Arsenal striker Asisat Oshoala has said she is confident of another win for her team against Manchester City Ladies in an English Women’s Super League clash on Monday.
Oshoala, who found the back of the net as the Arsenal Ladies started their Women’s Super League campaign with a convincing 3-1 win against newly-promoted Reading, is confident that ‘The Gunners’ ladies will get a good game against Manchester City Ladies, but admitted that the match will be tough.
“I think it’s going to be tough, and not like the Reading game. The City Ladies are fast, I have played against them before when I was at Liverpool, but it’s another season with a new club, and I believe we will get a victory,” said Oshoala.
Manchester Ladies will host Arsenal on Monday at the Manchester Regional Arena in the English Women’s Super League. mtnfootball.com/news/621775/Oshoala-expects-Manchester-City-to-be-tough-test-for-Arsenal [/b]
[b][size=14pt] Fulham Midfielder Adeniran Shines In England Win; Arsenal Defender Bola Benched [/size] https://allnigeriasoccer.com/football_pics/25912Denis.jpg Fulham starlet Dennis Adeniran assisted England U17s beat their Finnish counterparts 1-0 in the Young Lions second match at the UEFA European U17 Championship Elite Qualifying Round on Saturday afternoon.
The attacking midfielder was one of the two fresh faces in the starting line-up, having come off the bench in the win against Turkey two days ago.
The 17-year-old Adeniran played the entirety of the game at Harrison Park, Leek Town FC, whereas Arsenal defender Tolaji Bola was an unused substitute for the second game in a row.
He would have opened scoring in the first-half but his 25-yard effort narrowly missed the target before Dozzell netted the match-winner in the 33rd minute.
England will qualify for the 2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Azerbaijan if they avoid defeat to Ukraine on Tuesday evening at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium. Ifeanyi Emmanuel allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=18424 [/b]
Portland Timbers' Fanendo Adi: 'I'm looking forward to playing in Nigeria
Jamie Goldberg
The Nigeria National Team will face Egypt in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match on Friday, March 25 at 8 a.m. PT in Kaduna, Nigeria.
Timbers forward Fanendo Adi has been called up to the Nigeria National Team and could feature in the match. This is Adi's first call-up to the Nigeria National Team.
If you are looking to watch Nigeria take on Egypt, here's what you need to know:
What: Nigeria National Team will face Egypt in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.
Where: Kaduna, Nigeria.
When: Friday, March 25 at 8 a.m. PT.
How to watch: Watch live online with beIN Sports Connect; Follow along on Twitter.
The Hammers signed the Nigerian international striker on a temporary move with an £8.5 million release clause option.
West Ham will have to sign Emenike for the full amount if he makes 10 Premier League appearances.
Emenike has made six appearances in the league so far and it remains to be seen if Hammers boss Slaven Bilic will give him another four appearances.
The 28-year-old striker has two goals in eight appearances for the east London based club this season.
Emenike is reported to be happy at West Ham but it will ultimately be up to Bilic and the board whether they deem the striker worth making an £8.5 million investment in.
Bilic is no stranger to Emenike having coached sides that have played against the striker in Russia and most recent in Turkey for Besiktas.
The Hammers are currently 5th in the Premier League one point behind 4th placed Manchester City.
1996 Olympic Gold medal winner, Dosu Joseph has charged the Super Eagles to work hard enough to seize the 1st leg advantage.Nigeria host Egypt in a match day 3 Afcon 2017 qualifier in Kaduna at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium but the former goalie believes it will be a tough game for both teams.
The Super Eagles are currently tied on points with Tanzania, but Nigeria edge on goal difference and trail the Pharaohs in the race for the top spot in Group G.
[b][size=14pt] Cuper confident in battle of former champions [/size] www.nairaland.com/attachments/3528333_cuper_jpeg37675c39f30e95466df9e220819d206c Egypt will be seeking to end a seven-year drought when they tackle three-time African champions, Nigeria in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier double header this week.
The Pharaohs, record, seven-time winners, have missed out on the continent's showpiece since the unprecedented hat-trick of titles between 2006 and 2010, and cannot afford yet another absence from the flagship continental championship.
With a new generation of players holding aloft the flag, Egypt has hired veteran Argentine Hector Cuper to put the Pharaohs back on the right way.
