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Replace Forster, Austin, Sanchez, Davies, Spence, Doherty, Sessegnon, Skipp, White, Bissouma, and Bryan with Sanchez, Davies, Spence, Doherty, and Doherty.
06:46 PM
The latest Tottenham team news
What occurs after a loss if not “Daddy knows best”? Yes… he sends out the same eleven players.
06:37 PM
Good evening
And welcome to live coverage of Eintracht Frankfurt vs. Tottenham Hotspur in the third round of Champions League Group D matches. Eintracht Frankfurt are the current Europa League champions. Both teams have beaten Marseille and lost to Sporting in the competition thus far. They enter tonight’s match hoping to hang on to the Lisbon club’s coattails in second place (or perhaps leapfrog them as they trail 3-1 at the Velodrome!).
In 1981-82, Spurs defeated Bayern Munich 3-2 in a two-legged quarterfinal of the Cup Winners’ Cup thanks to Glenn Hoddle’s goal at the Waldstadion. Antonio Conte leads them into this match after addressing his critics yesterday, who have accused him of an overabundance of caution and of fielding teams with tactics and formations that are antithetical to ‘audere est facere’ and the club’s most cherished traditions.
His justification for his… er… defensiveness is “Daddy knows best.” They should have faith in him to establish the foundations of a winning mentality, which involves taking as few risks as possible at the back. His record gives him the right to manipulate Tottenham in any way he sees fit, given that he is typically quite abrasive when criticised. To stay as secure as possible at the back and address the deficiencies in midfield, it would suffice to switch from 3-4-3 to 3-5-2, with Oliver Skipp or Yves Bissouma coming into midfield and, if healthy, Dejan Kulusevski playing as the right wing-back. Of course, however, “Daddy knows best.”
Eintracht Frankfurt have lost Filip Kostic from the Europa League team that defeated West Ham and Rangers last season, but have acquired a man who has scored the game-winning goal in a World Cup final. It’s great to see Mario Gotze doing so well on his Bundesliga return, scoring the opening goal in the weekend’s 2-0 victory over Union Berlin that helped them move up to sixth place after their fourth win in five games.
Ben Davies and Lucas Moura are absent from the Spurs roster. Eintracht Frankfurt released Kristijan Jakic and Jerome Onguen.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
For Nigeria, the year 2022 should be dedicated to Nigerian Athletes, men, and women alike. Their feat and prowess, first, a bit of success in the World Athletics Champions held in Eugene, Oregon, USA (15 Jul 2022 – 24 Jul 2022) and then the spectacular successes at the XXII Commonwealth Games, held in Birmingham, United Kingdom (from 28 July to 8 August 2022), held the attention of our suffering and desolate, hopeless, and despondent, harassed, and insecure Nigerians. At least they lifted our spirits and once again brought some forlorn hope that, if we ONLY we put our efforts, patriotism and internal prejudices and distrust aside, we could really swing it as a united, prosperous Nation, country, people, and society.
The Games was the largest ever held, with 72 participating nations and ticket sales of 1.2 million. The games were the first to have more events for women than men.
At the end of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the UK, on Sunday, August 7, Team Nigeria amassed 12 Gold, nine Silver and 14 Bronze medals, bringing the numbers to a total of 35 medals. Interestingly, at a time where Nigeria was most divided, nobody was asking where the athletes are from, what ethnic group or religion they belong to. None of that nonsense which has pervaded our lives for the past 8 years.
According to the Cable Newspaper, it was a record-smashing outing for Team Nigeria at the 2022 Commonwealth Games (CWG) in Birmingham. Medals were raked in at an exceptional rush while Nigerian athletes broke several records in the competition. Team Nigeria won 12 gold medals in the competition — the country’s highest haul in the history of the CWG.
Amazingly, all the gold medals were won by female athletes who took the tracks and gymnasiums in Birmingham by storm and wrote their names in the annals of the competition. Tobi Amusan surged to the finish line in 12.30 seconds in the final of the women’s 100-meter hurdles to set a CWG record. Ese Brume registered a record-setting 7-meter leap in the long jump.
In the women’s 4×100 meters, the quartet of Amusan, Favour Ofili, Rosemary Chukwuma, and Grace Nwokocha cruised to gold while setting a new African record with a time of 42.10 seconds.
