The Nigeria Football Federation has reiterated that it will continue to use Kaduna as a venue for matches of the National Teams, insisting that the city has always been a good hunting ground and praising the good people of the State for their love for the game.
In his message to the people of Kaduna to come out en masse to support the Super Eagles in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium on Saturday, NFF President Amaju Pinnick dismissed apprehension in some quarters and dark innuendoes about the city as unwarranted and despicable.
“Kaduna State has always been a perfect ground for all National Teams, and a city in love with football. We are excited anytime we bring a match of the National Team to Kaduna, because we are always sure of massive support for our team.
Amaju Pinnick
“I have wonderful memories of the city of Kaduna, right from when the city hosted the National Sports Festival. The U-17 National Team, U-20 National Team, Super Falcons and Super Eagles have played in Kaduna before, with excellent results and happy memories of total support during their games.”
The NFF President called on the people of Kaduna and environs to throng the Ahmadu Bello Stadium on Saturday to back the Super Eagles.
“We are calling on the fans to come out in their thousands as they usually do, and also to come to the stadium wearing green attire.
“We are trying to build a culture of supporting our National Teams in a unique way and we want the fans to key into it.”
It will be recalled that the Super Falcons have beaten Zambia, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso in matches played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium within the last three-and-half years.
The Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai will be personally present at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium as chief host at Saturday’s game.
The delegation of Senior National Team of Chad, which arrived in Nigeria on Thursday night, is already in Kaduna for the game.
The Flying Eagles stepped up their build-up for this weekend’s Super 4 in Abuja with a confidence-boosting 6-0 win over NDC Warriors at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna on Tuesday.
Sunshine Stars striker Prince Aggrey opened scoring for the Nigeria U20s after 13 minutes and 10 minutes later skipper Taiwo Awoniyi won a penalty, which was put away by Ifeanyi Ifeanyi.
Wasiu Jimoh then saw his goal-bound effort crash against the post on 33 minutes.
The Flying Eagles extended their lead in the 68th minute when Usman Hassan headed home off a free kick delivered by Jimoh.
/caption]
A minute later, Prince Aggrey coolly grabbed his brace as he was put through by Abdullahi Alfa.
Ifeanyi Ifeanyi then scored again from the penalty spot after substitute Obinna Nwobodo was brought down inside the box on his way to goal.
Substitute Gabriel completed the rout in stoppage time.
Manu Garba, the 2013 FIFA Under-17 World Cup-winning coach, believes the Niger 2015-bound Golden Eaglets being managed by Coach Emmanuel Amuneke can go all the way at the 11th African cadet championship.
Watching the new lads for the first time during Saturday’s 2-0 winover Nigeria National League side, Sokoto United at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, Garba drew out some positives, advising Nigerians
to rally behind the team’s quest for glory in Niger.
He said he has already hinted his predecessor on some technical tips, saying he was confident that the Amuneke-led team is also on the threshold of history with good preparations for their upcoming competitions.
“It would be wrong to start comparing this present team with the one that won the World Cup,” began Garba now tinkering with Flying Eagles.
Manu Garba
“I was particularly impressed by the two well planned goals. The team will surely qualify for the world Cup and with inclusion of other good players and good preparations; we can conquer the world again.
“Good luck to the team in Niger as we shall keep on praying for all our national teams especially under- 17 and U20 because they are the future of the senior team,” he added.
Meanwhile, Coach Aminu Happy of Sokoto United in a spirit of sportsmanship conceded that the Golden Eaglets were better off on Saturday, even as he counselled the coaching crew on the task at hand.
“I think the national team did well and they were lucky because we are just returning to camp ahead of the new season,” he said.” The coaching crew should work more on the attacking force because they need goals to win matches but overall, I’m impressed with their performance against us.”
The Golden Eaglets in the meantime, returned to Abuja from Kaduna on Sunday and would continue with their preparation ahead of next month’s CAN U-17 Championship to be hosted in Niger between February 15 and
March 1.
Nigeria’s U-17 team, Golden Eaglets on Saturday beat Sokoto United 2-0 at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.
