There’s no reason to panic, Keshi tells Nigerians

Coach Stephen Keshi has told Nigerians not to panic as the Super Eagles prepare for crucial 2014 World Cup qualifying games and the Fifa Confederations Cup tournament – all taking place in June.

A spate of injuries, first to Scotland-based midfielder Reuben Gabriel and ace forward Emmanuel Emenike, and lately to attacking midfielders Kalu Uche and Victor Moses, had caused anxiety in some quarters and is being hyper-ventilated in public spaces and a section of the media as ‘problem in camp.’

But Keshi, who steered less-endowed Togo to that country’s only FIFA World Cup qualification eight years ago, said he was more than committed to leading his own country to next year’s finals in Brazil, no matter the challenges.

“I am never one to run away from challenges; I have confronted them head-on all my life. I have very good relationship with each and every of my players, with mutual respect and regard being the bedrock.

The team’s Novina Hotel camp in Nuremberg swelled on Wednesday morning with the arrivals of Germany-based striker Joseph Akpala and Ukraine-based forward Babatunde Michael.

Portugal-based John Ogu was being expected on Wednesday night, while defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Elderson Echiejile, as well as midfielder Nnamdi Oduamadi are expected in camp on Thursday.

First-choice goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, based in Israel, is expected on Friday. Scotland-based stopper Efe Ambrose and Italy-based midfielder Ogenyi Onazi has been granted permission to arrive on Saturday due to club commitments.

Ukraine-based forward Brown Ideye will join the team in Texas, USA while Ahmed Musa and Fegor Ogude will join the squad in Frankfurt after the friendly with Mexico in America, also due to club commitments.

This is an opportunity for Namdi to shine

The friendly match against the Tricolore of Mexico has thrown up some interesting and baffling questions for the Stephen Keshi-led technical crew of the Super Eagles. What with the withdrawal of Mikel Obi and most significantly the pulling out of the squad of Victor Moses, for the friendly, World Cup qualifiers and the Fifa Confederations Cup. It will be interesting to see what Keshi will do shod of his two most potent attacking players from the last Nations Cup –Moses and Emmanuel Emenike. Because it is a friendly that has only pride at stake, the coach will want to test run the players that are in camp to gauge the preparedness of the team for the must-win match against the Harambee Stars on June 5 in Nairobi. And this is where it gets doubly interesting – Moses, an orthodox winger who plays like an inverted striker is missing while the natural cover; Ahmed Musa has not been called up while Ejike Uzoenyi, who could have been the back-up is also absent. So the only player that has the capacity to fit on either wing is Varese’s Nnamdi Oduamadi, who shot into the consciousness of Nigerians with his rescuing goal against Kenya in Calabar in the first leg in March. Oduamadi is the most likely player that will be played in his stead. Now will he be able to stand the heat?

KADUNA UNITED 1-0 LOBI STARS

Lobi Stars free fall away from Katsina Ala continued in Kaduna over the weekend after they lost another game to Kaduna United. Despite squandering scoring chances in the first half, Kaduna United made amends in the second session and they were rewarded with a goal through Ali Mohammed in the 62nd minute. Like their host, Lobi Stars' players were guilty of spurning gilt edge chances that came their way with Tony Okpotu a major culprit. Kaduna United moved a spot better than last week position. They are now 15th on the log with 17 points from 13 games while Lobi are just a spot better in 14th from same number of matches and with same 17 points garnered too as Kaduna United

NEMBE CITY 2-1 WIKKI TOURISTS

Despite losing the tie, the media officer of the visiting team, Usman Abbas praised the good works of the match officials and predicted a good future for them if they continue with the way they handled the Week 13 tie involving them against Nembe City.

Wikki Tourists dominated the early exchanges and even drew the first blood in the 29th minute through Ibrahim Babale but Nembe City came back stronger and netted twice through Arinze Obioma and Joshua Ugeh in the 35th and 70th minutes in that order.

Nembe City are still living their dream in their debut campaign in the premier league as they now occupied fourth spot after 13 games with 20 points but Wikki Tourists are still with their relegation stress. They are bottom of the league with 11 points albeit with the disputed game at hand against Rangers.

