19 man playing squad of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets plus officials are expected to arrive today in the Ghanaian capital, Accra for defence of their WAFU B U17 Championship crown in this year’s tournament, kicking off on Wednesday, 15 May 2024.
The five-time champions of the world, swept aside every opposition to achieve glory in another Ghanaian city, Kumasi, two years ago, but failed to light up the Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Algeria where they came short in the race to compete for another global honour in Indonesia.
Chief coach Manu Garba who coached the country to world cup gold medal in 2013 will lead a technical crew that has the mandate of not only successfully defending the regional crown, but to continue to improve the squad for a great outing at the U17 AFCON and onwards to a probable sixth global title.
With qualification for next year’s Africa Under 17 Cup of Nations at stake, the Golden Eaglets will begin the defence of their title against a Burkinabe opposition at the University Stadium on Thursday, 16th May with kickoff set for 3pm Ghana time (4pm Nigeria time), before matches against Niger Republic on Sunday, 19th May (6pm Ghana, 7pm Nigeria) and Togo on Wednesday, 22nd May (4pm Ghana, 5pm Nigeria).
The match against Niger Republic will also hold at the University Stadium while the clash with Togo will take place at the Accra Sports Stadium.
19 EAGLETS FOR WAFU B U17:
1. Adekunle Sunday Adedigba,
2.Sylvester Chizoba Chika
3. Daniel Ofonime Mendie
4.Destiny Samuel
5.Abdulwaris Yunus
6.Boluwatife David Ekishola
7. Ibrahim Damilare Abdulganiyu
8. Edward Oloche Ochigbo
9 Rapha Adams
10. Simon Karshe Cletus
11. Oreoluwa Olawale Agbenla
12.Okorie Marvelous Chibuike
13 Abdulmuiz Adeleke
14. John Ogwuche
15. Qurib Adetola
16.Chinedu Levi Dominic
17.Abdulmuiz Oluwatimilehin Oladimeji, 18.Daniel Vowero Arierhi
19. Imrana Muhammad
Tag: Ghana
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After failing to qualify for the last FIFA Under 17 World Cup, Nigeria will begin her quest to progress to the next edition with a new coach.
The Nigeria Football Federation appointed former Under 17 world cup winner Manu Garba today as coach of the Golden Eaglets ahead of next month’s WAFU B U17 Championship in Ghana.
Under former coach, Nduka Ugbade, Nigeria failed to make the last world championship in Indonesia after the Eaglets lost 1-2 to their Burkinabe opponents in the quarterfinal of the qualifying tournament in Algeria in 2023.
Appointment of Garba comes on the strength of his triumph with the team in the 2013 FIFA U17 World Cup in the U.A.E.
Garba’s world-conquering squad in 2013 included Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Isaac Success, Musa Mohammed, Chidiebere Nwakali and goalkeeper Dele Alampasu.
However, Manu could race against time in his efforts to scout the best players eligible for this age bracket as well as getting the boys through the dreaded MRI test – a prerequisite for participation in the qualifying.
Next month’s qualification in Accra is expected to commence from 15 to 29 May 2024 with six countries – defending champions Nigeria, hosts Ghana, Niger Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin Republic and Burkina Faso – in participation. -
Ghana’s remarkable ascent in the African Games has sparked widespread acclaim from sports enthusiasts and stakeholders alike.
The nation’s stunning leap from 15th place in the previous edition to an impressive 6th place in 2024 has captured the attention of the sports community, highlighting Ghana’s burgeoning potential and the transformative leadership of its Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mustapha Ussif.
Under Minister Ussif’s visionary leadership, Ghana’s sports industry has undergone a profound renaissance, marked by unprecedented achievements in grassroots development and infrastructure growth.
Through innovative programs and investments in youth development, Minister Ussif has cultivated a fertile environment for nurturing emerging athletes, paving the way for their seamless transition into senior sports teams.
Furthermore, Ghana’s hosting of the African Games in 2023 underscores the nation’s dedication to expanding its infrastructure base and solidifying its status as a regional sports hub.
Speaking on Ghana’s remarkable achievement, Minister Mustapha Ussif expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders and affirmed his commitment to further advancing the nation’s sports agenda.
