Daily Archives

June 25, 2018

Williams Troost-Ekong wants more Eagles’ support ahead Argentina clash

by Brila June 25, 2018

written by Brila

Super Eagles and Bursaspor of Turkey Defender, William Troost-Ekong is pleading to Nigerians for more Support as the Eagles look set to face the Argentines on Tuesday.

In a brief chat with brila.net, Troost-Ekong urged Nigerians to continue to support them, saying that he’s counting on their support in their last group game against Argentina & beyond.

The 24-year-old defender noted that he enjoyed the massive support he & the entire team have been receiving, even as they look forward to more in their subsequent matches.

The Nigeria Super Eagles players arrived at Saint Petersburg on Sunday Night in time to prepare for Tuesday’s very crucial clash with Argentina.

June 25, 2018 0 comments

Oliseh backs Super Eagles to beat Argentina

by Brila June 25, 2018

written by Brila

Former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh on Monday morning expressed optimism that Nigeria can overcome Argentina in Tuesday’s crucial Group D match of the 2018 World Cup.

Gernot Rohr’s team defeated Iceland 2-0 in their second game of the group after losing by the same score against Croatia in the first game.

“Nigeria’s campaign started in the second half against Iceland. People saw that Croatia was difficult. They must beat Argentina,” Oliseh stated on Brila FM’s Sports Machine.

“I think we have a good coach, but we (Nigeria) can beat this Argentina side. Their team (Argentina) of 2014 is better than this one. They have infighting in the team, so this is a time Nigeria have to win.

“We must be aware that this is the time Messi and others will want to play their best game. We have no choice but to not give Lionel Messi any chance.

But we can’t also give too much attention to Messi. He has other ‘generals’ but its looking good for us,” Oliseh noted.

The Super Eagles will on Tuesday 26th June face Argentina in Group D’s decisive encounter.

June 25, 2018 0 comments

OPINION WORLD FOOTBALL

‘Operation Messi Must Go Home! Dr Larry Izamoje rally support for Eagles

by Brila June 25, 2018

written by Brila

Chairman/CEO of Brila Media Dr. Larry Izamoje has launched a campaign ‘Operation Messi Must Go Home’ in support of the Super Eagles ahead of the Group D’s crucial clash against Argentina.

Speaking on Brila FM’s Big Sports Breakfast show, Dr. Larry expressed his optimism ahead of the Group D’s decisive encounter.

‘Argentina in this World Cup are at their all-time low,”

“Argentina that played us in South Africa 2010, and Brazil 2014 is far stronger and better than this team”

“The current team has a lot of weak links, from the Goalkeeper, Caballero, to the Defense where a lot of players are being played out of positions”

“Even in midfield, the 34-year-old anchor Mascherano has lost the better part of his pace and energy.

The Double Doctor has also urged the Super Eagles players not to concede cheap fouls and Free kicks as it could be Lionel Messi’s opportunity to break out and punish Nigeria.

In absolute support for the Nigeria National team in Russia, Dr. Larry launched the ‘Operation Messi Must Go Home” campaign ahead of Tuesday’s clash.

The campaign is just to rally more support for the Eagles and ensure Messi doesn’t get his shine in tomorrow’s encounter.

The Super Eagles will take on Argentina on Tuesday Night in Saint Petersburg.

June 25, 2018 0 comments

WORLD FOOTBALL

Former Coach Sunday Oliseh optimistic Eagles will advance into round of 16

by Brila June 25, 2018

written by Brila

Former Super Eagles player and Coach, Sunday Oliseh is optimistic that the Super Eagles will progress to the next round of the FIFA World Cup holding in Russia.

Speaking with brila.net’s Babafemi Raji on Monday Morning, Oliseh said he is very optimistic the Eagles will fancy their chances and progress into the second round.

The former Fortuna Sittard Manager said if there’s a time to beat Argentina in a World Cup game, the time is now.

