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Tag: Super Eagles

  • 2026 WCQ: Sports minister, Enoh summons NFF over Super Eagles dismal performances

    2026 WCQ: Sports minister, Enoh summons NFF over Super Eagles dismal performances

    John Enoh the Honourable Minister of Sports Development,  has summoned the Nigerian Football Federation, (NFF) to give technical reports concerning the Super Eagles’ disappointing performance during the June FIFA window.

    This was disclosed on Monday in a statement by Diana-Mary Nsan, Special Assistant, Media, to the minister.

    Recall that the Super Eagles have only managed to secure three points from possible 12 in the ongoing 2026 qualifying series.

    The high point of the Eagles disappointing performance was the 2-1 loss to the Republic of Benin in Abidjan on Monday evening.

    Nigeria face a difficult  task for qualification to the 2026 World Cup to be jointly hosted by USA, Canada, and Mexico.

    Reacting to Super Eagles performance, Sports minister Enoh said: “the recent results are unacceptable,” the minister said: “Despite the immense support from President Tinubu and the high expectations of Nigerian football fans, the Super Eagles have underperformed. The NFF must provide a comprehensive technical report explaining the reasons behind this poor showing and give cause why there mustn’t be consequences for the disappointment caused by both government and the generality of Nigerians.”

    He added: “Our supporters are passionate and devoted. They deserve an explanation for why the Super Eagles have not been performing to the expected standards since after the last AFCON.”

  • Sports Minister summons NFF over Super Eagles poor performance

    Sports Minister summons NFF over Super Eagles poor performance

    Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh has summoned the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) under the leadership of Ibrahim Gusau over the recent poor performance of the Nigerian Super Eagles.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Enoh summoned NFF to demand a detailed technical report from the football governing body in the country on the Super Eagles’ disappointing results in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

    This is contained in a statement issued on Monday by Diana-Mary Nsan, the Special Assistant to the Minister on Media.

    The Super Eagles managed to secure only one point from a possible six, following a 1-1 draw with South Africa in Uyo and losing 2-1 to Benin Republic in Abidjan in its third and fourth game in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series.

    These results leave the Super Eagles with just three points from a possible 12.

    The Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the results, especially considering the support the NFF had received from the federal government.

    “The recent results are unacceptable. In spite the immense support from President Bola Tinubu and the high expectations of Nigerian football fans, the Super Eagles have underperformed.

    “The NFF must provide a comprehensive technical report explaining the reasons behind this poor showing, and give cause why there must not be consequences for the disappointment,” he said.

    Enoh emphasised that Nigerian football fans demand and deserve answers and accountability from the NFF.

    “Our supporters are passionate and devoted. They deserve an explanation for why our national team has not been performing to the expected standards since after the last AFCON,” he said.

  • 2026 WCQ: Super Eagles WorldCup dreams in tatters, lose 2-1 to Benin

    2026 WCQ: Super Eagles WorldCup dreams in tatters, lose 2-1 to Benin

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is in tatters as they lost 2-1 to Republique Du Benin in Abidjan.

    Nigerian midfielder, Raphael Onyedika drew the first blood inside 29th minute but  Benin equalized few minutes after,  a player with  Nigerian blood running through his veins, Harold Oluwafemi Dossou capitalized on a defensive error  to slot the ball past goalie Stanley Nwabali for the hosts equalizer.

    In the closing minutes of the first half, Brest of France forward and captain, Steve Bounie latched on to a loose ball from a corner kick to put the hosts in the lead.

    The Eagles tried all they could but lack of clinical finishing ensured the score line remained the same.

    Benin Republic have won two out of four games in the ongoing qualifying series.

    Tonight result meant that Super Eagles remain fifth in Group C after playing draw three times and losing the fourth to Benin Republic.

  • BREAKING: Confusion as Super Eagles recite old National Anthem before match against Benin

    BREAKING: Confusion as Super Eagles recite old National Anthem before match against Benin

    The old national anthem of Nigeria was played and recited by the Super Eagles of Nigeria before their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Benin Republic on Monday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Super Eagles are currently taking on Benin at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire with their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in a precarious situation.

    The Super Eagles, expected to soar higher against Les Guépards, had drawn their three previous games, and are in fifth place on the 2026 World Cup qualifier log.

    When the Super Eagles lined up for their Monday’s encounter against Benin Republic, who are in third place, the old national anthem, “Arise O Compatriots” was played in the stadium to the surprise of many.

    The Nigerian government had passed a new law returning the nation to “Nigeria, We Hail Thee” as the reigning national anthem.

    It was not clear at the time of filing this report where the error came from; whether the error is from FIFA, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) or from stadium sound engineers.

