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Tag: eagles

  • Esin warns Eagles against over confidence

    Esin warns Eagles against over confidence

    • Iheanacho , Omeruo, Sadiq, Collins are early birds for Lesotho

    Former Nigeria  international  striker  Etim Esin has warned  the Super  Eagles  not to be over confidence  as  the coach Jos Peseiro-led side  begin their quest  for  a ticket  to the 2026 FIFA World Cup  with their opening  qualifier against Lesotho  on Thursday in Uyo.

     The Super  Eagles  missed the  last World Cup party  at Qatar 2022  after being edged  on the away goal rule by Ghana after both played a pulsating  1-1  second leg draw in Abuja  following a goalless draw  in Kumasi   and Esin said the national team must be resolute  in their  approach  right from their  first match against Lesotho.

    Read Also: Super Eagles: Ignored Orban returns with bang

    Other teams with Nigeria  in the tricky  Group C  besides Lesotho  are South Africa, Rwanda, Benin  and Zimbabwe  who will host the Super Eagles on Sunday in their adopted  home ground in Kigali, Rwanda.  

    “We  should never be over confident and we must  start well by getting a win(against Lesotho)   and we should not forget that we didn’t qualify for the last World Cup (Qatar 2022) as such the impact would be there,” Esin told Brila FM.“ We must start o  good footing  by getting   good result.”

    Meanwhile,  the Super Eagles camp in Uyo  will expectedly be in full swing today  with  a full house of all invited  players ahead of Thursday’s  2026  GIFA World Cup opening  Group C  qualifier against Lesotho.

    Cardiff City defender Jamilu Collins was the first to breeze into camp yesterday  and he was later joined by the  trio of  Sadiq Umar of Real Sociedad; Kasimpasa FC  defender Kenneth Omeruo  and Leicester  City’s inform striker Kelechi Iheanacho.

    But camp sources hinted a horde  of players were being expected  last night and there is a growing confidence that  the camp  should be  bursting at the seams today.  

  • Eagles dare Mancini’s Saudi live on GOtv

    Eagles dare Mancini’s Saudi live on GOtv

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers with an international friendly match against Saudi Arabia today.

    The two teams will lock horns with each other at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao and the match will be broadcast live on SuperSport Football (GOtv ch 61) at 5pm.

    Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have only met each other once in an international friendly match played at the Abuja Stadium in 2010 as the Super Eagles prepared for the 2010 World Cup.

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

    At the time, incumbent Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro was in charge of the Saudi Arabians. He will be keen to gain the upper hand against his former team in this tie. 

    Nigeria head into the clash after their 6-0 victory over São Tomé and Principe to end their AFCON qualifying campaign in style. The Super Eagles have won their last three matches and scored 10 goals in the process.

    On the other hand, their opponents have lost six consecutive matches ahead of this tie. Since defeating World Champions, Argentina, at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Green Falcons have lost eight of their nine matches.

    Saudi Arabia’s new coach, Roberto Mancini is hoping to kick-start his reign with the Saudi Arabians with victory over the Super Eagles. Mancini left his role as Italy’s coach to become the highest paid national team coach in the world.

  • International Friendly: Super Eagles to face Saudi’s Green Falcons in Portugal

    International Friendly: Super Eagles to face Saudi’s Green Falcons in Portugal

    Nigeria and Saudi Arabia will clash in a senior international friendly match in the city of Portimão, Portugal on Friday, 13th  October 2023.

    The clash comes barely a month before the three-time African champions, who lashed Sao Tome and Principe 6-0 in their 2023 AFCON final-day qualification game in Uyo on Sunday, set out on the race for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals with a home game against the Crocodiles of Lesotho.

    Within the same FIFA window in November, the Eagles will play their second match of the qualification series, away to the Warriors of Zimbabwe.

