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Tag: Super Eagles

  • AFCON 2019: Onyekuru replaces injured Ighalo in Super Eagles squad

    Galatasary forward Henry Onyekuru has been called up from the standby list to replace Odion Ighalo ahead of Super Eagles Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in South Africa on November 17.

    The encounter is billed for the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg next week Saturday.

    Ighalo sustained an injury on Wednesday while playing for Changchun Yatai against Tianjin Quanjian in the Chinese Super League, and will now sit out the Super Eagles’ meeting against Bafana Bafana, having missed out on the reverse fixture in similar circumstances.

    Ighalo’s withdrawal is the second in three days after goalkeeper Francis Uzoho was injured while playing for Elche in the Spanish Second Division on Sunday.

    Theophilous Afelokhai from seven-time Nigeria league champions Enyimba was handed a call-up to replace the 20-year-old first-choice goalkeeper.

    Ighalo was Nigeria’s hero in October, netting five goals in a double-header win against Libya, a result which promoted a change in fortunes from third to first place in Group E for the three-time African champions.

    His absence comes as a massive blow to the plans of Gernot Rohr, who will hope the talented, but largely untested Onyekuru, can step up and play a leading role in Johannesburg.

  • Nigeria v South Africa: Mikel’s absence won’t affect Super Eagles – Chukwu

    Nigeria v South Africa: Mikel’s absence won’t affect Super Eagles – Chukwu

    Former Super Eagles’ chief coach Christian Chukwu on Tuesday said midfielder Mikel Obi’s absence from the upcoming Nigeria/South Africa clash would not affect the team negatively.

    Chukwu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that Mikel’s absence from the home and away fixture against Libya did not affect the Eagles, and now would not be different

    NAN reports that the Super Eagles will take on the Bafana Bafana on nov. 17 in Johannesburg in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

    The former Green Eagles captain said the Super Eagles were capable of beating the Bafana Bafana with good focus and team spirit.

    “We should remember that Mikel was not in the match against Libya and yet Nigeria came out victorious.

    “So, his absence in the South Africa match may not have any negative impact on the team,’’ he said.

    Chukwu, who captained the Green Eagles to win the 1980 AFCON in Lagos, told NAN that only the coach could specifically say why Mikel was not listed in the squad.

    He said coach Gernot Rohr was firmly in charge of the Super Eagles and should be allowed to work with the list of players he wants.

    NAN reports that Rohr has invited players for the AFCON qualifier and the international friendly match against Uganda.

    South Africa had beaten Nigeria 2-0 in Uyo on June 10, 2017 in their opening game of the qualifiers.

    NAN

  • Super Eagles goalkeeper Uzoho doubtful for AFCON qualifiers clash

    Super Eagles goalkeeper Uzoho doubtful for AFCON qualifiers clash

    Super Eagles goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, is doubtful for next week’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa, after picking up an injury during Elche’s Spanish Segunda clash with Cadiz on Sunday.

    Uzoho played the entire 90 minutes of the match, which they lost 5-1.

    He was taken to the San Rafael Clinic for treatment of an injury and was discharged later.

    Complimentary tests will be carried out on Uzoho, to further ascertain the level of the injury.

    The test will go a long way in determining his availability for the fixture in Johannesburg.

    Uzoho who is on loan at Elche from Deportivo La Coruna, conceded five times in the game, after keeping clean sheets in his previous two games.

  • Again, Mikel missing as Rohr invites 23 Eagles for S/Africa showdown

    John Obi Mikel has, again, been left out of the Super Eagles team as Gernot Rohr called up 23 players for a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa on 17 November.
    The same group of players would feature in a friendly with Uganda’s Cranes at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, three days later.
    Nigeria lead Group E on nine points, and will book a place in next year’s tournament in Cameroon if they defeat the second-placed Bafana Bafana in Johannesburg.
    And despite scoring for Tianjin Teda in their 4-2 defeat to Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese Super league on Sunday, Rohr did not consider the former Chelsea midfielder for the aforementioned games.
    Mikel has not featured for the Eagles since he led them to the World Cup in Russia, where the three-time African champions failed to progress beyond the group phase.
    Rohr, based on the list released on Monday, retained most of the players that prosecuted the back-to-back wins against Libya this month, and recalled former U17 World Cup–winning striker Victor Osimhen.
    The German also handed another U17 World Cup winning forward Samuel Chukwueze his first call.
    All the invited players are expected to report in Asaba on Monday, 12 November.
    THE FULL LIST
    Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Elche FC, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa).
    Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Adeleye Aniyikaye (FC Ifeanyi Ubah); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Paderborn 07, Germany).
    Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Mikel Agu (Vitoria Setubal FC, Portugal).
    Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nasr FC, Saudi Arabia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (Levante FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium); Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux FC, France); Isaac Success (Watford FC, England); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain).
    Standby: Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal); Nyima Nwagua (Kano Pillars FC); Sunday Adetunji (Enyimba FC); Junior Lokosa (Kano Pillars FC).

