Vietnam U19 to play friendly tournament in Palestine

The tournament, which is called Al-Nakba: From cataclysm to Statehood, will features 10 youth teams from Vietnam, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Mauritania, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Uzbekistan and hosts Palestine. It will last from May 14th to 22nd.

HAGL's Akpan wants to be Nigeria No.1

By EPHRAIM NWOSU | Mar 28, 2012

Former  Golden Eaglets goalkeeper, Bassey Akpan,  who currently plays for Hoang Anh Gia Lai FC of Vietnam has declared his readiness to  battle  the like of Vincent Enyeama and Chigozie Agbim for Super Eagles No. 1 shirt. The ex- Heartland keeper who spoke from his base in Vietnam during an exclusive telephone chat with SoccerStar boasted that he had what it takes to man the Super Eagles goal post if invited  by Coach Stephen Keshi.

Nigeria will be  playing three games  in three weeks in June, starting with the World  Cup qualifier against Namibia and Malawi  slated for June 2 and 9 respectively. They will also confront  Rwanda  on June16 in the second leg match of the 2013 African Cup  of Nations qualifying match and Akpan said he wanted to be a part of the action in the three straight qualifying  games.

He said: ''My game has really improved since I came  to Vietnam. So, can I beat my chest that that I am now a better goalkeeper.”

 The national coaches should give me a chance to be a part of  their squad now that I am on top of my game. I think I am equal to the task any time I am called up by the coaches.

“The keepers that are already are good, but I deserve to come and compete for shirt.''

Akpan, it would be recalled, was Super Eagles’ first choice goalkeeper in the 2010 WAFU  Cup won by Nigeria.