Nigeria Sports Arena

After a pulsating ninety minutes of football, Dolphins scored one goal, took the game to penalty shoot outs and won 5-3 to edge past Leones Vegetarianos FC in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round.   Dolphins lost the 1st leg 1-0, and started the return leg the same way they did in Malabo by missing glaring chances.   As early as the 2nd minute Ifeanyi Egwim found space in the Vegetarianos area but his cross went way of mark and an overlapping Ayobami Asekunowo could not connect.   In the 16th minute it was the turn of Victor Alegbe to miss as some good passing moves by Dolphins completely split the Vegetarianos defence open but Alegbe who had just the post in front of him with goalkeeper Yannick out of the way blasted wide.   Fredor for the visitors had his chance to get a crucial away goal for his side in the 27th minute when they had a free kick after Jonathan Zikiye had fouled his man but his free header went wide after Sunday Rotimi had been beaten.   However, it w

By-Adepoju Tobi Samuel Live from Benin Republic Two times African champions, Enyimba Int'l has arrived the capital city of Benin Republic, Contonu ahead of Sunday's Caf Champions League fixture against Buffles du Borgu. The team has been in a closed camping in Ota, Ogun state which is just two hours drive to Contonu. An advanced team led by the club chairman and board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, Felix Anyansi on Friday ensure logistic was perfect, for the players and officials to be lodged at a comfortable hotel. The advanced team fumes over poor level of logistic and accomodation their host offers them.  "We are not satisfied with the reception of our host, we treated them like a King when they visited Nigeria. We invested alot of money making them comfortable, it is sad this is what we get from them," Anyansi fumes. "We are more experience and such act is not enough to distract us, though we expect all teams in this competition to be profes

Warri Wolves dynamic defender, Oke Ogagatewho who joined the Club last season from highly rated Sunshine Stars has declared that the players are battle ready for the second leg of the CAF Confederation C up match fixed for the Warri City Stadium on Saturday. Speaking after the morning training on Friday from their hotel room where they are presently camped in Warri, Oke said they have made up their mind on this year's competition and will use RC Bobo Dioulasso on Saturday to tell the World that they are fully ready. The diminutive defender who was on the bench in Bobo Dioulasso but may likely get a starting shirt on Saturday said to an extent, the Management have motivated them and that will spur us to victory.He however appealed to the fans to join them in this battle because they have a huge role to play. " We are battle ready for this match. We have worked hard and what the management has done in terms of meeting our demand has really worked. As they say in Warri"

A respected basketball administrator and team coordinator of the Nation’s Men’s basketball National team ‘ D’tigers of Nigeria’, Skambo Morrison, has revealed that T-joba basketball club of Akwa Ibom state has recorded an unprecedented feat in basketball Division One Championship in the country during last season’s dunked off games.  Skambo Morrison also canvassed support for the team, saying more than ever before they need to consolidate on their last season positions when this year’s domestic championship dunks off. He opined that it is not to reach the top that is the issue, but staying on top, adding that for the team to remain numero uno in local basketball, they will require extra funding. He commended the effort of the players and the coaching crew for their enthusiasm to excel which he hinted has been the primary factor for their excellent performance so far, he also advised followers of the game to support T-joba Basketball Club so as to bring more laurels for the state in

  President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has made a passionate appeal to sections of the Nigeria media to stop heating up the football polity in the name of sensationalism.   Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Pinnick charged media persons to make peace and tranquility in the football family their winning words, and to be careful with the words they use in conveying messages to the public because of the important role they play.   “I have immense respect for the media, because of the very critical role they play in the promotion of football, nay sports, as an instrument for peace and fostering of tranquility worldwide.  However, there is need for caution in the way and manner a section amplifies and celebrates what is negative.   “A minute section of the media feels that only the negative sells, which is an archaic belief. On Wednesday, someone wrote on a website that Stephen Keshi called the NFF and particularly my person all sorts of names. This is not

