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Tag: Nigeria vs Ghana

  • Algeria 2023: We’ve put the 2-0 loss behind us – Coach Salisu

    Algeria 2023: We’ve put the 2-0 loss behind us – Coach Salisu

    Head Coach of Super Eagles B, Salisu Yusuf has said that the team has moved on from the 0-2 loss to Ghana in Cape Coast with renewed determination to qualify for the 7th African Nations Championship Algeria 2023.

    Salisu, who led the Class of 2018 to a second-place finish in the final tournament in Morocco said on Thursday in Abuja that the team’s concentration is how to score enough goals to overturn the deficit incurred in the away leg.

    “What is past is past and that is the case with the match we played in Ghana. Now we are looking forward to a good match on Saturday.

    “We are doing all we need to do to achieve our utmost desire to be in Algeria next year. There may have been one or two lapses that caught us on the bad end in Cape Coast but we can’t continue to dwell on that. We want to achieve a good result on Saturday.”

    Yusuf, who is on a very familiar terrain, says that the team that will go out on Saturday may not be radically different from the line-up he featured in the first leg.

    “It is going to be more like 88 to 90 percent of the team we presented in Ghana last Sunday. Remember that Sadiq Abubakar was injured in a moment we thought should have produced a penalty kick for us. He has not recovered fully and so may not feature.”

    The Eagles B have continued their build-up for the return leg against the Galaxies of Ghana billed for Saturday, 3rd September in Abuja. The winner on aggregate will qualify for Algeria 2023.

  • Humble yourself, Ikpeba fires back at Osimhen over bicycle kick comment

    Humble yourself, Ikpeba fires back at Osimhen over bicycle kick comment

    Former Super Eagles forward and Supersport pundit Victor Ikpeba has expressed shock over Victor Osimhen’s reaction to his criticism after the feisty encounter of the Qatar 2022 play-offs between Nigeria and Ghana.

    Ikpeba had criticized Osimhen for using bicycle kicks instead of stopping the ball and aiming at the goalpost at a time the Super Eagles was in a dire need of a goal.

    Osihmen fires back” No be that pundit go tell me wetin i go do”

    ”Adi e funfun ko mo ara e lagba”

    Osimhen hinted that Ikpeba is not playing his role as an elderly person.

    Speaking on Top sports in Lagos, Ikpeba advised Osimhen to apply humility to his talent for him to grow better in the game.

    Ikpeba added that no Nigerian player has won the African best player award 23 years after Kanu Nwankwo last won it for Nigeria, adding that Osimhen has the capacity to do so again, saying humility also pays a major part in that.

    He said ” Osimhen didn’t take the criticism in good faith and that’s not good for an emerging talent, he needs to be humble.

    ” If anyone has the potential to win the African footballer of the year it is Osimhen, but he should watch his attitude.

    ”At 23 i also know what i have already achieved as a footballer”

    However, Victor Ikpeba hinted that he was on his way to Abuja for house allocation.

    Recall that President Buhari on Thursday approved house allocation for 22 members of the 1994 AFCON winning squad and the players have converged on Abuja to do clearance and collect keys to their houses.

     

  • Super Eagles goalie Francis Uzoho apologizes to Nigerians

    Super Eagles goalie Francis Uzoho apologizes to Nigerians

    Omonia Nicosia and Super Eagles goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho has apologized to team mates and Nigeria football fans for his error that caused Nigeria the ticket to Qatar 2022 FIFA worldcup.

    Uzoho was responsible for the away goal scored by Arsenal and Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey at the Moshood Abiola stadium, Abuja last week Tuesday leading to the Super Eagles’ inability to grab the Worldcup ticket after playing out a 1-1 draw with Ghana.

    Uzoho has now described the moment as worst incidents of his life.

    A weak shot from the Ghana defensive midfielder at the edge of the Nigerian penalty box saw the ball wiggle under the arms of Uzoho into the net to give Ghana the lead in the game before the Eagles eventually equalized.

