Sports Commission DG and Coach Of Cameroon’s Womens National team hail Nigeria’s U-15 Boys team

The Nigeria National U-15 team on Monday morning continued their build-up for the Africa Youth Games, Botswana 2014 with a 4-1 thrashing of Dream Land Football Academy, Abia State in a match played at the FIFA Goal Project Centre of the Abuja National Stadium.

Gidado Toheeb, Alli Musa,Nazifi Yahaya and Adamu Muhammed all produced a goal each for the national team, while goalkeeper Ona Chinedu and Simon Akpor both distinguished themselves for the Abia state based team and earned invitations to join the National U-15 boys.

“We will continue to work on our team, especially the tactical aspect of the game and I’m sure these boys will be ready for the Botswana games.” National U-15 team coach, Danladi Nasidi disclosed after the game.

The game against Dream Land Football Academy is the fourth in the series of friendly games played so for by the National U-15 boys.

The Dalandi Nasidi led side had earlier defeated the Super Falcons 1-0, AB Football Academy, Jos 9-0 and Hearts Academy, Kano 2-1, all matches were played at the FIFA Goal Project Center of the Abuja National in Abuja.

Meanwhile the Director General, National Sports Commission, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, who has been a regular visitor to training games of the U-15 boys, has demanded total concentration ahead of the AYG games.

“I’m so proud of you boys because I have seen a lot of improvement in your games since you came to camp two weeks ago, but please don’t be carried away.” The DG advised.

Coach of the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon, Enow Ngachu, has praised the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF for setting up an U-15 youth development programme and hoped his country can emulate Nigeria.

“I’m so impressed with this programme, the boys are young and skillful and this is what Africa should be doing, we must start this in Cameroon.” Enow Ngachu said before his girls lost 1-0 to Super Falcons of Nigeria in a test match in Abuja.

The Cameroonian girls also scrambled for photographs with the Nigeria U-15 boys, especially, with Musa Alli from Lagos state, whom they described as little Messi.

The U-15 boys are preparing for the maiden edition of the Africa Youth Games which will be hosted by Botswana from the 22nd of May, 2014.

National U-15 boys pip Super Falcons 1-0 in test game

The newly assembled Nigeria National U-15 team on Thursday defeated the Nigeria senior Women National team, Super Falcons 1-0 in a test match played at the package B of the Abuja National stadium.

A second half goal by substitute Sadiqu Mohammed ensured the U-15 boys recorded a win in their first test game since they resumed camp on Monday.

The U-15 boys are preparing for the maiden edition of the Africa Youth Games which will be hosted by Botswana next month, while the Super Falcons are fine-tuning strategies ahead of the Africa Women championship qualifying game against Rwanda.

After the game, chief coach of the National U-15 boys, Danladi Nasidi said he was satisfied with the display from his players.
“I’m very pleased with the performances of these boys today because, we have not stayed in camp for long and we were able to beat the Super Falcons, it’s encouraging.”

On his part the Chief Coach of the Super Falcons, Edwin Okon, attributed the loss to injuries suffered by his girls in previous games, but added that it was a nice experience.

“Today was simply not our day, you could see that my girls were very cautious in their approach, that was because a good number of them were carrying knocks. The doctors have however assured that they will be in good condition for our upcoming matches.” Okon said.

The game had in attendance top Nigeria Football Federation officials, including; Director of competition, Dr Sanusi Mohammed, Director technicals, Dr. Emmanuel Ekpeme, Chief technical officers, Siji Lagunju and Yusuf Rafiu among others.

Only thirty three U-15 players were invited to the Abuja camp, while players arrived on Monday, training only started the next day.
However, three players have already been dropped while the final list of 18 players to the Africa Youth Championship in May will be made public soon.

More local friendly matches have also been lined up for the team, including a test game against Kano based Hearts Academy scheduled for Saturday morning at the Package B of the Abuja National stadium.

National U-15 Line up vs Super Falcons.

Tajudeen abdul-Quwiyu (Gk)
Bello Mohammed
Izang Francis
Nambal Garuba
Ayinde Akin
Gidado Toheeb
Suleiman Mohammed
Okeke Chinaza
Mustapha Salisu
Nasifi Yahaya
Gero Ahmed Abdul

Substitutes.
Evis onyeze for Nasiyi
Ayosunkami Oso for Ayinde
Alli Musa for Bello Mohammed
Shrubak for Toheed
Feyi A. For Suleiman M.
Sadiqu Mohammed for Gero

We can become Africa champions at U-15 level………NNF

The Chief Technical officer of the Nigeria Football Federation, coach Siji Lagunju has revealed that the football house is working towards becoming Africa champions at the U-15 level through its youth development football programme.

Lagunju who made the statement in Abuja on Thursday after watching the National U-15 boys beat the Super Falcons 1-0 in a test game, said the NFF is putting everything in place to ensure victory at the upcoming Africa Youth championship in Botswana.

“The boys have barely spent 24 hours in camp and they have shown they can play football, we will be going to Botswana with the mind that we can become African champion at this level.

No doubt we still need to work on these boys in terms of their conditionings, techniques and by the time they spend three weeks in camp, you’ll see the Nigeria spirit in them.” Lagunju concluded.

Thirty three Nigeria National U-15 Team players are in camp in Abuja ahead of the Africa Youth championship billed for May in Botswana.

The NFF are also working towards having the boys relocated to Lokoja, the Kogi state capital, to allow for proper concentration ahead of the games.

The NFF youth development football programme has produced players like Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Chidera Eze, among others who helped Nigeria to win gold at the 2013 FIFA U-17 championship in UAE.