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8th CHAN: Rabiu Ali, Alimi, 16 others to tackle Ghana

Prince Odutola3 days ago3 days ago05 mins

Stand-in Head Coach Daniel Ogunmodede has picked ageless warhorse Rabiu Ali, wing-back Sadiq Ishmael, centre-back Stephen Manyo, midfielders Musa Zayyad and Jide Fatokun, and forwards Anas Yusuf and Sikiru Alimi in an 18-man roster for Sunday’s 8th African Nations Championship qualifying match against Ghana’s Black Galaxies in Accra. The gaffer also picked goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, defender Victor Collins and forward Abubakar Adamu for the must-win two-leg fixture, with the Galaxies being the reason why Nigeria failed to qualify for the championship on two different occasions in the past, namely 2009 and 2023. The Super Eagles B, with Ogunmodede and Coaches Fidelis Ilechukwu and Olatunji Baruwa in charge, had staggered training sessions over three weeks from the month of October, before a final training camp commenced at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, Ikenne-Remo three weeks ago. Sunday’s first leg fixture is scheduled for the Accra Sports Stadium, with kick-off set for 4pm Ghana time (5pm in Nigeria), and some kilometres away, both countries’ U17 girls will be battling for the inaugural WAFU B U17 Cup at the Ghana Centre of Excellence in Prampram. Over the past 10 months, Nigeria have dominated Ghana at international level, starting with the Super Eagles’ 2-1 defeat of the Black Stars in a friendly match in Marrakech, Morocco – a first win at senior level for Nigeria against the West African rivals in 18 years. In the summer, Nigeria’s U17 boys edged the Black Satellites 3-2 in the third-place match of the WAFU B U17 Championship staged by Ghana, and in October, the Flying Eagles defeated the Black Satellites 3-1 to successfully retain their WAFU B U20 Championship title in Lome, Togo. Togolese referee Aklesso Gnama will be in charge of Sunday’s encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium, with compatriots Jonathan Ahonto Koffi, Wassiou Tchamolla Ourotou and Kossi Fabrice Senyo in the roles of assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively. Liberian Ivan Gartor Brown will serve as commissioner while Hugues Alain Adjovi from Benin Republic will be the referee assessor. The second leg will hold at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Saturday, 28th December, with the winner on aggregate to pick a ticket to the 8th African Nations Championship taking place in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, 1st – 28th February, 2025. 18 SUPER EAGLES B FOR WAR AGAINST GHANA’S BLACK GALAXIES Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena (Enyimba FC); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars) Defenders: Ismail Sadiq (Remo Stars); Waliu Ojetoye (Ikorodu City); Imo Obot (Enyimba FC); Junior Nduka (Remo Stars); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International); Steven Manyo (Rivers United) Midfielders: Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Saviour Isaac (Rangers International); Musa Zayyad (El-Kanemi Warriors) Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United) Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Emmanuel Ogbole (Kwara United); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)

Super Eagles retain spot on FIFA ranking

Prince Odutola4 days ago4 days ago01 mins

Former African champions Super Eagles retained her spot in the latest World football governing body (FIFA) monthly ranking. The Nigerian side ended the year in 44th position spot as released by FIFA on Thursday. Nigeria’s global football standing. Eagles however remain fifth in Africa. On the global stage, World Champions, Argentina, signed off for the year in top spot, with France (2nd) and Spain (3rd) joining them on the podium. As for those in the chasing pack, England (4th), Brazil (5th), Portugal (6th), the Netherlands (7th), Belgium (8th), Italy (9th) and Germany (10th) all retain their places in the upper echelons of the ranking. Indeed, that lack of movement is mirrored throughout the top 100, where there is not even the slightest bit of jostling for position. The next edition of the FIFA Men’s World Ranking will be published on 3 April 2025. Africa’s Top 10MoroccoSenegalEgyptAlgeriaNigeriaCote d’ IvoireCameroonMaliTunisiaSouth Africa

Ademola Lookman crowned African King

Prince Odutola7 days ago7 days 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