Flying Eagles’ Head Coach Manu Garba (OON) has released a list of 21 players who will represent the country at the 19th African Youth Championship in Senegal.   Skipper Musa Muhammed, who led the U-17 squad that won for Nigeria a record fourth FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates in 2013, will lead the pack, supported by fellow U-17 world champions Akinjide Idowu, Izuchukwu Omego, Abdullahi Alpha, Dele Alampasu, Chidera Ezeh and Taiwo Awoniyi.   Nigeria play host Senegal, Congo-Brazzaville and Cote d’Ivoire in Group A of the tournament scheduled for 8th – 22nd March in the Senegalese cities of Dakar and M’Bour.   Ghana, Mali, South Africa and Zambia play in Group B. All four semi finalists will fly Africa’s flag at the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in New Zealand, scheduled for 30th May – 20th July this year.   THE FULL LIST Joshua Enaholo, Musa Muhammed, Mustapha Abdullahi, Akinjide Idowu, Saheed AbdulGaniyu, Izuchukwu Omego, Bernard Bulbwa, Alhassan Ibrahim, Christia

Nigeria Professional Football League newcomers Gabros International of Nnewi emerged as the Nigeria National League Champions yesterday in Ilorin at the Kwara Township Stadium after they beat Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan 2-0. Having defeated Wikki Tourists of Bauchi by a lone goal in the opening match of the Super 4, Gabros proved to their critics that what they did in their first game was not a fluke with another convincing victory over the Oluyole Warriors. Gabros opened the score sheet after eight minutes of play when 3SC defender, Izu Joseph deflected a cross from Nwaiwu Onyekachi from the flank into his own net. Meshack Chukwubuikem efforts was stopped eight minutes after Gabros goal by the Nnewi based  defence line as he tries to draw level for Shooting Stars. Okiki Afolabi 32-metre shot was punched away by Gabros goalkeeper Eze Chidiebere. Shooting Stars new signing Yinka Adedeji was close to getting an equalizer for Frank Howard's men but his well  struck free-

This year’s Men and Women Federation Cup competitions will kick off with the State preliminaries on Saturday, March 7, according to NFF’s Head of Federation Cup Unit, Ruth David.   The preliminaries in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory will end with the finals on April 4-5, before a Draw is conducted for the National finals, which begins with the play-off round April 18-19, before the Round of 64, May13-14.   This year’s Men and Women Federation Cups’ grand finale has been slated for August 16.

Pix  LSFA Exco being sworn in NFF First Vice-President Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi was yesterday returned unopposed at the the Lagos FA Elections held in Epe, Lagos, under the supervision of NFF board member Barrister Chris Green. Akinwunmi alongside newly elected president of the Nigerian Referees Association Tade Azeez where both returned unopposed as Chairman and Vice-chairman respectively. Also making a return to the Exco of the State FA is the immediate past vice-chairman of Lagos Swan Mr Wale Joseph, Mojeed Adegbindin and Olatunde Green. Chairman of Lagos DFA Ifalade Oyekan also won a seat on the Exco of the LSFA, Oyekan was also elected unopposed from his zone. The high point of the day however was the election of candidates from the Lagos west zone into the LSFA Exco. Four candidates had successfuly scaled through the screening test and the three candidate with the highest number of votes were to be elected into the LSFA Exco.  The four candidates from the Lagos west zone w

  Dolphins head coach, Stanley Eguma is already prepared for life without Emem Eduok in the coming football season as he tipped Christian Pyagbara to replace his goal machine.   As the club prepares for Saturday’s 2nd leg 1st round CAF Confederation Cup clash against Leones Vegetarianos FC in Port Harcourt, Eguma extols the virtues of Emem saying his departure is a big loss for the club.   “In football, players come and go and clubs eventually replace those who depart,” Eguma said.   “The thing is that Emem does not fall in the category of players that you can easily replace.   “We tried to get Peter Ebimobowei soon after his departure was confirmed but unfortunately for us and fortunately for Peter he secured another deal outside the country which was beneficial to him,” Eguma said.   Dolphins eventually settled for Christian Pyagbara who crossed from city neighbours, Sharks to team up with the duo of Ifeanyi Egwim and Omo Johnson who were with the team last season.   “Py

