Nigerian Football
Cote d’Ivoire 2025: Flying Eagles return to camp for Egypt friendlies
Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu has called to camp 30 players as Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles, prepare for a two-match tour of Egypt later this month.
Team Administrator, Aliyu Lawal Ibrahim informed thenff.com that the seven-time African champions will clash with their Egyptian counterparts in Cairo in friendly matches that have been scheduled for the 25th and 27th of February.
This year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations will be staged in Cote d’Ivoire, 26th April – 18th May, with the four top-placed finishers qualifying to represent the continent at the FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Chile, 27th September – 19th October.
The Flying Eagles, champions of Africa in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2005, 2011 and 2015, won the WAFU-B U20 Championship held in Lome, Togo in October last year to be eligible for the finals in Cote d’Ivoire. They defeated Ghana’s Black Satellites 3-1 in the final match.
The two-time FIFA World Cup runners-up, in 1989 and 2005, came within breathing distance of the semi-finals at the FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Argentina, before losing narrowly to Korea Republic after extra time.
FLYING EAGLES FOR CAMPING IN ABUJA FOR EGYPT FRIENDLIES:
Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Light Emerenonye (Diamond Academy); Abubakar Rufai (Mavlon FC)
Defenders: Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Kenneth Igbokwe (Enugu Rangers); Haruna Aliyu (Wikki Tourists); Musa Ademu (Wireless FC); Shamsudeen Muhammad (Mavlon FC); Ibrahim Abdullahi; Shamsudeen Ishaq (Grassrunner FC); Steven Jolomi (Mavlon FC)
Midfielders: Raphael Oyebanji (Shuffle Select FC); Mohammed Ibrahim (Niger Tornadoes); Kizito Opara (Campus Academy); Alabi Sulaiman Jojo (El-Kanemi Warriors); Sulaiman Abubakar (Diamond Academy); Shafiu Adamu (Wikki Tourists); Cletus Simon (Mavlon FC)
Forwards: Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire Academy); Clinton Japhet (Enyimba FC); Matthew Chukwusa (Morack Academy); Nasiru Salihu (El-Kanemi Warriors); Divine Olisha (Fostar Academy); Jerry Salami (Aspire Academy); Oluwaseyi Akinfenwa (Real Sapphire Academy); Shola Adelami (Ikorodu City); Abdulrahaman Ishaq (Sport Supply Academy); Ezekiel Anthony (Aspire Academy); Sodiq Olalekan Adewunmi (Jaguar Sports FC)
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A late goal by Timothy Zacharia has ended a dry season for Rivers United who have previously gone five matches without a win. Their home game with Lobi Stars looked heading for a third consecutive draw before Zacharia’s header changed the tide to hand the hitherto dry Rivers United a soul-lifting 1-0 win.
They retain their third position behind Remo Stars and Shooting Stars. Akwa United at home bounced back into the reckoning as they won their first match since the second stanza of the Nigerian Premier League began.
They had before Sunday’s 2-1 defeat of Enyimba gone four matches without a win. Jacob Ogunleye set the Uyo side on a victory path with a 26th-minute goal.
Enyimba however levelled up in five minutes to regulation time of the first half. Uche Sebastine regained the lead for Akwa United in the 75th minute.
The woes of Sunshine Stars were compounded in Umuahia as the fast-rising Abia Warriors inflicted a 3-0 defeat on the Ondo State team that has been enduring a difficult season without a home ground of their own.
They now have a goal deficit of 15, the heaviest by any club so far this season.
The win has pushed Abia Warriors up to a shouting distance of title contenders. They are now fourth on the log ahead of traditional powerhouses of Enugu Rangers, El Kanemi Warriors, Enyimba and Kano Pillars.
Chidozie Iwundu launched Abia Warriors into the winning path in the 18th minute before Ijoma Desoua doubled the lead in the 36th minute. Samuel Ogunjimi completed the route on the dot of 90 minutes.
Champions, Enugu Rangers are yet to find their last year’s form as they laboured to a goalless draw away at Bayelsa United. The coal city sides have won only two of their last five matches before Sunday’s duel with Bayelsa United.
Rangers are now fifth on the log behind Abia Warriors and 13 points behind leaders, Remo Stars who they are hosting next Sunday.
