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Tag: Flying Eagles

  • Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles taste defeat, lose 2-0 to Brazil

    Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles taste defeat, lose 2-0 to Brazil

    After coming out victorious in its first two games of the tournament, Nigeria’s flying Eagles bowed to the superior firepower of the Junior samba of Brazil by 2-0 in the final group D encounter in Argentina.

    Brazil proved to be too good following an easy 2-0 win over the Nigerian Flying Eagles in the final match of their group stages.

    Jean Pedroso and Arsenal star Marquinhos scored in the first half of the encounter and the two goals proved to be the match decider.

    Although, Ladan Bosso and his boys had already booked a spot in the knockout stage heading into the game against Brazil they were pegged down to third on the log on goal difference to both Brazil and Italy who also won two games each.

    The Flying Eagles were looking to maintain their 100% start in the competition which will see them finish top of Group D but met a an obstruction  in the former champions Brazil.

    The Nigerian side’s effort to pull a goal back proved abortive as they hit the woodwork on two occasions.

    Grpup D other opponent Italy defeated Dominican Republic 3-0 to go second on the log.

    Flying Eagles will know its second round opponent by tomorrow when other group games would have rounded up.

  • Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles receive $1000 each for defeating Italy 2-0

    Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles receive $1000 each for defeating Italy 2-0

    The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have been given $1,000 each for their victory against Italy at the ongoing 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina.

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) presented the bonus to the players on Friday night.

    The Flying Eagles defeated Italy 2-0 at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza on Wednesday night to seal a place in the Round of 16.

    Forward, Emmanuel Umeh  also received an extra $100 for providing the assist that led to the opening goal.

    Ladan Bosso’s side will take on Brazil in their last group game on Saturday (today).

    The Brazilians need to win the game to guarantee their passage to the Round of 16.

  • NFF hails smooth conduct of State FA elections

    NFF hails smooth conduct of State FA elections

    The Nigeria Football Federation has praised the smooth conduct of ongoing elections into the Football Associations in a number States of the Federation, saying that it is pleased that almost all those who have conducted their polls have gone about the business responsibly and with character and integrity.

    Speaking on Friday, Head of Member Associations of the NFF, Ali Muhammad Abubakar said that the NFF is delighted with the adherence to the rules and electoral codes and urged the States yet to conduct their elections to adopt the same stance of character, conformity and integrity.

    “The NFF is pleased with the conduct of elections in most of the States where elections have been held. The rules and regulations, as well as the electoral codes, have been adhered to.

    “However, the NFF is not happy with what happened in Akwa Ibom State, and that is why we have not recognized the so-called elections conducted there. Elections were held in defiance of a court order. The NFF is a law-abiding organization and will not support anything that is tantamount to disregard and disrespect to the rule of law.”

    A total of eight States, namely Abia, Zamfara, Borno, Kano, Jigawa, Lagos, Niger and Cross River States have conducted their elections, and the same have been recognized by the NFF. Elections into the Board of Ekiti State Football Association are scheduled for Saturday, 27th May.

    Most of the remaining States have scheduled their elections for the month of June 2023.

  • Argentina 2023: We will keep our heads and go for victory against Brazil – Bosso

    Argentina 2023: We will keep our heads and go for victory against Brazil – Bosso

    Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles, will work hard to sustain its winning mentality by taking the fight to Brazil in Saturday’s final match of Group D at the FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Argentina.

    Head Coach Ladan Bosso on Friday expressed confidence that his charges can turn the table against the one team that has remained the Achilles heel of the seven-time African champions at the FIFA U20 World Cup.

    “Yes, we acknowledge that Brazil has always been a hard nut to crack for our team at this level. We have lost a number of matches to them over the decades, but there is always a first time. We are riding on a wave of robust confidence and though we do not under-rate them, we certainly do not fear them.

    “We have been able to fulfil our first objective for this championship: getting to the knockout stages. We will take it one match at a time from now onwards. We don’t want to take it easy and lose against Brazil; that will not be good for our winning mentality.”

    NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, who is with the two-time World Cup silver medallists in Argentina, stated on Friday his belief that the Flying Eagles have the capacity to win and top their Group D.

