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Category: Football

  • Kelechi Iheanacho Gears Up for Crucial Clash In AFCON Group Stage

    Kelechi Iheanacho Gears Up for Crucial Clash In AFCON Group Stage

    Leicester City’s forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, has declared his readiness for the Super Eagles’ upcoming 2023 AFCON group stage match against hosts Ivory Coast. 

    Despite arriving late to the camp due to fitness concerns, Iheanacho was spotted training with the team ahead of the clash scheduled for Thursday, January 18, at 6 p.m.

    Having sustained an injury while playing for Leicester in December, Iheanacho faced doubts about his participation in Ivory Coast. 

    Coach Jose Peseiro opted to bench him in the Eagles’ recent 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea on January 14.

    In an interview with reporters on Tuesday, Iheanacho emphasized his readiness to contribute to Nigeria’s success, stating, “I am feeling really good… I am 100% ready to serve the country.”

    Acknowledging the challenges, he added, “We want to go all the way in this AFCON, but we have to take it one game at a time. We just need to keep working hard and keep believing.”

    Looking ahead to the crucial clash against Ivory Coast, Iheanacho highlighted the need for thorough preparation, recognizing the strength of the host team. 

    “Going into the next game, we need to be ready to face the Ivorians. They are the hosts, and they are going to go out strong. So, we need to be well-prepared to face them.”

  • Injury Blow for Super Eagles As Alhassan Yusuf Is Ruled Out for 2023 AFCON Clash Against Ivory Coast

    Injury Blow for Super Eagles As Alhassan Yusuf Is Ruled Out for 2023 AFCON Clash Against Ivory Coast

    The Super Eagles’ head coach, Jose Peseiro, has confirmed that Alhassan Yusuf will miss the crucial 2023 AFCON match against Ivory Coast due to an injury sustained in the opening game.

    Yusuf, who replaced the injured Wilfred Ndidi, impressed in the first match but had to be substituted in the 69th minute after suffering a knock.

    Despite his impactful performance in the game against Equatorial Guinea, Yusuf won’t be fit for the upcoming clash.

    Peseiro expressed disappointment but hinted at the possibility of Yusuf returning for the team’s last group game.

    The absence of the Belgian-based midfielder poses a challenge for the Super Eagles, especially in the defensive midfield role. 

    Fans are eager to see if Southampton’s Joe Aribo, who played as a substitute in the previous match, will step up to fill the void.

    As Nigeria faces Ivory Coast, who secured a 2-0 victory in their opening game, the team aims to overcome this setback and secure a positive result in the highly anticipated fixture at 6 p.m. on Thursday.

  • William Troost-Ekong Insists Super Eagles Can Still Do Well In 2023 AFCON

    William Troost-Ekong Insists Super Eagles Can Still Do Well In 2023 AFCON

    Super Eagles of Nigeria vice-captain, William Troost-Ekong is adamant that the players possess the proper mindset to do well in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    William Troost-Ekong stated this following the Super Eagles’ abysmal performance in their opening game at the 2023 AFCON which ended in a 1-1 draw against lowly-rated Equatorial Guinea.

    During the game, Troost-Ekong and his teammates had to fight from a goal down to grab a 1-1 draw courtesy of a header from the team’s talisman, Victor Osimhen.

    This terrible start from the three-time winners of the tournament has raised fear in the minds of football enthusiasts ahead of their second group stage game which is against the hosts, Ivory Coast on Thursday.

    Hence, Jose Peseiro’s men are currently under pressure ahead of their clash with the hosts, who already lead Group A with three points after winning their opening game 2-0 against Guinea-Bissau.

    After the 1-1 draw on Sunday, the attitude of the players towards winning a fourth AFCON title was questioned, but Troost-Ekong said they were not unaware of the task ahead as he confirmed that the team had a meeting ahead of their next game.

    “We’ve spoken about this so much, we have Kenneth (Omeruo) and (Ahmed) Musa who have won the AFCON with us and they told us exactly how that journey was. Some of the guys like myself, who were there in 2019, also explained exactly how it was to get to the semi-final and take the bronze,” William Troost-Ekong said.

    “You know in football, it’s not always when you want something that you get it. The other teams too, you have to respect them as well.”

    As it stands, the Super Eagles must not be defeated when they face Ivory Coast on Thursday. A draw or a win will keep them comfortably in the competition.

    If they beat Ivory Coast, a draw against Guinea-Bissau on Monday will be enough to seal a place in the round of 16. But if they lose to Ivory Coast, they must beat Guinea-Bissau and hope that Ivory Coast beat Equatorial Guinea.

  • AFCON 2024: Equatorial Guinea Coach Insists His Mission Is Not Over After Drawing With Nigeria

    AFCON 2024: Equatorial Guinea Coach Insists His Mission Is Not Over After Drawing With Nigeria

    The head coach of Equatorial Guinea, Juan Micha, has insisted that his team has an incomplete mission despite doing the unthinkable against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    On Sunday, January 14, the Super Eagles were expected to beat lowly-rated Equatorial Guinea in their opening 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) encounter.

