stood up tall and strong against true football superstars like Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba. Save for that little blip defensively, that led to Tiote levelling scores, the Eagles were almost perfect. Long may it continue. And who knows? With this kind of form, we fear no foe!

Eagles coach targets Ethiopia victory

Super Eagles coach  Stephen Keshi has set his sights on victory in Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations  Group C  encounter with   Ethiopia at Rustenburg,   after  Nigeria drew 1-1  with Zambia on Friday, Mtnfootball.comreports.  The  Eagles could  not defend their lead as they allowed the defending champions to fight back and cancel out Emmanuel Emenike’s 57th minute opener. Keshi said, “We wanted the three points,  with due respect to Zambia, they are a great team and have been together for the past four years and also they are the defending champs.