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Tag: Super Eagles

  • Alex Iwobi key to Eagles’ AFCON success – Oliseh

    Alex Iwobi key to Eagles’ AFCON success – Oliseh

    Former Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, believes Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi will be key to Nigeria’s success at the 2019 Africa Cup Of Nations in Egypt should he play to his full potential.

    Iwobi has scored five goals and provided two assists in 28 appearances for Nigeria since he made his international debut under Oliseh.

    “With Iwobi playing the way he is, we would not be lacking creatively at the AFCON if he maintains his form,” Oliseh told Completesports.com.

    The former national team captain also notes that the addition of Paul Onuachu gives the team more options in attack while adding that Gernot Rohr’s team must have a very good line of defence to clinch a fourth AFCON title.

    “Paul Onuachu is another good one. He brought back memories of what Yekini used to do back then. To me with these guys in our attacking line-up, we have much more options.

    “A team is as good as your defence line. Anybody can attack, but can your team soak in the pressure? Your team will absolve all that is thrown at them once you have a good defence.”

    The Super Eagles are making a return to the AFCON tournament after missing out on the last two editions.

    Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Unai Emery believes Iwobi has gained more confidence by playing regularly for Arsenal this term.

    The Nigeria international has scored four goals and provided four assists in 38 games for the Gunners this season.

    “Iwobi, Bernd Leno also, is taking little by little more confidence and is stronger in the goal,” the former Paris Saint Germain gaffer admitted in an interview with COPA90.

    “Each player can help us improve 10, 15 or 20 per cent.”

    The 22-year-old is expected to make his 19th start for Arsenal when they travel to the Goodison Park to face Everton on Sunday.

    Arsenal are undefeated in their last six Premier League games and sit fourth in the table while Everton have won their last two matches in a row to climb to 10th, and could move as high as eighth with a win , depending on how other results go.

  • Former Super Eagles player Odemwingie retires from football

    Former Super Eagles player Odemwingie retires from football

    Former Super Eagles player Peter Odemwingie has retired from football at the age of 37.

    The striker, who last played for Indonesian side Madura FC in 2017, announced the decision to hang up his boots at the Uefa Equal Game conference at Wembley on Wednesday.

    “It’s an emotional day, so many memories go through your head,” Odemwingie told the audience.

    “I didn’t know how to do it or where to do it, but I think this is the right place to do it. Wembley is a place with a lot of history in football.”

    The attacker also shed light on his next move in the game: “The next chapter is slowly building up to a coaching career,” he continued, “and hopefully I will be coaching in the Premier League one day.”

    The 37-year-old began his career with Nigerian outfit Bendel Insurance before moving to Belgium in 2004 to team up with La Louviere.

    Successful stints in France and Russia, with Lille and Lokomotiv Moscow respectively, followed, before the dynamic Uzbekistan-born forward caught the eye of Premier League suitors.

    In 2010, he joined West Bromwich Albion, where he scored 30 goals in 87 top flight appearances and won three Player of the Month accolade (September 2010, April 2011 and February 2012).

    On the back of an infamous 2013 transfer deadline-day fiasco, where he turned up at Queens Park Rangers attempting to engineer a move, Odemwingie left the Baggies under a cloud and went on to don the colours of Cardiff City, Stoke City and Rotherham United before leaving English football for Indonesian top flight side Madura FC in 2017.

    Internationally, Odemwingie – whose mother is Russian – chose to represent Nigeria (his father’s country) and made his debut on May 4, 2002, coming on as a substitute in a 3-0 victory over Kenya.

    He represented the Super Eagles at four African Cup of Nations editions (2004, 2006, 2008 and as captain in 2010), and in 2008 was named as an overage player as the Dream Team V secured the silver medal at the Beijing Olympics.

    Odemwingie also played at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, scoring the winner against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Brazil that ultimately secured the West Africans’ passage to the Last 16.

    He scored 10 goals in 63 caps for Nigeria.

     

  • Super Eagles move up four spots in new FIFA ranking

    Super Eagles move up four spots in new FIFA ranking

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria have moved up four places in the latest FIFA Rankings released on Thursday by the world football governing body.

    The Eagles previously in the 46th position in the world are now ranked 42nd on the back of their impressive wins in Asaba over 2019 Africa Cup Of Nations hosts Egypt and Seychelles.

    The Eagles who are now third in Africa behind Senegal and Tunisia, are ranked ahead of the likes of Greece, Scotland and 2018 World Cup hosts Russia.

    In the period under review, the Super Eagles for the first time in 29 years beat the Pharaohs of Egypt in a high-profile friendly.

    A sensational strike by Paul Onuachu with eight seconds gave Nigeria the win and the Coach Gernot Rohr tutored also ended their AFCON qualifying series with 3-1 thumping of Seychelles.

    According to the breakdown on the FIFA website, there were 150 games played across the globe during the international period being reviewed.

    Nonetheless, things remain tight at the top of the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking as the top three remained unchanged.

    Belgium are still the highest ranked team in the world as they still maintain a slender lead over 2018 FIFA World Cup winners France are occupying the second spot.

