The Nation Newspaper

Tag: AFCON

  • Super Eagles Tracker: Stars sign out for AFCON with impressive outings

    Super Eagles Tracker: Stars sign out for AFCON with impressive outings

    Super Eagles players signed out for the Africa Cup of Nations slated for Cote d’Ivoire with impressive performance for their  respective  clubs in Europe.

    In England, Calvin Bassey was available for the entire game for his 15th  EPL game of the season while Alex Iwobi was subbed off in the 72nd minute in his 16th  league game of the current campaign as Fulham overcame Arsenal 2-1 yesterday in the London derby.

    Both Iwobi and Bassey, who was booked in the 77th minute of the contest would hit the Eagles camp in the United Arab Emirates for the AFCON close camping any moment from now. 

    In another game played at the City Ground, Nottingham Forest defeated Manchester United 2-1 with Ola Aina playing for 87 minutes for the Reds. 

    Nicolas Dominguez scored the home team’s curtain raiser in the 64th  minute. The Red Devils equalised through Marcus Rashford in the 78th  minute before the icing on the cake from Morgan Gibbs-White eight minutes from regulation time. 

    Frank Onyeka was introduced in the 63rd  minute in Brentford 3-1 loss at the Selhurst Park to Crystal Palace. The Bees scored first in the second minute through Lewis Potter but a brace from Michael Olise and another from Eberechi Eze completed a dream turnaround for the Eagles. 

    Read Also: Iheanacho picks up injury, doubtful for AFCON

    In Italy, Tyrone Ebuehi was on for the entire duration of the game for Empoli who secured a goalless draw at Cagliari. 

    Samuel Chukwueze was available for the last nine minutes and additional time for AC Milan who pipped Sassuolo 1-0 at the San Siro. 

    The Nigerian is yet to score a Serie A goal in his debut season for the Rossoneri. The win solidified AC Milan’s third spot with 36 points from 18 games. 

    Ademola Lookman scored the only goal in the 58th  minute  as Atalanta defeated Lecce 1-0. 

    He was replaced in the 92nd  minute as Atalanta improved to the sixth spot in the league table with 29 points from 18 games.

    Napoli without Victor Osimhen could not beat Monza in a disappointing goalless outing at the Stadio Armando Maradona. The league’s reigning Champions are now eighth with 28 points from 18 games. 

    Simy Nwankwo was available for 88 minutes in Salernitana’s 1-0 away win at Verona. Salernitana are at the bottom of the Serie A table with 12 points from 18 matches. 

    Isaac Success had a cameo appearance for Udinese but Maduka Okoye started his first game of the season in their 3-0 home win over Bologna. 

    Success replaced Lorenzo Lucca in the 88th minute of the game. Udinese moved to the 15th spot with 17 points from 18 games. 

    In Portugal, Gil Vicente peppered Boavista 1-0 with their Nigerian duo of Bruno Onyemaechi and Chidozie Awaziem in action.

  • Mikel backs Eagles as AFCON favourites

    Mikel backs Eagles as AFCON favourites

    Just like any international competition, the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 will have a number of teams carrying the heavy burden of being tournament favourites.

    Drawn against tournament hosts, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, the Super Eagles of Nigeria head to Cote d’Ivoire as one of the teams that are poised to do well and potentially go all the way. 

    This is according to their former skipper, John Obi Mikel who lifted the title 10 years ago to end a 19-year drought for the Super Eagles when they edged Burkina Faso 1-0 at Soccer City in Johannesburg back in 2013.

    Mikel was speaking to CAFOnline when admitting that the three-time champions will always go into the TotalEnergies AFCON as favourites and was hoping that this generation of players could emulate what they did a decade ago.

     “We are always favourites, this is every time we go into the tournament and it’s no different this time. Everyone knows that we are one of the favourites – not the massive favourite but definitely one of the favourites”, said the former skipper.

    Read Also: Mikel Arteta makes U-turn on Nketiah

    Nigerian football was made proud just a few weeks ago when star player, Victor Osimhen was voted the best African player in the men’s category at the CAF Awards 2023, which was coupled by Asisat Oshoala replicating this in the women’s category.

    A fourth TotalEnergies AFCON title for the Super Eagles would be a massive achievement for the African powerhouse who has contributed significantly to the rich history books of the tournament over the years – lifting it in 1980, 1994 and 2013.

    They were also runners-up in 1984, 1988, 1990 and 2000.

     “To be able to do it again will be a massive achievement for us which I think the country needs right now as well. We need to get our football back where it should be and by winning this tournament, it will take it back to where it should be,” urged Mikel.

