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2015 CAF U23 Championship Qualifiers Nigeria U23
Pros storm Congo, Leroy vows to eliminate Nigeria
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Congo’s top foreign-based stars have arrived in time for Sunday’s CAF U23 Championship qualifier against Nigeria with coach Claude Leroy declaring his team can upstage the highly rated visitors to reach the tournament proper in Senegal.
Nigeria won the first leg in Port Harcourt 2-1, but Congo need only 1-0 on Sunday to advance to the 2015 CAF Championship, which will serve as a qualifier for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.
Congo foreign pros Hardy Samarange Binguila, Charlevy Mabiala, Kader Bidimbou, Boukama Kaya and Yoane Andzouana, who all missed the first game in Nigeria, have all resumed training with the team.
And coach Leroy told his players on Thursday after training: "I am convinced that something is going to happen. We are aware of what is lying ahead of us on Sunday, we know that some mountains have to be climbed.
“In the first leg, we have lost the mental battle. It is up to you, individually and collectively, to give your best to clinch the qualification on Sunday.
“Make all the sacrifices. We have everything to gain by sending Nigeria packing. Keep the momentum going, we can achieve a great feat."
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africanfootball.com/news/555818/Pros-storm-Congo-Leroy-vows-to-eliminate-Nigeria

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2015 CAF U23 Championship Qualifiers Nigeria U23
Can Siasia's defence shut out Congo?
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by Samm Audu
Nigeria U23 coach Samson Siasia faces another stern test as his team battle hosts Congo Sunday for a place in the 2015 CAF U23 Championship in Senegal.
The tie is delicately balanced after the first clash in Port Harcourt finished 2-1 in favour of hosts Dream Team VI.
In Nigeria, the home team controlled the game from start to finish and could have won by a bigger margin, but for poor finishing and a couple of saves by goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi.
Congo, on the other hand, preferred to sit back in the defence and it was only from one of two attacks in the entire 90 minutes that they scored their precious goal on the road.
They have since reinforced their team with six foreign-based pros who missed this game and will be expected to attack Nigeria in Pointe Noire in front of their fans on Sunday.
Siasia said his team are in Congo, who saw off Ghana in the previous round, to win as they hope to feature at next year’s Olympics in Brazil.
"We have nothing to be worried about. How can we be worried about a team who cannot create chances?" asked the coach.
"We are going to Congo to win. The game in Congo would be different because they would come out to play and that would help us express ourselves and maybe get the goals.
"I am still worried about our goal scoring, as you can see we create lots of chances and fail to put them away. We cannot afford to do that in Congo."
Siasia’s team have also shown class away from home, winning 4-1 in Gabon and 2-1 in Zambia to qualify for the 2015 All Africa Games.
However, Dream Team VI go into the weekend clash without payment of bonuses from the first leg game but Siasia said he has appealed to the boys to put any money problems behind them.
"Yes we have not been paid, but we are not playing for money and I have told the boys. We want to be at the Olympics and I have told the boys that it is the biggest stage,” he said.
The coach will most likely ring changes to his starting XI.
Right fullback Sincere Seth has returned from injury and will be considered ahead of Atanda Sodiq, who played that position in Port Harcourt.
Striker Taiwo Awoniyi did not start a fortnight ago after a training ground injury, but he may now be played alongside two-goal hero Junior Ajayi upfront.
Turkey-based striker Umar Aminu, Enyimba midfielder Kingsley Sokari and Warri Wolves defender Semiu Liade are also likely to be drafted to start.
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africanfootball.com/news/555835/Can-Siasia-s-defence-shut-out-Congo

