TheNewsGuru

Tag: AFCON 2023

  • AFCON 2023: Osimhen, Yusuf benched as Super Eagles return to training

    AFCON 2023: Osimhen, Yusuf benched as Super Eagles return to training

    The duo of Victor Osimhen and Alhassan Yusuf were not part of training on Monday as the Super Eagles returned to training after their 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea on Sunday in Abidjan.

    Although the duo turned up for the training, they were barred from participating in the exercise.

    A correspondent covering the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire reports that Osimhen complained to the coaching crew immediately after the team’s bus arrived.

    No one seems to know the nature or extent of the injury that got him off the training.

    But OC Nice of France striker, Terem Moffi, was sighted in a tedious training while Leicester City of England striker, Kelechi Iheanacho also took part to give Jose Peseiro options in the attack.

    The Eagles will take on the host, Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara Stadium.

    The Media Officer of the team, Babafemi Raji, however, confirmed that their withdrawal from training on Monday was only a precautionary measure.

    Raji made the disclosure while speaking with newsmen on the sideline of the training.

  • AFCON 2023: Terem Moffi arrive Super Eagles camp

    AFCON 2023: Terem Moffi arrive Super Eagles camp

    The arrival of Nice based Terem Moffi has swelled the number of players in the Super Eagles camp to 25, TheNewsGuru can authoritatively reports.

    Moffi, who replaced injured Victor Boniface joined the rest of his teammate on Sunday night in Abidjan.

    Boniface copped a groin injury in training and had surgery in Berlin last week.

    Moffi is expected to train with the rest of the squad at the Ecole Nationale de la Police on Monday afternoon (today).

    The session which will start at 4:00 pm local time is open to the media.

    The Super Eagles started their campaign at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-1 draw against the Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.

    Jose Peseiro’s side will be up against hosts Cote d’Ivoire in their next game on Thursday.

  • AFCON 2023: What made the difference for us against Super Eagles – Equatorial Guinea goalie

    AFCON 2023: What made the difference for us against Super Eagles – Equatorial Guinea goalie

    The Nzalang Nacional captain, Jesus Owono has revealed why his side drew 1-1 with the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    According to him, his side’s employed teamwork while laying against the Super Eagles knowing full well the indivual brilliance of many Nigerian players.

    Creative Midfielder, Ivan Salvador gave Equatorial Guinea the lead in the 36th minute after receiving a through pass in Nigeria’s 12 yard box before slotting the ball past goalie, Stanley Nwabili.

    However, there was immediate response from the Super Eagles of Nigeria, when Osimhen rose so high to head home a cross from Ademola Lookman.

    Owono, who was named Man of the Match after the game, was full of praise for his teammates.

     

    “The unity in our team made the difference for us against Nigeria,” he told a press conference after the game.

    “Our strength was the teamwork we showed on the pitch. We were not scared and took the game to them.”

    Juan Micha’s side will now face Guinea-Bissau in their next game on Thursday.

  • AFCON 2023: Super Eagles deserve to win – Peseiro

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles deserve to win – Peseiro

    Jose Peseiro the coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria has said that his side deserved a win in the game against Equatorial Guinea.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by the Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea in their opening fixture at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday afternoon.

    The West Africans were dominant in the game but were wasteful in front of goal.

    Napoli hitman Victor Osimhen and Zaidu Sanusi missed good chances in the game to put the Eagles ahead and secure maximum points for the team.

    “I’m not happy with the draw. I’m sad, and my players are sad. We are all sad because we deserved to beat our opponent,” the Portuguese told a press conference.

    “It’s normal to miss chances in football. I hope next time we’ll create chances and score more goals. We played well and pushed our opponent back. I just hope we can maintain this same attitude in our subsequent games.”

    Nigeria’s next game at the AFCON 2023 finals is against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday.

  • AFCON 2023: We’re not surprised at Eagles 1-1 draw – Ex-internationals

    AFCON 2023: We’re not surprised at Eagles 1-1 draw – Ex-internationals

    Ex-international Edema Fuludu, has described the Super Eagles  1-1 draw with  Equatorial Guinea was not unexpected.

