The Nation Newspaper

Tag: AFCON qualifiers

  • Nigeria vs Rwanda: Things you need to know about today’s AFCON qualifiers clash

    Nigeria vs Rwanda: Things you need to know about today’s AFCON qualifiers clash

    Having secured their spot in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Nigeria will host Rwanda in Monday’s final qualifying match at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, aiming to end the campaign on a high note.

    The Super Eagles’ performance in their recent 1-1 draw against Benin was unimpressive, despite Victor Osimhen’s 81st-minute equalizer.

    The lackluster display has sparked much debate as Nigeria prepares to face third-place Rwanda, who still have everything to play for with 5 points.

    Eguavoen’s side has recorded back-to-back home victories in Uyo, defeating Benin 3-0 and Libya 1-0, both with clean sheets.

    The team will be looking to make it three straight wins as Rwanda comes to town on Monday.

    Here’s what you need to know ahead of the match:

    Nigeria Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:

    W D W D

    Nigeria form (all competitions):

    L W D W W D

    Rwanda Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:

    D D L W L

    Rwanda form (all competitions):

    D L W L W L

    Team News

    Following Nigeria’s qualification, Ademola Lookman and Ola Aina have returned to their respective clubs, Atalanta and Nottingham Forest, and will miss the match against Rwanda. Samuel Chukwueze and Bright Osayi-Samuel are expected to replace them in the starting lineup.

    Read Also: Rwanda vs. Nigeria : Eguavoen confident Eagles  can’t  be intimidated

    Maduka Okoye could make his first appearance between the sticks for Nigeria since 2022 following the death of Stanley Nwabali’s father, making the Chippa United goalie unavailable.

    Nigeria’s possible starting lineup:

    Okoye; Osayi-Samuel, Troost-Ekong, Bassey, Onyemaechi; Onyedika, Ndidi; Chukwueze, Iwobi, Simon; Osimhen

    Rwanda’s possible starting lineup:

    Ntwari; Ombolenga, Mutsinzi, Manzi; Imanishimwe; Bizimana, Mugisha, Gueulette; Kwizera, Nshuti, Mugisha

    Venue:

    Godswill Akpabio Stadium

    Kick Off:

    5:00 pm

    Predictions

    Having recorded back-back home wins and maintaining an unbeaten run so far in 5 games, safe to say the Super Eagles of Nigeria will want to keep the momentum and secure maximum points against Rwanda who are not so convincing away from home.

    Nigeria to Win

    Nigeria to Win (1-0)

    Both sides to score

  • FULL LIST: Osimhen, Boniface in latest Super Eagles squad for AFCON qualifiers

    FULL LIST: Osimhen, Boniface in latest Super Eagles squad for AFCON qualifiers

    Eagles coach Austin Eguavoen has released the squad list for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda.

    The games are scheduled for November 14 and November 18.

    Here’s the full squad:

    Goalkeepers

    Stanley Nwabali
    Maduka Okoye
    Amas Obasogie

    Defenders

    Bright Osayi-Samuel
    Calvin Bassey
    William Ekong
    Ola Aina
    Bruno Onyemaechi
    Gabriel Osho
    Victor Collins

    Midfielders

    Alex Iwobi
    Frank Onyeka
    Alhassan Yusuf
    Wilfred Ndidi
    Fisayo Dele-Bashiru
    Raphael Onyedika

    Read Also: Injured Eagles’ defender Semi Ajayi to undergo surgery, out of AFCON qualifiers

    Forwards

    Ademola Lookman
    Samuel Chukwueze
    Victor Osimhen
    Moses Simon
    Kelechi Iheanacho
    Victor Boniface
    Umar Sadiq

  • PHOTOS: Super Eagles players sleep in Libyan airport after abandonment

    PHOTOS: Super Eagles players sleep in Libyan airport after abandonment

    Super Eagles players sleep in Libyan airport after abandonment

    Read Also: Etim Esin wants resolute Super Eagles  away  to  Libya 

  • Troost-Ekong blasts Libyan authorities over treatment of Eagles

    Troost-Ekong blasts Libyan authorities over treatment of Eagles

    Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has threatened that the team would no longer play their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya after being subjected to hostile treatment upon arrival in the country. 

    The Nation reported that the team, was left stranded at the airport for over 12 hours after arriving for the match day four fixture in Libya.

    The Nigerian team’s flight, originally scheduled to land in Benghazi, was diverted to another city, forcing them to undertake a two-hour road journey.

    Ekong who expressed disappointment on social media lamenting how the airport gates had been locked, leaving players and officials with no food, drink, or phone connection. 

