The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Super Eagles

  • Victor Moses is sensational – Phil Neville

    Victor Moses is sensational – Phil Neville

    Manchester United legend Phil Neville has described Super Eagles winger Victor Moses as a sensational player following his recent form for Chelsea in the premier league.

    The 25-year-old has been a super regular for the London outfit as new Blues manager Antonio Conte has converted him to a wing-back this season.

    With the Nigerian playing a key role Chelsea went through the month of October winning all their premier league fixtures without conceding a goal and that resulted in the Italian being nominated for his first manager of the month award in England.

    “Since Conte switched to the 3-4-3 formation, Victor Moses has been sensational for Chelsea and has helped freed up the likes of Eden Hazard, William, and Diego Costa,” Neville said.

    The form of Moses will gladden the heart of Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr who will hope he replicates it for the national team when they square up against Algeria on November 12 in the 2018 World Cup qualifier.

  • Eagles vs Desert Warriors: Boudebouz fires warning shot

    Eagles vs Desert Warriors: Boudebouz fires warning shot

    Super Eagles of Nigeria may not have a tea party when they face Desert Warriors of Algeria in the World Cup qualifying clash billed for November 12 in Uyo. Indications to this effect emerged on Friday when Algerian international and Warriors midfielder Ryad Boudebouz scored twice as Montpellier beat Marseille 3-1 in the French league.

    Business minded Boudebouz netted both of his goals in the first half with teammate Steve Mounie increasing the tally at the stade de la Mosson before visiting Marseille managed to pull one back through Florian Thauvin.

    Although Boudebouz is not strictly a striker, his ability to overlap from the middle to do damage when opportunity comes calling, could put a pinch of sand in Eagles salt if not checked from the first blast of the whistle. Boudebouz who joined John Utaka’s former club Montpellier last year from Bastia, has so far made 49 appearances for the side scoring eight goals in the bargain. He played for France U-17 and 19 before making his debut for Algeria in a friendly against Republic of Ireland.

    He has since then made 24 national appearances for the Warriors with two goals in the kitty. Known for his pace, Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr and his boys may need to put an eye on him especially with his recorded blend with the four invited strikers Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City, England), Islam Slimani (Leicester City, England) and Hilal Soudani El Arabi (Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia).

    Eagles defeated Chipolopolo 2-1 in Ndola to pocket three points with most analyst submitting that they have an edge going into November 12 encounter, but were quick to warn that the John Obi Mikel captained side must resist the temptation to underrate their opponents who may come out smoking especially after failing to defeat Cameroon at home.

  • Manchester City 1-1 Middleborough: Iheanacho in late cameo

    Manchester City 1-1 Middleborough: Iheanacho in late cameo

    Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho was a late substitute as Manchester City drew 1-1 against Middleborough at the Etihad this evening.

    The Nigerian was named among the substitutes by manager Pep Guardiola for the third consecutive match in all competitions – he was benched in the premier league games against West Bromwich Albion, Middleborough and the UEFA Champions League tie against Barcelona.

    Fortunately for the Citizens they’ve not lost any of those games in the absence of the Nigerian who last started a game in the 1-1 home draw against Everton on October 15.

    Manchester City found life very difficult against Aitor Karanka’s men as they mustered the home side’s pressure and goalkeeper Victor Valdez who coincidentally was Pep Guardiola’s first choice during their time together at Barcelona pulled out some decent stops to prevent City from running riots.

    Eventually, they had a breakthrough just before half-time as Belgian Kevin de Bruyne produced an exquisite cross from the right to find teammate Sergio Aguero and the Argentine made no mistake from six yards out.

    However, Manchester City were denied a win as De Roon headed in a perfect cross from left-back George Friend. Iheanacho was introduced as a late substitute but it was a little too late as the game finished 1-1 to the delight of the away fans.

  • Akpeyi replaces Ikeme in Eagles squad

    Akpeyi replaces Ikeme in Eagles squad

    Chippa United goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi has been invited as replacement for injured Wolves star Carl Ikeme by Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr ahead of next week’s 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Algeria in Uyo.

    The 30-year-old was in the Nigeria U20 squad that finished as runners –up at the 2005 FIFA U20 World Cup in the Netherlands, and was also in the bronze –winning U23 team at the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament in Brazil in August this year.

    The former junior international is a direct replacement for Super Eagles number one, Carl Ikeme, whose English club Wolverhampton Wanderers wrote to the Nigeria Football Federation that he would be unavailable as a result of injury.

    The Super Eagles take on the Fennecs of Algeria in Uyo on Saturday, 12th November, in a Match day 2 clash of the African race for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

  • It’ll be tough to beat Nigeria – Algeria coach

    It’ll be tough to beat Nigeria – Algeria coach

    After naming his 18-man team for the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers against Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Algeria’s coach, Georges Leekens has admitted in his maiden press briefing that the Eagles would a tough nut to crack.

    Despite acknowledging the quality of his team, Leekens confessed, “Being good will not be enough there, we have to be 200% and most effective. Nigeria will be a very difficult match, I supervised and I analysed their game, we still have a lot of work because our opponents have grown enormously. I can tell you that we shall be 200% for the fight; it must be really tough out there, because being good is not enough, believe me. We must be efficient, if we want to achieve a result. “

      “I discussed with my staff about the trust that must exist between us, we will work in full cooperation, I know time is short to prepare for a match like this, but I have been here since Wednesday and I am ready for my responsibilities in Nigeria,” he added.

