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  • 2026 WCQ: Super Eagles, Bafana Bafana share spoils in Uyo

    2026 WCQ: Super Eagles, Bafana Bafana share spoils in Uyo

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria was on Friday night held to a 1-1 draw by the visiting Bafana Bafana of South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

    Sundown’s of South Africa striker, Themba Zwane galloped past three Nigerian defenders before slotting the ball past Super Eagles goalie, Stanley Nwabali inside 29th minute of the encounter.

    All efforts by the hosts to equalize proved abortive as the first half ended in the visitor’s favour.

    Upon resumption of second half, newbie Dele Bashiru received a pass from Iwobi turn right in front of a South African defender before slotting the ball past South African goalie, Hayden Williams for an equalizer on the 46th minute of the encounter.

    Few minutes after scoring, Dele Bashiru cropped an injury and was replaced by AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze.

    Super Eagles pressed forward and troubled the Visitor’s defence on many occasions but failed to convert their chances.

    After 90 minutes plus additional time both sides settled for a share of the spoils.

    The result meant that Super Eagles have dropped to fifth  on the log while Lesotho, Rwanda, South Africa and Benin Republic occupy the first second, third  and fourth spot currently.

    Super Eagles will play the Squirrels of Benin Republic next week Tuesday in Abidjan.

     

  • 2026 WCQ; Injury boost for Super Eagles ahead clash with Bafana Bafana today in Uyo

    2026 WCQ; Injury boost for Super Eagles ahead clash with Bafana Bafana today in Uyo

    The confidence of the Super Eagles players in camp have been boosted by the recovery of two players who were initial doubts due to injuries.

    AC Milan’s  Samuel Chukwueze and Boavista central defender Chidozie Awaziem have both been declared fit by Super Eagles medical team ahead of today’s final against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa  scheduled to hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on Friday (today) evening.

    Chukwueze had overcome a hamstring injury only to sustain a minor knock in a recent training session.

    However, the former Villarreal star has since recovered and is ready to play against South Africa.

    On his part, Awaziem, who had been training separately due to discomfort, has also been declared fit to play after overcoming a stomach upset.

    Victor Boniface and stand in captain Wilfred Ndidi are expected to play today after few months of absence due to injuries.

    Recall both Boniface and Ndidi were not part of the AFCON runners-up squad due to injuries.

    Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of the match on Friday, Super Eagles coach Finidi George expressed confidence in the readiness of his squad.

    He confirmed that Chukwueze and Awaziem are available for selection.

    “All the players are ready. Chukwueze had a knock but trained properly yesterday, so he’s good to go. Chidozie had a stomach upset, but he’s fine now,” Finidi stated.

  • 2026 WCQ: Why South Africa took long trip to Uyo – NFF

    2026 WCQ: Why South Africa took long trip to Uyo – NFF

    The Nigeria Football Federation has insisted that the South African delegation has no reason to cry foul after having to stay the night in Port Harcourt on Wednesday after arriving in Nigeria. The team only flew into Uyo on Thursday morning.

    NFF’s Protocol chief, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi said the South African Football Association informed the NFF that its chartered aircraft would depart South Africa on Wednesday morning by 8am and land in Lagos to undergo immigration formalities before proceeding to Uyo.

    “The problem has nothing to do with the NFF. As at the time they said they were taking off, it took them a further five hours to actually depart from South Africa. We were not informed. We had informed officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service and other relevant agencies in Lagos to expedite action on the formalities for them.

    “It was less than two hours to landing that they contacted us to say that the landing right they got was for Port Harcourt International Airport and not the MMA in Lagos. We had to quickly get in touch with officials of NMS and other agencies in Port Harcourt and mobilize people to ensure smooth formalities for them. Having completed all immigration formalities, they wanted to take off for Uyo but were informed that the Obong Victor Attah Airport only operates from sunrise to sunset, and so that was not possible. The NFF immediately mobilized resources for them to comfortably spend the night in Port Harcourt.”

  • 2026 W/C qualifier: Fans to pay N1, 000 for Super Eagles/Bafana clash

    2026 W/C qualifier: Fans to pay N1, 000 for Super Eagles/Bafana clash

    Fans will have to pay N1,000 for a popular stand to watch the qualifier between the Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Friday in Uyo.

    The potentially-explosive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier is slated for the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo from 8 pm.

    Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

    According to him, the popular stand ticket would be sold for N1, 000 while the VIP stand would go for N3, 000.

    He said that  sales of the tickets will begin on Thursday morning at strategic outlets across Akwa Ibom.

    “Tickets to access the Godswill Akpabio Stadium for Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying cracker between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and South Africa’s Bafana Bafana will go on sale from Thursday morning.

    “While tickets for the popular stands will sell for N1, 000 each, tickets to the VIP areas will go for N3, 000 each,” Olajire said.

