NFF Archives | Page 9 of 22

Egypt 2025: Nigeria to Go Hard on Morocco For Early Ticket into Quarter Finals

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

Another North African delicacy is served to the Flying Eagles as they confront Morocco in Group B’s top-of-the-table clash at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo on Sunday evening. Auwal Ibrahim’s 37th minute strike snatched the maximum points against the Tunisians on Thursday, but Morocco then upstaged a very good Kenyan side 3-2 in the day’s second match to crawl to the top of the table on goals’ difference. For the second time in consecutive games, the Lion Cubs also face the daunting challenge of a sub-Saharan squad weaned on power, pace and clinical delivery, and the night encounter in downtown Cairo promises fireworks and cutting-edge entertainment. Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, who plays his club football for exciting Lagos ensemble, Sporting Lagos, came up with a big save three minutes to the end against Tunisia, and will surely be called on for more interventions against the Lion Cubs who are not shy to shoot from any distance. Captain Daniel Bameyi, Adamu Maigari, Caleb Ochedikwu and Odinaka Okoro built a tight rearguard on Thursday, and must be even more alert on Sunday to protect Harcourt, and also feed midfielders Divine Oliseh and Clinton Jephta as the Flying Eagles push forward. CAF’s brandishing of forward Kparobo Arierhi (who scored three goals at the WAFU B U20 Championship and netted one of the goals in the 2-1 defeat of hosts Egypt in a friendly last week) as one of the players to watch out for in Egypt, has cast the Norway-based as a goldfish, and the tight marking by Tunisian defenders was surely as a result of the searchlight. Nonetheless, Arierhi must endeavour to prove himself going forward, and Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s desire for an early ticket to the quarter finals means the forward must diligently seek to extricate himself from any contrived mesh. Auwal Ibrahim, hero against Tunisia, showed he is capable of a quick-slip-and-delivery, and will also be relied on to carve the Moroccan defence open and hurt them on the break. Victory will take the Flying Eagles to the top of the pool, and a confirmed spot in the quarter finals, ahead of their last group phase feud with Kenya on Wednesday.

NFF Celebrates Football Investor and Philanthropist Kunle Soname on 59th Birthday

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago04 mins

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has warmly felicitated with notable football investor and proprietor of a number of football clubs in the country, Hon. Kunle Soname, as the billionaire business mogul celebrated his 59th birthday anniversary on Sunday. Soname, a former Chairman of a local government in Lagos State, has gradually but steadily built a charming profile as one of the biggest investors in the beautiful game on the African continent, and indeed the universe, with a portfolio that includes proprietorship of elite League club Remo Stars (poised to win this year’s title in Nigeria), second-tier side Beyond Limits and a women’s team, Remo Stars Ladies. He also owns a Portuguese LigaPro side, Clube Desportivo Feirense. All his teams have remained very competitive in their different cadres and jurisdictions. “As a Football Federation, we are enamoured by the worthwhile investments that Hon. Kunle Soname is making in the game of football in Nigeria, Africa and the world. To be proprietor of four different clubs across continents and gender is no mean fit. We celebrate his love for the game and wish him a very happy birthday and many happy returns. “Apart from the clubs, what he has on ground at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne-Remo marks him out as a serious and committed investor. A number of our National Teams continue to benefit from the facilities and equipment therein, and the project is still ongoing. We pray that God will grant him good health and long life to fulfil his dreams,” Gusau said. Nigeria’s age-grade National Teams, including the U20 boys (Flying Eagles) and girls (Falconets) and the U17 boys (Golden Eaglets) and girls (Flamingos), as well as the senior women team (Super Falcons) have camped and played matches at the magnificent family in the serene town in Ogun State. Only last week, Soname gifted the Flamingos the sum of four million naira after their 4-0 defeat of Algeria’s U17 girls in a FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifying match at the Remo Stars Stadium, at the sum of one million for each goal.

