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Tag: Super Eagles

  • Taribo sets 2018 W/Cup target for Eagles

    Former Nigerian defense stalwart Taribo West has expressed confidence that the Super Eagles will get to the semi-final of the Fifa 2018 World Cup.

    Nigeria are in Group D of the competition with Argentina, Croatia and Iceland where they are aiming to better their second round finishes in 1994, 1994 and 2014.

    Speaking on Tuesday as the team gear up for the competition, West said the team is capable of springing up surprises.

    “I am optimistic the grace of God will be behind us, and I expect the team to play in the semi final,” the former AC Milan defense strongman added.

    “The difference between us and this current crop of players is that then you could identify very dangerous players but these ones are all capable of springing surprises.”

  • Russia 2018: Win World Cup, get $24m bonus – NFF tells Super Eagles

    Russia 2018: Win World Cup, get $24m bonus – NFF tells Super Eagles

    The president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has said that the Super Eagles players stand the chance of pocketing 24 million dollars if they play in the final of the 2018 World Cup.

    The World Cup will hold from June 14 to July 15 in Russia.

    Pinnick told journalists in Abuja on Wednesday that the money was part of the agreement reached with the players to share 50-50, whatever would accrues to the country if they get to the final and lift the trophy.

    “I don’t put players under pressure. Pressure can be put on them unconsciously because we are creating enabling environment for them. If for example we don’t have money to prepare them, they can now relax but now, we have given them everything upfront and they should deliver. If today they get to the final, the World Cup money will be shared 50-50 between the team and the NFF.

    “Winning the final is 48 million dollars, it means the team will get 24 million dollars and the football house will take the remaining 24 million dollars,” Mr Pinnick said.

    He also said the adequate preparation including grade A friendly matches have been secured with England and Czech Republic to ensure the team do well at the World Cup.

    The NFF boss further said that the glass house had already secured 2.8 million dollars to pay the players allowances and bonuses during the mundial.

    “We are ready to play against England on June 2 in London in an international friendly. We had a conclusive meeting with the England FA.

    “After the England match, we will play Czech Republic and from there we move to Russia. As it is everything is going on very well.

    “For the world cup, I don’t think we have any problem, I am in touch with the technical committee. It is the desire of every Nigerian to see the Super Eagles do well at the World Cup.”

    He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his support for the NFF and the Super Eagles, and assured that they would not let him down in Russia.

     

  • Continuous change of players ruined my time playing for Super Eagles – Joseph Yobo

    Continuous change of players ruined my time playing for Super Eagles – Joseph Yobo

    Big Brother Naija 2018, witnessed a surprised visit of Ex-Nigerian Internationals, Joseph Yobo and Victor Ikpeba on Wednesday.

    The football stars are the second guest to visit the housemates in the ‘Double Wahala edition.

    During a round-table discussion with the housemates, Yobo said “Change of players ruined my time playing for the national team”

    Joseph Yobo, former captain of the Super Eagles, lamented on the rotation of players during his reign compared to Victor Ikpeba’s famous 94′ set.

    He also noted that the quality of players playing for the Super Eagles in the past are far different from the current team.

    Yobo, who hold the highest appearance for the Super Eagles, capped 101 times and represented Nigeria at three FIFA World Cups and six Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

  • Nigeria 0-2 Serbia: Mitrovic double seal Serbia’s win over Super Eagles

    Aleksandar Mitrovic scored twice as Serbia defeated Nigeria 2-0 in an international friendly played in London on Tuesday night.

    It was the Super Eagles’ second friendly in four days, following their 1-0 victory over Poland last Friday.

    The first half ended goalless.

    Serbia should have gone into the break 1-0 up, but Mitrovic’s finish, which clearly crossed the line, was not awarded by the linesman.

    Francis Uzoho then produced a fine save as the half came to a close.

    Nigeria’s best chance came from Victor Moses, whose shot was parried away by Vladimir Stojkovic.

    Mitrovic was not to be denied again in the second half, as he swept home a cross in the 68th minute to give Serbia the lead.

    The striker, who is currently on loan at Fulham from Newcastle, produced a similar finish with 10 minutes left, to make it 2-0.

