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Tag: Cameroon

  • CAF releases date, venue for 2022 AFCON draw

    CAF releases date, venue for 2022 AFCON draw

    The Confederation of African Football, CAF, on Thursday announced that the draw for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, will take place on August 17, 2021, in Cameroon.

    The draw has been scheduled for the Yaounde Conference Centre at 18h00 GMT.

    CAF disclosed this in a statement via its website today.

    Recall that the draw was initially postponed in June 2021 due to logistical relations related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The AFCON 2022 is expected to start on Jan. 9 till Feb. 6 with five host cities confirmed for the biennial competition.

    AFCON 2022: CAF announces details for tournament with 23 teams confirmed

    “CAF, together with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of Cameroon announce that the draw for the final phase of the 33rd edition of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021, will take place on Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at the Yaounde Conference Centre, Cameroon at 19h00 local time (18h00 GMT),” CAF’s statement read.

    “The draw will see the 24 countries that will participate in next year’s TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations descend in the country ahead of January 9 2022 kick-off.

    “Caf will release more information in due course including the draw procedure and special guests.”

    The countries who have qualified for the tournament are defending champions Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan, Tunisia and Zimbabwe and Sierra Leone.

  • Court fixes date for suit challenging Atiku’s citizenship

    Court fixes date for suit challenging Atiku’s citizenship

    The Federal High Court, Abuja on Thursday, fixed Sept. 27 to hear a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Egalitarian Mission for Africa, a group, challenging the citizenship of former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

    The plaintiff instituted the suit in 2019 challenging Abubakar’s eligibility to contest for president.

    When the matter was called, counsel to the plaintiff, Mr Akinola Oladimeji told the court that he was not prepared to go on with the matter.

    Oladimeji told the court that it was only on Wednesday that he got wind of the fact that the matter had been slated for hearing on Thursday since the next adjourn date known to him was Sept. 20.

    The judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo then sought to find out from the court registrar if parties had been informed of the date and the registrar responded in the affirmative.

    The judge in a short ruling said that he was not happy that he gave a date for hearing which had become a subject of controversy.

    He, however, adjourned the matter until Sept. 27 and warned the plaintiff that it would be the last adjournment for his client.

    NAN reports that the plaintiff, a civil society organisation in suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/177/2019 is challenging the citizenship of Abubakar on the grounds that he was not born in Nigeria.

    The plaintiff joined the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) and the Attorney-General of the Federation as co-defendants in the suit.

    The plaintiff formulated the following questions for determination by the court:

    “Whether Section 25 of the Constitution is the sole authority that spells out ways by which a person can become a Nigerian citizen by birth.

    “Whether by the provisions of Section 131(a) of the constitution, only a Nigerian citizen by birth can contest for the office of the president.

    “Whether by the combined interpretation of Section 25(1) (2) and 131(a) of the constitution and giving the circumstances surrounding the birth of Abubakar, he can be cleared by the PDP and INEC to contest for the office of the president.”

    The plaintiff held that if the answers to the questions were resolved in its favour, it should be granted the following reliefs:

    “A declaration that by provisions of Section 131(a) of the constitution, only a Nigerian citizen by birth can contest for the office of president.

    “A declaration that by the combined interpretation of Sections 25 (1) (2) and 131(a) of the constitution, and giving the circumstances surrounding the birth of Abubakar, he cannot be cleared by PDP and INEC to contest for president.

    The plaintiff also asked the court for any order which it may seem fit to make in the circumstances of the application.

    However, Abubakar and the PDP, on which platform he contested the last election asked the court to dismiss the suit for lacking in merit.

    In their notice of objection filed jointly, they insisted that the former vice president was a bonafide citizen of Nigeria.

  • [Full List] Rohr Invites 25 Home-based Players For Nigeria vs Mexico Friendly

    [Full List] Rohr Invites 25 Home-based Players For Nigeria vs Mexico Friendly

    Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has invited 25 home-based players for next month’s international friendly against Mexico.

    The 25-man list that has the likes of goalkeepers John Noble, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Anayo Iwuala was announced on Sunday.

    The game which will hold inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, will take place on July 4.

    Invited players are expected to report at the Serob Legacy Hotel, Wuye, Abuja on Tuesday, 22nd June with their travel documents.

    Only 22 of them will travel to the United States for the friendly.

    The last time the Eagles took on Mexico was in another friendly in March 2014 which ended goalless.

    Next month game will be the fourth straight friendly between both countries with the last three ending in draws.

