NFF "saddened" by Falconets travel snafu, promises bonus payments

 

Falconets on arrival in Abuja and received by NFF officials led by General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi

After a grueling travel schedule, Nigeria's under 20 women's national team finally arrived home on Wednesday afternoon and were received at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja by an NFF delegation led by General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, who expressed sadnesss at the travel snafu experienced by the team.

The team spent 24 hours at Istanbul's Ataturk airport sleeping on the floor while waiting for their connecting flight to Nigeria after flight delays saw them miss their original connection

"We just want to let you know that Nigerians appreciated all you did," Sanusi told the players. "But we are saddened that on your way back, you had to sleep at the airport for reasons beyond our control. The arrangement was done by FIFA and you know what happened better than us."

Sanusi also promised the players that the NFF would pay them qualifying bonuses for the tournament 

"We want to assure you that the same time the Super Falcons are going to be paid, you are also going to be paid your bonuses."

Earlier on Wednesday, the federation released a statement explaining the embracing travel situation 

“The NFF did not book the team’s tickets from Costa Rica; FIFA did," Ssanusi said in the statement. "FIFA also did not envisage the hitches that saw the team delayed for more than three hours in Bogota, and another one hour in Panama. By the time the team got to Istanbul, the flight to Abuja had left.

 

“Our officials pleaded for compassionate transit visas so as to take the players and officials to a hotel inside the town, but this was not possible as they were informed that Nigeria had been removed from the list of countries whose citizens were issued visa-on-arrival in Turkey. 

"The airline then took the team to a sleeping area at the airport and gave them tickets to have meals every five hours. This situation has nothing to do with NFF, who had made arrangements to receive the team in Abuja before the complications in travel arrangements.”

 

The federation also explained that the players chose to wash their jerseys by hand on their own, but was quiet as to why they had to buy footwear with borrowed money

 “The players were handed three sets of green jerseys and two sets of white jerseys, several house-wear types and training jerseys. The players opted to wash only their jersey top (no other stuff) because when the first set of body-wear was sent to the laundry people at the hotel, it returned with some FIFA and NFF badges at the front and names at the back peeled by the machine.” 

Dejected Falconets sleep on Turkey airport floor

 

It is rare that a Nigerian national team travels to an international competition and returns sans drama, usually of the embarrassing and disgraceful variety.

And once again, that ugly devil strikes again, with the Under 20 women’s team stuck at the Istanbul airport on a 24 hour layover, sleeping on airport benches, and on the floor of the biting cold airport.

That is just the latest in a litany of troubles the team has faced while competing at the tournament.

Beneath their stirring performance at the 2022 FIFA Under 20 Women’s World Cup, the Falconets weathered and continue to weather head winds that not even adults should have to experience, let alone teenage kids.

Player sources say the team were provided very limited equipment, with just three sets of their green home kit and two sets of the white away kit. This meant the players had to wash their jersey by hand after every game, and were unable to exchange jerseys.

Worse, despite the NFF having an official kit supplier, the young ladies were not supplied official footwear and were asked instead to buy their own footwear.

And so the players - who are only getting paid $50 as daily match allowance and no bonuses - borrowed money to buy Nike sneakers and playing boots.

Worse was to come. 

After their elimination against the Netherlands, the players had barely three hours to sleep before heading off to the airport, expecting to arrive home within a day or two. They were sorely mistaken.

“We’ve been on a trip to Nigeria since 6:30am Monday. We are currently sleeping at the Istanbul Airport awaiting a 6pm Wednesday flight Istanbul time  to Abuja.”

How did that happen?

According to team officials, their tickets were booked for Tuesday evening on Avianca.

But the Colombian flag carrier rebooked the team on Turkish Air leading to a four-hour delay in Colombia. That, coupled with a stop in Panama meant the team missed their Tuesday connection flight.

NFF’s Leader of Delegation Ruth David tried in vain to ask the airline for accommodation, but without transit visas, the pleas accomplished nothing and the team were forced to spend 24 hours at the airport awaiting their connecting flight to Abuja

But their struggles will not end when they arrive in Abuja. The players have been given N40 000 each as local transport allowance.

Meaning that after three days of grueling travel, they would have to travel by road (or train) from Abuja to whatever state their final destination is.

To be a Nigerian. . .

SABASTINE'S FLOURISH AND OTHER OBSERVATIONS FROM FALCONETS 1-0 WIN OVER FRANCE

 

After the crushing disappointment of Randy Waldrum’s poorly-coached Super Falcons at the 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations, football fans were looking up to the Falconets to restore some measure of respect back to the name at the FIFA Under 20 World Cup.