    He said he has never experienced such a treatment like this before while revealing that the Federal Government has been called to intervene in the situation. 

    He wrote: “12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Lybia after our plane was diverted whilst descending. Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games.

    “I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa but this is disgraceful behaviour. Even the Tunisian Pilot who thankfully managed to navigate the last minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land had never seen something like this before.

    Read Also: Troost-Ekong: Libya will be tougher at home

    “Upon arrival he tried to find a nearby airport to rest with his crew to be denied at every hotel again under Government instruction. He could sleep there but NO NIGERIAN crew members allowed. They have returned to now sleep on the plane which is parked up.

    “At this point we have called for our Nigerian Government to intervene and rescue us. As the captain together with the team we have decided that we will NOT play this game. CAF should look at the report and what is happening here. Even if they decide to allow.

    “This kind of behaviour, let them have the points. We will not accept to travel anywhere by road here even with security it’s not safe. We can only imagine what the hotel or food would be like given to us IF we continued.

    “We respect ourselves and respect our opponents when they are our guests in Nigeria. Mistakes happen but these things on purpose have nothing to do with int. football.”

  • BREAKING: Super Eagles defeat Libya in AFCON qualifiers

    BREAKING: Super Eagles defeat Libya in AFCON qualifiers

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria have defeated the Mediterranean Knights of Libya 1-0 in their third African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match.

    The Eagles won the game by an 86th minute winner by midfielder Dele-Bashiru.

    Read Also: FULL LIST: Super Eagles starting XI for Libya clash

    Nigeria remains unbeaten after this game winning two and drawing one.

    Details shortly…

  • Eagles are Now Battle Ready for AFCON Qualifiers – Official

    Eagles are Now Battle Ready for AFCON Qualifiers – Official

    The Super Eagles are now set to get off to a winning start in the AFCON 2019 qualifying campaign against South Africa on June 10 in Uyo.

    The National Team spokesman Toyin Ibitoye made this after the Thursday friendly match gainst the Hawks of Togo in Paris, France.

    According to Ibitoye fall outs from the match indicates that the Eagles will not settle for anything less than a winning start as the qualifiers campaigns beckon.

    He said, though the Eagles were ruthless in front of goal and so took their chances against Togo on Thursday night, which was not the case against Corsica, a team official has said.

    Nigeria raced to a 3-0 win within 30 minutes against Togo in the friendly game with Leicester City forward Ahmed Musa scored a brace and fellow Premier League star Kelechi Iheanacho from Manchester City bagging the third goal.

    “We took our chances, which was not the case against Corsica,” said Eagles spokesman Toyin Ibitoye.

    “There is a lot to build on, which is very positive. The long training camp in France will certainly pay off.”

    Akwa United striker Alhassan Ibrahim ‘Muazzam’ said Eagles dominated the game from start to the end.

    “We dominated the match from start to finish,” he said.

    Ibitoye said the Eagles are now set to get off to a winning start in the AFCON 2019 qualifying campaign against South Africa on June 10 in Uyo.

    “The team is now in excellent mood mentally and physically for the challenge ahead of us,” he said.

    “We want to start the AFCON qualifying campaign with a win.

    “We missed the last two AFCONs, we don’t want to miss a third one.”

  • CAF fines Nigeria for overcrowding at Kaduna stadium

    CAF fines Nigeria for overcrowding at Kaduna stadium

    The Confederation of African Football has sanctioned Nigeria for the overcrowding and poor security at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, during the March 25 African Nations Cup (AFCON) qualifier against Egypt.

    More than 40,000 fans filled the 16,000-capacity facility with spectators almost reaching the playing area after the Kaduna State government threw the gates open in order to ensure adequate support for the Eagles during the match, Goal reports.

    The continent’s soccer governing body has now fined Nigeria $5,000 (995,376 Naira) for the incident.

    According to a statement released on CAF website on Monday, the decision was one of many actions taken during its disciplinary board meeting held on April 18.

    The Egyptian federation was equally fined $5,000 over incidents recorded during the return leg.

    The Egyptian fans were accused of excessive use of lasers in Alexandria where Ramadan Sobhy’s 65th minute goal handed the Pharaohs maximum points to end Nigeria’s dream of reaching next year’s AFCON in Gabon.

  • AFCON qualifiers get underway

    AFCON qualifiers get underway

    Plenty of goals but few upsets are likely outcomes when the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying competition kicks off Friday.

    All the first and second seeds in the 12 four-team groups enjoy home advantage, giving them a distinct early edge as they compete for 15 places at the tournament in Gabon.

    Recently appointed Senegal coach and former captain Aliou Cisse said “favourites” in football matches are a figment of journalists’ imaginations.