Morocco 2025: Flamingos Set to Grab World Cup Ticket in Blida

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago14 mins

Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos, are firm and ready to pick the ticket for the country’s eighth appearance at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, despite the predictably-cold atmosphere of the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida (outside Algiers), on Friday night. Friday’s encounter against their Algerian counterparts is the final leg of a final qualifying round fixture, with the Flamingos, bronze-medallists from the 2022 finals in India and quarter-finalists from the last edition in the Dominican Republic, holding on to a 4-0 first-leg advantage. The Federation Algerienne de Football (FAF) has scheduled the match to kick off at 8pm, at a time that the winds will begin to blow in stronger from the Mediterranean Sea. However, the Flamingos, who arrived in Algiers in the early hours of Wednesday aboard a Turkish Airline flight from Istanbul, are highly inspired by the imminence of another FIFA World Cup ticket as well as further financial windfall from the Nigeria Football Federation and billionaire business mogul Kunle Soname. Soname gifted the young players and their officials the sum of N4million (one million naira for every goal) following their commanding win over the North Africans at the Remo Stars Stadium on Saturday, while the NFF gave out the sum of N2million (five hundred thousand naira for every goal). President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and Hon. Soname have both confirmed that the same financial incentives are in place for the second leg in Blida on Friday. “Our objective is clear – to win the FIFA World Cup ticket. That is the big motivation. Yet, we have been further incentivized by the monetary rewards. My girls will go all out on Friday night,” Head Coach Bankole Olowookere said. Olowookere, who led the Flamingos to their last two World Cup ventures, will most likely rely on first-leg two-goal heroine Queen Joseph, lone-goal scorer Zainab Raji and Kaosarat Olanrewaju to start at the fore, with Shakirat Moshood, Muinat Rotimi and Philomena Isaiah supplying the passes from the midfield. Goalkeeper and captain Christiana Uzoma and defenders Azeezat Oduntan, Hannah Ibrahim, Christiana Sunday and Jumai Adebayo are also likely to start. The Confederation of African Football has selected Cameroonian official Marie Noelle Etong to be the referee, with her compatriots Marcelle Teikeu and Innocentia Ntangti as assistant referee 1 and fourth official respectively, while Chadian Ngarassoum Victorine will be assistant referee 2. Oumou Souleymane Kane from Mauritania will be commissioner and Sabelo Maphosa-Sibindi from Zimbabwe will be in the role of referee assessor.

Int’l Friendly: Flying Eagles Edge Young Pharaohs in Cairo

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles, on Tuesday defeated their Egyptian counterparts, Young Pharaohs 2-1 in a pre-Africa U20 Cup of Nations friendly at the Cairo International Stadium. Kparobo Arierhi, who scored three goals as Nigeria successfully defended her WAFU B U20 Championship title in Lome in October (including a brace in the final that dashed Ghana’s hopes), scored Nigeria’s first in the 10th minute of the encounter after a good pass from Bidemi Amole. The Young Pharaohs pulled one back in the 65th minute through Ahmed Kaabaka, but a dominant Nigeria side shot into the lead again with seven minutes left on the clock after Precious Benjamin made no mistake from the spot, following a foul on Divine Oliseh in the hosts’ eighteen-yard box. Seven-time African champions Nigeria achieved the morale-boosting victory less than 48 hours after arriving in the Egyptian capital for the 17th Africa U20 Cup of Nations, which gets underway on Sunday. The Flying Eagles’ first match is against Tunisia on Thursday next week, before further games against Morocco and Kenya in Group B. On their part, hosts Egypt, who head Group A, will take on South Africa on Sunday, before further games against Sierra Leone on 30th April, Zambia on 3rd May and Tanzania on 9th May.

Super Eagles, Chelsea Celebrate Mikel at 38

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Former African champions, Super Eagles and Premier League giants, Chelsea have congratulated erstwhile national team skipper John Obi Mikel on his 38th birthday. Both national team and the European club side took to Twitter handle now X on Tuesday to celebrate the retired midfielder. “Happy birthday to our former captain and legend Mikel John,” Super Eagles wrote. In a similar fashion, Chelsea also wrote; “Mikel Have a wonderful birthday, John Obi Mikel!” Mikel, born John Michael Nchekwube Obinna on 22 April 1987 stayed with Chelsea for 11 years where he won multiple titles, including two Premier League titles, four FA Cups, and the 2011–12 Champions League. After leaving Chelsea, he had brief stints at Tianjin TEDA, Middlesbrough, Trabzonspor, Stoke City and Kuwait SC. In a 14-year international career between 2005 and 2019, he played 91 times for Nigeria, scoring six goals. He went to five Africa Cup of Nations tournaments (winning in 2013), two World Cups, and won a bronze medal at the Olympics in 2016.

