U17 AFCON: Golden Eaglets secure quarterfinal place with comeback win over South Africa

 

Nigeria sailed into the last eight of the Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Algeria with a 3-2 defeat of South Africa’s Amajimbo in an interesting encounter in Constantine on Saturday night.

 

Five-time world champions Nigeria, who pipped Zambia 1-0 in their opening match but then lost by the same margin to Morocco in their second game, fell behind as early as the 6^th minute when Amajimbo drew the first blood by converting from their very first corner kick.

 

The Eaglets had the ball in the net four minutes later but it was ruled off-side. They continued to knock as Tockukwu Ogbadibo’s shot proved too weak to trouble the opposing goalkeeper and Light Eke’s header missed target.

 

Charles Agada, who also had been knocking on the door, brought Nigeria level in the 33^rd minute when he nodded into the net from a corner kick with South Africa’s goalkeeper in no man’s land.

 

South Africa shot ahead once more but Light Eke restored Nigeria into the game two minutes after the restart.

 

Abubakar Abdullahi shot Nigeria into the lead for the first time in the match in the 63^rd minute, and it remained that way as the Eaglets finished with six points and in second place in Group B, behind Morocco who also ended with six points but with superior goals difference.   

Sunday Dare charges Super Falcons to bounce back from Aisha Buhari Cup loss to South Africa

Youth and Sports Development Minister Sunday Dare has challenged members of the Nigeria senior national Women's football team- Super Falcons to learn from Tuesday's loss to South Africa's Bayana Bayana in the final game of the Aisha Buhari Cup and bounce back.

The Nigerians were outclassed by their opponents 4-2 in the final game of the inaugural edition of the invitational tournament against the expectations of many who had thronged the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan Stadium, Lagos to support them.

Dare told the Super Falcons after the game that they do not have to dwell too long on their disappointing loss.

"I know you are all disappointed with this result. We all wanted a better result and performance but things like this happen in football.

"You have to raise your heads. Watch the game again and identify where you faltered, correct the mistakes then bounce back stronger. Learn from the loss."

The Sports Minister further encouraged the team to switch focus to their next assignment which is just a few weeks away.

"There is another opportunity around the corner. I am happy that we do not have any major injuries to any of you. So you can return to your clubs in good condition and be back for your next assignment in great shape.

"We will continue to appreciate and encourage you for your service to this country. We will always be a pillar of support for you," Dare added.

The next competitive game for the Super Falcons will be against their tough rivals and neighbours, the Black Queens of Ghana who were also beaten by the South Africans 3-0 in one of their games at the just concluded invitational tournament.

Air Peace Airline Boss, Onyema doles out N20million to Falcons

President of Air Peace Airline, Barrister Allen Onyema was not dismayed by the lashing received by the Super Falcons in the hands of South Africa’s Banyana Banyana at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Tuesday.

 

He presented the sum of N10 million to the Super Falcons’ class of 1999 that reached the quarter finals of the FIFA Women’s Cup in USA and were honoured by the NFF at a special Awards ceremony in Lagos on Monday, and also gifted the present bunch the sum of N10 million.

 

It would be recalled that Barrister Onyema, whose company became the Official Airline of the Nigeria National Teams following a contract agreement signed earlier this month, motivated the Super Eagles with the sum of N20million to win their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifier against Cape Verde in Mindelo. He promptly redeemed the pledge on the team’s arrival after their victory.

 

The Super Falcons lost the final match of the Aisha Buhari Invitational Tournament 2-4 to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, but it was a good lesson for Nigeria to set store by her young brood.

This is unarguably the best pitch I have played on here in Nigeria" - Ellis

South Africa head coach, Desiree Ellis is confident that her team are ready to fire on all cylinders at the Aisha Buhari Cup after having a feel of the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium turf laid by Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Ltd.

Banyana Banyana are one of the participating teams at the prestigious competition currently hold in the commercial City of Lagos.

 

The charismatic Ellis tinker her team the Black Queens of Ghana (Friday) in what would be their first game of the competition. 

The ex Spurs Ladies gaffer who spoke ahead of the cracker was full of praise for organizers of the #AishaBuhariCup for providing top class facilities.

The 58-year-old tactician stated that the Mobolaji Johnson Stadium turf is something she has fallen in love with, while declaring that her wards would relish playing on the Hybrid Synthetic Pitch.

"The facilities here are top class, the grass is so beautiful. This is unarguably the best pitch I have played on in here in Nigeria…so I am very excited about this. We have enjoyed ourselves since arriving Lagos and we hope to have a good tournament," the former Athlone Celtic, Wynberg St Johns, Joyces United, St. Albans City and Spurs Ladies star mused.

It would be recalled that Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Ltd which laid the Mobolaji Stadium turf constructed the Enyimba Stadium in Aba where Enyimba has in the last couple of years been playing their continental games.

The Chief Executive Officer of the well regarded firm, Ebi Egbe has always made it clear that the vision of his company is to eradicate bad football pitches in Nigeria and Africa as well as change the face of stadium facilities in the continent.

Monimichelle Sports Facility Construction Ltd. also put in place the facilities at Mohammodu Dikko Stadium and Samson Siasia Stadium.

Source: Vanguard News

Enyimba books Confederation Cup group stage ticket

Enyimba sealed passage into the CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage after a 0-0 draw with Bidvest Wits on Wednesday in Calabar.

Anyasi charges Enyimba to give all against Wits

After a first leg 1-1 draw against Bidvest Wits in Milpark Stadium Johanessburg, Nigerian giants Enyimba are on the cusp of a group stage place in this year's CAF Confederation Cup.

Oladapo confident Enyimba will outwits Bidvest

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Enyimba arrives Johannesburg, map out plans to outwit Bidvest

Enyimba Football Club arrived Johannesburg in the early hours of Thursday for Friday's CAF Confederation Cup encounter with Bidvest Wits.

Eagles begin training in Uyo, committed to victory over Bafana

Nigeria has never lost a competitive match to South Africa at senior level, and the Super Eagles are confident that record will not only be sustained, but a convincing win by Nigeria awaits in Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Onazi, Echiejile, 21 others to battle Bafana Bafana

Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has invited 24 players to the Super Eagles’ camp ahead of next week’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

AWCON: Super Falcons to Perch on Lioness in Final

Champions Nigeria will confront host nation Cameroon in the final of the 10th Women Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.

Super Falcons Thump Kenya 4-0, Face Banyana in Semi

Champions Nigeria hit tournament newcomers Kenya 4-0 on Saturday to seal top place in Group B and reach the semi finals of the 10th Women Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Phreestyle Sport Publisher, Shogo Shodunnke for FIFA Course in Sports Management

Brain behind for one of the leading sports consultancy firms in Nigeria, Phreestyle Sport, Shogo Shodunnke has been granted admission by Federation Internationale Football Association, FIFA to study sports management and strategic studies in South Africa.