NewStats: 3,264,535 , 8,184,036 topics. Date: Wednesday, 11 June 2025 at 12:59 PM d3a2h

ROHR: MY AIM IS TO WIN 2019 AFCON WITH NIGERIA



Nigeria's head coach, German Gernot Rohr reacts, during the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifying soccer match between Algeria and Nigeria at Chahid-Hamlaoui stadium in Constantine, Algeria, 10 November 2017.

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Tuesday Dec 12, 2017.

Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohr says he wants to win the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in Cameroon after extending his contract with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for two more years.


The Super Eagles have won the tournament three times, but they missed out on the 2015 and 2017 editions.


They are trailing leaders Libya and South Africa by three points in Group E of the 2019 AFCON qualifier.


''The verbal agreement was reinforced by an official handshake,'' said Rohr to football365.fr.


''We met in Moscow with representatives of the executive committee of the Federation. We agreed on a two-year extension.


''I thank my leaders for this trust. Beyond the World Cup, the goal is AFCON 2019. We want to come back and win.''


The last time Nigeria won the continental tournament was in 2013. They defeated Burkina Faso in the final which was played in Johannesburg, South Africa.

https://africanfootball.com/news/737254/Rohr-My-aim-is-to-win-2019-AFCON-with-Nigeria

GERNOT ROHR NOT GIVING UP ON VINCENT ENYEAMA



Vincent Enyeama

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Dec 11, 2017.

Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr still wants to have Vincent Enyeama in his 2018 FIFA World Cup squad and has opened the doors for the experienced goalkeeper.


Media reports suggest that the former Super Eagles skipper, who announced his retirement from international football in October 2015, had ruled out a return.


However, Rohr says Enyeama could earn a recall as he faces a goalkeeper crisis after first choice Carl Ikeme was diagnosed with leukemia.


"Coach Rohr had a productive chat with Enyeama and made it clear that he should focus on getting fit and enjoy a playing run," team spokesperson Toyin Ibitoye told BBC Sport.


"Contrary to local media reports, the professional talks between both of them remains unchanged, there are conditions involved and as long as it's adhered to, Enyeama stands a World Cup chance."


The BBC reports that Daniel Akpeyi has failed to impress and his replacement Ikechukwu Ezenwa lacks composure, while young Francis Uzoho is inexperienced.


"It's very important to respect those who are currently with the team. The likes of Akpeyi, Ezenwa, Alampasu, Uzoho and Ajiboye all need the of our fans," Ibitoye added.


"Coach Rohr insists we should not let the talk of Enyeama deprive others of their deserved respect. With these goalkeepers and Carl Ikeme we achieved World Cup qualification.


"We appreciate what Enyeama has done in the past and he also needs our right now. His experience is good for the country and only coach Rohr has to make the final call when the time comes."

https://africanfootball.com/news/737119/Gernot-Rohr-not-giving-up-on-Vincent-Enyeama

Good foresight so far.
Nothing more than proactiveness.
We want more.


AMBASSADOR HOPES FOR NIGERIA, RUSSIA WORLD CUP FINAL
2days back

nairaland.unblockandhide.com/attachments/6409751_amajuandrussianambassador858x445_jpega914e5ddbf92383873de81ecf427fc48

The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Nigeria, Nikolay Udovichenko dreams of Russia –Nigeria clash in the final match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on Sunday, July 15 2018.

According to a media release from the Media Department of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the ambassador on Tuesday stated: “I want to congratulate the NFF and the Super Eagles for Nigeria’s qualification for the FIFA World Cup.

“Please be assured that the Russian Federation is fully ready to host the competition. We have received a lot of requests from the host cities on what special characteristics the Nigerian team have. They want to be fully prepared in all aspects to receive the Super Eagles.

“From the depth of my heart, I am hoping that your team makes it to the final in Moscow on 15th July, to play against Russia.”

Udovichenko spoke on Tuesday afternoon as he received a delegation from the Nigeria Football Federation, led by its President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick.