  • Rohr calls up Musa, Omeruo, 21 others for South Africa, Uganda clash [Full list]

    Rohr calls up Musa, Omeruo, 21 others for South Africa, Uganda clash [Full list]

    Super Eagles’ head coach Gernot Rohr has called up stand-in team captain Ahmed Musa and 22 other players for preparations ahead of the senior national male football team’s two upcoming matches.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the team have ahead of them next month’s crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Johannesburg.
    They also have a friendly encounter against the Cranes of Uganda at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba three days later.
    Former FIFA Under-17 World Cup-winning forward Victor Osimhen returns after a long time out, with another Under-17 World Cup-winning forward Samuel Chukwueze earning a first call-up.
    Midfielder Mikel Agu, who played some part in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and home-based defender Adeleye Aniyikaye are also called up.
    But mostly, Rohr has kept faith with the group which beat Libya’s Mediterranean Knights over two legs earlier this month.
    Midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who is ineligible for the match after bagging yellow cards in the away matches against Seychelles and Libya, has been left out.
    Francis Uzoho and Ikechukwu Ezenwa are among three goalkeepers invited to camp, while Olaoluwa Aina, William Ekong, Leone Balogun and Kenneth Omeruo are included among eight defenders.
    Also, Oghenekaro Etebo and John Ogu are listed among three midfielders, while Ahmed Musa, Odion Ighalo, Samuel Kalu and Alex Iwobi are among nine forwards.
    However, Henry Onyekuru and Junior Lokosa are listed among five players on stand-by.
    Nigeria lead Group E of the qualification series with nine points.
    They will face second-placed South Africa at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Nov. 17 in one of the Match Day 5 fixtures.
    Victory in the match will automatically send the Eagles to the 2019 AFCON finals in Cameroon.
    The second ticket in Group E to be down to a battle between the Bafana and the Knights.
    Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), said the Super Eagles would fly from Johannesburg to Asaba on Nov. 18 for the friendly with the Cranes on Nov. 20.
    All the invited players are expected to report direct in Asaba on Nov. 12.
    THE FULL LIST
    Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Elche FC, Spain); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Enyimba FC); Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa)
    Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Adeleye Aniyikaye (FC IfeanyiUbah); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia)
    William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany)
    Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel); Mikel Agu (Vitoria Setubal FC, Portugal)
    Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nasr FC, Saudi Arabia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (Levante FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi SC, Belgium)
    Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux FC, France); Isaac Success (Watford FC, England); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain)
    Standby: Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal); Nyima Nwagua (Kano Pillars FC); Sunday Adetunji (Enyimba FC); Junior Lokosa (Kano Pillars FC)
    NAN

  • Why I’ve not invited Ambrose to Super Eagles – Rohr

    Why I’ve not invited Ambrose to Super Eagles – Rohr

    Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has explained why Hibernian FC defender, Efe Ambrose has been overlooked from his team since he took charge two years ago.
    Ambrose has been Nigeria’s most consistent defender in Europe this season having featured in all Hibernian FC’s 17 games in all competitions this season.
    In a chat with CSN, Rohr admitted that Ambrose was a valuable option but he has five quality defenders in his team who have been playing well.
    “He’s a good player and we are monitoring him,” Rohr told CSN.
    “At the moment, we have five good defenders who are doing well in the team and he will only get his chance when one loses his form.”
    Rohr will soon name his 23 man squad for next month’s 2019 Africa Cup Of Nations qualifier against South Africa at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg and the 30 year old may not be included.
    Meanwhile, Rohr says the three time African champions will be seeking to avenge a 2-0 home loss against South Africa.
    The Bafana Bafana recorded their first ever competitive game win over Nigeria in June 2017 when they won 2-0 in Uyo.
    The two teams clash again on November 17 in Johannesburg with Nigeria needing a win to qualify for Cameroon 2019 with a game to spare.
    “The defeat still hurts and we want to take revenge for it,” the coach told Kick-Off Magazine.
    “They beat us with strong counter attacks in Uyo. We dominated the game and actually played quite well in the first half, but didn’t score.”
    “And then they attacked us on the counter, one towards the end when we pressed for the equaliser.”
    Rohr continued: “It was in June 2017, which is now quite a long time ago.
    “I remember we had many players absent at the time, with that match taking place in the break between the seasons.
    “I’m happy that everyone will be available this time around and that our team can get revenge for that defeat.”

