The Nigeria Football Federation scribe, Musa Amadu, has expressed confidence in the ability of the Flying Eagles to pick a second round ticket after last round of matches on Thursday.
Amadu, who spoke exclusively to The Nationsports said the boys have overcome the initial setback against Portugal in their first match and with the 3-0 victory over the Cubans, the John Obuh tutored team is ready to make Nigeria proud at the tourney.
“I am confident that the Flying Eagles will get the second round ticket after today’s match. I have been in touch with the boys and they are in a very good frame of mind. They have restored their confidence after losing the first match to Portugal.
“Their victory over Cuba is the propelling factor for them. I don’t see the Koreans withstanding their fireworks in their last match on Thursday.
I want Nigerians to continue to pray for them, and not relenting in giving their unflinching support to the team. The players are determined to do us proud,” he added.
Tag: John Obuh
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WYC: Flying Eagles will pick 2nd round ticket – NFF
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WYC: Obuh releases Flying Eagles list
Nigeria has named a final 21-man squad for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey, which kicks off on June 20, MTNFootball.com reports.
A member of the Golden Eaglets Wilfred Ndidi, a highly promising central defender, is one of the several additions to the squad.
The squad is drawn mostly from the Nigeria league, which provides 18 players, with three foreign-based players.
The foreign-based players are – Belgium-based goalkeeper John Felegha, Michael Olaitan from Greek champions Olympiacos and Edafe Egbedi of Danish club AGF Aarhus.
16 of these players featured at the 2013 African Youth Championship in Algeria, where Nigeria placed third to qualify for the World Cup.
The team was knocked out by France in the quarterfinals of the 2011 World Cup in Colombia.
Nigeria is drawn in the first round against Portugal, debutants Cuba and South Korea.
Flying Eagles opening game is on June 21 against Portugal.
The Flying Eagles squad:
Goalkeepers: Samuel Okani (Enyimba), Jonah Usman (ABS FC), John Felegha (Eupen, Belgium)
Defenders: Shehu Abdullahi (Kano Pillars), Moses Orkuma (Lobi Stars), Ikechukwu Okorie (Enyimba), Kingsley Madu (El Kanemi), Chizoba Amaefule (Dolphins), Wilfred Ndidi (Nath Boys)
Midfielders: Agboyi Ovbokha (Bayelsa United), Abduljaleel Ajagun (Dolphins), Christian Pyagbara (unattached), Uche Agbo (Enyimba), Michael Olaitan (Olympiacos, Greece)
Forwards: Edafe Egbedi (AGF Aarhus, Denmark), Daddy Moses Simon (Unattached), Chidi Osuchukwu (Dolphins), Umar Aminu (Wikki Tourists), Olanrewaju Kayode (unattached), Alhaji Gero (Enugu Rangers), Samuel Eduok (Dolphins).
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FIFA World Cup in Turkey Selection headache for Obuh
John Obuh and his assistant coaches of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will most likely face a selection headache as a result of fierce competition for places in the squad.
Obuh is to announce a final 21-man squad for next month’s FIFA World Cup in Turkey on June 7.
On Saturday, the 30-man provisional squad was divided into two for a thrilling two-a-side game, which ended 5-4 in favour of Team B led by skipper Abduljaleel Ajagun.
Team B showed their intention to win this challenge match as early as the fourth minute, when goalkeeper Samuel Okani saved off striker Umar Aminu after he was set up by Ajagun.
However, a minute later Okani was beaten when Croatia-based left back Jamilu Collins threaded a fine pass, from which Aminu found Ajagun to make hay.
Olympiacos of Greece midfielder Michael Olaitan showed class and vision in the 10th minute, when his pass released Edafe Egbedi to slot past goalkeeper John Felegha for the equalising goal for Team A.
Daddy Moses regained the lead for Team B on 25 minutes with a powerful shot that beat Okani hollow.
But to underline the competitiveness of this encounter, Team A had a chance to draw level in the 37th minute, when Abubakar Hassan fouled goal-bound Olanrewaju Kayode for a penalty.
