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Tag: Super Eagles

  • 2026 WCQ: Finidi George releases Super Eagles staring lineup against South Africa

    2026 WCQ: Finidi George releases Super Eagles staring lineup against South Africa

    Super Eagles head coach, Finidi George has released his starting XI for tonight’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

    Expectedly, Chippa United’s goalie, Stanley Nwabali will start in goal ahead of the duo of Maduka Okoye and Olorunleke Ojo.

    Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey will play in the right and left-back positions.

    Wilfred Ndidi, who will captain the team on the night, will pair West Bromwich Albion’s Semi Ajayi in central defence.

    Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru will operate from the midfield.

    Trabzonspor of Turkey hitman, Paul Onuachu will lead the attack and will be supported by Ademola Lookman and Kelechi Iheanacho.

    Super Eagles Starting XI (4-3-3) vs South Africa: Nwabali-Osayi, Bassey, Ndidi (Captain), Semi Ajayi – Onyeka, Iwobi, Dele-Bashiru – Ademola Lookman, Onuachu, Iheanacho

  • 2026 WCQ: Lookman’s Super Eagles danger man – Hugo Broos

    2026 WCQ: Lookman’s Super Eagles danger man – Hugo Broos

    The coach of Bafana Bafana of South Africa, Hugo Broos has identified Ademola Lookman as Nigeria’s danger man ahead of tonight’s clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

    Lookman has been posting wonderful performances for Clubside, Atalanta having scored five goals in his last three for Le Dea.

    The winger also impressed at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored three goals and registered one assist in six games.

    Despite acknowledging Lookman’s threat, Broos stated that they would focus on their game.

    “Obviously, the danger man is Ademola Lookman, but we are not focusing on that,” Broos told reporters in Uyo.

    “We are focusing on our game, we have the ability and we have proven that at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.”

    The Super Eagles defeated the Bafana Bafana 4-3 on Penalties at the AFCON tournament hosted by Cote D’Ivoire.

  • 2026 WCQ: Sports Minister charges Super Eagles ahead Bafana Bafana clash

    2026 WCQ: Sports Minister charges Super Eagles ahead Bafana Bafana clash

    Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh has charged the Super Eagles to defeat their South African counterparts on Friday to boost their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    The Super Eagles will take on the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in Uyo in a matchday three of the qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    The minister stressed the need for the Eagles to approach the tie as a make-or-break one, as victory will put the team back on track for qualification.

    “The FIFA World Cup is the biggest showpiece in football.We cannot afford to miss out on the World Cup again.

    “The disappointment of missing the last tournament, especially after the disappointing home match against the Black Stars, must drive us to ensure we qualify this time,” he said.

    Enoh urged all stakeholders, including players, coaches and support staff, to be fully committed to the qualification campaign.

    “All hands must be on deck to ensure the team qualifies for the World Cup.

    “I urge the players to get the job done in the first half of the game by scoring early goals, so they will  not be under pressure in the second half.

    “The upcoming match against South Africa is critical, the players need to put the AFCON glory behind them and concentrate fully on this task.

    “Early goals will be key to taking control of the game and ensuring a less pressured second half,” he said.

    The minister expressed confidence in the team’s ability to rise to the occasion and secure a much-needed victory.

    “We have the talent, the passion, and the support of millions of Nigerians. Let’s channel that into a winning performance and take a significant step towards World Cup qualification,” he added.

    The match will kick off at 8 p.m. on Friday, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

    Nigeria currently has two points from two games and sits third in their group of six teams.

  • 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; Benin Republic jump to second, overtake Nigeria, South Africa in group C

    2026 WCQ; Benin Republic jump to second, overtake Nigeria, South Africa in group C

    One of the group C members the squirrels  of Benin on Thursday overtook Nigeria and South Africa on the table after beating table toppers Rwanda 1-0 in the matchday 3 of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Abidjan.

    The Squirrels were initially occupying the 4th position but yesterday’s result ensured that they dragged South Africa and Nigeria to the third and fourth positions respectively.

    Douko Dodo put the hosts ahead in the 37th minute and it proved to be the decider in Abidjan.

    Both Rwanda and Benin Republic have four points, but Rwanda have a better goal difference and still maintains its first position.

    The Super Eagles can capitalize to jump to first on the table  if they win today against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

    Nigeria’s  Super Eagles face South Africa today at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo by 8pm Nigerian time.

    The winner of this tie will top the group C

  • Super Eagles camp in panic mode as Amokachi rejects being Finidi George’s assistant

    Super Eagles camp in panic mode as Amokachi rejects being Finidi George’s assistant

    There is panic in the Super Eagles’ camp, as Daniel Amokachi is yet to show up, with only a few days to the 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa.

    Amokachi’s absence has raised questions about his role as one of Finidi George’s assistant coaches.

    However, sources said that he has rejected the contract offered by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    This is coming following speculations that Amokachi and Finidi are not on good terms.

    Amokachi was one of the assistants announced by the NFF alongside Benjamin James, Olatunji Baruwa, Chima Onyeike, and Mehmet Ozturk.

    But there are suggestions that the NFF imposed Amokachi on Finidi.

    This led to NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau, debunking the rumours.

    “I am very happy when we unveiled Finidi to Nigeria.

    “The NFF Technical Director put all the names on the list and they chose the best they felt would work.

    “All the names you saw as assistants to Finidi were chosen by him,” Gusau said.

  • 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: Super Eagles camp swells to 20 as three more players arrive

    2026 WCQ: Super Eagles camp swells to 20 as three more players arrive

    The Super Eagles camp in Uyo has continued to bubble following the arrival of five more players.

    Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Frank Onyeka and Paul Onuachu joined today to swell the number to 20.

    The quintet’s arrival was delayed by the Nigeria Labour Congress strike.

    They will join their teammates in training later in the evening.

    Only three players, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman and Maduka Okoye are still being expected in camp.

    The Super Eagles started preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin on Sunday.

    The clash with Bafana Bafana of South Africa will hold by 8pm at the Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo on Friday.

  • Stranded Super Eagles players arrive in Uyo

    Stranded Super Eagles players arrive in Uyo

    Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Tuesday confirmed that the stranded Super Eagles players in Lagos and Abuja had arrived Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom.

    Some of the Super Eagles players were said to have had challenges joining the rest of the team in camp, as a result of the joint NLC/TUC strike.

    The unions had shutdown the country’s airports on Monday, thus preventing  some Super Eagles players, who were supposed to connect flights to Uyo from Lagos and Abuja from flying.

    It was also reported by the NFF that only 15 players out of the 23 players trained in Uyo on Monday and returned to their camp at Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort.

    NFF said in a statement; “A total of 15 players trained on Monday morning in Uyo.

    “Head Coach Finidi George told the players afterwards that the three points at stake in Friday’s encounter must end up in Nigeria’s kitty.”

    The statement also said that the quintet of defenders Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey, midfielder Frank Onyeka and forward Paul Onuachu were already in the country.

    “They are trying to make their way to Uyo to join the 15 other players already on ground for the Super Eagles’ preparations for Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match.”

    However, a check with Olajire revealed that the stranded players had arrived in Uyo.

    “They just landed in Uyo,” he said.

    Olajire, however, confirmed that Defenders Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey, alongside Midfielder Frank Onyeka and Forward Paul Onuachu, had landed at the Victor Attah International Airport.

    “They landed in Uyo just after noon, aboard a private jet arranged by the NFF,  and were driven to Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort, to meet up with their team mates for lunch,” he said.