Nigerian star football players Asisat Oshoala, Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze are in the shortlist for honours at the 2019 CAF Awards ceremony scheduled for the Albatros Citadel Sahl Hasheesh, Hurghada, Egypt on Tuesday night. Winner of the gong in 2014, 2016 and 2017, and also among the final three in 2018, Super Falcons’ captain Asisat […]
via Nigeria’s Super Falcons, Oshoala, Osimhen In Line For Honours At CAF Awards — finixsportsblog
Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has called up stand–in Captain Ahmed Musa and 22 other players for next month’s crucial 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between the Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Johannesburg. The same group will prosecute the friendly encounter against the Cranes of Uganda at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, […]
Coach Emmanuel Amuneke has cast his lot with his FIFA U-17 World Cup winners, with about 15 of them making the list of 18 players of the U-20 squad to this weekend’s 2017 CAF U-20 Cup of Nations qualifying match against Burundi in Bujumbura. Team Secretary Aliyu Lawal Ibrahim told thenff.com that the Nigeria delegation […]
via Amuneke picks Nwakali, Osimhen, 16 others for Burundi — newfanzoneblog
The Nigeria Football Federation has presented Golden Eaglets’ forward Samuel Chukwueze with his bronze boot from the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015.
Football’s world–governing body, FIFA, admitted in November that it made a mistake in naming Eaglets’ skipper Kelechi Nwakali as the winner of the bronze boot, and decided to send another one to the actual winner, Chukwueze, while telling Nwakali to keep his.
NFF Executive Committee member, Alh. Ibrahim Musa Gusau and General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi presented Chukwueze with his prize, congratulating him for a great outing in Chile.
FIFA had explained that although Nwakali and Chukwueze finished the tournament with the same number of goals (three) and assists to be joint third best scorer, Chukwueze played less number of minutes in the tournament and therefore, is the winner.
Nwakali was selected as the Player of the Tournament.
General Manager of Umuahia based Diamond Football Academy Prince Victor Okechukwu Apugo has stated that the club are taking extra care to study offers on the table for their two prized assets Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze before reaching a decision on which club they will join next.
Prince Apugo who oversees the day-to-day running of the model academy said the players career development is uppermost in their minds and that the Academy will pick a club where they are comfortable that their players will benefit and develop at.”Samuel is like my son, I am his legal guardian and I have been taking good care of him for many years now. Likewise Kelechi, so naturally I would want the best for them.
“Both players have great potentials and we cannot afford to let money becloud our judgement in choosing a club for them. Our priority is their development and we are determined to ensure this is put into consideration before we accept any offers for them. Already we are deep in discussions and have gone very far with a big club with a rich history of encouraging young players and giving them chances. At the fullness of time, when the deal is sealed the whole world will know and agree with us that we made the best choice for the players,” said Prince Apugo who aside being the General Manager of Diamond Academy is also into large scale farming and oil and gas.
Prince Apugo further revealed that his academy is more than just about their U17 World Cup Chile 2015 winning stars Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze. According to him, there are many more Nwakalis and Chukwuezes in Diamond Academy and with the way the academy is modelled, very soon many more of these budding talent will be brought to the limelight.
“We are a model academy, with a structure that is second to none in the whole country and this attracts the best young players to us. Our scouting network is nationwide, and we make sure every thing is provided to our scouts to ensure they do their job well. Furthermore, our welfare package is great and the players know this and tell others. We spend more money on the team’s welfare than any other academy around, almost like league clubs. Many of you don’t know that our player Chukwuebuka Iroha was amongst the U23 squad that won the African Championship, and we have boys scattered amongst clubs across the globe,” concluded the soft spoken Chief Operating Officer of Diamond Academy
The careers of Kelechi Nwakali the Most Valuable Player at the last FIFA U17 World Cup in Chile and his team mates Samuel Chukwueze, David Enogena and Joel Osikel seem destined to soar even higher as the heroes of Nigeria’s 5th U17 World Cup win have joined the stable of Stellar Group, arguably the world’s leading football agency.