Lifters like Adijat Olarinoye, Rafiatu Lawal, and Alice Oluwafemilayo also set new CWG records in their respective categories.
Nigeria finished the competition with 35 medals — 12 gold, 9 silver, and 14 bronze — to clinch a very creditable Seventh on the Medal’s table on the final day of the glorious competition.
Athletics provided the most medals for Nigeria with 10 podium finishes, followed by Wrestling, with seven.
Nigerian athletes have been appearing at major athletics meeting since 1952. At the All-Africa Games at Brazzaville (former Congo), they piled up an enviable record; where they won one event after the other and came back home with 9 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze medals. Jumoke Bodunrin was one of the stars of that game, and she won the title of “Africa’s fastest woman”.
Nigerian athletes first participated officially in the Commonwealth Games in 1954 and they won several medals. In the High Jump, Emmanuel Ifeajuna (yes, the same Major Ifeajuna, a hero of the 1966 coup d’etat) created a new British Empire and Commonwealth Games record by clearing the bar at 6 ft. 8 in.; Nafio Osagie took the bronze in the same event. The Nigerian team also set a new record in the 4 X 100 yards relay by recording the same time of 41.4 seconds as Canada very narrowly beat them into the silver medal position. Another narrow defeat which gave Nigeria a silver medal was on the Hop, Step and Jump (now called Triple Jump) in which Peter Esiri jumped 50 ft 0 ½ in., one inch less than the winner. Nigeria’s third silver medal was won in the Long Jump by Karim A B Olowu. That same team also won 3 bronze medals; one each in High Jump, Long Jump and Boxing and came fourth in the 100 yards.
On the whole, it was a successful debut for Nigeria, coming fourth overall behind England, Canada and Australia. In the 1958 Commonwealth games, Nigeria again took silver in the 4 X 100 m Relay, took bronze in 1974 but finally won this event at the 1982 Games.
At the Commonwealth Games held in Kingston, Jamaica in August 1966, Nigeria carried away more than half of the gold medals for boxing, won the glamorous long-distance races, shone in the sprints and broke several records.
The highlight of Nigeria’s remarkable performance was, however, Violet Odogwu’s success in the women’s Long Jump. She won the bronze medal and had the distinction of being the only African woman to win a medal at the games and she also reached the finals of the 80 metres hurdles.
Overall, Nigeria won 3 gold; 4 silver and 3 bronze medals and came 7th out of the 36 countries which took part in the Games. There were 28 athletes, boxers and swimmers and it showed then in 1966, that Nigeria has a wealth of athletic talents which with more adequate training, facilities and more experience were likely to take her place among the leaders in the world of sports.
In my article, “The Death of Nigerian Sports And A Walk Down Memory Lane” (Published 22 August 2009, https://www.inigerian.com/the-death-of-nigerian-sports-and-a-walk-down-memory-lane-958/ ) I wrote “Sometime in 1983, while I was doing my Master’s degree at the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada, I received a call from a reporter for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. I guessed he got wind of me being the President of University of Manitoba’s International Students Organisation and a founder of the Nigerian Union of Manitoba. He asked me if I could appear on CBC TV to discuss the phenomenal success of Nigerian athletes who had participated in the World University Games held at Edmonton, Alberta that year. I did not even know that Nigeria was represented at the Games. He told me that Nigeria sent only 10 athletes and these athletes won 5 gold medals. I was proud but hid my ignorance. I accepted and before I appeared on the show, I made sure I knew more about what happened.
In that 1983 World University Games; which was the debut year for this event by Nigeria, Chidi Imoh won gold in the 100 metres; Innocent Egbunike (now a coach in the United States) won gold in the 200 metres; Sunday Uti won gold in the 400 metres; Yusuf Ali won gold in the Long Jump and Ajayi Agbebaku won gold in the Triple Jump. All of them were of course, based in the United States, most of them on Nigeria’s scholarship.
