TheNewsGuru

Tag: Super Eagles

  • Libya vs Nigeria: Super Eagles go top of Group E after win in Sfax

    Libya vs Nigeria: Super Eagles go top of Group E after win in Sfax

    The Super Eagles have gone top of Group E, following a 3-2 win over Libya on Tuesday night in Sfax, Tunisia
    It is the second time that Gernot Rohr’s men have defeated the North Africans, following a 4-0 rout last weekend in Uyo.
    Odion Ighalo and Ahmed Musa gave Nigeria a 2-0 lead, before Mohamed Zubya and Ahmed Benali equalized for the Mediterranean Knights.
    Ighalo however struck again in the dying minutes, to ensure the Eagles got all three points.
    Nigeria now have nine points from four fixtures, while South Africa are in second place with eight points.
    Libya have four points and Seychelles are on one point.

  • Libya v Nigeria: Super Eagles goalkeeper Uzoho gets physio's special care in Sfax

    Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, had a brief session with the team’s physiotherapist before joining the rest of his colleagues during Monday’s training at the Stade Taieb Mhiri, Sfax.
    According to reports scooped from a reliable source who is with the team in their Sfax base in Tunisia, said, the young goalkeeper is fully fit but the move was taken to put him in proper shape ahead of the game.
    “He (Uzoho) is not injured that I can authoritatively confirm. He looked ok last night. I think he just needed to stretch some things and nothing more,” the source revealed to CSN.
    “He later joined the rest of his colleagues in training and was comfortable all through.”
    The 19 year-old has kept a clean sheet in his last two games for the Super Eagles putting up a fine performance in the last game against Libya.
    Uzoho, who made his Super Eagles debut in a friendly encounter against Argentina in November 2017 has been capped 10 times by Nigeria.
    The Mediterranean Knights versus Super Eagles clash will kick-off at 7pm Nigerian time this evening.

  • Atiku, Saraki congratulate Super Eagles on victory over Libya

    Atiku, Saraki congratulate Super Eagles on victory over Libya

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar and the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, have congratulated the Super Eagles for their victory over Libya in the African Cup of Nations qualifier.
    The Super Eagles of Nigeria on Saturday brightened their chances of qualifying for the African Cup Of Nation in Cameroon next year with a commanding 4-0 thrashing of Libya.
    China-based Odion Ighalo led the way with a hat-trick in the match played at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
    Reacting to the outcome of the match through his twiitter handle, Atiku wrote, “I congratulate our dear @NGSuperEagles for an outstanding performance with a resounding victory over Libya. Good job! #AFCON2019Q.
    Also reacting to the national team’s victory over the Libyans, Saraki wrote, “Congratulations to our @NGSuperEagles on their brilliant performance in today’s AFCON qualifier match. #SoarSuperEagles”.
    See their tweets below:

  • Pinnick optimistic Super Eagles will win FIFA World Cup soon

    The President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick, has expressed the hope that Nigeria’s Super Eagles will one day win the FIFA World Cup
    Pinnick expressed the hope on Friday in Uyo after playing in the maiden novelty match between SWAN Selected team and Akwa Ibom Sports Arena team.
    The NFF president said he decided to honour the invitation to play in the match having in mind that if he failed to do so it could be taken as if he got hamstring injury or simply refused to participate.
    Pinnick, who played in the colours of SWAN Selected side throughout the second half of the match, described sports journalists as critical elements in Nigerian football reportage.
    “We believe in working together. It has been an amazing support from sports journalists. One day we will win the World Cup.
    Also, Paul Bassey, the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Udom Emmanuel on sports, congratulated SWAN Selected on their victory over the Akwa Ibom team.
    “Football knows no home turf. If you are a good team and on a good pitch, you can win anywhere.
    “What you do today is exemplary, I wish we had started it earlier than now
    “I promise that whenever we have a home game and we are on a training pitch and there is flood light, we will always do it again and again.’’
    He said that sports writing remains his “ medium’’ which he could return to at the end of his assignment
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the match played under flood light Friday night at the Training Pitch, Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, SWAN Selected defeated their host s3-1.
    NAN reports that the sports journalists led 2-0 in the first half of the novelty match before the homers which had Nse Essien, a state legislator representing Onna State Constituency, reduced the tally.
    The SWAN Selected added the third goal to lift the maiden trophy.
    The match was organised ahead of Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier (Match Day 3) between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.

  • AFCON qualifiers: Ahmed Musa warns Super Eagles players ahead of Libya clash

    AFCON qualifiers: Ahmed Musa warns Super Eagles players ahead of Libya clash

    Super Eagles striker, Ahmed Musa has warned Gernot Rohr’s men that their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying game against Libya on Saturday would be difficult.
    The former Leicester City star believes the North Africans are a very complete team and the Eagles must be careful when both teams clash at the the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.
    Musa, who scored Nigeria’s first goal in their 3-0 win against Seychelles at the last AFCON qualifying match, hopes the three times African champions will get all three points against the visitors this weekend.
    “I’m ready to play on Saturday,” The Al Naser of Saudi striker told Footballlive
    “I would like to repeat what happened in the game against Seychelles, and if I can score that would be good, but what matters is that we win the match at home to Libya. It’s a special game.”
    Musa added: “In these types of games you have to give everything. They are heated encounters in which winning is complicated and there is no need to motivate anyone.
    “Libya have a very complete team, you must be careful of anyone. They are a difficult opponent.”
    The kick-off time for the match is 4pm.

