LIB vs NIG: Super Eagles' coach is ' confused' with choices as Ighalo, Ndidi, Iwobi, Chukwueze return

With Odion Ighalo, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Samuel Chukwueze, back in the team Coach Gernot Rohr is 'confused' with choices as he selects the starting eleven against Liberia in the 2022 World Cup qualifier on Saturday. 

All is set for matchday 5 between Liberia and Nigeria in the CAF 2022 World Cup qualifier as Liberia host Nigeria in Tangier Morrocco on Saturday, (13 November 2022) by 5 pm.  

The Super Eagles has the full complement of players invited for the encounter as the team has been preparing hard for the game all through the days leading to the weekend. 

Odion Ighalo joined on Thursday after accepting the offer from the Nigeria Football Federation ( NFF) to rescind his international retirement decision. 

Other players that also returns to the team after a bout with Injury are Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel, Alex Iwobi and Samuel Chukwueze, making the team stronger than ever in the qualifiers on paper, hence making the selection of the starting eleven a sweet headache for the coach.

Nigeria needs a victory and hope that Cape Verde failed to beat the Central African Republic to book a place in the final round, hence there is no margin for error starting from starting eleven.

The team has been charged by the NFF led by the president, Amaju Pinnick to avoid errors after their last training on Friday as it will put pressures off their shoulders going into the final game in Lagos, against Cape Verde on Tuesday, (16 November 2022).

" The spirit is great and I believe you will do the job tomorrow. Let us leave very few rooms for mistakes; in fact, no room for errors at all" began Amaju Pinnick

"The three points are important and we should put them in our bags as we fly back to Nigeria tomorrow night", Amaju concludes.  

So the job starts with the coach, by ensuring he picks the best from the pool of fantastic players he has in camp and armed detailed match plan to get the needed result. 

Here is our predicted eleven based on the situation report from the Super Eagles camp in Tangier, Morrocco.

Predicted lineup 

The coach needs to outdo his Liberian counterpart in the tactics and strategies game and ultimately choose the best combination of players that can get the job done. 

The coach may likely adopt a 3-5-2 formation based on the strength of the players and their performance in camp, according to reports. 

Goalkeeper 

Maduka Okoye will keep the number one hand glove as he remained the safest hand in the team.  

Defence 

The defence line may likely stand on the tripod stand of William Troost Ekong, Leon Balogun and Chigozie Awaziem. 

Reports have it that Awaziem is one of the central defenders in camp and he is one of the reasons the coach may switch to three the accommodate the versatile defender. 

Midfielders 

Ola Aina is in contention for a starter shirt as a right wing-back and he is in pole position to get the coach's nod for a place on the right side of the wing. 

Zaidu Sanusi is in contention to return to the team after he missed out on the last two games due to poor form. 

The Porto FC defender is likely to be the man on the left wing-back for the team, ahead of Jamilu Collins due to his speed and higher recovery rate. 

Wilfred Ndidi will be anchorman through the middle, and may likely play behind Alex Iwobi as both players to the squad after matchday one of the qualifier against Cape Verde in Lagos. 

Chidera Ejuke is also in line to get the nod on the left side of the midfield, continuing from where he stopped at the last qualifier where he shone like a diamond in the sky.  

While Ahmed Musa and Samuel Chukwueze may likely start from the bench according to our camp source who witnessed the team's tactical training on Thursday.

Attack 

The two-man attack favours Kelechi Iheanacho playing behind Victor Osimhen, 

While Odion Ighalo may likely start from the bench as his late coming has greatly reduced his chances of starting ahead of any of the two. 

The Possible Line-Up 

Maduka Okoye, Ola Aina, Chigozie Awaziem, Leon Balogun, William Troost Ekong, Zaidi Sanusi, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Chidera Ejuke, Kelechi Iheanacho, Victor Osimhen.

How it panned out the last time Liberia hosted Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier 21 years ago

Christopher Wreh double wreck the Super Eagles the last time Liberia hosted Nigeria In a World Cup qualifier 21 years ago. 

The Super Eagles will file out on Saturday (13 November 2021) away to Liberia in the 2022 World Cup in Tangier, Morrocco. 

The clash will be the third time the lone stars will be hosting their Nigeria counterparts in a World Cup qualifier, with both sides winning one apiece.

Nigeria won It the first time Liberia hosted the Super Eagles a World Cup qualifier in 1984 by 1-0 in Monrovia en route to Mexico 86. 