In subsequent years, Nigeria was to perform creditably at these University games”
Back to the XXII Commonwealth Games. So, after this, euphoric and hopeful success, what next? Does this signal the return of Nigerian Athletics to the world stage? There was a time when Nigeria’s Sprint team/athletes were rated amongst the top/fastest 5 (five) in the world. We do not seem to remember those giddy days. Corrupt, selfish mediocre officials, nepotism, and crazy sports policies (if there was ever any) were the rules of the days. Officials used the opportunities of travelling abroad to collect estacode and shop for wives and girlfriends, abandoning the athletes and even embezzling the money meant for their up-keep and allowances. Funds for grassroot sports development were embezzled and mismanaged by officials. There was in-fighting within the sports associations with ambitious but clueless mediocre official gaining the high seats, only to mismanage the scarce funds and other resources from the sports budgets. And Nigeria Sports spiralled into the abyss.
Facilities and equipment are not left out. Yearly, millions are spent on stadium maintenance, but there is nothing to show for it. The National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, was once the envy of the whole world. It was once known as the Sports City, but today it is now called a Garbage City, with the compound turned into drinking dens at night and religious activities during the day.
Again, the state of sports in the country shows how daft and unintelligent our politicians are. Sports, especially success in sports, remain one major unifying factor in this our country of diverse cultures and religions. In other Third World countries as diverse as ours, the politicians use sports to defuse unrest, to unify the cultures and religions; they use sports as a diversionary means to get the mind of the masses off their problems, and thereby able to concentrate on governing. Take football for instance, when Nigeria is involved in major competitions, that is when you know that we are actually united and patriotic and everybody, marginalised or not, start waving the green-white-green and shouting “Up Nigeria” and not “Up Niger Delta”, “Up Biafra” or “Up Oduduwa”.
Sports could be a tool for a patriotic politician. If Nigeria wins in any sports event, we will not mind them taking the credit, although we know they have not contributed anything to such success.
Corporate help is needed and companies such as Shell, Globacom, MTN, etc are already doing their best, but are given very little encouragement or support by the government. In fact, the money these corporations pour into sports in Nigeria practically end up in the pockets of corrupt civil servants in the Sports ministries and other government officials.
In Nigeria of today, despite the economic downturn, there is no reason why each local government should not have a moderate sports stadium in its area, where schools in their respective areas can hold their annual inter-house sports, and local boys and girls can display their sports talents. This is called grassroots sports.
Sports, like many other areas of governance in Nigeria, have been neglected mainly due to corrupt and inept governance. There are no incentives for budding athletes; corrupt officials embezzle money meant for sports development; the sports facilities are ill-equipped or not even equipped at all; and the facilities themselves are deteriorating and underused; sports management and administration are poor and run by ill-trained, ill-motivated officials whose only purpose is that of making money, or at worst, are happy to have a job; competent sports administrators are not given a chance to input ideas and actions to effect changes, and are always shut out of decision making processes; and there are no longer grass-roots sports development in the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions to discover talents.
It is the likes of the athletes of the XXII CWG that can give us some hope, and I’m sure the Sports Minister, Mr Sunday Dare, will be basking in this success during his tenure, though he might have contributed very little to the success.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The management of Kano Pillars Football Club has fired 10 of its players ahead of the 2015/2016 Glo Premier League season. Idris Malikawa, Media Officer of the club made this known in an interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Kano.
Malikawa said the 10 players were sacked based on medical ground and poor performance. “The management of the club felt the only way to make headway in the plan to have a good season in the NPFL is to weed out 10 aged and unproductive players.
“This is to make way for new boys that will strengthen the team,’’ Malikawa said. The media officer disclosed that the club would recruit new players “to beef up the team in some critical areas.’’
He said the team had already resumed training ahead of this year’s campaign, assuring that the transfer formalities would be completed on time.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu is set to host the 2nd edition of the GTBank Super Cup on Wednesday December 02, 2015. Winners of the GTBank Principals Cup tournaments in Lagos and Ogun state will meet in an epic battle to decide who reigns as the ultimate champion of champions. The Executive Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank, Segun Agbaje will lead other dignitaries to the event.
This year’s edition, tagged the “ultimate battle” is poised to be an epic clash between two sides relatively new to the competition. In the boys’ category, Birrel Avenue Senior High School, Lagos will play Pakato Senior High School, Ogun. History is however on the side of Pakato Senior High School, having paraded the most lethal attack in the competition, scoring 18 goals and conceding only 3 on their way to emerging as Ogun State’s champions. Pakato’s ascendancy in the competition has been phenomenal having finished 4th in 2013 and 3rd in 2014, they will be seeking to stake their claim as the ultimate champions.
