Sports

Flying Eagles begin quest for eighth U-20 AFCON title against Senegal

Published

1 year ago

February 19, 2023

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles will begin their quest for an eight continental title when they take on Senegal at the Cairo International Stadium in Egypt on Sunday (today).

Ladan Bosso’s side qualified for the U-20 AFCON in Egypt by virtue of emerging Champions at WAFU B U-20 regional tournament in May 2022 in Niger.

In the process of team’s qualification, Bosso’s team defeated 2021 AFCON cup holders, Ghana 2-0, Ivory Coast 2-1 in the semi-final and Benin Republic 3-1 on final day to be crowned WAFU B regional champions.

The Flying Eagles are back in the tournament with the sole mission of winning the trophy after missing the previous edition in Mauritania.

They were crowned champions seven times with the first in 1983 and the most recent in 2015 defeating host nation Senegal 1-0 in the final.

The Flying Eagles have lost only two finals in 1999 and 2007 while finishing third on three occasions in 1995, 2005, 2013 and fourth in 2019.

Head Coach Ladan Bosso remains upbeat about the readiness of his boys to sustain their winning mentality when the tournament kicks off today.

READ ALSO:

He said, “We have been able to sustain the same mood we had in camp before going for the WAFU B U20 Championship in Niamey, which we won. Since then, we have played a series of matches and scored plenty of goals, and that is immense for a winning mentality to stay within a team.

“However, we are not going to under-rate any of our opponents. Defeating Zambia in Abuja was good for confidence but we know championship mood would be tougher. We will be ready to do the country proud.”

Belgium -based Ahmed Abdullahi has joined the Flying Eagles’ squad in Cairo. The KAA Gent of Belgium forward arrived in Cairo in the early hours of Friday morning. Abdullahi was part of the team that emerged WAFU B U20 Champions in Niger Republic in May last year.

The nifty forward scored one goal at the regional tournament despite injury ruling him out of the tournament after he suffered head injury during a match with Burkina Faso, and is expected to offer more attacking options upfront to Coach Ladan Bosso.

After their game on Sunday, the Flying Eagles- two-time FIFA World Cup runners-up and one-time bronze medalists, will then face hosts Egypt on Wednesday just as well as Mozambique on Saturday, at the same venue.

All four semi-finalists at the 12-team championship in Egypt will qualify to fly Africa’s flag at the FIFA U20 World Cup finals to be staged in Indonesia from May 20 to June 11 later this year.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football has appointed Moroccan Jalal Jayed as referee for Sunday’s Group A game at the Cairo International Stadium.

Jayed will be assisted by Tunisian Mohamed Bakir (assistant referee 1), Algerian Hamza Bouzit (assistant referee 2) and Ivoirian Franklin Kpan.

Related Topics:Flying Eagles Senegal U-20 AFCON

Up Next

Flying Eagles begin AFCON campaign with 0-1 defeat to Senegal

Don't Miss

Ghanaian footballer Atsu’s body found under rubble in Turkey quake – Agent

Sports

Ronaldo playing in Saudi league for money like me – Ighalo

Published

1 day ago

April 24, 2024

Trends Admin

Cristiano Ronaldo and Odion Ighalo

Ronaldo playing in Saudi league for money like me – Ighalo

Ex-Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has disclosed that the decision of Cristiano Ronaldo and other top footballers to ply their trade in Saudi Arabia was informed by pecuniary motives.

Ronaldo moved to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr last year in a stunning three-year deal that would see him earn €210.704 million in total.

Other top footballers, who have made names for themselves in Europe, have also moved to Saudi Arabia as the the oil-rich middle east nation injected massive cash into league in order to make it a football powerhouse.

Reacting to the move of Ronaldo to Saudi Arabia and the influx of big players to the Saudi league, Ighalo said the motivation behind these moves was money and not passion.

Ighalo made this known during an interview with sport journalist, Oma Akatugba.

READ ALSO:

He said. “See people that are going to Saudi Arabia, big players. Is Ronaldo still playing for passion? He has made more than 100 times what I have in my life, but he still went to Saudi. You want to tell me that is passion? No, it’s for money.

“It’s only when we Africans say it they will say we like money. But these people don’t care, some of them want to be highest paid and all that,”

Ighalo left mainstream Europe for Chang Chung Yatai in 2017 after playing for Lyn, Udinese, Granada, Cesena, and Watford.

At Yatai, he earned a reported €200,000 weekly salary, before moving to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua where he also commanded a similar wage.

Ighalo spent one year in Shanghai before moving to Manchester United on a six-month loan deal.

After that, the 34-year-old joined Al Shabbab, where he started earning €170,000.

Ronaldo playing in Saudi league for money like me – Ighalo

Sports

MLS: Messi’s double keeps Miami on top of the league table

Published

3 days ago

April 22, 2024

Trends Admin

Lionel Messi

MLS: Messi’s double keeps Miami on top of the league table

Lionel Messi showcased his brilliance with a double and an assist for Sergio Busquets as Inter Miami secured a 3-1 victory over Nashville on Saturday, keeping them at the summit of Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference.

Despite a shaky start that saw Franco Negri inadvertently deflect a corner into Miami’s net within two minutes, Messi swiftly equalized in the 11th minute after Luis Suarez redirected a rebounded shot from the Argentine.

Messi continued to menace Nashville’s defense, narrowly missing another goal before providing an exquisite cross for Diego Gomez, whose header was denied by Nashville keeper Elliot Panicco.

Miami capitalized on their momentum as Busquets, Messi’s former Barcelona teammate, nodded in a corner just before halftime, giving Miami a well-deserved lead.

READ ALSO:

However, Miami suffered a setback as Gomez was stretchered off with an ankle injury, adding to their injury woes.

Although Nashville dominated possession in the second half, Miami remained resolute defensively. In the 81st minute, Messi sealed the win by converting a penalty after Leonardo Afonso was fouled in the box.

With this victory, Messi extended his impressive goal-scoring record to nine goals in as many games across all competitions for Miami.

Reflecting on Miami’s performance, manager Gerardo Martino praised his team’s resilience, particularly considering their depleted squad due to injuries.

Despite Miami’s success, Columbus Crew faced a tough battle, twice coming from behind to secure a 2-2 draw against Phil Neville’s Portland Timbers.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati clinched a 2-1 win over Atlanta United, with Luciano Acosta playing a pivotal role in their comeback victory. This highlights an eventful day in Major League Soccer.

MLS: Messi’s double keeps Miami on top of the league table

Sports

Arsenal beat Wolves to return to top spot

Published

4 days ago

April 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Arsenal beat Wolves to return to top spot

Arsenal put their Champions League disappointment firmly in the past by beating Wolves at Molineux and moving back to the top of the Premier League.

Having blown their chance to leapfrog Pep Guardiola’s side six days ago by losing at home to Aston Villa and then being knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich on Wednesday, it was a welcome triumph for Mikel Arteta’s men.

Leandro Trossard’s strike in the last minute of the opening period may not have been the most eye-catching of the Belgian’s career, but it was perfectly timed.

READ ALSO:

It came at the end of a half where Arsenal seemed to have gotten stuck after a bright start and nearly fell behind to Gary O’Neil’s injury-ravaged side.

The visitors dominated the second half too, but were unable to carve out the clear chances that would have allowed them to take the game out of reach.

Captain Martin Odegaard added the second deep into stoppage time at the end of the game, turning in from a tight angle after his initial cross had been blocked.

The result means Arsenal are now a point clear of City, with a better goal difference but having played a game more.

They have the chance to apply some significant pressure to the defending champions when they entertain beaten FA Cup semi-finalists Chelsea on Tuesday.