The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Super Eagles

  • Yusuf says Super Eagles in victory mood

    Yusuf says Super Eagles in victory mood

    Super Eagles’ Assistant Coach, Salisu Yusuf, on Thursday said the players were in good mood and ready to conquer Zambia on Saturday in their World Cup qualifier.

    Yusuf said this in an interview that the Super Eagles were mentally and physically fit to overcome the Chipopolo of Zambia in Uyo.

    The coach said that he had absolute confidence in not just his players but their management because they were on top of the cracker between the two countries.

    “The Super Eagles are in very positive mood for the game against Zambia on Saturday,’’ Yusuf said.

    He appealed for the support of Nigerians, saying it was necessary for the team to be victorious in the match to be played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

    The Super Eagles are ahead of other teams in Group B with 10 points and are followed by Zambia with seven points.

    Nigeria started the World Cup qualification campaign in what many soccer pundits predicted to be the group of death in a blistering form with a defeat 2-1 defeat of Zambia in Ndola to pick their first away win.

    Nigeria is on the brink of qualifying for the 2018 Mundial in Russia with an emphatic 4-0 win over the African champions, Cameroon in Uyo and the reverse fixture in Yaoundé which ended1-1.

    A home victory over Zambia – a side they beat away at the start of the group phase – will be enough to see Nigeria return to the finals after reaching the second round in Brazil in 2014.

    Other countries that could all book their spots at next year’s World Cup in the penultimate round of African qualifiers at the weekend are Egypt and Tunisia.

    That will leave the other two slots to be decided next month.

    NAN

  • ‘Super Eagles going for outright win against Zambia’

    ‘Super Eagles going for outright win against Zambia’

     The Super Eagles spokesman, Toyin Ibitoye, on Wednesday debunked the news that the team would be satisfied with a draw against Zambia, saying instead that the team would be going for an outright win.

    Ibitoye said this in Lagos that the team would be aiming at defeating the Chipolopolo of Zambia in the crucial encounter in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

    Nigeria is on the brink qualifying for the 2018 Mundial in Russia with an emphatic win over the African champions 4-0 and the reverse fixture in Yaoundé which ended1-1.

    Nigeria will play Zambia on Saturday at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

    Nigeria got the first goal in Yaoundé after 30 minutes play through Moses Simon while Cameroun got their equaliser 15 minutes to go through a Vincent Aboubakar penalty.

    The super eagles had started the campaign in what many soccer pundits predicted to be the group of death in a blistering form with a defeat 2-1of Zambia in Ndola to pick their first ever away win.

    Goals from the premier league hotshots, Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanacho in the 33rd and 43rd minutes, ensured the much needed bright start, while Zambia’s Mbesuma scored in the 70th minute.

    Nigeria maintained the record when they defeated the highest ranked team in Africa, the Desert Warriors of Algeria in Uyo 3-1, courtesy of a brace from Victor Moses and a goal from Mikel Obi.

    However, the Gernot Rohr’s men can take a watertight lead on the summit of the Group B if they defeat Zambia on Sunday.

    A win means they will be on 13 points as against Zambia who will be rooted with seven points.

    On the importance of the match against the Wedson Nyirenda-tutored team from the Southern part of Africa, Ibitoye said the team’s management was leaving no stone unturned.

    He said that the Super Eagles Camp at the Le Meriden Hotel, was complete save the absence of Victor Moses who is been expected on Wednesday morning.

    “The camp is bubbling with the influx of the players, they all arrived early enough and they are training well. We are expecting the last person, Moses, who will arrive this ( Wednesday ) morning.

    “It is not true that we are contented with a draw according to some stories circulating around and which was attributed to the coach. All we want is an outright win.

    “At present, there is no injury concern in the team, Iwobi trained with others and he is 100 per cent fit as well as other players. The fitness level is perfect.

    “What we are saying is that the match against Zambia may not necessarily be a whitewash as we did against Cameroun.’’