Hopes may be one thing, expectations are quite another. So, despite those hope, not many expected them to do too well against European champions France. 

Which would explain why not many Nigerians stayed up at the ungodly midnight hour that it was in Nigeria, to watch the next iteration of Super Falcons open their World Cup campaign.

But Christopher Danjuma’s girls were not to be discouraged, and completely dominated and outclassed the bigger, more physical French players in the opening 20 minutes under torrential rain.

The downpour forced the game to be suspended, and on resumption, they appeared to have lost some of their steam, the French looking marginally better in the second half of the first half.

Still, Flourish Sabastine’s well-placed goal late in the game sealed a well-earned win and three points for the Nigerian girls. More than that, their disciplined tactical play was a marked improvement from the dross Nigerians were served at WAFCON.

So what did we take away from their heartening win? Here goes

THIS IS HOW WE PLAY

Watching the Falconets play out with confidence from the back, passing the ball crisply, playing as a team, making good runs, using space and just generally making good decisions overall, reminded Nigerians exactly why they fell in love with the original Super Falcons in the first place.

Yess, the team made some basic errors and some of their decision-making, especially in the final third could have been better. But their foundations looked good, and it was clear that they were trying to play the right way. Always looking to find the open player, never ball hogging, quick, energetic and disciplined, esspecially in defence.

France, as good as they were, did not present any real threat in open play, Their most dangerous opportunities only came from corner kicks. Which takes us nicely into point 2

SET PIECE DEFENDING AND GOALKEEPING MUST IMPROVE

Almost everything the girls did was superb. The one area where they had issues was in defending set pieces, especially those lateral balls from cornerkicks. Goalkeeper Oyono Omini was having troubling dealing with crosses, flapping away at them with troubling regularity. That included one occasion when her misjudgement saw the ball bundled in by substitute Jade Nassi. Thankfully, that was chalked off - with the aid of VAR - for a foul on Omini, but the worries remain.

If the Falconets, two-time runners up, are to match and even exceed their previous results by winning the whole shebang, they will need improved showings from Omini. Or a replacement.

FLOURISH LEADS CAST OF IMPRESSIVE STARS

What a joy it was to watch Flourish Sabastine, and not just for her goal. All game long, her energy, positive attitude, fearless ability to take players on and skill on the ball marked her out as one to make a difference which she eventually did with a controlled precise finish.

But she was not alone. Skipper Oluwatosin Demehin showed why she earned an invitation to the senior squad, defending with composure, unyielding in her strength, quick to the ball and smart in making her reads of dangerous plays.

And in midfield, Esther Onyenezide showed she could be as smooth an operator as any.

Mercy Idoko’s vision to pick out Sabastine for that flourishing finish was just as worthy of commendation as any. And one needs to keep an eye on left back Rofiat Imuran

Vengeful Lionesses Tamed and Nigeria's 'La Decima' Quest Continues

It was meant to be a belle party experience but turned out a gritty, feisty feast of stop-starts in, perhaps, the most-anticipated clash of the Morocco 2022 CAF Women's African Cup of Nations.

A well-recycled ball by Gotham FC's Ifeoma Onumonu was plunged into the back of the Cameroonian net with Ange Bawou caught napping on her near side by a perfectly placed header from the blue-haired Rasheedat Ajibade, and that was all she wrote as the champions, Nigeria women's national team continued the defence of the title last won on Ghanaian soil four years ago.

The win takes the Super Falcons into the semis where they will play against a Moroccan side that has earned the right to be tagged a formidable opponent.

Before Monday's semifinal showdown with the host, let's check out some of the talking points from the 1-0 win of Nigeria over the Indomitable Lionesses.

Rasheedat Ajibade, a Contender for the MVP 

This is becoming her tournament, and oh my, she's wearing every game like a well-made dinner dress.

Her goal, from the team's only shot on target on the night, is why Nigeria will play Down Under next year when Australia and New Zealand host the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Called RASH, the Atletico de Madrid player has come through the ranks from the juvenile levels to becoming a mainstay in the best team on the continent. 

Although she's won the WAFCON, a 2018 feat, she's definitely hungry for more and that shows in every game she's played in in Morocco.

The 22-year-old gave a WOTM performance against Cameroon with her tenacious contributions across the forward line, and throughout this competition has been a tricky customer for her markers. 

With three goals and two assists, she's the lead scorer of this tourney alongside Morocco's captain, Ghizlane Chebbak, who has two WOTM awards to her name. Both will face off on Monday and their individual performances will surely be an exciting sub-plot of the battle ahead.

