Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos are to remain in camp as they countenance the final round of qualification series for this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals, in which they confront their Algerian counterparts, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The first leg encounter will take place on Saturday, 19th April at the Remo Stars’ Stadium, Ikenne-Remo, with both teams to clash in the final leg in Algeria a week later.

2022 World Cup bronze medallists Nigeria trashed South Africa’s Bantwana 3-1 in Pretoria and followed this up with a 2-0 win in Ikenne at the weekend, for a 5-1 aggregate win that condemned the visitors to trying their luck again next year, while Nigeria progressed to the final round.

On their part, Algeria lost 1-2 to Botswana in Gaborone in the first leg, but fired on all cylinders to win the return 4-0 on home soil to be eligible to confront Nigeria for a ticket to this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in Morocco.

OTHER FINAL ROUND FIXTURES

Kenya Vs Cameroon

Benin Republic Vs Cameroon

Cote d’Ivoire Vs Guinea

Credit: NFF 

In the lead-up to the highly anticipated semi-final clash between South Africa and Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Bafana Bafana's head coach, Hugo Broos, has expressed his intention to capitalize on the vulnerabilities of the Super Eagles, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

This showdown marks a significant meeting between the two nations in the AFCON finals since the Super Eagles ousted Bafana Bafana in the semi-final during the 2000 edition.

South Africa secured their spot in the semi-finals by triumphing over Cape Verde in a tense penalty shootout, winning 2-1 on Saturday night.

Addressing the media in a press conference, Broos stated, “We know now that it will be Nigeria, we are in the semifinal, so from tomorrow, we start analyzing and we will see how we can use the weaknesses in this team but also be aware of the qualities, and there are a lot of qualities in that team.”

Highlighting the unique aspect of the upcoming clash, Broos emphasized, “For both teams it’s a little bit special because in a few months we play each other for the qualifiers for the World Cup so it can be a test for both of us.”

The encounter is set to take place at the Stade de la Paix, Bouake, on Wednesday night.

By Olujimi Dare Ogun

Nigeria Professional Football League side, Lobi Stars now have available two important players following their time with different cadet of the Nigeria national teams, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The duo of Akile Monday and Kamaga Suur are available for the game against Abia Warriors after returning from international duty with the Olympic Eagles.

Although the Ortom boys top the Group B table in the league but the return of both Monday Akile and Kamaga Suur offer the squad improved quality.

While Suur has scored four goals for Lobi Stars in the NPFL this season, Akile is one of the influential members of the team.

Lobi Stars top there with 20 points from 11 games.

Dare Ogun

The Nigeria U-23 looked business mined on Monday evening when they had a feel of the Stade Mohammed V Casablanca in Morocco, the venue for the must win battle against Guinea in Tuesday, Nigeriasoccernet.com  reports.

Junior Syli National of Guinea a week ago had Nigerians at the MKO  Abiola stadium at the edge of their seat when they almost went back home with a win, but goalless the game game ended.

The U23 Eagles who arrived in Morocco at 9 am Sunday, are ready to turn things around after they trained under floodlights at 10 pm Sunday night after 10 hours rest.

The aggregate winner between the U-23 Eagles and the Guineans will secure a place at the 2023 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations which will be hosted by Morocco later in the year.

Dare Ogun

Gift Orban was in an imperious form as he scored four times to lead KAA Gent to a 8-0 whitewash of Zulte Waregem in the Belgian Jupiler League on Sunday, Nigeriasoccernet.com reports.

The Nigerian was unstoppable as he scored a double brace in 30 minutes to give Gent a 6-2 away win at the Regenboogstadion, Waregem

Julien De Sart headed Gent to the lead in the 17th minute from a Piatkowski's cross before Castro Montes doubled the lead 41st minute as the Visitors ended the first half on a high.

Six minutes to the second half, Derijck reduced the deficit as he pulled one back for the Host with a header.

