Eagles played a Classy friendly

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African champions Nigeria were on Monday night held to a thrilling 2-2 

draw by Italy in a friendly played in London

Commentary

Italy went in front after 12 minutes, when Guissepe Rossi delightfully chipped over a diving goalkeeper Austin Ejide after he was set up by Mario Balotelli.

Nigeria restored parity on 35 minutes when Bright Dike out jumped his marker to head home off a tailored cross by Shola Ameobi.

Provider Ameobi turned scorer four minutes later when he met Francis Benjamin’s cross from the left with a half volley that gave Sirigu in goal for Italy no chance.

Italy then drew level in the 47th minute, when Emanuele Giaccherini finished off a flowing Italy move that made nonsense of the Eagles defence

Brazil Here we Come.... moment of victory

U. J. ESUENE STADIUM, CALABAR, NIGERIA.

Nigeria finally sealed victory to Brazil 2014 World Cup, view pictures of the moment of joy, the the media, spectators and fans go crazy.

SUPER EAGLES LET'S CONQUER THE WORLD!!!

Stewards who made the match an organized one.

Ticketing

Guinness on point

Ethiopians having fun

Super Eagles vs Walias of Ethiopia : Present and History

           VS

The African champions, Nigeria, look close to reaching a fifth Fifa World Cup finals after winning the first leg of this playoff against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa by 2-1 in spite of concerns over weather. Nigeria's Super Eagles have created a soft-landing for themselves ahead of the second leg clash in Calabar this Saturday and it is now the Ethiopians who have everything to play for.

It is going to be a tough task for the Ethiopians to upset the applecart and go on to win in Calabar where their East African rivals, Kenya, where close to winning during one of the World Cup qualifying games in March this year but for Nnamdi Oduamadi's late strike.

The Walias will definitely fancy their chances of taking a pop at the Super Eagles just as their East African neighbours did on March 23. But they are just one leg away from a first World Cup appearance should they beat Nigeria in Calabar by at least 2-0 or any other two-goal margin.

World Cup history

Talking of their World Cup history, the Ethiopians have none at the finals proper except at qualifying level. The Walya Antelopes have never qualified for the World Cup finals and this is their closest attempt at a first appearance.

Who wears the Crown? : Africa Footballer of the year

Caf has released the names of 25 candidates for this year’s edition. There are 21 names for the best Africa-based player including three from Orlando Pirates

Caf has published the names of players to vie for the 2013 African Player of the Year award, as well as the second prize which goes to the African Player of the Year based in Africa award.

Three South African players are listed in the latter, Orlando Pirates' Lennox Bacela, Senzo Meyiwa and Daine Klate. The Bucs players were rewarded for finishing as runners up in the Caf Champions League.

The long list for the premier individual football accolade on the continent is made of 25 players, with Africa’s reigning champions Nigeria having the highest representatives with five players, followed by Cote D’Ivoire, providing three candidates, one of whom is the reigning African Player of the Year, Yaya Toure and two-time winner Didier Drogba.

Cape Verde, who broke onto the continental scene this year at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, also have two men representing them, Platini and Ryan Mendes.

Egypt’s Mohamed Aboutrika and Ethiopian Saladin Said are the only players based in Africa on the list for the flagship award.

The category for the Africa-based Player of the Year has 21 nominees, including three from Caf Champions League winners Al Ahly.

The winners will be announced at the Glo-Caf Awards Gala scheduled for Thursday, January 9, 2014 in Lagos, Nigeria.

Click to see the full list

Live Update: Super Eagles turned to handball players, final training session

Live images from Super Eagles training ground (UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar)

Super Eagles final training as handball players

It's the final training session for the Super Eagles, who are on the quest to defeat the Walias of Ethiopia who were defeated back home by the Super Eagles of Nigeria 2-1. 

The Eagles arrived at about 7.30 a.m. along side the technical crew. Spectators, fans, well wishers and media where seen atound the stadium before the arrival of the Eagles.

 Eagles are seen today in a different style of training compared to previous training days, they are seen throwing the football to one another like the handball player do. 

Well wishers, media, spectators and fans where already on ground before the Super Eagles arrived.

Photo credit: Martin Ebor

Live Update: Super Eagles training ground, day 3

Images from Super Eagles training ground ( UJ Esuene Stadium) which is the scheduled match venue for the world cup qualifier against Ethiopian National team on Saturday, 16th of November 2013.

From the image above it's been seen that the Eagles are having a closed training section, whereby spectators, fans, journalists and well wishers hoping to watch the Super Eagles day 3 training section where locked out.

The Eagles arrived the training venue at exactly 3.37p.m. today (14th of November 2013). 

The Eagles resumed camp on Tuesday with few players on ground, but all players where seen at the training pitch as at Wednesday afternoon which was an open training section.

We all wish the Super Eagles best of Luck as they take on Walias of Ethiopia.

THE BADMINTON PRAYER

By: Henry C. Daut 

LORD, bless me as I step into the COURT to play the game of BADMINTON.

Allow me to have a good GRIP of the racket I will hold and the game I will play.

Guide my every STEP as I move to cover every SHOT. 

Help me to deliver the best SERVICE to my fellowmen.

Be it SHORT, LONG or even just a FLICK of a second.

Give me the strength to CLEAR the way to reach greater heights.

U-17 World Cup: FIFA hails Golden Eaglets

FOOTBALL, SPORTS

Blatter says: “On behalf of the international football family, I would like to extend our warmest congratulations to the team (Golden Eaglets)”

The Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) on Wednesday hailed the victorious Golden Eaglets for their triumph at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

A statement from Ademola Olajire, the Assistant Director (Media), Nigeria Football Association (NFA) in Abuja, said FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, sent a letter describing the Golden Eaglets as worthy winners.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Golden Eaglets won their record fourth U-17 World Cup title at the 2013 edition of the tournament which was held from Oct. 17 to Nov. 8.

Nigeria took the title following a 3-0 defeat of Mexico who they had earlier beaten 6-1 in the preliminary stage.

Golden Eaglets set to take on Uruguay: Semi Final Slot

Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets will be stepping out today, Saturday against their quarter final counterpart Uruguay at the Sharjah Stadium, Nigeria will be seeking to maintain the status it has now attained and fulfil raised hopes.

This will be by beating Uruguay for a place in Tuesday’s semi-finals at the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the UAE, where they can face either Honduras or Sweden.

Success against Uruguay in Saturday’s quarter-finals, and progress to the Nov. 8 final match in Abu Dhabi will maintain Nigeria’s status and also keep it as the competition’s most successful team.