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Tag: AFCON 2023

  • Super Eagles coach opens up on Iheanacho’s fitness for AFCON 2023

    Super Eagles coach opens up on Iheanacho’s fitness for AFCON 2023

    Super Eagles Coach, Jose Peseiro, says Kelechi Iheanacho is now fully fit to play for the team at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.

    Paseiro said this in an interview with reporters in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, late on Monday.

    “Kelechi will be with us in Cote d’Ivoire. He has finished his treatment at Leicester City,” he said.

    Peseiro was quoted as saying that Iheanacho would now join the rest of the Super Eagles squad for the AFCON after completing his treatment for a muscular injury.

    Iheanacho had been sidelined due to injury and was not part of the team’s week-long training camp in Abu Dhabi.

    The Leicester City striker stayed at his club to recover fully for the AFCON, which kicks off on Saturday in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

    Super Eagles, the three-time champions, are expected to depart for Cote d’Ivoire on Wednesday to participate in the 34th AFCON finals after attending a special dinner to be hosted by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Lagos on Tuesday (today).

    The month-long AFCON tournament begins on Feb. 11 with the Super Eagles expected to kickoff their campaign against Equatorial Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.

    Super Eagles can win another AFCON title, football enthusiasts say

    Meanwhile, some football enthusiasts have expressed optimism over Super Eagles’ ability to win the 2023 AFCON scheduled to hold in Cote d’Ivoire between Jan. 13 and  Feb. 11.

    The enthusiasts, who spoke in Enugu on Tuesday, said that the Eagles would win the trophy if the players and the technical crew play their roles well.

    Coach Christian Oduma, Chairman, Enugu State Grassroots Managers Association, said that he expected the Super Eagles to win the continental trophy.

    Oduma urged the handlers of the team to choose players based on current performance, form and fitness.

    “They have all it takes to win the tournament; all they need is to play as a team.

    ‘”The technical crew also needs to be very tactical, this is not a time to choose players based on names or previous records,” he said

    Also speaking, the Chairman, Rangers Supporters Club, Dr Uchenna Orji, said that Nigerians were expecting an excellent outing from the national team at the tournament.

    “The players we are taking to AFCON cannot afford to get anything less than the trophy.

    “They are professionals playing for clubs abroad and getting results, so, we expect them to play well for Nigeria.

    “They are capable of winning the trophy for Nigeria because they have the capacity and motivation to do so,” he said.

    Orji urged the team to put national pride and interest above all other considerations while representing the country at the tournament.

    An Enugu-based footballer, Chidera Pius, said that the team had been well-motivated and prepared for the competition.

    “So we expect nothing but excellent results, they should not underrate any team. They should play with focus and commitment,” he said.

    The Super Eagles are drawn in Group A alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea.

    Nigeria won the nations cup in 1980, 1994 and 2013.

  • AFCON 2023: Super Eagles depart Abu Dhabi, expected in Lagos today

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles depart Abu Dhabi, expected in Lagos today

    After few days of intense  training in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirate,  (UAE) the Super Eagles of Nigeria departed the Asian country for Lagos.

    The players and their officials will be hosted to a send forth dinner by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday evening.

    The Eagles spent exactly  one week in Abu Dhabi as part of preparations for the forthcoming AFCON tournament billed for the west African country of Cote D’Ivoire.

    Jose Peseiro’s side engaged in two friendlies while in camp, thrashing local club, Al Gharib 12-0 before losing 2-0 to the Syli Stars of Guinea.

    The team will depart Lagos en route Abidjan on Wednesday.

    Super Eagles have been drawn in group A alongside host Cote D’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau.

     

  • AFCON 2023: Guinea beat Nigeria’s Super Eagles 2-0 in Abu Dhabi

    AFCON 2023: Guinea beat Nigeria’s Super Eagles 2-0 in Abu Dhabi

    The Syli Stars of Guinea on Monday defeated the Super Eagles of Nigeria 2-0 in an International friendly game ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

    The match took place  at the Banis Yas Stadium, Abu Dhabi, behind closed doors.

    The Syli Stars took the lead in the 14th minute of the encounter.

    The Super Eagles were awarded a penalty four minutes later when Umar Sadiq was hacked down inside the box but Super Eagles penalty taker, Moses Simon missed the resultant penalty.

    Nigeria went in search of the equaliser with Sadiq directing his header off target three minutes before the half hour mark.

    Samuel Chukwueze missed another chance three minutes before the break.

    Against the run of play, the Syli national utilized a counter-attacking error from the Eagles to double their advantage in the 64th minute.

    The Super Eagles will return to Lagos on Tuesday night where they will be hosted to a sendforth dinner by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    Jose Peseiro’s side will depart for Abidjan on Wednesday and will play their first AFCON match agaonst Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, January 14.

