Tag: General Sports

Zimbabwe national team coach, Michael Nees, has sent a strong message to Nigeria’s Super Eagles and other 2026 FIFA World Cup Group C opponents, warning them not to underestimate his side.

Despite sitting at the bottom of the group with just two points from four matches, Zimbabwe remains determined to fight for qualification. They are set to face Super Eagles on matchday five in a crucial encounter n Uyo.

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Speaking with Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Online TV, the 57-year-old German coach insisted that the battle for qualification is far from over.

“We’re not out yet,” Nees asserted.

Rwanda currently tops the group with seven points, followed by South Africa and Benin Republic. Lesotho holds fourth place with five points, while Nigeria’s Super Eagles are in fifth with three points.

“We need to put in strong performances and stay in the race. The table shows we have two points and a goal difference of minus four, but nothing is decided yet. There are still six games left, meaning 18 points up for grabs,” Nees explained.

Looking ahead to the upcoming qualifiers in March, he expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to bounce back.

“It’s crucial that we respond strongly. We’ll give everything on the pitch and make sure we fight until the end. Let’s see how things unfold,” he added.

With the qualification race still open, Zimbabwe will be looking to make a statement when they take on Nigeria in a pivotal clash.

The 57-year old is a “holder of a UEFA Pro Licence from Germany and an M.A. degree in Sports Science, Performance. Physiology, and Ethnology from the prestigious University of Heidelberg.

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Nigeria will travel to Kigali to face Rwanda on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe in Uyo four days later.

With Rwanda leading Group C on seven points—closely followed by South Africa and Benin—Nigeria must secure maximum points to stay in the qualification race. Lesotho sits fourth with five points, while Zimbabwe trails at the bottom with two.

Source: The Athletic NG

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is set to return to Nigeria to assess home-based players in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) as he prepares for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

Following a European tour, where he met with key Super Eagles internationals, Chelle is now turning his attention to domestic talent.

According to SCORENigeria, he and his coaching staff will arrive in Nigeria within the next two weeks to continue their preparations.

“They will meet with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to discuss their plans for the qualifiers,” an official source confirmed. “They will also attend NPFL matches in search of additional players who could strengthen the squad.”

Super Eagles Face Uphill Battle in Qualification Race

Nigeria currently sits fifth in Group C of the African qualifiers, making the upcoming matches critical. The Super Eagles struggled in their opening fixtures, drawing 1-1 against Lesotho, Zimbabwe, and South Africa before falling to Benin Republic—a poor start that has left them under pressure to turn their campaign around.

READ MORE:the-race-isnt-over-yet-zimbabwe-coach-nees-warns-super-eagles

Since his appointment last month, Chelle has already held discussions with key players abroad, including Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Moses Simon, to outline his tactical approach.

NPFL Stars on Chelle’s Radar

With Chelle now focused on local talent, several NPFL players have been in impressive form and could earn a spot in the squad:

• Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars) – A clinical striker known for his composure in front of goal. His movement and finishing ability make him a strong contender for the national team.
• Victor Collins (Nasarawa United) – A solid and experienced defender who excels in aerial duels and one-on-one situations. His leadership at the back has been key for his club.
• Papa Daniel (Niger Tornadoes) – A dynamic midfielder with strong ball control and passing ability, capable of dictating play in the middle of the park.
• Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United) – The NPFL’s leading scorer with 13 goals this season. His ability to find the net consistently makes him an exciting prospect.
• Tijani Kabiru & Godwin Odibo (Shooting Stars) – Two key defenders in the best defensive unit in the NPFL. Their ability to read the game and intercept opposition attacks has made them standout performers.
• Mustapha Lawal (Shooting Stars) – A reliable goalkeeper with strong reflexes and shot-stopping ability. His performances have played a crucial role in his club’s defensive success-10 clean sheets in 15 NPFL games.

Chelle is expected to finalize his squad list after evaluating NPFL talents, with Nigeria set to face Rwanda in Kigali on March 21 before hosting Zimbabwe in Uyo on March 25.

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With only group winners securing automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Chelle’s first matches in charge will be decisive.

Source: The Athletic NG

Akwa United pulled off the biggest upset of the Nigeria Premier football League(NPFL) matchday 23 with a 2-1 victory over Enyimba in Uyo, while Rivers United left it late to edge past Lobi Stars.

Coach Kennedy Boboye finally picked up his first NPFL win on his second return to Akwa United after failing in the last 3 games.

