Manu Garba Wants Big Opening Day Win At AYC

Flying Eagles coach Manu Garba has said he hopes for a convincing win over hosts Senegal in Sunday’s opening match at the 2015 AYC in Dakar.

“We want to win convincingly because in any tournament your opening match is very crucial. It will boost your confidence,” said Manu.

“With the U17s (2013 CAF U17 Championship), we started very well by beating Ghana 6-1 before we went all the way to the final.

“We also trounced Mexico 5-1 in our opening match at the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup and then went on to win the tournament.

“This is how we wish to start the competition in Senegal, even though we respect and do not underrate our opponents, who will be playing at home in front of their fans.”

The coach added: “We want to win all our matches and by implication it means we want to be champions in Senegal and go to the World Cup in New Zealand as African champions.”

The Flying Eagles will be one of the youngest squads at this year’s tournament after promoting as many as eight players from the U17 team who won the U17 World Cup in United Arab Emirates two years ago.

FLYING EAGLES GOALKEEPERS IN SENEGAL – Dele Alampasu (far left), Olorunleke Ojo and Joshua Enaholo

Striker Taiwo Awoniyi scored four goals and provided as many assists on the way to Nigeria’s fourth U17 World Cup triumph.

He said his personal target is to score in all the matches in Senegal 2015.

“I will always play for the team but I wish to score in every match at this tournament,” said the lanky top striker.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria U20 team will train at the 45,000-capacity Leopold Sedar Senghor, the venue for Sunday’s match against the host country, by 4.30pm local time later Friday.

The training will be for an hour.

They will round up their training for the match on Saturday morning at the Stade Iba Mar Diop in Dakar.

Time will be 8am local time.

Flying Eagles win Super 4

Nigeria U20, the Flying Eagles, have won this year’s Super 4 with a match to spare after they thrashed Dolphins 4-1 on Friday.

The Flying Eagles recorded an unassailable 12 points after they won all their four matches thus far.

Nigeria U23s are in second place on eight points, while Enyimba have seven points.

Warri Wolves have three points and Dolphins are bottom of the six-team invitational tournament without any points.

The final day of matches will be played on Sunday with Flying Eagles taking on Dream Team in a match that is of mere formality for the Nigeria U20s.

MUSA YAHAYA

Warri Wolves will square up with Dolphins and Enyimba take on Pillars.

Taiwo Awoniyi gave the Flying Eagles the lead after 24 minutes off a through ball by Obinna Nwobodo.

The Flying Eagles extend their lead in the 42nd minute through an own goal by Dolphins defender Jonathan Zikiye off a desperate clearance by Victor Ezuruike.

The Nigeria U20s went 3-0 up on 49 minutes through Bernard Bulbwa, who charged from the midfield, ghosted past his marker before slotting home coolly.

However, three minutes later Christain Pyagbara reduced the deficit when he turned sharply inside the box before firing past Flying Eagles goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo.

Dolphins had two players sent of for dangerous play – Ezeruike in the 61st minute and Tijjani Adamu two minutes later.

In the 82nd minute, substitute Musa Yahaya saw his shot come off the crossbar with the Dolphins goalkeeper well beaten.

The Flying Eagles continued to attack their opponents before they grabbed a deserved fourth goal through substitute Chidera Eze.

Flying Eagles

Olorunleke Ojo – Musa Muhammed (Captain), Ali Chinwendu, Saheed Abdul Ganiyu, Zaharadeen Bello, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Akinjide Idowu, Obinna Nwobodo, Bernard Bulbwa,Taiwo Awoniyi, Gabriel ikechukwu

Subs: Joshua Enaholo, Roland Silas, Mustapha Abdullahi, Abdullahi Alfa, Musa Yahaya, Chidera Eze, Prince Aggreh, Tunde Adeniji, Usman Hassan, Billy Auta, Adamu Abubakar, Wasiu Jimoh

Day 5: Sunday February 1

Warri Wolves vs Dolphins 1pm

Pillars vs Enyimba 3pm

Dream Team vs Flying Eagles 5pm

SAMM AUDU,

Manu: Flying Eagles Finishing Must Improve

A 10-man Flying Eagles defeated Enyimba 2-0 in a Super 4 match on Saturday in Abuja, but coach Manu Garba insisted his team have to improve on their finishing after they threw away many chances.

The Nigeria U20 team took the lead through a penalty converted by captain Musa Muhammed in the 62nd minute after Ifeanyi Anaemena fouled rampaging Taiwo Awoniyi inside the box.

Substitute Musa Yahaya scored the second goal to seal the victory for the Flying Eagles in the 90th minute.

However, the Flying Eagles were reduced to 10 men in the 57th minute after Prince Aggreh was sent off after a second booking.

Sweden-based striker Taiwo Awoniyi could long have killed this game for the Flying Eagles but he missed several chances.

Manu Garba

“The game was a good test for my team because we played against a very experienced side in Enyimba,” declared Manu Garba after the match.

“I have seen some of the lapses especially in goal scoring. We missed a lot of scoring chances and that is part of the corrections we would be making for the team.”

He added: “Like I said before, this tournament is a plus to my team because we are using it to fine tune our squad.
“You know we would be going to Gambia for conditioning, it is by then that we would know what our team would be like but right now we don’t have a team.”

Enyimba assistant coach Friday Christopher said Flying Eagles were a fitter team.

“The Flying Eagles are a very fit side. And we are happy that we played against a team that is fit because we know our squad is still rusty,” he said.

“We were more experienced but out experience didn’t count today because we played a very good side. We have seen the mistakes of our team and will work on it before our next game.”

Earlier Saturday, Kano Pillars beat Dolphins 2-0 with early goals from Samuel Tswanya and Christian Obiozor.

Flying Eagles starting XI vs Enyimba

Joshua Enaholo – Musa Muhammed (Captain), Mustapha Abdullahi, Prince Izu Omego, Zaharadeen Bello – Ifeanyi Ifeanyi,Akinjide Idowu, Abdullahi Alfa, Wasiu Jimoh, Prince Aggreh, Taiwo Awoniyi

Flying Eagles Start List Vs Enyimba

Skipper Musa Muhammed will lead the Flying Eagles against Enyimba in today’s Super 4 opening day clash at the Abuja National Stadium.

Kick-off time is 3pm and the match will be televised live on television.

Coach Manu Garba has lined up a strong team against the Nigeria league runners-up last season.

Mountain of Fire FC of Lagos goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo will start behind a defence of skipper Muhammed, Mustapha Abdullahi, Prince Izu Omego and Zaharadeen Bello.

The midfield has Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Akinjide Idowu, Wasiu Jimoh and Abdullahi Alfa, while the attack will be Taiwo Awoniyi and Prince Aggrey from Sunshine Stars.

Overseas professionals Musa Yahaya, Chidera Eze as well as Ifeanyi Matthew, who only rejoined the squad after trials in Europe, will thus start from the bench.

Flying Eagles

Flying Eagles starting XI vs Enyimba

Joshua Enaholo – Musa Muhammed (Captain), Mustapha Abdullahi, Prince Izu Omego, Zaharadeen Bello – Ifeanyi Ifeanyi,Akinjide Idowu, Abdullahi Alfa, Wasiu Jimoh, Prince Aggrey, Taiwo Awoniyi

Subs:Olorunleke Ojo, Roland Silas, Ali Chiwendu, Obinna Nwobodo, Musa Yahaya, Ifeanyi Matthew, Usman Sale, Bernard Bulbwa, Chidera Eze, Abubakar Adamu

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 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)