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Tag: World Cup qualifiers

  • W/Cup qualifiers: Chelle names 31-man Super Eagles squad [Full list]

    W/Cup qualifiers: Chelle names 31-man Super Eagles squad [Full list]

    The head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, on Friday released a list of 31 players ahead of next month’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

    Nigeria will host Rwanda in September, before taking on South Africa in Bloemfontein on September 9.

    Chelle has called up regular names such as Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, Stanley Nwabali, Calvin Bassey and William Troost-Ekong.

    Sevilla striker Jerome Adams has earned his maiden invitation, while Terem Moffi has been named in the squad after returning from a long-term injury.

    The two fixtures will make or mar the Eagles’ chances of qualifying for the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada next year.

    Nigeria are currently in fourth place in Group C with seven points, behind South Africa, Rwanda and Benin Republic.

    Goalkeepers:

    Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, Adebayo Adeleye, Harcourt Ebenezer.

    Defenders:

    William Troost-Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Igoh Ogbu, Chidozie Awaziem, Felix Agu, Benjamin Fredrick.

    Midfielders:

    Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf, Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika, Christantus Uche.

    Forwards:

    Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Victor Boniface, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Sadiq Umar, Tolu Arokodare, Terem Moffi, Akor Adams.

  • W/Cup Qualifier: Chelle names Musa, 3 other home-based players in provisional list

    W/Cup Qualifier: Chelle names Musa, 3 other home-based players in provisional list

    Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle has recalled former captain Ahmed Musa in a provisional list of players for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March.

    This is according to a statement by Ademola Olajire, the Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Also included in the 39-man list are three other home-based players, namely; goalkeeper Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars), defender Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International), and midfielder Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes).

    NAN reports that Musa, 32, the most capped Super Eagles player, last appeared for the Super Eagles in a warm-up game against Guinea in Abu Dhabi in January, 2024.

    He played the last seven minutes in a 2-0 loss to the Syli Stars.

    He has scored six goals and made two assists for Kano Pillars in the NPFL season thus far.

    Musa, who has won a record 110 caps and scored 18 goals, is now playing regularly in the NPFL for Kano Pillars after the mutual termination of his contract in Turkey in  2024.

    His leadership, both on and off the pitch, may have been the main consideration that swayed the decision of the new gaffer to recall him since the 2023 AFCON a year ago.

    NAN also reports that the list features a mix of experienced players and young talents, including first timers, Tolu Arokodare and Akor Adams.

    “Others named in the squad include; goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Adeleye Adebayo, defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen and Simon Moses.

    “There are also goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Samuel Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar.

    “Defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche and Papa Daniel Mustapha, and forwards Tolu Arokodare and Akor Adams are named for the first time,” Olajire said.

    Nigeria, fifth on the Group C log behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic and Lesotho, square up to leaders Amavubi of Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before taking on Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo four days later.

    Full provisional list of 39 players for Rwanda, Zimbabwe

    Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Adeleye Adebayo (Enosis Paralimni, Cyprus); Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars)

    Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England).

    Others are; Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Jordan Torunarigha (Gent FC, Belgium); Ifeanyi Onyebuchi (Rangers International)

    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 (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England).

    Others are; Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Southampton FC, England); Anthony Dennis (Goztepe SK, Turkey); Chrisantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes)

    Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Middlesbrough FC, England); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Valencia FC, Spain).

    Others are; Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Southampton FC, England); Ahmed Musa (Kano Pillars); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain).

  • 2026 WCQ: Osimhen to miss Bafana Bafana, Squirrel matches

    2026 WCQ: Osimhen to miss Bafana Bafana, Squirrel matches

    African Footballer of the year and Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen will miss the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic in Nigeria and Cote D’Ivoire  due to an injury he sustained while playing for Napoli SC.

    This was made known on the Super Eagles’ official X handle on Tuesday.

    According to the post, Super Eagles Coach Finidi George has also called up Enugu Rangers’ Kenneth Igboke.

    The post read, “Camp update: Africa Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen is injured and out for 4 weeks. Super Eagles’ Coach Finidi George has called up Enugu Rangers’ left back Kenneth Igboke for the WC qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Rep.”

    Last week, George named the 23-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face off against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, on June 3, followed by an away match against Benin Republic on June 7.

    Rwanda presently tops group C with a win and a draw, the Bafana Bafana sit second with 3 points a win and a loss while Super Eagles is on third position with two draws in two games. Lesotho Zimbabwe and Benin Republic occupy the fourth fifth and sixth positions on the group standing respectively.

  • 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.

  • Super Eagles told to focus on World Cup qualifiers

    Super Eagles told to focus on World Cup qualifiers

    Fanny Amun, the former coach of Nigeria`s U-17 team, has urged Nigeria’s Super Eagles to learn from their mistakes after their 2-1 loss to Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, on Sunday night.

    Amum also called on Jose Peseiro’s side to put behind their loss to Ivory Coast and focus and prepare for World Cup qualifiers coming up in June.

    “The Eagles have done their best at the AFCON but the players need to do more by adding more dedications and strength in the field of play,” Amun told pressmen on Monday.

