The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Super Eagles

  • New Eagles eager to make history -Success

    New Eagles eager to make history -Success

     

     

    Super Eagles debutant and Watford forward Isaac Success has predicted that Nigeria will achieve perfect result in the hydra headed World Cup and Nations cup qualifiers against Cameroon, South Africa and Algeria respectively.

    The presence of relatively young and hungry players in the national team according to him is the rational for his confidence adding that the new crop of players are desperate not only to return Nigeria to winning ways but also leave a mark on the sand of history.

    ‘These young boys, and I am one of them, they are really hungry to do something. We want to do something different, something the fans have not seen in a long time. Success is guaranteed because now they have Success in the team,” he told BBC.

    The 21 year old who finally had the opportunity make a debut for the senior national team in the friendly against Senegal last Thursday, described his debut as a dream come true even as he vowed to put in 100% effort if ultimately selected for the qualifiers leading to the 2018 World Cup in Russia

    ‘It was a dream come true for me. I thank God for being here representing my country. The energy is there, the mindset of bringing success to Nigeria and to Africa at the World Cup is there. I am happy now, I am fit, I am very sharp now and looking forward to the opportunity again,” he enthused the former Granada ace.

    Following the last minute cancellation of second friendly match against Burkina Faso, the Eagles are hoping to play against French Island of Corsica at a date to be announced. Should the proposed friendly take place, Nigeria would be the

    the fourth country to play Corsica which is not affiliated with World Soccer ruling body (FIFA). Prior to this time other countries that have paid the team include France, Cameroon and Congo.

  • Organisers of Nigeria/Senegal friendly upload match link

    Organisers of Nigeria/Senegal friendly upload match link

    The organisers of Thursday’s friendly international between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Teranga Lions of Senegal have now uploaded a link through which interested fans can watch the full match.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that both Nigeria and Senegal had drawn 1-1 under seven degrees Celsius weather at The Hive, the home ground of League Two clubsides, Barnet FC and London Bees.

    Senegal, a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-finalist, went ahead in the 54th minute through Moussa Sow.

    But Kelechi Iheanacho drew the Eagles level from the penalty spot nine minutes from time.

    The match could, however, not be watched live by Nigerians as a result of the failure to livestream it as earlier promised.

    This has drawn angry reactions from many Nigerians on Thursday, as well as on Friday with many of them taking to the social media to lambast the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    Following technical hitches that made it impossible to stream the match live as promised, the organisers apologised to those who had paid to watch the livestreaming.

    They also made a pledge to upload the full match on a link for everyone to enjoy for free.

    Below is the link:

    https://vimeo.com/mgv/review/209998668/62fec7f055

  • Super Eagles’ second friendly called off as Burkina Faso players fail to secure visas

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Saturday said Super Eagles’ second international friendly, against Burkina Faso in London on Monday, has been called off.

    Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Media and Communications, said in a statement that the development was after seven players in the Burkinabe contingent failed to secure entry visas into the UK.

    He said the other players in the Burkinabe contingent were however able to enter the UK, but it was not enough for the match not to be called off.

    Olajire quoted Chris Green, Chairman of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, as expressing the Federation’s regrets about the development.

    “The second friendly match we had scheduled for the Super Eagles as part of preparations for the remaining matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying series and the beginning of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification race will no longer take place on Monday.

    “The match in question is called off due to no fault of either the organisers or the NFF, but is regrettable,’’ he was quoted as saying.

    Green was however also quoted as saying the NFF would announce further plans for the Super Eagles’ preparation for the two qualifying campaigns in due course.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olajire had, in the statement, explained that there was no British High Commission in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso’s capital.

    “Officials of the Federation Burkinabe de Football (FBF) had been shuttling between Accra in Ghana and Ouagadougou for visa processing.

    “FBF sources said the Embassy in Accra told them last week to proceed to Morocco (where the Etalons played against the Atlas Lions on Friday) and that the visas would be issued there.

    “However, the applications were still pending at the British Embassy in Morocco as at close of work on Friday, the last working day before Monday, the match day in London.

    “FBF on Friday by 7 p.m. UK time called the match organisers to say some of their players and officials were unable to secure entry visas into the UK and therefore would not be able to honour the match.’’

    The NFF spokesman said the Federation’s President, Amaju Pinnick, was unhappy with the development.

