“The U17 and U20 girls have qualified for their FIFA World Cup competitions with aplomb and the U17 and U20 boys have won regional tournaments in emphatic manner, with promises of what we can look forward to at their African championships next year.
 
“Our hard focus on grassroots development in all sports will continue. I congratulate the players and their coaches of the Golden Eaglets for winning so convincingly in Ghana and I want to charge you to remain focused for the continental championship in order to get the ticket to the World Cup. For you players, you must stay humble, hardworking and obedient to your coaches.”
 
On his part, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar warned the players against allowing distractions from all manner of agents and player-managers, and rather be dedicated to improving their craft with temperance, endurance and a level head.

Abubakar also announced a cash reward of N2m(Two Million Naira)for the team owing to their exemplary performance at the tournament.

NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi introduced each player and team official for special handshake with the Honourable Minister, stating that Head Coach Nduka Ugbade was the captain of the first Nigeria team to win the FIFA Cadet World Cup, and was also assistant coach to Manu Garba when Nigeria triumphed in the United Arab Emirates in 2013. “He is also a global consultant on football science.”
 
Ugbade hailed the event as “a special occasion” and said the team is encouraged to do its utmost to continue to bring honour to the nation, first by putting up a stellar outing at the U20 AFCON in Algeria and then going on to hold its own at the FIFA World Cup finals in Peru.

Also at the occasion were President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee, Engineer Habu Ahmed Gumel; Director of Federations and Elite Athletes Department, Dr Simon Ebhojiaye; NFF’s Director of Communications, Mr Ademola Olajire; Director of Facilities in the Ministry, Mr Olatunji Okedairo and; special assistants to the Honourable Minister, Ms Mary Onyali and Messrs Toyin Ibitoye and Kola Adeyanju.

Two goals by deadball expert Emmanuel Michael and a glancing header by Abubakar Idris Abdullahi condemned the U17 boys of Cote d’Ivoire to a 1-3 defeat in the first semi final of the ongoing WAFU B U17 Championship in Cape Coast, Ghana.

Yet, the Eaglets uncharacteristically conceded first when Yan Diomande scored from the penalty spot in the very first minute after a foul in the Nigerian box.

The Nigerian boys launched onslaught after onslaught and were rewarded on the half-hour mark when Emmanuel Michael, who scored a spectacular goal from a 22-yard free-kick in the opening match against hosts Ghana, found the range off another free-kick from the right wing.

Thirteen minutes later, Nigeria were ahead for the first time in the encounter when Michael, again from a free kick at the edge of the box, blindsided goalkeeper Mohamed Cisse with an intelligent attempt that swept past the static wall.

The Ivorians came into the second half determined to browbeat the Eaglets with their size and stoutness, but they were pegged further back on the hour mark when Abubakar Idris Abdullahi found the net with a glancing header.

Four minutes later, the Ivorians were down to 10 men after Makhete Moustapha N’diaye was shown the red card.

Another free-kick by Emmanuel Michael in the 77^th minute missed target narrowly, and Precious Tonye Williams came very close with four minutes left after a brilliant team move set him up with a clear chance.

In Friday’s final, the Eaglets will take on the winner of the second semi final between hosts Ghana and Burkina Faso. However, victory over the Ivorians means they will be one of the eight participating teams at next year’s Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Algeria.

Defender and deadball prodigy Emmanuel Michael was presented with the Man-of-the-Match award, for the third consecutive match.     

Photo Credit: Black @ 442 Back Image

The Tripple 44 team who are preparing for a european tour of Germany and Sweden have been on a run of 30 games without a defeat before facing the Eaglets, who sent their record tumbling.

In a keenly-contested battle, the Nigerian cadet team showed grit, flair and solidity to stop their opponents from extending their unbeaten run to 31. The technical crew started with tested players and also went on to introduce competing substitutes from the bench.

While it’s still early days, sources within the team alluded that the win was a confidence-booster for the team, as they get set to storm Ghana next week.

The Ugbade-led side will play against the Black starlets of Ghana and Junior Hawks of Togo in a jostle for ticket to the U-17 African Cup of Nations.

Flying Eagles ‘School Boy’, Onuche Ogbelu at the just concluded WAFU Zone B U-20 African Qualifiers held in Niamey, Niger Republic on Thursday presented his gold medal and jersey to the Proprietor of his school Fosla Academy, Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi.

Onuche who was described as a ‘game changer’ by the Head Coach of the U. 20, Ladan Bosso is an SS3 Student of the Fosla Academy.

He has since returned to school to join his mates for the on going Senior Secondary School Examinations.

Receiving the medal and jersey, the Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi congratulated the player for doing the country proud, and positively projecting the school in the tournament.

He expressed his happiness on the performance of the player in tournament, and promised to support him in ensuring that his career blossom in the nearest future.

He encourage him to remain steadfast and discipline in his quest to attain greatness.

Onuche Ogbelu thanked Alhaji Lulu, describing him as a father of exceptional quality that takes pride in seeing to the success of his children. He promised to bring smiles to the faces of the Fosla Family.

Onuche is an integral member of Fosla FC participating in the NLO Division 1 League. He is also the captain of Fosla Academy team.

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)

The teenager who spoke from the City of Porto Novo, stated that the final result of the match was not what the team wanted.

He further stated that the team had prepared for total victory, but the final result wasn’t in their favour.

“I’m still in shock with the final results of the match; it was indeed not the result we wanted.

“We worked really hard for a victory but the final result wasn’t in our favour; we even scored but the goals were disallowed.

“We were prepared for the ultimate result, which was a victory, but that’s football for you.

The Flying Eagles will now depend solely on Ghana’s ability to beat Cote d’Ivoire by at least 2 unreplied goals, a circumstances which the workaholic defender sees as a tall order, describing it as as dicey situation.

“I really don’t want to rely on Ghana’s ability to win Cote d’Ivoire by two unreplied goals; if it happens, then we have a chance.

“At this stage our fate is no longer in our hands; it’s now a fifty fifty situation, but nevertheless, we remain positive, he concluded.