The Road to Gabon has started on a good note for the Egyptians, currently sitting at the summit of Group G with the maximum six points from two games, thanks to victories over Tanzania (3-0 in Alexandria) and Chad (5-1 in Ndjamena).
In a bid to end the disturbing drought, the Pharaohs will lock horns with fellow continental giants, Nigeria's Super Eagles. Both sides lock horns on Friday, 25 March 2016 in Kaduna, north of Nigerian capital Abuja. Four days later, they will renew their clash in Alexandria.
The double-header is crucial for both sides as far as the group’s automatic ticket for the group is concerned.
“I know well the importance of this game”, Cuper told CAFonline.com ahead of his team’s departure for Kaduna.
“Everyone is waiting for this match, and this makes it a double edged weapon. Winning will put us on the right track; losing will mean pressure on our shoulders.
“I promise we will do everything we can. I have been a coach for a very long time, and never promised to win a game. We will do our best, that's what I can promise", added the Argentine who has handled the likes of Internazionale, Parma, Valencia, Real Mallorca and Real Betis.
Cuper recalled 25 players to his squad that will face the Super Eagles twice in 4 days. His confidence once again rely on the shoulders of Cairo giants Ahly and Zamalek charges, both contributing with 16 players equally distributed between them.
“Seeing Ahly and Zamalek progressing in the CAF Champions League was very important for the Pharaohs, both mentally and technically”, he explained.
The main focus will be on Egypt’s Europe based players, including the likes of AS Roma winger Mohamed Salah and Arsenal midfielder Mohamed ElNenny.
“They have been awesome in the recent weeks, and hopefully they will continue their inform performance. Nigeria is a talented team with strength and pace and we have to match them on field.
“I believe in my work, I believe in my players. I'm positive we are going to do a good job. That's the spirit we need”, concluded Cuper.
[b][size=14pt] Glo to Eagles: Beat Pharaohs and make Nigerians glad Posted By: Seyi Aluko [/size] https://footballlive.ng/footballnews/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/glo-Logo.jpg Nigerian national team, Super Eagles have been advised to work assiduously towards defeating the Pharaoh’s of Egypt when the two teams lock horns at Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna on Friday.
Sponsor of Nigerian national teams, Globacom, in a press statement in Lagos on Thursday, urged the Super Eagles to defeat the Egyptians not only in Kaduna, but also on their home soil in Alexandria, Egypt, adding that victory during the round robin encounter will automatically qualify the team for the 2017 AFCON in Gabon.
“It is important to go for victory in this encounter to help the team gain confidence ahead of the crucial second leg in Cairo which will ultimately determine which of the two teams will qualify from Group D,” Glo added.
Globacom charged the team to go the extra mile and re-enact the “can-do spirit” and determination which Nigeria is known for and which have helped the nation to win many trophies in the past, including the 2013 African Cup of Nations in South Africa.
While advising the technical crew to field the fittest players who can withstand the pressure associated with matches of this magnitude, the company urged the entire team to give their best and ensure that they outclass the Egyptians during the two-legged encounter to make qualification for AFCON less cumbersome.
“The Super Eagles should make Nigerians happy by qualifying for the next African Cup of Nations in Gabon. The team needs to start building its way back to reckoning in African Football,” the statement concluded.
[b][size=14pt] 5 Key Battles Likely To Decide Nigeria Vs Egypt In Kaduna, Alexandria [/size] https://i0.wp.com/www.completesportsnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/image-95.jpeg?w=1657 The die is cast – the much expected back-to-back 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers between Nigeria and Egypt are here. Completesportsnigeria.com's IZUCHUKWU OKOSI examines five key battles that could shape the outcome of both the first leg in Kaduna and the second leg in Alexandria.
AHMED 'Koka' HASSAN VS GODFREY OBOABONA
Super Eagles central defender Godfrey Oboabona will have a torrid time making sure he polices Sporting Braga striker, Ahmed 'Koka' Hassan effectively.
The Egyptian forward who is likely to play as the 'number 9' for the Pharaohs against the Eagles has taken the Portuguese top flight by storm this season. Currently, he has scored nine goals in 17 league matches, starting 11 of them.
Koka's take-ons are outstanding and Oboabona's fitness will have to be top notch to check his menacing pace.
Oboabona will do his job in these crucial games without the support of his regular partner, Kenneth Omeruo, who misses out through injury.
2013 AFCON winning defender, Oboabona, has completed the most passes in the Turkish top flight this season with 851 attempts with an accuracy of 83%.
