Super Eagles Set to Soar Over São Tomé in Agadir

After the opening day’s slim 1-0 win over the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone last Thursday in Abuja, the Super Eagles are set to battle ‘The Falcons and True Parrots’ of São Tomé and Príncipe in the southern Moroccan city of Agadir on Monday, June 13.

The Nigerian delegation for the 2023 AFCON qualifying match landed in Morocco yesterday morning.

The Super Eagles are said to be in buoyant spirits following the victory over Leone Stars in Abuja.

Head Coach Jose Peseiro said at the Aeroport Agadir Almarissa that the encounter against ‘The Falcons and True Parrots’ will bring the best out of his team as they seek to go top of the Group A table.

“We want to be the team at the top of the table, so we must fight hard against the opponents. Every match, we must commit ourselves fully to winning it.

“As I said earlier in the week, Nigeria have huge pedigree and they also have both quality and quantity of players. It is important that we select the best all the time to win the big games.”

Meanwhile, the three-time African champions will be without the services of defender and deputy skipper William Ekong and midfielder Innocent Bonke who have returned to their respective bases in England and France to attend to injuries copped during the international break.

Bonke was injured in the friendly game against Mexico in Dallas on 28th May, while Ekong suffered a groin strain in the 2-1 defeat of Sierra Leone in Abuja on Thursday.…

Nigeria’s deficiencies exposed by Tunisia in stunning AFCON upset

Outfoxed, out-thought, outcoached.

It is hard not to use those words after watching a depleted Tunisia produce a stunning 1-0 upset to knock Nigeria out of the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday night in Garoua.

The defeat means Nigeria — who have made more AFCON semifinal appearances than any other country — have failed to make the final four for the first time since 2008, when they were eliminated in the quarterfinal of a 16-team tournament by hosts Ghana.

Shorn of a third of their team, and without their coach, the Carthage Eagles still contrived to put up a fighting performance to peg back the rampaging Nigerians, going toe to toe with the Super Eagles until Youssef Msakni struck in the second half, beating Maduka Okoye from range for the only goal of the game.

Stunned, the Nigerians tried to respond, and coach Augustine Eguavoen threw on the first of four subs, among them Everton’s Alex Iwobi. But the midfielder lasted just five minutes before he was sent off for a dangerous tackle, compromising Nigeria’s chances of advancement and handing Tunisia the win.

It all came down to preparation and tactics.

Despite their excellent form in the group stages where they won three of three, the Super Eagles always looked vulnerable in the middle, where Joseph Aribo’s license to roam meant that Wilfred Ndidi was usually the lone body shielding the back four.

The set up meant that Eguavoen’s men were vulnerable in transitions, despite their speed and trickery out in the wide areas where Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze provided danger. It was a loophole that Tunisia exploited to the max.

Nigeria’s wide players were blunted by a double team, especially on Simon, and Ellyes Skhiri dropping into the defense, nullified Nigeria’s press as the Tunisians tried to overload the middle.

It was clear the north Africans had done their homework.

“We know Nigeria are very strong and very fast in the wings,” assistant coach Jalel Kadri said at the post-match press conference. “Today we came up with …

Nigeria Top Group after win against Guinea Bissau

After making eight changes to the side that beat Sudan to seal their last-16 place, Nigeria took time to warm up.

Umar Sadiq opened the scoring shortly after the break following a cross from striker partner Kelechi Iheanacho.

Captain William Troost-Ekong sealed the win after tapping into an empty net after fine work by Moses Simon.

Three-time champions Nigeria had already topped Group D and knew their round of 16 clash on Sunday would be in Garoua, where they have played all their games so far.

They will have to wait until Thursday night to find out which of the best third-placed sides they face from either Group B, E or F.

Guinea-Bissau, meanwhile, have now gone over seven Nations Cup games without a goal, last scoring in their second match of the 2017 finals when they made their tournament bow.

Super Eagles soar in Garoua

Nigeria coach Augustine Eguavoen – who has made light of replacing Germany’s Gernot Rohr a month before the tournament – had the luxury of being able to rest players after his side’s fine start to the tournament, retaining only Iheanacho, Troost-Ekong and Wilfred Ndidi.

Defender Semi Ajayi was among those coming into the side and he almost opened the scoring when heading a free-kick over from close range, with Eguavoen holding his head in his hands at the wasted chance.

