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Tag: Flying Eagles

  • Bosso gives Flying Eagles yuletide period off after NPFL tests

    Bosso gives Flying Eagles yuletide period off after NPFL tests

    Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles turned back NPFL side, Lobi Stars 2-0 on Saturday morning at FIFA Goal Project AstroTurf in Abuja to round off the first phase of the team’s preparations for the forthcoming Africa U20 Cup of Nations on a high note.

    Haliru Sarki broke the deadlock in a closely-fought game with a well-taken free kick in the 76th minute, and 10 minutes later, prolific Olusegun Otusanya sealed the victory for the Ladan Bosso-tutored side after an assist from Dominion Ohaka. The win was the second for the U20 boys in three games against NPFL sides as Bosso’s squad maintained their rich vein of form.

    Earlier on Friday, the Egypt-bound team forced Nasarawa United to a 1-1 draw with Olamilekan Adams scoring the equaliser four minutes to the end of the game.

    On Thursday, the Ladan Bosso-led team knocked Wikki Tourists 2-0 with goals from Olamilekan Adams and Olusegun Otusanya stamping the win for the seven-time African Champions.

    The win against Lobi Stars was the eighth game the Flying Eagles had played (with seven wins and a draw) since the team opened camp on 28th November.

    The Flying Eagles will now embark on a two-week recess and are expected to resume camp in the first week of January for the final phase of preparations ahead of the Final Tournament of the Africa U20 in Egypt. The TotalEnergies U20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2023 will be played between 19 February and 11 March 2023.

    Meanwhile, the Draw Ceremony for the U20 AFCON is billed to take place in Cairo, Egypt on Friday, 23rd December.

    The qualified countries are hosts Egypt, Tunisia, Nigeria, Benin, Senegal, The Gambia, Uganda, South Sudan, Mozambique, Zambia, Central African Republic and Congo.

  • Flying Eagles spank Lobi Stars 2-0 in friendly match

    Flying Eagles spank Lobi Stars 2-0 in friendly match

    The Flying Eagles, the national under-20 male football team, on Saturday in Abuja defeated Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) clubside Lobi Stars of Makurdi 2-0 in a friendly match.

    The match played at the FIFA Goal Project at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium saw the Flying Eagles putting up a better performance.

    The national side had drawn 1-1 in their friendly match against NPFL side Nasarawa United on Friday.

    They tightened up at the rear, making Lobi Stars to fight hard and unsuccessfully to break their defence in spite of laying siege on many occasions in their half.

    Flying Eagles forward Halliru Sarki broke the deadlock by scoring with a free-kick in the 76th minute.

    Twelve minutes later, forward Olusegun Otusanya doubled his side’s lead after a pass from Dominion Ohaka.

    Speaking after the match, the Flying Eagles head coach, Ladan Bosso, said their performance was satisfactory in spite of the fact that the match was part of their preparation.

    “Things are going on smoothly. We have played against some NPFL sides, and we have won two and drawn one of the matches.

    “We also won all our matches against the football academies. So, it has been a very good performance displayed by the team.

    “The tactical strength was there and, by the time the players will be returning to camp early in January, we would have been set,” he said.

    Bosso added that before the team resume camping, he and his colleagues would have streamlined and prepared all that is necessary for the camping.

    He however said their last three matches were determining factors in recalling the players to camp.

    “The performances of the last three matches will serve as determinants regarding player to have in camp when we come back by January.

    “We will not have back this crowd (of 45 players) to blend in January,” the coach said.

    The team is preparing for the 2023 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt from Feb. 19 to March 11.

    Nigeria qualified for the competition after winning the regional WAFU U-Under-20 Tournament in Niger Republic.

    Ghana are the current continental champions while the Flying Eagles are the event’s most successful team, having won it seven times.

    NAN

  • U-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles to know group opponents next week

    U-20 AFCON: Flying Eagles to know group opponents next week

    The Flying Eagles of Nigeria will next week know their U-20 AFCON opponents.

    The draw ceremony  will be conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and it is expected to be staged in Cairo Egypt.

    Nigeria, Egypt and ten other African teams will be drawn on December 23rd in Cairo.

    Senegal, Zambia, Mozambique, Uganda and South Sudan are among the countries that have already booked their place for the tournament.

    Also ,Tunisia, the Central African Republic and Congo will also feature at the U-20 AFCON

    The competition will run from February 18 to March 12, 2023.

    Top four countries will represent Africa at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia in 2023.

     

  • Flying Eagles resume camping after another scoring spree

    Flying Eagles resume camping after another scoring spree

    Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles continued to exhibit their goal-scoring prowess as they whipped Kickers Academy 8-0 on Saturday at the FIFA Goal Project Football Field.

    Ayuba Francis made no mistake 15 minutes into the game with a simple tap-in to put the Eagles in front before Lekan Adams doubled the lead 30 minutes into the game.