Super Falcons Must Make the Most of Set Plays

Times have changed. Big scorelines have thinned out. Women's football has grown and the days when the Falcons handed out heavy defeats to their opponents are long gone. But the team boasts of quality, grounded players that will always trouble oppositions. They'll always create chances and force teams to commit corners and free kicks in dangerous areas. So, they must readapt to taking advantage of these set pieces.

Aside from the penalty kick goal by Ajibade against Burundi and a Christy Ucheibe hearder off a corner, Nigeria has had a plethora of these opportunities but failed to turn a lot into goals.

Eight goals in four games make for an average of two per game. Not a bad return in these times but can be much better if set plays are harnessed. 

Who Won the Battle of the Midfield?

My post match tag for this game is Battle of the Midfield. And neither Cameroon nor Nigeria won. This rivalry historically dates back to when this championship started in 1991. It has metamorphosed into a tight and conservative contest. This particular one was hard sore, draining and left the players leaving their hearts on the field. Didn't expect less as there were so much at stake.

Cameroon's five-person midfield set-up and three for their West African foes made the encounter not pretty for viewing, had plenty of play disruptions, aerial and ground duels ended in fouls and cautions. No way this game could have produced more than a goal.

Matter of fact, it took a moment of sweet dribbling skill from Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, out-of-position precise cross from Onumonu and a well-struck header by Ajibade for both teams to be separated by the odd margin. Other than that, this fixture was destined for a penalty shootout. 

#GoingFor10 Alive and Running

It's been an arduous journey so far for the African champions. They've played Africa's top teams - Ghana and Cote d'Ivore in the qualifiers, South Africa and Cameroon at the tournament. A few bumps here and there but 'La Decima' dream is still hale and hearty.

Nigeria went into Morocco 2022 on the back of a social media campaign #GoingFor10, asking for support as they bid to win a 10th WAFCON crown. 

As the final whistle blew and history repeated, Nigeria sealed a ninth consecutive ticket to the FIFA WWC. At the end of this championship, this might be the sweetest achievement for Nigeria considering the fact that they are Africa's best and have another chance to equalling their best outing at the World Cup - a quarterfinal in 1999 - or do better.

The team's third oldest player in Morocco at 34, Rita Chikwelu, winner of two African titles, couldn't hold back tears with the Nigerian flag on her shoulders after the win against Cameroon. Going to the World Cup next year could be her swan song to wrap up a decorated career that started in 2007. 

Kudos to Cameroon; WC Hope Still Alive

“We will do everything to win this match” was what Cameroon coach, Gabriel Zabo said before the game. And he did have a plan to make that happen - resolute defending, stiffle the Nigerians when in possession and hit them on the transition. 

Led by Estelle Johnson in the defence, the Lionesses limited the Falcons to just one shot on target (proved to be the difference though) and just four corners. Nigeria's frontline personnel were reduced to constantly changing positions due to Cameroon's great man-marking capacity.

The journey back home will be a long, reflective one but this effort in futility doesn't mean they're out of the chase for a world cup ticket. There's a glimmer of hope - a playoff match and a path to the FIFA WWC through the extended playoff process.

Super Falcons Player Ratings after 1-0 win over Cameroon

 

Nigeria qualified for the semifinals and also secured a spot at next year's FIFA Women’s World Cup finals and here's how Rotimi Akindele rated the players in the quarter final win over rivals Cameroon.

Chiamaka Nnadozie, 7

Cool, calm and collected as always. Helped in making the defense pay attention to little details, was never really troubled and was solid enough to register her third straight clean sheet in the competition

Toni Payne, 6

Played as a make-shift right back before she switched to the left towards the latter stages of the game. Was pretty decent in the position especially with her pace and solid clearances. One of the versatiles in the team

Osinachi Ohale, 6

Had another decent game in the center half and would be proud to have helped register another clean sheet

Onome Ebi

Definitely marching on with her experience. Made some vital touches and intercepted a lot aerially. She won't be so bothered about getting into the referee's book

Asleigh Plumptre, 6

Played in a position where she is still trying to adapt but had put in a good shift before she was replaced in the second half

Halimat Ayinde, 7

Steady midfield performance. Easily breaks opponents play and has an eye to launch good passes towards the attack. One of Nigeria's best performers on the night

Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, 8

Proving to be a midfield maestro. She was solid all through as she helped the attack and the defense during the entire game. Made the strong brilliant move that led to the only goal of the game. It was an MVP performance but she didn't get the award post game and we all knew why…

