Tag: General Sports

Nigeria moved to top of group D in the  Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifiers with a resounding 3-0 win over Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Saturday.

The emphatic win today gave the Super Eagles the much needed 3 points that took them to the top of group D with 3 points. Rwanda and Libya shares the second and third place in the log with one point each while Benin Republic sits at the bottom of the group.

Goals from Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen sealed the victory, marking a convincing start to the campaign under interim coach Augustine Eguavoen.

READ MORE: Osimhen closes in on 22-year-old Super Eagles record with superb volley against Benin Republic

Lookman, fresh from his 2024 Ballon d’Or nomination, stole the show with two expertly taken goals. The Atalanta star broke the deadlock in added time of the first half, showcasing his skill with a creative escape from Beninese defenders. He sealed the win with his second goal in the 83rd minute, meeting Moses Simon’s cross with a precise header.

Victor osimhen and Ademola Lookman stole the show as Nigeria demolished Benin Republic to go top of group D

Osimhen, the reigning African Footballer of the Year, reminded fans of his prowess with an incredible half-volley in the 78th minute. The Galatasaray striker connected perfectly with Wilfred Ndidi’s pass, leaving the Beninese goalkeeper with no chance.

The Cheetahs posed some attacking threats, but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was equal to the task, making crucial saves to maintain Nigeria’s clean sheet.

Eguavoen’s tenure began on a high note, avenging the Super Eagles’ 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in a World Cup qualifier in June. The win marks a promising start to the AFCON qualifiers, with Nigeria aiming to secure a spot in the 2025 tournament in Morocco.

The Super Eagles’ next match promises to be an exciting encounter, and fans will be eager to see if they can maintain their momentum. With Osimhen and Lookman in top form, Nigeria looks poised for a successful campaign.

The Super Eagles will take on Rwanda away from home on Tuesday evening.

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Ikorodu City prepares to face Kano Pillars in their Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) opener and head coach Bright Ozebagbe is embracing the underdog tag.

The newly promoted side, established in 2022, has been tagged as underdogs, but Ozebagbe believes this will work in their favor.

In an interview with the club’s media team, Ozebagbe expressed confidence in his team’s preparation and mental state. “We have prepared very well; mentally, the boys are good.

Every match is difficult regardless of who we play. We will face the challenges; we are tagged as underdogs, and that will help us.”

READ MORE: Troost-Ekong praises super Eagles players after 3:0 thumping of Benin Republic

Ikorodu City has had a decent pre-season, playing top teams in Nigeria and signing new players, including Rivio Ayemwenre, who scored Sporting Lagos’ first goal in the NPFL last season.Newly promoted to NPFL side Ikorodu City

Ozebagbe emphasized the importance of continuity, stating, “I think continuity is key, and that is why we have most of our players while we integrate new ones.

The synergy has been good from our pre-season; the outcome was positive, so I think the squad, in general, is balanced in every department.”

On the other hand, Kano Pillars has undergone changes in the backroom, with the return of 2019 NPFL-winning coach Usman Abdallah. Despite this, Ozebagbe remains optimistic about his team’s chances.

The match will be played at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina due to ongoing renovations at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano.

Ikorodu City will look to make a good impression in their first season in the NPFL, and Ozebagbe’s positive attitude and emphasis on teamwork may just give them the edge they need.

The NPFL season kicks off and fans will be watching closely to see how Ikorodu City fares against more established teams. With their underdog tag and strong team dynamic, they may just surprise a few people.

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Benin Republic head coach Gernot Rohr has attributed Nigeria’s 3-0 win over his team to the impact of the Super Eagles’ bench.

In a post-match interview, Rohr acknowledged that the Nigerian team’s substitutions made a significant difference in the game.

Nigeria boasted a very strong attacking option of Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman, and Chukwueze in the starting lineup but still had African Best Player of the Year Victor Osimhen and Nantes-informed forward Moses Simon, as well as Taiwo Awoniyi, on the bench.

