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Tag: Argentina 2023

  • Argentina 2023: Beat Brazil to sustain winning mentality – Gusau

    Argentina 2023: Beat Brazil to sustain winning mentality – Gusau

    A thrilled President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Wednesday night told Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles to go for all three points against Brazil in their final group game at the FIFA U20 World Cup to sustain their winning mentality.

    The NFF supremo spoke minutes after the two-time World Cup silver medallists stunned Italy 2-0 in Mendoza to soar to the top of Group D at the ongoing global fiesta in Argentina, with a commanding performance that left the Italians and their thousands of supporters flustered and crest-fallen at the Estadio Malvinas Argentina.

    Pre-game, the bookmakers had the encounter all in favour of the Italians, who overran Brazil with three goals in a rapturous first 45 minutes on Sunday, before the South Americans reduced the tally by two in the second period.

    Against the Flying Eagles, the pacy Italians could not find their rhythm and simply watched the Nigerians dominate several sectors of the pitch, with two well-taken second half goals by Salim Fago Lawal and Jude Sunday no more than the African flagbearers deserved on the night.

    “I want you to celebrate but to quickly put this behind you and focus on the game against Brazil. Nigerians are proud of what you have achieved in qualifying for the knockout stages after only two matches. But we must sustain the winning mentality, so we have to go for victory against the Brazilians on Saturday.

    “Once the winning mentality is sustained, we can go all the way.”

    From the very first minute, the Flying Eagles left no one in doubt that they were on the pitch for business, with Salim Fago Lawal turning and shooting inside the box, but the goalkeeper had it covered.

    Italy’s Tommaso Baldanzi, who dazzled against Brazil, saw his shot fly over goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso’s sticks in the 4th minute, and another one went far away six minutes later. Daniel Daga tried his luck at the other end, but the Italians rocked the Nigeria crossbar in the 20th minute after a flowing move orchestrated by Baldanzi.

    Daniel Bameyi and Fago Lawal got behind the Italian defence but the first half ended scoreless.

    On resumption, Italy broke forward but Abel Ogwuche, excellent at the heart of defence, botched their efforts, and Bameyi would again rattle goalkeeper Sebastiano Desplanches in the 48th minute. In the 62nd minute, a resilient Tochukwu Nnadi fought his way through the opposition defence and a fall to spin a good cross that Fago Lawal headed beautifully into the net for Nigeria’s first goal.

    Italy came close in the 84th minute with a flowing team move, but substitute Daniele Montevago could not make it count. At the other end, Jude Sunday latched onto a long thrust that bounced beautifully for him and scored Nigeria’s second with a well-taken shot, well into added time.

    Victory means the Flying Eagles have qualified for the Round of 16 at the FIFA U20 World Cup, ahead of their clash with Brazil in La Plata on Saturday afternoon.

  • Argentina 2023: Bosso, Eguavoen confident Flying Eagles can get result against Italy

    Argentina 2023: Bosso, Eguavoen confident Flying Eagles can get result against Italy

    Italy’s U20 boys were on rampage in a rapturous first half that saw Brazil eventually crumble to a 2-3 loss in Mendoza on Sunday, and since then, the name on the lips of many at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina has been Italy.

    The Italians set up a structure that was magnificent, and with a near-full house at the Estadio Malvinas Argentina roaring them on with vintage support, they swarmed all over the Brazilians and did a perfect job of scoring three goals in 45 minutes.

    However, Head Coach Ladan Bosso says Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will not be immersed in admiring the moves of the Italians but would rather take the fight to the youthful Azzurris in Wednesday’s clash between both teams at the same venue.

    “We stayed back after our match against the Dominican Republic to watch the Italy match against Brazil, and we took a lot of notes from there. The Italians have the midfield machinery to outrun any team that is flustered by their pace and organization, but we will know how to deal with that.

    “We have the boys who can neutralize their mortal armoury and deliver some blows of our own. Wednesday’s encounter will be interesting. We will respect them but we don’t fear any team at this championship.”

    Technical Director of the NFF, Augustine Eguavoen told thenff.com that the manner in which the Flying Eagles set up on Wednesday, and the level of concentration and adherence to game-plan, would matter a lot on the day.