The last time Liberia hosted Nigeria in a World Cup qualifier, the host shock the Super Eagles by 2-1 in a match played on the 9th of July 2000 in Monrovia at the Samuel Doe Stadium.  

The Super Eagles were fresh from the African Cup Of Nations where the team finished second at the Ghana/Nigeria 2000 and everyone expected the Super Eagles to enjoy a walk in the park on matchday 2 of the 2002 World Cup qualifier.  

But the Liberians were desperate to shock a fellow West African brother who stood by the country during the country's civil war which took the lives of many people.  

A victory will be a sign of victory for George Weah, who took it upon himself to rebuild the team and ensure that the country is reunited through football by spending his hard-earned money through playing professional football on the team.  

The 1995 Balon Dior winner used to be ' the FA, 'the coach, the motivator ' and the team's utility player. 

He adapted to any role available as long it will help the ambition of putting Liberia on the World map for positive things once again and playing at the FIFA World Cup is one of the cardinals of achieving that. 

The fact that the team has been together for over five years having played in the 1996 Nations Cup, no one sees them as a threat to the Super Eagles but they always have a chance especially with the bonding and spirit in the team. 

The Super Eagles remain the favourite going into the match despite the team going through transition after coming second at the Ghana/Nigeria 2000 African Cup Of Nations.  

Coach Bonfrere Jo lined up all foreign-based players which include Goalkeeper Ndubuisi Egbo, with Rabiu Afolabi, Christopher Kanu, Godwin Okpara and Chikelue Iloanusi forming the four men defensive line. 

The midfield pivoted on the duo of Sunday Oliseh, the team captain, Jay Jay Okocha, while the attack has and Garba Lawal and Pius Ikedia on the left and right wings respectively with Kanu Nwankwo playing behind Benedict Akwuegbu as the main striker in a 4-2-4 formation.  

The Liberians have the likes of Christopher Wreh, Joe Nagbe, George Gebro, Kelvin Sebwe, etc alongside the luxury of George Weah The Lone Stars is filled with decent players in every position as the era could pass for the beat generation of Liberia footballers. 

Just four minutes into the game, Joe Nagbe set George Weah on Goal, who picked Christoper Wreh in a cool position and the striker finished with a plumb to give the host the lead in the 4th minute to end the first half by 1-0. 

Before the Super Eagles could get back into the game when the second half resumes, Christopher wreh delivered the goal that wrecked the Super Eagles three minutes after the resumption of play.

The goal sent the full capacity stadium into a frenzy as the shout of goal vibrated the four walls of the stands at the Samuel Doe Stadium as their local heroes are 'disgracing ' the African giant' to the delight of the fans at the Stadium and on the streets of the Monrovia. 

Sunday Oliseh responded barely a minute after and by reducing the deficit for Nigeria in the 49th minute but the Lone Stars kept their discipline and win the game by 2-1 after ninety minutes. 

The introduction of Henry Nwosu and Henry Nwuzuirike couldn't do much after the coach introduced them to help the Super Eagles attack, replacing Akwuegbu and Pius Ikeda respectively. 

The Liberians shot to the lead in the group and remain on top until the final day, but they lost the return leg to Nigeria in Port Harcourt by 2-0 and a surprise loss to Ghana in Monrovia slipped off the World Cup ticket off their hand.

Nigeria defeated Ghana in the final of the qualifier to overtake the Liberians on the standings with 16 points to 15 points after eight matches after Amodu Shuaibu of blessed memory replaced Bonfrere Jo along the line to win three games on the bounce and became the first indigenous coach to qualify Nigeria to the FIFA World Cup.  

Unlike 31 years ago, the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier will take place in Tangier Morrocco as no Stadium is good enough to host the match in Monrovia.  

The Super Eagles need to avoid a defeat to ease their qualification process to the final round while the Liberians are o of the race already only have national pride at stake. 

The match will kick off by 5 pm local time on Saturday evening.

Everything Victor Osimhen said on the return of Ighalo to the Super Eagles

Victor Osimhen said the recall of the Odion Ighalo is good for the team, that the coaches and the Federation know what's best for the team.  

Nigeria Napoli FC forward, Victor Osimhen has reacted to the recall of the Odion Ighalo to the Super Eagles after two years of international retirement. 

The 2015 FIFA U-17 world cup golden shoe winner told the NFF media that he has a lot to learn from Odion Ighalo and looking forward to receiving him with open arms when he eventually joins the camp. 

"It's good for the team and of course the coaches and the Federation know what's best for the team",  began Osimhen when he was speaking with the NFF media in Tangier Morrocco where the Super Eagles are preparing to take on Liberia in the matchday five of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Saturday, 13 November 2021. 

