Players and officials of Nigeria’s U15 Boys, Future Eagles, will depart the country in the early hours of Wednesday, 11^th December for Morocco, where the team is scheduled to face their Moroccan counterparts in two international friendly games.

This will be the team’s first international experience since the inception of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) in the country.

Head of delegation, Nasiru Jibril said playing Morocco is a deliberate attempt and a pragmatic way of equipping the young, talented players discovered in the country through the FIFA Talent Development Scheme.

He noted that exposing the players to the best facilities and playing internationally will further shape the country’s awakening with regards to the impending annual AFCON U17 and annual FIFA U17 tournaments.

“With the introduction of the annual U17 AFCON and FIFA World Cup, it is going to be difficult if we don’t have such programs going for us. I think the FIFA Talent Development Scheme has come at the right time, and is helpful to Nigeria football. 

Morocco is the place to which we have the most access, in terms of an organized place where we can go to, and people who already have the same kind of project we have running. 

Therefore, it is easier and better for us to go and play their own team because they have a team similar to our own.”

A delegation of 22 players and 6 officials, with Coach Patrick Bassey at the head of the coaching crew, will make the trip. The two matches have been scheduled for the Complexe Mohammed VI de Football on the 12^th and 15^th December, with kick-off time of 5pm local time on both days.

22 FUTURE EAGLES FOR MOROCCO

Goalkeepers: Isaac Tomiwa (Mees Palace); Johnson Amaagudi (Ajarah FA); Somtochukwu Ibe (Adoration FC)

Defenders: Nicodemus Gideon (Relentless FA); Raphael Umah (Udi Stars FA); Luka Ephraim (Sporting Lagos); Muhammad Shamsudeen (Mavlon FC); Samuel Yusuf (Stormer FA)

Midfielders: Praise Averwosou (Morak FC); Uwem Bassey (2S Academy); Farwas Adeleke (Lanreleke FA); Raheem Salaudeen (Buruj FC); Kunle Tokode (White Caps FC, Canada); Ighodaro Dominion (Bendel Insurance Youth Team); Obasahon Emmanuel (Dynamo FA)   

Forwards: Samuel Essien (PSports FA); Abubakar Abdulrazaq (Simon Ben FA); Ogar Timothy (Mavlon FC); Yusuf Saminu (Kano Pillars U15); Ebube Oyari (Sensational FA); Sha’Aban Musa (School Sports); Yusuf Auwal (Peace FA)

Former Nigeria international, Edema Fuludu was the star man as he led other footballers in the contest that marked the first anniversary of the coronation of the Monarch of Agbarha -Warri Kingdom, Ovie Kingsley Emakpor Orereh Igbi II in Warri South Local Government of Delta State in Nigeria.  

Ovie Kingsley Emakpor Orereh Igbi II

Eight teams participated in the two-week competition, all from the seven communities that make up the Agbarha-Warri kingdom. Ukpokiti had the last laugh after beating Ogunu in the final match.

For their victory, Ukpokiti won a trophy and a cash prize of N3 million. Their dominance is reflected in their winning the individual awards of Most Valuable Player and Best Goalkeeper of the tournament.

Finalists, Ogunu community got N2 million for their efforts. In the third-place match, Edjeba community  beat Igbudu community 2-1 and got N1 million for their efforts.

Apart from the top four teams, the others were  Otovwodo (Agbassa),  Oteghele,  Okurode and  RAWK  which is composed of the rest of Agbarha-Warri kingdom who are the non-indigenes.

The RAWK team was adjudged the best behaved while the highest goal scorer award was picked by Tega Oyeye of Oteghele community

The elated HRM Kingsley Emàkpor Orereh IGBI II the Ovie of Agbarha Warri kingdom promised to continue with the tournament as a platform to harness young talents and promote peaceful coexistence within the kingdom and neighbouring communities.

He said this is not a one-off tournament because he will promote more grassroots football initiatives that will discover talents for greater heights.

