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Tag: Flying Eagles

  • 13th African Games: Flying Eagles Pip South Sudan 1-0, Falconets thrash Senegal 4-0 in Gold Coast

    13th African Games: Flying Eagles Pip South Sudan 1-0, Falconets thrash Senegal 4-0 in Gold Coast

    The Flying Eagles of Nigeria left in late before defeating South Sudan 1-0 in the second group B game of the 13th African games holding in Ghana.

    Recall that the  Nigerian side suffered a shocking loss to Uganda in the opening group game and had no choice but to beat South Sudan to have a chance of progressing.

    All efforts to score by both sides proved abortive until the Wet Africans broke the deadlock late in the second half to secure all maximum points.

    Sadiq Isyaka converted from the spot in the 80th minute of the encounter after playing on high intensity for 79th minute.

    The 1-0 win placed Nigeria in the second spot behind Uganda who had earlier beaten Senegal by a lone goal.

    Earlier, on Monday, the Nigeria U-20 female football team defeated the Teranga Lionesses of Senegal in their second group game of the 13th African Games in Ghana, Soccernet.ng reports.

    The Super Falconets, Coached by Chris Danjuma, defeated Morocco in their opening group game, before taking on Senegal at the Cape Coast Stadium tonight.

    Goalscorers Yina Aidoo and Chioma Oliseh continued in the first eleven as Nigeria got off to a flying start inside the first fifteen minutes as they hunt for gold in Gold Coast.

    Loveth Edeh broke the deadlock in the 13th minute, putting Nigeria on the front foot to settle the early nerves, and Motunrayo Ezekiel came close just before half-time, only to be denied by the opposition goalkeeper.

    Motunrayo scored five minutes after the restart of the second half, before the Senegalese team caved under pressure, gifting the Falconets another goal with their own hands to make it three on the night for Chris Danjuma’s ladies.

    Ten minutes before the end of the thrilling encounter, a brilliant pass from Chiamaka Okwuchukwu sent Chioma through on goal and she wasted no time in adding the fourth of the game.

    The result means that the Falconets have qualified for the quarter-final stage of the competition.

     

  • 13th African Games: Unimpressive! Flying Eagles lose opening game 2-1 to Uganda

    13th African Games: Unimpressive! Flying Eagles lose opening game 2-1 to Uganda

    Nigeria’s national U-20 team, the Flying Eagles were far from being impressive as they lost their 2023 African Games group B opening match to the  Hippos of Uganda 2-1.

    As against all expectations, the Flying Eagles fell behind in the encounter after soaking a lot of pressure for 37th minute.

    Uganda’s Usama Arafat reached a pass from a team mate in the Flying Eagles 18 yard box and colly slotted the ball past the Nigerian goalie.

    However, Nigerian striker, Sadiq Isiyaka equalised before half-time to restore parity for the West Africans.

    The second half saw the Hippos continue from where they stopped as they searched for the winner which proved elusive until late on.

    Just as the game looked to be petering out into a draw, Uganda then struck with a moment of magic – an unstoppable long-range drive flying past the Eagles goalkeeper who should have done better.

    The result meant the Nigerian boys would have to defeat South Sudan on On Monday to stand a chance of securing a quarter-final ticket in the competition.

    Meanwhile, Senegal another group B opponent defeated South Sudan 1-0 to occupy the second position on the log.

     

     

  • African Games: Flying Eagles ready for Uganda – Ladan Bosso

    African Games: Flying Eagles ready for Uganda – Ladan Bosso

    Ladan Bosso, the Flying Eagles head coach has said that his side is well prepared for their opening fixture against Uganda at the African Games 2023.

    The Group B encounter is slated for the Accra Sports Stadium.

    It will be a rematch of the recent Africa U-20 Cup of Nations clash between the Flying Eagles and Hippos which the former won 1-0.

    “We have prepared a lot for this competition,” Bosso told a press conference.

    “The players are disciplined and ready for action. We are not only counting on the talents of the players but also the support of the Nigerians living here in Ghana to encourage and support the boys.”

    The Flying Eagles are hoping to better their performance from the previous edition in Morocco where they finished second.

  • 13th African Games: Bosso lists Bameyi, Daga, Nwosu, 17 others as Flying Eagles jet out

    13th African Games: Bosso lists Bameyi, Daga, Nwosu, 17 others as Flying Eagles jet out

    Head Coach Isah Ladan Bosso has picked goalkeeper Nathaniel Nwosu, captain Daniel Bameyi, midfielder Daniel Daga and forwards Charles Agada and Olalekan Ibrahim in his list of 20 players of the Flying Eagles for the men’s football event of the 13th African Games taking place in Ghana.