Debutants Birrel Avenue Senior High School will be playing for glory as they seek to enter their names in the history books by claiming the elusive title of champions of the Super Cup. Will history continue as we know it or will history be rewritten, is a story that will be told when these titans collide at the Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu.
The female category promises to be an exciting encounter as two-time champions, Ikotun Senior High School, Lagos will seek to build on their illustrious success in the competition having emerged as 2012 champions as they battle a defiant Muslim High School, Ogun who will be making their debut in the prestigious tournament.
According to Segun Agbaje, the Managing Director of GTBank, “the value of sports as an aid to personal development cannot be over emphasized. We believe that young people are the future, so we are creating a platform for them to express themselves and compete fairly. The GTBank Super Cup Competition continues to pave the way for youths to cultivate their sporting talents and aptitudes, whilst fostering and building a healthier lifestyle at a critical stage in their lives”.
Guaranty Trust Bank plc is one of the few Nigerian financial institutions that have maintained a defined Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy since its inception in 1990. The Bank actively supports in-classroom and out-of-classroom educational programmes, infrastructure development, students’ scholarship and teachers training across Africa.
Adekunle Olushola Social Media Manager JSP Communications No 26 Oroleye Crescent off Abel Oreniyi Street. Off Salvation Road, Opebi Ikeja, Lagos 08112808900,07069592772 W http://jspcommunications.com/ T https://twitter.com/jsprelations
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
WITH Champions League progress unlikely, Arsenal will now focus on securing the chance to exit the Champions League early next season.
Defeat against Bayern Munich has left the Gunners on the brink of elimination League, but in the long term it may be a blessing in disguise as it will allow them to focus on longer term failures.
Arsene Wenger said: “Our plan is to book our place in the Champions League as quickly as possible so we can look ahead to getting eliminated from the Champions League next year in order to focus on qualifying for the Champions League.
“Of course there will be short term thinkers who questioned the wisdom of losing to Dinamo Zagreb and Olympiacos and would like us to win trophies now, but that’s not the Arsenal way.”
Arsenal fan Stephen Malley said: “It’s important that the club is always looking to the future, even if the future is a constantly moving concept.
“I used to take my six year old to the Emirates every weekend but instead I’ve just told him to make sure he brings his children.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
After their 6-0 demolition of Australia, the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria are set for action again and this time it’s against world football power, Brazil.
Although this is the first time Nigeria will be playing against the South Americans at this stage, both teams had the chance of sizing themselves up in the Suwon pre-tournament championship. The Golden Eaglets ran away with a 2-1 win.
Tonight at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar, Chile, the stakes are quite higher as a place in the semi finals is up for grabs. With no room for errors or a second chance, many expect an explosive encounter.
Stay here for live updates.
Brazil Starting XI 1 JULIANO (GK) 6 ROGÉRIO 7 LEANDRO 8 ANDREY 9 L. HENRIQUE 10 EVANDER 11 LINCOLN (C) 13 DODÔ 14 E. MILITÃO 15 ZÉ MARCOS 16 GUILHERME
Nigeria Starting XI 1 UDOH (GK) 2 LAZARUS 4 ENOGELA 5 ZAKARI 6 MICHAEL 7 BAMGBOYE 8 CHUKWUEZE 9 OSIMHEN 10 NWAKALI (C) 14 IKWU 15 ANUMUDU 07:57: Finally action set to begin as both teams sing their national anthems.. Brazil takes theirs first and then Nigeria
7:59: Brazil has made four changes to the starting line up that played the game against New Zealand
8:01: A major concern for Nigeria is that four players in the starting line up are just one booking from missing the next match
8:02: Kick off.. and in seven seconds Brazil’s Leonardo gets a yellow card after a rash challenge on Kingsley Micheal
8:04: To get to this stage Brazil scored 5 goals while Nigeria has a whopping 14 goals to their name
8:05: A scare in the Nigeria box as Brazil nearly got the opener
8:07: Six minutes gone and Brazil having the upper hand so far
8:08: Nigeria living dangerously as Goalkeeper Udoh makes two fantastic saves to deny the Brazilians
8:19: Nigeria try a shot on goal, but it is off-target.
