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Tag: Flying Eagles

  • 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 land in Mendoza ahead clash with Dominican Republic

    Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles land in Mendoza ahead clash with Dominican Republic

    Four days before their opening match against the Dominican Republic, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles arrived in the city of Mendoza to continue preparations for the opening tie on Sunday.

    Flying Eagles will play their group stage matches in the city of Mendoza.

    The team led by Head Coach, Ladan Bosso touched down at Aero Puerto International Airport, Mendoza and was received by NFF’s Head of International Competitions, Dayo Enebi Achor and officials of the Local Organizing Committee of the championship.

    The Nigeria Football Federation had set up a pre-World Cup training camp for the Flying Eagles in Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, where the team defeated an Argentine second-division team, Almirante and battled out a 3-3 draw with fellow World Cup finalists Colombia in friendlies.

    Nigeria, who will be making their 13th appearance at the FIFA U20 World Cup finals, open their World Cup campaign in Group D against Dominican Republic on 21 May, and will also play Italy and Brazil in that order in the group phase.

    The FIFA U-20 World Cup will kick start on the 20th of May and run till Sunday June 11.

  • Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles draw Colombia 3-3, set to face Dominican Republic on Sunday

    Argentina 2023: Flying Eagles draw Colombia 3-3, set to face Dominican Republic on Sunday

    Fit-fighting Nigeria battled to a 3-3 draw with Colombia in Tuesday’s pre-FIFA U20 World Cup friendly match at the Estadio 20 October in Tristán Suárez, Buenos Aires.

     

    Colombia went ahead in the tie after 26 minutes when central defender Abel Ogwuche put the ball past his own goalkeeper Chijioke Aniagboso.

     

    The seven-time African champions levelled up in the 44th minute when winger Jude Sunday fired a scorching shot from outside the box, but the South Americans were soon back in the lead before half-time after they converted from the penalty spot.

     

    The Colombians, who play in Group C of the tournament against African champions Senegal, Japan and Israel, increased the tally in the 73rd minute to leave the Flying Eagles panting. But winger Ibrahim Mohammed pulled one back just four minutes later and Emmanuel Umeh, one of the scorers in the 3-2 defeat of Argentine second division team Almirante Brown on Friday evening, evened things up in the 89th minute.

     

    Head Coach Isah Ladan Bosso was full of warm words for the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation for organizing the friendly with Colombia.

     

    “We thank the NFF leadership for organizing such a good test for the team. I am happy with the result. This will bolster the team mentally and psychologically for the World Cup starting in a few days. The match has provided us with a stiff test and has also strengthened us for the big task ahead,” Bosso told thenff.com at the final whistle.

     

    “We are focused on the big challenge ahead, which is to put up a creditable performance that will match the pedigree of our country at this championship. Our ultimate target is to have a good campaign and with this result, we will be very ready for our first match against the Dominican Republic on Sunday.”

     

    The match against Colombia drew the curtain on the Flying Eagles’ activities in Buenos Aires, and they will fly into Mendoza on Wednesday afternoon ahead of their first game against the Dominican Republic on Sunday. Their second match, against Italy on Wednesday next week, will also take place in Mendoza.

  • Argentina 2023: Ambassador Ikurusi charges Flying Eagles to go for glory

    Argentina 2023: Ambassador Ikurusi charges Flying Eagles to go for glory

    The Nigerian Ambassador to Argentina, His Excellency Mr. Philip Ikurusi has charged the Flying Eagles to not only evoke the spirit of their 1989 and 2005 predecessors, but to also go a step further by winning for Nigeria for the very first time the FIFA U20 World Cup trophy in Argentina this summer.

    Mr. Ikurusi made the call when he visited the team’s camp at Howard Johnson Hotel & Resorts in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina on Tuesday evening.

    The diplomat also advised the players to be focused and play as a unit, as success in football can only be achieved through team work.

    “I am here to officially welcome you to Argentina, the host nation of the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup finals.

    “It is heartwarming that our dear nation will be among the 24 nations that will take part in this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup. It is also on record that we have played the final of this tournament on two occasions, in 1989 and 2005 and I believe this present set can surpass the record of your predecessors by lifting the coveted trophy for the first time.”

    The Flying Eagles, who finished third at the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt earlier in the year, will tackle Dominican Republic, Italy and Brazil in that order in Group D of the three-week global fiesta commencing next week Saturday.

    “I believe with hard work, commitment and dedication, you can do it by overpowering all opposition before you and getting your hands on the trophy.”