    “2026 World Cup qualifiers are still ongoing, the [Super] Eagles need to gear up and get prepare to qualify for the tournament as we’ve a team that can be proud of.

    “The [Super] Eagles should learn their lesson and get prepared for the [FIFA] World cup in 2026.”

  • Crowd Trouble: Messi, Martinez slam Brazilian police for maltreating Argentine fans

    Crowd Trouble: Messi, Martinez slam Brazilian police for maltreating Argentine fans

    Argentine Super Star Lionel Messi and strike partner, Litauro Martinez have condemned the actions of the Brazillian police before the 2026 South American qualifier between Brazil and Argentina at the Maracana stadium.

    The match was delayed by half an hour following crowd trouble in the stands, which started before kick-off and during the national anthems.

    In response, Brazilian police charged at the Argentina fans, with the fighting taking place in a section of the stadium that contained the visiting players’ families and friends.

    Video footage shows that some Argentina supporters ripped up seats to throw at the police, who were wielding batons, while others attempted to escape the scene.

    Videos also show some Argentine fans with bloodied face and head, while some were being beaten by the Brazillian police at the stadium.

    Led by Messi, the Argentina players went over to try and calm the situation. Images showed the Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez trying to climb the hoarding to stop a police officer wielding a baton before being pulled away by team-mates.

    Argentina defeated Brazil 1-0 courtesy of Otamendi’s bullet header in the 63rd minute of the emcounter.

     

  • Nigeria Scrabble Federation name 26 players for World Cup Qualifiers

    Nigeria Scrabble Federation name 26 players for World Cup Qualifiers

    The Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), has named a 26 man list for the World Championship Qualifiers which holds this weekend in Sapele, Delta State.
    The list which was made public on Monday, by the NSF is dominated by players from Warri Scrabble Club, Benin Scrabble and Yenagoa Scrabble Club. Warri Scrabble Club has six players, Benin Scrabble Club and Yenagoa Scrabble Club have four players each.
    Apex SC, Central Scrabble Club Abuja, Shell Scrabble Club, Surulere SC, Abeokuta Scrabble Club, Unilag SC, Pyramid Scrabble Club of Lagos and Sapele Scrabble Club are the other Clubs that the players are drawn from.
    23 of the 26 players Invited for the Qualifiers are male while double National Sports Festival gold medalist Malafakumo Best Akpos, Bukunmi Afolayan and Tuoyo Mayuku are the amazons that the made the cut.
    Former African and World Champion, Wellington Jighere, who is the current national number one player as well as the highest ranked African in the world at the moment is the biggest name on the roaster.
    Four other African Champions, current African Champion, Enoch Nwali, two times African Champion, Dennis Ikekeregor, 2004 African Champion, Nsikak Etim and Wale Fashina who won the African Championship in 1998 will be heading to Sapele for the grueling battle to make Team Nigeria squad to the World Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA in July.
    Other wordsmith called up for the three day Qualifiers are, current West African Champion, Eta Karo, Doko Oluwatimilehin, Prince Omosefe, Oshevire Avwengha, who captained Team Nigeria to the last African Scrabble Championship in Lusaka, Champion of Champions, Olatunde Oduwole, Emmanuel Umujose, Emmanuel Ofidi, Cyril Umebiye and Okiemute Tega.
    Ben Quickpen, Jimoh Abdulmumin, Ezinore George, Joseph Aniso, Victor Godwin, Hakeem Olaribigbe, David Yuwa, Anthony Odok and Vincent Munanyo completes the 26 man list.
    Players on standby are Precious Igali, Jacob Ryan, James Ewruje and Olufemi Gbadebo.
    The Technical Director, of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), John Curtis, in a press statement made available to newsmen, on Monday, explained that the top twenty players in the NSF ranking along with six wild cards that include female players are part of the list.
    At the end of the three-day Qualifiers, the best ten players will be selected to represent Team Nigeria at the World Championship, in America from the 22nd-26th of July this year.
    We understand that the NSF holds the right for the final selection of Team Nigeria to Las Vegas, Nevada, USA as well as any other international Championships.
    The Technical Director, stated that the trials will last for three days and it’s ten games per day and each player has twenty five minutes per game.
    All invited players for the Qualifiers must have an international passport valid till the 30th of March 2024 and must submit the a squeaky clean, clear and legible photocopy of the data page of their passport to the NSF on or before the 30th of January.
    Invited players are expected to arrive Frank N. Luxury Hotel, 18 Lawrence Road, off Bowen Street, Sapele, Delta State, for the Qualifiers on the 25th of this month, while the trials begins the next day by 8am. The Qualifiers will carry ranking points as it’s an NSF rated event.
    The President of Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF), said that the very best at the end of the grueling trials will be selected based on an indebt summary, analysis, player by player projection, word power and dexterity as well as game strength, coupled with their experience on the board.
    “We are going to the World Championship with our top ten who are the best hands in the game. We are not just going to Las Vegas for the individual title, we are also heading there to defend our team title too.” The Hydro-Engineer said.
    We also gathered that inclusion of any female player in the final team selection will not be coloured by their gender, but the female player or players must merit it.
    Current African Champion, Enoch Tochukwu Nwali, came fifth at the last World Championship in Goa, India in 2019.
    In 2015, Delta State born, current national number one and recently crowded King of the Jungle, Wellington Jighere, became the first African player to win the World Championship crown. He did that in Australia.
    Wellington Jighere
    ✓ Prince Omosefe
    ✓ Wale Fashina
    ✓ Doko Oluwatimilehin
    ✓ Eta Karo
    ✓ Olatunde Oduwole
    ✓ Dennis Ikekeregor
    ✓ Emmanuel Umujose
    ✓ Jimoh Abdulmumin
    ✓ Ben Quickpen
    ✓ Okiemute Tega
    ✓ Ezinore George
    ✓ Aniso Joseph
    ✓ Godwin Victor
    ✓ Emmanuel Ofidi
    ✓ Olaribigbe Hakeem
    ✓ David Yuwa
    ✓ Anthony Odok
    ✓ Munanyo Vincent
  • D’Tigers lose to Cape Verde, blame it on high turnover

