Southampton are currently at the bottom of the Premier League table but had just employed the services of the Nigerian international who is in good goalscoring form.
The 28-year-old signed a three-and-a-half year contract and made his debut for the club as a substitute in their 3-0 defeat at Brentford last weekend.
“It’s a huge challenge, not just for me but for everybody in the team. I’m going to give it all if I have the chance to play, and try to help the team to survive.”
Patrice Motsepe believes the Super Eagles have the potential to win the World Cup.
Nigeria have qualified for the World Cup six times with their best performance at the competition coming in 1994, 1998, and 2002 when the team reached the second round of the global football showpiece.
Despite not qualifying for the recently concluded edition in Qatar, the Confederation of African Football president is optimistic the three-time African champions can win the title.
“I am absolutely confident [because of] the talent, God-given skills, and history of Nigerian football. Nigeria is one of those countries that have the potential – not just to go to the semi-final, not just to go to the final, but to win the World Cup,” he told Channels Television.
The Super Eagles line up against Sao Tome and Principe. Twitter@Randa Andrew
To make this happen, the South African business tycoon says CAF has several programmes for its member countries.
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“To focus on youth football development, football facilities for boys and girls, amateur football, football development at club level, training coaches and training the trainers, the development of referees and very importantly, to make sure that we work together with the football federation in Nigeria so that they can continue the leadership that they have provided for many years,” Motseppe added.
“We are confident that Nigerian football will continue to be not just amongst the best in Africa but in the world and will make us proud as it has on so many occasions in the past. Our plan is to see Nigeria in the next World Cup.”
His comment came days after Morocco became the first African team (after only four teams from the continent have reached the quarter-final) to reach the semi-final of the quadrennial competition, a feat the billionaire said has opened the floodgate for the continent.
“Morocco opened the door by reaching the semi-finals this month and I am confident an African nation will go further at the next World Cup,” the chief said.
“The main objective of CAF (Confederation of African Football) is for an African nation to win the World Cup and that goal is within reach.”
When the World Cup returns in 2026, there will be nine or 10 African nations for an expanded 48-team championship in the United States, Canada, and Mexico — up from five in Qatar
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Morocco are the number one team in Africa and 11th in the World. Senegal at 19th, Tunisia at 30th, and Cameroon at 33rd complete the continent’s first five.
Overall, Brazil retained the top spot despite crashing out of the World Cup in the quarter-finals. They are followed by Argentina who claimed their third world title on Sunday. Runners-up France are back in third while Belgium and France complete the top five position.
Nigeria began the year placing 3rd on the continent and 32nd on the world stage. But a string of poor results saw the West Africans’ fortunes plummet.
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Going into the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as one of the favourites earlier in the year, the 1980 champions quickly cemented their status as one of the frontrunners for the continental diadem. They picked three wins in the group stage, amassing nine points in the process.
But the team broke the hearts of millions of Nigerian fans after a shocking defeat to Tunisia in the round of 16. The Carthage Eagles had qualified as one of the best third-placed teams and were ravaged by COVID-19 going into the clash with Nigeria.
While many were still seething from the AFCON heartbreak, the Super Eagles surrendered the 2022 World Cup ticket to rivals Ghana on the away goal rules. They played a goalless draw in the first leg of the playoff away before the Black Stars forced them to a 1-1 stalemate in the March double-header.
March’s World Cup disappointment was followed up by a ray of hope as Nigeria recorded its biggest win in football with a 10-0 trouncing of minnows Sao Tome and Principe in June under new coach Jose Peseiro.
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The bank also denied reports that it wants to close some deposit money banks in Nigeria over their inability to dispense new naira notes amid a cash crunch in the…
A cross-section of Nigerians on social media have reacted to Super Eagles’ international friendly 4-0 defeat to Portugal on Thursday night.
Noble Reporters Media reports that a first-half brace from Bruno Fernandes and a second-half goal each from Goncalo Ramos and Joao Mario gave Portugal the victory over Jose Peseiro’s side.
The match was played at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon.
Reacting to the development, some Nigerians on Twitter expressed sadness over the outcome of the result, thanking God that the Super Eagles did not qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, while others criticized Emmanuel Dennis for his display against Portugal.
