Manu Garba picks Muhammed, 20 Others For AYC

Flying Eagles’ Head Coach Manu Garba (OON) has released a list of 21 players who will represent the country at the 19th African Youth Championship in Senegal.

Skipper Musa Muhammed, who led the U-17 squad that won for Nigeria a record fourth FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in 2013, will lead the pack, supported by fellow U-17 world champions Akinjide Idowu, Izuchukwu Omego, Abdullahi Alpha, Dele Alampasu, Chidera Ezeh and Taiwo Awoniyi.

Nigeria play host Senegal, Congo-Brazzaville and Cote d’Ivoire in Group A of the tournament scheduled for 8th – 22nd March in the Senegalese cities of Dakar and M’Bour.

Ghana, Mali, South Africa and Zambia play in Group B. All four semi finalists will fly Africa’s flag at the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in New Zealand, scheduled for 30th May – 20th July this year.

Flying Eagles

THE FULL LIST

Joshua Enaholo,

Musa Muhammed,

Mustapha Abdullahi,

Akinjide Idowu,

Saheed AbdulGaniyu,

Izuchukwu Omego,

Bernard Bulbwa,

Alhassan Ibrahim,

Christian Pyagbara,

Abdullahi Alfa,

Saleh Usman,

Ifeanyi Ifeanyi,

Samuel Okon,

Obinna Nwobodo,

Ifeanyi Mathew,

Dele Alampasu,

Chidera Ezeh,

Taiwo Awoniyi,

Bello Zaharadeen,

Wasiu Jimoh,

Olorunleke Ojo

Sparkling Nwobodo Rewarded With Second Start For Flying Eagles

After a sparkling performance against Dolphins, Enugu Rangers midfielder Obinna Nwobodo has been rewarded with a second straight start for the Flying Eagles in Sunday’s final game in the Super 4.

Nwobodo has been on the fringes of the main team but shone in the Flying Eagles 4-1 win over Dolphins on Friday by delivering three assists to keep his place in the starting XI.

He also provided the assist for Musa Yahaya’s late goal against Enyimba on the opening day of the competition.

He starts ahead of Ifeanyi Matthew and Abdullahi Alfa.

Exciting winger Bernard Bulbwa was also on target against Dolphins and will thus also start against the country’s Olympic team.

Flying Eagles

Prince Aggreh from Sunshine Stars, who was sent off in the opening game against Enyimba and has since served out his one-match ban, will play alongside the team’s main striker Taiwo Awoniyi.

The Flying Eagles have already won this six-team tournament with an unassailable 12 points from four matches and so today’s final clash against the U23s is a mere formality.

Flying Eagles start list vs National Under 23 Team:

Joshua Enaholo – Mustapha Abdullahi, Zaharadeen Bello, Abdul Ganiyu Saed, Musa Muhammed (Captain) – Akinjide Idowu, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Obinna Nwobodo, Bernard Bulbwa- Prince Aggreh, Taiwo Awoniyi

Subs: OlorunLeke Ojo, Roland Silas, Adebayo Ademulua, Ifeanyi Mathew, Musa Yahaya, Chidera Eze, Usman Hassan, Tunde Adeniji, Wasiu Jimoh, Abdullahi Alfa

Flying Eagles off to bright start in AYC qualifiers

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles got off to a bright start in the 2015 AYC qualifiers after they beat hosts Tanzania 2-0 in Dar es Salaam in a second round, first leg clash on Sunday.

The Flying Eagles scored in the 49th minute through Musa Yahaya and killed off the contest in the 82nd minute courtesy of striker Taiwo Awoniyi.

“This win away from home is very, very good for us going into the return leg match in Nigeria,” Flying Eagles coach Manu Garba told reporters after the match watched by a fair crowd at the 60,000-capacity National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

“Tanzania also showed they are a very good side, but they will have to work on their finishing.

“Overall, it was the better team that won even though I was not completely satisfied with the final 15 minutes of the game as we sat back in our defence.”

However, Ngorongoro of Tanzania coach John Simkoko insisted they have not given up hope and said they will battle in the return match in Nigeria in a fortnight.

“Nigeria were the better team and deserved to win,” he admitted.

“But the battle is not over yet as we will come prepared to Nigeria.”

It was a goalless first half, but Nigeria enjoyed more of the ball possession and created more chances with their biggest opening coming after 24 minutes, when Musa Yahaya blasted wide from inside the six-yard.