    D’Tigers lose to Cape Verde, blame it on high turnover

    D’Tigers stand-in head coach, Alan Major, says the team must take care of the ball when they face Mali in their next game on Saturday.

    The Nigerian senior male national basketball team lost 70-79 points to Cape Verde on Friday at the on-going 2023 FIBA World Cup qualifiers

    The coach noted that the team’s turnover ratio and rebound efforts were responsible for the team’s loss, even though he gave credit to the team for their resilience and hard work.

    “They (Cape Verde) had 16 points from our turnovers, 11 second-chance points from 16 offensive rebounds.

    “These are some things we can clean up, but I do like the effort,” he said.

    Major, while acknowledging that D’Tigers fought back and had the lead at some point, also congratulated Cape Verde for their efforts.

    “They played well. They got a cushion on us at half-time.”

    But he did express that his players did a great job by fighting back to take the lead towards the end of the match. “In a game like this, you do not have much margin for error.”

    He said the team got scared towards the end of the game and rushed their game in a quest to restore their lead, giving their opponents the winning edge.

    “We just have to go back, watch some films, clean up some things and be ready to play tomorrow (Saturday).”

    D’Tigers, after winning the first quarter 15-14 points, lost the lead to Cape Verde in the second quarter after losing 11-25 to head into half-time with a 26-39 scoreline.

    Ikenna Ndugba and Christian Mekowulu led the scoring for D’Tigers and Uchenna Iroegbu contributed 12 points.

    Mekowulu picked 13 rebounds while Benjamin Emelogu had four.

    Chimezie Metu posted a double-double performance with 10 points and 10 rebounds, saying later that the team wanted a win but lost to a more prepared team.

    “We wanted to go out there and try to win the game. We did that for stretches of the game but Cape Verde played together. They have been together and had practised more than we have.”

    He expressed the belief that his team has what it takes to win their next two games and finish the first round strongly.

    D’Tigers now have seven points from four matches and will face Mali on Saturday.

    NAN

  • Gernot Rohr likely to face Nigeria in World Cup qualifiers

    Gernot Rohr likely to face Nigeria in World Cup qualifiers

    Former Nigeria coach, Gernot Rohr, is among the candidates under consideration to become the next Ghana head coach, according to Ghana Web.

    Milovan Rajevac was sacked after the Black Stars were eliminated from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Ghana finished bottom of their group, which had Comoros, Morocco and Gabon.

    It is the first time in their history they have failed to win at least one group stage match.

    The West Africans are now looking at Rohr, who managed the Super Eagles for five years.

    “Rohr is very much open to the Ghana job. Ghana football has great potential and his experience of the African game will help him steer the team in the right direction,” a source close to the coach said.

    “His knowledge of African football is deep especially with West African teams. Besides Nigeria, he also handled Burkina Faso and Niger. Rohr also had a stint with Gabon in 2017. He has the quality to handle the Black Stars,” the source added.

    If he takes the Ghana job, his first competitive match will be against his former employers in the 2022 World Cup play-offs in March.

  • Messi missing in Argentina squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers

    Messi missing in Argentina squad for upcoming World Cup qualifiers

    Lionel Messi has not been included in Lionel Scaloni’s latest Argentina squad as he continues to recover from coronavirus.

    The Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) forward has not played a match in almost a month, with the 1-1 Ligue 1 draw at Lorient on Dec. 22 being his most recent outing.

    He contracted COVID-19 while back home in Argentina during the mid-season break, forcing him to return to France later than initially planned.

    Messi seemed all set to return to action against Lyon on Jan. 9, but PSG said he needed to continue his recovery and then he also missed the 2-0 win over Brest on Saturday.

    While he said last week that “I have almost recovered”, Messi did reveal on social media that getting over the illness took “longer than I thought”.

    Given his situation, Argentina have seemingly deemed it pointless risking Messi or further disrupting his recovery given they have already secured qualification for this year’s World Cup.

    Argentina travel to Chile on Thursday before hosting Colombia five days later, with both opponents still desperately fighting for the right to play at Qatar 2022.

    La Albiceleste’s other remaining qualifiers are against Venezuela and surprise-package Ecuador in March.