Tag Archives: Super Eagles

(Watch Highlights) Super Eagles beat Black Stars

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Nigeria bounced back from last month’s painful Africa Cup of Nations final defeat by edging out 10-man Ghana in a high-profile friendly contest on Friday.

Playing their first match since throwing away a first-half lead to lose 2-1 against hosts Ivory Coast in the AFCON showpiece back in February, the Super Eagles defeated their West African rivals 2-1 in Marrakesh to boost interim boss and Nigeria legend Finidi George’s hopes of getting the vacant manager’s job on a full-time basis.

Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers gave dominant Nigeria – missing the likes of attacking talisman Victor Osimhen due to injury – a deserved advantage from the penalty spot after Ghana were penalised for handball, with Jerome Opoku later sent off in confusing circumstances to give the Black Stars a mountain to climb in their first game following another dismal AFCON campaign that led to Chris Hughton being sacked after a second successive group stage exit.

However, there were still plenty of positives to be taken by returning Ghana coach Otto Addo, who despite their numerical disadvantage saw his depleted and experimental side – without West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus and Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, among others – battle bravely and push hard for an equaliser.

Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo spurned a number of chances including a missed close-range header before substitute Ademola Lookman rifled in a late second for Nigeria to continue his fine run of form at international level.

Spirited Ghana did get a goal that their efforts deserved late into second-half stoppage time, when Crystal Palace stalwart Jordan Ayew sent Stanley Nwabali the wrong way from 12 yards after a clumsy foul by Bright Osayi-Samuel on Semenyo.

However, it proved to be only a mere consolation as Nwabali held a last-gasp effort from range from Semenyo to secure a morale-boosting win for Nigeria in the latest edition of the so-called ‘Jollof Derby’, with Mali up next in another Marrakesh friendly on Tuesday evening as preparations continue for the return of World Cup qualifying in the summer.

Photo Credit: NGSuperEagles/ X

Juventus, Atletico Madrid chase Super Eagles star (Watch him in action for Nigeria at AFCON)

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Super Eagles of Nigeria’s star Ademola Lookman is being targeted by Juventus and Atletico Madrid, according to The Sun.

He is currently away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria – where he has been one of the tournament’s standout players.

The forward scored both goals in Nigeria’s 2-0 round of 16 victory over Cameroon to fire them into the quarter-finals.

Lookman failed to pull up trees during his time in the Premier League which also included a loan spell at Fulham.

He had more success in his first season while at RB Leipzig but went on to struggle in the Bundesliga before being sold to Atalanta.

He’s gone on to play the best football of his career in Serie A, racking up 13 goals and eight assists last season and has also experienced a strong start to this campaign.

Lookman has scored seven goals and assisted three this season and is thought of as one of the most talented players in Italy.

Odion Ighalo saves Super Eagles’ blushes, scores winner against resilient Burundi

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria kicked off their nations cup quest on the right footings edging a resilient Saido Berahino-led Burundi side 1-0 in Alexandria.

Burundi who are ranked the lowest African side in the latest fifa ranking amongst the 24 participating teams in Egypt defied their underdog status to really give Gernot Rohr’s side a fight for their own.

Burundi were denied by the bar in the 37th minute when Cedric Nsabiyumva’s header off a Shassir Nahimana freekick on the left came against the woodwork. Nsabiyumva picked up the rebound but his volley went wide off target.

The East Africans almost had a point to show for their debutant performance no thanks to late substitute Odion Ighalo’s 77 minute close range finish after a neat back heeled assist from the impressive Torino right-back Ola Aina, much to the delight of the Super Eagles.

Samuel Chukwueze was the most exciting player off the left wing as his pace and trickery on the ball often proved to be too much to bear for the Burundian defenders.

It was an entertaining contest indeed in Alexandria, and a much valuable 3 points opener for the West Africans, who had been absent in the past 2 editions of Afcon.

Gospel Lekams

Photo Credit: Twitter/cafonline.com