OWOSPORTS

Amapakabo: Big task ahead, but not over yet Sparrow Hawks of Togo hit the Super Eagles 4-1 in Lome on Sunday in a first leg, second round qualifying match of the 2020 African Nations Championship scheduled for Cameroon. Sunusi Ibrahim gave Nigeria the lead in the 8th minute before the Togolese trio of Richard Nane (16' and 67'); Tchakei Marouf (75'); and Agoro Ashraf (90+2') completed the comeback for the hosts. Head Coach Imama Amapakabo who arrived at the match venue on a confident note is optimistic that the result of the match at Stade de Kegue would not determine which team qualifies. He made it clear to the media that his team never underrated the Togolese, but admitted that there is a huge job to be done in the return leg. “No, we never underrated our opponents. That would have been a foolish thing to do in football. The truth is that we fielded mainly a young team that could not really live up to expectations technically compared to ...

The Turkey Technical Centre in Istanbul will witness some interesting football when five –time world champions, Golden Eaglets of Nigeria file out against their counterparts from Turkey, host nation of the UEFA/CAF U17 International Tournament, on Sunday. Eaglets and their officials arrived in Istanbul on Friday and had their first training session at the Turkey Technical Centre on Saturday morning before the officials proceeded to attend a technical meeting of all the eight participating teams at the tournament. Speaking after the technical meeting, Manu Garba, Head Coach of the team insisted that the tournament is a perfect opportunity to test the readiness of the players for the task ahead at the FIFA U17 World Cup starting next month in Brazil. "I am very optimistic that the tournament will come good for the players to stand the test of time in Brazil. Playing Turkey will definitely be a strong test for the team." Manu told  thenff.com Angola will...

The Nigerian Football Federation is delighted to announce it has agreed a multi-year partnership with top Italian football club, AS Roma, The partnership, which was unveiled  on Friday in Abuja, will see the NFF and Roma collaborate  together on and off the pitch, with one long term objective being for the club to help further grow and improve all levels of football in Nigeria.  Under the terms of the understanding, the two parties will share football, business and media expertise, with Roma offering the NFF technical and operational support and advice in the areas of youth coaching, player development, football administration and digital media best practices.  In return, the NFF will also collaborate with the AS Roma in their projects and development Initiatives in Nigeria. In the coming months, senior NFF officials will travel to...

Salawu, a combative midfielder who recently signed for Atlanta SC in the USA gave the hint in a chat with OwoSports. "The two African legends I get my inspiration from, as my foot work skills is after Okocha while my physical play is from the Ghana Black Stars skipper," said Salawu. Speaking on life in his USA based team, "Its a new experience for me. "Though it’s my first month here in Atlanta SC but the President of the club in our first meeting established himself as an uncle figure to me which makes me want to give my all to the club. "Meanwhile my target is to win because no one remembers a loser and continue to grow as a professional in this beautiful game of football." Salawu was born in Lagos  to Ghanaian parents and have played in Ghana, Denmark , Turkey and Central America.

Nigeria's Ambassador to the Republic of Togo, His Excellency Joseph Olusola Iji on Friday made a passionate  win-the-match  plea to the Home-based Senior National Team, Super Eagles B who arrived in Lome, Togo by mid-day of the same day.  The Eagles will take on the Sparrow Hawks of Togo on Sunday in a first leg, second round qualifying match of the 2020 African Nations Championship billed for Cameroon.  Ambassador Iji who addressed the team at their La Concorde Hotel abode on arrival, said a win would surely make the return game a lot easier for the Eagles and for Nigeria.  He said, "I am so happy to receive you and our sincere wish here is for you to go all out for a win. I'm sure that would make the second leg less burdensome. We plead that you do our country proud and as you know, Nigerians have faith in you to do the needful.  "Please do it right as that would make His Excellency, Mr. President happy; make the Sports Ministe...

Cup holders Nigeria will defend their Africa U23 Cup of Nations title in Egypt in November after the Olympic Eagles secured a robust 5-0 win over their Sudanese counterpart in the final qualifying leg at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba on Tuesday evening. A brace by Ndifreke Effiong and one each by Taiwo Awoniyi, Sunday Faleye and Sunusi Ibrahim ensured a 5-1 aggregate win for the 1996 Olympic champions, and they became the fourth team after hosts Egypt, Zambia and South Africa to earn berths in the final scheduled for 8 th  – 22 nd  November. A delighted President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick immediately showered praises on the His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) for the present administration’s continued support and encouragement of the NFF and the National Teams, while giving kudos to the nation’s number one citizen’s personal keen interest in the teams. Pinnick also lauded the contributions of Governor I...

Okpe Emmanuel Alexander, Football Intermediaries Association of Nigeria (FIAN) Welfare Officer says the body can curb football frauds in the country. This he made known with sports reporters at the Royal Championship Scouting programme which kicked off in Lagos on Tuesday. According to Okpe, "Ignorance is bliss. Football fraudsters are all over the World  and it's a manace we can't put a total stop to but we can curb it in our own little way by educating our grassroot players and coaches. "Imagine while the 2018 World Cup was on, some innocent players were been duped to having trials in Russia. How was this possible. "Coaches, players who are the major prey on their part need to wise asking questions from these agents or see geniue  evidence that they are registered members of FIAN before they give money or put pen to any contract paper. "Another way to curb it, is by organising seminars for coaches and players. Though tough as some are difficu...