8:20: Free kick for Nigeria in a good position
8:21: Poor delivery but Eaglets still have possession
8:23: CHUKWUEZE tries a shot just outside the box but it went over the bar
8:26: Nwakali gets a chance but shoots aimlessly instead of making a pass to better placed teammates
8:29: Eaglets Coach Emmanuel Amuneke on his feet as he is far from comfortable with the way things going 8:30: Goal!!! 28th minute: Victor oshimen puts Nigeria ahead against the run of play though
8:31: Victor Oshimen has now scored eight goals in the tournament 8:32: Goal!! Nigeria doubles the lead by Micheal 30th minute strike
8:34: Brazil piling pressure to get their first goal , get two corner kicks in quick succession 8:35: Goal !!! Golden Eaglets cruising ANUMUDU makes it 3-0
8:37: Oshimen close to making it four but the Brazil defence stops the gangling striker
8:38: Oshimen on the prowl again but he is adjudged to be in an offside position.
8:45: The Brazilians are acting frustrated and making rash challenge on the Eaglets
8:46: Golden Eaglets defender LAZARUS takes a move of the pitch as he is being treated on the sidelines
8:47: One minute of extra time added as Nigeria keep their 3-0 lead 8:47: Half Time
Three goals in five minutes, the Golden Eaglets have one leg in the semi final already. Half Time statistics
9:02: Both teams back for the second half .. no changes to the either’s line up
9:03: Second half on the way and Brazil desperately in need of an early goal
9:04: Brazil gets first corner kick in the second half
9:13: Ten minutes into the second half, Nigeria firmly keeping to their 3-0 lead
9:15: Nigeria’s star striker Oshimen feared injured as he holds on to his shoulder and walks out of the pitch
9:17: Oshimen makes his way back into the field as Brazil gets a corner
9:18: Substitution Kinglsey Micheal who scored the second goal for Nigeria is going out as Ediong Essien is brought in
9:20: New entrant, Ediong Essien scored one of the goals in the 6-0 demolition of Australia… can he add to the misery of the Brazilians??
9:22: Brazil make double substitution as ARTHUR come in for HENRIQUE and GEOVANE for ANDREY
9:27: Funsho Bamigboye gets a yellow card for hand ball and would miss the semi final
9:34: Nigeria marching on to the semi finals as organizers confirm that nearly 10, 000 fans are present at the at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina del Mar, Chile
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Super Eagles striker Emmanuel Emenike has retired from international football.
The 28-year-old, who plays for Al Ain of Dubai, has not scored for the Super Eagles since October 2013.
“It was not an easy decision. I didn’t think my international career would come to a sudden end, but that is life,” Emenike told BBC Sport.
“Sometimes it’s better to remove yourself from an environment that doesn’t suit you mentally and physically, this is what I have done.”
He added: “I also felt it was important that people hear directly from me to avoid a funny twist to the story.
“I wish to thank the coaches who gave me a chance, fellow players and in particular big thanks to all my fans for their unconditional support.”
Emenike is the second player to announce his retirement from Nigeria’s senior squad this month, following Lille goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama – Nigeria’s most-capped player – who quit after a much publicised row with coach Sunday Oliseh.
Oliseh was reportedly considering leaving out Emenike for next month’s World Cup qualifier against Swaziland because he has not scored at international level for two years.
The former Spartak Moscow player, at Al Ain on loan from Turkish side Fenerbahce, has, however, featured in the first four matches since Oliseh took over from Steven Keshi.
Emenike made his international debut in a friendly against Sierra Leone in Lagos in February 2011 and was top scorer at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, helping Nigeria lift the trophy.
He made 37 appearances for the Super Eagles and scored nine goals.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Super Eagles coach Sunday Ogochukwu Oliseh has expressed shock over Emmanuel Emenike’s abrupt resignation from the Super Eagles.
Emenike, 28, who plays for Al Ain of Dubai towed the line of goalkeeper.
Vincent Enyeama by calling time on his career through instagram, a development that shocked Eagles coach Oliseh and President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Melvin Amaju Pinnick.
