Rio 2016 : Nigeria Set up Semi Final Clash With Germany After Victory

Nigeria will face Germany Thursday for a place in the Gold medal final of the Rio Olympics after both teams won their respective quarterfinals today.

Germany humbled Portugal 4-0 and Nigeria dumped Denmark 2-0.

For Nigeria, it was a sweet revenge after they lost to the Danes 6-2 in a friendly in June.

However, on Thursday they will be without midfielder Azubuike Okechukwu, who led them to win the U23 AFCON in December in Senegal after he picked up a needless second booking against Denmark.

Nigeria won this rematch comfortably as Denmark did not really push them and also goalkeeper Emmanuel Daniel was at his best as he pulled off at least three top saves to keep a clean sheet in Salvador.

A bright start by Nigeria was finally crowned in the 16th minute by a rare goal by Chelsea star Mikel Obi, who slid home a super cutback by the lively Imoh Ezekiel.

And by the time, Umar Aminu, in for the injured Oghenekaro Etebo, headed home Mikel’s corner on 59 minutes, it was over for the Danes.

All the drama that littered the build-up to this encounter for Nigeria were forgotten and possibly forgiven as coach Samson Siasia’s side took the game to their opponents from the first whistle.

A dipping volley by Casper Nielsen after 11 minutes crashed against the Nigeria crossbar, but it was Nigeria who really threatened from the onset before they got the go-ahead goal through Mikel.

Imoh Ezekiel continued to cause problems to the Denmark defence.

Nigeria goalkeeper Daniel then came up with a reaction save in the 25th minute from a looping header and moments later, he made a point-blank save as Denmark fought back in search of the equaliser.

Denmark dominated for  spell thereafter, but they still could not get past a defence led by Norway-based William Troost-Ekong.

Aminu’s goal just before the hour mark will then prove to be the killer blow as Denmark struggled to push forward with much purpose.

They were restricted to half chances to ensure Nigeria made it to their third Olympics semifinals.

Rio 2016 : Nigeria Set up Semi Final Clash With Germany After Victory

Paul Le Guen is the New Coach for Nigeria"s Super Eagles"

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced the appointment of Frenchman Paul Le Guen, 52, as the new Technical Adviser of the Super Eagles.

 

The new Eagles’ boss Le Guen who steered the Indomitable Lions of Cameroun to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa is to be assisted by Nigerian Salisu Yusuf, who takes the role of Chief Coach.

 

Both appointments are subject to agreement of contract terms with the NFF Executive Committee. Le Guen is believed to be on a $40,000 per month pay while his assistant is expected to be on a N1.5million monthly.

 

Le Guen played for Brest, Nantes and Paris Saint Germain and won 17 caps for France, before coaching Rennes, Lyon, PSG (in France) and Glasgow Rangers (in Scotland). He also coached Oman.

 

Yusuf, a former Ranch Bees star player was capped at Under-20 level by Nigeria. He is a former coach of both Kano Pillars and Enyimba of Aba.

 

After Sunday Oliseh quit the Eagles job and Samson Siasia held forth for two games in the qualifiers for the AFCON 2017, Yusuf stepped in as an interim coach for two international friendly matches in Europe at the end of May, which Eagles won.

 

Spokesman of the Committee, Paul Bassey, said after the meeting at the NFF secretariat yesterday that Enugu Rangers gaffer Imama Amapakabo and former Super Eagles’ goalkeeper and skipper Alloy Agu, who served as assistant coach and goalkeeper trainer for the games against Mali and Luxembourg in May, retained their places in the technical crew.

 

The new crew’s immediate challenge is a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania in the first week of September – a dead rubber, but which would serve as ample preparation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match away to Zambia on October 3.

 

The committee has also recommended to the NFF Board, the appointment of one-time Super Eagles’ assistant coach, Bitrus Bewarang as the new NFF Technical Director.

 

Bewarang, who is president of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, will replace the late Coach Shaibu Amodu.

