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NFF congratulates Felix Owolabi on 70th birthday anniversary

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The Nigeria Football Federation has felicitated with former Nigeria captain, Dr. Felix Owolabi Akinloye as the former defender-turned-winger celebrated his 70th birthday anniversary at the weekend. General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi said the former wing wizard deserves all the adulation on the occasion of his Platinum Jubilee Anniversary. given his immense contributions to Nigeria football both as a player of immense repute and an administrator. “The NFF congratulates Dr. Felix Owolabi Akinloye on this landmark occasion of his 70th birthday anniversary. It is not everyone who gets to attain the septuagenarian level. We celebrate him for his many wonderful outings for Nigeria and his excellent service as an administrator after his playing days. “As a member of the NFF Technical and Development Committee, we value his contributions at meetings and advice and suggestions through the telephone on the direction that Nigeria Football and the various National Teams should take each time.” Felix Owolabi Akinloye, who started as a defender, became a fascinating winger for then Green Eagles, and played a key role as Nigeria won her first Africa Cup of Nations title, on home soil, in 1980. Owolabi was captain of the team to the 1982 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Libya, where the team got off to a promising start with a 3-0 defeat of Ethiopia in Benghazi, before forfeiting a one-goal lead to lose 1-2 to Algeria and then fell 0-3 to Zambia. The pacy forward retired from international duty afterwards, but continued playing club football, and was in then IICC Shooting Stars FC (now 3SC) that won the inaugural edition of the CAF Cup in 1992.   

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AFCONQ: Rwanda stun Super Eagles comeback victory

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles concluded their Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifiers with a shocking 2-1 loss to Rwanda. The match, held on Monday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, showcased the underdog’s resilience as the Rwandan side came from behind to secure victory. However, Nigeria had already qualified for AFCON 2025 in Morocco, finishing top of the group with 11 points. Samuel Chukwueze gave Nigeria the lead in the 59th minute, delighting the home crowd. Rwanda, however, quickly responded, with Aimable Mutinzi equalising in the 72nd minute. Just three minutes later, Imanishimwe Nshuti completed the comeback, sealing a memorable win for Rwanda. The first half ended goalless, with both teams missing opportunities to take control. In the second half, Nigeria’s early dominance faltered as Rwanda capitalised on defensive lapses. Nshuti, who was later booked for time-wasting, emerged as the hero for the visitors. Despite the defeat, Nigeria topped Group D with three wins, two draws, and one loss, earning 11 points. Benin and Rwanda both finished with 8 points, but Benin secured second place on goal difference to join Nigeria in the tournament proper. Libya finished at the bottom of the group with 5 points.

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Galatasaray coach calm amid Man Utd talk for Osimhen

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Galatasaray coach Buruk Okan expects Victor Osimhen to see out the season. Osimhen is on-loan at Gala from Napoli, which have been approached by Manchester United in recent days for the Nigeria striker. But Okan said: “Osimhen intends to stay here until the end of the season. “He also wants to stay and has been telling me the same thing since the beginning. There is a clause, but it doesn’t matter, he said he will stay. “The important thing is the player, it is the player who decides and Osimhen says he will stay here. He said the same thing when he came.”

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Nottingham Forest gives updates on Ola Aina

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Nottingham Forest hope to have Ola Aina available for their trip Arsenal after returning from international duty with Nigeria ahead of schedule last week. Aina has been in superb form this season, almost ever-present in Nuno Espirito Santo’s starting XI with Forest riding high in fifth place. The right-back completed the full 90 minutes in the 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest prior to the international break and played 83 minutes for Nigeria in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin last Thursday. The former Chelsea youngster was replaced late on, subsequently receiving treatment for an issue suffered in the match. That 1-1 draw against Benin ensured Nigeria qualified for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations with a game to spare. With Forest in direct communication with the Nigerian FA, an agreement was met to allow Aina to miss Monday’s game against Rwanda, returning to the UK late last week for treatment back at Forest. ‘Before our match against Benin, I spoke with an official from Nottingham Forest, and subsequently received a message from Nuno, the manager, asking if we could release Ola Aina since they are facing Arsenal next weekend. ‘I agreed, stating that if we managed to get a positive result in Côte d’Ivoire, we’d maintain our good rapport. We have alternative players available, so in light of this, it was important to sustain the relationship,’ Nigeria’s interim coach Austin Eguavoen said in an interview. An official statement from the Nigeria Football Federation added: ‘English Premier League side Nottingham Forest fervently requested that wing-back Olaoluwa Aina be permitted to return to the UK for their pivotal match, having already secured qualification for AFCON.’ Aina will be assessed this week with reports in Nigeria claiming the reason for his substitution last week may have been fatigue. Forest head to north London to take on Arsenal at 3pm on Saturday afternoon.

