Kwara United FC will square up against the Niamey-based side in the return leg of the ongoing 2022/2023 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup competition on Sunday, with their nose in front owing to the 3-0 first leg win.

But for Coach Abdulazeez Mohammed, it’s not over, until it’s finally over.

“We will try to go and get qualification in Niamey, because the job is not done yet. We still have crucial 90 minutes ahead of us. We will go there and play to get the ticket to the next stage.

“Our targets are to play and earn a clean sheet, and also qualify. We are going there to attack, and that’s why I told my strikers to ensure that any ball that comes to them counts.

“We got three goals in the first leg, all goals coming in the first half, and I will say it’s normal in African perspective. We are trying to change the mentality of the players, because, we are supposed to get more than three goals in the match.

“In Niamey, my players will need to keep their heads, and play according to our plan and targets. We have trained hard ahead of the battle of Niamey”, he concluded.

The match will hold at the Stade General Senyi Kountche, and the winner over the two legs to play Morrocan side, Berkane, in the next stage.

Alhaji Attahiru Ibrahim who is the SA Sports to Governor Abdulrahman has once again congratulated Kwara United for their 3-0 win over AS Douanes in the first leg of the CAF CC preliminary stage urging them to go for another victory in Niamey.

Kwarans were all happy on Sunday with the performance of Kwara United players against their opponents from Niger in a tie watched by Governor Abdulrahman and his lovely wife.

Unfortunately, Alhaji Attahiru Ibrahim missed his flight to Lagos from Abuja and was unable to be at the stadium even though he watched the match live on Kwara TV live streaming.

In a statement made by the Talba Sanmari of Patigi on Wednesday morning, Attahiru made it clear that he wants Kwara United to reach the Group Stage of the CAF Confederations Cup.

“I was impressed with their game in Lagos and I must commend the players for their fighting spirit and also to enjoin them to shine in the return leg in Niamey,” Attahiru explained to award winning Sports Journalist Ibitoye Shittu.

Since his appointment as the SA Sports, Kwara United players have been enjoying maximum support both physically and financially from Alhaji Attahiru Ibrahim who always give out huge sum of cash gift on match days.

Attahiru is not only concerned about the welfare of Kwara United as the Talba Sanmari of Patigi has touched all sporting associations in Kwara State.

Nigeria and Benin Republic beach volleyball teams have qualified for the 2022 African Youth Games on Sunday.

Nigeria beat Niger Republic 2-0 (21-13, 22-20) in the boy’s match to complete their unbeaten run at the just concluded 2022 Zone III African Youth Games Qualification Beach Volleyball held at Mobee Palace, Badagry, Lagos state.

In the girl’s category, Nigeria beat Benin Republic twice 2-0 (21-14, 21-11) and 2-0 (21-8, 21-8) to garner 8 points and make it to the African Youth Games.

Nigeria boy’s team finished top with 12 points followed by Benin Republic in second with 9 points. Niger Republic placed third with 6 points while Ivory Coast occupied fourth position with 3 points.

The Secretary General of Confederation of African Volleyball (CAVB) Zone III, Engineer Musa Nimrod commended the participating teams for making qualification a success.

He hailed the Mobee of Badagry for providing the beach volleyball facilities and crowd support during the qualifiers.

Nimrod who is the President of Nigeria Volleyball Federation said, “The 2022 Zone III African Youth Games Qualification Beach Volleyball was successful and I want to thank the Mobee of Badagry for providing the facilities and the people of Badagry are great; CAVB Zone III executives want to thank the countries that participated.

“It is not a surprise that Nigeria qualified for the African Youth Games and we will put in a lot of effort because the games proper is not easy. The coaches have seen the weaknesses of the players; the Federation will begin the Beach Tour in July and it will strengthen the players.”, Nimrod revealed.

He said, “Benin, Nigeria and Niger Republic are good in Beach Volleyball as far as i am concerned; I want to thank Ivory Coast for making it to the qualifiers. it is a great experience and i am optimistic the qualifiers will make Ivory Coast take beach volleyball serious”.

Flying Eagles and Water FC product Nathaniel Nwosu has been named by Confederation of African Football, CAF as the best goalkeeper at the just concluded WAFU B Tournament held in Niamey, Niger Republic.

Nathaniel Nwosu, 6.2 feet goalkeeper whose greatest strength is good timing of the ball, reflex, and as well agility in between the stick, typical of Chelsea legend, Petr Cech.

Nwosu was joined by two other Flying Eagles players in Daniel Daga and Tolulope Ojo in the team of tourney.

Nigeria defeated Benin Republic 3-1 in the final to qualify for the main championship billed for Cairo, Egypt later in the year.

No doubt, Nwosu is such a promising goalkeeper, having had a remarkable tournament in Niger Republic.

Nathaniel Nwosu, will gradually graduate to the Super Eagles in a short time. He has got all the quality needed as goalkeeper.  No doubt he is destined to be invited to the Super Eagles in the shortest time.

His height, good communication skills with the defense line and above all, such a terrific goalkeeper, when it comes to one-on-one situation.

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.

Flying Eagles Forward Ibrahim Muhammad Beji produced an outstanding performance for Nigeria on Wednesday night as he scored one of the goals for the Ladan Bosso-led boys in their 4-0 trashing of Ligue 1 club side Olympic Niamey.

Having been named in the final 28-man list for the competition which begins this Friday, the Maikunkele FC striker showed his scoring prowess in the encounter as he rounded up scoring for the Flying Eagles who head into the competition is undefeated in their friendlies.

The goal further shows the strength of the attacker who had been one of the stand-out players for the Flying Eagles from their camping in Nigeria until their departure to Niger for the tournament proper.

Brought it into the squad after impressing for his Club in the NLO, Beji showed why he deserved to be in the final team with an eye-catching performance in the friendly games played in Abuja before the handlers handed him a chance to represent the country proper.

The attacker has however not slowed down with his performance as his latest goal only just proves that the handlers were right to have handed him a place in the final 28-man squad.

It is reported that Head Coach Bosso sees the player as a game-changer and would use him to unlock opponents’ defense as he bids to better his performance at the tournament following his first round exit two years ago.

The Flying Eagles are in Group B alongside defending Champions Ghana and Burkina Faso and would open their campaign against the Black Satellites on Sunday.

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)