There is also a recommendation that former Super Eagles’ defender Nduka Ugbade be restored to the Under-17 national team as assistant to Coach Manu Garba.

Paul Le Guen is the New Coach for Nigeria"s Super Eagles"

CAF Fines Nigeria Football Federation

African football’s governing body on Monday fined Nigeria $5,000 (4,400 euros) for overcrowding and lack of security during their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) imposed the fine at a disciplinary meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa, threatening “sanctions will be applied” if there was any repeat.

More than 40,000 spectators crammed into the 15,000-capacity Ahmadu Bello Stadium in the northern city of Kaduna on March 29 to watch the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Fans climbed onto any available space, including floodlight scaffolding, while others had to be held back from spilling onto the pitch by police mounted on horseback.

The Kaduna State government had thrown open the doors of the venue to allow fans to watch the crucial qualifier for free.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles lost the return fixture in Alexandria 1-0, ending their hopes of qualifying for the finals in Gabon next year.

CAF Fines Nigeria Football Federation

Redknapp To Be Named Super Eagles Coach

Harry Redknapp could be the next Super Eagles manager if the latest report from the Daily Star is anything to go by.

The Daily Star has published an ‘exclusive’ report that claims former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp will be named the new Super Eagles boss.

Earlier this week, Salisu Yusuf was named the interim manager for the Nigerian national football team and is set to guide the West African nation to two international friendlies between May 27 and June 1. The Nigerians are set to face Mali in Paris and Luxembourg during that period.

The English publication also claims that a source close to Redknapp has revealed that he will be named the new Super Eagles boss in ‘the next few days.’

But the 69-year-old’s lack of experience at the international level could be a major concern for fans of the football-loving African nation.

The former West Ham boss is fresh from managing two games for Jordan, in a deal that was widely seen as a favor for the country’s FA president Prince Ali bin al-Hussein.

It should be remembered that the former Queens Park Rangers boss was also given a chance to work as an adviser for Derby County, but insisted to work on a part-time basis, probably setting his eyes on what is considered the biggest job in African football.

Redknapp To Be Named Super Eagles Coach

Mighty Jets Player Passes Away After A Brief Illness

The management of Mighty Jets FC of Jos has received with great shock the news of the demise of the club’s defensive midfielder, John George, who passed on Thursday afternoon in Kaduna after a brief illness.

In a statement released by the club, George was described as a hardworking and committed professional who was always respectful to officials and colleagues alike.

Until his death, he was on loan at Nigeria Professional Football League side, Lobi Stars FC of Makurdi and was a regular member of the first team.

His last game was a 2-2 home draw between Lobi Stars and Kano Pillars last month and he had obtained permission from the club to return to Kaduna to treat a recurring bout of malaria, a trip he never returned from.

Before joining Mighty Jets he had played for Plateau United FC also of Jos. Mighty Jets would discuss with Lobi Stars and the player’s family on the plans and arrangements as regards his burial.

The entire management pray his family would have the fortitude to bear the loss and also pray for the repose of his soul.

Mighty Jets Player Passes Away After A Brief Illness

Shocking : Deceased Referee Named To Officiate NPL Match

Wale Akinsanya, who died in January, has been named to referee this weekend’s match Nigeria Premier League (NPL) match between Warri Wolves and Giwa.

 

This bizarre news clearly demonstrates the state at which Nigeria football is, as Nigeria Football Association (NFF) is going through a series of litigation issues

 

The state of Nigerian football is currently on the verge of crisis point, the BBC reports, with current Nigerian Football Federation president Ameju Pinnick being challenged for power by Chris Gawa, with a court order ruling that Giwa should replace Pinnock even though he is recognized by FIFA.

 

In a move to try and seize control of the Federation’s operations, Giwa went ahead and published the list of referees for this weekend’s Premier League action, but he failed to notice that Akinsanya who was penned in to officiate the Wolves vs Giwa fixture – died in January this year.

Shocking : Deceased Referee Named To Officiate NPL Match