Football

‘Be strong, you did your best for Nigeria’ – Sports minister tells Iwobi

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The Honourable Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh recently had a discussion with Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi following cyber bullies against the Fulham star.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by Enoh’s media aide, Diana-Mary Tiku Nsan on Monday.

Enoh, who led the Super Eagles of Nigeria back home after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final against Ivory Coast, told Iwobi:

“I am aware of what is happening on social media and as a ministry, this is not the first time we are going to make a statement against bullying, not just you but our sportsmen and women in general who are exposed to bullying due to the outcome of competitions.

“We are concerned about how our sportsmen and women are treated.”

The final AFCON 2023 has seen Iwobi experience a routine of unpleasant remarks hurled at him.

Iwobi confirmed leaving social media after the final game.

“For me, I have taken myself out of social media after yesterday’s game,” he said.

Enoh, however, encouraged the former Arsenal star saying:

“You did your best for your country and I am proud of you. The leadership and the rest of the country is proud of you.

“Those who are not are in the far minority and do not speak for the rest of our country, so just be strong.

“You did your best, you are part of a team that brought home a silver medal which the country last won at AFCON 2000, which is 23 years ago. You put in your best, thank you very much.”

Football

Nigeria beat South Africa to reach AFCON finals

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria beat Bafana Bafana of South Africa 4-2 in penalties to reach the African Cup of Nations finals.

The Super Eagles secured a penalty after African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen was brought down in the box by Mothobi Mvala (South Africa) at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake, Ivory Coast.

Nigeria led 1-0 in the 67th minute when Captain William Troost-Ekong converted a low-driven penalty into the middle of the net fooling Ronwen Williams in goal.

Nigeria thought they had sealed the game with a 2-0 lead when Osimhen scored as he latched on to a pass inside the penalty box and fired a perfect low strike, which went inside the left post.

However, a VAR review verdict said that there was no goal for Nigeria due to a foul in the build-up play. The decision was overturned, and a penalty was given to South Africa.

Bafana Bafana reacted with a 1-1 goal from the spot when Teboho Mokoena of South Africa played the penalty past Stanley Nwabili into the bottom left corner.

South Africa had the clearest chance to seal the game after Evidence Makgopa had his shot flashed high over the bar after beating the defender, following a rebound after a freekick saved by Nwabali.

The game, which entered extra time, saw big chances from both teams.

Moffi was brought down at the edge of the box. South Africa was shown a red card following the tackle.

Nigeria sealed the game 5-3 in penalties after Nwabali saved two penalties.

Nigeria’s performance in the AFCON has brought the Super Eagles to the final as they strive to secure another AFCON trophy.

Football

Don’t watch us on TV anymore – Super Eagles captain, Musa sends message to Tinubu

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Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to watch the team on television anymore but to come over to Ivory Coast and cheer them at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.

Musa, who spoke on behalf of the Super Eagles players, said this during the team’s Zoom meeting with the Minister of Sports Development, Sen. John Owan Enoh, on Wednesday.

The former Leicester City forward also appreciated Enoh for his words of encouragement to the Super Eagles as they prepare to tackle Cameroon in the AFCON Round of 16 fixture on Saturday night.

Musa said: “We have a message that we are going to send to you [Enoh] to the President.

“We don’t want him to watch the game on TV anymore, we want him over here [Ivory Coast] to come and cheer us together. So this is our own message to the President.”

Enoh responded, “The president will come. I can assure you the president will come. He has told me when he wants to come and my prayer is that gradually we are going to get to the point where the President can come. He will come. I will bring the president, he will come,” he assured.

Musa then said: “Finally, we really appreciate your words of encouragement to the team, thank you.”

Nigeria had finished in second position in Group A behind leaders Equatorial Guinea.

Peseiro’s men remain unbeaten in the tournament so far after two wins and one draw.

