FLYING EAGLES SETTLE DOWN IN DAKAR AHEAD AYC OPENER

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have settled down in Dakar ahead of Sunday’s opening AYC match against hosts Senegal.

The Flying Eagles checked into their four-star Alafifa Hotel in bustling downtown Dakar, not far from the Presidential villa, around 3am local time, which will be 4am Nigerian time Thursday) after a flight that took them from Abuja via Lagos and Banjul, Gambia.

They will train most likely at the match venue by 4.30pm local time later Thursday.

Nigeria leader of delegation Rafiu Yusuf said the traditional arrival meeting with CAF officials earlier fixed for Thursday will now be on Friday.

Weather conditions are favourable, warm in the afternoon and not as cold as it was the early morning when the team touched down in Dakar.

“It’s mildly cold, good weather to play football non-stop,” said midfielder Ifeanyi Ifeanyi.

In the meantime, Flying Eagles opponents on Sunday, Senegal, have been busy preparing for the tournament as they have won their last two warm-up matches against both Zambia and South Africa, who are in Group B.

The host nation won both matches 1-0.

Reports suggest they have revamped the squad now handled by former Teranga Lions of Senegal coach Joseph Koto in the last two weeks.

SAMM AUDU,

Flying Eagles Name Final AYC Squad Thursday

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have to submit a final 21-man squad for the 2015 AYC to CAF by midnight of Thursday, officials have disclosed.

The Nigeria U20 currently have a 28-man provisional squad that includes Belgium-based defender Wilfred Ndidi and Dolphins new signing Christian Pyagbara.

Pyagbara joined the Flying Eagles training camp in Abuja on their return from two warm-up matches in Ghana, while the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are waiting on Belgian club Genk over the release of Ndidi for the AYC.

In the meantime, the results of the scans on Musa Yahaya and Zaharadeen Bello are expected to be made known in the new week.

Yahaya suffered a knee injury during the Flying Eagles second test match against Ghana in Tema, while Bello is nursing a swollen calf.

The Nigeria U20s are due to fly out for a training tour ahead of the AYC, which kicks off March 8 in Dakar, Senegal.

Flying Eagles Call Up 9 Pros, 21 Others

Nigeria U20 team, the Flying Eagles, have called up nine foreign-based professionals and 21 other players based locally for a training camp in Kaduna from Saturday.

This followed a screening exercise earlier this month also in Kaduna.

The pros include Granada CF striker Isaac Success, Taiwo Awoniyi from Kalmar of Sweden as well as Manchester City pair of Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidiebere Nwakali.

The Flying Eagles have been drawn in a tough Group A of the 2015 African Youth Championship along with hosts Senegal, Congo and Cote d’Ivoire.

They open their AYC campaign on March 8 against Senegal in Dakar.

They then battle Congo On March 11, before their final group game against Cote d’Ivoire on March 14 in M’bour, which is 80 kilometres south of Dakar.

Flying Eagles

The full squad:

Goalkeepers:Joshua Enaholo, Dele Alampasu, Olorunleke Ojo, Adamu Abubakar

Defenders: Kingsley Madu, Musa Muhammed, Mustapha Abdullahi, Wilfred Ndidi, Zaharadeen Bello, Prince Izu Omego

Midfielders: Ifeanyi Matthew, Akinjide Idowu, Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, Obinna Nwobodo, Kingsley Sokari, Abdullahi Alfa, Chidiebere Nwakali

Forwards:Taiwo Awoniyi, Isaac Success, Kelechi Iheanacho, Usman Hassan, Alhassan Ibrahim, Sulaiman Abdullahi, Abubakar Lawal, Bernard Bulbwa, Chidera Eze, Billy Auta, Musa Yahaya, Moses Simon, Wasiu Jimoh

22 Flying Eagles Call-Ups In Kaduna

Twenty two call-ups have so far reported to the Flying Eagles training camp in Kaduna, officials have disclosed.

The players include FC Porto striker Jacob Njoku, Musa Newman from Sunshine Stars, Prince Izu Omego, Wilfred Ndidi, Abdullahi Alfa, Ifeanyi Nweke, Tony Edjomariegwe and Mustapha Abdullahi.

Others are Sulaiman Abdullahi, Ifeanyi Matthew, Chisom Eze and Zaharadeen Bello

Flying Eagles

This training camp is for players who are based locally as another screening exercise will be conducted for overseas pros early in the New Year, according to coach Manu Garba.

The Nigeria U20s are preparing for the 2015 African Youth Championship slated for Senegal from March 8.