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Nigeria's greatest moments at Atlanta '96.
The Dream Team, Ajunwa, Onyali, Ogunkoya: Remembering Nigeria's greatest moments at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games
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[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/cf/b8/nigeria-at-atlanta-96_5o8zkuxp1eiu1x7nsplf1q8ig.jpg?t=-458760842&w=320[/img]
Nigeria had so much joy in America during the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, which has remained the country's best ever showing. Nigeria returned with two gold, one silver and three bronze medals in total. Individual medallists included Chioma Ajunwa, Mary Onyali, Falilat Ogunkoya, the 4x400m women relay quartet of Ogunkoya, Bisi Afolabi, Fatima Yusuf and Charity Opara, boxer Duncan Dokiwari and the all-conquering Dream Team men's football team.
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/8f/dc/nigeria-at-atlanta-96_gw5p34tmw4851c7ub2hbbi5h2.jpg?t=-458760842&w=320[/img]
Chioma Ajunwa - Gold Long Jump | It was a leap that set for her a place in the history books as the petite Ajunwa leapt 7.12m in the long jump finals. She beat Fiona May of Italy and Jackie Joyner of the USA who both leapt 7.02m and 7.00m respectively.
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/b3/2e/nigeria-at-atlanta-96_1f02p8cfrvr61b3i4czl7ny6e.jpg?t=-458760842&w=320[/img]
It was a moment of joy for Ajunwa who waved the Nigerian flag gleefully. It was Nigeria's first ever Olympic gold medal and it came from a woman who continues to serve her country as a member of the police.
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The Dream Team, Ajunwa, Onyali, Ogunkoya: Remembering Nigeria's greatest moments at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games
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[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/7/12/nigeria-at-atlanta-96_1i5f6iquga8l21hm7n29g9uubc.jpg?t=-458760842&w=320[/img]
Falilat Ogunkoya - Bronze 400m | In the 400m women's final, Ogunkoya finished third behind Marie-Jose Perec of France and Cathy Freeman of Australia. Her time of 49.10s earned her a bronze medal and remains the African record till date.
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/41/e4/nigeria-at-atlanta-96_rd909hdj4fcp15y2c9k4wpep7.jpg?t=-458759826&w=320[/img]
Standing on the podium alongside the greatest quarter milers of her time, Ogunkoya beamed with smiles as she received her hard-earned medal.
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/f/4e/nigeria-at-atlanta-96_1ihe35v7w6vqx1nbqskcj83236.jpg?t=-458759826&w=320[/img]
Mary Onyali - Bronze 200m | Petite Mary Onyali finished third in the 200m behind that same woman Marie-Jose Perec of France and Jamaican Merlene Ottey. It was a fitting addition to Onyali's cabinet with the bronze medal from the 4x100m women's relay of Barcelona '92.
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The Dream Team, Ajunwa, Onyali, Ogunkoya: Remembering Nigeria's greatest moments at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games
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[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/4f/b3/nigeria-at-atlanta-96_q1r0gaxfmjx1d99bk0z89mh9.jpg?t=-458759826&w=320[/img]
Olabisi Afolabi (pictured), Falilat Ogunkoya, Charity Opara and Fatima Yusuf - Silver 4x400m | Afolabi led a good first leg before handing over the baton to Yusuf who left the chasing pack behind her but the American runner caught up with Opara and Ogunkoya was left to chase in the final lap as they finished with an African record 3.21.04, which stands till today. It was an amazing race.
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/c8/c8/nigeria-at-atlanta-96_1wkojzw8gjd6u1m37f0pqklae3.jpg?t=-458759826&w=320[/img]
Men's Football - Gold | The sweetest victory came for Nigeria on August 3 when the aptly named Dream Team won the men's football gold after dispatching of Argentina 3-2 in the final. Days earlier, Kanu inspired Nigeria to a come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Brazil.
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/3b/50/nigeria-at-atlanta-96_19j8a8ii8x4jp1j3p3k2y5oxcx.jpg?t=-458759826&w=320[/img]
The young Kanu became the face of Nigerian football as the country won the first ever gold medal in football by an African country and the first by any team outside of Europe.
