Tag: Super Eagles

  • Victor Osimhen storms Super Eagles camp after Galatasaray move

    Victor Osimhen storms Super Eagles camp after Galatasaray move

    Nigeria’s striker, Victor Osimhen has arrived at the Super Eagles camp in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria after concluding his loan move to Turkish Super Lig side, Galatasaray.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Osimhen concluded his loan move from Napoli to Galatasaray on Wednesday and landed in Uyo on Thursday.

    Recall the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) had shortlisted 23 players that included Osimhen for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

    With the arrival of Osimhen, the Super Eagles camp is now complete. Captain William Ekong led from the front, arriving on Monday with the earliest birds, which included defenders Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi and Olisa Ndah.

    Midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru as well as forwards Ademola Lookman and Taiwo Awoniyi were also part of those who arrived in camp early.

    Goalkeeper Amas Obasogie and midfielder Wilfred Ndidi also landed earlier in Uyo, while forward Victor Boniface and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali have also joined.

    On Tuesday morning, defender Calvin Bassey and midfielders Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka pitched in. This was before defender Benjamin Tanimu (drafted in place of Bright Osayi-Samuel), midfielder Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi and forwards Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze arrived.

    In the evening, just before the team bus pulled out of the hotel for training, defender Bruno Onyemaechi (of Portuguese club Boavista) and midfielder Raphael Onyedika (of Belgian side Club Brugge) arrived in camp.

    Forward Kelechi Iheanacho, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and forward Osimhen are the last to arrive in camp.

    AFCON 2025: Super Eagles have what it takes to qualify – Eguavoen

    Meanwhile, Super Eagles Interim Manager, Austin Eguavoen, has said the Super Eagles have all it takes to qualify for the 2025 AFCON scheduled to hold in Morocco.

    Eguavoen who spoke with NFF TV ahead of Saturday’s 2025 AFCON qualifying match against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Uyo, said he was optimistic that the Super Eagles would scale through.

    “Nigeria is a nation, in terms of football, a lot of countries respect and the 2025 AFCON Qualifier is no different. I am very confident that we will scale through these two games and beyond.

    “We have the materials, players, personnel and support. We have everything,” he said.

    He said that there was a need to remind the players of their achievement at the last AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, where they finished as runners-up in the tournament.

    He also called on Nigerians to rally round the team to ensure it began its campaign on a bright note.

    “The only thing we have to remind these players about is that they were almost African champions a few months ago; it’s not even up to a year yet.

    “So, what went wrong? It is still the same players. We will do everything we have to do as the technical crew and of course, the federation.

    “Nigerians will also rally round them, but they (the players) are the ones whose duty it is to turn the table around.

    “I have spoken to them and we will still be having some series of meetings before the game proper and I am very confident that they will go out there and make the nation proud,” he said.

    Eguavoen, however, cautioned that it was very important for the Super Eagles to respect every opponent in the qualifier as they were no minnows in football any more.

    “We will treat our opponents with utmost respect, no doubt about that, because in football, if you disrespect or look down on any team, then you will have problems.

    “So, we will play them with great respect, but this is our home and we have no choice but to ensure we begin our AFCON qualifying campaign with a victory on Saturday,” Eguavoen said.

    TNG reports the Super Eagles go up against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on September 7. The team will then fly to Kigali to take on the Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium on September 10.

  • Ballon d’Or: Super Eagles congratulate Ademola Lookman

    Ballon d’Or: Super Eagles congratulate Ademola Lookman

    The Nigeria national football team, the Super Eagles have congratulated Ademola Lookman after making the 30-man shortlist for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ademola Lookman plays as a winger for the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Italian Serie A side, Atalanta that won the 2023/2024 Europa League title.

    “Congratulations to our own Ademola Lookman, who has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or award. Goodluck Demola,” the Super Eagles wrote via X (formerly Twitter).

    Lookman was instrumental in Atalanta winning the 2023/2024 Europa League, scoring a hat-trick in the final to help Atalanta defeat Bayer Leverkusen. He thus became the first player to score a hat-trick in a UEFA Europa League final. He was named as the Man of the Match. He is the first African Player to score a hat trick in a major European final. He was included in the UEFA Europa League Team of the Season.and was named as Atalanta Player of the Season.

