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NFF appoints Éric Chelle as Super Eagles’ head coach

Fola Badmus9 months ago9 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

Fola Badmus9 months ago9 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)

Hoffenheim agrees Gift Orban deal

Fola Badmus9 months ago9 months ago02 mins

Hoffenheim has agreed a deal with Olympique Lyonais to sign Gift Orban. The club were handed a provisional relegation to Ligue 2 by the DNCG in November and in order to avoid that fate, they must sell players before the end of the campaign. Orban is one of the players earmarked for a departure and there is interest in the striker. The Nigerian has been on the periphery at Lyon ever since his arrival last January for a fee of €14m. L’Équipe rpeorted earlier this week that Hoffenheim had submitted a bid of €10m, which was close to OL’s €12m valuation of the player. An agreement has now been reached. Personal details must now be agreed for the Nigerian to complete the move to the Bundesliga. RC Lens and Galatasaray had both been strongly linked with a move for Orban, however, it appears that the striker is now Germany bound.

Anthony Joshua presents autographed glove to Tinubu

Fola Badmus9 months ago9 months ago01 mins

Two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his residence in Lagos. The British-born Nigerian pugilist, who had on Monday visited the Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun, this time took an autographed glove to Mr. President. “I just had the honour of hosting our very own Anthony Joshua, a true champion and worthy ambassador of Nigeria. “Anthony Joshua’s dedication and achievements continue to inspire millions daily. Thank you for the autographed glove—it is a symbol of perseverance and excellence. A symbol of what Nigerians are known for. “We are Nigeria. Proudly Nigerian,” the President wrote on his X handle.

Bobrisky plans to hook hubby in 2025

Fola Badmus9 months ago9 months ago01 mins

Controversial cross dresser Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye popularly known as Bobrisky has expressed his readiness to get married in the New Year. Though, the Cross dresser is yet to reveal the identity of whom he planned to knot the ties with but has indicated his plans for the New Year. Bobrisky on Instagram stated; “2025 I’m gonna read my diret messaage. I don’t like reading direct message. “I wanna settle down. “I’m ripe to be in my husband house,” (Sic) he revealed.

Ogun to build Anthony Joshua Indoor Boxing Centre

Fola Badmus9 months ago9 months ago03 mins

The Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun has revealed plans to build an ultra modern boxing centre in honour of boxing heavyweight and son of the State, Anthony Joshua. Prince Abiodun disclosed via his X handle on Tuesday. The Governor wrote; “We are thrilled to announce our administration’s plans to construct a state-of-the-art Anthony Joshua Indoor Boxing Ring in Abeokuta, a testament to our commitment to promoting sports development in Ogun State. “During a visit to our office by two-time world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, we proudly confirmed him as our official sports ambassador. We also invited him to light the Gateway Games National Sports Festival torch, now scheduled for May next year. “This initiative goes hand in hand with our extensive efforts to refurbish and reconstruct sporting facilities across the state in preparation for hosting the festival. Sports, being a unifying force, will not only inspire our youth but also spotlight Ogun State as a hub for talent and excellence. “We have urged Anthony Joshua to collaborate with our Director General of the National Sports Commission and the Commissioner for Sports Development to organize boxing tournaments leading up to the festival. His involvement will motivate aspiring athletes and contribute significantly to the growth of sports in Ogun State. “Anthony Joshua’s achievements on the global stage bring pride to Ogun State, and we are committed to supporting him while celebrating the immense talents that put our state on the world map. “Together, we are building a legacy of excellence in sports.”

N180m NGO’s money not missing -VDM

Fola Badmus9 months ago9 months ago03 mins

Social media critic Vincent Martins Otse, aka Verydarkman, has taunted Online personalities who fell for his claim that N180 million was hacked from his non-governmental organisation account. He said he shared the news to check how dumb the Nigerian media and some Nigerians are. VDM berated those who insulted him and his mother, describing her as a thief. He pretended to be crying and said those who dragged him would learn the hard way. He also tackled media practitioners for not confirming information before sharing. According to VDM, his money is safe with Zenith Bank, and they are doing a good job. The media personality tackled some netizens, including human rights activist Omotayo Williams and investigative journalist David Hundeyin, for their takes on the issue. Omotayo had said that the officer VDM involved in the case, Officer Sam, was a cab driver in Jos, Plateau state. VDM lambasted Omotayo and noted that he never claimed Officer Sam was a police officer but just an officer. VDM also knocked David Hundeyin for asking Nigerians to focus on the claim by Niger Republic’s military ruler, General Abdulrahman Tchiani, that France was setting up a military base in the northeast region of Nigeria. The social critic said that Hundeyin didn’t have proof of what he was saying, and it was one of the reasons he claimed many Nigerians are dumb. VDM stated that if his money was truly missing, he would have contacted the Abuja Police Command. However, he never reported to any police, and those who believed he would take his case from Abuja to Jos were dumb. He also tackled the police in Abuja and Plateau for debunking any missing money when he did not report any case to them. VDM said that the police should start reacting to every news since they have started it with him, without him coming to make any statement to them.

Super Eagles, Fulham celebrate Calvin Bassey at 25

Fola Badmus9 months ago9 months ago01 mins

Former African champions, Super Eagles and Premier League side, Fulham have celebrated Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey on his 25th birthday. Bassey, who was eligible to play for Italy, Nigeria or England at international level, turned 25 years old on Tuesday. “Happy birthday to our solid in defence Calvin Bassey. “We wish you many succeses, trophies and blessings in good health,” @NGSuperEagles wished the player on X formerly Twitter. Bassey’s club Fulham FC also took to their X handle to congratulate him, “Sending birthday wishes to Calvin Bassey.” Bassey committed his international future to Nigeria when he accepted a call-up for their 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. He debuted with Nigeria in a 0–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification tie with Ghana on 25 March 2022.