    The 25 home-based players for Mexico friendly are:

    (Goalkeepers)

    Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland)
    John Noble (Enyimba)

    (Defenders)

    Olisa Ndah (Akwa United)
    Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors)
    Tope Olusesi (Rangers)
    Ifeanyi Anaemena (Rivers United)
    Christopher Nwaeze (Kwara United)
    Enyinnaya Kazie (Rivers United)
    Mohammed Zirkiflu (Plateau United)
    Imoh Ubot (Enyimba)
    Tebo Franklin (Nasarawa United)
    Lawal Oriyomi (Kwara United)

    (Midfielders)

    Anthony Shimaga (Rangers)
    Seth Mayi (Akwa United)
    Uche Nwasonaya (Plateau United)
    Samuel Nnoshiri (Katsina United)
    Ekundayo Ojo (Enyimba)

    (Forwards)

    Anayo Iwuala (Enyimba)
    Stephen Jude (Kwara United)
    Ibrahim Olawoyin (Rangers)
    Charles Ashimene (Akwa United)
    Chinonso Ezekwe (Rangers)
    Auwalu Ali Malam (Kano Pillars)
    Neurot Emmanuel (Plateau United)
    Abdulmutalif Sanusi (Katsina United)

  • AFCON: We plan to take Super Eagles to Cameroon by sea – LAGFERRY

    AFCON: We plan to take Super Eagles to Cameroon by sea – LAGFERRY

    The Lagos State Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) says it is planning to transport the Super Eagles to Cameroon by sea for the 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    LAGFERRY’s Managing Director, Abdoulbaq Balogun, told newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday that the resolve was consequent upon the success recorded when the firm ferried the squad to Benin Republic for the qualifying match in March.

    The tournament is scheduled to be hosted by Cameroon, and will take place from Jan. 9 to Feb. 6, 2022.

    Balogun said that LAGFERRY had infused technology as part of its operation to achieve world class standard.

    “We plan to take Nigeria’s Super Eagles to Cameroon for next year’s Nation’s Cup after achieving that of Benin Republic- this is a goal we have set for ourselves.

    “While onboard, you get to enjoy free Wi-Fi; there is also USB pot and a lot of side entertainment and side attractions enabled by technology.

    “It was a major milestone for us to transport the Nigeria’s National Team to Benin Republic through the waterways.

    “Coming on board LAGFERRY enroute international route to Benin Republic is a mind blowing experience we were excited to be part of it,” Balogun said.

    He said that the partnership between Nigeria Football Federation and Lagos State Government through LAGFERRY would be sustained.

    According to him, the players expressed excitement during the voyage, and such added to their productivity.

    “It reflected on the field of play and it showed on their performance because they came out victorious in the game,” the LAGFEERY boss added.

    According to him, with water transportation, a journey of five hours on the road can be done in 30 minutes on the waterways.

    “Also, one can get rejuvenated while on board and there is no pollution on the waterways which is another added advantage,” he added.

    Balogun said that the firm prioritised safety, hence the reason why LAGFERRY had not recorded any water mishap since inception of operation in Feb. 2020.

  • Super Eagles need more Grade A friendlies – Dosu

    Super Eagles need more Grade A friendlies – Dosu

    Ex-international Joseph Dosu on Tuesday called for more Grade A friendly matches for the Super Eagles to ensure better cohesion in the team.

    Dosu made the call shortly after the Super Eagles drew goalless with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a second friendly match on Tuesday in Vienna, Austria.

    He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the match’s result was not the most important but the overall play and discovery of new players for the team.

    “I believe it’s just a friendly game, for the coaches to see more new players for the team.

    “For me, it’s not the scoreline that matters but the general performance of the team,” the former Super Eagles goalkeeper said.

    The Atlanta 1996 Olympics hero said the fact that some of Nigeria’s first team players could not make it for the match due to injuries could have affected their play.

    “It’s an off-season game and I think the boys tried to report to camp, but few could not make it because of injuries.

    “I think we should give kudos to the boys for what they have done. But there is still a lot of room for improvement through more friendlies, especially the Grade A ones,” he added.

    Dosu urged the technical crew to keep monitoring the players when the league competitions in Europe resume ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September.

    He expressed optimism that Nigeria would ultimately qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

    NAN reports that Cameroon had pipped the Super Eagles 1-0 in the earlier friendly match played on Friday while Tuesday’s match ended goalless at the same venue.

  • Nigeria play goalless draw against Cameroon in Austria

    Nigeria play goalless draw against Cameroon in Austria

    Nigeria played out a goalless draw with Cameroon in a practice match on Tuesday evening.

    Kelechi Iheanacho missed the best chance of the game, as the Super Eagles failed to exact revenge on the Indomitables Lions.

    The three-time African champions had lost 1-0 to the same opponents at the Wiener Neustadt Stadium in Vienna last Friday.

    Fulham midfielder, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, fired in the winner in the first half of that encounter, which was classed as international friendly.

    Tuesday’s game was played behind closed doors and not beamed live on TV.

    Gernot Rohr used the two matches to continue tweaking his squad, ahead of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in September.

  • Musa, Uzoho, Ozornwafor to start against Cameroon – Rohr

    Musa, Uzoho, Ozornwafor to start against Cameroon – Rohr

    The trio of Ahmed Musa, Francis Uzoho and Valentine Ozornwafor will start for the Super Eagles in Tuesday’s friendly game against Cameroon in Austria.

    This was revealed by Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr after the team’s training session on Monday in preparation for the second friendly against the five-time AFCON champions.

