The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Awoniyi

  • Lawal: Awoniyi playing to full potential

    Lawal: Awoniyi playing to full potential

    Some years back those that saw Taiwo Awoniyi start his apprenticeship as a footballer in Kwara State, had high hopes for him.

    His positioning, brilliance and timing was world class. After a positive attacking performance with a knack for scoring goals, many people thought Taiwo could really thrive as a striker, and how they were correct.

    The powerful lad was scouted by Imperial Academy as a result of the recommendation of Kogi United goalkeepers’ trainer Wasiu Lawal some years back.

    His superb game was spotted by Coach Manu Garba and the boy was outstanding during the 2013 U17 World Cup, which Nigeria won.

    A couple of positive performances including his burst of pace earned him a call-up to the Super Eagles B team to the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN). However he was dropped by Coach Stephen Keshi at the last minute.

    Now fully settled as the first choice striker for the Flying Eagles, it seems that he’s getting better and better as each game progresses, already bagging a couple of assists as well as scoring on a couple of occasions himself.

    “Taiwo is enjoying it a lot because he is playing to his full potentials. That’s what he is born to do,” coach Lawal told SL10 reporter Ademetan Abayomi.

    “Most of all, he is definitely improving as a player.  He has learnt how to play in different situations, things like simple passing, control and his awareness.

  • Siasia to invite Awoniyi, Muhammed to Dream Team VI

    Siasia to invite Awoniyi, Muhammed to Dream Team VI

    NationSport can exclusively reveal that two top Flying Eagles’ stars: team Captain Musa Muhammed and top striker Taiwo Awoniyi have been invited to join the Samson Siasia-tutored Dream Team VI in readiness for the return leg final round All Africa Games qualifying battle against host Zambia in Lusaka come April 11, 2015.

    The Dream Team Chief Coach was visibly angry that his attack trio of Junior Ajayi, Oghenekaro Otebo and Tiabara Tiogolo could not convert close to 16 begging chances that team created against the visiting Zambia U- 23 national team last Sunday at the Abuja National Stadium which ended in a barren draw.

    Siasia had told NationSport that in as much as he was disappointed in his players’ performance on the day for not converting begging chances that came their way, that he would still bank on them for the return leg to turn the table in favour of Nigeria.

    “Are you saying that because they didn’t score and win here in Abuja then they won’t win in Zambia? No that is the game of football. I know the quality of this team and the players and I know they play so well away from home without tension of distractions. They will get the needed result come April 11, I can assure you”, he told NationSport few days after the match against Zambia.

    But on Thursday, Siasia could not deny or confirm his interest in the Flying Eagles players for the return leg match against Zambia. “I am still watching the players over here. I will talk to Coach Manu Garba when I need any of his players”, Siasia disclosed.

    The Flying Eagles’ Chief Coach, Manu Garba also confided in NationSport, “Yes Coach Samson Siasia has contacted me. So we are talking about the possibility of some players in the Flying Eagles joining the team for the return leg match against Zambia”, Garba disclosed.

    But NationSport gathered from very close source to the team that “because of complacency from some players who believe they have automatic shirts in the team, the Chief Coach is thinking of drafting two or three players from the Flying Eagles set to the team. Players like Taiwo Awoniyi and Musa Mohammed are seriously under considerations. But nothing has been concluded for now until Tuesday next week”, the source told NationSport yesterday.

  • My team comes first – Awoniyi

    My team comes first – Awoniyi

    The official Man of the match for Sunday’s AYC clash between Nigeria and Senegal,  Taiwo Awoniyi has said personal glory will have to take a back seat for the country to triumph at the tournament.

    Awoniyi, 17, scored two quick goals as Nigeria brushed aside hosts Senegal 3-1 to open their AYC campaign on an assuring note.

    “Top scorer of the tournament? No, we are a team and we are here to win for Nigeria,” said the player of Imperial Football Academy.

    “We give glory to God and we will keep working hard to achieve our targets.”

    Meanwhile, Flying Eagles stars Ifeanyi Matthew and goalkeeper Dele Alampasu were two of the players tested for drugs after Sunday’s match.

    Senegal players tested were goalkeeper Seydou Sy and Sidy Sarr, who scored his team’s goal against Nigeria.