Gift Orban restored Gent's two goal lead a minute later after he capitalised on a mistake from the defense to hit the ball home in the box 18.

Jelle Vossen scored another for Zulte in the 65th minute, but Orban unleashed his arsenal to score his second through a free kick to make it 4-2 in the 67th minute.

The 20-year-old Nigerian tapped in his third from a Malick Fofana's cross to increase the score to 5-2 in the 75th minute.

Orban was not done yet as he capped Hsi wonderful performance with a beauty outside the box 18 to score his fourth in the 83rd minute ending the match 6-2.

Orban who was named Player of the Month and awarded the Goal of the Month for February by Gent has now scored nine goals in 8 matches after seven starts this season.

Uche Dozie

Nigeria U-23 team captain, Success Makanjuola has revealed the reason behind the team's success after their win against their Tanzanian counterpart on Saturday.

Makanjuola attributed the win of the team in the U-23 African Nations Cup qualifiers at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan to the Coach helping the players see the importance of winning.

"It's all about unity and continuity. The coach made us realize the importance of winning.

Our coach had to make us understand the need to be decisive and calm down. We followed his instructions and played without nativity." He said.

Makanjuola has been pivotal to the success of the team so far scoring in both legs of the qualifier against Tanzania.

He scored the only goal in the 1-1 draw in Dar es Salaam a week ago and sealed the win on Saturday from the spot in the 2-0 win.

Prior to the second leg encounter wth Tanzania, the Nigeria U-23 had been inundated with cash promises if they defeat Tanzania.

On Saturday, the team won by two goals to nil at the Lekan Salami Stadium to move to the next round and as result the promises have been kept.

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde and Chairman NFF Task Force on Youth Competitions, Alhaji Aminu Balele Kurfi had pledged to gift the team varying sum of money if they win and Nigeriasoccernet.com gathered that these pledges have been redeemed.

Makinde, who had hosted the Nigeria U23 boys to a dinner at the Government House, Agodi handed over the sum of N10million to the players and officials and gave $25,000 for the victory.

In the same vein, Balele has redeemed his $20,000 pledge according to Daily Trust.

He had earlier presented the team, through Head Coach Salisu Yusuf $10,000, being half of the amount he promised them for a win ahead of the first leg against Tanzania.

After beating Tanzania in the second leg of the U-23 African Nations Cup qualifier, Coach of the Nigeria U-23 side, Salisu Yusuf has said that the team will get better.

The Olympic Eagles as they are called had a one all draw in the first leg in Dar es Salaam, but got the needed victory following a two nil win on Sunday.

The Coach of the side said after the match that the team is a work in progress and will continue to develop.

"It has not been easy putting the team together. The players are good but they lacked match fitness. We had to build them to a good level. I believe the team will continue to develop. There is progress in the team."

On the match, Salisu disclosed that the game was not easy as it appears as his boys had to fade off the unfavourable weather and get better as the game progressed.

"The first half wasn't easy because of the weather. They were very compact and often hit us on the counter. Our build up was slow and we found it difficult penetrating. We had to step up our circulation and the ball moved well."

According to the gaffer who is also the CHAN Eagles Coach, the team's cohesiveness is not absolute, but the win was more important.

"It's all about team building. There was no connection at a stage. How many days did we converge? It is not easy building the team. We won the game and that's most important.

He further stated that other players will join the team in the future as there will be additions to make the group better.

Nigeria play Guinea in the next round of the AFCON qualifiers.

The Nigeria U-23 Eagles are getting huge motivations ahead of their second leg AFCON qualifier encounter against Tanzania.

The team received the pledge made to them by the Chairman, NFF Task Force on youth competitions, Alh. Aminu Balele Kurfi  on Friday and will receive more if they get the victory on Saturday.

Kurfi had pledged the sum of $20,000 for the U23 men national team, Olympic Eagles, if they beat Tanzania in the first leg of their U23 AFCON qualifying fixture in Dar es Salaam.