    “But Pinnick stated that the objectives of satisfying the technical team’s desire of squaring up against tough, physical African opposition and fostering team bonding and organisation were achieved.’’(NAN)

  • I’m not N’Golo Kante – Ndidi

    I’m not N’Golo Kante – Ndidi

    Super Eagles midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, has shrugged off comparisons with N’Golo Kante, the man he replaced at Leicester.

    Ndidi arrived at the King Power Stadium in a £17million deal from Genk in the summer to fill the void left by Kante’s departure to Chelsea.

    He has become an important member of a Foxes side which has steadily moved away from the Premier League relegation zone under Craig Shakespeare following the sacking of Claudio Ranieri, but the Nigerian doesn’t want to be labelled ‘the next Kante’.

    ‘I have never put myself in Kante’s shoes,’ Ndidi told Goal.

    ‘I didn’t look to play like him when I arrived. I just came here to play my own game. I just feel like a different player to him.

    ‘He is a good player, he has proved that he’s great this season. With the support of others, you can do anything you want and you can do it here.’

    Leicester have won four consecutive matches under Shakespeare’s guidance and now sit six points above the relegation places, justifying the decision to part with Ranieri despite supporter outcry.

    ‘For Ranieri, I felt bad,’ Ndidi said, reflecting on the Italian’s sacking. ‘I don’t really talk about managers though.

    ‘I am just here to play my football. It was sad that he left, though, because he brought me here but I just need to focus on my game. I am still playing.

    ‘We were always happy in the dressing room and looking forward to games. Optimistic. We were focused on trying to win. When we lost, everyone was down, but I didn’t notice anything personally. I didn’t see anything strange.’

  • Rohr disappointed over cancelled friendly

    Rohr disappointed over cancelled friendly

     

     

    Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr is not a happy man following last minute cancellation of Super Eagles friendly against Burkina Faso at the Hive stadium in London.

    An equally disappointed CAF Executive Member and NFF President Amju Pinnick had recalled that Rohr had insisted on playing tough and physical African opposition ahead of the qualifiers, noting that the Glass House duly fulfilled that with arrangements made for Senegal and Burkina Faso, but regretted the ugly turn of event, even as he counted the blessings of the friendly already played.

    “Unfortunately, some of the Burkinabe players could not secure entry visas into the UK. It is nobody’s fault. Our joy is that we were able to play Senegal and got a fair result with a depleted squad, and also the objectives of team bonding, team building, team discipline and further imparting the Technical Adviser’s philosophy to the group have been well served, “he said

    The visa palaver is however not the only obstacle against the match as the schedule appears to have also come short of FIFA rule which stipulates that teams cannot play in two different continents within short intervals as the teams are required to have at least a two day rest after travelling to another continent.

    The stallions lost 2-0 to Atlas Lions of Morocco at the Stade de Marrakech on Friday. If the FIFA rule is to be followed

    it means the team will have Saturday and Sunday to rest before heading to London and may not be able to arrive early enough to face waiting Eagles.

    Super Eagles earned a late hour draw against Senegal on Thursday with Coach Gernot Rohr expressing satisfaction with his team’s performance.  The Monday match would have provided another opportunity to have a second look at the team and newly introduced players as the technical crew seek a formidable team ahead World cup and Nations Cup qualifiers against Cameroon, Algeria and South Africa respectively.

  • Int’l friendly: Fans urge Super Eagles to beat Burkina Faso

    Football fans who on Friday expressed joy with the Super Eagles 1-1 draw with the Senegalese in Thursday’s international friendly match have urged them to defeat their next opponent.

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Senegalese counterparts played an entertaining draw at the Hive Stadium in London.

    The Senegalese side were the better side in the first half with Idrissa Gueye “bossing’’ the midfield until the introduction of John Ogu in the place of Ogenyi Onazi, who was injured mid-way to the first half.

    Senegal took the lead in the second half through Moussa Sow, but the Super Eagles equalised through Kelechi Iheanacho, who scored a penalty with 10 minutes left to play.

    Nigeria’s next game will also be played at the Hive Stadium on March 27 against Burkina Faso.

    The matches serve as warm-up for Coach Gernot Rohr ahead the crunch Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers later in the year.

    Some sports fans told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the result was a good one and urged the Super Eagles to go all out against Burkina Faso to record a win.

    Femi Adefeso, a sports analyst, said that the result was a good one considering the Senegalese performance in the 2017 AFCON CAF football tournament held in Gabon.

    “Senegal lost via penalties to the eventual champions in the quarter-finals of the competition following a wonderful performance in the group stage where they were unbeaten.