Two goals from Nigerian international Odion Ighalo and a strike from Hornets skipper Troy Deeney were more than enough for Watford to convincingly see off Rotherham United on Tuesday evening in a 3-0 victory at the Vicarage road. Ighalo got himself back on goal trail when he capitalised on a slack defending and a slip from Arnason in his own half as he opened the score sheet for his team after 18 minutes of play when he dispossesses the captain and kept his composure as he rounded off Collin the goalkeeper and slots home the ball into the empty net and handed the much need lead to Watford. The first half period ended with the Hornets going into the dressing room with a goal advantage, the visiting team tried all they could but their efforts didn't result into a goal as Jokanovic’s men stood their ground and ensure the scoreline remains intact. Hornets skipper Troy Deeney doubled the lead eight minutes into the second 45 minutes when after being fouled by Arnason,  Tozser fizze

By- Mudashiru Shittu When the inaugural meeting of the proposed change in the board structure of the League Management Company took place on the 8th of October 2014 which was well attended by LMC and the 20 clubs as reported. I begin to fear for the continuity and stability of an institution who already has a strong bearing and positive impressions on fans and followers of the league in a short period. The further ratification of Nigeria Football Federation to the change in the League Management's board structure on 23 November 2014 was based on carrying all stakeholders along in taking our league to the next level. A level in which the league should already have attained. In this regards ,the introduction of seven board members is a welcome development but it is not celebration time yet because of the inclusion of some stakeholders who are obviously not in line with today's term of League management who will want business to go as usual, who are reputed  for strangling th

Mali will be the Super Falcons’ opponents in the final round of qualifiers for the Women’s Football Tournament of the 11th All-Africa Games, following the withdrawal of Gabon.   Nigeria’s Falcons, champions of Africa, have returned to camp in Abuja at the weekend and will also be preparing for the qualifiers of the Women’s Football Tournament of the 2016 Olympic Games, against the same Malians, as well as the 7th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Canada this summer.   The first leg of the qualifying fixture will take place in Bamako on March 22.

Zambia’s U-23 side will be the Dream Team’s next opponents in the race to the 11th All-Africa Games after they must have seen off Gabon, following the withdrawal of Madagascar.   Siasia’s wards lashed the Gabonese 4-1 in Libreville on Saturday with the return leg set for Abuja on March 7. The winner of the two-leg fixture is billed to play the winner between Zambia and Madagascar, but the Indian Ocean islanders withdrew from the race, handing an automatic final round ticket to the Zambians.   The first leg of the final round fixture will take place in Nigeria only two weeks weeks after the return leg with the Gabonese.    Also at the weekend, Burundi shocked DR Congo 1-0 in Kinshasa, Sudan edged hosts Ethiopia 2-1 in Dire Dawa and Uganda and Mozambique drew 0-0 in Maputo.   Zimbabwe, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso have also reached the final round of qualifiers following the withdrawals of Swaziland, Tunisia, Guinea Bissau and Libya.

Golden Eaglets’ Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke has given thanks to God and commended his players for Nigeria’s ticket to the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals in Chile later in the year.   Speaking moments after Saturday’s convincing 3-1 defeat of Zambia, which ensured first-place finish for Nigeria in Group A, a semi final berth and automatic ticket to Chile, Amuneke told Team Media Officer Morakinyo Abodunrin that his boys fought hard on the day.   Can you describe your feelings tonight? I'm very happy; and grateful to God. I'm grateful to the players because they fought so hard today. The condition of the pitch also enabled us to express ourselves much better but we are grateful to God that we have qualified for the semi final and also secured our ticket to the World Cup in Chile. We would enjoy the moment and focus on the next match but generally, I'm happy and grateful that we were able to achieve our objective. To whom are you dedicating this victory? How do I put this?