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Morocco 2025: Eagles, Amavubi arrive Uyo for final group clash

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Group winners Nigeria and final-day opponents Rwanda have both landed at the Obong Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo ahead of Monday’s Matchday 6 clash in the concluding round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Deflated but not altogether supine, the Amavubi still have a mathematical chance of qualifying, though the supposition is not actually in their favour. They missed a big opportunity to enhance their chances when losing at home to Libya’s Mediterranean Knights on Thursday, and can only make it to Morocco 2025 if they defeat Nigeria in Uyo and Libya are victorious against Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in North Africa on Monday. The Super Eagles, confirmed group winners, have nothing to chase other than national pride, and will play a more relaxed game against the visitors than the turgid contest with the Cheetahs at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan on Thursday night. Nigeria’s delegation flew from the Ivorian capital, Abidjan, to Uyo aboard a chartered ValueJet aircraft, arriving at 3.50pm. Rwanda’s delegation flew from Kigali to Lagos aboard a regular Rwandair flight, arriving at 1pm, before boarding an Ibom Air flight to Uyo. They landed in Uyo just before 5pm. Uyo’s magnificent Godswill Akpabio Stadium is the venue, and a carnival atmosphere is expected as the Super Eagles celebrate for 90 minutes and afterwards with the AFCON ticket long in the bag. Both countries battled to a scoreless draw in their first confrontation in Kigali in September, though the jury is still out on Ademola Lookman’s first-half headed goal that was inexplicably chalked off by the Moroccan referee. Incidentally, another Moroccan will be in the role of referee on Monday. 44-year-old Samir Guezzaz takes the stage in the centre at the game that kicks off at 5pm. Guezzaz alongside his compatriots Zakaria Brinsi (assistant 1), Abdessamad Abertoune (assistant 2) and Kech Chaf Mustapha (fourth official) are scheduled to arrive in Nigeria on Saturday, same as Prosper Harrison Addo from Ghana (commissioner) and Ali Mohamed Ahmed from Somalia (referee assessor).

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Super Eagles land in AFCON 2025

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Nigeria’s Super Eagles has qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) without kicking a ball on Thursday. Libya’s 1-0 win in Rwanda guarantees Nigeria a top-two finish in Group D, and means Benin will join the Super Eagles at the tournament if they win their all-West African meeting this evening. Nigeria currently tops the Group with 10 points, Benin Republic placed second with 6 points while Rwanda and Libya are at the rock-bottom of the log with five and four points respectively.

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Arsenal makes contact over €75m Osimhen

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Arsenal have reportedly contacted Napoli regarding the potential signing of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, as they consider reinforcing their attacking options for the upcoming transfer window. The Gunners are reportedly among several clubs tracking the prolific forward, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray and impressing with his performances. “The figure is 75 million euros. We will sit at the table with the person who gives 25 of this in advance,” he received the answer Sabah . According to Turkish outlet, Sabah, Mario Branco, the sporting director of Fenerbahce, recently reached out to Giovanni Manna, Napoli’s sporting director, to understand the terms of a potential deal. During the conversation, Manna reportedly quoted a price of €75m (£64.5m) for Osimhen, stating, “We will sit at the table with the club that offers €25m (£21.5m) upfront.” This sets a high bar for any suitors looking to secure Osimhen’s services, and certainly knocks any Turkish side out of the running. Osimhen, who is on loan at Galatasaray until the end of the current season, has made nine appearances for the Turkish giants, scoring eight goals and registering four assists. While Fenerbahce has shown significant interest in Osimhen, Arsenal remain in the mix along with Newcastle United and Chelsea. Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia has also reportedly entered the race for the Nigerian international, adding further competition for the in-demand striker. Osimhen himself has previously indicated that he is content at Galatasaray and wishes to see out his loan spell, but Napoli are clearly open to discussions should their financial demands be met. Arsenal will have to act decisively if they wish to beat their rivals to one of Europe’s hottest striking prospects, with Napoli’s terms already set: a substantial upfront payment will be key to opening negotiations. Mikel Arteta is understood to be keen on adding more firepower to Arsenal’s front line, and Osimhen, with his blend of physicality, pace, and proven finishing ability, fits the profile of the striker they are seeking. However, any move would require significant financial commitment given Napoli’s stance on the deal.

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