    Brazil are 3rd as England are now 4th as they have overtaken World Cup finalist Croatia who have now dropped to the 5th position.

    Uruguay, Portugal, Switzerland, Spain and Denmark complete the list of the top 10 teams in the world.

    Meanwhile, Coach Emmanuel Amuneke’s Tanzania team are the joint second highest movers in this edition of the FIFA rankings.

    Israel (84th, up 8) enjoyed the biggest jump of all, followed closely by Guatemala (143rd, up 6) and Tanzania (131st, up 6) after the latter booked their CAF Africa Cup of Nations place.

  • Gov Okowa boosts Super Eagles with $50,000

    Delta State governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa has rewarded the Super Eagles following victories in their 2019 AFCON qualifying match against Seychelles and the prestige friendly against seven-time African champions Egypt, as he presented the sum of $10,000 to Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr and another $50,000 to the team on Tuesday.

    Thenff.com recalls that Governor Okowa similarly rewarded the team following their qualification for the 2019 AFCON with the 1-1 draw against South Africa in Johannesburg in November 2018, which they followed up with a friendly against Uganda in Asaba three days later.

    Captain Ahmed Musa, who, on his part, received rave reviews for promptly fulfilling his promise of N1million-a-goal to the Olympic Eagles by sending the team N4million on Monday evening immediately after their 4-0 win over Libya, thanked Governor Okowa for his kind gestures and support to the team, other National Teams and Nigerian Football generally.

    At its meeting on Monday, the NFF Executive Committee hailed Delta State’s number one citizen and his administration for the full sponsorship of the Super Eagles’ two matches, as well as taking care of the U23 AFCON qualifier between Nigeria and Libya.

    Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo emerged the top scorer of the 2019 AFCON qualifying campaign with seven goals, and the 1-0 victory over Africa’s number one ranked side Egypt was brilliantly executed and must have positive implications for Africa’s fourth-ranked team Nigeria’s position in the next FIFA ranking activation.

  • Eagles 70 per cent ready for AFCON, says Rohr

    Eagles 70 per cent ready for AFCON, says Rohr

    Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has said his squad is 70 per cent ready for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), after the team defeated Egypt in a friendly on Tuesday.

    Paul Onuachu netted a sensational goal as the three-time African champions got the better of the most successful AFCON nation in Asaba, Delta State.

    The Franco-German, however, said the team still needed to improve in so many areas before the start of the competition on 22 June in Egypt.

    “The match was a great match for us and when you play a great team like Egypt which for me are one of the favourites for the Afcon and win it is good,” Rohr told newsmen.

    “All the time we must improve but let us enjoy this wonderful moment.

    “We scored a wonderful goal. Tomorrow, we will analyse this game and go back to work on the team we have to make them better. I think the team is 70% ready but I like the number 69.

    “We decided to make a fast start. It was a planned goal from the kickoff. We have a tall striker from Denmark (Onuachu), he did very well but he has to improve still.

    “We made five changes with two local players making their debut. It will be good for them and their career.

    “What was interesting for me also in Asaba was that we had three wonderful victories. First, we beat Seychelles they the U23 team also trounced Libya and now we beat Egypt. So it was a good week for us.”

    The Super Eagles had earlier recorded a 3-1 win over Seychelles in their final AFCON qualifying match on Friday.

  • Super Eagles 70 per cent ready for AFCON – Rohr

    Super Eagles 70 per cent ready for AFCON – Rohr

    Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr feels his team is ’70 per cent’ ready for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals, AFCON following Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Egypt on Tuesday.

    Paul Onuachu’s first minute strike separated both teams in Asaba as the Super Eagles recorded their second straight win after a 3-1 win over Seychelles in their final qualifying match on Friday.

    The three-time champions are set to return to the continental stage after missing the last two editions and the victory over the Pharaohs, host of the competition, sums up a great match for the west Africans.

    However, Rohr has also called for more improvement ahead of the commencement of the AFCON finals on June 21.

    “The match was a great match for us and when you play a great team like Egypt which for me are one of the favourites for the AFCON and win it is good,” Rohr told the media.

    “All the time we must improve but let us enjoy this wonderful moment.

    “We scored a wonderful goal. Tomorrow, we will analyse this game and go back to work on the team we have to make them better. I think the team is 70% ready but I like the number 69.

    “We decided to make a fast start. It was a planned goal from the kickoff. We have a tall striker from Denmark (Onuachu), he did very well but he has to improve still.

    “We made five changes with two local players making their debut. It will be good for them and their career.

    “What was interesting for me also in Asaba was that we had three wonderful victories. First, we beat Seychelles they the U23 team also trounced Libya and now we beat Egypt. So it was a good week for us.”

    In preparation for the biennial tournament, Nigeria are expected to play two more friendly matches in the next FIFA window scheduled for June 3 to 11.

  • NFF reacts as Super Eagles coach, Rohr says team not favourites to win AFCON 2019

    NFF reacts as Super Eagles coach, Rohr says team not favourites to win AFCON 2019

    Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, president, Amaju Pinnick has disagreed with the Head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, over the latter’s comments that Nigeria is not one of the favourites to win the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, in Egypt.

