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Under-23: Okoro in for Ighalo

Under-23: Okoro in for Ighalo

Posted: 2011-05-12 09:06

Heartland midfielder Osadebamwen Okoro has been called up to replace Odion Ighalo for the Under-23's friendly against Costa Rica this month.

Ighalo will be unavailable due to club committments.

Okoro is currently involved with the Super Eagles B side in the Wafu Cup.

The game has also been moved by a day, from May 30 to May 29, to allow the squad enough preparation time for their June 5 Olympic qualifier against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.

Team spokesman Arafat Aliu says the squad are expected to depart the country on the May 26 and return on May 31 before departing for Tanzania on June 2 for the first leg second round Olympic game qualifier.

Other players to make the trip to the Central America country include: Nosa Igiebor, Edet Ibok, Orelesi Nurudeen, Emmanuel Anyanwu, Terna Suswan, Obiora Nwankwo, Ekigho Ehiosun, Saka Ayo, Udoh Kingsley, Solomon Okpako, Oduamadi Nnamdi, Harmony Ikande, Oseni Ganiyu, Uchechi Daniel, Sone Aluko, Thomas Femi and Ajiboye Muniru.

Nigeria Football Federation Technical committee member Austel Elumelu will lead the delegation to Costa Rica.

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Mr.Error: 2011-05-12 09:36

I want to know if there's a change of management at NFF, or is it just the old folks repenting from their evil ways?

I ask this because of recent NFF has been organising friendlies. The U-20 played series of friendlies in Turkey which enabled them win the AFC in SA. The same team participated in a mini tournament last week, without NFF crying that it can't finance them. The U-23 team has played a number of matches with local premier league clubs, and will soon play Costa Rica. The Super Falcons have played Germany, and I hear say dem say dem say Super Eagle will play Argentina.

abuco: 2011-05-12 09:53

Things can only keep getting better.

No justice, Justus: 2011-05-12 10:36

After the recent showing at the WC in SA,I think they've just decided to start using the money for Football rather than pocketing it.

wiseman: 2011-05-12 11:11

@Mr.Error, good times are back again. This is the era of goodluck in Nigeria. Relatively free and fair election, a good NFF (compared to old Lulu). We are in for a swell time. Look at the way player exchange is taking place from U-20, U-23, Super Eagles to the Super Falcons, international friendlys being organized here and there, something we never heard before, I think we are back to the golden era once again. Kudos to Maigari and his team

wiseman: 2011-05-12 11:12

@Mr.Error, good times are back again. This is the era of goodluck in Nigeria. Relatively free and fair election, a good NFF (compared to old Lulu). We are in for a swell time. Look at the way player exchange is taking place from U-20, U-23 to the Super Eagles. International friendlys for all the teams being organized here and there, something we never heard before, I think we are back to the golden era once again. Kudos to Maigari and his team

Throw In: 2011-05-12 11:17

It can only be better! With the way things are going Nigeria is back to the pre-1994 era. Or it is too early to say that?

My other fear is injury worries, for Christ’s sake this friendlys are too damn close to the major competitive game? I hate being pessimistic but injuries cannot be ruled out especially to a key player, God forbid! Maybe in the future this friendlys can be moved forwards or backwards at least a month to a major competitive game.

Innoma: 2011-05-12 12:10

@Mr.Error, embattled Maigari is simply trying to gain support. He knows that in Nigeria, for you to eat and what you eat settles in your stomarch, you must give the common people what they want. He was around all the while and knew what happened to Lulu, and also understand why (if SE had done well in Nations and World Cup Lulu would still be in charge). He knows very well that the only way the court case against him would be dropped is if the football fans say "no" to it, and for them to do that the National teams must do well. That's Maigari's approach and I like it; I think he is a wise man. Let anybody talk of going to court again now and you will hear what many people will say!

jhm: 2011-05-12 13:06

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1luv9ja: 2011-05-12 13:55

Yea this our time to regain our status as african giant in football,maigari keep the good work going,all of us dat condemn u initially are now singing carry go,d sky is nigeria limit,argentina will fal come june 1st.
9JA FOR LIVE

luise-hero: 2011-05-12 14:16

WHAT is wrong with Mr Udo all the pictures and photograph of which he normally past on this KON attract negative comment;


---- he bi like say him de enjoy the argument about age 4 dis site he no go put fine picture na bad bad ones he dey like to past haba oga Colin easy-now

sly1: 2011-05-12 16:20

This is really so ugly it has become FUNNY. A country SO notorious for fraud has been defrauded!!!

Before any of you start complaining, let me make my case. Is it not obvious that Guinness paid the Argentina Football Association to parade the full complement of their stars in Abuja on June 1. Argentinas appearance fee is over a million dollars for this game and yet we are getting a team B! This is a breach of contract. If the AFA planned on giving their top stars a break before the Copa (which they are hosting), they should have reduced their asking price and TOLD US THE TRUTH from the begining. Now they want to show up in Abuja without MESSI, MASCHERANO, TEVEZ, AGUERO, HIGUAIN, DE MARIA, MILITO not even GAGO.

Why is the NFF defending Argentinas squad list? These Argentines played here in the US last month and brought Messi, now they are playing in Africa and they have given the whole first team a holiday. We deserve more RESPECT than this and we should DEMAND such. NFF, you got this one wrong. You should not be defending their list, you should support Guinness to ask for a refund or we WOULD PLAY THIS AFA SELECT side with our Olympic Eagles.

England signed a contract to play Ghana at home in Wembley and then decided to rest their first team. If not for the fact that the GFA sold all their allocation of tickets to Black Stars fans, that would have been one of the worst attended friendlies for the English.

Africans deserve better. It is 'Colo mentality' for the NFF to defend this list. IF THE AVERAGE ENGLISH MAN WILL NOT PAY HIS HARD EARNED MONEY TO WATCH A RESERVE ENGLAND play Ghana, why should Nigerians pay full price for second level entertainment. How many tickets is the AFA selling for this game? I will not be surprised if the stadium is less than half full.

IF WE ARE PAYING TO SEE MESSI, HE SHOULD BE THERE ON JUNE 1st. I REALLY DO NOT CARE IF HE SHOWS UP WITH DRIP TUBES ATTACHED TO HIM, NIGERIAN FANS STILL WANT MESSI. Anything less is a breach of contract, hence no show from the fans too!!!

OkonHouseBoy: 2011-05-13 03:57

this dude(pictured) is in his early 30's. i can bet my paycheck on it. Uchenna Soludo(my oga pikin) is the only age eligible guy to reckon with.