    “Favourites belong in newspapers,” he said, scornfully dismissing the popular term as he announced a squad to play Burundi in Dakar.

    But what other tag could be stuck on former African champions Tunisia when the country host tiny Djibouti, the third lowest ranked national football team in the world and 178 places behind the North Africans?

    Damage limitation will surely be the loftiest ambition for Djibouti, a nation that has conceded nine goals in Kenya and eight in Malawi in past qualifiers, supersport.com says.

    Algeria at home to the Seychelles is another fixture that has a home victory and a glut of goals written all over it.

    166 places divide them on the world rankings and while Algeria is a regular AFCON participant, Seychelles has never come close to qualifying.

    Seychelles coach Ulrich Mathiot admitted his team will likely defend with 10 men for most of the match in Blida, south of Algiers.

    “We have no choice,” he conceded. “All-out attack would be suicidal against Algeria, a great team with great individual footballers.” Seychelles has been a little more successful than Djibouti when it comes to containing powerful opponents with five-goal losses in Zimbabwe and Tunisia the worst defeats.

    Ghana, runners-up to the Ivory Coast in the 2015 Cup of Nations last February, and three-time champions Nigeria are other countries facing countries ranked far lower. Mauritius goes to Accra with goalkeeper Kevin Jean-Louis in excellent form, but there is no evidence to suggest the team can bridge a 142-place gap in the rankings. Arch-predator Asamoah Gyan has recovered from injury to lead the Ghana attack, although injured creator Andre Ayew misses out.

    There is considerable excitement among Ghanaians over Bernard Mensah, a 20-year-old midfielder with a venomous shot who plays in Portugal and is reportedly being watched by Manchester United.

    Nigeria has been on a Cup of Nations roller-coaster, eliminating favourites Ivory Coast en route to lifting the trophy in 2013, but failing to qualify for the tournament this year.

    Stephen Keshi is back in charge of the team and respects Chad, who lies 129 places lower in the world. “Football in Africa today is dynamic and we have to respect all teams and prepare well,” stressed the coach affectionately called “Big Boss.”

    Keshi has dismissed reports that he axed John Obi Mikel, insisting the Chelsea midfielder is being “rested.”

  • AFCON: Eagles ready for Congo – Keshi

    AFCON: Eagles ready for Congo – Keshi

    Super Eagles head coach, Stephen Keshi, has said the team is focused and ready for the crucial make-or-mar African Nations Cup qualifier against Congo-Brazzaville in Pointe Noire on Saturday.

    The African champions had started full training in preparation for the clash against the Red Devils in Pointe Noire, SL10.ng reports.

    It was a full house as all 23 invited players except Captain Vincent Enyeama and Ikechukwu Uche were present for the training session which took place at the FIFA Goal Project Technical Centre in Abuja.

    John Mikel Obi, Emmanuel Emenike and Emem Uduok gave a good account of themselves as they all scored in a warm-up exercise.

    Keshi, who spoke to journalists after the training, expressed confidence in the ability of the team, adding that he was positive about their fitness and readiness for the clash.

    “What I saw this evening is encouraging and I just hope it continues that way.

    “The boys are focused and of course they know why they are here, it’s business as usual and so we have to go and do what we need to do.

    “We just have to be ready. This is African football.

    “It is not European football and so I always tell my players that once they leave Europe they must switch from the European to African mentality,” SL10.ng quoted the coach as saying to journalists.

    The Super Eagles will leave for Pointe Noire on Thursday for Saturday’s crunch game.

    Nigeria has four points from four matches, Sudan is at the bottom of the Group A table with three points, while South Africa leads the group with eight points followed by Congo Brazzaville with seven points.

     

  • AFCON qualifiers: Mikel arrives Tuesday

    AFCON qualifiers: Mikel arrives Tuesday

    Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has assured Super Eagles technical crew that he will honour the African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Congo and South Africa, despite only returning to full fitness.

    Following a knee injury, the Nigeria international has not suited up for the Stamford Bridge side since October 28 Capital Cup clash with Shrewsbury Town, but travelled with the squad for the tie against Liverpool on Saturday, Sl10.ng reports.

    After a two week lay-off, Mikel’s return to fitness will be pleasant news for Stephen Keshi, who has made it clear that the midfielder is very important to the team.

    One of Mikel’s representatives told SL10.ng: “Mikel has assured the coaches that he will honour the matches. He will depart London on Monday night aboard a British Airways flight, and be in Abuja on Tuesday morning.

    “There’s no cause for concern. He is physically fit and prepared to give his best in the matches due to their importance.”