After Guinea-Bissau’s Maurice Gomis almost spilled an off-target Iheanacho shot into his own net, the Super Eagles finally took the lead when the Leicester City forward laid it on a plate for Almeria forward Sadiq to tap in at the far post.

Guinea-Bissau rallied shortly after when an on-target free-kick from Fali Cande was deflected behind by Troost-Ekong’s arm, with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) overlooking the incident.

But the VAR referee was heavily involved just moments later when Troost-Ekong side-footed into an empty net after Simon’s blistering strike, after a jinking run past three players, crashed back off the underside of the bar to the Watford man.

Kenyan referee Peter Waweru pointed for

Egypt vs. Nigeria result: Super Eagles win 1-0 Against Egypt

The second true heavyweight match of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations saw Nigeria take firm control of Group D with a 1-0 victory over Mohamed Salah and Egypt.

After Monday’s game between Morocco and Ghana saw the Atlas Lions come away with a 1-0 victory, we were treated to another matchup of expected title contenders, and the result showed one side is far more prepared to push for the crown than the other.

Liverpool superstar Salah was entirely locked down, with little to show for his 90-minute effort as Nigeria smothered the Egyptian playmaker. Kelechi Iheanacho’s early goal proved the difference as Nigeria fended off a late Pharoahs push to claim all three points. Both teams are expected to progress from Group D despite today’s result, but Nigeria’s victory sets the Super Eagles up nicely for a better Round of 16 matchup and a deep run deep in the tournament, while Egypt will feel added pressure in its other group stage matches against Guinea-Bissau and Sudan.

See Highlights of the Game Below ;

500 supporters storm Garoua to cheer Super Eagles to victory

No fewer than 500 members of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) have stormed Garoua, Cameroon to cheer the Super Eagles to victory at the ongoing 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.

The National chairman of NFSC, Samuel Ikpea, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Monday in Garoua, Cameroon ahead of Eagles crunch opener against Egypt Tuesday.

A correspondent of NAN in Garoua who witnessed the flamboyant arrival of some of the members reports that their arrival has brought more zest to the already bubbly Eagles camp.

Ikpea confirmed that despite some of the logistic hitches, the NFSC members were now fully on ground to paint the city green and cheer the Eagles to victory at the competition. He explained that over 250 members had arrived in batches from Nigeria while members on ground in Cameroon have also shifted base to Garoua.

According to him, other chapters of the association from Mali, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire and South Africa were also in town to give maximum support to the Eagles.

” I can tell you that the NFSC is fully on ground in Garoua now, we have about 250 members from Nigeria while others from our chapters in Cameroon, Mali, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa are also here.

“So all together we have about 500 supporters here ready to propel the Super Eagles to victory on Tuesday against Egypt and all through the tournament,” he said.

Ikpea added that the association which was founded 66 years ago will continue to give the Eagles the desired support wherever they play across the world.

He asserted that the structure of the association was unmatched and arguably the best in the world, noting that FIFA had recognized the NFSC as the best behaved in the world.

“Our structure is unmatched and the best in the world and the NFSC have been recognized by FIFA as the best behaved supporters club in the world”, he added.

He called on Nigerians to continue to support the Super Eagles as they begin their conquest for a fourth …

NFF backs Super Eagles to revitalise World Cup campaign

The Nigeria Football Federation believes the much-adored Nigerian Spirit will come to the fore and ginger the Super Eagles to solidify their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifying campaign when they take on the Les Fauves of Central African Republic in Douala on Sunday.

The President of the NFF and FIFA Council Member, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, said this on Thursday night.

Pinnick said the Eagles have the character to bounce back from the shock home defeat by the Central Africans and still fly very high above other contenders in Group C of the African race by taking the maximum points in Douala on Sunday.

He said: “This result has been a huge shock, especially after the NFF provided everything necessary to make the team comfortable and focused on the task at hand, even going the extra mile in a number of areas. The Federation wishes to appreciate the Federal Government, the Lagos State Government and our partners and sponsors for their support to enable us provide the necessary comfort and conducive environment for the team to succeed.

This is a setback, which can be quickly reversed, and the Nigerian Spirit is what we will take to Cameroon.

“The NFF is backing the team to retain a strong hold on the group and qualify to the knockout phase.

“At the halfway mark of this phase, our Super Eagles still top the group.