The top four semi-finalists at the AYC will represent Africa at the 2015 FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand.

2015 AYC Qualifier: LESOTHO U20s FLY INTO ABUJA ON FRIDAY

Lesotho U20 team are due to arrive Abuja on Friday ahead of a 2015 AYC qualifier against their Nigerian counterparts the following day in Kaduna.

Flying Eagles team secretary Aliyu Auwal Ibrahim disclosed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have received a schedule of the Lesotho team for Saturday’s qualifier in Kaduna.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have reassured Lesotho after they expressed concerns over the Ebola Virus disease in West Africa.

The return leg match of this final AYC qualifier will be played in Maseru a fortnight later with the overall winners advancing to the tournament proper in Senegal in March.

MUSA YAHAYA GOES FOR GOALS VS TANZANIA

Lesotho eliminated Angola in the previous round to reach this stage of the qualifying series.

In the meantime, midfielder Ifeanyi Ifeanyi, who has been nursing a hamstring injury, has regained his fitness and featured for the first team in a test game against the second team on Thursday morning.

The defensive midfielder did not show any signs of distress as the first team fired three unreplied goals past their other colleagues after a tight first half that ended without any goals.

Taiwo Awoniyi and Wilfred Ndidi were among the scorers for what looks likely to be the team that will start on Saturday afternoon at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.

Wasiu Jimoh Nets 4 As Flying Eagles Wallop Amakson Academy of Abuja 7-1

Wasiu Jimoh from the Kwara Football Academy plundered four goals as the Flying Eagles hammered Amakson Academy of Abuja 7-1 in a test match on Thursday.

Jimoh has been a fringe player in the Nigeria U20 team, but in the absence of some of the established stars ‘Baba Kwara’ grabbed his chance to make a big statement ahead of a final qualifier against Lesotho on August 16 in Kaduna.

He opened scoring after 16 minutes when he jabbed home from a right cross by Ifeanyi Nweke.

He then made it 2-0 on 32 minutes with a long-range pile driver, before he completed his hat-trick in the 64th minute with yet another superb shot from distance.

He grabbed his fourth goal in the 78th minute with yet another classy effort.

Amakson first appeared to be up for a fight because after 36 minutes their lively skipper Isaac Udoh pulled a goal back with the Flying Eagles then leading 2-0.

Flying Eagles

It was a sublime finish by the impressive Udoh as he went past two defenders before slotting beyond goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo.

Thereafter, Taiwo Awoniyi and Sulaiman Abdullahi missed glaring chances, before Chisom Eze put the Nigeria U20 team 3-1 ahead on 62 minutes with a sweet finish.

After Jimoh fired his third and fourth goals, substitute Abubakar Lawal increased the tally to 6-1 after he was set up by Abdullahi.

The hard working Abdullahi completed the rout on the dot of 90 minutes from the penalty spot after Bernard Bulbwa was felled inside the box.

Flying Eagles vs Amakson Academy

Olorunleke Ojo – Ifeanyi Nweke, Mustapha Abdullahi (Adebayor Ademuluwa 46), Wilfred Ndidi (Rowland Silas 88), Zaharadeen Bello – Ifeanyi Ifeanyi (Akinjide Idowu 46), Wasiu Jimoh (Clement Ogbobe Junior 80), Chisom Eze, Obinna Nwobodo (Bernard Bulbwa 76) – Taiwo Awoniyi (Abubakar Lawal 76), Sulaiman Abdullahi

Flying Eagles target another win against Tanzania

Flying Eagles players have said they hope to complete a home and away win over the Ngorongoro Heroes of Tanzania on Saturday in Kaduna to advance to the third round of the 2015 African Youth Championship qualifiers.

The Nigeria U20s won the first leg 2-0 in Dar es Salaam about a fortnight ago.

“We are not relaxing on the result from the first match. For us, Saturday’s match is a different game altogether and we want to win it,” said striker Alhassan Ibrahim aka Mu-azam.

“We respect the Tanzanians, but we are a better team and we will prove this on Saturday.”

Mustapha Abdullahi added: “It’s an important game and we will fight to win it.

“We will not take anything for granted.”

In 2012, Nigeria also eliminated Tanzania from the African Youth Championship.

The Flying Eagles won 2-1 in Dar es Salaam before they again won 2-0 in Ilorin.

The Flying Eagles have endured several injury problems from the first leg, but all squad players including Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi and Izu Omego have since bounced back to full fitness.

After training twice on Monday, the Flying Eagles will now train only once leading up to the match on Saturday at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium.

Kick-off time is 4pm.

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)