THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has recounted how the Super Eagles’ 20-hour ordeal in Libya. Players and officials were stranded for hours at a Libyan airport and denied access to food and the internet as they prepared to honour their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier with the Mediterranean Knights. It took diplomatic efforts and social media callouts for the team to be cleared to finally leave Libya. After they landed in Nigeria, the NFF’s Director of Communications Ademola Olajire narrated how the team and officials were held in Libya. In a 20-point statement, he wrote: 1) The chartered…
Author: Peter Noah KC
THE Super Eagles have arrived in Nigeria after their ordeal in Libyan for a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. Players and officials were stranded for about 13 hours at a Libyan airport ahead of the game which was supposed to take place on Tuesday. Photos of the team sleeping on benches went viral early Monday, prompting condemnation. But hours later, the team has now landed in Nigeria after Libyan authorities cleared their flight to take off. “BACK HOME SAFE & SOUND. Proud of this team, NAIJA SPIRIT can’t be broken. Throw at us what you want, it’s in…
THE Confederation of African Football has expressed deep concern over the troubling ordeal faced by Nigeria’s national football team, the Super Eagles, at a Libyan airport. The federation highlighted immediate steps to engage both Libyan and Nigerian authorities, following reports that the team and their staff were left stranded under distressing conditions for several hours. The incident is now under investigation by CAF’s Disciplinary Board. This was contained in a statement obtained from the CAF website on Monday afternoon. It was titled, “CAF Views the Disturbing and Unacceptable Experiences of the Nigerian National Football Team (‘Super Eagles’) at an Airport…
THE Sports Minister, John Enoh said he has escalated the ill-treatment meted out to the Super Eagles by the Libyan authorities since they landed at the Al Abaq Airport on Sunday, to all concerned authorities. A statement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Communications Department on Monday said the team were left unattended to at the Al Abraq Airport. A video posted by the Eagles media team also confirmed the development, as the players and officials, along with their luggage, were left stranded at the airport, with the Libyan airport officials indifferent to their plight. The Eagles departed for Libya…
THE Nigeria Football Federation has said the Super Eagles will no longer take part in the 2025 AFCON qualifier against Libya after the Libyan authorities delayed the Super Eagles at the Al Abraq Airport for more than 12 hours after landing. A statement by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) Communications Department on Monday, said the team were left unattended to at the Al Abraq Airport. A video posted by the Eagles media team also confirmed the development, as the players and officials, along with their luggage, were left stranded at the airport, with the Libyan airport officials indifferent to their…
THE Super Eagles of Nigeria have left for Libya for the return leg of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification against the Mediterranean Knights on Tuesday. A video posted on the team’s social media handles on Sunday showed when the players boarded bus from their hotel to the airport and their arrival at the airport to board a plain to the North African country. The Eagles battled hard the break the defence of the Libyans and won the first encounter played at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Friday. It was Lazio of…
FORMER Green Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Fregene, is dead. His death was announced by Segun Odegbami on Sunday. Odegbami, Peter Fregene’s friend and ex-international, said the legend died after a protected illness in the presence of his wife, Tina, and two of his children. Recall that this newspaper reported that Segun Odegbami solicited financial assistance for the ailing Fregene. In a statement on Tuesday, Odegbami disclosed that Fregene was hospitalised in Sapele, Delta state, and urgently needed medical attention and financial assistance. He said although “Tony Ojesina covered the ambulance costs, more funds need to be paid before he can be…
DEFENDING Champions of the Betsy Obaseki Woman Football Tournament, Edo Queens Football Club of Benin-City on Saturday defeated Abia Angels FC of Umuahia in 4-0 to move into the semifinals of the annual pre-season competition. In one of the quarterfinal games played at the University of Benin Sports Complex, Edo Queens’ winger, Chioma Moses, scored twice, while Emem Essien and Folashade Ijamilusi added one goal each to make it four for the Nigerian champions. The ladies from Umuahia fought hard in the second half to reduce the tally, but their efforts were thwarted by the Edo girls. Moses Aduku’s team…
STAND-IN Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, says Ahmed Musa remains the captain and is welcome back to the team any time. The 31-year-old Al-Kholood of Saudi Arabia centre back made the observation in a press conference on Wednesday ahead of Friday’s 2025 AFCON qualifying fixture against Libya at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. “He’s still our captain, and he’s welcome back any time. He’s our most capped player, a good role model, and he’s a good leader. I am happy to deputise for him,” said the Netherlands-born, who is expected to marshal the Super Eagles backline later today. Aside…
THE home-based Super Eagles team has been drawn against Ghana in the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 qualifiers. The draw which held in Cairo Egypt on Wednesday pitched the West African bitter rivals against each other, meaning only one of them can make it to the tournament. Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will host the uniquely designed CAF competition that is reserved for players plying their trade in their respective countries between 01 – 28 February 2025. A total of 40 nations engaged in the draw to determine the first of two rounds of qualifiers to determine the final teams…
