Inneh Queens Chairperson, Falode, Hails Falconets, Eagles…,

Inneh Queens Chairperson, Falode, Hails Falconets, Eagles…,Decries State Of Women’s League

Foremost Women’s Sportscaster and Chairperson Of Inneh Queens FC Of Benin City, Aisha Falode, has hailed the qualification of the Women’s U20 National team side, the Falconets for the final round of the World Cup.

The Falconets it would be recalled defeated Congo DR 2-1 away from home and won the return leg in Abuja last weekend 2-0, for a 4-1 aggregate win. That has gladdened the heart of Falode, who noted that the lasses have the capacity to go all the way and even win the World Cup. The Falconets were runners-up at the last U-20 championship.

Falode said she was delighted that despite the poor organization and running of the Nigeria Women’s league, the Falconets through share determination and zeal were able to come this far in its bid to qualify for the World Cup. She added that she was doubly sure that the team will overhaul South Africa over two legs to qualify for the World Cup proper and urged the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation to continue to extend its support to the Falconets.

Falconets

However, Falode decried the poor organization of the Nigerian Women’s League, which she said is very disturbing. “Apart from the fact that we don’t have a sponsor for the league, what we now witness here is walk-over everywhere and that is why almost all the women’s national teams are struggling in all their qualifiers” she declared. She urged the NFF to take more than a parting interest in the Women’s League, as it is capable of employing thousands of young ladies and take them off known vices that they often engage in.

The Sports Diva, also used the opportunity to congratulate the Super Eagles for bouncing back from a 2-0 defeat to DR Congo in Belgium, in an international friendly to whip eternal rivals Cameroun 3-0, in its second game. “It shows that gradually, the character of the team is coming out but they must not rest on their oars but ensure that they keep their legs firmly on the pedals as more challenging qualifiers are ahead of the team”.

Pinnick Charges Eagles To Beat Cameroon

NFF President Amaju Pinnick has challenged the Super Eagles to approach their international friendly against Cameroon on Sunday with gusto and attain victory in order to make Nigerians forget Thursday’s defeat by the Democratic Republic of Congo.

First half goals by Dieumerci Mbokani and Jordan Nkololo gave the Leopards a 2-0 win over the Super Eagles in Vise, Belgium on Thursday. But Pinnick, who watched the game in company with NFF Vice Presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, told the players in the dressing room after the match to forget whatever issues had arisen in the camp over the past few days and attack the Indomitable Lions with passion.

“There is no time for us to dwell on this defeat (by DR Congo). We were not at the last Africa Cup of Nations finals, but the Congolese were there and finished the tournament as bronze medal –winners.

“It is not an excuse to lose to them. But it is a fact. However, I have no doubt in your ability to turn things around when we play Cameroon on Sunday. That means you need to put this defeat behind you and focus hard on Sunday’s match.”

Super Eagles during the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers Nigeria Training on Sep,1st, 2015 at National Stadium, Abuja
© Kabiru Abubakar/Backpagepix

The NFF President assured that the Federation will always give all necessary support to Coach Sunday’s Oliseh’s moves to build s formidable team that will recreate the glory days of Nigeria football.

“A lot has happened in the past couple of days, but the important thing is that the NFF will always be there for the team. A football team is like a family, and the Head Coach is like the father. I enjoin each and everyone of you to work with the coaches and abide by his instructions so that we can become better and stronger.

“On our part, we will continue to work hard to get friendly matches for you so that the team can bond better and achieve telepathy on the field. Our commitment to taking Nigeria football to heights never previously attained is unshaken.”

NFF Hails Team Spirit As Eagles Set To Tame Leopards

NFF President Amaju Pinnick on Wednesday hailed the spirit in the camp of the Super Eagles in Belgium, as Nigeria’s senior boys banished memories of a brief misunderstanding that reared its head on Tuesday night.

“I’m happy there is absolute peace in the camp and the players and coaches are thinking of nothing other than the two matches against DR Congo and Cameroon.

