TheNewsGuru

Tag: Super Eagles

  • Russia 2018: Eguavoen, Ikpeba support calls for Enyeama’s return

    Former Nigerian internationals Austin Eguavoen and Victor Ikpeba are drumming up support for the return of Vincent Enyeama to the Super Eagles for next year’s World Cup.

    Enyeama had retired from the team in 2015 following a fallout with then coach Sunday Oliseh.

    The three-time African champions have yet to find a reliable replacement for him following Carl Ikeme’s leukemia diagnoses.

    Ikpeba said Enyeama’s experience would prove invaluable for the Super Eagles in Russia.

    “Experience is the key, this is the World Cup and he could be like mentor to other goalkeepers, he has paid his dues,” he said.

    “At the 1998 World Cup, we suffered when we brought back a goalkeeper who was finished.”

    On his part, former Eagles coach Eguavoen, who called the former Lille goalkeeper a top-class goalie, said he would be delighted if Enyeama returned to the team.

    “Vincent is experienced and he will bring more competition to the team because the other goalkeepers now feel very relaxed,” he said.

    “He is a top-class goalkeeper, who should get his chance in friendlies leading to the World Cup. There will not be many games to play before the World Cup and so fresh call-ups will take a while to settle in.”

  • All facts you need to know as Nigeria battles Argentina at Russia 2018 World Cup

    All facts you need to know as Nigeria battles Argentina at Russia 2018 World Cup

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria were, on Friday, drawn in Group D to play against Iceland, Croatia and nemesis, Argentina in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup scheduled to hold in Russia.

    After going through their World Cup qualifying phase unbeaten (amassing a total of 14 points from a possible 18), the Eagles will again face a recurring historic war of battling Argentina, one of the terrifying team in group D for the fifth time, three times in a row.

    Ahead of the clash between Argentina and Nigeria in Russia come 2018, here are the necessary facts you need to know about …

    CLEAN SHEETS

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria have kept only one clean sheet in seven encounters with Argentina. That clean sheet was in 1995 FIFA Confederations Cup. Argentina on their part have kept three clean sheets. In 1995 at the Confederations Cup, and at the 2002 and 2010 FIFA World Cups in South Korea /Japan and South Africa.

    BRACE HEROES

    Only three players have bagged braces in the seven meetings between both teams. At the 1994 FIFA World Cup Claudio Caniggia scored a brace as the Diego Maradona-inspired side came back to win 2-1 after Samson Siasia’s sublime opener at the Foxboro, Boston. Ahmed Musa also scored a brace in Nigeria’s 3-2 loss to Argentina at the Estadio Beira-Rio stadium, in Brazil.

    GOAL DIFFERENCES

    Nigeria have conceded 11 goals in seven meetings, scoring eight against Argentina. Samson Siasia was the first player to score a goal at the FIFA World Cup level between both teams while Marcos Rojo was the last player to find the back of the net.

    Musa also became the first Nigerian player to score a brace in a World Cup finals match. That same encounter also saw Lionel Messi score a brace to help Argentina finish top of Group F with three wins from three games.

     

    Other relevant facts…

    —Nigeria’s Super Eagles is youngest team at Russia 2018 world cup with an average age of (24.9) years

    —Nigeria meet Argentina at a World Cup for the fifth time. They lost all previous meetings, all in the group phase (1994, 2002, 2010 and 2014) WorldCupDraw

  • 2018 World Cup: Nigerians react as Super Eagles meet Argentina again

    2018 World Cup: Nigerians react as Super Eagles meet Argentina again

    The wait for the 2018 World Cup final draws is now over as the Super Eagles of Nigeria today have been drawn in Leo Messi’s Argentina group again.

    Nigeria is, therefore, set to play La Albiceleste for the fifth time, three times in a row in the group stage.

    https://twitter.com/olywal/status/936624867784445953

    https://twitter.com/officialdaddymo/status/936631340044230656

    https://twitter.com/I_Big_King/status/936634951633686528

    https://twitter.com/mrokike/status/936625941870206977

    With the tournament set to kick off on June 14, 2018, there are still over six months to wait, but the preparation can begin in earnest.

    We bring you all eight groups as it stands below:

    Group A Group B
    Russia Portugal
    Saudi Arabia Spain
    Egypt Morocco
    Uruguay Iran

     

    Group C Group D
    France Argentina
    Australia Iceland
    Peru Croatia
    Denmark Nigeria

     

    Group E Group F
    Brazil Germany
    Switzerland Mexico
    Costa Rica Sweden
    Serbia South Korea

     

    Group G Group H
    Belgium Poland
    Panama Senegal
    Tunisia Colombia
    England Japan

     

    Which teams do you think will qualify from the group stage!? Drop comments below.

     

  • BREAKING: Nigeria to face Argentina, Iceland, Croatia in 2018 World Cup’s group stage

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria were on Friday drawn to play against Iceland, Croatia and nemesis Argentina in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup scheduled to hold in Russia.

    See other results…

    Nigeria once met in 1994 World Cup. They will meet again in Russia next year.

    The Nigerians play its first game of the world most prestigious competition against Croatia.