Pinnick thanked the Ambassador for his good wishes, while noting that Nigeria’s first feel of Russian soil ahead of the FIFA World Cup ended in a sweet victory over Argentina in a friendly match in Krasnodar.

“We helped you to beat Argentina because they had beaten your team in another friendly a few days earlier.

“We have good relationship with the Russian Football Federation, and we desire to establish good relationship with your embassy here so that ourselves and other Nigerians going to the FIFA World Cup will have no problems with regards to entry visa.”

Pinnick stated that the NFF has come forward this early to parley with the embassy because the football body is keen to have all visa applications treated and dispensed with latest end of April 2018.


Consul of the Embassy, Diuitri explained that football fans wishing to be at the FIFA World Cup finals in 2018 must have their match tickets and Fan ID, “which will enable them to travel round Russia during the finals at no extra cost.”


Also at the meeting were Dr. Mohammed Sanusi (NFF General Secretary), Ivan Lydkin (attaché), Ademola Olajire (Director of Communications), Tunde Aderibigbe (Head of Protocol), Calistus Ebare (Pinnick’s media aide) and Ayo Olu Ibidapo (NFF Communications Department).

https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/2017/12/12/ambassador-hopes-nigeria-russia-world-cup-final/

SUPER EAGLES ARE AWFUL, REMARKS LIONEL MESSI

nairaland.unblockandhide.com/attachments/6409701_messi1_jpegdf80ad47d4ee9d58653afe00b650e93a

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi has analysed each of his team’s Russia 2018 opponents in a sentence, giving the Super Eagles, the least regards in what appears a building up mind games.


If his comments are anything to go by, the Nigerian goalkeeper will have to pick the ball from his net many times when the Super Eagles face Argentina on June 26 at Russia 2018.


In an interview with FIFA online, the prolific striker summed each of Argentina’s Group D opponents in a phrase. Sports Village Square feels the iconic player believes that the Super Eagles are the least of headache for his team.


On the Super Eagles, Messi remarked: “Nigeria: “one day they score four goals, the next one, they leave plenty of space for you to do anything”. This differs sharply from his views on Iceland, the World Cup debutants and the smallest country ever to qualify for the global tournament.


This is Messi’s views on Iceland: “Might seem easy, but they are tough and well organised”. Croatia, the team that placed third in their World Cup debut 19 years ago is rated thus by Messi: “they give you more room to playbut have great players”.


Messi’s views on Nigeria compares very well with that his fellow star player of the Argentine side, Sergio Aguero who saw Nigeria’s 4-2 win last month as mere fluke occasioned by his absence in the second half and the fears his teammates were having for him while he was rushed to the hospital having collapsed in the dressing room at half time.


While Nigeria had a relatively easy age to the World Cup despite being in a qualifying group of death in Africa, Argentina had a patchy path and traumatic campaign had had to depend on last gasp of breath and effort from Messi to secure qualification.


After Argentina qualified for Russia 2018, Coach Jorge Sampaoli remarked that football owed Messi a World Cup, and the Argentine captain believed so too, saying, “I hope football pays its debt to me”

https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/2017/12/14/super-eagles-awful-remarks-lionel-messi/

MetalJigsaw, you are doing a great job, but try spacing each of your paragraphs to make it more easier for our consumption.

Thanks in anticipation.

Certitude:
Bad day for me as I lost my dear father this morning.

Accept my deepest sympathy.

Joebie:
I bet you many Nigerians that voted, voted multiple times. And they would have found out although not all the time. What is my proof?
Na our way.

Joebie:
When we didn’t qualify God didn’t love us.God don’t love italy, USA etc

Kwantinue

I didn't mean that. What I meant was that "what if after deducting our points we did not qualify?

nelszx:



I'm not Isan

I understand.

Icon4s:


Oga do you know what you are saying?

Is the NFF paying anyone of us here to keep records?

I cannot even give you a list of the players that got the yellow in our last match not to talk of a match played over 2 years ago. Because it is not my job.

