Sports
India 2022: Gusau charges Flamingos to go for three points against New Zealand
President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Thursday challenged the U17 Girls, Flamingos to put their defeat to Germany behind them and go all out for three points when they take the pitch against their New Zealand counterparts tomorrow afternoon at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in India.
Africa’s best team took the lead against European champions Germany on Tuesday but fell to two second half goals that has rendered their remaining encounters in the group phase, against New Zealand and Chile, must-win.
“I spoke to the girls after the match against Germany to cheer them up, and I have spoken to them and their officials today for them to appreciate the enormity of the task before them, because the NFF and indeed, all Nigerians, want them to proceed to the knock-out stages. They must work hard at converting their opportunities. They must play to their strengths and do the best they can to emasculate the opposition.
“A good win against New Zealand will be a great confidence-booster for the team going into the crunch encounter with Chile on Monday.”
New Zealand will not be easy meat, as the girls from Down Under took the bronze medals at the 2018 World Cup finals in Uruguay – the only finals Nigeria have missed in the history of the tournament.
Incidentally, New Zealand hosted the very first edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, 28th October – 16 November 2008. It is a long way from those finals, when hosts New Zealand exited the competition at group stage after losses to Canada and Denmark, and a win over Colombia.
Nigeria’s Flamingos suffered similar fate, after a 2-1 win over South Korea and 1-0 loss to England in Wellington, and a 2-2 draw with Brazil in Christchurch.
Following their 1-2 defeat by Germany and New Zealand’s 1-3 loss to Chile, the Zealanders presently prop up the group B. Nigeria is third, but could go to second place ahead of the final matches of the pool if they overpower New Zealand by two goals and Germany overcome Chile in the second match at the same Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The encounter between Nigeria and New Zealand will kick off at 4.30pm India time (12.30pm Nigeria time).
Sports
Lawal Delivers Another Brilliant Performance in Europe
After displaying great form for Istra 1961against Vukovar in the score draw encounter in the elite league few days ago in Croatia, Salim Fago Lawal has continued to enjoy rave of the moment status in the Eastern European nation.
On Wednesday, Lawal was on the scores sheet for Istra in the 75th minute against Kurilovec, but it was only for consolation, as Istra crashed out of Croatian cup in round 16.
It was a masterpiece display from the former Flying Eagles striker, whose work rate has shown great development after joining Istra from modest Nigerian clubside in 2023.
He has scored three goals and two assists, totally five – goal contribution as a striker so far this season.
Interestingly, two other Flying Eagles players, Israel Ayuma and Charles Agada, who are also former players of Mavlon FC, featured in the game and they gave good account of themselves.
Sadly, it was not the day of victory on the pitch for the three former players of Mavlon FC of Lagos.
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