    “Presently, Nigeria is the only team with six points in the group. Italy can beat Dominican Republic and also go to six points. So, with the minimum of a slight win or draw against Brazil, we will top the group. It is important to top the group and also to sustain our spirit of winning.”

    The 53,000 -capacity Estadio Ciudad de La Plata, close to Buenos Aires, is venue for the big clash as Brazil seek victory to be sure of a place in the last 16 while Nigeria only need a draw from the encounter to finish top of the pool.

    Brazil defeated the Flying Eagles 3-0 in Nigeria’s first participation at the FIFA U20 World Cup (then known as FIFA World Youth Championship) in Guadalajara, Mexico in 1983. The result was the only reason Nigeria, which had beaten the Soviet Union in her first match and subsequently drew 0-0 with The Netherlands, failed to make the knockout stage.

    Two years later, the Brazilians ran out 2-0 winners over Nigeria in the semi-finals, and went ahead to lift the trophy while the Flying Eagles defeated host Soviet Union on penalties to clinch the bronze medals.

    In 1987, in Chile, Brazil walloped the Flying Eagles 4-0 in their opening game and the Nigerians boys never recovered from the stunning defeat.

    However, both teams battled to a scoreless draw in their opening match of Group F at the 2005 finals in The Netherlands, with Nigeria finishing ahead of Brazil (silver medals as against Brazil’s bronze) at the end of the championship.

  • Argentina 2023: Why we lost to Nigeria – Italy coach, Nunziata

    Argentina 2023: Why we lost to Nigeria – Italy coach, Nunziata

    Italy head coach, Carmine Nunziata has noted that Flying Eagles were the better side when Italy clashed with Nigeria on Wednesday night.

    The Europeans suffered a 2-0 defeat to the West Africans in their second game at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Mendoza.

    Nunziata started the game on the strong foot pinning the Flying Eagles back but couldn’t sustain the momentum.

    Salim Fago gave Nigeria the lead on 61 minutes after he was set up by a delightful Tochukwu Nnadi’s cross.

    Winger Jude Sunday then ran to goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso long ball to score the second deep into stoppage time.

    “It was a difficult match especially on a physical level,” Nunziata told Italian Football Federation official website.

    “Nigeria was going twice as fast as us. We had the occasion of the crossbar and we could have made better use of the spaces.”

    Italy will take on Dominican Republic in their last group game on Sunday.

  • 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.

  • FIFA U20 World Cup: Flying Eagles defeat overhyped Italian boys

    FIFA U20 World Cup: Flying Eagles defeat overhyped Italian boys

    Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have defeated Italy in their second Group D encounter in the ongoing 2023 FIFA Under 20 World Cup taking place in Argentina.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the encounter played out at the Estadio Malvinas Argetinas, Mendoza, Western Argentina.

    The Flying Eagles defeated the Italian boys, who have been tipped as favourites, by 2 goals to nil. Salim Fago and Jude Sunday scored the two goals.

    With the dogged performance by the Flying Eagles, Nigeria has booked a place in the knockout phase of the 2023 FIFA Under 20 World Cup

  • FIFA U20 World Cup: How Flying Eagles lineup against Italy

    FIFA U20 World Cup: How Flying Eagles lineup against Italy

    Nigeria’s Flying Eagles today lock horns against Italy in their second Group D encounter in the ongoing 2023 FIFA Under 20 World Cup taking place in Argentina.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the encounter will kick off at 7 pm Nigerian time at the Estadio Malvinas Argetinas, Mendoza, Western Argentina.

    In the lineup are Chijioke Aniagboso (GK), Daniel Bameyi (C), Solomon Agbalaka, Abel Ogwueche, Benjamin Fredrick, Daniel Daga, Jude Sundav, Victor Eletu, Samson Lawal, Salim Fago and Ibrahim Muhammad.

    The substitutes are Nathaniel Nwosu, John Utomblo, Augustine Njoku, Tochukwu Nnadi, Haliru Sarki, Domingo Israel, Abdullahi Ibrahim, Ibrahim Kehinde and John Joshua.

    Earlier Flying Eagles coach Ladan Bosso, Abel Ogwuche and Daniel Bameyi had expressed optimism of a good outing against the Italian U20 side.

    TNG reports the Flying Eagles came from behind on Sunday to win their first Group D encounter against Dominican Republic by 2 goals to 1.

  • 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.