    NFF’s Head of Marketing and Sponsorship, Alizor Chuks said the tickets will go on sale at a number of designated points across the state.

    “The objective is to have as many sales points as possible away from the stadium, and ensure that sales are concluded by Friday evening before the game commences,” Chuks said.

    NAN reports that no fewer than 20 players trained on Tuesday evening at the practice pitch of the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, ahead of the crucial clash.

    Nigeria will lock horns with South Africa in a rematch of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) first semi-final match earlier this year, which the Super Eagles won 4-2 on penalties.

  • 2026 WCQ: We ‘re not afraid of Super Eagles – South Africa coach, Hugo Broos

    2026 WCQ: We ‘re not afraid of Super Eagles – South Africa coach, Hugo Broos

    Bafana Bafana boss, Hugo Broos has insisted that he does not fear the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    South Africa will slug it out  with the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifying series in Uyo.

    The World Cup qualifying match is billed to hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, on June 6 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

    Broos noted that Nigeria were only lucky to have beaten Bafana Bafana in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier in the year, insisting his team was the better side.

    He told reporters at a press conference on Monday, “Everyone of us wants to go and qualify for the World Cup in 2026. We are in front of two very tough games.

    “First of all, Nigeria finalist in the AFCON, players who are playing in the best competitions in Europe. On the other side we also saw what we can do against them in the AFCON.

    “If we had a little bit of luck on our side, we were in the final and not Nigeria. We were the best team in the semi-finals, we could have won that, so we don’t have to be afraid,” he stated.

  • 2026 WCQ: 20 Super Eagles players in camp as team intensify training ahead clash with South Africa

    2026 WCQ: 20 Super Eagles players in camp as team intensify training ahead clash with South Africa

    The atmosphere around the camp of African vice champions Nigeria has livened up even more as five players who were initially stranded in two different parts of the country as a result of the nationwide strike were ferried into Uyo on Tuesday morning.

    Defenders Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey, alongside midfielder Frank Onyeka and forward Paul Onuachu landed at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo just after noon aboard a private jet arranged by the Nigeria Football Federation, and were driven to the team’s Ibom Hotel and Resorts to meet up with team mates in time for lunch.

    The arrival of the quintet brought the tally of players in camp to 20, three days to the Day 3 qualifying battle with the Bafana Bafana at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in the Akwa Ibom capital.

    Nigeria and South Africa go toe-to-toe in a rematch of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations first semi-final, which the Super Eagles trumped 4-2 after penalty shootout at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake.

    Three-time African champions Nigeria, who have reached the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup on three occasions, missed out on the last houseparty in Qatar, and after a sluggish start to the qualifiers, need all three points on offer to be in strong contention for the only ticket from Group C as the campaign drags on.

    Rwanda are surprise leaders of the pool after two matchdays, on four points, with South Africa on three and Nigeria on two.

    The 10-match series will end in October next year, with winners of the nine groups qualifying automatically for the finals in Canada, USA and Mexico. The best four second-placed teams in all nine groups will contest a CAF Play-off Tournament, with the winner going ahead to contest a FIFA Play-off Tournament for another slot.

    President Federation Cup: One of three surviving NPFL teams to bite the dust on Wednesday

    Only two clubs from the country’s elite division can reach the semi-finals of this year’s President Federation Cup competition, with two of the surviving trio, Sunshine Stars and Kano Pillars, going headlong against each other in one of the quarter-final duels scheduled for the Federal Capital, Abuja on Wednesday.

    The venue to be is Area 3 Stadium, where one of the NPFL teams must bite the dust, paving way for the other to progress to the last four.

    The other NPFL side, Abia Warriors, are up against giant-killers Sokoto United at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project field inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium Complex. Sokoto United eliminated two-time CAF Champions League winners Enyimba FC in the Round of 16.

    El-Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri will confront surprise packets Inter Lagos at the FCT-Bwari ground, while two surprise qualifiers, EFFC FC and Kebbi United tango at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

     

  • 2026 WCQ: 15 players in camp, Lookman, Maduka, Iwobi expected on Tuesday

    2026 WCQ: 15 players in camp, Lookman, Maduka, Iwobi expected on Tuesday

    The quintet of defenders Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey, midfielder Frank Onyeka and forward Paul Onuachu are already in the country and trying to make their way to Uyo to join the 15 other players already on ground, as the Super Eagles’ preparations for Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana swing into new gear.

    A total of 15 players trained on Monday morning in Uyo, with Head Coach Finidi George telling the players afterwards that the three points at stake in Friday’s encounter must end up in Nigeria’s kitty.

    While the quintet (three in Abuja and two in Lagos) is being expected at the team’s Ibom Hotel and Resorts, the trio of midfielder Alex Iwobi, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and forward Ademola Lookman are expected to arrive in the country on Tuesday.