    Read Also: Friendlies: Rivers United dismantle Enyimba as Akwa United edge Heartland

    Saudi Arabia’s Green Falcons, who play Mali’s Eagles at the same venue four days later, have never played Nigeria at senior level.

    The most remarkable clash between both countries remains the opening match of FIFA U20 World Cup (then known as FIFA World Youth Championship) in 1989, in which second half goals Christopher Ohenhen and Mutiu Adepoju steered Nigeria to a comeback 2-1 victory over the host nation in Riyadh.

    The Estadio Municipal de Portimão, in the Algarve, is the home ground of Portimonense S.C. and can seat close to 10,000 spectators.

  • 2023 AFCON QUALIFIER: Full house Eagles hold first training session in Uyo

    2023 AFCON QUALIFIER: Full house Eagles hold first training session in Uyo

    By Tunde Liadi

    All the 23 Super Eagles’ players invited for the Sunday’s 2023 African Cup of Nations Qualifying tie against Sao Tome and Principe took part in the first training session held yesterday at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

    The players who all arrived the Four Point by Sheraton Hotel, Ikot Ekpene which about 15 minutes’ drive from Uyo were all received warmly by their fans and other football purists in Akwa Ibom State and beyond and they were subsequently checked in at the iconic hotel.

    The 23 players  in camp are : Ojo Olorunleke, Kelechi Iheanacho, Jordan Torunarigha,

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    Orban Gift, Francis Uzoho,  Tyrone Ebuehi, Adebayo Adeleye, Bruno Onyemaechi, Victor Boniface, Frank Onyeka, and Jamilu Collins who recently came back to football after a lengthy spell.

    Others are: Taiwo Awoniyi, Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika, Calvin Bassey, William Troost Ekong, Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, Joseph Aribo, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Simon Moses and new AC Milan acquisition, Samuel Chukwueze.

    Nigeria with 12 points from five qualifying games will top Group A with a mere draw against Sao Tome that was whipped 10-0 away in the first leg. But they cannot finish less than second position in the group even in the event of an unlikely defeat in Uyo on Sunday.

    The Super Eagles exited the delayed  2020 AFCON  held in Cameroon  in 2021 in the second round despite topping their group in the stage with maximum nine points.

    A grand end to the 2024 Qualifiers  on Sunday will  cement  the team among the favourites next year in Cote d’Ivoire .

  • Nigeria vs. Sao Tome: Adeleye, Onyedika to make Eagles return

    Nigeria vs. Sao Tome: Adeleye, Onyedika to make Eagles return

    Though the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is yet to determine the future of coach Jose Peseiro ahead of the forthcoming dead rubber 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Sao Tome & Principe in September, there are strong indications that the Portuguese has pencilled the trio of Hapoel Jerusalem goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye,  Club Brugge midfielder  Raphael Onyedika, as well as Bayer Leverkusen’s new boy, Victor Boniface.

    Our correspondent gathered  that the Super Eagles’ list for the game against Sao Tome  & Principe is ready with words rife that the NFF  wants to sort out the issue of coaching after a majority of the board members kicked  against the renewal of Peseiro’s contract at its last  meeting on Friday.

    “As far as I know, the list for the match is ready and it’s left for the NFF to release it,“ a decent source told NationSport last night.

    It was learnt that Peseiro had long drawn up the list before  his contract renewal hit the rock, as the NFF is yet to  determine who will lead the Super Eagles out against Sao Tome & Principle in September.

    Read Also: Liverpool , Bayern join race for Ndidi’s signature

    But barring changes,  striker Boniface, who recently made his Bundesliga debut with Bayer Leverkusen and netted a brace at the Borussia Park in a 3–0 away derby win against Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend, is already listed for the encounter along with Adeleye, who made his debut in the 3-2 away win against Sierra Leone in June, and Onyedika.

    Besides the trio, the Super Eagles list against Sao Tome & Principe, it was gathered, is populated by the usual suspects as the likes of   Kelechi Iheanacho,  Victor  Osimhen, Frank Onyeka, Ola Aina, among  others.