Ademola Lookman struck late in the first half to put the Super Eagles upfront, while Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, and Dele-Bashiru came on in the second half to boost the team’s morale.

Osimhen scored his 22nd goal for the Super Eagles a few minutes after replacing Victor Boniface.

READ MORE: Nigeria go top of group D after 3:0 smashing of Benin Republic

“The bench won Nigeria the match,” Rohr said. He also praised the Super Eagles’ defensive organization, stating, “The Super Eagles were organised defensively.”

Rohr couldn’t help but express admiration for the electric atmosphere at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, saying, “The crowd in Uyo was wonderful; they pushed the team to win. We don’t have that in Benin Republic.”

Victor Osimhen came in from the bench to score Nigeria’s second goal with a superb finish (Photo credit: The Athletic Images)

The Benin Republic coach noted that his team faced a different Super Eagles side, with over five key players returning to the Nigerian team. He also lamented the absence of his team’s key defenders, which he felt affected the outcome of the game.

Despite the defeat, Rohr remains optimistic about his team’s chances in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers. He stated, “We will try to win in Abidjan against Libya. Our goal is to finish second in the group.”

Rohr’s comments may be a pointer to the challenges his team faced against a strong Nigerian side. However, the former Super Eagles’ Coach is determined to bounce back and secure a top-two finish in the group .

The Benin Republic team will look to regroup and come back stronger in their next match against Libya on Tuesday evening.

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Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team, the Falconets, secured their place in the knockout stages of the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup with a commanding 4-0 victory over Venezuela in their final group game. The win ensures Nigeria finishes second in Group D, tied on points with Germany but behind on goal difference.

Needing a win to advance, the Falconets, led by head coach Chris Danjuma, started brightly and broke the deadlock in the 16th minute. Chiamaka Cristabel Okwuchukwu, instrumental throughout the game, set up Omowunmi Bello for the opener. Okwuchukwu, who had already made her mark with a goal in the previous match against Germany, doubled Nigeria’s lead in the 28th minute, with Alani providing the assist.

The first-half dominance continued as Flourish Sabastine, who scored the winning goal against Korea Republic in their opening match, added a third for Nigeria just before halftime, giving the Falconets a comfortable 3-0 cushion.

The second half saw Nigeria control the game and manage their lead efficiently. In additional time, substitute Joy Igbokwe netted a fourth, assisted by Esther Ajakaye, sealing an emphatic victory for the Falconets.

The result leaves Nigeria level on points with Germany but second on goal difference in Group D. The Falconets will now await their opponents in the knockout stages, having demonstrated their resilience and attacking prowess throughout the group phase.

This convincing win sets the stage for Nigeria to continue their pursuit of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title.

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Captain William Ekong has praised the Super Eagles after their convincing 3-0 win over Benin in their opening 2025 AFCON qualifying match.

“We prepared to win the game, we respect Benin, the last time we played against them they won, so like I said we have great belief in our team, in our coach, who is like a family member that has returned to us now, and we knew we had to take responsibility,” Ekong said in a post-match interview.

Ekong attributed the team’s success to their preparation, respect for their opponents, and belief in their coach and teammates.

“Everybody knows we have good attacking talent, we don’t have to name them, but we played well, tried to keep the door shut at the back, we created chances to score, so I believe that if we gave the boys enough balls up front they would put it away.”

The Super Eagles dominated the game, with Ademola Lookman scoring twice and Victor Osimhen adding a third goal.

Ekong noted that the team’s attacking talent was on full display, and their defensive efforts kept Benin at bay. “Today is a good indication of the direction that we’re heading and the first step of many that we have to take to be back in action.”

READ MORE: Gernot Rohr reveals Super Eagles’ secret weapon against Benin Republic in AFCON qualifier

Ekong’s comments may have suggested that this win is just the beginning for the Super Eagles, indicating a positive direction for the team.