However more reassuring is his statistics in his tackling; 34 tackles won this season for Caykur Rizespor,
Nigerian football fans may be forgiven to believe that the former Sunshine Stars man will deal with the threat of the Egyptian.
Oboabona has made 63 interceptions, 91 clearances and 20 blocks for his club so far this season before joining his international teammates for the qualifying matches.
The defender makes an average of seven defensive key actions per game and he has won 52% of his duels with strikers in Turkey.
This is a battle in prospect which could either result in a back-breaking goal(s) or produce outstanding defensive display.
Hopefully, the pendulum swings in Oboabona and Nigeria's favour.
MOHAMED ELNENY VS ALEX IWOBI The battle between Nigeria and England over an international allegiance of Arsenal youngster, Alex Iwobi, has finally been won by the country of his father – Nigeria.
Iwobi will likely make his competitive debut this weekend/next week and face his teammate and Egyptian midfielder, Mohamed Elneny, in the 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Former Basel star, Elneny, spoke of the likely confrontation in Kaduna and Alexandria between him and Iwobi.
“I told him (Iwobi) that it will be hard for Nigeria to beat Egypt,” Elneny revealed while speaking with Arab news channel, MBC.
The prediction for most Nigerian fans will naturally be that Iwobi is going to be handed a cameo appearance, but there could be another plan up the sleeves of Samson Siasia.
Handing Iwobi more than a few minutes on Friday and Tuesday, fitness permitting, will likely send a strong signal to other Anglo-Nigerian players who might be in dilemma over which country to represent in international football.
If this projection comes to fruition, both players will be playing against each other this time rather than playing for same team. The fact that they are club mates will be one subplot fans will be pleased to watch out keenly.
Elneny is a box-to-box midfielder who tracks the run of opposition midfielders and forwards brilliantly.
The Egyptian has completed 94 passes in the Premier League in three games with an accuracy of 88%, of which 71% were forward passes.
His average pass length is 16m and his average duels won is 36%. His average defensive actions per game stand at five.
Iwobi's passing ability and take-ons will be key if he gets to play. The youngster's average duels won is just 23%, an area Elneny is understandably superior, but the Nigerian's ability to thread good passes could be where he comes out the winner of the battle.
The midfielder who has played six Premier League games and twice in the Champions League this season has 80% pass accuracy and 67% shot accuracy in the current league.
MOHAMED SALAH VS ELDERSON ECHIEJILE
One of the most interesting battles in the back-to-back qualifiers will be that between Super Eagles left-back, Elderson Echiejile and Egypt's Mohamed Salah.
Salah has scored 24 goals in 40 international games for Egypt. This season (2015/2016), the left-footed forward who plays from the right side of attack (and opposing teams' left side) and tends to cut inside to devastating effect, has netted 11 times for AS Roma. He also has six assists for the Giallorossi.
Salah has created 45 chances and four assists. The Pharaoh has completed 715 passes this season with a pass accuracy of 84%, of which 53% were forward passes.
Elderson Echiejile who has won 25 tackles this season for AS Monaco with a success rate of 42% is likely to face Salah despite reporting late to the Eagles camp and will have a tough time containing the Egyptian star man.
Echiejile has made 37 interceptions, 55 clearances and five blocks for the Monaco club this season.
The Nigerian's statistics are by all intents and purposes promising, but he will do well not to drift forward too often in a bid to support the attack due to the searing pace of Salah who would find joy down the channel.
JOHN MIKEL OBI VS AMR WARDA
Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi is one of Nigeria's most influential players.
Egypt coach, Hector Cuper and his lieutenants surely know that Mikel's experience and leadership qualities will be brought to bear in the two legs..
One Egyptian player who could cross path with Mikel in the midfield on Friday in Kaduna and Alexandria on Tuesday is Panetolikos FC of Greece attacking midfielder, Amr Warda.
Warda only made his debut for the Pharaohs in a friendly match against Zambia in Abu Dhabi on October 11, 2015.
The Egyptian played 24 games in the Greek Premier League in the 2015/2016 season and scored four goals, providing three assists.
The attacking midfielder was in the Egypt squad that played an international friendly against Zambia (his debut), and then the away and home 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Chad on November 14 and 17, 2015, where he played for eight and 15 minutes respectively.
Warda may be new in the Egyptian national team setup, but he has demonstrated enough capabilities to earn the trust of his national team boss.