“I am in touch with even the players that are injured like Wilfred Ndidi, Oghenekaro Etebo and Alex Iwobi.

“They are all very sad with the result.

“The players who featured in today’s match are all very sober and sad.

“They know what is important now is their reaction to the situation when they take to the pitch in Douala on Sunday.

“We believe they will deliver against the same team.”

Pinnick said the NFF was taking responsibility for the defeat and urged Nigerians from far and near to get behind the team at this period.

He said: “Everyone is stunned, but we do not have to be emotional …

Super Eagles’ Austria winless jinx continues, hold Indomitable Lions to goalless draw

Super Eagles’ search for their first victory in Vienna, Austria, continued yesterday, as they could only manage a goalless draw with the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a friendly match. It was the fifth time the Nigerian senior national team would fail to secure a win in that country.

 

The coach Gernot Rohr-led team lost 0-1 to Cameroon on Friday at the same venue, and Nigerians were looking forward to something different in their second friendly match yesterday.

The Super Eagles search for victory in Austria dated back to May 2008, when they were forced to a 1-1 draw by the host country, Austria, at the UPC Arena in Graz.

In October 2020, Nigeria played two matches against Algeria and Tunisia, losing 1-0 to the Desert Foxes and drawing 1-1 with the Carthage Eagles.

In their last 13 friendly matches dating back to November 2017, the Super Eagles have won only three times: Against Argentina (4-2 in Krasnodar, Russia), Egypt (1-0 in Asaba) and Poland (1-0 in Stadion Miejski, Wrocław). They lost four of the friendly matches and drew the remaining six.

While Friday’s encounter was action-packed with the Eagles having more scoring chances than the Lions, who, however, won 1-0, yesterday’s game was a dour affair.

Super Eagles Coach, Gernot Rohr, tweaked his side with Terem Moffi, Abraham Marcus and Valentine Ozornwafor getting opportunities to show the gaffer what they can do.

While Nigeria lacked the urgency required of a team seeking revenge in the first half, they had a few scoring chances in the second half, but Kelechi Iheanacho and Terem Moffi could not make hay.

Speaking after the game, Rohr said his boys played under difficult conditions, adding, however, that the team is gradually taking a shape.

Nigeria’s next match will happen in the United States on July 4 when they face Mexico, perhaps, with the full complement of first-team stars available.

The team played without Leon Balogun, Kenneth Omeruo, Joe Aribo, Victor Osimhen, Simi Nwankwo and Sodiq Umar, who missed the matches because of club …

Super Eagles Chief Coach Salisu Yusuf caught taking bribe

Chief coach of the Super Eagles of Nigeria Salisu Yusuf has been caught on camera taking N360, 000 from fake football agents who wanted him to select two players for the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

As the chief coach of the Super Eagles, Yusuf is in charge of the Super Eagles home-based side and an assistant to Gernot Rohr for the Super Eagles.

 

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EX SUPER EAGLE WILSON ORUMA FINALLY SPEAKS OUT

He was in charge of the Super Eagles Team B to the 2017 WAFU and 2018 CHAN where they lost in both finals.

In an investigation led by Ghanaian journalists Anas Aremeyaw, reporters posing as football agents for some players approached Yusuf in September 2017 for a conversation about players’ selection.

During the conversation, they handed the Nigerian coach N360, 000 ($1000) and alluded to more cash incentives if he selects their players for CHAN 2018 which held in Morocco.

The clip has been made public by BBC African Eye.

The clip has been made public by BBC African Eye.

“So if anything goes through and these players are able to get their contracts, you will get 15% of that contract,” one of the reporters posing as an agent told Yusuf to which he replied; “they will be in CHAN.”

The two players were eventually selected for CHAN 2018 although the investigation stated that there is no suggestion that the money given to Yusuf influenced the selection.

Although he told the reporters that team selection is based solely on performances, Yusuf, a top Nigerian coach will be facing the wrath of FIFA, CAF and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Ahmed Musa’s Goal Nominated For Goal Of The Tournament

World’s football’s governing body, FIFA, have shorlisted Super Eagles star, Ahmed Musa, for the Goal of the Tournament Award at the just concluded 2018 World Cup in Russia.

A total of 169 goals were scored at the 2018 World Cup; but only 18 from that pool were shortlisted for the top award.

Musa who was arguably Nigeria’s best player at the tournament, had his second goal against Iceland in the group stage of the Mundial, alongside 17 others, selected.

