Category: Sports

William Troost-Ekong Insists Super Eagles Can Still Do Well In 2023 AFCON

Super Eagles of Nigeria vice-captain, William Troost-Ekong is adamant that the players possess the proper mindset to do well in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

William Troost-Ekong stated this following the Super Eagles’ abysmal performance in their opening game at the 2023 AFCON which ended in a 1-1 draw against lowly-rated Equatorial Guinea.

During the game, Troost-Ekong and his teammates had to fight from a goal down to grab a 1-1 draw courtesy of a header from the team’s talisman, Victor Osimhen.

This terrible start from the three-time winners of the tournament has raised fear in the minds of football enthusiasts ahead of their second group stage game which is against the hosts, Ivory Coast on Thursday.

Hence, Jose Peseiro’s men are currently under pressure ahead of their clash with the hosts, who already lead Group A with three points after winning their opening game 2-0 against Guinea-Bissau.

After the 1-1 draw on Sunday, the attitude of the players towards winning a fourth AFCON title was questioned, but Troost-Ekong said they were not unaware of the task ahead as he confirmed that the team had a meeting ahead of their next game.

“We’ve spoken about this so much, we have Kenneth (Omeruo) and (Ahmed) Musa who have won the AFCON with us and they told us exactly how that journey was. Some of the guys like myself, who were there in 2019, also explained exactly how it was to get to the semi-final and take the bronze,” William Troost-Ekong said.

“You know in football, it’s not always when you want something that you get it. The other teams too, you have to respect them as well.”

As it stands, the Super Eagles must not be defeated when they face Ivory Coast on Thursday. A draw or a win will keep them comfortably in the competition.

If they beat Ivory Coast, a draw against Guinea-Bissau on Monday will be enough to seal a place in the round of 16. But if they lose to Ivory Coast, they must beat Guinea-Bissau and hope that Ivory Coast beat Equatorial Guinea.

January 16, 2024
AFCON 2024: Equatorial Guinea Coach Insists His Mission Is Not Over After Drawing With Nigeria

The head coach of Equatorial Guinea, Juan Micha, has insisted that his team has an incomplete mission despite doing the unthinkable against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

On Sunday, January 14, the Super Eagles were expected to beat lowly-rated Equatorial Guinea in their opening 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) encounter.

To the dismay of most football enthusiasts, the Super Eagles had to come from a goal down to draw 1-1 in front of over 8,000 spectators at the 60,000-capacity Alassane Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium.

Jesus Owono of Equatorial Guinea made over six fantastic saves to deny Victor Osimhen and the rest clear goalscoring opportunities. Due to his performance in the game, he won the best player of the match award.

Despite the rave their performance has generated, the Equatorial Guinean coach refused to describe the outcome of the match as an accomplishment.

He told reporters after the game that he and his team will continue to strive toward their aims for the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.

He said, “I think this selection that I lead is prepared day by day to compete in this tournament.

“I am lucky to know the details of football, having been a high-level player.”

Coach Micha added: “Our mission is not complete, we still have a lot to do.

“We are in a group stage, this is the first match. We will try to reach the next stage before seeing what happens next.”

January 15, 2024
Super Eagles draw 1-1 to Equatorial Guinea

In a tightly contested opening fixture at the 2023 African Cup of Nations, the Super Eagles of Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in Ivory Coast on Sunday.

Equatorial Guinea seized the initiative in the 37th minute when Iban Salvador skillfully netted a well-placed shot, catching the Super Eagles’ goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, off guard and motionless.

Nigeria responded swiftly, with Victor Osimhen demonstrating his prowess by heading in an equalizing goal just before the halftime whistle. The teams entered the break on level terms, setting the stage for an intense second half.

Despite a flurry of chances, Nigeria was unable to secure the elusive winning goal.

In the 75th minute, Osimhen, who had earlier marked his first appearance in the AFCON with a goal, missed a significant opportunity to put Nigeria in the lead.

The Super Eagles, placed in Group A, now turn their attention to upcoming challenges against Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau later in the tournament.