Rasheedat Ajibade, 8

Got Nigeria's only goal of the night. Proving to be an asset to the team since day 1 especially since Oshoala's injury. Was well positioned for the winning goal and read the ball nicely. Helped with defense as well whenever she's not driving the attack. She was voted the Woman of the Match post game

Ifeoma Onumonu, 6

Still struggling to lead the pack but her all round presence is commendable. She delivered the pin-point cross that found Ajibade for the only goal. She's got to find the back of the net often to boost her confidence

Christy Ucheibe, 6

Average performance in the midfield, good enough to help the team grind out the win

Francisca Ordega, 5

After some early incursions in the first half, she was lost for the better part of the game especially as she struggled to really hold down her own from the wings

Subs

Michelle Alozie, 6

Came in to help the defense and did well for over 25 minutes. A good asset

Uchenna Kanu, 4

Did little after being brought on

Rita Chikwelu, 5

Brought in the needed experience to calm some nerves late on

Regina Otu, 4

Did little or nothing within the short time

Gift Monday, 4

Still struggling to get enough playing time

REVENGE ONE OF THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR AS NIGERIA FACE CAMEROON FOR A WORLD CUP PLACE

 

Conquering Africa nine times in twelve attempts comes with both a blessing and a curse. That's the fate of the Super Falcons of Nigeria, the undisputed queens of African women's football. On one hand, they have the ultimate bragging rights and history a lot would kill for, creating a gap in the process that will take decades to reduce or close. On the flip side, it regularly puts a target on their back during African qualifiers and championships, as teams develop their game and prepare to topple them.

Kufre Ekpe provides a few things to look out for as the Super Falcons take on Cameroon in a high stakes game of winner takes World Cup ticket and place in the semifinal

CAMEROON GOING FOR REVENGE

Among the biggest rivalries in African women’s football is Nigeria v Cameroon and this is as far as football rivalries go - rich, intense, exciting, gruelling and physical. 

In 31 years, the Super Falcons and Indomitable Lionesses have met four times in the final of the WAFCON. The Nigerian ladies have dominated the Indomitable Lionesses in all.

Nigeria and Cameroon have met in all editions except for 2002 (paths didn't cross) and 1995 (the Lionesses were walked over).

The last time both sides met was at the 2016 Final in Yaounde, where the Super Falcons denied the Lionesses their first time, and in front of their fans and president, costing them money and national honours.

It is a pain that is yet to go away and what better way for Cameroon to claim their pound of flesh than to deny their rivals the chance of a direct World Cup ticket for the first time.

CAN NIGERIA SHOW BOUNCEBACKABILITY?

In 2018, the Super Falcons lost to South Africa in their opening game, but bounced back to win their next two games and qualify for the semfinal (it was still an eight team tournament at the time).

Their semifinal opponents were, you guessed it, Cameroon. A tough game ended 0-0 and the Super Falcons triumphed 4-2 on penalties and then went on to win the final against South Africa, also on penalties.

Is history about to repeat itself?

The first three games of the Super Falcons have taught us many things about the team. They have rebounded from a below-par, pegged-back performance against Banyana Banyana to play possessive, tactical games against Botswana and Burundi. They were good and dominant in the last two games of the group stage. But will that be enough going head-to-head against an ambitious Cameroon?

And will it be enough to take them all the way to La Decima?

HOW IMPORTANT WILL OKOBI AND PAYNE BE? AND HOW WILL WALDRUM SHAPE UP TACTICALLY

Aside from the first game, midfielder Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene has featured in others and has proven she's an asset that will a handful for Cameroon.

In a free role, Sweden-based Okobi-Okeoghene was instrumental to Waldrum's tactical deployment against Botswana. Bursting with agility, she was the driving force, providing energy, forward play and control to the team’s play for 64 minutes. In 90 minutes against Burundi, she had the higher number of key passes (5).

The 28-year-old's influence in the midfield underlines her pivotal role as a versatile midfielder. The Eskilstuna United player is a battler, a clear head and a steady presence for the Falcons. Her recovery rate is also impressive. A midfield collaboration with Halimatu Ayinde and Peace Efih will avail the team grit and balance to match Cameroon's physical strength.

Defensively, Michelle Alozie is expected to be back on the right. But it will be fascinating to see what Waldrum decides for the left spot as he's started three different left-wing backs in three games - Ashleigh Plumptre (South Africa), Toni Payne (Botswana) and Nicole Payne (Burundi). Glory Ogbonna has also played there as a sub, for 43 minutes against Burundi.