Victor osimhen and Ademola Lookman stole the show as Nigeria demolished Benin Republic to go top of group D

With their sights set on the 2025 AFCON, the team will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming matches against Rwanda and Libya.

The win has also garnered support for caretaker coach Augustine Eguavoen, who took charge of the team after a last-minute agreement with the Nigeria Football Federation.

Eguavoen’s tactics and team selection were praised by fans and pundits alike, and he will look to continue this winning streak in the team’s next match.

The Super Eagles’ performance has also highlighted the depth of talent in the squad, with players like Dele-Bashiru and Victor Boniface making significant contributions.

The team continues their qualifying campaign and they will face tougher opponents, but for now, they can celebrate a well-deserved win.

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Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen has broken another age-long record after beautifully smashing in the ball past the Benin Republic goalkeeper today at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Saturday.

Osimhen scored his 22nd goal for the Super Eagles in the 76th minute, his first touch after coming in for Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface, to cement his position as one of Nigeria’s all-time greats.

He surpassed Yakubu Aiyegbeni, who has 21 goals for the Super Eagles, to move into third place on the Super Eagles’ all-time goalscorers’ list.

READ MORE: News2006 Ballon d’Or winner reveals why he rejected Super Eagles job

The Galatasaray striker, who is on loan from Napoli, scored a goal in Nigeria’s 3-0 win over Benin Republic in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash on Saturday evening in Uyo.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria with a huge win in Uyo against Benin Republic.

Two goals from Ademola Lookman and one for Victor Osimhen in the second half.#NGABEN pic.twitter.com/HboFep0pjn

— Nsidibe Akpan (@nsidibeakpan23) September 7, 2024

Osimhen’s goal took his tally to 22, putting him behind only Rashidi Yekini (37 goals) and Segun Odegbami (23 goals) in the all-time scorers’ list. His teammate Ademola Lookman scored a brace in the same match, helping the Super Eagles secure a comfortable win. Yekini scored his last goal for the Super Eagles against Jamaica in an international friendly in Kingston. His first goal for Nigeria came in the 1986 World Cup Qualifier against Kenya in Naira in a 3-0 victory.

Osimhen’s achievement is a testament to his incredible form and consistency for both club and country. The 25-year-old has just made a loan move to Galatasaray, with fans hoping that he will keep scoring goals for fun in the Turkish Super Lig.

The top 10 Nigeria’s all-time scorers are:
1. Rashidi Yekini – 37 goals
2. Segun Odegbami – 23 goals
3. Victor Osimhen – 22 goals
4. Yakubu Aiyegbeni – 21 goals
5. Ikechukwu Uche – 19 goals
6. Obafemi Martins – 18 goals
7. Sunday Oyarekhu – 17 goals
8. Samson Siasia – 16 goals
9. Odion Jude Ighalo – 16 goals
10. Ahmed Musa – 16 goals

Osimhen’s rise to third place on the all-time scorers’ list is a significant achievement, and he will be looking to continue his impressive form for both club and country. With his pace, skill, and finishing ability, Osimhen is undoubtedly one of the most feared strikers in African football.

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Super Eagles interim coach Austin Eguavoen has set clear objectives ahead of Nigeria’s crucial World Cup qualifier matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

Dismissing talks of revenge against Benin Republic, Eguavoen emphasised that the focus is solely on securing maximum points from both fixtures.

The upcoming clash against Benin Republic has garnered significant attention, especially after Nigeria’s surprising 2-1 loss to the Cheetahs in their previous encounter. The Benin Republic, managed by former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr, handed Nigeria a rare defeat in the World Cup qualifiers back in June, a result that stunned fans and put pressure on the Super Eagles to bounce back.

While the match, scheduled for September 7th in Uyo, has been billed as a grudge match due to the previous loss, Eguavoen was quick to dismiss any notion of revenge.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the match, Eguavoen outlined the team’s priorities, stating, “Our objective is clear: to collect six points from both matches. The players are well aware of this, and they’re fully committed. Qualifiers are never easy, and every team wants to be at the AFCON finals, but we’ve spoken to the squad, and we’re all on the same page.”

