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Tag: Flying Eagles

  • U-20 AFCON: Nigeria battle Morocco to goalless draw

    U-20 AFCON: Nigeria battle Morocco to goalless draw

    The Flying Eagles of Nigeria were held to a goalless draw by Morocco in their second Group B match in the ongoing U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.

    NAN eports that the tightly contested clash took place on Sunday at the June 30 Air Defence Stadium in Cairo.

    Clear-cut chances were few in the cagey affair.

    The Flying Eagles controlled proceedings in the first half but managed only one shot on target.

    Morocco dominated possession in the second half but failed to pose any serious threat to Nigeria’s goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt.

    With the result, Morocco remain at the top of the group on goal difference, having accrued the same number of points as Nigeria (four).

    Tunisia, who earlier defeated Kenya 3-1 in the group’s other fixture, are in third place with three points.

    The Flying Eagles will face Kenya in their final Group B match on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

    The top four teams from the tournament will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, scheduled to take place from Sept. 27 to Oct. 19.

  • U-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles coach unveils 24-man squad

    U-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles coach unveils 24-man squad

    Head coach of U-20 national team, Flying Eagles, Aliy Zubairu, has unveiled a 24-man squad for the upcoming U-20 AFCON in Egypt.

    The 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will take place from April 27 to May 18.

    Zubairu named first-choice goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, defender and captain Daniel Bameyi, midfielder Sulaiman Alabi and forward Kparobo Arierhi in the squad.

    The squad is a blend of home based and foreign players who have intensified training in Abuja ahead of the tournament.

    Some of the top foreign based players invited include; Emmanuel Chukwu, Precious Benjamin all of German outfit TSG Hoffenheim and Kparobo Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway).

    The Flying Eagles, who are seven-time African champions and two-time FIFA Under-20 World Cup runners-up, will depart Nigeria on Sunday for Cairo in a bid to clinch an eighth continental title.

    The team is scheduled to play series of warm-up matches in Egypt before their group opener Tunisia 0n May 1.

    They will then face Morocco on May 4, followed by a clash against Kenya on May 7 to wrap up the group games.

    NAN reports that the top four teams from the tournament will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Chile slated for Sept. 27 to Oct. 19.

    Full Squad, Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC); Soliu Ajia Yakub (FK Novi Pazar, Serbia)

    Defenders: Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United).

    Others are; Emmanuel Chukwu (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Chigozie Michael Ihejiofor (Katsina United).

    Midfielders: Caleb Ochedikwu (NK Uljanik Pula, Croatia); Israel Isaac Ayuma (NK Istra, Croatia); Simon Cletus (Mavlon FC).

    Others are;  Sulaiman Alabi (El-Kanemi Warriors); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United); Shafiu Duguri (Wikki Tourists)

    Forwards: Precious Benjamin (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Ezekiel Anthony Kpangu (Inspire FC); Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy); Clinton Jephta (Enyimba FC);

    Others are; Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Theophilus Mendos Rickson (Niger Tornadoes); Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway); Matthew Kingsley (Kings FC); Yushau Armiyau (Katsina United).

  • Cote d’Ivoire 2025: Flying Eagles face Egypt, S/Africa, Morocco

    Cote d’Ivoire 2025: Flying Eagles face Egypt, S/Africa, Morocco

    Nigeria’s U20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have been drawn to face Egypt, South Africa and Morocco in the group phase of the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    The seven-time champions will engage the tough opponents in Group B of the tournament scheduled to be held in Cote d’Ivoire from April 26 to May 18.

    NAN reports that the Flying Eagles defeated Egypt 1-0 in the group stage, at the last edition of the competition.

    Hosts Cote d’Ivoire will slug it out with DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania and the yet-to-emerge representative team of Central Africa zone, in a five-team group A.

    Holders Senegal head Group C, which also has Zambia and two debutants Kenya and Sierra Leone.

    The two top-placed teams in each group, alongside the best two third-placed finishers in the three groups, will advance to the championship’s quarter-finals.

    The full Groups:

    GROUP A: Cote d’Ivoire, UNNIFAC, DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania

    GROUP B: Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Morocco

    GROUP C: Senegal, Zambia, Kenya, Sierra Leone.

  • Flying Eagles beat Ghana to retain WAFU B title

    Flying Eagles beat Ghana to retain WAFU B title

    Slippery forward Kparobo Arierhi netted a brace as champions Nigeria successfully defended their WAFU U20 title after a 2-1 defeat of regional rivals Ghana in this year’s final in Lome.

