Eagles Set To Soar Over Guinea Into Quarter Finals

The Super Eagles are battle –ready to pick all three points off Guinea’s Syli Nationale on Tuesday in order to make sure of top spot in Group C and guarantee qualification for the quarter finals of the 4th African Nations Championship.

On Sunday, the Eagles arrived in beautiful border district of Rubavu, venue of their clash with the Syli Nationale, after a three –hour road trip from Rwanda’s capital, Kigali. They are lodged at the Gorilla Hotel, close to the Kivu Beach.

The team had its first training session in Rubavu on Sunday, and on Monday, the team had a feel of Tuesday’s match venue, The Rubavu Stadium.

According to the team’s Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, all 23 players who made the trip are in excellent physical and mental shape ahead of the crucial West African derby with the tricky Guineans.

Coach Sunday Oliseh praised the players for their brave performance against the very experienced Tunisian side on Friday and promised that the team will put out another high -level display on Tuesday.

Victory by any margin on Tuesday will guarantee the Eagles top spot in Group C, and a quarter –final date with the second –placed team in Group D. A draw would be enough for qualification, as Nigeria has a two –point margin on second –placed Guinea and Tunisia, but should Tunisia achieve a high –score win over Niger Republic, top spot may not be guaranteed.

Guinea have drawn each of their two matches 2-2, against Tunisia and Niger Republic, coming from behind each time. They pose a big threat because of the skill and guile of their strikers.

Super Eagles, photo credit Nigeria Super Eagles fb

Nigeria forward Chisom Chikatara, on four goals, will pose the biggest threat to the Guineans at the Rubavu Stadium. His excellent positioning can get him the goals to be top scorer of this championship.

Super Eagles’ Head Coach, Sunday Oliseh, was in the Nigerian squad that earned a 1998 FIFA World Cup ticket at the expense of Syli Nationale. But the Guineans also stopped Nigeria reaching the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations finals, when drawing 2-2 with the Super Eagles in Abuja in October 2011.

Dalung, Pinnick, Akinwunmi To Cheer Eagles Against Mena

Youth and Sports Minister, Barr. Solomon Dalung alongside NFF President Amaju Pinnick, Vice Presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, and Chairman of the Technical and Development Committee Chris Green will be in the stands when Nigeria confront Niger Republic in Kigali on Monday evening.

The Super Eagles B clash with the Mena in one of the opening matches of Group C of the 4th African Nations Championship. Venue is the Stade Regional Nyamirambo, from 5pm Nigeria time.

Super Eagles B team photo credit: @theNFF

The high –powered Nigeria delegation arrived in Kigali on Sunday and had dinner with the players and officials of the Super Eagles at the Hills View Hotel, where Sports Minister Dalung delivered the message of President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) to the group.

“I want to assure you that Government and people of Nigeria are with you as you start this campaign for honours. President Buhari has mandated me to tell me that you should confront all challenges with courage and confidence because he is with you in spirit.

“You have shown excellent patriotic spirit and we are proud of you. Go to battle with the mind to conquer.”

The Eagles perfected strategies for the three-week championship at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria, South Africa, where they spent two weeks, and will start as tournament favourites being the top –ranked team from the last competition present in Rwanda.

Nigeria won bronze in South Africa in 2014, but champions Libya and runners-up Ghana both failed to qualify for Rwanda.

Oliseh Invites Salami, Akas, 24 Others For CHAN Camp

Head Coach Sunday Oliseh has called 26 players, including forward Gbolahan Salami and defender Chima Akas, for the first phase of preparatory camp ahead of next month’s 4th African Nations Championship in Rwanda.

The Super Eagles B has already been drawn into Group C of the competition alongside Niger Republic, Tunisia and Guinea, with matches to be played at the Stade Regional Nyamirambo in Kigali.

Also called are regulars Kalu Orji, Austin Oboroakpo, Jamiu Alimi (defenders), midfielders Ifeanyi Mathew, Paul Onobi, Usman Mohammed and Bature Yaro, forwards Ezekiel Bassey, Tunde Adeniji, Chisom Chikatara and Prince Aggrey, and goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Olufemi Thomas.

Invited players have been directed to report at the Bolton White Apartments, Wuse Zone 7, Abuja on Monday, 14th December.

Nigeria won the bronze medal at the last African Nations Championship held in South Africa in early 2014. The 4th edition runs between 16th January and 7th February, 2016.

Super Eagles Training in Uyo

THE FULL LIST

Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Olufemi Thomas (Enyimba FC); David Obiazor (Heartland FC); Okemute Odah (Warri Wolves)

Defenders: Kalu Orji (Enugu Rangers); Austin Oboroakpo (Warri Wolves); Jamiu Alimi (Shooting Stars); Mathew Etim (Enugu Rangers); Stephen Eze (Sunshine Stars); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Chris Madaki (Giwa FC)

Midfielders: Ifeanyi Mathew (El-Kanemi Warriors); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); Usman Mohammed (FC Taraba); Bature Yaro (Nasarawa United); Osas Okoro (Enugu Rangers); Bartholomew Ibenegbu (Warri Wolves); Julius Ubido (Heartland FC); Ibrahim Salawa Attah (Shooting Stars); Christian Madu (Enugu Rangers)

Forwards: Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves); Tunde Adeniji (Sunshine Stars); Bright Onyedikachi (FC IfeanyiUbah); Chisom Chikatara (Abia Warriors); Prince Aggrey (Sunshine Stars)