Kaduna’s home boy Suleiman Abdullahi and languid striker, Victor Osimhen scored twice in the second stanza to break the resolve of their more experienced opponents who fought like Trojans throughout.
The traditional pre match greetings by the two teams
In fact, it took some gallantry display on the part of Sokoto United’s goalkeeper Masud Isah for keeping the score line at a respectable margin against the Nigeria National League side.
Golden Eaglets soon took over the match moments after Sokoto United took the kick off following signal by referee Patrick Ishaya. Victor Osimhen got Eaglets’ first real chance in the seventh minute but saw
his shot going over the bar. He also saw goalkeeper Isah held firmly to his well-directed header following a cross by Etiboy Akpan in the 22nd minute. Five minutes later, Isah again foiled the Golden Eaglets
when he tipped over the bar Suleiman Abdullahi’s goal-bound header as both side failed to score in the first half.
Sokoto United
Coach Emmanuel Amuneke brought in Abass Ibrahim for Ernest Agenor on resumption of the second half to rev up the midfield and the former U-15 lad added some vibrancy into the team’s play.
The first goal finally came in the 70th minute when Osimhen dropped a header on the path of lurking Abdullahi in the box and the midfielder blasted the ball into the net despite Isah’s spirited effort to stop the ball.
Osimhen was back in the 77th minute to break his duck when he glided a header off a pull-out by Suleiman
Coach Amuneke said he was happy with the overall performance of the boys despite a nervy start.
Captains of the Golden Eaglets and Sokoto United with match officials
“We don’t expect them to play without any error but we are happy they were able to comport themselves against an experienced Nigeria National League side,” he said. “We are happy that we are making progress since we resumed camping on December 14th.
“Of course, we are working towards our objective in Niger and by the grace of God, we shall secure our ticket to the World Cup in Chile,” affirmed the 1994 African Footballer of the Year.
Golden Eaglets
Golden Eaglets Vs. Sokoto United:
E. Nwokeocha(A.Udoh 45); E.Akpan; A.Usman; L. Halilu (U.Doug;B. Ayodeji (M. Salisu 88);E.Agenor(A.Ibrahim 45);K.Nwakali;K.Michael(J. Ipalibom57);S.Abdullahi;S.Chukwueze(E.Osinachi 58);V. Osimhen;
Nigeria’s Under-17 team, Golden Eaglets, would on Saturday tackle Sokoto United at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.
The Nigeria National League side was drafted by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following the late withdrawal of South Africa’s Amajimbos from an international friendly earlier scheduled for the same venue.
Officials said the match between the Golden Eaglets and Amajimbos was postponed at the instance of the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) due to logistical reasons contrary to insecurity as erroneously
reported by a section of the media.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we want Nigerians to know that South Africa did not raise any security concerns about playing in Kaduna,” stated Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, NFF’s Director of Competitions.” They had
issues with their travel arrangements and they duly exchange correspondence with us in that regard.”
Meanwhile, Coach Emmanuel Amuneke who led a team of 21 players and eight officials to Kaduna on Thursday ahead of the weekend’s fixture said he was happy to be in Kaduna again.
Golden Eaglets on arrival at their hotel in Kaduna
“We are always comfortable to play in any part of the country and during this campaign, we had played in Abeokuta, Calabar and we had two friendly matches against Egypt last year here in Kaduna,” said the
former Barcelona star.
“Of course, we would have loved to play South Africa in preparation towards Niger 2015 but we are happy that there is another game for us against Sokoto United on Saturday,” he added.
The 21 players to Kaduna include inspirational captain Kelechi Nwakali along with striking trio of Victor Osimhen, Kehinde Ayinde and Ebere Osinachi. Others are goalkeeper Udoh Akpan, Ebuka Nwokeocha and Amos
Benjamin. Also in the mix were new discoveries during recent open screening including former U-15 youth internationals like Abass Ibrahim, Mustapha Salisu and Suleiman Muhammed.
Golden Eaglets have already played and won three friendly matches this month at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project pitch in Abuja scoring some 20 goals.
The Flying Eagles will take on Nigeria National League (NNL) side Spotlight of Katsina in another test game on Wednesday.
The match will be played at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna and it will kick-off by 11am.
