46 <strong>—</strong> V<strong>an</strong>guard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019 They don’t pass ball to me •Ighalo opens up on why he’s not t scoring goals Super Eagles forward, Odion Ighalo has explained why he has not been scoring goals for the team at the ongoing Afcon in Egypt. According to Ighalo who scored the lone goal in Nigeria’s victory over debut<strong>an</strong>t Burundi blamed it on lack of enough passes from the midfield, stressing that as a striker one c<strong>an</strong>not do much if he doesn’t get through passes. “You c<strong>an</strong> count how m<strong>an</strong>y through passes I have got in We ‘ll solve our scoring problem – Rohr the matches <strong>an</strong>d if you don’t get passes, there is not much you c<strong>an</strong> do as a striker,” he said. On the round of 16 game against either Gh<strong>an</strong>a or Benin Republic, Ighalo said they have done enough work to best <strong>an</strong>y team in the competition. “We are taking every game one at a time. We are not promising <strong>an</strong>ything. I like it when we are written off. We have been working hard <strong>an</strong>d everything will be different from the second round, “ he said. Gernot Rohr says the team will work on their scoring problems ahead of their next 2019 Africa Cup of Nations match. The Super Eagles have scored two goals in their three Group B matches. Nigeria scored one apiece in their 1-0 wins over Burundi <strong>an</strong>d Guinea, before their stuttering attack failed to make <strong>an</strong>y impact in a surprise 2-0 loss to Madagascar. That defeat saw Rohr’s team drop to second place on the st<strong>an</strong>dings, giving them a much tougher last 16 tie – potentially against arch •Rohr rivals Gh<strong>an</strong>a – in Alex<strong>an</strong>dria on Saturday evening. “I know we have problems with scoring of goals, especially against teams who are well org<strong>an</strong>ised defensively,” said Rohr. “Madagascar didn’t give us space to play, they defended together <strong>an</strong>d our wingers were not able to break through. “The perform<strong>an</strong>ce was better in the second half, but it wasn’t enough. We gifted the first goal <strong>an</strong>d they became stronger, we have to work on our scoring problems <strong>an</strong>d solve the problems before our next game.” Amuneke to stay on as T<strong>an</strong>z<strong>an</strong>ia coach •Amuneke •Ighalo T<strong>an</strong>z<strong>an</strong>ia Football Federation technical director has revealed that the Taifa Stars have no cause to dispense with the services of coach Emm<strong>an</strong>uel Amuneke. “Coach Amuneke has done a f<strong>an</strong>tastic job. It was not easy because he tr<strong>an</strong>sformed our football. After 39 years, he came in <strong>an</strong>d ch<strong>an</strong>ged things <strong>an</strong>d always, when you ch<strong>an</strong>ge things, you ch<strong>an</strong>ge people’s mentality. “It takes time. We will take care of him <strong>an</strong>d keep him here to continue with the good work,” he said. Ninje said the tournament afforded T<strong>an</strong>z<strong>an</strong>ia the experience to learn football at the highest level. “ So, I hope if we qualify for the next AFCON tournament, we will do better,” he said. “We have learnt that when you play at international level like AFCON, you have to be ruthless, when you get the opportunity use it, <strong>an</strong>d adopt a disciplined approach when you don’t have the ball. According to him, the team will be evaluated <strong>an</strong>d younger players will be encouraged to continue in the building of a new national team. Super Eagles need a ‘Jay y Jay’ in Egypt <strong>—</strong>Adepoju Former Super Eagles midfielder Mutiu Adepoju has argued that the team currently campaigning for the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt need creative players in the mode of Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha. The Super Eagles have struggled to score goals as they found it hard to break down opposing defenders <strong>an</strong>d scoring ch<strong>an</strong>ces are hard to come by. “We (Nigeria) do not have creative midfielders like Jay Jay Okocha. In the present Eagles, John Mikel Obi needs to play with fast younger players who are mobile,” Adepoju said in reference to Mikel stepping into the big shoes of Okocha. “The way they (Madagascar) played us without a fightback <strong>an</strong>noyed most Nigeri<strong>an</strong>s. It was not a good game by the Eagles. Madagascar even created lots of ch<strong>an</strong>ces. It’s not hard luck for Nigeria, Madagascar were simply better,” Adepoju who was in Nigeria’s 1994, 2000 <strong>an</strong>d 2002 Afcon squads added. He said the Eagles must have to fight harder in the knock stage if they wish to remain in the tournament. “Now the Eagles have to put on the Nigeri<strong>an</strong> spirit <strong>an</strong>d win their remaining game(s) in the tournament,” he concluded. Madagasc<strong>an</strong> President Andry Rajoelina has chartered a special pl<strong>an</strong>e to take football f<strong>an</strong>s to Egypt for the Africa Cup of Nations after the country unexpectedly qualified for the round of 16. Excitement has been building