Category: AFCON - Page 4 - African News Today

AFCON: ‘Osimhen Told Me He’s Not 100% Fit To Play’ – Eguavoen

3Jan

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

AFCON, News, Nigeria, Sports, Uncategorized, WAFCON

AFCON: ‘Osimhen Told Me He’s Not 100% Fit To Play’ – Eguavoen

Super Eagles interim coach, Austine Eguavoen has disclosed the main reason why Victor Osimhen decided to withdraw himself from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Recall that the Nigerian international had sustained a nasty facial injury in late November, after colliding with Milan Skriniar in their 3-2 defeat to Inter Milan. Read Also: Qualify Eagles For 2022 World Cup Or Get Sacked –NFF Tells Peseiro However, he declared himself fit despite being ruled out for three months by Napoli doctor after successfully undergoing a surgery. In a chat with the Super Eagles media officer, Eguavoen stated that Osimhen’s health was behind his withdrawal from the squad. “Osimhen, it’s a pity that he will not be at the AFCON. He told me practically and pleaded with me, and I saw reasons. “I tried...

AFCON: Three Players Arrive Camp As Super Eagles Begin Preparation

30Dec

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

AFCON, News, Nigeria, Sports

AFCON: Three Players Arrive Camp As Super Eagles Begin Preparation

Three players have arrived at the Super Eagles camp in Abuja, African News Today has gathered. The first player to arrive at the camp was Olisa Ndah, a central defender. Other players who have arrived are Taiwo Awoniyi and John Noble. The team made this known via its Facebook page. “Olisa Ndah is the first player to arrive camp. Taiwo Awoniyi and John Noble have arrived at camp… Three players in camp,” it posted. The Super Eagles camp opened on Wednesday for the start of preparation for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, The PUNCH has learnt. The 33rd edition of the AFCON will hold in Cameroon from January 9 to February 6, 2022. Read Also: Surgeon: Only A Miracle Will See Osimhen Represent Eagles At AFCON 2021 The three-time African champions will be camped ...

Surgeon: Only A Miracle Will See Osimhen Represent Eagles At AFCON 2021

29Dec

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

AFCON, News, Nigeria, Sports

Surgeon: Only A Miracle Will See Osimhen Represent Eagles At AFCON 2021

Napoli surgeon, Professor Gianpaolo Tartaro has declared that it would only take a miracle for Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen to represent the senior national team at the fast-approaching 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Osimhen, who recently made a return to training after successfully undergoing a surgery to correct multiple fractures in his face following a clash with Inter defender Milan Skriniar on November 21, was named in the 28-man list by Super Eagles interim coach, Austine Eguavoen for the bi-annual tournament. Read Also: NFF Met Mourinho For Eagles Job –Pinnick According to Football Italia, Osimhen spent the Christmas break in Nigeria, but he’s expected to return to Naples on Friday for a medical check after a cheekbone surgery he underwent at the end of November. ...

Sacking Rohr Now Will Spell Disaster For Super Eagles In 2022 AFCON -Ikpeba

23Nov

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

AFCON, News, Nigeria, Sports

Sacking Rohr Now Will Spell Disaster For Super Eagles In 2022 AFCON -Ikpeba

Former Nigerian forward, Victor Ikpeba has advised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) not to sack, but retain the Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. Ikpeba made this known during Monday Night Football Show on SuperSports, where he fumed that sacking the German tactician will spell disaster for the Super Eagles at the tournament. He warned the NFF to apply caution in the handling of the whole process so as not to affect the progress of the senior national team. Read Also: WCQ: Cape Verde Arrives Nigeria, Set To Train At Teslim Balogun Stadium “It is less than 48 days before our first game against Egypt at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. The speculation about his sack has been intense and I’m really surprised. I know what happened i...

I Gave Oliseh Painkillers to Play AFCON 2000 Final – Okocha

19May

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

AFCON, News, Nigeria, Sports

I Gave Oliseh Painkillers to Play AFCON 2000 Final – Okocha

Former Super Eagles captain Austin Okocha says he gave Sunday Oliseh painkillers to play at the 2000 African Cup of Nations final against Cameroon in Lagos. Oliseh was almost forced to pull out of the final after aggravating a hamstring injury in their 2-0 win over South Africa in the semi-final. The defensive midfielder had a huge impact in the quarter-final win over Senegal, coming off the bench to bag an assist as the Eagles came from a goal down to beat the Teranga Lions 2-1. Recounting the final defeat to Cameroon on penalties, after full and extra time ended 2-2, Okocha told The PUNCH, “We were having a good tournament heading into the final but Sunday (Oliseh) was not fully fit to play. “We needed him in the team for the final and also as the captain of the team, so I o...