Warda is a player that likes to drift inward from the right flank and his lateral movement is deceptive and capable of causing the Eagles midfield plenty problems.
Meanwhile, Mikel has in recent games for Chelsea shown that his days under Jose Mourinho where he restricted to playing just in front of the defence is gone. He now covers a larger path of the field. This is where he steps in and should use his experience to rescue the Eagles from danger.
The Eagles star makes three at average defensive actions per game and has won 39% of his midfield duels in the Barclays Premier League this season.
One area Mikel needs to beware of in his midfield battles against Egypt is his temperament. Warda could be the man whom he tango with regularly in 90 minutes.
The Chelsea star who has been yellow-carded 36 times and handed one straight red card since he moved to the London side in the 2006/2007 season, tends to let his frustrations take the better part of him when results don't go his team's way.
ODION IGHALO VS RAMY RABIA/AHMED HEGAZY
Odion Ighalo scored Nigeria's first goal in the race for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Nigeria's 2-0 win against Chad on June 13, 2015 interestingly at the Ahmedu Bello Stadium, Kaduna, where Friday's game will hold.
Al Ahly defender, Ramy Rabia was in Egypt's team that played tune-up games against Burkana Faso, Libya and Jordan between January 27 2016 to February 27, 2016 and Zambia in 2015.
The two-time Egyptian Premier League winner scored Egypt's first goal in their 2017 AFCON qualifier against Tanzania – a 3-0 win at the Borg El Arab Stadium, Alexandria a day after Nigeria's win against Chad.
Rabia is a defender strong in the tackles and with good aerial prowess.
The 22 year-old Rabia could be the defender Hector Cuper elects to deploy to mark Ighalo on Friday.
Cuper who reportedly has acquired a video compilation of the Super Eagles squad players may also pick Ahmed Hegazy for the job of marking Ighalo who is in fine form at the moment, with 14 goals scored in 30 Premier League games for Watford.
Hegazy has captained the Pharaohs in couple of AFCON and World Cup qualifiers and is widely known as the 'Nesta of the Pyramids'.
The defender was given this nickname as his playing style somewhat resembles that of Italian legend Alessandro Nesta; combative and a good tackler of the ball.
Ighalo has played 95 shots on target this season and has three assists for his club.
Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has expressed optimism that his side can secure the three points against Egypt in their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Kaduna on Friday.
The Eagles are second in Group G on four points behind Egypt, who have six points.
They (Eagles) are currently tied on points with Tanzania, who defeated Chad 1-0 away on Wednesday.
In an interview with cafonline.com, Siasia Posited that a win on Friday will have a positive effect on his team ahead of the return leg on Tuesday.
"First and foremost, we know this is going to be a difficult game therefore we need to have a good preparation," Siasia said.
"We don't have much time left but we just need to know how to play against them.
"Victory in Kaduna on Friday would put us in good frame of mind for the return fixture in Alexandria. We are very hopeful but we must also work very hard."
The 1994 AFCON winner said that he will be banking on the Eagles superior head-to-head against Egypt come Friday.
He added: "I feel strongly that history is on our side against Egypt; though we know that this is going to be a crucial match. This is an important match for us and we know we have to win the game in Kaduna to put our AFCON campaign back on track."
Siasia played down the fact that the game will be played on Friday, stating that his players are ready to give their all.
Siasia said: "I have no doubt that Nigerians fans are stoutly behind us because they (Egyptians) have been saying they can't lose to us in Kaduna.
"We are expecting a full house at the stadium and on our part as team we are going to do our best. "We are going to see a new Nigerian team against Egypt on Friday. We are going to see a team that would play from the heart."
He added that they will be focusing on Egypt as a team, and not on particular players.
"We don't want to worry about any particular player rather we must be worried about how they play as a team," Siasia explained.
"We have video tapes of their past matches which we have been studying and we already know the kind of players they have – attacking-minded. I’m not going to tell you the plans we have in store for them. I can't be talking about how we are going to play but we shall be ready for them on Friday."
And on his return as Eagles coach after his first experience, he said: "It feels good and I'm happy that I have the privilege to train the team after my last experience.
"I was in charge for 11 months the last time and we didn't even lose a match; but this job is all about hiring and firing. My focus is on these two matches in Kaduna and Alexandria and I'm very hopeful that everything will turn out well."