    Fuludu, a member of the 1994 AFCON winning squad said this in an interview on Sunday in Lagos.

    He,  however urged the players to continue to keep playing  together as a team.

    ” The surprise would have been if we had a very coordinated midfield. I’m not surprised.

    “I’ve always been vocal about the coach José Peseiro. From the selection of players to the selected friendly matches. We can do better  than this

    “There’s need for more cohesion and control of the midfield so that the passes can flow. The boys need to put this behind them and focus on the next match.

    ” Hopefully before the next match we would have gotten ourselves together before the Guinea-Bissau match then Côte d’ Ivorie. I’m not surprised and these boys are not magician,” he said

    NAN reports that Ivan Salvador opened sxoring when he pulled a fast one on Super Eagles goalkeeper,  Stanley Nwabali in the 37th minute.

    Victor Osimhen equalised for the Eagles  in 38th minute to give hope to the Nigerians.

    On his part, Wasiu Ipaye described the  draw as a narrow escape. He urged the players to try and  utilise every opportunity created.

    “I have never hidden my displeasure at the shoddy selection and preparation ahead of this tournament so I’m not surprised. We can do better we have all the resources and players.

    “The players need to be calm and convert all the opportunities created. I wish them the best in their next match,” he said.

    In spite of  the many chances the Eagles had, they  failed to get the winning goal.

    The Eagles will take on Guinea-Bissau in their second Group A  match while hosts Cote d’ Ivoire will  play Eqiatorial Guinea.

     

  • BREAKING: Super Eagles draw first match of AFCON 2023

    BREAKING: Super Eagles draw first match of AFCON 2023

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria played a disappointing draw against the National Thunder of Equatorial Guinea on Sunday in the ongoing 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the encounter, which ended 1:1, saw star striker Victor Osimhen missing clear chances he should bury.

    The Super Eagles had so many chances in the second half, but they were not lethal enough to find a second goal.

    Osimhen scored in the 38th minute to cancel out an Ivan Salvador goal two minutes earlier.

    The result placed the Super Eagles in Group A’s third position after one round of matches by all four teams.

    The Super Eagles will play the host country, Ivory Coast on Thursday.

  • AFCON 2023: Edu, Osimhen score as Super Eagles share spoils with Equatorial Guinea

    AFCON 2023: Edu, Osimhen score as Super Eagles share spoils with Equatorial Guinea

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles could only manage a draw in their opening group A encounter with the Nzalang National of Equatorial Guinea.

    In the 38th minute, Equatorial Guinea Midfieder, Ivan Edu Salvador latched on to a through pass right inside the Super Eagles box and wasted no time before sending a low drive shot towards Super Eagles goalie, Stanley Nwabili who stood still and watched the ball land into the net.

    However, just a minute after, Ademola Lookman made a dazzling move on the left side and sent a cross that beat Equatorial Guinea goalie, Jesus Lazarus  and into the waiting head of African footballer of the year, Victor Osimhen for the Super Eagles Equalizer.

    The first half ended 1-1 with both team scoring each other few minutes apart.

    Upon resumption of second half, both teams tried to pressure each other on the counter  but  all efforts from both sides  couldn’t produce a goal.

    Although, the clearest opportunity fell to Osimhen in the 72nd minute when Alex Iwobi sent a through pass across to him,  but the Napoli number 9 fluffed the opportunity to put Nigeria in the lead and secure all three points for the West Africans.

    The result meant Super Eagles are joint second on the log with Equatorial Guinea and will play the Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire on the 18th of January at the Alasanne Quatarra Stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan.

  • Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea: Peseiro releases Super Eagles starting XI

    Nigeria vs Equatorial Guinea: Peseiro releases Super Eagles starting XI

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro has released his starting lineup for the clash with Equatorial Guinea in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Nigeria face the Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea in the first match of the Super Eagles in the ongoing AFCON 2023.

    Star Striker Victor Osimhen will lead the attack for the Super Eagles to be flanked by Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon in a three-man attack.

