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Tag: Super Eagles

  • Super Eagles: We’re focused on World Cup qualifying campaign – Omeruo

    Super Eagles: We’re focused on World Cup qualifying campaign – Omeruo

    Defender Kenneth Omeruo has assured that Super Eagles’ players are determined to give their all for maximum points when the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resume in June.

    Super Eagles’ contingent to the friendly matches against Ghana and Mali in Marrakech departed Morocco on Wednesday, with most of the players flying back to their bases in Europe.

    After grieving over the unexpected loss to Mali, on-field captain Omeruo assured that the players were determined to give their all for maximum points when the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resumed in June.

    Nigeria take on the Bafana Bafanas in Uyo and then confront Benin Republic away from home in the international window of June 3-11, in Match Days 3 and 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

    “We went into the match against Mali determined to win, just as we did against Ghana.

    “In the end, they took their chances and we failed to take ours. That’s football. You just have to take the chances that come your way.

    “Having said that, June is only a few weeks away and we are focused on the matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic.

    “Many players in the group have not played at the World Cup before and they see this as a big opportunity to be there.

    “We cannot afford to let ourselves and the nation down,” Omeruo said.

    NAN also reports that Nigeria currently occupies third spot in Group C with two points from two games played so far. They are tied with Lesotho and Zimbabwe who also have two points each.

    Table-toppers Rwanda are on four points. They are closely followed by South Africa on three points.

    Benin are at the bottom of the table with one point.

    The top finisher in each of the nine groups will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while one of the best losers will participate in the FIFA Play-off tournament.

    The Africa Zone (CAF) qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World which began on Nov. 15, 2023 is expected to end in November 2025.

  • Eagles depart Marrakech, focused on World Cup qualifying games

    Eagles depart Marrakech, focused on World Cup qualifying games

    The Super Eagles contingent to the friendly matches against Ghana and Mali in the Moroccan city of Marrakech has departed the ‘Red City’, with most of the players flying back to their bases in Europe.

    Officials, including interim Head Coach Finidi George and other technical and administrative staff, are scheduled to depart Casablanca aboard a Royal Air Maroc flight to Lagos on Wednesday night.

    After grieving over the unexpected loss to the AFCON semi-finalists, defender and on-field captain Kenneth Omeruo assured that the players are determined to give their all for maximum points when the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resume in June.

    “We went into the match against Mali determined to win, just as we did against Ghana. In the end, they took their chances and we failed to take ours. That’s football. You just have to take the chances that come your way.

    “June is only a few weeks away. We are focused on the matches against South Africa and Benin Republic. Many players in the group have not played at the World Cup before and they see this as the big opportunity to be there. We cannot afford to let ourselves and the nation down.”

    Goals by El Bilal Toure and Kamouri Doumbia, one in each half, punched a hole in the Super Eagles’ confidence following Friday evening’s soul-lifting 2-1 defeat of arch-rivals Ghana at the same venue.

    The Eagles failed to get a shot on goal on Tuesday night and certainly missed a poacher as they passed the ball around beautifully only to falter at the third half of the pitch.

    Nigeria take on South Africa in Uyo and then confront Benin Republic away from home in the international window of 3-11 June, in the Matchdays 3 and 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

  • International friendly: Iheanacho, Dessers fire blanks as Super Eagles lose 2-0 to Mali

    International friendly: Iheanacho, Dessers fire blanks as Super Eagles lose 2-0 to Mali

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria ended the March international break on a losing note as they were defeated by the Eagles of Mali 2-0 in Marrakech on Tuesday night.

    Atalanta striker El Bilal Toure scored first for the Malians inside 42nd minute after Nigeria had been pressured into a dreadful error in possession following a short goal kick, with Kamory Doumbia making the win safe with three minutes of normal time remaining.

    Nigeria defeated Ghana 2-1 last Friday in a positive result and performance for George, the former Ajax and Real Betis winger who won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, but this display will have left him with plenty of concerns before they resume World Cup qualifying in June.

    Toure, who has endured an injury-plagued season in Serie A, could barely believe his luck when defender Chidozie Awaziem tried to play a long square pass under pressure near the edge of the Nigeria box and succeeded only in crossing the ball straight to the Mali striker. He controlled well on his chest before bundling a finish past goalkeeper Stanely Nwabali.

    The Super Eagles not only lost the match, Winger Moses Simon cropped a serious injury as he was streched off the pitch and was replaced by Rangers forward, Cyriel Dessers who also missed a glorious opportunity to score in the game.

     

     

  • Int’l friendly: Super Eagles hand Mali first win in 49 years

    Int’l friendly: Super Eagles hand Mali first win in 49 years

    The Super Eagles were given a reality check by Mali’s Les Aigles as they succumbed to a 0-2 defeat in a friendly game in Marrakech, Morocco on Tuesday.

