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NFF appoints Éric Chelle as Super Eagles’ head coach

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago02 mins

The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation has endorsed the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee for the appointment of Mr. Éric Sékou Chelle as Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior men national football team, Super Eagles. At its meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, 2nd January 2025, the NFF Technical and Development Sub-Committee had recommended the appointment of former Coach of the senior men national team of Mali as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles. This recommendation was on Tuesday, 7th January endorsed by the NFF Executive Committee. Chelle, who won five caps for the Aiglons of Mali and coached clubs such as GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne and MC Oran, has been Head Coach of the Aiglons since 2022. At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire, Chelle’s Mali came very close to a place in the semi-finals, losing to hosts and eventual winners Cote d’Ivoire 2-1 after extra time, after leading by a lone goal until the final minute of regulation time. The 47-year-old featured for Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres and Chamois Niortais in France during his playing career. His appointment is with immediate effect, and he has the responsibility of guiding the Super Eagles to earn a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, with the next round of matches (Matchdays 5 & 6) taking place in March.

CHAN: Ogunmodede invites 26 players as Eagles commence camping in Ikenne-Remo

Our Reporters4 months ago4 months ago03 mins

Stand-in Head Coach, Daniel Ogunmodede has called up captain Nduka Harrison Junior, goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, defenders Sadiq Ismail and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielder Saviour Isaac, and forward Sikiru Alimi among a list of 26 players to begin closed-camping exercise at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, Ikenne-Remo on Monday, 6th January ahead of the 8th African Nations Championship finals. Goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defenders Imo Obot and Stephen Manyo, midfielders Musa Zayyad, Rabiu Ali and Papa Daniel Mustapha, and forwards Adamu Abubakar and Emmanuel Ogbole have also been invited. The Super Eagles B, for the first time ever in the qualification series, bumped Ghana’s Black Galaxies to reach the final tournament, after a 3-1 win in Uyo last week that followed a scoreless first leg in Accra six days earlier. Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, who have been selected to jointly host the 36th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027, have been handed the opportunity to test-run their facilities and operational efficiency with the African Nations Championship finals, scheduled for 1st – 28thFebruary. The 8th African Nations Championship will feature 18 countries, viz joint-hosts Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, Nigeria, Morocco, Guinea, Senegal, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Niger Republic, Congo, Sudan, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Angola and Madagascar. 26 EAGLES FOR CAMPING IN IKENNE-REMO Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena (Enyimba FC); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars); Badmus Gbadamosi (Kwara United) Defenders: Sadiq Ismail (Remo Stars); Waliu Ojetoye (Ikorodu City); Imo Obot (Enyimba FC); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Nduka Harrison Junior (Remo Stars); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International); Steven Manyo (Rivers United); Abiam Nelson (Kano Pillars); Afeez Bankole (Smart FC) Midfielders: Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Saviour Isaac (Rangers International); Musa Zayyad (El-Kanemi Warriors); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes); Kazeem Ogunleye (Rangers International) Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Emmanuel Ogbole (Kwara United); Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United)); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Temitope Vincent (Plateau United); Samuel Ayanrinde (3SC); Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors)

CHAN Qualifier: Moroccan referee for Nigeria, Ghana clash

Our Reporters4 months ago4 months ago01 mins

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has selected Moroccan official Hamza El Fariq as referee for Saturday’s African Nations Championship qualifying game against Ghana’s Black. El Fariq will be assited by his compatriots Abdessamad Abertoune, Zakaria Bouchtaoui and Hicham Temsamani to serve as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively. Prince Kai Saquee from Sierra Leone will be the commissioner while Miboti Moise from the Democratic Republic of Congo will be in the role of referee assessor.

