JOY EXCITEMENT GREET CHIKATARA, OBAROAKPO’S ARRIVAL

There was immense joy and excitement when the Super Eagles duo, Chisom Chikatara and skipper Austin Obaroakpo returned to the Abia Warriors Camp in Umuahia after they were not considered for the 2017 Africa Nations Cup double header against the Pharaohs of Egypt by the Super Eagles Interim coach, Samson Siasia.

As soon as the final list was released, in Abuja both Abia Warriors players jetted back to Umuahia with the next available flight and the camp exploded in ecstasy when they were seen by their colleagues.

The duo later participated in the evening training session where they gave a good account of themselves.

Speaking to Abia Warriors website, both players said they had no hard feelings about the decision of the National Team handlers to drop them and wished the Super Eagles well in the double header.

According to Chikatara, who certified himself 100 per cent fit, the players who were chosen by Coach Siasia are good enough to handle Egypt in both qualifiers, adding that he would continue to work hard in order to get future call-ups.

“All of us cannot play for Nigeria at the same time, so I will wait for another opportunity to play for my fatherland” Chikatara, who has been acquired by Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca, said.

Abia Warriors Fc

He disclosed that all his attention is now focused on helping Abia Warriors achieve success in the domestic League beginning with the week eight mid-week clash against Wikki Tourists of Bauchi in Umuahia.

Obaroakpo, on his own, said in as much as he was physically, mentally and psychologically ready for the Egypt match, he has no hard feelings for being drooped, adding that it is the dream of every player to don the Country’s National Team colours.

He believed the door is not closed for him in the Super Eagles and thanked the organizers for the invitation extended to him in the first place.

The Abia Warriors Captain also said his attention is now focused on how to help his beloved Club grab the league diadem or at least pick a continental ticket at the end of the season.

Super Eagles Can Recreate October ’77 feat – Siasia

Samson Siasia says he believes the Super Eagles can give Nigerians joy on Friday, March 25 by winning and picking all three points in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Pharaohs of Egypt in Kaduna.

All the 19 expected home boys were in camp as at Tuesday afternoon, as no other person wanted to suffer the fate of Segun Oduduwa, Usman Mohammed and Stanley Dimgba, who were on Monday barred from showing up at the Bolton White Apartments after reporting late to the camp of the intermediate squad.

Siasia told thenff.com Tuesday afternoon that discipline, strong mentality, self-belief and support of Nigerians can steer the Eagles to heights attained by their predecessors, who pounded the Pharaohs 4-0 in a FIFA World Cup qualifier in Lagos in October 1977.

“We can recreate October 1977; why not? The home –boys have come in and full training has commenced. Everyone is rearing to go. By the time the foreign –based players arrive, the competition will be what we want.

“I insist that we have invited the players who are capable of giving us the three points in Kaduna and another three points in Alexandria.”

Apart from being two points behind the Egyptians on the Group G table, the Eagles also lag behind the Pharaohs on goals scored. The Pharaohs have scored eight while Nigeria have scored two in the two matches played by each team, meaning the Nigerians have to start racking up the goals.

On October 8, 1977 the Eagles thrashed the Pharaohs 4-0 in a 1978 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium, Lagos, with the inimitable Segun Odegbami bagging a brace. Skipper Christian Chukwu and John Nwadioha got the other goals.

The Nigeria squad of October 8 1977:

Emmanuel Okala, Annas Ahmed, Samuel Ojebode, Mudashiru Lawal, Christian Chukwu (c), Godwin Odiye, Olusegun Odegbami, Aloysius Atuegbu, John Nwadioha, Godwin Iwelimo, Adokiye Amiesieamaka

Players in camp: Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Olufemi Thomas, Emmanuel Daniel, Kalu Orji Okogbue, Chibuzor Okonkwo, Mathew Etim, Austin Oboroakpo, Sincere Seth, Chima Akas, Chris Madaki, Oke Ogogatewho, Ifeanyi Mathew, Etebo Oghenekaro, Yau Hassan, Ezekiel Bassey, Prince Aggrey, Bright Onyedikachi, Chisom Chikatara, Godwin Obaje

5 Things We’ll See In The New NPFL Season

5 things we’ll see in the new NPFL Season…,

After what seemed like an eternity, the new Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) season finally gets underway this Saturday and Sunday. It’s been three months since Enyimba narrowly edged their way to a seventh Premier League title shrugging off the challenge of Warri Wolves. But at 4pm this Saturday, it will be a clean slate, a fresh 38 match day long journey starting in Jos where two newly promoted sides, albeit old war horses of the league, Plateau United and Niger Tornadoes open their season’s account.