    “The Italians are a good side but nothing is given in football until a match is played and ends. It is about the set-up, about the structure of your team and how much you bring to bear what you have noticed about the other team. I’m happy our coaches saw the Italians play the Brazilians and it is now left for us all to put our heads together and devise a winning plan.”

    The Italians top Group D ahead of the Flying Eagles only as a result of having scored more goals, and the race to the Round of 16 is already fierce with Brazil most likely to edge the Dominican Republic in the other match of the pool on Wednesday evening.

    “Our mantra is full concentration and once we achieve that and follow through with our game-plan, we will get a result,” added Bosso.

    Nigeria and Italy tango at the Estadio Malvinas Argentina as from 3pm local time (7pm Nigeria time) on Wednesday

  • Argentina 2023: Win World Cup, become landowners – Wammako promises Flying Eagles

    Argentina 2023: Win World Cup, become landowners – Wammako promises Flying Eagles

    Each member of the Nigeria squad to this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Argentina will become owner of a five-metre square plot of land if the team emerges champions of the ongoing tournament in South America.

    A stakeholder of Nigeria Football, Alhaji Aliyu Oroje Wammako made this pledge in Mendoza, Argentina on Tuesday, on the eve of the team’s crucial second game against Italy.

    Wammako, who is the President of Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria, made this known on Tuesday afternoon when he visited the team’s camp at Hyatt Park Hotel in Mendoza. He further charged the players to be focused ahead of the game against Italy and implored them to play as a unit.

    ” I urge you to keep focus in this tournament and I pledge to give five-metre square plot of land in the Federal Capital, Abuja to each and every player if the team emerges as winners of the FIFA U20 World Cup. In the absence of triumph, I will still support the team with an amount of money that will go round everyone including the officials.

    “Nigerians are hoping and praying for you and we all believe you can do it.”

    Also speaking, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Sanusi Mohammed who spoke on behalf of leader of delegation, Sharif Rabi’u Inuwa praised the Flying Eagles come-back win against the Dominican Republic on Sunday .

    The two-time World Cup silver medallists tackle Italy’s U20 boys on Wednesday at Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza in search of another three points in the group phase.

  • Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles down Dominican Republic 2-1 in Mendozza

    Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles down Dominican Republic 2-1 in Mendozza

    Nigeria’s Flying Eagles edged past group B opponent Dominican Republic by 2-1  in their opening game at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Mendoza on Sunday night.

    Dominican Republic drew the first blood within 23 minutes through captain Edison Azcona.

    Incidentally, they were playing their first-ever  FIFA tournament in history and it was against Nigeria’s Flying Eagles.

    Azcona was fouled inside the box by center-back Benjamin Frederick and after a long check, the North Americans were awarded a penalty by the centre referee.

    The Inter Miami youngster  slotted the ball home with goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso going the wrong way for the North Americans first ever FIFA competiton goal.

    The lead lasted eight minutes with Guillermo de Pena nodding into his own net for Nigeria’s equaliser.

    Jude Sunday had a ferocious shot saved by the Dominican Republic goalkeeper four minutes before the break.

    The Flying Eagles were in total control of the game after the break.

    Nigeria’s Samson Lawal lashed on to a loose ball after a defensive error to put Nigeria ahead in the encounter.

    The Nigeria U-20 side will play Italy on Wednesday in Mendoza for thr second group B encounter.

     

  • Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles go big for three points against Dominican Republic

    Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles go big for three points against Dominican Republic

    A confident Nigerian team says it will not under-rate the opposition but will go with full confidence into picking all three points when it takes on Dominican Republic at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza on Sunday evening.

    Head Coach Ladan Bosso, his assistants and the players were at the match venue on Friday evening for a familiarization visit ahead of Sunday’s encounter, which is their first in a pool that also includes Italy and Brazil.

    “As I stated earlier, we are happy with the results from the two friendly matches we played in Buenos Aires. We won one against an Argentina club and then drew with the Colombia U20 team that’s also taking part in this tournament. Those are not bad results.

    “More than anything else, what the results have done is to give us confidence that we can get the job done. Victory over Dominican Republic on Sunday will stabilise our winning mentality. It is a factor that matters in championships and that is why we are determined to win on Sunday.”

