CHAN 2016 exit: NFF, Oliseh apologise to Nigerians

Super Eagles manager, Sunday Oliseh as well as Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick have apologised to Nigerians over the Super Eagles’ exit from the African Nations Championship. 
Nigeria lost  1-0 to Guinea in yesterday’s last group C match and subsequently crashed out of the tournament. They garnered four points from their two previous matches and only needed a draw against Guinea to advance to the quarter-final.
“We apologise to Nigerians for this loss, we never planned to exit the tournament this early. The boys gave their best,” Oliseh said after the game. 
Pinnick added, “We apologise to Nigerians for the poor outing of the Super Eagles in Rwanda, but we toe the line of CAF which states that CHAN is a developmental and preparatory competition. Of course, as Nigerians, we love to win always, and we feel bad when we don’t.

“I want us to take the positives from this tournament. A player like Chisom Chikatara broke onto the global platform and players like Usman Mohammed,  Chima Akas, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Austin Oboroakpo and Ifeanyi Mathew confirmed their class.

“For me, it is disappointing that we did not progress. But the NFF will now focus on the 2017 AFCON qualifiers, and start preparations early for the remaining rounds.”

LMC splash Super Eagles with dollars after Niger rout.

For their impressive display against Niger on January 18, 2016, the League Management Company (LMC) has presented a cash gift of $10,000 to the home-based Super Eagles. Recall that the squad, thrashed their neighbours 4-1 at the beginning of their CHAN 2016 campaign.

The presentation was made at a dinner organised by the Nigerian Chancery in Rwanda, the 2nd Vice President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

“The LMC, club owners and all the stake holders of the league appreciate your excellent display tonight (Monday). We are proud of the team. You guys have been good ambassadors of the league and I have been mandated to present this cash as reward for your hard work,” The chairman of the LMC, Shehu Dikko said.

CHAN 2016: Super Eagles fly past Niger

The Super Eagles of Nigeria  started their African Nations Championship campaign on a very impressive note today with a 4-1 victory over neighbours, Niger at the Kigali Regional Stadium.

30 seconds into the second half, Osas Okoro netted in a goal and gave the team the much needed morale. The last three goals; a hattrick was provided by Chisom Chikatara who came in as a substitute for Adeniji.
Niger fought back through Zakary Adebayor at the 80th minute.

Nigeria now tops Group C with three points.

2016 CHAN : Super Eagles Match Schedule

Come Monday, January 18, 2016, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will kick off their 2016 CHAN campaign with a game against Niger in Kigali. The match will start by 5pm (Nigerian Time). Their next game will be against Tunisia on Friday, January 22, at Kigali. Time 2pm.

 FULL FIXTURES

Monday, January 18

NIGERIA vs Niger 5pm at Stade Regional Nyamirambo, Kigali

Friday, January 22

Tunisia vs NIGERIA 2pm at Stade Regional Nyamirambo, Kigali

Tuesday, January 26

Guinea vs NIGERIA 3pm at Umuganda Stadium Gisenyi

QUARTERFINAL  Sunday, January 31

Kigali – GROUP C WINNERS (NIGERIA, TUNISIA, NIGER, GUINEA) VS GROUP D RUNNERS-UP (ZIMBABWE, MALI, UGANDA, ZAMBIA)

Gisenyi – GROUP C RUNNERS-UP VS GROUP D WINNERS

2016 CHAN: Sunday Oliseh unveils 23-man squad.

Super Eagles manager, Sunday Oliseh has unveiled 23-man squad for the 2016 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda. A statement by NFF Assistant Director (Communications), Ademola Olajire, said the coach released the team’s final list of 23 players for the championship. The CHAMPIONSHIP will hold from January 16 to February 7, 2016. 

The list also has Enyimba International FC’s winger Ezekiel Bassey, former junior international Ifeanyi Mathew and Sunshine Stars’ trio of Paul Onobi, Prince Aggrey and Tunde Adeniji. Former junior international goalkeeper Femi Thomas, Shooting Stars’ central defender Jamiu Alimi and former Supersand Eagles’ ace Bartholomew Ibenegbu have also been included.’’ 

“There, the squad will stage a 10-day pre-Championship training camp, and play two friendly games against Angola and Cote d’Ivoire, who are also CHAN-bound on January 6 and 11 respectively,’’ the statement said.

The Full List:
Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Olufemi Thomas (Enyimba International FC); Okiemute Odah (Warri Wolves)
Defenders: Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors); Kalu Okogbue (Rangers International); Jamiu Alimi (Shooting Stars); Mathew Etim (Rangers); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Stephen Eze (Sunshine Stars); Christopher Maichibi (Giwa FC); Samson Gbadebo (Lobi Stars)

Midfielders: Ifeanyi Mathew (El-Kanemi Warriors); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); Usman Mohammed (FC Taraba); Yaro Bature (Nasarawa United); Bartholomew Ibenegbu (Warri Wolves); Ibrahim Salau (Shooting Stars)
Forwards: Osas Okoro (Rangers); Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba); Tunde Adeniji (Sunshine Stars); Bright Onyedikachi (FC IfeanyiUbah); Chisom Chikatara (Abia Warriors); Prince Aggrey (Sunshine Stars).
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