    Substitute Jude Sunday added the third goal five minutes into recess before another substitute Olusegun Otusanya made it four in 56 minutes.

    Abdulmajid Ibrahim scored from the penalty spot after a foul on Jude Sunday while Olusegun Otusanya bagged his brace 65th minutes into the game to make it six for the Flying Eagles.

    Jude Sunday scored his second of the game as he increased the tally to seven before Olusegun Otusanya completed his hat trick to make it eight for the Eagles.

    Earlier on Friday, the Flying Eagles defeated AS Roma Academy 2-0 with goals from Yahaya Ibrahim and Ayuba Francis in the 40th and 50th minutes respectively.

    On Thursday, the Flying Eagles roasted Kano based team, AA Zaura FC 8-1. The victory against Kickers Academy was the sixth in six games for the Flying Eagles since the Ladan Bosso-led side opened camp on 28th November ahead of the 2023 Africa U20 Cup of Nations scheduled to take place in Egypt next year.

    Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles are scheduled to play NPFL teams, Nasarawa United and Niger Tornadoes this week while the team resumes training on Monday.

  • Egypt 2023: Five-Star Flying Eagles thrash Paul Academy in friendly

    Egypt 2023: Five-Star Flying Eagles thrash Paul Academy in friendly

    Nigeria’s U20  Boys, Flying Eagles on Thursday whiplashed Paul E Sports Academy 5-0 as the team continued its re-building process in preparations for next year’s U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

    Jonas Emmanuel opened the scoring in the 10th minute while Emmanuel Ekpenyong doubled the lead eight minutes before half time.

    Substitute Obiakor Ifeshinachi bagged a brace in 65th and 71st minutes before Badamasi Umar set up Abdurahman Adam to complete the comprehensive victory for the seven-time African champions.

    Coach Ladan Bosso and his lieutenants will continue the re-building process as the two-time World Cup runners-up play Capital FC on Friday and Kebbi-Selected team on Saturday.

    The U20 Africa Cup of Nations will take place 18th February – 12th March, 2023 in Egypt. The top four teams will qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup scheduled to place in Indonesia 20th May – 11th June next year.

    Meanwhile, Chairman of the NFF Task Force on Youth Competitions, Alh. Aminu Balele Kurfi has implored the invited players to the Flying Eagles’ camp to be focused as the team continues preparations for next year’s U20 AFCON in Egypt.

    Balele made the call on Wednesday  shortly after the team’s  evening training session at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. The Katsina State FA Chairman also charged the players to be displined during their stay in the team’s camp while urging them to face the task of ensuring the Flying Eagles make a statement in  February in Egypt next year.

    Balele added the NFF Task Force on Youth Competitions under his watch is working on securing a camp outside the shores of the country to further prepare the team for the U20 AFCON in Egypt next year.

    In his remark, Head Coach Ladan Bosso on behalf of the team thanked the Katsina State-born sports administrator for the visit and commitment towards the team while promising his technical crew and backroom staff are working out all modalities to make the nation proud in the forthcoming championship.

  • Flying Eagles win 3-1 to lift WAFU title

    Flying Eagles win 3-1 to lift WAFU title

    Nigeria’s under-20 male football team, the Flying Eagles, on Friday emerged champions of the West Africa B Zone when they defeated the Young Squirrels of Republic of Benin 3-1.

    They achieved this feat after winning in the final match of the WAFU B Under-20 Championship held in Niamey, Niger Republic.

    Tolulope Ojo set Nigeria on the path to victory in the 38th minute with a marvelous goal at the Stade General Seyni Kountché.

    Ojo, who plays his club football for Ikenne-based Remo Stars, made it two for Nigeria in the 62nd minute.

    Ibrahim Muhammad made it 3-0 with 16 minutes to go, when he cleverly won the ball as the Beninoise goalkeeper tried to launch an attack, and then heaved the ball over his head.

    The Squirrels scored a consolation goal with few minutes to the end of the match.

    The Republic of Benin side had won their Group A which included hosts Niger Republic, Cote d’Ivoire and Togo, before edging Burkina Faso in the first semi-final match on Tuesday.

    Nigeria, seven-time African champions, were worthy winners of the trophy.

    They started their campaign with a 2-0 spanking of tournament title-holders and continental champions Ghana, before a 2-2 draw with Burkina Faso.

    In the semi-finals, they were stretched to the limit by an Ivorian team with a blistering pace and superb turn, but they still edged the tie 2-1 after extra time.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria and Benin Republic will now fly WAFU B zone’s flag at the 2023 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations in Egypt.

  • WAFU B: Flying Eagles set to face Junior Squirrels in final

    WAFU B: Flying Eagles set to face Junior Squirrels in final

    Nigeria and neighbours Benin Republic, both already qualified for the 17th Africa U20 Cup of Nations Egypt 2023, will slug it out on Friday to determine which of the two teams is the best U20 squad in the West African Football Union B zone.