    Asked on whether there were any similarities that he can draw inspiration from in the two generations, the former Chelsea midfielder conceded to the fact that the game has evolved a great deal since they lifted the title but believed in the potential of the side.

     “Football has changed dramatically, and I think this group of players are a good young team and play a different brand of football than we did so let’s hope we can see a good performance from the Nigerian team”, he said.

    Nigeria kick off their campaign on 14 January against Equatorial Guinea before facing the hosts four days later in what will be a repeat of the 2013 edition quarter-final that saw them overcome Cote d’Ivoire 2-1.

    They conclude the Group A campaign with a tie against Guinea-Bissau on 22 January.

  • Collins may miss Super Eagles final AFCON squad

    Collins may miss Super Eagles final AFCON squad

    Cardiff City defender Jamilu Collins looks set to miss out on the Super Eagles final squad to the 2023 AFCON as he has fallen down the pecking order.

    SCORENigeria learnt that FC Porto ace Zaidu Sanusi and Bruno Onyemaechi from Boavista are the preferred left backs for coach Jose Peseiro and so this means Collins will be the man out.

    Read Also: 2023 AFCON: Nwabali excited over Super Eagles prospects

    Onyemaechi, for one, has impressed since he made his Super Eagles debut under Peseiro and he could also play on the left side of central defence.

    Collins featured at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, where Nigeria finished third.

    He has recovered from an ACL injury that kept him out of action for many months.

  • AFCON shortlist excites ‘man made by God’ Christian

    AFCON shortlist excites ‘man made by God’ Christian

    The Sporting Lagos goaltender, Christian Nwoke,  is  one of the  surprise  names in the 40 man Super Eagles provisional list  submitted  to CAF by Jose Peseiro  ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)  due in Cote d’Ivoire in January. He might be the  youngest  face in the list but  Nwoke  here

    Expresses happiness over  his selection  amid sundry issues.

    By Tunde Liadi

    Christian Nwoke, the Sporting Lagos lanky goalkeeper, has expressed his delight over being named  in the  Super Eagles’  40-man provisional list for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire next year.

    The rookie  goalkeeper  who  has been making waves  with Sporting Lagos in only their first season in the Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL)  reckoned  being invited to the Super Eagles  is an opportunity  for him to learn and use the  acquired knowledge to improve his career.

    “I feel very excited being  on the list for the Super Eagles for  the  preparation towards  the  2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire,”  the 23-yer-old Nwoke told NationSport. “I’m very excited and it’s a welcome development for me in my career and also it grants me a room for me to work harder.

    “It also provides the platform for me to improve as a goalkeeper and for me to be better than the way I am presently. It’s a very welcome development for me and I’m very, very grateful to God for this great opportunity.”

    For  Nwoke, what is indeed is in a name?

    “Well, Nwoke means a man,” he volunteered. “It  motivates me each time I’ve been called Nwoke.

    “ I’m popularly known as Nwoke and the full meaning is Nwokechukwu and  Nwokechukwu means  a ‘ ‘man created by God’ and indeed, my invitation  is by the grace of God.”

    Yet  the former Golden Eaglets recruit  stressed that he is calm about his invitation to join the Super Eagles  big boys ahead of the AFCON , adding he is keeping a low profile so as not to be overwhelmed by it.

    He continued: “Certainly it’s a big news and to be the youngest goalkeeper in the list makes it even so special for me. It’s also a boost for me to play among the big boys. It’s football also, it’s normal and it’s also an experience for me.

    “It’s a big deal for me because I’ve not  been in such a situation before but football speaks one language and I have programmed myself not to be under pressure. I am calm and okay by it.

    “I had similar experience playing for the Golden Eaglets some years ago. Having that opportunity at the time helped me to grow as a professional player and it gave me more courage to know that there is more to play for in the game and for the country. So it helped me grow.”

    Read Also: 2023 AFCON: Nwabali excited over Super Eagles prospects

    Meanwhile, the  Super Eagles goalkeeping prospect said his happiest day was when Sporting Lagos got promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League in Asaba during the NNL Super Eight  as well as winning the  inaugural Naija Super 8 after beating Remo Stars in the final.

    He also shared his experience in his debut campaign in the NPFL with Sporting Lagos insisting that the his side  can overcome their recent slide and finish the season strongly.

    He offered: “The happiest day of my career is promoting with Sporting Lagos from NNL to NPFL and also winning the Naija Super 8.Those were great moments of my career and I can never forget them no matter what.