Though not a natural left back, the overwhelming choice will be Toni Payne. She has established herself as an offensively gifted player and played an advanced role against South Africa. But Waldrum unpredictably played her as a left-wing back in Botswana's game, and she provided something new - pace, drive and quick recovery. These attributes will come in handy against Cameroon.

The centre-back partnership of captain Onome Ebi and Osinachi Ohale has gotten better with the passing of the competition. Both are good passers of the ball, recording excellent passing accuracy so far, specifically in the last two games. Singling out the WOTM against Burundi, Ohale, she's been impressive in her ball distribution, constantly supplying long balls to the forwards. Rasheedat Ajibade benefited tremendously from this against Burundi.

Waldrum reverted to the 4-3-3 formation against Burundi, this time making use of the wings. Nigeria's wing play troubled the Burundesi. Ajibade and Uchenna Kanu exploited their space, outpacing their markers. This is another element of their game strategy that Cameroon should be wary of.

It will be interesting to see how Waldrum will line up against Cameroon but a starting roster of Nnadozie; T. Payne, Ebi, Ohale, Alozie; Ayinde, Efih, Okobi-Okeoghene; Ajibade, Kanu and Onumonu will be very competitive and difficult to best.

Cameroonian Football Federation President, Samuel Etoó has given the team a semi-final target, which makes this fixture a do-or-die battle against the title holders.

Once Again, Desiree Ellis Proves to be Super Falcons Kryptonite

South Africa forward Thembi Kgatlana flies over Nigeria goalkeeper Tochi Oluehi in their opening match of the CAF Africa Women Cup of Nations. South Africa won 2-1

- Kufre Ekpe

Desiree Ellis proved that she is the Super Falcons kryptonite when she masterminded a third win in four games against the reigning champions for the second consecutive opening game of the Africa Women Cup of Nations.

It was the same occurrence forty-four months ago at Ghana 2018. But this particular concept has a second part, and that would be a Morocco 2022 final match-up between Nigeria and Banyana Banyana, ending in a win for the former, just like it happened in Ghana.

But that is history that Ellis, a former player herself who suffered multiple defeats against Nigeria, is planning against. She says a lot has changed though for her girls since they last played the Super Falcons at the WAFCON four years ago. “We know what happened in 2018, but we have matured over the past four years and there are changes in our team,” Ellis said after the win.

Noone can agree more. These ladies are more developed, experiended, tactical, motivated and hungrier. With these, the scepticism of many who think it will not be easy-peasy for the nine-time African champions shouldn't be waved aside.

All of these come down to South Africa's investments in the beautiful game over the last few years. In the past, they have always played second fiddle to their Nigerian counterparts. The hope is that this is the year they conquer Africa. Ellis has handled the team since 2016, and her great knowledge of the women's game has developed South African football. The results are vastly seen in how Banyana Banyana have closed the gap on other power houses, in efforts, results and tactics.

The women's league in South Africa is one of the few best administered in Africa. The returns were seen in the inaugural CAF Women's Champions League title lifted by the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in 2021.

Regionally, they have won seven of the nine COSAFA Women's Championships. Continentally, the South African ladies have finished second on five occasions. Globally, they have been to two of the last three Olympics and played at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup - their first and only participation, so far.

Just last year at the Aisha Buhari Cup in Lagos, they became the first African side to condemn the Falcons to their heaviest defeat, a 4-2 win.
 


PURPOSEFUL FROM KICKOFF

The South Africans started with all intent and purpose, putting the Falcons on the back foot from the start of the game. They served watchers a tip of the iceberg of what is to come when Nigeria conceded two corner kicks in three minutes and rendered them second best all through the first half. Overall, South Africa won the game from almost all fronts - successfully playing out from the back many times, sharply exchanging passes, quick and confident link ups between the defence and midfield, fast recoveries to deny the Nigerians time and space, GK Andile Dlamini's assured commanding of her box, and of course the two quick goals executed with aplomb and clinicality.

The margin of difference in the average ages of the teams should quickly extinguish any argument that a youthful South African side versus a set of Nigerian old legs is the cause of how dominant the match was for the winners. The average age of South Africa's starting line up was 27.5 years compared to 29 for Nigeria. So, what went wrong? Tactical superiority? Bad selection by Randy Waldrum?



TACTICAL SUPERIORITY

Coach Ellis perfected South Africa's dominance through her stand-in captain, Jane Refiloe, who plays for AC Milan in Italy and WOTM Linda Motlhalo, who plays in Sweden for Djurgardens IF. Both ran the show in the middle as defensive and offensive midfielders respectively, and took advantage of their ineffective and incohesive opposites, Halimatu Ayinde and Rita Chikwelu.