Stellar Group is one of the largest sports management companies in the world with headquarters in the UK and plays a major role in the development and management of sporting professionals across the world. Headed by Jonathan Barnett and David Manasseh, Stellar Group manage the careers of the world’s most expensive player Gareth Bale, England international stars Joe Hart, Luke Shaw, Connor Wickham and Jonjo Shelvey. They also handle ex-England internationals Ashley Cole, Glen Johnson, Nigerian born Nedum Onuoha and Carlton Cole and many other big stars in football.
Aside from the top salaries the Group delivers, the players value the loyalty and stability they provide. Carlton Cole was particularly grateful for such support when he was linked with allegations of a gang-rape of a teenager at the Grovesnor House Hotel.
Cole said: “My agents, along with my family, stood by me during a difficult time and I’m very grateful for that. Without their support I don’t know what I would have done.”
According to Errol Olowu, the head of Africa, Stellar Group, unlike most agents who only care about their commission and transferring their players, Stellar Group care for their players around the clock. “Stellar Group not only caters for our players and ensures they get good value for their skills and top salaries, we also cater for their day-to-day needs to ensure they concentrate on their football. As young footballers coming to Europe, far from friends and families, we help them settle down so they can shine brighter.”
Speaking further, foremost Nigerian sports lawyer Barrister Johnny Precious Ogbah said,” Stellar Group have shown great professionalism in the way and manner they have gone about their businesses here. The future of these Eaglets are secure in the hands of Stellar Group and I can confirm that many offers are on the table for these players and we are studying all of them to chose the best ones for their development.”
…To face Brazil in the Quarter-finals on Sunday 1st of November 2015
The Golden Eaglets seemed determined to compensate Nigerians for the disjointed display against Croatia in the last group game and this is exactly what they did.
Vina Del Mar was the setting for this epic battle and the Eaglets showed just how serious they were with two first half goals against the Australians.
Funsho Bamgboye Who missed the Croatian game due to suspension might have been the missing link in that last group game as his presence really made the difference, but that’s no to take anything away from the hero of the day Victor Osimhen who scored a hat-trick to confirm his place as the top scorer of this tournament so far.
Osimhen Scored the first goal in the 22nd minute from a solo effort, before captain Keleci Nwakali scored from the penalty spot after Bamgboye was brought down in the Area.
The First half ended 2-0 in favour of the Nigerian Lads and Osimhen increased the tally with two goals to complete his hat-trick and bring nigeria’s tally to 4.
Edidiong Essien, and the enterprising Samuel Chukwueze also got on the score sheet to set up a quarter final date with Brazil On Sunday the 1st of November at the Estadio Sausalito Vina Del Mar, Chile, Kick-off time is 4pm Local time, and that will be 20:00 hours Nigeria time, the Brazilians had earlier defeated New Zealand by a lone goal to qualify for the Quarter-finals.
Sunday’s match will pit the Tournament’s highest goal scorer Victor Osimhen who has scored 7 goals against the tournaments top Goalkeeper Juliano who has made 15 saves.
Speaking after the round of sixteen tie Nigeria’s coach Emmanuel Amuneke said: “It was a very interesting match. We knew that Australia was a good team because they qualified from a very difficult group, but my players were able to recuperate from the loss against Croatia and regained their level. Victor (Osimhen) had a great game, although the philosophy of this team is to play collectively. We are candidates to win the title, but so are Brazil. We will work to put up a good fight,”
ROUND OF 16 RESULTS
FT Brazil 1-0 New Zealand
FT Mexico 4-1 Chile
FT Nigeria 6-0 Australia
FT Korea Republic 0-2 Belgium
TODAY’S ROUND OF 16 FIXTURES Thursday 29 October
Croatia VS Germany 17:00
Mali VS Korea DPR 17:00
Russia VS Ecuador 20:00
France VS Costa Rica 20:00
World champions, Golden Eaglets of Nigeria on Friday arrived their pre-World Cup training camp in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
A contingent of 25 players and 10 officials including NFF’s Assistant Director (Technical) Siji Lagunju, had earlier departed from Abuja on Thursday. They later left Dubai (the city where Golden Eaglets’ class of 2013 had their training camp before winning a historic fourth title for Nigeria in the same country) in the early hours of Friday for Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) en route to Buenos Aires.
On ground in Buenos Aires to receive the team were officials of Nigeria Embassy led by Mr. Elekwachi Ndubuisi and Mrs. Felicia Ezeorah as well as NFF FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon, who informed that all arrangements had been put in place for the team’s smooth preparation ahead of the World Cup to be held between October 17 and November 8 in Chile.
Pachon told thenff.com that the Golden Eaglets would engage Argentina’s U-17 team in a friendly match on October 6 and would on October 11 feature against the U-20 team of either Racing FC or Boca Juniors before departing for Santiago.
Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach Emmanuel Amuneke had on Thursday before departure announced a strong squad of 25 players for the trip, including team captain Kelechi Nwakali along with nine others who were in the squad that secured the team’s ticket for the World Cup at the last Africa U-17 Nations Cup in Niger.
FULL LIST: Kelechi Nwakali; Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, Ebere Osinachi, Kingsley Michael, Orji Okonkwo, John Lazarus, Halilu Lukman, Udoh Akpan, Benjamin Amos, Taiwo Alimi, Chinedu Madueke, Ibe Tobechukwu, Ejike Ikwu, Tochukwu Okoli, Udochukwu Anumudu, Chiaha Chisom, Funsho Bamgboye, Yunusa Abdullahi, Agor Chukwudi, David Enogela, Michael Edidiong, Samuel Opeh, Joel Osikel, Gavi Thompson.
Meanwhile, the Eaglets have begun training at the Buenos Aires Futbol ground. BAF, as its simply known is a facility privately owned by former Argentine international, Matias Almeyda and it’s tucked away at San Roque in Tigre on the outskirts of the capital city of Argentina.
According to Eaglets’ Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, the facility in BAF is similar to what was obtainable at the Papendal Sports Centre in Holland that was used by the Super Eagles in the 1990s during the era of Dutch coach, Clemens Westerhof. Though not as gigantic as Papendal in Arnhem, BAF has about seven training pitches with state of the art gymnasium, swimming pool and other adjunct facilities good for camping.
“This facility is good since it is out of town and would allow for maximum concentration throughout our camping here ahead of the World Cup,” Amuneke admitted.
The former Nigerian international, after offering prayers to God at saturday’s morning training, further told the players that they should think about nothing other than football and the World Cup. The Eaglets are expected to train twice daily with slight variation when there is a friendly match.
Meanwhile, the weather condition in Buenos Aires is chilly with temperature oscillating between 8 and 15 degree centigrade – same weather in Chile with most South American countries nearing the winter season.
Nigeria’s U-17 team, Golden Eaglets, rounded off their preparation towards Niger 2015 with an impressive 4-1 win against Fasbir Integrated Football Academy at the Giginya Memorial Stadium in Sokoto on Wednesday.
Golden Eaglets scored twice through Victor Osimhen and Suleiman Abdullahi via penalty in the first half with additional two goals by substitutes Christian Charles and Samuel Chukwueze while Fasbir’s was also a first half penalty goal by goalkeeper Yusuf Yusha’u who was adjudged the man-of-the match.
The match was watched by an enthusiastic crowd including Mallam Muhammed Nasiru Saidu, Chairman of Sokoto Football Association; Coach Siji Lagunju of the NFF amongst others. But the stadium did not come alive until the 20th minute when Suleiman Muhammed waltzed his way into the box and flicked the ball on the path of Victor Osimhen whose twice-taken shot was stopped by agile goalkeeper Yusha’u.
Six minutes later, Suleiman Abdullahi who wore the captain’s band broke free from the right flank but was brought down in his stride inside the box; Osimhen converted the resultant penalty kick to give the Golden Eaglets the lead.
But four minutes later, the Golden Eaglets conceded a penalty after the ball bounced off the hand of a defender following a corner kick and Goalkeeper Yusha’u stepped forward to fire the penalty behind Goalkeeper Amos Benjamin.
Eaglets took the lead towards the end of the first half courtesy of another penalty in the 44th after Osimhen was brought down with only the goalkeeper to beat and Suleiman smartly dispatched the ball behind Yusha’u yet again.
The Golden Eaglets virtually took control of the match on resumption of the second half following the introduction of Kelechi Nwakali, Samuel Chukwueze and Orji Okonkwo but Yusha’u foiled their attacking initiatives time and again. But with ten minutes to spare, the Golden Eaglets added two quick goals courtesy of Christian Charles at the end of a triangular pass involving Abdullahi and Ayodeji Bamidele in the 80th minutes. Two minutes later, Chukwueze slotted the last goal during a goalmouth melee.
Golden Eaglets Vs. Fasbir: A.Benjamin(A.Udoh 56)- A.Saddam(L.John); L. Halilu(A.Bamidele 77); C.Kanu;A.Usman;A. Ukoh(K.Nwakali); K.
Michael;S. Abdullahi; E.Osinachi(O.Okonwo 45); V. Osimhen(C.Charles
74); S.Muhammed(S.Chukwueze 45).
Amuneke salutes Sokoto fans, Fasbir Academy Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke was full of praise for the passionate Sokoto football fans as well as Fasbir Integrated Football Academy despite losing 4-1 to the Nigeria’s Under-17 team at the Giginya Memorial Stadium in Sokoto on Wednesday.
The former African Footballer of the Year said here that he was impressed with the large turnout of the fans at the match as well as the spirited play of the fledging academy owned by Mallam Muhammed Nasiru Saidu, the chairman of Sokoto Football Association and the Assistant Director, Legislative Budget at the National Assembly.
“First and foremost, we want to thank the people of Sokoto for their hospitality and support to us since the first day we arrived here,” Amuneke stated. “Our appreciations also go to the Sultan, the government and ordinary fans who are wishing us well as we travel to Niger for the African Under-17 championship.”
Speaking further, Amuneke said the youngsters from Fasbir have nothing to be ashamed because they put up a brave performance against the Niamey-bound Golden Eaglets.
“Personally, I’m taking some positives from this match since it allowed us to see how much we have adapted to the weather in Sokoto which is almost the same we are going to meet in Niamey,” he noted. “I must also commend Fasbir because this is about the best academy we have played; I don’t want to single out a particular player but collectively, I like them because this is what a model academy should be.”
Meanwhile, the Golden Eaglets made of 21 players and 10 officials would depart Sokoto for Niamey on Thursday to seek glory at the 11th African U-17 Championship slated to hold between February 15 and March 1.
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.
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)
Nigeria’s U-17 team, Golden Eaglets notched yet another victory in domestic friendly matches on Wednesday’s morning with a flattering 9-1 score line against Super Lion Football Academy at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project pitch in Abuja.
Among the goals for Golden Eaglets were Victor Osimhen, Ebere Osinachi who grabbed a brace each as well as Suleiman Abdullahi, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Nwakali and Kehinde Ayinde; Super Lions’ Moshood Aliu conceded an own goal while Omo’Oba Kasali got his team’s consolatory goal.
The friendly match against the Suleja-based team from Niger State was Golden Eaglets’ first in almost three months since their victory against Akpabuyo United in Calabar on September 20, 2014 but the Emmanuel Amuneke-led boys showed no sign of rustiness in a high-tempo match.
They were rewarded with the first goal in the 4th minute when Osimhen’s shot bounced off goalkeeper Segun Sunday for the curtain raiser. Lion’s responded swiftly and got the equaliser in the eight minute following a acrobatic volley by Kasali that beat Amos Benjamin But five minutes later, Abdullahi restored the Eaglets’ lead when he broke free from the off side trap to slot the ball behind on-rushing
keeper Sunday.
Fleet-footed Chukwueze grabbed the third goal in the 17th minutes after latching on to an incisive pass from new boy and former national Under-15 midfielder, Abass Ibrahim.
Meanwhile, Captain Nwakali came up with perhaps the best goal of the match with a well-struck free-kick on the edge of the Lion’s box twelve minutes later for Eaglets’ fourth goal. Yet three minutes later, under-pressured Lion’s captain Idowu conceded a cheeky own goal as he headed the ball straight into his own net off a pullout from Chukwueze while Osimhen got his second goal on the stroke of half time.
In the second half, Amuneke introduced his new recruits sourced from the recent open screening and they did acquaint themselves even against supposedly bigger opposition. Nevertheless, it was the more experienced striker, Ebere Osinachi who snatched a brace in the 70th and 72nd minute while his replacement, Kehinde Ayinde powered home a header off a precise pull out from former Under-15 midfielder, Feyi Asagidigbi to the delight of the watching spectators.
“Overall, this is a very good performance by the boys irrespective of the score line,” Amuneke said afterwards. ” We are very impressed with the marking ability of the team, their cohesion and calmness against a very good side because the Super Lion players are more experienced but for us, this is a good starting point and we would continue to work harder.”
The Golden Eaglets are fine-tuning their preparation ahead of the 11th African U-17 Championship to be hosted in Niamey between February 15 and March 1st where they are drawn in Group A against host Niger,
Guinea and Zambia.
Golden Eaglets vs. Super Lion: A. Benjamin (E. Nwokeocha 45);E. Akpan(A.Muhammed 45);U. Abass (Mustapha 45);A.Ibrahim (Q. Taofeek 45);B. Ayodeji(L. Halilu 45);U. Douglas(M. Salisu 45);S.Abdullahi (P.Orji 45);S. Chukwueze (Yaro 45);K. Michael(E.Agenor 45);K.Nwakali(A.Haliru 45);V.Osimhen( E.Osinachi 45; K.Ayinde 75).
Current Cross River State’s League Champions, were beaten 1-0 by Nigeria’s Under-17 team, Golden Eaglets on Saturday at the Abraham Ordia Stadium in Calabar courtesy of a first half goal by Striker Samuel Chukwueze.
The solitary goal recorded in the 36th minute was Chukwueze’s eighth and Golden Eaglets’ 81st after 29 matches of playing domestic friendly and international matches.
Coach Emmanuel Amuneke yet started with an experimental team and the lads responded well by containing their supposedly strong opposition right from the outset as they gird their loins ahead of their forthcoming second leg African U-17 Championship showdown against Gabon Left-sided defender, Usman Abass did a Yeoman’s job despite playing in
an unfamiliar central defensive position along with Douglas Uzama.
Up font Ebere Osinachi playing in the top striking role instead of injured Victor Osimhen who would not be available after seeing red in Libreville, showed tenacity as he combined beautifully with Chukwueze.
But it was midfielder; Kingsley Michael that would be the architect of the only goal of the match when he floated an inch-perfect pass above the defence of Akpabuyo United and Chukwueze reacted sharply to slot the ball beyond the reach of on-rushing goalkeeper Asam Umuah Asam.
Both sides demonstrated huge enthusiasm throughout the remainder of the encounter officiated by centre referee Emmanuel Egon and duly assisted by Justice Ukpor and Emmanuel Ekawu.
Meanwhile, Akpabuyo United nearly got the needed equaliser in the 89th minute but a well-directed free kick by Bassey Okon just outside the Golden Eaglets’ goal area , bounced off the post after beaten the wall as well as goalkeeper Akpan Udoh.
In attendance to watch the entertaining game was Dr. Patrick Okon, Hon. Chairman of Akpabuyo LGA who led other officials of the council including Barrister E.B Duke; Mr. Bassey Etim Offiong; Comrade Nyong Etim, Mr. Asuquo Eyo; Mrs Akoyo Ekeng ; Mr. Kingsley Peter amongst others to the stadium inside the University of Calabar.
Golden Eaglets Vs. Akpabuyo United
A.Udoh; L.John(A. Muhammed 45); U.Douglas(D. Bamidele 64); D.Femi, A.Usman, J. Ipalibo; K. Michael; H. Okebugwu (K.Nwakali 45); N.Umar;S. Chukwueze (S. Abdullahi 45);E. Osinachi;
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