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Tag: Super Eagles

  • AFCON, WWC: FG urges Eagles, Falcons to make Nigeria proud

    AFCON, WWC: FG urges Eagles, Falcons to make Nigeria proud

    The Federal Government has charged the Super Eagles and Super Falcons to go all out to make Nigeria proud at the AFCON and FIFA Women World Cup respectively.

    Mr Olusade, Adesola, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths and Sports Development said this on Friday in Abuja when organisers of Miss Football Nigeria, an NGO paid him a courtesy visit.

    He commended the Falcons for qualifying for the knock-out stage of the 2019 FIFA World Cup in France despite all odds and stressed the need for them to re-double efforts in their next game against Germany.

    He said the Federal Government would continue to support them while reiterating the need for them to be dedicated and patriotic.

    “The Super Falcons are out there in France sweating it out and trying to bring glory to Nigeria.

    “We were delighted when they eventually qualified yesterday (Thursday) for the next round and we wish them success,” he said.

    The permanent secretary also tasked the Super Eagles to be at their best as the 2019 AFCON begins in Egypt on Friday.

    “We also wish the Super Eagles success at the AFCON, there is no short cut to hard work so they must be at their best to make us proud, ” he added.

    He assured that the Federal Government was working hard to ensure that all funds needed for their success were released as at when due.

    Adesola said the ministry would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to developing sports in the country.

    Earlier, Director-General, Miss Football Nigeria, Moses Ebahor said the visit was meant to honour the permanent secretary as the Grand Patron of Miss Football Nigeria.

    He also used the occasion to call for the participation of more girls and women in sports in the country.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 2019 AFCON begins on Friday in Egypt. the Super Eagles of Nigeria will take on debutants Burundi in a crunchy tie on Saturday.

  • Super Eagles are always AFCON favourites – Adepoju

    Super Eagles are always AFCON favourites – Adepoju

    Former Nigeria midfielder Mutiu Adepoju believes that Nigeria are among te favourites to win the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, based on their squad depth and quality players.

    Gernot Rohr’s men are in Egypt to challenge for a fourth African title, but they must first see off Madagascar, Burundi and Guinea in Group B.

    While acknowledging that the Super Eagles will head into the finals in the North African country as contenders for the trophy, he feels pressurising the team to emerge as champions could serve as an obstacle for the three-time African winners.

    “Nigeria are always favourites because they are a team to beat and that’s why it’s not surprising when you see teams who play against them come out in full force,” Adepoju told Goal.

    “Those who tip the Super Eagles as favourites are not wrong because of the quality of players they parade.

    “Nevertheless, I would want us to move step by step and see how we progress in the competition.

    “That being said, it will be disappointing if the Super Eagles don’t make it to the final because every Nigerian wants to see them up there.

    “However, anything can happen in football because you can play the best game and still lose. Mind you, other teams in Egypt are not there to make up the numbers – they want to win also.

    “But our focus is to see the team do very well and play to instructions – not fans mounting pressure on them.”

     

    Goal

  • 2019 AFCON: This could be my last – Mikel

    2019 AFCON: This could be my last – Mikel

    Super Eagles captain, John Obi Mikel, has hinted that the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, could be his last continental outing with the country.

    The midfielder has been a regular fixture in the national team, since he made his Super Eagles debut back in August 2005, during a friendly match against Libya.

    Mikel Obi has been named in Gernot Rohr’s final 23-man squad for the tournament in Egypt and he is now set to play in his fourth AFCON, after previous appearances in the 2006, 2008 and 2013 editions.

    “I do not know but I think it may be (my last Afcon). I like to go every year and see how I feel.

    “Obviously the young players are coming, I think before the next one comes around again I will be 34 or so.

    “I think this will probably be my last Afcon but I’m not 100 percent sure yet. I have given so much to this nation and at some point, you have to let go. I don’t want to overstay my welcome.