“Whatever misunderstanding that happened on Tuesday night has been peacefully resolved and everyone’s forgotten about it. Anywhere you have a group of people there is propensity for misunderstanding now and again. The key thing is the immediacy of resolution and the maturity to forgive and forget.”

Sunday Oliseh photo credit sundayoliseh.tv

Head Coach Sunday Oliseh assured there were no longer issues and that the three –time African champions were focused on Thursday’s high–profile friendly against the Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

DR Congo, who won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1968 and 1974, has remained a strong force in African football, and never a squad to treat with kid gloves. But they face a supercharged Eagles loaded with plenty of new and enthusiastic talent, and fortified by some of the old guard.

There are three –time FIFA World Cup star Vincent Enyeama, defenders Efe Ambrose and Elderson Echiejile, midfielders John Mikel Obi and Ogenyi Onazi as well as forwards Ahmed Musa and Emmanuel Emenike (who have all played at the FIFA World Cup), and relatively new faces Carl Ikeme, Dele Alampasu, Leon Balogun, Abdullahi Shehu, Kingsley Madu, Wilfred Ndidi, William Troost Ekong, Obiora Nwankwo, Rabiu Ibrahim, Sylvester Igbonu, Moses Simon, Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi.

Oliseh called up former junior international goalkeeper Dele Alampasu from Portugal, as well as defenders Kingsley Madu and Wilfred Ndidi, and on Wednesday directed the six players and backroom staff yet to be issued visas by the Embassy of Belgium in Abuja to report to Port Harcourt.

Thursday’s clash of the Eagles and Leopards will start at 7pm at the VISE Stadium, and will be the first between both countries’ senior teams in five-and-half-years.

Super Eagles players

A largely home–based Nigeria squad walloped the Leopards 5-2 in a friendly in Abuja in March 2010. Two goals by Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) accounted for the Leopards in a quarter -final match of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia, just as Yekini had scored the only goal of another quarter -final tie between the two teams in Senegal two years earlier.

Yet, the most memorable clash between both nations was far back in March 1976, when a young Green Eagles’ squad stunned the reigning African champions 4-2 in a Cup of Nations group phase match in Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.

After a meeting on Tuesday that involved officials of the Union Royale Belge des Societes de Football Association (Belgian FA), a decision was taken to stage the Super Eagles’ clash with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon on Sunday at the Edmond Machtens Stadium in Brussels, with the match now to start at 8pm local time.

In Port Harcourt, the home –based professionals continued their preparations for the 2016 African Nations Championship final qualifying round against the Etalons of Burkina Faso. All 19 players trained on Monday evening and on Tuesday.

PLAYERS IN BELGIUM: Vincent Enyeama, Carl Ikeme, Leon Balogun, Abdullahi Shehu, Elderson Echiejile, William Troost Ekong, Efe Ambrose, Ogenyi Onazi, Obiora Nwankwo, John Mikel Obi, Rabiu Ibrahim, Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike, Sylvester Igbonu, Moses Simon, Odion Ighalo, Alex Iwobi.

NEW INVITEES: Kingsley Madu, Wilfred Ndidi, Dele Alampasu

PLAYERS IN PORT HARCOURT: David Obiazor, Okemute Odah, Solomon Kwambe, Kalu Orji, Osas Okoro, Idris Aloma, Ezekiel Bassey, Samson Gbadebo, Jamiu Alimi, Abdulrazaq Aliyu, Stephen Eze, Bright Onyedikachi, Bature Yaro, Ifeanyi Mathew, Usman Mohammed, Chisom Chikatara, Tunde Adeniji, Dayo Ojo, Gbolahan Salami.

EXPECTED: Femi Thomas, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Chima Akas, Austin Oboroakpo, Paul Onobi, Prince Aggrey

OWUMI SPEAKS ON WOLVES

The Managing Director of Warri Wolves, Davidson Owumi who arrived with the team from Ethiopia on Tuesday afternoon after qualifying for the next stage of the CAF Confederation Cup at the expense of Dedebit FC has said that he believes the Warri based team will go far in the competition based on what he saw in their last match.

