Sports
NFF Invites 36 Home Based Players To Camp Ahead 2011 CHAN
In order to avoid the repeat of early elimination from the next edition of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has invited 36 players to the Home Based Eagles for early preparations.
The CHAN is for home based teams in Africa. In the first edition Nigeria was eliminated by Ghana in the second round. The final was played in Cote d’Ivoire and won by Congo DR.
According to the Assistant Chief Media Officer of NFF, Alhaji Abdubaki Ibrahim, the early call to camp is for early preparation pending when CAF will release the timetable for qualifiers for the 2011 championship.
He also said that five of the players that made up the list are from those that participated in the beach soccer held in Durban of South Africa.
The five of them are, Abdulah Isa of Akwa Utd, Okemmiri Ogbonna of Kwara Utd, Uga Okpara of Enyimba International, Isaka Olawale of Lobi Stars and Garba Baba Yahaya of Nassarawa Utd.
Two members of the Olympic team, Chibuzor Okonkwo of Bayelsa Utd and Ambrose Efe of Kaduna Utd were also invited.
Others are Bassey Akpan of Bayelsa Utd, John Gaady of Lobi Starts, Ndubuisi Okeke of Babanawa FC, Yinka Adedeji, Nnaemeka Anyanwu of Rangers FC, Promise Cletus of OUK FC, Marsha Johnson of Akwa Utd and Tony Abawula of Ocean Boys FC.
Also in the list are; Suleiman Ismaila of Lobi Stars, Ike ThankGod of Heartland FC, Victor Michael of Enyimba Int’l, Sunday Mba of Rangers Int’l, Chidozie Johnson of Enyimba Int’l, Itodo Cletus of Akwa Utd, David Tyakase of Lobi Stars, Gambo Mohammed, Kofarmata Bello and Uche Henry all of Kano Pillars FC, Gbenga Ajala of Nassarawa Utd, Uchebo Okey of Rangers Int’l, Chima Uloma of OUK FC, Sunday Emmanuel and Nasiru Usemi of Gombe Utd, Okoro Stanley of Heartland FC, Shehu Abdullahi of Niger Tornadoes, Sunday John Okoh of Zamfara Utd, Agboyi Ovokha of NFA FC, Segun Oluwaniyi of 3SC and Dele Iwuyemi of FC Abuja.
Victory for the Super Eagles in Casablanca followed the disappointment of losing shoot-outs that cost them chances to compete at the 2026 World Cup and in the 2025 AFCON final.
Nigeria lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo last November in a play-off for a place in the World Cup intercontinental play-offs.
Then, three days ago, they lost another shoot-out to fail against hosts Morocco in an AFCON semi-final.
Success maintained a perfect Nigerian record in third place AFCON matches after seven previous play-offs victories.
Before Lookman scored, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru missed the Eagles’ first kick, then Akor Adams, captain Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi scored.
Premier League pair Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush both had kicks saved by Stanley Nwabali before Ramy Rabia and Mahmoud Saber scored.
Egypt made six changes and Nigeria five to the teams that started semi-final losses to Senegal and hosts Morocco respectively three days ago.
Captain Salah started for the Pharaohs while traditional first choices in goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy and forward Marmoush were among the substitutes.
Attackers Victor Osimhen and Lookman, both former winners of the annual African player of the year award, sat on the bench for Nigeria.
Most Moroccans in a crowd that nearly filled the 45,000-capacity Stade Mohammed V backed Nigeria. They whistled whenever Egypt gained possession and when coach Hossam Hassan was shown on the big screen.
This support for the Super Eagles was attributed to the great rivalry between Morocco and Egypt, both at national team and club levels.
– Goals disallowed –
Nigeria initially, then Egypt had spells of dominance in a goalless opening half on a cold, cloudy evening in the Moroccan commercial capital.
Paul Onuachu thought he had broken the deadlock on 36 minutes as he deflected the ball with his head past goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
However, a VAR review by the Moroccan referee revealed Onuachu had accidently struck Hamdy Fathy with an elbow. The goal was disallowed and the Nigerian yellow-carded.
Lookman was introduced by coach Eric Chelle for the second half, replacing Onuachu, and he had the ball in the net in the opening minute of the second period. However, the goal was ruled out for offside.
Nigeria started after the break with a series of attacks. Following a largely uneventful first half, Shobeir — the son of former Egypt goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir — was forced to make several saves.
Salah seldom threatened and when he did cut in with the ball, the potential danger was quickly averted. Marmoush came on as the play-off passed the hour mark to try and boost a blunt strike force.
But as the match entered the final 10 minutes there was no sign of Osimhen being brought on, suggesting he might not have been fully fit.
In quick succession, Adams, then Marmoush threatened to score, but neither could deliver the finishing touch under pressure from opponents.
Salah then disappointed when offered a scoring opportunity from a free-kick outside the box. He hit the ball straight into the wall and it was swiftly cleared.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, the President praised the team for their resilience and professionalism, noting that the players rose above the disappointment of their semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco earlier in the week to finish the tournament strongly.
The Super Eagles secured third place after overpowering Egypt, a seven-time AFCON champion, in the bronze medal match.
Nigeria dominated proceedings during regulation time before edging their opponents in a tense penalty shootout.
President Tinubu said the victory was a clear reflection of the determination and can-do spirit that define Nigeria, describing the team’s response to adversity as exemplary.
“Despite their good run during the tournament, the Eagles lost the semi-final match to Morocco during the penalty shootout last Wednesday, and our people’s hopes of winning the championship were dashed.
“However, our players remained undaunted, and exhibiting the resilience of the Nigerian spirit, their efforts have now paid off”, the President said.
The President noted that Nigerians would take pride in seeing the team receive their medals at the official ceremony on Sunday in Rabat, where the tournament is being concluded.
“We will all be proud of them as they receive their hard-earned bronze medal. Thank you, our gallant Super Eagles. Thank you, our national team players. This bronze medal surely feels good like gold”, he added.
The Cottagers have been without their Nigerian trio since they departed for the tournament in Morocco, with all three in excellent form and integral to Silva’s starting lineup prior to their departure.
Despite their absence, Fulham have fared remarkably well, losing just one of their last seven games in all competitions while playing without the Nigerian contingent.
The players are expected to return to West London shortly, as Nigeria conclude their campaign against Egypt in the third-place match on Saturday.
“This is the last game the three players at AFCON will miss,” Silva said, according to Jack Kelly.
“When you have all the squad available, you’re going to be stronger as a team. Like when Kenny, King or Muniz will be back – they will be very important for us.”
The defeat to Leeds leaves Fulham 10th in the Premier League table with 31 points as they head into the final four months of the season.
After the third-place playoff, Bassey, Iwobi and Chukwueze are expected to leave Morocco together immediately and should be available for Fulham’s game against Brighton at Craven Cottage on January 24.
-
Editorial15 hours agoBeyond Accessing Bonny By Road
-
News18 hours agoSERAP Sues Govs, FCT Minister Over Security Vote Spending
-
Sports15 hours agoTinubu Lauds Super Eagles’ after AFCON bronze triumph
-
Niger Delta15 hours agoINC Polls: Ogoriba Pledges To Continuously Stand For N’Delta Rights … Picks Presidential Form
-
Sports15 hours agoFulham Manager Eager To Receive Iwobi, Others
-
News18 hours agoAkande Proffers solution to insecurity in Nigeria
-
Sports14 hours agoAFCON: Lookman gives Nigeria third place
-
Sports15 hours ago“Mikel’s Influence Prevent Some Players Invitation To S’Eagles Camp”