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Tag: Nigeria’s Super Eagles

Be Wary of VAR, Eagles Warned ahead S/Africa Showdown

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been urged to be cautious of possible dangers or problems of Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

The Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) have decided to introduce Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system from the quarter-final stage of the Africa Cup of Nations.

It was originally planned to use VAR from the semi-final stage but it will now be brought-in from the last-eight games.

The three-time Africa champions will be trailing tackles with the Bafana Bafana of South Africa at Cairo International Stadium on Wednesday(today) by 8:pm for their quarter-final showdown and the Video Assistant Referee system will be used.

Nigeria were denied a penalty against Argentina after a VAR review (Image: EPA)

“This VAR will increase the possibility of drama, especially as Nigeria clash with rivals, South Africa in Cairo,” Nigerian football pundits had warned ahead the crunch showdown.

“The technical crew should be cautious of the danger of this VAR. It may save and at the same time it may ruin. So, the Eagles players should be cautious and pick up a lesson from the way Ghana was shutout from Round of 16 by Tunisia.

“There was a moment of controversy in the first half when captain Andre Ayew back-heeled a Jordan Ayew cross into the net, only for South African referee Victor Gomes to disallow the goal for a handball by Thomas Partey who set up Jordan Ayew.

“We all know it would have been a different case had Video Assistant Referees (VAR) been deployed earlier.”

“And so far, there have been several marginally offside calls and an erroneous handball decision, which have contributed to some countries’s early exit from the tournament, and have been the extent of controversy in Egypt for the battered reputation of African referees,” a pundit in an online TV said.

Nigeria pleased for the referee to consult VAR, only for him to reject the penalty claims anyway (Image: PA)

Nigeria & VAR in Russia 2018 World Cup

Others in a hard-tackle session previewing the knockout match in a terrestrial TV broadcast on Wednesday would also want the Super Eagles to be cautious drawing references to 2018 FIFA World cup experience.

“In the match against Argentina at the group stage, Nigeria got into World Cup Group D match thanks to a Victor Moses penalty after Lionel Messi had opened the scoring. But, the African side thought they were deserving of a second penalty when Marcos Rojo headed the ball onto his own arm.

“The referee did not blow his whistle and moments later Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo wasted a glorious opportunity to score from 14 yards out. And once his shot flew wide he immediately appealed for a penalty.Ref Cuneyt Cakir refused to give a spot kick immediately and went to VAR, who then gave a goal kick after.”

“John Obi Mikel voiced his frustrations at the decision at full-time. It was a clear penalty for him” the analyst enthused.

Read Also: How Ighalo Won CAF’s Special Recognition @ AFCON R16

VAR IN AFRICA

VAR has not been extensively used on the African continent, but it has produced situations which have tarnished the game’s image and been part of the administrative malaise that caused FIFA to step in and take over the running of CAF from next month.

The second leg of the African Champions League final was abandoned in May in a row over the absence of the technology after was planned to be used.

When the referee disallowed an effort by Wydad Casablanca, they stormed off in protest that VAR had not been consulted, even though they had been told before the game that the system was not operational.

CAF president Ahmad Ahmad said not using the VAR system in the opening rounds OF 2019 AFCON was a “measure of prudence”.

“Those countries that use VAR did not rush into it from the start. It’s a technology that a lot of people don’t completely use yet,” he told reporters before the tournament.

OFFICIAL: AFCON Quarter-Final Fixture:

Nigeria vs. South Africa

Wednesday, July 10

8:00PM

Cairo International Stadium

July 10, 2019
NFF ensuring coaches succeed — Sanusi

Mohammed Sanusi, General-Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Friday in Abuja said the federation was committed to creating an enabling platform for coaches to succeed.

Sanusi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the success of coaches and football administrators were the priority of the federation.

He said that Nigeria’s football development could not be realised without the important role of coaches.

The scribe explained that the federation would not relent in promoting excellence in the handling of players.