Refiloe and Motlhalo's intricate and subtle passes, mostly short, consistently took Chikwelu and Ayinde out of their game and cut them napping most times. This was evident in South Africa's second goal.

Joining the mix to knock the wind off the 2018 champions' sail were Nixolo Cesane and Hildah Magaia. They were breezy and purposeful in movement. They constantly stretched the Nigerian back-line. Cesane was a class act. Nifty and nimble. Leicester's Ashleigh Plumptre, with all her best efforts in the game, was hard done by the 21-year-old's skills. Cesane and Magaia combined beautifully to provide Jermaine  Seoposenwe the assist for the first goal

BIG WIN

Seoposenwe's goal sent Ellis on her knees in celebration. The ex-Spurs Ladies (SA) coach said in the post-match press conference that “This is a very big win for us as a team. We needed to get this result because it sets the tone for the rest of the tournament. We had a meeting before we started training to talk about our goals and ambitions. We want to qualify for the World Cup and win the title here.” Such is the magnitude of South Africa’s second win over Nigeria in the past 10 months.

This was an intentional win for South Africa. Could it be the beginning of the dominance of the Super Falcons in African women's football? Have the South Africans become potential champions? Will this win generate far-reaching consequences on the game in Africa? Will it inspire more development of the women's game on the continent?

Interesting days ahead for African women's football. 

THROW BACK TO NIGERIA’S LAST TRIP TO LESOTHO

Christian Obodo in Maseru after supplying the cross for Yakubu Aiyegbeni's game winner against Lesotho

Nigeria arrived in Maseru on Saturday ahead of their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Lesotho on Sunday.

It has been 13 years since the Super Eagles were last in the southern African country. Not a single Super Eagles player from that era remains in the squad today.

Recently-retired former captain John Mikel Obi, who missed that game (a story for another day), would have been the only player from that time still in the squad if he was still around.

I was one of just two Nigerian journalists in Maseru for that game, which unfortunately, was n to broadcast live. So it was my match report for KickOffNigeria that most people had to rely on for proceedings.

Here is my throwback travelogue and report from that trip and game from 2006. 

This report was originally written for the CyberEagles forum

ARRIVAL

I left Nigeria on Thursday night and arrived Johannesburg about 6am Friday morning. Before leaving Lagos, I was told that the boys would be going by road to Lesotho (pronounced Lesutu). 

On arrival, I rang Idah Peterside and he told me the plans had changed. A first batch of players had left at 6am that morning and a second batch was due to leave by 9:30am. 

As it was already close to 8am, I crossed over from Arrivals to Departures and was lucky enough to catch the second batch. Leading them was Tunde Adelakun, accompanied by Team Co-ordinator Jossy Dombraye (I will return to him later) and Chidi Ngoka, an NFA staff. 

Luckily, I discovered there was a seat available and I quickly bought a ticket. Players on the trip were Emmanuel Okoduwa, Bob Osim, Uche Udeorah and Oguche (no relation to Lobi team mate Andy). 

FLIGHT OF FEAR

Nothing prepared us for the shock we got at the tarmac. We were to fly in a Jetstream 41 aircraft 

It’s the smallest thing I have ever flown in and like I reported here, not an experience I want to repeat. Dombraye was providing entertainment of sorts for the players by clinging to the seat in front of him for dear life. By the time we touched down, there was a general agreement that we take photos in front of the plane, which we did. 

CAMP SPIRIT 

Most of the players were still in bed when we arrived and I only got to see them at lunch. But there was quite obviously a relaxed atmosphere in the camp. 

BTW, I had planned to join the team bus for training. After lunch, I decided to go upstairs to my room as we still had about an hour to go before training. The bus was due to leave by 2:45pm. 

While watching TV, I didn’t know when I dropped off, and by the time I opened my eyes to take a leak, it was 4pm! I had to find my way to the place. . .and it cost me. 

It would take someone who has been in the Eagles camp before, during- and post-Oliseh to understand what I mean here. 

Yobo walked up to the two new boys,, Udeorah and Ogbuke, shook their hands and welcomed them to the family. Kanu did the same, and even took Udeorah under his wing. 

Players were walking into each other’s rooms, staying up late, talking, gisting, laughing and sharing jokes. The camaraderie was unbelievable. For instance, after the game I was in Oruma and Yakubu’s room where Kanu, Oruma, Yakubu, Obodo, Enakarhire, Ogbuke and Udeorah spent hours watching Nigerian home videos and reliving past experiences until 3am in the morning. 

