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Tag: Flying Eagles

  • Flying Eagles beat Ghana 2-0 in WAFU-B U-20 opener

    Flying Eagles beat Ghana 2-0 in WAFU-B U-20 opener

    Nigeria’s National Under-20 men football team, the Flying Eagles, on Sunday in Niamey beat their Ghanian counterpart 2-0 in the WAFU-B U-20 championship.

    The opening match in Group B of the competition was played at the General Seyni Kountche Stadium, Niamey, Niger Republic.

    The Ladan Bosso tutored boys started the match on a bright side with Aminu Muhammad opening scoring in the 5th minute with a sublime finish that unsettled the Ghanians.

    The Ghanians tried to rally back but were stopped in their tracks by the Nigerian defence marshalled by team captain Oluwatosin Adegbite.

    On resumption of the second half, the Flying Eagles doubled their lead through substitute Ahmed Abdullahi in the 78th minute.

    Ladan Bosso, the team’s coach, after the match, praised the resilience of his boys while assuring of an improved side in the next match.

    The Flying Eagles who are seven-time African champions, will on Wednesday face Burkina Faso in the second and last game of the group at the same venue.

    Cote D’Ivoire had on Saturday shocked host Niger Republic 1-0 in the Group A opener while Benin Republic beat Togo by the same margin in the same group.

    The top two teams from each group will progress to the competition’s semi-finals, while only the two finalists would qualify for the 2023 Under-20 AFCON in Egypt.

    All four semi finalists from the Egypt tournament will qualify to represent Africa in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia.

    NAN

  • Flying Eagles up against Black Satellites as WAFU B begins

    Flying Eagles up against Black Satellites as WAFU B begins

    For Nigeria, the race to next year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations begins on Sunday when seven-time African champions Nigeria go up against arch rivals Ghana in a potentially –intense opener to Group B at the WAFU B U20 Championship in Niamey.

    Both West African giants will flex muscles at the Stade General Seyni Kountché in the Nigerien capital as from 5pm, with the winner certain to be on firm footing for a place in the semi finals from a pool boasting only three teams. Burkina Faso is the other team in the group, and they will take on the Flying Eagles on Wednesday next week.

    Ghana are the defending champions of both the WAFU B U20 Championship and the Africa U20 Cup of Nations. In Porto Novo at the end of year 2020, the Black Satellites defeated their counterparts from Burkina Faso 2-1 in the final to lift the trophy, and then went ahead to defeat Uganda 2-0 in the final of the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Mauritania few months later.

    However, the global coronavirus pandemic obliterated the global finals that were slated for Indonesia.

    Head Coach Ladan Bosso returned to Niamey on Friday after attending the third-day fidau prayers for his late mother. Bosso believes his boys are in good spirit following a 1-0 win over the Niger Republic U20 team and another 4-0 win over a Nigerien top League team in their last two preparatory matches in Niamey.

    Team Secretary Aliyu Ibrahim Lawal told thenff.com that officials of the Nigeria Embassy in Niamey have been very supportive of the team and are making efforts to mobilize Nigerians living in the Nigerien capital to come and support the Flying Eagles at the big match.

    The tournament opens on Saturday with hosts Niger Republic slugging it out with the U20 boys of Cote d’Ivoire as from 5pm, while Togo and Benin Republic clash as from 8pm. Both matches come up at the Stade General Seyni Kountché.

    Only the two finalists will qualify to represent WAFU B at next year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations to be hosted by Egypt. Indonesia will host the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup finals.

  • WAFU B U-20: Flying Eagles hold Niger rep. in friendly

    WAFU B U-20: Flying Eagles hold Niger rep. in friendly

    Nigeria’s national U-20 men’s football team, the Flying Eagles on Friday played a 0-0 draw with Niger Republic in a friendly match.

    The game played in Niamey was the team’s first international friendly as the team intensify preparation for the WAFU B U-20 tournament slated for Niger Republic in May.

    The Ladan Bosso tutored boys started the match brightly but failed to take their chances in front of goal.

    In the second half the Nigeriens piled up the pressure but were repelled by the Nigerian defence marshalled by captain Oluwatosin Adegbite and the composed Nathaniel Nwosu in goal who made some brilliant saves.

    Bosso ringed the changes later on in the game with most of the midfielders and forwards being substituted but still without a goal.

    The coach, after the match, assured that the team will correct some of the mistakes observed, especially it’s finishing.

    The team would play another build-up game on Monday before the commencement of the competition which runs from May 7 to May 20 in Niamey.

    The Flying Eagles starting lineup in the match include Nathaniel Nwosu, Njoku Augustine, Abubakar Babaji, Daniel Daga, Oluwatosin Adegbite, Bolu Sholumade, Lekan Oyedele, Tolulope Ojo, Aminu Muhammed, Hilary Albert and Adams Olubi.

