Flying Eagles See Off Hosts Ghana 2-0

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles beat their Ghanaian counterparts 2-0 in a second friendly played in Tema on Wednesday.

The first test match between the two 2015 African Youth Championship-bound teams ended 2-2 in Accra on Monday.

Like it was in the first match, Wednesday’s match was one of two halves – the Ghana Black Satellites dominated the first half and the Flying Eagles bossed the second half to make the most of their chances and win the game.

“We had a much better second half after our pep talk at half time. It was also a better performance for my team than what we showed in the first match,” praised Flying Eagles coach Manu Garba.

Manu Garba

“Ghana too are a very good team and I tip them to go past Group B at the AYC.”

Ghana Black Satellites coach Silas Tetteh said the Flying Eagles are a very good team who gave his team a very good test.

“They are a compact team who showed very good understanding meaning they have been playing together for some time now. It was good to play against such a team,” he said.

“But despite the fact that we lost, we also gave a good account of ourselves as we finalise our preparations for the championship.”
Skipper Musa Muhammed put away a penalty in the 70th minute after a Ghana defender handled the ball inside his box.

Substitute Ifeanyi Matthew doubled the Flying Eagles lead in stoppage time, when he finished off a flowing attack with a powerful shot from the top of the box.

Flying Eagles

First-half sub Bernard Bulwa ought to have given Nigeria the lead after 65 minutes when he beat the offside trap by Ghana and came face-to-face with goalkeeper Muntawakilu Seidu, who blocked the winger’s shot at point-blank range.

Bulbwa also threw away another clear-cut chance in stoppage time after Wasiu Jimoh’s long ball found Taiwo Awoniyi, who set up the dribbling winger.
Nigeria’s other big opening was in the 67th minute, when Ifeanyi Ifeanyi’s shot from inside the box came off the post.

However, the first half belonged to Ghana, who made wholesale changes to the squad who played the first game on Monday as coach Tetteh said he wanted to see as many players as possible before the team fly out on a training tour of Turkey on Friday.

The sustained pressure on the Flying Eagles was underlined by the fact that they recorded four bookings in the first half – Usman Hassan 29th minute, Musa Yahaya 31st minute, Abdulganiyu Saed 33rd minute and Izu Omego 45th minute.

Flying Eagles vs Ghana

Olorunleke Ojo – Musa Muhammed, Samuel Okon, Izu Omego, Abdulganiyu Saed – Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Akinjide Idowu (Wasiu Jimoh 82), Obinna Nwobodo, Musa Yahaya (Ifeanyi Matthew 51) – Taiwo Awoniyi, Usman Hassan (Bernard Bulbwa 39) (Alhassan Ibrahim 90)

Golden Eaglets Draw 1-1 With Guinea

Nigeria’s U-17, Golden Eaglets on Wednesday forced their Guinean counterparts to a 1-1 draw at Stade Général Seyni Kountché (SGSK) at the on-going African U-17 Championship in Niamey.

Captain Kelechi Nwakali yet again rescued Nigeria with a vital equalizer in the second half from the spot kick after Sam Diallo had scored the curtain raiser in the 11th minute through a penalty kick.

With the result, Nigeria still top the Group A section on a better goal difference despite having the same four points with the Guineans.

11th CAF African U-17 Championship

The fifth game of the tournament kicked off on a high tempo with the young Syli Nationale dominating the first 10 minutes of play by forcing the Golden Eaglets into their own half. A minute later, Nigeria conceded a penalty after defender Lukman Halilu brought downh

the skillful Yamodou Toure in the box and Sam Diallo dispatched the ball behind goalkeeper Akpan Udoh.

Thereafter, it was the Guineans that showed better initiatives in the attack forcing the Golden Eaglets on the defensive time and again.

Golden Eaglets

Abdoulaye Jules Keita was handful on the left flank In the 22th minute, Victor Osimhen thought he had got the much needed equalizer but his powerful header off a cross form Samuel Chukwueze was disallowed by referee Jean Jacques Ngambo Almost at the stroke of half time, Halilu almost cost Nigeria a second goal after he spilled the ball again on the path of Ibrahima Camara whose faint-hearted shot was cuddled by Akpan.

