Monday, November 2, 2015

Video - Nigeria beat Brazil in FIFA U17 World Cup to reach semi-final


The Golden Eaglets of Nigeria are through to the semi-final of the FIFA U17 World Cup ongoing in Chile after they thrashed one of the tournament favourites, Brazil, 3-0, on Sunday night.

Five minutes of magic in the first half was all Nigeria needed as the Eaglets punished the Brazilians with three successive goals.

It was Victor Oshimen that got the curtain raiser as he broke the deadlock in the 29th minute to score his eighth goal of the tournament.

Kinglsey Micheal doubled the advantage for Nigeria moments later with a nice volley while a long shot from range from Udochukwu Anumudu in the 34th minute effectively killed the game.

Brazil came all out with the attempt get back into the game in the second half but the Eaglets held their own to become the first team to make it to the semi final.

The second half had very few clear-cut opportunities, with Funsho Bamgboye and Evander going closest for either side.

With the win, the Eaglets will head to Concepcion for Thursday’s semi-final against the winner of tomorrow’s quarter-final between Ecuador and Mexico.

Nigeria has never lost a semi-final match in the history of the FIFA U17 World Cup.

Premium Times

Friday, October 30, 2015

Video - Nigerian government working house Lagos' booming population



Authorities in the Nigerian commercial capital of Lagos are working to overcome a severe housing shortage as the city's population continues to grow at a rapid rate. With the current population of 20 million expected to increase to 25 million in about fifteen years, finding a solution is proving challenging.

Obafemi Martins and Kelechi Iheanacho join Super Eagles squad

Strikers Obafemi Martins and Kelechi Iheanacho are in Nigeria's squad to face Swaziland in a two-legged World Cup qualifier in November.

"It was a bit of a shock, but a nice shock," Martins, who was last called up in March 2013, told BBC Sport.

"I'm very happy, because I have always worked hard, supported and respected all the players picked by the coaches."

Iheanacho has been selected only days after starring for Manchester City in the cup win over Crystal Palace.

The 19-year-old scored and made two assists in his side's 5-1 victory on Wednesday, a performance which brought high praise from his club manager Manuel Pellegrini.

Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh needed to bring in strikers following the recent decision by Emmanuel Emenike to retire from internationals.

Martins last played for his country in March 2013 for a 2014 World Cup qualifier against Kenya.

Despite being his country's most in-form striker last year, alongside Ikechukwu Uche, he was omitted from the Brazil 2014 squad.

However his good form has continued this season - he has struck 15 goals for MLS side Seatlle Sounders - and Martins is determined to make the most of his Super Eagles recall.

"I thank coach Oliseh for this great opportunity. I'm just looking forward to going out there and playing for Nigeria again," he said.

Another player returning to the international fold is Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi, who missed Nigeria's last competitive game against Tanzania in September due to suspension.

Former Nigeria international Oliseh has also kept faith in English Premier League trio of John Mikel Obi, Odion Ighalo and Alex Iwobi.

But there is no place in the squad for Kenneth Omeruo or West Ham's Victor Moses, who pulled out of Nigeria's friendlies against DR Congo and Cameroon two weeks ago.

Swaziland will host the first leg of the World Cup qualifier in Lobamba on 13 November, with the return leg at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium in Port Harcourt four days later.

The winner will advance to the final group phase to decide Africa's five representatives at the tournament in Russia.

Nigeria squad:

Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Dele Alampasu (Club de Sportivo Feirense, Portugal)

Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Kalu Orji (Enugu Rangers FC); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz, Germany); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors)

Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders, USA); Kelechi Iheanacho (Man City, England)

BBC

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Nigeria issues 'Most Wanted' list of Boko Haram suspects



Nigeria's army has published photos of nearly 100 people whom it says are its most-wanted Boko Haram suspects.

The army urged the public to phone special hotlines if any of the suspects were spotted, as it steps up efforts to hunt down the Islamist militants.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who took office in May, has given the military a mid-November deadline to defeat them.

Boko Haram has lost most of its territory this year but increased suicide attacks and bombings since May.

It began its insurgency in 2009 in north-eastern Nigeria, but has since spread its activities to neighbouring Chad, Cameroon and Niger.

Boko Haram is allied with the Islamic State (IS) group which is fighting for a global caliphate - a state governed in accordance with Islamic law.

The photos on the list appear to have been sourced from Boko Haram propaganda material, including videos, reports the BBC's Bashir Sa'ad Abdullahi from the capital, Abuja.

Its leader Abubakar Shekau appears twice on the list, despite previous claims by the army that he had been killed and claims by Chad's President Idriss Deby in August that the group had a new leader who was open to dialogue.

The army say it will circulate the banner across the country to help it track down the insurgent leaders.

Appeals for public co-operation are written in English as well as Hausa and Kanuri, the two main languages in Nigeria's north-eastern areas where Boko Haram is most active.


BBC

Video - Nigeria Golden Eaglets beat Australia 6-0 in FIFA U-17 World Cup


The Nigerian Golden Eaglets beat their counterpart from Australia 6 0 thereby advancing to the FIFA U-17 World Cup Chile 2015 quarter-finals.

They are to play Brazil who edged past New Zealand by one goal in Vina Del Mar.

The match which will be played on Sunday will be a battle between world’s number one in the U-17 category which is Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets and Brazil the number two.

Reigning FIFA U-17 World Cup champions Nigeria advanced to a quarter-final meeting against Brazil on the back of a hat-trick from the impressive Victor Osimhen, ending Australia’s run with a one-sided 6-0 victory in Vina Del Mar.

The tale of the first half was compacted into a three-minute period as Nigeria scored twice sandwiched either side of a gilt-edged opening for Australia.

It was 2-0 at the interval, and the game was still a contest until the final 17 minutes before Nigeria ran riot against an Australian side looking flat after surviving the ‘group of death’.

The Aussies started in pro-active fashion, but it was Funsho Ibrahim Bamgboye who hit the post with a rasping shot from the edge of the penalty area as Nigeria’s first effort narrowly failed to break the deadlock.

That moment came on 22 minutes as Osimhen showed just why he is the tournament’s leading goalscorer by bursting forward with pace and power on the left, before turning his defender and sliding the ball impressively inside the far post.

Australia could have drawn level immediately with Cameron Joice seeing his shot saved, while Lucas Derrick pushed the follow-up wide as a golden opportunity was spurned.

Almost immediately Nigeria were two in front as Funsho Bambgboye went to ground in the penalty area, and Kelechi Nwakali coolly slotted home the resultant penalty.

The two goals seemed to inspire the Nigerians who took a greater hold as the half wore on creating several half-openings around the Aussie goal.

Nigeria continued their powerful performance after the break, and although Australia dominated possession for periods, it was the Africans who ended the contest with a third.

Osimhen scored twice in the space of six minutes, the second with another laser-perfect drive into the top corner.

The deflated Aussies conceded to more goals in the dying minutes as firstly substitute Edidiong Michael Essien, and then Samuel Chukwueze, inflicted further pain as Nigeria stormed into the last-eight in confident fashion.


Vanguard