Newly acquired Ujpest of Hungary striker, Peter Ambrose has reiterated his commitment to play for Nigeria under 23 eagles if called upon by the technical crew.

Ambrose who joined the Hungarian giants in a mouth watering four year deal from Turkish side, Balikesirspor has already hit the ground running by getting on the score sheet in his new side 3-1 loss to Paks FC

The Nigerian who spoke with Vice President, John Utaka Academy,Usman Abubakar Chata said he is happy to score for his team but not happy that they lost.

‘ I am happy to have scored but unfortunately we lost but we hope to bounce back in our next match, however, the league is a marathon so we will raise our heads and look forward to the next match’.

Ambrose also reiterated his resolve to play for Nigeria if given the opportunity

‘i have been monitoring the under 23 team and I am impressed with what the did in the last match against Tanzania and also the home based eagles against Costa Rica’

‘Coach Salisu is an experienced tactician with achievement at club level and at the national team,all he just need is everybody’s support to achieve’.

He went further by saying he ready to make personal sacrifice to play for Nigeria

‘I am ready to come down to Nigeria to assist the country in ensuring that we qualify for the Olympics,’he concluded.

Flying Eagles goalkeeper, Nathaniel Nwosu, has expressed delight over his invitation to the senior national team, Super Eagles for the upcoming African Nations Championship qualifiers against Ghana.

Nwosu, who won the Best Goalkeeper award in the 2022 West African Football Union WAFU B U20 tourney was filled with joy with the news of his invitation as he thanked the football federation, coach Salisu Yusuf and Ladan Bosso for being giving the opportunity to show his God-given goalkeeping prowess.

He said, ‘I am very happy to earn my first invitation to Super Eagles at this early stage in my career. I want to thank the NFF for the consideration, coach Salisu Yusuf for the opportunity given to me, and Ladan Bosso for his fatherly advise that spurred me on in the WAFU B U20 Competition. I wont take the opportunity for granted and want to use it to make Nigerians proud.

Head Coach of Super Eagles B, Salisu Yusuf invited Nwosu Nathaniel and 34 other players for their clash against Galaxies of Ghana in the 2023 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) tournament. The Super Eagles wil square up with Ghana in the first leg in Accra on Sunday, 28th August while the second leg is scheduled for Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja on Saturday 3rd September. The winners on aggregate will go on to participate at the 7th African Nations Championship in Algeria in 2023.

The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of Salisu Yusuf as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles B (otherwise known as CHAN team) as well as the U23 (Olympics) team.

Yusuf, who was Head Coach of the Super Eagles B when the team emerged runner-up of the African Nations Championship in Morocco in 2018, will work with Kennedy Boboye (Assistant Coach); Fatai Osho (Assistant Coach); Abubakar Bala Mohammed (Assistant Coach); Fidelis Ikechukwu (Assistant Coach); Eboboritse Uwejamomere (Match Analyst) and Ike Shorounmu (Goalkeepers’ Trainer) and Suleiman Shuaibu (Goalkeepers’ Trainer 2).

In other appointments, Ladan Bosso retains his position as Head Coach of the U20 Boys. He will work with former U17 Head Coach, Fatai Amao (Assistant Coach); Oladuni Oyekale (Assistant Coach); Jolomi Atune Alli (Assistant Coach) and; Baruwa Olatunji Abideen (Goalkeepers’ Trainer).

For the U17 Boys, Golden Eaglets, Nduka Ugbade was named Head Coach. He will work with Ahmad Lawal Dankoli (Assistant Coach); Omoniyi Haruna Ilerika (Assistant Coach); Yemi Daniel (Assistant Coach) and; Mohammed Nasiru Isah (Goalkeepers’ Trainer). Ugbade captained Nigeria’s first cadet team that won the FIFA U16 World Cup in China in 1985.

For the U13/15 Boys known as Future Eagles, Patrick Bassey will be Head Coach and will work with Abdullahi Tyabo Umar (Assistant Coach); Mohammed Kalli Kachalla (Assistant Coach); Ifeanyi Uba (Assistant Coach); Alh. Mohammed Kwairanga (Assistant Coach) and; Abubakar Abdullahi (Goalkeepers’ Trainer).

The NFF also stated that a new Head Coach for the Super Eagles will be announced and officially unveiled once the processes for his engagement and contract-signing are concluded.

The NFF Executive Committee has also approved the recommendation of the Technical & Development Sub-Committee for the new Head Coach to work with Coach Salisu Yusuf (whenever he is available from Super Eagles B/U23 Team duties) as 1^st Assistant. Former Nigeria international Finidi George will be 2^nd Assistant, with Usman Abdallah as 3^rd Assistant. Eboboritse Uwejamomere will be the Match Analyst and another former Nigeria international, Ike Shorounmu will be the Goalkeepers’ Trainer.     