The list includes Cristiano Ronaldo’s third goal against Spain and Lionel Messi’s goal against Nigeria.

Leading the line are the two goals scored by Russia midfielder, Denis Cheryshev and one from his teammate striker Artem Dzyuba.

The voting for the Best Goal in Russia 2018 will be open until July 23 on FIFA’s official website.
To vote for Musa, CLICK HERE
FIFA World Cup

@FIFAWorldCup

🗳️ Voting for the Goal of the Tournament is open!

Choose from the best 18 goals at Russia 2018.

Vote here: https://fifa.to/urpU0v7pAO 

2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ – Videos – GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT – FIFA.com

Here is your chance to vote for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ Goal of the Tournament, presented by Hyundai. Choose below from our shortlist of the best 18 goals at Russia 2018 and cast your vote….

fifa.com

The other contenders to win the Goal of the Tournament title are below:

Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal (third goal v Spain);

Nacho, Spain (v Portugal);

Philippe Coutinho, Brazil (v Switzerland);

Dries Mertens, Belgium (v Panama);

Juan Quintero, Colombia (v Japan);

Luka Modric, Croatia (v Argentina);

Ahmed Musa, Nigeria (second goal v Iceland);

Lionel Messi, Argentina (v Nigeria);

Toni Kroos, Germany (v Sweden);

Jesse Lingard, England (v Panama);

Ricardo Quaresma, Portugal (v Iran);

Adnan Januzaj, Belgium (v England);

Angel Di Maria, Argentina (v France);

Benjamin Pavard, France (v Argentina);

Nacer Chadli, Belgium (v Japan).

Nigeria lost to Argentina through Victor Moses’ wing – Kenneth Omeruo

Super Eagles defender, Kenneth Omeruo has commented on Nigeria’s exit from the 2018 World Cup.

He said the 2-1 loss to Argentina in their last group game on Tuesday in St. Petersburg was because the Jorge Sampaoli’s men made Victor Moses ineffective.

The Super Eagles were some minutes away from reaching the knockout stage of the tournament with a Victor Moses penalty cancelling out Messi’s opener but Manchester United’s Marcos Rojo volleyed home the winner.

”I felt bad, the team came from a situation losing the first game, the second game we fought well and won the game,” Omeruo explained to TVC Nigeria.

”We knew we needed that last game to seal it up, the support we got after winning the second game was amazing.

”We really wanted to do it especially for our families and for Nigerians but we were unlucky.”

The central defender added, ”They were attacking a lot, they blocked our wing, they knew we were better from the Victor Moses wing because he is one of our best players, they knew this.

”They pressed on us, we defended well until the last four minutes.’

FIFA punishes Maradona for raising middle fingers at Nigerian fans

Diego Maradona will no longer be paid as an ambassador of world soccer governing body, FIFA.

This is following the Argentina legend’s failure to control his emotions during their 2-1 win over Nigeria in the World Cup last Group D game on Tuesday.

The football icon celebrated Marcos Rojo’s winning goal for Argentina by raising his middle finger at fans.

FIFA termed his behaviour as embarrassing and provocative hence he will no longer receive the £10,000 he was receiving from the world soccer governing body, according to OwnGoal.

Maradona also ignored doctors advice not to watch the final minutes of the clash thereby putting his health in danger.

FIFA has also warned him to be of good conduct in the remaining games he will attend at the World Cup.

A possible stadium ban await the former Napoli forward if he acts in same manner like he did against Nigeria.…

Timi Dakolo And Son Pictured With Vikings As Musa Vows To Score Today (Photos)

Singer, Timi Dakolo and his son, Alexander are on outreach winning souls for the Super Eagles with their awesome father son chemistry which came into play when the national team trounced Iceland 2-0 in their second match.

The duo stole a few hearts for the national team including two Vikings fan who posed with the music star despite losing the match.

Meanwhile, Super Eagles hero, Ahmed Musa is basking in confidence to score again for Nigeria ahead of tonight’s crunch clash against Argentina at the ongoing World Cup in Russia.

Super Eagles star, Ahmed Musa became ‘Lionel Musa’ on social media in Argentina last Friday after his two goals against Iceland which not only put Nigerians back on course for a last 16 place, but also restored the World Cup hopes of the South Americans, Reuters reports.