The team got a one all draw and has now been rewarded with half the amount promised by the football administrator which was handed over to the team Coach, Salisu Yusuf.

The chairman of the task force committee of the National team has also promised $20,000 after victory for the second leg match.

Meanwhile, there are reports of more financial reward for the team as long as victory is secured.

According to multiple reports, the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde and Super Eagles Captain, Ahmed Musa has pledged also.

Oyo state Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde  promised the Olympic Eagles a sum of 25,000 Dollars if they win the qualifying match against Tanzania.

Governor Makinde also gave the team 10m Naira immediately after the dinner hosted by him.

Reports say Ahmed Musa in a phone conversation with Nigeria's U23 Team, Olympic Eagles promised the team N500,000 per goal against Tanzania on Saturday in Ibadan.

It is now up to the team to take the game to the Tanzanians and win as they play at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan on Saturday, 29th October.

Following the completion of the MLS, FC Montreal forward, Sunusi Ibrahim will join the U-23 Eagles in camp ahead of their clash against Tanzania.

Sunusi is reported to arrive the team's camp in Ibadan on Thursday as the Olympic Eagles prepare to play the Tanzanian U-23 team in the second leg of the African Nations Cup Qualifiers.

He was absent in Nigeria's one all draw against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam last weekend due to club engagement.

The former Nasarawa United and 36 Lion striker joins to beef up the striking force of the Nigeria team who could only score a goal in the first leg.

He was the joint top scorer on the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in the 2018/2019 season with Mfon Udoh.

Sunusi became the first Nigerian to score a hat-trick in the Canadian Championship as CF Montréal defeated Forge FC as they book a date with Toronto FC in the semi finals.

Nigeria play Tanzania in the second leg on Saturday, 29th October at the Lekan Salami Stadium with the hope to win and proceed to the next round of qualification.

The Nigeria U-23 team played out a one all draw against Tanzania in the first leg of the U-23 African Cup of Nations Qualifier in Tanzania.

The Olympic Eagles had scored in the first half to be in the lead, but parity was restored by the home side in the second half.

After almost half an hour of play without goals, Eagles captain for the day, Success Makanjuola stepped up to score from tje spot in the 30th minute.

The half ended that way, giving Nigeria the momentum, but it couldn't be sustained for long.

The Tanzanians pushed for an equaliser which they got ten minutes to the end of the game to leave score at 1-1.

It ended Tanzania 1-1 Nigeria with Nigeria heading into next week's second leg with the away goal advantage.

The Nigeria U-23 team also known as the Olympic Eagles have been promised the sum of $20,000 to beat Tanzania in their qualifiers for the U-23 African Cup of Nations.

This was the promise made by Chairman, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) task force on youth competitions, Aminu Balele Kurfi prior to the team's departure for Tanzania.

According to the football administrator this was to boost the morale of the boys to get the job done in Dar es Salaam.

The match is slated for Saturday, 22nd October at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium while the return leg come up seven days later at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

The team have since arrived Tanzania, preparing for the match.

Nigeria National U23 Men's team had a feel of Benjamin Mpaka Stadium, Dar es Salaam as the team finalised preparations ahead of the encounter with Tanzania on Saturday.

The Olympic Eagles who arrived Dar-es- Salaam on Friday morning aboard Kenyan Airline underwent through a light training session under the watchful eyes of Coach Salisu Yusuf, Kennedy Boboye and goalkeeper's trainer, Suleiman Shuaibu.

18 players including two goalkeepers took part in the training session which lasted for an 1hour.  Friday evening's training session marked the end of the team's preparations ahead of the tie against Tanzania.

The Olympic Eagles are lodged at Tiffany Diamond Hotel in Dar-es-Salaam Metropolis.

The match  will take place at the Benjamin Mpaka Stadium, Dar-es-Salaam on Saturday 4pm Local time (2pm Nigeria time).

