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Tag: NFF

  • NFF names two new players for Ghana, Mali friendlies [See full list]

    NFF names two new players for Ghana, Mali friendlies [See full list]

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has named two new players in the Super Eagles squad ahead of two scheduled friendly matches in March.

    England-based defender Gabriel Osho and Tanzania-based Benjamin Tianimu are teaming up with the group for the first time.

    Nigeria will take on Ghana’s Black Stars and Les Aigles of Mali in two top-grade friendly matches in the Moroccan city of Marrakech later this month.

    A statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications said both matches have been put together by NFF’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodata Sport.

    The clash with Ghana’s Black Stars, which comes up on March 22, is bound to resurrect vintage memories of a 73-year rivalry involving the West African giants, dating back to October 1951 when Nigeria walloped then Gold Coast 5-0 in a Jalco Cup encounter in Lagos.

    Most recently, the two teams clashed in March 2022 in a two-legged play-off for a place at that year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar, with the Black Stars edging the fixture on the away-goal rule after a 1-1 aggregate.

    Nigeria and Mali, both teams incidentally nicknamed ‘Eagles’, last clashed in a friendly match in Rouen, France in the summer of 2016, an encounter which ended goalless.

    The Malian Eagles had, three years earlier, lost 1-4 to eventual winners Super Eagles in Durban in the semi-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

    While Nigeria and Ghana will resume their rivalry at the Grand Stade de Marrakech as from 4 p.m. Morocco time on March 22.

    The encounter between Nigeria and Mali will commence at the same venue as from 9 p.m. on March 26.

    Olajire said that Nigeria retained the bulk of the squad that finished as runners-up at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

    He, however, said that England-based defender Jamilu Collins, as well as Empoli FC of Italy’s Tyronne Ebuehi and Glasgow Rangers’ forward Cyriel Dessers have been recalled.

    “Midfield enforcer Wilfred Ndidi, who missed the continental houseparty in Cote d’Ivoire returns from injury.

    “While Bayer Leverkusen of Germany’s Nathan Tella and Turkey-based Fisayo Dele-Bashiru have fresh opportunities to stake claims to permanent shirts,” he said.

    Full list of invited players:
    Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus) and Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)

    Defenders: Gabriel Osho (Luton FC, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli FC, Italy); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff City, Wales) and Benjamin Tianimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)

    Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England) and Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

    Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England) and Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)

  • NFF lines up Ghana, Mali friendlies for Super Eagles

    NFF lines up Ghana, Mali friendlies for Super Eagles

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has lined up Ghana and Mali friendly for the Super Eagles of Nigeria later this month.

    The two  friendly games will take in place Marrakech, Morocco during March international break.

    The clash with Ghana will hold at the Stade Grande de Marrakech on Friday, March 22.

    The three-time African champions will then take on Mali at the same venue four days later.

    The friendlies will put the Super Eagles in shape for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic in June.

    The  (NFF) is yet to name a substantive head coach for the Super Eagles after Portuguese Jose Peseiro left the position last month.

    ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

     

    Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)

     

    Defenders: Gabriel Osho (Luton FC, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli FC, Italy); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff City, Wales); Benjamin Tianimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)

     

    Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

     

    Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)  

  • Amuneke submits application for the vacant Super Eagles coaching job

    Amuneke submits application for the vacant Super Eagles coaching job

    Former Nigerian player, Emmanuel Amuneke has submitted application for the vacant  Super Eagles managerial position.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that  Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) declared the position vacant on Friday and ask for applications from qualified local and international coaches  following the expiration of erstwhile handler, Jose Peseiro’s contract.

    The NFF requested interested coaches to apply for the top job and also listed the requirements.
    “Yes I did [apply to be the next manager],” Amuneke told popular journalist Osazu Obayiwana.

    The 53-year-old is one of the leading candidates to take over from Peseiro.

    The former Barcelona star has handled the Nigeria U-17 side and Tanzania national team in the past.

  • NFF opens application portal for Super Eagles coaching position

    NFF opens application portal for Super Eagles coaching position

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has declared the Super Eagles’ managerial  position vacant.

    This is following the announcement of the ex-coach, Jose Peseiro’s announcement last week Thursday, saying that he was done with the Super Eagles job.

    Consequently, the NFF has ended all discussions with Peseiro and has now called for applications from both foreign and local coaches for the role.

    Similarly, NFF also announced vacancy for the position of head coach for the nation’s U-17 team.

    Presently, Only the Flying Eagles who are currently playing at the African Games have a substantive head coach in the person of Ladan Bosso.

    Applicant is  expected to have:

    “Relevant coaching qualifications.

    “Proven experience at the elite level of football management.

