Tag: General Sports

Former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia has officially returned to football after completing a five-year ban imposed by FIFA over match-fixing allegations.

Speaking to the NAN, Siasia shared his experiences during the ban and expressed his determination to make a positive impact on Nigerian football.

Reflecting on the past five years, Siasia described them as a period filled with pain and emotional anguish. Despite the challenges, he remained connected to football and took the time to update his knowledge of the game. “I was prevented from fully practising my only profession, the game of football. But I thank God that the night is over, the day is here at last, and I am free again to practise my profession with my usual honesty and sincerity,” he stated.

Siasia expressed deep gratitude to those who stood by him during his ordeal, including his family, supporters, and sports journalists. He also made it clear that his principles and character remained intact throughout his 25-year coaching career, emphasising that he has never engaged in bribery, corruption, or any form of unethical behavior.

READ MORE: Nigerian Academy announces transfer of Godwin Udosen to Dinamo Bucharest

“In my over 25 years of coaching career, I have jealously guarded and maintained my principles and character with utmost uncompromising sincerity. Not one day out of the 1,826 days was wasted in agony or hopelessness. It was a period of serious reflection and painstaking updating,” he added.

Now, Siasia is ready to resume his passion for coaching, with renewed determination and commitment. He announced his willingness to manage the Super Eagles again, following the completion of his ban. “I am returning to the game renewed and prepared to continue with my lifelong passion,” he concluded.

Siasia’s return marks a significant moment in Nigerian football, as the experienced coach looks to contribute once again to the success of the national team and the sport in the country.

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Austin Eguavoen, Super Eagles substantive Technical Director who is  managing the squad on interim basis until a new coach is appointed is expected to announce the Super Eagles squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda this week.

Eguavoen, who has been tasked with leading the team for the two games, has reportedly shortlisted 40 players for the matches. However, he is expected to trim the list to 23 players before making the final squad public.

The Super Eagles will begin their qualifying campaign against Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on September 7, before traveling to Kigali to face Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium three days later.

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Regular stars such as Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Wilfred Ndidi, and Semi Ajayi are expected to be included in the squad. Eguavoen’s selection will be closely watched as the Super Eagles look to make a strong start to their qualifying campaign.

Austin Eguavoen is back to the Super Eagles sidelines on interim basis

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to appoint a substantive head coach for the Super Eagles, leaving Eguavoen in charge for the two games. The 59-year-old former defender will be looking to make a positive impact and guide the team to victory in both matches.

The AFCON 2025 qualifiers promise to be an exciting and competitive tournament, and the Super Eagles will be looking to make a strong statement with their squad selection and performances. With Eguavoen at the helm, Nigerian fans will be hoping for a return to winning ways and a successful qualifying campaign.

The unveiling of the Super Eagles squad this week will be a highly anticipated event, and fans will be eagerly awaiting the announcement to see which players have made the cut. With a strong squad and positive results, the Super Eagles can set themselves up for success in the qualifying campaign and beyond.

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The public spat between Mikel Obi and Nicolas Jackson continues, with Obi responding to Jackson’s social media attack after scoring in Chelsea’s 6-2 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Obi, a former Chelsea midfielder, has been critical of Jackson’s inconsistency in front of goal, urging Chelsea to sign Victor Osimhen instead.

Mikel Obi had criticised Jackson over missed chances against Manchester City in the opening match

On his podcast, The Obi One, Obi namechecked his former teammate Didier Drogba, saying, “I would like to see my African brother like he said do well in the Premier League, come to Chelsea, a big club, a massive club, where you know we have had one of the greatest strikers in Didier Drogba from Africa, Ivory Coast, did really well.”

READ MORE: Fabrizio Romano provides important update on Victor Osimhen Al-Ahli move

Striker Didier Drogba will go down as one of the most iconic African players in Premier League history, reaching a century of goals with Chelsea, winning four league titles and twice claiming the Golden Boot prize.

Didier Drogba. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Didier Drogba scored 164 goals for Chelsea in 381 games.

Obi added, “If he plays well, I will praise him! If there is something to be said about him, where he needs to improve, I will definitely say it, and you know if he scores every week and tells me to shut up, I’ll take it.”