Who are those whose job it is to keep records such cautions in the NFF? There are people who are collecting our tax payers money as salaries for doing so.

Somebody must be made a scape goat for others to sit up.

Same way the thing took the person unaware is the same way it would have happened to anyone of us if we were in charged.

If you doubt me then, how come it did not come to our notice.

Cc: tbaba1234

nelszx:
BREAKING NEWS

Nigeria forfeits the results against Algeria for fielding an ineligible player (Shehu) against Algeria according to FIFA disciplinary committee. And Algeria in turn won 3-0 against Nigeria.

We were beaten three goals to nil and our WCQ unbeaten run has officially ENDED

Full Article

Latest decisions of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee
(FIFA.com) 12 Dec 2017

Following the recent meeting of the Disciplinary Committee, FIFA can today confirm the latest sanctions imposed for incidents that occurred during the preliminary competition for the FIFA World Cup™ as well as in international friendlies.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has been sanctioned for fielding an ineligible player in the match between Algeria and Nigeria on 10 November 2017. The match is declared to be forfeited and awarded 3-0 in favour of Algeria, with the NFF also receiving a fine of CHF 6,000. The sanction relates to the player Abdullahi Shehu failing to serve the automatic one-match suspension imposed on him as a result of receiving a caution in two separate matches of the same competition. This sanction bears no impact on the final result of the preliminary competition for the FIFA World Cup since Nigeria had already qualified (and Algeria eliminated) before the match took place.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has also sanctioned the Timor-Leste FA (FFTL) with a fine of CHF 70,000 and the forfeit of seven matches in the preliminary competition for the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ for fielding a total of nine ineligible players based on nationality. The decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee is related to a previous sanction imposed by the AFC.

In addition, the Colombian player Edwin Cardona has been sanctioned for making a discriminatory gesture at an opponent during the friendly match played between the representative teams of Korea Republic and Colombia on 10 November 2017. Cardona has received a five-match suspension on the basis of art. 58 par. 1a) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, with the suspension to be served during the friendly matches of the Colombian representative team, as well as a stadium ban for those five matches and a fine of CHF 20,000.

Further details of the other decisions ed by the Disciplinary Committee are available in the disciplinary overview document for the 2018 FIFA World Cup™ preliminary competition, published on FIFA.com.

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=12/news=latest-decisions-of-the-fifa-disciplinary-committee-2924351.html

isan please go and modify your post. The insults on the FA were unnecessary.
The deed has been done. It's now left for those concerned to sit up.

If those of us who are popular on this thread still go out there to insult the authorities who will always look up to and make recommendations to too, how will they be willing to give us listening ears and take us serious afterwards?

Thank you in advance.

https://nairaland.unblockandhide.com/4229791/fifa-sanctions-nigeria-2018-world

tbaba1234:
Someone in the Nff must lose their job for that error.

No one will loose his/her job.
How many of us here took note of it?
It's just a call for all of us to sit up.







De way wey this God take love Nigeria and the Super Eagles ehn

Icon4s:


Experience!

That is one word some pretend is not important.

You want to make a 19years old inexperienced goalie your first choice to the FIFA world cup and feel cool with that?

We laboured hard to get this world cup ticket abeg.

I am one of those who is impressed with what Alampasu has been doing in training during camping and the performance of Uzoho for both Club and 45minutes debut for the Super Eagles. However, I refuse to rule out Vincent Enyeama's return because we need the best for that position.

Now come to think of the options available to us which are;
1. Akpeyi
2. Ezenwa
3. ***Uzoho*** (The anointed)
4. Alampasu

are you seen what I am seen?

If we decide to go with Uzoho and something happens. Who steps in for him, baring any injury or red card?

Common we need Vincent Enyeama.

Unless Enyaema or Rohr tells me Enyeama is not coming back else I will keep on expecting him.

I have never taken any anti Enyeama return Journalists serious. Let the news come from the right source first.