With fans wondering how their teams will fare, what five things are inevitable this new NPFL season?

Enyimba

1. A stiffer title challenge: In the recent past, the title race had always followed the predictions- it being between the big two; Kano Pillars and Enyimba while the rest are left scrambling for the crumbs. Last season, Pillars found themselves knocked off the race, no thanks to the troubles that befell them early in the season and while Enyimba eventually landed the title, it was by no means an easy feat for the Aba-based side. The likes of Sunshine Stars, Wikki Tourists, Nasarawa United and more sternly Warri Wolves all came within touching distance of the title. This season, Pillars have flexed muscles in the transfer market beefing up their side with some better players available and others like Akwa United and Enugu Rangers also look bucked up. Add these to the team’s that put a brave fight last year and this could be the tightest title race yet.

2. More young players on display: There had always been the complaint that the League was stratified, cutting off the younger players and having the League primarily an ‘old men’s affair’. Well, that would change this season. The League organizers are offering incentives to Premier League clubs to encourage the fielding of younger players. A club that names three players aged 18 and below with at least one of them playing for up to 15 minutes in a game is due a hundred thousand Naira. If the player is fielded for up to 45 minutes, then the club will receive twice that amount. Surely, that throws the door open for a lot of young players this season.

Sunshine Stars, Akure Stadium

3. More away wins: Away wins were celebrated in the League last season. It looked a joke till they occurred too often for coincidence. The simple reason is that a few years back, away wins were simply unheard of. Not because teams don’t turn up away from home but because poor security conditions in stadiums make it difficult for teams and officials to perform fearlessly while on hostile grounds. Also in addition to improved security for nearly all the games last year, the other incentive of a quarter of a million reward for teams who win away from home, also helped. This year, the financial reward has not only increased but match day security will be upgraded too. Surely this would pave way for a good number of away wins to be seen this new season.

Chisom Chikatara

4. A new goal king: The Rashidi Yekini award should see a new winner this season with what has become an annual exodus of the League’s top marksmen. Understandably, good strikers are in high demand especially beyond the shores of the Nigerian League and unsurprisingly, Gbolohan Salami and Chisom Chikatara have both in the steps of previous strikers been carted away from the League leaving the door every new season for a new top marksman. Adeniji? Gambo? Pyagbara? Edoh? Or will it be Mfon Udoh? Who would it be this year?

GOtv Emerge Ikorodu United Shirt Sponsors
photo credit: @colinudoh

5. Building on last years’s League success: The League Management Company in their annual general meeting in Uyo assured that it intends to build on the successes of last season by ensuring an excellently and efficiently run League. The improved level of officiating, according to the LMC will also be sustained. Stadium attendance has steadily been on the rise, awareness has also increased onto social media and the electronic media. Severally last season, certain NPFL games and issues trended on social media signifying interests among today’s youth toward a growing League. Did I also mention that Lagos State has two Premier League teams this season?

This should be the League’s best year yet, roll on the new season.

NFF Apologises To Nigerians, Shifts Focus To 2017 AFCON

The Nigeria Football Federation has apologized to the Federal Government and the good people of Nigeria for the Super Eagles’s failure at the 4th African Nations Championship in Rwanda.

Leading the Group C table before kick –off of the final matches on Tuesday, the Super Eagles failed to fly in a 0-1 defeat by Guinea in Rubavu that eliminated Nigeria from the continental houseparty in Rwanda.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick reiterated that the African Nations Championship is “both developmental and preparatory for bigger challenges,” and said without mincing words that the Federation would now shift focus to the qualification race for the bigger Africa Cup of Nations.

“We apologise to Nigerians for the poor outing of the Super Eagles in Rwanda, but we toe the line of CAF which states that CHAN is a developmental and preparatory competition. Of course, as Nigerians, we love to win always, and we feel bad when we don’t.

“I want us to take the positives from this tournament. A player like Chisom Chikatara broke onto the global platform and players like Usman Mohammed, Chima Akas, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Austin Oboroakpo and Ifeanyi Mathew confirmed their class.

“For me, it is disappointing that we did not progress. But the NFF will now focus on the 2017 AFCON qualifiers, and start preparations early for the remaining rounds,” Pinnick said.

The Super Eagles have a quick, top-of-the-table double–take against Pharaohs of Egypt in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying race, with the first leg in Nigeria on March 23 and the return leg in Egypt five days later.

In June, the Super Eagles take on Chad in N’Djamena before hosting Tanzania in the final round of matches in September.

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.