Spotlight, who have defender Mustapha Abdullahi with the Nigeria U20 side, are gearing up for promotion to the Nigeria top flight in the forthcoming season.
The Katsina club, who placed 10th on the Nigeria National League Division A table, have made several top signings to match their ambitions.
Flying Eagles
Spotlight have been on a pre-season training tour of Kaduna and have so far won three and drawn three of their matches. Their own loss thus far was to Jamba Aacdemy, who beat them 2-1.
The Flying Eagles, who are getting set for the 2015 African Youth Championship in Senegal in March, are also likely to battle league champions Kano Pillars by the weekend also in Kaduna.
The Nigeria U20s are also slated for an expanded Super 4 tournament in Abuja, which will begin on Thursday, January 22.
The other teams for the tourney are Nigeria U23 team, Pillars, Enyimba, Dolphins and Warri Wolves.
The Nigerian clubs are preparing for CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup matches in February.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at the weekend confirmed that the Ahmadu Bello Stadium (ABS) in Kaduna would on January 17 host the proposed friendly match between the Golden Eaglets and Amajimbos of
South Africa.
Both countries will be using the match to test the readiness of their youngsters for next month’s 11th African Under-17 Championship in Niger where they have been drawn in separate preliminary groups.
While the Golden Eaglets drew Niger, Guinea and Zambia in Group A, the Amajimbos who are coached by Molefi Ntseki, are in Group B alongside defending champions, Cote d’Ivoire, Mali and Cameroon.
Officials believe the friendly would also afford both teams the chance of playing against a team outside their sub regions. Incidentally, the trip to Kaduna would be Golden Eaglets’ second time under coach Emmanuel Amuneke after they recorded a 3-2 and 3-1 win against their colleagues from Egypt last May.
Yet the forthcoming match promises to be even more exciting after the Amajimbos saw off the gritty Egyptians 4-3 on aggregate to book their appearance at the continental cadet championship hitherto dominated by the Golden Eaglets including two gold medals in 2001 and 2007.
Golden Eaglets Training
“This is a real good match to test our players against a quality opposition,” noted Kabiru Baleria, Golden Eaglets’ assistant coach.”Playing against the South Africans would also give us an idea about how we can handle Zambia since they are from the same region.”
It would be recalled that the NFF organised top friendly matches for the 2013 World Cup-winning Golden Eaglets and they remarkably beat Rwanda and Botswana in Calabar ahead of the CAN U-17 in Morocco.
Meanwhile, the South African 30-man team of players and officials are due in Nigeria mid-week and are expected to stay for four days before returning home after the match in Kaduna.
…As Golden Eaglets beat Virgin Kids 3-1
The Golden Eaglets in the meantime, beat Abuja-based Virgin Kids Academy 3-1 at the NFF/ FIFA Goal Project in Abuja on Saturday in continuation of their build up towards Niger 2015.
Kehinde Ayinde and Victor Osimhen scored three goals between themselves to cancel Virgin Kids’ opening goal by Samson Ekemezie.
Coach Emmanuel Amuneke started with a possible line up pairing the duo of Chidera Akachukwu and Kanu Chibueze in the central defensive positions in only their first match for the national U-17 team.
Virgin Kids started the game fast and furious and defended in numbers to keep the adventurous Eaglets’ attacking duo of Samuel Chukwueze and Ayinde at bay. The Eaglets would later concede a corner kick on the
other end and Ekemezie wasted no time in volleying the ball behind goalkeeper Udoh Akpan in the 24th minute.
FIT AND READY – Golden Eaglets training ahead of Nigeria, CAN U-17 Championship,
But 10 minutes later, Ayinde who was snapped from Kwara Football Academy, gave the Golden Eaglets the needed equaliser when he sneaked behind the opposing line of defence to slot the ball into the net behind goalkeeper Abayomi Oluwole.
On resumption of the second half, Amuneke injected some of his battle-hardened lads with gangling Victor Osimhen coming on for Ayinde and Abass Ibrahim for Chukwueze. The replacements brought some vibrancy into the Eaglets and Osimhen lived up to expectations by grabbing a brace with two well-taken goals.
