The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Super Eagles

  • Isaac Promise was indeed a gentleman-Osaze Odemwingie

     

    Former Super Eagles striker Osaze Odemwingie has described late Isaac Promise as a real gentleman and a committed player.

    He regretted that former Olympic Eagles captain passed on in his prime adding that it was a case of “another sportsman gone too soon”.

    The former Lille and Lokomotiv Moscow ace prayed fervently for the families of the former Trabzonspor who until his death was plying his trade with United Soccer League expansion side Austin Bold.

    Late Olympic Eagles captain Isaac Promise

    He nonetheless took consolation that Promise came, saw and made his nation proud while he was alive.

    “Another sportsman gone too soon. Really sad to hear about the passing of my former teammate Isaac Promise.. You were a gentleman my brother. My deepest condolences to your family. You made your country proud. RIP” Submitted Odemwingie.

    Recall that both late Isaac Promise and Osaze Odemwingie were part of Nigeria’s 23-man Olympic squad that claimed Silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Also included in that squad among others was current Super Eagles goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Victor Anichebe and former Celtic ace Efe Ambrose.

  • Ndidi sees yellow in City defeat, Iwobi fires blank in Everton loss

     

    It was double migraine for Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi as he bagged a yellow card in Leicester City 2-1 defeat by Liverpool on Saturday.

    Ndidi who as usual was in action for 90 minutes was handed the yellow card in the 30th minute of the match by referee, Chris Kavanagh.

    Ndidi was however not the only fox that saw the other side of the referee as teammates Jony Evans and Çağlar Söyüncü were also carded.

    Liverpool forward and Senegal international Sadio Mane shot Liverpool into the lead in the 40th minute and also set up the added time penalty that was converted by James Milner.

    Leicester City’s consolation goal was scored in the 80th minute by James Maddison.

    The pain of losing was not an exclusive for Ndidi on Saturday as compatriot and Everton forward Alex Iwobi equally suffered a lone goal defeat by homers Burnley.

    Everton forward Alex Iwobi battles Burnley’s Hendrick

    Iwobi like Ndidi was also in action for full 90 minute with Everton maintaining lion share of possession which unfortunately could not translate into goals at the Turf Moor.

    Seventy two minute goal scored by Jeff Hendrick was all Burnley needed to seal victory and put smile on the faces of home fans and record only their second victory in six matches the first one being a 2-0 victory at home over visiting Norwich City last month, while Everton were recording their fourth defeat in six matches.

  • No action for Leon Balogun as Brighton hammers Spurs 3-0

     

    It was a sit and watch setting for Super Eagles defender Leon Balogun as Brighton and Hove Albion beat visiting Spurs 3-0 on Saturday.

    The Nigeria international has not seen action in five straight Brighton matches including the 3-1 loss to Aston Villa in the league cup.

    The former Werder Bremen ace who joined Brighton just before the last World cup in Russia has only managed eight appearances for the side and was an unused substitute on Saturday as teammate and French import Neal Maupay opened scoring for Brighton in the 3rd minute of the match while Aaron Cornolly scored brace to shoot the tie beyond Spurs.

    Balogun who was part of the Super Eagles squad to both the last world cup and the last Nations cup in Egypt played combined seven matches in both competitions in which the Eagles crashed out in the group stage and finished in the third place respectively.

    Brighton players celebrate with Aaron Cornolly after his brace Saturday

    He has however been left out of the Eagles squad for this month’s friendly against Brazil in Singapore.  His exclusion may not be unconnected with his lack of playing time in his club. The 31 year old appears to be suffering the same fate with compatriot and Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho who has continued to be on the sidelines, managing in a few cases to have single digit playing time at the King Power Stadium.

    Interestingly the last time Brighton scored more than goal in a league match dates back to December 2018 against Crystal Palace.

     

     

     

  • Osimhen to dig deep against tough Nimes Defence

     

    Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen will need to triple efforts if he is to break Nimes defence and continue his goal cruise, analysts have submitted ahead of the Ligue 1 clash on Sunday.

    Though Osimhen and his teammates failed to run away with the needed victory after he shot the side into the lead in the Champions League clash against Chelsea on Wednesday, he was nonetheless hailed for his swift response to Tammy Abraham’s 22nd minute goal. Lille remains rooted to the bottom of Group H after that 2-1 loss but attention will turn to the league where 15th placed Nimes come calling.

    The goal against Chelsea is the Nigerian’s seventh strike of the season in all competitions, and he has now been involved in nine goals in just 10 appearances for Les Dogues.

    Nimes defence according to the analysts have been superb lately conceding only twice in their last five outings, thus keeping three clean sheets in the process and hoping to maintain the tempo in the Sunday away tie against Lille.