    Lookman had earlier featured for the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) earlier this year, scoring three goals as Nigeria finished runners-up behind hosts Ivory Coast. Helping Nigeria to the AFCON finals, he was included in the AFCON Team of the Tournament.

    ALSO READ || BREAKING: Best players, goalkeepers for 2024 Ballon d’Or revealed [SEE FULL LIST]

    He becomes the 9th Nigerian to be nominated for the coveted award after Finidi George in 1995, Daniel Amokachi in 1995, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha in 1995, Nwankwo Kanu in 1996 and 1999, Victor Ikpeba in 1997, Sunday Oliseh in 1998, Asisat Oshoala in 2022 and 2023, and Victor Osimhen in 2023.

  • BREAKING: Ademola Lookman nominated for Ballon d’Or

    BREAKING: Ademola Lookman nominated for Ballon d’Or

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles player, Ademola Lookman has been nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or award, with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo conspicuously missing from the list.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the 2024 Ballon d’Or nominees list was unveiled on Wednesday with Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal also making the 30-man shortlist.

    Lookman, who plies his international football trade with Atalanta in Italy, is the only African player nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or.

    He becomes the 9th Nigerian to be nominated for the coveted award after Finidi George in 1995, Daniel Amokachi in 1995, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha in 1995, Nwankwo Kanu in 1996 and 1999, Victor Ikpeba in 1997, Sunday Oliseh in 1998, Asisat Oshoala in 2022 and 2023, and Victor Osimhen in 2023.

    TNG reports Ademola Lookman made the 30-man 2024 Ballon d’Or shortlist after scoring 20 goals and making 12 assists for club and country in the 2023/2024 season.

    Lookman won the 2023/2024 Europa League with Atalanta. He scored a hat-trick in the Europa League final to help Atalanta defeat Bayer Leverkusen.

    Lookman also featured for the Super Eagles in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) earlier this year, scoring three goals as Nigeria finished runners-up behind hosts Ivory Coast.

    Lookman was linked with a mover to Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the 2024 summer transfer window, but ended up staying with Atalanta.

    Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi failed to make the Ballon d’Or shortlist, the first time either of the two has been absent from the Ballon d’Or nomination list since 2003.

    See full list of the nominees for the 2024 Men’s Ballon d’Or:

    1. Ademola Lookman
    2. Jude Bellingham
    3. Erling Haaland
    4. Kylian Mbappe
    5. Lamine Yamal
    6. Nico Williams
    7. Florian Wirtz
    8. Granit Xhaka
    9. Emiliano Martinez
    10. Lautaro Martínez
    11. Martin Odegaard
    12. Mats Hummels
    13. Harry Kane
    14. Toni Kroos
    15. Hakan Calhanoglu
    16. Dani Carvajal
    17. Ruben Dias
    18. Artem Dovbyk
    19. Phil Foden
    20. Alejandro Grimaldo
    21. Dani Olmo
    22. Cole Palmer
    23. Declan Rice
    24. Rodri
    25. Antonio Rüdiger
    26. Bukayo Saka
    27. William Saliba
    28. Federico Valverde
    29. Vinícius Junior
    30. Vitinha

    TNG reports the eventual winner of the world’s most prestigious individual football player award would be announced at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, France on 28 October.

  • AFCON 2025: Super Eagles have what it takes to qualify – Eguavoen

    AFCON 2025: Super Eagles have what it takes to qualify – Eguavoen

    Super Eagles Interim Manager, Austin Eguavoen, says the Super Eagles have all it takes to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled to hold in Morocco.

    Nigeria is in Group D alongside Benin Republic, Rwanda and Libya.

    Eguavoen who spoke with NFF TV ahead of Saturday’s 2025 AFCON qualifying match against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Uyo, said he was optimistic that the Super Eagles would scale through.

    “Nigeria is a nation, in terms of football, alot of countries respect and the 2025 AFCON Qualifier is no different.

    “I am very confident that we will scale through these two games and beyond.

    “We have the materials, players, personnel and support. We have everything,” he said.