    Francis Uzoho was dropped in the goalkeeping department with Stanley Nwabali starting between the sticks.

    Central defender Troost Ekong will captain the team with Semi Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi and Ola Aina joining him in defence.

    Alhassan Yusuf starts in midfield along with Frank Onyeka and Alex Iwobi.

    Super Eagles squad against Equatorial Guinea

    • STANLEY NWABALI
    • OLA AINA
    • TROOST EKONG (C)
    • SEMI AJAYI
    • ZAIDU SANUSI
    • FRANK ONYEKA
    • ALHASSAN YUSUF
    • ALEX IWOBI
    • ADEMOLA LOOKMAN
    • MOSES SIMON
    • VICTOR OSIMHEN

    TNG reports the encounter starts at 3 pm Nigerian time at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe, Abidjan.

  • AFCON 2023: I’m not under pressure despite our injuries – Super Eagles coach, Peseiro

    AFCON 2023: I’m not under pressure despite our injuries – Super Eagles coach, Peseiro

    Ahead of group A opener between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Nzalang of Equatorial Guinea, head coach, Jose Peseiro has insisted that he is not under pressure despite  injuries that has rocked his team and criticism trailing his side’s latest poor showings.

    Peseiro made this known while addressing pressmen at the press conference on Saturday ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON match with Equatorial Guinea.

    Asked about the injuries rocking the team,  Peseiro said  that he will make use of the players fully fit at his disposal, guaranteeing that they will give their best on the pitch.

    Peseiro’s side head to the game after losing their last 2-0 to Guinea in their last friendly match.

    “To play for Nigeria is not easy, 200 million football fans want to win and we need to answer with good results on the pitch,” Peseiro said.

    “I don’t speak about our last results, I speak about how we can improve our results.

    “We will give our best in tomorrow’s game (today). I’m not under pressure and we will do the best on the pitch ”

    The match between the Super Eagles and the Nzalang of Equatorial Guinea will take place at  Alassane Quattara Stadium in Ebimpe, Abidjan, by 3pm Nigerian time.

     

  • Côte d’Ivoire sets up ‘AFCON Village’ in Abuja

    Côte d’Ivoire sets up ‘AFCON Village’ in Abuja

    Amb. Kalilou Traore, the Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to Nigeria, on Saturday unveiled the ‘AFCON Village’ in Abuja, set up to enable football enthusiasts to watch live matches of the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) competition.

    The tournament kicked off in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday with 24 countries seeking for the continent’s most coveted football trophy.

    Traore said the AFCON village, set up in partnership with Continental Hotels, will transmit live matches till the end of the tournament on February 11.

    According to the envoy, the event attended by members of the diplomatic corps, is a testament of the remarkable example of African solidarity and unity.

    “I would like to salute the presence of the diplomatic corps and all our guests and the diaspora for your presence alongside us.

    “I wish all participating teams good luck in the competition; may this African Cup of Nations be a moment of celebration, fair play and fraternity between African nations.

    “I invite you to take full advantage of this evening and immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of AFCON 2023, the opening ceremony and the first match between Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau.

    “May this event strengthen the ties between our countries and leave a positive legacy for African football,” the envoy said.

    Traore assured that the tournament would live up to its billing as the host government and the people of Cote d’Ivoire had fully mobilised to showcase “the most beautiful AFCON ever organised”.

    “Massive investments have been made and attendance are already breaking all records. The Cote d’Ivoire Embassy in Nigeria could not remain on the side line of this great mass.

    “Thus, all matches of the competition will be broadcast throughout this month in the AFCON village in Abuja in collaboration with our partner Abuja Continental Hotel”.

    He appreciated the hotel management and Nigerian authorities for their support towards the setting up of the AFCON village.

    In his speech, Mr Javier Sanchez, General Manager, Abuja Continental hotel, said the partnership with the embassy was to contribute to the success of the tournament.

    “Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire as the hosting country of this event really ppushed s to go ahead with this, we were planning to do it, but they gave us the push to put all these up,” he said.

    The event attracted officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, members of the diplomatic community, and private organisations.