Newly drafted striker Saad Kipanga from Mbeya City also had a glorious chance to put his team ahead after just five minutes, but his header from inside the box missed its target.

The home team suffered a major blow when first-choice goalkeeper and skipper Aishi Manula could not continue after a thigh injury in the first period.

He was therefore replaced by Peter Manyika for the resumption of the second half.

Four minutes after the break, Tanzania’s worst fears came to be as Musa Yahaya slotted past the goalkeeper from the near post after a low cross by skipper Musa Muhammed.

Kelechi Iheanacho, who replaced Alhassan Ibrahim ‘Mu-azam’ for the second half, was denied a goal in the 54th minute by a piece of brilliant goalkeeping by Manyika.

Flying Eagles goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo ensured he kept a clean sheet when he made a big save in 67th minute and he will again pull off another save late on as Tanzania attacked.

But Awoniyi killed off the tie eight minutes from time, when he held off his marker and stand-in captain Pato Ngonyani, before he slotted past the onrushing goalkeeper.

The home team created several openings late on to at least reduce the tally, but Abdallah Kheri and Juma Liuzio both failed to find target from inside the 18-yard box.

Flying Eagles vs Tanzania

Joshua Enaholo – Musa Muhammed (skipper), Mustapha Abdullahi, Wilfred Ndidi, Izu Omego – Akinjide Idowu, Ifeanyi Matthew, Abdullahi Alfa, Musa Yahaya (Chidiebere Nwakali 74) – Alhassan Ibrahim ‘Mu-azam’ (Kelechi Iheanacho 46), Taiwo Awoniyi

Manu keeps faith with Flying Eagles vs Tanzania

Coach Manu Garba has kept faith with the team who lost last week’s warm-up against Benin 1-0 in Cotonou.

This means Manchester City duo of Kelchi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali will start from the bench as they did in Cotonou.

Manu had toyed with the idea of starting both players, but has eventually chosen a more cautious approach as his team are playing away from home.

His 4-4-2 formation diamond will see Wilfred Ndidi partner Izu Omego in the heart of the back four, while Akinjide Idowu will be the ball winner for a talented midfield that boasts Musa Yahaya and playmaker Ifeanyi Matthew.

Alhassan Ibrahim ‘Mu-azam’ and Taiwo Awoniyi will lead the Flying Eagles charge for goals.

Flying Eagles vs Tanzania

Joshua Enaholo – Musa Muhammed (skipper), Mustapha Abdullahi, Wilfred Ndidi, Izu Omego – Akinjide Idowu, Ifeanyi Matthew, Abdullahi Alfa, Musa Yahaya – Alhassan Ibrahim ‘Mu-azam’, Taiwo Awoniyi

Tanzania bullish ahead AYC qualifier

Both the Tanzania U20 team and the local papers here in Dar es Salaam are talking confidently ahead of Sunday’s AYC qualifier against the Flying Eagles.

Coach of the Ngorongoro Heroes, John Simkoko, said they hope to win against mighty Nigeria.

“It’s going to be a great test for us, we all know that Nigeria have a strong team that boast a lot of experience playing in the competition, but we’ve got to rise to the occasion,” said Simkoko.

“We have set our focus on eliminating them as we want to reach the finals, and to achieve our mission we have to beat them on Sunday.”

The Citizen on Sunday headlined its preview ‘Heroes out to tame Eagles’ and The Sunday News titled theirs ‘Heroes out to gun down Eagles’.

Both previews spoke of the Flying Eagles awesome record in this competition, but the host team could still shock them on Sunday.

Benin shock Flying Eagles in warm-up

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles Class of 2015 suffered their first defeat when they fell 1-0 to hosts Benin in an AYC warm-up in Cotonou on Sunday.

“We had a poor first half, but in the second half, we controlled the game. We had a much, much better second half,” said Flying Eagles coach Manu Garba.

“The home team adopted delay tactics after they scored and the referee ought to have given the goalkeeper at least a yellow card for time wasting, but he did not.

“All the same, we will put this loss behind us and shift our attention to the match in Tanzania this coming weekend.
“We hope to win in Tanzania so that the second leg in Nigeria will be a mere formality.”

Benin match winner was skipper Seibou Mama, who fired home past goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo in the 48th minute from distance.
It was the only shot at target by the home team, who started three Europe-based stars including Moise Adilehou from FC Porto.
The visiting Nigeria U20s thereafter piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser.

