NFF Reiterates Commitment To Golden Eaglets…As U-17 Team Thrash Fountain Youth 7-0

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has again reiterated its commitment towards ensuring Golden Eaglets’ impressive showing at next month’s U-17 African Championship to be hosted in Niger.

This much was said by Mr. Seyi Akinwunmi, NFF’s Vice-president, during a whistle-stop at the team’s NFF/FIFA Goal Project camp late Wednesday. He commended officials for working assiduously over the festive period, adding that that NFF would offer its usual maximum support to the team at the forthcoming continental cadet championship.

“I want to commend you for the good job you have been doing and we have been following all your activities even during the holiday period,” said Akinwunmi, NFF’s Acting President in the absence of Mr.

Amaju Pinnick who is on official duty for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) at the on-going 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Equatorial Guinea. “On our part, we would do everything possible to
support you for a good outing in Niger.”

Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets on Wednesday’s evening thrashed Fountain Youth Sport Club of Ekiti 7-0 in another test match at the NFF/ FIFA Goal Project in Abuja on Wednesday.

Striker Ebere Osinachi secured a first half brace while Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Abass Ibrahim, Kelechi Nwakali added five more goals in the second half of the highly entertaining match.

Fountain Youth Sport Club actually stated on an offensive note by dictating the early minutes of the match but they failed to press the advantage as goalkeeper Ebuka Nwokeocha denied them the opportunity of
getting the curtain raiser.

Golden Eaglets Training

But they soon fell behind in the 22nd minute when Osinachi scored the opener following a corner kick from Promise Orji. He added the second goal in the 35th minutes to give the Golden Eaglets 2-0 lead in the
first half.

Coach Emmanuel Amuneke brought in fresh legs mostly the probable for the second half with the likes of Kelechi Nwakali, Victor Osimhen, and Samuel Chukwueze turning on the skill.

Osimhen put his name on the score sheet in the 49th minute when he dribbled his way through before burying the ball behind Fountain’s goalkeeper. Chukwueze followed up with another goal in the 52nd minute
as he latched on a superb pass from Abass Ibrahim to send the goalkeeper the wrong way.

On the other end, Fountain’s newcomer, Bello missed a golden chance as goalkeeper Benjamin Amos forced him to shoot over the bar. Thereafter, it was Golden Eaglets all the way with Abass Ibrahim getting his first goal for the team in the 70th minute which was later followed by captain Nwakali in the 83rd minute and Chukwueze 90th minute.

GOLDEN EAGLETS Vs.FOUNTAIN YOUTH SPORT CLUB:E. Nwokeocha(A. Benjamin 45, C. Chisom 75);A. Muhammed(E. Akpan 45, M.Gold 75); A. Usman ( A.Ibrahim 45); D. Femi (A. Bamidele 45); J. Ipalibo(E. Agenor 75); U.Ogugua (O.Okonkwo 75; H. Okebugwu (K.Nwakali 45); P. Orji(S. Chukwueze 45); K.Ayinde(S. Abdulahi 45); N. Umar (45); E. Osinachi (V. Osimhen 45)

Halilu Grabs 100th Goal As Eaglets Rout Giodano 8-1

Defender Lukman Halilu rose from the bench on Wednesday to score Golden Eaglets’ record 100th goal after 33 friendly and official matches as Nigeria’s U-17 team cruised to an 8-1 win against Giodano Football Academy of Kano at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja.

Ebere Osinachi also got a rare hat-trick and a brace for Ndu Iheakam; there were also goals for Captain Kelechi Nwakali as well as Suleiman Abdullahi while Ahmad Sabo got Giodiano’s lone goal.

“We have never been thoroughly beaten like this before,” confessed Giodano’s Coach Ismail Ismail.”We have always thought we were the best especially in Kano but today, we have seen that we still need to learn
new things.”

After earlier misses , Golden Eaglets went in front in the 29th minute when Giodano’s Hamza Abdullahi brought down rampaging Abass Ibrahim in the box and Nwakali converted the resultant penalty kick as
he sent goalkeeper Rabiu Adamu the other way.