    Meanwhile Moses Simon and his Nantes teammates will be riding on their lone goal victory over Olympique Lyonnaise last Saturday to consolidate a week later (today) .

    Nantes Moses Simon set for Olympique Lyonnaise

    The Nigerian international was in action for 74 minutes in that encounter.

    Samuel Kalu and Josh Maja will be hoping to push aside the lone goal loss to PSG last week and attempt to return to winning ways away as Bordeaux file out against to Toulouse.

    Late last month Bordeaux recorded an impressive 3-1 win over Amiens with Samuel Kalu grabbing the third goal in the 73rd minute.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Jamilu Collins’ goal fails to save Paderborn from Bayern Munchen

     

    Super Eagles left back Jamilu Collins was on target for his bundesliga side Paderborn but it was not enough to stop the side from going down 3-2 to bundesliga giants Bayern Munchen.

    Bayern grabbed two goals in 55 minutes thanks Serge Gnabry and Philippe Coutinho respectively.

    Paderborn first goal to reduce the tally came in the 68th minute through Kai Pröger but celebration over the goal did not last long before Robert  Lewandowski netted the third goal for the visitors.

    The game was heading for a 3-1 victory for Bayern before Jamilu Collins scored in the 84th minute to leave the score line at 3-2.

    Paderborn versus Bayern in the bundesliga

    The 25 year old who made Super Eagles national team debut in an international friendly against Libya at the Uyo Stadium, is set to feature in another high profile friendly after being named in the 23-man squad to face Brazil.

    Taiwo Awoniyi who was in action for Manz for about 14 minutes also suffered a lone goal defeat in the hands of visiting Wolfsburg.

    Both Paderborn and Manz occupy the bottom of the ladder in the 18-team Bundesliga log with only six matches played so far in the new season

     

     

     

     

  • Semi Ajayi Savours 2-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers

     

    Super Eagles defender Semi Ajayi sang victory song on Saturday as West Brom beat homers Queens Park Rangers 0-2 in the English Championship.

    The Nigeria international was in action for full 90 minutes doing the clearing job to ensure that Park Rangers never recovered playing at home in front of their vociferous fans notwithstanding.

    Homeboy and fellow defender Nathan Ferguson shot West Brom into the lead in the 53rd minute of the match with Matheus Pereira doubling the lead just with six minutes to the end of the match. The victory takes West Brom’s unbeaten run to nine in a row.

    West Brom goal scorer against QPR Nathan Ferguson

    On duty for Queens Park Rangers were two players of Nigerian origin Ebere Eze and Bright Osayi-Samuel who played for 70 and 20 minutes respectively and put in their best which unfortunately could not stop Ajayi and teammates from running away with vital away win.

    Ajayi has been named in Coach Gernot Rohr’s team to face the Samba Boys of Brazil in an international friendly October 10.

  • Victor Osimhen eyes goal No. 7 as Lille tackles Nice

     

    Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen will be hoping to continue his goal scoring adventure when Lille visits Nice on Saturday.

    Osimhen who has scored in practically in all recent outings for The Great Danes, is full of optimism that the club will post impressive run this season.

    He was quick to call on teammates to forge ahead after the 3-0 defeat away to Ajax in the Champions League.

    In the English premier league Alex Iwobi posted and impressive run in Everton’s 2-0 defeat of Sheffield Wednesday in the Caraboa cup will be hoping to maintain the momentum as the Toffees host rampaging Manchester City who were merciless against Watford in the their last premier league outing and followed it with another 3-0 defeat of Preston North End in the Caraboa cup.

    Everton ace Alex Iwobi

    Iwobi and his teammates will need all the arsenals in their armory to checkmate the Citizens who appear to have forgotten how to lose match though their 3-2 loss to Norwich city remains a reference point in some quarters.

    Although Nigeria born England junior international Tammy Abraham was missing in the score sheet in Chelsea’s 7-1 demolition of Grimsby Town in the Caraboa cup, none can rule out the possibility of his goal scoring return against visiting Brighton and Hove Albion who have sidelined Leon Balogun in their players list.

     

     

     

  • Iwobi plays for 35 minutes in Everton’s 2-0 home defeat

    Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi was in action for 35 minutes as Everton suffered home defeat in the hands of Sheffield United on Saturday in front of their disappointed fans.

    Iwobi who joined the Toffees in a five year deal early August came in as late substitute for Frenchman Morgan Schneiderlin in the 55th minute. It was a day that appeared to have Chosen to be nightmarish for the Goodison Park landlords following an own goal by Everton Defender Yina Mina in the 40th minute.

