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Sport

Aigbogun confident of success as football contingent heads to African Games ahead of Team Nigeria

Confidence
By Muhyideen Jimoh
Abuja, Aug. 13, 2019 (NAN) Flying Eagles’ head coach Paul Aigbogun on Tuesday in Abuja expressed confidence in his young home-based team doing the nation proud at the 12th African Games in Rabat, Morocco.

The coach gave the assurance while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as his team departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for Lagos, en route Rabat.

NAN reports that the team has 18 home-based players, and they had been training in Abuja since early in July to finalise preparations for the Games.

The coach had officially released the final 18-man list on Monday, with the team to be captained by Plateau United’s Ibrahim Abubakar.

Aigbogun, while expressing his confidence in the players, said he had worked with most of the boys in the build-up to the 2019 FIFA World Cup in Poland.

“I have a lot of confidence in the team, in spite of the players being all home-based.

“My first goal is to win our first match against Burkina Faso on Friday and we will build from there,” he said.

NAN reports that most of the players picked for the Games were part of the training camp in Germany before the FIFA U-20 World Cup held in May and June.

Andrew Randa, the team’s media officer, told NAN the team was physically and psychologically ready to do the nation proud.

He disclosed that a foreign-based player, from Stoke City in England, was earlier expected to join the team in Rabat.

“But he will not be making it due to logistics reasons,” Randa said.

The Flying Eagles will start their campaign in the football event on Friday against Burkina Faso.

The team will then take on South Africa on Aug. 20 and round off the group stage matches against hosts Morocco on Aug. 23, all in Rabat.(NAN)
MUYI/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)

Sport

CAF Confederation Cup: Aigbogun warns players against complacency ahead of clash with Mali’s Djoliba

Enyimba
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, May 2, 2018 (NAN) Paul Aigbogun, the Head Coach of Enyimba International Football Club, on Wednesday warned his players against complacency when they open their CAF Confederation group stage account against Mali’s Djoliba FC.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Aba-based Enyimba will host Djoliba in their first group game on Sunday at the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

Aigbogun told NAN that Djoliba deserved respect, adding that the Malians having made it to the group stage showed that they are a good side that should not be underrated.

Djoliba edged out MFM FC 1-0 on aggregate in the first round, having won the first leg 1-0 at the Agege Stadium in Lagos to qualify for the competition’s group stage.

“We saw what happened to MFM FC in Lagos and so we must be careful so as not to fall prey to the same home advantage trap.

“In this competition, you have to be prepared to win everywhere, it doesn’t matter whether it is home or away.

“In our previous games — against Energie FC of Benin Republic and South Africa’s Bidvest Wits  — they made things difficult for us in the second leg. But our first leg advantage gave us the edge.

“It is going to be a big test for us, different from our previous games. But I’m confident we can beat them.

“We are going to try our best to win the game. Our first target is to top our group and a good result in this game will put us in a good position to do that,” he said.

NAN also reports that the Aba-based clubside are in Group C with Mali’s Djoliba, CARA of Congo and Cote D’Ivoire’s Williamsville.

Djoliba, who knocked out another MFM FC, out in the play-off stage represents the biggest threat to Enyimba’s ambition of advancing from the group.

Aigbogun, who is also the head coach of Nigeria’s national under-20 team, however also warned that all four clubs in the group have the potential to make it to the next round.

“It’s a fair group by all standards, but we must be careful not to underrate any team because they all have the potential to qualify.

“What is important now is for us to keep working hard and not take anything for granted.

“At this stage of the competition, it is only hard work and proper planning that can make us achieve our objectives,’’ he said.(NAN)
VO/KOLE/OLAL
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(Edited by Remi Koleoso and Olawale Alabi)

Sport

Aigbogun wary of Katsina United as Enyimba seek first win

NAN-S-11
Enyimba
By Victor Okoye
Abuja, Jan. 19, 2018 (NAN) Paul Aigbogun, the Technical Adviser of Enyimba International Football Club of Aba, on Friday said he was wary about his side’s chances in Sunday’s clash with Katsina United.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two sides will meet in Katsina in a Match Day 3 fixture of the 2017/2018 Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL).

Aigbogun told NAN that his team was very wary of their opponents, adding that it would be a difficult, but interesting game.

“We have respect for Katsina United and are aware of how dangerous they can be, especially at home at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium.

“The result of their opening game against Kano Pillars showed that they are a very attack-minded side as they took the game to the four-time NPFL champions at their home ground.

“So, it will be an interesting game because I know they will want to create an upset, but I know we will be ready for the game,” he said.

NAN reports that Destiny Ashadi’s goal from 12 yards in stoppage time ensured Katsina United earned a 2-2 draw at home against Kano Pillars on Match Day 1.

Chinedu Ajanah had opened scoring for Katsina United, before Junior Lokosa and Alassan Ibrahim scored for visitors Kano Pillars.

“We have worked very hard in pre-season and now we will try to replicate everything we have worked on in the competitive matches.

“I believe our preparations will be enough to give us the victory away, but there will be no talk of underrating the hosts,” Aigbogun said.

In spite of not having some of his best players available, the coach said his team would put in its very best in the encounter to ensure they got a positive result away from home.

The People’s Elephant lost five of their key players, including two goalkeepers, to the African Nations Championship (CHAN) which started on Saturday in Morocco.

They are also faced with injuries to some key players.

Enyimba have Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Theophilus Afelokhai, Ikouwem Udoh, Austin Oladapo and Ibrahim Mustapha in the CHAN Eagles camp.

Dare Ojo, Mfon Udoh and Joseph Osadaiye are among those yet to fully recover from injuries.

“It is a difficult situation we are in, with five of our players in the CHAN team and with some of our other players yet to return from injuries.

“But we must put that aside if we are to do well in the league and other competitions we are taking part in this season,” Aigbogun said.

“Even though the overall objective is to ensure that we do well at the end of the season, it is imperative for us to continue to send out an early statement of intent, in spite of the hiccups we are experiencing.

“So, I expect my players to give their best in order for us to get our first win or at the very least avoid defeat early in the season.

“Katsina United is a tough ground to visit in what will be our third game of the season, but I trust my players to get the job done irrespective of the challenges before them.”

Enyimba are currently in the 15th position on the 20-club NPFL table with two points from two games so far.

The Aba-based side played out a 1-1 draw against Lobi Stars in Makurdi in their opening game.

They also had a goalless draw against Heartland International of Owerri at the U.J. Esuene Stadium on Wednesday.

Katsina United, with just one point so far, are 17th on the log, having played out a 2-2 draw against Kano Pillars in their opening fixture.

They lost 1-2 to Sunshine Stars of Akure in their second game.

The 2017/2018 NPFL season which began on Jan. 13 is expected to end on Sept. 30.(NAN)
VO/MO/OLAL
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(Edited by Omolade Morayo and Olawale Alabi)