(Photo shows Elneny with Completesportsnigeria.com’s Johnny Edward in Kaduna)
Egypt midfielder Mohamed Elneny has exclusively told Completesportsnigeria.com that he hopes his Arsenal club mate Alex Iwobi recovers fully from the food poisoning the Nigeria forward suffered from on Tuesday.
Nigeria host Egypt in a key Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Kaduna on Friday.
Iwobi and Elneny have been in great form for the Gunners prior to the international break and the former Basel player believes the 19-year-old Nigerian will be a good addition to the Super Eagles if fully fit.
“I hope he’s fit to play. Iwobi is a good player,” Iwobi told Completesportsnigeria.com when he was informed Iwobi trained with the Super Eagles.
Elneny who joined The Gunners in the January transfer window has been in splendid form for Arsenal, scoring a stunning strike against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League.
“The team will depart Abuja for Egypt on Saturday,” disclosed NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire.
“They will have enough time to train on Sunday and Monday before the match on Tuesday.”
Cash-strapped NFF will fly the team to Egypt on a regular Egypt Air flight because they cannot afford a chartered flight, which could set them back by as much as $300,000.
Egypt lead Group G with six points from two matches, Nigeria are two points behind with only the group winners automatically qualifying for Gabon 2017.
Tanzania have also recorded four points after they beat hosts Chad 1-0 on Wednesday.
[b][size=14pt] AFCON qualifier: SWAN urges Eagles to defeat Pharaohs [/size] Enugu – The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Enugu Chapter, has urged the Super Eagles to defeat the Pharaohs of Egypt in Kaduna order to lead the group. The Pharaohs of Egypt currently top the Group G with six points, as against four by the Eagles.
Norbert Okolie, the Chairman of the Enugu chapter of SWAN said that they should not lose concentration during the game, until the final whistle. He suggested that they should approach the match with determination and professionalism stressing that the Egyptians were `hungry for opportunity’ to be at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations to be staged in Gabon.
“We are talking about a 6-time African Champions that missed the tournament since 2012. “I urge the players and the technical crew to make the match in Kaduna a morale boaster, ahead of the return leg in Egypt on March 29,” he said.
The secretary of the association, Ignatius Okpara observed that the country could only have hopes of qualifying for 2017 AFCON after the two legged encounter with Egypt. He enjoined the Eagles Interim Coach, Samson Siasia, to strive to do all within his powers to achieve victory, even if it meant a 1-0 win from each of the two legs — home and away. “We have been looking forward to this match as this will determine if Nigeria will qualify or not; so the players do not need to toy with the match.
“I want the Eagles to win the two legs but I am not among the players, who will be expected accomplish the job”. Treasurer of the association, Franky Omokhua said he felt disappointed when the failed to secure the slot to be at 2015 edition of AFCON.
“I do not want a repeat of the 2015. “I will want the players to go all out against the Egyptians and do their job the normal way they are used to ensuring victories at their various clubs.
“Egypt is beatable and with the right frame of mind and determination, Nigeria will smile at last. “Players like, Victor Moses, Mikel Obi, Ahmed Musa, Odion Ighalo should defeat any team in the world,’’ Omokhua said. He urged all, to play their roles properly to ensure the country’s victory.
Chelsea star Mikel Obi is the new Nigeria captain after Ahmed Musa relinquished the position at a press briefing in Kaduna Thursday, saying this is to “right the wrong” previously done.
Last year, Ahmed Musa was named Eagles skipper by former Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh, who overlooking the seniority in the team which would have installed vice-captain Mikel as team captain following the retirement of Vincent Enyeama from international football.
Mikel will therefore lead Nigeria in tomorrow's must-win AFCON qualifier against Egypt in Kaduna.
Nigeria women football icon, Perpetua Nkwocha, will walk down the altar on Monday, 28 March 2016, to be joined in holy matrimony with Ernest Ikechukwu Nwufoh.The marriage takes place at Our Lady Carmel Catholic Church, Emekuku, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, by 12noon.
The Nigeria legend, now an assistant Coach of the Super Falcons, participated in seven African Women Championship final competitions in 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014, winning gold in five of editions (2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2014). At the 2004 African Women Championship, she scored four goals in the final against Cameroon to help Nigeria retain the title.
She also set a record by scoring nine goals during the tournament, and was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament. Nkwocha was voted African Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2004, 2005, 2010 and 2011 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). She was also African Women Championship Top Scorer three times – 2004, 2006 and 2010.