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have to submit a final 21-man squad for the 2015 AYC to CAF by midnight of Thursday, officials have disclosed. The Nigeria U20 currently have a 28-man provisional squad that includes Belgium-based defender Wilfred Ndidi and Dolphins new signing Christian Pyagbara. Pyagbara joined the Flying Eagles training camp in Abuja on their return from two warm-up matches in Ghana, while the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are waiting on Belgian club Genk over the release of Ndidi for the AYC. In the meantime, the results of the scans on Musa Yahaya and Zaharadeen Bello are expected to be made known in the new week. Yahaya suffered a knee injury during the Flying Eagles second test match against Ghana in Tema, while Bello is nursing a swollen calf. The Nigeria U20s are due to fly out for a training tour ahead of the AYC, which kicks off March 8 in Dakar, Senegal.

Former Nigeria international son, Dominic Iorfa junior has been awarded The Football League's Young Player award of the Month January. The Defender was rewarded for his impressive impact ever since he made his way into the first team set up of Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Championship in England. The 19-year-old defender made his first team debut against Bournemouth on December 6 and stamped his authority and became an integral part of a Wolves back line that kept three clean sheets in the Championship in January, picking up two wins and two draws along the way.  Iorfar’s rising into Kenny Jackett’s team was coincided with a run of form that saw Wolves close the gap on the play-off pack and take Fulham to an FA Cup replay in a 0-0 draw making it four shutouts during the month.  The 6th 4 in tall defender can operate comfortably and effectively at centre half, right back with his high level of athleticism and composure on the ball which has endeared him into the heart of the f

  The U-23 National Team, nicknamed Dream Team, threw a firm leg into the final qualifying round for the Men’s Football Tournament of the 11th All-Africa Games after hammering Gabon 4-1 in Libreville on Saturday.   Junior Ajayi scored in the very first minute before Warri Wolves FC striker Etebo Oghenekaro increased the tally from the penalty spot two minutes to half time.   Ajayi maintained his knack for quick starts with another goal in the 47th minute, but Gabon pulled one back through Axel Meye midway into the second half, but Nigeria ensured a handsome advantage going into the second leg when Enyimba forward Peter Onyekachi made it 4-1 in added time.   Members of the Nigerian community in Gabon made a good presence and cheered the Dream Team loudly at the Stade Augustin Monedan a Sibang.                                                                                                           The return leg will take place at the National Stadium, Abuja on Saturday, March

Love is not just a feeling it is a decision we make and stand-by because feelings come and go but for you to stay in marriage as confessed during your wedding rituals for better for worst, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, it takes a great deal of decision making to overcome circumstances in marriage. Arsenal football club readily comes to mind, they went 8years without winning any major trophy under coach Arsene “Baba Ijebu” Wenger yet when you go to the gunners home ground “D EMIRATE” to watch a match, you’d see a big bold banner “IN ARSENE WE TRUST” that shows great love from everyone involved with Arsenal club from the coach’s assistants, ex-players, management, and fans. For them it is more than just a feeling, it is a decision they are ready to stand by and when Wenger finally delivered a trophy (The FA Cup last season, 2013/14) it was well worth the wait. In marriages where love is based on feelings there are high possibilities of separation or divorce like we

Future Stars Football Academy on Wednesday defeated Nigeria National League side, Remo Stars Football Club of Sagamu in a friendly match to prepare both sides for the forthcoming football season. Goals from John Udoh and Ayanfe Akingbule was all Future Stars need to claim victory against Remo based side. Speaking after the match played at the Gateway International Stadium, Sagamu, Head coach of Future Stars, Jamiu Hamzat said the victory over the professional side is a sweet victory but was quick to add that there is still lots of work to be done on the team. He stated that the friendly is one of the series lined up for the side ahead of the participation in the 2014/2015 Lagos FA Cup which will kick off early next month across Lagos State. Coach Hamzat informed that the team will play more high grade matches between now and the commencement of Lagos FA Cup. "The match against Remo Stars is not that bad, being our first major friendly since we resume for the new season, alth

