Nigeria vs Ghana friendly cancelled due to London riots

Super Eagles Head Coach, Samson Siasia, has expressed his disappointment at the cancellation of Tuesday's international friendly match against Ghana Black Stars.

The friendly was due to be hosted at Watford FC's Vicarage Road stadium, but the club was forced to call off the game on the advise of the Hertforshire Constabulary.

Siasia and his players were left to contemplate the effects

"We are very disappointed that the game has been called off.

"We were looking forward to playing this game, and the players were also very prepared and confident despite the fact that we didn't have a full house and we had just one training session.

"I also spoke to the NFF officials and they are also disappointed that this game did not hold.

"But there is nothing anybody can do. The police have the final authority and if they say they cannot guarantee our security, then we have to take it like that."

Organisers are working hard to reschedule the game, with November being looked at as a possible date for the fixture.

However, Siasia is not losing any sleep over midfielder Dickson Etuhu's decision to make himself unavailable for selection.

Etuhu was handed a late call up to join the squad following withdrawals by several players, but declined, saying he did not wish to be considered for selection under Samson Siasia.

Asked about the decision at the pre-match press conference, Siasia did not seem overly concerned.

"We all know we had problems with visas for some players. And he is here in London so we asked him to come and be part of this team.

"He said no. I dont know what issues he has but that will be dealt with later."

Etuhu is said to be unhappy at having been ignored since Siasia took over, but his decision will cause little heartache for Siasia, who has a surfeit of midfielders higher up the pecking order than the Fulham man.

John Mikel Obi and Joel Obi have both locked down the central midfield roles, with Kalu Uche, Fengor Ogude and Nosa Igiebor all pushing hard to dislodge them.

Daily Independent

Related stories: Siasia Names Osaze Against Ghana

Black Stars outshine Super Eagles in Semifinal

Argentina want rematch with Super Eagles

Obafemi Martin's brother dies of heart complications

Ladi Martins, the older brother of Nigeria international Obafemi Martins, died Monday in Lagos of suspected heart problem. MTNFootball.com learnt that Martins has struggled to eat normally for the past few days and when he finally had a meal Sunday morning, and laterin the evening he began complaining of heart problem.

He gave up the ghost at Doren Hospital in Ajah on the outskirts of Lagos the following day.

Obafemi Martins confirmed the shock passing away of his 27-year-old brother who also played professionally in Europe for some time.

Family member Otunba Kay David Lawson announced that Ladi will be buried at Victoria Garden Cemetery in Ajah, outskirts of Lagos, later Tuesday.

This is yet another personal tragedy for 'Oba-goal', whose mother was killed in a horrific car accident in Lagos a few years ago.

Vanguard

Related stories: Obafemi Martins Returns to Super Eagles

Obafemi Martins gets career back on track at Wolfsburg

Video - Ola Onabule's hope for Africa

Nigerian singer Ola Onabule tells African Voices about what the continent means to him and the message of his music.

Related stories: Years after death, Fela nears mainstream appeal

Nollywood humbled as Congo, South Africa rule at the African Movie Academy Awards

Electronics giant Samsung sign $1.5m sponsorship deal with Nigerian Football Federation

 

Asian electronics manufacturing giant, Samsung has thrown its weight on Nigerian football with the signing of a $1.5 million sponsorship deal with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), reports NEXT.

This is not the first time that a technology company is sponsoring Nigerian football. Last month, the NFF signed a ₦2 billion agreement with Nigerian telecommunications company, Globacom.

Speaking about the partnership, Idy Enang, Managing Director of Samsung Nigeria, said his organisation was partnering with the NFF because it believed Nigerian football has the capacity to soar to the highest heights while he also wishes that Nigerians rallied behind the teams no matter the circumstances.

By this recent agreement, Samsung, will now become the ‘Official Electronics of the National Teams’.

Techloy

Related stories: Globacom strikes five-year sponsorship deal with Manchester United

Nollywood star, Sam Loco, passes away at 66

The cold hands of death Saturday visited the entertainment industry, when veteran actor, Mr. Samuel Loco Efeeimwonkiyeke, popularly known as Sam Loco Efe, died  on location in his hotel room in Owerri, Imo State.

He was said to have been enjoying his drinks at the bar of a popular hotel, located along Amakohia/Orlu Road, Owerri, at about 10pm on Saturday before he died.

However, a source at the hotel in Owerri told THISDAY on the condition of anonymity that the late actor was in good condition when he was last seen at about 10pm at the hotel bar drinking.

Similarly, a Nollywood actor (names withheld), told THISDAY that he led the late actor to his room No. 204 at about 11pm and left home thereafter. Late Saturday  night, the late actor called him to remind him of an appointment for 12noon the following day.

“But I was surprised when I was called by the hotel management to come over. On getting there, his room was locked and since there was no sign of anybody in the room they had to climb through the window and discovered the lifeless body of the late actor on the seat without shirts. His inhaler was by his side. We had to call the police on the scene,” he said.

When THISDAY visited the hotel, there was no sign of any ugly incident that happened there, even as the hotel workers were busy doing their work but discussing in low tones. They could not talk to THISDAY on the matter.

The hotel manager, Mr. Dan, who was spoken to on phone expressed surprise, saying “I’m not aware, because I am outside Owerri. I am going to call the hotel now to confirm.”

Confirming the death of the Nollywood actor, the Imo State Police command through the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Linus Nwaiwu said the information had gotten to their command.

“We have received information on the death of Sam Loco Efe from the hotel, our homicide unit is still working on the information,” he said.

Meanwhile, the corpse of the late actor has been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre, (FMC) Owerri.
It would be recalled that Sam Loco Efe was one of Nollywoods most talented actors of contemporary Nigerian theatre and had for many years distinguished himself as a rare talent both in television and stage drama.

This Day

Related stories: Pete Edochie shares his experience of being kidnapped

Video - Bringing Nollywood to the world