‘’It’s a big surprise and shock to all of us to hear of his resignation’’, Oliseh who is tinkering the home Eagles for the return leg match of the CHAN qualifier against Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou next week said. Oliseh had guided the Eagles to whip the Etalons of Burkina Faso 2-0 in the first leg played at Port Harcourt.
Insinuations that Oliseh might drop the player from the Eagles squad for next month’s World Cup qualifier against Swaziland because he has not scored for the Eagles for two years was dismissed by the coach.
‘’Eh, Come on! You know me better than that. There is no water to that story and it did not emanate from me. I’ve not spoken to anybody(Journalist) concerning the team. I was surprised when I read the story attributed to me. Immediately, I called him but he did not pick his call and the Team’s scribe Dayo Enebi Acho also called him without success.
I’m shocked and surprised. We had no issues and he had played four times since I took over the team. He’s a great player’’, Oliseh noted.
He was not the only person shocked to hear about Emenike’s resignation on instagram. NFF President Amaju said that he was ‘’utterly flabbergasted by the resignation of Emenike. ‘’We(NFF) have not been contacted officially but I’m shocked because Emenike has been a major factor of success for the team. Players have the right to quit but I think that they should do it in a civil manner.
Asked if it was not one resignation too many since Oliseh took over the team, Amaju exonerated the coach. ‘’Oliseh did not speak to anybody concerning dropping any player. He understands the dynamics of coaching. This is one of the reasons why we have to implement the code of conduct. Things should be done the right way. But, we have absolute confidence in Oliseh. He is in charge and determines players to be invited’’, Amaju emphasised.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Kick-off: 9pm The Golden Eaglets will open their 2015 U-17 World Cup defence with a clash against the USA tomorrow.
The Eaglets who have set the benchmark when it comes to U-17 football – at least, on the global level will have their hands full as the Americans are plotting an upset. With four FIFA U-17 World Cup titles as well as three further appearances in the final match, the Nigerian team is the most successful team in the tournament’s history. In Chile 2015, the Eaglets are regarded as one of the favourites.
But coach Emmanuel Amuneke explained to FIFA.com recently, that their best play tends to come out on the biggest stage. “We do well at the World Cup because the pitches help us to play much better. This happened at the 2013 tournament in the United Arab Emirates,” a tournament the Eaglets won by a 3-0 margin over Mexico in the final.
The coach has in the last one year or so engineered a new squad he believes can successfully defend the title their predecessors won in the UAE two years ago. Some of the key players in the present squad include Kelechi Nwakali, Victor Osimhen, Ebere Osinachi and Samuel Chukwueze.
But Amuneke said the team operates as a unit. “This team is not based only on Nwakali or Osimhen; we have other good players too. We have some very good players in this team, but what matters to me is to see them function as a team because a team must play collectively.”
He said the Eaglets were ready for the tournament having been together for a long time now. “All we are asking of Nigerians is their support for the team and we promise to make them happy.”
Captain Victor Osimhen has insisted that they were in Chile to bring back the trophy and the USA cannot stand in their way. “I want to assure Nigerians that we will do our best to contain the USA in our opening match. We want to come home with the trophy. The USA cannot stop our dream.”
FIFA U-17 World Cup tomorrow’s Fixtures
England v Guinea 8 pm Nigeria v USA 9 pm Brazil v Korea Republic 11 pm Chile v Croatia 12 am
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The Nigeria Football Federation is to open talks with Morocco, Tunisia or Algeria for a friendly ahead of their crunch two-legged AFCON qualifier against Egypt in March, NFF president Amaju Pinnick has said.
Nigeria take on Egypt in March in a double header, which could well determine the fate of the Super Eagles for Gabon 2017.
Egypt lead the AFCON qualifying group with six points from two matches, two points more than second-placed Nigeria with the overall group winners guaranteed automatic qualification to 2017 AFCON.
Pinnick said the NFF are determined to ensure that the Eagles are in the right frame of mind technically and mentally against the record seven-time African champions.
“I have asked them to begin to shop for a friendly game against Morocco, Tunisia or Algeria in the next available FIFA window,” he said.
“That tells you how important the next AFCON qualifiers are to us. We want to make sure that the Eagles are properly prepared and have an idea of how the North Africans play.
“But in any case, coach Sunday Oliseh has already started studying the tapes of the Egyptians and he is preparing the game plans.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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