    “Getting the Promotion from NNL to NPFL was a very great experience. It wasn’t easy at all. We have found it even tougher to play in the NPFL in our debut season. It has been a very great outing for me and for Sporting Lagos and we hope and believe that we are going to do more in the ongoing season.”

    Nwoke picked former Atletico Madrid and Chelsea goalkeeper, Thibaut Courtois, currently with  Real Madrid,  as his role model whom he has been trying to mirror his professional career after.

    “My role model is a Thibaut Courtois who is the current Real Madrid goalkeeper,” he said.“I like his personality on the pitch, off the pitch and in the dressing room.

    “ He’s calm, he’s decisive and also very ruthless. I watch him a lot and also watch his highlights, his training and everything about him fascinates me.”

  • Orlando, Sadi offer Super Eagles tips for AFCON glory

    Orlando, Sadi offer Super Eagles tips for AFCON glory

    Former Nigeria International defender John Orlando has urged the current crop of national team players to win laurels including the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the country in order to achieve immortality.

    The now 63-year-old Orlando who was 19 as part of the historic Green Eagles squad that won the AFCON for the first time in 1980,noted that the current talented Super Eagles must show their worth by winning trophies.

    In Nigeria last July for the Air Peace Sports Diplomacy Ambassadors Awards, Orlando ,now based in the United States , noted that there is nothing as good as winning trophies , adding winning the AFCON in 1980 remains one of his best moments.

    “ I still follow Nigerian football very well,” the former Shooting Stars defensive stalwart told NationSport. “ It is so disheartening to see the way our professional players play for the Super Eagles without winning anything.

    Read Also; ‘Lanrewaju Adepoju; a tribute

    “ In our time, we were not professional players but local-based players in Rangers, Shooting Stars and the rest but it’s amazing that we were able to win the nations Cup though we were all based here in Nigeria; which is a great achievement.”

    The Coach Jose Peseiro-led Super Eagles who are bidding for a fourth AFCON title for Nigeria after two other wins at Tunisia 1994 and South Africa 2013 in Cote d’Ivore, are drawn against hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau.

    “ The current generation who are professionals, must do better than us and they must win more laurels for Nigeria, ”he continued.“ They should not be thinking of money all the time; we played with our hearts and not because of money.”

    Speaking on the chances of the Super Eagles at the 2023 AFCON, another former Nigeria International, Dahiru Sadi , said the leadership issue befuddling the team must be addressed.

    “My problem is not about the organization or the motivation but the players themselves,” noted the former NFF technical Committee member. “They should come down and say ‘ they are ready to help their country’ and if they have such attitude, they can beat any team.

    “ With what they are doing now, they lack leadership and it’s high time they realise that leadership is not about age but the most important thing is that experience.

    “ They need leadership in that team ; and the NFF must address that,” he added.

    Colombia 2024 Race: Danjuma calls Folorunsho, Olise, 23 for Burundi

    Head Coach Christopher Musa Danjuma has invited goalkeepers Anderlin Mgbechi and Shukurat Bakare, defenders Oluchi Ohaegbulam and Comfort Folorunsho, midfielders Taiwo Afolabi and Adoo Yina, and forwards Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, Chisom Chima and Aminat Omowunmi Bello among a cast of 25 players for next month’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying fixture against Burundi.

    Also on the roster are FIFA U17 World Cup bronze-medallist goalkeeper Faith Omilana, defenders Jumoke Alani, Emamuzo Edafe and Shukurat Oladipo, as well as midfielders Chinyere Kalu and Chioma Olise, and forwards Opeyemi Ajakaye, Oluwayemisi Samuel and Janet Akekoromowei.

    The invited players are expected to resume camp in the Federal Capital, Abuja on Wednesday, 27th December.

    After reaching the third round of the qualification series without kicking a ball, following the withdrawal of Mauritius, the Falconets edged their counterparts from Tanzania 3-2 on aggregate in the second round last month, setting up a clash with the East Africans who had sent packing from the race, the U20 girls of South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    Burundi will host the first leg of the fixture in Bujumbura within the weekend of 12th – 14th January, with the return leg at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, 20th January.

    The winner of the fixture will reach the last round of the qualification series, with those matches to be played in the month of March 2024.

    ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

    Goalkeepers: Kehinde Afuye (FC Robo Queens); Faith Omilana (Naija Ratels); Anderlin Mgbechi (Delta Queens); Shukurat Bakare (Nasarawa Amazons)

    Defenders: Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens); Oluwabunmi Semilore (Naija Ratels); Oluchi Ohaegbulam (Nasarawa Amazons); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Comfort Folorunsho (Edo Queens); Emamuzo Edafe (Rivers Angels); Rebecca Adegbemile (Delta Queens)

    Midfielders: Taiwo Afolabi (Delta Queens); Chinyere Kalu (Nasarawa Amazons); Aminat Folorunsho (Rivers Angels); Shukurat Shobowale (Nasarawa Amazons); Chioma Olise (Edo Queens); Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons)

    Forwards: Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (Rivers Angels); Aminat Bello (Unattached); Opeyemi Ajakaye (FC Robo Queens); Chiamaka Osuigwe (Edo Queens); Chisom Chima (Bayelsa Queens); Mary Nkpa (Heartland Queens); Janet Akekoromowei (Asisat Academy); Oluwayemisi Samuel (Bayelsa Queens)

  • COUNTDOWN 2023 AFCON: CAF announces Ecobank as official sponsor

    COUNTDOWN 2023 AFCON: CAF announces Ecobank as official sponsor

    The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has announced Ecobank, the leading pan-African banking group, as an Official Sponsor of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023.

    The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, the biggest event in Africa, will kick off on 13 January 2024 in Cote d’Ivoire.

     Jeremy Awori, Chief Executive Officer, Ecobank Group, said: “The TotalEnergies CAF AFCON tournament highlights the immense sense of pride that Africans across our continent and around the world feel during the matches. As the pan-African bank, we are proud to associate Ecobank with the Confederation of African Football to contribute to the success of TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023, the largest and most-enjoyed football tournament, inspiring passion across Africa. Football transcends borders. It brings communities together, fully aligning with Ecobank’s commitment to drive regional integration. It is an honour for Ecobank to play a key role in bringing millions of Africans together to live their passion for football, making sure that loyal customers benefit from this experience.”

    Read Also: Osimhen’s AFOTY glory can inspire Nigeria’s success at AFCON, says Rohr

    As an Official Sponsor, Ecobank will reward some of its customers across its vast footprint, by giving the opportunity to win tickets to experience matches in-person at this pan-African celebration.

    Ecobank carries the pan-African spirit in its DNA, and this partnership with the Confédération Africaine de Football demonstrates its commitment to its pan-African heritage, reinforcing its connection with hundreds of millions of Africans who will be celebrating the magic of football at TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, Côte d’Ivoire 2023. 16 of the 35 African countries in which Ecobank has a presence are among the 24 that are competing in Côte d’Ivoire.

  • Rufai wants Eagles’ goalkeeping errors resolved before AFCON

    Rufai wants Eagles’ goalkeeping errors resolved before AFCON

    Former Super Eagles goalkeeper and captain, Peter Rufai, has surmised that errors in the goalkeeping department of the current national team should be addressed before the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote D’Ivoire.

    Rufai said as much in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    capped 65 times for the Super Eagles in his heyday, Rufai said he was confident about the quality of the players within the team, adding there still more to be done.

     “I sincerely believe in the Super Eagles, although they are not in their best form right now due to some certain circumstances,” he said. “The team needs to prepare well ahead of the AFCON, if we should go by their last performances in the World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

     “Any coach or technical department of a national team going for the prestigious tournament should be ready to brace up having put up not too impressive games; the fans didn’t like it.

     “We need to work harder to correct the below standard performances, though it is not a must that we should win, but there must be commitment,” he added.

    Read Also: 2023  AFCON : Razzl unveiled as official Soft Drink Brand 

    According to Rufai, the game of football sometimes swings in different directions, yet Nigeria must find a way of ensuring that it keeps the standard.

     “Not all matches will be ours, because that is what life teaches, there are ups and downs but we must keep to our own standard.

     “If we fail to prepare and be comfortable with that situation, then we won’t get anywhere. We should know our place before now.

     “I believe that the national team will be in good condition before the AFCON and make all the necessary adjustments.

     “For the goalkeeping department, I believe that there will be some modification and to ensure that corrections in the lapses are attended to,’’ he said. 

  • Gasau: Eagles will get befitting campsite for AFCON build-up

    Gasau: Eagles will get befitting campsite for AFCON build-up

    Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Gusau has assured that the Super Eagles would get a befitting campsite and adequate preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations slated for Cote ‘d’ Ivoire.

    Gusau, who was addressing the Super Eagles ahead of the friendly game with Saudi Arabia played yesterday disclosed that the Eagles are going to the AFCON to win the tournament for a fourth time and that the NFF would provide the enabling environment for the team to achieve its objective.