Also, another section called for the sack of Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, while others singled out Bright Osayi-Samuel and Samuel Chukwueze as the only players that performed brilliantly against Portugal.
Here are some comments gathered from Twitter:
@Mohnice_, “You Look at how the Portugal vs Nigeria game is going on and you thank God the super eagles didn’t qualify for the world. Because I don’t think there is a team we can manage to beat with these bums called footballers.”
@IfeoluwaIsaac2, “Bruno Fernandes has forgotten most, or his fans are Nigerians… He’s singlehandedly tearing our National team apart.”
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@dezfootie, “Only positive for Nigeria in this 4-0 loss to Portugal is debutant Bright Osayi-Samuel. Faced with the daunting task of silencing PSG’s Nuno Mendes & he did so in brilliant fashion. Conceding & later winning a penalty.”
@Regular_NiceGuy, “The sad thing about the Portugal vs Nigeria match is that Nigerians don’t even have light to watch the match.”
@PoojaMedia, “Are “most” Super Eagles players overrated? Because why are we playing like this?”
@gyaigyimii, “The super eagles’ Twitter page stopped giving updates after halftime, why are you running???”
@sportingshina, “Peseiro is one of Pinnick’s legacies. The earlier we fire him now, the better for the Super Eagles. Man is tactically inept. Imagine it is Brazil, the super eagles are playing tonight.”
@biolakazeem, “The Super Eagles are completely broken. I struggle to remember a period when the players were so unremarkable & the team’s overall output in performance and results was so dire. They play like strangers & the lack of passion is startling. Wonder what the fix is.”
@IamDannyben, “See as Portugal turns our Super Eagles into super fowls.”
@zaMusbeyNe_, “Nigeria will not win anything with this squad. We need to stop calling unserious players to play for the Super Eagles.”
@NurudeenObalola, “Disgraceful performance by the Super Eagles vs Portugal. Only Osayi-Samuel & Chukwueze can hold their heads high. I don’t even understand where Dennis got his arrogance from. Fought everyone off, only to take a rubbish penalty. Time to enjoy the World Cup without these guys.”
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Buhari, according to a statement issued on Saturday night by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, will unveil the equipment at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Newly appointed coach of the Super Eagles, Jose Peseiro, brought three assistant coaches to the team, bringing the number of technical crew members to eight.
The Portuguese tactician, who came with fitness coach, Maykel Moreira, Acacio Santos and Vitor Hugo, held his first official meeting with the rest of the technical crew yesterday, shortly on arrival in the United States ahead of tomorrow’s international friendly match against Mexico and Equador.
The crew met together for the first time yesterday since Peseiro’s appointment. The Super Eagles technical crew comprises Head Coach, José Peseiro, Finidi George (First assistant coach) Salisu Yusuf (Second assistant coach), Usman Abdallah (Third assistant coach), Ike Shorunmu (Goalkeepers trainer), Maykel Moreira (Fitness coach), Acacio Santos (Assistant coach), Vitor Hugo (Analyst) and Eboboritse Uwejamomere (Analyst).
As at yesterday’s evening (Nigerian time), only 13 players were in the camp of the Super Eagles ahead of the games against Ecuador and Mexico. They include Adewale Adeyinka (Akwa United), Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC), Ibrahim Buhari (Plateau United), Chiamaka Madu (Rivers United) and Ishaq Rafiu (Rivers United).
Other players in camp are Victor Mbaoma (Enyimba FC), Faisal Sanni (Katsina United), Babatunde Bello (Akwa United), Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy), Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England), William Troost-Ekong (Watford FC, England), Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France) and Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England).
Seventeen players were still being expected to join the squad in the United States last night.
The Super Eagles will trade tackles with Qatar 2022 World Cup-bound South American and North American teams.
The game will be Peseiro’s first in charge of the Super Eagles after the NFF confirmed his appointment a few weeks ago.
Three-time African champions will tango with the El Tri at the AT & T Stadium in Dallas tomorrow, before flying to New Jersey to confront Ecuador at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison on Thursday, June 2.
The Super Eagles had their first training session at 6.00 p.m. (Dallas, Texas time) yesterday.
The Guild of Sports Editors, the umbrella body of managers of sports in the country’s major media organisations, has advised members of the executive committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to resign from their positions honourably and give the game chance to breathe.
