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Cote d’Ivoire 2023: Eagles arrive Monrovia
Hunt for three crucial points
Last Time Around: Sierra Leone VS Nigeria Return Leg in Freetown. This time, African Cup of Nations qualifying rounds continues with Sierra Leone hosting Nigeria in a return match in Monrovia.
Super Eagles landed in the Liberian capital, Monrovia on Saturday morning, aboard a chartered Air Peace airline Embraer 195 in the hunt of the crucial three points to qualify for the major continental nations cup championship against Sierra Leone on Sunday.
The aircraft conveying the Nigeria contingent of 23 players, technical team, administrative staff and other officials, and led by President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, landed at the Roberts International Airport at 11.08 am local time (12.08pm in Nigeria).
The contingent was received by the Ambassador of Nigeria to Liberia, His Excellency Godfrey A. E. Odudigbo, the Head of Chancery, Ms. Stella Ahumibe and a few other mission staff.
There were also members of the Nigerian community in Monrovia, led by Deacon Harrison Anikwu as well as officials of the Liberia Football Association.
President of NFF, Alhaji Gusau assured the embassy chieftains that the Super Eagles are in town for business.
“The team is here to work hard and take the three points. It will not be an easy game, but we have the players to do Nigeria proud by winning and qualifying for the next Africa Cup of Nations finals,” he said.
Head Coach José Santos Peseiro reiterated that neither himself nor the players are looking forward to a picnic at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium starting from 4pm Liberia time on Sunday.
“We know the Sierra Leoneans are also ambitious, that they want to win the three points and enhance their chances. It is our business to show that we want the three points better to qualify for the Africa Cup, and we are prepared to do just that. We have to be at our very best.”
Presently, Nigeria is second in the pool with nine points from four matches, a point behind Guinea Bissau, who have played five matches and reached the top following their 1-0 defeat of Sao Tome on Wednesday.
Victory for the Eagles on Sunday will lift them back to the top of the pile and guarantee presence at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations to be staged in Cote d’Ivoire next year.
Nigeria defeated Sierra Leone home and away (1-0 and 4-0) in the qualifying series for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa, and then defeated the Leone Stars 2-1 in a friendly match in Lagos in February 2011. In a WAFU Cup encounter in September 2017, the Eagles were 2-0 winners.
Both teams clashed twice in the qualifying series for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, with the Leone Stars coming from 1-4 down to draw 4-4 in Benin City, and then forcing a 0-0 draw in Freetown.
In this campaign, the Eagles came from behind to defeat the Leone Stars 2-1 at the MKO Abiola Stadium in June 2022, on the opening day of the series.
Waldrum releases Falcons’ world cup list
Australia & New Zealand 2023: Super Falcons picks include Ebi, Asisat, Ajibade, 20 others
By Rasheed Adewuyi
Head Coach Randy Waldrum has released his 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup picks listing European Cup winner Asisat Oshoala, dainty attacking midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade and history-making captain Onome Ebi in his list of 23 Super Falcons for this year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand.
There is also first choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, as well as defenders Osinachi Ohale and Oluwatosin Demehin, midfielders Halimatu Ayinde and Christy Ucheibe, and forwards Esther Okoronkwo and Desire Oparanozie on the list.
Nigeria will play Canada, co-host nation Australia, and the Republic of Ireland in that order, at the biggest-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in history, where 32 teams are set to debut at the new-look championship – same number as the men’s finals in Qatar last year.
Nine-time African champions Nigeria, who were within whistling distance of the semi-finals before losing to Brazil in extra time in the United States of America in 1999, will arrive in Australia on Tuesday, 4th July for a 15-day final camping programme before the finals begin on 20th July.
SUPER FALCONS FOR BIGGEST-EVER FIFA WORLD CUP FINALS:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Tochukwu Oluehi (Hakkarigucuspor FC, Turkey); Yewande Balogun (AS Saint-Etienne, France
Defenders: Onome Ebi (Abia Angels); Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain); Glory Ogbonna (Besiktas JK, Turkey); Ashleigh Plumptre (Leicester City, England); Rofiat Imuran (Stade de Reims, France); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Oluwatosin Demehin (Stade de Reims, France)
Midfielders: Halimatu Ayinde (Rosengard FC, Sweden); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels); Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University, USA)
Forwards: Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, Kentucky, USA); Gift Monday (UDG Tenerife, Spain); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona Femenine, Spain); Desire Oparanozie (Wuhan Chegu Jianghan, China); Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Esther Okoronkwo (AS Saint-Etienne, France)
GAA concludes plan to hold seminar
As the preparation for primary school athIetics championship hots up
By Rasheed Adewuyi
Sequel to the preparation of Gombe State AthIetics Association (GAA) primary school AthIetics Championship, the Association has concluded plans to host a Seminar for the training of coaches, games masters and technical officials.