As the group stage unfolds, fans eagerly anticipate the team’s performance and potential advancement in the prestigious African football competition.

January 14, 2024
BREAKING: Tinubu clears N12bn outstanding payment owed Super Eagles, others

President Bola Tinubu has cleared the outstanding payment that the Federal Government is owing the Super Eagles and other sporting teams of the country.

According to a statement on the X handle of Tinubu’s Media Centre, on Sunday, the payment entails the clearing of the senior national team coach salaries running up to 15 months, payments of allowances and promises due to the senior national teams, females, and Under-20 national team.

The statement reads, “President @officialABAT has approved the payment of N12 billion outstanding backlog for Nigeria’s National teams of various sports, which includes Super Eagles and others.

“The payment entails the clearing of the senior national team coach salaries running up to 15 months, payments of allowances and promises due to the senior national teams, females, and Under-20 national team.

“This is coming at a time when the Super Eagles of Nigeria are preparing to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations, which is billed to start later this month.”

Details later…

January 7, 2024
Morocco 2024: Madugu Upbeat Falcons Will Soar As Cape Verde Storm Abuja

Coach Justin Madugu has expressed deep faith in his Super Falcons’ squad to excel when they clash with their Cape Verdean counterparts in a 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations final round, first leg qualifier at the MKO Abiola National Stadium on Thursday evening.

“We are without a few regular players for various reasons but we are not here to dwell on that. The Super Falcons’ team remains the Super Falcons anytime, anyday and anywhere. We have players in camp who will do justice to the badge and get us the qualification ticket to the AFCON.

“Surely, we would have wanted a couple more days for the team to train together, but the fixture is the fixture and the window is the window, and we just have to make do with what we have and get the best out of the arrangement. Everyone in camp will play their part for the Super Falcons to qualify for Morocco 2024.”

A total of 20 of the 21 invited players were at the team’s camp on Tuesday morning, with only University of Pittsburgh of America’s Deborah Abiodun still expected.

Nine-time champions Nigeria reached this final stage of the qualification series following the withdrawal of Sao Tome’s senior girls from a second-round fixture in September.

The delegation of Cape Verde’s senior girls flew into Nigeria’s capital, Abuja on Monday morning, and the visiting team will have its official training at the mainbowl of the MKO Abiola National Stadium on Wednesday evening from 4pm.

Thursday’s encounter will begin at 4pm, with Madugu most likely to hand leadership of the rearguard to Mexico-based veteran Osinachi Ohale, who was among the first players in camp, and with Captain Rasheedat Ajibade to lead a midfield and attack that could include Peace Efih, Toni Payne, Esther Onyenezide, Omorinsola Babajide, Esther Okoronkwo, Uchenna Kanu and Gift Monday. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, in the shortlist for the CAF African Player of the Year awards holding in Morocco this weekend, will be in goal.

The 13^th edition of Africa’s flagship women football championship will be staged in Morocco in July next year.

For the encounter in Abuja on Thursday, the Confederation of African Football has picked Ghanaian official Ama Boateng-Nkansah as referee, with her compatriots Doris Darko, Alice Chakule and Barikisu Salifu as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively. Oumou Sy from Guinea will be commissioner while Madeleine Somda from Burkina Faso will be the referee assessor.

For the return leg in Praia on Tuesday, 5^th December, Liberian Sylvina Welma Garnett will be the referee with her compatriot Hannah Moses as assistant referee 1. Sierra Leoneans Precious Amara and Humu Marah will be assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively, while Oumou Souleymane Kane from Mauritania will serve as commissioner and Fadouma Dia from Senegal will be in the role of referee assessor.

November 28, 2023
Uba Sani Unity Cup: Nigeria U-15 Coach, Bassey Talents’ Quality High

Coach Bassey Patrick of the national U-15 team has expressed delight with the quality of talents that have so far been discovered at the ongoing Governor Uba Sani football tournament in Kaduna state.

