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Tag: U-20

  • WAFU B U-20: Flying Eagles hold Niger rep. in friendly

    WAFU B U-20: Flying Eagles hold Niger rep. in friendly

    Nigeria’s national U-20 men’s football team, the Flying Eagles on Friday played a 0-0 draw with Niger Republic in a friendly match.

    The game played in Niamey was the team’s first international friendly as the team intensify preparation for the WAFU B U-20 tournament slated for Niger Republic in May.

    The Ladan Bosso tutored boys started the match brightly but failed to take their chances in front of goal.

    In the second half the Nigeriens piled up the pressure but were repelled by the Nigerian defence marshalled by captain Oluwatosin Adegbite and the composed Nathaniel Nwosu in goal who made some brilliant saves.

    Bosso ringed the changes later on in the game with most of the midfielders and forwards being substituted but still without a goal.

    The coach, after the match, assured that the team will correct some of the mistakes observed, especially it’s finishing.

    The team would play another build-up game on Monday before the commencement of the competition which runs from May 7 to May 20 in Niamey.

    The Flying Eagles starting lineup in the match include Nathaniel Nwosu, Njoku Augustine, Abubakar Babaji, Daniel Daga, Oluwatosin Adegbite, Bolu Sholumade, Lekan Oyedele, Tolulope Ojo, Aminu Muhammed, Hilary Albert and Adams Olubi.

    The team had earlier played some local friendlies in Abuja before traveling to Niamey on Thursday.

    The Flying Eagles, seven-time African champions, are in Group B alongside perennial rivals Ghana and Burkina Faso.

    Hosts, Niger Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo, and the Benin Republic would do battle in Group A.

    The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals of the competition and only the two finalists would qualify for the 2023 U-20 AFCON in Egypt.

  • Flying Eagles ready for WAFU Zone B Cup of Nations – Bosso

    Flying Eagles ready for WAFU Zone B Cup of Nations – Bosso

    Ladan Bosso, Head Coach of the Flying Eagles, says his team are for action at the 2022 WAFU Zone B Under-20 Cup of Nations in the Niger Republic.

    Bosso told newsmen on Monday in Abuja that the Nigerian national under-20 men football team were in good shape and ready to depart for Niamey on Thursday.

    The Flying Eagles will face perennial rivals Ghana in their opening Group B game when the WAFU Zone B qualifiers get underway.

    Bosso said his team opened camp in Abuja since April 19 with 56 players and it gradually took shape.

    “We started to reduce the initial team gradually, even though we started the camp barely a week from now.

    “We have played three matches, and we won all the games.

    “We had our seventh training session Monday evening and we have started to see the difference in the team’s performance than when we started.

    “So, we are good to go,” he said.

    The team’s first friendly match ended in a 2-2 draw and it was for those players who came for screening.

    However, on Saturday, they played two friendlies, winning 4-2 against Cosmos FC of Abuja and 4-0 against Basira FC from Nasarawa state.

    “In these three matches, we scored 10 goals and conceded four. This shows that things are not too bad.

    “On Tuesday, we will take on City FC of Abuja in another friendly to continue to work on the team in order to produce a better result,” Bosso added.

    The coach however said he and his team were not scared or afraid of Group rivals Ghana and Burkina Faso at the qualifiers.

    “We will strive to give our best to win our first match and the subsequent ones in order to progress,” he said.

    NAN reports that the 2022 WAFU Zone B Under-20 Cup of Nations will hold from May 7 to May 20, and it is a qualifier for the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has already approved for the team to travel with 30 players.

    Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Ghana are in the tournament’s group B, while hosts Niger Republic have been drawn against Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and Republic of Benin in Group A.

  • F/Eagles coach Bosso, invites 40 players for WAFU B Championship

    F/Eagles coach Bosso, invites 40 players for WAFU B Championship

    Ladan Bosso, Head Coach of Nigeria’s U20 Boys (Flying Eagles) has called up a total of 40 players for next month’s WAFU B U20 Championship taking place in Niamey, capital of Niger Republic.

    The list has four goalkeepers, 12 midfielders, 17 midfielders and seven forwards.

    Invited players have been advised to arrive at the Blue Spring Hotel, opposite Ministry of Justice (Maitama), Abuja on Monday, 18th April with their international passports, according to Team Secretary Aliyu Lawal Ibrahim (08034824582).

    Seven –time African champions, the Flying Eagles will play in Group B of the WAFU B Championship alongside Ghana and Burkina Faso, with the tournament scheduled for 7th – 20th May in Niamey. Hosts Niger Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo and Benin Republic will contend in Group A.

    Only the two finalists will qualify from the WAFU B zone to participate in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

    ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

    Goalkeepers: Orya Joseph (Lobi Stars); Nathaniel Nwosu (Water FC); Jimoh Saheed (Adoration FC); Chijioke Anianboso (Giant Brillars)

    Defenders: Njoke Augustine (Abia Warriors); Gabriel Adewara (Ikorodu United); Babaji Abubakar (Niger Tornadoes); Okoli Augustine (Giant Brillars); Hassan Shuaibu (Smart City); Uzochukwu Ezeobi (Zamfara United); Opeyemi Omoloye (Amure City); Frederick Benjamin (ABS FC); Monsuru Oyinmade (A&A Academy); Adegbite Emmanuel (Enyimba FC); Bolu Shotimade (Akwa United); Adamu Saidu (Water FC)

