Everton, Global, Premier League

Nigeria coach demands comprehensive victory
Chief coach of the Nigerian national team Berti Vogts has given a strict warning to his players that he wants an outright victory against Lesotho on September 6 in the Africa Nations Cup qualifiers in the city of Warri, Delta state.

“I want a very clear win, maybe two or three nothing. I am looking for a good performance. We have to be organized, work hard and be disciplined,” the German tactician said.

He stressed that the new invitee players like Victor Anichebe, Dickson Etuhu, Ike Uche and host of others would be given time to display their prowess, with Vogts continuing the process of finding and building his strongest team.

“Ike played very well against Macedonia but he was unlucky with the final pass. And Richard also played well when he came on in the last 25 minutes. He has also played in the Champions League and maybe I try them in a different position and see,” Vogts added.

Anichebe eager for Nigeria action
Everton striker Victor Anichebe is eager to adorn the colour of his native country following his invitation by coach Berti Vogts for the African Nations Cup qualifiers against Lesotho on September 6.

Anichebe has been called up for both Nigeria and England at youth international level but withdrew from both squads. He had earlier been invited to the senior team ahead the Nations Cup qualifiers against Uganda on March 24 and though he showed up in Uganda, he did not play any role in the match.

Anichebe has progressed through the Everton Academy and made his senior debut as a substitute against Chelsea in the FA Cup in January 2006. He then started three successive home games and scored three times during the remainder of the season. Following on from an impressive pre-season, Anichebe established himself as a regular in the squad for the 2006/07 season. Another new invitee to the team is Sunderland midfielder, Dickson Etuhu. He was first invited to the set-up in 2002, but failed to earn first team start.

I will give Everton my best - Yakubu
New Everton striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has said he will give his best to the team in order to achieve great things with the club, “Being Everton’s centre-forward is a great pressure, but all my life I have lived under pressure. I am used to it and hope I will be able to give them my best,” Yakubu said.

The Nigeria international, who was granted a new work permit on Wednesday, added, “I do not expect to play every game, which is up to the manager. There are good quality strikers here so I know I will have to fight for my place.

“My job is to score; I want to score more than 20 this season. I will work and believe in myself. We have quality here, there is no reason Everton cannot do well. Even while I was at Portsmouth and Middlesbrough, I could see what was happening at Everton and I was impressed.”

He said he has been impressed by Everton and from what he has gathered from compatriot Joseph Yobo, he believes Everton is a club heading in the right direction, “I have always been impressed by them, from when I have played against them and from talking to my countryman Joseph Yobo, he has told me a lot about the team and the club and how they are aiming to move forward. They are in Europe, they want to do well in every competition and being in this atmosphere is my dream,” he added.

Yakubu has been penciled down to debut against Bolton on Saturday and he will be wearing the number 22 on the back of his shirt.

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