Nkwocha also participated in four FIFA Women’s World Cup final competitions (2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015), as well as three Olympics (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008).
She played for Swedish side Sunnanå SK between 2007 and 2014.
Coach of Nigeria’s U-17 women national team Bala Nkiyu ahead of this weekend’s return leg of the 2016 FIFA
U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against South Africa has stated that the team’s qualification to the world cup in Jordan is not up for bargain.The Flamingos made light work of the Bantwana with a thumping 6-0 win which tilts the game in their favor.
Nkiyu told footballlive.ng he doesn’t intend to experiment with the game hence the possibility of launching lethal forward Rasheedat Ajibade on match day.
[size=14pt] Dedevbo waits for NFF green light on World Cup program [/size] Coach of Nigeria’s U-20 women national team Peter Dedevbo has disclosed that he has already submitted his program for this year’s world cup to the Technical committee of the Nigerian Football Federation and that he is simply waiting for response from them.
Dedevbo who was away in Zurich last Thursday for the world cup draw said the group pairing was appeared balanced.
Nigeria lost 1-0 in the 2014 final to Germany and the Coach shrugged off suggestions the presence of the defending champions will hinder his team.
The Falconets will play in group B against Spain, Canada and Japan; the competition kicks off November 13. footballlive.ng/footballnews/9ja-news/dedevbo-waits-for-nff-green-light-on-world-cup-program/
TheSuperNerd: She is Rasheedat Busayo Ajibade, Captain of the Current Nigerian U-17 Women's team, The Flamingoes.
She plays for FC Robo. Same club that once had Asisat Oshoala of Arsenal LFC.
Just recently, she banged in four goals against the South African U-17 girls (the bantwana).
How good is she? Hmm... Sir, she's so so so good abeg. She's really "a beast" and super mesmerising on the ball.
Her goal against Osun Babes at the Onikan Stadium during the last NWPL season is rated as one of the best goals ever seen in the NWPL after she dribbled past five Osun Babes defenders to slot the ball into the net. She was the youngest squad member of the team that represented Nigeria at the last FIFA U-17 Women World Cup in Costa Rica (2014).
Now will it be possible for her to play for both the U17 and U20 women's teams in just a space of time? Hence some one suggested she should be invited from the present U17 squad to U20.
BascoVanVeli: I want him to stay at Granada. He can keep improving there with a coach who knows and trusts him. Already PSG and Valencia are keeping tabs on him so he isn't doing that bad.
[b][size=14pt] U-17 WWC: Flamingos Depart For South Africa Wednesday [/size] https://d1bez7r3o7wd77.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/IMG_20160122_083250.jpg Nigeria U-17 women's national team, the Flamingos, will leave for Johannesburg on Wednesday morning for the return leg of the final qualifying round for this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup against South Africa, the Nigeria Football Federation said on their official website on Tuesday.
The Flamingos won the first leg 6-0 inside the Abuja National Stadium penultimate weekend.
Speaking ahead of the reverse fixture, coach Bala Nikyu has said that the aim is to go to South Africa and win.
"We are not going to allow the Bantwana to cancel any of the goals we scored in Nigeria. Rather, we are going to score more goals and hope to replicate the feat we achieved in Namibia by beating them in South Africa," Nikyu said.
"The girls are confident of cementing their World Cup qualification and it can only be done if we do not underrate the South Africans, and go all out on the attack."
Nigeria has participated at all previous editions of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup final competitions since its inception in 2008 in New Zealand, and reached the quarter -finals in the last three editions.
Ahead of the 2017 AFCON qualifier between Nigeria and Egypt, the air of optimism in the Super Eagles camp has been overwhelming and this was aptly expressed by the NFF President Amaju Pinnick when he said visiting Pharaohs can’t escape defeat in Kaduna.
Pinnick tipped English Premier League trio Odion Ighalo, Alex Iwobi and Obi Mikel to lead the Super Eagles to victory in Kaduna March 26 against the Pharaohs.
The NFF boss expressed his appreciation over what 19-year-old Alex Iwobi produced in his last 2 showings against Barcelona and Everton where he managed to score his first goal in the Premier League. “Our boys are in the best form for the Egypt game, and if they reproduce such form in Kaduna on Friday, goals will rain against the visitors,” Pinnick expressed.
