June 19, 2023
The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured their spot from Group A of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers on Sunday in Monrovia with a 3-2 win Over the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone.
The coach Jose Peseiro-tutored side secured their spot in this year’s AFCON, which is to be held in Ivory Coast, after picking up their fourth win in qualification Group A following a tight triumph over Sierra Leone. Kelechi Iheanacho came on to score the winner for Nigeria late in the game after Sierra Leone cancelled out Osimhen’s brace.
Midfielder Ndidi played the entire match on the coast of Liberia, while Kelechi Iheanacho was the late hero – claiming a 95th-minute winner after being introduced 20 minutes from the full-time whistle.
Leicester City’s No.25 was among the starting line-up, while forward Iheanacho was named on the bench for the match-up at Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium, as two first-half goals from Napoli forward and Serie A champion, Victor Osimhen gave the Super Eagles a strong lead after only half an hour.
Mustapha Bundu got a goal back for Sierra Leone just before the interval, inspiring a potential comeback for the home side, who levelled things up in the 84th minute through winger Augustus Kargbo.
While a single point would’ve been enough to secure qualification for this year’s tournament, Iheanacho was keen to have an impact, and netted seconds from time, when the striker tapped in a low cross from FC Porto left-back Zaidu Sanusi.
The win leaves Nigeria at the top of the group, with 12 points, and the Super Eagles face one more group stage game – with qualification already confirmed – when they take on bottom-placed Sao Tome and Principe in September.
November 28, 2022
Head Coach of the Nigeria U-20 side; the flying Eagles, Ladan Bosso has extended invitations to 40 players who are expected to resume camp on Monday November 28, 2020, in Abuja.
Nigeria are Seven-time African champions at this level and will be representing the WAFU-B zone at the Continental showpiece billed for Egypt from 18th February – 12th March, 2023.
The list is made up of five goalkeepers, nine defenders, 13 midfielders and 13 forwards.
ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:
Goalkeepers: Nathaniel Nwosu (Water FC); Kingsley Aniagboso (Giant Brillars); Saheed Jimoh (Adoration FC); Kehinde Ogundele (Insurance FC); Edward Ameh (Mailantarki FC)
Defenders: Oluwatosin Adegbite (Enyimba FC): Benjamin Frederick (Nasarawa United); David Sholumade (Akwa United); Sunday Haruna (Wikki Tourists); Dominion Ohaka (Water FC); Shaibu Hassan (Smart City); Solomon Agbalaka (Broad City); Adedoyin Odele (36 Lion); Junior Nduka (Remo Stars)
Midfielders: Daniel Daga (Dakkada FC); Hassan Anas (Vandrezzer FC); Ogbelu Onuche (Fosla FC); Udoh Godwin (City FC Abuja): Muhammad Aminu (Gombe United); Sambo Shehu (Katsina United); Samuel Longbak (Plateau United); Ozuka Ogochukwu (Katsina United); Alex Oyewah (Bayelsa United); Obiaku Ifesinachi (36 Lion); Caleb Ochedikwu (Mavloon FC); Christopher Chinedu (Unique FC); Isaac Ayuma (Mavloon FC)
Forwards: Rilwanu Haliru (Mahanaim FC); Tolulope Ojo (Phoenix FC); John Edwin (Water FC); Divine Nwachukwu (Insurance FC); Albert Hilary (Plateau United); Ibrahim Yahaya (Wikki Tourists); Umar Badamasi (El-Kanemi Warriors); Adam Abdulrahaman (Mahanim FC); Azeez Akintunde (3SC); Sunday Emmanuel (Empire FC): Emmanuel Jonas (Niger Tornadoes); Francis Ayuba (Nasarawa United); Emmanuel Justin (Unique FC)
February 9, 2022
As a result of his exclusion from the AFCON squad, Hakim Ziyech has announced his severance from the Atlas Lions of Morocco.
The Chelsea star man Hakim Ziyech missed out on the chance to represent Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations throughout January, despite being one of Morocco best players.
Ziyech was reported to have had a fallout with National teamcoach Vahid Halilhodzic as the latter was said to be unhappy with the player’s attitude at training and on matchdays, which led to the decision to leave him out of the squad.
But Ziyech has come out to announce his retirement during his club preparation against Al Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup.
“I will not return to the national team. This is my final decision. Everything is clear to me. I focus on what I do, my club. (If he’s disappointed?) Sure, who wouldn’t? But in the end, it’s him who makes the decisions and that must be respected. It is clear to me and I will not return to the team.
I understand them and I feel sorry for the fans,” he said.
Despite being born and raised in the Netherlands, Ziyech had represented Morocco at international level since he was 15 due to his family roots.
Morocco were knocked out of the 2021 AFCON competition in the quarter-final by Mohamed Salah’s Egypt, who lost to Senegal in the final.
January 25, 2022
Eight people have died while several others were injured in a stampede outside the stadium in Olembe where the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon took on debutants; Comoros Island in the Round of 16 at the Ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
The unfortunate incident happened as crowds struggled to get access to Olembe Stadium in the capital city of Yaounde to watch the host country play Comoros in the knockout phase of the Continental showpiece.
Officials at the nearby Messassi hospital said they received at least 40 injured people, who were rushed to the hospital by police and civilians. The officials said the hospital wasn’t capable of treating all the victims and had to transfer some to other Facilities .
The Camerounian government in a Press release also confirmed the sad incident.