Olayemi Ogunleye opened the scoring for the hosts in the 28th minute, but Enyimba hit back through Issah Mohammed in the 40th minute.

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Uche Sebastian, however, struck the winner in the 75th minute to hand The Promise Keepers all three points.

The victory lifted Akwa United to 18th place with 23 points from 23 matches, leaving them just two points from safety.

Meanwhile the nine time champions Enyimba stay 8th as their inconsistent NPFL season continues.

Rivers United Leave It Late, Lobi Stars Drop to Bottom

Rivers United returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Lobi Stars, thanks to Timothy Zachariah’s 88th-minute strike.

The result moves Findi George’s boys up to third on the table with 38 points from 23 matches, though they remain 10 points behind leaders Remo Stars.

Lobi Stars, led by Former Nigeria International Daniel Amokachi slipped to the bottom of the NPFL standings following their defeat with 21 points.

Other NPFL Match day 23 Results

Abia Warriors cruised to a commanding 3-0 home win over Sunshine Stars, while Niger Tornadoes and Bayelsa United were both held to draws.

The warriors move to 4th on the table as the dream of continental places led by former NPFL winner Coach Imama Amapakabo.

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Niger Tornadoes played out a 1-1 stalemate with Plateau United, while Bayelsa United and defending champions Enugu Rangers settled for a goalless draw.

The flying Antelopes with their first point away from home in the second stanza of the NPFL 2024/2025 season in Yenagoa over Ladan Bosso’s boys, stay 5th on the log with 36 points while Bayelsa United remaining 12th on 29 points.

Source: The Athletic NG

Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has credited Lazio head coach Marco Baroni for his trust in the squad after ending his seven-game goal drought in Lazio’s emphatic 5-1 victory over Monza.

The 24-year-old was introduced in the 65th minute, replacing Gustav Isaksen, and made an immediate impact by scoring Lazio’s fifth goal just before full-time.

Racing onto a through ball down the left, he unleashed a powerful left-footed shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle, sealing a dominant performance for the home side at the Stadio Olimpico.

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After the match, Dele-Bashiru reflected on Lazio’s 14th Serie A win of the season and praised the unity within the team under Baroni’s leadership.

 “A perfect week for me. I gave myself a wonderful moment, but the team’s victory is even more important.

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There is a great group here, it’s the ideal environment. The coach believes in everyone,” he told Lazio’s official media, as quoted by Solo La Lazio.  

He also shared the story behind his goal celebration.

“My celebration? It started with Noslin while playing FIFA. The song the fans dedicated to me? It’s something I really enjoy. The coach and the team help me a lot; I’ve improved physically and tactically.”  

With three goals in 15 Serie A appearances this season, Dele-Bashiru will be eager to build on his momentum as Lazio continue their pursuit of a top-four finish.

Source: The Athletic NG

Super Eagles forward Emmanuel Dennis has expressed his admiration for Nigerian football legend Yakubu Aiyegbeni and hopes to emulate his success at Blackburn Rovers.

Dennis, 27, joined Blackburn on loan from Nottingham Forest and made his debut in their 2-0 FA Cup loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers.

It was his first appearance for club or country since April 2024, when he last featured for Watford.

Despite the disappointing result, the Nigerian striker is eager to make his mark at Ewood Park and help the team achieve success.

 “I am very hungry. I really want to play football and hope that we are going to have great moments together,” Dennis told *RoversTV.

 “I am really excited to be back (playing). I will give my all to the club and I really appreciate them bringing me here. I am going to give them everything. It is a good time (to join) because we are in a very good position in the table and playing good football.  

“Before coming here, I analysed how they play and I like it. I hope I can add something to the team and we can have good times together.”  

Yakubu is the third highest scorer in the history of the Super Eagles

Dennis grew up watching Yakubu, who had an impressive spell at Blackburn during the 2010/11 season, scoring 17 goals in 30 appearances.

READ MORE:dele-bashiru-hails-lazio-boss-baroni-after-ending-goal-drought

The former Club Brugge forward is thrilled to follow in the footsteps of one of Nigeria’s most prolific strikers.

 “Yakubu played here and growing up, I watched him play. It is a club I am very familiar with from growing up in Nigeria. I was really pleased they wanted me, I wanted to come.  