    “The scoreline may or may not be the same but the points are what we need. Three full points will make us qualify in style,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • ‘We can’t take our match against Zambia for granted’

    ‘We can’t take our match against Zambia for granted’

    An ex-international, Edema Fuludu, has urged the Super Eagles to be focused in their Oct.7 World Cup qualifier against the Chipolopolo of Zambia, and capitalise on goal-scoring opportunities.

    Fuludu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that approaching the match as a must-win would enable the team to overcome the highly confident Zambians.

    The former attacking midfielder added that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should give the players all the needed logistic support to enable them to excel in the must-win match.

    “This match cannot be taken for granted, the NFF I’m sure is putting everything in place to successfully glide through this hurdle.

    “The Zambians are very courageous, their victory against Algeria home and away should send a message to us that they are not a trainee-team.

    “This people have nothing to lose, so it’s all on us, we just need to win, our boys must not take this for granted,’’ Fuludu said.

    Fuludu, who was a former Manager of Warri Wolves, also warned the Super Eagles to be positive and pay less attention to the “psychological warfare’ ’ being used by the Zambians.

    “The Zambians are the team to watch, but regardless, we should remain positive, our greatest undoing will be over confidence, our victory at the first leg would toughen them.

    “They are coming here to prove a point to us, Russia 2018 is a must,’’ he said.

    NAN reports that Nigeria currently tops Group B of the Africa qualifying series for the Russia 2018 World Cup with 10 points followed by Zambia with seven points.

    An outright win over the Chipolopolo will on Saturday qualify the Super Eagles for the World Cup with a match to spare.

  • Victor Moses to Arrive Wednesday, Zambia Suffers Injury Blows

    Victor Moses to Arrive Wednesday, Zambia Suffers Injury Blows

    Nigerian international and Chelsea creative player, Victor Moses will join the other Super Eagles players in Uyo on Wednesday.

    Moses secured the team handles permission to resume late.

    He is the only players yet to resume to camp.

    The Nigeria Football Federation Tuesday  said Moses was given chance to rest and granted official permission to resume late.

    Meanwhile, It is not a good news for Zambia as two of thier professional players are injured.

    The Chipolopolo are in Accra, Ghana training for the all important game against Nigeria at the weekend in Uyo.

    The two foreign-based professionals player have however been withdrawn from the squad.

    Since platinum Stars ace Brian Mwila and K.V Oostende midfielder Emmanuel Banda can’t participate in the game after failing to recover from the injury, coach Wedson Nyirenda has since replaced the duo with Power Dynamos midfielder Alex Ng’onga and Zesco United’s John Ching’andu.

    Mwila endeared himself to Zambia fans after netting a brace in a 3-1 win over Algeria at the Heroes Stadium on September 2.”Brian (Mwila) will not be part of the team as he had a recurrence of the injury he suffered during the Algeria game.

    It is best to give him time to fully recover,”Team Doctor George Magwende said to Fazfootball.com.

  • Oboabona offers Scholarship to School Girls

    Oboabona offers Scholarship to School Girls

    Nigerian Super Eagles and Al Ahli defender, Godfrey Oboabona has extended his humanitarian gesture towards education by offering scholarship to three under priviledged girls in Nigeria.

    The 2013 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) winner, offered the full scholarship under the ongoing 1girl1pen awareness campaign for the girl-child education in Africa, pioneered by FAME Foundation Africa.
    In a press statement, founder of the Foundation, Ms Aderonke Bello expressed her gratitude to the player for supporting the girls who have been struggling to pay for school fees and other necessary school items.
    ‘On behalf of the entire team of FAME Africa, we are saying a huge thank you to Godfrey Oboabona for deeming it fit to support these under-priviledged girls, with his gesture.
    These girls can now progress/complete their education as a result of the scholarship he paid, covering their school fees and all necessary items to see them through their primary education.’
    The recipients of the scholarship will be unveiled at the official launching of the 1girl1pen campaign on the International day of the girl child – October 11, 2017 at Café De Vie, Maitama, Abuja.
  • World Cup clash: Ogba rallies support for Eagles

    World Cup clash: Ogba rallies support for Eagles

     

     

    Nigerians have been urged to turn out in large numbers as the super Eagles attempt to cement the Nation’s ticket to the 2018 World cup in Russia.