Speaking on the backdrop of the country’s senior national football team, Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for Qatar 2022 World Cup, the editors said the board members would be doing the nation great injustice if they continued to misdirect Nigerian football after last Tuesday’s misadventure.
In a statement signed by the Guild’s Vice President, Adekunle Salami, the editors described the decision to sack members of Super Eagles’ technical crew as diversionary, adding that Nigerian football needs a clean break from the malaise of the last eight years.
“Nigerian football is bigger than any individual and should not be tied to the fortunes of anybody.
“The leadership of the current NFF has ridden on the back of Nigerian football to get to top positions in world football governing body, FIFA, to the detriment of the game.
“Nigerian football now needs total overhaul, from the lowest league to the national team and that can only happen when patriotic individuals, not self-seekers, are given opportunity to manage the game.
“We call on the National Assembly, Federal Government, and especially, Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, to begin the process of cleansing the football house.
“Tuesday’s failure is one of the results of poor decision making, dishonest deployment of men and materials, as well as avarice that have eaten deep into the fabrics of the NFF.
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“We ask, therefore, that every executive member of the federation should resign honourably;
“All the back room staff, including Super Eagles secretary, team manager and protocol officer, among other officers, who have spent more than 10 years in office, must be redeployed to allow for fresh ideas.”
The editors accused the current leadership of the NFF of killing Nigeria’s football, saying many of the board members use their positions to fulfil personal interests. The Guild also recalls that the Algeria Football Federation (AFF) President, Sharafeddine Emara, resigned after his country failed to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup following the 2-1 defeat suffered against Cameroun at home last week.
“It is unfortunate that the NFF has killed the local league to such an extent that no player from the domestic game is deemed capable of playing for the Super Eagles.
“The junior national teams, which, hitherto, was a nursery for the Super Eagles, no longer produce quality youngsters because of the corruption that has killed the age grade teams.”
Christopher made his debut for the Super Eagles in 2001 and went on to accumulate 11 appearances.
He was part of the Nigerian squad that went to the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan.
Christopher began his senior career at Katsina United in 1999. Following spells at Sharks and Bendel Insurance, he moved to Belgium in 2001 when he signed for Royal Antwerp.
He also played for Levski Sofia in Bulgaria, Swedish club Trelleborgs FF, Alania Vladikavkaz in Russia and Herfølge BK in Denmark before announcing his retirement from football at the end of the 2006/2007 season.
He, however, returned and signed for Nasarawa United in October 2012. He has been with the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) club ever since
While the Super Eagles played a 4-4 with the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone after leading 4-0 in Benin City, Edo State, it went on to play a goalless draw with the team in Freetown.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, has hinted at relieving the Super Eagles’ manager, Gernot Rohr, of his duties.
Dare’s reservation was due to the national team’s lacklustre performance against Sierra Leone in their doubleheader AFCON 2022 qualifier.
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Dare tweeted on his Twitter handle on Wednesday: “The performance of the Super Eagles from their last two matches calls to question the suitability and competences of Technical Adviser, Rohr.
The Leone Stars are yet to record a victory in the group but their massive turnaround in the first fixture against the Nigerian side gives the home team a huge psychological advantage in the second leg.
Sierra Leone vs Nigeria will see the Leone Stars attempt to live up to their dramatic 4-4 comeback to record a win over the Super Eagles in Freetown.
Despite giving away four goals to the Sierra Leonean side at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, the three-time African champions still lead Group L with seven points, one ahead of Benin.
Nigeria led Sierra Leone by 4-0 only for the Leone Stars to come back and force the Super Eagles to a 4-4 draw.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is battling to bring sanity to Super Eagles camp over ‘the bad blood’ generated by Friday’s 4-4 draw the Nigerian team recorded against Sierra Leone in an African Cup of Nations qualifier.
Nigeria led Sierra Leone by 4-0 only for the Leone Stars to come back and force the Super Eagles to a 4-4 draw.
At the end of the game, many of the players and some back room staff blamed Rohr for the draw, accusing the German of ignoring their counsel in game management.
An NFF top official, who pleaded anonymity, said the federation’s president, Amaju Pinnick, had to intervene when it looked like some players and coaches were trying to mutiny against Rohr over the way he is handling the team.