Musa has warned his new-found hero status in Argentina is likely to end abruptly on Tuesday night when the two countries meet in a decisive Group D game in St. Petersburg.

“Whenever I play against Argentina, or whenever (Lionel) Messi is playing against me, I score.

“Four years ago, in Brazil when Messi was playing against me, I scored two goals,” said Musa, referring to the 3-2 win for Argentina over Nigeria in a group game in Porto Alegre where Messi also netted twice.

“When I transferred to Leicester City and we played against Barcelona and Messi was in the pitch too, I scored another two goals, so I think in the next game anything can happen. Possibly, I’m going to score another two goals.”

Musa’s brace for Leicester came in a pre-season friendly in Stockholm shortly after he had signed for the then English champions from CSKA Moscow in 2016.

The 25-year-old is now the first Nigerian to score at different World Cups and with four goals the country’s all-time record scorer in the finals.

“I’m very good at breaking records and I’m happy now to be the top scorer at the World Cup for Nigeria. It’s not easy but I have

I Used to Hawk Grondnut and wash Windscreens — Wilfred Ndidi

Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has revealed that he sold groundnut and washed windscreens in Lagos before he became a professional footballer.

Ndidi is a key component of Gernot Rohr’s team to the 2018 FIFA World Cup as he played a crucial role for the Super Eagles in the qualification series.

The 21-year-old has also been a top performer for Leicester City in the Premier League

In an interview with ESPN, Ndidi revealed that his path to success was not an easy one as he had to go through difficult jobs for sustenance in Lagos.

He said, “Sometime ago, I was a jack of all trade while my mum was selling, I’ll go and hawk for her. I sold different types of fruits and not even only fruit; I sold peppers, tomatoes, I sold groundnuts. Sometimes, they call me ‘omo elepa’. That is groundnut boy.

“And then sometimes, when I finish selling, I go to do a quick one for myself. I go for wiping glass of cars, cleaning and If I see I’m not making money, I can quickly go to buy pure water and start selling there.

Asides the selling of foodstuffs Ndidi did other jobs while hawking in traffic and revealed that it was to purchase a new pair of boots.

He said, “My best, I would say was making N3000. I finished selling so quick. I went to do the wiping thing for myself, just four different things I did in a day.

“I was so happy going home because I was saving to buy my football shoes.”

Ndidi has come along way since his formative years and is regarded as one of the best defensive midfielders in the World Cup, and will be expected to play a key role for the Super Eagles at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

“I was really doing so many things but it was okay,”

Super Eagles striker, Ahmed Musa acquires latest Range Rover Velar

Nigerian Super Eagles striker, Ahmed Musa has acquired the latest version of the Ranger Rover Velar currently valued at US$$65,195 (about N24m) in the US automobile market.

However, he didn’t share it on his page, it was Super Eagles right back Shehu Abdullahi who revealed the good news on his official Instagram account on Tuesday, June 12.

He shared a photo of the latest version of the Ranger Rover Velar and wrote:

“New baby arrive congrats brother @ahmedmusa718 #madman,” were the exact words of Shehu.

Super Eagles en route to Russia rocking matching green and white regalia

With all the rave going on about the Super Eagles world cup jersey, the Super Eagles of Nigeria make another fashion statement as they prepare to fly to Russia for the 2018 FIFA world cup tournament.

The super Eagles stepped out in a lovely green and white traditional matching attire coupled with matching shoes and fedora hats. So far so good, all the outfits worn by the team have been on point. This green and white native was first rocked by NFF Chairman, Amaju Pinnick during a FIFA summit held in Lagos.Their jerseys have been named the best for the tournament. The jerseys designed by Nike immediately sold out hours after they were launched for sale with Nike stating that they have no plans of restocking. The native attire was designed by Warri based designer, GT Stitches.

The players took to their social media spaces to flaunt their attire. Mikel shared some of the photos writing;

Russia here we come #Naija

Below are pictures showing the Super Eagles of Nigeria rocking the lovely outfit: 

The Super Eagles are drawn in group D alongside, Croatia, Iceland and three times champions Argentina.

