The attacking midfielder who was part of the 15 players invited to the Flying Eagles camp, left no stone unturned immediately he joined the camp.

Joshua John reminds many at the training of attacking midfielders like Alexander Iwobi, Sunday Mba and others whose style of play always catch the attention of the fans.

No doubt, Joshua John will really make a big statement if given the opportunity to prove himself.

Recall that Ikon Allah Academy produced players like Chidera Ejuke who is a Super Eagles player, newly signed Nasarawa United player, Francis Ayuba who is currently in the camp of the Flying Eagles, and he scored two goals on Thursday in favour of his team.

Water FC and Flying Eagles goalkeeper, Nathaniel Nwosu has said that the team is focused on winning the West African Football Union (WAFU) B trophy to make become the first Nigerian team to do so.

Nwosu who is one of the revelation at the ongoing 2022 U20 WAFU B championship in Niamey added that winning the title will be a morale booster ahead of the U20 African Nations Cup in Egypt.

“The goal has already been achieved by picking the U20 African Nations Cup ticket. However, winning the trophy will put our names in history book as well as a morale booster ahead of the U20 AFCON coming up in Egypt. We dont want to go back to Nigeria empty-handed. We have to go to go home with the trophy to make history.”

He thanked his team mates, the coaching crew and Nigerians for their prayers and supports.

Nigeria has not won the title since its inception in 2018.

The seven-time African champions Flying Eagles are set to play in today’s final match with Benin Republic at 7:30pm (Nigeria time)

Flying Eagles winger Ibrahim Mohammed Beji has assured football lovers back home in Nigeria that the team remains committed to achieving their goal at the ongoing WAFU U-20 Zone B championship as they prepare to take on the Young Elephants in the semifinals.

The Maikunkele FC attacker who is Nigeria’s top scorer in the competition stated that a game against Ivory Coast won’t be easy but the boys have seen clips of their games and would be prepared for the challenge on Tuesday.

“I am excited with our progress here in Niamey, we have crossed the first hurdle which is to qualify from the group and now we must take it further by going past the Les Petits Elephants in the semifinals tomorrow.

“We are aware of the threat they will bring, they won two games in their group and that’s enough for us to be wary of them, but as Nigerians, we remain determined to win and scale through to the finals of the competition.

When asked about his goalscoring prowess at the competition, the Eagle’s number 11 stated that it doesn’t matter who scores for the team but would always give his all on and off the field of play.

The Ladan Bosso led boys would take on the Young Elephants in the second semifinals on Tuesday evening with the winner of the tie advancing to the AFCON U-20 Championship proper in Egypt next year.

Seven –time African champions Nigeria have high expectations as they head to Niamey, capital of Niger Republic for this year’s WAFU B U20 Championship taking place in that country, 7^th – 20^th May. Nigeria’s contingent will fly into Niamey on Thursday and the Nigeria Football Federation has arranged two friendly matches in Niamey to put the team in premium shape and readiness for the competition proper.

Head Coach Ladan Bosso has selected a team of 28 players who will compete against Ghana’s Black Satellites and the Young Etalons of Burkina Faso in Group B. Hosts Niger Republic, Benin Republic, Togo and Cote d’Ivoire will battle in Group A.

The Flying Eagles will confront familiar foes Ghana in their first match of the competition on Sunday, 8^th May, before they take on Burkina Faso three days later. Both matches hold at the General Seyni Kountche Stadium in Niamey.

Two teams will sail into the semi finals from each group, with the two finalists qualifying to represent the WAFU B zone at the 2023 Africa U20 Cup of Nations.

Egypt will host the 2023 Africa U20 Cup of Nations while Indonesia will host the 2023 FIFA U20 World Cup finals. All four semi finalists from the tournament in Egypt will qualify to represent Africa in Indonesia.

FLYING EAGLES FOR WAFU B CHAMPIONSHIP:

Goalkeepers: Nathaniel Nwosu (Water FC); Chijioke Aniagboso (Giant Brillars); Saheed Jimoh (Adoration FC)

Defenders: Opeyemi Omooloyi (Akure City); Abubakar Babaji (Niger Tornadoes); Lekan Oyedele (Remo Stars); Oluwatosin Adegbite (Enyimba FC); Augustine Njoku (Abia Warriors); Chikezie Okolie (Giant Brillars); David Sholumade (Akwa United); Benjamin Frederick (ABS FC)

Midfielders: Anas Hassan (Vandrezzer FC); Daniel Daga (FC One Rocket); Oluwaseyi Falodun (Jossy United); Samson Lawal (Katsina United); Onuche Ogbelu (Fosla Academy); Muhammad Aminu (Gombe United); Muhammad Shehu (Katsina United); Frederick Godwin (City FC)

Forwards: Adams Olubi (FK Zalgris Vilnius, Lithuania); Tolulope Ojo (Remo Stars); Ibrahim Muhammad (Maikunkele FC); Ibrahim Yahaya (Gombe United); Rilwanu Haliru Sarki (Mahanaim FC); Divine Nwachukwu (Adoration FC); Ahmed Abdullahi (HB Academy); Abdullahi Adam (Nasarawa United); Albert Hilary (Plateau United)

The President of Nigeria Football Coaches Association (NFCA), Ladan Bosso has described the ongoing Berackiah/Abigol Football Coaching Clinic in Kano as the ideal way to improve the efficiency of Nigerian coaches.

