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Tag: Super Eagles

  • La Liga: Nigerian forward, Chidera Ejuke set to join Sevilla FC

    La Liga: Nigerian forward, Chidera Ejuke set to join Sevilla FC

    Nigerian forward, Chidera Ejuke, is on on the verge of joining Sevilla ahead of next summer.

    Ejuke is currently a free agent after one year of playing for Belgian Pro League outfit, Royal Antwerp.

    The 26-year-old spent the 2023/24 season on loan at Antwerp from Russian club CSKA Moscow.

    Football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, wrote on X Sunday: “EXCLUSIVE: Sevilla agree deal to sign Nigerian winger Chidera Ejuke as free agent, here we go!

    “Verbal agreement in place with Sevilla on contract terms, medical and signature are booked for next week.”

    Ejuke has featured for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in few friendly games.

  • Finidi counters Osimhen’s allegations

    Finidi counters Osimhen’s allegations

    Former Nigerian international Finidi George has stated his own side of the story about the viral comments made by Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen, who denied allegations of faking an injury to avoid the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and the Benin Republic.

    Osimhen’s statements on Instagram prompted veteran journalist Colins Udoh to investigate the matter and thus came up with his findings on it.

    Udoh contacted Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) officials, who supported Osimhen’s claim that he had informed Finidi about his injury. The officials confirmed that Finidi never accused Osimhen of pretending to be injured.

    In his response, Finidi highlighted that he would not pressure any player to join the Super Eagles, insisting that commitment to the team should come from the players themselves. He further explained that he had reached out to Osimhen after the incident to clarify that he never made such accusations and would have preferred to discuss any concerns privately.

    This situation underscores the need for clear communication and trust between players and coaching staff within the Super Eagles team

  • Why I turned down offer to coach Super Eagles – South African gaffer, Mosimane

    Why I turned down offer to coach Super Eagles – South African gaffer, Mosimane

    Pitso Mosimane a popular South African coach  has revealed that he turned down the chance to manage the Super Eagles.

    The former Al Ahly of Egypt coach hinted that the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF) recently approached him to take charge of the Super Eagles.

    According to Mosimane,  he rejected the offer because South Africa and Nigeria are in the same group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

    The South African gaffer also said former Super Eagles captain, Austine Okocha put pressure on him to tinker with the team.

    “The calls were coming from Nigeria, the talks were there. Jay-Jay Okocha was leading this thing, he was begging me. But you know South Africa and Nigeria were in the same group. It’s not too nice, it’s unpatriotic because I want to see my team in the World Cup,” Mosimane told SWANA.

    “But also, work is work. You can never deny a chance to coach Chukwueze, Osimhen, those players are unbelievable, those guys are top talents in the world.”

  • Finidi George resigns as Super Eagles coach

    Finidi George resigns as Super Eagles coach

    Finidi George has resigned from his position as the head coach of the Super Eagles.

    Finidi took the decision on Saturday, days after the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, announced moves to bring in a foreign technical adviser.

    His exit was confirmed by former Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye, on his X account.

    The resignation follows the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) decision to appoint a foreign coach to oversee him, despite his recent appointment in May.

     

  • Serie A: Torino, Inter Milan eye Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye

    Serie A: Torino, Inter Milan eye Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye

    Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye has caught the eyes of Italian sides Torino and Inter Milan.

    Okoye was previously linked with Serie A champions Inter Milan but another Serie A rival Torino has joined the race

    According to mondoudinese, Torino are preparing for the departure of Vanja Milinkovic- Savic, who is set to leave the club this summer.

    The Turin club have identified the Nigerian as possible replacement for the departing goalkeeper.

    The 24-year-old was one of the key performers for Udinese last season, helping the Zebras maintain their top-flight status.

    The former Sparta Rotterdam goalie made 21 league appearances and kept five clean sheets.

    He has three years remaining on his contract.