Relating to an incident during the match when skipper Ahmed Musa had to confront Rohr for making bad changes in the course of the game, the source said many of the senior players accused the German of not understanding the flow of the game and therefore could not make effective changes.
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“The Sierra Leonean coach made three changes that turned the game on its head, while Rohr reduced the effectiveness of our team by some curious decisions.
“The worst part is that he did not seek any of his coaches opinion before the game. He only wrote some things on a paper and passed to our team secretary, Dayo Enebi, who then submitted names for substitutions. “Rohr said some of the players were not mentally ripe for national team games, yet he keeps inviting these players.
“The way things stand, if the NFF president fails to bring sanity to the camp, we could witness worse performance in Freetown,” he said.
The source also said some of the senior players have started questioning Rohr’s competence, arguing the German has not been able to lift the team above the 2017 level.
Osimhen scored one of the goals in a dramatic 4-4 draw with Sierra Leone, who recovered from four goals down in Benin City on Friday, but was later substituted after hurting his shoulder.
Napoli striker Victor Osimhen will miss Tuesday’s Africa Cup of Nations return qualifier against Sierra Leone in Freetown after he dislocated his shoulder in the first game, according to Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr.
He has since been discharged from hospital, but Rohr said he will not be available for the rematch in Sierra Leone.
“He is out of the match after he dislocated his shoulder,” Rohr disclosed.
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Osimhen, 21, has scored four goals in three Nations Cup qualifiers.
However, the Super Eagles coach said he is confident both Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze and Leon Balogun from Scottish club Rangers will be fit for the match in Freetown.
“Balogun was replaced after he got injured, he did not train today but he will be okay, while Chukwueze has a little pain around the groin, but we hope to have him back,” he assured.
Club Brugge forward Emmanuel Dennis is the other injury doubt after he injured his ankle in training.
Coach Gernot Rohr is using the friendlies to put his team in good shape for the forthcoming AFCON and World Cup qualifiers and to also see what the new boys will bring to his team.
Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr will be watching out for the players among the new recruits who can make the national team stronger when Nigeria meets Algeria in an international friendly in Austria today. The German will file out a team complete with a new trio of goalkeepers and up to five players looking to play their way into the heart of the national team selectors.
The Eagles will play without striker Victor Osimhen, midfielders Oghenekaro Etebo and Wilfred Ndidi, Joe Aribo, and regular goalkeepers Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, and Daniel Akpeyi. Vying to impress in their positions are goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Dele Alampasu, and Mathew Yakubu. Also on the verge of making their Super Eagles debut are Cyril Dessers, Chidera Ejuke, Zaidu Sanusi, Frank Onyeka, Samson Tijani, and former Germany U-20 captain, Kevin Akpoguma.
The Super Eagles last training session indicated that Everton midfielder, Alex Iwobi could be supported in the midfield by new kid, Frank Onyeka, and returnee, Mikel Agu.
Apart from the new boys, Kelechi Iheanacho and Tyrone Ebuehi are back in the team hoping to do enough in this game and Tuesday’s match against Tunisia to earn a permanent position in the squad.
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Iheanacho was left out of the team to the 2019 African Cup of Nations because of poor form while Ebuehi is coming back from more than one-year injury-induced absence.
Algeria, who have a second game against Mexico in The Netherlands on Tuesday, come into today’s game not only as of the champions of Africa but also on the back of an 18-match unbeaten run.
They have not lost on the pitch since they were bumped by the odd goal in an AFCON 2019 qualifier away in the Benin Republic in October 2018.
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Two years earlier, they were beaten 3-1 by the Super Eagles in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Uyo. Both teams ended the return leg in Constantine 1-1, though the Eagles had already picked the only World Cup ticket from the group ahead of that final encounter.
Djamel Belmadi, the former Algerian international who coached his country to a second continental title in Egypt last year, has included standout names Riyad Mahrez, Yassine Brahimi, Sofiane Feghouli, and Baghdad Bounedjah in his 24-man squad to confront the three-time African champions.
The game, like Tuesday’s, will kick off at 8.30pmAustria time (7.30pmNigeria time).