[img]http://images.performgroup.com/di/library/Goal_Nigeria/95/f9/nigeria-at-atlanta-96_2zfpkkflhr5v17b135vhv193s.jpg?t=-458759826&w=320[/img]
The Golden Heroes | Abiodun Obafemi, Augustine Okocha, Celestine Babayaro, Daniel Amokachi, Emmanuel Amuneke, Emmanuel Babayaro, Garba Lawal, Joseph Dosu, Nwankwo Kanu, Kingsley Obiekwu, Mobi Oparaku, Uche Mbamaonyeukwu, Sunday Oliseh, Taribo West, Teslim Fatusi, Tijani Babangida, Victor Ikpeba, and Wilson Oruma
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Africa U-23 tourney: Nigeria battle Congo in Pointe Noire
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By: IFEANYI EDUZOR
Nigeria U-23 team will be facing a tough opposition in Pointe Noire on Sunday when they meet the Junior Red Devils of Congo – Brazzaville in a decisive Olympic Games qualifying match.
The Dream Team, handled by Coach Samson Siasia, will be in Pointe-Noire to face their Congolese counterparts in the second leg of the final round of the 2016 Olympics African Championship qualifier.
When both teams meet in the first leg in Port Harcourt on July 19, Nigeria defeated the Congolese 2-1 and the team is aware that a lot of odds will be put on their way by the hosts in the coastal City of Pointe Noire.
Winner of tomorrow’s fixture will battle for one of the eight slots at the 2nd African U-23 Championship taking place in Senegal from November 28 – December 11, 2015.
The top three teams at that competition will qualify for the men’s football tournament of next year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil while the fourth-placed team will participate in a play-off against an Asian side.
The Dream Team, gold medalists at the Men’s Football Tournament of the Olympics at the Centennial Games in Atlanta 19 years ago, will be led by the man who took the team to silver at the Olympics in Beijing seven years ago while the Central Africans will be led by veteran French tactician, Claude Leroy.
As the two teams meet tomorrow, a draw will see the Nigerians through to the African championship in Senegal while a goal victory would be enough to send Leroy’s team to the African tournament.
While Siasia has called up a crack squad including, Junior Ajayi, Taiwo Awoniyi, Godwin Saviour, Daniel Emmanuel, Atanda Sadiq, Usman Mohammed and Umar Aminu as well as Uniao da Madeira midfielder Abdullahi Shehu amongst others to prosecute the all important match, the Congolese will be banking on six foreign-based professionals, who were not released by their clubs for the first leg game in Port Harcourt. The players are midfielders Philzgérarld Mbaka, Hardy Binguila, Charlevy Mabiala, Yohan Andzouana, Julsy Boukama Kaya and striker Syvère Ganvoula Mboussy to do the damage in Pointe Noire and deny Nigeria the opportunity of going to 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Already, the Coach Samson Siasia led team is looking forward to emulate the Super Eagles who despite losing 3-2 in Calabar to Congo during the last Nation’s Cup qualifiers, went to Point Noire to inflict a 2-0 defeat against the Congolese last November.
It is believed that the national U-23 team will sustain the tempo and hold their nerves against the Congolese in Pointe-Noire to win the ticket to the African Championship which will be held in Senegal in December.
Speaking on the match before their departure to Congo, U-23 team assistant coach, Fatai Amao told Saturday Mirror that they are prepared for the antics of the Congolese, insisting that they are capable of defeating the host in the match.
“We are fully prepared for the match and I want to assure Nigerians that we are not going to disappoint them in Congo despite the hostile reception we are likely to encounter there.
“It is true that the Congolese will employ all sorts of antics to frustrate us but we are fully prepared for them and our plan is to emulate the senior national team who despite losing their first leg encounter in Calabar, defeated them in Pointe Noire.
“You should also remember that instances abound in the past and even as recent as last month when the U-23 Eagles overcame Zambia in Lusaka to win the All Africa Games 2015 ticket. So, we are fully prepared for the game.
Also speaking on the encounter, Congolese gaffer, Claude Leroy expressed optimism that his players will come out unscratched in tomorrow’s match; saying that the six professionals he invited for the encounter will be of immense help towards ensuring they record a victory against Nigeria.
[/b]
nationalmirroronline.net/new/africa-u-23-tourney-nigeria-battle-congo-in-pointe-noire/