    The Flying Eagles dominated large swatches of the encounter, but it turned out a game of two halves and Nigeria were imperious in the first half and Ghana turned on the heat in the second.

    Harcourt came up with a clever palm-down when the Ghanaians broke through from the left with a cross and a header in the 14th minute, and then punched the ball away after a point-blank shot as the Satellites waltzed their way into the box from the right in added time.

    In-between, Kparobo Arierhi had concluded the damage. First, in the 34th  minute, he received a pass on the edge of the box as the Flying Eagles broke forward on the right, and scored with the trusted poacher’s calm, left-footed finish into the bottom corner, with the goalkeeper clutching grass.

    The second was more spectacular. Nigerian manfully snatched the ball half-way into the Satellites’ area, and a couple of passes left Kparobo, who plays his club football for Beyond Limits FC, and had scored Nigeria’s winner in the 2-1 win over Cote d’Ivoire in the group phase, face to face with the goalkeeper. Without any attempt at showboating, he unleashed a right-footed rocket right into the roof of the net.

    On the hour, Nigeria had to spiritedly clear their lines as the Black Satellites, in a rare onslaught, picked the pockets of several defenders and got the ball past goalkeeper Harcourt.

    Five minutes later, Nigeria again escaped through stout defending as a flurry of shots from inside and outside the box simply failed to get the ball beyond Harcourt.

    The pressure finally paid off for the Ghanaians in the 74th minute, as they reduced the tally following a goalmouth melee.

    However, the Flying Eagles held on to retain their trophy won two years ago in Niger Republic, and with Kparobo Arierhi collecting the Man-of-the-Match award.

    Nigeria and Ghana will represent WAFU B at next year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations, to be hosted by South Africa.

    The Nation

  • WAFU B U-20: Nigeria pip Cote D’Ivoire to squeeze into semi-final

    WAFU B U-20: Nigeria pip Cote D’Ivoire to squeeze into semi-final

    Nigeria’s U-20 national team, Flying Eagles, have qualified for the semi-final of the ongoing 2024 WAFU B U-20 championship in Lome, Togo.

    This was after the team on Thursday defeated  Cote D’Ivoire 2-1 in their last group game.

    Goals from Clinton Jephta and Kparobo Arierhi ensured a hard earned victory for the Nigerian side.

    Even with the lackluster performance, Nigeria still managed to top the group with a better goal difference, ahead of Cote D’Ivoire and Burkina with same points.

    NAN reports that Nigeria will now clash with Niger Republic in one of the semi-final matches for a place in the final,  and a ticket to the U-20 AFCON slated for South Africa in January 2025.

  • NFF opens application portal for Flying Eagles head coach position

    NFF opens application portal for Flying Eagles head coach position

    NFF calls for applications for position of Flying Eagles’ Head Coach

     

     

     

    The Nigeria Football Federation has requested for applications from suitably qualified candidates for the vacant position of the Coach of U20 Men National Team, otherwise known as Flying Eagles.

     

     

     

    The public notice, which is on the Federation’s website (https://thenff.com/job/vacancy-for-the-position-of-u-20-male-national-team-head-coach/)has specified for candidates to possess at least a CAF B License, must have been in football coaching for at least five years, be conversant with Nigeria’s domestic game, possess strong leadership qualities and be able to communicate effectively in English language. Candidates must also be upright and transparent in the discharge of their duties, be ready and willing to work with the NFF Technical Department and NFF Technical Sub-Committee, must have attained some level of success in coaching in the past three years and be ready to work cordially with the NFF leadership.

     

     

     

    Applications are invited from all Nigerian coaches, including those working in the diaspora.

    Applications will close at midnight of Sunday, 4th August 2024, with a successful candidate to be named after a thorough scr

    eening process.

     

  • NPFL: Heartland relegated, Remo, Enyimba close in on Rangers after matchday 36 (Full Results)

    NPFL: Heartland relegated, Remo, Enyimba close in on Rangers after matchday 36 (Full Results)

    Shooting Stars of Ibadan on Wednesday revived their hopes of getting a continental ticket after registering a slim margin victory over table toppers Rangers of Enugu.

    Former Flying Eagles forward Christian Pyagbara scored the decisive goal inside 13th minute of the thrilling encounter.

    Elsewhere, In Ikenne, Remo Stars moved within two points of Rangers, following a comfortable 4-1 win over Heartland.

    Stanley Joseph bagged a brace, while Franck Mawuena and Jide Fatokun scored the other goals for the hosts.