Flying Eagles coach Manu Garba has maintained his team still need to work on some weaknesses they noticed during the two test matches against Ghana this week. The Nigeria U20 team beat their hosts 2-0 in the second friendly on Wednesday after both teams drew 2-2 in the first game on Monday. “We hope to be ready when we have picked the final squad of 21 players for the African Youth Championship and have worked on some of the grey areas we noticed in Ghana,” said Manu. “We therefore hope to soon begin our training camp in Gambia so we could concentrate on some of the lapses we saw in the team.” The Flying Eagles returned to Abuja from Ghana on Thursday. “Overall, the two matches were a good test for us and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) must again be give the credit for this,” Manu said. The Nigeria youth team are drawn in a tough Group A along with hosts Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire and Congo. The 2015 African Youth Championship kicks off March 8 in Dakar with the Flying Eagle

The Flying Eagles are sweating on the fitness of star forward Musa Yahaya, who is nursing a knee injury he suffered in a warm-up match in Ghana. The Tottenham Hotspur youth star is expected to undergo a scan to determine the extent of the injury he received when he was dangerously tackled in the Flying Eagles second friendly against Ghana on Wednesday. The injury forced him out of the match in the 39th minute. U17 world champion Yahaya, who scored in the Flying Eagles first match against the Black Satellites, did not join the rest of the squad at the gym at the FIFA Goal Project in Abuja Friday morning. The other injury worry for the Nigeria U20 team is central defender Zaharadeen Bello. Bello has been nursing a calf injury and as a result he did not feature in the second friendly against Ghana in Tema, which the Flying Eagles won 2-0. “We will review their cases and see what can be done promptly,” disclosed Flying Eagles doctor Ozi Salami.

Nigeria's U-17 Head coach ,Emmanuel Amuneke,would be the happiest man on Saturday should his wards put up a spirited  performance to ensure qualification for a ticket to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile later this year. Amuneke is best remembered for his brace in the 2-1 defeat of the Chipolopolo of Zambia in the Final Match of the 1994 African Cup of Nations in Tunisia.Though the setting on Saturday between the Golden Eaglets and the Junior Chipolopolo is different, the 1994 African Footballer of the Year has said there would be no margin for errors. He was optimistic his boys would do everything to gain a semi final berth at Niger 2015. "Our expectations (against Zambia) is to win and secure our ticket for the World Cup in Chile," former Barcelona winger told thenff.com. "We have to psyche up ourselves and forget about the draw against Guinea, we have to be optimistic to play much better."   Amuneke was of the view that the Golden Eaglets could pla

Head Coach of the Dream Team, Samson Siasia, has charged his wards to go all out for victory against their Gabonese counterparts in the first leg of the 11th  All-Africa Games qualifying game to be played at the Stade Augustin Monedan a Sibang, Libreville on Saturday. After breakfast on Friday, Siasia said that from the calibre of players at his disposal, he is not expecting less than outright victory. “Nigerians expect nothing short of victory from you guys. You guys should put in mind that you are the next generation of Super Eagles players, but for Nigerians to accept you as such, you must show that on the field of play. That is the only way that you can convince the nation that you have what it takes to take over." Appealing to the players to play to instructions, the U-23 gaffer said, they should not bother about what the Gabonese have to throw at them, but to follow his instructions and the rest will be history, adding that they should not be expecting any favors from th

