Super Eagles’ manager, Eric Chelle has stated that he currently manages no other social media handles other than his Instagram page. The official Super Eagles’ twitter handle, @NGSuperEagles, posted this disclaimer on Saturday. “DISCLAIMER. “Please be advised that Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Chelle, does not possess an X account. “Exercise caution and be wary of scams or any misleading information.”
A brace from Galatasaray of Turkey striker, Victor Osimhen were all the Super Eagles needed to revive hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by United States of America, Canada and Mexico. Osimhen broke deadlock in the 11th minute when he tapped in a free kick by his successor and the current African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman. Osimhen broke loose and shipped the ball past the onrushing Rwandan goalkeeper to increase the tally at the close of the first half of the tie. The former African champions now placed fourth with 6 points behind South Africa, who currently the log with 10 points, while the Republic of Benin and Rwanda are on eight and nine points respectively. Nigeria however must consolidate on her winning streak when they host the Warriors of Zimbabwe in Match Day 6 of the Qualifying series in Uyo next week, Tuesday. While Nigeria tackles Zimbabwe in Uyo, The Squirrels of Benin will play host to South Africa, and Lesotho would be Rwanda’s guests.
The Nigeria Football Federation has condoled the family of former Nigeria international midfielder Ayo Ogunlana, who died in Kaduna on Friday after observing his early-morning walk. NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, showered tributes on the departed midfield pearl, who was a star attraction during a number of important Nigeria FA Cup battles in the 1980s and held sway in the middle for the Super Eagles in the late 1980s, and at the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Algeria. “We are very sad to learn of the sudden passing of Ayo Ogunlana, only a couple of weeks after the demise of another former Eagle, Moses Effiong (a member of the 1980 AFCON-winning Green Eagles squad, in far away USA). Ogunlana was a great midfielder who made playing football look so easy with his majestic touches and turns, and his magnificent free-kicks. “We pray that the Almighty will grant both of them eternal rest and grant the families they have left behind the fortitude to bear the losses.” Ogunlana was magisterial in the midfield as Nigeria overhauled Guinea and Zimbabwe to qualify for the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations, and was imperial against Cameroon in a 1990 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Ibadan that the Super Eagles won with an emphatic 2-0. He also played in the 1990 ECOWAS Cup competition that Nigeria hosted in Kaduna. In March 1990, the midfield generalissimo earned rave reviews as Nigeria finished with the silver medals at the 17th Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria, even coming close to bagging Nigeria a late equalizer in the final against hosts and winners Algeria, from his favourite dead-ball position.
The head coach of Flying Eagles, Aliyu Zubairu, has voiced his optimism following Thursday’s group stage draw for the Africa U20 Cup of Nations, which will take place in Cote d’Ivoire, 26th April – 18th May. The Nigerian team finds itself in a demanding group alongside traditional powerhouses Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa, all of whom have a rich history in African youth football. In his reaction to the draw, Coach Zubairu remarked: “It’s a very good draw. If a team truly aspires to reach the FIFA World Cup, there is no need to shy away from any opponent. Facing Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa at this stage presents a tremendous opportunity. I believe it’s a blessing.” This perspective not only highlights Zubairu’s confidence in his squad’s capabilities but also underscores his commitment to challenging his players against formidable rivals, which can ultimately foster their development and resilience. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Coach Zubairu stressed the necessity of mental preparation as his team gears up for these high-stakes matches. He is keen on instilling a robust sense of self-belief within his players, emphasizing that they should approach every opponent with respect and seriousness. “We need to dispel the notion that this is a ‘group of death,’” he said. “In African football, there are no small teams anymore. The key is to prepare very well. A lesser-known nation can surprise everyone if they come prepared.” To ensure the team is adequately prepared for the task, the NFF has not only put the Flying Eagles in camp to resume training, with a 30-man squad, but has also organised a two-match tour of Cairo for the team to play the Egyptian U20 team at the end of this month. The friendly matches in Cairo have been scheduled for 25th and 27th February.