World News

2023 AFCON: Mba tips Super Eagles to qualify from group with hosts Cote d’Ivoire

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Former Super Eagles midfielder, Sunday Mba has tipped the team to qualify from their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations group along with hosts Cote d’Ivoire.

Jose Peseiro’s side were pitted with the hosts, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau at the draw ceremony in Abidjan on Thursday night.

Mba, who scored the goal that earned the Super Eagles a third AFCON title against Burkina Faso in the final of 2013 edition of the competition, backed the team to qualify from the group.

The former Enugu Rangers star however warned Jose Peseiro’s side against complacency.

“Nigeria will qualify from their group, but we cannot underrate any of our opponents because all of them are a lot more prepared now,” he told Brila FM.

“In fact, Nigeria are the team to beat at the 2023 AFCON, not just about qualifying from Group A.

“We have the best strikers around and with a balanced team, we have no team to fear.”

Football

AFCON Qualifiers: Super Eagles secure revenge, defeat Guinea-Bissau

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Barely 72 hours after the shocking one-nil defeat to Wild Dogs of Guinea-Bissau in the first-leg of the Group A 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers tie, Nigeria’s Super Eagles responded with a 1-0 win in the return leg at Bissau on Monday evening.

With an unwanted four-game winless run, Super Eagles needed a quick turnaround to appease football-loving Nigerians who are gradually running out of patience with the Jose Peseiro-led team.

Super Eagles kicked off Monday’s encounter with much dominance with the ball but it was the home team that had the first attempt at goal inside the first five minutes, with Moreto Cassama firing the ball wide.

Terem Moffi was provided with a clear opportunity to score with the net almost empty but the OGC Nice forward’s effort went wide off the post due to the rough terrain of the pitch before Moses Simon finally broke the deadlock for Nigeria with a penalty in the 30th minute.

Fenerbahce defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel, was brought down inside the 18-yard box, and the centre referee immediately gave a penalty which the Nantes forward, Simon, slotted in by sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

In the 58th minute, Osimhen was denied by the lower post after the Napoli striker’s ball slowly went past goalkeeper Jonas Mendes and struck the bar out to safety. Had the ball gone in, it would have been Osimhen’s sixth goal of the qualifiers.

Osimhen was again denied an opportunity for another goal but this time around, it was goalkeeper Mendes who saved the forward’s attempt from close range before he pulled off another save to deny Joe Aribo two minutes later.

The game ended without another goal as Super Eagles got a sweet revenge which sent Nigeria back to the top of the Group A standings with nine points, while Guinea-Bissau are second with seven points.

Football

Osimhen arrives Super Eagles camp ahead Guinea Bissau match

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Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen has arrived at the team’s camp in Abuja ahead of Friday’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against the Djurtus (Wild Dogs) of Guinea Bissau.

The match will be played at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.Eagles spokesman Babafemi Raji revealed that Osimhen, who had a flight delay in Lagos, joined the team in Abuja after Tuesday’s evening training.

Raji said the arrival of Osimhen brought the number of players in camp to 22. Portugal-based defender Zaidu Sanusi is the only player expected and will join the team on Wednesday.

The Eagles have six points from two matches as they confront Guinea Bissau in a top-of-the-table fixture. They are favoured to qualify for the competition slated for Cote d’Ivoire early next year.

Meanwhile, tickets for the encounter have been calibrated in price ranges of N2,000 and N10,000 for ordinary and VIP seats, respectively.

Ademola Olajire, communication director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), said the tickets are available at the football secretariat at the Package B of Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Olajire said tickets are also available at the Old Parade Ground, NFF’s former office at Wuse Zone 7 and other designated places, which details will be announced on broadcast stations nationwide.

Egyptian referee Mahmoud Elbana will be in the centre, with his compatriots Youssef Elbosaty, Sami Halhal and Ahmed El-Ghandour as first assistant referee, second assistant referee and fourth official, respectively.

Prosper Harrison Addo from Ghana will be the match commissioner, and his compatriot Kotey Alexander will be the referee assessor.