Their first game will be against Croatia on Saturday.…

Eagles Off To Russia Monday

The Super Eagles will fly out of their Avita Resort in Bad Tatzmannsdorf, Austria to Russia on Monday for the 21st FIFA World Cup finals – their sixth appearance in seven finals since making a memorable debut in the USA in 1994.
Since emerging from an appropriately-styled “Group of Death” in the African qualifying series, becoming the first African team to reach the finals in Russia, the Eagles have played against Argentina, Poland, Serbia, DR Congo, England and Czech Republic in friendlies, winning two, drawing one and losing three.
Sweet victories over two-time world champions Argentina (finalists at the last finals in Brazil) and Poland were followed by defeat by Serbia, a draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo and losses to England and the Czech Republic.

Super Eagles Know How To Deal With Argentina, Croatia, Iceland – Rohr

Super Eagles Technical adviser, Gernot Rohr, has said the team remains focused to the task at the hand at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Having been pitted alongside Argentina, Croatia and Iceland in a group D, Nigeria is expected to face Croatia on June 12. However, Rohr insists that they would take each game as they come before thinking about the knockout stages.
The former German defender says his wards know how to get their spring back when the whistle goes for kick-off at the Kaliningrad Arena on Saturday.
Rohr said; “We will take it one match at a time. I love this group because we know how to rise to the occasion together. Nigeria will be ready for Croatia.”

NFF Pays Tribute To Late Keshi

The Nigeria Football Federation on Thursday paid tribute to the late Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Stephen Keshi, who passed away two years ago.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Keshi died on June 7, 2016 in Benin City at the age of 54 during cardiac arrest.
“Today we remember Nigeria and Africa football legend, late Coach Stephen Okechukwu Keshi who passed on, on this day in 2016.
“Thank you for the memories ‘The Big Boss.’ We can never forget you,’’ a tweet on the NFF’s official Twitter handle read.
Born on Jan. 23, 1964, the former Super Eagles defender represented Nigeria at four Africa Cup of Nations competitions (1984, 1988, 1992 and 1994) and played one game at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the U.S. (USA ’94)
Keshi led Togo as coach to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and also led Nigeria to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa.
He also won the Africa Cup of Nations title as a player in 1994.
The former Lokeren and Anderlecht star, also guided Nigeria to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil equaling the country’s best ever feat of a second round berth with the team.
He played his first game for Nigeria against Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) in October, 1980 in a friendly game and later made his first competitive match against Tanzania in a World Cup qualifier in December, 1980.…

Fans Raise Alarm Over Uzoho, Super Eagles’ Defence Performance

Football fans in Ebonyi State have raised alarm over the performances of Super Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho, and the entire backline as the team prepares for the Russia 2018 World Cup.
The fans were reacting to the Super Eagles’ 0-1 loss to the Czech Republic national team in an international friendly in Austria on Wednesday in Abakaliki.
Benjamin Umeh, Goalkeeper Trainer of the defunct Nitel Vasco Dagama FC of Enugu, noted that Uzoho was culpable in the lone goal scored by the Czech Republic in the first half of the encounter.
Umeh said: “Uzoho should have held the ball instead of parrying it to an opponent as he has proved vulnerable to dead ball situations in his previous Eagles appearances.
“The Eagles defence should realise that its opponents in the friendly matches are mince meats compared to more competitive opponents it would meet in the World Cup.”
Harrison Obasi, Coach of Ebonyi FA Cup Runners Up, Alter Nite FC, noted that Nigerians should not be alarmed if Uzoho falters at the World Cup in Russia.
Obasi said: “Ikechukwu Ezenwa bailed the country during the qualifiers when all goalkeeping hopes were lost following Daniel Akpeyi’s erratic performances against South Africa in the AFCON 2019 qualifiers.
“Ezenwa performed creditably in subsequent World Cup qualifiers against Cameroon, Zambia and Algeria and it is still a puzzle how (Coach Gernor) Rohr preferred Uzoho to him.”
Supporting Obasi’s assertion, Chima Ojigwe, a soccer Historian, said with the goalkeeping predicament Nigeria found itself during the World Cup qualifiers, Ezenwa could had been the best bet for the team.

International Friendly: Rohr To Risk Ndidi Against Czech Rep

Leicester City midfielder, Wilfried Ndidi, may return action as the Super Eagles battle Czech Republic in a friendly on Wednesday ahead of the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Ndidi, who missed the DR Congo tie and the glamour friendly against England at Wembley Stadium due to an injury, is raring to go according to the Super Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye.
Ibitoye said: “Ndidi has resumed full training with the rest of the team. He is also ready for selection against Czech Republic.