    He said that there was a need to remind the players of their achievement at the last AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire where they finished as runners-up in the tournament.

    He also called on Nigerians to rally round the team to ensure it began its campaign on a bright note.

    “The only thing we have to remind these players about is that they were almost African champions a few months ago; it’s not even up to a year yet.

    “So, what went wrong? It is still the same players. We will do everything we have to do as the technical crew and of course, the federation.

    “Nigerians will also rally round them, but they (the players) are the ones whose duty it is to turn the table around.

    “I have spoken to them and we will still be having some series of meetings before the game proper and I am very confident that they will go out there and make the nation proud,” he said.

    Eguavoen, however, cautioned that it was very important for the Super Eagles to respect every opponent in the qualifier as they were no minnows in football any more.

    “We will treat our opponents with utmost respect, no doubt about that, because in football, if you disrespect or look down on any team, then you will have problems.

    “So, we will play them with great respect, but this is our home and we have no choice but to ensure we begin our AFCON qualifying campaign with a victory on Saturday,” Eguavoen said.

    NAN reports that only three players are still being expected in the camp of the Super Eagles, as 20 players trained in Uyo on Tuesday evening.

    Captain William Ekong led from the front, arriving on Monday with the earliest birds, which included defenders Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi and Olisa Ndah.

    Midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru as well as forwards Ademola Lookman and Taiwo Awoniyi were also part of the training.

    Goalkeeper Amas Obasogie and midfielder Wilfred Ndidi were in town, while forward Victor Boniface and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali joined in the evening.

    On Tuesday morning, defender Calvin Bassey and midfielders Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka pitched in.

    This was before defender Benjamin Tanimu (drafted in place of Bright Osayi-Samuel), midfielder Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi and forwards Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze arrived.

    In the evening, just before the team bus pulled out of the hotel for training, defender Bruno Onyemaechi (of Portuguese club Boavista) and midfielder Raphael Onyedika (of Belgian side Club Brugge) arrived in camp.

    Forward Kelechi Iheanacho is due in camp on Wednesday, while goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and forward Victor Osimhen are being expected on Thursday.

    After Saturday’s encounter, the Super Eagles are scheduled to fly to Kigali on Sunday for Tuesday’s Matchday 2 clash with the Amavubi of Rwanda.

  • Morocco 2025: Ilechukwu, 4 others to assist Eguavoen for Benin, Rwanda

    Morocco 2025: Ilechukwu, 4 others to assist Eguavoen for Benin, Rwanda

    Interim Super Eagles manager, Augustine Eguavoen has selected Fidelis Ilechukwu and Daniel Ogunmodede to assist him for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

    Ademola Olajire, the Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation on Monday in a statement,  said Enugu Rangers’ head coach, Ilechukwu and Ogunmodede of Remo Stars would assist Eguavoen for the two matches.

    “Ilechukwu led the Flying Antelopes to triumph in Nigeria’s elite division last season, with Ogunmodede’s Remo Stars in second place.

    “They will be joined in Uyo by Tomaz Zorec, a fitness trainer from Slovenia, goalkeeper trainer Olatunji Baruwa and match analyst, Eboboritse Uwejamomere,” Olajire said.

    He said that players and officials of the three-time African champions are  expected in Uyo on Monday to begin  preparations for Saturday’s clash with the Cheetahs at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, from 5 p.m.

    Olajire  said  that the team would leave  for Kigali on Sunday, for Tuesday’s Matchday 2 clash with the Amavubi (Bees) of Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium, starting from 3 p.m. Rwanda time (2 p.m. Nigeria time).

  • BREAKING: Real reasons Bruno Labbadia rejected Super Eagles job

    BREAKING: Real reasons Bruno Labbadia rejected Super Eagles job

    German Bruno Labbadia, appointed as the 37th Head Coach of Nigeria’s senior male football team has rejected the offer to coach the Super Eagles.

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced reaching an agreement with the German tactician to coach the Super Eagles on Tuesday.

    However, sources say the NFF announced Labbadia as new Super Eagles coach without agreeing on terms and conditions.