Kog45:
My man it has always been 50 50 Barca and Chelsea,so why bye bye

We should have topped our group. I wish we never faced Barca this early though.
It's gonna be baptism of fire for Victor Moses and the team.
This is going to be another stern test for Victor Moses and Conte.

Hopefully his wish came to materialize. How long it took though.

**Thereispowerinselfbelief**

tbaba1234:
Ofoedu Hatrick in Turkey


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh_UJQJ4_Yc&sns=tw

Chikeluba Ofoedu Hoping Hat - trick Will Come Soon After Scoring Eighth Brace In Turkey
Published: August 24, 2015



Chikeluba Ofoedu has reflected on Samsunpor`s 3 - 3 draw with Adana Demirspor in their second game in the Turkish 1st Lig in the ongoing campaign.


The former Enugu Rangers star , who scored twice against Adana Demirspor, has stated that his team deserved a share of the spoils despite trailing their opponents by two goals 10 minutes from time.


“Yes, I think we deserved better than one point because we fought until the last minute of the game even when the scoreline was 3 - 1, ” said Chikeluba Ofoedu to allnigeriasoccer.com.


“I am always happy whenever I score even if it`s one goal, I still thank God. So I`m not disappointed but I believe the hat - trick will come soon.


“The club`s target still remains to go back to the Super Lig where they belong. ”


Including his pair of goals against Adana Demirspor at 19 Mayıs Stadyumu , Ofoedu has scored 8 braces since making his debut in the 1st Lig against Kayseri Erciyesspor on September 12, 2012 while wearing the jersey of 1461 Trabzon.

http://www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=16007

isan:
Uduokhai only have to say yes to Rorh and he is off to russia

Who is he going to bench please?

safarigirl:
Nogeruans are their own biggest enemies in these things

Anytime they say public vote, I just know Nigerians will not win

But how come Oshoala won the last time?
I think a lot of persons had difficulties voting.

Publicity was also a factor. It is not just about our population as a country or fans but the awareness, facilities and ease to carry out such an exercise.

Though M. Sallah would have still won but Moses Should have been his closest rival.

Magink:


Peterside said on the radio which I listened to on Lagos talks that the conversation he had with Enyeama was actually after that Oliseh incident occurred, so this report isn't recent but around last year.

Thanks for the clarification.

Kog45:
Do not worry we are winning the World Cup

komekn:


I addressed the issue in the main and not your person.

It's an open forum if you don't want criticism constructive or otherwise dont comment.

So I will en you to address the issues and not evade from it. Don't be so emotive.

On the other hand when Nigeria play England soon and very soon. I will buy you a drink not sure whether it will be at Wembley or Trafford Park yet. But the drinks are on me whatever the location.

In of football circle I probably know more Nigerian national coaches and full international players than you can imagine. If you recall or have forgotten too, I actually went to watch Etebo in Warri stadium. I do believe my circle is wide and not limited to just England although it's my main area of speciality without doubt.

Being here is light humour for me and sometimes interesting playful past time.

With regards to luck I do not believe I am lucky at all. I am a entirely blessed because it's unexplainable by rational. So I consider my network 100% absolutely the favour of God. That makes me humble. I'm now personalising the issue so you will not be so deeply offended. You probably never come across me or me you, but there is no intention to offend as you clearly are.

I love your response. Believe me this thread has provided me the platform enough to learn so many thing about relationship and live generally.

I would not have had the opportunity to interact with a lot of persons if I had not come here and also wish to meet face to face with most of you here.

Arguments become heated but those with true and strong character traits do not shy away from showing same when the occasion demands for it.

Vincent Enyeama makes final decision on his return to the Super Eagles ahead of the 2018 World Cup

Author: Ibitoye Shittu

- Vincent Enyeama has reportedly told former Super Eagles goalie Peterside Idah that he will not return to the Super Eagles


- Nigeria have qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and many Nigerians want Enyeama back in the national team


- Peterside Idah claimed Enyeama told him that he is tired of playing for the Super Eagles


Ex Super Eagles goalie Peterside Idah has reportedly claimed that Vincent Enyeama told him in a conversation that he will not be making a return to the national team.