    The NFF boss said with adequate build up to the AFCON Eagles won’t have problem qualifying from Group A of the tournament which has hosts, Cote ‘d’ Ivoire, Guinea Bissau and Equatorial Guinea and that the football house had provided the two friendly games to keep the team busy for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and the AFCON.

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    He said the NFF went out of its ways to get two friendly games for the Eagles in the current FIFA window because the team may not have the chance for such friendly games with the Qualifiers for the World Cup coming up next month and the AFCON to follow next early January.

    “We all know the AFCON will commence in January but the major point is that we are going there with the resolve to win the fourth AFCON title,” Gusau said in a video shared by NFF Tv.

    “We have seen the group we shall be playing at AFCON. We know we are going to be up against the hosts, Equatorial Guinea, and Guinea Bissau. With good preparations we shouldn’t have problem Qualifying from the group.

    “We want the players to be mentally and psychologically ready for the World Cup Qualifiers and the AFCON. The NFF had to negotiate for the friendly game with Mozambique at the last minute because of our World Cup Qualifiers. Lesotho, Zimbabwe and South Africa are all from the same axis with Mozambique and we believe playing against them will give us some inkling about how our World Cup Qualifying opponents play.”

  • AFCON 2024: Nigeria draws Cote d’Ivoire, others

    AFCON 2024: Nigeria draws Cote d’Ivoire, others

    • Mikel tipped Eagles to advance

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts– Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau in next year’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    The Super Eagles who are aiming for their fourth AFCON title after conquering the continent in 1980, 1994 and 201.

    The Coach Jose Peseiro-tutored side will be up against the star-studded Ivorien in front of their fans when the AFCON kicks off in January 2024.

    The tournament was managed by the CAF Competition Director, Samson Adamu and assisted by four of the continent’s legends – Didier Drogba, Achraf Hakimi, Sadio Mane and John Obi Mikel.

    Read Also: Super Eagles AFCON battle cry: Let’s do it again

    The Eagles will be facing a familiar foe in Cote d’Ivoire, a team they defeated in the quarterfinal on their way to claim their third AFCON title in 2013 in South Africa.

    Group B has Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde and Mozambique while Group C has defending champions – Senegal, Çameroon, Guinea and Gambia.

    Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Angola are in Group D. Group E has Tunisia, Mali, South Africa and Namibia. Group F has Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia and Tanzania.

    Miand see, however, tipped Super Eagles to triumph from the group while predicting a fourth AFCON title for the Peseiro squad.

  • Super Eagles AFCON battle cry: Let’s do it again

    Super Eagles AFCON battle cry: Let’s do it again

    . Okoye gets last-minute call-up

    In their bid to reclaim the AFCON trophy, three-time champions Nigeria have adopted the ‘Let’s Do It Again’ mantra as their battle cry towards winning a fourth title in Cote d’Ivoire early next year.

    The proposition was tabled and unanimously endorsed before the final AFCON 2023 qualification match against the Falcons and True Parrots of Sao Tome and Principe in Uyo last month.

    Nigeria had won the 1980, 1994 and 2013 AFCON and captain William Ekong said the playing body and crew have taken to the new mantra like bees to honey.

    “We like the phrase because it gives us confidence and the go-go push. We have done it before so we can do it again. Winning the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire is our goal, and we have the team to do just that.”

    Read Also: Tinubu: ‘Atiku will always fail’

     Defender Kenneth Omeruo added: “I look around and I see players who have the capacity to make it happen. We are all ambitious. The team is a blend of old and wise heads and exciting new talents. We will go for the trophy in Cote d’Ivoire.”

     It is only the second time both countries will be clashing at senior international level. The only previous encounter was also a friendly, played in the Alpenstadion, Wattens in Austria on May 25, 2010, as part of final preparations for the Eagles for the FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa.

    The Eagles have another friendly encounter on Monday, against the Mambas of Mozambique at the same venue, before 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe in November.

    Meanwhile, Udinese of Italy goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye has received a late call-up to the Super Eagles to ease the goalkeeping crisis ahead of tomorrow’s international friendly match with Saudi Arabia and October 16 date with Mambas of Mozambique.

    Okoye’s invitation was announced on the Super Eagles X handle yesterday and his arrival in the Eagles camp has helped to douse tension that the team may prosecute the two friendly games with just a goalkeeper.

    Okoye was not in the initial 25-man squad released by head coach Jose Peseiro for the two games.