AFCON

HOW THE SUPER EAGLES PICK CAMEROON 2019 TICKET

Published

6 years ago

November 17, 2018

Three –time African champion, Nigeria flew majestically back to the biggest football house party on the continent after being held 1-1 by South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday.

It was certainly not one of the classics, but the result meant only one other team in Group E (either Libya or South Africa) could end up with the same 10 points that Nigeria already have, by the of the qualification series in March 2019.

But Libya’s 8-1 defeat of their hosts Seychelles on Mahé Island would create real fear in the Bafana Bafana going into that last battle against the Mediterranean Knights in Tunisia.

At the FNB Stadium in Soweto on a sunny afternoon, Nigeria made the brightest start with stand –in captain, Ahmed Musa watching his shot held by goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune in the six^th minute, and two minutes later Nigeria had the ball in the net after a sweet combination by Musa and Kelechi Iheanacho. But Gambian Referee Papa Gassama ruled it off-side, on the prompting of the assistant referee.

A minute later, Nigeria pushed their noses in front as Samuel Kalu, playing in an unaccustomed wing back role, outpaced Sfiso Hlanti and pulled out, only for Buhle Mkhwanazi to divert it past Khune into the net.

In the 11^th minute, Bafana had a glorious chance to equalize as the irrepressible Percy Tau got behind the Nigerian defence, only to be thwarted by Kalu.

It became a ding-dong as the match gathered some vibrancy, with Captain Thulani Hlatshwayo arriving late for a free –kick and Mothiba wrong –footed, and at the other end, William Ekong’s run to a good chance from a corner was foiled and Kalu shot too high from an Ahmed Musa corner.

Bafana were level in the 26^th minute though, as the nimble –footed Tau, appropriately named Man-of-the-Match, left Ekong and Omeruo in no-man’s-land and drilled a selfless pass to Mothiba, beyond a sprawling Ikechukwu Ezenwa, to slot into an empty net.

Nigeria could have reclaimed leadership in the 36^th minute, but after Musa did all the work, Iheanacho’s atrocious first touch bungled the opportunity.

In the second period, both teams sought to conserve energy in a high altitude environment. Two minutes before the hour, midfielder John Ogu’s header from another Nigerian corner was headed for the net before Themba Zwani headed it away, and 15 minutes later, Kenneth Omeruo’s lofty header from yet another corner missed narrowly.

In the 83^rd minute, another big talking point surfaced when Musa ran onto a great pass and slotted past Khune, only to be deemed off-side.

Having missed the last two AFCON finals, Nigeria have now joined hosts Cameroon, Madagascar, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco and Uganda as the teams already guaranteed slots at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, to be hosted by Cameroon.

AFCON

For the 3rd time, Rwanda and Nigeria draw in Kigali

Published

3 hours ago

September 10, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Super Eagles and Rwanda’s Amavubi again drew their encounter in Kigali, the third time they will be meeting at the Rwanda capital city. All encounters of both teams in the city have all been drawn.

The first was a 2006 World Cup qualifier when Obafemi Martins salvaged a point for Nigeria after Rwanda’s Jimmy Gatete had shot the hosts ahead early in the second half.

The next time was an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in 2012 and it ended in a goalless draw just like the one of this Tuesday.

The result not withstanding, Nigeria still leads the Group D ahead of tonight’s encounter of Benin Republic and Libya in Abidjan. Only Libya will be able to upstage Nigeria after the MatchDay 2 if they are able to beat Benin by more than three goals.

Perhaps the tale would have been sweeter for the Super Eagles if their 21^st minute header by Ademola Lookman which found the back of the net had not been chalked off.

The team put up spirited efforts, but the Rwandans have their goalkeeper, Fiarce Ntiwari to thank as he saved many point blank shots and headers by menacing Nigerian forwards.

The Super Eagles still have unfinished jobs with the Rwandans. Apart from the return match of the on-going Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers holding on 19 November this year, both teams still have two outstanding World Cup qualifiers in Kigali on 17 March next year and in Nigeria on 1 September 2025.

Nigeria’s next AFCON qualifier will be an home game against Libya on Monday October 7.

AFCON

Eguavoen on third ‘missionary’ visit to Kigali

Published

7 hours ago

September 10, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Nigeria’s interim coach, Austin Eguavoen has a mission to accomplish this Tuesday afternoon in Kigali. “I am here for all the available three points”, he told a pre-match press conference on Monday.

“This is my third time here; the first time I came as an assistant coach to Christian Chukwu.”

At the match, Nigeria came from a goal down to draw 1-1 in a World Cup 2006 qualifiers.

“I respect Rwanda very much and they also respect us. It will be a great game but our objective is to win the game.

“I will commend Rwanda for the great reception we have received. We are on a mission and we hope to achieve our target.”

Rwanda drew 1-1 with Libya in Tripoli on match day 1 while Nigeria also thrashed neighbors Benin 3-0 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo to go on top of the Group D.

A win for the Super Eagles will see them move top of the group with six points after two match days.

AFCON

It’s going to be tough, Rwanda’s German coach, Spittler warns ahead of clash with Nigeria

Published

7 hours ago

September 10, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Rwanda head coach Torsten Frank Spittler gives instructions to the players during a training session ahead of the game against Nigeria on Tuesday.

Ahead of this afternoon’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying duel with Nigeria in Kigali, Rwanda head coach Torsten Frank Spittler has admitted that the Super Eagles will give his side a hard time.

The German coach is aware of the talent that the Super Eagles have at their disposal but he trusts his men to live up to their expectations while playing before their home supporters.

“It is going to be a tough game. We are going to play against a world class squad with quality players. Our training has been good and I am positive we will get something out of the encounter,” Rwanda’s lead newspaper, New Times quoted Spittler as saying at a s in a pre-match press conference.

This is going to be Spittler’s eighth match in charge of Rwanda. The team has recorded three wins, three draws and one defeat in their last seven matches under the German gaffer in all competitions.

Asked about the team’s progress since taking charge of the team in November 2023, Spittler said that it is a gradual process and they will only get better.

“We are in transition; it is a process. What we learn here is different from what they learn at club level. This is our fourth camping and the players are so far improving in everyday’s training,” he said.

Nigeria head coach Augustine Eguavoen has the likes of star striker Victor Osimhen and Ballon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman who can change the game at anytime. Despite his squad rich in top talent, he is aware that football has evolved and reserves respect for Rwanda.