The Nigeria U-20 handler (otherwise known as Flying Eagles) noted that the clinic had found a good home with the NFCA mandate and identifying with it is a reflection of the pressing need to develop coaches from the grassroots level to the top cadre.

He said the NFCA has been working closely with all series of coaching clinic programmes with the purpose of assessing their delivery and also deciding which best suit the categories of coaches in the country.

“At any point in time we always assess them (coaching programmes) and that’s why we are here now to watch and assess which is best suit for different categories of the coaches in Nigeria.”

Bosso extolled the Berackiah/Abigol Clinic for beating expectations in terms of organisation and delivery while tipping them for a promotion in mandate and purpose.

“We haven’t found them (Berackiah/Abigol) wanting of going against our mandate so they are good to go and we’re even looking at how we can promote them beyond the grassroots coaching.”

While expressing the need for football identity in terms of philosophy and ideology, he revealed that the NFCA is planning to unveil yet another coaching education program tagged “Digital Assistant Coach”.

The former FC IfeanyiUbah tactician explained that, “Digital Assistant Coach basically entails how coaches can use numbers and
electronic gadgets in their job in order to enhance effectiveness”

The 5-day clinic which has now covered five geopolitical zones in the country will end on Friday 19th of February in Kano.

The North West Zone B schedule of the clinic will run in Kaduna State from Monday 22nd- Friday 26th of February.

The former Gombe United manager confirmed this to the media after the game against Ghana U20 team.

“Quadri has always been a joker, he has always come in the second half and change the game for us.

“In the game like this we have very less number in the bench and we can only use what we have at the moment.

The 36 Lion FC winger changed the game when the Flying Eagles played Ivory Coast U20 team and also did the same against the Ghana today, but it was late before the coach introduced him into the game, which his magic couldn’t change the scoreline because of limited time.

Bosso, while fielding questions from newsmen after the game acknowledged that the team had received the best of support from the ministry of sport through NFF and despite their level of preparation, his boys failure to convert their chances has cost them the defeat.

“We had good chances that could have been used to finish the game in the first half but we couldn’t do that. They had only one chance and got it – we had three of those free kicks and we couldn’t let it in”, he lamented.

Noting that his lads performance bettered that of the last game, he insisted that; “it was unfortunate this time around we were very wasteful.

He pointed out that another influence which affected the outcome of the game was the  unavailability of some players.

“Two of our players were partially affected with Covid-19 and now in isolation, with another one not fit for the match, we only have to use the ones we have on ground.

“We had good chances that could have been used to finish the game in the first half but we couldn’t do that. They had only one chance and got it – we had three of those free kicks and we couldn’t let it in” he lamented.

The former FC IfeanyiUbah gaffer who played down interference in players selection for the team said all the players had come through a meritorious process. He hopes Nigerian will be fair to them in assessment as he tagged them a ‘future team’

Flying Eagles had played a 1-1 draw against Cote d’ivore in their first game and might now have to wait as the result of the next match between Ghana and the latter will determine their fate of advancing to the next stage.

Nigeria’s U20 Boys, Flying Eagles will seek a place in the semi finals of the ongoing WAFU B U20 Tournament in Porto Novo on Wednesday when they confront West African arch rivals, Ghana’s Black Satellites at the Stade Charles de Gaulles.

With only three teams in Group B and having drawn their first tie against Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday, the seven-time African champions require a win to avoid any unforeseen circumstances to advance to the knock-out rounds.

Chris Nwaeze had given the Flying Eagles the lead in the 61^st minute against the Ivorians but then got sent off for a second bookable offence as Nigeria conceded a late equalizer to drop two points. Nwaeze will play no part in Wednesday’s encounter.

Head Coach Ladan Bosso is upbeat about the chances of his wards, saying the lessons learnt from the opening clash would be put to good use against the illustrious opponents. “I thought we did enough to pick up the three points against the Ivorians but we lost concentration towards the tail end of the game and were punished for it.

“We controlled the game for most parts and should have won but the red card destabilised my boys and put us out of sync tactically. The clash with Ghana will be tough but we are ready. The boys understand what is at stake and I have confidence they will do the nation proud. Our target here remains the same: winning the tournament and qualifying for the CAF U20 Cup of Nations in Mauritania.”

Mike Zaruma, who captained the team against the Ivorians, echoed Coach Bosso’s optimism. “Taking only one point from the tie with the Ivorians was a tough one because we played better and created more chances to win the game. We felt disappointed but that is behind us now and Ghana is the focus. We know that we must win to enhance our chances of reaching the knockout stage.

“I believe in what we can do as a team. We are ready to pick the three points against Ghana in order to make Nigerians happy.”

Speaking during a visit to the team’s training in Abuja, Mr Dare said.

“The Flying Eagles have always made us proud, go there and make Nigerians proud. We believe you are young, talented and determined. Your coaches have impacted much on you, go there and come back victorious”

The team is expected to depart for the competition on Friday via Lagos. Nigeria plays her first match against Cote d’ Ivoire on Sunday.

 Signed

Media Office to the Honourable Minister of  Youth and Sports Development