    There was no training session on Monday evening, as the players get countenance intensive sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, hopefully with a full house.

    The delegation of Bafana Bafana is expected to arrive in Nigeria on Wednesday, with the team already booked into Four Points By Sheraton Hotel in Ikot-Ekpene.

  • WCQ 2026: Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos hails Finidi, Super Eagles

    WCQ 2026: Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos hails Finidi, Super Eagles

    The coach of Bafana Bafana of South Africa, Hugo Broos has hailed Super Eagles coach George Finidi  just few weeks after being announced as the manager of the team.

    According to Broos, Super Eagles are a different team under the new head coach, Finidi George.

    It would be recalled that the Portuguese tactician, Jose Peseiro was in charge of the Super Eagles the last time the West Africans confronted South Africa at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Finidi took charge of the Super Eagles in an interim capacity in the friendlies against Ghana and Mali in March.

    Despite being in charge for just few weeks, Broos claimed that he saw a different Super Eagles team from the friendlies compared to the side that played at the AFCON.

    The Belgian claimed he has to work out a way to stop the Super Eagles like he did at the AFCON.

    “We will try to shock them again. It’s a little bit different than the team of AFCON,” Broos told SABC

    “With Finidi George they have a coach who thinks more offensively. Peseiro was a little bit more defensive and I saw that certainly in the game against us, he was always telling the team to go back.

    “Also in the final they didn’t really play offensively, they just tried to be good defensively and then hoping on a counterattack or a situation in front of the goal where they could score.

    “I saw two games against Mali and Ghana, it’s different. They take a little bit more initiative. It’s not the team anymore who went back and waited.

    “They also try to make pressure early in the game and close to the goal of the opponent, so we have to look for something now that we can shock them again like we did for the game in Ivory Coast.”

    Bafana Bafana will be up against the Super Eagles at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo next Friday.

  • 2026 WCQ: Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos unleashes final 23-man squad on Nigeria

    2026 WCQ: Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos unleashes final 23-man squad on Nigeria

    The head coach of the Bafana Bafana of South Africa, Hugo Broos has named a  23-man squad for his side’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria and Zimbabwe taking place in June.

    Recall that Broos unveiled a 36-man preliminary squad for the two games  World Cup qualifuers last week.

    The Belgian has now  trimmed down the list thereby dropping  13 players from the selection.

    Captain Rowen Williams, Al Ahly forward Percy Tau and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teboho Mokoena are some of the regular stars, who make the squad.

    Siyabonga Ngezana, Relebohile Mofokeng and returnee Lyle Foster are the standout new faces.

    Players like Evidence Makgopa, Mihlali Mayambela Tapelo Xoki and Thabiso Monyane were all dropped from the selection.

    South Africa will face the Super Eagles at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday, June 7.

    Bafana Bafana will host the Warriors at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, June 11.

    South Africa have won just one and lost the second so far in the series thereby occupying the second position in group C at the moment.

     

  • Paris 2024: Waldrum invites Ajibade, Oshoala, Nnadozie, 19 others for Banyana

    Paris 2024: Waldrum invites Ajibade, Oshoala, Nnadozie, 19 others for Banyana

    Coach Randy Waldrum has extended invitations to captain Rasheedat Ajibade, US-based Africa queen Asisat Oshoala and high-riding goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie among a group of 22 players for the two-legged Paris Olympics final qualifying fixture against South Africa next month.

    Saudi Arabia-based defender Ashley Plumptre and veteran rearguard Osinachi Ohale are also called, as well as youthful midfielder Deborah Abiodun, and forwards Esther Okoronkwo and Uchenna Kanu.

    There are recalls for 2019 World Cup star Chidinma Okeke and veteran forward Chiwendu Ihezuo, and a first invitation for U20 defender Shukurat Oladipo.

    The Super Falcons are at home for the first leg scheduled for Friday, 5th April at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja before flying to Pretoria for the return at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday, 9th April. The winner over two legs will earn one of Africa’s two tickets to this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, with Zambia and Morocco to clash for the other ticket on the same dates.

    Waldrum has also kept faith with regulars like wing-back Michelle Alozie, midfield lynchpins Christy Ucheibe and Halimatu Ayinde, and forward Gift Monday.

    ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS:

     

    Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens)

    Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia); Shukurat Oladipo (FC Robo Queens); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Nicole Payne (Portland Thorns FC, USA); Chidinma Okeke (Mynavi Sendai Ladies, Japan)

    Midfielders: Deborah Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA); Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosengard, Sweden); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Jennifer Echegini (Juventus Ladies, Italy); Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain)

    Forwards: Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Esther Okoronkwo (Changchun FC, China); Ifeoma Onumonu (SLC Utah, USA); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA); Uchenna Kanu (Racing Louisville, USA); Gift Monday (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Chiwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico)