TheNewsGuru

Tag: Super Eagles

  • UPDATED: Former Super Eagles coach passes away

    UPDATED: Former Super Eagles coach passes away

    Former Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu has passed away at the age of 74.

    According to reports, he died earlier on Saturday, though details surrounding his death remain unclear at the time of filing this report.

    Confirming his death, Dr. Olusegun Odegbami who won the 1980 Africa Nation Cup with Chukwu, said: “I just received the news that between 9:00 and 10:00 this morning, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu, MFR, my bosom friend and teammate, one of the greatest football players in Nigeria’s history, has passed on.

    “Babuje, Emmanuel Okala, MON, gave me the sad news a few minutes ago. May ‘Onyim’ find peace with Our Creator in Heaven and console his family.”

    Chukwu, born Jan.4, 1951, captained the Nigerian national team, then known as the Green Eagles between 1974 and 1980.

    He was in the Nigerian squad that won the Africa Nations’ Cup in 1980 and finished runners’ up in 1976 and 1978.

    He was the first Nigerian captain to lift the African Nations Cup trophy after a 3–0 victory over Algeria in the final of the 1980 tournament.

    In October 1998, he was appointed coach of the Kenya national team and from 2003 to 2005, he coached Nigeria, leading them to reach semifinals at the 2004 African Cup of Nations.

    During the 2006 World Cup qualification phase, Chukwu was blamed for inept coaching and management of the Nigerian national football team, and two matches before the qualifying campaign was over, he was suspended.

    Chukwu coached Enugu Rangers to 6th place in the 2008/2009 season of the Nigeria Premier League.

    However, he was sacked on Aug. 5, 2009 for failing to reach the club’s targets for the season.

    Chukwu was made Ranger’s General Manager and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The announcement was made by the Former Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

    He was a recipient of the honour, Member of the Federal Republic (MFR).

    As a young boy, Christian was discouraged by his parents from playing football and was also given plantains to hawk just to stop him from playing football.

    It was when he started playing for the National Grammar School, Nike in Enugu and the Highlanders FC owned by the Ministry of Finance that his parents started taking him seriously.

    He became Captain of his school and led them to so many victories.

    His favorite Arena was the Ngwo Park, a place that has the reputation of producing most of the great players who have played for Rangers, Vasco and the Green Eagles.

    He is survived by his wife, Lilian and four children and numerous relatives.

  • Osimhen’s most likely transfer destination revealed

    Osimhen’s most likely transfer destination revealed

    Man United, Arsenal, and Chelsea have all been linked with a move for Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen in the summer transfer window.

    According to The Athletic, the 26-year-old’s wage demands could see the Premier League giants look elsewhere.

    Osimhen, who is currently on loan at Galatasaray, was in talks with Chelsea over a move last summer but it ultimately collapsed due to his salary.

    It’s understood that the striker’s most likely destination is now Saudi Arabia, despite his fine form in Turkey.

    The Nigeria international has been key to his side’s title charge, scoring 28 goals and providing five assits in his 32 games across all competitions.

  • Nigerians drag Super Eagles over poor performance against Zimbabwe

    Nigerians drag Super Eagles over poor performance against Zimbabwe

    Nigerians have taken to social media to slam the Super Eagles team for their poor performance against Zimbabwe in the World Cup qualifier on Tuesday.

    TheNewsGuru reports that Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup slimmed as they drew with Zimbabwe Warriors.

    Victor Osimhen‘s header in the 74th minute that put the Eagles in the lead could not boost the chances of Nigeria as 90th minute strike of Zimbabwe’s 21-year-old Tawanda Chirewa caused a draw.

    Reacting to the development, Nigerians, who could not hide their disappointment took to social media to vent their frustrations.

    Gospel singer, Nathaniel Bassey led the criticism, with a scathing, blaming the team’s complacency for their failure to win.

    He wrote on X: “I’ve always said this, one of our problems is managing small successes. You score just one goal, all of a sudden you think you have qualified for the World Cup.