SUPER Eagles interim coach, Austine Eguavoen, has backed Victor Boniface, Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Awoniyi and other invited players to deliver the three points despite the absence of his number one choice striker, Victor Osimhen. Nigeria take on Libya in a doubleheader game of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The first match of the doubleheader is set for Friday, October 11, at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium before both sides trade tackles at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, Libya four days later. Unfortunately, Eguavoen will not be without Osimhen after the striker picked up an injury during Galatasaray’s 3-3…
ENYIMBA FC will face two Egyptian clubs, title-holders Zamalek and Al Masry, in the group stage as they bid to become the first Nigerian winners of the CAF Confederation Cup. Mozambican team Black Bulls complete Group D after the draw was made at the Confederation of African Football offices in Cairo on Monday. Enyimba have been the most successful Nigerian club in CAF competitions, winning back-to-back Champions League and Super Cup titles between 2003 and 2005. But the second Super Cup success was the last time a club from African football powerhouses Nigeria have lifted a CAF trophy. Based in…
SUPER Eagles captain Ahmed Musa marked his return to the Nigeria Premier Football League with a brace but missed a penalty for Kano Pillars, who beat Sunshine Stars 2-0 at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina on Sunday. Winless in their last three matches, coach Usman Abdallah and his team were weighed down by the pressure of the new campaign, and he trusted the returning Musa with a place in the starting lineup. Making his third debut for Kano Pillars in the week five game, Musa justified Adballah’s confidence in him as it took him just four minutes to register…
VICTOR Osimhen has been left out of Nigeria’s squad for the doubleheader 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Libya. In the list released on Saturday, Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen omitted Osimhen due to injury concerns but named in-form Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman in the 23-man squad. The list contains regulars like skipper William Ekong, winger Moses Simon; Alex Iwobi; Stanley Nwabali, Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Victor Boniface among others. Defender Bright Osayi-Samuel returns to the side after missing the AFCON qualifiers against the Benin Republic and Rwanda in September. Playmaker Chidera Ejuke is also returning…
SUPER Eagles captain Ahmed Musa is in contention to make his third debut for former champions Kano Pillars when they host Sunshine Stars in a Nigeria Premier Football League match-day five fixture at the Muhammadu Dikko Stadium in Katsina on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Musa and Nigeria midfielder Shehu Abdullahi rejoined the Sai Masu Gidas on short-term contracts for the 2024/25 season. Both players were pictured at the training ground of the former champions on Thursday, preparatory to their home game against the Owena Waves. “Ahmed Musa, Shehu Abdullahi, Nazir Laja, and the rest of the squad trained ahead…
THE 2024 Annual General Assembly of the Nigeria Football Federation will hold today in Asaba, the Delta State capital. All delegates arrived yesterday in the Delta State capital for the meeting slated to be held at the Unity Hall of the Delta State Government House. The NFF Annual General Assembly is the biggest assemblage of football administrators and stakeholders in the country in a given year, and serves as the melting pot of interplay of ideas and eventual formulation of policies and rules and regulations that govern the administration and organization of the game nationally for the succeeding one year.…
THE Nigeria Football Federation will on Thursday (today) reel out the maiden nominees for the NFF Monthly Awards, which will be voted by fans and journalists, the body announced on Wednesday. With three categories of awards, the project is aimed at celebrating Nigerian players in the Nigeria Premier Football League and those plying their trades with foreign clubs. The categories are Player of the Month for male and female, Goal of the Month, and Discovery of the Month. “As football leagues across the globe resumed fully last month, the Nigeria Football Federation is proud to announce the launch of the…
NOVA Bank has reaffirmed its commitment to the well-being and interests of high-net-worth individuals by sponsoring the 27th Nigeria Cup Golf Tournament. Hosted at the prestigious Ikoyi Golf Club 1938, the annual tournament for 2024 took place from, September 21st, to Saturday, September 28th, 2024. The Nigeria Cup Golf Tournament, organized by the Ikoyi Golf Community Nigeria Association (IGCNA), showcased the remarkable talent of golfers and the sport’s capacity to foster connections across board. This year, Mr, Tayo Babalakin emerged as the Nigeria Cup 2024 Champion, clinching the title with a stunning 85 gross with Handicap (HCP) 19 = 66…
THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau, has reaffirmed his commitment to advancing Nigerian football as he pledged concerted efforts to take the sport to higher heights. The former Chairman of Zamfara State Football Association who was elected on September 30, 2022 clocked two years in office yesterday. Speaking as his two years anniversary, Gusau cited the existing peace in Nigerian football as one of his major achievements in office. He said the peaceful relationship atmosphere has contributed to the improved performances of both the men’s and women’s national teams. Gusau maintained that the Super Eagles’ second place…
JUVENTUS Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli says it took him four months to bring Victor Osimhen to Napoli from Lille in 2020 while working at the club in 2020. Signing the 25-year-old has never been on the knife’s edge for his suitors since announcing himself as one of the world’s reputable strikers at Lille, where he notched 13 goals in 27 matches from 2019 to 2020. Giuntoli, who outwitted other suitors to bring Osimhen to Napoli for around €75m, revealed his frustrations at the time during a chat with Corriere della Sera, adding that Napoli should have sold the African Player…