    Chairman Senate Committee on sports, Obinna Ogba who made the call said victory against Chipolopolo and eventual picking of ticket to the mundial is not only important to the country but also important to the players as well.

    “We all need to come out at support the team because the October 7 tie in Uyo is one we must have to win.  Victory is not only for the Nation but also for the players because they also need to be at the World Cup,” he said

    Ogba who revealed that Senate minority leader and former Akwa Ibom state Governor Godswill Akpabio among others are all desirous giving the team massive support ahead of the crucial game, expressed hope that the players will seize every available opportunity against hard fighting Zambians.

    On his impression of the selected squad for the assignment Senator Ogba said there is no doubt that every player invited desires to shine for the country, adding that what Nigerians need to do is cheer them and pray for them.

    Team Captain John Obi Mikel who is due in the country this weekend, has already challenged his teammates to see the battle of Uyo as a must win even as he gave them a pat on he back for the results achieved so far in the qualifiers.  Nigeria leads the group with 10 points with the Zambians in hot chase at 7 points.

  • WAFU FINAL: Ghana defeats Nigeria

    WAFU FINAL: Ghana defeats Nigeria

    The Black Stars of Ghana have defeated the Super Eagles 4-1 at the 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations final which was held on Sunday at the Cape Coast Stadium Ghana.

    However, Niger had claimed the bronze medal earlier in the day after it beat Benin 2-1 in third place game.
    In a report by allnigerisoccer.com, ‘both sides had clashed in Group A match last week with Nigeria winning 2-0 but the hosts overpowered their rivals in the final played at the Cape Coast Stadium on Sunday.

    The Black Stars started the game sharper than they did in the semifinals win against Niger on Thursday.

    Super Eagles number 10 Rabiu Ali had a sight of goal but Samuel Sarfo blocked his shot to corner.

    In the 33rd minute, goalkeeper Ezenwa Ikechukwu pulled a great save to deny Isaac Twum.

    The Super Eagles suffered a crushing blow when hardworking defender Adeleye Aniyikaye was injured and Ariwachukwu Emmanuel took his place.

    Sarfo made the dominance of Ghana count with a clinical finish after he cooly controlled the ball on the edge of the box and fired in a low shot in the 44th minute. There was no chance for Ezenwa.

    Early in the second half, Super Eagles coach Yusuf Salisu threw on Gabriel Okechukwu for Ubong Friday, who was on a yellow card.

    The switch didn’t deter Ghana who continued to run down the Nigerian team.

    The Black Stars had the chance to increase their lead, when substitute Patrick Razaq was tripped in the box.

    Vincent Atinga sent Ezenwa the wrong way from the penalty spot to make the scoreline 2-0 two minutes before the hour mark.

    The woes of Nigeria increased as Sarfo kept his cool to put his spot kick past Ezenwa in the 77th minute.

    The Black Stars were reduced to ten men in the first minute of additional time when Atinga was sent off for a second bookable offense.

    Ghana continued to be ruthless and added another goal. Winful Cobbinah tapped home following a lovely work from Patrick Razak.

    Nigeria reduced the deficit with what seemed to be the last action of the game thanks to Ali.’

  • WAFU Final: Dalung leads Pinnick, others to watch Eagles play Ghana

    WAFU Final: Dalung leads Pinnick, others to watch Eagles play Ghana

    Minister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung will lead a delegation of top officials to cheer on the Super Eagles when they clash with Ghana’s Black Stars in Sunday’s WAFU Cup of Nations final.

    A statement from the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF ) on Saturday said Dalung would be accompanied by the NFF President Amaju Pinnick.

    “Also in the delegation to the Cape Coast Stadium is NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, who arrived in the Ghanaian capital on Friday.

    “Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr also flew into Accra on Saturday and will be in the stands.