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 “He scored a lot of goals, so many! Yakubu is really big in Nigeria and African football. His contribution, playing in the Premier League, what a guy! He inspired me in some ways because I watched games and he was a really good player.”  

Dennis played 66 minutes at Ewood Park but couldn’t prevent Blackburn’s exit from the FA Cup, as first-half goals from João Gomes and Matheus Cunha secured Wolves’ spot in the next round.

Source: The Athletic NG

Lille head coach Bruno Genesio has commended Nigerian striker Chuba Akpom following his goal against Le Havre on his Ligue 1 debut.

Despite the Nigerian striker’s late strike, Lille fell short, losing 2-1 at the Decathlon Arena.

Akpom, 29, struggled for game time during his spell at Ajax and opted for a January loan move to Lille in search of regular football.

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He first featured for the club in a Coupé de France match against Dunkerque before making his league debut.

Introduced at halftime, Akpom found the net deep into stoppage time in the 97th minute. However, his effort came too late to alter the outcome, as Lille had already conceded twice before his introduction.

Akpom born in London to Nigerian parents becomes the 3rd Nigerian to play in the Ligue 1 for Lille after Victor Osimhen and Vincent Enyeama.

Following the match, Genesio expressed his satisfaction with Akpom’s performance while highlighting the need for him to adapt to the team’s playing style.

“Scoring is always important for a striker, and Chuba showed great awareness to take his chance,” Genesio told Le Petit Lillois.

“He still needs to adjust to our system and integrate certain tactical aspects, but this goal will help his confidence and add depth to our attacking options for the rest of the season.”  

The Lille boss also acknowledged the contributions of Ethan Mbappé and Ayyoub Bouaddi, who came off the bench alongside Akpom but admitted that it was a difficult situation to influence the game.

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Currently, Lille sit fifth in the Ligue 1 standings, five points behind second-placed Marseille, while Paris Saint-Germain maintain a commanding 13-point lead at the top.

Source: The Athletic NG

Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers has dismissed speculations about a potential exit from Rangers, insisting he was never looking to leave but only wanted more game time.

At the start of the year, Dessers found himself struggling for minutes as Hamza Igamane took over as Rangers’ first-choice striker. This led to transfer rumors, with clubs from Serie A and Ligue 1 reportedly making inquiries about his availability.

The Nigerian forward, who had been linked with a move last summer, once again attracted interest in January. However, despite the speculation, he remained focused on proving his worth at Ibrox.

Dessers: “I Never Wanted to Leave – I Just Wanted to Play”

Speaking to Daily Record, Dessers admitted that while offers came in, his goal was always to stay and fight for his place in the team.

“At the start of the month, I wasn’t playing much, and as a striker who had already hit double figures, naturally, there was interest.”

“Some clubs reached out to my agent asking if a move was possible. But I spoke with Nils Koppen a few times, and we had good conversations about the situation. Three weeks later, I’m still here, and I’m very happy. I never wanted to leave—I just wanted to play.”

January Goal of the Month Winner

Dessers’ resurgence has not gone unnoticed. The Nigerian forward has been in red-hot form, contributing six goals and one assist in his last five games.

His efforts were recently recognized as he won Rangers’ January Goal of the Month award for his stunning strike against Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League.

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In that game at Old Trafford, Dessers used his strength to outmuscle Harry Maguire, controlled the ball brilliantly on his left side, and then swept a clinical finish into the bottom corner.

Despite Rangers losing 2-1, his goal stood out as a moment of brilliance, earning him the club’s top individual accolade for January.

Back in Form and Looking Ahead

Since the close of the transfer window, Dessers has rediscovered his best form, and his performances have helped him regain the trust of coach Philippe Clement.

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With 29 months left on his contract, Dessers looks set to stay at Ibrox unless unforeseen circumstances arise. If he continues his fine form and helps Rangers secure silverware, he could even earn a contract extension.

Source: The Athletic NG

Super Eagles midfielder Wilfred Ndidi made a strong return from injury with a commanding display in Leicester City’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Manchester United, but his efforts weren’t enough to prevent a 2-1 defeat.

After nearly two months on the side-lines, Ndidi wasted no time in asserting his presence at Old Trafford. Wearing the captain’s armband, the 28-year-old anchored Leicester’s midfield and played a key role in their opening goal.

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His initial shot inside the box was blocked, but Bobby De Cordova-Reid reacted quickest, heading home to give the Foxes the lead.

Ndidi,28, influence was evident in the first half as he controlled possession and provided defensive stability.