    “A successful track record in leading teams.

    “Knowledge of African football will be an added advantage.”

    This comes amid the calls for domestic coaches to be given the chance to lead the national team.

     

  • Former Super Falcons goalie, Olaseni is dead

    Former Super Falcons goalie, Olaseni is dead

    Former Super Falcons goalkeeper, Bidemi Aluko-Olaseni has given up the ghost.

    Aluko-Olaseni passed away after battling cancer for eight years.

    Reacting to the sad news, the Nigerian Football Federation, NFF, in a post via its X account, on Saturday, expressed sadness over the death of the former goalkeeper.

    “We are sad to hear of the passing of former

    @NGSuper_Falcons

    goalkeeper, Bidemi Aluko-Olaseni after an eight-year battle with cancer,” NFF tweeted.

    “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. May her gentle soul rest in peace.”

    Aluko-Olaseni’s tenure as a goalkeeper for the Super Falcons was marked by exceptional skill.

    While active as a footballer, Aluko played for Rivers Angels and Sunshine Queens.

     

  • Odegbami urges NFF to engage indigenous coach for Super Eagles

    Odegbami urges NFF to engage indigenous coach for Super Eagles

    Ex-international, Segun Odegbami, has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to look inward for an indigenous coach to handle the Super Eagles.

    Odegbami who made the call in an interview with NAN on Saturday in Lagos, said that Nigeria needed a better hand to handle the Super Eagles.

    Peseiro had in a farewell message on his official X handle, thanked the NFF and other stakeholders for the opportunity given to him serve.

    “Unless we want to be enslaved forever, in our colonial mentality where we think that only the white can coach us to success.

    “All around us, we hear about some Nigerians who are excelling in all fields of endeavours and they are leaving the country to go and help other countries.

    “Football is not a rocket science, but a simple game, we have lots of Nigerians who have all the qualifications to take us to any level.

    “For me, I won’t suffer from colonial mentality again and enough of foreign coaches, now, it’s time for a Nigerian Coach to handle our national team, ” he said.

    He urged the erstwhile Super Eagles Coach, Peseiro to move on out of the coaching role of the Super Eagles.

    Odegbami said that Peseiro had performed averagely as coach of the Super Eagles.

    “Peseiro did not resign as the story is being peddled, his contract ended and it was not renewed, end of story.

    “He should bow out when the ovation is loud. If the ovation is not loud, government wouldn’t have given him the award that nobody could have ever imagined.

    “Peseiro got a reward that has never been given to any coach in the world, not because he won the AFCON, but because he came second.

    “He should leave Nigeria alone to face the future. We need a coach who will take us to win something because we are tired of coaches that cannot win anything for us, ” he said.

  • AFCON 2023: Gusau pays condolence visit to family of late Chief Angus Nwoye

    AFCON 2023: Gusau pays condolence visit to family of late Chief Angus Nwoye

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau has paid a condolence visit to the family of Chief Angus Nwoye, the Nigerian multi-millionaire businessman who slumped and died at the Stadium de la Paix in Bouake during the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final match between Nigeria and South Africa on Wednesday.

     

    “We are terribly shocked at this unfortunate incident, but we cannot question God. I have heard from so many people how large-hearted the late Chief was, how he was a pillar to so many Nigerians here in Cote d’Ivoire and how passionate he was about the game of football.  

     

    “It is very painful for us as a Federation to have heard of so many deaths accompanying that particular football match. But God knows best. Many stakeholders have told me how they were with the late Chief in his house wining and dining on the eve of the match. Our hearts go to you and the family. We pray that God will grant him eternal rest and also grant yourself, the children, other members of the family and the friends he has left behind the fortitude to bear this big loss,” Gusau told the widow, Dr (Mrs) Ngozi Nwoye at the family house in Abidjan on Saturday afternoon.

     

    Responding, Dr. Nwoye thanked the NFF President and his team for the visit, while recollecting how her late husband had looked forward to the match and the post-match celebrations.

     

    “He was so passionate about football. He would do anything for football; that was why he planned for us to be in Bouake for the match. He was so sure we would win that he said I should prepare for us to celebrate the victory after the match,” she sobbed as she was comforted by her son, Ifeanyi Nwoye and a family friend, Mr. Ikechukwu Asiegbu.

     

    A friend of the deceased, Chief Ifeanyi Igbo said the family was still to come to terms with the sad departure of the late business mogul.

     

    The NFF President was accompanied on the visit by the President of the Nigerian Community in Cote d’Ivoire, Mr Onwuchelu Michael Emeka, Mr. Davidson Ogbu (a businessman), Mr. Ademola Olajire (NFF Director of Communications) and Mr. Abubakar Barde (Special Assistant to the NFF President).