    The goalkeeper took to his Twitter page to announce his apology to Nigerians

    “These past couple of days have been the worst in my lifetime,” Uzoho admitted in his Instagram post on Monday.

    “I wanted to take my nation to Qatar but rather did the opposite. I know what football means to you all and to myself.

    “I can’t promise not to make mistakes again but I can promise not to give up until I bring back that smile on your faces.

    “Thank you for the support and God bless,” the Omonia Nicosia goalkeeper wrote.

    Francis Odinaka Uzoho (born 28 October 1998), known simply as Francis in Spain, is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Omonia Nicosia of Cyprus and the Nigeria national team.

    Uzoho has made 18 appearances for Nigeria since making his debut in 2017, and was part of Nigeria’s 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

  • Nigeria vs Ghana: NFF mourns Zambian medical official who died of cardiac arrest

    Nigeria vs Ghana: NFF mourns Zambian medical official who died of cardiac arrest

    The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed shock and sorrow over the death of FIFA/CAF Medical Officer, Dr Joseph Kabungo, who died on Tuesday after the FIFA World Cup playoff match between Nigeria and Ghana at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. Dr Kabungo was appointed as Doping Control Officer for the match.

    “We are terribly shocked at this sad development. The NFF commiserates with world football –body FIFA, the Confederation of African Football, the Football Association of Zambia and the family of Dr Kabungo on his sudden passing. His death pains us very much and we are in a state of deep shock.

    “However, it is important to state the facts as they are. According to the information from our own medical officer, Dr Onimisi Ozi Salami who was appointed by FIFA as Medical Officer for the game, Dr Kabungo was found gasping for breath near the dressing room of the Ghanaian team. I was notified and ordered that he should be rushed to the hospital. He didn’t make it. He died just as they got to the hospital,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi said.

    Dr Ozi Salami told thenff.com that the incident happened when he (Dr Salami) was looking to get the Nigerian player for the doping exercise, while Dr Kabungo was looking to get the Ghanaian player for the same exercise.

    “I was heading to the dressing room of the Nigerian team when the General Coordinator, Kabore Hubert Bosilong from South Africa called my attention. Dr Kabungo suddenly started gasping for breath. The FIFA Security Officer for the match, Mr Dixon Adol Okello from Uganda also witnessed the incident.

    “We tried to resuscitate him there and then, but when this did not appear to be working, we put him in an ambulance and rushed him to Cedar Crest Hospital in Apo, where he gave up the ghost. It is a very sad incident and one is shocked that some persons have been putting a terrible slant to the whole thing by saying he was beaten up by fans. That is a lie. He died as a result of sudden cardiac arrest.”

    Officials of the NFF, the medical team and officials of the High Commission of Zambia held a meeting on Wednesday morning to decide on the next line of action following the demise of Dr Kabungo.

  • Nigeria vs Ghana: Super Eagles hit by injury ahead reverse fixture

    Nigeria vs Ghana: Super Eagles hit by injury ahead reverse fixture

    Super Eagles interim manager, Austin Eguavoen, has revealed that Villareal winger has suffered a knock and couldnt train with the rest of the team in Abuja.

    Eguavoen said Chukwueze did not take part in Saturday’s recovering training section, adding that he rested the Villarreal star.

    However, he hinted on the preparation of his side adding that they are doing everything possible to grab Qatar 2022 Worldcup ticket in Abuja

    Nigeria had played a 0-0 draw against the Black Stars at the Baba Yara Stadium on Friday night.

    “They worked hard in such an atmosphere, so I think it was a fair result.

    “Some players did not get involved now because one or two had a knock yesterday and recovered training, people that played 90 and 94 minutes usually do just a little bit and then rest.

    “People who didn’t play up to 70 minutes will do more, that is exactly what we just did, like few of them that had knocks like Chukwueze, we just want to rest him and he can probably resume tomorrow.”

    The reverse fixture between Nigeria and Ghana will be played in Nigeria on the 29th of March at the Moshood Abiola stadium Abuja.

