Author: Promise Oluwarotimi
The road to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is heating up, with 15 teams already securing qualification and 9 spots remaining. The tournament, set to take place from December 2025 to January 2026 in Morocco, as obtained from the CAF website, promises intense competition. Sportsintel reports on Friday that the defending champion and runner-up in the last edition, Côte d’Ivoire, and Nigeria have both secured their qualification spots in their respective groups. Nigeria, South Africa, Tunisia, and Uganda confirmed their places on Thursday, some benefiting from other results in the latest round of qualifiers. Also, Tunisia clinched a dramatic…
Super Eagles coach Augustine Eguavoen and captain William Troost-Ekong have lauded the team’s performance after securing a 1-1 draw against Benin Republic, and also in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches. Eguavoen praised the team’s resilience, citing the challenges they faced during the match “Coming to this game, we did not lose, the worst scenario is a draw,” he said, emphasizing their goal to qualify without any loss. While also gearing up to face Rwanda in their final Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match, the head coach believes Nigeria has the quality to beat any team, anytime, and…
dVictor Osimhen’s 81st-minute equalizer rescued Nigeria’s Super Eagles from a shocking loss to Benin Republic, securing a 1-1 draw and top spot in Group D of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Benin Republic’s Mohamed Tijani scored in the first half, but Osimhen’s header from Moses Simon’s cross ensured the Super Eagles claimed a crucial point. The comeback ensured that the Super Eagles sealed the top spot in the qualifying group ahead of Benin Republic and Rwanda. Nigeria booked one of the two spots to qualify from Group D of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers thanks to Libya’s shock 1-0…
Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu has expressed confidence in his team’s ability to defend their Nigeria Premier Basketball League (NPBF) title at the Final Eight tournament in Port Harcourt. Odaudu told NAN on Wednesday that the team has worked hard to prepare for the championship and is unfazed by the challenges opposing teams will bring. He said that a lot of hard work has been put into preparations, and the team is in high spirits to defend its title, especially in front of their home fans. “We expect a tough competition because every team wants to put up…
Ademola Lookman’s impressive performances for Atalanta and Nigeria have sparked predictions of a high-profile move to a top European club next summer. Alessandro Barison, agent for Italian-born Nigerian defender Caleb Okoli, praised Lookman’s humility and talent, suggesting he’s ready for a bigger stage. “Next year, he will be Atalanta’s winning card, but I think he will join a big European team,” Barison said. The Nigeria forward, who finished 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or, was heavily linked to a few clubs during the last summer transfer window, with his move to PSG only truncated by his Serie A club.…
Edo Queens’ hopes of advancing to the semifinals of the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League, WCL hang in the balance after a 0-0 draw against FC Masar of Egypt on Wednesday. The Nigerian champions remain atop Group B with four points, tied with Masar, while Mamelodi Sundowns trail with three points following their demolition of CBE in the group’s first match on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Moses Aduku’s team must now secure at least a draw in their last group match against Sundowns at Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca, on Saturday to sail through to the last four, as a loss against…
Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has sent a heartfelt message to Chelsea’s Tosin Adarabioyo, urging him to consider representing the Super Eagles. The Chelsea star, who boasts dual nationality, is eligible to represent the Nigerian team and the Three Lions of England. Adarabioyo, for his part, has yet to make any decision on his international future, despite representing England across several tiers of youth football. Troost-Ekong in a recent interview with Soccernet, emphasized the unique bond between Nigerian players and fans, highlighting the rewards of playing for the national team. “Playing for Nigeria offers more than just football rewards,” Troost-Ekong said.…
The national U-16 female basketball 3×3 team on Sunday claimed a gold medal at the Dakar En Jaux 2024 Festival in Dakar, Senegal. The Nigerian girls, who had earlier claimed a silver medal in Accra, Ghana, during the African Games, defeated hosts Senegal 11-8 in the final. Speaking after the final, Victor Okoro, Nigeria’s head of delegation and team coordinator, praised the girls for their spectacular performances throughout the games. “I’m very proud of this team. I am also happy that once again, they have made Nigeria proud on the international stage,” he remarked. Okoro, a board member of…
The Super Eagles intensified preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic with Sadiq Umar yet to join camp. Real Sociedad forward Sadiq Umar is the only player yet to arrive as the team had its first training session at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Tuesday. Coach Augustine Eguavoen told the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) details of the players’ arrival at camp. Furthermore, he said, “We have 22 players, with only one person to join the team in the early hours of Wednesday. “It has been a particularly great atmosphere here in Abidjan, and we are…
Gabriel Osho, the latest addition to the Super Eagles squad, has expressed his pride in his Yoruba heritage and eagerness to represent Nigeria on the international stage. The Auxerre defender, who recently received his call-up to the national team, spoke to reporters about his cultural roots and football aspirations. “I’m incredibly proud of my Yoruba heritage,” Osho said. “My parents instilled in me the values of our culture, and I’m grateful for the rich history and traditions that shape who I am today.” Osho, who was born in England to Nigerian parents, emphasized his connection to his ancestral homeland.…