  • NFF mourns passing of Coach Izilein, Kayode Tijani

    NFF mourns passing of Coach Izilein, Kayode Tijani

    The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed sadness and sorrow following the deaths on Wednesday of former Super Falcons’ and U17 Boys’ National Team Coach, Godwin Izilein and renowned football journalist, diarist and analyst Kayode Tijani.

     

    NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi expressed shock at the passing of the two respected figures in the Nigeria game, who were equally known and revered internationally for their accomplishments.

     

    “We were preparing for our match against South Africa in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals and then we heard news of the passing of Coach Izilein. And just as we were celebrating the victory, we were again assailed with another sad news of the death of Mr. Kayode Tijani.

     

    “We are in mourning, but we are comforted that both men left their giant footprints in the sands of time. Coach Izilein not only represented Nigeria at senior level, he won the Women Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Falcons in 2004 as Head Coach, among other remarkable achievements. Kayode Tijani was an international journalist of repute and took his forte of record-keeping most seriously.”

     

    Coach Izilein died at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital while Tijani breathed his last at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. The late Tijani has been buried in Lagos according to moslem rites.

     

    An effervescent, humble and diligent international football journalist of repute, Tijani worked for several local and international publications, including FAME magazine, Complete Football magazine and the pan-African football magazine, African Soccer.

     

    In 1995, he co-founded Nigeria’s first-ever all-sport daily sport publication, Sportlight.

     

    A diarist with unflagging passion, he also was involved in football punditry on radio and television stations in Nigeria and internationally.   

  • AFCON 2023: Super Eagles goalie, Nwabali not ruled out against Angola – NFF

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles goalie, Nwabali not ruled out against Angola – NFF

    Nigeria Football federation NFF has downplayed the speculation that goalie, Stanley Nwabali will not be available for the quarter-final clash against Angola on Friday, 2nd January.

    Stanley Nwabali may still be available for Nigeria’s quarter-final duel with the Palancas Negras of Angola, according to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the 27-year-old, sustained a mild ligament injury during the Super Eagles quarter-final clash with Cameroon on Saturday.

    Nwabali will undergo another test on Wednesday to ascertain his fitness level ahead of the game with Angola.

    “The doctors have been working on him to see if he will come good in a late fitness test 48 hours before the cracker with the southern Africans,” reads the statement.

    “Fingers crossed. If all goes well, he might be available for selection.”

    Nwabali has kept three clean sheets in four outings at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

  • NFF President hails Super Eagles performance against Cameroon

    NFF President hails Super Eagles performance against Cameroon

    Ibrahim Gusau, President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has described the Super Eagles’ performance against the Indomitable Lions on Saturday as a solid performance.

    Gusau, while speaking shortly after the team’s 2-0 win in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) round of 16, said it was a delightful performance.

    “It was a solid performance and we are proud of the team,” he said.

    The Super Eagles won through an Ademola Lookman brace to advance into the competition’s quarter-finals.

    “They did a great job tonight and we look forward to the quarter-finals with high expectations,” Gusau added.

    The Super Eagles will now meet Angola on Friday in the quarter-finals.

    In Saturday’s match at Abidjan’s Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, the Eagles played with assurance and thought they had the lead when Semi Ajayi swept the ball home from a goalmouth melee.

    Moroccan referee Redouane Jiyed gave the goal, but was summoned by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) to watch the action again, and he afterwards ruled out the strike.

    The duo of Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman did not relent however.

    In the 35th minute, the Africa Player of the Year award winner had the better of dithering defender Oumar Gonzalez and threaded to Lookman, who shot past Fabrice Ondoa from close range.

    After the recess, Nigeria continued where they had left off in the first period, and Lookman blasted over the sticks from a 22-yard free-kick.

    Five minutes later Lookman freed Osimhen but got too much pressure on the ball and Ondoa cleared.

    Cameroon called goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to duty in the 71st minute with a fierce free-kick, but the goaltender punched clear.

    Nwabali was however injured in another goalmouth melee and had to be substituted by Francis Uzoho.

    Five minutes from the end, a one-two of Osimhen and Lookman from the left saw the ball rolled to Olaoluwa Aina in the box.

    But his effort was too weak and Ondoa blocked with his leg.

    On the dot of 90 minutes, Calvin Bassey and Lookman combined from the left, leaving the Cameroonian defence flummoxed.

    Lookman only needed to place the ball to the far left of Ondoa for his second goal of the night.

    The three-time champions, who also knocked out Cameroon from the 2019 AFCON in the Round of 16, will now confront Angola’s Palancas Negras, who beat Namibia 3-0 earlier in the day.

    The match will come up at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.