    It will be recalled that the  Super Eagles hammered Sao Tome & Principe in a flattering 10-0 win in the first leg in June 2022, and Nigerians definitely expect another flourish when they   clash again in the reverse fixture on September.

  • Chukwueze shuns U-20 World Cup for Eagles

    Samuel Chukwueze has decided to obey the wishes of his La Liga club Villarreal by shunning the chance to represent Nigeria at the U20 World Youth World Cup and he will now focus on playing for Nigeria at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Chukwueze was initially open to the idea of representing Nigeria at both tournaments but Villarreal were opposed to the idea, insisting he could only play in one of the two tournaments.

    Coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Gernot Rohr also confirmed the directives from Villarreal and Chukwueze has now opted out of the Nigeria U20 team in preference for the senior national team.

    Read also: Mikel, Etebor shine as Middleborough hit Stoke 1-0

    Villarreal’s instruction is based on the fact that he risks a burn-out if he plays in both tournaments and furthermore he is expected to also play for Nigeria U23s in their qualifiers in June.

    “Chukwueze has decided to play for Nigeria at the AFCON and not the U20 World Youth Championship. His decision has been communicated to the coaches of the U20s and Rohr as well. It’s a professional decision for the good of his career “, a member of his management team exclusively told Owngoalnigeria.com.

  • Eagles to play Zimbabwe June 2 in Asaba

    The three-time African champions Nigeria will open camp in Asaba, capital of Delta State on 2nd June, ahead of the clash with the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Stephen Keshi Stadium on Saturday, 8th June, thenff.com can confirm.

    Zimbabwe, which has in its ranks, globally –acknowledged talents Knowledge Musona and Kharma Billiat, finished top of a qualifying group that included two-time African champions, Democratic Republic of Congo, a resurgent Liberia and 1972 AFCON winners, Congo Brazzaville.

    The day after the match with the Warriors, the Super Eagles’ delegation will depart Asaba aboard a chartered flight for Ismailia, Egypt, where they will set up a final training camp.

    On Sunday, 16th June, the Eagles will file out against African number one –ranked team, Senegal at the Ismailia Stadium in their final tune-up game.

    This is a match to look forward to, between Africa’s number one and number three –ranked teams, just a few days to the kick –off of the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations.

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick said “We have sealed the matches with the Warriors of Zimbabwe and the Lions of Teranga and these are two matches we are really looking forward to. There cannot possibly be a better way to get into the AFCON spirit than playing the number one –ranked team in Africa just before the finals begin.”

    His Senegalese opposite number, Augustine Senghor, stated: “We shall only have one friendly match against Nigeria as we prepare for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.”

    Apart from being Africa’s number one –ranked team, the Lions of Teranga have in their ranks the revered Liverpool FC of England points man Sadio Mane. They come up against a Nigerian side also brimming with talent, depth and creativity.

    The day after the clash with Senegal, the Super Eagles’ delegation will move to Alexandria, venue of their Group B games, where they take on Burundi on 22nd June, tackle Guinea on 26th June and confront Madagascar on 30th June.

  • Eagles to play 5 friendly matches

    Super Eagles players will play five friendly matches to prepare for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations to be hosted by Cameroon in June next year, according to the team’s coach Gernot Rohr at Friday morning’s Peak Breakfast with Rohr’s session held in Lagos.

    Rohr told his audience Friday morning that the March 2019 fixture against Group E’s whipping boys Seychelles slated to hold inside the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba is a must-win tie for the Super Eagles stressing that: ”I want Nigeria to finish top of the group, irrespective of what Bafana Bafana of South Africa andb the Libyans do with themselves in the other titanic clash slated for Sfax in Tunisia. “We will play to beat Seychelles very well,”he said.

    ”As I sit before you, I’m still struggling to pick the best players which I hope to use to whip Seychelles. No chance of parading any weakened side simply because we have qualified, ” Rohr said.

