AFCON
VIDEOS: AS SUPER EAGLES CLOCK 70, NFF PARTNERS SOLAJA ON LANDMARK BOOK ON NIGERIAN FOOTBALL
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is the principal sponsor
of a landmark book on Nigerian Football titled ‘Super Eagles At 70: Soaring On
The Wings’, which was written by foremost football writer and analyst, Kunle
Solaja.
Described by the author as “a compendium on the Super Eagles, written in lucid and infographic style”, the book contains virtually every information that a researcher or reader may desire about the Nigerian’s Football Team since it was first constituted on 26th, 1949.
It traced the history of the team from the days of UK Tourists
through Red Devils, to Green Eagles and then to Super Eagles, and is a literary
celebration of 70 years of the Nigeria senior squad.
The book at the same time celebrates 60 years of the nation’s supreme football-governing body, NFF’s affiliation with the continental body, CAF and the world body, FIFA.
Sports Village Square reports that the NFF, then called the NFA was admitted provisionally to FIFA on April 24, 1959.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, said: “Mr. Solaja is an oak tree in football journalism in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large, and the NFF as an institution is happy to partner with him on this memorable project.
“I have gone through the book; it is a reader’s delight. More than that, it will be a great arrival on the shelves in an industry that is suffering from paucity of well-written books.”
An erudite journalist and diarist extraordinaire who has laid down the marker for excellence in his discipline in several decades of practice, Kunle Solaja also has to his name two remarkable efforts on Nigerian Football: “Super Eagles…Through The Ages” and Going for Goals…Unfolding Nigerian Football’s Hidden Stories”.
Gifted with an eye for detail and lucid writing skill, Solaja has travelled the world in three decades of sterling service to football journalism, and his latest effort has also been applauded by NFF 1st Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi, 2nd Vice President Shehu Dikko, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi and two former Nigerian internationals of note, Patrick Ekeji and Segun Odegbami. Dr. Larry Izamoje, Chairman of Brila Sports Radio, also applauded the contributions of Solaja to Sports Journalism.
The author has served time at some of the country’s leading media houses, including the now-defunct Concord newspapers, The Sun newspapers and The Guardian.
While at Concord, he also served as personal assistant on sports to the international business mogul and politician, Bashorun MKO Abiola, of blessed memory.
While the country Nigeria has been to the FIFA World Cup finals on six occasions, Russia 2018 was Solaja’s eighth appearance at the Mundial, alongside coverage of other FIFA events like the FIFA Confederation Cup, FIFA U20 World Cup and the FIFA U17 World Cup, as well as several Olympic Games and the Africa Cup of Nations.
He is easily the only sports journalist in Africa to have covered eight consecutive World Cup finals from 1990 to 2018.
The book will be launched in Lagos, days before the commencement of the 32nd Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
13 November 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier: Osimhen’s 1st goal: Nigeria 1-1 Benin Republic; Referee: Issa Sy of Senegal
14 November 2024 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier: Osimhen’s 23rd goal: Benin Republic 1-1 Nigeria; Referee: Issa Sy of Senegal
Victor Osimhen’s 81st-minute goal against the Benin Republic on Thursday night in Abidjan did not only save the face of the Super Eagles from a possible defeat, it is also a milestone goal.
It was his 23rd goal for Nigeria in 37 appearances. With the goal, he becomes Nigeria’s joint-second all-time top scorer, having matched Segun Odegbami’s 23-goal record.
Only Rashidi Yekini with 37 goals scored more. Incidentally, Osimhen opened his scoring for Nigeria in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match with Benin Republic in 2019 when he scored his first Nigerian goal, a penalty kick that brought the scoreline to 1-1 in the 45th minute.
Like it was on Thursday 14 November in Abidjan, the 13 November 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Benin Republic was also refereed by Senegal’s Issa Sy.
What an irony! Libya handed Nigeria AFCON ticket
AFCON
Osimhen saves the face of already qualified Super Eagles as Group D 2nd ticket goes down the wire!
A late goal from Victor Osimhen saved the day for the Super Eagles who forced a 1-1 draw with Benin Republic at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan which had hitherto become Benin Republic’s slaughter ground of visiting teams.
After a ferocious opening by the Super Eagles, the Benin Republic suddenly turned the tide as defender Mohammed Tijani surged forward to beat the Nigerian defence line in the 16th minute.
With the goal, it was the first time that the Super Eagles had conceded in the series and it looked as if Benin had also picked a ticket, moving to a 9-point haul that would have been unassailable by either Rwanda and Libya even if they win their respective last matches on Monday.
As they held on tenaciously to the lead, Victor Osimhen leaped high in between two Beninese defenders to nod in a cross from Simon Moses from the left flank.
That changed the narrative as Benin will now have to play hard to pick a qualification ticket on Monday when they meet Libya.
But it is still advantage for Benin Republic owing to their better goal difference. Even if they are beaten by Libya and tie at seven points apiece, Libya will need a heavy scoreline to wipe off their current deficit of four.
The second ticket from Group D is still open to the trio of Benin, Rwanda and Libya. But it is advantageous Benin. All could end up with seven points apiece if Libya beat Benin Republic and Rwanda beat Nigeria in Uyo.
The matchday 4 of Libya and Nigeria was akin to a war as the Super Eagles were literally held hostage for 20 hours at an abandoned airport. The treatment meted to the Super Eagles made it impossible for the match to go on.
The Libyan actions generated global outrage. The Confederation of Africa (CAF) consequently awarded the match to Nigeria.
Paradoxically, the award and Libya’s win over Rwanda have taken a lot of burden off the Super Eagles as they pick qualification tickets, even with two matches to spare. The worst-case scenario for them is to place second on the Group D log.
Libya snatched a narrow 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali, thanks to a late strike by Fahd Saad Mohamed.
The game was closely contested, with both sides creating chances but struggling to find the back of the net.
Rwanda’s Innocent Nshuti came close on several occasions, but Libyan goalkeeper Bader Hassan stood firm.
The win pushed Libya up to four points, although they remain at the bottom of Group D, while Rwanda stays in third with five points
Against Benin and officiated by Issa Sy, Osimhen equals Segun Odegbami’s feat
Osimhen saves the face of already qualified Super Eagles as Group D 2nd ticket goes down the wire!
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