I wish the Falcons and U23s success in their outings tomorrow.

Zambia, Egypt and Algeria go through.

Zambia beat Ivory Coast 4:3 on penalties after both legs ended 0:0.

Egypt recordes a double win over Uganda as it ends Uganda 1:2 Egypt in Kampala.Egypt go through on 6:1 aggregate.

Earlier in d week. Sierra Leone and Algeria ended it 0:0 after Algeria won d first leg 2:0. Algeria go through on a 2:0 aggregate.

Iheanacho scores in 2- 4 lose against Stuttgart....

Nacho...

A lot of MCFC fans online are suggesting that Iheanacho gets a look in ahead of Bony in view of their opening Epl game. Bony lost d ball oftentimes wen in possession but Nacho brings guts, drive, dynamism and more to d attack.

Also, Nacho and Sterling seem to hv struck an understanding with each other. It can only get better I think.
Nacho gave Sterling 2 assists in preseason games vs. AS Roma and vs. Melbourne(i tink it's melbourne). While Sterling returned d favor earlier today vs. Stuttgart.

linked:
Iheanacho scores in 2- 4 lose against Stuttgart....

Nacho...

linked:
Iheanacho scores in 2- 4 lose against Stuttgart....

Nacho...

Good for him and Nigeria. This U23 boys should jst qualify for d olympics so we can show case player like Iheanacho, Moses Simon, Imoh Ezekiel, Isaac Aucces, Aaron Samuel, Kenneth Omeruo, Wilfred Ndidi, Troost Ekong & co at d olympics.We have d talents

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD3m8WzfhAo

any news on line up

Does anyone know what time the matches are?

BascoVanVeli:
Does anyone know what time the matches are?

3:30pm Nigerian and Congolese time.

which station go show am?

Icon4s:

3:30pm Nigerian and Congolese time.

Dstv or locals?

Antell95:
which station go show am?

I dnt think any Nigerian station will show it. When it is 3:30pm jst come spread ur mat put for NIVC (Nairaland International Viewing Centre.)

Antell95:


Dstv or locals?

By now una suppose don know d kain matches wey dstv or local tv fit show.

Icon4s:


I dnt think any Nigerian station will show it. When it is 3:30pm jst come spread ur mat put for NIVC (Nairaland International Viewing Centre.)

lool, Thanks bro!

Icon4s:


By now una suppose don know d kain matches wey dstv or local tv fit show.

but the Super Eagles game vs Congo (AFCON qualifiers) was shown on TV

Antell95:


but the Super Eagles game vs Congo (AFCON qualifiers) was shown on TV

AFCON qualifier u said.This is qualifiers for African U23 Championship/Olympic. The AFCON Qualifiers have more viewing audience & broadcasting outfits will b more willing to invest in broadcast rights.

Icon4s:


AFCON qualifier u said.This is qualifiers for African U23 Championship/Olympic. The AFCON Qualifiers have more viewing audience & broadcasting outfits will b more willing to invest in broadcast rights.

I'll prefer watching them at d expense of the FA community shield.....

Antell95:


but the Super Eagles game vs Congo (AFCON qualifiers) was shown on TV

U probably watched d 1st leg in PH due to d partnership arrangement btw supersports, NPFL and NFF. This game is in Point Noire. I dnt think there is any such partnership involving supersports

Antell95:


I'll prefer watching them at d expense of the FA community shield.....

Same here.

If u have a very good data bundle u can visit www.stopstream.tv it might be shown live there.