TheNewsGuru

Tag: Olympic Eagles

  • Why NFF fired national teams coaches, Yusuf, Ugbade

    Why NFF fired national teams coaches, Yusuf, Ugbade

    The Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) has relieaved U-23  Coach Salisu Yusuf and Golden Eaglet coach, Nduka Ugbade of their duties.

    Both managers were fired due to their team’s woeful performance on the continent.

    Their sack was made public by NFF President Ibrahim Gusau in a chat with pressmen.

    “Their jobs are tied to the competition. The coaches have no jobs to do for now since their teams failed to qualify,” he said.

    Yusuf’s Dream Team failed to qualify for the U-23 African Cup of Nations and, as a result, won’t be part of the next Olympic football event.

    Ugbade’s Golden Eaglets also crashed out of the U-17 African Cup of Nations in the last eight.

    This also cost Nigeria, a five-time world champion, a place at the next World Cup.

  • Paris 2024 Qualifiers: NFF petitions CAF, alleges Guinea fielded an ineligible player against Nigeria

    Paris 2024 Qualifiers: NFF petitions CAF, alleges Guinea fielded an ineligible player against Nigeria

    Following Olympic Eagles exit of the Paris 2024 olympic  qualifiers, the Nigeria Football Federation has written a petition to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) alleging Guinea of fielding an over-age player in their 2023 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against the Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles last month.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Guinea beat Nigeria to the U-23 AFCON ticket following a 2-0 aggregate win.

    However, Fode Camara, who featured against the Olympic Eagles has been entangled in age discrepancies.

    The NFF has  got concrete evidence the player is above the approved age and expects CAF to rule in Nigeria’s favour.

    Guinea will be disqualified from the competition while the Olympic Eagles will be handed their spot if the NFF can prove their case before CAF.

    The 2023 U-23 AFCON will be hosted by Morocco in November.

    It will also serve as the qualifier for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

    Four teams will qualify to represent Africa at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

  • Paris 2024: How Guinea stopped Nigeria’s U-23 Olympic dreams

    Paris 2024: How Guinea stopped Nigeria’s U-23 Olympic dreams

    Nigeria’s Olympic Eagles have come short of making it to this year’s U23 Africa Cup of Nations after losing 2-0 to Guinea in the second leg of their final qualifying fixture in Rabat, Morocco on Tuesday.

    After a 0-0 draw in the first leg in Abuja on Wednesday last week, the Eagles had the opportunity of more training sessions together to take the game to the Guineans on neutral ground, as Guinea does not have a venue approved in their country for international football.

    Both teams fought hard on the turf of the Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan for one hour, before Guinea took the lead, and then added a second 15 minutes later to the consternation of the Nigeria squad and their head coach Salisu Yusuf.

    Defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, for a team that emerged champions of the Africa U23 Cup of Nations in Senegal in 2015 and reached the finals staged in Egypt four years ago.

  • Paris 2024 Qualifiers: Olympic Eagles, Guinea U-23 share spoils in Abuja

    Paris 2024 Qualifiers: Olympic Eagles, Guinea U-23 share spoils in Abuja

    Nigeria’s U23 boys failed to take advantage of home soil and finished their U23 Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying fixture, first leg match against Guinea 0-0 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Wednesday.

    Success Makanjuola and Timilehin Ogunniyi, who ran Tanzania out of gas in Ibadan in October last year, could not produce the same fiery performance as Guinea stifled Nigeria’s midfield play, created chances of their own and were solid at the rear.

    In the 28th minute, Ogunniyi rocked the crossbar from a free-kick 20 yards out on the right, but that turned out the major effort of the Olympic Eagles in a tepid game that did not quite live up to its billing.

    Makanjuola’s inswinger in the 45th minute was parried from danger by goalkeeper Mory Keita.

    In the second half, the visitors came quite close when Ousmane Camara hit the upright from a corner kick. Ifeanyi Ogba blasted a couple of opportunities wide, and in the 64th minute, Jonathan Alukwu watched in agony as Keita punched away his shot when Nigeria flowed forward.

    On the dot of time, Nigerian defender Christopher Nwaeze was handed the red card for a second bookable offence, and will miss the return leg in Rabat on Tuesday

  • Paris 2024: Olympic Eagles return to camp ahead of Guinea clash

    Paris 2024: Olympic Eagles return to camp ahead of Guinea clash

    Head Coach Salisu Yusuf has called to camp 30 players ahead of this month’s Africa U23 Cup of Nations final qualifying fixture against Guinea.

    The list includes four goalkeeper, eight defenders, 10 midfielders and eight forwards.

    Nigeria, conquerors of Tanzania in the second round of the race, will host the first leg of the fixture against Guinea at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan on Wednesday, 22nd March.

     

    All the players have been directed to report at the Chida Hotel, Abuja on Friday, 3rd March, ahead of the contingent’s departure to the Oyo State capital.