Four minutes later, Nwakali provided Abdullahi with a pass and the stylish midfielder warded off his marker to glide the ball beyond the reach of Adamu. Within minutes to spare in the first half, Golden Eaglets’ Victor Osimhen was penalised for handling the ball in the box and Ahmad Sabo converted the penalty to make it 2-1.

Golden Eaglets line up against Gabon

In the 53rd minute, Halilu Zakari who came in as a second half substitute for Ernest Agenor, scored his first goal for the Golden Eaglets following a swift pas from another substitute, Jack Ipalibo. Five minutes later, Maxwell Gold broke free from the left flank and sent a pass to Ebere Osinachi to effortlessly guide the ball into the net.

Diminutive midfielder, Ndu Iheakam nearly broke his duck of scoring a goal for the team in the 67th minute as his header off a pull out by Suleiman Muhammed was firmly held by goalkeeper Adamu. Yet, it was the
fleet-footed Muhammed who was the provider of the six goals when he dribbled his way into the box and his pin-point cross pushed into the net by Iheakam in the 79th minute.

Four minutes later, Osinachi would grab his second goal when he evaded his markers and sent an angular
shot into the net. Minutes later, Osy as Osinachi is fondly called, grabbed his hat trick of the day. But it was Ndu that got the final goal on the stroke of full time.

Golden Eaglets Vs. Giordano

E. Nwokeocha(A.Udoh 45)-E.Akpan(A.Muhammed 45)A.Usman (M.Gold); A. Bamidele(M.Ibrahim); U.Douglas(J.Ipalibo 45);E.Agenor(L.Halilu 45);K.Nwakali(K.Michael 45);S.Abdullahi(K.Ayinde 45);A.Ibrahim(Suleiman Muhammed 45);(;S.Chukwueze(C.Ndu 45); V.Osimhen(E.Osinachi 45)

Amuneke Prunes Golden Eaglets’ Recruits…As Training Session Enters New Phase

Emmanuel Amuneke, Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach, has fore closed likelihood of screening fresh players with hordes still drooping to the NFF/FIFA Goal Project Pitch in Abuja.

Though the ‘screening window’ to beef up Niger 2015-bound Golden Eaglets was concluded over a week ago with about 100 players picked from a rigorous exercise, the coaching crew magnanimously allowed few more recruits since they had travelled far and wide to Abuja.

“We don’t have time on our hand again and we have been kind enough to see what some of you can offer but today is the final day,” said Amuneke after Tuesday’s evening session.”Our philosophy is simple
which hard work is and we are not going to compromise it.

“I want you to go back to your various academies and continue to work harder because there could be another opportunity if we qualify for the World Cup in Chile by the grace of God,” said the former Nigerian
international.

Golden Eaglets Training

Already about 20 players with various documented irregularities have been cut off from the pool and a further 44 screened for lacking the technical and tactical abilities. Officials said the remainder are
being subjected to intensive training in order to ascertain their consistency over a time frame and would further be pruned to a manageable number in the coming days.

“We are gradually getting to the moment of truth,” noted Prince Udofia, Golden Eaglets’ coordinator.”The coaching crew has done a very good job and there is no way the screening can go on forever; of course, many would want to be given another chance but the time before the start of our competition is short,” he noted.
Niger 2015, the 11th African U-17 Championship would be held in Niamey between February 15 and March 1st.

The Golden Eaglets are drawn in Group A along with host, Niger; Guinea and Zambia. Nigeria and their northern neighbour, Niger, would play the championship’s opening fixture of February 15 at the Stade Général Seyni Kountché (SGSK) multi-purpose stadium in Niamey.

…as training session enters new phase Golden Eaglets’ training session was taking to a new level on
Wednesday with intensive ball work by the players while the goalkeepers underwent agility test.

Emmanuel Amuneke, Head Coach, said it was important for the players to be put through new routine since there size is now manageable:”It is about time we start reminding ourselves of what we used to do and I
want the new ones to pay special attention to what we are doing. The Under-17 national team is not a bunch of friends set up and anybody that is picked should be able to defend us very well; so serious work
starts.”