Owumi who celebrated his birthday last weekend however revealed that for the team to achieve this, the boys must be well motivated and therefore urged the Government to provide what it takes to ginger the boys.

According to him, with the next match comes up on the 18th, April against MK Entancheite from DR Congo at the Warri City Stadium, the boys will have to move straight into a close camping because the higher you go in this competition, the tougher it becomes.

Owumi known as Okada in his hey days further said for this to be achieved, it depends on the funds available and so all hands must be on deck to see that the club achieve its aims.

Davidson Owumi, photo crdit qedng

“i sincerely believe these boys can go far from what I saw in Ethiopia but they must be well motivated to achieve the desired goals. We need funds now to move straight into a close camping because the next match is around the corner, It is on the 18th of this month and we are playing the first leg so we need to do well. We are the only hope of the Nation now with all other clubs eliminated and we cannot afford to let the Nation down. You know that the higher you go in this competition, the tougher it becomes and we just have to work hard. We need a lot of things to succeed”.

Owumi equally appealed to the fans to come out each time the club plays in Warri as this will go a long way in motivating the players.

“At this time, we need the fans now than before and they must come out in their thousands to support the team. They should be our 12th player and with them, we can achieve what we set to do by going far in this competition” said Owumi.

Siasia Set To Screen Players For Olympic Team

The man who won Nigeria an Olympic silver medal in football six years ago is on the march again, as preparations for the building of a new strong squad has already commenced.

Former Super Eagles’ Captain and Coach, Samson Siasia has called up 39 players to open a screening camp in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Sunday, with another set of 39 and a final set of 38 to follow in batches.

Siasia has the assignment to raise a squad that will qualify Nigeria for the Men’s Football Tournament of the 11th All –Africa Games (taking place in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo in July 2015) as well as qualify for the CAF U-23 Championship (taking place in DR Congo, also next year), and also qualify for the Men’s Football Tournament of the 2016 Olympic Games through the CAF U-23 Championship.

The first hurdle is an All –Africa Games qualifying fixture against Gabon, with the first leg away in Libreville towards the end of February, and the return leg in Nigeria early March. The winner of that fixture squares up against the winner of the fixture between Zambia and Madagascar in late March.

The Dream Team, as Nigeria’s Olympic squad is known, will then take on the winner among Ghana, Liberia and Congo in the qualifying race for the CAF U-23 Championship in July.

Olympic gold medallists in Atlanta, USA in 1996, the Dream Team faltered at the 2000 Games in Australia, failed to qualify for the Athens 2004 Games, won silver medal in Beijing in 2008 and failed to qualify for the London Games in 2012.

Siasia has explained that each batch will spend only three days in camp before the other, with the selected ones among the lot to convene a proper camp late December. All the players are to report at FIFA Technical Centre, Abuja.

Siasia Samson fifa.com

FIRST BATCH (23 – 25 November)

Goalkeepers: Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers); Kasim Yekini (Bayelsa United)

Defenders: Semiu Liadi (Enyimba FC); Stanley Okorom (36 Lions); Erhun Obanor (Insurance FC); Mohammed Gidado (Wikki Tourists); Etim Mathew (Enugu Rangers); Wasiu Kadiri (Akwa Starlets); Chinedy Okuotu (Insurance FC); Chris Madaki (Giwa FC)

Midfielders: Harrison Madu (Wikki Tourists); Abbas Hussein (Wikki Tourists); Samuel Adegbenro (Kwara United); Ifeanyi Mathew (El-Kanemi Warriors); Nafiu Ibrahim (Kano Pillars); Tiongli Tonbara (Bayelsa United); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); Itchu (Warri Wolves); Emmanuel Obinna (Stationery Stores)

Forwards: Samson Adeleye (Niger Tornadoes); Samuel Agba (Enugu Rangers); Idris Mohammed (Wikki Tourists); Junior Ajayi (3SC); Nuru Adebayor (Stationery Stores); Godwin Obaje (Mighty Jets); Barnabas Imenger (Lobi Stars); Idris Ahmed (Mighty Jets); Uche Ihearulam (Lobi Stars)