  • NFF apologizes to Nigerians over Super Eagles poor outing, set to appoint foreign technical adviser

    NFF apologizes to Nigerians over Super Eagles poor outing, set to appoint foreign technical adviser

    The Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation held a meeting on Wednesday, 12th June 2024 in hybrid mode to deliberate on important issues in Nigeria Football and resolved as follows:

    1) The Executive Committee wholeheartedly apologized to Nigerians for the dismal output and subsequent very poor returns of the Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles, in four out of 10 matches in the ongoing qualification series for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, and pledged to work assiduously and put necessary measures in place to ensure a better-prepared squad ahead of the AFCON 2025 qualifiers in September this year and the resumption of the World Cup qualifiers in March 2025.

    2) Further to (1) above, the Executive Committee resolved to employ an expatriate Technical Adviser for the Super Eagles in the coming weeks, ahead of the AFCON qualifiers and the remaining FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.

    3) Still further to (1) above, the Committee resolved to beef up the NFF Technical Department with more qualitative hands. Equally, the Technical and Development Sub-Committee will be re-jigged with immediate effect.

    4) Notwithstanding the challenges that attended the team’s preparations for the Day 3 and Day 4 games of the FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, owing to a 38-hour nationwide industrial action, the Board expressed displeasure with the poor attitude of some of the players to the National Assignment, and unanimously decided in favour of a more robust scouting programme of outstanding Nigeria-eligible players from across the four corners of the universe, who can add tremendous value to the nation’s flagship team.

    5) The Executive Committee also resolved that a Stakeholders’ Forum be convened in a few weeks’ time, to deliberate on amendments to the current NFF Statutes, in conjunction with world football-governing body, FIFA.

    6) While appreciating the fact that preparation of teams involved in the Olympic Games fall squarely within the purview of the Federal Ministry of Sports Development, the Executive Committee stated unequivocally that it will provide robust support, within the room allowed it, to the Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons, to adequately prepare for this year’s Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, taking place in France 24th July – 11th August.

    6) In order to ensure an impressive performance of the U20 Women National Team, Falconets, at this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in Colombia, 31st August – 22nd September, the Executive Committee mandated its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to diligently and swiftly consider the programme submitted by the Head Coach for the team’s preparation. The Board approved a two-phase camping for the team, with a four-week camping in Nigeria to be followed by a two-week final camping programme in Colombia before the commencement of the tournament.

    7) Impressed by the performance of the U17 Women National Team, Flamingos, so far in their FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup African qualification series, the Executive Committee charged the Secretariat to ensure total readiness of the team for its final round, final leg encounter against their Liberian counterparts, scheduled for the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Friday, 14th June 2024.

    IN ATTENDANCE: Ibrahim Musa Gusau (President); Felix Anyansi-Agwu (1st Vice President); Gbenga Elegbeleye (2nd Vice President); Yusuf Ahmed (Member); Babagana Kalli (Member); Sharif Rabiu Inuwa (Member); Sunday Dele-Ajayi (Member); Aisha Falode (Member); Ganiyu Majekodunmi (Member); Nse Essien (Member); Margaret Icheen (Member); Timothy Heman Magaji (Member); Silas Agara (Member); George Aluo (Member); Nkechi Nneka Obi (Member); Mohammed Sanusi (Secretary).

  • NFF not clear on replacing Super Eagles coach, Finidi George

    NFF not clear on replacing Super Eagles coach, Finidi George

    The President of Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, said that measures are being taken to address the team’s woes and secure qualification for the prestigious tournament.

    Asked about the possibility of changing the Super Eagles coaching and technical bench, the NFF President, in a video posted by photojournalist, Pooja, via  Platform X on Thursday, didn’t quite give a clear answer but acknowledge that something was being done to address the situation.

    Recall that Super Eagles coach,  Finidi George, was appointed in April, 2024 and he has only managed a win in four appearances as an interim  and substantive coach

    “It’s a very sad moment for Nigerian football, we can’t run away from that,” he admitted.

    “But all I want to assure you is that we are working tirelessly in collaboration with the minister to come out with some holistic measures that will change the face of the entire system so that we can move forward,” he said.

    The NFF President also highlighted the upcoming African Cup of Nations qualifiers as an opportunity to showcase the team’s progress. “Don’t also forget, before the next round of the (World Cup) qualifiers, we have the AFCON qualifiers, which almost all the six matches will be played before (World Cup) matches next year, and that, by the grace of God, will show Nigerians the kind of steps we have taken, we are going to take to make sure that we qualify for the World Cup.”

     

    The NFF President further pleased Nigerians’ support and prayers stating, “I just finally want to assure Nigerians that they should continue to pray for us, but by the grace of God, I want to assure them we’re going to fight it to the letter, and we are going to qualify for the World Cup.”

     

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria, on Monday, were defeated 2-1 by Benin Republic in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

     

    Earlier last Friday,  the team played a 1-1 draw against Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifier.

    The result of these fixtures means that Nigeria is now placed fifth in the six-team table, with six games left to play.

    Super Eagles currently occupy the 5th position but still have 6 matches remaining in the qualifying series.

  • Super Eagles coach, Finidi George vows to introduce stricter measure on players

    Super Eagles coach, Finidi George vows to introduce stricter measure on players

    Super Eagles coach, Finidi George is planning to introduce stricter measures  on  the players after team  discipline broke down  faulting the players  commitment to the national team  Information from SCORENigeria states.

    Reports also states that  Super Eagles coach has not been impressive with the discipline nature of the players, saying joining camp late a critical factor.

    “Finidi will make major changes in the team. He is not happy with many things and has vowed he will take out some of the players before they take him out,” a source close to the coach told only SCORENigeria

    The former Eyimba gaffer  led the Super Eagles backroom staff into Uyo Thursday and the bulk of the call-ups only got into camp in the new week.

    “All the players ought to have got in by the weekend. The only exception would have been Ademola Lookman, who played for his club on Sunday,” a top official explained to SCORENigeria

    “He ought to be the only player to have been caught up by the nationwide pay strike that began on Monday.”

    Team discipline has also broken down completely with players being unprofessional when with the national team.

    “They are doing things that they will not even think of doing at their clubs in Europe,” a source revealed.

    “This has been going on for too long and this nonsense has to stop now.”

  • We’ll surely bounce back to winning ways – Super Eagles on return to Nigeria

    We’ll surely bounce back to winning ways – Super Eagles on return to Nigeria

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria have gotten past their disappointing 2-1 loss to Republique Du Benin in Abidjan on Monday evening.

    The Nigerian boys have now promised to bounce back to reckoning by winning their  remaining games at the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

     

    Nigeria is yet to win a game in the series, having drawn their first three fixtures.

    Finidi George’s men took the lead in Abidjan but conceded twice before half time.

    The players and their coach have flown back to the country after the loss.

    In a post on X confirming their arrival, the Eagles said on their official handle: “We are back in the country and we are not happy about the way the two games panned out.

    “We have had talks among ourselves and have resolved to fight hard till the end to ensure we do the impossible which is qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

    “We don’t take your support for granted, we thank you immensely.”

  • Nigeria vs Benin: Why old and new National Anthems were played – NFF

    Nigeria vs Benin: Why old and new National Anthems were played – NFF

    The Nigeria Football Federation has expressed anger at the mix-up by the Beninoise Football Federation in playing the old Nigeria national anthem before Monday’s FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Abidjan.

    NFF’s Head of International Competitions, Dayo Enebi Achor, said the NFF handed a recording of the new national anthem of Nigeria to the Benin FA authorities at the Match Coordination Meeting in Abidjan on Sunday evening.

    “We gave them the recording of our new national anthem, only for them to play the wrong one at the beginning of the match. We protested strongly, and insisted that the Super Eagles would not start the second half until the new national anthem of Nigeria was played.”

    The Benin FA authorities eventually played the new national anthem of Nigeria before the commencement of the second half of the match.