He was substituted after 58 minutes for Harry Winks, a move that saw Leicester lose control of the game as Manchester United mounted a comeback.

Ndidi match stats reflect his influence:

• Touches: 52
• Passes Completed: 35/43 (81% accuracy)
• Key Passes: 1
• Aerial Duels Won: 2
• Shots on Target: 1
• Defensive Contributions: 1 clearance, 1 block, 1 interception

Despite Leicester’s strong start, Joshua Zirkzee and Harry Maguire struck for Manchester United, sealing the Foxes’ exit from the competition.

READ MORE:i-never-wanted-to-leave-dessers-opens-up-on-rangers-future

With their FA Cup journey over, Leicester must now turn their attention to the Premier League, where they currently sit in a dangerous 18th place.

Their next challenge is a massive one—a clash with title contenders Arsenal at the King Power Stadium. Ndidi’s return is a boost for the Foxes, and he will be crucial in their battle to avoid relegation when Mikel Arteta’s men come to town.

Having shown glimpses of his best against Manchester United, the Nigerian midfielder will be eager to lead Leicester to safety in the coming weeks.

Source: The Athletic NG

South African football legend Benni McCarthy is set to take over as the new Harambee Stars head coach, with an official announcement expected soon.

The position has remained vacant since Engin Firat resigned in December, citing unpaid wages, shortly after Hussein Mohamed was elected as the new Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President.

Since then, FKF has been searching for a top-tier coach to guide the national team through upcoming competitions, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the African Nations Championship (CHAN), which Kenya will co-host.

Negotiations with McCarthy Finalized

Reports linking McCarthy to the job first emerged in December but had since gone quiet. However, fresh updates now indicate that negotiations have been successfully concluded, and FKF will make the appointment official soon.

“FKF continued negotiations with Benni McCarthy over the vacant Harambee Stars head coach role last week. Both parties are satisfied, and the appointment should be announced soon,” stated Pepeta’s Zachary Oguda.

Benni McCarthy’s Coaching Background

A former South African international, McCarthy is widely respected for his achievements in football. He was most recently part of Manchester United’s coaching staff under Erik ten Hag, serving as a forwards coach.

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If appointed, this will be his first national team coaching job, following successful stints with Cape Town City and AmaZulu FC in South Africa.

During his playing career, McCarthy won multiple honours, including the 2004 UEFA Champions League with FC Porto under José Mourinho.

Tough Road Ahead in World Cup Qualifiers

McCarthy’s first major challenge will be leading Harambee Stars in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers:

• March 19 – Away vs. Gambia
• March 22 – Home vs. Gabon

Kenya is currently fourth in Group F with five points after four matches. Ivory Coast leads the group with 10 points, followed by Gabon (9 points) and Burundi (7 points). Gambia (3 points) and Seychelles (0 points) complete the standings.

READ MORE:Super Eagles 2025 AFCON rivals appoint Indigenous coach Sami Trabelsi

With McCarthy expected to be officially unveiled soon, Kenyan football fans will be eager to see if he can inspire Harambee Stars to historic World Cup qualification.

Source: The Athletic NG

Leicester City head coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has showered praise on Wilfred Ndidi following his impressive display in their FA Cup clash against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

After missing eight weeks with a hamstring injury, Ndidi made an instant impact, captaining Leicester and playing a crucial role in their opening goal. His initial effort in the box was blocked, leading to Bobby De Cordova-Reid’s headed finish.

Despite the Foxes’ 2-1 defeat, with Joshua Zirkzee and Harry Maguire securing the win for Manchester United, Ndidi’s presence in midfield was a major highlight.

READ MORE:Benni McCarthy set to be named Harambee stars head coach

Speaking after the game, Van Nistelrooy was full of admiration for Ndidi’s leadership and control in midfield.

“You saw the way he played, the way he lifted the team—on the ball, off the ball. His performance was excellent, but more than that, his leadership stood out,” Van Nistelrooy told Leicester Mercury.

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“It wasn’t just about wearing the captain’s armband; he commanded the game, organized the team, and communicated brilliantly. He and Bouba [Soumare] had a fantastic partnership in midfield.”

With their FA Cup run over, Leicester now shift focus to their next Premier League test against Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s side, coming off a Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle United, will be looking to bounce back, but with Ndidi back in action, Leicester will aim to make a strong statement at home.

Source: The Athletic NG