Others: Chigozie obi (Calabar Rovers); Ahmed Sani (Unattached); Victor Yakubu (Wikki Tourists); Tunde Afolabi (Spotlight FC); Chukweh Samuel (Bayelsa United); Chinedu Obino (COD FC); Umunna Emmanuel (Zamfara United); Friday Enejoh Jacob (Supreme Court); Ajibola Otegbeye (3SC); Wasiu Alalade (First Bank); Mohammed Wekasiu (El-Kanemi Warriors); Nura Abubakar (Kaduna United); Israel Daniel (Prime FC)

SECOND BATCH (26 – 28 November)

Goalkeepers: Ernest Ejiofor (Giwa FC); Yusuf Mohammed (Kano Pillars); Abiodun Akande (3SC)

Defenders: Abu Daniel (First Bank); Harrison Ibukun (Akwa Starlets); Tobore Jessa (Dynamite Force); Ferin Yaro (Kwara United); Isuku Prince (Insurance FC); Hossiah Haruna (Kaduna United); Zikiye Jonathan (Dolphins FC); Timothy (Gombe United)

Midfielders: Aniefiok Godspower (Akwa United); Monday Mather (Supreme Court); Nzube Anaziemba (Enyimba FC); Ekene Nwabuchi (FPF Academy); Yakubu Alfa (Niger Tornadoes); Buhari Musa (Kano Pillars); Bura Jafar (Bayelsa United)

Forwards: Emem Eduok (Dolphins FC); Ibrahim Shuaibu (Giwa FC); Akpoh Ughe (Nembe City); Leonard Ugochukwu (Nasarawa United); Kufre Ebong (Akwa United); Deenee Usman (Giwa FC); Batoure Yaro (Nasarawa United)

Others: Christian Obiozor (Enugu Rangers); Ifeanyi Enemime (Giwa FC); Azubuike Okechukwu (Bayelsa United); Musa Isa (Gombe United); Ezekiel Mbah (Kano Pillars); Jiya Mohammed (El-Kanemi Warriors); Ismail Ahmed Musa (Enyimba FC); Joseph Nathaniel (Sharks FC); Sunday Adetunji (El-Kanemi Warriors); Azeez Mohammed (Kwara United); Isaac Giwa (Gombe United); Godwin Efiok (Akwa Starlets); Ezekiel Bassey (Akwa United); Yelebe Fanvie (Bayelsa United); Ahmed Yacob (Crown FC); Hakeem Olalere (Prime FC); George Ifeanyi (Enyimba FC)

THIRD BATCH (29 November – 1 December)

Goalkeepers: David Obiozor (El-Kanemi Warriors); Itodo (Enugu Rangers); Anthony Okoro (Stationery Stores)

Defenders: Francis Edem (3SC); Seun Shogesan (Nasarawa United); Nura Mohammed (Kano Pillars); Babatunde Solomon (Nasarawa United); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars); Namso Edoh (Akwa United); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Waziri Christopher (Wikki Tourists); Isah Bala (Niger Tornadoes)

Midfielders: Osamudiamwen Adun (Insurance FC); Mohammed Wakeso (El-Kanemi Warriors); Victor Alegbe (Dolphins FC); Alaba Adeniyi (Sunshine Stars); Salau Ibrahim (Sharks FC); Philip Asuquo (Gombe United); Emma Egbese (Nembe City); Okiki Afolabi (3SC); Fuad Ekelojuoti (Stationery Stores)

Forwards: Ajunwa Felix (Akwa Starlets); Omofomwan Freedom (Warri Wolves); John Chukwudi (Kwara United); Arinze Obioma (El-Kanemi Warriors); Chinedu Mathew (Bussdor United); Aliyu Abubakar Ibrahim (Nasarawa United); Adamu Hassan (Kano Pillars); Peter Onyekachi (Abia Warriors); Ibrahim Sulaiman (Shuttle Sport)