    Ambassador Ikurusi further called on the players to be of good conduct and behaviour during their stay in the South American nation.

    Responding, Head Coach of the Flying Eagles, Isah Ladan Bosso expressed appreciation to the Ambassador for the visit while promising the team is ready to make the nation proud.

    Two-time runners-up Nigeria will get their campaign off the ground on Monday, 21 May when they go up against the Dominican Republic in Mendoza. Their other matches in the group phase are against Italy (also in Mendoza) on 24 May and against Brazil (in La Plata) on 27 May.

  • BREAKING: Nigeria’s U20 coach names final squad for FIFA U20 World Cup [FULL LIST]

    BREAKING: Nigeria’s U20 coach names final squad for FIFA U20 World Cup [FULL LIST]

    Nigeria Under 20 coach Ladan Bosso on Monday named his final squad for the FIFA U20 World Cup starting later this month in Argentina.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Flying Eagles are already in Argentina for the final phase of their preparations for the FIFA U20 World Cup.

    The goalkeepers who made the list are Chijioke Aniagboso, Nathaniel Nwosu and Saheed Jimoh.

    The defenders are Daniel Bameyi, Benjamin Frederick, Israel Domingo, Abel Ogwuche, Augustine Njoku and Solomon Abalaka.

    In the midfield are Daniel Daga, Samson Lawal, Victor Eletu, Ibrahim Abdullahi, John Joshua and Tochukwu Nnadi.

    Meanwhile, the forwards are Haliru Sarki, Jude Sunday, Ibrahim Mohammed, Lawal Salem Fago, Kehinde Ibrahim and Emmanuel Umeh.

    TNG reports the Flying Eagles have been slotted in Group D for this year’s championship and will play Dominican Republic, Italy and Brazil.

    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.

  • 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.

     

  • BREAKING: Ex-Flying Eagles forward Emmanuel Ebiede is dead

    BREAKING: Ex-Flying Eagles forward Emmanuel Ebiede is dead

    Former Nigeria youth international, Emmanuel Ebiede, has died at the age of 45 years.

    His daughter, Lisa Ebiede, confirmed the development when she spoke with NAN on Friday in Ilorin.

    Born on March 27, 1978, Ebiede had been battling with hepatomegaly (enlargement of the liver) and the news of his health status broke a fortnight ago.

    He played for the defunct Sharks of Port Harcourt in 1994.

    Ebiede joined Belgian First Division side SC Eendracht Aalst at the age of 16 and scored four goals for the club in 34 appearances.

    In 1997, he moved to SC Heerenveen of the Dutch Eredivisie and found the back of the net twice in 36 appearances.

    The former Sharks forward also had some stints in the Middle East donning the colours of Al Jazira, Al Ain and Al Dafra among others.

  • Indonesia 2023: Nigeria’s nemesis, Portugal and Argentina, fail to reach World Cup finals

    Indonesia 2023: Nigeria’s nemesis, Portugal and Argentina, fail to reach World Cup finals

    Portugal, who got the better of Nigeria in a 2-0 in the Final of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Riyadh in 1989, and Argentina, who beat the Flying Eagles to the trophy in The Netherlands in 2005, have both failed to make the cut as the field for this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Indonesia filled up at the weekend.

    Europe’s flag bearers will be England, France, Israel, Italy and Slovakia, while South America will be represented by Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia and Ecuador – leaving out both Portugal and Argentina from the equation. Even Cup holders Ukraine got bumped in the qualifying race.

    All 24 finalists have emerged following the conclusion of the Africa U20 Cup in Egypt at the weekend, with champions Senegal, vice champions The Gambia, third-placed Nigeria and fourth-placed Tunisia to bear the touch for the continent.

    Reigning vice champions Korea Republic, Uzbekistan, Iraq and Japan will be flying Asia’s flag, while USA, Honduras, Guatemala and Dominican Republic will represent North and Central America. Fiji and New Zealand will bear the flag of Oceania.

    All the teams will be in the four different pots for the Draw to be conducted at the Taman Werdhi Budaya Art Centre in Denpasar, Bali with Nigeria already slotted into Pot 3. African champions Senegal stay in Pot 1 alongside Italy, USA and France while The Gambia and Tunisia have homes in Pot 4.

    The teams will be drawn in six groups of four teams each, with the top two teams from each group and the four best third-place finishers in the six groups making the progress to the Round of 16.

    Ukraine won the last championship in France in 2019, having defeated Korea Republic 3-1.