Jackson’s inconsistency has led Chelsea to consider signing a new striker, with Osimhen a top target.

Obi’s comments will be closely watched, especially as Chelsea challenges for the title this season. With Jackson’s goal-scoring form crucial to the team’s success, Obi’s criticism will be seen as a challenge to the Senegalese striker to prove himself.

Mikel Obi made a controversial transfer to Chelsea in 2006

Mikel made a controversial transfer to Premier League club Chelsea in 2006 after Manchester United claimed they had already signed him. He stayed with Chelsea for 11 years, before moving to China with Tianjin TEDA in 2017.

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Champions of the CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU-B qualifiers, Edo Queens FC, will hold a trophy parade in Benin-City to celebrate their remarkable victory.

The club’s media team announced that the victorious players, along with their enthusiastic supporters, will embark on a road show across the ancient city of Benin. The parade is intended to show gratitude to the people of Edo State for their unwavering support throughout the competition.

In addition to the parade, the team will be honored with a historic reception hosted by the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, his wife Betsy Obaseki, members of the State Executive Council, and the sports-loving citizens of Edo State.

READ MORE: Super Eagles stars talk tough ahead of Nigeria vs Benin Republic

Led by coach Moses Aduku, Edo Queens participated in the CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU-B play-off in Côte d’Ivoire, competing against six other top West African club sides. After a series of intense matches, Edo Queens emerged as the champions of the zone, solidifying their place as one of the region’s premier women’s football teams.

As the WAFU-B champions, Edo Queens will now advance to represent the zone in the final stage of the CAF Women’s Champions League, set to take place in November 2024 in a yet-to-be-decided host country.

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Former Chelsea and Nigerian international, Mikel Obi, has responded to Chelsea striker Nicholas Jackson’s Instagram post, telling him to “keep scoring and I’ll shut up.” The exchange follows Obi’s criticism of Jackson’s goal-scoring prowess during Chelsea’s 2-0 loss to Manchester City last weekend.

Obi, 37, had said on beIN Sport, “We created chances, we haven’t taken them. And just an example of how Jackson finishes.” Jackson, 23, responded on Instagram, saying, “Mikel Obi, shut your mouth, don’t talk sh*t, we are killing ourselves for Africa.”

READ MORE: Nicholas Jackson fires back, tells Mikel to ‘shut his mouth ‘

The tension between the two has sparked debate, with Obi’s latest comment fueling the discussion. Obi’s statement implies that if Jackson continues to score goals, he will have no reason to criticize him.

The exchange highlights the pressure on players to perform, especially when criticized by former players. Jackson’s response shows he will not be swayed by criticism, and Obi’s latest comment suggests he will continue to speak his mind.

Mikel Obi on the Obi one podcast fires back at Nicholas Jackson

The situation will be interesting to follow, especially as Chelsea looks to challenge for the title this season. With Jackson’s goal-scoring form crucial to the team’s success, Obi’s comments will be closely watched.

In a season where Chelsea is looking to challenge for the title, the forward’s response to criticism will be crucial. With the likes of Victor Osimhen being linked to the club, Jackson knows he must continue to perform to keep his place in the starting lineup.

Nicholas Jackson headed Chelsea into the lead 2 minutes into play against Wolves on Sunday

The spat between Jackson and Obi is expectedly not ending anytime soon and marks the pressure on players to perform at the highest level.

The season progresses and it will be interesting to see how Jackson responds to criticism and whether he can maintain his place in the Chelsea starting lineup.

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Renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano has provided an important update on Super Eagles Victor Osimhen Al-Ahli move.

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is hesitant to join Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League due to disagreements over his proposed contract. According to Fabrizio Romano, Osimhen is seeking an “important salary” and a release clause, which is a crucial aspect of the deal.

READ MORE: Austin Eguavoen set to unveil Super Eagles squad for AFCON 2025 qualifiers

“Victor Osimhen is not accepting Al Ahli proposals as he requires an important salary AND release clause. The release clause is crucial or deal will not happen at all,” Romano tweeted.

Osimhen’s insistence on a release clause suggests he is not willing to commit to a long-term deal in Saudi Arabia and wants to keep his options open for a potential move to Europe in the future.