Coach Emmanuel Amuneke brought in Ebere Osinachi for Christian Charles to add more bite into the attack. The permutation seemed to have paid off as Osinachi troubled the opposing team. In the 55th minute, he laid a pass for Kingsley Michael who saw his shot over the bar.

Three minutes after, goalkeeper Udoh stopped what could have been a second
goal for Guinea as he touched away Jules Keita’s volley.

But with the game five minutes away from stoppage time, the rough Guineans were punished for a foul in the box and Nwakali picked his angle; and fired the ball into the net. The Golden Eaglets last and decisive game would be played against Zambia on Saturday at the Municipal Stadium in Niamey.

NIGERIA Vs. GUINEA: A. Udoh- L. John ; L. Halilu; D. Bamidele; A. Usman- K. Nwakali; K. Michael;S. Abdullahi( O. Okonkwo 71); C.Charles(E. Osinachi 45) – S. Chukwueze; V. Osimhen

Future Stars Dim Remo Stars Light, Beat The NNL Side In A Friendly.

Future Stars Football Academy on Wednesday defeated Nigeria National League side, Remo Stars Football Club of Sagamu in a friendly match to prepare both sides for the forthcoming football season.

Goals from John Udoh and Ayanfe Akingbule was all Future Stars needed to claim victory against the Remo based side.

Speaking after the match played at the Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu, Head coach of Future Stars, Jamiu Hamzat said the victory over the professional side is a sweet victory but was quick to add that there is still lots of work to be done on the team.

He stated that the friendly is one of the series lined up for the side ahead of the participation in the 2014/2015 Lagos FA Cup which will kick off early next month across Lagos State.

Coach Hamzat informed that the team will play more high grade matches between now and the commencement of Lagos FA Cup.

“The match against Remo Stars is not that bad, being our first major friendly since we resumed for the new season, although we won but there is still a lot of gray areas we need to work on, by his grace we shall work on those areas noticed in this match and others areas that needed improvement on”. He concluded.

Match Commissioners Seminar To Hold March 2-3

The annual seminar for match commissioners in the country will be held 2nd – 3rd March, 2015, the Match Commissioners’ Appointment Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation resolved on Wednesday.

Another seminar for match assessors will be conducted by the Referees Committee on behalf of the Match Commissioners’ Appointment Committee, with a date to be announced later.

Participants at the seminar will undergo written and aptitude tests and those who fail to measure up will be sent packing without any sentiments.

At its meeting held at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja, the Match Commissioner’s Appointment Committee also ruled that new entrants into the match commissioners’ forum must be endorsed by the Chairman of their State Football Association. The body also ruled that match commissioners and assessors must, henceforth, be information technology–compliant.

Etubom Paul Bassey, foremost football administrator and CAF General Coordinator, is one of three resource persons to conduct the forthcoming seminar.

World’s Diving Elite Gathers In Rostock For First Grand Prix Leg

The fresh faces and brightest stars of the diving world stage are ready to make a splash in Rostock (GER) for the first meet of the FINA Diving Grand Prix 2015, taking place on February 20-22.

A total 111 divers from 24 countries are entered for the event, including home heroes Patrick Hausding and Sascha Klein, current World champions in the 10m synchro, 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Jennifer Abel (CAN) and 2013 silver medallists in 3m synchro Tania Cagnotto and Francesca Dallape (ITA).

synchronized Diving

The competition programme of this 20th edition includes 3m springboard, 10m platform, 3m springboard synchro and 10m platform synchro for men and women.

After Rostock, the 2015 nine-leg circuit will stop in Leon (MEX), Gatineau (CAN), San Juan (PUR), Madrid (ESP), Bolzano (ITA), Singapore (SIN), Kuala Lumpur (MAS) and will conclude in Gold Coast (AUS).

Collaboration Tops FIFA, NFF Talks

Musa Amadu, Seyi Akinwunmi, Sepp Blatter, Amaju Pinnick and Jerome Valcke at FIFA ha in Zurich

FIFA President, Mr. Sepp Blatter on Wednesday held an official meeting with top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation at the Home of FIFA in Zurich, Switzerland.

Blatter, who was in company with FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke, welcomed the team on arrival at the headquarters of world football, and assured the Nigerian bigwigs that FIFA would be ready to collaborate more with the new Nigeria Football Federation.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick led the team, which also included NFF 1st Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, and the General Secretary, Barrister Musa Amadu.