The match, earlier scheduled to hold at the Jacques Lemmans Arena in the Austrian state of Carinthia, which contains only 2,420 spectators, has now been moved to Worthersee Stadium in Klagenfurt, with 30,000 seating capacity.
No reason was given for the change in the match venue.
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The Super Eagles trained only ones yesterday ahead of the clash against scheduled to kick-off by 7:30 p.m. Nigerian time.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles have dismissed reports in some quarters that some of the players in the team’s Austria camp have tested positive for COVID-19 as reported by a section of the media yesterday. The report said four players tested positive for the deadly COVID-19 and had to undergo another round of testing.
Super Eagles Media Officer, Toyin Ibitoye, expressed dismay over such reports, noting that results of the tests carried out on the players were being awaited yesterday.
He wondered how the players could test positive for the virus without the result of their tests.
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“Please discountenance reports that some of our players tested positive to COVID-19 ahead of tomorrow’s friendly game against Algeria. It is a blatant falsehood.”
“The writer of the story, who was not part of the press conference earlier today, totally misrepresented what Coach Rohr said.
“Rohr said that since the outbreak of the pandemic, four of our players had tested positive, but we’re all now fully recovered from the virus and back in action.
“The results of the COVID-19 tests carried out on the Super Eagles ahead of tomorrow’s game are still being awaited,” Ibitoye said.
Italian side, Napoli have signed Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, the club confirmed in a statement on Friday.
“Welcome to Napoli, Victor, ” the club said on their Twitter handle while confirming the arrival of the Nigerian from French side, Lille.
“Can’t wait to put on this iconic jersey, thank you for the warm welcome @sscnapoli #forzanapolisempre,” the player tweeted following the confirmation of his switch.
Although no official fee was announced for the signing of the 21-year-old striker, several sources claim the deal is worth over $96 million (81.3m Euros) which makes the forward the most expensive African player of all time.
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Osimhen’s move to the Gli Azzurri trumps the prize Arsenal paid for Ivory Coast forward, Nicolas Pepe last year.
Last term, the former Charleroi (from where he moved to France) man scored 18 goals in all games for Lille and has been linked with a move to Naples in recent times.
His stellar showing for the French side saw him winning the Lille Player of the Season just as he made it to Ligue 1’s team for the 2019/2020 campaign.
The Edo-born footballer came into limelight after he helped the Nigerian U-17 team win the 2015 World Cup in Chile, scooping the Golden Boot and Silver Ball awards.
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During the competition, he struck 10 times after which he bagged Africa’s Youth Player of the Year for 2015.
He immediately joined German side, Wolfsburg following his exploits in the cadet competition, turning down Arsenal of England.
Thereafter, he teamed up with Charleroi in Belgium, initially on loan, after a barren spell with the Bundesliga outfit.
Since his debut for the senior national team in June 2017, he has played 10 matches and bagged four goals.
Newly-promoted English Premier League side, West Bromwich Albion have nominated Super Eagles defender, Semi Ajayi, for the club’s Player of the Year award for 2020.
Ajayi, 26, teamed up with the Baggies in the summer of 2019 from League Two side, Rotherham United, going ahead to becoming a mainstay in the side’s defence.
The Nigerian scored five goals in 43 league matches for Slaven Bilić’s side to help them gain promotion to the English topflight after they finished second behind Leeds United.
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“One historic campaign. Promotion to the Premier League secured. But there are still important matters to wrap up from the memorable 2019/20 season,” the club said on its website.
It added, “Voting is now open for the Ideal Boilers Supporters’ Player of the Season award – your opportunity to crown Albion’s star man in this promotion-winning year.”
Slide to see images
Ajayi, alongside 14 others, will be vying for the prize with the shortlist including players who featured in at least 23 matches for the Baggies in the Championship.
They include Sam Johnstone, Darnell Furlong, Hal Robson-Kanu, Kyle Bartley, Filip Krovinović, Jake Livermore, and Matt Phillips.
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Other contenders for the award are Matheus Pereira, Conor Townsend, Charlie Austin, Romaine Sawyers, Kyle Edwards, and Grady Diangana.
In April, Ajayi was included in the FIFA 20’s Ultimate Championship Team of the Season alongside Super Eagles prospect, Ebere Eze who plays for Queens Park Rangers (QPR).