The lanky forward continues  "We welcome him with open arms and looking forward to receiving him in the camp".

"Like I said before he's like a big brother to me and we love him a lot and I'll learn a lot from him, I admire him so much so I think for me it's one of the most important things to have him in the squad.

"We all have a common goal to qualify the nation for the World Cup and to do well in the AFCON so whatsoever thing that is good for the team I think the coach and the Federation will bring it into play," Osimhen concluded. 

Odion Ighalo retired from the Super Eagles after the 2019 African Cup of Nations where he won the highest goal scorer award with five goals to take to his international goals to 15 in 35 appearances for the Super Eagles.  

The 33-year-old played for Manchester United after he left the Super Eagles and he currently plays in Saudi Arabia with Al Shabab FC.

Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen has allayed the fears of the numerous Nigerian football fans as he declares himself as fit as fiddle and ready to go against Liberia on Saturday if we upon.

They were concerned that the striker may not be available for the crunchy ties against Liberia and Cape Verdy after he suffered a calf injury in training before Napoli FC clash with Salernitana on Sunday in Serie A.

But the revealed that the MRI scan shows it wasn't serious as first envisaged and he only took a rest for some days before the Sunday match, against Salernitana.

Osimhen said: "I feel good. After the MRI scan showed I had nothing serious it was important to rest for a few days before I play the game on Sunday. 

"Like I said before I'm always ready when I am called upon and to give my all for my country is one of the most important things in my career and of course I'm ready to come Saturday." 

Victor has started all the four games the Super Eagles have played in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers and scored two goals for the team. 

The striker participated in both morning and evening sessions of the Super Eagles' training held on Wednesday, (10 November 2021) in Tangier. 

He is the favourite to lead the attacking of the team on Saturday, while Ighalo Is yet to join the camp, less than 48 hours to the match.

Nigeria University Games Association approves Boxing for 2022 NUGA Games

Students will now engage in Boxing in the University Games to discover boxing talents 

The Nigeria University Games Association, ( NUGA ) has approved Boxing as one of the games that will feature at the 2022 Nigeria University Games Sportspedal Media reports.  

The decision was part of the resolution of the NUGA council meeting held ahead of the upcoming games billed for the University of Lagos beginning from March 15 to March 22 2022. 

However, the event will only hold as a demonstration sport, but it will be considered as a medal-winning event for subsequent editions. 

Sportspedal Media reliably gathered that NUGA will be working with the Nigeria Boxing Board of Control, NBB of C for logistics support as the platform will be a good ground to hunt for new boxing talent.   

Furthermore, the council also upgraded Karate from none scoring event to a medal-winning event while women football, walking will also no longer be demonstration sports. 

NUGA was established in 1966 to organise the University games among Nigeria University students to foster unity and to serve as an avenue to discover burden sports talents.

National Development Plan: Sports development to gulp 80 billion naira in the next 4 years - 2021-2025

For the first time in the history of Nigeria National Development Plan, Sports is now included as a business with the plan to inject 80 billion into sports development and youth development gets 60 billion naira over 4 years- 2021-2025.  

 

Recall that in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) 2017-2020, Sports was excluded and ended up with zero budget.  

The approval to reclassify Sports as a business was given by President Muhammadu Buhari last year. ( 2020). 

The presentation of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development to the Federal Executive Council was instrumental in bringing sports into the business category in the budgeting process.

Thus, it can be said that the reclassification of Sports as business and no more mere recreation paved the way for sports in the National Development Plan, hence the 80 billion earmarked for sports. 

The second boost for this new budget is the efforts by the Ministry to deliver a National Sports Industry Policy (NSIP).

The Minister had championed the need to build a business model around Nigeria’s Sports Development with the mantra of Sports as a business.

Working with critical stakeholders, a final draft of the policy is under review by the Ministry of Justice.

Very interestingly, the NDP 2021-2025 harped on the legal and regulatory framework needed to drive Sports as a business, hence, the Sports industry and the budget were approved.

The NDP also gave Youth development a boost of 60 billion earmarked for youth development focusing on building a robust MSME growth, Entrepreneurship and overall  Human capital development now classified as under social development.

Under the NDP, Youth and Sports together have secured 140 billion- a record no doubt.

The Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development is now on the National Steering Committee of the NDP 2021-2025. 

UFC GOAT: Between Isreal Adesanya and the next career move for Kamaru Usman

Will Kamaru Usman break the brotherly code by fighting Isreal Adesanya to take his career to the next level? 