    Like Nigeria, Benin Republic emerged winners of their pool in the group phase, above second –placed Cote d’Ivoire, and then defeated Burkina Faso, second –placed team in Group B, 2-1 in the first semi finals match on Wednesday.

    Seven –time African champions Nigeria also defeated Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 after extra time in a tense and turgid affair at the Stade General Seyni Kountché, the winner coming from the penalty spot 21 minutes into extra time after both teams were locked at 1-1 following regulation time.

    Read Also:

    Flying Eagles qualify for 2023 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations

    Friday’s encounter will confer bragging rights on the winning side and immense confidence going into next year’s continental finals, and Coach Ladan Bosso said on Thursday that his boys are ready to go all out for the trophy.

    “We are happy to have the AFCON ticket under our belts now, but we want more. The Cup is now within reach and we will go all out for it. We want to be WAFU B champions. That will give us tremendous boost going into the African championship next year.”

  • Flying Eagles qualify for 2023 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations

    Flying Eagles qualify for 2023 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations

    Nigeria’s national under-20 male football team, the Flying Eagles on Tuesday overpowered Cote d’Ivoire in the first semi-final match to reach the final of the ongoing WAFU B Under-20 Championship in Niamey.

    The 2-1 victory not only gave them a ticket to Saturday’s final match but also came a ticket to next year’s Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations scheduled for Egypt.

    Midfielder Daniel Daga put Nigeria in front after only five minutes, when he cleverly escaped the attention of the Ivorian defenders to nod in from a well-weighted pullout.

    The seven-time African champions then launched onslaughts after onslaughts on the Ivorian goal but failed to add to the tally.

    It was rather the Ivorians who equalised just before half-time from an intelligently-taken free-kick at the edge of Nigeria’s penalty box.

    Neither team could find another goal to gain upper hand before the end of regulation time inside the Stade General Seyni Kountché in Niamey, and the game went into extra time.

    Forward Ibrahim Yahaya got the winner for Nigeria in the 111th minute of play when he tucked in from the penalty kick spot to make it 2-1.

    Nigeria will now square up against neighbours Benin Republic in Saturday’s final match.

  • WAFU B :Flying Eagles to play Junior Etalons of Burkina Faso

    WAFU B :Flying Eagles to play Junior Etalons of Burkina Faso

    After a comfortable 2-0 win and three maximum points secured against defending champions and reigning Africa’s best, Ghana on Sunday, Nigeria’s Flying Eagles are expected to keep things intense but firm against the Junior Etalons of Burkina Faso on Wednesday, to earn their semi final ticket at the ongoing WAFU B U20 Championship in Niamey.

    Both teams will take the pitch at 5pm at the Stade General Seyni Kountché, the same venue where the Flying Eagles enacted a masterclass to send African champions Ghana tumbling on Sunday. Ibrahim Muhammad and former U17 star Ahmed Abdullahi scored the goals that downed the Black Satellites.

    Coach Ladan Bosso still has the full complement of his squad, and is unwilling to rest any of his regulars as he looks to make sure of a place in the last four.

    “We must approach the match against Burkina Faso with even stronger determination and desire than we did for the Ghana match. A ticket to the semi finals is key at the moment, and we can then start thinking of a ticket to the final and a place in the Africa Cup of Nations next year.”

    Only the two finalists at the WAFU B Championship in Niamey will be eligible for next year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations, already scheduled to take place in Egypt February/March.

  • Nigeria defeat Ghana 2-0 in U20 AFCON qualifying tournament

    Nigeria defeat Ghana 2-0 in U20 AFCON qualifying tournament

    Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles defeated their Ghanaian counterparts 2-0 in the opening match of Group B of the WAFU B U20 Championship in Niamey on Sunday, scooping all three points and putting a foot in the semi finals of a competition from where the zone’s flag-bearers to next year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations will emerge.

    Ibrahim Muhammad put the Nigerians’ noses in front after only 6 minutes, and the seven –time African champions showed composure, confidence and calmness as they dominated the Black Satellites easily.

    Adams Olubi could have made it 2-0 for Nigeria towards the end of the first half but fluffed his lines after a good team move had carved open the Ghanaian rearguard and left him with only the goalkeeper to beat.

    The Flying Eagles eventually made sure of the three points in the second half at the Stade General Seyni Kountché, when substitute Ahmed Abdullahi slotted into the net in the 78th minute after a series of onslaughts left the Ghanaians in disarray.

    The three points put Nigeria in pole position to qualify from a group that has only three teams. The Flying Eagles will play their last match of the group on Wednesday against Burkina Faso.

    The result could determine the fate of Cup holders and reigning African champions Ghana, as they would be condemned to defeat the Burkinabes when both teams clash at the same venue on Sunday next week.

    Scorer of Nigeria’s first goal, Ibrahim Muhammad was voted man of the match.