The Nigeria delegation will return to Abuja on Thursday.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter with NFF President Amaju Pinnick

African Representatives for Beach Volleyball World Championships Confirmed

Beach volleyball World Championship African qualifiers,

Tunisia, Egypt, South Africa and Ghana men teams confirmed their 2015 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship’s vacancies after the group stage of the African Nations Championship held in Tunis, Tunisia.

From the women’s side Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Algeria booked thickets to the prestigious event after they ended at the top 2 positions of each of the preliminary pools.

Beach volleyball World Championship qualifiers, Egypt and Morocco women’s team

At the men’s competition hosts Tunisia led pool A with a clean sheet after they won their 4 pool matches ahead of Egypt who came second with win- loss ratio of 3-1 followed by Libya (2-2), Algeria (1-3) and Cote d’Ivoire (0-4).

South Africa topped Pool B with 4-1 record, followed by Ghana (4-1) who came behind with the set ratio, Morocco (4-1), Nigeria (2-3), Sierra Leone (1-4) and Niger (0-5).

At the Women’s competition Morocco led pool A followed by Nigeria, Tunisia and Egypt, while South Africa topped Pool B followed by Algeria, Namibia and Niger.

Beach volleyball World Championship qualifiers, Ghana and South Africa men’s teams

Now South Africa play Egypt and Tunisia meet in the semifinal of Men’s competition on Wednesday, while Morocco face Algeria and South Africa battle it out against Nigeria in the women’s semi’s.

Beach volleyball World Championship qualifiers, Algeria’s women’s team in Action

Wenger Pledges Co-operation With NFF…As Pinnick Parleys With Nigerian Players In Diaspora

NFF President Amaju Pinnick held what was generally described as an “extremely positive and encouraging” meeting with the Manager of English Premiership side, Arsenal FC, Mr. Arsene Wenger on Tuesday.

The legendary manager met with the NFF supremo in his office at Arsenal FC’s training ground where a wide range of issues were discussed, including the rising stock of Nigerian-born players at the club – players like Chuba Akpom and Semi Ajayi.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick with Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger

After the meeting, the NFF President, who was accompanied by the new Special Envoy for the Federation on International Affairs, Tunde Adelakun, said: “As we had always known, Arsene is very knowledgeable; vast in his knowledge and appreciation of Nigeria as a footballing country, and widely philosophical in his general approach, ” he said, assuring that, contrary to what is reported about some clubs in Europe trying to steer their players to play for the countries where they live, Wenger was emphatic on what should be.

“He told me that he has never stopped any player from opting for whichever national team he wants. He said to me that he always tells his players to follow their hearts and not allow people to push them. He further assured that if Nigeria extended a call-up to either or both of his players, he will have no objection if the players say they want to go”.

Pinnick had led the charge to Arsenal to enlist Wenger’s support in “the process of rebuilding the country’s football” and he was not disappointed.

“Arsene told us that he will gladly do what he can to assist where we want, and has already started giving encouraging signs towards the capacity building exercises for our coaches at all levels”.

Pinnick Parleys With Nigerian Players In Diaspora

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Melvin Pinnick has held a meeting with parents of Nigerian footballers based in the United Kingdom, assuring them of their sons’ safety and progress should they choose to wear the colours of Nigeria.

There is a huge number of Nigerian footballers, many born and raised in the United Kingdom, but who have expressed a desire to open their hearts to the possibility of playing for the Super Eagles; and Pinnick was quick to appreciate that.

“Most of your sons have the option to wait for their chance and play for England, Wales or Scotland”, he said, “and the fact that you are steering them in the direction of playing for their country of origin is laudable and I really appreciate it”.

The NFF President stated that he would like to see youngsters who, in his words, “have been exposed to the scientific methods of football in terms of coaching style, amenities and equipment as well as discipline in areas of fitness and nutrition” to build a new-look Super Eagles team that would conquer the world.

He promised that players will be selected on merit, and that the days of favouritism are forgotten in the new administration led by him.

Victor Moses.CFC photo credit uefa.com

Pinnick, in the company of his newly appointed Special Envoy on International Affairs, Tunde Adelakun, called the attention of the parents to the choice made by Victor Moses who, despite having featured for England Under-21s, opted to play for Nigeria and was rewarded with being a part of the Super Eagles team that won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

“That will remain in his books for the rest of his life – a winner’s medal at the AFCON, and I am sure he will not regret playing for Nigeria” he said.