    “The match against Burkina Faso will be much tougher going by Burkina Faso’s performance as third placed winners of the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Championship.

    “I expect the Super Eagles to come out stronger and more determined to record a victory for the country and boost their confidence as a formidable team,” Adefeso said.

    Bright Omokharo, an ex-international said it was sad that the match against Senegalese was not televised which, he noted, could have made Nigerians to assess the performance of the players.

    He said that the result was quite good but that the Eagles should aim for better result against Burkina Faso.

    “The result is a good one but we want a more positive result to lift the team spirit and keep the team in the form they ended 2016 after the current coach took over.

    “I have my bet on Super Eagles that they will record a victory as they play against Burkina Faso,” Omokharo said.

    Etim Esin, another ex-international, said that the warm-up matches were very important and that as long as the results were positive, it is good for the team.

    “We expect a good performance whenever the Super Eagles get on the field to play, however, sometimes it may not come so.

    “But let us remember that these are just warm-up matches, so the real matches should be taken very serious.

    “I am confident of the current coach and hopeful that he can drive the success of the team the way it should come,” Esin said.

    NAN reports that Nigeria’s last engagement with Burkina Faso came up at the 2013 CAF AFCON Championship final match in South Africa.

    Nigeria’s Sunday Mba scored the lone goal that gave the Super Eagles the championship trophy.

    It was also Nigeria’s last appearance at the AFCON Championship after Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2015 and the 2017 editions.

     

  • Int’l friendly: Fans decry NFF’s inability to broadcast match live

    Nigerians on Friday took to twitter to vent their anger for the failure of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and television stations to broadcast live the Super Eagles friendly match against Senegal.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Fenerbahçe striker Moussa Sow opened scoring in the 53rd minute for the Teranga Lions of Senegal.

    But Manchester City’s youngster Kelechi Iheanacho, rescued a draw for Nigeria when he struck from the spot in the 81st minute.

    Some of the fans who were left fuming after the game also complained about their inability to access a live streaming link which had been shared by some officials of the NFF.

    Justice Prince said on his twitter handle that “such a match like Nigeria vs Senegal wasn’t on TV. Africa’s heavyweight. Isokay. Una #wehdone’’

    Wilson Jnr said: “It’s pathetic, even Supersports didn’t show our match…#NIG VS SEN’’.

    Favour Onyeoziri said: “So, you mean not even one TV station aired the Nigeria vs Senegal match?

    “One website even told me to pay N500 to stream the Nigeria vs Senegal match live. After paying, which network will I use to stream? AT&T?”

    Oma Akatugba said: “I absolutely enjoyed Nigeria vs Senegal but I didn’t watch it.’’

    For Yerekimea Tonbra, “Mr Pinnick just failed his KPI with the Nigeria Vs Senegal match, Nigerians couldn’t watch their national team in action and there was no commentary sef’’.

    Attamah Ifeanyi wrote: “I think it is pathetic considering how huge a football-loving nation Nigeria is. Not even a single TV station covered the Nigeria VS Senegal match!’’.

    Also, John Raul said: “No one in the most populated country in Africa watched the game! Shame #NGASEN.

    Meanwhile, one of the sites platforms which had internet broadcast rights have apologised for its failure to satisfy its clients.

    The apology letter on its site read: “Dear esteemed customers, we regret our inability to broadcast the Nigeria vs Senegal football match which was slated for 9 p.m. Nigerian time on March 23, 2017.

    “This was as a result of technical hitches experienced in getting the signals to us from our London technical partners.

    “Please be assured that full refunds of fees paid on our platform wwwurlivestream.com to watch the match will be paid within the next seven working days.

    “Once again, we are really sorry,’’ it said.

     

  • Football enthusiasts hail Super Eagles 1-1 draw against Senegal

    Football enthusiasts hail Super Eagles 1-1 draw against Senegal

    Football enthusiasts in Enugu have applauded Thursday’s 1-1 draw in the international friendly match between Super Eagles and Teranga Lions of Senegal.

    The enthusiasts said in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday that Nigeria’s national team was gradually bouncing back to reckoning in Africa and the world.

    They however expressed regret that the match was not broadcast live.

    Norbert Okolie, Chairman, Sports Writers Association (SWAN), Enugu Chapter, said the a 1-1 draw means that the Super Eagle is getting better day-by-day.

    “Senegal national team is a force to reckon with in Africa at the moment and they are in form; so, it only takes a brave team to stop them,” he said.

