Head Coach Imama Amapakabo has unveiled a list of 20 senior home –based professionals to take on Togo’s Sparrow Hawks in Saturday’s 2020 African Nations Championship qualifying final leg in Lagos.
Super Eagles’ goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa tops the list, with Nasarawa United’s stormy forward Sunusi Ibrahim and Akwa United’s Ndifreke Effiong, who netted a brace for the U23 team in the 5-0 defeat of Sudan in Asaba in September, also selected.
Kano Pillars’ ace Nyima Nwagua, Fatai Gbadamosi of Shooting Stars and Lobi Stars’ trio of Ebube Duru, Sikiru Alimi and John Lazarus make the list, alongside goalkeeper Adamu Abubakar of Wikki Tourists and Enugu Rangers’ Anthony Shimaga are included.
Nigeria have a mountain to surmount at the Agege Stadium, Lagos on Saturday, with Togo having won the first leg by a handsome 4-1 scoreline in Lome.
20 EAGLES TO WRESTLE DOWN SPARROW HAWKS
Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Heartland FC); Adamu Abubakar (Wikki Tourists); Theophilus Afelokhai (Enyimba FC); Nwagua Nyima (Kano Pillars); Stephen Manyo (Enyimba FC); Ifeanyi Nweke (Kano Pillars); Ifeanyi Anaemena (Enyimba FC); John Lazarus (Lobi Stars); Reuben Bala (Enyimba FC); Ifeanyi Nweke (Kano Pillars); Ebube Duru (Lobi Stars); Daniel James (Plateau United); Sikiru Alimi (Lobi Stars); Olisah Ndah (Remo Stars); Anthony Shimaga (Rangers International); Fatai Gbadamosi (Shooting Stars); Ibrahim Olawonye (Rangers International); Ndifreke Effiong (Akwa United); Samuel Mathias (Akwa United); Sunusi Ibrahim (Nasarawa United); Mfon Udoh (Akwa United)
Dikko sues for unity in football family at Match Commissioners’ seminar
NFF’s 2nd Vice President/Chairman, League Management Company, Mallam Shehu Dikko on Thursday called on the nation’s football family to unite stronger than ever, as the present administration pursues the implementation of policies and programmes to take the nation’s game to higher heights of excellence.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of this year’s NFF Match Commissioners’ seminar, at the Merit House, Abuja, Dikko harped on the benefits of the football family remaining one indivisible unit, in order that the Nigeria game can witness even better results on and off the pitch in the coming years.
“We are currently witnessing a period of transition, as against what some people see as crisis. We need stability in the system; we need everyone to be thinking in the same positive direction. We have to acknowledge that unity is key in whatever we do.
“Whatever the issues are, the game itself should not suffer. Every disagreement or conflict can be resolved in the boardroom while the game thrives on the field. Those jurisdictions who appear so perfect have even more problems and disagreements than Nigeria, but they ensure that their conflicts do not affect the game on the field.”
Dikko called on the match commissioners to not only sustain the improved standards that have been witnessed over the years, but to take their conduct and performance to an even higher level in the interest of Nigerian Football.
In his welcome remark, Chairman of the NFF Match Commissioners’ Committee, Alhaji Babagana Kalli appreciated the passion and doggedness of the match commissioners in carrying out their duties, and assured that the NFF will continue to hold them in high esteem.
“The tremendous successes achieved by the various National Teams internationally over the past few years means a lot more eyes are on Nigerian Football, including Nigerian match officials (match commissioners and refereees) at home and internationally. Over the past two years, the National Teams have qualified for major championships in Africa and globally. From those championships, the Super Eagles won bronze at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt; the Super Falcons won a 9th Women Africa Cup of Nations title and; the Home-based Eagles won silver medal at the African Nations Championship. Recently, the Super Eagles drew 2-2 with Ukraine and then, 1-1 with five –time world champions in friendly matches.
“All these great performances invite attention on Nigerian Football from the outside world, and match officials – including match commissioners – are also under focus. This is why it is important that at all times, we must maintain our integrity and dignified conduct, and give good account of ourselves without fail.”
The seminar was for match commissioners in the Nigeria Professional Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and the Nigeria Nation-Wide League.
Also at the opening ceremony were NFF Executive Committee members Ibrahim Musa Gusau, Yusuf Ahmed Fresh, Chidi Ofo Okenwa, Mohammed Alkali, Sharif Rabiu Inuwa and Musa A. Duhu, NFF’s Director of Technical, Mr. Bitrus Bewarang (who represented the NFF General Secretary) and Members of the NFF Congress.
Eaglets shove aside Korea, ready for World Cup
Golden Eaglets of Nigeria showed class as they defeated South Korea 4-2 in their second friendly game played at HWT Sports Academy in Sao Paulo on Wednesday evening.
Samson Tijani’s shot outside the box was headed into goal by Divine Nwachukwu in the 6th minute. It was an early goal, but the South Koreans were not rattled by the goal. Rather, they attacked their more illustrious opponents and were rewarded by a penalty theee minutes later after Usman Mohammed fouled Hong Sungwook inside the box.
Steven Sunday in goal for Nigeria streched full lenght in an attempt to stop the low drive penalty taken by Oh Jaehyeok, but he could not stop the kick from.
It was 1-1 after 10 minutes. The Koreas were all over the Eaglets, piling pressure, winning the balls in the midfield tussle and launching attack after attack, but their efforts only yielded some corner kicks and some shots on goal, which failed to beat Sunday. The Koreans were rewarded with another corner kick in the 40th minute and this time around, it was well taken by Lee Taeseok and Choi Minseo rose highest to nod the ball into the net and give the Asians the lead 2-1. The lead only lasted for a minute as the Golden Eaglets equalized through a goal mouth scramble. Olakunle Olusegun was well positioned to hit a low drive into the net.
Monsur Abdulsalam and Divine Nwachukwu gave way for Akinkunmi Amoo and Jabaar Ibraheem at the begining of second half. The fresh legs gave the Eaglets fresh initiatives in the attack. When it appeared that the game was headed for a draw with five minutes remaining, Jabaar set up Olusegun again with a defence splitting pass and the attacker dribbled both the defender and the goalkeeper to make it 3-2 for Nigeria in the 86th minute.
Eaglets saved the best goal for the last when Jabaar laid a pass for Charles Etim at the edge of the box and the defender hit the ball with a curly shot that sailed into the net to give Nigeria a 4-2 victory.