    The team had earlier played some local friendlies in Abuja before traveling to Niamey on Thursday.

    The Flying Eagles, seven-time African champions, are in Group B alongside perennial rivals Ghana and Burkina Faso.

    Hosts, Niger Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, and the Benin Republic would do battle in Group A.

    The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals of the competition and only the two finalists would qualify for the 2023 U-20 AFCON in Egypt.

  • Flying Eagles head to Niamey for WAFU B Championship

    Flying Eagles head to Niamey for WAFU B Championship

     

    Seven –time African champions Nigeria have high expectations as they head to Niamey, capital of Niger Republic for this year’s WAFU B U20 Championship taking place in that country, 7th – 20th May.

    Nigeria’s contingent will fly into Niamey on Thursday and the Nigeria Football Federation has arranged two friendly matches in Niamey to put the team in premium shape and readiness for the competition proper.

    Head Coach Ladan Bosso has selected a team of 28 players who will compete against Ghana’s Black Satellites and the Young Etalons of Burkina Faso in Group B. Hosts Niger Republic, Benin Republic, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire will battle in Group A.

    The Flying Eagles will confront familiar foes Ghana in their first match of the competition on Sunday, 8th May, before they take on Burkina Faso three days later. Both matches hold at the General Seyni Kountche Stadium in Niamey.

    Two teams will sail into the semi finals from each group, with the two finalists qualifying to represent the WAFU B zone at the 2023 Africa U20 Cup of Nations.

    Egypt will host the 2023 Africa U20 Cup of Nations while Indonesia will host the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup finals. All four semi finalists from the tournament in Egypt will qualify to represent Africa in Indonesia.

    FLYING EAGLES FOR WAFU B CHAMPIONSHIP:

    Goalkeepers: Nathaniel Nwosu (Water FC); Chijioke Aniagboso (Giant Brillars); Saheed Jimoh (Adoration FC)

    Defenders: Opeyemi Omooloyi (Akure City); Abubakar Babaji (Niger Tornadoes); Lekan Oyedele (Remo Stars); Oluwatosin Adegbite (Enyimba FC); Augustine Njoku (Abia Warriors); Chikezie Okolie (Giant Brillars); David Sholumade (Akwa United); Benjamin Frederick (ABS FC)

    Midfielders: Anas Hassan (Vandrezzer FC); Daniel Daga (FC One Rocket); Oluwaseyi Falodun (Jossy United); Samson Lawal (Katsina United); Onuche Ogbelu (Fosla Academy); Muhammad Aminu (Gombe United); Muhammad Shehu (Katsina United); Frederick Godwin (City FC)

    Forwards: Adams Olubi (FK Zalgris Vilnius, Lithuania); Tolulope Ojo (Remo Stars); Ibrahim Muhammad (Maikunkele FC); Ibrahim Yahaya (Gombe United); Rilwanu Haliru Sarki (Mahanaim FC); Divine Nwachukwu (Adoration FC); Ahmed Abdullahi (HB Academy); Abdullahi Adam (Nasarawa United); Albert Hilary (Plateau United)

  • Flying Eagles ready for WAFU Zone B Cup of Nations – Bosso

    Flying Eagles ready for WAFU Zone B Cup of Nations – Bosso

    Ladan Bosso, Head Coach of the Flying Eagles, says his team are for action at the 2022 WAFU Zone B Under-20 Cup of Nations in the Niger Republic.

    Bosso told newsmen on Monday in Abuja that the Nigerian national under-20 men football team were in good shape and ready to depart for Niamey on Thursday.

    The Flying Eagles will face perennial rivals Ghana in their opening Group B game when the WAFU Zone B qualifiers get underway.

    Bosso said his team opened camp in Abuja since April 19 with 56 players and it gradually took shape.

    “We started to reduce the initial team gradually, even though we started the camp barely a week from now.

    “We have played three matches, and we won all the games.

    “We had our seventh training session Monday evening and we have started to see the difference in the team’s performance than when we started.

    “So, we are good to go,” he said.

    The team’s first friendly match ended in a 2-2 draw and it was for those players who came for screening.

    However, on Saturday, they played two friendlies, winning 4-2 against Cosmos FC of Abuja and 4-0 against Basira FC from Nasarawa state.

    “In these three matches, we scored 10 goals and conceded four. This shows that things are not too bad.

    “On Tuesday, we will take on City FC of Abuja in another friendly to continue to work on the team in order to produce a better result,” Bosso added.

    The coach however said he and his team were not scared or afraid of Group rivals Ghana and Burkina Faso at the qualifiers.

    “We will strive to give our best to win our first match and the subsequent ones in order to progress,” he said.