Meanwhile, Nigeria High Commissioner to Tanzania, Ambassador Hamisu Umar Takalmawa has charged the Olympic Eagles to aim for victory as the National U23 Men's team take on Tanzania on Saturday.

Ambassador Takalmawa made the call shortly before the team's training session at the Benjamin Mpaka Stadium, Dar-es-Salaam on Friday evening.

Takalmawa further added despite the 60 year old Nigeria/Tanzania bilateral relationship, the Olympic Eagles should do the needful by ensuring they beat their Tanzanian counterparts on Saturday.

The Nigeria U23 Men's team also known as the Olympic Eagles take on Tanzania on Saturday at 4pm Local time (2pm Nigeria time) at the Benjamin Mpaka Stadium in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Source: U-23 Media Team

The U-23 Eagles played out a one all stalemate at the Lekan Salami Stadium against Shooting Stars Football Club on Wednesday.

In a warm up match ahead of their first leg African Nations Cup qualifier again Tanzania the Olympic Eagles had to rallied back to get the draw.

After a goalless affair throughout the first 45 minutes of the encounter, the NPFL side scored their goal.

A goal courtesy of Anthony Okachi gave the home side the lead.

However, parity was restored for the Eagles via a penalty some minutes later.

The match ended that way as the team prepare to jet out of the country for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Thursday.

The first leg of the second round AFCON U23 qualifiers is scheduled to take place on Saturday in Tanzania.

The U-23 Nigeria football team set to jet off to Tanzania for their first leg AFCON qualifier on Thursday against Tanzania, Coach Salisu Yusuf has named an 18-man list for the clash.

The team list consist eleven players from the Nigeria Professional Football and seven players who play in foreign leagues.

Isaiah Ejeh of Mjallby of Sweden, Promise David of Sirens Fc of Malta, Michael Ologo Inainfe of Istanbulspor, Ogunniyi Oluwatimileyin Abiodun of Fk Auda in latvia, Adeyemo Oluwapelumi Emmanuel of Fc Vizela in Portugal, Success Makanjuola (Team captain) of CD Diocesano in Spain, Hezekiah Okirikpo Dundalk Fc of Ireland.

The Home based players;

Naziru Auwalu Ibrahim of Rangers Int’l of Enugu, Munir Idris of Niger Tornadoes, Edidiong Enobong Ezekiel of Remo Stars, Daniel Wotlai from Abia Warriors, Christopher Nwaeze from Plateau United, Evans Ogbonda from Akwa United, Qudus Olamilekan Akanni of Remo Stars Nathaniel Nwosu water fc, Dominion Ohaka both from Water Fc Abuja, Amah John of Yum-Yum Fc, Bamayi Calocho of Yum-Yum Fc.

The Olympic Eagles are expected to depart the shores of Nigeria on Thursday via Lagos to face Tanzania U23 team in the first leg of the U23 AFCON qualifiers on Saturday.

The return leg is slated for 29th October in Ibadan.

Former Golden Eaglets forward Edidiong Ezekiel has been invited to the Nigeria U-23 Eagles team ahead of the U-23 Nations cup qualifiers vs Tanzania .

Coach Salisu Yusuf handed the Remo Stars striker a late call-up after having to drop 10 players from his team due to visa and passport hitches.

Edidiong Ezekiel had a stellar Campaign with Dakkada FC in the 2021/2022 Nigeria Professional Football League season, his 10 goals helping the team retain top flight status.

A breakthrough season that attracted transfer enquiry from top clubs within and outside Nigeria but it was Remo Stars that won the race for his services ahead of their CAF club competition debut.

Ezekiel impressed in pre-season with the Sky Blues and was fantastic in their Confederation Cup first leg draw vs ASFAR FC in Morroco.

Injury kept the striker out of the return leg in Nigeria as Remo Stars suffered a 0-1 loss to Morroco’s ASFAR FC at the Remo Stars Stadium to bow out in the first preliminary round.