    The rare win by the Malians against Nigeria was their first in 49 years. Goals by El Bilal Toure and Kamory Doumbia sealed the win for Mali.

    The last time Mali defeated the Super Eagles was on Sept. 5, 1975, also in a friendly which ended 4-1.

    Prior to Tuesday’s game, the Eagles were unbeaten in eight straight fixtures against the Malians, recording five wins and three draws.

    Interim coach, Finidi George, gave starting shirts to Jamilu Collins, Raphael Onyedika, and Kenneth Omeruo.

    The trio replaced Bruno Onyemaechi, Frank Onyeka and Benjamin Tanimu, who all featured in the 2-1 win against Ghana on Friday.

    The Malians dominated the early stages of the game and almost took the lead less than five minutes into the game, but were denied by goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

    The breakthrough for Mali eventually came in the 14th minute as El Bilal Toure capitalised on a defensive error by Nigeria to score.

    The Eagles were forced into a first half change as Moses Simon went off injured in 34th minute and was replaced by Cyriel Dessers.

    The early part of the second half saw the Super Eagles start brightly but the Malian defence held firm.

    Despite starting the half on a positive note, it was Mali who almost doubled their lead but the Eagles defence intercepted a dangerous cross from the left.

    Dessers was presented an opportunity in the 65th minute as he was sent through on goal but blasted his shot over the bar with only the keeper to beat.

    Iheanacho had a chance of his own barely a minute later, but took a low shot which was parried away for a corner.

    With 12 minutes left, the Eagles won a freekick in a decent position but Iheanacho’s floated attempt was again cleared away by the keeper.

    Mali then doubled their lead in the 87th minute thanks to Kamory Doumbia who raced into the Eagles’ 18 yard box and fired past Nwabali to earn his side a well deserved win.

    Up next for the Super Eagles is the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June against South Africa who held Algeria to a 3-3 draw at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Tuesday.

  • International Break: We want another win – Iwobi speaks ahead Mali clash

    International Break: We want another win – Iwobi speaks ahead Mali clash

    Alex Iwobi says the Super Eagles want to end the international break with a win against Mali.

    Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi has posited that the team wants to finish the international break with another win.

    Super Eagles play the Eagles of Mali tonight in Marrakech, Morocco.

    Finidi George’s side will take on their fellow West Africans at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Tuesday night (today) at exactly 10pm Nigerian time.

    It would be recalled that Iwobi registered an assist as the Super Eagles defeated eternal rivals Ghana 2-1 last Friday.

    The Fulham midfielder stated that it is important for the team to secure another victory against the Eagles.

    “We have analysed and seen our weak points from the last game. We know where we need to improve and what we can do to get another win,” Iwobi said ahead of the game.

    “We don’t really win most of our friendlies. We beat Ghana and hopefully will end this international break with another win against Mali.”

    The Super Eagles defeated Mali 1-0 the last time both countries met on May 27, 2016.

    Kelechi Iheanacho scored the only goal of the game played in the French City of Rouen.

  • Super Eagles’ Osimhen rated 16th highest-paid player in Europe

    Super Eagles’ Osimhen rated 16th highest-paid player in Europe

    Napoli and Super Eagles attacker, Victor Osimhen, has been ranked  16th highest-paid footballer in Europe this season.

    This was made known and published by French Magazine L’Equipe on Monday.

    Osimhen, who joined Napoli from Lille in 2020, earns a monthly salary of €1.50m (£1.29m).

    Paris Saint-Germain forward, Kylian Mbappe, is the best-paid player with an eye watering monthly take home of £5.15 million.

    Osimhen is the current African Footballer of the Year and is likely to become the most expensive African footballer.

    The 25-year-old has a release clause of around €120m in his current contract with the Serie A champions.

    The Nigerian is expected to leave Napoli next season to team up with a club in either England or France.

  • Friendly: Second test for Finidi as interim coach looks set to lead Super Eagles against Mali

    Friendly: Second test for Finidi as interim coach looks set to lead Super Eagles against Mali

    Former World Cup star Finidi George has reiterated his objective of securing a win in all two matches for which he has been selected to take interim charge of Nigeria in this international window, ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Les Aigles of Mali in Marrakech.

    The two West African teams clash in a night game at the Grand Stade de Marrakech, where the three-time African champions put up a show to defeat arch-rivals Ghana 2-1 on Friday.

    George must now do without defender Calvin Bassey and horsepower midfielder Frank Onyeka, who are injured and will not be part of Tuesday night’s ensemble against the 1972 AFCON runners-up.

    Already, the Super Eagles have been highly-strung by the absence of key men like forwards Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface, and defenders William Ekong, Olaoluwa Aina and Zaidu Sanusi. Defenders Gabriel Osho and Tyronne Ebuehi, and forward Taiwo Awoniyi also had to pull out because of injuries.

