Gaboness Striker Aubameyang grab 2015 Africa Footballer of the Year Award

The 26-year old Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon beat Ivorian Yaya Toure and Ghana’s Andre Ayew to the most prestigious individual award in African football.                                

Aubameyang dedicates Award to Gabon after he was declare the winner,and he also Says he’ll be back once again

The 2015 Africa Player of the Year winner also says his victory is an indication of the quality of football in Gabon.

‘This award means football in Gabon is good and there’s quality in Gabon.

The Dortmund forward polled 143 points, seven more than Toure whilst Ayew finished a distant third with 112 points; thus becoming the first from his country.

An elated Aubameyang said he was proud with the honor and is keen on a return to the Awards next year.

”When you’re next to players like Yaya Toure and Andre Ayew, you are proud to win this trophy in front of them because they are great players that I admire a lot,” Aubameyang said.

“I will have to work, I will have to work a lot,” he said.
“But I have the qualities to be there again next year. But it is hard work and sacrifice too.”

Reported by http://footballlive.ng

Mikel Absent destabilised us -Swaziland Coach

Swaziland coach Bulunga has admitted that playing Sunshine Stars midfielder Paul Onobi instead of Mikel, gave Nigeria a edge.

          

“We saw weaknesses in the Nigeria team in the first leg unfortunately, the coach made changes and there was nothing we could do about it,” said Bulunga.

“(Oliseh) was smart enough to make some chances (and this affected what) we hoped to capitalise.

“For example, the midfield was very slow in the first leg so we wanted to capitalise on that but he changed (his tactics) and put in (Paul Onobi instead of Mikel Obi in that position) and it affected our whole set up.

“(Onobi) was aggressive, he was quick…also the left and right backs were new players that we didn’t expect to play.”

Nigeria won the match by 2:0 after they played goalless draw in Swaziland, Sunday Oliseh and his boys celebrated their first win under the new gaffer after drawing their first two qualifying matches.

Super Eagles have now qualified into the next round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup which is stated to take place in Russia.   

Osimhen set record as Eaglet retain the FIFA U-17 World Cup

The Nigerian Golden Eaglets became only the second side to retain the FIFA U-17 World Cup with a 2-0 win against Mali in Vina Del Mar. Nigeria won in 1985, 1993, 2007, 2013, and now in 2015 in Chile and has set a record of the first country to win the competition for the five times.

       

The Nigerian team won the maiden edition of FIFA U-17 World Cup in 1985 in China, the fifth edition of the tournament in 1993 in Japan, the twelfth edition of the tournament in 2007 in South Korea,the fifteenth held in the United Arab Emirates 2013 and again the sixteenth in Chile 2015.

Victor Osimhen stole the show once again thanks to his record-breaking tenth goal of the tournament, with Funsho Bamgboye adding a second moments later. Samuel Diarra had saved an early Osinachi Ebere penalty as the Malians played their part in an entertaining finale to Chile 2015.

The penalty came as both sides were just finding their rhythm in the opening exchanges, Chato the culprit with a handball. Ebere saw his low effort saved brilliantly by Diarra, the No17’s follow up header hit the bar before a third bite of the cherry was blocked by the Malian defence.

Both sides had chances in a tense opening period, with Golden Eaglets skipper Kelechi Nwakali hitting just wide and Boubacar Traore seeing his glancing header tipped over by Akpan Udoh.

The second half saw the game burst into life, with Emmanuel Amuneke’s words clearly working their magic on the Nigerian youngsters. Osimhen shrugged off the challenge of Mamadou Fofana before hitting a wonderful dipping half volley towards goal, which Diarra spectacularly saved. Udochukwu Anumudu then smashed a thunderous effort at goal, which rebounded back off the crossbar and was cleared away.

Mali did not heed those warnings. Good approach play by substitute Chinedu Madueke saw him tee up Osimhen for his record-breaking goal, seeing him surpass the nine goals scored by Florent Sinama Pongolle in 2001 and Souleymane Coulibaly ten years later.

The holders doubled their advantage mere minutes later, with Bamgboye bursting down the Nigerian left before smashing a powerful effort at goal, Diarra standing little chance.

Despite a couple of late chances for Mali, from corner kicks, Nigeria retained possession for large spells and saw the game out to retain their crown. The jubilant scenes on the final whistle in Vina Del Mar will surely live long in the memories of these Nigerian heroes of the present, some of whom may just become the stars of the future.

D'Tigress beat Senegal in 2015 AfroBasketball Women Championship

The Nigeria female basketball team d'Tigress  are souring high in the ongoing Afro Basket women 2015, after beating Senegal 75-64. 


Break down of how the game went down.. 
Nigeria 75 Senegal 64 Ogoke: 18pts 4asts 5rebs Elonu: 17pts 5rebs 2blks Udeaja: 9pts 10rebs Sanni: 6pts 9rebs. Congratulations to them

Let keep the hope alive just has we did for the D'tigers in the just concluded  AfroBasketball Men in Tunisia. 

Oliseh determined to succeed' invites Mikel, Moses and Ighalo for Congo, Cameroon friendlies

Ahead of the friendly matches against Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon, Super Eagles head coach Sunday Oliseh has invited 24 players to to prosecute the games.

Google Image

Among the invitees are Captain Vincent Enyeama, John Obi Mikel, Elderson Echiejile, Godfrey Oboabona and a host of others.

Former junior international defender Abdullahi Shehu gets his first opportunity at senior level, and Moses Simon, who scored against Niger Republic, is also considered, alongside home boys Chima Akas, Austin Oboroakpo, Paul Onobi and Prince Aggrey. There is also room for Watford FC of England striker Odion Ighalo.

THE FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Lille OSC, France); Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Femi Thomas (Enyimba FC)

Defenders: Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz 05, Germany); Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); William Troost Ekong (FK Haugesund, Norway); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa SK, Turkey); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors)

Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); Obiora Nwankwo (Coimbra FC, Portugal); John Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Al Ain, UAE); Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Victor Moses (West Ham United, England); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Prince Aggrey (Sunshine Stars)

The Eagles take on Congo on October 8 and Cameroon three days later. 

Source: Thenff.com

Former Nigeria U20 coach Manu Garba Takes over as Giwa FC coach

Former Nigeria U20 coach Manu Garba has taken over NPFL side Giwa FC.

Google Image

The Jos club announced Manu’s appointment via their Twitter handle, disclosing the coach was introduced to the team on Wednesday evening.

Manu takes over from Aminu Musa, who quit the club on Wednesday because of family reasons.

The former Nigeria U17 and U20 handler was also in the reckoning for the top post at champions Kano Pillars and he has previously worked with his hometown club Gombe United.

Giwa are fifth on the table with 46 points from 29 matches.

They welcome relegation-threatened Sharks this Sunday in continuation of the Nigeria league.

Cameroon shock Super Falcons 2-1 in All Africa Games Woman football Semi-final Match

The Super Falcons of Nigeria will not play in the final of the women’s football event at the 11th All Africa Games, after they lost 2-1 to Cameroon in the semi-final

Google Image

Therese Abena put the Indomitable Lionesses ahead after only 10 minutes, before Madeleine Ngo Mani made it 2-0 before the interval.

Onome Ebi pulled one back three minutes after the restart, but it proved to be a mere consolation in the end.

Nigeria started well at the tournament, beating hosts Congo 5-1, Tanzania 3-0, before losing 2-1 to Cote d’Ivoire in their last group match.

The Falcons will face the Ivorians in the third-place game.