    NAN reports that the 2022 WAFU Zone B Under-20 Cup of Nations will hold from May 7 to May 20, and it is a qualifier for the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has already approved for the team to travel with 30 players.

    Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Ghana are in the tournament’s group B, while hosts Niger Republic have been drawn against Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Republic of Benin in Group A.

  • F/Eagles coach Bosso, invites 40 players for WAFU B Championship

    F/Eagles coach Bosso, invites 40 players for WAFU B Championship

    Ladan Bosso, Head Coach of Nigeria’s U20 Boys (Flying Eagles) has called up a total of 40 players for next month’s WAFU B U20 Championship taking place in Niamey, capital of Niger Republic.

    The list has four goalkeepers, 12 midfielders, 17 midfielders and seven forwards.

    Invited players have been advised to arrive at the Blue Spring Hotel, opposite Ministry of Justice (Maitama), Abuja on Monday, 18th April with their international passports, according to Team Secretary Aliyu Lawal Ibrahim (08034824582).

    Seven –time African champions, the Flying Eagles will play in Group B of the WAFU B Championship alongside Ghana and Burkina Faso, with the tournament scheduled for 7th – 20th May in Niamey. Hosts Niger Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo and Benin Republic will contend in Group A.

    Only the two finalists will qualify from the WAFU B zone to participate in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

    ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

    Goalkeepers: Orya Joseph (Lobi Stars); Nathaniel Nwosu (Water FC); Jimoh Saheed (Adoration FC); Chijioke Anianboso (Giant Brillars)

    Defenders: Njoke Augustine (Abia Warriors); Gabriel Adewara (Ikorodu United); Babaji Abubakar (Niger Tornadoes); Okoli Augustine (Giant Brillars); Hassan Shuaibu (Smart City); Uzochukwu Ezeobi (Zamfara United); Opeyemi Omoloye (Amure City); Frederick Benjamin (ABS FC); Monsuru Oyinmade (A&A Academy); Adegbite Emmanuel (Enyimba FC); Bolu Shotimade (Akwa United); Adamu Saidu (Water FC)

    Midfielders: Anas Hassan (Vandrezzer FC); Okeowo Oluwaseyi (3SC); Shehu Sada (Nasarawa United); Promise Harrison (SuperStars Academy); Lawal Samson (Katsina United); Clinshak Longba (Plateau United); Aminu Muhammad (Gombe United); Abdulmajeed Ibrahim (Global FC); Onuche Ogbelu (FOSLA Academy); Jejeko Ola (Coment FC); Hussaini Garba (Maikunkele FC); Divine Nwachukwu (Adoration FC); Sulaiman Kirki (Kebbi United); Munir Idris (Niger Tornadoes); Aminu Yahaya (Nnewi United); Tolulope Simon Ojo (Remo Stars); Muhammad Sambo Shehu (Katsina United)

    Forwards: Emmanuel Ogbole (FC Basira); Ifeanyi Ogba (Lobi Stars); Sopurochukwu Kelechi (HP Academy); Henry Ndubuisi (Cydos FC); Ibrahim Yahaya (Gombe United); Aliyu Abdullahi (Nasarawa United); Ahmed Abdullah (HP Academy)

  • WAFU: Nigeria will present formidable team, in spite short preparation – Bosso

    WAFU: Nigeria will present formidable team, in spite short preparation – Bosso

    Flying Eagles coach Ladan Bosso says the technical crew are working round the clock to present a formidable team for the WAFU B U-20 tournament in Togo, in spite of the short time for preparation.

    Bosso told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the team started intense training at the FIFA Goal project of the Moshood Abiola national stadium Abuja just last week in preparation for the tournament.

    NAN reports that Nigeria are drawn in a tough Group B of the WAFU U-20 qualifying tournament alongside Ghana’s Black Satellites and the Junior Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire for the tournament taking place in Togo from Nov. 18 to Dec. 2.

    Hosts Togo, Niger, Benin Republic, and Burkina Faso will battle it out in Group A, from which the top two teams will qualify to represent the zone at the 2021 U20 AFCON in Mauritania.

    Bosso said the technical crew had strategicaly prunned down the 180 players in camp to 35 in just a week due to the time constrain, noting that the 25- man provisional squad would soon be released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    “For the first time within seven days, I was able to streamline the team from 180 to 35 players.

    “You can see that the team is taking shape, we have had two friendly matches, so we are trying to build on the mistakes noticed in the matches before we move to the next phase,” he said.

    The experienced gaffer said the players were selected from former U-17 national players and those within the age bracket from former U-20 team, the League and former LMC U-17 boys.

    He said the technical crew was also scouting Europe for some players, just in case there might be need to draft them to the team.