    Rohr didn’t give any hint about who the Eagles’ other opponent in March will be, although he was confident that the team will play one friendly in March, where he hopes to make as many as six changes required for such friendly ties.

    ”In my plans to the NFF, I’m also proposing three friendly matches in May, since most of the clubs will end their season early in May. I hope to have between two to three weeks intensive training with the boys to knock them into shape for the Africa Cup of Nations.”

    Asked why he has shunned home-based players from his shortlist for matches, Rohr said it wasn’t quite correct to say  he doesn’t like home-based players, insisting that since he joined Nigeria as the country’s chief coach, he has invited 20 players from the domestic league.

    Unfortunately, according to Rohr, not less than 10 of them are currently in Europe playing in  some leagues which he has been monitoring.

    ”I do not know if some agents and scouts are always waiting for us to invite the home-based to the Super Eagles camp or playing them before taking them to Europe. No less than 10 out of the 20 that I have invited are in Europe,” Rohr joked during the Peak Breakfast with Rohr session in Lagos on Friday.

    “That [Samuel] Chukwueze wore the number 10 jersey against Uganda doesn’t translate to being a replacement for Mikel. It’s just a jersey number he used. Mikel remains in our plans and we all know why he has been out of the team. Mikel will decide if he wants to play at AFCON 2019. He was omitted because of fitness issues, but we will look at his performance before the tournament.

    “After the FIFA World Cup in Russia, Mikel wanted to take a break. He told me he needed rest and motivation. When he is ready, he will be back. Mikel is a fantastic captain.”

  • Eze eyes Eagles recall

    Super Eagles and Lokomotiv Plovdiv of Bulgaria defender, Stephen Eze has stated he was not disappointed by his exclusion from the national team, AOIFootball.com reports.

    The former Kano Pillars player, who was overlooked for Nigeria’s upcoming games against South Africa and Uganda, told AOIFootball.com exclusively that he was prepared wait for his time again with the national team.

    “Every player wants to play for his national team, but unfortunately, not every player can be in the national team at the same time.

    “This is what some other players need to know. I’m not worried about these because I’m still a young player and still have so many bright days ahead. I just wish the team successful outings in their upcoming matches even though I know I won’t be there with them. I believe when the right time comes for me to be in the team, I will be there,” Eze said.

    The 24-year-old further praised Coach Gernot Rohr for always encouraging him to do well on and off the pitch.

    “I also want to thank Coach Gernot Rohr for his encouragement towards me. I must appreciate him because he is the first coach to invite me to the main team. I believe he knows everything and knows how to handle the situation. I believe my time will come and I will play; so, for now, I will just continue to do my best for my club,” Eze concluded.

  • OPERATION BEAT SOUTH AFRICA (NOV. 17: Eagles seek revenge

    Gernot Rohr has said the Super Eagles will be seeking to avenge a 0-2 home loss against South Africa when both teams battle again next month for places at the 2019 AFCON.

    Bafana Bafana recorded their first-ever official win over Nigeria in June 2017 when they won 2-0 in Uyo. The two teams clash again on November 17 in Johannesburg with Nigeria needing just a point to qualify for Cameroun 2019.

    Rohr says the home loss to South Africa still rankles and he hopes his team could now get their pound of flesh.

    “The defeat still hurts and we want to take revenge for it,” the coach told Kick Off Magazine.

    “They beat us with strong counter attacks in Uyo. We dominated the game and actually played quite well in the first half, but didn’t score. And then they attacked us on the counter, one towards the end when we pressed for the equaliser.”

    He continued: “It was in June 2017, which is now quite a long time ago. I remember we had many players absent at the time, with that match taking place in the break between the seasons. I’m happy that everyone will be available this time around and that our team can get revenge for that defeat.”

    Rohr picked striker Percy Tau as his best South Africa player.