    “The Zimbabweans practically strolled from the midfield into the net unchallenged while we watched. Na wa. Now they’ll start calculating maths.”

    Football Journalist, Tobi Samuel questioned the team’s character, and the poor form at home.

    He wrote: “I grew up watching the Super Eagles players with big characters both on and off the pitch. Even the 2000 AFCON that we lost to Cameroon, you can’t fault the team’s character.

    “Our home venue(s) used to be a fortress because of the player’s mentality and character. Possibly, this is not about the Super Eagles alone, football is changing and players in this era lack the character.

    “We have failed to beat Zimbabwe home and away, we have failed to beat Lesotho in Uyo, we lost to Benin Republic on a neutral ground and what do you get from the players; “there are no minors in African football.” Hey, there are still minors, we dropped the character of a giant.”

    Chima Daniel criticised the team’s lack of cohesion, intensity, and teamwork.

    He wrote on X: “When you watch teams like Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Ivory Coast play you would know the Super Eagles is not a team yet just a bunch of top players coming together.

    “No cohesion, no intensity, no teamwork, no pattern. I keep saying all we need is a tactically sound coach.”

    Daniel Regha blamed the coaching crew, and the players for the poor showing in Uyo.

    He wrote: “Super Eagles coach is to blame as much as the players, the team lacks consistency and determination; This performance against Zimbabwe was embarrassing. The team needs to step it up, this is the World Cup for goodness sake.”

    Football Journalist, Solace Chukwu could not hold back, he said: “Thought the (Victor) Boniface substitution was a blunder on (Eric) Chelle’s part at that moment. That said, Ekong really should have dealt with that (the Zimbabwe run to the goal); he’s a great leader, but at this point he needs to be phased out of the starting XI. AFCON 2023 was, looking back, his one final heave.”

    Choji ES slammed the team’s over reliance on Victor Osimhen, while urging Nigerians to forget about the World Cup.

    He wrote on X: “Zimbabwe had one job. Frustrate us and steal points. They did it effortlessly. The moment Osimhen left, the team collapsed. Over-reliance on one player is a disaster waiting to happen.

    “At this rate, let’s just forget the World Cup focus on AFCON and hope for a miracle.”

  • I thought we will defeat Zimbabwe – Super Eagles coach, Chelle

    I thought we will defeat Zimbabwe – Super Eagles coach, Chelle

    The Super Eagles Head  Coach Eric Chelle, has expressed his disappointment with the 1-1 draw against the Warriors of Zimbabwe in a matchday six of the 2026 World Cup qualifier.

    Chelle said this during the post match briefing at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday.

    The coach said he expected the players would score goals when they had the opportunities in the first half and win the match.

    Chelle said the team deserved to win because they played well in the first 45 minutes only to concede the  equalising goal almost in the last 90 minute.

    “I thought we will score goals in the first half and win the match. We made some mistakes and Zimbabwe  equalised.

    “We had a lot of chances to score goals but the chances were not utilised well,” Chelle said.

    Chelle assured Nigerians that he will analyse the match and strategise for future games to qualify for  the world cup.

    On his part, the Coach of the Warriors of Zimbabwe, Michael Nees, who was excited with the result, said his  team came prepared, knowing the strength of the  Nigerian players.

    He said the team came with planned strategy to play good football because the Super Eagles were so confident of victory.

    “We played with Strategy to create chances and showed resilience in the match, this resulted in the last minute equaliser,” he said.

    He, however, said that the group is unpredictable and anything could happen.

    Victor Osimhen had put Nigeria ahead in the 73rd minute with a well-placed header from Ola Aina’s cross.

    A last-minute goal from Tawanda Chireda denied Nigeria the much needed victory as the Warriors held the Super Eagles in their Group C World Cup qualifying encounter.