     

    Bosso has also picked defenders Musa Abdullahi and Godwin Sampson, midfielders Favour Izuogu and Ibrahim Idris, and forwards Nasir Muhammed and Sunday Joseph.

     

    Nigeria will contend with Uganda, South Sudan, Senegal and Tunisia in Group B of the men’s football event starting on Thursday, with the Nigeria squad scheduled to depart from Abuja on Tuesday. Matches will take place at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium in Legon.

     

    Ghana, Congo, Benin Republic and The Gambia are the teams in Group A, with the Accra Sports Stadium as venue.

     

    Nigeria emerged runners-up of the men’s football event of the 12th African Games held in Rabat, Morocco in October 2019, losing to Burkina Faso in the final.

     

    20 FLYING EAGLES FOR AFRICAN GAMES:

     

    Goalkeepers: Nathaniel Nwosu, Clinton Ezekiel, Samuel James

     

    Defenders: Daniel Bameyi, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Oladapo Akintola, Godwin Sampson, Haruna Aliyu, Rabiu Abdullahi

     

    Midfielders: Daniel Daga, Favour Izuogu, Auwal Ibrahim, Yinka Oladunjoye, Sulaiman Idris

     

    Forwards: Kehinde Ibrahim, Charles Agada, Nasir Muhammed, Sunday Joseph, Olalekan Ibrahim, Sadiq Isiyaka   

     

    … as Danjuma picks Ohaegbulem, Oladipo, Yina, 17 others for Morocco, Senegal, Cameroon

     

    Meanwhile, Coach Chris Danjuma has picked goalkeeper Anderline Mgbechi, defender and captain Oluchi Ohaegbulem, midfielder Adoo Yina and forward Chiamaka Okwuchukwu in his list of 20 players to represent Nigeria in the women’s football event of the 13th African Games.

     

    Also named are goalkeeper Faith Omilana, defenders Shukurat Oladipo and Jumoke Alani, midfielders Chioma Olise and Olushola Shobowale and forwards Blessing Okpe and Judith Okah.

     

    Defending champions Nigeria have been housed in Group B alongside Morocco, Senegal and Cameroon, while hosts Ghana will contend with Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda in Group A. Matches will take place at the Cape Coast Stadium.

     

    The Falconets won the gold medal in the women’s football event of the 12th African Games that took place in Rabat, Morocco in October 2019.   

     

    20 FALCONETS FOR AFRICAN GAMES:

     

    Goalkeepers: Anderline Mgbechi, Rachael Unachukwu, Faith Omilana

     

    Defenders: Shukurat Oladipo, Oluchi Ohaegbulem, Jumoke Alani, Chidinma Ogbuchi, Oluwabunmi Oladeji, Chidera Okenwa

     

    Midfielders: Adoo Yina, Joy Igbokwe, Chioma Olise, Chinyere Kalu, Olushola Shobowale

     

    Forwards: Motunrayo Ezekiel, Blessing Okpe, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, Loveth Edeh, Judith Okah, Delight Nwosu   

  • Argentina 2023:South Korea dump Flying Eagles out of competition

    Argentina 2023:South Korea dump Flying Eagles out of competition

    The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have ended their sojourn at the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup holding in Argentina after losing 1-0 to South Korea on Sunday.

    Both teams ended the encounter goalless after 90 minute but Choi Seok-Hyun goal in the first half of extra-time was enough to send the Koreans through to the semi-final.

    Two-time runners-up Nigeria dominated for large parts of the game but were eliminated from the FIFA U20 World Cup by a single goal on Sunday as Korea Republic surged into the semi-finals for the second successive tournament.

    The Flying Eagles, who eliminated hosts and six-time champions Argentina in the Round of 16 on Wednesday, created few chances despite passing the ball round the field quite well, with lack of punch in the final third the undoing of the seven-time African champions.

    The Nigerians lads came into the game on the back of a shock 2-0 win against hosts Argentina in the round of 16.

    While South Korea also ousted another South American team Ecuador 3-2 in the first knockout round.

    Just like in 2007 U-20 World Cup in Canada, Ladan Bosso once again failed to take the Flying Eagles beyond the quarter-finals.

    The Flying Eagles’ defeat also means Africa’s four representatives (Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and Gambia) have all crashed out.

    Brazil and now Nigeria from the same group have  crashed out of the competition in the quarter-final leaving only Italy in the competition.

    The Flying Eagles and their crew are expected back home on Tuesday.