      The former Tunisia coach further said: “The technique is not enough, only a good state of mind makes you win a match. The coach of Nigeria has a list of 23 professional players who play abroad, you can check the list. At the highest level, sometimes football is played on the mental level. It is not only the technique and individual class but the most important is the spirit. “

      He, however, urged his team, “Do not be afraid of this team, it is for us to raise doubts. I know we still have work hard to do it, but we should have complex against the big nations. I want us to erase the doubt about our opponents and not to give them too much respect in the way in which we play and our temperament.

      “This is how Nigeria will attack against us. Nigeria will play in the back of our defense, we know how they attack. They also seek to play between the lines, so we must be sturdy. We have already started to dissect their game. I’m finding out about this team because it is my duty,” the coach said.

      He refused to reveal his game plans for the encounter. “I will not reveal my plans, otherwise Nigerians will know everything about us and we will not reveal all, if not in two minutes, the Nigerian coach will know all about our plans. As a team, we must be smart and cleverer. Although, sometimes it is not always the smartest that win and that’s what I want to introduce into the spirit of this team.”

  • World Cup qualifier: Pinnick assures Nigerians of victory over Algeria

    World Cup qualifier: Pinnick assures Nigerians of victory over Algeria

    President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick,  has assured Nigerians that Super Eagles would defeat their Algerian opponents in the November 12 World Cup qualifying match in Uyo.

    Pinnick told newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja that the federation was satisfied with the team’s preparation for the encounter.

    “We are very happy with the preparations; the coach, Gernot Rohr, is on top of his game.

    “He speaks to the players all the time. We believe very firmly that we are going to beat Algeria; we are bent on beating them and winning that game.

    “Nigeria cannot afford not to see us at the World Cup because we know the ancillary benefits of going to the World Cup and not just the main benefits,” he said.

    Amaju also assured Super Falcons that the NFF would pay their bonuses soon.

    “Their bonuses will be paid to them; we are working round the clock and we assure you that all will be well.

    “The truth is if we do not have, we cannot give; we only crave and pray to have, based on things that are realistic.

    “We are really appealing to them, and are urging them to be charged up and represent this country.

    “What female football has done in this country, no other facet of sport has given that prominence in Nigeria,” he said.

    NAN reports that the senior national female team is owed some match bonuses and allowances by the NFF.

  • Super Eagles wary of Algeria’s new coach

    Super Eagles wary of Algeria’s new coach

    SUPER Eagles goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa has said Algeria’s choice of former manager, Georges Leekens will count for nothing in the World Cup qualifying clash.

    Eagles will host the Algerian opposite, Desert Foxes in the group’s 2018 FIFA World Cup match day 2 clash on November 12 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

    The Belgian was handed a second spell at the North African side on Thursday to replace the ousted Serbia’s Milovan Rajevan.

    Ezenwa said the present crop of Eagles want to pick the World Cup ticket with a game to spare in the qualifying campaign.

    “Georges Leekens’ appointment as Algerian coach does not scare us and will count for nothing when both sides square up for the match day 2 clash in Uyo on November 12.

    He said: “The body language and spirit among the players speak volume of side who want to pick the world Cup ticket before the last match.

    “The mind-set of the players is to head off to the 2018 F World Cup in Russia so nobody will be considered too tough an obstacle to scuttle the lofty dream.

    “Majority of the present Eagles has not been to the mainstream World Cup and they want to be there to have a true feel of what it looks like.

    “I may have participated in the FIFA U20 World Cup for me and others that’s a youth championship we want to experience the real World Cup.”

  • Feghouli fears defeat against Super Eagles

    Feghouli fears defeat against Super Eagles

    SOFIANE Feghouli has admitted it will be even more difficult for Algeria in the World Cup qualifiers if they fail in Nigeria next month, while also being openly critical of ex-coach Milovan Rajevac.

    Group leaders Nigeria welcome Algeria on November 12 in Uyo after the North Africans were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Cameroon and have parted ways to Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac.

    “It will be a difficult trip to Nigeria in November,” conceded West Ham United star Feghouli in an interview. We will have to bounce back immediately because if we lose, it will become very complicated to qualify (for the World Cup). We know that.

    “Unfortunately, it started badly with the home draw with Cameroon. In the group stage, the first match is always very important. But we still a chance as there are still five matches to go.”

    Feghouli has been fingered out as leading a player rebellion against coach Rajevac, but while being critical on the choice of the Serb, the forward insisted he has never been selfish while playing for Algeria.

    “FAF were wrong in the choice of Rajevac,” he opened up.

    “He did not know the names of the players or their positions. There was very little information on Cameroon. We did not prepare as we should. But I was not annoyed that I did not start against Cameroon because I do not have any ego problems when I play for the national team. I play for the flag.”

  • Buhari hails Super Eagles over victory against Zambia

    Buhari hails Super Eagles over victory against Zambia

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Super Eagles for the away victory over Zambia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier match at the weekend.

    The Nigerian National Team had defeated Zambia by 2-1 in Ndola.

    In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said the victory is not only tonic for Nigeria, but also a confidence booster that the indomitable Nigerian spirit is well and alive.

    The President described the victory as “cheery and soul-lifting.”

    He said it was a sign of good things to come, urging the team not to rest on its oars till it eventually qualified for the global soccer fiesta.

    He said: “This is but the first step in a long journey. However, that step has been well taken. An away victory at this level, in which the stakes are quite high, is remarkable.

    “The ultimate is to qualify for Russia 2018, and fly Nigeria’s flag alongside those of other giant soccer playing nations. I look forward to that, and I urge the team and their handlers to always keep their eyes on the ball,” Buhari said.

  • Super Eagles beat Zambia’s Chipolopolo

    With first half goals by Alex Iwobi and Kelechi Iheanachor on Sunday, Super Eagles recorded a 2-1 win over hosts Zambia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.