He stated, “The remarkable progress we have witnessed at the African Games is a testament to the collective efforts of our athletes, coaches, administrators, and supporters. I am immensely proud of what we have accomplished together, and I am confident that Ghana’s journey to sporting excellence has only just begun.”
On the eve of the closing ceremony alone, Ghana clinched eight gold medals, winning the ultimate prize in women’s hockey, 200m men’s athletics event, high jump, men’s football event and four boxing gold medals.
All in one night.
Ghana also made history by becoming the first country to win gold in both men’s and women’s football events at the Games.
The closing ceremony of the Games saw star performances from music superstars such as Stonebwoy, Stanley Enow, Wiyaala, Innoss’B, amongst others.
As Ghana continues its upward trajectory in the realm of sports, the nation stands poised to achieve even greater milestones under the visionary leadership of President Nana Akufo-Addo and Sports minister, Mustapha Ussif. -
Nigeria and Ghana will clash in a prestige international friendly match in Morocco on Friday with the minds of players of both teams attuned to their Matchday 3 and 4 encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifying in the first week of June.
The Super Eagles, with only two points from a possible six in their first two matches, entertain South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Uyo before squaring up to the Cheetahs of Benin Republic respectively in the Matchday 3 and 4 games.
Ghana’s Black Stars, with three points from beating Madagascar and losing away to Comoros, are up against Les Aigles of Mali in Bamako before hosting Central African Republic during the same international window.
While Nigeria are in Group C of the FIFA World Cup race alongside South Africa, Benin Republic, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Lesotho, the Ghanaians are housed in Group I with Mali, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Comoros Islands and Chad.
Both Nigeria and Ghana teams, with seven AFCON titles between them, will duel without their top-impact players.
Reigning African Player of the Year Victor James Osimhen, Nigeria’s major fear-carrier to the opposition, has had to scratch the big game due to an injury, same as his opposite number in the Black Stars camp, Mohammed Kudus.
The Black Stars will also play Uganda’s Cranes in Morocco, while the Super Eagles are up against Ghana’s group mates Mali on Tuesday.
The two West African rivals were tied 0-0 in their last friendly game – played in London in October 2011.
Just as Thomas Partey’s first-half strike that went past Francis Uzoho’s flailing arms sent Ghana to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in a 1-1 draw with Nigeria in Abuja on 29th March 2022, Asamoah Gyan’s header that flew past Vincent Enyeama in Luanda on 28th January 2010 also sent Ghana to the AFCON final and Nigeria to the third-place match.
The Super Eagles have not beaten the Black Stars in an official match since the latter fell to a well-taken free-kick by Taye Taiwo in an AFCON group phase encounter in Port Said, Egypt 18 years ago.
On Friday, opportunity arises for new heroes to emerge as Nigeria bank on AFCON 2023 stars Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon, as well as Kelechi Iheanacho and Sadiq Umar at the fore to light up the Grand Stade de Marrakech.
Italy-based Lookman’s three goals,.two against Cameroon and one against Angola, sent both countries packing from the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire with Nigeria berthing in the last four.
Cyriel Dessers, who scored a delight against Mexico in a friendly in Dallas in the summer of 2022, and Nathan Tella are also available to Coach Finidi George.
At the rear, George is likely to stick to AFCON 2023 number one Stanley Nwabali in goal, and perhaps Chidozie Awaziem, Kenneth Omeruo, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Jamilu Collins behind a midfield of Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka or Alhassan Yusuf. -
Caretaker head coach, Finidi George could be sweating on the availability of two key Super Eagles’ defenders ahead of the international friendly against Black Stars of Ghana tomorrow 22 March 2024.
The Eagles had their second training session ahead of the game in Marrakech on Wednesday night with Kenneth Omeruo and Calvin Bassey sitting out the exercise.
The duo have today’s training session to prove their readiness for the game.
Omeruo and Bassey were instrumental in Nigeria’s impressive outing at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations where the Eagles came second.
In the probable absence of the defensive duo, coach Finidi could count on Semi Ajayi and Chidozie Awaziem as capable replacements.
The injury bug had dealt a major blow to Nigeria who will be without a number of key stars for the friendlies against Ghana and Mali.
Victor Osimhen, Taiwo Awoniyi, Tyrone Ebuehi abd Gabriel Osho were forced to withdraw from the squad due to injury.