We were joined by others who came and went, like Nwaneri, Okonkwo, Enyeama, Yobo, etc. It was a mini-party of sorts with an i-Pod terminal hitting music like mad, and everyone singing and dancing. Even Samson Siasia joined the party, although he took some time to speak to Obinna about his game and how he should clean up his act. 

MIKEL SITUATION

The one sour angle to all this was the Mikel situation. All the players are very upset with Mikel for not turning up. Almost everyone compared him to Kanu, saying he hadn’t achieved as much as Papilo and yet he was doing big man. 

The general feeling is that Mikel is feeling like a ‘Big Boy’ because he plays for Chelsea, and I suspect he wont get hugs and kisses the next time he shows up in camp. 

I will post the story of the saga later. 

PITCH AND MATCH BALLS

The players got a chance to train on the pitch on Saturday afternoon. 

Let me just talk a bit about the weather. When I got there on Friday, I discovered the game was for 3pm Lesotho time. 

Come 3pm, the whole place was hot as hell and I asked the FA official is they would not have to change the time to maybe 4pm? He said it would be fine by Sunday. 

On Saturday, by 3pm, the place was biting cold. I couldn’t believe it. 

When the boys trained on the pitch, they were aghast. It was rough, bumpy and undulating even though it looked good from a distance. 

After dinner, the discussion was the best way to approach the pitch and the directive from Eguavoen was that they should not stretch themselves too much. Just do enough to make sure the Likuena did not have time on the ball and pressure them high on their side of the field. 

As for the ball, it was horrible. Just a touch (even for a non footballer like me) was enough to know that those match balls would not cut it. Unfortunately, the boys had to live with it. 

By 1pm on Sunday, it was raining cats and dogs. Up until we got to the stadium, it was still pouring. In a way, this helped our boys as it softened the pitch, but it also meant the balls were flying and as they had been instructed to take it easy, it meant chasing lost causes was out of the question. 

Martins tried on one occasion and learnt his lesson. 

MINUTE BY MINUTE REPORT

FIRST HALF 

1’ Kickoff by the hosts. Nigeria in green, playing from right to left. 

4’ Martins chases down what looks like a lost ball, out paces his marker to win the ball. But there is nobody to meet his cutback inside the box. Lesotho clear. 

5’ Oruma hits a shot that is deflected for a corner kick. 

7’ Taye Taiwo misses a right foot clearance in front of the 18-yard box. Sello Muso latches on to it, but Taiwo recovers to block the shot. 

8’ Yakubu is put through by Martins, but he is crowded out by two defenders inside the box. 

10’ A poor defensive header almost lets Martins in, but he wins a corner kick from which Ogbuke’s shot is headed agonisingly over the top by Martins 

14’ Yobo concedes freekick just past the halfway line. Bokang Mothoana hits a ferocious drive which is scrambled to safety by Enyeama as it headed for the bottom right hand corner. Lesotho win their first corner kick after Nigeria’s three. 

19’ BOOKING: Yakubu gets the ball inside the net, but the whistle had already gone for offside and the Middlesbrough striker is booked. 

20’ Mothoana hits another long range drive that Enyeama fists away, as it heads for the top right hand corner. 

23’ Yakubu’s threaded ball splits the defence and Martins is through on goal, but goalkeeper Phasumane Kholuoe is quick off his line and makes a fine save 

25’ Seyi Olofinjana, who has been having a great game, dispossesses one man and finds Martins who forces another good save from the keeper. 

28’ Olofinjana wins the ball—again—inside his half and makes a great run past defenders with ease. But he fails to make the pass and loses the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box. The subsequent counter attack almost proves fatal. Eguavoen is livid! 

34’ Obodo heads at keeper from Abbey cross 

35’ Ogbuke misses from close range from Taiwo’s freekick. 

40’ Obagoal again just heads over as the half peters away. 

SECOND HALF 

46’ Oruma wins freekick on the right hand channel. Taiwo curls it inside the box and is headed in by Yakubu, but the goal is ruled out for a foul on the keeper. 

50’ GOAL! Obodo picks up the ball in the left hand channel, gets in a bit of a mess as Taiwo tries to shoot. But Obodo gets the ball, floats it into the area and Yakubu is on hand to make an easy tap in. 

53’ Yobo almost makes it two from another Taiwo freekick, but heads narrowly wide. 

57’ BOOKING: Bushy Moletsane booked for a challenge on Oruma. 

