Flying Eagles boss Bosso eyes bronze medal against Tunisia

Published

2 years ago

March 10, 2023

Ladan Bosso

Nigeria coach Ladan Bosso has set his sights on clinching the bronze medal of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2023.

The Flying Eagles will face Tunisia in the third place match on Friday at the Cairo International Stadium at 16:00 local time (14:00 GMT).

Nigeria lost 1-0 in the semi-finals to The Gambia at the Cairo International Stadium on Monday night.

Steve Biko forward Adama Bojang scored the lone goal to send the Young Scorpions to their first ever TotalEnergies U-20 AFCON final.

“It was unfortunate we lost the semifinals and now we will play the third place match,” Bosso told journalists at his pre-match press conference.

“The third place is as good as the final. We believe if we get it right we will take something home and I believe we can put smiles on the faces of football loving Nigerians.

“Nevertheless it is always believed that second best is not good enough but we have to fight for third place.”

The record champions of the tournament have secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia later this year alongside The Gambia, Senegal and Tunisia.

“The most important thing is the target given to us was to first qualify the team to the World Cup which we achieved,” said Bosso.

“We wanted to get something additional but fortunately we didn’t get it right.

“We had our mistakes but I understand the feelings of some sections of Nigerians will not be comfortable with it.

“We lost to The Gambia not that they were better than us because we should have sealed that game in the beginning.

“Nevertheless the way we prepared for the Gambian team is the same way we will prepare for Tunisia with some adjustments to get the win,” he added.

Abel Ogwuche was named the Man of the Match in the quarter-final victory over Uganda in Ismailia and he reiterated that the Flying Eagles will be playing to secure a podium finish.

“We are a hundred percent prepared to take something back to Nigeria. We lost the last game but in football there can only be three outcomes,” Abel said.

“Tomorrow we will be coming out to win the game and take something back home and put a smile to our fans back home.

“This tournament is a great opportunity for us the players to be seen and showcase our talent and we will do our best.”

Tunisian club, Esperance de Jerjis signs on two Nigerians

Published

1 week ago

January 31, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Esperance de Jerjis of Tunisia has announced the reinforcement of its ranks with two Nigerian players, Chigozie Erochukwu and Success Item.

The two reportedly signed contracts with the team for a year and a half.

They become replacements for another player, Senegalese central defender Fallo Mendy who left to join AS FAR of Morocco.

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Rigobert Song new coach of Central African Republic

Published

4 weeks ago

January 14, 2025

Kunle Solaja

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Group G - Switzerland v Cameroon - Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar - November 24, 2022 Cameroon coach Rigobert Song before the match REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Former Cameroon captain and coach Rigobert Song has been appointed to take over the Central African Republic’s national team, the country’s sports ministry said on Tuesday without disclosing any terms.

The 48-year-old Song, who played as a central defender for his country at four World Cups and then coached the Indomitable Lions at the finals in Qatar in 2022, takes over from the Swiss coach Raoul Savoy, who was fired in October during their unsuccessful Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

They are, however, still involved in World Cup qualification and resume their campaign in March with home matches against Madagascar and Mali.

The Central African Republic sit in fifth place in Group I with four points from four matches, five behind co-leaders Comoros and Ghana.

Song, whose club career took in spells at Liverpool, West Ham United, Racing Lens and Galatasaray, had a confrontation with Andre Onana during the last World Cup that led to the goalkeeper leaving the tournament in Qatar.

-Reuters

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International Football

US women’s training camp moved from LA due to wildfires

Published

4 weeks ago

January 11, 2025

Kunle Solaja

The wind whips embers while a firefighter battles the fire in the Angeles National Forest near Mt. Wilson as the wildfires burn in the Los Angeles area, during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, U.S. January 9, 2025. REUTERS/Ringo Chiu/File Photo

U.S. Soccer said on Friday that the U.S. women’s national team’s training camp has been moved from Los Angeles to Miami due to the wildfires that have devastated Southern California.

The camp for the Paris Olympic champions will start three days later than planned and run from Jan. 17-23 at Inter Miami’s Florida Blue Training Center in Ft. Lauderdale instead of Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson.

U.S. Women’s National Team starting XI before the match against Ireland at Q2 Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images/File Photo

“The safety of our players and staff is always our top priority, and with the fires still burning, many areas in a state of emergency, and the air quality next week an unknown, we made the decision to move the camps,” said Matt Crocker, U.S. Soccer’s sporting director.

Firefighters finally started gaining control over two major wildfires on the eastern and western flanks of Los Angeles on Friday as fierce winds that supercharged the fires for days finally eased.

Six simultaneous wildfires have devastated Los Angeles County neighborhoods since Tuesday, killed at least 11 people and damaging or destroyed 10,000 structures.

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team offered words of encouragement to Los Angeles on Friday.

“Team USA holds the city of Los Angeles, our future summer Games host, in our hearts and thanks all those who are lending their support to those affected.”

Olympic organizers LA28 said they had gathered resources, opens new tab for those in need of support amid what is among the worst natural disasters in California history.

“We are eternally grateful to the firefighters, first responders, and everyday Angelenos working around the clock to keep us safe from the devastating wildfires,” LA28 said in a statement.

-Reuters

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