Speaking with our correspondent in one of the match venues on Sunday, coach Bassey who is one of the technical committee member, put together by Tijani Babangida to select talent form the football tournament maintained that this is the best way to go in discovering talents for Nigeria football development.

“I am very very satisfied because I think that is the only way to go for the improvement of football in this country. Go to the grassroots, go to the local government you will see raw talents that need to be harnessed by coaches for greater height, and we have seen talents in all the matches that have been played in this zone

“I mean we have seen talents here and with proper coaching and coordination they would do better and they will represent the state well.

“And we believe other members of the technical crew have seen talents in their various zones, and all I can say is that it is really great for the people of Kaduna state.

While hinting on the quality they are looking for in the process of selecting the players, Coach Bassey said.

“Age is part of it because you cannot go and pick players that have only few years to offer no matter how good he is. We are looking at players that would be relevant for the state and for the Nation in the next ten to fifteen years.

Meanwhile, results from some of the matches played on Sunday saw Chikum local government defeating Birni Gwari by two unreplied goals, while Kaduna South and Giwa local government played out a goaless draw.

Lere defeated Sabon Gari by two unreplied goals, Kachia and Jaba played out a goaless draw.

In the other results, Zaria lost zero one to Kudan, Ikara also lost by the same goal margin to Soba local government, while Kubau was thrashed three by goals to one by Makarfi.

Hostilities continue today in all the center in the last day of the group matches as the teams seek qualifications to the next round.

November 28, 2023
National Grammar School, Enugu, Others To Get 800 CAF Balls

There has been clarification from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) that the 800 match balls to be sent to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in the framework of the CAF African Schools Football Championship project, will be for all the schools that took part in the male and female National Finals held in the Federal Capital, Abuja within the period 2^nd – 9^th November 2023.

National Grammar School, Nike, Enugu won the male tournament that had in attendance 11 schools from Yobe, Enugu, Plateau, Borno, Oyo, Ogun, Taraba and Kwara States as well as the FCT.

In the female category, FOSLA Academy emerged champions of a three-team competition.

Representatives from Nigeria, Benin Republic, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and host Togo have converged in Lome since Thursday for the four-day WAFU B zonal finals that will end on Sunday, with matches at the Stade Municipal de Kegue.

The winner in Lome will fly WAFU B’s flag at the continental finals slated for April 2024.

Nigeria/s flagbearers won two matches, drew one and lost two, and will contest for the third place on (today) Sunday against the representative team of Ghana.

November 26, 2023
AFCON 2024 Qualifier: Madugu Replaces Oshoala, Echegini

Coach Justin Madugu has been compelled to pick replacements for forward Asisat Oshoala and midfielder Jennifer Echegini after the duo voluntarily opted out of the Super Falcons’ squad that is due to contest a 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying fixture against Cape Verde, with the first leg in Abuja in four days.

NFF’s Assistant Director (Technical), Abdulrafiu Yusuf, said the two players had been sent their flight tickets to travel to Nigeria a whole week before they announced on Saturday that they would be unable to join the squad.

“We were surprised that they had the flight tickets for so long and did not say anything, only for them to send different messages on Saturday that they would be unable to make the trip. However, Coach Madugu has moved swiftly to call up replacements for them,” disclosed Yusuf.

Midfield lynchpin Halimatu Ayinde, who missed the 2024 Olympics qualifying fixture against Ethiopia last month, is still out injured, and forward Ifeoma Onumonu also requested to be left out, saying she is nursing an injury. Defender Michelle Alozie told the team administrator that she will be undergoing a surgery.

Madugu has called up Portugal-based Peace Efih to once again fill the space vacated by Ayinde, while Rivers Angels’ midfielder Motunrayo Ezekiel will take the place of Christy Ucheibe, who is unable to travel to Nigeria from her base in Portugal.

Nigeria U20 Girls’ ace forward Chioma Olise will take the place of US-based Echegini while Chiamaka Chukwu of Rivers Angels has been called up to take Oshoala’s place.

