Author: Nurudeen Obalola
By Kayode John Super Eagles of Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has expressed pride in his teammates following the 0-0 draw with Rwanda in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Kigali on Tuesday. The three-time African champions could have earned all three points but for the controversial ruling out of Ademola Lookman’s first-half goal by Egytian referee Mohamed Eid Mansour. “Naija, thank you. Proud of this team. Nigeria Super Eagles,” the 31-year-old Troost-Ekong wrote on his personal accounts on Facebook and X after the Kigali clash. Troost-Ekong, who left PAOK Saloniki of Greece to join newly promoted Saudi Arabia…
By Nurudeen Obalola The Black Stars of Ghana will have to find alternate venues for their next set of Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches after the Confederation of African Football dealt the West Africans a big blow. The country’s only remaining eligible ground for international matches, the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, has now lost that status due to poor maintenance. “The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has withdrawn its approval for the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, Ghana, due to technical infractions, including an unsuitable playing field,” the Ghana Football Association announced on Wednesday. “The decision was made…
By Kayode John Austin Eguavoen has suggested that he was misinterpreted on Tuesday with the report that he had quit as caretaker head coach of the Super Eagles. The former Nigeria captain was widely reported on Tuesday to have left the coaching position after the 0-0 draw with Rwanda in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash in Kigali, having fulfilled his two-match interim mandate. However, in a fresh twist, the 59-year-old insists that he has not stepped down from the role. “Whatever people are reading out there is not correct, I am still in charge,” Eguavoen told reporters in…
By Kayode John Interim coach of the Super Eagles, Augustine Eguavoen, has explained why striker Victor Osimhen did not start in the 0-0 draw against Rwanda on Tuesday, in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Despite coming from the bench to score against Benin Republic last weekend at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Eguavoen left Osimhen on the bench again, in the away clash at Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali. The 25-year-old replaced Victor Boniface at the start of the second half of the encounter but was unable to find the back of the net this…
By Kayode John Super Eagles interim coach, Austin Eguavoen, has left the position following the expiration of his mandate to handle the team in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda. Eguavoen, who was brought in to manage the team in the two matches, led the Eagles to a 3-0 victory over the Cheetahs at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo last Saturday, and the goalless draw in Kigali on Tuesday. Though he had said the aim was to ensure the Eagles have a perfect start in the qualifiers, the three-time African champions…
By Kayode John Numerous Nigerians have urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to investigate and punish Egyptian referee, Mohamed Maarouf Eid Mansour, after he ruled out what appeared to be a legitimate goal by Super Eagles forward, Ademola Lookman, in the 0-0 draw with Rwanda on Tuesday. Nigeria and Rwanda faced off at the newly refurbished Amahoro National Stadium in Kigali, in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. The controversial moment arrived in the 22nd minute of the clash. Ola Aina made a long throw-in, which was flicked on into the box by Semi Ajayi, and in-form…
A goal by Ademola Lookman was controversially chalked off on Tuesday in Kigali as Rwanda and Nigeria’s Super Eagles settled for a 0-0 draw in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers clash. The Atalanta forward, who struck twice in Saturday’s 3-0 victory over Benin Republic in Uyo, headed home off a long Ola Aina throw in the 22nd minute. The Super Eagles were about to launch into celebration when the referee raised up his hand to indicate that the goal did not count. Replays showed there was nothing wrong with the goal. Aina’s long throw was headed on by…
The Falconets of Nigeria are confident of reaching the quarter-finals of the 2024 FIFA Women’s World Cup as they arrived in Bogota, the Colombian capital, on Tuesday. The two-time finalists will battle Japan in the round of 16 in the early hours of Friday Nigerian time in Bogota, five days after beating Venezuela 4-0 in their final group phase match in Cali. “The girls have worked very hard to get to this stage, and we are proud of their efforts,” Falconets head coach Chris Danjuma said as the team landed in Bogota. “We will be taking the knockout stages one…
Former British boxer, Amir Khan, is backing his countryman, Tyson Fury, to level the series with Oleksandr Usyk, when their world title rematch takes place later this year. Fury and Usyk will fight for a second time on December 21, with heavyweight glory on the line once again. Both boxers faced off back in May this year, with the Ukrainian emerging triumphant in the epic battle. After making an excellent start, Fury lost steam in the latter stages of the fight, as he was given a standing count by Usyk before losing on points. Khan, 37, has been a…
By Nurudeen Obalola Former Super Eagles forward Victor Moses has made a surprise return to England to sign for Luton Town. The Championship club confirmed on Tuesday that the former Crystal Palace, Wigan, Liverpool, West Ham and Chelsea star has joined them as a free agent. “We are excited to announce the signing of free agent Victor Moses on a permanent contract, subject to international clearance,” Luton Town, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, confirmed on their official website. “The 33-year-old former Nigeria international has most recently been playing his football in Russia with Spartak Moscow, who…