He said even in the spirit of competitiveness, nobody should be a loser hence he announced the sum of five hundred thousand (N500,000) Naira to the remaining five teams that did not win the grand prizes.

The Chairman of the organising committee Edema Fuludu said he was not surprised at the generosity of HRM who is a sports lover and big fan of football and played lots of youth football in Warri.

The President general Agbarha-Warri kingdom Chief Emmanuel Oghenerhoro Ememu applauded the organisational capacity of the tournament and the gains of the kingdom with the ascendancy of HRM Kingsley Emàkpor Orereh IGBI II as a Royal father with difference.

The event which attracted a lot of dignitaries such as the MD of Nigeria Gas company Seyi Omotowa, the Provost of College of Education Edjeba in Agbarha Warri Kingdom Chief Dickson Oyovwi, Chiefs of the kingdom, community leaders and ex football stars like Mobosa Brodericks, Ezekiel Akpofure and Chief Kenneth Nwaomucha former Delta State Football Association chairman amongst others.

Initial leaders, Remo Stars are back on the summit of the Nigerian Premier League after they defeated El Kanemi Warriors 2-0 in Ikenne on Sunday while Rivers United crumbled to a 1-0 defeat in their encounter with defending champions, Enugu Rangers.

With both top teams without some of their regulars who were in Super Eagles Team B preparing for the CHAN encounter against Ghana next week, host Enugu Rangers were on the front foot from the start putting the visiting Rivers United side on the edge but in the 18^th minute, Collins Ugwueze puts the home side in front from close range.

All attempts visiting side to level up were unsuccessful till the end of the match.

Rivers United, for the loss, has dropped to second position with 29 points against Rangers in the third on the ladder at 27 points.

In Ikenne, Remo Stars’ domination of the first stanza earned two goals off Peter Onuoha in the 31^st minute. The forward pounced on a goal post and rebounded for a header that beat El Kanemi Warriors’ goalkeeper to the wrong side.

Franck Mawuena doubled the lead in the added time of the first half and the result put them back at the summit with 29 points.

In Yenagoa, high-ridding Ikorodu City had to endure a late goal conceded in the 79^th minute for the host Bayelsa United to secure a hard-earned win over the Oga Boys.

While in Jos, Coach Emmanuel Amuneke’s side Heartland were coasting home with another massive away win but host Plateau United turned the heat late in the second half to win at 3-2.

The host opened the score in the 6^th minute via Anthony Sunday and held on till the end of the half but the visiting side turned the heat in the second half with two quick goals by Tobi Ige in the 51^st and 57^th minute.

But Anthony Sunday restored parity in the 70^th minute and Mafeng Pam scored the winner in the 90^th minute. The result dropped Heartland to the 13^th position while Plateau United maintained the 15^th position with 18 points.

Kano Pillars were the better side with a lone goal win against visiting Katsina United and the only goal was scored by Abba Adam in the 33^rd minute.

While Abia Warriors were 2-1 better against visiting Niger Tornadoes in Aba. Ijoma Desouza put the host in front in the 21^st minute an own goal but Ernest Onyeka doubled the lead Ahmed Family pegged the score from the spot in the 90^th minute.

Earlier on Saturday, Shooting Stars of Ibadan had secured a lone goal away win over Sunshine Stars of Akure. Alex Aghahowa Otakho scored the only goal in the 28^th minute.

In another encounter, Nasarawa United pipped embattled Lobi Stars with a lone goal scored by Omar Adegoke in the 12^th minute. The result leaves in the dropped zone at 18^th position with 16 points while Nasarawa are just a little up the relegation zone at 16^th position with 18 points.

NPFL RESULTS

Rangers 1-0 Rivers Utd

Plateau Utd 3-2 Heartland

Kano Pillars 1-0 Katsina Utd

Abia Warriors 2-1 Tornadoes

Bayelsa Utd 1-0 Ikorodu City

Remo Stars 2-0 El Kanemi

Sunshine Stars 0-1 Shooting Stars

Nasarawa Utd 1-0 Lobi Stars