This was contained in a press release signed by GAA media officer Inuwa Mohammed on Friday.
He stated that the Seminar is aimed at preparing coaches, gamemasters and allied stakeholders for the event.
The Seminar begins on June 19 and will hold through June 20, 2023 at the Gombe State University Center.
According to the release, over 36 primary schools in Gombe have indicated readiness to participate in the grassroots AthIetics bliss that is geared towards talent discovery.
Inuwa Mohammed maintained that the financial anchor of the 2-day officials seminar, Hon. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe has assured participants of mutual beneficial seminar sessions anchored by experienced resource personalities such as Dr. Alex Manna, Mohammed Kolo, Prince Simon Ayuba, veteran Marathon legend Abass Mohammed, and others.
Hon. Gara Gombe in a chat with TheNicheng.com said, “Catching them young through grassroots AthIetics Competitions such as this would be more mutually beneficial and rewarding than poaching AthIetes from everywhere which often comes with negative bagages.”
He averred that with young athletes, their management and growth in the sport would not only be guaranteed, but would be carefully and closely monitored towards an expected end of achieving perceived goals
Stylebender on Francis Ngannou’s side
The Octagon is yet to See the Last of Francis Ngannou-Israel Adesanya
Though UFC president Dana White continues to insist that Francis Ngannou is done inside the Octagon, ‘ the Last Stylebender’ Israel Adesanya isn’t buying that.
‘The Predator’ turned his back on the UFC in January after almost two years of futile wheeling and dealings. Last month, the ex-heavyweight title holder disclosed having signed a landmark lucrative contract with the Professional Fighters League to become the organization’s chairman for the PFL’s expansion into Africa.
Low Kick MMA reports that with the announcement of the deal, Dana White was very reproving of both the Cameroonian and the PFL. “Based on what I know about the deal, which is not much, it makes no sense to me,” White said at a post-fight press event.
“You’re going to pay a guy not to fight for a year, and it’s already been like [14] months. He’s fought three times in the last three years.”
White has also held on more than one instance that Francis Ngannou will never event inside the Octagon again after the promotion sought to sign him for months without success.
“We negotiated with him for years,” White said when asked if Ngannou was ever going to return to the UFC.
“It’s over, that’s over. He’ll never be in the UFC again. … I never say never, but I’ll give you a never on that one. We tried.”
But ‘The Stylebender’ is of the view that the MMA World haven’t seen the last of ‘The Predator’ Inside the Octagon.
While on the set of The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, ‘The Last Stylebender’ maintained that the story between Ngannou and the UFC is far from over and counts on ‘The Predator’ returning to the Octagon one day despite White’s averment.
“I’m proud of him because his story is very unique, even before he was in the UFC,” Adesanya said of Ngannou.
“The story’s not over yet, everybody needs to chill and just watch…everyone wants to be first…this isn’t a guy that just quits. Dana’s said some stuff in the past [about women never fighting in the UFC]…look where we are now!
“I think he’ll do what he does and come back, and then they’ll pay him what he deserves, what he’s earned, because they f***ed him for a long time.”
There is hardly an occasion where Dana White has said no to something and stuck to his guns with Paul Daley the exception. He stayed committed to his averment on that issue, but Daley isn’t Ngannou.
Should ‘The Predator’ go and make some major news splashes in the PFL, it’s very certain that the UFC will make a turn around when it’s contract time and offer Ngannou a huge payday for the fight everyone in the world wants to see.
Lulu hails Gusau on leadership qualities
Former NFF President lauds the incumbent on his sincerity, vision, and direction
Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi
By Rasheed Adewuyi
A former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi has praised the vision and direction of the current Ibrahim Musa Gusau-led NFF administration, saying the sincerity of its approach to issues and unambiguous intention to develop the game from the grassroots will culminate in steady growth of the Nigeria game.