Semi who narrowly missed out of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) where Nigeria clinched the bronze medal, took to his Instagram handle to celebrate the feat.
“Humbled to have been included in the EFL Team of The Season So Far Thank you for all of your support this season,” the Baggies defender wrote on the social media platform.
The first African coach to win a European league title Emmanuel Ndubuisi Egbo believes the Super Eagles of Nigeria can challenge for the FIFA World Cup trophy.
Coach Egbo who won the Albanian top-flight league title with KF Tirana with two games left and qualified the team for the UEFA Champions League, made history by becoming the first from the continent to achieve such feat.
The 46-year-old who was a guest on Media TV (known to Noble Reporters Media) described his success as a celebration for all Africans.
“I believe it’s not just a celebration for me, it’s a celebration for all Africans, all Nigerians, all the black race everywhere.
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“They are responsible for this wonderful amazing feat we succeeded in doing far away from my home country in a foreign land.
“It is still sinking down because I was doing my job just to train my team to try to win the league after 11 years away not winning the league and I didn’t know until when we won the league that when the news open and then I got to know that I am the first African, the first Nigerian to do this feat and it has been a wonderful time,” He said.
After winning the title, coach Egbo says he is hungry for more success and his attention now is to win the last two league games of the season and also clinch the FA Cup, a title KF Tirana last won in 1999.
“We are not celebrating yet; we still have two games in the league to finish and then we will receive the medal and the trophy on the 29th of this month and then we have the finals of the FA Cup on the 2nd of August so I’m still in a celebratory mood but I want to win the doubles,” he said.
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The former Super Eagles goalkeeper took charge of KF Tirana when the club was in eight position after two managers failed to turn around the fortunes of the club.
Prior to his appointment, the Nigerian has been with the club for six years as an assistant coach and goalkeeper trainer.
Having won the league title, league cup and super cup with the team as a player, his desire was to win a title for the team.
He revealed, “ I know how I felt winning it as a player though it was not an easy task; the team was in the relegation zone, we were down and out psychologically and otherwise, our turnaround was winning the derby and went on to win 16 games with just a draw, a record in the league.”
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He is now looking forward to extending his contract with the club.
“I was given three games in December pending on the appointment of another coach, normally that’s what I do anytime a coach is sack I come in as a caretaker. When I won all three games, they said it can’t be possible to bring another coach since none of their previous coaches have won three consecutive games and so I was given the job until the end of the season.
“We are now in discussion for a new contract before the end of the season we will hear another news about renewing or extending the contract.’’
Coaching is a very tasking job and doing it in a foreign country comes with many obstacles, as a result, former players are more comfortable with taking a coaching job with the national teams but for coach Egbo, overcoming the challenges must come with sacrifice, hard work and belief.
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“It is not that they won’t have problems or issues, but they need to believe in themselves because that’s very important. The more they try to stop you, you have to give more confidence to yourself to do more,” he added.
“That’s exactly what happened to me, it was not an easy task for me, being a foreigner and also being a black coach. Though I had wonderful support from the fans, but as they said in every 12, there is always a Judah.
“There are people who don’t want you to achieve anything or succeed but those are the people that help you more if you take the positives out of their criticism you don’t need to allow it to bring you down, fight more to prove that you can do it. If I can do it, then any African coach can do it.”
Coach Egbo represented Nigeria 12 times and was part of the team that featured in the 2000 and 2002 Africa Cup of Nations where the Super Eagles won silver and bronze respectively.
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He is open to coaching the national team and feels the Eagles should go to the World Cup with the aim of winning the trophy.
“I’m 100% Nigerian even though I have a European passport. I got everything in Nigeria and I played at the highest level so anytime I’m called upon to come and help, to raise the football of my country up, I will be here because I want us one day to be challenging to win the World Cup.
“I’m always open; we can never say never to our country, it’s like a military service that anytime we are called, upon we have to do it for our country,” he explained.
Denmark-based striker Paul Onuachu fired home from outside the box to score the only goal of the game.
Super Eagles and Genk forward Paul Onuachu has tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday.
The striker has returned to Belgium amid the relaxation of lockdown in major cities across the globe.