Unlike the last three weeks when they mere played to impress s the coaching crew, the youngsters were able to show how strong they are on the ball in confined space. According to Kabiru Baleria, Golden Eaglets’ Assistant Coach who was a gifted striker in his playing days, the rationale behind the new session was to see how the players can effectively dominate the ball when under intense pressure.

“Apart from the passing drill, we can see the marking ability of the players,” said Baleria who was sourced from three-time Premier League Champions, Kano Pillars.”Now, it is easier for us to see much better how skilful thee players are unlike a situation whereby some would hide in full pitch.”

On the other end, Emeka Amadi, Goalkeepers’ trainer put his wards under challenging task including ball work, foot work, and endurance test amongst others.

“The goalkeeping area is a crucial aspect and unfortunately, our young goalkeepers are not properly trained from their respective academies,” said the German-trained Amadi, a former youth international.” But my
objective is to ensure that any of the goalkeepers can man the goal post at any given time.”

Presently, five goalkeepers picked from the screening exercise have joined the trio of Amos Benjamin; Ebuka Nwokeocha and Akpan Udoh who are already Golden Eaglets’ set regular faces in serious competition for a place in the 21-man squad for Niger 2015.

Ahead CAN U-17 Championship, Golden Eaglets Shelve Festive Activities

Determined to put up good a performance at CAN U-17 Championship, Niger 2015, the Golden Eaglets have shelved plans of observing public holidays in-order to continue with their training sessions at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja.

All the national teams except the Golden Eaglets are presently on break but Emmanuel Amuneke, the Head Coach of the Nigeria’s U-17 team, said the players needed to be fit as fiddle in order to play at
optimum level even as he commended his wards for sacrificing their comfort while others are on festive holiday.

Golden Eaglets shortly before the team’s training session

“The only magic in football is fitness and not any fetish thing; and without fitness, we can’t be a winner,” said Amuneke who clocks 44 on December 25th.” By the grace of God, we would train once on Thursday
because we need to keep ourselves very fit for the task ahead.”

Wednesday’s morning training saw the players being drilled physically including athleticism, abdominal exercises amongst others and would expectedly continue with same routine in the coming days.

“We are quite impressed with the response of the players but we are going to push them even harder,” explained Amuneke.” The players need to regain their fitness level because some are still rusty since we
went on break after the qualification in September.

He adds:” For us to function well, we must be ready to work well because apart from your skill, you have to push yourselves very hard and that is why the like of Messi and Ronaldo are still the best in the world.”

Speaking further, team’s coordinator, Prince Udofia said it was important to continue with the training regimen during the festive holiday period:”I think no sacrifice is too small to be champions and
we have to commend the players’ efforts in this regard.”

The Golden Eaglets were on Sunday drawn against the hosts, Niger in Group A along with Guinea and Zambia in Group A of the 11th African U-17 Championship tagged Niger 2015 that would be held between February 15th and March 1st next year in Niamey.

Golden Eaglets Pick 100 From Open Screening

Golden Eaglets Training

About 100 budding youngsters have been identified as potential players for the Golden Eaglets after one week of intensive and rigorous exercise.

With an average of 300 players screened daily, the coaching crew led by Emmanuel Amuneke was able to shift the grain from the chaff from what is just the first stage of a tedious process for a place in the squad.

“We thank everyone that had come and the one-week open screening has reinforced our belief that there is abundance of talents in Nigeria,” Amuneke said.

It was gathered that this is only the first stage of the exercise which is squarely based on the innate quality of the players as well as right disposition during the screening .Officials informed that the
players so selected would be further scrutinised to authenticate their document before undergoing the mandatory Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Test.

“The whole idea of this screening is to have a pool of players that can be good additional to the squad even after the African Championship in Niger,” reasoned Amuneke.”This team is work in progress and by the grace of God, we shall pack the plane successfully after Chile in 2015.”

Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets would continue their build up towards the continental cadet championship at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project in Abuja on Monday.