CAF Okays Iwobi For Super Eagles Vs Lesotho

30Mar

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

AFCON, News, Nigeria, Sports

CAF Okays Iwobi For Super Eagles Vs Lesotho

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), has given approval for Alex Iwobi to featured in today’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Lesotho at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos State. Iwobi was reported to have returned a positive COVID-19 test result prior to Saturday’s match against Benin Republic in Port Novo. It forced the Everton forward to sit out the encounter in which the Super Eagles won 1-0 through a Paul Onuachu stoppage-time goal. However, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF on Tuesday morning, stated that after further tests were conducted the result came out negative. Iwobi can now feature against the Crocodiles after CAF’s approval. The NFF tweeted on Twitter, “Update: CAF clears @alexiwobi to play today’s game against Lesotho.”

Cape Verde Referee Duarte To Officiate Nigeria, Lesotho AFCON Qualifier

29Mar

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Sports, Youths

Cape Verde Referee Duarte To Officiate Nigeria, Lesotho AFCON Qualifier

The Confederation of African Football has picked Cape Verde referee Fabricio Duarte to take charge of Tuesday’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations dead rubber game against the Crocodiles of Lesotho at the Teslim Balogun stadium. Duarte will be assisted by his compatriots Jorge Correia Semedo Helio (assistant 1), Delgado Fernandes Wilson Jorge (assistant referee 2) and Antonio Manuel Fortes Tony Rodrigues (fourth official) will also be on duty. The match commissioner is Haruna Mawanda from Uganda while Nick Owusu from Ghana will serve as security officer. Alex Kotey, also from Ghana, will be referees’ assessor. According to a report published on Thenff.com, it was learnt that the Crocodiles’ delegation will fly into Nigeria on Monday morning. The match commissioner and referees arrived in Nig...

Super Eagles Gunning for Gold at AFCON 2021 – Onuachu

28Mar

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

AFCON, News, Nigeria, Sports

Super Eagles Gunning for Gold at AFCON 2021 – Onuachu

Paul Onuachu, the Super Eagles goal scorer in the AFCON qualifier against Benin on Saturday has set his sights on clinching gold at the African showpiece, African News Today has gathered. The striker bagged a late winning goal as the three-time African champions saw off the Benin Republic 1-0 at the Stade Charles de Gaulle, Porto-Novo. Nigeria already booked their place prior to kick-off after the match between Lesotho and Sierra Leone ended in a 0-0 stalemate in the other Group L fixture. The Super Eagles last lifted the continental trophy in South Africa in 2013. Gernot Rohr’s men finished third at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt, but the dominant striker is hopeful they can conquer the continent in Cameroon. Onuachu said, “I’m just going to say thanks to the nation for the push,...

Onuachu Seals Super Eagles AFCON Qualification with Sublime Finish

28Mar

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

AFCON, News, Nigeria, Sports

Onuachu Seals Super Eagles AFCON Qualification with Sublime Finish

The Super Eagles of Nigeria left it late to claim a 1-0 victory over Benin at the Stade Charles de Gaulle Stadium on Saturday through a Paul Onuachu strike in the 93rd minute. The victory ensured the Super Eagles will top the group irrespective of the result of the final group match. Onuachu who inflicted a first home loss on Benin in eight years nodded home from a goalmouth scramble. Nigeria had their chance to open the scoresheet in the first half when Henry Onyekuru was denied by the goalkeeper, Saturnin Allagbe. Victor Osimhen who plays for Italian side, Napoli also came close to scoring with a fine effort. Benin had their chances though Steve Mounie who registered two attempts in the space of one minute but Super Eagles goalie, Maduka Okoye was equal to the task to keep...

AFCON 2021: Super Eagles Forced To Train In Darkness Ahead of Benin Clash

27Mar

By Chinedu IbeakanmaNo Comments

AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Sports, Youths

AFCON 2021: Super Eagles Forced To Train In Darkness Ahead of Benin Clash

Super Eagles were forced to train in darkness at the Stade Charles de Gaulle, Porto-Novo on Friday ahead of their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic. According to a report by Completesports, the stadium officials put off the light at the ground for the entire duration of the team’s training session. Nigerian journalists were also barred from entering the stadium. The Super Eagles are scheduled to face the Squirrels at the Stade Charles de Gaulle, Porto-Novo on Saturday. Nigeria top Group L with eight points after four rounds of matches, while Benin are second with seven points. A draw tomorrow will guarantee the Super Eagles passage to the AFCON to be hosted by Cameroon in January.