Ahead of the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Tanzania this weekend, Edidiong Ezekiel has joined the Olympic Eagles at their Ibadan camp to boost Nigeria’s attacking options.

Coach Salisu Yusuf will lead his charges to Dar Es Salaam for the first leg on a date between 21-23 October 2022, hoping for a favourable result to make the job easier in the second leg billed for the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan on October 29.

The Nigeria U-23 team will play Shooting Stars of Ibadan also known as 3SC in a friendly on Wednesday, a day before their trip to Tanzania.

The team continues preparations ahead of their double leg U-23 AFCON qualifying encounter against Tanzania.

The friendly was reportedly cancelled after the match was built to be played on Tuesday.

However, it will hold following the Ibadan based club's confirmation of the match with the U-23 team.

It will be recalled that the side had lost by three goals to nil in a friendly tie with Via Academy in their last match some four days ago.

The friendly will start by 4pm at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba Ibadan.

The team will then play the Tanzania U-23 team in the first leg on Saturday, 22 October while the reverse fixture comes up on Saturday, 29 October, 2022bin Nigeria.

Not fewer than 10 players have been given the marching order from the camp of Nigeria's U23 Men's national team in Ibadan.

The 10 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) players according to CKDMedia.com were reported to have conflicting age on their passports and their FIFA Transfer Matching System (TMS). To avoid automatic disqualification for Nigeria, the coaching crew have announced that the 10 players be left out of the squad that will face Tanzania in the First leg of CAF U23 African Nations Cup Qualifier scheduled to hold between 21-23 October, 2022.

The affected players are: Kayode Bankole of Remo Stars, James Ajako of Akwa United, Maurice Chukwu of Rivers United, Haggai Katoh of Plateau United who are yet to resume will have no need to join the team.

Others like, Samuel Kalu of Enyimba, Chidiebere Nwobodo of Rangers, Mustapha Jibril of Lobi Stars, Abdulsalam Abdulsalam of Wikki Tourists, Zulkifilu Mohammed Plateau United who are also not in the camp will have no cause to join the team again. Edwin Emelan of Calabar Rovers who was also part of the age decrepancy has been asked to vacate the camp of the U23.

The Nigeria team who have been in camp in Ibadan will depart the country for the first leg on Wednesday.

The Nigeria U-23 team will be leaving Ibadan, Nigeria for Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on Wednesday for their AFCON qualifying match.

Preparations are in top shape to see the team travel to Tanzania's capital city in time for the crucial tie according to BSN Sports.com.

The U-23 Eagles are scheduled to play the the Tanzania U-23 side in a two legged affair in a bid to secure berth for the U-23 African Cup of Nations and the Olympics.

The team have camped at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Ibadan for a week now gearing up for the encounter will intense trainings and a friendly match on Thursday.

Tanzania will host the first leg of the fixture in the weekend of 21st – 23rd October, with the return leg due in Nigeria on Saturday, 29th October.

The numbers of players invited by Coach Salisu Yusuf continues to increase as on Wednesday no fewer than five players jooned the Nigeriy Under 23 team the at Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba Ibadan

With the latest development ,the total number of players in camp is 29 and the remaining 3 players are being expected to join the team today (Thursday)

The training session which was led by former Rangers and El Kanemi handler, Coach Salisu Yusuf, has Kennedy Boboye, Bala Muhammed and Shuaib Suleiman(Goalkeepers trainer ) as Assistants . They engaged the players in a more aggressive and Tactical drills on training core as tactical approach on ball distributions ,passes and possession skills were emphasised. the team continued their preparation for the African Cup of Nations Qualifiers against Tanzania coming up later this month.

The team would be pruned to the required size and the final squad will leave Nigeria for Dar e Salam on October 18 for the AFCON Qualifiers clash against Tanzania slated to hold between 21 to 23 and the reversed fixture billed to take place in Ibadan on October 29

The training continues Thursday at 7 am while evening training commences at 4 pm at the same venue.

Source: Sunday Agunbiade(Mr VAR)