    On Thursday, the seven-time African champions held their first training session in Mendoza, with Coach Bosso supervising a programme that lasted two hours. There was another session on Friday.

    Italy-based youngster Victor Eletu eventually joined the squad a couple of days ago, and will strengthen the team’s engine room from where the forwards will expect the supplies to down the opposition.

    Bosso will most likely opt for the squad that started the friendly against Colombia in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, with Chijioke Aniagbosos in goal, Daniel Bameyi, Solomon Agbalaka, Abel Ogwuche and Benjamin Frederick in defence, with Ibrahim Muhammad, Samson Lawal and Jude Sunday upfront. However, Emmanuel Umeh, who was among the scorers in both friendlies, could start against the Dominican Republic.

  • Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles commence training sessions, look forward to Colombia test

    Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles commence training sessions, look forward to Colombia test

    Head Coach Isah Ladan Bosso and his assistants on Monday evening drilled Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles in their first training session since arriving the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires on Sunday.

    The session which took place at the team’s Howard Johnson Hotel & Resorts lasted for 90 minutes, and concentrated on recovery after the long trip from Nigeria to the South American nation through Turkey.

    The team had another training session on Tuesday, as focus gradually shifts to a friendly match against the U20 team of Colombia which has been scheduled for the Tristan Suarez Stadium in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, 16 May at 4pm Argentina time (8pm Nigeria time).

    Colombia, who play in Group C of the FIFA U20 World Cup alongside African champions Senegal, Japan and Israel, will seek the opportunity to have an idea of what to expect against the Cub Lions of the Teranga when both teams clash in La Plata on Saturday, 27 May.

    Incidentally, Nigeria will also be utilising the friendly with Colombia to have an idea of what to expect when they take on another South American team, Brazil also in La Plata on the same day, 27 May. In fact, the Nigeria/Brazil match comes up just before the Senegal/Colombia clash inside the same arena.

    Bosso and wards will fly from Buenos Aires to Mendoza – venue of Nigeria’s first two matches against the Dominican Republic and Italy – on Wednesday, 17 May.

  • Argentina 2023: Nigeria’s Flying Eagles arrive in Buenos Aires

    Argentina 2023: Nigeria’s Flying Eagles arrive in Buenos Aires

    The delegation of two-time runners-up Nigeria have arrived in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina for a 10-day camping programme ahead of this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals.

    A contingent of 20 players and 10 officials departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Saturday night aboard a Turkish Airline flight and travelled through Istanbul before heading to the “land of the Pampas”.

    With a record of having finished with the silver medals in 1989 and 2005, and with the bronze medals in 1985, the Flying Eagles are hoping to break the duck and collect the top prize in their 13th appearance at a tournament they first graced in Mexico 40 years ago.

    That year, they stunned then Soviet Union 1-0 through a well-taken goal by Tarila Okorowanta in Monterrey, but then lost 0-3 to Brazil in their second game in Guadalajara. Needing victory to reach the knock-out round, the Flying Eagles could only draw with The Netherlands in their final group game in Monterrey.

    Nigeria has been slotted in Group D for this year’s championship and will play the Dominican Republic, Italy and Brazil in that order in the group phase.

    Their first two games will hold in Mendoza, in the far west of Argentina, against the Dominican Republic on 21 May and against Italy on 24 May, before they fly to La Plata to play Brazil on 27 May.

    La Plata, Santiago del Estero, San Juan and Mendoza are the four host cities for the 24-nation championship.

  • Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles to battle Brazil, Italy, Dominican Republic in group D

    Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles to battle Brazil, Italy, Dominican Republic in group D

    The draws for the 2023 U20 FIFA World Cup scheduled to hold in Argentina  have been concluded and Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been handed a very tough draw TheNewsGuru.com can authoritatively reports.

    Nigeria’s Flying Eagles earned a place in the FIFA World Cup fixed for Argentina in May after finishing third in the 2023 U20 African Cup of Nations in Egypt.

    According to the draw released on Friday afternoon in Zurich, the 2015 African champions will face former champions Brazil, Italy and the Dominican Republic in Group D of the tournament.

    African champions Senegal will confront Colombia, Japan and Israel in group C while African 1st runners the Gambia will play in group F alongside France, Korea and Honduras.