     

    In the second round of the series, the Olympic Eagles drew 1-1 with Tanzania in Dar es Salaam, and then spanked their visitors 2-0 at the Lekan Salami Stadium a week later.

     

    ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

     

    Goalkeepers: John Amah (Sunshine Stars); Nurudeen Badmus (Dakkada FC); Ifeanyi Nchekwube (Akwa United); Oriya Joseph (Lobi Stars)

     

    Defenders: Christopher Nwaeze (Plateau United); Desmond Ojietefian (Shooting Stars); Okechukwu Chikason (Enyimba FC); Anthony Anieke (Akwa United); Samuel Olamilekan (Niger Tornadoes); Benjamin Tanimu (Bendel Insurance); Evans Ogbonda (Port Harcourt City); Umar Ahmed Farouk (Gombe United)

     

    Midfielders: Daniel Wotlai (Abia Warriors); Akanni Qudus (Remo Stars); Auwalu Naziru (Rangers Int’l); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Enyimba FC); Divine Nwachukwu (Bendel Insurance); Taofeek Malomo (Shooting Stars); Samuel Chisom (Kwara United); Samaila Sarki (Bendel Insurance); Kumaga Suur (Lobi Stars); Inye Green (Ibani United)

     

    Forwards: Munir Idris (Niger Tornadoes); Ahmed Jimoh (Kwara United); Ezekiel Edidiong (Remo Stars); Ifeanyi Ogba (Akwa United); Umar Ibrahim (El-Kanemi Warriors); Alkasin Deji Yusuf (Dakkada FC); Mojereola Suleiman (Sunshine Stars); Akile Monday (Lobi Stars)

     

  • Olympic Eagles beat Tanzania 2-0, qualify for last qualifying round

    Olympic Eagles beat Tanzania 2-0, qualify for last qualifying round

    Nigeria’s  Olympic U-23 team has qualified to the next stage of the 2023 Africa U-23 series after defeating Tanzania 2-0 at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, on Saturday.

    The Olympic Eagles have now moved into the final qualifying phase before entering into an 8-team cup format for the African slot at next year Olympics holding in Paris, France.

    Morroco has gotten the nod to host the cup qualifying competition for the Olympics next year.

    Both teams failed to register a goal in the first half  but Salisu Yusuf’s side sailed through 3-1 on aggregate after scoring two second-half goals.

    Ogunniyi Oluwatimilehin Abiodun opened the scoring for Nigeria a minute before the hour mark from a superb free-kick.

    Captain Success Makanjuola doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 67th minute.

    The Eagles will face Guinea in the final qualifying round.

     

     

  • AFCON Qualifier: Gov Makinde, others splash cash on U23 Eagles to defeat Tanzania

    AFCON Qualifier: Gov Makinde, others splash cash on U23 Eagles to defeat Tanzania

    As a motivation for the under 23 Olympic Eagles Team to make Nigeria proud by defeating Tanzania, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, has announced the cash gift N10 million to the Nigerian team ahead of Saturday game.

    Makinde, who promised to be at the Lekan Salami Stadium on Saturday to cheer the players up, also promised additional 20,000 dollars (about N18 million) after victory.

    He made the announcement of the cash gift on Friday night at a dinner hosted by the State Government for the team inside the Government House in Ibadan.

    The second leg of the AFCON Qualifier would be played at Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Ibadan on Saturday.

    The country’s U23 National Team and Tanzania had drew 1-1 during the first leg of the match held in Dar es Salam, the capital of Tanzania.

    NAN reports that it was the first time since 1999 that football lovers in the ancient city of Ibadan would enjoy the best of international football.

    The governor described sport as a means of development in the state, saying they knew what it meant for youths in terms of money, motivation and development of the state.

    “At any time, we would be willing to host NFF. I enjoy watching football and Shooting Star is the first team from this country to win the continental African Cup.

    “I want to wish you well and let you know that we are fully behind you. I am supporting you with N10 million right now and using my own ways of motivating you”.

    “You will win the match and I will keep my promise to you as well. The game promises to be exciting, so let’s show them what we’re made of,” he said.

    Also, the Chairman, National Youth Teams, Alhaji Aminu Balele, urged the team to win the game for President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister of Sports and Nigeria.

    Balele had also doled out #10,000 to the Olympic team, while a former Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Ogun State, Mr Bukola Olopade, promised a gift of 5,000 dollars for the team.

    He then gave the team Head Coach, Salisu Yusuf, 10,000 dollars to ensure that the team wins the game.

    Earlier, the Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa, had pledged to give the team N500,000 on each goal scored against the Tanzanians.

    NAN reports that the Dream Team, who are being massively backed by their football loving fans, have vowed to finish off their Tanzanian opponents.

    For the Nigerians to progress to the next round, they needed a scoreless draw or an outright victory in today’s game.

    However, the task might not be easy for the Dream Team as the Tanzanian Team Manager, Ahmed Maroko, had threatened to create an upset.