Football

Super Eagles drop three places to 35 in new FIFA rankings

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria dropped three places in the latest monthly ranking released by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) on Thursday, December 22.

The ranking was released on the official website of the world soccer governing body and showed the three-time African champions dropped from 32nd to 35th position in the world.

Jose Peseiro’s side although maintained their position among the top five teams in Africa, they however slipped from fourth to fifth position.

The Atlas Lions of Morocco moved to top position on the ranking in Africa following their impressive performance at the just concluded 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

The Terangha Lions of Senegal dropped to second position on the continent with Tunisia remaining in third position, while the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon jumped to fourth position.

Newly crowned world champions, Argentina are now ranked second, with Brazil maintaining top position.

The next FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking will be published on 6 April 2023.

Football

Nigeria’s Super Eagles drop in latest FIFA ranking

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria have dropped in the latest FIFA rankings after a poor outing in September.

In the latest rankings released by the world football governing body, FIFA, on Thursday October 6, the Super Eagles have now dropped to 32 in the world for October.

The Super Eagles lost 6.23 points after two poor matches against Algeria during the last international break.

Nigeria, who lost one in Oran and drew the other game against the Desert Warriors home based team in Constantine.

The West Africans are now ranked 32nd in the world, but maintained the number four position in Africa.

Meanwhile, at the top of the ranking, five time champions Brazil remains the best football playing nation.

Brazil is top of the log after impressive outings against African giants, Ghana and Tunisia in September.

The Red Devils of Belgium remain second, with Brazil’s South American rivals, Argentina, in third position.

Former World Champions, France in fourth and England in fifth, complete the top five ranked nations.

Football

Lesbianism was not rampant in our time – Former Super Falcons star, Stella Mbachu

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Former Super Falcons star, Stella Mbachu has opened up on lesbianism in women’s football and other issues facing sports development.

Mbachu who sat for an interview with Punch, noted that lesbianism was not rampant while playing in the national women’s team.

The footballer also revealed that their coaches at the time spoke against it. She said; I can’t say if lesbianism was rampant or not during my playing days, but I can confirm that we had it at that time too.

But the coaches at that time preached against it and discouraged us from the act, telling us the act is evil and we can’t use that to play football.

Every player at that time was informed about it and the disadvantages of practicing lesbianism. That is why it was not that rampant in our time.

Also debunking claims of women footballers not making good wives, she said;

No, I don’t agree with that. We have Mercy Akide, a women’s football star and she is married. We have female footballers that are married and are good wives.

The likes of Florence Omagbemi, Nkechi Egbe are married and are good wives to their husbands. It depends on what you want, not when you marry the wrong person.

Just like every other person in marriage, when you don’t get your own person, it will give you a problem, both of you will not flow very well. But when you marry the person that you love and want to stay with, everything will work well.

Talking about racism in football, Mbachu said;

During my playing days, I never paid attention to fans’ racist chants. Honestly, it does not bother me. My concern is to go to the pitch, play according to my coach’s instructions, do my best and make sure I shine.

Racism has returned to football fully and some countries are using that opportunity to abuse players. I will advise players to ignore any form of racist comments because I don’t see racism stopping soon.

FIFA is not serious about it; they need to caution the opposing fans, players and the teams. But if the world governing body is serious about it, racism would have reduced drastically in football.

Football

Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa undergoes successful surgery after Sivasspor injury

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Super Eagles of Nigeria captain and Sivasspor winger, Ahmed Musa has confirmed he has undergone successful surgery to repair his left arm.

The 29-year-old picked up an injury while featuring for Sivasspor in a 2-1 Turkish Super Lig defeat against Ankaragucu at Eryaman Stadyumu on September 18.

The former Leicester City winger, who joined Sivasspor from Fatih Karagumruk, took to Instagram this afternoon to announce to fans that he has undergone successful surgery and will return to action soon.