Outstanding goalkeeper Sheyi Damilola, one of several players with Nigerian roots, again ensured Benin recorded another famous win over Nigeria just after he stopped the Golden Eaglets at the WAFU B tournament in Togo.

The former Bolowotan FC of Lagos shot stopper made a double save after 55 minutes after Taiwo Awoniyi saw his shot crash against the post.

Wilfred Ndidi and substitute Kelechi Iheanacho also had openings to draw the Flying Eagles level but Damilola was at his best.
The Flying Eagles started the first half on the front foot with Alhassan Ibrahim aka Mu-azam first to shoot at goal after two minutes, but his shot screamed across the face of goal.

Benin full international coach Didier Olle-Nicolle and Eagles assistant coach Valere were in the stands to watch the match.
Awoniyi had two chances to score in the first 45 minutes with his miss in the 39th minute, when he was all alone, but he ballooned his lob well off the mark.

And a minute from half time, Musa Yahaya’s audacious effort narrowly missed target.

Flying Eagles vs Benin
Joshua Enaholo – Musa Muhammed (skipper), Mustapha Abdullahi, Wilfred Ndidi, Izu Omego – Akinjide Idowu, Ifeanyi Matthew, Abdullahi Alfa, Musa Yahaya (Kelechi Iheanacho 57) – Alhassan Ibrahim ‘Mu-azam’(Sulaiman Abdullahi 57, Chidiebere Nwakali 77)
Booking: Mustapha Abdullahi 28

Flying Eagles set for tough Benin test

Flying Eagles arrived in Cotonou Saturday afternoon ahead of an AYC qualifier warm-up against hosts Benin the following day.

The test match will be played at the Stade Rene Pleven Cotonou 2 by 4pm.

It was the same venue both teams played out a 1-1 draw two years ago.

NFF president’s special adviser Patrick Pascal has warned the Flying Eagles should expect a physical challenge from the home team after he accompanied the Golden Eaglets to lose the Benin U17 in a WAFU B U17 Championship.

“They will not take this game as a friendly and they will most likely line up big and strong players like was the case against us in Togo,” warned the ex-international.

The home team had earlier planned to camp the Flying Eagles in Porto Novo, where they are also training, and both teams would then make the hour-long bus ride to Cotonou on match day.

However, coach Manu Garba kicked against this arrangement and the Flying Eagles were booked into Bresilia Hotel, which is a five-minute drive from the match venue.

Incidentally, Nigeria Premier League club El Kanemi Warriors stayed at this hotel for their pre-season training tour of Benin recently.

The Nigeria U20s could not train on Saturday evening as hoped because a league game was being played at the match venue.

They hope they could now shake up fatigue with an early Sunday morning session.

Coach Manu is expected to ring two changes to his settled first team with Izu Omego in for Zaharadeen Bello in the heart of the back four.

Ifeanyi Ifeanyi will also replace defensive midfielder Akinjide Idowu in the starting XI.

Both teams are using this match to prepare for this weekend’s AYC qualifiers.

Nigeria will be away to Tanzania, while Benin battle Congo also away from home.

Flying Eagles pick Iheanacho, Musa Yahaya for Benin warm-up

The Nigeria U20 team have named a 20-man squad for Sunday’s warm-up match against their Benin Republic counterparts in Porto Novo.

Among those picked were the country’s heroes from last year’s FIFA U17 World Cup-winning team like Kelechi Iheanacho, skipper Musa Muhammed, Chidiebere Nwakali, Musa Yahaya, Taiwo Awoniyi, Abdullahi Alfa and Zaharadeen Bello.

Others on the squad are Alhassan Ibrahim aka Mu-azam, Wilfred Ndidi, Ifeanyi Matthew and goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo.

The test match will be played at Charles de Gaulle Stadium in Porto Novo from 4pm local time, which is the same time with Nigeria.

Both teams have clashed at the same level previously.

They drew 1-1 in Cotonou in September 2012 and a rematch in Abuja ended in a goalless draw.

Two players will then be dropped from the squad for the 2015 AYC qualifier in Tanzania in the weekend of May 9-11.

NFF executive committee member Shehu Adamu will lead the team to both Benin and Tanzania.