  • The pressure is now on Nigeria -Ghana coach, Otto Addo

    The pressure is now on Nigeria -Ghana coach, Otto Addo

    The Black stars of Ghana interim manager Otto Addo has praised his boys for putting up a spirited performance against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    Addo mentioned that Ghana created a lot of chances but was just unlucky to have scored.

    The manager said the Ghanaians will get the job done in Abuja, saying that the pressure is now on Nigeria.

    He said that the Black stars will try to score an away goal in Abuja so as to be at the driver’s side, saying away goal counts for two incase it ends in a score draw.

     

    Asked about home fans supportership, Addo said he was highly impressed with the conduct of Ghanaian fans. He added that they trooped in en masse to cheer up the Black stars and hoping the players will appreciate them by grabbing a Worldcup ticket in Abuja.

     

     

  • I was once suspended for attacking referees -Augustine Eguavoen

    I was once suspended for attacking referees -Augustine Eguavoen

    Super Eagles team manager has revealed that he was once suspended for verbally attacking a referee in his footballing career and he’s vowed not to repeat such mistake .

    He praised his side for putting up a good display against the Black stars of Ghana.

    Eguavoen said that the Super Eagles created more chances than the Ghanaians but couldn’t convert them, saying the team will work on that.

    According to him, the game plan was to win or draw in Kumasi and it happened just like that.

    Fielding questions from pressmen, Eguavoen, said he’s working on a strategy that would give Nigeria victory in the return fixture in Abuja

    When asked on his assessment on the game’s match officials, he said he doesn’t like to comment on referees saying he was once suspended for berating them and would just like to leave them to their fate.

    ”I love to leave those human beings to their fate, i was once suspended for attacking one and i didnt like it” He said

    Asked if there is a problem of goal scoring since the Super Eagles haven’t scored in their last two games, the coach dismissed the fear saying the players are capable of scoring goals.

    The super Eagles versus Black stars of Ghana 2nd leg fixture will take place at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

  • Qatar 2022 playoffs: Nigeria must qualify for World Cup – Pinnick

    Qatar 2022 playoffs: Nigeria must qualify for World Cup – Pinnick

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation and Member of the FIFA Council, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick on Wednesday disclosed that the football –ruling body is taking the two matches between the Super Eagles and the Black Stars of Ghana as “very serious business,” insisting that everything legal and acceptable is being done for Nigeria to achieve victory.

    At a meeting with some Members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management inside the NFF Secretariat on Wednesday, Pinnick admitted that the World Cup playoff fixture is a ‘war’ and must be approached with utmost commitment, focus and with zero tolerance for tardiness.

    “Of course, we are not the ones going into the field. But the arrangements we put in place will, to a large extent, determine the spirit with which the players will enter the pitch. All our arrangements must be flawless and without sloppiness. It is a FIFA World Cup ticket at stake, so we must give it our all.

    “Whatever efforts we have been making to ensure seamless movement to and fro, as well as accommodation of our contingent at major matches, must be doubled for the match in Kumasi. Nigerians don’t want to hear any story; they only want to see the World Cup ticket.”

    The NFF supremo made the statements while chairing a meeting that also included NFF Vice Presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko; Dr Mohammed Sanusi (General Secretary); Executive Committee members Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Felix Anyansi-Agwu and Ahmed Yusuf; Charity Kadiri (Director of Finance and Administration); Ademola Olajire (Director of Media and Communications) and; Emmanuel Ayanbunmi (Chief Protocol Officer).

    The Nigeria contingent will depart from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja aboard a chartered Air Peace aircraft on Thursday morning, and return to Abuja immediately after the match on Friday evening.

    Super Eagles’ players on Tuesday rhapsodized about the new, improved turf of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja as they intensified preparations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 playoff fixture against the Black Stars of Ghana.

    Super Eagles Appreciate Lush Green Abuja National Stadium

    At their first training session ahead of the two big games, captain Ahmed Musa, deputy captain William Ekong, defender Abdullahi Shehu and forwards Odion Ighalo and Victor Osimhen expressed delight with the turn-around of the turf and admitted it enabled the team to roll the ball the way they wanted.