CHAN Super Eagles player, Papa Daniel opened scoring for Niger Tornadoes in their 1-1 draw with Plateau United who levelled up through Samuel Kalu late into the game.
SUNDAY RESULTS
- Abia Warriors 3-0 Sunshine Stars
- Rivers United 1-0 Lobi Stars
- Akwa United 2-1 Enyimba
- Bayelsa United 0-0 Enugu Rangers
- Niger Tornadoes 1-1 Plateau United
- Ikorodu City 2-1 Kwara United
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Remo Stars of Ikenne continue their grip on the Nigeria Premier Football League after a 2-1 defeat of Kano Pillars on Saturday. It is their fourth consecutive double since the competition entered its second stanza last month.
Remo Stars had in September won the first leg 2-0 and completed their dominance with another win as they had done to Akwa United, Abia Warriors and Sunshine Stars.
Should they win again against Enugu Rangers in Enugu next week Sunday, their double take will be extended to five having won the corresponding duel 2-1in Ikenne last September.
Remo Stars are having one of their best season so far having been at the top of the table for more than five matches now.
Their win over Kano Pillars has taken their points to 45, eight more than their immediate counterparts, Shooting Stars who after their 1-0 win over Bendel Insurance have taken their total to 40. But they still have an outstanding away duel with Kwara United which could still help to narrow the gap.
Remo Stars immediately launched themselves on a victory path in their duel against Kano Pillars as Sikiru Alimi connected into the net from Segun Ogunribide’s cross. They doubled the lead when Ibrahim Abubakar pounced on a rebound in the 40th minute.
Abba Adam reduced the tally and made the scoreline a more respectable one for Kano Pillars when he connected an Abdulllahi’s cross in the eighth minute of the added time in the first half. It was Adam’s fifth league goal of the season.
In Ibadan, Shooting Stars battled to a 1-0 win to edge Bendel Insurance back into shouting distance of the relegation zone. Bendel Insurance with 25 points are 15th and are just two points better than 17th-placed Sunshine Stars.
In Maiduguri, El-kanemi Warriors defeated Nasarawa United 1-0 with Umar Al Amin scoring in the 33rd minute.
RESULTS
- Remo Stars 2-1 Kano Pillars
- Shooting Stars 1-0 Bendel Insurance
- El Kanemi 1-0 Nasarawa United
SUNDAY’S MATCHES
- Niger Tornadoes v Plateau United
- Abia Warriors v Sunshine Stars
- Akwa United v Enyimba
- Bayelsa United v Enugu Rangers
- Rivers United v Lobi Stars
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BY BOLAJI AKANJI
Sparta Praha goal poacher, Victor Olatunji has revealed readiness to feature for the Super Eagles if given a chance by newly employed coach, Eric Chelle.
Olatunji who recently emerged cynosure of all eyes after opening his UEFA Champions League goal account against Salzburg, revealed this in an interview he granted from his base in the Czech Republic.
Having emerged as his club’s current highest goal scorer in the ongoing season, the lanky forward hinted he won’t relent in his quest to showcase his worth to soccer enthusiasts who have been monitoring his success in Europe.
Speaking further about his availability for the Super Eagles, the striker disclosed it will be a dream come through should he get a call-up from the Nigeria Football Federation ahead of next month’s crucial 2025 World Cup qualifying outing away to Rwanda.
“ I’ve got what it takes to showcase my talent in the Super Eagles jersey. I’m not forcing myself into the team. I only think I’m in good shape to inspire Super Eagles to greater heights. I believe the coach has a plan and if opportune to make his squad, I’ll make Nigerians proud.
“ I think I’ve been drilled by Czech league champion, Sparta Praha. Having helped my team to league and cup title, I can boldly say I’m good for Super Eagles. I also think my UEFA Champions League exposure will go a long way in giving my fans what they love to see.
“ It’s obvious Eagles is blessed with lots of talented forwards but I think my addition will further power Chelle boys to glory,” he emphasized.
Olatunji, this season has netted four goals including two assists for the Czech league defending champion who are currently topping the league table.
He was well known following his iconic UEFA Champions League goal celebration which saw him flaunt a customized shirt captioned “I’m a chosen, who are you.”
Should he be considered for a call-up, the striker will be tasked to rescue the fumbling Super Eagles who are currently struggling on the World Cup qualifying log.
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