    Yet, the former Ajax Amsterdam and Real Betis winger is upbeat that those who dimmed the Black Stars will also fly above the other Eagles.

    “We cannot at this time be dwelling on the injuries and absences that we have to cope with. Our intention has always been to win these two matches and then look forward to the World Cup qualifiers in June. We are determined to keep up the momentum and sustain the winning mentality derived from beating the Black Stars,” George said on Monday morning.

    Incidentally, the last of Finidi George’s 62 caps for Nigeria came against the Eagles of Mali. ‘The Gazelle’ was involved when on 9th February, 2002 the Super Eagles pipped host nation Mali in the city of Mopti 1-0 to win the bronze medals of the 23rd Africa Cup of Nations.

    Mali signalled their readiness for this encounter with a 2-0 spanking of Mauritania also in Morocco on Friday.

    Absences and injuries, and George’s avowed intention not to overload players, could see goalkeeper Olorunleke Ojo, defenders Kenneth Omeruo and Jamilu Collins, midfielder Alhassan Yusuf, and forwards Nathan Tella, Sadiq Umar and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru assume prominence in the encounter with the Les Aigles.

  • Friendly: Ghana’s Ayew speaks on his team’s loss to Super Eagles

    Friendly: Ghana’s Ayew speaks on his team’s loss to Super Eagles

    Crystal Palace and Ghana forward, Jordan Ayew has reflected on his team’s loss to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Friday’s International friendly encounter in Marakech, Morocco.

    Rangers of Scotland  Cyriel Dessers and Atalanta of Italy’s Ademola Lookman were the goal scorers for the Super Eagles while Ghana’s consolation goal was scored by Ayew in the dying minutes of the encounter.

    Jeremy Opoku was sent off by the centre referee for a rash challenge in the 57th minute.

    The Black Stars dominated the second half despite their numerical disadvantage.

    Speaking in a post match conference, Ayew,  insisted that they deserved something from the game.

    His words “It didn’t really affect us, it gave us even more energy, more strength to keep on doing what we were doing because I had a feeling that we were the better team in the second half,” Ayew told reporters in the mixed zone after the game.

    “But you know in football, sometimes things go your way, sometimes don’t go your way and I think we put them under pressure, we went toe-to-toe.

    “We did a really good second half so we need to build on that and it’s a positive thing for the future.”

  • Int’l Friendly: Super Eagles, Mali match to be played under floodlight

    Int’l Friendly: Super Eagles, Mali match to be played under floodlight

    The upcoming international friendly game between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Eagles of Mali will be played on Tuesday under floodlight.

    The highly anticipated friendly has been fixed for 9 pm on Tuesday.

    The game will be held at the Grand Stade de Marrakech, Morocco, the same venue Super Eagles slugged it out with the Black Stars of Ghana.

    Super Eagles  won the game against Ghana 2-1 courtesy of goals from Cyriel Dessers and Ademola Lookman before Ghana captain Andre Ayew got a consolation goal in the dying minute.

    Meanwhile Mali won its own  friendly against Mauritania 2-0 on the same day.

    Finidi George, the Interim Coach of  Super Eagles of Nigeria will be the one to manage the team on same day in Marrakech.

    George has revealed that he would change his starting 11 against Mali on Tuesday.

    The gaffer has already hinted he will make changes to his team from the Ghana game.

  • Another Nigerian striker identified as Osimhen’s replacement at Napoli

    Another Nigerian striker identified as Osimhen’s replacement at Napoli

    Another Nigerian striker, Joshua Zirkzee has been indentified as Victor Osimhen’s replacement at Italian clubside,  Napoli FC.

    Zirkzee who was born of Nigerian mother and Dutch father and currently plays for Bayern Munich of Germany  said that he could consider playing for the Super Eagles of Nigeria soon.

    This was made known by former AS Roma player, Davide Bombardini on Friday.

    It would be recalled  that Osimhen,  played a crucial role in Napoli’s Scudetto victory last season, becoming the first African to win the Capocannoniere with 26 goals.

    Although, the striker has been unable to match last season’s form at Napoli, his inability to do so has been attributed to injuries.

    Despite Osimhen’s impact, his contract’s impending expiration and desire to play in the Premier League have sparked rumors of a potential departure.

    This has prompted speculation about Napoli’s search for a suitable replacement, especially with doubts lingering over Giovanni Simeone’s suitability.

    Bombardini, with his wealth of experience in Italian football, has highlighted Bologna’s Zirkzee as a promising candidate.

    He suggested that the 25-year-old Dutch attacker could fill the void left by Osimhen’s potential exit, considering his talent and growth potential.

    “Zirkzee is a player of significant value, and the upcoming summer transfer window will determine his market worth,” Bombardini told Napoli Magazine.

    “I believe he has the capability to step into Osimhen’s shoes. He is a player with a bright future, and an investment in him could yield substantial growth.”