“With the form of Iwobi , Mikel, Odion and other players in England and other leagues of Europe, Egypt know they are in real trouble and will not escape defeat in Kaduna. What we are praying for is that our foreign based players give the game their best and win the first leg before going for the final kill in the second leg duel,” Pinnick pointed out.
“Already, some of the players have called to reassure us that they would show no mercy against Egypt and I believe them. We are not taking any chances against the Pharaohs. Egypt sit top of the AFCON 2017 qualifying group with six points, while Nigeria sit second with four points.
[b][size=14pt] Playing alongside ‘world-class’ Mesut Ozil is better than going on loan says Nigeria international Posted by Emre Sarigul [/size] https://cdn.turkish-football.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/GettyImages-472148942.jpg Arsenal youngster Iwobi has revealed that while going on loan has its merits playing alongside world-class Mesut Ozil is even more beneficial.
“With going out on loan, it’s men’s football so you have to win all the time [and develop] that ‘anything to win’ kind of mentality. So you learn things quicker on loan,” Iwobi told the Arsenal Weekly podcast.
“But when you’re playing with world-class players and training with them every day you become a better footballer in my opinion. You learn a lot more training with the likes of [Mesut] Ozil and [Alexis] Sanchez.”
The 19-year-old striker has never played for another club on loan and rose through the youth ranks at Arsenal before breaking into the first-team.
Iwobi scored the Gunners second goal in the 2-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park over the weekend to keep alive his sides title hops.
The goal was the Nigeria international striker’s first Premier League goal of the season for the Gunners.
As role-models go Ozil is a pretty good example considering he has won the World Cup and two FA Cup titles.
Ozil has also provided 19 assists in the Premier League – the highest in the league – and also has seven goals in all competitions this season.
Iwobi is the nephew of Jay Jay Okocha who is a dual Nigerian-Turkish citizen, having acquired Turkish citizenship as Muhammet Yavuz while playing for Fenerbahce.
Iwobi, who scored on his first Premier League start for the Gunners against Everton on Saturday, has flown out to capital city Abuja to join the Nigeria squad ahead of their African Nations Cup two-leg tie against Egypt.
But a source close to the player revealed Iwobi received a late email from the English FA requesting the 19-year-old reconsider his decision to play for the Super Eagles, insisting it wasn’t too late for the midfielder to switch allegiances back to England.
However, Iwobi seems set to turn his back on the country he plays his club football in, and has done since he was a young boy, to play for Nigeria.
“Alex is committed to Nigeria,” the source told ESPN FC. “It’s taken over nine months of hard work to complete the paperwork on his switch and he will not throw all that away now.”
Iwobi actually represented the Three Lions at several youth levels – under-16, U17 and U18 levels – but has now featured in two friendlies for the African nation, and looks set to play his first part in competitive competition over the international break. https://www.squawka.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/wh4vpk5.png Alex Iwobi’s first Premier League goal sealed Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday.
Iwobi made his sixth top-flight appearance at Goodison Park at the weekend and after he latched onto Hector Bellerin’s pass to score the Gunners’ second in the 2-0 win the youngster will be hoping to receive more opportunities from Arsene Wenger in the closing weeks of the season.
Arsenal’s win saw them move four points clear of Manchester City in fourth place, though the Citizens have a game in hand, while Wenger’s side are now 11 points behind leaders Leicester City.
The gap means the Gunners may again have to settle for Champions League qualification as their best reward for the Premier League season.
[b][size=14pt] EXCLUSIVE PICTURE AS AKPEYI HEADS TO NIGERIA FOR AFCON 2017 QUALIFIERS [/size] https://i2.wp.com/owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/image-132.jpg?resize=300%2C224 Daniel Akpeyi has flown out of South Africa to join the Super Eagles ahead of their AFCON 2017 qualifiers against Egypt owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal after our cameras sighted him at the departure lounge of the Oliver Tambo airport in Johannesburg
The Chippa United goal tender was behind the post yesterday for Chippa United in their 2-2 draw against Maritzburg United.
29 year old Akpeyi was second choice to former Super Eagles captain and net minder Vincent Enyeama has been in the international wilderness since the exit of former coach Stephen Keshi.
He has one cap for Nigeria but he is well respected locally within the Nigeria football league where he has turned out Gabros International,Nassarawa United, Heartland FC and Warri Wolves.
In the Eagles camp he will push Carl Ikeme of English Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers for the number one spot for the back to back game against group G leaders Egypt.