    However, reactions have trailed the usage of the old national anthem for the Benin vs Nigeria 2026 World Cup qualifier.

    Read reactions below:

  • 2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Super Eagles battle ready for Benin Republic – Finidi

    2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Super Eagles battle ready for Benin Republic – Finidi

    Finidi George, the Super Eagles head coach believes that his side has what it takes to secure maximum points against Benin Republic on Monday.

    The Super Eagles have managed a staggering start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign afer recording three draws in its first three games of the qualifying series.

    Recall that the former African champions played out a  1-1 against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa on Friday. thus making it the third consecutive draw in the qualifiers.

    The result also leaves the Super Eagles in fifth position in Group C with three points from three games.

    Finidi said they will give their all against Gernot Rohr’s men.

    “We’re very much aware of why we are here and what we have to do. The players want to go to the World Cup and they have resolved to give their all in every game going forward. We had our opportunities against South Africa on Friday and should have won, but that is gone and we face another challenge now,” Finidi told thenff.com.

    “We have resolved not to look too far ahead in this race. The essence is to take it one match at a time. Benin Republic is in our front now, and we must deal with that squarely.”

  • 2026 WCQ: Super Eagles land in Abidjan for Squirrels clash on Monday

    2026 WCQ: Super Eagles land in Abidjan for Squirrels clash on Monday

    The Super Eagles have arrived in Abidjan, capital of Cote d’Ivoire for Monday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualification series Day 4 encounter against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic.

    The delegation, led by President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, included 23 players, technical and administrative officials, a few members of the NFF Executive Committee and Management, and a couple of media representatives. They flew aboard a chartered ValueJet aircraft from the Obong Victor Attah Airport in Uyo and landed at the Aeroport Felix Houphouet-Boigny at noon on Sunday.

    Lying in a strange fifth place in the six-team Group C after three rounds of matches, the Super Eagles know only a win against the Cheetahs on Monday evening will keep them seriously in the hunt for a place at the World Cup finals to be jointly hosted by Canada, USA and Mexico in two years’ time.

    Coach Finidi George told thenff.com on arrival: “We’re very much aware of why we are here and what we have to do. The players want to go to the World Cup and they have resolved to give their all in every game going forward. We had our opportunities against South Africa on Friday and should have won, but that is gone and we face another challenge now.

    “We have resolved not to look too far ahead in this race. The essence is to take it one match at a time. Benin Republic is in our front now, and we must deal with that squarely.”

    With only three points from their first three matches of the campaign, and going up against the Cheetahs who boast four points, the Eagles know they must fire on all cylinders and recreate the happy moments of the AFCON at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny – where they won all three matches played there during the Africa Cup of Nations finals earlier in the year.

    The Eagles have been scheduled to have a feel of the familiar turf during their official training at 4pm CIV time on Sunday.

    Gabonese official Pierre Ghislain Atcho will be the referee for Monday’s encounter that commences at 4pm CIV time (5pm in Nigeria). Ethiopian officials Temesgin Samuel Atango and Tigle Gizlaw Belachew will serve as assistant referees 1 and 2, while Cameroonian Antoine Max Effa Essouma will be fourth official.

    Djamel Haimoudi from Algeria will be the referee assessor, with Burkinabe David Yameogo as commissioner and Ivorian Atte Claude Elloh as security officer.

  • 2026 World Cup: What Super Eagles need to qualify – Omokaro

    2026 World Cup: What Super Eagles need to qualify – Omokaro

    Bright Omokaro, Ex-Super Eagles International says player in the  national team need to have more rigorous training together, to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

    He spoke against the backdrop of the Super Eagles of Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against  Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Uyo, on Friday.

    The Nigerian team came from behind to struggle to get the draw at home, in the group stage of world cup qualifiers.

    Omokaro said that the super eagles needed more time to play and train together, for better performance.

    According to him, the last match was not too bad, but the team could display more skills and adopt an effective pattern to defeat their opponents.

    “Though the players played very well individually, they need more collective responsibility to get the expected goals.

    “The boys never had time to play together, that’s what happened to them during the match, but they need more togetherness and rigorous training to qualify for the world cup,” he said.

    The ex-international also advised the super eagles coach, Finidi George, to look inward for local players that are zealous and thirsty for goals.

    “There shouldn’t be automatic shirt for any player for now.

    “Their performance should be the determinant to feature in a match, as there must be competition in the camp to allow the best players perform,” Omokaro said.

    He, however, appealed to the national team to defeat Benin Republic in the next match, to have meaningful points on the qualifiers table, to make it to the 2026 world cup.

    NAN reports that pressure has mounted on the Super Eagles after the draw against Bafana Bafana.

