U-17 AFCON: “South Africa triumph restored Golden Eaglets’ confidence” -Ugbade

By Amaechi Agbo

Nigeria U-17 male team coach, Nduka Ugbade has stated that the Golden Eaglets 3-2 victory against South Africa in the last Group B match at the ongoing U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in Algeria has restored the team’s confidence.

Nigeria twice came from behind to snatch a 3-2 victory against a well-drilled South Africa team on Saturday.

The victory came as a soothing relief for the two-time continental champions following their 1-0 defeat against Morocco in previous game.

“These boys have now picked up the confidence they needed following the defeat by Morocco and they are now looking forward to going all the way here,” Ugbade said on Sunday following the Golden Eaglets’ 3-2 win over South Africa in their last match of Group B in Constantine on Saturday.

Vicky Mkhawana steered the Amajimbo ahead in the 6th minute of the encounter, from South Africa’s first corner kick of the match, and Nigeria equalized in the 33rd minute also through a corner kick as Charles Agada powerfully nodded into the net with the Amajimbo goalkeeper stranded.

Much against the run of play, the Amajimbo restored their lead with a fabulous solo goal in stoppage time by Siyabonga Mabena.

Undeterred, the five-time world champions restored parity when Light Eke finished coolly from a low cross by Charles Agada, two minutes into the second period.

The Nigerians were completely in control afterwards, and Abdullahi Abubakar scored his first goal of the competition with a calm finish in the 63rd minute.

“This victory has restored the boys’ confidence. We needed such a win going into the knock-out rounds and it is our belief that we can handle the pressure there.

“The loss to Morocco was also a good lesson for us. When you’re at a championship, you need a winning mentality, but also a match that provides good lessons along the way. Both factors make for a very strong and ready squad.”

Nduka Ugbade captained the first Nigerian squad to win a FIFA World Cup, in 1985, and was assistant coach when the Golden Eaglets won the FIFA U17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates 10 years ago. He also took a FIFA U20 World Cup silver medal in 1989. Now, he is looking to lead the Nigeria U17 team to win the Africa U17 Cup of Nations as preparatory to giving the FIFA U17 World Cup a shot later this year.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will battle Burkina Faso in the quarter-final of the ongoing U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in Algeria.

Burkina Faso confirmed their passage into the last 8 on Sunday night after they defeated defending champions, Cameroon 2-1 in the last Group C match.

Nigeria on their part defeated South Africa 3-2 on Saturday to book their place in the quarterfinal which will hold on Thursday,

May 10 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Algiers Burkina Faso came 2nd in Group C with 3 points. The Group was reduced to three teams after the disqualification of South Sudan following MRI failure. Five players of South Sudan failed the MRI test .

Full Quarter-final Fixtures

Senegal Vs South Africa

Morocco Vs Algeria

Mali Vs Congo Nigeria Vs Burkina Faso.

Match officials assaults: NLO awards 3 points to Katsina Jnr, fines Ambassadors FC N150, 000

By Amaechi Agbo

The Naigeria Nationwide League One, NLO has awarded three points and three goals to Katsina Junior FC of Katsina State following the disruption of their match against Ambassadors FC of Kaduna on May 8.

The Kaduna based club side is also fined a total summon of ₦150, 000 as well as two of their couches and three players being placed on indefinite suspension.

Their match on May 8 in Kaduna was disrupted due to the assault on the match officials and the centre coordinator, who were

•Indefinitely suspends 2 Coaches, 3 payers seriously injured due to the attack by officials, players and supporters of Ambassadors FC Kaduna.

The NLO in a release on Monday noted that the ₦50, 000 part of the total sum must be paid within 24h hours of publication of the decision of the secretariat adding that the decision would be submitted to the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF for further sanctions.

Below is NLO summary jurisdiction:

The Nationwide League One Secretariat received the match officials report of the Katsina Jnr

(Katsina State) and Ambassadors FC (Kaduna State) played on May 8.

The match was disrupted due to the assault on the match officials and the centre coordinator, who were seriously injured due to the attack by Officials, players and Supporters of Ambassadors FC Kaduna.

Sequel to above the Nationwide League One Secretariat hereby decides as follows:

1. The match is hereby awarded to Katsina Jnr FC with 3 points and 3 goals. This decision is based on the relevant article of the rules (Art.4.12: 4-5).

2. Ambassadors FC is also fined the sum of Fifty Thousand Naira only (N50,000.), Which must be paid within 24 hours from 8th May 2023.

3. Ambassadors FC shall pay One Hundred Thousand Naira (100k) to replace the damaged ABU Zaria substitution board by Ambassadors FC.

4. The NLO will report the conduct of the club to the Nigeria Football Federation for further sanctions.

5. The Following Officials and players of Ambassadors FC are hereby suspended indefinitely; (A. Coach Abdulrahaman Attah B. Coach. Gambo Mohammed C. Jsy 30. Lawal Abubakar, D. Jsy 23. Yazid Hamisu, E. Jsy 19. Sani Suleiman.)

6. The NLO Secretariat commended the Center Coordinator (Mr Baba Ali) who ensured that the Referee’s life was saved and the major culprit was identified.

7. This decision shall be submitted to NFF Disciplinary Committee for further action. The Nationwide League One Secretariat will not condone any act of indiscipline that could bring the game to disrepute.

Gusau hails Team Nigeria’s Performance at U18/20 Africa Athletics Championship

The immediate past Vice-President of the Confederation of African Athletics CAA, Engr. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau has hailed the performance of team Nigeria at the just concluded CAA’s Under 18/20 Championship held in Ndola, Zambia.

Team Nigeria won 17 Gold, 10 Silver and 9 Bronze medals to finish in second place on the medal table behind South Africa at the quadrennial championship.

In his congratulatory message on Friday, the highly revered Athletics Administrator says the performance of the team is a testament to the fact that talents are abound in Nigeria; while stressing on the need for talent discovery, training and exposure to global platforms, which according to him, will in turn result to future podium finish.

“I want to extend my heart felt congratulations to these young Nigerians who made the country proud at the just concluded African U18/20 Athletics Championship in Zambia.

The records achieved is a testament to the fact that talents are abound in Nigeria; and these talents require training and exposure to global platforms in order to achieve podium finish in the near future.

I am impressed by the performance and feat achieved by Samuel Ogazi, obliterating the 46.26secs record of Lythe Pillay, the South African in 400m with his 46.01secs.That is the Nigerian spirit!

Others are appreciated, especially Faith Okwose, Fejiro Djoma and Justine Jimoh for flying the country’s flag high in Zambia.”Engr.Gusau said.

Recall,that Nigeria finished top at the medals table in the last edition held at the Stade Felix Hoouphouet-Biogny, Abidjan, Ivory Coast in 2019, producing stars like Favour Ofili, Grace Nwokocha, Rosemary Chukwuma and