The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Amaefule

  • Ezekiel, Amaefule to join Dream Team camp

    Ezekiel, Amaefule to join Dream Team camp

    As the U-23 National Team, Dream Team, gets set to take on their Brazilian counterparts in an international friendly later this month, coach Samson Siasia has been forced to make some changes to the team that will be travelling to the Samba land.

    Siasia, who is in charge of the Senior National Team, Super Eagles for this month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double date against the Pharaohs of Egypt, has invited midfielder Imoh Ezekiel and defender Chizoba Amaefule, who will now take the place of  Peter Olayinka and Sergio Uyi. The latter have been forced out of the trip due to injury.

    The head coach expressed confidence that with the calibre of players going to Brazil, he is confident that the team is on the right track in its preparation for the men’s football tournament of the Olympics coming up in Rio de Janeiro in August this year.

    Last week, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Confederacao Brasileira de Futebol (CBF) confirmed that their U-23 squads would play an international friendly match in Brazil on  March 24.

    “The CBF is happy to host the champions of Africa, Nigeria Olympic team on  March 24 FIFA date at 7pm at the stadium of Kleber Andrade in the city of Cariacica, Vitoria, Espirito Santo,” the statement read.

  • Amaefule backs Abia Warriors to fight for league title

    Amaefule backs Abia Warriors to fight for league title

    Nigeria U23 international Chizoba Amaefule has backed Abia Warriors to contend for this season’s championship.

    Abia Warriors third in standings with eight points from four matches.

    Former Al Markhiya of Qatar defender Amaefule said the Umuahia club have the quality on the bench and on the pitch to challenge for the league crown this season.

    “I signed a year’s deal with Abia Warriors, I had offers from other teams, but I chose Abia Warriors because they are a team who have quality and are capable of winning their first league crown. There are good players here with a good coach in Kennedy Boboye,” he said.

    Abia Warriors finished 10th last season after they placed ninth on their debut in the 2013/14 season.

  • Amaefule considers move to Abia Warriors, Heartland

    Amaefule considers move to Abia Warriors, Heartland

    Nigeria U-23 international,  Chizoba Amaefule has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Abia Warriors and Heartland of Owerri ahead of the start of the Nigeria Professional Football League(NPFL).

    Both clubs based in Eastern Nigeria had expressed their desire to snap him up from Dolphins of Port Harcourt before he joined Qatargas League side Al-Markhiya SC in January 2015 but he rejected their overtures then.

    “I was approached by Abia Warriors and Heartland before I signed for Al-Markhiya SC, ” Chizoba Amaefule told allnigeriasoccer.com.

    “My agent has told me there is an offer for my services abroad but I won’t mind joining any of the two teams if I decide to remain in Nigeria.”

    The central defender has tipped his Dream Team VI colleagues who were named to the Super Eagles African Nations Championship roster to do the country proud during the tournament in Rwanda.

    “I saw the CHAN list yesterday, the players are okay, it is a very good team. I believe they will do better than the last team that won bronze in South Africa.

    “I know all  the players in the team. Usman Mohammed, Bature Yaro and Prince Aggreh are members of the U-23 squad.

    “The defenders are good, I won’t say they are the best in Nigeria but these are the players that the coaches want and we must support them,” Amaefule added.

    The 21 – year – old Amaefule is now a free agent based on a ruling by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) but must pay $10,000 to his former employer, Dolphins of Port Harcourt if he signs on the dotted line for a foreign club.

  • U-23 AFCON: Amaefule vows to shine

    U-23 AFCON: Amaefule vows to shine

    Former Flying Eagles defender Chizoba Amaefule has promised to justify his surprise inclusion on the final squad to the U-23 AFCON in Senegal.

    Amaefule, who played for Qatari club Al Markiyha Sports club last season, said he will give it his best shot to make the team achieve greatness in Senegal.

    “I thank God for this opportunity. I am very happy for making the final squad to the U-23 championship. It’s always a thing of joy for me to represent my country and I will do my best in Senegal in order not to let myself, my fans, the coach and the nation down,”Amaefule vowed.

    The former Dolphins central defender represented Nigeria at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey after he featured for the Flying Eagles at the 2013 AYC in Algeria.