According to the report by Vanguard, Vincent Enyeama told Idah that he is tired playing for Nigeria and the Super Eagles coaches should count him out of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.


Recently, there have been many talks concerning the return of goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama to the national team considering the fact that Nigeria have qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.



Many Nigerian football lovers believe that the experience of the former Enyimba captain will be of great help for the Super Eagles in Russia.


“I was one of those who spoke to Enyeama when there was an attempt to get him back to the national team and he told me he’s tired of playing for Nigeria.


“So, there should be no Enyeama going to the World Cup. The players should have the love to play for Nigeria and not the love to play at the World Cup and make history.” Idah was quoted to have said by Vanguard.


This latest development is expected to be a disappointment for Super Eagles Gernot Rohr as NAIJ.com had earlier reported how the coach confirmed that Enyeama will return to the national team.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/sports.naija.ng/amp/1138952-enyeama-ready-return-super-eagles.html

Kog45:
Alloy Agu is seriously gambling with super eagles coz anytime i see Ezenwa in team line up photography,i do asked myself is this only guy Alloy can produced in NPFL..

I in old Nigeria league, for a keeper to be considered for Eagles he must be number one in his club and number one in entire league.

Reverse is the case now,what we have now is a keeper who has been finding it difficult to be number one in his club but number one in national team, pls on what criteria.

If Ezenwa was damn good and has good prospect i believe Ifeanyi Uba would have renewed his contract but they allowed him to go with no bickering with Enyimba that signed him.

This is the same league that produced Best Ogedegbe, Patrick Okala,Peter Rufai,Segun Oguns, Edward Ansha,Wifred Agbonavbare, Alloy Agu,Christian Obi, Willy Opara,Peterside Idah,Agus Ikeji,Emeka Amadi,Murphy Akanji,Ike Shorunmu,Dosu Joseph,Andrew Aikhomogbe, Lemmy Isah,Emma Babayaro, Abiodun Baruwa,Greg Etafia,Austin Ejide,Vincent Enyeama, Dele Aiyenugba etc

I don't think we are lacking but Alloy is not doing enough cos when it comes to keeper in NPFL,haba we must find at least two solid ones instead of going for all these regional league keepers in Europe.

The technical crew are not just ready to pick the best out of the available home based lads.. I also doubt so much if Akpeyi and Ezenwa are the best our league can boast of.

Right from the days of Stephen Keshi, the technical crew had always found it convenient to force down our throats some average goalkeepers

Modified

tbaba1234:


Kayode is out injured...

Ashhhh?
Wish you quickest recovery and I do hope you d' come back strongly.

safarigirl:


Dear ignorant Europeans and other white people,

Please, if you do not have full information on the status of African teams, kindly exclude us from your analysis.

These half-baked, ill-informed analysis is getting annoying to read.

If there is any part of the Nigeri4an team that is thin, it is certainly not the defence, which is brimming with a host of options. if we could, we would take 12 defenders to Russia....that is how ROBUST our defence is


I implore you press men and women of Britain and its environs who I once thought knew their onions, to please, make a balanced research of the African teams before these analysis, or keep our names out your write-ups.

Yours Gratefully,
Annoyed Nigerian

You are wickedly wicked for the second time.
Lol

mazimee:
The Iceland Coach think of us a team to test their strenght outside Europe.

Iceland Coach: We’ll Play Nigeria Differently From Croatia, Argentina; We’re Without Superstars
newsheadlines.com.ng Dec 3, 2017 3:32 PM
Heimir Hallgrimsson, head coach of Iceland, reckons that the prospect of facing African powerhouse Nigeria will be new and exciting for his Cinderella side who have taken the football world by storm since qualifying and impressing at the last European Championships in in 2016.