  • International Friendly: Super Eagles starting line-up against Serbia

    Nigerian head coach, Gernot Rohr will line up a 4-3-3 formation against Serbia

    1. Francis Uzoho GK

    2. Tyronne Ebueh

    3. Leon Balogun

    4. Troost-Ekong

    5. Brian Idowu

    6. Wilfred Ndidi

    7. Ogenyi Onazi (C)

    8. Joel Obi

    9. Victor Moses

    10. Ahmed Musa

    11. Alex Iwobi

     

    SUBSTITUTES:

    Odion Ighalo, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Elderson Echiejile, Moses Simon, John Ogu, Uche Agbo, Ola Aina, Kenneth Omeruo, Eze, Awaziem, Ajayi, Agu, Okechukwu

  • NFF delegation pay visit to Ikeme in hospital, invites him as guest at Nigeria/England friendly

    The leadership of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Monday visited former Super Eagles first-choice goalkeeper Carl Ikeme at The Christie Clinic in Manchester, UK where he is being treated.

    Ikeme played in the early rounds of the qualifying campaign for thre 2018 FIFA World Cup, but he is now sidelined by illness after being diagonised to be having leukemia.

    Carl Ikeme became the Super Eagles’ number one man months before the Russia 2018 preliminary fixture against Swaziland and the first match of the group phase against Zambia in Ndola.

    He kept goal in those three matches, only to be diagnosed with acute leukemia after returning “abnormal blood tests”.

    This was during pre-season testing at English club Wolverhampton Wanderers and he has since then had to undergo chemotherapy.

    On Monday, as the Super Eagles were getting set for Tuesday’s pre-Russia 2018 World Cup friendly against Serbia in London, the NFF delegation visited Ikeme.

    According to a statement by the NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, the federation’s delegation was led by its President, Amaju Pinnick.

    “In the delegation also were the NFF First Vice-President, Seyi Akinwunmi, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, Super Eagles Team Administrator Dayo Enebi, as well as Eagles goalkeepers’ trainer Alloy Agu and team media officer, Toyin Ibitoye,’’ he said in the statement.

    Olajire went on to quote Pinnick as saying during the visit:

    “We have come on behalf of the Government of Nigeria and the NFF to check up on you, find out how your recovery is going and to tell you that you are still very much on our minds and a member of the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    “We have also come to seek your permission to be our special guest at the pre-World Cup friendly game against England at the Wembley Stadium on June 2.

    “We want you to perform the customary kick-off of that game and if you approve of it, we will immediately request this of The Football Association.”

    The NFF president further assured the goalkeeper that he would be fully captured in the team’s financial benefits for Nigeria’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup.

    “This is because we all remember the role you played in helping us get off to a winning start in the final phase of qualifiers in Ndola against Zambia.

    “We believe this is just a phase that will pass away. You will come out of it stronger and still be able to do what you love to do the best, both for your club and the Super Eagles of Nigeria.”

    Enebi, on his part, said: “On behalf of the team, we want to reassure you of our love. The entire team would have been here to see you if we were not playing against Serbia.

    “Coach Gernot Rohr, the technical and backroom staff are all praying for your speedy recovery. The team asked that I present this autographed jersey, signed by all the players, to you. It is our new kit for the World Cup.”

    Also, Agu had this to say: “As your goalkeeper coach in the national team, I know you are a fighter, you never give up. I believe these attributes will see you through. We will always be there for you as you recover from this illness.”

    An ecstatic Ikeme, moved by all the kind words, responded that he was so overwhelmed by the show of love.

    “I am indeed grateful to Nigerians who daily flood my phone with prayers and well wishes. I feel their love everywhere, everyday, on social media.

    “I thank the Government of Nigeria and the NFF for all the support and I appreciate my teammates so much for being there for me.”

     

    NAN

  • Super Eagles thrash Poland 1-0

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria demonstrated their intention to impress at the 2018 FIFA World Cup by defeating Poland 1-0 at the Stadion Miejski on Friday in Wroclaw.

    Victor Moses’ 61st minute penalty kick made the difference as the Eagles fought hard to earn a win over world number eight Poland.

    Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr made the most difficult call between the sticks, as he eventually went for Francis Uzoho.

    The selection earned the youngster his first full debut for the Super Eagles and he gave a fairly good account of himself as proceedings went on in the match.

    Elsewhere in the Eagles team, Joel Obi was given his first Super Eagles cap since his last outing in a friendly against Scotland in May 2014.

    The Torino of Italy midfielder partnered Wilfried Ndidi in the middle of the pack, while Brian Idowu was also chosen ahead of Elderson Echiejile at left-back.

    Eight minutes into the game, the Super Eagles were culpable, as hosts Poland almost took the lead after Robert Lewandowski hit the post from a sliding pass.

    However, it was a physical contest between the Eagles and the Poles, leading to the removal of Polish Karol Linetty before the Nigerian side tried their bit to threaten their hosts with Moses picking himself up to curl a free kick past Lukasz Fabianski’s post in the 34th minute.

