Nigeria Sports Arena

Nigeria claimed the first win of Sunday Oliseh's tenure on Tuesday as they saw off Niger in a 2-0 friendly victory at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium. Former Nigeria international Oliseh took charge as Super Eagles boss in July and saw his spell at the helm get off to a disappointing start with a goalless draw against Tanzania on Saturday. Ahmed Musa carried Nigeria's main threat early on, testing Daouda Kassaly with a shot from distance before Anthony Ujah caused the visitors' defence more serious problems, earning a penalty 10 minutes into the game. That was duly dispatched by Musa, but Nigeria struggled to consolidate their advantage until seven minutes from time when substitute Simon put the game to bed. Having replaced Musa shortly after the hour, Simon latched onto a sloppy clearance to beat Kassaly with a fierce drive from inside the area, opening his international account in the process. After seeing the game on a popular TV station in Nige...

  Super Eagles’ Head Coach Sunday Oliseh has invited 18 overseas-based professionals for next month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.   First –choice goalkeeper and skipper Vincent Enyeama headlines the list that also has defenders Godfrey Oboabona, Leon Balogun and Kenneth Omeruo, midfielders Rabiu Ibrahim, Lukman Haruna and Joel Obi, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike and Anthony Ujah.   There are a number of surprises, in line with Oliseh’s earlier pledge to make current form and first –level football key indices for selection.   There are goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, midfielder Izunna Ernest Uzochukwu and forwards Emem Eduok, Sylvester Igboun and Moses Simon.   All the 18 players, who will join up with the 23 home boys who arrived camp in Abuja on Monday, are expected in Abuja on Monday, 31st August, 2015 at the latest.   THE FULL LIST   Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeam...

  Former Super Eagles’ captain Sunday Ogorchukwu Oliseh resumed life as Head Coach of the team on Wednesday, with a clear message to the generality of Nigerians: “I come to serve my country, not to wage a war.”   There were several questions and insinuations at Wednesday’s colourful official presentation ceremony bothering on Oliseh’s perceived ‘stubborness,’ but the former captain swiftly differentiated between being principled and being stubborn.   “I have come to serve, and the NFF has promised to give me all the support I need to succeed. They are the employers and I am the employee. That distinction has to be appreciated at all times.   “I have had meetings with members of the Technical and Development Committee, led by Chief Anyansi-Agwu, very knowledgeable people all. I have met members of the Executive Committee and the General Secretary. I believe we will all work together excellently. It is a hug...