In the 52nd minute, he robbed Virgin Kids’ defenders in the box and cleverly placed the ball behind the reach of goalkeeper Abayomi Oluwole. He was back in the hunt again 13 minutes later when he majestically guided the ball straight into the net after substitute Nasifi Yahaya’s pass had cut out on-rushing Oluwole yet again.
But for some excellent goalkeeping by Oluwole who incidentally couldn’t make it during screening exercise, the Golden Eaglets could have run away with a higher goal margin win following misses by Osimhen and Yahaya towards the end of the match.
“Unlike the game we played on Wednesday, today’s match is a bit harder for the boys especially the new ones but we are happy we won,” said Kabiru Baleria, assistant coach.”The more we play these matches the
better for us since it would help our preparation for the African Championship in Niger.”
Saturday’s win was Golden Eaglets 19 in 20 domestic friendly matches having drawn blank against Anantigha Stars in the other game six months ago in Calabar.
Golden Eaglets line up against Gabon
Golden Eaglets Vs. Virgin Kids: U.Akpan(E. Nwokeocha 64: S.Brown 85)-A.Muhammed(E.Akpan 45); U.Douglas; K. Chibueze(M.Gold 45); K.Nwakali ; C. Akachukwu(L.Halilu 45); S. Abdullahi(N.Yahaya 60); J.Ipalibo; K. Ayinde(V.Osihmen 45); K. Michael(P.Orji 45); S. Chukwueze(A.Ibrahim 45)
Swedish club Kalmar have released striker Taiwo Awoniyi for the 2015 African Youth Championship (AYC) in Senegal.
Awoniyi, 18 in August 2015, is one of nine foreign-based professionals called up by Nigeria’s Flying Eagles for the AYC, which kicks off on March 8 in Dakar.
Awoniyi has since joined the Flying Eagles, who resumed training camp in Kaduna at the weekend.
The other foreign-based pro already with the Junior Eagles is skipper Musa Muhammed.
AWONIYI TUSSLES WITH TANZANIA DEFENDERS
Flying Eagles team secretary, Auwal Aliyu Ibrahim, further disclosed he has also been in constant contact with English Premier League champions Manchester City over the release of Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali.
The other overseas stars invited by the Nigeria U20 team are Isaac Success, Musa Yahaya, Moses Simon, Kingsley Madu and Chidera Eze.
Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles now train twice daily at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.
They are billed to feature in an invitational tournament later in January as part of their build-up for the AYC.
The Flying Eagles will begin their AYC campaign on March 8 against hosts Senegal in Dakar.
They are also drawn in Group A along with Cote d’Ivoire and Congo.
Nigeria’s U20 team, the Flying Eagles, defeated Jamba Academy of Kaduna 4-1 in a test match on Thursday at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.
Flying Eagles coach Manu Garba said he was satisfied with the many chances his team created against a good Jamba side, but would blame match rustiness with his team’s poor finishing.
“We created many chances to score, but we failed to take most of them,” Manu said.
“Probably the problem may be that we have been on break for over three months and so many of these players are now match rusty.
“But in a proper game we may not create as many such chances and so the more reason why we must take most of our chances now.”
Manu also saluted Jamba Academy, but said some of the new call-ups have to do much more to stay on the squad.
“Jamba are not a bad team from what they showed against us, but all the new players who played today for us have to do much more to get into this team because they are not close to the players we already know,” he said.
Flying Eagles
Academy owner Jamba Zira said he was proud of his team’s display against a national team.
“My boys gave a good account of themselves and even scored the best goal of the entire match,” he remarked.
“We can only learn from this experience.”
After a catalogue of early misses, the Flying Eagles took the lead through a Wasiu Jimoh free kick after eight minutes.
Israel Emmanuel aka ‘Ronaldo’, Billy Auta, Mustapha Abdullahi and Ifeanyi Matthew all had chances to score for the Flying Eagles, but they failed to put them away.
And it was not until the 55th minute that they doubled their advantage through ‘Ronaldo’, who fired home from inside the box.
Jamba, who impressed with Peter Bala imposing himself in midfield with his well-measured long balls, deservedly pulled a goal back in the 85th minute through Mathias Kato.
Kato collected a pass from Bala before he fired beyond the diving goalkeeper Dele Alampasu.
