Author: Nurudeen Obalola
By Nurudeen Obalola Victor Osimhen struck twice on Friday in Kigali to steer the Super Eagles to their first win in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, a 2-0 victory over Rwanda. In the process, Osimhen moved to second place in Nigeria’s all-time leading scorers list behind Rashidi Yekini, surpassing the legendary Segun Odegbami. The Galatasaray striker has now scored 25 goals in 37 Super Eagles appearances, behind Yekini’s 37 goals in 58 games. Odegbami netted 23 goals in 46 matches for the Nigerian national team. Osimhen, making his first appearance in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, set off the…
By Korede James A young female Galatasaray fan is in Kigali to show support to Victor Osimhen ahead of today’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between the Super Eagles and Rwanda. In a short video posted by Pooja Media, the fan is seen with a Galatasaray jersey with Osimhen’s name and his number 45 on it. When asked why she is in Kigali, the fan said: “Because I’m a Galatasaray fan and we like Osimhen and I want to take a photo.” Osimhen is expected to make his first appearance in the World Cup qualifiers in the key clash against…
By Korede James Amavubi of Rwanda captain Djihad Bizimana has said there is no cause for concern facing the the forward line of the Super Eagles of Nigeria. The Super Eagles boast some of the best forwards in Africa who are doing well for their clubs in Europe, with the likes of Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman and Tolu Arokodare having impressive seasons. However, since the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the Super Eagles have only managed four goals in four matches, three of them scored by midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Rachael Onyedika, and defender Semi…
By Korede James Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has said the team’s plan in Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Rwanda is to take control of the game. “The team is looking forward to Friday’s game, looking to go out there and to work hard and impose ourselves on the game,” the reigning African Player of the Year said in an interview on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) media team. The Amavubi are surprise leaders of African qualifying Group C group with seven points, four ahead of the Super Eagles who are fifth. “Rwanda is a good team, we…
By Korede James The Cheetahs of Benin Republic have temporarily taken the lead in the Super Eagles of Nigeria’s group in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifiers after drawing 2-2 with Zimbabwe in Durban, South Africa on Thursday. The Warriors had to come from 2-0 down to force a 2-2 draw as Benin Republic rose to the summit on eight points, one more than second-place Rwanda, while Zimbabwe remain bottom with four points. Steve Mounie gave Benin the lead on 12 minutes before Dokou Dodo made it 2-0 in the 35th minute. Marshall Munetsi pulled a goal back for…
Amavubi of Rwanda midfielder Samuel Gueulette has said a draw would not be a bad result against Nigeria’s Super Eagles in Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Kigali. The Super Eagles will go into the crucial fixture against Group C leaders Rwanda looking for their first win of the qualifying campaign, having drawn three of their first four matches. Also, they would be eyeing a first-ever win away to Rwanda after three previous visits ended in draws. Gueulette, who plays for Belgium second division side La Louvière, anticipates a tough contest for his team against the three-time African…
Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe was elected on Thursday as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the first female President in IOC history, following one round of voting at the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece. Coventry was chosen over fellow presidential candidates HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, David Lappartient, Johan Eliasch, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Lord Sebastian Coe and Morinari Watanabe. President-elect Coventry said: “I am incredibly honoured and excited to be elected as President of the International Olympic Committee! I want to sincerely thank my fellow members for their trust and support. “The young girl who…
By Korede James Super Eagles and Valencia striker Umar Sadiq has been nominated for LaLiga Player of the Month and Goal of the Month awards for March. The 28-year-old Nigeria international will vie with Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe among others for the Player of the Month prize. The other nominees, as announced by the Spanish top flight on Tuesday night, are Real Betis midfielder Isco, Celta Vigo defender Marco Alonso and Rayo Vallecano’s Pedro Diaz for the award. For the Goal of the Month, the striker will be up against Rayo Vallecano’s Florin Rațiu and Diego Garcia of CD…
By Korede James Former Super Eagles of Nigeria forward Victor Ikpeba has warned the team’s players that their big reputations will not intimidate Rwanda. The Super Eagles will be back in action on Friday in continuation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers when they face Rwanda in Kigali. Rwanda, who are on seven points, are four points clear of fifth-place Super Eagles in qualifying Group C. The Super Eagles, despite an array of players featuring in the big leagues of Europe, are winless in the qualifiers and will be targeting a first-ever victory away to Rwanda after three previous…
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has claimed that he and his teammates are not bothered by the fact that the Nigerians have never secured victory in Rwanda as both teams get set for Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Kigali. Nigeria must beat Rwanda to revive their fading hopes of qualifying, with the Super Eagles fifth in the six-team Group C while the Amavubi are on top. Troost-Ekong says the team’s focus is on the three points at stake. “Actually, we read about that in some places but we are not bothered,” Troost-Ekong told the Nigeria Football Federation media…