    According to reports emanating from Germany, the 58-year-old has now rejected the chance to manage the three-time African champions.

    It was gathered that Labbadia and the NFF had reached an agreement on the key financial details, but organizational questions were still open.

    Also, NFF’s rush to announce the appointment of Labbadia is said to constitute parts of the reasons Labbadia cancelled on Friday, in addition to the details that still need to be clarified.

    The appointment ultimately failed due to organizational issues that could not be resolved in the short time available for the contract talks.

    Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has said Labbadia’s deal collapsed as a result of stringent regulations of German tax authorities.

    ALSO READ || BREAKING: NFF announces new Super Eagles coach as Labbadia’s deal collapses

    Labbadia was initially expected to take charge of the Super Eagles for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

    The Technical Director of the NFF, Austin Eguavoen, could now take charge of the team for both games.

  • BREAKING: Bruno Labbadia turns down Super Eagles job

    BREAKING: Bruno Labbadia turns down Super Eagles job

    The newly appointed Super Eagles coach, Bruno Labbadia, has turned down the job just three days after being unveiled by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF).

    This was disclosed in a report published by the German website Kicker on Friday.

    NFF had announced Labbadia’s appointment on Tuesday, positioning him as the successor to Finidi George, who resigned in May.

    “Bruno Labbadia will not be the new national coach of Nigeria. The 58-year-old German football coach had been negotiating with the Africans for a week and, according to information from kicker, decided against a contract on Friday,” the website cited.

     

     

  • Morocco 2025: Super Eagles squad to battle Benin, Rwanda released [SEE FULL LIST]

    Morocco 2025: Super Eagles squad to battle Benin, Rwanda released [SEE FULL LIST]

    Captain William Ekong and forwards Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi are back in the Super Eagles’ nest, for next month’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

    This year’s AFCON’s Man-of-the-Competition, Ekong, was discountenanced for the Matchdays 3 and 4 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying race in June as he was recovering from injury.

    While Olaoluwa Aina, Taiwo Awoniyi and reigning African Player of the Year Osimhen were out injured altogether.

    A statement by Ademola Olajire, the Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on Tuesday, said a total of 23 players have been selected to execute the qualifying matches.

    “There are three goalkeepers, including AFCON 2023 star, Stanley Nwabali, seven defenders, six midfielders and seven forwards. Bendel Insurance safe hands Amas Obasogie also returns.

    “Also are South Africa-based defender Olisa Ndah, and Awoniyi, who has not been called since the 1-1 draw with Lesotho in Uyo on Matchday 1 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign in November 2023,” he said.

    THE FULL LIST OF 23 INVITED PLAYERS

    Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Bendel Insurance FC)

    Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Olisa Ndah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)

    Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

    Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England).

    The Super Eagles go up against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on September 7. The team will then fly to Kigali to take on the Amavubi at the Amahoro Stadium on September 10. Olajire said that all the players are expected to report in Uyo on September 2.

  • BREAKING: Super Eagles get new Head Coach, Bruno Labbadia

    BREAKING: Super Eagles get new Head Coach, Bruno Labbadia

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reached an agreement with German tactician, Bruno Labbadia, to become the Head Coach of Nigeria’s Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles. Labbadia will become the 37th Head Coach of the Nigerian Super Eagles.

    A statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications, quoted NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, as saying in the early hours of Tuesday that Labbadia’s appointment was with immediate effect.

    “The NFF Executive Committee has approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to appoint Bruno Labbadia as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles. The appointment is with immediate effect,” Sanusi said.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports 58-year-old Labbadia was born in Darmstadt, Germany on February 8, 1966. He won two caps for Die Mannschaft in his playing career that took him through clubs such as home-town team Darmstadt 98, Hamburger SV, and FC Kaiserslautern. Others include; Bayern Munich, FC Cologne, Werder Bremen, Armenia Bielefeld and Karlsruher SC. He triumphed in the German Bundesliga with Bayern Munich as a player in 1994.

    Labbadia has coached famous names Hertha Berlin and VfB Stuttgart this decade, and previously, VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, Bayer Leverkusen, among others, and holds a UEFA Pro License.

