Author: Peter Noah KC

AFTER the disappointment of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Nigeria return to the continental stage in pursuit of a fourth title. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that with the 2025 edition set to kick off in Morocco, the spotlight will be on star players such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, and other key figures, who are expected to transform renewed dreams into triumph for a nation eager to reclaim continental glory. The last time Nigeria lifted the AFCON trophy was in South Africa 2013. The team came closest to claiming a fourth title in the 2023…

PITTED in Group C alongside Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda, Nigeria are fancied as one of the favourites to win the competition in Morocco. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the last edition of the continental football competition, the three-time AFCON winners were agonisingly close to adding to their tally. Nigeria lost 2-1 to hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the final after taking the lead. But in Morocco, Nigeria’s target will be to go one more step further and conquer the continent in the Maghreb. That journey starts with the Taifa Stars of Tanzania, who will step out against the Super Eagles…

THE Super Eagles of Nigeria have played down concerns following their 2–1 defeat to Egypt in a pre-2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) friendly in Cairo, with key players Paul Onuachu and Chidozie Awaziem expressing confidence in the team’s performance and readiness for the tournament. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the international friendly, played on Tuesday at the Cairo International Stadium, marked Nigeria’s final tune-up match ahead of the AFCON finals in Morocco. Despite the loss, the Eagles’ camp remained upbeat, describing the encounter as a valuable test against strong opposition. Striker Paul Onuachu, who led the Eagles’ attack,…

AHMED Musa has brought an end to his international career with the Super Eagles of Nigeria, following an illustrious period that included winning the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Musa, a former Leicester City forward, announced his retirement on Wednesday, describing his stint with the Super Eagles as a thing of “pride”. “I wore this badge with pride for 15 years. From a 17-year-old boy answering every call to becoming the most capped Super Eagle with 111 appearances,” the winger, who is fondly known as the “Governor,” wrote in a post announcing his…

WITH just days to the kickoff of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, frustration is growing among Nigerian football fans over the delayed arrival of three key Super Eagles stars—Victor Osimhen, Samuel Chukwueze, and Moses Simon. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that four days after the Super Eagles opened their training camp in Cairo, Egypt, the trio remain the only players yet to report for national duty, sparking intense debate and criticism across social media platforms. Nigeria’s AFCON camp officially opened on Sunday at the Renaissance Hotel in Cairo, where 25 players had assembled as of Tuesday…

THE number of players in the Super Eagles’ camp in Cairo, in preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, has risen to 20, with 3 more players expected on Tuesday (Today). News Point Nigeria Sports reports that according to an update from the camp, FC Porto of Portugal left-back Zaidu Sanusi has joined his colleagues who had earlier arrived, bringing the total number of players in camp to 29. Players already in camp include goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho, and Amas Obasogie. Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England);…

GOALKEEPERS Francis Uzoho and Stanley Nwabali were the first batch of players to arrive at the Super Eagles’ camp for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Uzoho, a returnee to the Nigerian team after months of absence, was the first to touch down at the Super Eagles’ camp in Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday morning. The Omonia of Cyprus man, who was a surprise inclusion in the 28-man roster for the continental showpiece, joins Nwabali as the team’s camp opened on Sunday. A video on the Super Eagles’ official X handle showed Chippa United’s…

FORMER Nigeria international, Peterside Idah has launched a scathing attack on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over what he described as the poor and insensitive handling of Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong’s international exit, alleging that the defender was effectively pushed out of the national team rather than retiring of his own free will. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Idah, a former goalkeeper who was part of Nigeria’s national team setup in the past, accused the football federation of mismanagement and leadership failure, insisting that Troost-Ekong’s departure could and should have been delayed until after the 2025 Africa Cup…

FORMER Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has thrown his weight behind Nigeria’s quest for continental glory, urging the national team to “bring it home” as preparations intensify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Mikel’s rallying call came shortly after Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle unveiled his final 28-man squad for the tournament on Thursday, marking a decisive moment in Nigeria’s build-up to the championship scheduled for next month. The three-time African champions are aiming to secure a fourth AFCON title, following previous triumphs in 1980, 1994 and 2013.…

GOALKEEPER Francis Uzoho has made a surprise return to the Super Eagles, while Maduka Okoye, who has been deputizing for first-choice keeper Stanley Nwabali, was omitted from Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 squad list. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that also recalled to the team is Paul Onuachu, who has been scoring freely for his Turkish club, Trabzonspor. The long-awaited squad list was released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on its verified X handle on Thursday night. In the final list, coach Eric Chelle named three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and nine forwards for the tournament scheduled for December 21,…