NIGERIA WILL WIN CHAN BOASTS GAFAR – By Akeem Busari

Nigeria yesterday trounced Niger 4-1 in its game at the Orange African Nations Championship, ongoing in Rwanda. The victory recorded by the home based Super Eagles, is generating reactions from many people in the football community. One of those obviously impressed by the performance of the team is Alhaji Gafar Olawale Liameed, President of
Lagos based non-league side, 36 Lion football club.

LIAMEED GAFAR PRESIDENT 36 LION FOOTBALL CLUB LAGOS

“I am really impressed by the performance of our boys, in yesterday’s game,” he gushed.

He attributed the tensed and scoreless first half of the match, to be normal when two teams of different classes meet. “What
we witnessed in the first half is initial muscle flexing and we call that gra-gra, expected from such teams,” Gafar explained.

He commended the Sunday Oliseh led technical crew for bringing their superior tactics to the fore in the second stanza of the
game, particularly, with the inspired substitution of Chisom Chikatara, who went ahead to claim a hatrick in the game.

Gafar, who is also a board member of Lagos FA, was full of praises for Chikatara. He described the Abia Warriors striker,also fondly called the Kolanut boy, as a local player with the intelligence, movement and predatory abilities of a top class world player.

Speaking further, he dismissed the threats of Tunisia and Guinea in the other games,stating that Nigeria, would beat all oppositions and go ahead to claim the CHAN trophy. “Nigeria is the only country that can raise eleven national teams and they would compete strongly against any team in the world. This country is not big for nothing. We are big, strong and immensely talented,” he enthused.

Conclusively, he advised Oliseh, to ensure that his boys take up all the chances they create during games and particularly,to use Chikatara,as the killer punch or the masterstroke in subsequent matches.

Classy Super Eagles Wallop Niger’s Menas in CHAN Opener

Chikatara Hat trick, And Okoro goal seals it for the eagles…,

Nigeria’s Super Eagles B’ Team got their CHAN 2016 campaign off to a flying start with a 3-1 mauling of the Mena ’s of Niger Republic. Nigeria’s Jamiu Alimi was booked in the 9th minute and Coach Sunday Oliseh made a tactical substitution in the 15 minute.

Nigeria’s enterprising winger Prince Aggrey who three players waiting in the 6 yard box decided to go for goal but his shot was saved by Niger goalkeeper.

The Super Eagles B team launched wave after wave of attacks through the flanks through Aggrey on the left and Okoro on the right but the Eagles kept on falling for the offside trap which was used effectively by the boys from Niger.

41st minute The Niger team finally with their first shot on target, calmly picked up by Nigerian Goalkeeper Ezenwa.

The second half ended all square. But Nigeria Coach Sunday Oliseh must have fired up his wards in the dressing room because barely 30 seconds into the second half Striker Tunde Adeniji pulled out a cross which was exquisitely finished off by number 17 jersey Moses Okoro.

Coach Sunday Oliseh made an inspired substitution in the 58th minute of the when he brought on Chisom Chikatara to replace Tunde Adeniji In the 58 minute.

Nigeria’s final substitution was made in the 70th minute when Muhammed Usman came on to replace Ibenegbu. Three minute after it was time for Impact sub Chisom Chikatara to score Nigeria’s 2nd goal and his first of the night in the 73rd minute with an assist from Moses Okoro.

The Mena’s of Niger came out fighting and Sub Zakari Adebayor scored a cracker of a shot from in the 80th minute to reduce the two goal advantage of the Super Eagles B. Barely were the Niger fans giving a chance to savour the Adebayor goal when Chisom Chikatara restored Nigeria’s 2 goal cushion with a another fine assist from Moses Okoro.

Chikatara once again went on rampage and after missing two chances the Abia Warriors man completed his hat trick in the 90th minute with help from sunshine Stars forward Prince Aggrey.

Chikatara named Orange MOTM @NGSuperEagles #Chikataratooktheball #CHAN2016 pic.twitter.com/VE30bal25y

— CAF (@CAF_Online) January 18, 2016

Chikatara was voted Orange Man Of The Match and with his display it will be difficult for the coach to bench him when the Nigerians play Tunisia in the next Group C game on the 22nd of January.

Final Score Was Nigeria 4-1 Niger, earlier Tunisia and Guinea had played out a 2-2 draw also at the Stade De Kigali, Nigeria now top Group C with Tunisia and Guinea both tied in second place and Niger at the bottom of the Group C log.

Nigeria Starting XI : Ezenwa, Nasiru Jibril (C), Alimi, Eze, Etim, Ifeanyi, Ibenegbu, Onobi, Aggreh, Adeniji, Osas, Orji, Chikatara, Usman.