    Recall that, Rohr had disclosed that Egypt and Morocco are the favourites to win the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

    Rohr said: “We are not among the favourites to win the Nations Cup trophy and it would be stupid for me to believe that we are going to win it.

    “So, I am very optimistic that we will do very well and challenge for the cup, but the main favourites are Egypt and Morocco.

    “Morroco are currently number one in Africa going by the latest FIFA ranking. Also, Egypt will be playing at home, with a large home crowd behind them.”

    But reacting to Rohr’s comments, Pinnick said he was expecting Gernot Rohr’s men to go for the ultimate prize at Egypt 2019.

    “When you have a child and prepare him for an exam, your expectation is for the child to excel and that is the same expectation I have for the Super Eagles at the upcoming Nations Cup in Egypt. I expect them to go and compete for the trophy, nothing more, nothing less,” Pinnick was quoted by AllAfrica as saying.

    “My expectations are not overreaching because they are amongst the top four countries on the continent, which if they play to their best strength should guarantee them a place in the semifinals and from that position, the cup is within their reach”.

  • Our game with Super Eagles critical, says Egypt coach

    Egypt assistant coach Tito Sajivan says the Pharaohs will try to beat the Super Eagles on Tuesday in a friendly at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta state.

    Speaking with newsmen after the arrival of his team at about 2 p.m on Sunday in Asaba, Sajivan said playing against a strong team like Nigeria required seriousness and commitment.

    The Egyptian side arrived in Asaba from Niger Republic where they played out a 1-1 draw with their hosts in their final 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Saturday.

    “This is a very important match, because Nigeria is a strong team and it is our last friendly match before the tournament,” he said.

    “We are going to do our best to win. Of course we are a strong team, but Nigeria is also a strong team. To us, this match is critical and we have a crop of young players here and the right players for the match.

    “We have 24 players on board for Tuesday’s friendly with Nigeria, with the whole delegation numbering about 50.”

  • Super Eagles round off AFCON qualifiers, beat Seychelles 3-1

    Super Eagles round off AFCON qualifiers, beat Seychelles 3-1

    Nations cup bound Super Eagles Friday at the Stephen Keshi Stadium Asaba rounded off the qualifiers with a 2-1 defeat of Seychelles. The defeat implies that the Pirates conceded six goals in two legged encounter with Eagles managing to score only one goal.

    Though the Eagles could be said to be unimpressive considering the quality of their opponents the Ahmed Musa captained side nonetheless managed to seal a 3-1 victory with the 90th minute goal scored by late substitute Moses Simon as the best goal of the match

    Odion Ighalo had converted a penalty in the 35th minute to hand Eagles the first goal only for the Pirates to equalise few minutes later capitalizing on miscalculation by goalkeeper Kenneth Uzoho

    Kingley Onyekweru however lifted the Eagles again in the 50th minute and late substitute Moses Simon proved that he was indeed a good material when he produced the icing on the cake just few minutes after being introduced in the pitch.

    The Match appeared to have given Coach Gernot Rohr an opportunity to experiment new play pattern. The German tactician paid more attention to operating through the middle as opposed to usual wing play.

    Ahmed Musa known for coming in through the flanks this time was pulled into the middle perhaps to coordinate in the absence of John Obi Mikel.

    The team will now focus on shaping up for the Nations cup in June, with friendly match against Pharaohs of Egypt on Tuesday at the same venue.

    As for Seychelles, they proved to be the underdogs of the group. The Pirates unbelievably conceded basketful of goals in the course of the qualifiers with three goals for and 25 goals against.

     

  • AFCON 2019: Super Eagles not favourites, says Rohr

    AFCON 2019: Super Eagles not favourites, says Rohr

    Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr, says Nigeria’s national team is not favourites to lift the AFCON 2019 tournament which kicks off on June 21 in Egypt.

    Rohr made the disclosure at a pre-match news conference in Asaba ahead of the Nigeria/Seychelles AFCON qualifier on Friday billed for Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba.

    The German was responding to a comment credited to Moroccan national team coach, Herve Renard, who tipped Nigeria and Senegal as favourites to lift AFCON 2019.

    Rohr said though the Super Eagles have improved since their outing at the last World Cup in Russia, a lot of work still need to be done.

    “We have to work, we have young players in the team, most of them new in the team.

    “It is not easy to go to a major tournament and win, most especially when we don’t have a player playing in the champions league.

    “However, we have a big chance to go far at AFCON in Egypt, because since the last World Cup, I see the team has improved.

    “So, I am very optimistic that we will do very well and challenge for the cup, but the main favourites are Egypt and Morocco.

    “Morroco are currently number one in Africa going by the latest FIFA ranking. Also, Egypt will be playing at home, with a large home crowd behind them.

    On his expectations from the Sychelles game, the German-French soccer tactician said he expects the Super Eagles to defeat the Pirates of Seychelles.

    He said the game against Seychelles is a very important game for the Super Eagles, most especially as they want to top the group.

    “We want to have the highest goalscorer in the AFCON qualifier, we also want to top the group.

    “So, the match against Seychelles is very important to us,” Rohr said.