AFCON 2017: NFF has no case at CAS -Onigbinde

Former Super Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, has rubbished the decision of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), to drag the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) to Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), over the new rules in the AFCON 2017 qualifiers.

The NFF through its spokesman Ademola Olajire said they were going to contest the sudden change of rules by CAF after the Super Eagles failed to qualify for next year’s tournament. Chad's decision to pull out of the qualifiers coupled with Nigeria's defeat at Alexandria meant Egypt took the only available slot. 

Onigbinde, who was speaking to Complete Sports, said the NFF knew about the rules.

"I know the rules have been on for some time, so if we want CAF to change it because of us, let us try and see what the outcome will be. But I know there was a circular to that effect. 

“You see what is ridiculous to me is that in spite of all our potential, we now seek ways to cutting corners and bends to achieve, I see it as being ridiculous and shameful.

“This is not the first time, it has happened on occasions, after we had failed ourselves, we now look for scapegoats and escape routes.

“It is ridiculous because I believe seriously in the ability of Nigeria to perform much better than we are performing if we do it right."

AFCON: Egypt clips Eagles' wings as Nigeria crashes out

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have failed to qualify for the 2017 African Cup of Nations after their 1-0 defeat at Alexandria. 

Mohamed Salah's goal in Kaduna and Chad's decision to withdraw from the qualifying round meant that anything other than a win was unlikely to be enough for Nigeria in the crucial game. 

The first half ended 0-0 but in truth the Pharoahs of Egypt always looks like the most likely to score. 

Chances for the Nigerians were limited and were unable to convert their possession into attempts on goal.

The second half saw the Pharaohs maintaining the momentum and finally got their goal in the 65th minute.

Ramadan Sobhy shot towards the Nigerian goal and the ball rolled under goalkeeper Akpeyi’s arm. 

The Egyptians saw out the match to seal their qualification for the AFCON.

The Eagles will now miss out on the continental showpiece for the second consecutive time. 

Egypt now has an unassailable 5-point lead over Nigeria with both sides having just one game left in the qualifying stage. 

AFCON: Defeat at Egypt will spell the end of Nigeria's hope after Chad withdraws

Nigeria's hopes of qualifying for the 2017 African Cup of Nations has been dealt a severe blow following the decision of Chad to withdraw from the qualifiers. 

The Chad Football Association (FTFA) withdrew due to financial constraints. 

Chad, who are currently sitting bottom of Group G without a point, were set to play Tanzania in a reverse fixture in Dar es Salaam on Monday after a 1-0 defeat at home on Wednesday.

But the FTFA president, Moctar Mahamoud, informed their opponents that they have decided to pull out due to "global economic conditions".

"As part of our participation in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers for Gabon 2017 and specifically the return match against Tanzania, we bring to your attention that our national team has failed to make it to the return leg game in Dar el Salaam scheduled for March 28, " Mahamoud wrote in his letter. 

"Indeed, our country has been badly affected by the global economic conditions. Because of this our participation in various competitions has taken a severe dent due to financial constraints.

"We wish you all the best and we apologise for this situation which is basically unavoidable and out of our control."

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) also confirmed Chad's withdrawal and subsequently handed a fine and suspension from the 2019 Nations Cup qualifying round.

"The Chad Football Federation withdraws from the Nations Cup qualifiers where they participated in group G alongside Nigeria, Egypt and Tanzania," CAF announced on Twitter. 

"If a team withdraws from the qualifying phase organised in groups, all its results shall be annulled (points, scored and conceded goals).

"Hence, the matches of Chad of the first three days of Group G matches are cancelled and their results will not be taken into consideration.

"Accordingly, following the decision of Caf Executive Committee dated January 15th 2015: "Any group reduced to three teams following a team withdrawal will only qualify the first team of that group."

"The Chadian Football Association is suspended for the upcoming edition of the Nations Cup and must pay the monetary fine of US $20,000."

This latest twist has thrown Group G into a three-team race for the sole ticket to Gabon.

Egypt, who had beaten Chad 5-1 away from home, are now on four points instead of seven. 

Second-placed Nigeria have lost three points as well, after their 2-0 victory over Chad was declared as void.

It leaves the Super Eagles on two points. Tanzania have a solitary point.

Due to the fact that there are only three teams left, the second placed team will not be considered for the best second place slot after the qualifiers are completed. It therefore means that if Nigeria loses away to Egypt, they will be fail to qualify for Gabon 2017. 

The seven-time champions Egypt and Nigeria face off in a highly crucial reverse fixture in Alexandria on March 29.

AFCON: Egypt coach expecting tough game against Nigeria

Egypt assistant coach Osama Nabih has warned that the second leg tie between the Super Eagles and the Pharoahs will not be a walk in the park. 

He said this was because of the quality of the Nigerian players and went to stress that the game in Alexandria on Tuesday would be a difficult game. 