Nembe City must go full throttle this midweek in their bid to control the annals of Yenagoa with a tricky local derby against Bayelsa United. Wikki Tourists will welcome Warri Wolves.

NASARAWA UNITED 0-0 AKWA UNITED

The Lafia based side lost more ground on the league table after allowing Akwa United to 'steal' a point off their back last Sunday.

A win could have seen them risen to as high as third on the log but they would be content with an eighth position with 19 points from 13 games while Akwa United's solitary point on the road ensured they jumped to 13th position with 17 points from 13 ties.

Nasarawa United with coach Alphonsus Dike at the helms have a tough road tie with wounded 3SC in Ibadan this mid week while Akwa United equally have a difficult home duel with Enyimba in Uyo.

SHARKS 1-0 SUNSHINE STARS

The Blue Angels' manager, Gbenga Ogunbote rubbed salt on the aspirations of his erstwhile club and their quest to be among the top clubs with a precious home win meant to ease their relegation worries.

Chibuzor Osigwe's solitary strike in the early part of the second half guaranteed all points in a tie the Akure Gunners sat at the back for most of the game for reasons best known to them.

Sunshine are now in 10th position from 13 fixtures despite an impressive start to the season. They have 18 points while Sharks are 18th from 13 games with 14 points to show for their efforts.

After returning empty handed from their last two consecutive away ties, the Akure Gunners will host Heartland of Owerri Wednesday in the unarguably the star match of the week while Sharks are travelling to meet El Kanemi Warriors.

GOMBE UNITED 1-0 EL KANEMI WARRIORS

The Desert Scorpions scooped another three points and made it six from two home clashes after pipping El Kanemi Warriors 1-0 at the Pantami Stadium, Gombe.

Sani Modu's lone goal was good enough to catapult Gombe United to the third spot on the table by the virtue of their near invincibility at home. They have 21 points from seven home games to claim their current position on the log from 13 games while El Kanemi are in 17th position with 15 points from the same number of games.

Based on their away form this season,Gombe United will struggle to get anything out of their road trip to Port Harcourt as guests of Dolphins while El Kanemi will welcome Sharks in their matchday 14 tie.

KWARA UNITED 1-1 DOLPHINS

The Afonja Warriors dropped two precious home points in Ilorin on Sunday after allowing the Port Harcourt dwellers to sneak an important draw at the Kwara State Sports Complex. Coach Samson Unuanel and his wards couldn't get the vital second goal to guarantee all points after Yahaya Adamu put them at the driver's seat but they allowed Dolphins to claw their way back into the game through Fred Okwara who got the leveller to the delight of club gaffer Stanley Eguma. Kwara United have a big task on their hands to keep themselves in the top 10 this midweek with a trip to Katsina Ala as visitors of Lobi Stars while Dolphins will seek consolidation with a home duel against bad travellers Gombe United. Kwara United are seventh after 13 matches with 19 points while Dolphins are 12th with 18 points from same matches.

WARRI WOLVES 2-1 KANO PILLARS

The Seasiders are steadily finding their way to the top of the table after their unimpressive start to the season following an important 2-1home win over floundering reigning defending champions, Pillars at the Warri City Stadium on Sunday. Two quick first half goals from Oghenekaro Etebo (who netted his sixth goal of the season) and Joseph Osadaiye in the sixth and 13th minutes respectively confined the Kano club to their third consecutive road loss and four overall this season. Significantly, it was a halt to the heavy defeats suffered in Enugu (0-4) and Aba (0-3) against Rangers and Enyimba. Pillars however woke up in the second half and got a deserved goal through Kabiru Umar in the 80th minute but Warri Wolves kept their nerves to hang on to that vital win. Warri Wolves are 11th with 18 points from 13 encounters while Pillars are second with 22 points with a game less. Pillars could return to the top again this midweek if they get a routine three points at home to Kaduna United but Warri Wolves must make a long road trip to Bauchi to slug it out with Wikki Tourists.