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As gathered by NobleSport, the Smurfs were subjected to a Covid-19 test in the build-up to Thursday’s preseason game against Eendracht Termien with only the Nigerian testing positive.
“In the run-up to the first exhibition game of the season, the entire Genk group was tested yesterday. Everyone tested negative except Onuachu,”
“Onuachu returned from Nigeria with a delay because airspace over Nigeria remained closed for a long time.
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“Racing Genk will play its first exhibition game of the new season against Eendracht Termien tomorrow, but there is quite a bit of concern within the Genk player group. They have been training intensively with Onuachu for more than a week now.
Super Eagles Striker, Paul Onuachu
“For the time being, the match against Termien will continue as planned. Last weekend, a friendly game of Waasland-Beveren against KV Mechelen was canceled after a positive corona test with a player from Waasland-Beveren.”
He is expected to join the team when he fully recovers from the disease.
Onuachu made his Super Eagles debut against Egypt in a friendly and has now featured six times for the three-time African champions.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Wednesday announced that it has concluded all contractual agreements with Gernot Rohr to remain the coach of the country’s national team.
“I’m happy to announce that the NFF and Coach Gernot Rohr have concluded all contractual discussions and he will stay on as Coach of the Super Eagles,” NFF president Amaju Pinnick said in a statement.
“We have always had confidence in his abilities and we are confident that the national team can only go higher from here.”
The German gaffer was first appointed Super Eagles coach in August 2016 in a three years contract after Sunday Oliseh was sacked by the NFF.
He won his first game in charge of the Nigerian national team with a 1 – 0 win over Tanzania in Uyo, Akwa Ibo State Nigeria.
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On 7 October 2017, he led Nigeria to become the first African side to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after a 1–0 win against Zambia. On 17 July 2019, Rohr led Nigeria to a third-place finish at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
Since the country’s exit from the 2019 AFCON tournament in Egypt, talks about his contract renewal had hit the woodwork in separate times.
Rohr’s major criticism by many Nigerians was his alleged attitude to local players from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NFPL).
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His critics argued that there should be a mandatory clause to play local players in his new contract if renewed. It is, however, unknown if such condition was in the renewed contract.
Despite the many reasons stated by Rohr’s critics, Pinnick said he “never lost confidence in Gernot Rohr’s ability to take our football forward and I’m convinced our football will only get better from here on.”
Pinnick disclosed that qualification for the next World Cup in Qatar and winning the next AFCON competition are the conditions given to the Super Eagles coach.
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“In truth, these are sacrosanct and Coach Rohr is aware of these conditions. Like the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development has rightly noted; we are uncompromising in these goals,” Pinnick said.
“With the distraction of the contract talks out of the way now, we can now face our football on the pitch, totally.”
QPR attacker and Tottenham transfer target Eberechi Eze has opened up about his difficult decision whether to pursue an international career with England or Nigeria.
Eze is one of the most highly-rated talents in the Championship, and has scored 12 goals in 37 league appearances this season for the R’s.
So impressive has his form been this term that he has been tipped with a move across London to Spurs.
However, it doesn’t look like which club he plays for is Eze’s main concern right now, as he faces a dilemma about which nation to represent.
The £9 million-rated prospect has played for England in youth football, but qualifies to represent Nigeria due to his African ancestry.
Back in 2017, Eze trained with the Super Eagles, while they were in London, an experience he says he enjoyed.
But he insisted he doesn’t want to rush into a decision as he weighs up more playing time with Nigeria or potential European success with England.
“I’m very happy to be part of England’s youth setup right now, but I enjoyed training with Nigeria,” Eze told FourFourTwo.
“It’s a privilege to be involved with both, but I don’t want to make a decision yet – I just need to focus on QPR.”
Eze went on to discuss the areas of improvements he was to see in his game in the future.
And despite usually playing in attacking-midfield or on the wing, the 21-year-old said he wants to help out his backline more by improving his positioning when it comes to tracking back.
“Defensively, I could be better,” Eze added.
“It’s the last thing I want to do, as an attacking player, but my positioning when we lose the ball would help with that.
“Top players today need to be well-rounded – attackers don’t get away with being passengers. I’ve realised that more than ever this season.”
Super Eagles of Nigeria has moved four places higher in the February FIFA rankings released, now occupying the 31st position in the world and are third in Africa.