  • Full House in Uyo as Eagles intensify preparation for Libya

    All the players invited for Nigeria’s back-to-back 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers with Libya have arrived in Uyo.
    The China-based Odion Ighalo was the last player to arrive on Wednesday as Gernot Rohr’s men intensified preparation for the qualifiers.
    Training, it was learned, started at 10am on Wednesday, with a session tagged ‘body enhancement’.
    Thereafter, the team headed out at 4pm for technical build-up before the evening training session, which took place at the practice area of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.
    It was gathered that the venue for the session had initially been scheduled for the main pitch of the Stadium.
    “We regret whatever inconveniences this change may have caused the media and our fans who had planned to watch the open session at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium,” the team’s management said in a statement.
    “Our evening training (on) Wednesday, October 10, 2018, holds at the training pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo from 4 pm. It will be an open session.”
    The three-time African champions will first take on the Libyans on Saturday, 13 October, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, before confronting them in the reverse fixture in Tunisia.
    Nigeria cannot afford to drop more points in the qualifiers, having lost 2-0 at home to South Africa in their group opener in 2017.

  • AFCON qualifiers: Rohr reveals what he expects from Super Eagles against Libya

    AFCON qualifiers: Rohr reveals what he expects from Super Eagles against Libya

    Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr has said that his team must be physically fit and technically sound to beat Libya during Saturday’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifying match.
    The game is scheduled for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital.
    Rohr admitted that the visitors are a strong side, but his players will prepare for this weekend’s tie like they did against Cameroon last year.
    “We have to prepare for the two matches like we did against Cameroon last year,” CSN quoted Rohr as saying in a tweet on the official Twitter handle of the Super Eagles.
    “Focus on Libya’s strong team who had a draw in South Africa and are leaders in our group.”
    “Two games in four days means that we have to be very fit physically and technically.”

  • Super Eagles must show tactical edge to defeat Libya – John Obuh

    Super Eagles must show tactical edge to defeat Libya – John Obuh

    Nigeria must prove to be tactically better to claim good points against ‘tough’ Libya in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations back-to-back qualifier encounters, according to John Obuh.
    The Super Eagles welcome the Mediterranean Knights to the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Saturday before travelling for the return leg two days later in Tunisia.
    Heading into the doubleheader, the north Africans top Group E log with four points from two games, while Super Eagles sit in the third position with three points from same number of matches.
    Though he acknowledges the quality in Adel Amrouche’s side, the tactician insists Gernot Rohr’s men have all it takes to subdue the table-toppers, not only in Uyo but over the two legs.
    “I just want to believe that the players invited for the Libyan game understand the importance of the match,” Obuh told Goal.
    “Libya are above us just like South Africa. Playing them first in Nigeria, only three points will make a huge difference before we go for the second leg – we should be in a comfortable position.
    “It is going to be a little bit tougher but no matter the nature of the game, I expect us to win because some players that missed the first match will be around now and we will have a better match than we had against Seychelles or South Africa.
    “Definitely, there will be some tactical intelligence in the Libyan side because they have a good coach. But I will want to believe that the quality and whatever he is going to give to the team depends on the quality of the players he will present.
    “It is coach versus coach, and players versus players. No matter what tactical plan they are going to come out with. I want to believe that our quality team and coach should be able to withstand them. We must prove that we are tactically better. We must show the edge to win.”

  • AFCON qualifiers: Mikel, Nwakali out of Super Eagles squad against Libya [Full list]

    AFCON qualifiers: Mikel, Nwakali out of Super Eagles squad against Libya [Full list]

    Head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr has called up Ahmed Musa, William Troost-Ekong, Alex Iwobi and 21 others for this month’s crack 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Libya’s Mediterranean Knights.
    But Rohr left out captain John Mikel Obi, Joel Obi and the pair of Simeon Nwankwo and Kelechi Nwakali from the squad.
    Mikel also was excluded from the Super Eagles last game away at Seychelles.
    Rohr also recalled Arsenal FC of England forward Alex Iwobi and the Italy –based duo William Ekong and Ola Aina according to a media release from the Nigerian Football Federation.
    Also recalled for the game are Moses Simon and Isaac Success.

    Libya lead Group E with four points after two games while Nigeria are third.
    Nigeria host the first leg at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday, 13thOctober with the return scheduled for the 18,000 –capacity Stade Taïeb Mhiri in the city of Sfax, Tunisia on Tuesday, 16thOctober.
    All invited players are to report in the Akwa Ibom State capital on Monday, 8th October 2018.
    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); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor FC, Turkey); Semi Ajayi (Rotherham United, England); Bryan Idowu (Lokomotiv Moscow, Russia); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Porto, Portugal); William Ekong (Udinese FC, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany)
    Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City FC, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)
    Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nasr FC, Saudi Arabia); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Moses Simon (Levante FC, Italy); Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Odion Ighalo (Changchun Yatai, China); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Samuel Kalu (Bordeaux FC, France); Isaac Success (Watford FC, England)

  • I rejected big offers to remain Super Eagles coach – Rohr

    I rejected big offers to remain Super Eagles coach – Rohr

    Super Eagles head coach, Gernot Rohr, has revealed that he rejected lucrative offers from some countries after the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia to stay put with with the team, completesports reports.

    The likes of Clemens Westerhof, Bora Mulitonovic and Lars Largerback all left unceremoniously after Super Eagles exit at the previous World Cups.