CHAN 2025 Qualifier: Eguavoen invites Rabiu Ali, 29 others to camp for Ghana

Prince Odutola3 weeks ago3 weeks ago05 mins

Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has invited a total of 30 players to camp as the Nigeria Football Federation activates its commitment to ensuring the qualification of the Super Eagles B for next year’s African Nations Championship finals. The 8th edition of the continental championship – reserved exclusively for footballers plying their trade with clubs in their country’s domestic Leagues and possessing standard contracts – is scheduled to run the length of February 2025 in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Kano Pillars’ evergreen midfielder, Rabiu Ali, who has scored eight goals this season, is among the players called, alongside Remo Stars’ goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, Rivers United defender Steven Mayo, and Abia Warriors’ exciting forward Sunday Megwo. There are also Enyimba FC goalkeeper Henry Ozoemena, Remo Stars’ wing-back Ismail Sadiq, Enugu Rangers’ midfield ace Kazeem Ogunleye and Nasarawa United forward Anas Yusuf. Victor Collins, the Nasarawa United defender called up for last month’s 2025 AFCON qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda, and Plateau United’s Adamu Abubakar, are also called up. All the invited players have been instructed to arrive at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State on Wednesday, 4th December 2024, where the team will train ahead of the first leg of the qualification fixture against Ghana’s Black Stars B, billed for the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, 22nd December. The second leg will take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Saturday, 28th December. Ghana stopped Nigeria from reaching the Africa Nations Championship finals in 2009 and 2023. In the qualifiers for the inaugural edition hosted by Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria took a 2-0 first-half lead in the opening leg in Accra, only to concede three goals in the second half. The return leg in Calabar ended 0-0. In the qualifiers for the last edition hosted by Algeria, Ghana won 2-0 at home and lost 0-2 in Abuja, but prevailed after a penalty shootout at the MKO Abiola National Stadium. 30 PLAYERS FOR SUPER EAGLES B CAMPING IN IKENNE-REMOGoalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena (Enyimba FC); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars); Nurudeen Badmus (Kwara United) Defenders: Ismail Sadiq (Remo Stars); Waliu Ojewole (Ikorodu City); Imo Obot (Enyimba FC); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Junior Nduka (Remo Stars); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International); Steven Mayo (Rivers United) Midfielders: Jide Fatokun (Remo Stars); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Saviour Isaac (Rangers International); Musa Zayyad (El-Kanemi Warriors); Emmanuel Ogbole (Kwara United); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes); Kazeem Ogunleye (Rangers International) Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United); Osy Martins (Lobi Stars); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Temitope Vincent (Plateau United); Samuel Ogunleye (3SC); Abiam Nelson (Kano Pillars); Meyiwa Oritseweyimi (Bendel Insurance); Ngbemena Ikechukwu (Heartland FC); Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors); Umar Al-Amin Ibrahim (El-Kanemi Warriors); Adams Aminu Sani (Kano Pillars)

NFF congratulates Felix Owolabi on 70th birthday anniversary

Prince Odutola4 weeks ago4 weeks ago03 mins

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.

AFCONQ: Rwanda stun Super Eagles comeback victory

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

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.

AFCONQ: Eguavoen names Boniface, Iheanacho, benches Osimhen for Rwanda clash

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago01 mins

Interim head coach Austin Eguavoen has named Victor Boniface and Kelechi Iheanacho to lead the Super Eagles attack against the Amavubis of Rwanda in today’s AFCON 2025 deadrubber qualifying clash. In the absence of Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye will be in goal while Bright Osayi-Samuel, Gabriel Osho, William Troost Ekong are in the heart of defence. Bruno Onyemachi, Frank Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and Moses Simon are saddled with midfield role. The substitutes are; Amas Obasogie, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Calvin Bassey, Victor Osimhen, Sadiq Umar, Jamilu Collins and Samuel Chukwueze. The tie is slated to kick off at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium at 5pm Nigeria time.

Morocco 2025: Despite ticket in pocket, Super Eagles go for victory against Amavubi

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago04 mins

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will go all out for victory against Rwanda on Monday, even with leadership of group D and a ticket to the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco secured, says Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen. The three-time African champions are determined to sustain their recent form and spirit ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers that resume in four months, and Coach Augustine Eguavoen believes the absence of grieving goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defender Olaoluwa Aina and in-form forward Ademola Lookman will not stop their momentum. First-choice goalkeeper Nwabali has been excused from camp to visit family and relations following the demise of his father, and English Premier League side Nottingham Forest begged for wing-back Olaoluwa Aina to be allowed to fly back to the United Kingdom for a crucial tie, with Nigeria already qualified for the AFCON. Rapid-raider Ademola Lookman, with two goals in the qualifiers like team mate Victor Osimhen, suffered a knock in the front end of this window’s double-header, against Benin Republic’s Cheetahs in Abidjan on Thursday, and left camp on Saturday. The Super Eagles are not unaware of the fact that the Amavubi are in the same 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying group with them, and that they (Rwanda) are the next opponents when the World Cup qualifying campaign resumes in March 2025. Monday’s encounter will see the return of former number one safe hands Maduka Okoye, and Bright Osayi-Samuel could start at right wing-back in the absence of Aina, with Bruno Onyemaechi at left wing-back, and Captain William Ekong and Calvin Bassey at centre-back. Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika are still the options in the middle. Victor Osimhen, whose goal earned the one point in Abidjan that took Nigeria to the top of the pool, will hope to score against the Amavubi, having come quite close a number of times when he joined the fray as a second-half substitute in Kigali in September. He also has the target of overtaking former captain Olusegun Odegbami on the goals’ tally for Nigeria. The absence of Lookman means so much will be expected from fit-fighting and usually-dependable Moses Simon, with Samuel Chukwueze, Sadiq Umar, Kelechi Iheanacho and Victor Boniface all in the race for slots in the fore.