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Tag: Super Eagles

  • 2025 AFCON: Super Eagles camp open for Benin, Rwanda matches Sept 1 in Uyo

    2025 AFCON: Super Eagles camp open for Benin, Rwanda matches Sept 1 in Uyo

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles are preparing for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, with plans to open their training camp in Uyo on September 1.

     

    According to team officials speaking to Soccernet.ng, the backroom staff will arrive in Uyo on September 1, with most of the invited players expected to join shortly afterward.

     

    The three-time African champions are set to face the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium on September 7 before traveling to Rwanda three days later for their second qualifier.

     

    However, the Super Eagles are currently without a head coach following Finidi George’s departure in June. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to appoint a new coach, creating uncertainty as the qualifiers approach.

     

    Reports suggest that Austin Eguavoen, the NFF’s technical director, will temporarily manage the team for these two matches.

     

    Meanwhile, the NFF is considering long-term coaching options, with former Sweden coach Janne Andersson and Hervé Renard, a seasoned figure in African football, among the candidates being considered for the role.

     

    Renard brings extensive experience, having successfully managed teams like Zambia, Angola, Ivory Coast, and Morocco.

     

    Having reached the final of the last AFCON, where they narrowly lost to Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria is once again a strong contender to qualify for the tournament in Morocco.

  • AFCON 2025: Benin Republic coach, Rohr talks tough ahead clash against Super Eagles in Uyo

    AFCON 2025: Benin Republic coach, Rohr talks tough ahead clash against Super Eagles in Uyo

    German coach Gernot Rohr is brimming with confidence that his Benin side, known as the Cheetahs, will once again be well-prepared to face Nigeria in their first match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers this September.

    This follows their surprising 2-1 victory over Nigeria during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier in Abidjan last June.

    Nigeria and Benin have been drawn into Group D alongside Libya and Rwanda. While Benin will host Libya for Match Day 2, Nigeria will travel to Kigali to take on the Rwandan team, nicknamed the Amavubi (The Wasps).

    With the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) yet to appoint a permanent coach following Finidi George’s departure after a lackluster performance in June, Rohr is looking forward to facing his former team at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 7.

    Rohr, who coached the Super Eagles to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, is excited to return to Uyo.

    He praised the stadium as one of Africa’s finest and expressed optimism about the upcoming match, despite challenges within his squad, including several players currently out of contract.

    Nonetheless, Rohr is determined to field a competitive team capable of making the game in Uyo a memorable one.

  • See Swedish man NFF may likely appoint as Super Eagles coach

    See Swedish man NFF may likely appoint as Super Eagles coach

    Swedish coach Janne Andersson is set to be named the new head coach of the Super Eagles, according to SCORENigeria. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is expected to make the announcement this week.

     

    Andersson, 61, will take over the role two months after Finidi George resigned. This will be his first coaching role in Africa.

     

    From 2016 to 2023, Andersson managed the Swedish national team, leading them to their first FIFA World Cup in 12 years in 2018. He achieved this by defeating the Netherlands and Italy in the qualifiers.

     

    Under his leadership, Sweden had its best World Cup performance since 1994, topping Group F ahead of South Korea, Mexico, and then reigning champions Germany. They were eventually knocked out in the quarter-finals by England.

     

    Next month, the Super Eagles are set to play against Benin Republic and Rwanda in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

  • Super Eagles set for AFCON qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda

    Super Eagles set for AFCON qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda

     

     

    The matchdays for the Super Eagles’ opening 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda have been confirmed.

     

    The Super Eagles will face Benin on Saturday, September 7, in Uyo. Benin previously defeated Nigeria 2-1 in a 2026 World Cup qualifier in June. Following this match, the Super Eagles will travel to Rwanda for a second qualifier three days later.

     

    Rwanda currently leads the 2026 World Cup qualifying group, which includes Nigeria and Benin. Both Rwanda and Benin have seven points from four matches, with Rwanda ahead on goal difference. The Super Eagles are second from bottom with three points after four rounds of matches.

  • Again, Nigeria drops in latest FIFA ranking

    Again, Nigeria drops in latest FIFA ranking

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles have dropped again by one spot in the FIFA World Ranking to place world 39th in the July ranking.

    In the ranking table by the world football governing body, the Nigerian team still maintained the 1,498.93 it had in June.

    The team suffered a massive drop in the June ranking from 30th to 38th after lacklustre performances in the World Cup Qualifying matches.

    The drop on the global stage in July however did not affect the team’s position on the continental stage as the 5th behind Morocco, Senegal, Egypt and Cote d ‘Ivoire.

    On the global scene, three continental competitions and a plethora of international friendlies have been served up in June and July, with no fewer than 125 matches having been contested across the globe.

    Having successfully defended their CONMEBOL Copa América crown, Argentina (1st) tightens their grip at the top of the pile. France (2nd) are still their closest challengers, after reaching the semi-finals of UEFA EURO 2024.

    Newly crowned European champions Spain (3rd, up 5) have yet more reason to celebrate after hauling themselves into the top three of the ranking.

    England (4th, up 1) are just behind the leading pack, having leapfrogged Brazil (5th, down 1) and Belgium (6th, down 3) now find themselves outside the top five.

  • AFCON 2025 qualifiers: CAF releases Super Eagles fixtures, date

    AFCON 2025 qualifiers: CAF releases Super Eagles fixtures, date

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released match fixtures for Nigeria AFCON 2025 qualifiers.

    The Super Eagles will begin their AFCON 2025 qualifiers with a home match against Benin Republic on September 2, 2024. They will then travel to Kigali to face Rwanda for their second match.

     

    In October, they will play a double-header against Libya:

     

    September 2, 2024:** Benin Republic 🇧🇯 (Home)

    September 10, 2024:** Rwanda 🇷🇼 (Away)

    October 7, 2024:** Libya 🇱🇾 (Home)

    October 15, 2024:** Libya 🇱🇾 (Away)

    November 11, 2024:** Benin Republic 🇧🇯 (Away)

    November 19, 2024:Rwanda 🇷🇼 (Home)

     

    The top two teams in the group will qualify for the AFCON 2025 finals in Morocco.

    2025 AFCON will be played between December 18, 2025 and January 21, 2024.

  • La Liga: Super Eagles striker, Sadiq’s signature wanted by four Spanish clubsides

    La Liga: Super Eagles striker, Sadiq’s signature wanted by four Spanish clubsides

    Four Spanish clubs, Getafe, Sevilla, Valencia and Rayo Vallecano are working to sign Umar Sadiq this summer.

    Sadiq is determined to leave Real Sociedad this summer in search of more regular football.

    It would be recalled that the Nigerian played a peripheral role at Real Sociedad last season.

    The 27-year-old arrived in Sociedad from Almeria two seasons ago.

    Sadiq has managed just four goals in 39 appearances since his arrival at the club.

    According to the Spanish news hub, Que, Getafe, Sevilla, Valencia, and Rayo Vallecano have all submitted offers to Real Sociedad for Sadiq.

    Sadiq was listed in the Super Eagles team squad for AFCON but had to withdraw at the dying minutes due to injury.

  • Serie A: Cagliari football club eyes Super Eagles forward

    Serie A: Cagliari football club eyes Super Eagles forward

    Super Eagles forward, Cyriel Dessers is on the radar of Serie A club, Cagliari Football Club.

    The Rangers of Scotland striker could be plying his trade for the Italian outfit Cagliari next season if the deal is right.

    The Serie A is a familiar territory for the forward as he already played for Cremonese in the Italian top-flight two seasons ago before linking up with Rangers last summer.

    The forward impressed with seven goals and two assists in 29 appearances.

    The Nigeria international is looking to leave Rangers after just one season at the Ibrox.

    The 29-year-old scored 22 goals across all competitions for the Light Blues last season but was criticised for his wastefulness.

    According to TuttoMercatoweb, Cagliari have inquired about Dessers availability.

    Rangers are reportedly willing to sell the striker for around €5m.

  • Peseiro in talks with NFF, may return as Super Eagles coach

    Peseiro in talks with NFF, may return as Super Eagles coach

    Former Super Eagles gaffer, Jose Peseiro is being touted to stage a return as the head coach of the team few months after his departure.

    It would be  recalled that the Portuguese left the post in February following the expiration of his contract.

    His successor, Finidi George, resigned from the post last month after the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced it will appoint a foreign technical adviser to boss him.

    Peseiro was recently linked with the head coach role at South African club, Mamelodi Sundowns.

    A football pundit working with local agency Vodia Sports International Management explained that the Portuguese is negotiating his return to the team.

    “Yes Vodia Sports International Management offered Jose Peseiro to Sundowns, though the Nigerian national teams are interested in bringing him to take over again,” Baloyi told KickOff.

    The NFF is expected to name a new head coach for the Super Eagles before the team’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya in September.

    Peseiro tutored the   Super Eagles to second position at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

  • Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa speaks on retiring from international duties

    Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa speaks on retiring from international duties

    Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa has finally cleared the air on the speculation that he has retired from the national team.

    Musa was part of the silver medal winning Super Eagles team to the 2024 AFCON tournament but didn’t lace his boot for one second.

    The ex-CSKA Moscow winger last started a game for the national team in 2021 during a World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde.

    He played 67 minutes in a 2-0 victory.

    His most recent appearance was a seven-minute cameo in a friendly game against Guinea in January.

    Musa has also been without a club since his contract with Turkish side Sivasspor was terminated in February.

    But speaking with reporters after a friendly match he organized, Musa explained: “I only took a little break from the national team.

    “But I didn’t exit the team.”

    However, speculations are rife that Musa could sign for local league side Kano Pillars ahead of next season.