in the Indi<strong>an</strong> Oce<strong>an</strong> isl<strong>an</strong>d nation as the team emerged top of group B after beating threetime tournament winners Nigeria 2-0. "Barea", who take their nickname from a breed of local cattle, now play DR Congo on Sunday for a place in the quarter-final. "After hearing the dem<strong>an</strong>ds of supporters, President Andry Rajoelina <strong>an</strong>d the Madagasc<strong>an</strong> state have decided to mobilise <strong>an</strong> Airbus 380, with 480 seats, to tr<strong>an</strong>sport supporters," Rinah Rakotom<strong>an</strong>ga, communications chief for the presidency, told AFP. The flight will leave Ant<strong>an</strong><strong>an</strong>arivo on Saturday <strong>an</strong>d return immediately after the game. Madagascar President hires pl<strong>an</strong>e to fly in more supporters But the adventure will not be for free -- tickets cost about $600 (530 euros) including the flight, a seat at the match <strong>an</strong>d meals. Rajoelina had <strong>an</strong>nounced that he would attend the match, sparking a campaign to enable other f<strong>an</strong>s to travel. "Do not go alone to Egypt President Andry Rajoelina, there are supporters who are ready to fill a pl<strong>an</strong>e <strong>an</strong>d the empty stadium," said former opposition MP Guy Rivo R<strong>an</strong>dri<strong>an</strong>arisoa on social media. Madagascar will face a tough game at the weekend -- they are r<strong>an</strong>ked 108th in the world, with DR Congo far above them in 49th spot. El Mohammady: Aguirre gives me freedom to go forward Egypt’s veter<strong>an</strong> wingback Ahmed Elmohamady has explained that his scoring form at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations is down to the attacking approach taken by Pharaohs m<strong>an</strong>ager Javier Aguirre. The 31-year-old has netted two goals at the AFCON thus far, putting his name on the score sheet in the 2-0 wins over DR Congo <strong>an</strong>d Ug<strong>an</strong>da. Elmohamady has enjoyed life under Aguirre, racking up four goals <strong>an</strong>d three assists in eight games under the Mexic<strong>an</strong> tactici<strong>an</strong>. “The m<strong>an</strong>ager always gives us freedom to go forward <strong>an</strong>d show ourselves, especially the fullbacks,” Elmohamady told King Fut. “He likes the fullbacks to push high on the pitch, which gives us the freedom to score <strong>an</strong>d assist. “I scored today <strong>an</strong>d scored in the last game as well as, long may it continue.” The Egypti<strong>an</strong> star added that he is set to stay with newly promoted Premier League team Aston Villa for the 2019/ 20 season. Egypt will be back in AFCON action on Saturday night when they play their last 16 tie against a third-placed team from Group C, D or E. Hamstring injury knocks out Black Stars’ Atsu Christi<strong>an</strong> Atsu has been ruled out of the rest of the Africa Cup of Nations with a hamstring tear, officials said on Tuesday. He has returned to Engl<strong>an</strong>d for treatment at his club Newcastle United, hours before Gh<strong>an</strong>a were due to complete their Group F campaign against Guinea Bissau in Suez. Atsu went off just 15 minutes into •Atsu Gh<strong>an</strong>a’s goalless draw against Cameroon in Ismailia on Saturday <strong>an</strong>d doctors have said he is unable to play the rest of the tournament. Guinea’s Naby Keita has gone back to Liverpool for treatment on thigh <strong>an</strong>d shin injuries sustained against Nigeria as he made his first full comeback after the adductor injury that left him side-lined for two months, including the Champions League final. Keita is expected back in Egypt for the knockout round.
V<strong>an</strong>guard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019 <strong>—</strong> 47
- Page 1 and 2: E-DAILY 4 Prominent pastors’ sile
- Page 3 and 4: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019
- Page 5 and 6: vanguardnews @vanguardnews Vanguard
- Page 7 and 8: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019
- Page 9 and 10: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019
- Page 11 and 12: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019
- Page 13 and 14: VANGUARD, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019
- Page 15 and 16: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019
- Page 17 and 18: BUSOLA Dakolo, the wife of a popula
- Page 19 and 20: Foreign investments into Nigeria ri
- Page 21 and 22: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019
- Page 23 and 24: Hitachi opens data discussion in Ab
- Page 25 and 26: Vanguard, Wednesday, JULY 3, 2019
- Page 27 and 28: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019
- Page 29 and 30: By Vincent Ujumadu Osita Ozalagba i
- Page 31 and 32: On the cattle colonies G OVERNMENT
- Page 33 and 34: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019
- Page 35 and 36: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019
- Page 37 and 38: I fell in love after 25 years of ma
- Page 39 and 40: 14 sailors killed in Russian underw
- Page 41 and 42: vanguardnews @vanguardnews @vanguar
- Page 43 and 44: Wimbledon Open...Wimbledon Open...
- Page 45: Vanguard, WEDNESDAY, JULY 3, 2019