    “I will leave when I feel the time is right. Let’s hope we can make it count,” Mikel Obi told NFF media.

    Mikel was part of the Nigeria team that won the Africa Cup of Nations title six years ago, but insists he still desires to win more silverware with the Super Eagles.

    “I’m always hungry to win if I didn’t want to win then I would not be here. I don’t just want to come in and play the Nations Cup. I have played so many games and there is no point that I’m just coming to play. I’ve come to win,” he continued.

    “And that’s the same mentality I want to put in the younger ones to win. I know for some of them, it is just their first time and they just want to play but they need to have the mentality of going to win.

    “That is the mentality that I have and hopefully, I can translate this from my performance on the pitch and outside the pitch when talking to them. Hopefully, we can do great things in Egypt,” he added.

  • Iheanacho needs to leave Leicester City – Obuh

    Former Nigeria U17 and U20 coach John Obuh has advised Kelechi Iheanacho to search for a new club in a bid for regular playing time after he was left out of the Gernot Rohr’s quad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

    After playing no part in Nigeria’s goalless draw against Zimbabwe on Saturday, Iheanacho was axed from the provisional squad alongside Rotherham United’s Semi Ajayi as Rohr confirmed his 23-man squad for the Afcon on Sunday.

    Iheanacho’s struggle for form has been a talking point among Nigerians who have voiced their concerns with Rohr claiming that he still lacks confidence despite his change in attitude to training.

    But Obuh thinks his lack of playing time at Leicester City during 2018-19 season limited his chances of making it to Africa’s foremost football competition.

    “He hasn’t been participating actively in the league, it will be difficult for us to fault the coach because whatever decision he’s making for this Afcon, he’s doing it based on club performance,” Obuh told Goal.

    “If you remember, Mikel has not been in the national team for a while but he has been playing for his club so he has a different case to deal with even though some people try to talk about that.

    “Iheanacho is a young, talented footballer and we all know that. I think what he really needs to do is to look for a club that will grant him a regular playing time so that he won’t go into too much competition with anybody that will cause him not to play.

    “That’s the simple thing he needs to do because it will help him. I think the coach’s decision is okay and he should accept it in good faith and think for a way forward for himself.”

    During the just-concluded campaign, Iheanacho made only nine starts in 30 league matches for the Foxes, with just a goal to his credit.

  • AFCON 2019: Moses reacts after being included by Rohr in Super Eagles squad

    AFCON 2019: Moses reacts after being included by Rohr in Super Eagles squad

    Levante forward, Simon Moses has expressed his happiness over the decision of Nigeria coach, Gernot Rohr, to include him in the Super Eagles’ final 23-man squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.

    Rohr, on Sunday included Moses in the Super Eagles’ final 23-man squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in Egpyt.

    The 23-year-old, who missed out from Nigeria’s 2018 World Cup squad in Russia due to injury, told Brila FM: “It’s not easy to make the final 23-man list, am happy and we all are still fighting for a place in the first XI.

    “The next stage now is to fight for your position in the team, and I believe the coach has the right players to put in the right place to make a good result.”

    This year’s AFCON will be held from 15 June to 13 July 2019.

  • Iheanacho’s exclusion didn’t come as a surprise says Fuludu

    Ex-international Edema Fuludu on Monday said that the exclusion of Super Eagles striker. Kelechi Iheanacho from the 23 man list by Coach Gernot Rohr didn’t come as a surprise to him.

    Fuludu, a member of the victorious 1994 AFCON squad, made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

    “I wasn’t surprised really, he’s not in his best form, and if you are not in form there is nothing anyone can do about it.

    “I believe the coach gave it serious thought; why take a player who is struggling when you have those that are in top form.

    “He needs to give players fair opportunity, Iheanacho being on the list would have come as a shock to many.

    “Because the coach made it clear that players performance at club level will determine players inclusion in the AFCON list.

