AFCON

AGAINST ANGOLA, WE ARE NOT UNDER PRESSURE, SAYS CHELSEA/GOLDEN EAGLETS’ YOUNGSTER ADRIAN AKANDE

Published

6 years ago

April 16, 2019

Promising Chelsea youngster who dumped the England colours for that of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets, Adrian Akande has assured Nigerians to expect the FIFA U-17 World Cup ticket on Wednesday when the team faces Angola in Dar es Salaam.

He was an unused substitute in Sunday’s match with Tanzania. “We are not under pressure; we are relaxed and are eager to do well”, he told CAFonline.

He explained why the Golden Eaglets momentarily threw away a two goal first half advantage in Sunday’s first match with Tanzania.

“The game against Tanzania was tough, it was difficult to play against the home crowd but we managed to hold on to claim victory.

“The game against Angola is more important for us because our ambition is to qualify to the FIFA U-17 World Cup and we need to win this game to achieve that”, said the Nigerian midfielder.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s assistant coach, Jolomi Atume remarked that “We understand that we need to win this game to qualify not only to the semi-final, but also to the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

“It is a very important match for us and for our opponents too. To be honest this will be an open game for both teams.

“Angola is a good team. They play well and they are good on the offensive. We know that our defence made several mistakes in the opening fixture against Tanzania which saw us concede four goals, but we are working on to improve.

“This is a youth tournament so sometimes the boys want to express themselves and tactical discipline is low but we will play well.”

AFCON

Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium is lucky ground for Cheetahs of Benin

Published

1 hour ago

November 14, 2024

Kunle Solaja

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Before meeting Rwanda last June in Abidjan in their matchday 3 duels of the World Cup qualifying series, the Benin Republic under Gernot Rohr had been having a winless run.

Rohr was employed on 28 February 2023 and had nine winless matches until they were compelled to move their home ground to Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

In their first match at the stadium on 6 June this year, they won their first-ever match under Rohr when they defeated Rwanda 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier.

They followed up four days later when they beat Nigeria 2-1. It was their first-ever victory over Nigeria since their 10-1 loss in Lagos on 29 November 1959.

Since June this year, they have won all their matches in Abidjan. Will the winning streak continue?

AFCON

‘How we will cage the Super Eagles’ – Cheetahs’ captain, Mounié

Published

1 hour ago

November 14, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Captain of Cheetahs of Benin, SteveMounié has spoken on how his team intends to put the Super Eagles in check when they host them tonight at their lucky ground, the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan

Speaking at a press conference in Abidjan on Wednesday evening, he is quoted as saying that the Cheetahs know

what needs to be done to put Nigeria in difficulty.

“We will have to be very compact, defend well together, have the same idea on the field.

“ If we want to do anything against this Nigerian team, we will also have to know how to respond to them offensively while defending well. The key is to score goals,” he declared.

AFCON

‘No retreat, no surrender, we shall fight Super Eagles despite their superior weapons’ – Gernot Rohr

Published

2 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Kunle Solaja

On Wednesday evening, the eve of Benin Republic’s match with the Super Eagles in Abidjan, Benin’s manager, Gernot Rohr opened up on the game that could decide whether Cheetahs will qualify for Morocco 2025.

The technician knew what awaited his team against a Nigerian team to be feared on paper.

He spoke a little on his defensive strategy, especially the inclusion of two players – Ryan Adigo and Lenny Pirringuel – in his squad.

” Ryan has been playing full-back for a few months now at his club (Lokomotive Leipzig in Germany). We needed someone in that position, and that’s why he’s here. Lenny has changed clubs. With his liveliness, he can bring us something. Both of them can help us from tomorrow. They’re good! ” said the Franco-German coach.

Counting on the young talents he has in his team, Gernot Rohr says he’s ready to create a surprise against the Super Eagles.

” When I said yesterday (Tuesday) that Nigeria is practically at full strength, it is neither fear nor dread. I am realistic.

“We know that they are favourites on paper and that it will take a feat to beat them again.

“But, we are confident, despite the absences that we have, that we can play a good match.

“We have our say. It is true that we will know the result of the Rwanda-Libya match before the start of our encounter but that will not influence our desire to win. We want to win this match,” he added.