    To the dismay of most football enthusiasts, the Super Eagles had to come from a goal down to draw 1-1 in front of over 8,000 spectators at the 60,000-capacity Alassane Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium.

    Jesus Owono of Equatorial Guinea made over six fantastic saves to deny Victor Osimhen and the rest clear goalscoring opportunities. Due to his performance in the game, he won the best player of the match award.

    Despite the rave their performance has generated, the Equatorial Guinean coach refused to describe the outcome of the match as an accomplishment.

    He told reporters after the game that he and his team will continue to strive toward their aims for the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.

    He said, “I think this selection that I lead is prepared day by day to compete in this tournament.

    “I am lucky to know the details of football, having been a high-level player.”

    Coach Micha added: “Our mission is not complete, we still have a lot to do.

    “We are in a group stage, this is the first match. We will try to reach the next stage before seeing what happens next.”

  • Super Eagles draw 1-1 to Equatorial Guinea 

    Super Eagles draw 1-1 to Equatorial Guinea 

    In a tightly contested opening fixture at the 2023 African Cup of Nations, the Super Eagles of Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in Ivory Coast on Sunday.

    Equatorial Guinea seized the initiative in the 37th minute when Iban Salvador skillfully netted a well-placed shot, catching the Super Eagles’ goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, off guard and motionless.

    Nigeria responded swiftly, with Victor Osimhen demonstrating his prowess by heading in an equalizing goal just before the halftime whistle. The teams entered the break on level terms, setting the stage for an intense second half.

    Despite a flurry of chances, Nigeria was unable to secure the elusive winning goal. 

    In the 75th minute, Osimhen, who had earlier marked his first appearance in the AFCON with a goal, missed a significant opportunity to put Nigeria in the lead.

    The Super Eagles, placed in Group A, now turn their attention to upcoming challenges against Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau later in the tournament.

    As the group stage unfolds, fans eagerly anticipate the team’s performance and potential advancement in the prestigious African football competition.

  • BREAKING: Tinubu clears N12bn outstanding payment owed Super Eagles, others

    BREAKING: Tinubu clears N12bn outstanding payment owed Super Eagles, others

    President Bola Tinubu has cleared the outstanding payment that the Federal Government is owing the Super Eagles and other sporting teams of the country.

    According to a statement on the X handle of Tinubu’s Media Centre, on Sunday, the payment entails the clearing of the senior national team coach salaries running up to 15 months, payments of allowances and promises due to the senior national teams, females, and Under-20 national team.

    The statement reads, “President @officialABAT has approved the payment of N12 billion outstanding backlog for Nigeria’s National teams of various sports, which includes Super Eagles and others.

    “The payment entails the clearing of the senior national team coach salaries running up to 15 months, payments of allowances and promises due to the senior national teams, females, and Under-20 national team.

    “This is coming at a time when the Super Eagles of Nigeria are preparing to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations, which is billed to start later this month.”

    Details later…

  • Enyimba FC win NPFL title, N100m prize

    Enyimba International FC of Aba are champions of the 2022/2023 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL season.

    The People’s Elephant won the league on Sunday after they played out a one-all draw with former champions, Rivers United in the final match of the 2023 NPFL Super 6 in Lagos.

    Going Into the crunchy tie, the 2019 champions needed a draw to claim their nineth League title and the recorded the draw after Rivers United forced them to a 1-1 scoreline.

    Ekene Awazie scored the opening goal in the 40th minutes for the Aba boys but Nyima Nwagua restored parity in the 47th minute for the Pride of Rivers.

    Both teams could not find the winning goal in the remaining moments of the encounter but the full time score line gave the two-time Africa Champions their deserved title, and nineth in history.

    Enyimba won the title after accruing 9 points from 5 matches while Remo Stars came second with same number of points but lesser goal difference.

    2022 champions, Rivers United came 3rd with 8 points

    By the virtue of their positions, Enyimba and Remo Stars have qualified for the CAF Champions League while Rivers United will join the winner of the 2023 Federation Cup between Rangers and Bendel Insurance in the CAF Confederation Cup.

    Rivers United were quarter-finalist in the 2023 edition of the CAF second tier league.

    For emerging champions of the NPFL, Enyimba will receive a cash reward of ₦100, 000, 000 from the organizers of the league, the Interim Management Committee, IMC.

  • Federation Cup Grand Finale now Wednesday, 21 June

    The Grand Finale of this year’s NFF-Tingo Federation Cup Competition slated for the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba has now been moved to Wednesday, 21 June 2023.

    “A couple of issues have come up for us to deal with and we are doing that speedily. The Grand Finale will still take place in Asaba and we are determined to make a showpiece of the event,” NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said on Friday.  