Oliseh, however, gave some respect to Lionel Messi who he sees as a great player – the former Coach is hoping that the Eagles will be able to keep the Barcelona superstar quiet on Tuesday Night.

The Former Super Eagles Captain as also urged Nigerians to join him in believing that the Eagles will progress in the next round of the FIFA World Cup.

The Super Eagles will take on Argentina on Tuesday in a very crucial and decisive Group D Match on Tuesday.

June 25, 2018 0 comments

Featured NIGERIAN FOOTBALL

Swiss stars Shaqiri, Xhaka face disciplinary action over goal celebration

by Brila June 25, 2018

written by Brila

Switzerland stars Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka are facing disciplinary action from FIFA after their provocative goal celebration against Serbia at the World Cup.

The pair struck in the second half to lead Switzerland to a come-from-behind 2-1 win in Russia on Friday, but it was their celebration that took most attention.

Shaqiri and Xhaka put their hands together to form what looked like a two-headed eagle, similar to the one on the flag of Albania, threatening to inflame political tensions in the Balkans.

“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Swiss players Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri for their goal celebration during the match Switzerland vs. Serbia,” the governing body said in a statement on Saturday.

Shaqiri and Xhaka are of Kosovar heritage, with the former born in the partially recognised nation which was fought over by forces from the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia – Montenegro and Serbia at that time – and the Kosovo Liberation Army in the late 1990s.

Despite being recognized by UEFA, Serbia refuses to see Kosovo as an independent state, meaning relations remain tense.

FIFA has also opened proceedings against the Serbian Football Association for “crowd disturbance and the display of political and offensive messages by Serbian fans”.

A preliminary investigation was opened against Serbia coach Mladen Krstajic for alleged statements made post-match.

Source – AS

June 25, 2018 0 comments

Featured NIGERIAN FOOTBALL

Eagles Skipper Mikel to play against Argentina despite hand fracture

by Brila June 25, 2018

written by Brila

Super Eagles Captain John Obi Mikel is likely to play in Nigeria’s decisive World Cup Group D match against Argentina on Tuesday despite nursing a fracture in his left hand.

The 31-year-old former Chelsea midfielder suffered the injury during stoppage time in the African team’s 2-0 win over Iceland on Friday.

“Unfortunately our captain has a fracture but I think he will be able to play with a splint,” Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr said in an interview published by NFF on Sunday. “Our medical team is looking after it.”

Eagles will progress to the round of 16 if they win Tuesday’s match in Saint Petersburg.

A draw will also see them advance if Croatia beat Iceland.

June 25, 2018 0 comments

WORLD FOOTBALL

Sergio Aguero to be dropped by Argentina coach for Nigeria clash

by Brila June 25, 2018

written by Brila

Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero is set to be dropped by coach Jorge Sampaoli following an outburst after La Albiceleste were beaten 3-0 by Croatia on Thursday.

According to both Simon Mullock of the Mirror and the always well-informed Jose Alvarez, a friend of Sergio’s, Sampaoli has decided to punish the Manchester City star by benching him against Nigeria on Tuesday.

After the defeat to Croatia, Sampaoli said the Argentina players “players did not adopt” and “the project failed”.

When Kun was asked about this by the press, he momentarily appeared mortified and hit back at Sampaoli, saying: “Let him say what he wants.”

It has been suggested that a number of Argentina players tried to have Sampaoli sacked after the Croatia game but have been unsuccessful, and one of the victims will be Kun Aguero, who will likely miss their next game.

June 25, 2018 0 comments

WORLD FOOTBALL

Eagles ready for St. Petersburg’s ‘cold weather’ ahead Argentina Showdown

by Brila June 25, 2018

written by Brila

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are already bracing up for the extremely cold weather in St. Petersburg as they look forward to facing Lionel Messi’s Argentina on Tuesday.