    “Head Coach of Super Eagles B, Salisu Yusuf is Chief Coach of the A team where Rohr is technical adviser,’’ it said.

    The statement also noted that Dalung has been an ever-present guest in Super Eagles’ most crucial matches in the past year.

    “He undisputable brings a rich vein of fortune around the team with the Eagles now only one win away from a sixth appearance in the FIFA World Cup finals,’’ it said.

    The minister led the Nigerian delegation to the 2-1 win over Zambia in Ndola at the start of the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

    He was equally in Uyo for the 3-1 thrashing of Algeria.

    He was there in Uyo when the Eagles bashed African champions Cameroon 4-0 and also arrived in Yaounde in time to see the 1-1 draw three days later.

    To reach the championship match, the Super Eagles B, who qualified for the 5th African Nations Championship finals after a 2-1 aggregate win over Benin Republic in August, ejected Sierra Leone with a 2-0 win in the first knock-out phase.

    They also drew 0-0 with Mali and Guinea before seeing off hosts Ghana 2-0 in last group phase attrition.

    In the semi finals, CHAN qualifying victims Benin Republic were turned back 1-0, meaning Nigeria has yet to concede a goal in the sub-regional football fiesta.

    Sunday’s match will kick off at 6 p.m. Ghana time (7 p.m. Nigeria time), and victory for the Super Eagles will mean a seventh major trophy for the Pinnick-led administration.

    The administration’s first trophy was the Women Africa Cup of Nations title won by the Super Falcons in Namibia in Oct. 2014.

    It was followed by the Supers and Eagles’ triumph in the COPA Lagos International Invitational Tournament (December 2014) and the Flying Eagles’ Africa U-20 title in Senegal (March 2015).

    The latest being the Golden Eaglets’ FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile (November 2015), the U-23 team’s Africa U-23 title in Senegal (December 2015) and the Super Falcons’ Women Africa Cup of Nations title in Cameroon (December 2016).

  • WAFU Final: Super Eagles to lock horns with Black Stars  

    WAFU Final: Super Eagles to lock horns with Black Stars  

  • WAFU: Nigeria beat Ghana 2-0, progress to semi-finals

    WAFU: Nigeria beat Ghana 2-0, progress to semi-finals

    Nigeria home-based Super Eagles on Monday defeated the Black Stars of Ghana 2-0 in their last group game to progress to the semi-finals of the West Africa Football Union ( WAFU ) Cup of Nations.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Super Eagles B team bounced back to winning ways after two successive draws against Mali and Guinea, beating bitter rivals and host Ghana at the Cape Coast Stadium.

    Super Eagles Chief coach Salisu Yusuf made six changes to the line-up.

    Ikechukwu Ezenwa returned in goal and led the team as captain, Kingsley Eduwo was rested for Tony Okpotu, while Stephen Eze, Rabiu Ali, Peter Eneji and Ubong Friday all started.

    Nigeria needed a win against the  already qualified Black Stars and the Nigeria Professional Football League ( NPFL ) stars put up a brilliant performance.

    The first half ended goalless with the Super Eagles home-based team dominating the half.

    Ghana goalkeeper Addo Joseph was the star man in the first half has he denied Okpotu, Friday and Eneji on several occasions.

    However, the goals started pouring nine minutes into the second half for Nigeria. NPFL top scorer Okpotu finally broke Nigeria’s goal drought in the tournament with a brilliant finish in the 54th minute.

    Three minutes later, Plateau United’s Eneji doubled the lead after the Ghanaian defence switched off and were caught napping.

    Eneji was voted the Man of the Match at the blast of the referee’s full-time whistle.

    Victory for Nigeria meant Ghana and Nigeria advanced to the semi-final of the tournament from Group A.

    Ghana finished as group leaders with six points while Nigeria finished second with five points.

    Both teams will wait for the results from Group B on Tuesday to determine their semi final opponents.

    In the other game in Group A played simultaneously on Monday, Guinea and Mali cancelled out each other in a 1-1 draw at the Nduom Sports Complex to finish on two points each.