However, striker Samuel Eduok’s penalty was saved by Felegha.
Team B then increased their lead in first half stoppage time, when defender Ikechukwu Okorie put the ball into his own net after sustained pressure by the other team.
Team A pulled a goal back two minutes after the restart through the forceful Edouk off a goalmouth scramble.
But five minutes later, Ajagun headed home a fourth goal for his side.
Substitute Christian Pyagbara extended this lead in the 57th minute, when his powerful shot from outside the box beat goalkeeper Sebastian Osigwe.
Team A rallied back to bring scores to 5-3 when Samuel Matthias netted off a rebound from a Daddy Moses shot.
Both teams lost scoring chances thereafter before Eduok made up for his misses to score for Team A in stoppage time.
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Pre-AYC: F/Eagles meet Esperance U-20, Club Africain
The Flying Eagles will step up their preparations for the African Youth Championship in Algeria with two more test games in Tunisia against Esperance U-20 and Club Africain.
The Nigeria U-20 will take on Esperance on Tuesday, while the team will battle top club Club Africain, who lost in the final of the 2011 CAF Confederation Cup, on March 11.
Team secretary, Aliyu Ibrahim Lawal, said both match will have night kick-offs of 7pm as the Flying Eagles will play a late night game in the tournament.
Futaa.com reports that the Nigerians had lost two warm-up matches in Tunisia.
The team lost 2-0 to the Tunisian U-20 team and then 2-1 to Esperance main team.
The John Obuh-led Flying Eagles also defeated the Egyptian U-20 team 3-1 in Cairo and drew a second game 0-0 also in Egypt.
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Omeruo out of AYC
Flying Eagles officials have left out Kenneth Omeruo from a 30-man provisional squad for the 2013 African Youth Championship.
The biennial championship, which kicks off in Algeria from March 16, will produce four African representatives for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey later this year, MTNFootball.com reports.
Omeruo featured for the Flying Eagles in the AYC qualifier in October against South Africa, but he has since made the big jump to the full international side where he shone as the Super Eagles emerged African champions in South Africa last weekend.
The John Obuh- led technical crew picked four overseas-based players in the provisional squad for the tournament,.
The final 21-man list will be submitted to the Confederation of African Football not later than March 6.
The foreign-based players are Mikel Agu (FC Porto), Saliu Sodiq (FC Metz, France), Bright Osagie (Red Bull Salzburg, Austria) and Edafe Egbedi (AGF Aarhus, Denmark).
26 other players are drawn from the Nigeria domestic league.
The squad will depart Abuja on Monday afternoon for two warm-up matches in Cairo against their Egyptian counterparts and later fly out to Tunisia for a three-week training camp ahead of the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has tasked the team to retain the trophy the country won in South Africa two years ago and qualify for the U20 World Cup in Turkey.
NFF technical director, Emmanuel Ikpeme, addressed the players before their departure to Cairo.
“We expect you to successfully defend your title and qualify for the World Cup,” Ikpeme urged the Flying Eagles.
“You should fight to make a name for yourselves in Algeria and we will support you fully.”
The squad:
Goalkeepers: Emmanuel Daniel, Jonah Usman, Samuel Okani
Defenders: Chizoba Amaefule, Shehu Abdullahi, Ikechukwu Okorie, Kingsley Madu, Hassan Abubakar, Ekoh Favour Oke, Aliyu Mohammed Goyi, Aigbe Oliha
Midfielders: Chidi Osuchukwu, Abduljeleel Ajagun,Uche Agbo, Ibrahim Abubakar Aliyu, Nzube Anaezemba, Moses Orkuma, Ovbokha Agboyi, Oluwaseun Taro, Okechukwu Azubuike, Saliu Sodiq, Mikel Agu
Strikers: Alhaji Gero, Umar Aminu, Christian Pyagbara, Harrison Egbune, Bright Ejike, Edafe Egbedi, Yahaya Adamu, Bright Osagie.