Oliseh picks 23 Eagles for African Nations Championship

Head Coach Sunday Oliseh has released the list of 23 players of the Super Eagles B squad who will seek to do Nigeria proud by winning the African Nations Championship title in Rwanda.

Goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, defenders Austin Oboroakpo and Chima Akas, Olympic Team midfielders Usman Mohammed and Yaro Bature and forward Chisom Chikatara headline a list that also includes Enyimba FC’s skillful winger Ezekiel Bassey, former junior international Ifeanyi Mathew and the Sunshine Stars’ trio of Paul Onobi, Prince Aggrey and Tunde Adeniji.

Former junior international goalkeeper Femi Thomas, Shooting Stars’ central defender Jamiu Alimi and former Supersand Eagles’ ace Bartholomew Ibenegbu have also been included.

The Eagles B team, alongside technical and backroom staff, flew out of the country on Saturday afternoon to Cape Town, South Africa, where a 10 –day pre-Championship training camp has been arranged, alongside two friendly games against fellow Rwanda –bound Angola and Cote d’Ivoire on January 6 and 11 respectively. Oliseh arrived South Africa ahead of the delegation.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles B finished third at the 3rd African Nations Championship held in South Africa in 2014, and Sunday Oliseh’s invigorated squad aims to win the Cup in Rwanda on February 7.

The Eagles B will campaign in Group C of this year’s championship alongside 2011 winners Tunisia, Niger Republic and Guinea, with matches to be played at the Stade Regional Nyamirambo, Kigali.

Super Eagles Training in Uyo

NIGERIA’S SQUAD FOR CHAN

Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Olufemi Thomas (Enyimba FC); Okiemute Odah (Warri Wolves)

Defenders: Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors); Kalu Orji Okogbue (Enugu Rangers); Jamiu Alimi (Shooting Stars); Mathew Etim (Enugu Rangers); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Stephen Eze (Sunshine Stars); Christopher Madaki Maichibi (Giwa FC); Samson Gbadebo (Lobi Stars)

Midfielders: Ifeanyi Mathew (El-Kanemi Warriors); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); Usman Mohammed (FC Taraba); Yaro Bature (Nasarawa United); Bartholomew Ibenegbu (Warri Wolves); Ibrahim Attah Salau (Shooting Stars)

Forwards: Osas Okoro (Enugu Rangers); Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Tunde Adeniji (Sunshine Stars); Bright Onyedikachi (FC IfeanyiUbah); Chisom Chikatara (Abia Warriors); Prince Aggrey (Sunshine Stars)

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)

Ahead Africa U-23 Cup of Nations , Siasia Faces Selection Headache

Two weeks of contrasting fortunes for U-23 National Team Head Coach, Samson Siasia, has ended with sheer headache on which players he should pick for the pre-Africa U-23 Cup of Nations camp in Morocco.

Last week, it was a frustrated Siasia who cried out that his camp was empty due to clubs’ incessant demand for their players to report for club duties. This week, the story has changed as the former Super Eagles’ Head Coach is now faced with the problem of selecting the 30 players who will make his list to Morocco where the team will have a final camping before proceeding to Senegal for the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations starting on 28 November.

All invited 35 home -based players were at the team’s training session on Tuesday evening, with competition intense as all struggled to impress as the list of 30 is soon to be compiled. The session was so charged that Siasia himself had to tell the players to take things easy so as to avoid injuries.

Expressing satisfaction with the players in camp, an elated Siasia said: “For now, all I can say is that I am very happy with what I have seen as the players came back from their club engagements fully refreshed and ready to do the nation proud. The NFF has also responded positively to my cry for the release of these players so we can prepare properly for the big task of picking one of Africa’s tickets for the football event of next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

“I must confess that selecting the 30 players who will be departing the shores of this country for Morocco is giving myself and my assistants real headache, but this is a positive headache which at the end of the day will enable us select only the best that will fly the nation’s flag with gusto.”

Siasia Samson Nigeria U23 Coach credit fifa.com

Meanwhile, U-23 National Team will on Thursday at the National Stadium, Abuja trade tackles with newly promoted NPFL club Niger Tornadoes of Minna. The encounter is expected to kick off at 4pm.

On Saturday morning, the team will engage C.O.D FC of Lagos.

FULL LIST OF PLAYERS IN U-23 CAMP

1. Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers)
2. Yusuf Mohammed (Kano Pillars)
3. Emmanuel Iwu (Heartland FC)
4. Segun Oduduwa (Nath Boys)
5. Sincere Seth (Rhapsody Academy)
6. Erhun Obanor (Abia Warriors)
7. Daniel Etor (Enyimba FC)
8. Oghenekaro Etebo (Warri Wolves)
9. Godwin Aguda (Enugu Rangers)
10. Usman Mohammed (FC Taraba)
11. Ndifreke Effiong (Abia Warriors)
12. Chukwuebuka Iroha (Diamond FC)
13. Austine Oladapo (FC IfeanyiUbah)
14. Christian Pyagbara (Sharks FC)
15. Stanley Dimgba (Warri Wolves)
16. Kingsley Sokari (Enyimba FC)
17. Godspower Effiong (Kano Pillars)
18. Ifeanyi Mathew (El -Kanemi Warriors)
19. Bright Onyeadikachi (FC IfeanyiUbah)
20. Prince Aggrey (Sunshine Stars)
21. Mustapha Abdullahi (Sportlight FC)
22. Bature Yaro‎ (Nasarawa United)
23. Zaradeen Bello (Kano Pillars)
24. Ahamefule Chizoba
25. Seun Olulayo (Sunshine Stars)
26. Tiongoli Tonbara (Bayelsa United)
27. Kufre Ebong (Warri Wolves)
28. Kingsley Eduwo (Sunshine Stars)
29. Abubakar Aliyu
30. Anaezemba Nzube (Enyimba FC)
31. Charles Chukwudi (Plateau United)
32. Daniel Enmanson (Akwa United)
33. Ibrahim Alhassan (Hearts FC)
34. Chisom Chikatara (Abia Warriors)
35. Adebayo Ajadi (36 Lions‎)

Eagles, Burkina Faso Now To Play On Saturday

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced that the 2016 African Nations Championship final round, first leg qualifier between the Home–based Senior National Team, Super Eagles B, and the Etalons of Burkina Faso, will now take place on Saturday.

Venue remains the Adokiye Amiesieamaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, with kick–off scheduled for 4pm.

The Confederation of African Football has appointed Boubou Traore from Mali as Referee for the encounter. Traore’s compatriots Bobo Yomboliba, Boubacar Kinta and Harouna Coulibaly will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and reserve referee respectively.

Mr. Pedro De Morais Neto, from Angola, will be match commissioner.

Meanwhile, a total of 25 players are battling for shirts in Port Harcourt under the watchful eyes of Assistant Coaches Salisu Yusuf and Alloy Agu.

There are goalkeepers Femi Thomas, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, David Obiazor and Okemute Odah, defenders Chima Akas, Austin Oboroakpo, Kalu Orji, Solomon Kwambe, Idris Aloma, Samson Gbadebo, Jamiu Alimi and Stephen Eze, midfielders Abdulrazak Aliyu, Ifeanyi Mathew, Paul Onobi, Usman Mohammed, Bature Yaro and Osas Okoro, and forwards Ezekiel Bassey, Chisom Chikatara, Tunde Adeniji, Prince Aggrey, Bright Onyedikachi and Dayo Ojo.

Nigeria failed to qualify for the first two editions of a competition reserved for senior players plying their trade in their country’s domestic league, but won bronze medal at the third edition held in South Africa early last year.

The winner over two legs between Nigeria and Burkina Faso will be eligible for a place at the 4th African Nations Championship taking place in Rwanda early next year.

THREE STAR CHIKATARA LAMENTS ABIA WARRIORS HOME DRAW

Abia Warriors Football Club of Umuahia lethal striker, Chisom Chikatara, who scored a hat-trick last weekend in Umuahia against visiting Enugu Rangers International in a week 32 Glo Premier League encounter, said he would have preferred all the three points for his team rather than the individual glory of scoring a hat-trick in a 3-3 home draw.

Chikatara, who looked forlorn after the game despite his heroics, said Abia Warriors needed all the three points at stake to improve their standing on the league table and boost their chances of picking a continental ticket at the end of the season.

abia Warriors

“I thank God for giving me three goals today but I would have loved it more if we won the match. For me at this time, three points is better than scoring three goals and sharing the points”, the Ibeku-Umuahia-born striker told Abia Warriors website.

The 20-year-old who has now netted 13 league goals this season and is just two goals shy of the 15 so far scored by Nasarawa United’s Esosa Igbinoba who leads the pack, noted that his team worked hard enough to grab all the three points at stake, but lamented that fate played a fast one on them as Rangers equalized to make it 3-3 during the second minute of the added three minutes in the 92nd minute.

Chikatara said Abia Warriors will not relent as they are looking forward for better outings in their future encounters, pointing out with six matches to end the season, they are still very optimistic that a continental ticket was still realizable.