Nigerian Footballer Collapses on Pitch and Rushed To the Hospital

Rabiu Ibrahim, The Kilmarnock FC midfielder collapsed after a collision with Ross County's Ivan Sproule in the 35th minute, and was stretchered off the pitch and rushed to a nearby hospital.

Kilmarnock went on to record their first win of the season as Scottish international striker Kris Boyd and Jackson Irvine scored in either half to seal the win for the hosts.

After enduring torrid spells at Sporting Lisbon, PSV Eindhoven and Celtic, Ibrahim's career has taken an upward trajectory since joining the modest club, as has featured in all the clubs ten League games played so far this season.

Kilmarnock are placed second from bottom in the 12-team Scottish Premiership.

Events like this rarely occur and I guess we all hope its not a serious injury for the young Nigerian lad.

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Osazee back to Eagles-clears dispute with Siasia

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that the much-publicized mis-understanding between Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Samson Siasia and one of his star players, Osaze Odemwingie has been laid to rest.

The frosty relationship between former World Cup star Siasia and ace winger Odemwingie was brought to the front pages of the international press in May, when the former announced that one of his key actors had walked out on cast and crew without stating his destination.

Osaze missed the top grade international friendly against Argentina in Abuja on the first day of June as a result and was also overlooked for the 2012 African Nations Cup qualifier away to Ethiopia on June 5.

But the NFF said on Monday that the mis-understanding is now history and the fleet-footed forward can look forward to a recall ahead of another top grade international friendly, against the Black Stars of Ghana in London next month.

“It’s now history; Siasia and Osaze have settled their little tiff and we are happy about that. Nigeria can now call on her very best legs in subsequent games without any exception”, stated chairman of NFF Technical Committee, Barrister Chris Green.

A meeting initiated by NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari took place in London some weeks ago and on Friday, Siasia, who scored a wonder goal for Nigeria against Argentina at the 1994 FIFA World Cup and then became the first Coach to lead Nigeria to beat Argentina at senior level, in a 4-1 friendly thrashing in Abuja last month, scored another important ‘goal’. He announced that he has forgiven the effervescent striker and that he should come back to the fold and sin no more.

“No problems again, we are now on the same page and things can move ahead in the best interest of Nigerian football. I like to say here that Osaze is one player I like very much due to his enthusiasm and total commitment to the cause on-field. But, to reach higher heights as a great player and person, it is also important to observe rules and regulations and respect team-mates and other persons off-field.

“Everything is now under control and Osaze is back in the squad”, said Siasia.

The Super Eagles’ supremo, who has been holidaying in the United States of America, is expected back in Nigeria on Sunday to kick-start his programmes for the high-profile friendly against Ghana in London on August 9 and the crucial 2012 Nations Cup qualifier away to Madagascar on September 3.

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Coach faults Eguavoen formation

Ghana’s coach Akwasi Appiah faulted Eguavoen’s formation and said “you couldn’t have played 4-5-1 formation against us and survived going by the way we played.

After our early goal, I expected Nigeria to change but they did not and I knew we would score more goals. Just one more goal was enough to put us through but we could have scored more.

Meanwhile,Dream team Coach Coach Austin Eguavoen admitted that Ghana were a better side in yesterday’s game.  “I must admit that the first goal disoriented us. It came early and we couldn’t put our game together.

I missed some players but I don’t want to give that as a reason. Ghana were better, no doubt about this. It is a pity that same Ghana eliminated our female team from the All Africa Games. We are all disappointed.”

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U-23: Eguavoen writes off Ghana

National U-23 coach Augustine Eguavoen has told the Black Meteors of Ghana to forget about the All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique in September.

Nigeria won the first Leg AAG qualifiers 3-1 in Benin City on June 25. Nigeria will engage the Ghanaians in Kumasi on Sunday and Eguavoen said his side would be playing for victory.

“Ghana stopped us from featuring in the last All Africa Games in Algiers in 2007, this is our time to ensure they suffer a similar fate. They should just forget about going to Maputo,” Eguavoen told our correspondent in Benin City.

“They played a wonderful game and we respect them but only one of us will have to qualify. We’ll go there to protect our advantage and possibly beat them on their soil.

“We know the implications of the away goal they have but that will count for little by the time the game is over.”

The former Super Eagles defender told Ghanaian radio, Hot FM, during the week that he expected an explosive encounter on Sunday, saying he was aware of Ghana’s plans to pick victory.

“I expect an explosive game against Ghana,” he said.

“We have a lot of respect for the Ghana team and I am sure the Ghanaians also have similar respect for us so I guess its going to be a nice game.”

“We are well prepared and focused on the task ahead to make sure we beat Ghana this time around since they denied us the ticket for the last All Africa Games.”

The U-23 team are expected in Accra on Friday and leave for Kumasi for the match at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

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