  • Zimbabwe hang Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup hopes

    Zimbabwe hang Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup hopes

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Tuesday succumbed to a disappointing 1-1 draw against the Warriors of Zimbabwe in a matchday 6 World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

    A last-minute goal from Tawanda Chirewa denied Nigeria a much needed victory as the Warriors held the Super Eagles in their Group C World Cup qualifying encounter.

    Victor Osimhen had put Nigeria ahead in the 73rd minute with a well-placed header from Ola Aina’s cross.

    The Super Eagles appeared to be heading for three points until Chirewa struck in the 90th minute, slipping past defenders and toe-poking the ball under goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

    The match, played in front of a packed crowd at the ‘nest of champions,’ saw Nigeria dominate possession and create several chances.

    Tolu Arokodare, who replaced Samuel Chukwueze in the 59th minute, was involved in the opener.

    He held up play before passing to Aina, whose precise delivery found Osimhen at the far post.

    Nigeria had multiple opportunities to extend their lead but were wasteful in front of goal.

    In the 83rd minute, Wilfred Ndidi missed a clear chance after being played in by Moses Simon, skewing his shot wide.

    Moments later, Osimhen was substituted due to cramp, with Victor Boniface coming on.

    Zimbabwe nearly equalised in the 76th minute, when Walter Musona’s effort struck the underside of the crossbar after a mix-up between Nwabali and his defenders.

    The visitors eventually found their goal in stoppage time through Chirewa, who capitalised on a defensive lapse to earn Zimbabwe a crucial point as the Eagles were left to rue their missed opportunities.

    The result leaves Nigeria in third place in Group C, as Lesotho’s late equaliser against Rwanda meant the Super Eagles missed the chance to move up to second.

    Nigeria’s next fixture will be a crucial opportunity to regain momentum as they continue their horrendous World Cup qualifying campaign.

    The Eagles resume their World Cup qualifying campaign on Sept. 1, when they host Amavubis of Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo in a matchday 7 encounter.

    They will then travel to take on log leaders South Africa on Sept. 8 on matchday 8.

  • Odegbami tips Osimhen to break Yekini’s goal record

    Odegbami tips Osimhen to break Yekini’s goal record

    Segun Odegbami, a former member of the Green Eagles of Nigeria, has tipped Super Eagles goal poacher Victor Osimhen to break the long-standing Rashidi Yekini international goal record.

    Odegbami stated this in an interview with NAN on Tuesday in Lagos.

    He applauded Osimhen for surpassing his long-standing 44-year-old record as the second-highest goal scorer for the senior national team.

    The Galatasaray FC of Turkey point man, broke Odegbami’s long standing record to move into the position as the second highest goal scorer for the senior national team.

    Osimhen scored a brace in the 2-0 win over the Wasps of Rwanda by the Super Eagles in the 2026 World Cup qualifier held in Kigali on Friday.

    The lanky forward scored his 24th and 25th goals for the Eagles to occupy the second place on Nigeria’s all-time leading scorers list.

    The feat falls behind only the late Rashidi Yekini, who held the record with 37 goals.

    The record which Osimhen now holds was formerly held by Odegbami, who during his time was known as `Mathematical’ Odegbami.

    He said his record and that of legendary Yekini had stood for too long; hence there was a need for young strikers to step up their games.

    “Osimhen knows how to do what he does very well, he is a goal poacher, who is reliable, you don’t see him exhibit too much finesse, skills and dribbling.

    “He is more focused and not a showman; hand always around the box burying goals in the net and because that is what he is cut out for, with me, he will go far.

    “I hope he will end  Yekini’s long reign because Yekini has been there for so long.

    “ I only played less than six years and  kept the record for so long, that means we are not producing top strikers well enough.

    “In fact I wasn’t a striker myself, only playing from the wings so I think it is a good thing with Osimhen and with his age, he has more years ahead of him to surpass Yekini.

    “I am wishing Osimhen the best of luck,” he said.

    NAN reports that for Osimhen to beat the long-standing record of Yekini, he will need to score 12 more goals of 37, a record set in 1998.