  • BREAKING: Super Eagles thrashed by Guinea

    BREAKING: Super Eagles thrashed by Guinea

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria were beaten by the Guinea national football team at the Bani Yas Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the encounter was a test match for the Super Eagles preparatory to the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    The pre AFCON friendly ended 2:0 in favour of Syli National (National Elephants) with Simon missing a penalty kick.

    Details shortly…

  • AFCON 2023: Super Eagles wallop Al Gharbia FC 12-0

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles wallop Al Gharbia FC 12-0

    The Super Eagles walloped Al Gharbia FC, a local team based in Dubai 12-0 in a training match in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

    Ademola Lookman scored four goals, while Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon grabbed a brace each.

    Also, Sadiq Umar and Ahmed Musa weighed in with a goal each, while there were also two own goals to complete the dozen-goal rout.

    Calvin Bassey as well as substitutes Alex Iwobi and Bright Osayi-Samuel all gave a good account of themselves as an aggressive Super Eagles team laid seize on their opponent’s defence line in a one-sided encounter.

    The team, Al Gharbia, play in the third division and paraded a Nigerian midfielder.

    A post on the team’s official X account noted that it was indeed a comfortable win for the Eagles, adding that coach Jose Peseiro must be pleased his team are firing from all angles.

    It noted, however, that the bigger test for the Eagles will come on Monday when they face another AFCON-bound team Guinea in a final warm-up game before they jet out to Lagos.

    “Osimhen’s overall play showed that he is in fine shape to justify his coronation as the best player in Africa at the AFCON.

    “Fulham defender Bassey was calm and collected in the heart of the back after he started the test match alongside Portugal-based Chidozie Awaziem.

    “Both Iwobi and Osayi Samuel did not start the game, but they impressed when they were introduced to the fray.

    “Late replacement for injured Wilfred Ndidi, Alhassan Yusuf also saw action as he played the last 15 minutes of today’s match, which was played behind closed doors at the Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

    “NPFL lone representative Olorunleke Ojo will later replace Francis Uzoho, who started in goal.

    “Enyimba shot stopper Ojo kept out a penalty to ensure a clean sheet for the team.

    “Coach Jose Peseiro made many changes in the game as he tried to have a closer look at all options available before the team’s opening AFCON game next Sunday against Equatorial Guinea,” it said.

    It added that Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface and South Africa-based goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali did not see action as they were probably rested ahead of the Guinea clash.

    The 34th edition of the AFCON is expected to kick off on Jan. 13 and end on Feb. 11.

  • Super Eagles face tough test ahead of AFCON 2023

    Super Eagles face tough test ahead of AFCON 2023

    The Super Eagles will play a friendly match against Guinea’s Syli Nationale in Abu Dhabi on Monday, according to a statement by Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    The statement, made available to newsmen on Saturday in Abuja, indicated that the friendly match was part of the Super Eagles’ preparation ahead of a feast of Guinean attrition in the group phase at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals in Côte d’Ivoire.

    “Head Coach José Peseiro has the opportunity to put to the crucible different patterns and tactics against quality opposition.

    “The friendly game is coming only seven days before the three-time champions’ opening game against Equatorial Guinea’s Nzalang National inside Abidjan’s Stade Alassane Ouattara,” it said.

    The Super Eagles are in Group A of the four-week, 24-nation finals alongside host nation Cote d’Ivoire and Africa’s other two Guinean nations – Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau.

    The Syli Nationale was one of Africa’s strongest teams in the 1970s and 1980s, winning the silver medals at the 1976 AFCON in Ethiopia.

    They gave the so-called big teams a good run for their money at the Africa Cup and in FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

    The Eagles pipped Syli Nationale 1-0 in a group phase encounter at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.

    Far back in 1981, Syli Nationale held the Eagles to a 1-1 draw in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Conakry, and in Lagos, Nigeria won with a long-range Henry Nwosu strike to the far corner of Abdoulaye Keita’s goal.

    “Monday’s encounter has been scheduled for the Bani Yas Stadium.

    “It is sure to slightly open a window into the mind of Coach Peseiro and how he intends to line up his army when Africa’s flagship football championship begins next weekend,” it added.

    The 2023 AFCON which kicks off on January 13 will end on February 11.

  • AFCON 2023: NFF President reacts as Ndidi withdraws from Super Eagles’ camp

    AFCON 2023: NFF President reacts as Ndidi withdraws from Super Eagles’ camp

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau has allayed fears surrounding Wilfred Ndidi’s departure from the Super Eagles’ camp ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    Ndidi, a key player in Peseiro’s squad was replaced by Royal Antwerp player, Alhassan Yusuf after sustaining an injury ahead of the Super Eagles AFCON 2023 campaign.

    Gusau said in an interview on the NFF’s website on Saturday, that there was no cause for alarm.

    He said that the team had the ability to perform well even without the Leicester City midfielder.