Nigeria will take on Ghana at the Grande Stade de Marrakech on Friday, with the Mali encounter coming up four days later at the same venue. -
10 players have hit the camp of Nigeria’s Super Eagles in Morocco ahead of friendlies against Ghana and Mali later this month.
According to the Nigeria Football Federation NFF, on its social media platforms, the arrivals include goalkeeping sensation Stanley Nwabali, defenders Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi and Jamilu Collins.
Others are midfielders Alex Iwobi, Fisayo Bashiru and attackers Cyril Dessers, Simon Moses and Simon Tella.
More players are expected to arrive the Eagles’ camp preparatory to the two friendlies.
Interim coach and ex international Finidi George has been tasked with the responsibility of tinkering with the team after former manager Jose Paseiro failed to reach an agreement with the NFF on an extension.
Nigeria will play Black Stars of Ghana on 22 March and Les Aigles of Mali, four days later, all in the Moroccan city of Marrakech. -
Nigeria’s senior women national cricket team the Yellow Greens have departed the country for the 13th African Games in Ghana.
To tune up for the multi sports continental championship the Greens participated in the just ended Nigeria Cricket Federation NCF T20i Invitational tournament in Lagos.
The Greens ended the four nation tournament in 2nd place behind Tanzania but the Nigerian coaching crew will use lessons learnt from the Lagos event to prepare the squad for the Games.
The travelling Greens’ squad is led by captain Blessing Etim who shone brilliantly for the Nigerian team during the invitational at the afawa Balewa Cricket Oval in Lagos. -
fewer than 358 athletes will represent Nigeria in the 13th African Games in Ghana.
According to the Public Republic Officer of the Nigeria Olympic Committee Tony Nezianya the country’s sports men and women will compete in 25 disciplines at the event.
The athletes were accredited at the Delegation Registration Meeting conducted on 4 March 2024.
The African Games are to run from March 8 to 23 in three Ghanaian cities – Accra, Kumasi and Cape Coast.
Breakdown of Team Nigeria athletes and disciplines:
1.Arm Wrestling – 15 athletes
2.Athletics – 50
3.Badminton – 12
4.Basketball 3 x 3 – 4 female
5.Beach Volleyball – 4
6.Boxing – 11
7.Chess – 4
8.Cricket – 15
9.Cycling – 12
10.Hockey – 32
11.Football – 40
12.Handball – 14
13.Judo – 10
14.Karate – 14
15.Mixed Marrial Arts – 4
16.Rugvy – 16
17.Scrabble – 8
18.Swimming – 4
19.Table Tennis – 10
20.Taekwondo – 14
21.Tennis – 8
22.Triathlon – 4
23.Volleyball – 24
24.Weightlifting – 12
25.Wrestling – 14 -
A member of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Medical & Scientific Commission Dr Bakare Ummukulthoum will represent the country at the 7th edition of the IOC World Conference on prevention of injury and illness in sports.
Dr Bakare has been identified as one of the speakers in the symposium and chairperson to moderate some sessions as she will participate in the International Federation Conference and Chief Medical Officer’s Meetings.
Dr Bakare has also been appointed as an editor for British Journal of Sports Medicine (BJSM).
She is the First African Female Physiotherapist to be appointed into the Editorial Board of the British Journal of Sports Medicine. -
All facilities in Ghana are ready to host the upcoming 13th African Games.
Delivering a State of the Nation Address on Tuesday, February 27, President Akufo-Addo declared he’s elated with the state of readiness of the facilities for the African Olympics.
“it gives me great pleasure to report that all the preparations are ready for Ghana to welcome sportsmen and women from around the continent to participate in the 13th edition of the African Games. It seems incredible, but this is the first time that Ghana will be hosting these games,” stated President Akufo-Addo.
The President said he was also happy that the sporting facilities will serve Ghana very well even after the African Games are done.
“It has taken a lot of courage to have persisted with the decision to host the games, especially when our financial problems came in the midst of the preparations. But I am glad we went ahead.
“The preparations are all complete, and I was excited and very pleased with what I saw at Borteyman when I went to commission the Games village some two (2) weeks ago. We have high-class sporting facilities which should serve us well long after the games are over,” the President said.
The 13th African Games will start in Accra on March 8.