Coach Audu Adamu Ejo and his Beach Soccer National Team, Supersand Eagles’ crew will head to Lagos this weekend as the camp of the team opens ahead of an African Beach Soccer Championship qualifying fixture against Libya, coming up next month.   Ejo, who led the team to a seventh –place finish at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Ravenna, Italy in 2011, has called 20 players for this exercise that will also prepare the team for the Power Horse Invitational Tournament in Durban, South Africa, March 6-8.   From the 20 players, Ejo and his assistants will select 12 players to represent Nigeria at the tournament in Durban, before the first round of the continental championship qualifier against Libya in Lagos on March 14. That match has already been fixed for Elegushi Beach, Lagos, with the return leg in Tripoli six days later.   It is the first time that Nigeria will be involved in qualifiers for the African Beach Soccer Championship, meaning there is growing awareness and interest

Former Super Eagles’ captain, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha has been elected chairman of the Delta State Football Association.   At the elections conducted in Asaba on Friday, and supervised by Member of the NFF Executive Committee, Alhaji Babagana Kalli, Okocha polled 26 out of the 27 votes cast.   One of only two Nigerian footballers to play at three FIFA World Cup finals, Jay-Jay Okocha’s club career took him through Germany, France, England and Turkey, and he is presently Head of the NFF Technical Study Group.   Okocha, who had served as vice chairman before the elevation, replaces Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, who announced his intention to relinquish the post on the very day he was elected President of Nigeria Football Federation, September 30, 2014.

Players and officials of the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons, will storm camp in Abuja on Sunday, as preparations begin for their 11th All-Africa Games qualifying fixture against either of Mali and Gabon.   Coach Edwin Okon has already called 36 players, who are expected to arrive at the Serob Legacy Hotel, Abuja latest Sunday evening with their training kits, international passports and birth certificates, to kick –start the buid-up.   The camp will also set the tone for preparations for the team’s 2016 Olympic Games qualifying fixture against Mali in May, as well as the 7th FIFA World Cup finals in Canada in the summer. ALL THE INVITEES: Faith Ikidi (Pitea IF, Sweden); Onome Ebi (FK Minsk, Belarus); Osinachi Ohale (Houston Dash, USA); Francisca Ordega (Pitea IF, Sweden); Onyinyechi Okere (Edo Queens); Alaba Jonathan (Pelican Stars); Christy Ohieriaku (Osun Babes); Ibubeleye Whyte (Rivers Angels); Precious Dede (Ibom Queens); Ugochi Njoku (Rivers Angels); Ma

Nigeria Premier League Club Owners have charged the in coming leadership of the League Management Company LMC led by Mallam Shehu Dikko to work acidiously to make the league an attractive brand that will cause investors to compete for sponsorship of the top flight league. Mallam Shehu Dikko heads the newly constituted 7-man board of the LMC whose assignment kick starts with the 2014/2015 Glo Nigeria premier League which kick off March 7 across the Country. The League Club Owners have therefore charged the new board to be proactive in their quest to better the League and bring back Nigeria football fans to embrace the league as well as bring more commercial values to the league system. Speaking with Sports Writers at the Glo Premier League Draws held at Transcorp Hilton hotel in Abuja Wednesday, Acting Secretary of the Club Owners Alloy Chukwuemeka commended the out-going chairman Hon Nduka Irabor for the improvements and relative stability which the League has witnessed in the past

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria recently named 34 Athletes who will be representing the country at the 12th African Junior Athletics Championship Addis Ababa 2015 in Ethiopia but the preparation towards this event remain questionable as the Athletes bemoan the state of their camp base in Sagamu Ogun State. Having done well for Nigeria in the past Cadets African Athletics events, the Nigerian Athletes will be flying the Nation's flag in the capital city of Ethiopia from 4th to 8th of March as they aim to continue their glorious outing on the continent. On Wednesday morning, I and a correspondent from one of the most sought-after leading Newspaper in Nigeria New Telegraph met at the National camp ground of the Athletes, what we witnessed was very hard on our eyes, the Athletes complained of no power supply for the past two days, camp allowances, kits, poor accomodation arrangement and below standard feeding system. Some of the Athletes who spoke to us pleaded to be anonymous w