     

  • Awoniyi leads Flying Eagles to Morocco

    Awoniyi leads Flying Eagles to Morocco

    Taiwo Awoniyi, Alhassan Ibrahim and Musa Yahaya will lead the Flying Eagles’ 20-man squad to two tune-up matches in Morocco this weekend.

    Awoniyi and Ibrahim each fired a hat-trick in a test game on Thursday in Abuja which the country’s U-20 team won 12-0.

    The new Flying Eagles under coach Manu Garba will play two friendlies against their Moroccan counterparts on Wednesday, April 9, and another game two days later.

    Both teams are preparing for 2015 African Youth Championship qualifiers next month.

    Nigeria face the winners of the match between Kenya and Tanzania, while Morocco take on the winners of the clash between Togo and Equatorial Guinea.

    The squad to Morocco:

    Goalkeepers: Adamu Abubakar, Abdulazeez Abubakar, Emeka Nwabulu

    Defenders: Aliyu Abubakar, Wilfred Ndidi, Prince Izu Omego, Ifeanyi Nweke, Mustapha Abdullahi, Zaharaddeen Bello

    Midfielders: Abdullahi Alfa, Akinjide Idowu, Ifeanyi Matthew, Samuel Mathias, Musa Yahaya, Anthony Omaka, Bernard Bulbwa

    Strikers: Taiwo Awoniyi, Alhassan Ibrahim, Suleiman Abdullahi, Abubakar Lawal

    Coach: Manu Garba

  • Alampasu, Awoniyi look good for CHAN

    Alampasu, Awoniyi look good for CHAN

    Super Eagles Chief Coach Stephen Keshi is ready to shock Nigerians with the inclusion of two of the victorious Golden Eaglets’ players in his final team list for the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) as he continued to cherish the performances of both goalkeeper Alampasu and forward Taiwo Awoniyi in the Eagles training sessions and matches in the Abuja camp of the team.

    Keshi at a media parley last Wednesday had confessed that he did not miss the services of midfielder Kelechi Iheanacho who was excused from the camp to go and conclude the contract process of joining Manchester City of England but he would have loved that Iheanacho stays with the team because of his immense talent and contributions to the team in camp.

    But a source in the team disclosed to SportingLife yesterday that baring injuries and other unforeseen situations Alampasu and Awoniyi should make the final squad of 23 that will represent Nigeria in the Africa Nations Championship in South Africa in January 2014.

    “I must confess to you Alampasu and Awoniyi look good to be in South Africa in January barring unexpected situations. You know the type of person Keshi is when it comes to the coaching and football business. He is a very blunt person and always wants to win games and championship even if he is not making it public.

    “To be very honest with you the Eaglets have really impressed everybody here with their performances in training and the practice matches they have played so far. What I can say is if they can or continue to keep their heads low as it is now they will surely be in the final list of players that will represent Nigeria in CHAN in South Africa.

    “You know that on Friday the chief coach sent five players packing without touching these players we are talking about. That shows they are doing what the coach and his assistants expect from them”, the source told SportingLife .

  • I’m in Eagles to learn-Awoniyi

    I’m in Eagles to learn-Awoniyi

    Super Eagles invitee Taiwo Awoniyi has told SportingLife that he is in the senior national team to learn from the more established players.

    The FIFA 2013 Under 17 World Cup gold medalist, who is one of the three junior players invited to the senior national team by Coach Stephen Keshi for the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) holding in South Africa next year, said he and his ex-U-17 mates have the potential to make the team to the CHAN.

    He was full of appreciation to Coach Keshi for giving him the opportunity to exhibit his skills at senior level.

    “We have what it takes to make maximum impact in the team. We have been told by our youth coaches that football at every levels is the same, but the approach and stage is different. That at whatever point, we should develop the right mentality and be in a good frame of mind, that we would excel. That is exactly what will propel us at this level.”

    He maintained that his ability to learn fast would be the basis for him being in the Super Eagles’ camp.

  • Iheanacho, Awoniyi make CHAN list

    Iheanacho, Awoniyi make CHAN list

    •Alampasu too

    Nigeria U-17 stars Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi and Dele Alampasu have been picked for a training camp ahead of next year’s CHAN.

    Coach Stephen Keshi has called up 30 players, while putting six on standby in preparations for the 3rd African Nations Championship in South Africa. Keshi said he is looking forward to a good outing on the country’s CHAN debut.