  • I can’t promise Super Eagles will win 2019 AFCON title – Rohr

    I can’t promise Super Eagles will win 2019 AFCON title – Rohr

    Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr has said he cannot promise that the team will win the Cameroon 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
     
    Nigeria are on the cusp of sealing qualification for the tournament after their absence from the last two editions of the competition in 2015 and 2017.
     
    The Eagles currently sit atop Group E with nine points after four matches and will be away at second-placed South Africa in Johannesburg on November 17.
     
    A victory for the Eagles in the match will seal their passage to the tournament, which holds from June 15 to July 13, 2019. Only the top two teams in the group will qualify for the first-ever 24-nation tournament.
     
    However, Rohr, who spoke on Supersports during the week, said the team were working hard for their next match but said he could not promise that he will lead the team to their fifth continental title in Cameroon.
     
    “We are working very hard to make sure that we get the necessary points in our next match in South Africa. We know that the match will not be easy but we are working well to make sure our players are in good conditions before the match,” he said.
     
    “We want to make sure that we don’t lose the match just like what happened in our first match. We know that a good result in the match will put us at ease before the visit of Seychelles in our last match at home. We want to finish top of the group.
     
    “For the AFCON, we are determined to ensure that we qualify because we know that for two editions, Nigeria were not there. The fact that we didn’t qualify from the group stage at the World Cup in Russia has been one of the factors that is driving the team because we know that Nigerians were not happy after we couldn’t get to the second round.
     
    “But I cannot promise that we will win the tournament in Cameroon. We want to win it but it will be too early to make promises. Our attitude as a team has been to be modest and take each match as it comes. We also don’t underrate any opponent we play against. This is a young team and they are hungry for success. We have a good professional philosophy and we want to go as far as possible in any competition but we are not making any promises.”
     
    The former Burkina Faso coach said he would continue to explore the possibility of playing Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi in the central midfield role.
     
    Iwobi was instrumental in Nigeria’s victories in their qualifying double-headers against Libya in Uyo and Sfax as he created chances for striker Odion Ighalo as well as wingers Ahmed Musa and Samuel Kalu.
     
    The former Bordeaux manager said, “Iwobi has played very well in the play-making role. We saw him when he played in the role in the friendly against England in London. We also saw him do well in the role against Libya.
     
    “He plays more than the play-making role. He distributes the ball well and also plays for the team. I am concerned about what he does with the ball and what he does off the ball – and he has impressed in these areas. He works very well for the team and we are impressed with him. But we have to conserve what he is going on well for the team.”
     
    Meanwhile, Rohr is hoping that Ademola Lookman will switch allegiance to represent the Eagles.
     
    The 21-year-old was impressive on loan with German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig last season though he has struggled for game time since he joined Everton in 2017 from Charlton Athletic.
     
    The 65-year-old coach is confident that the youngster will add value to his team if he makes the switch.
     
    “He plays for the youth now but we hope he can change his mind and play for us,” Rohr told BBC Sport.
     
    “He’s a player we know can add something to the team. Getting a player to change his national choice is not easy, quick and the process is never so straightforward. First we must be sure he wants to come. And hope to get it cleared by FIFA. Then the most important part is that he brings something new, different and better than we have.
     
    “Every coach wants options, we’ve been lucky to get some players and if we get him, Lookman will give us more options. But we have to be careful about how we go about this because Nigeria have some good players at home and playing outside.”