    “I don’t have any tension because I know we played a lot of matches without Ndidi and won a lot of matches without him.

    “We also played a lot of matches with Ndidi and lost unexpectedly, so it’s not about Ndidi, it’s about the national team of Nigeria” he said.

    Ndidi’s replacement, Yusuf, currently making an impact for Antwerp, notably scored a vital goal in their UEFA Champions League match against Portuguese opposition.

    He also provided an assist in his team’s victory against FC Barcelona.

    Gusau expressed confidence in Yusuf’s contributions to the AFCON campaign, citing his impressive performance against FC Barcelona as a positive indicator.

    “The young boy that was brought in now, Yusuf is also doing wonderfully well with his team.

    “When they played against Barcelona, you can see the performance he put on in the win against Barcelona in the Champions League,” the NFF president said.

    Drawing parallels to Sunday Mba’s pivotal performance in AFCON 2013, Gusau hoped that the young Nigerian talent, Yusuf would replicate a similar impact.

    “He’s also a young boy, maybe it’s an opportunity for him to do a miracle.

    “Don’t forget everybody did not have confidence in Mba when we went to the AFCON in 2013 and at the end of the day Mba was part of the players that performed a miracle” he said.

    “Nobody knows what Yusuf is going to be in the team so it’s not about Ndidi, it’s about the Super Eagles.”

    Super Eagles are scheduled to face Guinea in an upcoming preparatory match before heading to Cote d’Ivoire for their AFCON campaign.

    The 2023 AFCON which kicks off on Jan. 13 will end on Feb. 11.

  • AFCON 2023: South African referee, Makalima to become first woman in history to officiate at tournament

    AFCON 2023: South African referee, Makalima to become first woman in history to officiate at tournament

    Akohona Makalima, a South African referee has been shortlisted among the 83 referees listed among referees listed to to officiate at the 2023 AFCON finals.

    She is set to become the first woman in history to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations.

    Makalima is one of the referees shortlisted by the Confederation of Africans (CAF) to officiate at the 2023 AFCON finals.

    The 35-year-old has carved a niche for herself in football officiating.

    She has been on the FIFA list since 2014.

    Makalima was part of FIFA’s officiating pool for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

    The arbiter holds a national diploma in human resource management from King Hintsa FET College.

  • AFCON 2023: Mikel Obi tips Super Eagles to win trophy

    AFCON 2023: Mikel Obi tips Super Eagles to win trophy

    Former Chelsea of England midfielder and Super Eagles captain, John Mikel Obi has predicted that Nigeria will win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, billed to start in  Ivory Coast on January 13th.

    Obi also  tipped Napoli striker Victor Osimhen to finish as the tournament’s best player.

    “Nigeria will win the 2023 AFCON and Victor Osimhen will win player of the tournament,” Mikel told  CNN World Sport.

    “He [Victor Osimhen] is on fire. For me, he looks a little bit like Didier Drogba; he scores goals, he holds up play—a strong, young, and energetic striker.

    “When it comes to the striking department, I think right now we are blessed. We are blessed with a lot of players there. [Taiwo] Awoniyi is doing well for Nottingham Forest and also for the national team. We also have Victor Boniface of Bayer Leverkusen, who is doing really well. So we are quite blessed when it comes to striking force. But we just have to fix some little issues with the defence and goalkeeping. I think if we can be able to do that, we’ve got a very good chance.”

    The Super Eagles camp in Abu Dhabi has increased to 19 with the arrival of Nwabili and Chukwueze.

    The Super Eagles are drawn in Group A alongside the hosts, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea.

    Nigeria will play its first game on the 14th of January against Equatorial Guinea.

     

  • 2023 AFCON: Peseiro may replace Ndidi, Iheanacho with Al Hassan, Moffi

    2023 AFCON: Peseiro may replace Ndidi, Iheanacho with Al Hassan, Moffi

    Insinuations are rife that Super Eagles Head Coach of Nigeria ?? Jose Peseiro could replace injured Leicester city’s duo of Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi with Belgian based Royal Antwerp attacker Alhassan Yusuf and OJ Nice of France forward Terem Moffi  as a possible replacements for players.

    Leicester City announced on Monday via their website that both Ndidi and Ihenacho are injured.

    Terem Moffi was invited by Head Coach Gernot Rohr included Moffi in his 31-man list for friendlies in June. Moffi debuted with the Super Eagles in a 1–0 loss to Cameroon on 4 June 2021.

    This will be the first national duty for Al Hassan Yusuf who has had a very promising season in the colour of Royal Antwerp after joining from Swedish IFK Gothenburg in 2021.

    It was gathered that Jose Peseiro  arrived The United Arab Emirates camp on Tuesday evening with his coaching team.

    Peseiro  is expected to announce replacements for both players any moment from now.