Kamaru Usman has seen it all at the Welterweight division. He defeated number one contender Jorge Masvidal at UFC 268 to continue his reign in the category. 

The Nigerian Nightmare has also defeated four out of the top seven rated fighters in that category.  

He has broken all the records at the division just after two years he defeated Tyron Woodley to win the gold belt.  

With 15 successive victories, the longest in the history of the welterweight division and five title defences which tied him with St Georges Pierre as the longest consecutive defences in the 165kg category. 

Perhaps Kamaru has nothing to prove and can be regarded as the greatest of all time, GOAT in the welterweight division but there is a need not to rest on his oars. 

Having 'conquered' his territory the consensus is for him to move his career to the next level and before retiring from the octagon. 

The next level includes moving to the next weight category and winning a world title to become a winner in more than a division and probably doing a crossover fight against Canelo Alvarez. 

The two options will surely make not only sporting and financial sense but also cement his UFC legacy.  

The latter may be for greater fame, and payday but the former is a step up necessary for his career and records. 

But there is a snag, his friend and compatriot, Isreal Adesanya rules the next weight category. 

He is not willing nor ready to fight Adesanya unless for a 100 million dollar purse, a proposal which may never see the light of day. 

Keen followers of the game believe Kamaru has what it takes to defeat Isreal if only he is ready to break the brotherly code and move to the middleweight category and validate his greatest of all-time legacy in the game. 

For two former two titles holders, Henry Cejudo believes the only way Kamaru can be compared favourably with St Georges Pierre, the former UFC welterweight and middleweight champion is for Kamaru to win titles at least in two weight categories. 

He admonished Kamaru to put friendship aside and go for it for him to be truly considered as the pound-for-pound greatest of all time. 

“I’m sure if it’s the African pride, I kind of get that, but I don’t get that,” Cejudo said on “The Triple C & Schmo Show.” “Actually, as a matter of fact, I don’t get that because, to me, it’s all about legacy. Somebody else shortly is going to be able to go through the same run that Kamaru Usman did. 

"But the difference is that, can you win a second belt? And can you defend that second belt? And that’s what I want from ‘The Nigerian Nightmare.’ I want him to go up. I want him to fight Izzy (Adesanya), and I just believe he has a perfect style to beat somebody like Izzy because he has wrestling.” said the former champion in two weight categories. 

“You’ve already lapped the division, Kamaru Usman,” Cejudo said. “You’ve already beat Colby twice. You’ve already beat Masvidal a couple of times, too. The winner of Masvidal and Edwards, I mean, you’re gonna beat Edwards again. There’s only one take in my side, and that’s saying go up and fight your African brother because this is about legacy.” said Cejudo

Does Kamaru need a second title to validate his GOATship in the welterweight category, even, at the expense of Israel Adesanya? Time will tell.

CAFWCL: Rivers Angels in stormy waters as Mamelodi Sundown close in on a semi-final berth

It's been stormy so far for Nigeria's Champion, Rivers Angels at the ongoing CAF Women Champions League in Cairo after the team suffered a 1-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday, (9 November 2021) evening.   

Rivers Angels will blame their loss on dodgy officiating as two penalty shouts were denied by the referee early on in the match.   

The team ran out of luck in the 17th minute through a controversial goal by Zanele Portia Nhlapho, which proved to be the game’s lone goal that decided the match.

The centre referee judged the whole part of the ball to have crossed the goal line when the striker's shot rocked the post and bounced on the line but was palmed out by the Rivers Angel goalkeeper, Adjei Charlotte.   

The controversial goal put Sundowns on top of group B with six points.

The South African champion needs just to avoid defeat in their match to qualify for the semi-finals.

The second loss in three days condemned the Nigeria team to the bottom of group B after the conclusion of matchday two with zero points, and zero goals, with a minus-four goals deficit.

The Angels of the rivers will have to swim swiftly against the tides in the stormy waters and win their last game against Vihiga Queens of Kenya with as many as four goals. 

Furthermore, Mamelodi Sundowns need to do them a favour by defeating AS FAR of Morrocco on Friday by 4 pm (13 November 2021), before they could qualify from the group to join Mamelodi Sundowns in the semis.  

A look at the standings after matchday two, AS FAR, Vihiga are tied on 3 points, but Vihiga leads on the superior head to head and they need to defeat Rivers Angels to be guaranteed a place in the semi-final. 

This is the precarious situation Rivers Angles find themselves in, of which they need monumental transformation to stay afloat after matchday three on Friday.