Head Coach of the National U-20 team, Samson Siasia said on Thursday that he has a team ready to confront the U-20 team of Trinidad and Tobago in an international friendly game at the National Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday.
“We are working very hard even though many of the uninvited players disappointed and we have turned back a large number. I believe we will be able to raise a good team to play the boys from The Caribbean,” said the former World Cup star.
Siasia is working on producing a high –quality team that will do Nigeria proud at the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals in Egypt later in the yearand the Trinidad and Tobago test is his first since taking the job anew penultimate month.
The match was earlier slated for Monday but the Trinidadians, who are on a world tour of sorts as they prepare for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, have pleaded for 24 hours relief as they are also scheduled to play the U-20 team of Niger Republic in Abuja on Sunday.
Siasia’ boys are presently training at the Old Parade Ground as the training pitches of the National Stadium, Abuja are being worked on for the FIFA U-17 World Cup finals that Nigeria host later this year.
A 25-man Trinidad and Tobago contingent arrived in Abuja on Tuesday and are staying at the Bolingo Hotel. The Flying Eagles are scheduled to leave for Malaysia at the end of the month, to defend the Intercontinental Cup won last year by the Nigeria U-23 team.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Yobo impresses Moyes
Everton manager David Moyes has backed Joseph Yobo to step up to the mark in the absence of injured defender Phil Jagielka.
Centreback Jagielka is recovering from an operation in midweek to repair the anterior ligament he ruptured in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester City. Yobo will slot in alongside Joleon Lescott in Jagielka’s absence and Moyes insists the Nigeria defender is an excellent replacement.
“I think if you look at the games we’ve played Yobo has played a lot of games,” Moyes said. “You certainly cannot go through the season with only two centrebacks or two centre-forwards. Joe has played a big part of the season already, so I don’t think him coming into the team is that big news.”
Forward James Vaughan, who has missed five months of this campaign with a knee problem himself, said the latest blow on the injury-front was just something the squad had to take in their stride.
Earlier in the season they lost Aiyegbeni Yakubu (Achilles), Mikel Arteta (knee) and Victor Anichebe (knee).
“Phil’s probably been our best player, but we’ve coped all season without important players and we will have to do the same again,” Vaughan told the Daily Post. “I’ve been there, but Jags is a professional and he will get his rehab done and be back as soon as possible.”
Centreback Jagielka is recovering from an operation in midweek to repair the anterior ligament he ruptured in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at home to Manchester City. Yobo will slot in alongside Joleon Lescott in Jagielka’s absence and Moyes insists the Nigeria defender is an excellent replacement.
“I think if you look at the games we’ve played Yobo has played a lot of games,” Moyes said. “You certainly cannot go through the season with only two centrebacks or two centre-forwards. Joe has played a big part of the season already, so I don’t think him coming into the team is that big news.”
Forward James Vaughan, who has missed five months of this campaign with a knee problem himself, said the latest blow on the injury-front was just something the squad had to take in their stride.
Earlier in the season they lost Aiyegbeni Yakubu (Achilles), Mikel Arteta (knee) and Victor Anichebe (knee).
“Phil’s probably been our best player, but we’ve coped all season without important players and we will have to do the same again,” Vaughan told the Daily Post. “I’ve been there, but Jags is a professional and he will get his rehab done and be back as soon as possible.”
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