We’re working assiduously to raise a team that will do Nigeria proud – Ugbade


 

Head Coach Nduka Ugbade says the Nigeria U17 technical team of which he is the head is working quietly but diligently and assiduously to raise a squad capable of doing Nigeria proud at the Africa U17 Cup of Nations in Algeria.

 

Ugbade, who has assisted a couple of coaches to win the FIFA U17 World Cup for Nigeria, is in charge this time and has shepherded his wards to the African finals after winning the WAFU B Championship in Ghana last summer.

 

The Africa U17 Cup of Nations will take place 29th April – 19th May in Algeria, with five-time world champions Nigeria drawn alongside Morocco, South Africa and Zambia in a potentially-explosive Group B, with venue in Constantine.

 

“We know that some work still has to be done within the next few weeks to put the team in great form. I am happy with the level of work we have done and the kind of playing personnel at our disposal.

 

“I believe everything will come together beautifully and we will have a team that will do the country proud at the tournament,” said Ugbade, who captained Nigeria’s U16 squad to win the inaugural FIFA tourney in China 38 years ago.

 

A fortnight ago, the Golden Eaglets returned to camp in Abuja for the final phase of their preparations for the U17 AFCON, and three days ago, hammered Mahanaim FC 4-2 in a friendly match at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project within the Moshood Abiola National Stadium complex.

 

Mahanaim stunned the Eaglets with a goal against the run of play, but the Nigerian cadets responded quickly with a well-taken free-kick to end the first half 1-1. In the second half, the Eaglets dominated with three more goals while Mahanaim was only able to score once.

 

The Eaglets will have a final camping programme in Europe before flying to Algeria for the continental finals, where the four top-placed teams will qualify to represent Africa at this year’s FIFA U17 World Cup in Peru.         

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CHAN Eagles Qualification Has Raised Our Hope- Ahlan

Image
The victory of Nigeria's home based Super Eagles over Benin Republic's squirrels last Saturday has been described as one that raises hope for the nearest future by chairman Kano State FA  Rabiu Sherrif Inuwa Ahlan. Ahlan speaking through his media aide Abiola Shodiya congratulates Nigerians, thanks Kano State government and reserved special praises for the media in what he described as overwhelming support. "Congratulations all Nigerians on our qualification. I believe our victory was one that raises hope for the nearest future. The victory by the Super Eagles is a sign of greater things to happen to Nigeria football as we head into the world cup qualifying battle with our rivals." "We've all now seen that the can do spirit of we Nigerians is still there. Perhaps we had not really challenged ourselves before now. The team showed raw skills and commitment towards achieving the task, which we all are now happy with the end result. I thank the Kano S...
Read more

FOR THE RECORDS RE: NIGERIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION (NFF) DENIES ALLEGED CHARGES BY FG

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) notes that it has been inundated with enquiries about charges allegedly filed against its leadership (Amaju Melvin Pinnick, Seyi Akinwunmi, Shehu Dikko, Ahmed Fresh and Mohammed Sanusi) by the Federal Government of Nigeria. NFF denies that FG has filed any such charges. NFF states that the orchestrated media blitz about the existence of such charges is nothing but the desperate and malicious efforts of the Chief Okoi Obono-Obla led Special Presidential Investigative Panel (SPIP) to lend itself as an instrument of cheap blackmail in the fight for the political leadership of NFF. Currently pending before the Federal High Court, Abuja is Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/17/2019 filed by NFF against SPIP and 3 others, including Chief Obono-Obla himself. NFF in the suit is challenging the competence of SPIP under the law to purport to investigate or prosecute NFF or its leadership. When the matter came up for hearing on April 20, 2019, Barrister Celsus Ukpong, th...
Read more

New Discovery Alert: Nigerian forward Hafizu sets to dominate Mauritania League

Image
  Nigerian forward Mohammed Hafizu has set his target to dominate Mauritania League and paint the League with goals.   Hafizu, who plays for Mauritania side Jahe El Mina, has set a personal target to score 10 goals for his club this season.   The 23-year-old featured played Youth Football at Nura SK and Aljazira Football Academy in Nigeria.   “I want to have a great season with great performance and score goals, I am also hopeful to go injury-free. My target is to score 10 goals this season, and I will work harder to achieve that. The forward revealed his ambition for Nigeria, his favourite club and role models.   “Every great player want to part of the Super Eagles. If the chance comes I will grab it with both hands. Growing up I have always loved to play for Enyimba.   Hafizu revealed Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa and legendary Samuel Eto’o has his mentor; “Musa and Eto’o are players I have always looked up to. They inspired me as a ...
Read more