“The return match will be very difficult, so we have to concentrate well and we shouldn’t exaggerate in our celebration after the draw in Nigeria.

“We achieved what we wanted against Nigeria, but we have passed just 10 percent of the road to the African finals,” Nabih told Al-Hayat TV Channel after the match.

Egypt are now in pole position to qualify for the African showpiece ahead of the home clash with the Super Eagles in the second straight game between the sides at Alexandria’s Borg El-Arab Stadium.

Egypt have not qualified for the Nations Cup since winning the last of their record seven trophies in 2010 and currently have seven points from three games, two ahead of Nigeria and three clear of third-placed Tanzania. Chad lie at the bottom with no points. Chad have also withdrawn from the qualifying round citing inability to afford the cost of going through the qualifying round. 

The winners of the group will automatically reach next year’s Nations Cup finals in Gabon.

Siasia: We can win in Egypt

Interim Head coach of the Super Eagles, Samson Siasia has expressed confidence in his team's ability to win the game against Egypt on Tuesday. 

He said this during a post-match briefing at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium, following his team’s 1-1 draw with the Pharaohs. The return leg match of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifying Group G fixture holds in Alexandria on Tuesday. 

Etebo Oghenekaro's 60th minute opener was cancelled by Mohamed Salah who beat the offside trap to equalise for the Pharaohs in the 90th minute. Siasia said the team’s technical crew would correct the lapses noticed in the match in Kaduna before the reverse fixture in Alexandria on Tuesday. He said the Eagles played well but the technical crew needed to make some corrections before their next match in Egypt. 

Siasia said: “We will try to see what went wrong and do a proper check before playing our next match so that we can win in Egypt. 

“The players did well but I don’t know what went wrong in the last three minutes when the Egyptians equalised. That is football for you. 

“A game can end up in a draw or loss even when you play well. However, we should have been marking in the last three minutes, but it turned out the other way. With the outcome of the match, we will try our best to win in Egypt, because in football everything is possible," he continued.  

“We cannot move backwards but forward. We are going to pull ourselves together and see how we are going to win the match," he continued. 

He praised his players for their effort and pointed out that his players were tactically better than the Egyptians in the game for the greater part of the game. 

AFCON: Egypt grabs late equalizer as Nigeria's qualification hopes hang in the balance

Nigeria's hopes of winning their AFCON qualifiers' group was dealt a huge blow after they could only play out a 1-1 draw at home in Kaduna. 

The first half was uneventful as chances were hard to come by. Nigeria improved in the second half and deservedly took the lead through Oghenekaro Etebo who bundled home from close range after a shot had cannoned off the upright. 

The Egyptian were however not going to be undone as Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah scored a crucial equalizer in the 90th minute after the Nigerian defence failed in their attempt to keep the offside trap.

There was time for more drama after the referee stopped the game for full time after Mohammed Salah was running straight to the Nigerian post after evading the last defender. 

The Eagles will now have to beat Egypt on Tuesday in Alexandria if they are to qualify directly for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) holding in Gabon.

Egypt lead the group with 7 points, with Nigeria trailing at 5 points. Tanzania are third n the group with four points. Chad are yet to register a point in the group. 

AFCON: We will beat Egypt - Moses

Super Eagles and West Ham United of England winger, Victor Moses has told Nigerians that the Super Eagles will secure a crucial win when they confront the Pharaohs of Egypt in the 2017 AFCON qualifying match at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna on Friday, March 25.

Moses was speaking during a visit to Globacom in Lagos on Monday. The Glo ambassador said the Super Eagles players will play as a united team with the determination to win and make Nigeria proud.

“The Egyptians are leading the group presently, but we will work hard to pick the three points in Kaduna and go for a win or draw in the return leg in Cairo.  This will make it easy for us to qualify from the group,” Moses added.

He added that the team had quality players and will work with the new coaching staff to ensure victory in the forthcoming qualifier in Kaduna and the game in Egypt. 

“The current Super Eagles comprises of both experienced and upcoming players [and] I am optimistic that we will blend and play to win under the guidance of our coaches; so there is no cause for alarm.”

Cuper: Egypt can beat Nigeria in Kaduna

Egyptian national team coach, Hector Cuper, has said his team is capable of winning in Kaduna when they take on Nigeria in the next group game of their 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The Super Eagles will host the Pharoahs this weekend, before travelling to Alexandria for the return leg. 

Egypt currently lead Group G with six points, while Nigeria are in second place with four points and Cuper is eyeing maximum points when they take on the Eagles at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna as they bid to secure qualification to Africa's premier football tournament. 

“The Ghana debacle will not be repeated, and we can beat the Nigerian national team,” the former Inter Milan manager said during his interaction with the media on Sunday in Cairo.

“So, I promise we will give everything in this match, but I cannot promise a win outright.”