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) will today (Thursday), 13 February, 2025 conduct Live Draws for four of its upcoming competitions that will take place this year. The Live Draws will be held at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt and will be streamed on CAF’s Official YouTube channel, CAF TV from 13h00 Cairo Time (11h00 GMT). The Final Draw for the nine teams taking part in the inaugural CAF Women’s Futsal Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 will be conducted first at 13h00. The draw for the CAF African Nations Championship, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda 2024 Second Stage Qualifiers will follow at 13h25 Cairo time (11h25 GMT). The Final Draw for the expanded 16-team CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 will take place at 13h45 Cairo Time (11h45 GMT). That will be followed by the Final Draw for the 13-team TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2025 at 14h25 Cairo Time (12h25 GMT). LIVE DRAW SCHEDULE: 13h00 Cairo Time (11h00 GMT) | CAF Women’s Futsal AFCON, Morocco 2025 13h25 Cairo Time (11h25 GMT) CAF CHAN 2024 2nd Stage Qualifiers 13h45 Cairo Time (11h45 GMT) CAF U-17 AFCON, Morocco 2025 14h25 Cairo Time (12h25 GMT) | TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON, Cote d’Ivoire 2025
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has assured that the Osogbo Township Stadium will be remodelled and upgraded to host Super Eagles and other international football matches in no distant future. The state’s helmsman gave this assurance after flagging off the remodelling plans for the sporting edifice alongised his Deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi and the Speaker of the Osun State Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun on Tuesday in Osogbo. “I officially flagged off the remodeling and upgrading of the Osogbo Stadium to a world class status. This marks the commencement of our administration’s comprehensive Sports Agenda in Osun State. “In my address, I disclosed that our government has a big vision for Osun State, with plans to provide the best sporting facilities in the country, while assuring that by the time we finish the remodeling, the stadium will be a beautiful edifice to behold. “I affirmed that our plan is to build a stadium with capacity to host various sporting events, such as the National Sports Festival, National Youth Games and more importantly, to host some of our national teams, including the Super Eagles in their various continental and International matches. “I highlighted the different stages of the remodeling, including three (3) major football pitches of international standard; pitches for other games, such as volleyball, swimming, handball, hockey, basketball and a host of others. “The remodeling will also include a befitting indoor sports hall, hostels for the athletes and a state-of-the-art 4-star hotel. This project has been designed with revenue generation mindset to ensure sustainability with short and long term viability. We envisaged a self-sustaining and holistic sporting infrastructure. “I reiterated that the two (2) state owned teams namely; Osun United and Osun Babes Football Clubs would continue to receive greater attention and support from our government,” Governor Adeleke assured on his official X handle.
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has announced the match schedule for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 that will see nine venues used across six cities for the continent’s greatest football show. Morocco and Comoros will kick-off the tournament on 21 December, 2025 with a Group A fixture at the newly-built 69,500-seater Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, a fitting stage for the grand opening. Rabat will have four match venues, with other host cities Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes and Tangier to have one each. The four quarter-final fixtures will be played at the Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, as well as in Tangier, Marrakech and Agadir. The semi-finals will be in Rabat and Tangier, with the third-place play-off set for the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca. There will be 52 matches over 29 days in a feast of football for fans that showcases the skill and passion of African football. Morocco, hosting the CAF AFCON for the first time since 1988, is also preparing to co-host the FIFA World Cup 2030.
Three-time African Champions, Super Eagles will battle Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania in Group C of the Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025. Their opening match will be against Tanzania. Tunisia, champions on home soil in 2004, eliminated Nigeria in the Round of 16 of the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon. The opening match of the 2025 AFCON will be hosts Morocco against Comoros on December 21 in Rabat. Group AMoroccoMaliZambiaComoros Group BEgyptSouth AfricaAngolaZimbabwe Group CNigeriaTunisiaUgandaTanzania Group DSenegalDR CongoBeninBotswana Group EAlgeriaBurkina FasoEquatorial GuineaSudan Group FCote d’IvoireCameroonGabonMozambique
