NFF Apologises For Eagles AFCON Qualification Failure

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has apologised to the nation for the Super Eagles failure to qualify for a second straight Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Eagles failed to qualify for next year’s Afcon on Tuesday night, after a 1-0 defeat to Egypt in Alexandria which followed last Friday’s 1-1 draw in Kaduna.

The north African side top the qualifying group with seven points, five points clear of Nigeria, with both teams still having a final group game against bottom side Tanzania.

Nigerian midfielder, Ahmed Musa was kept under wraps during the 1-0 defeat to Egypt

The is is the second consecutive tournament where the three-time African champions Nigeria will not feature in the finals and the team sent a contrite message to fans on Wednesday.

“We apologise for our inability to qualify for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations. We gave this campaign our best efforts but sadly fell short,” read a message on the @NGSuperEagles Twitter account.

Interim coach Samson Siasia, who took over after Sunday Oliseh’s shock resignation a month ago, was more matter of fact.

“We inherited a broken bridge which we couldn’t fix. We only amended it,” he said.

The exit has sparked fears about the country’s chances of featuring in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

NFF Apologises For Eagles AFCON Qualification Failure

Arsenal Forward Chooses Nigeria Over England

Arsenal young centre forward, Alex Iwobi has switched allegiance to play for country of his parents birth,  Nigeria. 

The young forward has represented England at junior levels and was deemed to make the mark with the Three Lions (senior national team) thanks to recent impressive performance with his club side.

Alex Iwobi celebrates scoring for Arsenal

Iwobi, 19, is reported in the United Kingdom to have agreed to play for the ‘Super Eagles’ where he believes his chance of getting regular playing time is brighter than with England.

Arsenal Forward Chooses Nigeria Over England

Siasia Name 42-Man Squad

Returning Nigerian head coach, Samson Siasia has named a 42-man squad for Super Eagles upcoming clash against the Pharoah’s of Egypt in Kaduna on Friday, March 25 and Alexandria on Tuesday, March 29.

 

The 22 home-boys are expected to hit the Abuja camp on Sunday, March 6 before the overseas-based players arrive as from Sunday, March 20.

The former Nigerian captain, who was in the same position between December 2010 and October 2011, assured that only the best players who ‘showed ability to run and decimate the opposition’ will be given opportunity in matches.

 

Regulars among the domestic lads are Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Olufemi Thomas, Kalu Orji Okogbue, Austin Oboroakpo, Chima Akas, Ezekiel Bassey and Chisom Chikatara while the foreign imports are Carl Ikeme, Efe Ambrose, Elderson Echiejile, Godfrey Oboabona, Kenneth Omeruo, John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ahmed Musa, Victor Moses, Odion Ighalo, Moses Simon and Fanendo Adin.

 

Home-based professionals:

Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars), Olufemi Thomas (Enyimba), Emmanuel Daniel (Enugu Rangers)

 

Defenders: Kalu Orji Okogbue (Enugu Rangers), Chibuzor Okonkwo (FC IfeanyiUbah), Mathew Etim (Enugu Rangers), Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors), Sincere Seth (Rhapsody FC), Segun Oduduwa (Nath Boys), Chima Akas (Akwa United), Chris Madaki (Kano Pillars), Oke Ogogatewho (Sunshine Stars)

 

Midfielders: Ifeanyi Mathew (Kano Pillars), Usman Mohammed (FC Taraba), Etebo Oghenekaro (Warri Wolves), Yau Hassan (Wikki Tourists), Stanley Dimgba (Warri Wolves)

 

Forwards: Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba), Prince Aggrey (Kano Pillars), Bright Onyedikachi (FC IfeanyiUbah), Chisom Chikatara (Abia Warriors), Godwin Obaje (Wikki Tourists)

 

Foreign-based professionals:

Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Daniel Akpeyi (Chippa United, South Africa)

 

Defenders: Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland), Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France), Stanley Amuzie (Olhanense FC, Portugal), Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey), Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey)

 

Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy), John Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Kelechi Iheanacho (Manchester City, England), Azubuike Okechukwu (Yeni Matalyspor, Turkey)

 

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium), Victor Moses (West Ham United, England), Aminu Umar (Osmanlispor FK, Turkey), Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England), Aaron Samuel (CSKA Moscow, Russia), Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England), Fanendo Adi (Portland Timbers, USA)

Siasia Name 42-Man Squad

Sunday Oliseh Resign As Nigeria Coach

Sunday Oliseh has resigned as Head Coach of the Nigerian football national team, the Super Eagles, just over seven months after he was appointed.

Oliseh, who announced his resignation on Twitter, said he took the decision due to the inability of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, to honour the terms of his contract.

“Due to contract violations, lack of support, unpaid wages, benefits to my players, assistant coaches and myself, I resign as Super Eagles Chief Coach,” he tweeted.

In a preceding tweet before announcing his resignation, Oliseh thanked Nigerians for the opportunity to serve as coach of the national team

“I feel fortunate, blessed and eternally grateful for having the honour to play, captain and coach this great nation of ours, Nigeria.”

Oliseh, whose appointment was made with much fanfare by the NFF, soon started having problems with the executives of the federation over remuneration, match tactics and results.

His complaint about being owed was not well received by the NFF, which rather threatened to sanction him.

He also had challenges managing the players. An altercation between the coach and the team’s former captain and the country’s most capped goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, led to the goalie’s premature resignation from the team last October.

Apparently, the last straw for Oliseh was the woeful outing of the Super Eagles at the CHAN competition in Rwanda, where the team was eliminated in the first round.

Following widespread criticisms that greeted the team’s elimination, a Youtube video soon surfaced in which Oliseh lambasted his critics, referring to them as “insane”.

On Thursday, the NFF directed Oliseh to henceforth report to former coach and the federation’s technical director, Amodu Shuaibu.

The NFF is yet to respond to his resignation.

Sunday Oliseh Resign As Nigeria Coach