Tag Home-based Super Eagles

NAN-S-2
Confidence
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Jan. 24, 2018 (NAN) Several football enthusiasts have hailed the home-based Super Eagles for their victory over Equatorial Guinea, pointing out that the Eagles were gaining confidence with each game.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the home-based Eagles came from a goal down to beat Equatorial Guinea 3-1 on Tuesday at Agadir.

It was in a 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) Group C clash in Morocco.

Victory for Nigeria sealed their place in the knockout stages as group winners, with goals from Anthony Okpotu, Ekundayo Ojo and Rabiu Ali condemning Nzalang Nacional to a third straight defeat.

A cross-section of football enthusiasts who spoke to NAN on Tuesday in Abuja noted that the Eagles were more impressive against the Guineans.

Some of the respondents added that the team have been growing in confidence right from their very first match.

Musa Talle, Chairman of FCT Football Association, said the players gave a good account of themselves against an Equatorial Guinea side which deployed so many tactics to frustrate the Eagles.

“We thank God for this victory. Indeed it wasn’t an easy game as the Equatorial Guineans had nothing at stake but pride to play for.

“So, they deployed all manner of tactics just to frustrate and destabilise the Eagles, especially after they scored the opener against the run of play.

“Overall, I will say it’s a much more improved performance compared to the Eagles’ first and second games and I hope they can continue to improve and gain momentum as they progress in the tournament,” he said.

Godwin Bamigboye, the Chairman of FCT Football Coaches Association, said the match was a difficult one and required a lot of technical and tactical approach.

“It’s more difficult facing a team playing for pride, because the pressure was always going to be more on us to achieve the desired result and I am happy the boys didn’t allow the pressure get to them.

“They were composed and played with patience. Even at times when the Equatorial Guineans tried to get on their nerves, they never fell for it, but remained calm and focused on the game.

“These are the qualities of a great team and I see them finishing well,” he said.

Bamigboye also praised the team’s Head Coach, Salisu Yusuf, for his technical and tactical prowess, saying that his ability to read games was second to none.

“We played our last two games in a loose 4-3-3 formation with Rabiu Ali given the licence to roam —- something that hadn’t really paid off.

“But it was nice to see Yusuf try out a 3-5-2 formation as Sunday Faleye, playing close to Tony Okpotu, helped the Lobi Stars’ goal-poacher remember his route to goal.

“Okpotu is a finisher and does his best work in the opponents’ box, while Faleye is the runner with a bag of tricks.

“Proximity to each other could open up a symbiotic relationship from which the team would reap in the knockout stages.

“Osas Okoro was also a constant menace on the right flank as the opponents could do absolutely nothing about his dangerous crosses into their vital area,” he said.

Former Flying Eagles coach Samuel Abimbola said the team was a work in progress, urging Nigerians to be patient with the team because they were improving in every department with each game.

“There were complaints from different quarters that the Eagles did not play too well in their first two matches, but from experience I was one of those who were not quick to criticise the team.

“I knew this team was a work in progress. Even though they found it difficult to convert their goal scoring chances, they didn’t concede until today and largely controlled the matches against Rwanda and Libya.

“You could see the difference today (Tuesday). They had a total of 18 shots with nine on target, compared to their first game where they registered more than 24 shots against the Amavubis, but ended up with not even a single goal.

“Then, they managed to score a goal in their next game against Libya which was a very cagey affair, I must confess.

“This clearly shows that the team is improving with each game and that is how it is supposed to be,” he said.

Abimbola also singled out Ojo for praise, adding that the goal he scored against Equatorial Guinea was one of the contenders for the goal of the tournament.

NAN reports that the Super Eagles will next meet the runners-up from Group D which has Angola, Congo and Burkina Faso still in the running for places in the knockout stages.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

NAN-S-8
Eagles
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Jan. 20, 2018 (NAN) The home-based Super Eagles face Equatorial Guinea on Tuesday knowing they are just a step away from Nigeria’s second-ever quarter-final berth at the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

In this ongoing fifth edition of the competition in Morocco, newcomers Equatorial Guinea stand between them and a place in the knock out round in their final group game at Agadir.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that after a disappointing barren draw against Rwanda on Monday, the Eagles have not appeared with the intent to take charge of the group.

A lone goal victory against Libya on Friday helped to displace the table-toppers, and they now only need to avoid defeat against Equatorial Guinea to progress.