    “We are going to the CHAN for the first time, but we want to be the best at our very first outing,” he said in Salvador on Thursday morning.

    Nigeria are in Group A alongside hosts South Africa, Mali and Mozambique. First-choice goalkeeper and skipper Chigozie Agbim and ace midfielder Sunday Mba top the list, with Shooting Stars forward Gbolahan Salami handed a recall.

    The training camp will open in Abuja on Monday. Players on the standby list will have opportunity to join the team only if a player on the main list gets injured.

     

    THE FULL LIST

    Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC); Isah Danladi (Sharks FC); Sunday Alampasu (Abuja Football College)

    Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Ebenezer Odunlami (Sunshine Stars); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Bright Esieme (Enyimba FC); Yinka Adedeji (Sharks FC); Reuben Ogbonnaya (El-Kanemi Warriors); Umar Zango (Kano Pillars); Chibuzor Madu (Enugu Rangers)

    Midfielders: Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers); Etebo Oghenekaro (Warri Wolves); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Ogonna Osuchukwu (Enugu Rangers); Achiv Douglas (Lobi Stars); Kelechi Iheanacho (Taiye Academy, Owerri); Mohammed Ajia (Bayelsa United); Christian Pyagbara (Sharks FC)

    Forwards: Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars); Ifeanyi Edeh (Enyimba FC); Barnabas Imenger (Lobi Stars); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers); Ezekiel Mbah (Akwa United); Obiozor Christian (Enugu Rangers); Abubakar Aliyu (Nasarawa United); Gbolahan Salami (3SC); Taiwo Awoniyi (Imperial Academy, Ilorin)

    Standby: Happy Okuoka (Heartland FC); Bello Ikeleji (Insurance FC); Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland FC); Izuegbu Abonima (Enugu Rangers); Paul Ikenna (Sunshine Stars); John Austin Igenepo

  • CHAN: Keshi picks Iheanacho, Awoniyi, 28 others

    CHAN: Keshi picks Iheanacho, Awoniyi, 28 others

    Golden Eaglets stars Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi and Dele Alampasu have been picked for a training camp ahead of next year’s CHAN, MTNFootball.com reports.

    Coach Stephen Keshi has called up 30 players, while putting six on standby in preparations for the 3rd African Nations Championship in South Africa.

    Keshi said he is looking forward to a good outing on the country’s CHAN debut.

    “We are going to the CHAN for the first time, but we want to be the best at our very first outing,” he said in Salvador on Thursday morning.

    Nigeria would play in Group A alongside hosts South Africa, Mali and Mozambique.

    First-choice goalkeeper and skipper Chigozie Agbim and ace midfielder Sunday Mba top the list, with Shooting Stars forward Gbolahan Salami handed a recall.

    The training camp will open in Abuja on Monday.

    Players on the standby list would join the team only if a player on the main list gets injured.

    THE FULL LIST

    Goalkeepers: Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC); Isah Danladi (Sharks FC); Sunday Alampasu (Abuja Football College)

    Defenders: Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves); Ebenezer Odunlami (Sunshine Stars); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Bright Esieme (Enyimba FC); Yinka Adedeji (Sharks FC); Reuben Ogbonnaya (El-Kanemi Warriors); Umar Zango (Kano Pillars); Chibuzor Madu (Enugu Rangers)

    Midfielders: Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers); Etebo Oghenekaro (Warri Wolves); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Ogonna Osuchukwu (Enugu Rangers); Achiv Douglas (Lobi Stars); Kelechi Iheanacho (Taiye Academy, Owerri); Mohammed Ajia (Bayelsa United); Christian Pyagbara (Sharks FC)

    Forwards: Muhammad Gambo (Kano Pillars); Ifeanyi Edeh (Enyimba FC); Barnabas Imenger (Lobi Stars); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers); Ezekiel Mbah (Akwa United); Obiozor Christian (Enugu Rangers); Abubakar Aliyu (Nasarawa United); Gbolahan Salami (3SC); Taiwo Awoniyi (Imperial Academy, Ilorin)

    Standby: Happy Okuoka (Heartland FC); Bello Ikeleji (Insurance FC); Obinna Nwachukwu (Heartland FC); Izuegbu Abonima (Enugu Rangers); Paul Ikenna (Sunshine Stars); John Austin Igenepo.