Speaking exclusively to Completesportsnigeria.com at the Kremlin Palace, venue of last Friday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup draw in Moscow, Hallgrimsson insists playing different countries with different football philosophies is proof positive that Icelandic football is going in the right direction.

He said: “Facing Nigeria will be a new experience for us. It is our first World Cup so everything is kind of new and exciting. Playing against a South American team and then an African team is different from what we are used to. The pedigree of Nigeria at the World Cup is good. They have experienced players in big teams

They have started coming back to their senses

shogz89:
A Nigerian has gone on to that Croatian site ed and the first thing he does was to rain courses on them,, and the person is probably from this group.. We should learn to be civil and not portray an image that will always bring hate to this country. It's so uncalled for.

It's not difficult to fish out the culprit.
The way insults flow from all cylinders on this thread, you begin to wonder what moral men we are.

Super Eagles to face real Argentina squad – Disu


Nigeria national football team players pose prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying football match between Nigeria and Cameroon at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, southern Nigeria, on September 1, 2017. / AFP PHOTO /

PIUS UTOMI EKPEI


Former Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, Tunde Disu, says the Super Eagles should be ready to face the real Albiceleste of Argentina at the World Cup.


Disu gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday in Lagos on the draws made on Friday that pit Nigeria in Group D alongside, Argentina, Croatia and Iceland.


The World Cup draws held in Russia, Nigeria is in the group alongside Argentina who they had faced four times before in the World Cup in 1994, 2002, 2010 and 2014.


The only time Nigeria avoided Argentina in the World Cup was in 1998 in .


It will, however, be the fifth time Nigeria will be facing the Albiceleste opposition at the grand football fiesta.


According to the draws, Nigeria will play first against Croatia in the first ever senior international match, while the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, Iceland will play against Nigeria also in Group D.


The Icelanders, the only newcomers, will play two-time winners Argentina in their first World Cup finals match.


The Eagles last group match will be against Argentina who have turned their World Cup nemesis.


On Argentina’s opposition, Disu said that though Argentina was becoming a familiar foe, yet Nigeria should not start counting their teeth with their tongues.

NAN

http://punchng.com/super-eagles-to-face-real-argentina-squad-disu/

Argentina Midfielder : Saint Petersburg Fans Will Argentina Not Nigeria



Reacting to Friday evening's World Cup draw in Moscow, FC Zenit Saint Petersburg's Argentina international Emiliano Rigoni has noted that the two-time world champions will have more than their Nigerian counterparts when both teams face off at Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg on June 26, 2018.


Four Argentina internationals Leandro Paredes, Matías Kranevitter, Emiliano Rigoni and Emanuel Mammana are on the books of Russian Premier League club Zenit Saint Petersburg, while the young strikerSebastián Driussi has played for Argentina's U20 national team.


''Of course, it's a pleasure to play at the stadium in St. Petersburg, but I think everything that concerns the cities and arenas is a simple coincidence,''Rigoni told Sport Express Russia.


''Argentina sets itself the highest goals, so we will have to play at many stadiums. About Zenit-yes, many of us were summoned to the national team for qualifying matches and friendly games, but the final list of players for the World Cup is not yet known, so we must continue to work hard to be among the final 23 people.


''The stadium factor will neither help nor harm Argentina.''
Emiliano Rigoni played the last fourteen minutes of Argentina's 4-2 loss to Nigeria in a friendly in Krasnodar on November 14.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

www.allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=25663

Super Eagles to face real Argentina squad – Disu

Nigeria national football team players pose prior to the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying football match between Nigeria and Cameroon at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, southern Nigeria, on September 1, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / PIUS UTOMI EKPEI


Former Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation, Tunde Disu, says the Super Eagles should be ready to face the real Albiceleste of Argentina at the World Cup.


Disu gave the advice in an interview with theNews Agency of Nigeriaon Saturday in Lagos on the draws made on Friday that pit Nigeria in Group D alongside, Argentina, Croatia and Iceland.


The World Cup draws held in Russia, Nigeria is in the group alongside Argentina who they had faced four times before in the World Cup in 1994, 2002, 2010 and 2014.