  • Nigeria move up four spots, now placed 44th on FIFA ranking

    Nigeria move up four spots, now placed 44th on FIFA ranking

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles have moved up four spots to the 44th position in the world on the latest FIFA/Coca-Cola Ranking
    In the ranking table published on the website of the world football governing body on Thursday, Nigeria garnered 1431 points as against 1415 it had in September.
    The movement has now placed Nigeria in the third position in Africa behind Tunisia and Senegal.
    The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that it was during the period in review, that the Eagles thrashed Libya 4-0 (home) and 3-2 (away) in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
    Tunisia is ranked 22nd in the world and Senegal 25th. Congo DR ranked 46th and Morocco, 47th, are the other African countries among the top 50.
    On the global scene, Belgium are now ranked world number one, ahead of France with the narrowest of margin–just one point in the new the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking published today. The Belgians have 1733 points to France’s 1732 points.
    In September, the two countries were tied on the first spot.
    NAN

  • Super Eagles best players are foreign based – Rohr

    Super Eagles best players are foreign based – Rohr

    Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has revealed that the national team best players are outside the country.
    The Super Eagles under Rohr have only featured overseas-based players with only one home-based player – goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa – regularly invited to the national team.
    Also, there were reports that the Nigeria Football Federation plans to influence the German to limit the number of overseas-based players invited for matches due to funding constraints, Punch reports.
    But Rohr, who spoke on Monday Night Football on Supersports, said the abrupt end of the Nigeria Professional Football League has made it difficult for him to invite the players from the league.
    “The best players are playing in Europe. We have to take the best players, whether they are all playing in Europe or China. I called the (NFF) president (when I saw this report), he couldn’t confirm this. If it costs $10,000 to fly in a player and he comes and scores five goals, that comes down to $2,000 a goal and then it’s not so expensive,” he said.
    “In the recent past we have selected some local players but immediately they travel to Europe, where we have to watch them again for a while. Such players like Al-Hassan (Ibrahim) Odey (Stephen) and Eze (Stephen), who was good in CHAN.
    “We invited four of them for the last friendly against Liberia where we were able to see them but the main problem is that they have not played league matches in the last three to four months and this would have affected their level of fitness, rhythm and competitiveness.
    “But with Imama (Amapakabo), Agu (Aloy) and Salisu Yusuf, who is still assisting us, we are having a look at them and there is still room for any player to join the team.”
    He said they are working on getting a regular club for Ezenwa, who has been behind Theophilus Afelokhai in the Enyimba pecking order.
    He said, “We have Ezenwa, who is doing well in the team. But we are worried that he is not playing regularly and as such we are working to get him a place where he can compete regularly to ensure that he achieves maximum level of fitness for the team.”
    The former Burkina Faso coach denied reports that the NFF had paid his salaries up to December.
    “I am just hearing the news as well. However, there is no truth in it because I haven’t been paid till December. But with the progress we are making with the team, we are excited to work ahead and the money issue is not the problem we have for now,” he said.

  • Libya v Nigeria: Super Eagles victory a huge test of character – Rohr

    Libya v Nigeria: Super Eagles victory a huge test of character – Rohr

    Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr is proud of his team performance against Libya in Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualification encounter.
    The Super Eagles had gone two goals up in the opening 17 minutes courtesy Odion Ighalo and Ahmed Musa before the hosts even scores.
    Mohamed Zubya headed home in the 35th minute before Ahmad Benali completed the comeback in the 74th minute.
    Coach Gernot Rohr is proud of Nigeria’s performance against Libya in Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualification clash.
    The Super Eagles had gone two goals up in the opening 17 minutes courtesy Odion Ighalo and Ahmed Musa before the hosts even scores.
    Mohamed Zubya headed home in the 35th minute before Ahmad Benali completed the comeback in the 74th minute.
    And when it looked like result would end on a no winner, no vanquished note, Ighalo sealed the victory with his 81st-minute strike – his second of the game.
    Nonetheless, the German tactician feels the tie was a good test for his team and disclosed that his team will keep fighting until an Afcon ticket is secured.


    “I congratulate my team for this victory. It was a huge test of our character,” Rohr told NFF media after the game.
    “We lost a two-goal lead but fought hard instead of dropping our heads. We will stay humble because we have not qualified for Afcon yet. We keep fighting.”
    With this result, the three-time African champions top Group E with nine points after three matches.
    Nigeria will face South Africa in their next encounter on 16 November, while Seychelles welcome Libya to Victoria.