    The early goal no doubt hit Everton below the belt and was a rather a shocker to the homers who controlled lion share possession in the ratio of 72 to 28% unfortunately all the efforts made to translate the effort into an equaliser failed to materialise.

    The Situation was further compounded for the homers when Lys Mousset scored the second goal for Sheffield United who from that point ensured they never blinked in the defence guarding their lead jealously to the end.

    Sheffield United duo celebrate Everton defeat

    Saturday’s defeat marks the third in Everton’s four premier league outings this season.

    Toffee fans did not find the defeat funny as many of them walked out before the end of the match while those who stayed behind voiced their displeasure at full time.

    Everton went into Saturday’s match fresh from a 3-1 defeat by AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

    Interestingly the Nigerian international was in action for full 90 minutes in that encounter.

    The Marco Silva tutored side have a Tuesday date with Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup and  Sheffield Wednesday may be hoping   to continue where Sheffield United stopped.

     

  • International friendly: Tite names 23-man Squad for Eagles, Lions

     

    All is now set for the all-important international friendly between Nigeria and Brazil as Coach of the South American side Tite Friday named a 23-man Squad.

    The Seleção will first to confront  Taranga Lions of Senegal and afterwards  Super Eagles of Nigeria in Singapore.

    Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr whose lawyers are reportedly negotiating with Nigeria Football Federation over unpaid wages and Salaries is yet to name his squad for the encounter.

    Nigeria lost 3-0 a high profile friendly played by both country in 2003 in Abuja and will be hoping to put up a better show in the October 10 re-match.

    Brasileiro top scorer, Gabriel Barbosa, is part of Tite’s squad alongside teammate Rodrigo Caio.

    Grêmio midfielder Matheus Henrique, and Atletico Madrid left back Renan Lodi, get their first call ups.

    Here is the full 23-man list of the Seleção

    Eagles for Brazil friendly in Singapore i

    Goalkeepers: Ederson (Manchester City), Weverton (Palmeiras), Santos (Athletico-PR)

    Defenders: Daniel Alves (São Paulo), Danilo (Juventus), Alex Sandro (Juventus), Renan Lodi (Atlético Madrid), Thiago Silva

    (PSG), Marquinhos (PSG), Éder Militão (Real Madrid), Rodrigo Caio (Flamengo)

    Midfielders: Casemiro (Real Madrid), Arthur (Barcelona), Fabinho (Liverpool), Matheus Henrique (Grêmio), Philippe Coutinho

    (Bayern Munich), Lucas Paquetá (AC Milan)

    Forwards: Everton (Grêmio), Firmino (Liverpool), Gabriel Barbosa (Flamengo), Richarlison (Everton), Neymar (PSG), Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City).

    The Eagles only recently played a friendly match against Ukraine, the first time both countries will be meeting at the senior level.

    The match ended 2-2 with debutant Joseph Aribo announcing himself after effectively connecting an Alex Iwobi  cross to shoot Eagles into the lead.

    Many however say momentary loss of concentration forced the team to settle for a draw.

  • Embattled Neymar to face Super Eagles in Singapore friendly

     

    Want away PSG Star and Brazil international Neymar is among top Seleção players expected to battle Super Eagles of Nigeria in an international friendly October 13 in Singapore.

    The Brazilian Football Confederation has confirmed the tie which will be second major meeting between the two continental power houses.

    Super Eagles eyeing another friendly

    The first was at the opening of the Abuja Stadium in 2003 which saw the South Americans and 5-time world cup winners run away with 3-0 victory in front of a capacity crowd.  Goals from Gil, Luís Fabiano and Adriano separated the Brazilians from their Nigerian counter parts.

    Despite the loss however Nigeria’s midfield maestro Austin jay Jay Okocha thrilled some home fans with his usual impressive moves just like Ronaldinho was the toast of many fans.

    Neymar has in recent time been at logger heads with the French ligue 1 side following his desire to return to former club Barcelona.

    But the 27 year old who some say performed below par at the last world cup in Russia remains a key player in the national team.

    Other top players expected to feature prominently in Coach Tite’s squad include Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho. The Eagles are however not the only ones to battle the Brazilians in Singapore as the Brazilian

    The Seleção of Brazil

    Football Federation has reportedly concluded arrangement to play 2019 Nations cup finalists Teranga Lions of Senegal three days earlier at the same venue.

    Coordinator of the Brazilian National team Juninho Paulista said they chose to play Nigeria and Senegal and of the best teams in Africa and in line with the decision of the technical commission to settle for the top 50 on FIFA ranking

    ”It was a wish of the Technical Commission, so we went after these opponents”.

    The choice of Nigeria meets the proposal, established between the CBF summit and the Brazilian National Technical Commission, to play against top 50 opponents in the FIFA ranking,” he submitted