58’ BOOKING: Abbey promptly joins him after a crunchy challenge from behind on Bokang, who has been Lesotho’s most dangerous player along with Muso. The Nigerian is lucky to escape with only a yellow. 

62’ SUBSTITUTION: Bokang off for Katleho Moleko and Bushy off for Ralekoti Mokhahlane. 

73’ Nwaneri easily disposseses Refiloe Potse—for the umpteenth time, and frustrated fans call for the striker to be substituted. 

74’ Martins breaks through again, but the goalkeeper makes yet another great save. 

75’ SUBSTITUTION: Okoduwa on for Ogbuke 

78’ Oruma’s freekick causes all manner of panic in the Lesotho box. Yakubu’s ball looks to be dribbling in but is cleared off the line! 

80’ Potse makes way for Tefo Maipato to derisive applause from the crowd. 

82’ Fans bay for penalty as ball hits Yobo on the arm. Ref rules it was shoulder 

83’ SUBSTITUTION: Yakubu off for Kanu. 

86’ BOOKING: Langana Nkhethoa booked for poor challenge on Oruma 

88’ SUBSTITUTION: Oruma off for Okonkwo. 

89’ A clearly unfit Kanu gives the ball away for the third time. Muso gets a good shot in but Enyeama has it covered. Five minutes of added time to be played. 

95’ FULL TIME: Crowd unhappy at referee ending the game ‘early’. 

PLAYER RATINGS 

Enyeama 6 

Apart from two long range efforts, one from a freekick, he could have taken a holiday in the Carribeans. 

Abbey 5 

Took out one half of Lesotho’s dangerous duo with what should have been a sending off tackle from behind. Did his primary job of keeping his corner tight. 

Taiwo 6 

Bounded up and down the left flank and gave the Likuena plenty to think about whenever they conceded freekicks. 

Yobo 7 

Commanding in the air, solid in the tackle and quick to close down opponents. Gave nothing away except for that near-miss with hand ball. 

Nwaneri 6 

Started shakily, but grew in confidence and mauled Potse so much that fans called for the striker to be taken off and the player himself must have been relieved to see his name on the board. 

Olofinjana 7 

By far his best game for the Super Eagles so far in recent times. This, despite being outnumbered in the centre of the park. All he needed was a goal, and he almost got one. 

Oruma 7 

Ran the show in the middle, and kept possession well despite getting crowded out by a packed midfield. Involved in most of our attacking moves. 

Obodo 7 

As usual, kept cutting into the middle to help out. Fabulous, quick thinking assist for the goal. 

Ogbuke 5 

Always willing to take on defenders and track back to win the ball back. Unfortunately, he lost the ball too often in trying to take on players. When his moves begin to come off, defenders will be in trouble. 

Martins 7 

Worked hard, worked the channels and had about three half chances that he should have put away. 

Yakubu 8 

Undoubtedly the man of the match. Roughed up the Lesotho defenders, always available to give or receive a through ball and was willing to do his share of defensive duty. 

Okoduwa 5 

Showed committent on his debut and almost forced the keeper into a bad error with his never say die spirit almost immediately after coming in. 

Okonkwo 5 

His first international and he came out selling of roses. Kept it simple with the one-touch passing. All he needs now is a European club. 

Kanu 3 

A poor game by his standards through no fault of his and even Papilo himself knows it. Gave the ball away each time he got it. 

THE NIGERIA SQUAD TO LESOTHO

Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeama (Bnei Yehuda, Israel), Greg Etafia (Moroka Swallows, South Africa), Dele Aiyenugba (Enyimba, Nigeria) 

Defenders: Joseph Yobo, (Everton, England), Taiye Taiwo, (Olympique Marseille, France), George Abbey (Macclesfield Town, England), Joseph Enakhaire (Bordeaux, France), Obinna Nwaneri (Esperance, Tunisia), Bob Usim (Heartland, Nigeria), Ude Uche (Nasarawa United, Nigeria) 

Midfielders: Wilson Oruma, (Olympique Marseille), Christian Obodo (Udinese, Italy), Mikel Obi (Chelsea, England), Seyi Olofinjana (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Kazeem Ayila (Dynamo Kiev, Ukraine), Okardi Blessing (Ocean Boys, Nigeria), Oguchi Uche (Lobi Stars, Nigeria) 

Forwards: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Middlesborough, England), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth, England), Osaze Odemwingie (Lille, France), Obafemi Martins (Newcastle, England), John Utaka (Stade Rennes, France), Ayodele Makinwa (Lazio, Italy), Emmanuel Okoduwa (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine), Chinedu Ogbuke (Lyn Oslo, Norway).