  • Argentina 2023: Gusau charges Flying Eagles to go for semi-final ticket

    Argentina 2023: Gusau charges Flying Eagles to go for semi-final ticket

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has again implored Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles to be focused and disciplined as they go all out for a semi-final ticket against South Korea in the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Argentina.

    The NFF President made the plea during a video conversation with players and officials of the team on Saturday.

    Gusau also commended the team for their resilience and victory against host-nation Argentina in the Round of 16 tie on Wednesday and urged them to put up even a stronger performance against the nifty Asians on Sunday.

    “Gentlemen, I want to use this medium to commend and congratulate you for the hard-fought win against Argentina. What you demonstrated was the true Nigeria spirit and I urge you to replicate the same against South Korea tomorrow.

    “The game tomorrow is crucial and I believe you can do it for yourselves, your families and above all our dear nation, Nigeria. Nigerians are happy with your performance over there and are solidly behind you.”

    The Flying Eagles will be gunning for a semi-final ticket at the FIFA U20 World Cup finals for the first time since 2005, when they go up against the South Koreans on Sunday at the Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades in the City of Santiago Del Estero. The game starts at 2.30pm Argentina time (6.30pm Nigeria time).

    On Saturday evening, Israel held on valiantly to eliminate five-time champions Brazil 3-2 after extra time, to become the first team to reach the last four.

  • Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles to play South Korea for Semi-final ticket

    Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles to play South Korea for Semi-final ticket

    South Korea defeated South American side Ecuador 3-2 to advance to set up a quarter-final clash with Nigeria’s Flying Eagles at the U-20 FIFA World Cup holding in Argentina.

    Lee-Young-Jun gave South Korea the lead inside  11th minute before Bae Jun-Ho made it 2-0 on 19 minutes, but the Ecuadorians pulled a goal back after Justin Cuero converted a penalty few minutes before the first half ended.

    Upon resumption of the second half, South Korea restored their two-goal advantage in the 48th minutes when forward, Choi Seok—Hyun lashed on to a loose ball and slotted home the goal.

    With six minutes left Sebastian Gonzalez scored for Ecuador to make it a nervy ending but the South Koreans held on to advance.

    Flying Eagles versus South Korea U-20 in History

    Both teams will be clashing for the third time ever at the U-20 level.

    They first met in the group stage in 2005 edition hosted in the Netherlands, where South Korea came from a goal down to beat the Flying Eagles 2-1.

    Again, they met at the group stage in 2013 but Flying Eagles won the game 1-0.

    Speaking after their qualification for the qurter-final, South Korea U20 manager Kim Eun-jung praised the Nigerian players for their physicality ahead of Sunday’s game, and stressed that they must be well prepared to stand a chance of beating the Flying Eagles.

    In quotes relayed by Chosun, Eun-jung stated: “When I watched the game against Argentina yesterday, the Nigerian team seemed to be very well prepared.  Players in all positions are physically outstanding and have flexibility. We will do the analysis properly.”

    He added: “We will prepare hard for the match against Nigeria, so please support us from afar. As an Asian team, Korea is the only team that maintains its pride, so I will prepare well for the next game and produce good results with a sense of responsibility and pride as an Asian.

    The Flying Eagles quarter-final clash with South Korea comes up on Sunday, June 4, inside the Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades, Santiago del Estero at 6:30pm.

  • FIFA U-20 World Cup: Nigeria stun hosts Argentina, advance to quarter-finals

    FIFA U-20 World Cup: Nigeria stun hosts Argentina, advance to quarter-finals

    Nigeria eliminated host nation Argentina as goals from Ibrahim Muhammad and Rilwanu Haliru Sarki sent the six-time champions out of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup on Wednesday.

    On an incredible night in western Argentina, the Flying Eagles pulled out every trick in the book to defend in numbers and then score two goals through quick counter-attacks.

    The performance in this round of 16 match had the Albiceleste Sub-20, who had won all their three matches in the group phase, stunned as they crashed out of the tournament.

    Nigeria Head Coach Ladan Bosso had promised that his boys would give as much as they got, and they did that and more with clear intent from the ninth minute.

    That was when a snapshot by Ibrahim Muhammad on the edge of the penalty box went narrowly off.

    There were even exchanges afterwards, and the South Americans came close with a header in the 39th minute.

    But the Flying Eagles returned with more stamina and guile in the second half and completely dominated the hosts in front of nearly 30,000 fans in San Juan.

    Goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso had saved from Barco in the 51st minute and Jude Sunday’s shot was held by the opposition goalie.

