Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Super Eagles head coach Austin Eguavoen is looking to wrap up qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations by earning the full points in the double-header against Libya. The three-time African champions currently top their AFCON qualifying group with four points from two matches and face bottom side Libya, who have one point, in Uyo on Friday and Benina on Tuesday. Eguavoen has now set himself the objective of winning both games in the double-header to all but guarantee passage to the tournament scheduled for Morocco in December 2025 and January 2026. “We have to be practical about it:…
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has named Delgado Santos Rocha Lenine from Cape Verde as the referee for Tuesday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the Super Eagles and Libya in Benani, near Benghazi. He will be assisted by compatriots Djêry Gomes Lopes (assistant referee 1) and Jorge Santos Fonseca Aritson (assistant referee 2), with Hamidou Diero from Burkina Faso working as the fourth official. Amir Abdi Hassan from Somalia will be the match commissioner, while Malian Dramane Dante is the referee assessor and Rachid Medjiba from Algeria the security officer. Tuesday’s clash, which follows Friday’s battle between…
By Nurudeen Obalola The Super Eagles B team are up against bitter rivals Ghana for a spot in the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN). The home-based Nigerian side were drawn against the Ghanaians on Wednesday for the tournament reserved for players featuring in their domestic leagues. The Super Eagles will be gunning for revenge after Ghana prevented them from reaching the 2022 edition, with the Black Stars advancing via a penalty shoot-out following a 2-2 draw on aggregate. Nigeria last qualified for the tournament in 2018, when they reached the final but lost to hosts Morocco. In the other West…
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been appointed global head of soccer at Red Bull. The 57-year-old German will begin the role on January 1, 2025. “After almost 25 years on the sideline, I could not be more excited to get involved in a project like this,” said Klopp. “The role may have changed but my passion for football and the people who make the game what it is has not.” Energy drinks brand Red Bull owns RB Leipzig in Germany’s Bundesliga, Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg and Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls, as well as Brazilian…
By Kayode John Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidera Ejuke have joined their colleagues the Super Eagles training camp in Uyo ahead of Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Libya. Super Eagles Media shared the video of the Sevilla pair arriving at the team’s hotel on Wednesday morning, with the caption: “It’s a full house at the Super Eagles camp with the arrival of Kelechi Iheanacho and Chidera Ejuke.” There was no mention of Bright Osayi-Samuel, who was not listed as one of the 20 players previously in camp. Interim head coach Austin Eguavoen now has the full complement…
By Kayode John Interim coach of the Super Eagles Austin Eguavoen has sent a clear warning to Samuel Chukwueze ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Libya. Eguavoen, who spoke to NFF TV, stressed the need for his players to stick to the game plan and take the right decisions in every situation during the back-to-back fixtures against the North Africans. The coach specifically referenced Chukwueze’s dribbling ability but cautioned the AC Milan forward against taking on opposition players while helping out in the defence. “You can imagine Chukwueze come to defence to help, he…
By Kayode John Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidera Ejuke and Bright Osayi-Samuel were the only players not available on Tuesday, as 20 Super Eagles players participated in the team’s first training session for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying game against Libya this Friday. The team’s camp opened on Monday in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, but only Amas Obasogie and Stanley Nwabali reported from their bases. Eighteen more players arrived on Tuesday, swelling the number to 20, with just three being expected to join for the double-header. Osayi-Samuel, who recently shook off an injury that kept him out…
By Kayode John Super Eagles caretaker coach Austin Eguavoen has admitted the absence of Victor Osimhen is a big miss for his team. Osimhen picked up a muscle problem in the first half of Galatasaray’s 3-3 draw with Kasimpasa at the RAMS Park on September 28. The 25-year-old was replaced at half-time in the game and will not be fit again until after the international break. Following his injury, in-form Sevilla winger Chidera Ejuke was called up for the double-header against Libya in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Speaking on Tuesday at the team’s camp in Ikot Ekpene,…
Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo has not made a formal move to switch allegiance to Nigeria from England. Adarabioyo recently reportedly expressed an interest to play for the Super Eagles after featuring for England at age-grade level. The 27-year-old was born in England to Nigerian parents and is eligible to represent the West African nation despite playing for England at U-16 to U-19 levels. He is yet to make any senior appearance for the Three Lions which is why the Manchester-raised footballer is considering Nigeria as an option. According to ESPN Africa, a source in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) revealed…
Former Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta, who won two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup with an all-conquering Spain team, announced his retirement from football on Tuesday at the age of 40. “Being on the pitch is over,” a visibly emotional Iniesta told reporters at a news conference in Barcelona. “I can’t stay away from football, it’s my life and will continue to be my life. Now I need to continue educating myself, I’m in the process of doing my coaching diploma and that’s the next step.” “I will try to come back and do a great job, but it…