    “Kelechi has not been fantastic, but this happens to players at some point in their career, it’s just sad that it came at a time when he would have been valuable to the team if he was in great form,” he said.

    The Leicester City forward Iheanacho has been dropped by Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr ahead of Nigeria’s campaign at the 2019 Nations Cup in Egypt.

    Asked about his views about Rohr’s selected player for the Nations Cup, the former Julius Berger player, told NAN that the selected players should justify their inclusion.

    “There is nothing I’d include or take out from that list, only a coach knows and understands the strength of each of his players.

    “I just want to urge the selected ones to make their inclusion count by playing cohesively and listening to instruction and also being disciplined will help them,” he said

    Semi Ajayi, who plays for English Club Rotherham FC was also reported to have been dropped by Gernot Rohr who was not impressed with his performance.

    At the just-concluded Premier League season, Iheanacho struggled for form and was left on the bench for most games for his club.

    He got a chance to face Manchester City in week 37 of the Premier League season and saw a good chance to score against Pep Guardiola’s men which could have ended their title hope.

    The rest of the squad will travel for the tournament which kicks off June 21, in Egypt.

  • Egypt 2019: Rohr drops Iheanacho, Ajayi

    Egypt 2019: Rohr drops Iheanacho, Ajayi

    Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr has dropped Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho and Rottherham United player Semi Ajayi for the Africa Cup of Nations which kicks off on June 21 in Egypt.

    Iheanacho who was part of the team for the qualifiers failed to make the final cut as a result of his lack of playing time with his club in England, while Ajayi who was player of the month for his English Championship side last season failed to measure in training.

    Indications that Rohr was going to drop Iheanacho who has also featured for premier league side, Manchester emerged yesterday when he was not featured for the friendly against Zimbabwe at the Stephen Keshi Stadium.

    All throughout last week, Rohr had hinted that only players that were in form would be make the 23-man squad for the tournament.

    The team will fly out later today from Asaba to Egypt on a chartered flight where they would set up a training base in Ismailia.

    On June 16 they face the Teranga Lions of Senegal in a friendly before their opening group game against Burundi on June 22 in Alexandria.

  • Mikel impressed with Super Eagles’ performance

    Mikel impressed with Super Eagles’ performance

    Super Eagles Captain, Mikel Obi, said on Saturday that he was impressed with the performance of the team during a friendly with the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

    Mikel said at a post-match news conference after the teams had drawn goalless that ”the boys have been very fantastic and they have really worked hard to get here.

    ”The team is a very good blend of players and it is a good thing for the young players to play this game.

    ”Through the match, you know that they are talented players and we have been able to discover some great talents among them.

    “I think the only thing that needs to be done now is to work on them so that they will know when and when not to run with the ball.”

    Mikel further noted that he was really motivated by his performance and that of his team mates.

    “I am very motivated and if I am not, I will not be here.

    ”I told the coach that when I am ready I will come back and when I am back, I will give 100 per cent to the team,”’ he added.

  • Rohr, 25 Super Eagles players honour Keshi at 2nd memorial lecture

    Rohr, 25 Super Eagles players honour Keshi at 2nd memorial lecture

    Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr, led no fewer than 25 players in the team’’ camp in Asaba to the 2nd Stephen Keshi Memorial Lecture held in the Delta capital on Friday.

    Keshi died in June, 2017 and the memorial lecture was instituted by the National Association of Nigeria Professional Footballers (NANPF).

    The eagles are currently camping in Asaba ahead of the friendly match with the Warriors of Zimbabwe on Saturday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba.

    Rohr, at the side line of the event, lauded the qualities of late Keshi, and told newsmen that he (Keshi) made a mark in Nigerian football and abroad, as a player and a coach.

    He expressed delight that the lecture held at a time when the Eagles were camping in Asaba ahead of the African Nations Cup tournament beginning on June 21 in Egypt, and for a friendly match with Zimbabwe in Asaba.