    Thereafter the two-time silver medallists struck the underside of the bar with an intelligent shot from the edge of the box by Tochukwu Nnadi in the 58thminute.

    The hosts did escape there, but would not be that lucky three minutes later, when from a long Aniagboso ball out, substitute Emmanuel Umeh found an onrushing Muhammad.

    He stretched beyond the attention of two defenders and pushed the ball beyond the advancing goalkeeper into the net.

    Two minutes later, Umeh could have turned goalscorer when he ran powerfully down the left and planted himself in a good position, but dragged his shot a little too wide.

    Carboni saw his shot held by the calm Aniagboso and then headed wide, before Umeh again came close only to be foiled with the goalkeeper beaten.

    The nifty Romero hit the upright with a deceptive shot in the 83rd minute.

    Also, Abel Ogwuche cleared the ball as two Argentines were set to pull the trigger in the 85th minute with things becoming really anxious.

    The hosts, who are under the tutelage of the legendary Javier Mascherano, poured forward in search of the equaliser, and were then open to a sucker punch.

    AC Milan’s Victor Eletu showed tenacity to hold on to another long Aniagboso ball out of defence.

    He then lifted for Haliru Sarki to nod into the net with aplomb for Nigeria’s second with one minute into added time.

    The victory somewhat atoned for Argentina’s 2-1 defeat of Nigeria in the final of the 2005 edition of the competition in The Netherlands.

    That was when Lionel Messi scored twice from the penalty kick spot to deny the African champions.

    Victory took the Flying Eagles to the quarter-finals, where they meet the winners of the Ecuador/South Korea Round of 16 duel to be decided on Thursday.

  • Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles will not be intimidated by opposition and crowd – Bosso

    Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles will not be intimidated by opposition and crowd – Bosso

    Hosts and six-time champions Argentina will fancy being the favourites in their FIFA U20 World Cup Round of 16 duel with Nigeria in San Juan on Wednesday night, but Head Coach Ladan Bosso says his team will not be intimidated by the physicality of the opponents and the capacity crowd expected at the venue.

    The indigenes of the Land of Pampas barnstormed through their group stage, winning all their three matches against Uzbekistan, Guatemala and New Zealand, scoring 10 goals and conceding only one. They are already among the favourites for the title, by both pedigree and current form.

    Despite winning their first two matches, including beating early ravemakers Italy in commanding fashion, the Flying Eagles lost to Brazil 2-0 in La Plata on Saturday and some bookmakers think they stand no chance against the pumped-up home team.

    Bosso said on Tuesday, as his boys prepared for their official training session at match time (6pm Argentine time and 10pm Nigeria) that his Africa Cup of Nations bronze medallists will be ready to give as much as they receive in Wednesday’s encounter.

    “This is the World Cup and it is wrong to under-rate any team. We won two of our three matches and had the same number of points in our group as Brazil and Italy. We are no pushovers in this campaign.

    “It is going to be an interesting game. We want the quarter-final ticket and the Argentines also want the quarter-final ticket. We will go in there and dig our feet into the ground.”

  • Flying Eagles to play host Argentina for quarter-final ticket

    Flying Eagles to play host Argentina for quarter-final ticket

    Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been handed a tough draw in the round of 16 games at the ongoing FIFA U-20 World Cup holding in Argentina.

    Flying Eagles will take on hosts Argentina on Wednesday, May 31 at Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario by 6pm.

    They were the best team outside the top two automatic qualifiers, but their impressive start at the World Cup has been rewarded by one of the toughest draws in the competition’s second round.

    The pairing was confirmed after the Flying Eagles finished as one of the third-best-placed teams.

    After opening their campaign with wins against Dominican Republic  (2-1) and Italy  (2-0), the Flying Eagles lost 2-0 to Brazil in their last Group D game on Saturday.

    Argentina finished top in Group A with nine points from three games.

    In their first game against Uzbekistan, Argentina won 2-1, beat Guatemala 3-0 before spanking New 5-0.

    It will be the first time Nigeria and Argentina play each other at U20 level in a competitive game since the 2005 final, where Lionel Messi scored two penalties to seal off a 2-1 win over Flying Eagles.

    Below is the FIFA U-20 Second Round fixtures

    Tuesday, 30th May 2023

    USA v New Zealand
    Uzbekistan v Israel

    Wednesday, 31st May 2023

    Colombia v Slovakia
    Brazil v Tunisia
    Argentina v Nigeria
    England v Italy

    Thursday, 1st June 2023

    Gambia v Uruguay
    Ecuador v South Korea