He drew comparison against some of the players eligible to play for Nigeria but who opted for England, were capped only a couple of times and were dropped, and asked the parents to use this as example to their wards.

He was quick to extol, though, the goodness in the Nigerian league system, saying his move was not an act of disrespect to the home-grown talent that abound in the country.

“We all know that the Nigerian leagues produce many players and I know that. However, I also know that we have many talented players in Diaspora and we want to tap into them all, so we can identify and select the very best across the board,” he explained.

The Delta-born administrator gave assurances that the parley will be a continuous process, and that the new Technical Study Group of the NFF led by former international Jay Jay Okocha will visit the players in the coming weeks and establish close links with them with a view to being selected for the national teams.

WORLD Water Polo LEAGUE 2015: HUNGARY SURVIVES SLOVAKIA

In the fifth round of the FINA Men’s Water Polo World League preliminaries in Europe on February 17, 2015, current World champions Hungary (Group A) snatched their fourth victory in a row defeating host Slovakia by just one goal 12-13 (2-1, 2-3, 3-5, 5-4) in Kosice. In the group’s second match-up, visiting Greece won over Romania 12-18 (2-3, 3-4, 4-7, 3-4) in Bucharest.

In Group B, seven-time World League winner Serbia showed no sign of slowing down, beating Spain 9-15 (3-2, 2-2, 2-5,2-6) in Madrid. On the victory, Serbia’s head coach Dejan Savic said: “We entered this game with great motivation to win. We started badly and changed the 5-2 defense. Then we set our pace and were good in attack.”

From the Spanish side, head coach Gabi Hernandez said: “I’m happy with the team’s attitude in the first half but we then made mistakes and this, against a team like Serbia which is the best in the world, cost in the end. We will learn from this experience for the future.”

In Stuttgart, Germany settled for a 7-11 loss against visiting Russia (1-2, 3-2, 1-3, 2-4).

WORLD LEAGUE 2015: HUNGARY SURVIVES SLOVAKIA

In Group C, Montenegro registered a clear win (13-7) over France, whose team yet found the net a total seven times (1-2, 5-2, 3-2, 4-1) in Budva. Post-game, Montenegro’s coach Ranko Perovic said: “In the first quarter we struggled to find our game. Later we became consolidated in defense and we played solidly. Now we look at the upcoming duel with Italy, I just hope we don’t repeat our loss from the first encounter.”

Montenegrin captain Nikola Janovic added: “France is a team that must be taken seriously. We were a little relaxed entering the match, it’s nice when you win. These games are
important for our young players who can demonstrate they can be counted on.”

Group C runner-up Italy ousted Turkey 3-16 (1-3, 0-4, 1-5, 1-4) in Istanbul. Hungary, Serbia and Croatia currently lead their respective group with 12 points each.

Round 6 will be held on February 19 and 20 with two games: Italy receives France in Lodi while Croatia (whose team did not play in this round) meets Turkey in Istanbul.

Rio 2016 Olympic Games Dressage Ground Jury Long List Announced

The FEI has announced the long list from which the members of the Ground Jury officiating at the Rio 2016 Olympic Dressage events will be drawn.

The 12 highly experienced 5* judges that make up the long list are Maribel Alonso (MEX), Susanne Baarup (DEN), Stephen Clarke (GBR), Annette Fransen-Iacobaeus (SWE), Andrew Gardner (GBR), Peter Holler (GER), Isabelle Judet (FRA), Thomas Lang (AUT), Gary Rockwell (USA), Francis Verbeek (NED), Eddy de Wolff van Westerrode (NED), and Katrina Wüst (GER).

Maribel Alonso has now been appointed as President of the Ground Jury. The Jury’s remaining six members and reserves will be determined by a draw conducted at the FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI) under the supervision of the FEI Legal Department.

All judges must be from different nationalities. Each time a jury member is drawn, the remaining candidates that share the same nationality will be automatically eliminated.

The draw will take place one year before the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Daniel Bryan Angered By Roman Reigns Interference

In six days Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns will take to the ring at WWE Fastlane to decide who will take on Brock Lesnar in the main event at Wrestlemania later this year.

