AFCON: How we caged Salah, Egypt – Eguavoen

January 11, 2022January 11, 2022 | anaben

Coach Austin Eguavoen has said tactics deployed by the Super Eagles against Salah and his teammates on Tuesday include playing to instruction, high pressing and not undermining the Egyptians.

Nigeria had put up a commanding display to defeat seven times winners, Egypt in their opening Group D game of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.

Just as anticipated, it was a keenly contested game as it was between two teams seen as favourites for the title, Egypt having won last in 2010 and Nigeria 2013. Both teams have ten titles between them.

Following the 1-0 victory secured by Kelechi Iheanacho’s 30th minute strike, Eguaveon assured that his team will persist in fighting the same way they did against Egypt as no team in the competition is a pushover.

“The tactics we deployed were high pressing, coming back to defend as a unit and then not undermining the opponent.” Eguaveon said in a post match analysis.

The plan worked perfectly as Liverpool’s talisman Mohamed Salah was non-existent in the game, save for an effort that Maduka Okoye’s outstretched leg comfortably dealt with.

Regarding his approach to his side’s next game, the gaffer said he intends to take it game after game and that every team at this year’s AFCON should be respected and taken seriously irrespective of the country’s name.

“There are no minors in football anymore, so if you don’t plan well and put in effort, you can be shocked. I don’t know who will win but we will try our possible best to approcah our games with all seriousness”. He concluded

Nigeria will be playing next against Sudan on Saturday.

Samuel Chukwueze’s mother prays for him ahead of AFCON(video)

January 6, 2022 | anaben

An adorable moment of the mother of Super Eagles footballer, Samuel Chukwueze praying for his well-being ahead of the African Cup Of Nations Tournament captured in a video has melted hearts on social media.

In the video, his mother held his two legs as she prayed for him in Igbo before he left for Cameroon with the Super Eagles team.

See video below ;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ0skrwMdlk

Super Eagles invite four new players for AFCON

Pharaohs coach warns Super Eagles, others

January 4, 2022 | anaben

Pharaohs of Egypt coach, Carlos Queiroz has sent a note of warning to their African Cup of Nations group opponents.

The seven-time AFCON champions will open their account with the Super Eagles of Nigeria on January 11, before going to face Sudan and Guinea-Bissau in the group D pair

The 25-man squad of the Pharaohs have 19 players from the country’s domestic league who are experienced and have played in the AFCON.

“We’re not going to AFCON to take a walk, we are going to win,” said the former Manchester United manager.

“Our goal in the AFCON is to try to win every game, build a winning mentality because in March we will play the final stage of the World Cup qualifiers.

“I am confident that this squad is capable of providing the best performance in the tournament.”

Meanwhile, the Pharaohs have lined up a training match against Congo as part of their preparation for the AFCON.

Super Eagles invite four new players for AFCON

December 31, 2021 | anaben

Due to the health conditions and injuries of some players, Super Eagles have invited four new players for AFCON.

Recall that the Nigeria Football Federation had, on Friday, announced that Victor Osimhen is out of the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations.

The NFF’s spokesperson, Ademola Olajire, disclosed this on Friday, adding that only the goalkeeping department has not been changed.

Players newly added to the AFCON squad are right back Tyrone Ebuehi, England–based Oluwasemilogo, Greece-based Henry Onyekuru, and Czech Republic-based forward Peter Olayinka.

Olajire said, “Lively forward Victor Osimhen’s positive test to the coronavirus pandemic a couple of days ago and injury to the versatile Abdullahi Shehu have constrained changes to Nigeria’s final 28-man list for the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations starting in Cameroon next weekend.

“The goalkeeping department is untouched, but the forced exclusion of Cyprus –based Shehu, who can slot easily into sections of the defence and midfield, has made way for hard-as-nails right back Tyrone Ebuehi, now with Venezia in the Italian Serie A, and England –based Oluwasemilogo Ajayi returns to the group for Africa’s flagship football championship following injury to centre-back Leon Balogun. Ajayi can also play as a midfielder.

“Osimhen’s absence paves way for Greece-based Henry Onyekuru who was also at the last finals in Egypt. In-form rapid raider Emmanuel Dennis, whose English Premiership club is baring fangs, has been excused to provide room for Czech Republic-based forward Peter Olayinka.”

AFCON 2021: Osimhen, Emmanuel Dennis out of Super Eagles squad

December 31, 2021 | anaben

Four players, including Victor Osimhen and Emmanuel Dennis will not be at the Africa Cup of Nations next year despite their inclusion in the intial final list submitted by Super Eagles coach, Austin Eguavoen. The others include defenders, Shehu Abdullahi and Leon Balogun.

Recall that Osimhen had reportedly tested positive for the coronavirus. He had asked to be excused. Emmanuel Denis, on the other hand, did not have his invitation sent on time.

Victor Osimhen Tests Positive For Corona Virus For a Second Time

December 30, 2021 | anaben

Nigerian international Victor Osimhen has, for the second time, tested positive for COVID-19.

His Italian club Napoli made this known on Thursday, as preparations towards next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon are ongoing.

“Napoli has announced that Victor Osimhen has tested positive for COVID-19 but is asymptomatic. Dr Tartaro was due to perform a check-up on the player tomorrow.

“Consequently, the local authorities have ordered that Osimhen self-isolate and the check-up will be rescheduled after he has tested negative and his period of isolation ends,” a Tweet by the club read.

Nigeria had picked Osimhen, who had had a serious injury and is still recovering, as part of its 28-man squad for AFCON.

The 22-year-old had said in a statement on social media that he will be available for Afcon, despite being initially ruled out for three months.

Osimhen had on January 1, 2021 also tested positive for the virus.

I’m not infected with COVID-19 — Lai Mohammed clarifies