    He is only the sixth German, after Karl-Heinz Marotzke (who had two stints between 1970 and 1974), Gottlieb Göller (1981), Manfred Höner (1988-1989), Berti Vogts (2007-2008) and Gernot Rohr (2016-2021) to lead the Super Eagles.  Höner led the Eagles to runner-up position at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, while Rohr qualified and led Nigeria to the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia.

    Labbadia’s immediate challenge is to take charge of the three-time African champions for two 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic (September 7 in Uyo) and Rwanda (September 10 in Kigali). Four other matches would conclude the qualifying race following in the months of October and November.

    Bruno Labbadia managerial career:

    • Darmstadt 98: 2003-2006
    • Greuther Fürth: 2007-2008
    • Bayer Leverkusen: 2008-2009
    • Hamburger SV: 2009-2010
    • VfB Stuttgart: 2010-2013
    • Hamburger SV: 2015-2016
    • VfL Wolfsburg: 2018-2019
    • Hertha BSC: 2020-2021
    • VfB Stuttgart: 2022-2023

    SEE FULL LIST OF SUPER EAGLES’ COACHES IN HISTORY

    • John Finch (England) – 1949
    • Daniel Anyiam (Nigeria) – 1954-1956; 1964-1965
    • Les Courtier (England) – 1956-1960
    • Moshe Beit Halevi (Israel) – 1960-1961
    • George Vardar (Hungary) – 1961-1963
    • Joey Blackwell (England) – 1963 – 1964
    • József Ember (Hungary) – 1965-1968
    • Sabino Barinaga (Spain) – 1968-1969
    • Peter ‘Eto’ Amaechina (Nigeria) – 1969-1970
    • Karl-Heinz Marotzke (Germany) – 1970-1971; 1974
    • Jorge Penna (Brazil) – 1972-1973
    • Jelisavčić ‘Father Tiko’ Tihomir (Yugoslavia) – 1974-1978
    • Otto Glória (Brazil) – 1979-1982
    • Gottlieb Göller (Germany) – 1981
    • Adegboye Onigbinde (Nigeria) – 1983-1984; 2002
    • Chris Udemezue (Nigeria) – 1984-1986
    • Patrick Ekeji (Nigeria) – 1985
    • Paul Hamilton (Nigeria) – 1987; 1989
    • Manfred Höner (Germany) – 1988-1989
    • Clemens Westerhof (Netherlands) – 1989-1994
    • Amodu Shaibu (Nigeria) – 1994-1995;1996-1997; 2001-2002; 2008-2010
    • Johannes Bonfrere (Netherlands) – 1995-1996; 1999-2001
    • Philippe Troussier (France) – 1997
    • Monday Sinclair (Nigeria) – 1997-1998
    • Bora Milutinović (Yugoslavia) – 1998
    • Thijs Libregts (Netherlands) – 1999
    • Christian Chukwu (Nigeria) – 2002-2005
    • Augustine Eguavoen (Nigeria) – 2005-2007; 2010; 2022
    • Berti Vogts (Germany) – 2007-2008
    • Lars Lagerbäck (Sweden) – 2010
    • Samson Siasia (Nigeria) – 2010-2011; 2016
    • Stephen Keshi (Nigeria) – 2011-2014; 2015
    • Sunday Oliseh (Nigeria) – 2015-2016
    • Gernot Rohr (Germany) – 2016-2021
    • José Peseiro (Portugal) – 2022-2024
    • Finidi George (Nigeria) – 2024
    • Bruno Labbadia (Germany) – 2024-?
  • Siasia eyes Super Eagles coaching job

    Siasia eyes Super Eagles coaching job

    Samson Siasia has expressed interest in managing the Super Eagles.

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to appoint a new head coach for the Super Eagles, two months after former international winger Finidi George stepped down from the role.

    Siasia is now eligible to return to coaching after serving a five-year ban for match-fixing. The 57-year-old has previously managed the Super Eagles on two occasions.

    He first took over from Swedish coach Lars Lagerbäck in November 2010 but was dismissed in October 2011 after failing to qualify the team for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

    Siasia had another brief spell with the team in 2016 following the resignation of Sunday Oliseh.