The full squad:

Goalkeepers: Joshua Enaholo, Adamu Abubakar, Abdulazeez Abubakar

Defenders: Musa Muhammed, Mustapha Abdullahi, Ifeanyi Nweke, Wilfred Ndidi, Izu Omego, Zaharadeen Bello

Midfielders: Chidiebere Nwakali, Musa Yahaya, Kelechi Iheanacho, Abdullahi Alfa, Akinjide Idowu, Wasiu Jimoh, Ifeanyi Matthew, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi

Strikers: Alhassan Ibrahim ‘Mu-azam’, Taiwo Awoniyi, Sulaiman Abdullahi

Flying Eagles Trash FC Twente Abuja 11-0

The Flying Eagles continued their buildup for next month’s AYC qualifier with an 11-0 pounding of FC Twente of Abuja on Thursday morning.

FC Twente were a last-minute replacement for Nigeria National League side Supreme Court FC of Abuja.

Flying Eagles coach Manu Garba said the test game will enhance team confidence and team building as they hope to get tougher opposition in the coming days.

“We should not read much into the outcome of this match. We are still gradually building for the task ahead and hope to face tougher opponents in the coming days,” Manu said.

The Nigeria U20s will tackle Nationwide side Dabo Babes of Kano on Saturday morning at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja in another test game.

On Thursday, Kelechi Iheanacho scored a brace, while there were nine other different scorers on the day.

Lanky striker Abubakar Lawal opened scoring after five minutes, when he was set up by fellow striker Sulaiman Abdullahi.

But it was not until the 28th minute that the Flying Eagles doubled their lead through skipper Musa Muhammed, who flicked home a low corner by Iheanacho.

Four minutes later, Sulaiman Abdullahi’s half volley made it 3-0, before Wilfred Ndidi increased the tally on 38 minutes.

Ifeanyi Matthew smashed home the fifth goal five minutes from the break after he was released by Iheanacho.

Two minutes after the interval, left back Mustapha Abdullahi netted a rare goal for the Flying Eagles.

Iheanacho scored his first goal in the 52nd with a powerful shot from outside the box, before substitute Antony Omaka flicked home a header a minute later.

Iheanacho completed his brace in the 55th minute when he fired home from an acute angle.

Substitute David Okereke also scored from a tight ankle in the 70th minute.

Flying Eagles goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo displayed great concentration when he blocked a goal-bound effort for a corner a minute later.

Substitute Victory Omodiagbe completed the demolition job on the stroke of time with a well-taken shot.

Flying Eagles vs FC Twente

Joshua Enaholo – Musa Muhammed, Mustapha Abdullahi (Sirajo Mazadu 48), Wilfred Ndidi (Izu Omego 62), Zaharadeen Bello (Ifeanyi Nweke 48) – Akinjide Idowu, Ifeanyi Matthew, Kelechi Iheanacho (David Okereke 62), Abdullahi Alfa (Anthony Omaka 43) – Abubakar Lawal (Wasiu Jimoh 43), Sulaiman Abdullahi (Victory Omodiagbe 48)

Alampasu leads 20 Eaglets to Flying Eagles

Goalkeeper Sunday Alampasu will lead 19 other players from the Golden Eaglets to the Flying Eagles training camp in Abuja.

Alampasu was named best goalkeeper at last year’s FIFA U17 World Cup and was also picked for the country’s squad to the recent CHAN in South Africa.

Some of the other players invited are Wilfred Ndidi, Abdullahi Alfa, Akinjide Idowu, Saviour Godwin, Aliyu Abubakar, Chigozie Obasi, Dennis Okon Nya and Zaraddeen Bello.

They are latest Wednesday to join 35 other players who were picked from a two-week open trial in Abuja.

The Flying Eagles under coach Manu Garba have been training for a third week in Abuja ahead of a 2015 African Youth Championship qualifier against either Kenya or Tanzania in May.

Kenya and Tanzania will do battle next month for the right to face six-time African Youth Champions Nigeria in May with the overall winners advancing to the final qualifying round in August.

The invitees:

Goakeepers: Dele Alampasu, Abdulazeez Abubakar

Defenders: Wilfred Ndidi, Prince Izu Omego, Dennis Okon Nya

Midfielders: Clement Ogbobe, Akinjide Idowu, Aliyu Abubakar, Abdullahi Alfa, Ifeanyi Matthew, Zaraddeen Bello, Emmanuel Asadu, Prince Bonkat, Mustapha Abdullahi, Chigozie Obasi

Strikers: Saviour Godwin, Nafiu Kabuga, Ahmed Umar, Bernard Bulbwa, Chinedu Enedemu