    Okolie advised the players to up their performance against Bukina-Faso in their next game, stressing that the match would be more physical than the one against Senegal.

    Also, Crime Busters Team Manager, Ebere Amarizu, expressed happiness that the national team was growing with each game.

    Amarizu recalled that since Gernot Rohr took charge of the Super Eagles, the team  had not lost a match, and urged them to ensure victory against Bukina-Faso on Monday.

    “What baffles me was the rate of players’ discovery, and the coach still gets good results with unknown players.

    “Let us not forget that senior players like, Mikel Obi, Brown Ideye and others were not in the team, and beside Ekpeyi Daniel performed in the absence of Karl Ikeme,” he said.

    Enugu State Boxing Coach, Blaise Ude, said that the match was a good one for Super Eagles as they prepare for 2019 Nations Cup qualifier with South Africa and the 2018 World Cup double header with Cameroon.

    “Had it been we won the match, it would have been better. A victory over Bukina-Faso will be a morale boaster for their subsequent matches ahead,” he said.

    Another enthusiast, Otu Abam, said that the players showed that they were committed to do the country proud all the time.

    “In fact, the players did a great job against Senegal and all I have to say is that the days of Clemens Westerhof era is gradually coming back,” Abam said.

    NAN reports that Moussa Sow gave the Senegalese the lead in the 54th minute while Kelechi Iheanacho, restored parity for the Super Eagles in the 83rd minute.

    Rohr’s  men will on March 27 face Bukina-Faso in another friendly at the same venue in London.

  • Int’l friendly: Iheanacho’s late goal earns Nigeria draw against Senegal

    Int’l friendly: Iheanacho’s late goal earns Nigeria draw against Senegal

    Kelechi Iheanacho on Thursday in London scored a late goal to deny the Teranga Lions of Senegal a famous victory against the Super Eagles in an international friendly.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that an 82nd minute penalty kick scored by Iheanacho helped Nigeria secure a 1-1 draw in their friendly encounter at the Hives Stadium.

    Moussa Sow had given the Teranga Lions an early second half lead in the 53rd minute, but they could not hold on for a victory over the Super Eagles.

    Senegal were dominant in the midfield, with Idrissa Gueye presiding over it all with calm and quality.

    But Sow upfront was far less mobile than Mane, and looked very ordinary until Daniel Akpeyi dropped a 53rd minute corner kick into his path for the opening goal.

    Iheanacho did get two glorious chances to score, scuffing a shot across the goal from 18 yards, and then somehow prodding wide from point blank range.

    He managed to redeem himself with 10 minutes to go, gliding onto a through-ball before being brought down by Pape Ndiaye, and rising to convert the penalty kick for the equaliser.

    It was probably deserved, if only for Iheanacho’s persistent running.

    He might even have won it with a snapshot wide in stoppage time, but neither side really did enough to win the game, or to entertain the sparse crowd.

    When Sadio Mane came on, replacing debutant Opa Nguette, he earned the largest cheer of the night, bringing more excitement than either goal.

    While he may not have actually contributed much on the pitch, it was the Liverpool man alone who provided any buzz around the Hive.

    The Super Eagles will now look forward to their next friendly game against Burkina Faso in four days time.

     

  • Ikeme injured, Rohr names Okeowo as replacement

    Ikeme injured, Rohr names Okeowo as replacement

    Super Eagles’ goalkeeper, Carl Ikeme, has been ruled out of Thursday’s friendly against Senegal in London following an injury.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Wolverhampton Wanderers of England goalkeeper was missing in the team’s final training session due to a knock.

    With Ikeme out injured, the Super Eagles’ gaffer, Gernot Rohr, drafted in relatively unknown goalkeeper, Tope Okeowo of Peckham All Stars, as a replacement.

    It is very likely that Okeowo will man the goal for Nigeria as the other invited goalkeepers, Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa, were still being expected as at Wednesday night.

    NAN also reports that Okeowo, a former Golden Eaglets goalkeeper, is Peckham Town’s first choice.

    Okeowo had been at Peckham Town for many years, helping his team get promotion from Division Two to Division One in their first season in the Kent County League.

    He produced some outstanding performances in 2015/2016 season which saw him help his team win promotion into the Premier Division of the Kent County League.

    Nigeria will take on Senegal at the Hive Stadium, Barnet FC’s ground on Thursday from 8 p.m. before wrapping up their schedule against Burkina Faso next week Monday to round up their two-game international friendly.