    Heartland were relegated to the Nigeria National League following the defeat.

    Holders Enyimba dropped to third place on the table after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Bayelsa United.

     

    Alade Balogun gave Enyimba the lead in the 20th minute, while Ekeson Okorie equalised for the visitors 10 minutes before the break.

    FULL RESULTS

    Gombe Utd 1-3 Abia Warriors

    Bendel Insurance 2-1 Rivers Utd

    Enyimba 1-1 Bayelsa Utd

    Akwa Utd 3-1 Katsina Utd

    Remo Stars 4-1 Heartland

    Tornadoes 3-2 Lobi Stars

    Kwara Utd 2-0 Kano Pillars

    Sporting Lagos 1-2 Plateau Utd

    3SC 1-0 Rangers

  • 13th African Games: ‘We didn’t have enough preparation’ – Bosso laments Flying Eagles’ early exit

    13th African Games: ‘We didn’t have enough preparation’ – Bosso laments Flying Eagles’ early exit

    Ladan Bosso the Flying Eagles coach,  has expressed disappointment at his team’s early  ouster from the men’s football event  at the ongoing 13th African games currently holding in Ghana.

    Bosso also heaped the blame on the team’s poor preparation prior to the start of the tournament.

    Recall that the  Flying Eagles finished third in Group B of the men’s football event behind Uganda and Senegal, with South Sudan finishing  fourth on the log.

    Bosso’s team took an early lead against Senegal in the second minute through Charles Agada but Idrissa Traore, however, equalised for Senegal in the 21st minute with a low shot.

    Chibuzor Izuogu restored parity for Nigeria when he equalised to make it 2-2 through a brilliant free kick but Pape Diouf secured victory for Senegal when he scored from the spot to send Senegal to the semi-finals.

    “I’m disappointed because this game was the best we have played so far in this tournament,” Bosso told pressmen.

    “I didn’t have enough time to scout for players and what I did was to watch a few games in Uyo and other places .That’s where I saw the two Enyimba players, Daga and Chibueze.”

    At the last 2019 edition in Rabat, Morocco, the Flying Eagles won silver in men’s football event after losing 2-0  to Burkina Faso in the final.

  • Woeful Flying Eagles crash out of African Games

    Woeful Flying Eagles crash out of African Games

    The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have been knocked out of the men’s football event of the 2023 African Games in Ghana after a 3-2 defeat by Senegal.

    The Flying Eagles took an early lead in the second minute through Charles Agada in the match played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday evening.

    Idrissa Traore, however, equalised for Senegal in the 21st minute when his low shot beat the time in the encounter.

    Chibuzor Izuogu put Nigeria back into the game when he equalised to make it 2-2 through a brilliant free kick.

    Pape Diouf converted from the spot for the winning goal to send Senegal to the semi finals.

    The Flying Eagles ended their campaign with only one victory against South Sudan, losing their opening match 2-1 to Uganda and 3-2 to Senegal.

    Nigeria finished third in the group behind Uganda and Senegal, with South Sudan coming fourth.

    After the match, Bosso said he was disappointed at the result and blamed poor preparation for the performance.

    “I’m disappointed because this game was the best we have played so far in this tournament.

    “I didn’t have enough time to scout for players and what I did was to watch few games in Uyo and other places .That’s where I saw the two Enyimba players, Daga and Chibueze,” Bosso said.

    Nigeria won the men’s football silver at the last African Games in Rabat, Morocco in 2019 after a 2-0 loss to Burkina Faso in the final.

  • 13th African Games: Flying Eagles seek semi-final ticket against Senegal today

    13th African Games: Flying Eagles seek semi-final ticket against Senegal today

    Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will on Friday (Today) slug it out with the junior Teranga Lions of Senegal in their final Group B game at the 13th African Games.

    The Nigerian boys are hoping  to  secure  a semi-final ticket at  the ongoing tournament.

    After losing one and winning the second game , Ladan Bosso’s side occupy second position on the Group B table with three points from two games.

    The West Africans started their campaign with a 2-1 defeat to the Hippos of Uganda.

    The Flying Eagles however laboured to a 1-0 win against South Sudan in their second game.

    A draw against the Senegalese will be enough for them to secure a place in the last four.

    The Flying Eagles finished in second position at the previous edition of the African Games hosted by Morocco.

    Nigeria last won gold medal in the men’s football event in 1973.

    Nigeria’s female representative the Falconets have already booked a place in the semi-final of the tournament after winning their first two group B game.