Barrister Chris Green, Member of the NFF Executive Committee, will lead the U-23 National Team delegation to Saturday’s 11th All-Africa Games qualifying match against the U-23 National Team of Gabon in Libreville.   A 35-man delegation, including 19 players, will fly out from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Wednesday aboard an Ethiopian Airline flight, to arrive in Libreville by noon on Thursday.   Already, the NFF has provided all details concerning the trip to the Embassy of Nigeria in Libreville, with Mission Staff to receive the delegation on arrival on Thursday, and to mobilise the Nigerian community in Libreville to support the team during the match.   The match will be played on the natural turf of Stade Augustin Monedan a Sibang in Libreville, starting from 3.30pm Gabon time (2.30pm Nigeria time) on Saturday, 21st February.   The second leg will take place in Nigeria on 7th March, with the winner to take on the winner of the Zambia/Madagascar fixture for a

The Nigeria Football Federation has called on the U-17 National Team, Golden Eaglets, to go all out for a win against Guinea’s Syli Babes in Niamey on Wednesday.   The top-of-the-table clash at the Stade General Seyni Kountche starts at 3pm and the winner will automatically become the first African flagbearer at the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals in Chile later in the year.   NFF’s Director of Competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who is in Niamey with the team, said a victory is non-negotiable as Nigeria look to book an early ticket to the finals in Chile to go and defend the world title.   “We are the champions of the world, and that we must underscore boldly here. The Eaglets did well to win their first match against the host nation despite all the odds against them. There is no way Guinea will stand up to our boys on Wednesday.   “The NFF has provided everything the team needs to succeed and we expect nothing but victory against the Guineans.”   A 2-0 win over host Niger Republi

NFF President Amaju Pinnick has met with parents of some ravemaking Nigerian youngsters across the top rank in England.   On his way to an official meeting with FIFA President, Mr. Sepp Blatter at the Home of FIFA on Wednesday morning, the NFF boss stopped over in the England capital and watched Sunday’s FA Cup fifth round match between Arsenal and Middlesbrough at the Emirates.   “I was able to see Kenneth Omeruo and Chuba Akpom at the match. I am meeting the parents of a number of these youngsters this time and have plans to meet all of them and also their parents in due course.   “You see, some of them might have represented England at junior level, but they are willing to represent Nigeria at senior level, and that is what we are looking at. We are looking at strengthening our teams at all levels and these players are willing, once we can convince them that there is a new set-up in Nigeria football.”   Pinnick’s diary has 18 –year old attacking midfielder Alex Iwobi of Arse

  Dolphins left full back, Jonathan Zikiye has admitted he must share in the blame for the goal in Malabo that cost his side a 1-0 defeat to Leones Vegetarianos in the CAF Confederation Cup.   Dolphins lost through a 57th minute goal conceded when the defence went ball watching and Zikiye says it all started from his position.   “It’s true. That goal was scored after a little slip from our part as defenders and it started from my side,” Zikiye said.   “It was a moment of loss of concentration but in every football match there are bound to be mistakes but the important thing is for us to learn from these mistakes.   “We are working hard for the second leg and we believe we will be able to turn it around,” Zikiye enthused.   It was Jonathan Zikiye’s first ever game on the continent and he spoke on what the experience was like.   “It was a good experience even though we lost the game. We went there to win but we lost.   It was a good experience and we hope to turn it arou