Ifeanyi Matthew then put the Flying Eagles 3-1 ahead in the 93rd minute from the penalty spot after Tsafa Terpase Barnabas was brought down inside the box.
Two minutes later, goal scorer Kato turned to zero when he was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle on Wasiu Jimoh.
Matthew scored again from the penalty spot in the dying minutes of the encounter when substitute Chisom Eze was brought down inside the box.
The Flying Eagles will play a second test game against Standard FC of Zaria on Saturday morning at the same venue.
Manu calls up 3 Jamba Academy players
Flying Eagles coach Manu Garba has invited three players from Jamba Academy to train with his team from Friday after they impressed in a test game.
The Flying Eagles beat Jamba Academy 4-1 on Thursday, but Manu said he was impressed with three players from the Kaduna team.
The players are midfielder Peter Bala, defender Jankasa Adams and forward Rabah Isiaku.
Bala in particular caught the eye of most spectators with his accurate long balls and command of the midfield.
“We will have a second look at these players from our next training and see what more they can do,” said Manu.
Enyimba star Kingsley Sokari has joined up with the Flying Eagles squad in Kaduna, but he will undergo a scan to determine the extent of his hamstring injury.
Sokari pulled out of the jogging exercise at Monday’s training and the Flying Eagles now hope to ascertain the severity of the hamstring injury the midfielder suffered in the final of the Federation Cup against Dolphins last month.
Otherwise, Sokari has said he has been warmly received by the Nigeria U20s and he wants to fight for his place in the team.
Flying Eagles
“I have been very well received by the officials and fellow players and I know I now have to justify my call-up,” said the young midfielder, whose eventful season was crowned with Enyimba retaining the Federation Cup.
“The fact that I have trained with the Super Eagles does not mean anything. I just have to work harder so that I could play regularly for the Flying Eagles.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of young players have continued to troop to the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna with the hope of impressing the Flying Eagles coaches led by Manu Garba.
The screening exercise involves training twice a day and officials have hinted that soon the team will begin test matches for the selected players.
Hosts Kaduna won the 7th Veterans Cup after they edged past Lagos 3-2 in the final at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna on Saturday.
The annual competition, which is for top former internationals, was sponsored by Shehu Dikko.
Winners Kaduna were presented their trophy by Kaduna State commissioner for sports Bashir Zubairu.
General secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Musa Amadu also graced the occasion.
Edo edged Abuja 5-4 on penalties after there were no goals at full time to win third place.
Kaduna skipper Garba Lawal receives the trophy from Kaduna sports commissioner Bashir Zubairu
In the final, Lagos stunned the home team with a goal by former Eagles star Victor Agali, before Bilyaminu Nasiru drew Kaduna level from the penalty spot.
Lagos regained their lead again through Agali before another ex-Eagles star Garba Lawal equalized for Kaduna.
The championship winner was scored by Abubakar Balarabe aka Keegan.
Shehu Dikko will sponsor the 7th Veterans Cup for the country’s top former internationals in Kaduna from Thursday.
A total prize money of a million Naira will be up for grabs when former internationals like Garba Lawal, Henry Nwosu, Taju Disu, Friday Elahor, Friday Ekpo, Taiwo Oloyede, Patrick Pascal and Edema Fuludu lace their boots again and try to roll back their glory days on the pitch.
All the expenses of the teams will also be borne by the sponsor.
A total of eight All-Star teams will feature in the tournament, which will be staged at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna and end on Saturday.
They are defending champions Bauchi, hosts Kaduna, Lagos, Edo, Imo, Abuja, Kano and Gombe.
The teams are drawn into two groups with matches to be played on a league basis and the top two from each group to qualify for the knockout stage of the competition.
SHEHU DIKKO
“We wish to use this tournament to reunite our past heroes and also find other ways of giving them hope and empowering them,” said Shehu Dikko.
The draw and gala dinner will take place on Wednesday with another dinner on Saturday night.
Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola bankrolled the first three Veterans Cup, while the fourth and fifth editions in Abuja were co-sponsored by Shehu Dikko.
The sixth tournament was sponsored by the Kano State Government last year.
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