    Midfielders: Anas Hassan (Vandrezzer FC); Okeowo Oluwaseyi (3SC); Shehu Sada (Nasarawa United); Promise Harrison (SuperStars Academy); Lawal Samson (Katsina United); Clinshak Longba (Plateau United); Aminu Muhammad (Gombe United); Abdulmajeed Ibrahim (Global FC); Onuche Ogbelu (FOSLA Academy); Jejeko Ola (Coment FC); Hussaini Garba (Maikunkele FC); Divine Nwachukwu (Adoration FC); Sulaiman Kirki (Kebbi United); Munir Idris (Niger Tornadoes); Aminu Yahaya (Nnewi United); Tolulope Simon Ojo (Remo Stars); Muhammad Sambo Shehu (Katsina United)

    Forwards: Emmanuel Ogbole (FC Basira); Ifeanyi Ogba (Lobi Stars); Sopurochukwu Kelechi (HP Academy); Henry Ndubuisi (Cydos FC); Ibrahim Yahaya (Gombe United); Aliyu Abdullahi (Nasarawa United); Ahmed Abdullah (HP Academy)

  • Falconets land in Dakar to battle Senegal in final Worldcup qualifier

    Falconets land in Dakar to battle Senegal in final Worldcup qualifier

    Nigeria’s U20 girls, Falconets, arrived in the Senegalese capital, Dakar on Wednesday ahead of their 2022 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup final round, first leg clash with their Senegalese counterparts.

    The two –time World Cup runners-up have amassed a total of 18 goals in five matches in this long qualifying series, jettisoning Central African Republic, Republic of Congo and Cameroon on the way. Against the Central African Republic, the Falconets hit seven goals away and four at home, before lashing the Congolese girls 4-0 in Brazzaville, leading to the Congolese Football Federation opting not to fly their girls to Nigeria for the return leg.

    Cameroon’s U20 girls showed muscle and strength in their first encounter with the Nigerian girls in Douala to end it 0-0, but fell by three goals at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja to crash out of the race.

    The Senegalese girls reached this final qualifying round after edging the Mali U20 girls 5-3 on penalty shoot-out, with both teams tied 1-1 at the end of the two-legged fourth round fixture.

    Head Coach Chris Danjuma settled for his usual suspects in the 23-girl list, including goalkeeper Monle Oyono, captain Oluwatosin Demehin, defenders Oshobukola Omowumi, Oluchi Ohaegbulem and Jumoke Alani, midfielders Esther Onyenezide and Adoo Yina, and forwards Mercy Idoko, Joy Jerry and Blessing Okpe.

    Saturday’s clash at the Stade Lat-Dior in Thies (outside Dakar) will kick off at 4.30pm Senegal time (5.30pm Nigeria time).

    Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football has appointed Togolese official Vincentia Amedome as referee for the match. She will be assisted by compatriot Abra Agbedanou (assistant referee 1), and Mauritanians Mariem Chedad (assistant referee 2) and Aissata Amadou Lam (fourth official).

    Sabine Marie Isabelle Zoungrana from Burkina Faso will serve as the match commissioner.

    Team List

    Goalkeepers: Nelly Ekeh (Sunshine Queens); Monle Oyono (Bayelsa Queens); Inyene Etim (Abia Angels)

    Defenders: Oluwatosin Demehin (Rivers Angels); Omowunmi Oshobukola (Edo Queens); Rofiat Imuran (Rivers Angels); Jumoke Alani (Edo Queens); Motunrayo Ezekiel (Naija Ratels); Oluwabunmi Oladeji (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluchi Ohaegbulem (Confluence Queens); Chidinma Ogbuchi (FC Robo Queens)

    Midfielders: Bashirat Amoo (Nasarawa Amazons); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens); Adoo Yina (Nasarawa Amazons); Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels); Chinyere Kalu (Nasarawa Amazons); Anuoluwapo Salisu (Bayelsa Queens)

    Forwards: Joy Jerry (Bayelsa Queens); Mercy Idoko (Nasarawa Amazons); Flourish Sebastine (Bayelsa Queens); Taiwo Lawal (FC Robo Queens); Blessing Okpe (Rivers Angels); Tessy Ojiyovwi (Nasarawa Amazons)

  • Japan wins first ever U20 Women World Cup

    A very relentless Japanese side overpowered Spain to lift their first ever Under 20 Women’s World Cup, beating Spain 3-1 in France on Friday.

    The finals was obviously entertaining for the fans at the Stade de la Rabine, Vannes, as the Europeans held possession early in the first half but their persistent opponent took the lead.

    Hinata Miyazawa took the Asians off to a historic start in the 38 minute, displacing defenders and creating a beautiful finish.

    Fans were hopeful that the Spanish side would return with a spark in the second half but the Japanese rather held onto a great play.

    Saori Takarada advanced in the 57th minute to deliver her fifth goal in six matches via a long shot that left goalkeeper Catalina Coll helpless.

    Japan play maker Fuka Nagano, who won the golden ball award at the FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup in Jordan, scored the third goal eight minutes later.

    FC Barcelona forward Candela Andujar’s 71st minute consolation goal was not enough to salvage the situation for the Spaniards as the Asians even created more goal chances up to the final blast of whistle.

    Meanwhile, England defeated France via penalties after a 1-1 at regulation time to clinch the bronze medal.

    At the medal ceremony, the Golden gloves was presented to Sandy Maciver of England while Spain’s Patricia Guijarro won the golden boot with six goals in the tournament.

    Guijarro also won the golden ball award of the tournament, and the fair play award went to Japan.

    Japan has now won all titles in the FIFA Women’s event.