Enyimba Int'l and Dream Team VI forward, Peter Onyekachi can not but expressed his excitement after opening a goal account for his new team on his first appearance for the Aba Elephant. Onyekachi joined Enyimba from state rival club, Abia Warriors opened his scorer sheet in the colours of the Elephant on Sunday. Two times African champions spanked their visitors, Buffles du Borgou from Benin Republic 3-0 in the CAF Champions League primilary round in Aba. Etor Daniel put the host ahead in the early minutes of the game, Kingsley Sokari made it two in the 83rd minutes, before Onyekachi sealed the victory with his debut goal in the 90th minutes of the game. The former Abia Warriors star revealed to BFC Soccer App few minutes after the magnificent victory on Sunday in Aba saying "I'm excited for my debut goal, I have been away on National duties but the technical crew are always in touch with me, they have been feeding me about the team programmes and plans for the tournam

Nigeria Professional Football League teams on the continent began their 2015 continental quest on a high as three teams out of four representing the country, Kano Pillars,  Enyimba international Footba Club, Warri Wolves won their respective games, while Dolphins Football Club lost narrowly to Equatorial Guinean side Leones Vegetarianos. The weekend continental football for Nigeria clubs saw three teams from the league scoring six goals, three out of which came from away ground in the encounter between Al Malaika FC and NPFL reigning champions, Pillars won 0-2, Warri Wolves also pipped Racing Club Bobo 0-1. The Peoples' Elephant netted thrice as they pummel Buffles Du Borgu of Benin Republic, Dolphins were the only Nigerian club on the continent that failed to record a decent result after loosing 1-0 away from home to Leones Vegetarianos. Gambo Mohammed opened the score sheet four minutes into second half and gave the Sai Masu Gida the long awaited lead before red hot Christian O

Former Nigeria skipper Joseph Yobo has urged the Flying Eagles to work harder so they could be bigger stars than he and his contemporaries were. Yobo met up with the Nigeria U20s at the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos on their way to Ghana for two test matches against their Ghanaian counterparts. “You can be bigger stars than we were,” Yobo told the players. “I left this country for Europe when I was just 17 and before you know it, I was my family’s bread winner. You can also do same and even more, but you must be willing to work hard and make the necessary sacrifices. “You have some great coaches and you only have to obey their instructions to make it in this game.” Yobo, who has won a record 101 full international caps for Nigeria, also featured at the 1999 FIFA U20 World Cup, which Nigeria hosted. Former Nigerian sports minister Bolaji Abdullahi also encountered the team at the airport and restated his belief that the Flying Eagles are the future of Nigerian football. “I a

Mercurial captain, Kelechi Nwakali, has stated here that the Golden Eaglets are not under any pressure ahead of their top of the drawer encounter against host Niger at the 30,000 capacity Stade Général Seyni Kountché (SGSK) as the 2015 U-17 Championship gets underway. As expected, the Golden Eaglets would be hard pressed by the home team for obvious reasons as their fore bearers defeated their host 4-1 at the same venue in one of the qualifiers towards Morocco 2013. So it would be a case of Déjà vu on Sunday and Nwakali said he and hismteammates are ready for the encounter: "We are not under pressure of playing against the host Niger," said the attacking midfielder who is the junior brother of Chidiebere Nwakali who was a member of the 2013 World Cup-winning team. "Rather, it is a great honour for us to start the competition against the host and we are ready to face the challenges." He revealed that the coaching crew has updated them on what to expect playing i

Golden Eaglets' Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, has predicted a tough test for his wards when they open their 11th African U-17 Championship account against Niger at the Stade Général Seyni Kountché (SGSK) in Niamey on Sunday. The former Barcelona star believed a win against the host would set a good omen as Nigeria push for the trophy yet again. Golden Eaglets nearly won the championship the last time in Morocco but lost to Cote d'Ivoire in a dramatic 5-4 penalty shootout after a pulsating 1-1 draw. "The first game is very important and we want to win irrespective of the fact that we are meeting Niger," said Amuneke who scored a brace in the 2-1 win over Zambia at 1994 African Cup of Nations Final Match. "Of course, we know it is never going to be an easy match because both teams would like to win. " He said he was not oblivious about the huge test of playing against the host in front of a partisan crowd, adding his wards must gird their loins:"We