    Musa told thenff.com: “The turf is looking and feeling really nice and wonderful. I want to thank the Honourable Minister and the Ministry officials for a job well.”

    “This turf is excellent; it is among the best that I have seen anywhere,” defender Abdullahi Shehu said after Tuesday night’s training session under floodlights. “We are pleased with what we are seeing and it is a positive development.”

    On his part, forward Odion Ighalo said: “Ah, I am excited with the feel of the turf. There is nothing to complain about,” while Ekong added: “This is really nice. The turf feels good and we are happy that our request for the turf to be put in great shape was heeded by the Sports Ministry.”

  • Qatar 2022 Playoffs: We will ensure Super Eagles qualify – Sanusi

    Qatar 2022 Playoffs: We will ensure Super Eagles qualify – Sanusi

    General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi has reiterated that the nation’s football –ruling body is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the Super Eagles overcome Ghana’s Black Stars in this month’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 playoff fixture.

    Three –time African champions Nigeria and four –time African champions Ghana clash for one of Africa’s slots at the 22nd FIFA World Cup finals, with Ghana hosting the first leg in Kumasi on Friday and the Nigeria hosting the fierce arch rivals in Abuja on Tuesday next week.

    “I want to assure that the NFF is putting all arrangements in place to motivate and incentivize the players and officials for the two big matches. We have concluded most of the arrangements and expect no glitch anywhere. We are also ready to deal with eventualities as they arise because these are matches that we must win.

    Super Eagles Appreciate Lush Green Abuja National Stadium

    “The NFF is very much alive to its responsibilities and will put everything in place to inspire the Super Eagles to triumph,” said Sanusi, who watched the team’s training session under floodlights at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Tuesday night.

     

    Thenff.com can confirm that, as has been the tradition of the NFF for more than a decade now, the Super Eagles’ contingent will fly into Kumasi on Thursday morning aboard a chartered flight, and return with the same aircraft immediately after the match.

    Officials have also confirmed that the Eagles’ players and officials will be staying at the Golden Tulip, the best hotel facility in Kumasi, for the match.

  • Super Eagles Appreciate Lush Green Abuja National Stadium

    Super Eagles Appreciate Lush Green Abuja National Stadium

    Super Eagles’ players on Tuesday rhapsodized about the new, improved turf of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja as they intensified preparations for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 playoff fixture against the Black Stars of Ghana.

    At their first training session ahead of the two big games, captain Ahmed Musa, deputy captain William Ekong, defender Abdullahi Shehu and forwards Odion Ighalo and Victor Osimhen expressed delight with the turn-around of the turf and admitted it enabled the team to roll the ball the way they wanted.

    Musa told thenff.com: “The turf is looking and feeling really nice and wonderful. I want to thank the Honourable Minister and the Ministry officials for a job well.”

    “This turf is excellent; it is among the best that I have seen anywhere,” defender Abdullahi Shehu said after Tuesday night’s training session under floodlights. “We are pleased with what we are seeing and it is a positive development.”

    “This turf is excellent; it is among the best that I have seen anywhere,” defender Abdullahi Shehu said after Tuesday night’s training session under floodlights. “We are pleased with what we are seeing and it is a positive development.”

    On his part, forward Odion Ighalo said: “Ah, I am excited with the feel of the turf. There is nothing to complain about,” while Ekong added: “This is really nice. The turf feels good and we are happy that our request for the turf to be put in great shape was heeded by the Sports Ministry.”

    Forward Victor Osimhen also commended the playing pitch. “I love it. It is really nice and it allows the ball to roll very well.”

    During a hybrid meeting (physical and virtual) with the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare and top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation last month, the players had specifically requested that the turf of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium be put in great shape for the World Cup playoff tango with the Black Stars.

    There and then, the Sports Minister set machinery to work and the result is an excellent playing turf that is the pride of all today.