The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nduka Ugbade

  • NFF name U-17, U20 coaches Wednesday

    NFF name U-17, U20 coaches Wednesday

    Nigeria are to announce new coaches for their U17 and U20 teams on Wednesday after the NFF technical committee meet in Abuja.

    Manu Garba who led Nigeria to win a record fourth FIFA U17 World Cup is widely expected to be promoted to head the U20 team after coach John Obuh “stepped aside” in July.

    It is however left to be seen who will replace him in the Nigeria U17 team.

    His first assistant, Emmanuel Amuneke, was favoured for the top post, but lately second assistant coach Nduka Ugbade has gained ground to lead the U17s.

    Officials have argued they wish for continuity and so the need to stick with the U17 coaches.

    Both the Golden Eaglets and the Flying Eagles will begin their qualifying campaigns for continental glory later this year.

  • Globacom CAF Awards: Ugbade salutes Eaglets, Kelechi Iheanacho

    Globacom CAF Awards: Ugbade salutes Eaglets, Kelechi Iheanacho

    Nduka Ugbade, an Assistant Coach of the Golden Eaglets on Friday congratulated members of the Golden Eaglets and Kelechi Iheanacho for wining laurels at the 2013 Globacom CAF awards.

    Ugbade told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on telephone that it was a dream-come-true for the U-17 and Iheanacho.

    NAN reports that the U-17 won the youth team of the year while Iheanancho won the most promising youth player.

    The 2013 Globacom CAF Awards was held on Jan. 9 at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The coach said that the award would spur the players to greater heights.

    He reminded the players that they could only attain a true height in life through hard work.

    “Believe me, it is a good development and I’m happy the team clinched the award and made Nigeria proud.

    “I want to believe that this will make others in the team sit up and be noticed in future for such an award.

    “Such a laurel does not come on a platter but only through hard work and I implore others in the team not to relent on their oars,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that Golden Eaglets won the fourth U-17 World Cup title at the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2013.

    The Eaglets took the title after a 3-0 defeat of Mexico who they had earlier beaten 6-1 in the preliminary stage.

  • CHAN 2014: Ugbade wants cautious approach from Keshi

    Former international, Nduka Ugbade has advised coach Stephen Keshi to adopt a more cautious approach at the CHAN tournament, given that it will be Nigeria’s first appearance.

    “We usually come with very strong performances when it comes to competitions like this so I think we should defend more than attack so that at the end of the day, even with a narrow margin, we should be able to win them.”

    Nigeria will be making her debut appearance at the tournament after failing to qualify for the two previous editions. The Stephen Keshi led side will have to see off the threats from hosts, South Africa, Mali and Mozambique if the team is to qualify from the preliminary stage.