Speaking during a visit to the NFF Secretariat, Abuja on Wednesday-the first since he left office in 2010-the Omachi Attah of Igalaland described the present NFF team as “experienced, diligent and committed,” and expressed confidence that it will succeed with its focus on grassroots development and inclusivity in administration.
“I feel honored to be here. This is my first time in the NFF, sitting happily with a sitting NFF President, since I left office. I am happy about the path you have chosen, about the fact that you’re a bridge-builder and about your honest intentions in taking Nigeria Football to new heights.
“I am happy doing what I am doing. I thank God for the little I was able to do with my team while we were here. It was so many years ago but I still feel the passion because I never really left,” said Lulu, whose FOSLA Secondary School is the reigning champion of the National Principals’ Cup competition.
Earlier, President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau praised the passion and energy of the former NFF supremo while in office, and commended the fact that he has continued to work with the same passion in producing excellent individuals through his football academy that nicely blends football with education.
“You are one man we all respect so much because football is the centre of your existence. Even after leaving office as NFF President, you have remained in the game and your school continues to churn out good products for our football teams.
“What you are doing is invaluable and it is making a real impact because very few people are providing the opportunity for our young men to blend their urge for education with their passion for football.”
Gusau disclosed that the NFF is working in synergy with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Federal Ministry of Education, as well as the Nigeria School Sports Federation, to produce Nigeria’s representatives for subsequent editions of the African Secondary Schools Football Competition.
FOSLA, as the country’s champion school, has been invited to participate in this year’s International School Sports Federation competition taking place in Morocco next month.
Also present at the occasion were NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi; NFF’s Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire; NFF’s Director of Competitions, Ruth David, and Alhaji Suleiman Yusuf, personal assistant to Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi.
Full house now in Eagles’ camp
AFCON 2023 Qualifier: Nigeria aims for early ticket
The Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Paynesville, Monrovia
By Rasheed Adewuyi
All invited players are now in the camp of the Super Eagles in Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, as the countdown begins for Sunday’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying showdown with the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in Monrovia.
Table-toppers Nigeria, on nine points, will slug it out with the Leone Stars who are four points behind the Super Eagles, and are in third place, at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Paynesville, Monrovia.
The 22,000 -capacity arena will witness fireworks from 5pm Nigeria time (4pm Liberia time) as the Super Eagles seek to reach the finals of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for Cote d’Ivoire early next year, with a game to spare.
For the last edition of Africa’s flagship football championship, the Super Eagles qualified for the finals with a game to spare after Paul Onuachu headed in with few minutes left against Benin Republic’s le Guépard in Porto Novo.
Three-time champions Nigeria will fire from all cylinders at the Paynesville complex, conscious that second-placed Guinea Bissau, two points behind, are likely to inflict defeat on group whipping boys Sao Tome and Principe, in the other match of the pool.
In the last weeks of 2020, the Leone Stars famously came from 4-1 down to draw 4-4 with the Super Eagles at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City in another Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match (Cameroon 2021), and few days later, held the Eagles to a barren draw at the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown.
When both teams clashed on Day 1 of the ongoing series at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja a year ago, the Leone Stars drew the first blood before goals by Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen put Nigeria in the driving seat. The Eagles then flew to Agadir, Morocco some days later, to inflict a 10-0 defeat on Sao Tome and Principe, in the event setting a new international win-record.
The Confederation of African Football has appointed Sudanese official Mahmood Ali Ismail as the referee for Sunday’s encounter, with his compatriot Mohammed Abdallah Ibrahim as assistant referee 1. Abdourazak Ahmed from Djibouti will serve as assistant referee 2, with Mohamed Diraneh Guedi, also from Djibouti, in the role of fourth official.
Gambian Bakary Jammeh will be the commissioner, while Kokou Djaoupe from Togo will serve as referee assessor.
‘Take outdoor form to world championships’
Sydney 2000 Olympics gold medalist tasks Nigerian student athletes
Tobi Amusan: Miles ahead of the rest
By Rasheed Adewuyi
Sydney 2000 Olympics gold medalist, Tafida Gadzama has tasked Nigerian student athletes who made the podium and those who set lifetime bests at the just ended NCAA outdoor championships to take their form to Budapest, Hungary this August at the World Athletics Championships.
Udodi Onwuzurike ran new lifetime bests in the 100m (9.92) and 200m (19.76) enroute to making the final of the former and clinched a historic gold in the latter, while Godson Oghenebrume ran 9.90 in the 100m event to finish second in the final.
