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Morocco 2025: Osimhen, Ekong, Ndidi, others to battle Benin Republic, Rwanda

AFCONQ: Ekong cries out, as Eagles languish in Libya

Fola Badmus11 months ago11 months ago03 mins

Super Eagles’ captain William Tristan-Ekong has called on Nigerian Government to urgently intervene and ensure their passage into Libya for their AFCON 2025 qualifying tie on Tuesday. According to reports, the team was denied access into Libya and has since been languishing at airport without basic amenities. Ekong who was disgusted by the act by the Libya authorities wrote; “12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Lybia after our plane was diverted whilst descending. “Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games. “I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa but this is disgraceful behaviour. Even the Tunisian Pilot who thankfully managed to navigate the last minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land had never seen something like this before. “Upon arrival he tried to find a nearby airport to rest with his crew to be denied at every hotel again under Government instruction. He could sleep there but NO NIGERIAN crew members allowed. They have returned to now sleep on the plane which is parked up. “At this point we have called for our Nigerian Government to intervene and rescue us. As the captain together with the team we have decided that we will NOT play this game. “CAF should look at the report and what is happening here. Even if they decide to allow this kind of behaviour, let them have the points. We will not accept to travel anywhere by road here even with security it’s not safe. We can only imagine what the hotel or food would be like given to us IF we continued. “We respect ourselves and respect our opponents when they are our guests in Nigeria. Mistakes happen but these things on purpose have nothing to do with international football.”

Super Eagles held hostage in Libya

Fola Badmus11 months ago11 months ago02 mins

Members of the Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been languishing for over 13 hours without basic amenities at Libyan airport, Trendbrio.com have reliably gathered. The team departed Nigeria on Sunday for the reverse fixture of the AFCON 2025 qualifier against Libya are still held at the airport as at press time. Sources close to the Nigeria Football Federation hinted that about an hour to landing, the Nigerian side aircraft approaching its destination, Benghazi was diverted to another city more than two hour drive from the original destination. The Nigerian lads were also denied from gaining access into the country by the Libyan authorities for over 13 hours. Leverkusen of Germany striker, Victor Boniface, who led the Super Eagles attack in the first leg lamented the poor treatment on his X handle. He wrote; “Been at the airport for almost 13 hours no food no wifi no where to sleep “Africa we can do better @CAF.”

Ex-Green Eagles’ goalie, Fregene dies at 77

Fola Badmus11 months ago6 months ago02 mins

Former Green Eagles’ goalkeeper Peter Fregene is dead. Late Fregene also known as Apu breath his last on Sunday after battling with an undisclosed illness. The deceased former national teammate, Dr Segun Odegbami broke the news on his social media fields. Odegbami who was gutted by the eternal departure of his friend wrote; “And the Man died. “A few minutes ago, Peter ‘Apo’ Fregene, OLY, former goalkeeper for Nigeria’s Green Eagles, who has been on life-support for the past one week, passed on to meet his Creator. “He died quietly in the presence of two of his children and his devoted wife, Tina. “On behalf of all generations of Nigerian footballers, Olympians, sports persons, his family, friends, fans and a few incredible Nigerians that quietly rallied round and, with their support, prayers and the will of the Creator of the Universe, kept him alive until this night, I say a big ‘thank you’. “Good night ‘Apo’. “Rest my friend, rest in peace, finally!” Fregene aged 77, was the first choice goalkeeper for the Nigeria national football team from 1968 to 1971, before being recalled for the 1982 African Cup of Nations finals. He also represented Nigeria at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.

AFCON 2025 qualifiers: Dele-Bashiru rescues Super Eagles against Libya

Fola Badmus11 months ago11 months ago02 mins

A lone striker by Fisayo Dele-Bashiru was all the Super Eagles needed to pip resilient Libya national team at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Friday. The Nigerian side had laboured to hit the back of the net before the Lazio FC midfielder struck in the 87th minute of the tie. The win keeps Nigeria on top of the Group D with 7 points ahead of Benin Republic on 6points. Nigeria needs an outright victory over Libya in Benghazi on Tuesday to punch her qualifying ticket to the next edition of AFCON in Morocco. Ballon d’Dor nominee Ademola Lookman and Victor Boniface were listed to lead Super Eagles assaults against Libya. Stanley Nwabali retained his place between the sticks for Nigeria. The South African based goalie also got cover from the defence led by William Tristan Ekong, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi. Usual suspects like Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon were assigned the midfield role.