    “We are here to win and we will do everything possible to accomplish our mission,”the Tanzanian Sweat Merchant said.

    With the Tanzanians driven by personal determination, the home team’s spirits are buoyed by promises of cash splash from sports loving compatriots.

    With the spirits of the Dream Team lifted up by imminent naira rains, the Nigerians might go for a harvest of goals today.

  • Paris 2024: Makinde, NFF pump Olympic Eagles’ spirit with $55,000, N10m

    Paris 2024: Makinde, NFF pump Olympic Eagles’ spirit with $55,000, N10m

    Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and the Nigeria Football Federation have changed the narratives ahead of Saturday’s Africa U23 Cup of Nations cracker between Nigeria and Tanzania, by swelling the money pot of the Olympic Eagles with the sums of $55,000 and N10million.

      Makinde, who hosted the Nigeria U23 boys to a dinner at the Government House, Agodi handed over the sum of N10million to the players and officials there and then, and pledged a further sum of $25,000 should the team earn the minimum win against Tanzania that will shoot them into the final round of the qualifiers against the winner of the fixture between Uganda and Guinea.

    Just before him, Chairman of the NFF Task Force on Youth Competitions, Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi had presented the team, through Head Coach Salisu Yusuf, the of $10,000, half of the amount he promised them for a win ahead of the first leg against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam. The 1-1 draw netted the sum of $10,000.

    Balele also pledged the sum of $20,000 for the team should they defeat Tanzania in Ibadan on Saturday, prompting Governor Makinde to also pledge $25,000.

    “I am coming to the stadium with the cash; so, it is not a go-and-come-back promise. I will give you the money once you achieve victory,” Makinde said as players and officials, members of the Oyo State Executive Council, Board Members and Management of the NFF, and NFF congressmen cheered.

    Also at the occasion were the Deputy Governor of Oyo State; Speaker of the House of Assembly; Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, Otunba Sunday Dele-Ajayi and Alhaji Babagana Kalli (NFF Board Members); Oyo State Sports Commissioner Seun Fakorede; Otunba Tade Azeez (President of NRA); NFF Congressmen; Kabiyesi James Odeniran (Chairman, Oyo State Football Association) and; Management Staff of the NFF.

    It would be recalled that earlier on Friday, Super Eagles’ captain Ahmed Musa had promised the Olympic Eagles the sum of N500,000 for every goal in Saturday’s cliffhanger at the Lekan Salami Stadium.

  • Paris 2024: Tanzania force Olympic Eagles to 1-1 draw

    Paris 2024: Tanzania force Olympic Eagles to 1-1 draw

    Two penalties, one in each half and at opposing sides, guaranteed that Saturday’s Africa U23 Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria and Tanzania in Dar es Salaam ended in a 1-1 draw.

    Captain Success Makanjuola netted for Nigeria in the 29th minute, after Qudus Akanni was fouled in the hosts’ vital area, and the 1996 champions thereafter created a number of chances that with a little more precision, would have put the match to bed by half time.

    The home team piled on the pressure in the second period at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, and hit the crossbar on two occasions before Djiboutian referee Souleiman Ahmed Djama awarded them a penalty that was brilliantly converted in the 74th minute.

    The Olympic Eagles fought tenaciously to earn a winner, with their minds on the $20,000 pledge for victory by the Chairman of NFF’s task force for youth competitions, Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi, but it was not to be. However, the boys return to the country on Sunday with their heads held high and determined to finish off the task with success when they host the Tanzanians at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan on Saturday next week.

    The winner on aggregate will proceed to the next round of the Africa U23 Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. The Africa U23 Cup of Nations to be held in Morocco in November 2023, will determine Africa’s flag bearers at the Men’s Football Tournament of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

  • Beat Tanzania, pocket $20,000 – Task Force boss tells Olympic Eagles

    Beat Tanzania, pocket $20,000 – Task Force boss tells Olympic Eagles

    The Chairman, NFF Task Force on youth competitions, Alh. Aminu Balele Kurfi has pledged the sum of $20,000 for the U23 men national team, Olympic Eagles, if they beat Tanzania in the first leg of their U23 AFCON qualifying fixture in Dar es Salaam on Saturday.

    Alh. Kurfi made the pledge at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos while speaking with the team Thursday evening shortly before the team’s departure to Tanzania aboard a Kenyan Airways flight.

    The Katsina State-born football administrator charged the Olympic Eagles to make Nigerians proud by ensuring they beat their Tanzanian counterparts on Saturday.

    Kurfi also conveyed the goodwill messages of Youth and Sports Minister, Mr. Sunday Dare and NFF President, Alh. Ibrahim Musa Gusau to the team while assuring them that Nigerians are fully supporting the team to come out victorious.

    Responding, Head Coach Salisu Yusuf thanked the Katsina State FA Chairman for prioritizing the team while assuring that the team will give its best in the showdown with Tanzania.

    Also speaking, team captain Success Makanjuola stated that the players are highly motivated and will go all out to secure victory on Saturday.