International Football
NIGERIA’S KELECHI NWAKALI RANKED AMONG PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR IN EGYPT 2019
Will the Egypt 2019 Africa Cup for the U23 throw up new stars? That will be determined as the competition, which enters its third edition kicks off this Friday.
Apart from the three tickets for the 2020 men’s football event that are at stake, already eyes are on the potential stars. Among those picked for special attention is Nigeria’s Kelechi Nwakali.
The midfielder was the Nigerian captain in the U-17 FIFA World Cup Chile 2015 where he guided them to their record fifth title, winning the Golden Ball in the process.
Currently featuring for the Spanish side, Huesca, will he live up to expectation? He is expected to be on parade with the Nigerian side, which take on Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday in a West African derby.
Also being focused on is Egypt’s Ramadan Sobhy, teammate of Nigeria’s Junior Ajayi at the fanatically supported Al Ahly of Cairo.
Sobhy, who had previously played in England
for Stoke City and Huddersfield Town was among Egypt squad in FIFA World Cup, Russia 2018. He also
was among The Pharaohs side
that finished Africa Cup of Nations Gabon 2017 as losing finalists. He played
in the previous edition of U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal 2015, scoring
once.
Squaring up against Sobhy in the opening match of the Egypt 2019 is Mali’s Aly Mallé. A winger with Turkish side, Balikesirspor, Malle won the bronze ball in the U-17 FIFA World Cup Chile 2015, scoring two goals and assisting as much as Mali finished the global tournament as runner ups.
Also to be on parade is Cameroon’s Eric Ayuk. Like Mali’sMallé, he also plays in Turkey. But his club is Osmanlispor.
He scored twice in the qualifiers. He is a regular starter with his Turkish side, and scored once in this season’s league.
The Ghanaian star to watch is Owusu Kwabena who plays for
Cordoba, in Spain. He has three caps with the Black Stars and was a part of Ghana squad in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, also in Egypt. He scored four goals in the U-23 AFCON qualifiers.
On Saturday when Nigeria takes on Cote d’Ivoire, the player to watch out for is Christian Kouamé. The player who wears shirt number 11 and features for Italian side, Genoa, scored twice in the qualifiers.
He has been in a brilliant form with Genoa, having scored five goals and assisted three in Serie A this season.
In the South African squad is Luther Singh who plays for Morirense in Portugal. He won the Golden Boot as top scorer of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Zambia 2017. He scored two goals in five caps with senior Bafana Bafana side.
The star player to watch out for in the Zambian squad is Patson Daka of Red Bull Salzburg in Austria. He was voted best player when Zambia won the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations at home in 2017. He won CAF Youth Player of the Year award for the same year.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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