Victory, to qualify for CHAN finals, is our watchword -Ogunmodede

Our Reporters4 months ago4 months ago05 mins

Stand-in Head Coach Daniel Ogunmodede said on Thursday that the big focus of the Super Eagles B players and officials ahead of Saturday’s African Nations Championship qualifying game against Ghana’s Black Galaxies is to attain victory that will spring Nigeria to the finals of the competition early next year. Both illustrious regional rivals battled to a scoreless stalemate in Accra on Sunday and the final qualifying fixture is delicately poised ahead of the decider at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Saturday. “We are doing everything to stay focused by avoiding any distractions. Yes, we got a scoreless draw in the first leg away and now playing at home, but we are not in any way carried away. Our objective was to score an away goal in Accra but that did not happen. “On Saturday, we will approach the game like our lives depend on it. Our watchword is getting the win that will qualify us for the African Nations Championship finals coming up in East Africa.” The eighth instalment of the competition reserved for footballers plying their trade in their nation’s domestic Leagues will take place across Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, 1st – 28th February 2025. Nigeria defended stoutly at the Accra Sports Stadium while relying on counter-attacks, but will have to launch onslaughts from the blast of the referee’s whistle at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. Their bitter regional rivalry, Ghana’s failure to qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals and results of previous encounters in the African Nations Championship are indices that have rendered Saturday’s match a potentially-explosive affair with endless fireworks. The Black Stars have failed to reach the 35th AFCON finals, from a group that included Sudan, Angola and Niger Republic, and the Galaxies will throw the kitchen sink at the Super Eagles B to ensure they don’t follow in that negative trend. Ghana last missed the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004. For Nigeria, Ghana have dominated their African Nations Championship clashes, with the Eagles winning only one of six previous clashes. Three have resulted in scoreless draws. Ghana won 3-2 in Accra in 2008 and also 2-0 in Accra in 2022, and to boot, have claimed victory in even in the ones that ended in ties. The 0-0 draw in Calabar in 2008 meant Ghana sailed through to the inaugural CHAN finals in Cote d’Ivoire on the strength of their 3-2 win in Accra two weeks earlier, and when their semi-final clash in the third instalment of the final tournament in South Africa in 2014 ended 0-0, the Galaxies prevailed 4-1 after a penalty shootout. Ogunmodede’s charges have earned Nigeria’s best result against Ghana in the African Nations Championship on away ground, and look poised to gain victory in Uyo on Saturday.

Ademola Lookman crowned African King

Our Reporters4 months ago4 months ago03 mins

Nigerian star Ademola Lookman has been crowned as the African Player of the Year at 2024 CAF Awards held at the Palais des Congrés in the Moroccan city of Marrakech on Monday. The Atalanta of Italy forward succeeded his Nigerian compatriot Victor Osimhen. His three goals and two assists were pivotal to Nigeria reaching their eighth Africa Cup of Nations Final in Cote d’Ivoire in February, and his hat-trick in a 3-0 win handed Italian side, Atalanta FC the UEFA Europa Cup at the expense of hitherto-rampaging German side, Bayer Leverkusen in May. This season, he has notched 11 goals and five assists in 18 appearances in all competitions for Atalanta (including a goal against record winners Real Madrid FC in the UEFA Champions League), and scored two goals as Nigeria qualified for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals, with two other goals controversially chalked off. The Winners Player of the Year (Men)Ademola Lookman (Nigeria/Atalanta Player of the Year (Women)Barbara Banda (Zambia) Coach of the Year (Men)Emerse Fae (Cote d’Ivoire) Coach of the Year (Women)Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe) Goalkeeper of the Year (Men)Ronwen Williams (S/Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns) Goalkeeper of the Year (Women)Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria/Paris FC) Interclub Player of the Year (Men)Ronwen Williams (S/Africa/Mamelodi Sundowns) Interclub Player of the Year (Women)Sanaa Massoudy (Morocco/ASFAR) Club of the Year (Men)Al Ahly (Egypt) Club of the Year (Women)TP Mazembe (DR Congo) National Team of the Year (Men)Cote d’Ivoire National Team of the Year (Women)Nigeria Young Player of the Year (Men)Lamine Camara (Senegal/AS Monaco) Young Player of the Year (Women)Doha El Madani Morocco/ASFAR Referee of the Year (Men)Mutaz IbrahimElivis Guy