Chelsea, who have been long-time admirers of Osimhen, may still have a chance to sign the Nigerian international if Al-Ahli fail to meet his demands. However, with the Premier League transfer deadline looming, Chelsea must act quickly to secure a deal.

Victor osimhen is linked to Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli

“Chelsea have been consistently linked with Osimhen for the past two years and are still searching for a striker. Manager Enzo Maresca has hinted at the pursuit of another striker, saying, ‘If we have the chance to bring in a nine that can help us and make the difference, then we are going to try,’” Romano added.

The situation remains fluid, and Napoli will be eager to resolve Osimhen’s future soon, having not yet recruited a replacement striker.

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Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson has responded fiercely to criticism from former Blues midfielder Mikel Obi, telling him to “shut his mouth” after suggesting the striker squandered too many chances during last Sunday’s match against Manchester City.

Nicholas Jackson headed Chelsea into the lead 2 minutes into play against Wolves on Sunday

Mikel Obi, a Chelsea icon, had hinted that the club might want to explore signing Victor Osimhen as a potential alternative to Jackson, citing the Senegalese forward’s goal-scoring prowess. However, Jackson answered his critics on the pitch by scoring Chelsea’s opening goal in their 6-2 victory over Wolves, marking the club’s fastest Premier League goal since 2017.

Following the match, Jackson took to social media to address Mikel’s comments directly, saying, “Mikel Obi, shut your mouth, don’t talk sh*t, we are killing ourselves for Africa.” The forward’s blunt response made his feelings about the criticism clear.

READ MORE: Rangers boss provides major update on Leon Balogun’s injury

Mikel Obi had aimed for Jackson’s goal-scoring prowess on beIN Sport during Chelsea’s 2-0 loss to Man City last weekend, saying, “You need a striker who knows how to hit a ball back in the back of the net, and that’s what we don’t have.” However, Jackson’s response suggests he will not be swayed by criticism from former players.

Mikel Obi had criticised Jackson over missed chances against Manchester City in the opening match

The 23-year-old’s goal against Wolves was his third of the season, and he will be looking to continue his form as Chelsea host fellow London club Crystal Palace at the Stamford Bridge on Sunday, September 1, in EPL game week three.

In a season where Chelsea is looking to challenge for the title, the forward’s response to criticism will be crucial. With the likes of Victor Osimhen being linked to the club, Jackson knows he must continue to perform to keep his place in the starting lineup.

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Rangers head coach Philippe Clement has revealed that Leon Balogun’s injury is not as severe as initially thought, with the Nigerian centre-back expected to return to action within a week.

Balogun was forced off at half-time during Rangers’ 6-0 win over Ross County after landing awkwardly from a corner and injuring his neck and back.

However, Clement has alleviated fears of a long-term absence, stating that the veteran defender should be back in training soon.

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“Leon got a knock and hurt his neck. That was unlucky because he was good in the game, and last week, he missed, so I wanted to get him into the game rhythm,” Clement told Sky Sports. “I don’t think it will be a big thing for next week, so I think in a few days, he will be better. It’s just his neck is blocked now.”

The news will come as a relief to Rangers fans, who have already seen a number of key players succumb to injury this season. Oscar Cortes, Nicolas Raskin, Scott Wright, and Ridvan Yilmaz are all currently sidelined, while summer signing Robbin Propper may also miss next weekend’s clash with Celtic.

Despite the injury woes, Rangers have made a strong start to the season, with Balogun playing a key role in their defensive solidity. The 36-year-old has been an ever-present in the starting lineup, and his experience and leadership will be crucial in the coming weeks.

Clement’s update on Balogun’s injury will be welcomed by Nigeria fans, who will be eager to see the defender return to action ahead of the Super Eagles’ upcoming fixtures. With the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on the horizon, Balogun’s fitness will be closely monitored by national team coach Andersson.

In other news, Rangers’ Cyriel Dessers has been praised by Clement for his recent performances, with the Belgian striker scoring a brace against Ross County. Dessers has been in fine form this season, and his goals will be crucial in Rangers’ title challenge.