    Uzoho was benched in the first game against the Indomitable Lions on Friday while Musa and Ozornwafor came on in the second half.

    In a chat with the Super Eagles media: “Observations are positive because some of the players who arrived from Nigeria were not so fit for the first game. They have now recovered well and we should be better physically,” he told Super Eagles media.

    “There will be some changes in the team, Francis Uzoho will be in goal, (Ahmed) Musa will start because he is fit, we lost Troost-Ekong so Valentine (Ozornwafor) will come in for the first time.

    “There matches are made to test some players who have not played so much and also to have new organization maybe try something different and we want to win it also because we have never won in Austria after four games.“

    Rohr added that winning the game against Cameroon is not the most important thing for his team but rather to see what the new players can offer.

    “The most important thing is not the result, the most important is to progress to learn to work. We have 16 players who could not come, five central defenders, two defensive midfielders (Joe) Aribo, (Frank) Onyekuru, all the strikers could not come, the wingers, (Samuel) Kalu, Henry (Onyekuru), (Victor) Osimhen, Simy (Nwankwo) and (Umar) Sadiq also could not come because of the play-offs.

    “It is a different camping but we have some experience now, we are interested in the new players and what they can do in this match against Cameroon.“

  • Gernot Rohr hands Onovo late call-up for Cameroon friendly

    Gernot Rohr hands Onovo late call-up for Cameroon friendly

    Gernot Rohr has handed a late invitation to Vincent Onovo ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly between the Super Eagles and Cameroon.

    Onovo, 25, who is already in the team’s camp, plays for Hungarian club Ujpest Football Club.

    He was drafted into the team following injuries to vice-captain William Troost-Ekong and left-back Jamilu Coliins.

    Onovo was a former player of Finnish clubs Inter Turku and HJK Helsinki.

    Meanwhile, according to camp sources , Troost-Ekong has already left camp for checks on his injury.
    The Super Eagles lost 1-0 to the Indomitable Lions in the first friendly last Friday.

    Tuesday’s friendly against the 2021 AFCON hosts and five-time African champions will take place at the Stadion Weiner Neustadt, Vienna.

  • International friendly: Rohr picks Musa, Ekong, 22 others for Cameroon

    International friendly: Rohr picks Musa, Ekong, 22 others for Cameroon

    Coach Gernot Rohr has selected captain Ahmed Musa, deputy captain William Ekong and home boys John Noble and Anayo Iwuala among the 24 Super Eagles who will do battle with five-time African champions Cameroon in a prestige friendly in Austria on Friday next week.

    The list also has goalkeepers Maduka Okoye and Francis Uzoho, defenders Ola Aina and Chidozie Awaziem, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Abdullahi Shehu, and forwards Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho, Moses Simon and Simy Nwankwo,

    Turkey –based former U20 defender Valentine Ozornwafor, Denmark –based midfielder Frank Onyeka and Lorient FC of France’s Terem Moffi are also included.

    Nigeria, who have won the Africa Cup of Nations three times but have been bumped by Cameroon in the final of the competition on three other occasions, defeated the Indomitable Lions 3-0 in a friendly in Belgium in October 2015, and have not lost to the Lions in regulation time since a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Yaounde on 27th August 1989.

    THE FULL LIST

    Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (APOEL Nicosia, Cyprus); John Noble (Enyimba FC); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands)

    Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, The Netherlands); Valentine Ozornwafor (Galatasaray FC, Turkey)

    Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Abdullahi Shehu (Omonia Nicosia, Cyprus); Frank Onyeka (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Abraham Marcus (CD Feirense, Portugal)

    Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars FC); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Peter Olayinka (Slavia Praha, Czech Republic); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Anayo Iwuala (Enyimba FC); Terem Moffi (FC Lorient, France); Paul Onuachu (KRC Genk, Belgium); Simy Nwankwo (Crotone FC, Italy)

  • NFF releases official Super Eagles squad list for Cameroon friendly

    NFF releases official Super Eagles squad list for Cameroon friendly

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has released the list of Super Eagles players that will battle it out in a friendly match against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Super Eagles are set for a faceoff with the Cameroon national football team in a friendly encounter pegged for 4th of June.

    The 31-man shortlist for the friendly against Cameroon to be played in Australia contains M. Okoye, F. Uzoho, J. Noble and I. Ezenwa as goalkeepers.

    TNG reports the defenders picked for the encounter are W. Ekong, K. Omeruo, C. Awaziem, J. Collins, Z. Sanusi, O. Aina, T. Ebuegi, K. Akpoguma, and S. Ajayi.

    While the midfielders are W. Ndidi, O. Etebo, S. Abdullahi, J. Aribo, A. Marcus, the forwards are A. Musa, M. Simon, and A. Iwobi.

    Other forwards are S. Nwankwo, V. Osimhen, K. Iheanacho, S. Chukwueze, S. Umar, T. Moffi, P. Olayinka, H. Onyekuru, A. Iwuala, and P. Onuachu.