  • Why Super Eagles star the perfect striker for Chelsea – Pennant

    Why Super Eagles star the perfect striker for Chelsea – Pennant

    Jermaine Pennant has revealed why Super Eagles star Victor Osimhen is the perfect man for Premier League side Chelsea.

    The Blues missed out on signing the Nigerian international despite making a late push for the striker as he neared the exit at Napoli.

    However, the former Liverpool player is backing the Stamford Bridge giants to revive their pursuit of the former African Player of the Year, who is in excellent form for Galatasaray.

    “He (Osimhen) would change things for Chelsea without a shout of a doubt. He knows how to put the ball in the back of the net. His numbers are flying in, his numbers are great,” Pennant told Talk Sports.

    “I’m gonna look back to Jackson and how many chances he gets a game, but the conversion rate isn’t great. He can have three or four clear-cut chances and he won’t put any of them away.

    “You’re scratching your head, thinking about how have Chelsea come away with a draw or a loss. I think someone like Osimhen, who is prolific in front of goal would boost Chelsea or boost any team.”

    Osimhen turned down a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League after Al-Ahli had an €80 million (£68m/$88m) offer accepted, ultimately agreeing to a season-long loan in Turkey.

  • Osimhen hits brace to restore Nigeria’s World Cup hope

    Osimhen hits brace to restore Nigeria’s World Cup hope

    On-loan Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen scored twice on Friday to revive Nigeria’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico with a crucial victory over Rwanda’s Amavubi.

    The Super Eagles started the match brightly, controlling proceedings from the outset.

    Osimhen opened the scoring in the 11th minute, converting Ademola Lookman’s free-kick.

    The former Napoli forward doubled Nigeria’s lead three minutes into first-half injury time, finishing off a counterattack to silence the packed Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.

    Details to follow…

  • Jemima Osunde speaks on alleged marriage to Super Eagles player Arokodare

    Jemima Osunde speaks on alleged marriage to Super Eagles player Arokodare

    Nollywood actress, Jemima Osunde has cleared the air on her relationship with Tolu Arokodare, the newest addition to the Super Eagles squad.

    TheNewsGuru reports that Arokodare was selected to join the Nigerian national team for the World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

    Excited, Jemima took to her X handle to congratulate Arokodare on his first national team call-up, expressing her excitement and pride.

    “My family member is playing for Nigeria! As in, he’s really one of the 23 Super Eagles this season. What a life! I’m about to be a menace. It’s TEA time baby,” she wrote.

    However, her post sparked speculation on social media, with many assuming that Arokodare was her husband.

    Reacting, the film star clarified that Arokodare is “a close friend who has become like family” and nothing more.

    Osunde expressed her pride in Arokodare’s achievements and pledged her support for him and the Super Eagles team.

    “He’s not my husband, he’s my friend that’s basically become family. I am so so proud of him and his journey so far. I pray for him and for the entire team to make us all proud! Giving them all my love and support as you should too! Team Naija,” she wrote.

  • 2026 World Cup: Chelle names Lookman, Osimhen, for qualifiers [Full list]

    2026 World Cup: Chelle names Lookman, Osimhen, for qualifiers [Full list]

    Éric Chelle, the Super Eagles’ Head Coach, has named forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Simon Moses in his final list for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

    Goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Kayode Bankole, as well as  defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey and Olaoluwa Aina also made 23-player list released by the NFF on Tuesday.

    Also in the squad are defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Bright Osayi-Samuel,  as well as midfielders

    Alex Iwobi , Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi.

    Forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar were not left out as Czech Republic-based defender Igoh Ogbu also made the final cut.

    Also, home-based midfielder Papa Daniel Mustapha, and Belgium-based forward Tolu Arokodare were named in the list.

    Nigeria will confront group C leaders Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before taking on Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo four days later.

    LIST OF 23 SUPER EAGLES FOR RWANDA, ZIMBABWE GAMES

    Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)

    Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)

    Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)

    Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)