    Nigeria, with its third draw, has three points in Group C, while Rwanda, Benin, and South Africa all have four points.

    Lesotho leads the group with five points, while Zimbabwe is at the bottom with two points.

    This puts Nigeria presently in the fifth position on the table, of the six teams.

    The Super Eagles will travel to Abidjan to face Benin Republic in their next 2026 World Cup qualifier.

    They will be hoping to get their first win in the match against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic.

    The game is scheduled for Monday, with the kick-off fixed at 5.00 p.m. Nigerian time.

  • 2026 WCQ: Bafana Bafana coach reacts after draw against Super Eagles

    2026 WCQ: Bafana Bafana coach reacts after draw against Super Eagles

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria were held to a 1-1 draw by Bafana Bafana of South Africa in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers matchday three at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday.

    The Super Eagles have now drawn their three consecutive games and are in fifth place while South Africa sit in the fourth spot.

    The lackluster Super Eagles had to come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against their more adventurous opponents from South Africa.

    Bafana Bafana took the lead in the 29th minute of the first half through Themba Zwane who dazzled past the Nigerian defence to send the ball beyond the hapless Stanley Nwabali in Nigerian goal.

    On resumption of play in the second half, Dele Bashiru came to the rescue in the 46th minute with an equaliser and got Nigeria back into the game.

    Speaking after match, Super Eagles Coach, Finidi George said that his players approached the first half of the match in a sloppy manner that did not produce a goal.

    George said the draw is not good enough for the team as they have three points from  three matches.

    He, however, assured fans that the team will strategise to ensure victory in the next group match.

    “I think we got into  the game a little bit sloppy, but we picked up in the second half.

    “Overall, it was not a bad second half, but I felt we should have entered the game in the early minutes of play. It is not the result we expected.

    “A draw is not too good, but we will strategise to win the next game. We will remain focused in our next match to win.

    “We want to qualify and we will do everything to ensure we win,” George said.

    On his part, the Bafana Bafana Coach, Hugo Broos, said he was very proud of his players for holding the Super Eagles to a draw.

    Broos said his boys played good football and did not disappoint him and the country, stressing that the result was good for his team.

    He, however said that the Super Eagles was a big opponent in the group as they have good players.

    “For us, we are very happy with the outcome of the match. I can only be proud of my players, who played good football today.

    “I think the result is correct and good,” Broos said.

    The result means that the Super Eagles remain winless in three games in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign and are now in a precarious situation to qualify for the World Cup.

    The Super Eagles will face third placed Benin Republic on Monday in Cote D’Ivoire, as they seek to get their campaign back on track.

  • 2026 WCQ: Surprise! as Lesotho go top of Group C, Super Eagles drop to 5th after matchday 3

    2026 WCQ: Surprise! as Lesotho go top of Group C, Super Eagles drop to 5th after matchday 3

    Relatively unknown footballing nation of Lesotho are surprisingly topping group C  after match day 3 in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying series in Africa.

    It would be recalled that Nigeria and South Africa picked up a point each in their much-publicised clash in Uyo on Friday, to leave less-fancied Lesotho perched on top of Group C of the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualification series.

    AFCON bronze medallist South Africa drew the first blood after 29 minutes, when Themba Zwane waltzed his way past the Nigerian defence and was left unchallenged to fire past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali from close range.

    Before then, Paul Onuachu had headed over from close range a cross by the nifty Ademola Lookman in the third minute, and five minutes later, Alex Iwobi shot too high when presented with an opportunity to rattle goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

    At the other end, Nwabali got the capacity crowd cheering with a double save from Zwane and Iqraam Rayners in the 10th minute. Seven minutes later, Teboho Mokoena saw the ball kiss the croosbar from his sharp delivery off a 20-yard free-kick.

    After Zwane’s goal, it was Bafana all the way, and Benjamin Tanimu had to be diligent to avoid an own goal as Percy Tau and Zwane caught the Nigerian rearguard napping again.

    Nigeria restored parity with only a minute into the second half, when Alex Iwobi fed Fisayo Dele-Bashiru in the box, and the Turkey-based midfielder turned brilliantly to lash past Ronwen Williams.

    Nigeria dominated afterwards, with substitute Samuel Chukwueze hitting the underside of the bar in a flowing move, Lookman shooting away from goal with three minutes left, and the Europa Cup final hero drawing a full-length save from Williams in added time.

    The draw means Lesotho, who defeated Zimbabwe 2-0 earlier on Friday, remain top of the group with five points, while South Africa, Benin Republic and Rwanda are on four points, with Nigeria on three.

  • 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.