Others: Chinedu Chukwurah (Plateau United); Saidu Isah (Plateau United); Saviour Godwin (Plateau United); Azeez Shobowale (Kano Pillars); Idris Aloona (ABS FC); Olumakinde Talabi (3SC); Francis Olanrewaju (Gateway FC): Owolabi Oluwafemi (Giwa FC); Sanni Okeowo (Prime FC); Ibrahim Adewale (3SC); Abdullahi Fatai (Prime FC)

Cameroon Women Prepare In Turkey For World Championship

Cameroon Volleyball Women’s team started their real preparations for the 2014 in Italy through a camp in Istanbul, Turkey this weekend.

The African representative will be playing friendly matches there with local clubs in an attempt for their head coach Nane Eone to test his players ahead of the prestigious event.

The coach who led Cameroon to the finals through the exciting qualification in Algeria asked his players to have a discipline inside and outside the court during the camp because it will be the main item of evaluation during the World Championship.

Cameroon Women team start preparations for World Championship

Cameroon qualified for the World Championship through African Pool T in Algeria where they won the six nation tournament along with Egypt, Algeria, Botswana, Nigeria and DR Congo.

Cameroon will compete in Pool B at the World championship in Italy with Brazil, Serbia, Turkey, Canada and Bulgaria.

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CAF CHAN 2014 Quarter Finals – ¼ de finale Results (JANUARY 26th) and Semi-Final – ½ Finale FIXTURES

Game 27

Gabon 1 VS 1 Libya
penalty shoot-out: (2 – 4) Libya through on Penalties

Game 28.

Ghana 1 VS 0 DRCongo

Ghana Through to next round

Semi-Finals – ½ Finale

Game 29.

Nigeria vs Ghana

Date : 29/01/2014

Time : 17h00

Venue : Free State Stadium, Mangaung

Game 30.

Libya vs Zimbabwe

Date 29/01/2014

Time : 20h30

Venue : Free State Stadium, Mangaung

CAF CHAN Quarter Finals – ¼ de finale FIXTURES JANUARY 26th

CAF CHAN Quarter Finals – ¼ de finale FIXTURES JANUARY 26th

Game 27.

Gabon VS Libya

Date 26/01/2014

Time : 17h00

Venue : Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane

Game 28.

Ghana VS DRCongo

Date : 26/01/2014

Time : 20h30

Venue : Free State Stadium, Mangaung

CAF CHAN 2014: Group D Results and Final Log placements January 22

CAF CHAN 2014: Group D January 22

FT Burundi 1 – 2 DR Congo

FT Mauritania 2 – 4 Gabon

Group D Final – Table

Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Gabon 3 2 1 0 5 2 3 7
2 DR Congo 3 2 0 1 3 2 1 6
3 Burundi 3 1 1 1 4 4 0 4
4 Mauritania 3 0 0 3 4 8 -4 0

* team in Bold have qualified for next round

CAF CHAN 2014 FIXTURES AND LOG: Group D January 22

CAF CHAN 2014 FIXTURES AND LOG: Group D January 22

18:00 Burundi VS DR Congo

18:00 Mauritania VS Gabon

Group D – Table

Pos Team P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Burundi 2 1 1 0 3 2 1 4
2 Gabon 2 1 1 0 1 0 1 4
3 DR Congo 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 3
4 Mauritania 2 0 0 2 2 4 -2 0

Africa – Nations Championship: group D Full time scores and group Table

Africa – Nations Championship: group D

FT DR Congo 0 – 1 Gabon

FT Burundi 3 – 2 Mauritania

Africa – Nations Championship: group D Table

Pos Team Name P W D L F A GD Pts
1 Burundi 2 1 1 0 3 2 1 4
2 Gabon 2 1 1 0 1 0 1 4
3 DR Congo 2 1 0 1 1 1 0 3
4 Mauritania 2 0 0 2 2 4 -2 0