    The Super Eagles had much to worry about between the sticks but Uzoho overcame his jittery start to the encounter and got down well to deny Lewandowski’s point-blank effort in the 51st minute to keep the hosts at bay.

    However, it was the Super Eagles who had the upper hand as Moses was fouled in the area and the Chelsea man slotted in his spot kick perfectly to give Nigeria the lead.

    With the morale-boosting win, the Super Eagles will now take on Serbia on Tuesday in London to consolidate their fine form en route the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

  • NFF committed to make coaches succeed – Sanusi

    Mohammed Sanusi, General-Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Friday in Abuja said the federation was committed to creating an enabling platform for coaches to succeed.

    Sanusi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the success of coaches and football administrators were the priority of the federation.

    He said that Nigeria’s football development could not be realised without the important role of coaches.

    The scribe explained that the federation would not relent in promoting excellence in the handling of players.

    “A coach’s role has a lot to do in the skill development of individual players and a team collectively.

    “So, we are doing our best in giving coaches chances to improve and succeed which by extension impact on our football,’’ he said.

    Sanusi, who urged Nigerian coaches to tap into the opportunities created by the federation, called for more support for Super Eagles’ coaches.

    He said that the federation was determined to see that the Eagles excel in Russia.

    According to him, we are not leaving anything behind to support our coaches.

    The scribe expressed confidence in the Eagles, saying that both the coaching crew and players were in form.

    He said the federation was optimistic that the team would come out stronger after the series of quality friendlies before the World Cup.

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be playing friendlies against Poland on March 23 and England on June 2.

  • UK Mirror rates Super Eagles’ new World Cup kits best

    United Kingdom online news hub mirror.co.uk has rated Nigeria’s World Cup kits the best among the 19 so far unveiled by the teams that are going to the mundial in Russia this summer.
    The Super Eagles World Cup kits were unveiled in London by the manufacturer, Nike in London on Wednesday.
    The website did a ranking of the kits of all the 19 countries who have unveiled their World Cup kits and picked the Nigerian jersey as the best from the lot.
    “And while you’re there, pick up this glorious effort from Nigeria that comes out as a deserving No. 1,” reads the statement on the website.
    “It’s incredible, frankly, and is bound to turn us all into Super Eagles in the summer.”
    Some of the other countries that have unveiled their jerseys are hosts Russia, Nigeria group foes; Argentina and Croatia, as well as Belgium, England, Switzerland and Uruguay.
    The kits ignites memory of the patterned Adidas jersey that the Super Eagles wore at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia and their first World Cup in the United States of America that same year.
    What appears to be the away kit has the shirt in predominantly light green background with bold white V-shaped patterns drawn on it. The sleeves are white underneath black patterns. The shorts are plain white.
    The home shirt is all-green jersey which is darker than usual.

  • CHAN 2018: Wasteful Super Eagles held by Rwanda’s Amavubi

    The home-based Super Eagles failed to claim a win as they were held 0-0 by Rwanda in their opening match of the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Monday.

    Nigeria and Rwanda settled for a barren draw in their Group C opener at the Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangiers, Morocco.

    The stalemate leaves the Super Eagles in joint second position in the group, two points behind Libya who beat Equatorial Guinea 3-0 earlier on Monday.

    Libya maintains top spot of the group thanks to their 3-0 humbling of Equatorial Guinea in the earlier kick-off.

    It was a frustrating night for the West Africans who saw the post and crossbar deny them no less than three occasions.

    But superb saves from Rwanda goalkeeper Eric Ndayishimiye also added to their misery.

    The home-based Eagles were the better side, dominating possession in both halves but failed to do the most important thing – goal scoring.

    With veteran Rabiu Ali leading Nigeria’s onslaughts, youngster Sunday Faleye was unlucky to see his header from Osas Okoro’s assist bounce off the crossbar in the opening minutes with Ndayishimiye completely beaten.

    In the 38 minute, Ali wasted a golden opportunity to send Nigeria into the lead, volleying wide after the Rwandan goalkeeper had spilled a cross onto his path.

    The Amavubi will survive yet another scare from the Super Eagles four minutes before the interval, after a long drive from Ali came off the post with Ndayishimiye beaten yet again.

    The second half resumed on the same tempo with Rwanda coming into the picture following the introduction of nimble footed AS Kigali midfielder Savio Nshuti.

    In the 78 minute, the upright came to the rescue of Amavubi for the third time after substitute Ibrahim Mustapha’s header from an Ali corner kick hit the post to the relief of Rwanda.

    Nigeria next face Libya on Thursday whilst Rwanda battle Equatorial Guinea.

    The championship which began on Saturday is expected to end on Feb. 4.