TheNewsGuru

Tag: International Friendly

  • Int’l Friendly: Super Eagles to face Costa Rica in November

    Int’l Friendly: Super Eagles to face Costa Rica in November

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face the La Tricolor of  Costa Rica, in an international friendly scheduled to hold in November.

    The friendly match with Costa Rica was confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on their official Twitter handle on Thursday.

    According to the tweet by the NFF, the game between the two countries will hold at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose on November 10.

    “A date in San Jose for the @NGSuperEagles on 10.11.2022. #SoarSuperEagles,” the tweet reads.

    Both sides have only met once at the senior level and it was also another friendly game in 2011 where the La Tricolor, as they are fondly called, emerged 1-0 winners.

    Jose Peseiro’s boys also have a date with C.Ronaldo’s Portugal  in November  in another International friendly game.

    This will be the first time  the Super Eagles will face A Seleção of Portugal at the senior level.

    The three-time African champions were initially scheduled to play Guinea Bissau in a double-header Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in the FIFA international break.

    But with the qualifiers postponed until March 2023 by the Confederation of African Football last month, the NFF is busy arranging grade A friendlies for the Super Eagles.

    Nigeria recently faced Algeria in an international friendly game in Oran which they lost 2-1.

     

  • International Friendly: Japan beat Super Falcons in Kobe

    International Friendly: Japan beat Super Falcons in Kobe

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons fell  to a 2-0  defeat in the hands of the Nadeshiko of Japan in an international friendly match at the Noevir Stadium in Kobe on Thursday.

    Two second-half goals by Japan’s Mina Tanaka condemned the Super Falcons to five straight defeats.

    Nigerian senior women’s national football team could not keep up with the pace of the Japanese side in the game.

    A string of brilliant saves by first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie kept Nigeria in the game in the first half.

    But Randy Waldrum ladies almost took a surprise lead when defender Ashleigh Plumptre struck the woodwork from a free-kick.

    Japan opened scoring in the 65th minute when forward Tanaka received a pass from a team mate in the penalty area, she chested it and blasted a shot past Nnadozie in the goalpost.

    Her second goal came three minutes later, from the penalty  spot, after a harsh challenge from Osinachi Ohale on an advancing Japanese forward in the Nigeria area.

    Both teams used the game as part of their preparations for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand.

    In September, the Super Falcons had lost in a double header friendly to the American senior female national team.

  • Nigeria’s Super Eagles drop in FIFA Rankings

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles drop in FIFA Rankings

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria has dropped two places in the latest men’s ranking released by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) on Thursday.

    The Nigerian senior male team is now ranked 32nd in the world as against 30th in the month of September.

    The latest ranking was published on FIFA’s official website Thursday, 6th of October.

    Super Eagles played two frindly games in September against the Algerian home based Eagles and their Foreign professionals, they drew 2-2 in their first game and lost 2-1 in the second.

    Jose Peseiro’s side, however, maintained the number four position in Africa.

    Meanwhile, the Teranga Lions of Senegal, Atlas Lions of Morocco, and Carthage Eagles of Tunisia are Placed first, second and third respectively in Africa.

    Two-time African champions Algeria completed the top five teams on the continent.

    The Super Eagles’ next game is a friendly encounter against C.Ronaldo’s  Portugal in Lisbon on November 17.

     

  • International Friendly: 19 Super Falcons players hit Kobe camp for Japan encounter

    International Friendly: 19 Super Falcons players hit Kobe camp for Japan encounter

    19 Super Falcons players have hit the training camp ahead of the International friendly match with the Nadeshiko of Japan.

    The Super Falcons camp was opened on Monday in the city of Kobe.

    The friendly will take place at the Noevir Stadium, Kobe on Thursday

    The quartet of Amanda Mbadi, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, Uchenna Kanu and Vivian Ikechukwu were the latest arrivals in camp on Wednesday afternoon.

    More players are still being expected in camp before the game.

    Recall that the Super Falcons played two friendly games with the American senior female team recently as a means to prepare for the 2023 Female World Cup that will hold in Australia.