[b][size=14pt] IWOBI NOT INTERESTED IN ENGLAND LATE ATTEMPT TO LURE HIM [/size] https://i0.wp.com/owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/image-130.jpg?resize=262%2C300 Owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal that Arsenal teen sensation Alex Iwobi is fully commited to the Super Eagles of Nigeria despite a late attempt from England to lure him into their national team set up.
“It has been on for a while but the last few weeks it went a notch further but am fully committed to Nigeria and am focus on the Egypt game” He told owngoalnigeria from the Super Eagles camp.
England according to the electronic edition of the daily mirror tried to talk the 19 year old into switching allegiance back to them after representing them at youth level but met a brick wall in his family who want him to follow in the footstep of his uncle former Nigeria captain Austin Okocha.
However he still remain eligible for England unless he plays in this Friday AFCON 2017 qualifiers against Egypt as he has only played two friendly games for Nigeria.
He was the first to arrive the camp of the Super Eagles and the man who scored his first top flight goal for Arsenal on Saturday in their 2-0 win over Everton is very much at home with interim manager of the Super Eagles Samson Siasia who made him switch allegiance to Nigeria a year ago.
Siasia who still doubles as Nigeria U-23 coach invited then 18 year old Iwobi to train with his team in 2015 and sang the youngster praise after then although he never got to play for the team as the Super Eagles called him up.
[b][size=14pt] EXCLUSIVE: ONOBI FINALLY AGREES TO FLY TO FINLAND AND COMPLETE KuPS TRANSFER [/size] https://i0.wp.com/owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/image-90.jpg?resize=225%2C300 Paul Onobi has finally put to rest the controversy surrounding his move to Kuopion Palloseura (KuPS) of Finland after agreeing to fly to Finland to complete the remaining formalities of the deal.
He will now travel to Finland tomorrow to team up with the three other Nigerians at the team, the trio of Azubuike Egwuekwe,Paul Onobi and Aliyu Abubakar who are already there.
The 23 year old initially refused to travel to Finland insisting on receiving his sign on fee before leaving the shores of Nigeria but owngoalnigeria.com can exclusively reveal an agreement has been found between both parties.
We gathered the brouhaha started when an agent named Segun who claims to be representing the Sunshine Stars midfielder traveled to Finland to have talks on the player’s behalf but was rebuffed by KuPS.
KuPS insisted they are already in talks with their contact in Nigeria who made the player sign the dotted lines on their behalf and won’t talk to a third party.
Frustrated by the refusal of the Finnish team to speak with him, Segun returned back to Nigeria and ironed out issues as directed by the club with their contacts.
[size=14pt] Official : Heanor Town Announce Signing Of Former Wolves Player Simeon Osheboke [/size] https://allnigeriasoccer.com/football_pics/12486Simeon.jpg Heanor Town have snapped up Simeon Osheboke, formerly on the books of Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division side Mickleover Sports.
On his curriculum vitae, Osheboke previously turned out for Holbrook Sports before penning a deal with Mickleover Sports.three years ago.
Born in Nigeria, he was on the payroll of Wolverhampton Wanderers prior to his switch to Mickleover Sports.
The financial terms and duration of contract the player signed were not disclosed.
[b][size=14pt] Aaron Samuel, Odion Ighalo,Godfrey Oboabona Hit Super Eagles Camp [/size] https://allnigeriasoccer.com/football_pics/71975Ighalo.jpg Nine invited players have arrived at the Bolton White Apartment camp of the Super Eagles, the Nigeria Football Federation has announced via official sources.
Portuguese-based stopper Abdullahi Shehu was still being expected in camp as at 1400 hours on Monday, contrary to the earlier reports that emanated from the Federation.
Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi, Obi Mikel(Chelsea), Aminu Umar(Osmanlispor FK), Ikechukwu Ezenwa(Sunshine Stars) and Portugal-bound Etebo Oghenekaro were already in camp on Monday morning.
The latest players to join the camp are Odion Ighalo(Watford), Aaron Samuel(CSKA Moscow), Godfrey Oboabona(Rizespor) and Ifeanyi Mathew(Kano Pillars).
The squad will resume preparations for the AFCON qualifiers against Egypt this evening, with a training session scheduled to take place.
Sports › Re: Super Falcons of Nigeria Thread: 2015 Women's World Cup by justiz5(m): 11:33pm On Mar 27, 2016