The latest rankings were released on Wednesday, where Senegal remains the best on the continent and 20th in the world, while Tunisia moved up to 27th position.
Algeria (35th) and Morocco (43rd) complete the top five in Africa. Globally, Belgium remains the highest-ranked country in the world. France is in the second spot, while Brazil, England, and Uruguay make up the top five.
The Nigeria national football team, represents Nigeria in men’s international football nicknamed as the Super Eagles and it’s governed by the Nigeria Football Federation. They are three-time Africa Cup of Nations winners, with their most recent title in 2013, after defeating Burkina Faso in the final.
American sportswear giant, NIKE, has unveiled a new ‘Swoosh’ design for the Super Eagles ahead of their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations match-day three home qualifying encounter against Sierra Leone
Nigeria New Kit 2020
The ‘swoosh’ design comes as a worthy successor to the very ‘successful’ 2018 world cup kit that was much beloved by Super Eagles supporters.
Nike enjoyed unprecedented success with their previous Super Eagles design, which became one of the best selling jerseys in the company’s history following its release ahead of the 2018 World Cup.
The next stage of the World Cup qualifier will commence on March 23, 2020. The draw will be conducted on January 21.
New 2020 kits for Nigeria: Home kit’s hand drawn design fuses the traditional aesthetic of an agbada robe w/ modern football design. Away kit trim is inspired by Onaism. Broader collection of Super Eagles apparel includes a poncho, vest, dress, & more. pic.twitter.com/ia0SdTs0vD
Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo will wear the number 25 jersey for Manchester United as the club prepares to unleash him against Chelsea after the winter break.
Odion Ighalo to wear No 25 for Manchester United as the Nigerian striker prepares for possible debut against Chelsea
The club on Tuesday posted a video of his new jersey number on it’s official Twitter handle, urging fans to buy the new jersey as it had been added to the club’s shop.
The shirt has not been in use since full back Antonio Valencia departed the Red Devils last summer.
Ighalo, a childhood Manchester United fan set to earn N62m weekly at the club, was signed for £3m from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua on loan for 6 months.
Victor Moses has signed for Inter Milan on a loan deal with an option to buy from Chelsea. NobleSport report
Moses is reuniting with former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte, who he played a starring role for in the 2016-17 Premier League winning season.
The Nigerian winger spent the first half of the season at Turkish club Fenerbahce.
Conte used Moses as a right wing back after he changed the team’s formation to a 3-4-3 following early-season defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal.
The Italian coach has been scouting the Premier League to find the best players to fit his style of football and Moses is the fourth to arrive after former Manchester United trio Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez (on loan) and Ashley Young.
Victor Moses
Conte’s side also agreed on an option to buy Moses for €12m.
Moses is now embarking on his fifth loan move since joining Chelsea in 2012, it follows spells at Liverpool, Stoke, West Ham, Fenerbahce and Inter Milan.
Ex-Super Eagles of Nigeria winger, Victor Moses has arrived in Italy to undergo a medical with Inter Milan after the Serie A club agreed to sign him on loan from Chelsea with a view to making the deal permanent at £8.5million.
The 29-year-old who cut short his loan spell at Turkish side Fenerbahce arrived in Milan on Monday night to finalize the deal.
Piero Ausilio, Inter sports director confirmed in a statement that an agreement has been reached between the Italian club and Chelsea.
‘We’ve reached an agreement with Chelsea for Victor Moses. Olivier Giroud is a possibility if we sell a striker.’
Victor Moses, who started his football career with Crystal Palace, played for Wigan before Chelsea signed him and loaned him to Liverpool, Stoke City, West Ham United, and Fenerbahçe.
Super Eagles of Nigeria star, Oghenekaro Etebo has completed a move from Eglish club, Stoke City to Getafe in Spain.
The 24-year-old midfielder joined Getafe on a loan deal until the end of the current season. In the deal, the Madrid-based club has an option to sign him permanently. NobleSport learnt
Sharing photos from his presentation, Etebo wrote: ‘New chapter So happy to start My New Year with a Great Team @getafecf Also want to use this opportunity to appreciate my Fans for their Effort and Support.’
Noble Reporters Media 