CAF Awards ’24: Nnadozie tops Women’s Player, G’keeper of the Year shortlists

Our Reporters5 months ago5 months ago06 mins

Super Falcons’ goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has been nominated the CAF Women’s Player of the Year and the Goalkeeper of the Year awards. In the Women’s Player of the Year category, Nnadozie will slug it out with Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi / Olympique Lyonnais),Temwa Chawinga (Malawi / Kansas City Current), Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR) and Barbra Banda (Zambia / Orlando Pride). The Nigerian also have Fideline Ngoy (DR Congo / TP Mazembe), Habiba Sabry (Egypt / FC Masar), Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco / AS FAR), Andile Dlamini (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns) to battle to retain her crown in the Goalkeeper of the Year (Women) category. The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) unveiled the top five nominees in each of the women’s categories at the upcoming 2024 CAF Awards, as excitement mounts for the ceremony to be staged on 16 December, 2024 in Marrakech, Morocco. The 2024 CAF Awards cover the period from January to October this year. Five outstanding players have been shortlisted for the prestigious CAF Women’s Player of the Year, including the dynamic sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga (Malawi), Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco), Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria) and Barbra Banda (Zambia). This year’s nominees reflect the excellence in women’s football across the continent after their impressive performances at club and national team level. The CAF Goalkeeper of the Year category includes five exceptional shot-stoppers while the Interclub Player of the Year category highlights five standout performers who shone during continental competitions. Emerging talents are celebrated in the CAF Young Player of the Year category featuring top nominees, while the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year category honours the technical brilliance of five coaches. The awards also recognize the contributions of national teams and clubs. The nominees for CAF Women’s National Team of the Year are Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia and the Cameroon Under-20 side, while Club of the Year contenders include TP Mazembe (DR Congo), AS FAR (Morocco), and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa). The winners of each category will be determined through votes from the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, head coaches and captains of Member Associations, as well as clubs participating in the group stages of Interclub competitions. The #CAFAwards24 continue to celebrate the outstanding achievements of African footballers, coaches and teams. Last year, Asisat Oshoala earned the title of CAF Women’s Player of the Year, and this year’s nominees will look to follow in her illustrious footsteps. Full List of Nominees (in alphabetical order by Member Association): Player of the Year (Women) Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi / Olympique Lyonnais) Temwa Chawinga (Malawi / Kansas City Current) Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR) Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC) Barbra Banda (Zambia / Orlando Pride) Goalkeeper of the Year (Women) Fideline Ngoy (DR Congo / TP Mazembe) Habiba Sabry (Egypt / FC Masar) Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco / AS FAR) Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC) Andile Dlamini (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns) Young Player of the Year (Women) Habiba Sabry (Egypt / FC Masar) Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR) Lina Mokhtar Jamai (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain) Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (Nigeria / Rivers Angels) Nthabiseng Majiya (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns) Coach of the Year (Women) Lamia Boumehdi (TP Mazembe) Ahmed Ramadan (FC Masar) Mohamed Amine Alioua (AS FAR) Chris Danjuma (Nigeria U-20) Thinasonke Mbuli (University of the Western Cape) National Team of the Year (Women) Cameroon U-20 Morocco Nigeria South Africa Zambia Club of the Year (Women) TP Mazembe (DR Congo) FC Masar (Egypt) AS FAR (Morocco) Edo Queens (Nigeria) Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

Marrakech’s Palais des Congrès to host 2024 CAF Awards

Our Reporters5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

Africa will celebrate its top performers for the year when the 2024 CAF Awards are staged in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday, 16 December 2024. The prestigious event takes place at the Palais des congrès de Marrakech with the ceremony set to kick off at 19h00 local time (18h00 GMT/ 20h00 Cairo time/ 21h00 East African time). The CAF Awards shine a spotlight on the continent’s most outstanding football talents, celebrating their exceptional achievements in both club and national competitions. The highlight will be the crowning of the CAF African Player of the Year in both the men’s and women’s categories, two of the most coveted individual honors in African football. The event will also feature a range of other categories, including best coach, best national team, and best club, recognising excellence across the full spectrum of African football. This year’s awards ceremony promises to be a spectacular affair, with a star-studded lineup of nominees and guests from across the continent and beyond. With Morocco’s rich footballing history and vibrant culture, Marrakech is the perfect backdrop for this prestigious celebration and a must-watch event for fans around the world. In the Men’s Player of the Year category, five names remain in the race for the celebrated individual honour. Other categories include, Interclub Player of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, National Team of the Year and Club of the Year, also have five nominees each. Full List of Nominees (in alphabetic order by Member Association) Player of the Year (Men) Simon Adingra (Cote d’Ivoire / Brighton & Hove Albion)Serhou Guirassy (Guinea / Borussia Dortmund)Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)Ademola Lookman (Nigeria / Atalanta)Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns) Player of the Year (Women) Sandrine Niyonkuru (Burundi / FC Masar)Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi / Olympique Lyonnais)Temwa Chawinga (Malawi / Kansas City Current)Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC)Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria / Atletico Madrid)Jermaine Seoposenwe (South Africa / Monterrey)Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa / Tigres UANL)Barbra Banda (Zambia / Orlando Pride)Racheal Kundananji (Zambia / Bay FC)

13th Women AFCON: Super Falcons to know group stage opponents on Friday

Our Reporters5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Nine-time champions Nigeria will know their opponents for the group phase of next year’s Women Africa Cup of Nations competition when the draw is conducted at the Technic Centre of the Mohamed VI Football Complex in Sale, outside Rabat, Morocco on Friday evening. The field of 12 finalist-teams will be framed into three groups of four teams each, with the top two teams in each group, as well as the best two third-placed teams in the three groups, advancing to the quarter-finals of the competition scheduled for Morocco. Of the 12 previous tournaments held since Nigeria hosted the inaugural in 1998, the Super Falcons have been victorious nine times, with Equatorial Guinea winning twice and South Africa sweeping to victory in the last edition, also hosted by Morocco in July 2022. All the four top-placed teams in that last edition are also in the field of 12 this time, viz Cup holders South Africa, hosts Morocco, Zambia and Nigeria. Also qualified are Ghana, Algeria, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tunisia, Senegal, Tanzania and Mali. The 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals will take place 5th – 26th July 2025.