    Here is the World Cup draw result

    Group A

    Russia,Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Uruguay

    Group B

    Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran

    Group C

    France, Australia, Peru, Denmark

    Group D

    Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria
    Group E

    Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia
    Group F

    Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea
    Group G

    Belgium, Panama, Tunisia, England
    Group H

    Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan

  • 2018 FIFA World Cup Draw: I pray Nigeria gets favourable draws – Adepoju

    Ex international, Mutiu Adepoju says he hoping the Super Eagles are giving a favourable group at the 2018 World Cup.
    The draws which is slated for December 1st could see the the three-time Africa Champions face one of the football power house in the group.

    Nigeria is placed in Pot 4, alongside countries such as Serbia, Australia, Japan, Morocco, Panama, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia.

    Pot 1 has Russia, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland, and France.
    Pot 2 has Spain, Peru, Switzerland, England, Colombia. Mexico, Uruguay, and Croatia.
    Pot 3 has Denmark, Iceland, Costa Rica, Sweden, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, and Iran.

    However, Adepoju told Soccernet.com.ng that though the Super Eagles are not afraid of tough teams but then, he would be delighted if they face lesser opponents in the group.

    “To be frank with you, every country is praying to have a cheap group for easy qualification to the knockout stages. But for you to be Champions, you must be ready to face the best teams,” Adepoju told Soccernet.com.ng.

    “On a good day, I want nothing but a very simple group for the Super Eagles because I really don’t want them to face teams like Argentina, Brazil, Germany, France , England and Spain.

    Soccernet.com.ng

  • Number Seven still a perfect number for the Eagles

    In qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals, a total of seven players scored for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, and the ticket was secured on the 7th October 2017 in Uyo.

    Qualification was also secured after seven matches (two against Swaziland, two against Cameroon, two against Zambia and one against Algeria).

    Another number seven has emerged, with the Super Eagles being one of only SEVEN countries worldwide to remain unbeaten in the qualifying campaign for Russia 2018.

    The other countries are five –time world champions Brazil; four –time champions Germany; 1966 champions England; 2010 champions Spain; Belgium and; Iran.

    However, only THREE countries in the world, including Nigeria, remain unbeaten in the past three qualifying series for FIFA World Cup finals (South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014 & Russia 2018), the others being Germany and Spain.

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  • Russia 2018: Saraki Congratulates Supers Eagles

    Russia 2018: Saraki Congratulates Supers Eagles

    President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Saturday, congratulated the Nigerian Super Eagles and all Nigerians on the nation’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup, scheduled to hold in Russia next year.
    Saraki, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media & Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said that being in Uyo to witness firsthand the dedication, poise and consistency of our players has given hope to all Nigerians that our team will represent Africa well at the next World Cup.
    “I want to congratulate our players for the way that they have played throughout this whole qualifying phase,” the President of the Senate said, “It is my hope, and the hope of millions across the country that our Super Eagles will represent our nation and the continent well at next year’s World Cup.
    “It was great to have been in Uyo to cheer you on to victory,” Saraki stated.
    The President of the Senate also stated that the Senate would work to ensure that our players are well equipped and well-prepared for the 2018 outing, while also urging the Nigerian Football Federation and the Ministry of Sports to not take its feet off the pedal ahead of 2018.
    “Right now, we must begin to plan and work towards victory for our Super Eagles,” Saraki said, “They have made us proud on the field, now, the NFF, the Ministry of Sports, the sponsors, and all concerned stakeholders must work together to ensure that our players and the team thrive at the World Cup.
    “As our players continue to make us all proud and demonstrate the greatness in our diversity, I want to also congratulate all Nigerians. We can truly achieve great things when we come together.”

  • PHOTO: Atiku creatively congratulates Super Eagles on victory over Zambia

    Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has joined several other Nigerians who are rejoicing with the Super Eagles over their triumphant victory against Zambia on Saturday.

    Atiku who shared his joy in a very creative photograph he shared on his official Twitter page said the Nigeria team is ready for Russia.

    Also, he particularly praised, Arsenal forward, Alex Iwobi, Arsenal who sent Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup finals with his winning goal.

  • Nigerians Jubilate as Super Eagles qualify Russia 2018 World Cup

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles brought joy to the nation tonight after securing a 1-0 victory over Zambia on Saturday to become the first African team to qualify for the Russia 2018 World Cup.

    The Super Eagles, though, late, got a second-half goal by substitute Alex Iwobi which separated both sides in a hotly-contested encounter that was littered with a myriad of near-misses and missed gilt-edged chances.

    The final match which was very entertaining also witnessed a harvest of missed opportunities on both sides and of course have sparked lots of conversations in the social media.

    For your delight, here some of the thrilling comments gathered by TheNewsGuru.com from commentators on Twitter:

  • BREAKING: Super Eagles draw Indomitable Lions 1-1 in Yaounde

    BREAKING: Super Eagles draw Indomitable Lions 1-1 in Yaounde

    The Super Eagles on Monday played a 1-1 draw with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at the Stade Omnispirts Ahmadu Ahidjo in Yaounde.

    The Nigerians were rewarded with a goal in the 30th minute after an Odion Ighalo’s shot was cleared to Belgium-based Moses Simon who put the ball behind goalkeeper Fabrice Ondoa.

    The Cameroonians equalised from the spot following a reckless challenge by goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa on Djoum Arnaud. Vincent Aboubakar slots the ball calmly into the net as Ezenwa runs the wrong way.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Super Eagles had earlier won in the first leg of the match when it played host to the Cameronians in Akwa Ibom on Friday ending the game in a fantastic four nil win.