A large pool of players at an earlier Golden Eaglets’ screening

According to the team’s administrator, Tayo Egbaiyelo, the team would only break from their routine training session on designated public holidays during the festive period in view of the short time before
Niger 2015 slated for February 15 to March 1st.

Incidentally, draws for the competition would be held at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt on Sunday with the eight qualifiers including defending champions, Cote d’Ivoire, Niger (hosts), Cameroon, Guinea, Mali, South Africa, Zambia and Nigeria drawn into two halves of four teams each.

Large Turnout At Golden Eaglets’ Screening

No fewer than 600 budding youngsters were screened on Monday at the NFF\FIFA Goal Project in Abuja as Golden Eaglets’ preparation towards Niger 2015 CAN Under-17 Championship begins in earnest.

Coach Emmanuel Amuneke said he was impressed with the impressive turn out since it would bolster competition within the rank of the team.

Aside the youngsters who trooped in for the screening, 33 of the invited 35 players from the squad that secured the ticket for the continental cadet championship in September took part in the team’s only session on Monday.

“It is good we are starting right away and today’s session has been very good because it gave us the opportunity to see some equally young talents,” said Amuneke after the gruelling session that lasted for
about five hours.” We knew all along that it is not going to be easy but hard work doesn’t kill anybody and I’m positive that the screening would throw up some fresh talents for the team.”

A large pool of players at an earlier Golden Eaglets’ screening

On hand to monitor the exercise was coach Siji Lagunju, the former Nigerian International who is the chief technical officer at the Nigeria Football Federation. He was equally excited about the large turnout since according to him, ‘it would allow the Golden Eaglets’

coaching crew a large pool of players to cast their eyes upon.’ “We are going to give everybody equal opportunity whether old or new players since we want only the best,” noted Amuneke. “We hope to see
more players in the coming days.”

The screening exercise continues on Tuesday up to early next week when the pool of players would be pruned to a manageable size.

Eaglets record third win against Amakson FC

The Golden Eaglets on Wednesday made it three wins in as many matches against Amakson Football Club after yet another 2-1 victory at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project Pitch in Abuja.

Orji Promise and Suleiman Abdullahi scored a goal in either half of the match to cancel out Isaac Uduk early lead for Amakson as the ‘new’ Golden Eaglets followed on the path of the class of 2013 who recorded
a 4-2 and 6-1 win against the Abuja-based side.

“It is never our objective to beat the national team because we know they are a blend of good players and under good coaches as well,” said Bishop Amakiri who doubles as coach and CEO of Amakson FC.

“Rather, the opportunity of playing the national teams exposes our players too and I think our performance today is better than that of last year when we conceded many goals against the Golden Eaglets.”

Indeed the game started fast and furious after the Golden Eaglets took the mandatory kick off but there were few chances on both ends in the first 15 minutes of play.

The trio of Solomon Dauda, Isaac Uduk and diminutive Emmanuel Joseph in the meantime, gave the Golden Eaglets’ backline led by Bamidele Ayodeji some worries with their positional play yet there was nothing
to show for it.

But in the 22nd minute, Dauda finally had a breakthrough from the left flank and sent a diagonal pass into the box for lurking Uduk to slot beyond debuting former National Under-15 goalkeeper, Udoh Akpan.

With his experimental side finding things tough, Coach Emmanuel Amuneke (MON) substituted Suleiman Abdullahi for Etiboy Akpan in the midfield and Golden Eaglets’ equaliser in the 44th minute, came courtesy of a corner kick by Abdullahi which was jabbed into the net by Orji Promise after a defensive mix-up by Amakson’s lads.

The second half was going on forever until the 80th minute when Douglas Uzama broke away from his marker and squared a pass to second half substitute, Samuel Chukwueze who in turn flipped a pass to Abdullahi who wasted no time before firing the ball into the roof of the net.

Golden Eaglets and Amakson pose pictures after the match.

Golden Eaglets screening continues

Fresh from their near-successful campaign at the WAFU B Tournament in Togo, Golden Eaglets’ technical crew would continue screening of new players at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project Pitch in Abuja.

‘Old boys’ who won bronze medal at the tournament in Togo, are expected to resume training in due course while new players desirous to be part of the team would have the chance to undergo the rigours of screening starting from Thursday, May 1, 2014.

On the last count, about 4,000 players have gone through the screening and the exercise was barely two weeks before the team travelled to Togo for the tournament where they finished third behind Benin and Mali.

But officials said it was imperative to look at fresh talents in order to strengthen the team ahead of greater challenges.

Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, said the tournament in Togo gave the coaching crew the ample opportunity to gauge players’ response to competition as well as their general attitude and conduct.

The former Nigerian international said efforts would be geared towards getting a pool of 50 talented players that would be registered for the qualifiers as well as the 2015 CAN Under-17 Championship in Niger.

“We would use the next two weeks to look at new players because we need to reinforce the team as it were,” Amuneke said.”Our objective is to have a pool of good players that we can draw from time to time because this is a long journey.”

The Golden Eaglets would begin their 2015 African Under-17 campaign in July and have been drawn bye into the second round to meet the winner of the first round clash between Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo.

Golden Eaglets thrash Super Falcons 6-0

Golden Eaglets handed out a 6-0 defeat to the Super Falcons in an early morning game at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project Pitch on Friday.
The match was an opportunity for the Golden Eaglets’ coaching crew to watch their new recruits under match situation and they responded well despite having a week following their screening exercise.

The lads would soon take the initiative after the Super Falcons had taken the kick off. Chidera Ejuke grabbed the curtain raiser in the
6th minute with a tap in off a pass from Kehinde Ayinde.

He was back 10 minutes later when he rode through the Falcons’ defence for his second goal of the day to end the first half 2-0 in favour of the budding Eaglets.

Coach Emmanuel Amuneke brought in some fresh faces in the second half leaving behind Henry Daniel, Kingsley Michael, Joshua Auta and Dauda Abdul-Ganiyu.

Henry would turn to Falcons’ tormentor as he broke freely from the right flank. Six minutes after the restart, he fed new comer, Paul Obasi to score Eaglets’ third goal. It was Henry again that provided Michael with the pull out to slot the ball behind the Falcons’ net for
the fourth goal in the 41st minute.

He would later cap his fine performance barely a minute later when he guided the ball into the net after collecting a through ball from Orji Okoronkwo But it was Okoronkwo who scored the final goal of the match when he got a through pass from Henry yet again.

Speaking after the 60-minute duel, Amuneke said the lads have substance to build upon in the days ahead, insisting that nobody has
been guaranteed a place in the team yet.

“We are impressed not because of the number of the goals we scored but because the boys have started showing what they have been learning in the last few day,” said the former African Footballer of the Year.

“The level of their performance is encouraging and it is our duty to demand more from them but there is substance to build upon from these boys.”

Eaglets’ Screening Open To All

Determined to offer more teenagers opportunity to stake a claim in the new set of Golden Eaglets, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has requested players within the age limit to try out their luck at the on-going screening holding at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project Site in Abuja.

Interested players are to report from Tuesday with a caveat that they would be responsible for their personal upkeep since they were not initially invited by the coaching crew when the exercise took off last Thursday.

Coach Emmanuel Amuneke said the team is still work in progress hence the need to further extend the dragnet to other budding talents: “Everything is well on course but we are not yet satisfied with what we have seen so far.”

“You don’t need a whole day or week to test the capability of a player and it is important we have a look at what others can do,” reasoned the former African Footballer of the Year.

Hundreds of players have already passed through the exercise but officials maintained that there is the need to have a pool of players
in store in case of any eventuality. Apart from documentary proof of their births, selected players would be subjected to the Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (MRI) Test before they can be eligible to feature in the upcoming African qualifiers.

The continental soccer-ruling body, CAF, has already drawn the Golden Eaglets bye into the second Round of the 2015 CAN Under-17 Championship to be held in Niger. The Nigerian youngsters would meet the winner of the First Round decider between Burundi and Congo DR between July and August.