The only time Nigeria avoided Argentina in the World Cup was in 1998 in .


It will, however, be the fifth time Nigeria will be facing the Albiceleste opposition at the grand football fiesta.


According to the draws, Nigeria will play first against Croatia in the first ever senior international match, while the smallest nation ever to qualify for a World Cup, Iceland will play against Nigeria also in Group D.


The Icelanders, the only newcomers, will play two-time winners Argentina in their first World Cup finals match.


The Eagles last group match will be against Argentina who have turned their World Cup nemesis.


On Argentina’s opposition, Disu said that though Argentina was becoming a familiar foe, yet Nigeria should not start counting their teeth with their tongues.

punchng.com/super-eagles-to-face-real-argentina-squad-disu/

AF Nigeria 2018 FIFA World Cup - Russia Nigeria
Idowu: NFF ed Ogude before Nigeria-Argentina clash

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Saturday Amkar Perm defender Brian Idowu says that an unnamed representative of the Nigeria Football Federation ed Fegor Ogude.


This was before the talented defender was invited for the international friendly against Argentina on November 14.


''He (Ogude) said that he was ed from the team about me," he told the club's official website


"And so, I thought, I'll come and I'll figure it out myself, what to do.
According to All Nigeria Soccer, Ogude, who has not been called up to the Super Eagles for more than four years, missed the start of the Russian Premier League season due to a Cervical spine injury.


Russian-born Idowu scored Nigeria's third goal eight minutes into his debut against Argentina at Stadion FK Krasnodar.


His Nigeria teammates asked about his condition when Idowu arrived in Krasnodar for the friendly against the South Americans.


''They asked how, in general, I live in Russia, about the championship and if it's cold to play at this time of year," he added.


''Some guys asked how Ogude feels. They know that he had an injury. I said that he was already well and returned to the field, and they were happy for him.''

africanfootball.com//news/736296/Idowu-NFF-ed-Ogude-before-Nigeria-Argentina-clash

AF Nigeria 2018 FIFA World Cup - Russia Argentina
Maradona: Argentina cannot afford to play badly against Nigeria

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Argentina legend Diego Maradona says that La Albiceleste have a feasible challenge in their 2018 FIFA World Cup group.


The South American giants were pitted against Iceland, Croatia and Nigeria in Group D on Friday.


Nigeria recently stunned Argentina 4-2 in an international friendly in Russia, the host nation of next's tournament.


Maradona, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all-time, reflected on the draw.


''It is a feasible challenge because of the type of teams," Maradona said.


"Argentina have to step up their game," the retired attacker was speaking after draw.


"They can not play as badly as they are doing."


Nigeria's first Group D game will be against Croatia on 16 June 2018, while Argentina will face Iceland on the same day.

africanfootball.com//news/736285/Maradona-Argentina-cannot-afford-to-play-badly-against-Nigeria

Onazi Confident Eagles Will Be Ready To Take On W/Cup Group D Foes



By James Agberebi:

As reactions continue to pour in following Friday’s 2018 FIFA World Cup draws, Super Eagles midfielder Ogenyi Onazi assures that the Super Eagles will be ready to take on their Group D opponents, Comple tesportsnigeria.com reports.


The World Cup draw which was held at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia, saw the Eagles drawn in Group D along with Argentina, debutant Iceland and Croatia.


It will be the fifth time Nigeria and Argentina will clash at the World Cup, while they face Croatia and Iceland for the very first time at the senior level.


And reacting to the outcome of the draw, Onazi tasked the five African representatives; Nigeria, Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt to do the continent proud.


He also sought divine favour, for a successful World Cup outing.
“Nothing good comes easy. Now we know our group. We will prepare mentally, physically, tactically… it’s time for Africa to make the difference. With God on our side nothing is impossible,” Onazi wrote on his verified Twitter handle.

www.completesportsnigeria.com/onazi-confident-eagles-will-ready-take-w-cup-group-d-foes/