The ‘Flying Antelopes’, Rangers International F.C, Sunday inside the main bowl of Ahmadu Bello stadium, Kaduna continued its fine form in the ongoing season as hosts, Kano Pillars forced the Enugu side to a 1-1 draw in a match day 14, NPFL 2021 fixture.

Defender, Ernest Governor was the unlikely hero of the day as his connecting header from an Esor Achibong’ inch perfect free kick on 10 minutes sent the few travelling officials from Enugu into wild jubilations while the host were literally in shock.

Coach Salisu Yusuf made three changes to the match day 13 starters due largely to injuries as Osas Okoro and Esor Achibong found their way back to the starting team while Timothy Simon had his first start of the season.

Godspower Aniefiok was at his imperious best for the time he lasted in the match combining well with Chiamaka Madu and Achibong while Nwobodo Chidiebere and Nnaji Christian were second best in their outputs.

Nyima Nwagwu, Ebuka David, Bright Silas and ageless Rabiu Ali were always a threat to any defense line but the duo of Ernest Governor and Uche John did well to provide the needed cover for Ghanaian shot stopper, Nana Bonsu.

Ali Auwal Malam’ cracking free kick from the edge of the box on 39 minutes drew the host level after the referee had spotted what looked like a handball situation.

Rangers had a man advantage for the last twenty minutes of the encounter after Yusuf Magoro got the referee’ marching order on 70 minutes for wrestling down a goal bound Esor Achibong.

Efforts to get the winning goal did not materialize for either sides till the final blast of the referee’s whistle to end the encounter as the ‘Sai Masu Gida’ side conceded its first goal at their adopted home in Kaduna.

Coach Salisu Yusuf said after the match, “It was a very good game against a very technical side but showed more hunger to win but could not achieve what we wanted in Kaduna. We continue to push and work hard towards getting our targets for the season. I will say that when the host were reduced by one man, we pushed for a possible winner but it was not to be so, we give God all the glory for the point we are taking back to Enugu.”

Ernest Governor said, “I am very happy we were able to get a good result against Kano Pillars and I am even more happier that I scored as that was what I promised some of my friends before the game.”

RANGERS TEAM: Nana Bonsu, Osas Okoro, Timothy Simon, Tony Shimaga, Uche John (Ebuka Anthony -58^th Min.), Ernest Governor, Chiamaka Madu (Ugochukwu Ugwuoke – 75^th Min.), Chidiebere Nwobodo (Christian Madu – 68^th Min.), Godspower Aniefiok (Ifeanyi Okoro -58^thMin.), Esor Achibong, Christian Nnaji (Dauda Madaki -75^th Min.). SUBS NOT USED: Seidu Mutawakilu, Tony Eliagwu.

Goal: Ernest Governor – 10^th Minute

Though a dead rubber game, as the result will not affect the chances of the Egyptians progressing further in the competition, the coach Salisu Yusuf led side will be looking to turn the tide and pay back the visitors in their own coin after their first meeting ended 4-2 in favor of the Port Said side.

With Ibrahim Olawoyin, Ifeanyi George and Kenechukwu Agu finding their ranges, the ‘Flying Antelopes’ look set to annex all three points at stake even while expecting a tough challenge from the visitors that have a former Rangers midfield maestro, Emeka Eze and Warri Wolves attacker, Austin Amutu in their ranks.

After earning a well-deserved win over run-away group winners, Pyramids of Egypt few days back in Cairo, with two drawn games and two losses, Rangers is condemned to win and coach Yusuf has assured the teaming fans of the club of a win.

“I know that we have a tough customer coming our way in the last group game of the continentals but we have what it takes to come out with a win. The players understand what is at stake and are determined to make our supporters proud at the end of the match,” said the vastly travelled tactician.

He further said, “Yes, even though the win will not push us above the Egyptians, we need to win for ourselves, supporters, management, financiers and above all to earn marks when CAF takes record of club’s performances ahead of next season’ competitions. Though, we did not start the group stage well but we hope to end well on Sunday and take that form into the NPFL.”

Recall that Al-Masry S.C of Egypt have qualified for the quarter-final of this season’ CAF Confederation cup having amassed nine points from five matches played while Rangers International F.C are on five points from the same number of matches.

CAF has fixed the match day 6, group A encounter for Sunday, February 2, 2020 inside the main bowl of Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium, Enugu with kickoff slated for 8.00pm.