TheNewsGuru

Tag: Super Eagles of Nigeria

  • Just In: Super Eagles return to Nigeria after maltreatment in Libya

    Just In: Super Eagles return to Nigeria after maltreatment in Libya

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria have returned to Malam Aminu Kano International Airport after they were  left stranded for several hours in Libya.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) understands that the Super Eagles flight from Libya was three and half hours.

    The team decided to boycott their scheduled qualifier with the Mediterranean Knights of Libya following their ill treatment by the authorities of the North African country.

    Their chartered flight will refuel in the ancient Northern Nigerian city before it makes it way to Abuja and then Lagos.

  • AFCON 2023: Iwobi denies making plans to retire from Super Eagles

    AFCON 2023: Iwobi denies making plans to retire from Super Eagles

    Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi has denied reports emanating on Social Media that he plans to retire from the national team.

    There were speculations that Iwobi had plans to retire from the Super Eagles as a result of the Cyberbullying and threats he received from football fans over Super Eagles AFCON 2023 final loss to host nation Cote D’Ivoire.

    The 25-year-old also deleted his national team pictures on his platform X after receiving barrage of insults from fans.

    However, when contacted by former Super Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye  on Monday evening, the Fulham player denied ever making such statement.

    Meanwhile, senior player, Ahmed Musa has also  released a statement urging fans to desist from cyberbullying the player who offered himself to play for the national team.

     

  • AFCON 2023: Super Eagles coach, Peseiro reveals Elephants tactics ahead of today’s final

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles coach, Peseiro reveals Elephants tactics ahead of today’s final

    José Peseiro, the Super Eagles head coach has revealed some of the tactics that will be deployed by the Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire ahead of today’s final at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.

    According to the Portuguese gaffer, the Ivorians will come all out on a revenge mission considering their loss to the Super Eagles on matchday two in Group A.

    The Super Eagles have won the title three times whilst the Elephant recored victories twice in their own AFCON history.

    Peseiro, who addressed the press on Saturday ahead of the crunch final revealed that his team won’t be intimidated by the harsh atmosphere.

    “I think it is good. The stadium will be full, fantastic atmosphere. One final, my players, me, and all my staff prefer to play in a full stadium with a good atmosphere,” Peseiro told reporters.

    “Even sometimes, they try to shout at us, not the football but it is a good atmosphere to play in the final, only need to concentrate on what must do on the pitch, our task, job, demand, commitment, sacrifice, spirit, and what we must do in each moment of the game to manage our mental balance, before the match, along the match.

    “It is for our players to put effort when the people around push for Côte d’Ivoire, you don’t feel the opposite when they push for the opponent but if you want to play, you need to play with the same enthusiasm and motivation, because you want to win this AFCON, no favorite for tomorrow but you want to win this AFCON.”

    The final match will be played at the Alhassan Quattara stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan.

  • Uzoho absent as three new goalkeepers jostle for Super Eagles number one shirt

    Uzoho absent as three new goalkeepers jostle for Super Eagles number one shirt

    Super Eagles of Nigeria face a huge test against the Leone stars of Sierra Leone in an AFCON 2024 qualifiers on Sunday in Monrovia.

    The Nigerian side will be without their regular goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, who will be missing out due to suspension.

    Uzoho received a yellow card in the dying minutes of Nigeria’s recent encounter with Guinea Bissau, ruling him out of the upcoming fixture and this has sparked a debate about who should fill the void between the three goalkeepers who have been selected by Peseiro for the crucial position.

    Now Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro is burdened with who to use in goal among three goalkeepers in camp.

    However, feelers have it that Israel-based Adebayo Adeleye will get the nod to man the goal post for the Super Eagles on Sunday.

    Adeleye, who plays for Hapoel Jerusalem in Israel has showcased great reflexes, shot-stopping abilities, and excellent command of his area for his club

    Another strong contender is Victor Sochima from Rivers United.

    Sochima has been in exceptional form for his club, displaying consistent performances and demonstrating his shot-stopping prowess.

    His agility and distribution skills make him a well-rounded candidate to fill the goalkeeping role for the Super Eagles.

    The third goalie in camp, is Olorunleke Ojo who recently won the NPFL super 6 with Enyimba of Aba.

    The goalkeeper has previously represented Nigeria at the U20 level and has been a consistent performer for his club.

    Tall, strong and agile Olorunleke Ojo also has what it takes to launch himself as one of the three goalies for the Super Eagles.

     

  • Italian footballer speaks on playing for Super Eagles of Nigeria

    Nigeria born Udinese defender, Destiny Udogie has expressed his desire to play for the Italian senior national team amid interest from the Super Eagles .

    The 19-year-old defender was born in Italy to Nigerian parents and  has represented the European country at youth level.

    Udogie is still eligible to play for Nigeria despite having played for the Italian team at youth level..

    “I will do everything to make myself appreciated by the coach, it is a goal that I particularly care about,” the youngster told Tuttomercatoweb.

    The former Hellas Verona player admitted he is flattered by the interest from some of the European heavyweights.

    “It is very nice to be approached by top-level clubs.

    “I live it serenely and thinking about the field. My agents think about the market, they know my thoughts and have my total trust,” he said.

  • Eagles seek motivating win against Ecuador in New Jersey

    The Super Eagles will on Thursday conclude their tour of the United States of America with a match against Ecuador at the 25,000 –capacity Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.

     In what was coach José Santos Peseiro’s first outing with the squad, an under-strength Nigeria put up a gallant fight but were unlucky to lose 1-2 to Mexico in a game of two halves in Dallas on Saturday.

     England –based forward Emmanuel Dennis has joned the team and defender Olaoluwa Aina has shaken off a knock to train with the squad on Tuesday.

     The match against the Ecuadorians comes exactly a week before the Super Eagles tackle the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja in their opener to 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.

     A total of 20 players are now available to Peseiro and the rest of the coaching crew to pick from against the feisty South Americans, known for their pace, poise and power.

     Midfielder Innocent Bonke is unlikely to play any part in Thursday’s session, but home –based professional Chiamaka Madu, who saw action in the second period against the El Tri, has been working assiduously hard to step up to the plate in the former’s absence.

     Goalkeepers Francis Uzoho, Olorunleke Ojo and Adewale Adeyinka are all fit and in form, with Captain William Ekong, Aina, Chidozie Awaziem, Sani Faisal, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Ibrahim Buhari all ready to be involved.

     Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, Alex Iwobi, Madu, Terem Moffi and Babatunde Bello are up for it in midfield while Dennis, Cyriel Dessers, Moses Simon, Victor Mbaoma and Ishaq Rafiu are rearing to go in the attack.

     Victory in Thursday’s game will go a long way to pumping up the spirit of the Super Eagles ahead of the two Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Sierra Leone and São Tomé and Príncipe on 9th June and 13th June respectively.

     The match kicks off at 8pm ET (1am Nigeria time on Friday) at the venue that is the home of New York Red Bulls in the Major League Soccer, and which was opened in March 2010.