U20 AFCON: Flying Eagles Arrive in Cairo, to play Young Pharaohs in Friendly on Tuesday

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles have arrived in the Egyptian capital city of Cairo as the seven-time African champions get set for 17th Africa U20 Cup of Nations finals starting in the North African country on Sunday. A delegation of 24 players and nine officials led by Head Coach, Aliyu Zubairu touched down at the Cairo International Airport aboard Egypt Air flight on Sunday evening. The team is lodged at Jewel Sports City and Aqua Resort, and are expected to have their first training session on Monday evening. Meanwhile, the Flying Eagles will square up to host nation, the Young Pharaohs of Egypt on Tuesday evening as part of their build-up to the Africa U20 Cup of Nations billed to take place 27th April – 18th May. The match is slated for 5pm local time (4pm Nigeria time) at the Cairo International Stadium. Nigeria get their campaign underway against Tunisia at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Thursday 1st May. The Africa U20 Cup of Nations serves as a qualifying tournament for the FIFA U20 World Cup finals scheduled for 27th September – 19th October in Chile. All four semi-finalists at the tournament in Egypt will represent Africa at the FIFA U20 World Cup finals.

President Federation Cup: NFF Clears Air on Bayelsa United Protest Against Nasarawa United

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation has debunked insinuations that it is unjustly protecting Nasarawa United FC in a petition filed by Bayelsa United FC over the two teams’ Round of 16 clash in the 2025 President Federation Cup competition. The encounter, which was played in Anyigba, Kogi State on Wednesday, 16th April, saw the Prosperity Boys lose 4-5 on penalties to the Solid Miners after regulation time ended 1-1. Bayelsa United promptly sent a protest letter to the NFF, dated the same day, contesting the eligibility of five players of Nasarawa United FC. In its response, the NFF said the five players listed by Bayelsa United FC, viz Detan Ogundare, Emeka Onyema, Ogochukwu Leonard, Solomon Chigozie and Benjamin Jack, were duly registered by Nasarawa United FC for the 2025 President Federation Cup competition. “After thorough examination of your claims, it is our findings that: 1) The listed five (5) players above are in the submitted list of Nasarawa United Football Club for registration for the 2025 President Federation Cup (find as contained and highlighted in the attached list. 2) The said five (5) players were duly registered and issued players licenses by the Nigeria Football Federation to participate in the 2025 President Federation Cup for Nasarawa United Football Club. “Thus, your protest lacks substance and merit, and therefore did not succeed.”

Zubairu Picks Bameyi, Jephta, Arierhi, 21 Others for U20 Africa Cup of Nations

Fola Badmus5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu has selected first-choice goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, defender and captain Daniel Bameyi, midfielder Sulaiman Alabi Jojo and forward Kparobo Arierhi among a squad of 24 for this year’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations taking place in Egypt. The tournament gets underway in 10 days. Defenders Adamu Maigari and Emmanuel Chukwu (based in Germany), midfielders Caleb Ochedikwu (based in Croatia) and Simon Cletus, and forwards Clinton Jephta, Divine Oliseh and Precious Benjamin (based in Germany) are also picked. The seven-time African champions and two-time World Cup runners-up will depart the shores of Nigeria for Egypt on Sunday, where they are expected to play a couple of friendly matches before their opening match of the competition against Tunisia in Cairo on Thursday, 1st May. Three days after the clash with the Tunisians, the Flying Eagles will take the pitch against Morocco (also in Cairo) before rounding off their group phase experience against Kenya on Wednesday, 7th May. All four semi-finalists at the tournament in Egypt will fly Africa’s flag at this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, 27th September – 19th October. 24 FLYING EAGLES FOR EGYPT 2025: Goalkeepers: Ifeanyi Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Rufai Abubakar (Mavlon FC); Soliu Ajia Yakub (FK Novi Pazar, Serbia) Defenders: Adamu Maigari (El-Kanemi Warriors); Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Emmanuel Chukwu (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Chigozie Michael Ihejiofor (Katsina United) Midfielders: Caleb Ochedikwu (NK Uljanik Pula, Croatia); Israel Isaac Ayuma (NK Istra, Croatia); Simon Cletus (Mavlon FC); Sulaiman Alabi Jojo (El-Kanemi Warriors); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United); Shafiu Adamu Duguri (Wikki Tourists) Forwards: Precious Benjamin (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany); Ezekiel Anthony Kpangu (Inspire FC); Divine Oliseh (Forster Academy); Clinton Jephta (Enyimba FC); Bidemi Amole (Real Sapphire FC); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Theophilus Mendos Rickson (Niger Tornadoes); Kparobo Nathaniel Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway); Matthew Kingsley (Kings FC); Yushau Armiyau (Katsina United)