    Below is the list of players already in camp.

    *Chiamaka Nnadozie

    Deborah Abiodun
    Esther Onyenezide
    Ashleigh Plumptre
    Rasheedat Ajibade
    *Peace Efih
    Osinachi Ohale
    Michelle Alozie
    Ifeoma Onumonu
    Flourish Sabastine
    Christy Ucheibe
    Amanda Mbadi
    Ngozi Okobi- Okeoghene
    Uchenna Kanu
    Vivian Ikechukwu*Nkiruka Obidinma
    Glory Ogbonna
    Akudo Ogbonna
    Jumoke Alani

  • Int’l Friendly: Algeria coach, Belmadi hails team after beating Super Eagles

    Int’l Friendly: Algeria coach, Belmadi hails team after beating Super Eagles

    Algeria head coach, Djamel Belmadi has heaped praises on his team for their wonderful display against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    Belmadi was particularly impressed with the Fennecs’ comeback win against Nigeria on Tuesday night

    The Fennecs rallied back to win the encounter at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium, Oran 2-1.

    On form Lorient of France forward Terem Moffi profited from slack defending to give the Super Eagles the lead.

    Algerian Captain Riyad Mahrez equalized from the penalty spot three minutes before the break, with Youcef Atal netting the winning goal in the 70th minute.

    According to Belmedi, the game was a good game for both sides

    “Conceding a goal can break your momentum. We lacked vigilance, I don’t like it because I insist on it. We stuck to our plan. We relocated and reworked this team.

    “I like what we saw in the second half in midfield. Normally, there is everything you need to have a seat and a way to play. We have what it takes with these three players.

    “I thank my staff. We are one. I am their representative because we need a voice, but we are on the same wavelength.”

  • Int’l Friendly: Algeria’s Fennecs defeat Super Eagles 2-1 in Oran

    Int’l Friendly: Algeria’s Fennecs defeat Super Eagles 2-1 in Oran

    A controversial penalty tucked in by Riyad Mahrez and a 28-yard scorcher by Youcef Atal condemned the Super Eagles to a narrow defeat against Algeria’s Fennecs in an international friendly in Oran on Tuesday night.

    Nigeria had gone ahead in the 9th minute when France –based Terem Moffi escaped the attentions of Algerian defenders and hooked the ball into the net as a shot by defender Calvin Bassey was deflected in a goalmouth melee.

    Two –time African champions Algeria came close to getting the equalizer 10 minutes later, when goalkeeper Francis Uzoho upended Riyad Mahrez in the box from a counter-attack, but the hosts had already been caught off-side.

    Minutes later, the Super Eagles thought they were 2-0 up when Ademola Lookman finished calmly as they counter-attacked, but Algerian referee Mehrez Melki ruled it off-side.

    Mahrez would level up for the North Africans five minutes from recess, when he coolly slotted past Uzoho after referee Melki adjudged that Frank Onyeka had fouled Youcef Belaili in the Nigerian box.

    The Super Eagles, who were missing several first-team players including strikers Victor Osimhen and Sadiq Umar, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and defenders William Ekong and Jamilu Collins, created a hatful of chances in a frenetic first half that would have made the game a fait accompli.

    The hosts wrapped up the game when Youcef Atal, latching on to a free ball from 28 yards after a corner kick was poorly cleared, slammed past a badly-positioned Uzoho.

    Nigeria will next face Portugal in a friendly match in Lisbon on 17th November.

  • Nigeria vs Algeria: My boys will carry the day – Peseiro

    Nigeria vs Algeria: My boys will carry the day – Peseiro

    Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro has vowed that his team will defeat the desert foxes of Algeria in the second test game today in Oran.

    The two teams will face each other today at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium, Oran. Kick-off is 8 pm Nigeria time.

    Super Eagles haven’t recorded a win in their last three encounters against the North Africans.

    Super Eagles played out a 2-2 draw with the home-based Algeria national team on Friday in Oran.

    Although, coach peseiro has assured of victory in today’s encounter with the main Algeria side despite battling with injuries to some players.

