World Cup Qualifier: Eagles Begin Camping Today

The  Super Eagles are expected to re-group in Abuja from today to begin preparation ahead of next week’s crucial 2010 World Cup qualifying match against Mozambique.

The Eagles, who played a disappointing 2-2 draw against Tunisia at the National Stadium in Abuja last month, would be under pressure as they must beat Mozambique and win the last match away to Kenya to stand a chance of going to South Africa.

It was gathered that some of the 30 players invited by Coach Shuaibu Amodu would arrive the country after their respective club engagements tomorrow and Sunday.

Returnee stars, Obafemi Martins of Wolfsburg and Everton’s Yakubu Aiyegbeni have confirmed their readiness to be part of the squad while skipper Nwankwo Kanu of Portsmouth and his assistant from Everton, Joseph Yobo, would fly to Abuja for the cracker.

Cameroon To Decide Nigeria’s Fate for U-20 World Youth Cup

In a twist of fate a country once proud of her array of stars, will have to depend on the misfortune of another country to qualify for a FIFA world tourney.

The senior national team, Super Eagles, want Tunisia to slip in one of the two qualifying games for the country to play in next year’s World Cup in South Africa. Despite beating hapless Tahiti 5-0 in their last group game at the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt, Samson Siasia and his boys have to wait till the last rounds of matches to know whether they will make the round of 16.

The Nigerian team has to pray specifically that Cameroon, who is playing in Group C, lose their last match to Germany. According to the permutations, Cameroun needs to lose to Germany by any score margin so that their goals difference would be less than that of the Flying Eagles, which stands at +2.

With three points from three matches, the Nigerian lads finished third place behind Spain and Venezuela, which ended the first round with 9 and 6 points each. Technically, the Flying Eagles should be on their way back to Nigeria but for competition rules, which makes provision for the best four third-placed teams to join the first two in each of the six groups.

Had the Nigerian players, who wasted chance after chance managed to score up to the eight goals, their position would have been a bit clearer. As it is, they have to wait till the end of Germany vs Cameroon match tomorrow at Ismaila Stadium to know whether they will continue in the tournament or go back home.

Siasia has not lost hope yet; he looks forward to a surprise qualification. “I told my lads just to go out and win the game against Tahiti, and score as many goals as they could.

BABA MUTUM:

Sumo wrestling is the traditional sport of Japan. It is the country’s oldest martial arts, it is ritualistic and the most distinct sport. Sumo is centered around the Shinto religion, and was first introduced 1500 years ago. Its popularity spread quickly, becoming a more public and widespread event.

Matches were usually brutal, the loser often expected to forfeit his life. Due to its brutality, it was banned in the 7^th century. Only the Samurai, and the warrior class, were allowed to practice it as part of their military training. In modern times, Sumo has become a professional sport and is extremely popular, arenas for sumo are plentiful throughout Japan. Since it is native to Japan, it can perhaps be described as the national sport. Sumo combines some of the most public forms of Shinto ritual with the stupendous sight of wrestlers weighing up to 275 Kilograms about (585 pounds) apiece slamming into each other. At first glance many foreigners are often repulsed, but continued exposure converts many into fanatics. Despite the dangers in sumo wrestling, its archaic rituals and tradition, the sport continues to draw new fans and athletes. Women have continued to step up into the squared sumo circle.

Hundreds of sumo wrestlers of various nationalities earn comfortable livelihoods, participating in matches not only in Japan, but in Europe and North America. As the sport continues to grow, African Interest’s spotlight is on Nigeria born Emeka Okeke, first African sumo wrestler who recently set up sumo wrestling academy in Nigeria.

Nigerian born Ben Emeka Okeke aka Baba Mutum was a former professional wrestler, he was the undefeated super heavyweight champion for three years. He defeated the great Ajaloko the giant and was unbeaten throughout his reign, 1992-95. During his professional wrestling days he was fierce and knocked out most of his opponents. Baba Mutum left professional wrestling for Sumo when no one could step up to him, According to him,” I quit because I ran out of Challenge”, At a time I was asked to fight two wrestlers”. Confident of his strength and agility he traveled to far away Japan to engage the Japanese in their own traditional sport the Sumo Wrestling.  On getting to Japan, he enrolled into the University of Japan Sumo College to learn the rudiments of the sport. In no time he became a leading sumo wrestler, and being the first African sumo wrestler fans trooped out to watch his matches.

Baba Mutum became a Japanese subject  known for his powerful grip. He was formidable at Oshi-Zumo in Japanese meaning ability to push your opponents with hands. He continued to fight in yearly championship representing Nigeria, until this Rikishi got injured in a fight. Rikishi literally in Japan means “strong man”. Before getting injured he has fought prominent sumo wrestlers amongst whom is Yeh Kun- Fang of Taiwan.

Baba Mutum has however set up a sumo academy in Eastern Nigeria where teenagers are taught how to fight Sumo. Periodic sumo wrestling demonstrations are performed to woo fans and interested athletes. Baba Mutum formed the Nigerian sumo association which is affiliated to the International sumo Federation, ISF. Wrestlers in the sumo academy have the opportunity to become professional sumo wrestlers, and are being invited to Japan for annual sumo championship. Funding has been one the problem affecting the academy, since the inception of the academy it has been funded by Baba Mutum, with little or no help from Government authorities. However, health problems that have plagued sumo wrestlers for decades have also prevented Baba Mutum from moving around to get  private sponsors for the academy. His ailment is as a direct result of rapid and excessive weight gain. He is currently in the United States to undergo an intestinal bypass surgery to remove excess body fats, after which he hopes to re-launch the sumo academy. One of his dreams is to include sumo wrestling in the Annual Nigerian sports festival.