Favour Ashe improved his personal best in the 100m to 9.96, while Nathaniel Ezekiel ran inside 49 seconds consistently at the Championships to finish third in the 400m hurdles.
Rosemary Chukwuma and Favour Ofili also made it to the final of the 100m and 200m respectively. Gadzama believes these are signs that the rising profile since 2021 was not by happenstance.
“I am delighted with the steady progress we have been making since 2021 when Tobi Amusan won the Diamond League trophy. We have since produced a world outdoor champion and record holder,” he said.
“For the first in our history, we have three Nigerian sprinters break 10 seconds in the event the same year and chances are, we could have one or two more do that before the end of the outdoor season.”
Gadzama who is also the first Vice President of the AFN insists that he is speaking up in his personal capacity and as an Olympic gold medal winner, and believes Nigerian athletes can shake the stables in Budapest in August.
Ruth Usoro can spread her wings and reach for the sky
“Oghenebrume has shown the kind of spirit I want the others to imbibe. The 20 year old student athlete at Louisiana State University has warned the world he is ready to ruffle feathers at World Athletics’ flagship event,” Gadzama said.
“I am confident we can get to the final of the men’s 100m for the first time since 2007 when my friend, Olusoji Fasuba, came fourth and made the podium for the first time ever.”
Gadzama, a former African U20 400m champion, said that he is also excited Tobi Amusan is on course in her preparations to successfully defend the World 100m hurdles title she won last year and see a great development in the women’s long jump event.
“I see Ese Brume and Ruth Usoro jumping farther than ever to enable two Nigerians making the podium in an individual event for the first time at the championships,” he said.
“Ese has won silver and bronze in the event and who says she or Ruth cannot aspire to gold this time.”
Why local players are left behind-Amun
Former Super Eagles coach blasts home based players for not having what it takes to make the national team
Fanny Amun
By Rasheed Adewuyi
Former Super Eagles coach Fanny Amun says the mentality of home based players is the main reason why they don’t get invitation to the national team in recent past.
Amun who dropped this hint on Football Doctors a sports program on Facebook live on Sunday, disclosed that the attitude and way of thinking of the home based players, are always very bad.
The Japan 93 U-17 World Cup winning coach said, ” Olumide Harris and Duke Udi were typical example of what I am saying when they were invited to the U-20 national team in 1995.
“Olumide Harris and Duke Udi preferred to pass the ball to themselves because of their Shooting Stars connection. Udi would send the ball to our goal area instead of passing it to his teammates, and Harris would play the ball up to the opponents area and end up killing a Monkey or pluck Mongooses with his final shot.”
The Japan 93 FIFA U-17 World Cup winning coach explained that there’s nothing wrong in inviting players born by Nigerians in the Diaspora because the national team should comprise of Nigerians home and abroad.
“I don’t even know the tribes of the players I took to Japan U-17 world cup in 1993. I later discovered that there were more Igbos in the the team. It is the national team of Nigeria not a sectional team and it is very important that we give everybody equal opportunity,” Amun added.
He commended the former Nigeria Football Federation chairman Pinnick Amaju for inviting players born abroad to the national team adding, that we should not encourage such practice at the age group levels
Saints’ Plot ECL life with Aribo, Tella
Saints’ best possible EFL starting XI calculation ditches Onuachu, Salisu, and Sulemana
By Ed Emeanua
Southampton’s EFL XI: Alex McCarthy, James Bree, Jack Stephens (C), Dynel Simeu, Thierry Small, Will Smallbone, Joe Aribo, Ryan Finnigan, Nathan Tella, Adam Armstrong, Che Adams.
Southampton is already moving ahead with its reunion with English Championship football with plans for a starting EFL eleven that includes Nigerians midfielders Joe Aribo and forward Nathan Tella but absent striker Paul Onuachu.
Absent convincing indicators for imminent transfers for some of its player force and stern desire for greener pastures from others, the Saints have started taking a look at its possible EFL starting eleven when championship hostilities resumes in about two months.
Premier League relegation comes with many of a team’s established stars likely moving on. According to Hampshire Live, the stay of players like James Ward-Prowse, right-back Kyle Walker-Peters, centre-back Armel Bella-Kotchap, and Belgian teenager Romeo Lavia are all uncertain.