Family members want life-support machine unplugged on Ex-Eagles goalie

Fola Badmus11 months ago11 months ago04 mins

Trendbrio.com has reliably gathered that some family members of ailing former Green Eagles’ goalkeeper, Peter Fregene want the life-support machine on him unplugged. This development was revealed on Friday by Fregene’s national teammate, Dr. Segun Odegbami (MON). The Mathematical in a social media post wrote; “There is some good news. “Peter Fregene is being given another chance to live. “This afternoon, contrary to the request by some family members to unplug Peter from life-support and be allowed to die at home, Marian, his first child and Tina, his wife of several decades, chose to follow the advise and referral by Obule Medical Centre, and moved Peter by ambulance to the Teaching Hospital facility in Oghara, Delta State. “The hospital immediately went to work on the man, starting with his body ‘decorated’ with bedsores. He is now receiving first-class treatment and is being stabilised in the Intensive Care Unit. “The medical expenses at the Sapele hospital, and the immediate costs of treatment at the Teaching hospital are being taken care of by a few concerned Nigerians that prefer to be anonymous for now. “The avalanche of requests by Nigerians all over the world for a bank account to pay into in support of Peter Fregene has been overwhelming. Most of them do not even know him. “Once again, there is no approved bank account by the family. Anyone desirous of helping in any way can deal privately with the family through Tina or Marian. “The Federal Government and some State governments are already responding. “What is more important now is the medical care and divine touch that can help to wake Peter up from this ‘deep sleep’ and enable him to appreciate this flood of uncommon love and goodwill for him by Nigerians. “I shall not post any more reports on Peter unless there is an absolute need to do so. “What happens next is out of our hands. It lies in divine providence. “May the will of the Creator of the Universe be done. Amen.” Fregene, 77, was the first choice goalkeeper for the Nigeria national football team from 1968 to 1971, before being recalled for the 1982 African Cup of Nations finals. He also represented Nigeria at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.

AFCON 2025 qualifier: Eguaveon unleashes Lookman, Boniface on Libya

Fola Badmus11 months ago11 months ago02 mins

Ballon d’Dor nominee Ademola Lookman and Victor Boniface have been listed to lead Super Eagles assaults against Libya in today’s AFCON 2025 qualifier in Uyo. The duo have been in top forms for their various clubs in Europe. Lookman’s recent form in the colours Atalanta earned him Ballon d’Or nomination for the Player of the Year award. Stanley Nwabali retained his place between the sticks for Nigeria. The South African based goalie will get cover from the defence led by William Tristan Ekong, Ola Aina, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi. Usual suspects like Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Moses Simon were assigned the midfield role. The substitutes are; Maduka Okoye, Amas Obasogie, Raphael Onyedika, Benjamin Tanimu, Taiwo Awoniyi, Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidera Ejuke, Fisayo Dele Bashiru, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Alhassan Yusuf and Osayi Samuel. The tie is slated to kick off at 5pm Nigeria time.

AFCON 2025: Super Eagles feast on Libya

Fola Badmus11 months ago11 months ago04 mins

Nigeria will host Libya in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo this evening. The Super Eagles will be aiming to extend their unbeaten start to the AFCON qualifiers, while the visitors are still seeking their first win of the qualifying campaign. Nigeria followed up a 3-0 victory over Benin Republic in their opening match of the AFCON qualifiers with a goalless draw away at Rwanda a couple of days later. The Super Eagles top Group D with four points and are the only team yet to concede a goal in the group, and a double header victory over Libya will see them move clear and edge closer to securing qualification. This will be the fifth meeting between Nigeria and Libya, with the Super Eagles winning all four previous encounters, including two games in the AFCON qualifiers back in 2018. Augustine Eguavoen, who was appointed on an interim basis to lead the team, has retained his position and has been tasked with guiding Nigeria to the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. Nigeria finished as runners-up at the last AFCON edition and have lost just one of their last 14 AFCON qualifying matches – a run they will hope to extend on Saturday. Libya were held to a 1-1 draw by Rwanda in their opening match of the AFCON qualifiers before losing 2-1 to Benin in their second match. The Mediterranean Knights took the lead in the ninth minute from the spot via Faisal Al Badri, but a 12-minute spell in the second half saw them concede two goals that cost them the game. Head coach Milutin Sredojevic will hope his side picks up valuable points against Nigeria as they look to end their 12-year AFCON absence. Libya’s last appearance in the continental showpiece came back in 2012, but they are currently bottom of Group D with one point and will have to quickly turn things around if they are to end this run. Nigeria possible XI: Nwabali; Ekong, Ajayi, Bassey; Aina, Ndidi, Onyedika, Onyemaechi; Lookman, Boniface, Chukwueze Libya possible XI: Al Wuhayshi; Elkouri, Yusuf, Erteiba, Al Mabrouk; Al Badri, Al Shreimy; Salama, Al Khoja, Al Gleib; Krawaa

Kidnapped journalists regain freedom

Fola Badmus11 months ago11 months ago03 mins

Kidnapped Sport journalists have regained freedom, Trendbrio.com have reliably gathered. The media men, according to a statement issued by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), were kidnapped on their way to cover the AFCON 2025 qualifier in Uyo. The SWAN statement reads; “We want to inform our Teeming Members across Nigeria and beyond that some of the Sports Journalists who were earlier kidnapped on their way to cover the first leg of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Super Eagles and Mediterranean Knights of Libya in Uyo, have been released. “The President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, and indeed SWAN National Secretariat after making necessary contacts immediately our colleagues were abducted around Anambra/Imo axis, have been reliably informed of their release following pressure by the proactive Nigerian Security Operatives on the Kidnappers. “SWAN therefore commends the Security Operatives, particularly the Nigerian Army and Police for their prompt action which ensured that up to six of the held Sports Journalists regained their freedom with efforts to get the remaining person freed. “The rescued Media Practitioners, mostly Camera/Photojournalists are now on their way to either reunite with families or move on with other official duties. “We urge our members to remain calm and without fear in the discharge of their professional duties while maintaining regular communication with the various SWAN State Chapters’ Leadership for any formal purposes. @Also, be assured that the National Leadership of SWAN is committed to your welfare and overall well-being with uttermost regards as always.”