Eagles last match against Iceland on Friday in Volgograd was of a normal weather where the city fluctuated between 26.6 Celsius and 27 Celsius, but St. Petersburg is expected to be as low as between 18 degree Celsius at the worst and 22 degree Celsius tomorrow.

According to an official of the Super Eagles, the team has changed its training pattern to be in tune with the conditions expected in St. Petersburg.

“Normally, we usually rest for a day after a match but the coaches took the team to train on Saturday as part of the preparation for Tuesday’s match.

We know St. Petersburg would be much colder than Volgograd, so we want to be prepared for it,”

“Most of our players are based in Europe and are used to the extreme cold weather”

Nigeria will face Argentina in its final group match tomorrow in St. Petersburg. If Nigeria wins, it will advance to the round of 16.

June 25, 2018 0 comments

Featured NIGERIAN FOOTBALL

Maradona to meet with Argentina players ahead Eagles showdown

by Brila June 25, 2018

written by Brila

Football Legend DIEGO MARADONA has reportedly requested a meeting with Argentina’s players in an attempt to inspire the wounded squad ahead of their crucial Eagles clash on Tuesday.

The Le Abiceleste must beat Nigeria in Saint Petersburg on Tuesday if they are to avoid a premature exit following a disastrous 3-0 defeat by Croatia.

Maradona who is respected as one of the greatest footballers of all time said he will be coming to meet the players with other Argentina greats.

“I would love to hold a meeting with them, with (Nery) Pumpido, with (Sergio) Goycochea, with (Claudio) Caniggia, with (Pedro) Troglio, even with (Daniel) Passarella if he wants to come, and with (Jorge) Valdano,” Maradona told Venezuelan TV channel Telesur.

“We’re going to defend our honour, boys. It cost us too much to be where we are for Croatia to come and hit us for three goals and to leave with our arms crossed without anyone putting a foot in.”

Meanwhile, former Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano who is also one of the most senior player in the Argentina squad has denied any rift between the Players and Manager Sampaoli earlier on Sunday.

June 25, 2018 0 comments

Featured OPINION

What to expect from Argentina vs Nigeria

by Brila June 25, 2018

written by Brila

Jorge SAmpaoli-led Argentina side will face the Super Eagles of Nigeria led by GErman tactician, Gernot Rohr in a very crucial Group D encounter that’s going to be very exciting.

With all honesty, I am expecting no change from Argentina’s first two matches when they take on the Super Eagles on Tuesday I Never St. Petersburg.

I am expecting the Argentines to have all the possession in Midfield and defense, I am also expecting the ARgentines led by BArcelona icon Lionel Messi to attempt a lot of attacking moves.

But Nigeria will be in a tight block at the back, closing down any space near the box and forcing the Argentines to look out wide.

And if the first two games are any indication, Argentina do not have the midfielders to break down such a block.

Iceland & Croatia played Argentina perfectly by surrounding Messi and allowing everyone else to pass as the wished.

When guys like Javier Mascherano or Enzo Perez are given time to pass, they’ll give it away plenty of times.

Those miss played passes will give Nigeria plenty of opportunities to counter-attack. If they catch Argentina on one of those counters, that might be all she wrote.

Argentina are a team waiting to fold, under the pressure of a nation and the demands of a legacy. This team is crumbling under the weight of Superstar Lionel Messi.

But that pressure to win comes with a bright side; only one team gets to have Lionel Messi. And the team that has Messi always has a chance, no matter the supporting cast.

My gut says this Argentine team is too broken, but my mind would never rule out a player as great as him.

Therefore I would expect that Argentina will get a result on Tuesday against Nigeria.

What Result ?

win ? Lose ?

I think Argentina will get a win if they can break the Eagles defense early and in the first 45minutes.

Anything short of that, the Super Eagles will get a way through the middle with a counter attack to seal the day.

This possibly, can be Lionel Messi’s last chance.

June 25, 2018 0 comments

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