    The coach called for the support of Nigerians and football stakeholders while expressing confidence in the team’s ability to qualify for the tournament in Mauritania.

    Bosso was recently appointed coach of the Flying Eagles for a second time.

    In his first stint, he led Nigeria to the quarter-finals of the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada.

  • Ex-Flying Eagles goalkeeper dies in Senegal

    Ex-Flying Eagles goalkeeper dies in Senegal

    The football fraternity in Nigeria has been hit with another devastating news as the death of a former junior international, John Felagha, has now been confirmed.

    The Nigeria Football Federation on their official Twitter handle confirmed the death of the 26-year-old goalkeeper on Monday.

    The NFF wrote: “Former National U17 and U20 goalkeeper John Felagha has died. Felagha died on Sunday in Senegal.

    “He was aged 26. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

    Though he was on the bench throughout the tournament as Nigeria won silver behind Switzerland, Felagha was a member of the 2009 Golden Eaglets squad.

    Felagha was also part of 2013 FIFA U-20 World cup but failed to play a single match in the tournament

    He later joined the Belgian side KAC Eupen in 2013 were he managed a few competitive appearances for the Jupiter League side.

    He was said to be awaiting airlifting back to Nigeria on holidays before the unfortunate incident.

     

  • U-20 World Cup: Nigeria failed to prepare, says FA member

    U-20 World Cup: Nigeria failed to prepare, says FA member

    Godwin Bamigboye, board member of FCT Football Association (FA), says the woeful performance of the Flying Eagles of Nigeria in the ongoing U-20 World Cup in Poland was was due to failure of the team to prepare adequately for the tournament.

    Bamigboye said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday while reviewing the performance of Nigeria and two other African countries in the tournament.

    He said that football preparation should not be done in a hurry but with commitment and all seriousness for great results.

    “Nigeria did not do the needful in terms of preparations for the U-20 World Cup hence they crashed out.

    “Football preparation should not be done in a fire brigade style but requires long time get together and training,” he said.

    The FA member, who rated the Flying Eagles below average in the tournament, said that Senegal and Mali were outstanding.

    Bamigboye said that Senegal and Mali showed strength, speed and determination which were purely African style.

    According to him, the two countries’ performances showed that they were well prepared for the tournament unlike Nigeria.

    He urged the managers of Flying Eagles to go back to the drawing board and begin to build a new and stronger team for the future.

    NAN reports that Mali and Senegal are one of the breakout performers of the FIFA U-20 World Cup “Poland 2019”.

    Mali drew 1-1 with Panama, they soon got into their stride, defeating Asian champions, Saudi Arabia 4-3 and giving a highly-fancied France side something to think about in a 3-2 loss, while Senegal won two of their Group matches and drew 0-0 against Poland having not conceded any goal.

  • Flying Eagles didn’t make good impression, says Akanni

    Flying Eagles didn’t make good impression, says Akanni

    Ex-international Wahidi Akanni on Tuesday said that the performance of the U-20 Flying Eagles at the ongoing World Cup in Poland was not impressive.

    He made the assertion in a interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    NAN reports that the U -20 squad crashed out in the round of 16, having lost to Senegal, a fellow African country 1-2.

    Goals from Senegal’s Amadou Sagna and Ibrahima Niane were enough to seal the win for the Young Teranga Lions in spite of Flying Eagle’s Aniekeme Okon’s consolation goal.

    “I wasn’t surprised at all, the team didn’t impress me one bit, obviously they have been lucky to have even qualified from the group stage.

    “They lack tact, we have seen better U-20 squads in recent times, this is not just a well coordinated squad, ” he said.

    The Moscow (Soviet Union) 1985 U-20 World Cup Bronze medalist, told NAN that the selection of the players from the outset was questionable.

    “In my days, players were picked from every nook and cranny of this country but this selection, I don’t understand.

    “We consistently don’t see the need to encourage our home-based players to put in effort, I mean at the end of the day what’s in it for them,” the former Lagos FA Chairman said.

    He also said that the team had too many heads, without clear separation of functions.

    “There are too many lead coaches in the team, so it is just a disaster waiting to happen, we need to do better next time.

    “Even the technical crew, I didn’t see them address each technical issue in each encounter in the tournament.

    “The same problem they faced is still there in subsequent matches from the get go to the end,” he said.

    Coach Paul Aigbogun’s squad were knocked out of the tournament in Poland by their West African neighbours on Monday night.

    Nigeria’s underwhelming display at the FIFA U20 World Cup came to an end after a 2-1 defeat to Senegal in Monday’s Round of 16 fixture.

    The defeat in Lodz ended the Flying Eagles campaign in Poland.

    Nigerian fans are far from happy with the team’s performance and coach Aigbogun’s tactical decisions.