Sharing photos from his hospital bed with doctors standing beside him; he wrote:

“I just want to express my heartfelt appreciation to Allah for a successful surgery on my left arm.

As we all know, no surgery is too minor so I am grateful for the competent doctors assigned to me for a job well done.”

“Also to you all, for your messages, prayers and words of encouragement. I hope to be back on the field soon stronger and absolutely better. Thanks everyone. @sivasspor.”

Football

Former Super Eagles assistant coach, Emmanuel Amuneke appointed coach of Zambia’s Zanaco

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Former Super Eagles assistant coach, Emmanuel Amuneke has been appointed new head coach of Zambia Super League side, Zanaco FC.

According to Lusaka Times, Amuneke has agreed to the terms of the deal and is expected in the South African country in the coming days to pen his contract with the club.

Zanaco last won the MTN/FAZ Super League Division in 2016 and came second in 2021. They lost their last league match 1-0 at home on Sunday against Forest Rangers.

Amuneke led Tanzania to break the 39-year jinx after he qualified them for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, and he will be aiming to revive Zanaco who are currently struggling.

Zanaco is currently 9th on the log after winning two matches and losing two

Football

Super Eagles striker, Umar Sadiq suffers long-term injury, ruled out for the season after joining new club

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Super Eagles and Real Sociedad striker, Umar Sadiq, has been ruled out for the rest of the season after sustaining an ACL injury against Getafe on Sunday, September 11.

The striker was taken off the field after he suffered the injury.

A statement on the club’s official website read; “Sadiq Umar suffered a right knee sprain during the Getafe-RS match, held yesterday.

After the tests carried out today on the player, he has been diagnosed with a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in the right leg.

“He will start physiotherapy treatment. However, he will undergo surgical treatment.”

One of Sadiq’s new teammates at Real Sociedad, Mikel Oyarzabal, is yet to return to the sideline after he suffered a similar injury during a training session back in March.

The 25-year-old, who joined Sociedad in August, has registered three goals so far this season.

Entertainment

Akin Alabi threatens to arrest online trolls for bullying Super Eagles players

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Member of the House of Representatives, Akin Alabi has threatened to arrest football fans who have been trolling Super Eagles players online following their second round AFCON exit.

On Sunday, the Nigerian national team lost 1-0 to Tunisia, a shocking outcome to many, especially as it followed a series of impeccable performances by the team during the group stage.

Member of the House of Representatives, Akin Alabi has threatened to arrest football fans who have been trolling Super Eagles players online following their second round AFCON exit.

On Sunday, the Nigerian national team lost 1-0 to Tunisia, a shocking outcome to many, especially as it followed a series of impeccable performances by the team during the group stage.

Reacting via microblogging site, Twitter, Alabi condemned the online attack on the players and said he wished those that threatened them could be traced and arrested.

Read his tweet below:

Football, World News

Former Super Eagle star, Christian Obodo has been rescued after he was kidnapped for the second time in Warri.

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Christian Obodo has been freed. The former Super Eagles midfielder was abducted in Nigeria.

The Udinese star, who spent last season on-loan to Serie B side Lecce, was sensationally kidnapped in his hometown , Warri on Saturday, November 14. He was reportedly with his girlfriend when he was kidnapped. 

The 28-year-old, who has represented the Super Eagles 21 times, reportedly stopped to buy bananas with his girlfriend when he was seized from his car in the Effurun area with the kidknappers demanding a £121,000 ransom.

He was safely rescued by the Nigeria Police Force on Sunday in nearby Isoko, after Delta State governor Emmanuel Uguaghan ordered authorities to rescue the star within 48 hours.

Delta FA spokesman Timi Ebikagboro told KickOffNigeria.com: “He was found at Isoko and has been rescued. The police are bringing him back to Warri.”

The is the second time Obodo will be kidnapped in Nigeria. He was also abducted by unknown gunmen on June 9, 2012, on his way to church in Warri.

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