Black Stars of Ghana’s left winger Kamaldeen Sulemana and Carlos Alcaraz will definitely attract interest from other clubs too, while striker Sekou Mara and defender Lyanco have already been linked with moves away as well.
Players like Nigeria striker Paul Onuachu and Croatian left winger Mislav Orsic are reported to be unhappy with their game time this season and are looking for the way out of Southampton.
Ghana international defender Mohammed Salisu is reported to be frowning at a life in the championship at this stage of his career.
Hampshire Live reports what a new-look Southampton eleven in the EFL will resemble when the 2023/24 season kicks off below.
Goalkeeper and defense
We had two choices in goal with both Alex McCarthy and Gavin Bazunu having experience within the EFL. If we’re doing it by the number of games played in the EFL, McCarthy wins hands down. He’s played in the Championship with Reading, Leeds United, and Ipswich Town, in League One with Brentford and Yeovil Town and in League Two with Aldershot Town.
,Bazunu meanwhile, has just two seasons in League One under his belt with Rochdale and Portsmouth, but he’s the keeper we’ve gone for as he’s the one most likely to start next season. It’s best to start realistically before we get creative with the defenders in front of him.
The easy picks here are James Bree and Jack Stephens. Both of them have a very real chance of starting Southampton’s first game of the new season and they have the experience too. Bree has spent his entire professional career in the EFL before joining Saints in January, playing for Barnsley, Aston Villa, Ipswich Town, and Luton Town. Stephens’ career has taken him to League One with Plymouth Argyle, Swindon Town and Coventry City, plus a single Championship appearance for Middlesbrough.
Here’s where we have to rely on some wildcards, starting with Dynel Simeu partnering Stephens at centre-back. The former Chelsea youngster hasn’t made a senior appearance for Southampton yet but has spent the last two seasons on loan in League Two with Carlise United and Tranmere Rovers and, most recently, in League One with Morecambe.
At left-back is Thierry Small, who at least has one Southampton appearance to his name in the FA Cup against Coventry City. The 18-year-old creeps into this team thanks to four appearances in League One with Port Vale early on in the 2022/23 season. Since then, he’s been in the Scottish Premiership with St Mirren.
Midfield
The midfield was easier to pick though we still had to rely on some youth in there. Will Smallbone is one of the first names on the team sheet despite only spending one season in the EFL. He made 43 appearances in the Championship last season while on loan from Stoke City.
Alongside him is former Charlton Athletic midfielder Joe Aribo, who ended up at Southampton via Rangers last summer. Aribo won the League One play-offs with the Addicks in 2019 and played 97 games for them in total during his time in south London.
The wildcard here is 19-year-old Ryan Finnigan, whose only experience of the EFL came with 16 appearances in League Two on loan at Crewe Alexandra last season. The midfielder was named on the bench for Premier League games against Arsenal and Fulham however and has often travelled with the squad as the 21st man. He might well get some game time in the Championship next season.
Forwards
Even with the limitations we’ve placed upon ourselves in picking this XI, this front three is still pretty devastating. Nathan Tella‘s future is uncertain right now, with Burnley hoping to bring him back to Turf Moor on a permanent deal after he helped fire them to the Championship title last season with 17 league goals.
On the other side, Adam Armstrong has bags of experience across the EFL with Coventry City, Barnsley, Bolton Wanderers and Blackburn Rovers. For the latter, he scored 28 goals in 40 Championship games during his final season at Ewood Park before moving to Southampton.
Up top, Che Adams has to lead the line with his experience in League One with Sheffield United and in the Championship with Birmingham City. The forward would link up excellently with Tella and Armstrong in the second tier.
Southampton’s EFL XI: Alex McCarthy, James Bree, Jack Stephens (C), Dynel Simeu, Thierry Small, Will Smallbone, Joe Aribo, Ryan Finnigan, Nathan Tella, Adam Armstrong, Che Adams.
As Burnley requests Nathan Tella permanent signing
There’s no doubt that having Nathan Tella at Southampton next season would help the club’s promotion push, having been Burnley’s top goalscorer this season on loan at Turf Moor as they won the Championship.
The Clarets are keen to sign the 23-year-old on a permanent deal after he scored 17 league goals and contributed five assists to Burnley’s title-winning campaign, accounting for 20 per cent of their output in front of goal across the season.
HampshireLive understands that initial talks have already been had between Southampton and Burnley and could intensify as the summer transfer window officially opens next week.