“A coach’s role has a lot to do in the skill development of individual players and a team collectively.

“So, we are doing our best in giving coaches chances to improve and succeed which by extension impact on our football,’’ he said.

Sanusi, who urged Nigerian coaches to tap into the opportunities created by the federation, called for more support for Super Eagles’ coaches.

He said that the federation was determined to see that the Eagles excel in Russia.

According to him, we are not leaving anything behind to support our coaches.

The scribe expressed confidence in the Eagles, saying that both the coaching crew and players were in form.

He said the federation was optimistic that the team would come out stronger after the series of quality friendlies before the World Cup.

NAN reports that Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be playing friendlies against Poland on March 23 and England on June 2.

February 9, 2018
Eagles to know CHAN opponents on Friday

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will on Friday know their group phase opponents at the 5^th African Nations Championship kicking off on 13^thJanuary 2018 in Morocco.

The Confederation of African Football has announced that the Draw Ceremony will take place at the stately Hotel Sofitel Rabat, which also hosted CAF’s Extraordinary General Assembly following the first –ever African Football Symposium in Rabat in July this year.

The 16 teams that qualified for the finals have been drawn into four pots, from which they will be drawn into four groups of four for the 23 –day, 16 –nation championship.

Nigeria, winners of the bronze medals at the 3^rd CHAN in South Africa in 2014, have been slotted into Pot 2, alongside Cameroon, Guinea and Zambia.

Pot 1 has host nation Morocco, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire and Libya with Congo, Uganda, Rwanda and Sudan in Pot 3 and Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritania and Namibia in Pot D.

Group A will have its base in Casablanca (Morocco’s industrial and economic capital); Marrakech will host Group B; Group C will be based in Tangier and; Agadir will play host to Group D.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the first two editions of the CHAN, hosted by Cote d’Ivoire (2009) and Sudan (2011), but finished in third place in South Africa in 2014 after losing 1-2 to Mali in her first match and then defeating Mozambique 4-2 and host South Africa 3-1. In the quarter –finals, the Eagles came from 0-3 down at half time to defeat Morocco 4-3 after extra time, but they crumbled on penalty shoot –out to Ghana’s Black Stars in the semi finals, before pipping Zimbabwe to third place.

In Rwanda last year, Nigeria trounced Niger Republic 4-1, only to draw 1-1 with Tunisia and lose 0-1 to Guinea to crash out at group stage.

HOW THEY QUALIFIED

To reach Morocco 2018, the Super Eagles eliminated Benin Republic 2-1 on aggregate; Cameroon powered past Sao Tome and Principe 2-0; Guinea got the better of Senegal 6-4 on aggregate and; Zambia defeated South Africa 4-2.

Morocco, earlier eliminated 2-4 by Egypt, was re-instated as hosts; Angola pipped Madagascar 1-0; Cote d’Ivoire edged Niger Republic on the away goal rule after a 2-2 tie and; Libya edged Algeria 3-2.

Congo-Brazzaville eliminated Democratic Republic of Congo on the away goal rule after 1-1 aggregate; Uganda edged Rwanda 3-2; Rwanda was restored after defeating Ethiopia 3-2 in a play-off occasioned by Egypt’s decision to forfeit her slot and; Sudan had earlier taken out Ethiopia 2-1 on aggregate.

Burkina Faso shocked Ghana 2-1 away after a 2-2 draw in Ouagadougou for a 4-3 aggregate win; Equatorial Guinea qualified after Gabon withdrew; Mauritania decisioned Mali 3-2 on aggregate and; Namibia kicked out Comoros also 3-2 on aggregate.

Pot 1: Morocco, Angola, Cote d’Ivoire, Libya

Pot 2: Cameroon, Guinea, Nigeria, Zambia

Pot 3: Congo, Uganda, Rwanda, Sudan

Pot 4: Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritania, Namibia

November 16, 2017
Buhari hails Super Eagles’ victory over Cameroon

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Nigeria’s Super Eagles over Friday’s impressive win over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, joined millions of football-loving Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora in applauding the senior men’s football team for their disciplined, skilful and entertaining display against the defending African champions.