He further added, “No one is talking about revenge. Our sole focus is on getting three points against Benin Republic on Saturday and then another three points in Kigali on Tuesday. These victories will set us on the right path towards qualification.”

After their match against Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, the Super Eagles will face Rwanda in Kigali just three days later. Securing victories in both games is crucial for Nigeria’s hopes of advancing in the qualifiers and restoring confidence in the team following their earlier setbacks.

The Super Eagles’ goal remains clear: collect six points and take significant strides toward qualification for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

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The Nigeria U20 women’s national team, the Falconets, are set to face Venezuela in a crucial third Group D match at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.

The game, which will be held at Estadio Olimpico Pascual Guerrero in Cali, Colombia, on Saturday (today), is key to Nigeria’s chances of advancing to the knockout stage.

After a 1-0 win against South Korea in their opening match, the Falconets fell 3-1 to Germany in their second encounter. However, a win or a draw against Venezuela will see Nigeria progress to the round of 16 alongside Germany, who have already secured their spot in the next phase. Nigeria have participated in every edition of the tournament since its inception in 2002, and are aiming to maintain their strong record in the competition.

Venezuela, on the other hand, are in a must-win situation. They have yet to secure a victory in the tournament, with four losses and one draw in their five previous matches. Even with a win, their qualification hopes rely on results from other matches in the group.

The group’s other fixture will see Germany take on South Korea, with the latter needing both a victory and a favourable result from the Nigeria-Venezuela match to have any chance of advancing. Germany, already through to the next round, will look to extend their dominance, having defeated South Korea in previous World Cup encounters.

This clash represents a pivotal moment for both Nigeria and Venezuela, with the Falconets determined to bounce back from their recent defeat and secure their place in the next phase of the tournament.

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Super Eagles interim boss Austin Eguavoen has shared insights into Victor Osimhen’s role in Nigeria’s upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic.

Osimhen, who recently completed a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray, joined the Super Eagles camp on Thursday after a long break from competitive football. The star striker has not featured in any matches for either club or country for over three months, following his exclusion from Napoli’s squad.

Eguavoen, speaking at a pre-match press conference, discussed the situation surrounding Osimhen and the team’s preparations for the crucial game. “We have 23 quality players in the squad, including Victor. It’s a good problem for the coach, but I’ll have to sleep over it and decide who starts tomorrow,” Eguavoen said. He acknowledged that it is challenging to choose the starting lineup with so many talented players available, but he emphasized that everyone in the squad is fit and ready to play.

As for the goalkeeper position, Eguavoen is yet to make a final decision on whether to continue with Stanley Nwabali, who has been the first-choice since the 2023 AFCON, or to start Maduka Okoye, who has been in excellent form with Udinese.

Eguavoen’s primary goal for the match remains clear: to secure all three points against Benin Republic and move closer to qualification. The Super Eagles are focused on performance and not revenge, despite previous losses to Benin.

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2006 Ballon d’Or winner Fabio Cannavaro has revealed why he made the decision to reject an offer to manage the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

The Italian football legend, who captained Italy to their 2006 World Cup victory, was approached by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) following their search for an expatriate coach after a disappointing campaign in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Cannavaro confirmed he turned down the opportunity because he is not ready to leave Europe just yet.

He stated, “I had offers from Nigeria [national team] and Iranian clubs, but I want to wait for Serie A and European clubs until December. After that, I may start travelling again.”

Cannavaro, who enjoyed a stellar playing career with clubs like Parma, Real Madrid, and Juventus, has yet to establish himself as a top-tier manager.

He has had brief coaching spells with Benevento, Udinese, and Saudi club Al Nassr but is now holding out for a managerial opportunity in Europe.

With Cannavaro declining the role, the NFF’s search for a coach continues. Meanwhile, Augustine Eguavoen will take charge of Nigeria’s upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

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