AS the clock ticks toward the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the Super Eagles are facing a growing injury crisis that is set to force major selection dilemmas for head coach Eric Chelle, who is expected to unveil his final 28-man squad on Thursday (today). News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Nigeria, runners-up at the last tournament in Ivory Coast, released a provisional 54-man list last week, but that pool has since been ravaged by injuries to key players across the pitch most worryingly in goal and defence. Chief among Chelle’s problems is the uncertain fitness of first-choice…

WITH just 11 days to the kickoff of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, the Super Eagles’ preparations have been thrown into uncertainty as head coach Eric Chelle battles two critical issues, a looming squad submission deadline and reports that he is owed three months’ salary by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the 2025 AFCON runs from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, with all 24 participating teams permitted to register 28 players. CAF’s deadline for naming final squads is Thursday, December 11, while clubs are expected to release players…

WITH just days left for Nigeria to announce its final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, head coach Eric Chelle faces some of the toughest selection decisions of his tenure. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the Super Eagles are currently in camp as 54 players ranging from seasoned internationals to exciting newcomers fight for a place in the final 28-man AFCON roster. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) allows countries to name between 24 and 28 players for the tournament, a window that has intensified competition across all departments, especially after several unexpected disruptions to…

UGANDA national team head coach, Paul Put, has released a 30-man provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with Nigerian-born striker Uchechukwu Ikpeazu making the list as the Cranes intensify preparations for their first AFCON appearance since 2019. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Ikpeazu, 30, was born in London to a Nigerian father and Ugandan mother and officially committed to Uganda in 2021 after switching his international allegiance. He earned his first competitive cap for the Cranes in September and will now hope to secure a place in Put’s final 28-man AFCON team. The Cranes arrived in…

THE high-profile international friendly between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Egypt’s Pharaohs—initially scheduled for December 14 has now been moved to December 16, following a late directive from FIFA that reshaped the international release timeline for African players. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the Egyptian Football Association confirmed the change on Friday night through its vice president, Khaled El-Darandaly, according to reports from Ahram. The adjustment stems from FIFA’s newly issued international release regulation, which permits clubs—particularly in Europe—to hold onto African players until December 15, only six days before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on December…

NIGERIAN football fans are intensifying calls for Victor Osimhen to be appointed the next captain of the Super Eagles following the sudden retirement of William Troost-Ekong from international football. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the agitation, which has dominated social media conversations since Thursday, is anchored on Osimhen’s growing influence, leadership presence and consistency as Nigeria’s most dependable player. Osimhen, who was crowned the 2023 African Player of the Year, strengthened his case on Friday night after scoring a brilliant brace in Galatasaray’s 3–2 victory over Samsunspor in the Turkish Super Lig. The striker opened the scoring midway through…

SUPER Eagles players and the Confederation of African football have praised Troost-Ekong, who announced his retirement from international football on Thursday, bringing an end to a decade-long career with Nigeria just two weeks before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, The PUNCH reports. News Point Nigeria Sports reports the 32-year-old defender confirmed the decision in an emotional video posted on social media, ending days of speculation that followed Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dramatic 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in the playoffs. Troost-Ekong, who made his debut for Nigeria in 2015…

SUPER Eagles, captain William Troost-Ekong has confirmed his retirement from international football after a decade with the Super Eagles, announcing the decision in an emotional statement on Thursday. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that writing on Instagram, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent Nigeria, describing it as the greatest privilege of his career and affirming that while his journey on the pitch has ended, his support for the team will continue as he looks forward to a new chapter. “Honoured. Grateful. Forever a Super Eagle. Playing for Nigeria has been the greatest privilege of my life,” Ekong said.…

STAR players such as Mohamed Salah, Bryan Mbeumo, and Achraf Hakimi will be able to play for their clubs for an extra week until December 15 before joining their national teams at the Africa Cup of Nations, FIFA said on Wednesday. Top European clubs such as Salah’s Liverpool, Mbeumo’s Manchester United, and Hakimi’s Paris Saint-Germain face losing key players for up to five weeks for the 24-nation tournament in Morocco from December 21 to January 18 .But they had feared it could be even longer until FIFA amended its rules to soften the blow for clubs by delaying the release…

VICTOR Boniface, Ola Aina, Francis Uzoho, and Kelechi Iheanacho were among notable returnees as Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Chelle, unveiled Nigeria’s provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Aina was injured in Nigeria’s draw against South Africa in September during the World Cup qualifiers and is expected to be out for three months. Boniface, Uzoho, and Iheanacho have not been part of the team in recent matches. The 54-man AFCON list was released on the Super Eagles’ social media handles on Tuesday evening, just about three weeks before the competition…