While noting the exhilarating victory, he said that Nigeria is on the verge of qualification for the World Cup in Russia 2018.

The President urged the players to sustain the momentum as they approach the crucial second leg of the tie in Yaounde, on Monday.

Buhari also enjoined Nigerians who always see football as a unifying platform, to continue to pray and support the team to guarantee victory next week and make qualification doubly sure.

He also commended the Akwa Ibom State Government for its continued support and provision of excellent hosting facilities.

September 1, 2017
No excuse for losing to Bafana Bafana – Kwara DOS

The Kwara Director of Sports, says the Super Eagles had no reason losing to Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The Super Eagles lost 0-2 to Bafana Bafana in the match played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday.

It was a win which gave the South Africans their first win over Nigeria in any competitive match at senior level, through second half goals from Tokelo Rantie and Percy Tau help.

Reacting to the result, Kazeem told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that there was no excuse for the team to have lost, saying it was a bad Saturday for the country.
Kazeem however said the Super Eagles were even lucky to have conceded two goals only as the visitors were ready to disgrace Nigeria more.

“I am so disappointed. I can’t believe what happened today.

“There was no midfield, the defence was flat and goalkeeping was zero. If not for the God of football, the South Africans could have scored more goals.

“I don’t know what excuse the team will give Nigerians, because they have no excuse to have failed.

“We played against South Africa and this is what we get, what will happen when we play countries like Algeria?

“The expectations were high and this is what we get at the end. It is a pity, a very bad Saturday for us,” he said.

NAN reports that the result means the Eagles are placed third in Group E, ahead of Seychelles who lost 1-5 to Libya in the group’s other fixture.

Libya sit comfortably in the group’s top position ahead of South Africa.

June 10, 2017
FIFA World Rankings: Nigeria remains 40th

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have remained on the 40th spot with 726 points in the May FIFA World Rankings released on Thursday.

According to the rankings table on the website of the world football governing body, Nigeria remained unmoved from the spot it occupied in the April rankings.

The position has also left Nigeria on the 5th spot in the continent behind Egypt, Senegal, Cameroon and Burkina Faso respectively.

The Super Eagles Media officer, Toyin Ibitoye, reacting to the rankings said it was a reflection of what happened in the month under review.

“The ranking have come again and the Super Eagles were ranked 40^th in the World and 5^th in Africa, the same position we were as at the last ranking.

“I think it is nothing to worry about. In the month reviewed, nothing happened and there were no friendly games and no official games.

“The new FIFA ranking is a reflection of what happened during the month, but we will continue to do what we are doing to work and prepare the team.

“We are ready for the challenges coming up. Next month will be very busy for us; we will be going to camp for training.

Ibitoye said that the Eagles would concentrate more on the task ahead which were qualifiers for the 2018 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

“We will concentrate on preparing for the crucial game against Bafana Bafana of South Africa. This will be the qualifiers towards the 2018 Nations Cup.

“But last month’s assessment by FIFA is justifiable because it has been a quiet month for the teams in international front,’’ he said.

On the global scene, it was a quiet month on the international front with only seven games played.

The top 20 places remained static following April, with a one-place drop for Slovakia (24) into accounting for the only movement inside the leading 73 nations.

Bolivia (73, plus 1) brought about that small ripple of motion, but outside the top 100 there were some notable changes.

A pair of wins for Madagascar (111, plus 9) over Malawi (114, minus 14) saw them claim the titles of the month’s biggest movers up and down the table respectively.

Also, South Sudan (146, plus 8) is not far behind after similarly twice seeing off Somalia (206, unchanged).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on June 1, 2017. (

May 4, 2017