    “I commend the association of professional footballers for keeping date with Keshi. Such association is necessary to seek the welfare of members after retirement from active play.

    “It is important that I bring all the players here as mark of respect and honour to Keshi,’’ Rohr said.

    The Chairman, Delta Sports Commission, Tonobok Okowa, said that the lecture was to expose the younger generation to the times and achievements of Keshi, which made the state government to name Asaba Township Stadium after him.

    He said the lecture was a pointer to the fact that all players must prepare for life after football, adding that it may be challenging to those who failed to prepare for their future.

    According to him, like Keshi, the footballers must be dedicated, be objective and have a clear vision of what legacies they will leave behind.

    “Keshi started as a footballer, became the captain of the team, and later a coach of the Super Eagles, which he played for.’’

    On his part, General Secretary of NANF, Austin Popo, said the occasion was to keep alive the legacies and memory of Keshi.

    He said that the lecture was among the promises the new leadership made after their election in 2018 to reposition the players’ union to truly represent and promote players’ right and interest in Africa and the world.

    “The annual Stephen Keshi memorial lecture and the youth football tournament is one of such programmes.

    “We are already discussing plans on how both bodies can make the second edition of the Stephen Keshi U-17 and U-21 national football tournament a success, with Delta government providing support,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean team comprising 25 players and eight technical crew arrived at the Hampton Hotel, Asaba, on Friday at about 11.30 am for the Saturday encounter.

    According to the Zimbabwean Coach, Sunday Chidzambwa, the team is here to play and learn from the more experienced Nigerian Super Eagles.

    The theme of the memorial lecture is “Life after Football: What Does the Country Owe Our Ex-Internationals?”

  • Super Eagles battle-ready for Warriors in Asaba

    Super Eagles battle-ready for Warriors in Asaba

    Three–time champions Nigeria have a full house in Asaba, Delta State ahead of Saturday’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations send-forth friendly against the Warriors of Zimbabwe.

    Since qualifying for this year’s AFCON finals following a 1-1 draw with South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Johannebsurg in November 2018, the Super Eagles have played two friendlies.

    This was a 0-0 draw with the Cranes of Uganda in Asaba on 20th Nov. 20, 2018 and a 1-0 defeat of seven-time African champions Egypt also in Asaba on March 26, 2019.

    Both teams are expected to offer a sneak preview of how prepared they are for the AFCON, with Nigeria seeded in Group B and rated to go far in the finals and Zimbabwe believing it can punch above its weight in a pool also having host nation Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

    While Egypt 2019 will be Nigeria’s 18th appearance at the AFCON, Zimbabwe’s Warriors are making only their fourth appearance, following group stage exits in 2004, 2006 and 2017.

    Nigeria was instrumental to Zimbabwe’s crashing out at the group stage in 2006, when the Super Eagles defeated the Warriors 2-0 in Port Said, with one of the goals from Mikel Obi.

    Incidentally, the midfield enforcer and 14 –year veteran of the Super Eagles is returning to the group on Saturday after one year out.

    He played no part in the AFCON qualifying matches and friendly games post-World Cup but is back in the flow for the finals.

    Nigeria’s squad for the final phase of preparations also includes pacy winger Ahmed Musa, defenders Abdullahi Shehu, Leon Balogun, William Ekong and Jamilu Collins.

    Others include; midfielders John Ogu, Oghenekaro Etebo and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Moses Simon, Henry Onyekuru, Odion Ighalo, Samuel Kalu, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze.

    25 EAGLES IN AFCON 2019 CAMP

    Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Katsina United); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa)

    Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England)

    Midfielders: Mikel John Obi (Middlesbrough FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)

    Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassar FC, Saudi Arabia); Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium); Moses Simon (Levante FC, Spain); Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Odion Ighalo (Shanghai Shenhua, China); Alexander Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Paul Onuachu (FC Midtjyland, Denmark); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain).