Tag Archives: Vise

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
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.”

15 Eagles Begin Training In Belgium

The Super Eagles on Monday commenced training for the two international friendlies in Belgium, with 15 players at the R. Battice FC training ground on Monday evening.

England–based midfielder John Mikel Obi led goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, defenders Elderson Echiejile, Efe Ambrose, William Troost-Ekong and Leon Balogun, midfielders Sylvester Igbonu, Rabiu Ibrahim, Ogenyi Onazi and Obiora Nwankwo and forwards Odion Ighalo, Ahmed Musa, Moses Simon, Emmanuel Emenike and Alex Iwobi at training on Monday evening.

Eagles’ Team administrator Enebi Achor informed thenff.com that the team will train twice on Tuesday (10am and 4pm) at the same venue.

Defender Godfrey Oboabona is also having visa issues in Turkey, as his international passport is yet to be released by the Belgian Embassy in that country.

Also, Super Eagles’ officials on ground may need to secure the services of a temporary physiotherapist for massage and medical matters if by Tuesday, the team’s medical crew (part of the delegation that is held up in Abuja) is not issued visas to join the group in Belgium.

Six home-based professionals are in the delegation yet to be issued visas in Abuja. These are goalkeepers Femi Thomas and Ikechukwu Ezenwa, defender Chima Akas and Austin Oboroakpo, midfielder Paul Onobi and forward Prince Aggrey.

The Super Eagles take on the Leopards of Democratic Republic of Congo in Vise, Liege on Thursday before playing the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in Dendermonde on Sunday.

Congo, Cameroon Friendlies: Eagles Get New Venues

The venues for Super Eagles friendly matches against Congo and Cameroon have been changed, according to latest reports from the

Nigeria Football Federation official website.

The coach Sunday Oliseh-led side will now play in Vise (Municipality located in the Walloon province of Liège) and Dendermonde

(Municipality located in the Flemish province of East Flanders in the Denderstreek) against DR Congo and Cameroon respectively as

against Mons and Denderleeuw as earlier scheduled.

The Super Eagles play the Leopards of Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday, October 8 and will then confront the Indomitable

Lions of Cameroon on Sunday, October 11.

Meanwhile , The home-based players and team officials for the matches are no expected to travel on Tuesday after visa hitches prevented them from departing for Belgium on Sunday as earlier scheduled.