The Super Falcons will host the first leg of the fixture against their counterparts from Cape Verde at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Thursday, 30^th November, with the second leg scheduled for the Santiago-Estadio Nacional Blue Shark in Praia on Tuesday, 5^th December.

NEW LIST OF INVITED PLAYERS:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Christiana Obia (Edo Queens)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca FC, Mexico); Glory Edet (FCF TP Mazembe, DR Congo); Rihanat Kasali (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Akudo Ogbonna (Remo Stars Ladies); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France)

Midfielders: Motunrayo Ezekiel (Rivers Angels); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Chioma Olise (Edo Queens)

Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Chiamaka Chukwu (Rivers Angels); Esther Okoronkwo (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain).

November 26, 2023
Morocco 2024: Madugu Invites Ajibade, Oshoala, 19 Other Falcons For Cape Verde

Coach Justin Madugu has called 21 players to the Super Falcons’ camp ahead of next week’s 13^th Women Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying round, first leg clash with the Senior Women National Team of Cape Verde.

The nine-time African champions will host the Cape Verdians at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Thursday, 30^th November, before both teams trade tackles in a return leg in Praia on Tuesday, 5^th December.

To be eligible for this final round, the Super Falcons accomplished a commanding 5-1 aggregate win over their counterparts from Ethiopia, with the first leg in Addis Ababa ending 1-1 before a 4-0 lashing of the ‘Lucy’ in Abuja.

All invited players have been advised to report to the team’s camp in Abuja between 25^th and 27^th November.

The Falcons have never failed to reach the Women Africa Cup of Nations since the competition was launched as the African Women Championship in Nigeria in 1998, and have swept nine out of 12 titles that have been contested so far.

ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Christiana Obia (Edo Queens)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca FC, Mexico); Glory Edet (FCF TP Mazembe, DR Congo); Rihanat Kasali (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France); Akudo Ogbonna (Remo Stars Ladies); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France)

Midfielders: Christy Ucheibe (SC Benfica, Portugal); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Peace Efih (Sporting Club de Braga, Portugal); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University, USA)

Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Asisat Oshoala (FC Barcelona Feminine, Spain); Esther Okoronkwo (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain).

November 20, 2023
Colombia 2024: Falconets Brush Aside Tanzania, Reach Final Round

Goals by Janet Akekoromowei and Comfort Folorunsho against Tanzania at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Sunday gave Nigeria a 2-1 win and progress to the final round of qualifiers for the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals.

After a gloomy afternoon for Nigerian ball fans following the Super Eagles’ disappointing 1-1 draw with the Warriors of Zimbabwe in neutral Rwanda in the race to 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, the Falconets gave the fans something to smile about as they edged their Tanzanian counterparts 3-2 on aggregate to reach the final round, where they will take on Burundi’s U20 girls.

The 2022 World Cup quarter-finalists, who have never been absent from the global finals, swarmed on the visitors from the first blast of the whistle, but poor marksmanship on the part of former U17 team striker Opeyemi Ajakaye robbed them of an early goal.

Akekoromowei eventually put Nigeria in front after 16 minutes, when she rifled home from the edge of the box after an intelligent pass from Taiwo Afolabi.

Five minutes later, the East Africans were at parity, when goalkeeper Shukura Bakare dropped the ball from an innocuous-looking free-kick 35 yards out and Jamila Mnunduka bundled the ball over the line.

Nigeria would have been ahead in the 25^th minute, but defender Shukurat Oladipo’s well-struck free-kick from 40 yards was parried away by goalkeeper Zulfa Ally Makau. Ajakaye failed to make hay with another opportunity in the 33^rd minute.

On the hour mark, defender Comfort Folorunsho broke the spell of 1-1draws for Nigeria’s national teams in recent weeks, when she leapt highest to head home from Afolabi’s cross after a couple of touches from a corner kick.

The Falconets will now take on Burundi in the final round of qualifiers, to determine one of Africa’s flagbearers at next year’s global championship to be hosted by Colombia.

November 19, 2023