The Pharaohs of Egypt edged the Super Eagles 2-1 in an international friendly played at the Cairo Stadium on Tuesday, in what amounted to the two teams’ final preparatory game ahead of the commencement of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco on Sunday.
Nigeria started with an unusual 3-5-2 formation, for the first time under Coach Eric Chelle, but they maintained balance and dominated possession in the first quarter-hour, before the hosts clawed their way into the game with sharp counterattacks which paid off midway into the first half when they took the lead.
Three-time AFCON winners Nigeria kept their shape despite the setback and threatened the Pharaohs’ rearguard with a combination of long balls and quick movements through the middle. The Eagles were dangerous from dead-ball situations and in added time, defender Zaidu Sanusi swung one into the box that was guided into the net by Chidozie Awaziem for the equalizer.
In the second half, the Eagles reverted to 4-4-2 formation with the introduction of Amas Obasogie in goal, as well as Ademola Lookman, Cyril Dessers, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi and Tochukwu Nnadi. Possession appeared largely balanced in the half but the Pharaohs struck from what looked like offside positioning. Nigeria protested but the referee stuck to his gun.
The hosts then resorted to defending deep into their own half to thwart every onslaught from the Eagles. Coach Eric Chelle was shown a yellow card after remonstrating one of the referee’s poor decisions, including a handball incident in the Egyptian box that was waved away.
The Super Eagles will fly to Fés on Thursday aboard a chartered flight for their Group C encounters against Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda (in that order), while the Pharaohs head to Agadir for Group B games against South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe.
Osimhen, Lookman, Bassey, Ajibade head nominations for 12th Nigeria Pitch Awards
. Govs Sanwo-Olu, Abiodun, and Umo Eno nominated as NDDC is to be honoured
MTN, BET9JA, and GTI Financials shortlisted
The Super Eagles trio of Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray FC, Ademola Lookman of Atalanta BC, and Calvin Bassey of Fulham FC lead nominations for the 12th edition of the Nigeria Pitch Awards.
The organizers of the awards announced this at a media gathering at the Johnwood Hotel in Abuja on Tuesday, 16 December.
Speaking at the event organized to celebrate partners, members of the College of Voters, and journalists, Dr. Shina Philips, President of the Nigeria Pitch Awards, reaffirmed organizers’ confidence in the voting process coordinated by SIAO Partners, the accounting firm that has been at the helm of the collation and auditing of the results since 2014.
‘We would like to thank SIAO Partners and express our confidence in the results that will be presented at this gathering. We have worked with SIAO Partners for over 11 years, and during this period, they have consistently demonstrated professionalism and commitment to this national project,’ Dr Philips said.
Also speaking at the event, Mr. Afolabi Lawal, Senior Manager at SIAO Partners, stated that the accounting firm adhered to all due process while collating and auditing the results.
While announcing the names of nominees, Dr. Ademola Olajire, the NFF Director of Media and Communications, stated that the Federation continues to support the Nigeria Pitch Awards because the award process is credible and transparent.
In the King of the Pitch category, Atalanta’s striker, Ademola Lookman, the 2024 winner of the award, will face competition from Fulham defender Calvin Bassey and Galatasaray S.K. goal poacher Victor Osimhen.
No lo it tThe Queen of the Pitch Award will be a stiff battle between Chiamaka Nnadozie of Brighton & Hove Albion Women FC, Esther Okoronkwo of AFC Toronto, and Rasheedat Ajibade of PSG Feminine.
Super Eagles new defensive sensation, Benjamin Frederick (F.C.V. Dender E.H.), will hope to stave up competition from Calvin Bassey (Fulham F.C.) and Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest F.C.) for the Defender of the Year award.
The Midfielder of the Year category will be a fierce competition between Alex Iwobi (Fulham F.C.), Frank Onyeka (Brentford F.C.), Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge), and Wilfred Ndidi (Beşiktaş J.K.).
In their second nominations, Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC) and Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray S.K) will face competition from Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United) for the Rashidi Yekini Award for the Best Striker of the Year.
The award for the Football Friendly Governor of the Year will be a straight contest between Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.
Dr Shina Philips also announced that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will be honoured with the Special Achievement in Sports Award at the 12th Award Ceremony. This is in recognition of the Commission’s invaluable contributions to the growth of sports through its organization of the Niger Delta Games.
Detailed list of other nominees:
GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Kayode Bankole Remo Stars & TS Galaxy F.C.
Maduka Okoye Udinese Calcio
Stanley Nwabali Chippa United F.C.
DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
Benjamin Frederick F.C.V. Dender E.H.
Calvin Bassey Fulham F.C.
Ola Aina Nottingham Forest F.C.
MIDFIELDER OF THE YEAR
Alex Iwobi Fulham F.C.
Frank Onyeka Brentford F.C.
Raphael Onyedika Club Brugge
Wilfred Ndidi Beşiktaş J.K.
RASHIDI YEKINI AWARD FOR THE BEST STRIKER OF THE YEAR
Ademola Lookman Atalanta BC
Anas Yusuf Nasarawa United
Victor Osimhen Galatasaray S.K
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Remo Stars F.C
Rivers United F.C
Super Falcons
COACH OF THE YEAR
Daniel Ogunmodede Remo Stars F.C
Finidi George Rivers United F.C
Justine Madugu Super Falcons
SAM OKWARAJI AWARD
Kunle Soname Bet9ja
Patrick Olusegun Odegbami Nigerian Ex-International
Victor Osimhen Galatasaray S.K
STATE WITH THE BEST GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
Delta State
Kwara State
Lagos State
FOOTBALL PITCH OF THE YEAR
Godswill Akpabio Int’l Stadium Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
MKO Abiola Int’l Stadium Abeokuta, Ogun State
Remo Stars Stadium Remo, Ogun State
FOOTBALL FRIENDLY GOVERNOR OF THE YEAR
His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu Lagos State
His Excellency, Dapo Abiodun Ogun State
His Excellency, Umo Eno Akwa Ibom State
CORPORATE SPONSOR OF FOOTBALL AWARD
Bet9ja Sport Betting
GTI Financial Financial Services
MTN Nigeria Telecom
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
Bukola Olopade D.G, NSC
George Aluo Chairman, NNL
Hon. Kunle Soname Chairman, Remo Stars FC
FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – PRINT
Abiodun Adewale Punch Newspapers
Johnny Edward The Nation Newspapers
Charles Diya New Telegraph Newspapers
FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – TV
Babatunde Koiki News Central Television
Cecilia Omorogbe Channels TV
Mozez Praiz Supersport
FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – RADIO
Olawale Adigun Wash 94.9 FM/ Sure 97.5 FM
Anthony Bekederemo Brila 88.9 FM
Chuma Nnoli Nigeria Info FM
FOOTBALL JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR – ONLINE
Kunle Solaja Sportsvillagesquare.com
Niyi Busari BSNSports.com.ng
Samuel Ahmadu Savid News/ Nigeriafootball.ng
QUEEN OF THE PITCH
Chiamaka Nnadozie Brighton & Hove Albion Women
Esther Okoronkwo AFC Toronto
Rasheedat Ajibade PSG Feminine
KING OF THE PITCH
Ademola Lookman Atalanta B.C.
Calvin Bassey Fulham F.C.
Victor Osimhen Galatasaray S.K.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