    “We are going to play against a good team, it won’t be easy but we have quality. We will fight hard to beat them,” he added.

    Peseiro will miss the services of some of his key players in the game.

    Assistant captain, William Troost-Ekong returned to England last Saturday after sustaining an injury in the test game against Algeria’s home-based team.

    Midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi spent only two days in camp before returning to his club over a hamstring issue.

    The likes of captain Ahmed Musa, Leon Balogun, Samuel Chukwueze and Emmanuel Dennis all pulled out of the game as a result of injury.

    Peseiro insists their absence will not affect the super Eagles performance.

    “We believe in the players that are here, we believe in their abilities. They know what to do and we believe in them.

    “I have confidence in them that they will do well. We have enough quality in our team to cope with the absence of those who are not here,” he added.

  • Int’l Friendly: Super Eagles land in Oran for Algeria game

    Int’l Friendly: Super Eagles land in Oran for Algeria game

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria have arrived safely the city of Oran from another Algerian city, Constantine for the second friendly encounter with the Desert Foxes.

    Recall that Super Eagles faced the home-based Algeria national team and played out a 2-2 draw.

    About Twenty-two players made the trip from Constantine to Oran for the game slated for Tuesday the 27th of September.

    The Algerians are expected to field their professional players in the encounter.

    The Super Eagles will have their final training session before the game at the Stade Olympique d’Oran on Tuesday.

    They are seeking their first win in four outings against the North Africans, having lost three matches.

    Tuesday’s game will kick off at 8pm Nigeria time.

    Both Algeria and Nigeria will miss out of the 2022 World Cup billed for Qatar in November, 2022.

    However, the home based Algerian side will represent their country at next year’s CHAN tournament billed to be hosted by Algeria.

  • Int’l Friendly: Terem Moffi to lead Super Eagles’ attack against Algeria

    Int’l Friendly: Terem Moffi to lead Super Eagles’ attack against Algeria

    On form Lorient football club of France striker, Terem Moffi has been favoured to lead the Super Eagles attack in the friendly encounter against Algeria on Tuesday 27th of September.

    Reports say  that the 23 year old forward is banging in goals aplenty in the Super Eagles training.

    Moffi has been in fantastic form in the French Ligue 1 this season, netting six times in eight appearances for Lorient.

    Emmanuel Dennis, Victor Osihmen, Ahmed Musa, Umar Sadiq and few others  are all on the injury list and Moffi has been penciled down to lead the attack of the Super Eagles in Constatatine.

    Teremas “Terem” Igobor Moffi is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Ligue 1 club FC Lorient and the Nigeria national team.

    The super Eagles will face the Algerian side on Tuesday 27th of September but before that the CHAN Eagles will face the home based Algerians in an International Friendly in Oran.

  • Nigeria vs Algeria: Super Eagles players dazzle in training

    Nigeria vs Algeria: Super Eagles players dazzle in training

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria trained yesterday for the first time in Constantine ahead of the international friendly against Algeria in Oran on September 27.

    The 18 players who trained yesterday were Chidozie Awaziem Maduka Okoye, William Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey, Sanusi, Akpoguma, Ozornwafor, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Onyedika, Moses Simon, Taiwo Awoniyi, Chidera Ejuke, Cyril Dessers, Terem Moffi. The trio of  Adebayo Adeleye, Godwin Saviour.

    Meanwhile, Atlanta of Italy’s new boy, Ademola Lookman arrived at the Super Eagles camp yesterday in Constantine, while Francis Uzoho  and  Kelechi Iheanacho are still being expected.

    However, Southampton midfielder Joe Aribo requested to be left out of Nigeria’s friendlies against the Desert Foxes of Algeria.

    Aribo has been involved consistently with the Super Eagles since making his debut against Ukraine in October 2019.

    The former Rangers player has also impressed at his new club, Southampton.

    Joe Aribo, Emmanuel Dennis, Henry Onyekuru, and few other regular Super Eagles players are being left out due to injury or Fatigue.