However, the rivalry and between the two reached boiling point on Monday Night RAW after both grapplers were involved in brawl on RAW’s closing moment that required a stream of referees to quell.

Daniel Bryan Angered By Roman Reigns Interference

It all started when Bryan tried to distract Reigns during his match against Kane. The Big Dog eventually won the fight via count out but Bryan stole the show when he entered the ring and ran around Reigns while the crowd mad the YES chant.

It was Reigns turn when Bryan took on Big Show; the former Shield power house did his best to distract the WWE resident YES man whenever he had the advantage against the giant.

However, the turning point of the evening came when Big Show speared Reigns outside the ring by mistake. In his rage, the 2015 Royal Rumble winner decided to take to the ring and deliver the Superman Punch on Big Show just as Bryan was having the upper hand and appeared ready to win the fight.

Daniel Bryan Angered By Roman Reigns Interference

The interference cost Bryan the fight as the referee awarded a disqualification win to Big Show. What happened next has been explained above and it makes for a mouthwatering match at Fastlane.

Shehu Bello

World’s Best Athletes Ready To Fly High At FEI World Cup™ Vaulting Final #WorldCupVaulting

The world’s best 20 male, female and pas-de-deux athletes from seven nations will be flying high to impress at the FEI World Cup™ Vaulting 2014/15 Final at Fest der Pferde in Graz (AUT) this weekend (19-22 February).

Pedal to the ‘medal’
Reigning champion Anna Cavallaro (ITA), responsible for inspiring many girls in Italy to take up vaulting, is seeking to score an FEI World Cup™ Vaulting hat-trick in Graz.

But the competition will be strong, especially from the youngest athlete in the Final, 19-year-old Lisa Wild (AUT) with her famous back flip, who will be putting the ‘pedal to the medal’ for the individual female honours, after her taste of glory at the Salzburg (AUT) and Munich (GER) qualifiers.

Great surprises can come up at the Final, where all athletes start from scratch on points, and very single movement in the one minute 20 seconds performance takes on a huge significance.

Swiss champion and businesswoman Simone Jäiser is only too aware of this, and after coming second in two qualifiers – the series opener in Munich (GER) and the third leg in Salzburg (AUT) – she finally vaulted onto the top of the podium with a brilliant performance in the last qualifier at Leipzig (GER).

Anna Cavallaro, FEI World Cup™ Vaulting

“I’m aiming to show clear rounds in Graz and I have no doubts now that this will be possible,” said Jäiser confidently in Leipzig.
Kristina Boe (GER), Pascale Wagner (SUI) and Carola Sneekes (NED) will be also be contesting the Final.

Sky is the limit

FEI World Cup™ Vaulting champion Nicolas Andreani (FRA), will be a force to be reckoned with in Graz after effortless wins on two different horses during the series – Just a Kiss in Paris (FRA) and Ramazotti in Salzburg (AUT). The 31-year-old international star known as “Nico” to his many fans, is aiming to end his glittering career on a high at this Final.

Also on the hunt for the title are the brothers Viktor and Thomas Brüsewitz (GER).

While Viktor, world number three, won the opening qualifier in Munich (GER), his brother claimed victory at the last leg at Leipzig.

Lukas Klouda (CZE), Julian Wilfling (GER) and Lukas Heppler (SUI) complete the line-up.

Defending FEI World Cup™ Vaulting champion and former world number one Nicolas Andreani (FRA) is aiming to end his glittering career on a high at the Final in Graz (AUT). (Daniel Kaiser/FEI)

Pas-de-Deux

Austria’s Jasmin Lindner & Lukas Wacha (AUT), FEI World Cup™ Vaulting champions and gold medallists at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014, will be striving to keep hold of their title at this Final after finishing second at the Munich and Salzburg qualifiers. The competition is expected to be very tight, with Germany’s Gera Marie Grün and Justin Van Gerven, and The Netherlands’ Carola & Esther Sneekes, qualifying for this Final with the same number of victories and points.

Ground Jury President Helma Schwarzmann (GER), Foreign Judge Gaby Benz (ITA) and Jury members Doris Knotter (AUT) and Jochen Schilffarth (GER) have a huge job on their hands with this stellar line-up.

Let the FEI World Cup™ Vaulting Final begin, and the #WorldCupVaulting crowds go wild!