    As announced previously, the day will begin with the women’s final, between Cup holders Bayelsa Queens and multi-titlists Rivers Angels, which is billed to commence at 2pm. The men’s final, between 1978 champions Bendel Insurance of Benin and multi-titlists Rangers International of Enugu, will kick off at 5pm.

    Bayelsa Queens are the defending champions of the competition, having overwhelmed FC Robo Queens of Lagos in the final of the 2021 competition at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.

    In their last visit to the Stephen Keshi Stadium for the Federation Cup final, Enugu Rangers came from three goals down in the first 45 minutes to draw level and defeat Kano Pillars on penalties in the 2018 men’s Final.

  • AFCON Qualifier: Peseiro lists Osimhen, Simon, 21 0thers for Sierra Leone

    Super Eagles’ Coach, José Santos Peseiro has invited captain Ahmed Musa, Victor Osimhen, goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye, defender William Ekong, midfielder Alex Iwobi and forward Moses Simon among others for next weekend’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in Monrovia.

    In-form forward Victor James Osimhen, whose 31 goals in all competitions for SSC Napoli this season helped the Italian giants to the semi finals of the UEFA Champions League and to their first Italian Serie A title in 33 years, tops the strikers’ list.

    Osimhen has also recently been honoured with the National Award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) by the Government of Nigeria, and has received a special ball and jersey from world football-ruling body, FIFA for his magnificent season.

    Home-based goaltenders Victor Sochima and Olorunleke Ojo are also called, as well as Rivers United defender Ebube Duru and Bendel Insurance FC midfielder Divine Nwachukwu.

    Defenders William Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel are in, with midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze, Taiwo Awoniyi and Kelechi Iheanacho also in the 23-man roster.

    The Super Eagles are top of their qualification group with nine points out of four matches, followed by Guinea Bissau’s Wild Dogs who have seven points.

    Leone Stars, who gave the Eagles a tough run in Abuja on Day 1 of the qualification series before succumbing 2-1, are on five points. Sao Tome and Principe, who play the Super Eagles on the final day of the series in September, are bottom with only one point.

    Nigeria and Sierra Leone clash at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Monrovia on Sunday, 18 June, as Sierra Leone do not have any stadium in their country approved for international matches.

    ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

    Goalkeepers: Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem, Israel); Victor Sochima (Rivers United); Olorunleke Ojo (Enyimba FC)

    Defenders: William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Calvin Bassey (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG Hoffenheim, Germany); Chidiebube Duru (Rivers United); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey)

    Midfielders: Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Divine Nwachukwu (Bendel Insurance); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England)

    Forwards: Moses Simon (Nantes FC, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor K, Turkey)

  • NFF to set up normalization c’ttees for A’Ibom, Nasarawa, others

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has opted to immediately set up Normalization Committees for temporary administration of the Football Associations of Akwa Ibom, Nasarawa, Kogi and Kaduna States.

    This followed flagrant disregard of directives from the NFF by the said State FAs not to proceed with conduct of their elections as a result of court injunctions and petitions, in varying cases, and various shades of irregularities in the processes leading to the so-called elections.

    Ali Muhammad Abubakar, NFF’s Head of Member Associations, explained: “Normalization Committees will be set up for Akwa Ibom, Nasarawa, Kogi and Kaduna States. All four States have failed to uphold the Statutes and the electoral code in their processes. Article 85 of the FIFA-approved NFF Statutes, under Unforeseen Contingencies and Force Majeure clearly stipulates that ‘the Executive Committee shall have the final decision on any matters not provided for in the Statutes or in cases of force majeure’.

    “However, the NFF has decided to uphold the decision of the Edo State FA to pass a vote of no confidence on its chairman, Mr. Rowland Abu, and to have the vice chairman in the role of Ag. Chairman. He has been told to lead the charting of a roadmap to the conduct of free, fair and credible local football councils’ elections and subsequently, the FA executive committee elections.”

    Thenff.com gathered that a monitoring committee set up by the NFF will be in Jos on Monday, 12 June 2023 to assess the current situation in the Plateau State Football Association, and subsequently take a decision on the swirling controversies in the FA’s situation.

    A normalization committee was approved for Akwa Ibom State because elections were conducted in contravention of a court injunction, and subsequent advice by the NFF not to go ahead. The tenure of the executive committee had since elapsed on 23 May.

    With regards to Nasarawa State, so-called elections were conducted into the FA executive committee without first conducting elections into the local football councils, and the identities of delegates were shrouded in secrecy. The tenure of the FA board had since expired on 27 May. The situation in Kogi State was similar, with the tenure of the Kogi State FA executive committee having expired on 28 May.

    As for Kaduna State, the tenure of the board expired on 31 May without elections, either into the local football councils (which were dissolved nearly four years ago) or the State FA.