Home away from home,that is what Sierra-Leoneans feel anytime they visit Nigeria and former Abia state governor Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu says fans should learn more about the Eagles instead of spending quality time on the English Premiership.

Orji Uzor Kalu

Kalu revealed that the Leone Stars would always parade a bunch of Igbo and Yoruba players because of their ancestry,so they know the Eagles as well,  indicating that Nigerians ignore them to their own peril.

“I think Lagos fans have themselves to blame.They expected Nigeria to maul Sierra Leone, it is never so easy all the time.Ask Enugu Rangers. The first time they dropped in the first round of the CAF Champion’s League,the harm was done by one man Andrew Hooper of Fisheries,Sierra Leone in 1983.We should count ourselves lucky that Samson Siasia’s debut did not yield defeat, especially, since the players were not used to themselves,”Kalu said.

The Pillar of Sports advised the Leone Stars duo of Obi Metzeger and Ayodele King who denied their Nigerian background to get closer to the elders.

“Tell me, what does Ayodele mean in Krio.These boys apparently do not know that Sierra Leone and Nigeria share a lot in common.

Flying Eagles arrive Benghazi

The national U-20 football team, Flying Eagles on Sunday morning arrived in Libya’s second city of Benghazi, ahead of two international friendlies against that country’s U-20 team this week.

Led by Head Coach, Sam John Obuh, the Flying Eagles flew out of the coutry aboard Afriqiyah’s flight at 1.30am on Sunday morning, and immediately connected to Benghazi after landing in Tripoli.

The five-time African champions clash with reigning world champions Ghana, Cameroon and The Gambia in the Group of the 17th African Youth Championship starting in Libya on March 18. But before then, the Flying Eagles take on the Libya U-20 side in friendly games on Monday (February 14) and Wednesday (February 16), before the contingent heads for a 25-day training camp in Antalya, Turkey on Thursday (February 17).

While in Turkey, the Nigeria team is expected to play a number of friendly matches, before flying back to Libya on March 15, four days to its opening Group B clash with perennial rivals Ghana in Benghazi.

Champions of Africa in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989 and 2005, the Flying Eagles will then confront Cameroon in Benghazi on March 22nd before rounding up their group phase campaign with a game against The Gambia in Tripoli on March 25.

On Friday, NFF President Aminu Maigari met with the players and officials of the team and handed down the charge of His Excellency, President Goodluck Jonathan (GCFR), who is waiting to receive the African Youth Championship trophy in Aso Rock after the final match on April 1.

PLAYERS ON THE TRIP: Danjuma Paul, Gideon Gambo, Godwin Okolie, Kelechi Uchechukwu, Terry Envoh, Omoh Ojabu, AbdulJeleel Ajagun, Aigbe Oliha, Edafe Egbedi, Deji Joel, Kenneth Omeruo, Gomo Onduku, Kalu Okagbue, Philemon Daniel, Bright Ejike, Chidi Osuchukwu, Chinedu Udeh, Ifeanyi Amaobi, Obinna Nwachukwu, Mohammed Aliyu, Ikechukwu Igwemeke, Morris Enete, Ganiu Ogunde, Gbenga Arokoyo, Mohammed Ahmed.