With Balogun expected to return within a week, Rangers will be hoping to maintain their momentum and push for glory in the Scottish Premiership.

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Super Eagles midfielders Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi have shared their thoughts on the upcoming AFCON qualifier against Benin Republic, a match that has taken on added significance following a recent setback for the Nigerian national team.

Nigeria is set to face their western neighbors as they aim to secure qualification for the next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The upcoming clash has been dubbed a “revenge mission,” as the Super Eagles are eager to avenge their unexpected 2-1 defeat to Benin in Abidjan during the World Cup qualifiers. That loss dented Nigeria’s World Cup hopes and now serves as extra motivation for the Super Eagles as they prepare for the AFCON qualifiers.

Following a recent Premier League match between Fulham and Leicester City, where Nigerian stars Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi lined up against their compatriot Wilfred Ndidi, the two midfielders spoke to NFF media officer Ayo Olu Ibidapo about the crucial upcoming game.

READ MORE: Nigerian Academy announces transfer of Godwin Udosen to Dinamo Bucharest

Ndidi acknowledged that the Super Eagles have not been performing as well as they would like in their World Cup qualifying campaign but remains optimistic about their chances in the AFCON qualifiers. “We’ll see what goes on in that one in Uyo,” Ndidi said, referring to the venue for the upcoming match against Benin. “They had their win in Abidjan, so Uyo, don’t worry; we’ll see what happens.”

Iwobi echoed Ndidi’s sentiments but went further in outlining what Nigeria needs to do to secure a win. “There’s still a lot to fight for; we have a lot to prove,” Iwobi stated. “I always say we have a lot of quality in the team. Hopefully, we can kick on and get the points that we need to qualify.”

The Fulham midfielder also emphasized the high expectations both from the fans and within the team itself. “The same way the fans demand from us, we demand a lot from ourselves because we know the quality we have, we know how well we do for our club sides, we just have to bring that form on a consistent basis for Nigeria.”

Nigeria’s AFCON qualifying campaign continues with matches against Benin Republic on September 7th and Rwanda three days later. The Super Eagles will be looking to secure crucial points in these fixtures to strengthen their chances of qualifying for the continental tournament.

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Nigerian defender William Troost-Ekong experienced a last-minute heartbreak in his debut for Al Kholood as the club suffered a 1-0 defeat to Al Ittihad in their Saudi Pro League opener on Saturday, August 24, 2024.

Troost-Ekong, who recently joined Al Kholood after ending his year-long stint with Greek champions PAOK, was deemed fit and ready to feature in the club’s first league game of the season against the Saudi giants. The Nigerian international was immediately thrust into action, leading Al Kholood’s defense in a tough encounter against a star-studded Al Ittihad side.

The visitors, boasting a lineup that included former Liverpool star Fabinho, World Cup winner N’Golo Kanté, and ex-Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, were expected to dominate. However, with Troost-Ekong commanding Al Kholood’s three-man defense, the formidable Al Ittihad attack struggled to break through the hosts’ resilient defense for 94 minutes.

Just as Troost-Ekong seemed poised to celebrate a clean-sheet debut, Algerian midfielder Houssem Aouar netted a last-gasp goal, handing Al Ittihad all three points. The goal came as a bitter blow to Troost-Ekong and his teammates, who had fought valiantly throughout the match.

READ MORE: Nigerian Academy announces transfer of Godwin Udosen to Dinamo Bucharest

Despite the narrow defeat, Al Kholood, newly promoted to the Saudi Pro League after their success in the FDL last season, can take pride in their performance. The team showed they could compete with the league’s top sides, and Troost-Ekong’s leadership in defense was a highlight.

Al Kholood will now focus on securing their first points of the season when they travel to the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on August 29 to face Al Riyadh, who played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Odion Ighalo’s Al Wehda in their league opener.

Troost-Ekong’s wealth of experience, gained from his time at clubs like Udinese, Watford, Salernitana, and Gent, will be crucial as Al Kholood navigates the challenges of the Saudi Pro League in their bid to avoid relegation.

Earlier this year, Troost-Ekong was named the Most Valuable Player at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where he led Nigeria to a silver medal finish, further underscoring his importance to any team he plays for.

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