They should be aware that a loss is dangerous, as Libya can go on to draw with Rwanda for both sides to advance ahead of Nigeria on goals difference.

But a win is necessary on Tuesday to get to seven points and an opportunity to head into the last eight as group leaders.

The task before the Eagles may however look quite easy, but with Rwanda looking hot and just a point separating Libya from the joint table-table toppers, the Eagles cannot afford any slip-up.

The Amavubis would be nursing the very lofty ambition of finishing top of the group so as to avoid meeting Group D winners who could be any of their regional rivals.

Libya, after a bright start, will fight till the last with the hope that Nigeria will slip up.

The Eagles therefore must avoid any form of complacency and affirm their qualification by winning Group C, and only a massive win over Equatorial Guinea can ensure this.

One stark reality from the Eagles’ two matches is lack of goals, which may quite rightly be a reflection of the local league.

In the NPFL, the average number of goals per match is two, and one of them most often would come from the penalty kick spot.

Teams which score goals commit players to the opponents’ area, with a creative midfield standing before a solid defence.

Apart from during set-pieces, the Eagles normally had just two players in the box against Libya, and if they continue like this, they will continue to struggle to get goals.

If there is one thing the Super Eagles must get right in their subsequent matches, it is their finishing.

They registered more than 24 shots against the Amavubis, but ended up with not even a single goal.

As much as they will need goals against Equatorial Guinea, they will much more need them in the quarter-finals and beyond.

In spite of the seeming inadequacies in the first game, coach Salisu Yusuf kept faith with the same starting line-up against Libya, and this shows his confidence in them.

Hopefully, they will make amends with a better showing against Equatorial Guinea who are yet to open their goal scoring account but have conceded four goals in the championship so far.

However, the best for the Eagles going forward may be to rest key players like Anthony Okpotu and Rabiu Ali.

This is to avoid them picking up injuries like the one suffered by Ifeanyi Ifeanyi.

Clearly, Emeka Ogbugh is the most technical forward in the CHAN team, especially as he has been able to see and exploit opportunities, especially on breakaways.

But he has been backing himself into cul de sac.

The coaching staff must tutor the Rivers United forward on how he should deploy his technical ability to help the team create more fruitful goal scoring chances and also score.

The team can obviously improve in all aspects, though the defensive foundation of Stephen Eze and Orji Okagbue in central defence is already in place.

However, Yusuf will have to tinker with his midfield and attack to get the best out of these set of players.

NAN reports that the championship which began on Jan. 13 is expected to end on Feb. 4.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

NAN-S-21
Eagles
Abuja, Jan. 15, 2018 (NAN) The home-based Super Eagles failed to claim a win as they were held 0-0 by Rwanda in their opening match of the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Monday.

Nigeria and Rwanda settled for a barren draw in their Group C opener at the Stade Ibn Batouta in Tangiers, Morocco.

The stalemate leaves the Super Eagles in joint second position in the group, two points behind Libya who beat Equatorial Guinea 3-0 earlier on Monday.

Libya maintains top spot of the group thanks to their 3-0 humbling of Equatorial Guinea in the earlier kick-off.

It was a frustrating night for the West Africans who saw the post and crossbar deny them no less than three occasions.

But superb saves from Rwanda goalkeeper Eric Ndayishimiye also added to their misery.

The home-based Eagles were the better side, dominating possession in both halves but failed to do the most important thing – goal scoring.

With veteran Rabiu Ali leading Nigeria’s onslaughts, youngster Sunday Faleye was unlucky to see his header from Osas Okoro’s assist bounce off the crossbar in the opening minutes with Ndayishimiye completely beaten.

In the 38 minute, Ali wasted a golden opportunity to send Nigeria into the lead, volleying wide after the Rwandan goalkeeper had spilled a cross onto his path.

The Amavubi will survive yet another scare from the Super Eagles four minutes before the interval, after a long drive from Ali came off the post with Ndayishimiye beaten yet again.

The second half resumed on the same tempo with Rwanda coming into the picture following the introduction of nimble footed AS Kigali midfielder Savio Nshuti.

In the 78 minute, the upright came to the rescue of Amavubi for the third time after substitute Ibrahim Mustapha’s header from an Ali corner kick hit the post to the relief of Rwanda.

Nigeria next face Libya on Thursday whilst Rwanda battle Equatorial Guinea.

The championship which began on Saturday is expected to end on Feb. 4.(NAN)
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)