Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo on Wednesday welcomed Super Eagles goalkeper, Ojo Olorunleke, team manager, Dayo Enebi Anchor and chief security officer, Frank Adejoh to his private residence in Lokoja.

The visit was in honor of the Super Eagles’ gallant performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Olorunleke, Enebi and Adejoh are all indigenes of Kogi State.

It would be recalled that the Super Eagles finished second at the AFCON 2023 finals after losing 2-1 to hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the final.

Olorunleke, who plays for Nigeria Premier Football League champions, Enyimba was the Super Eagles’ third-choice goalkeeper at the competition. The shot-stopper was also the only local player in the squad.

His wife, Tosin Olorunleke accompanied him to the governor’s residence.

It would be recalled that President Bola Tinubu on the 13th of February, honoured each player and official of the Nigerian Super Eagles with the Member of The Order of The Niger national award for securing the silver medal at the just-concluded 2023 Africa Nations Cup.

The President also announced the donation of a flat and a plot of land to each of them, of which Olorunleke Ojo is also a recipient.

The preliminary draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has been held today at the Confederations of African Football headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

The draw followed the conclusion of the 34th edition of the competition hosted by Ivory Coast.

The draws pitched together 8 lowest ranked teams in the continent, Somalia, Djibouti, Sao Tome, Chad, Mauritius, South Sudan, Liberia and Eswatini.

These four matches will take place between March 20 and 26 in the form of two-way matches (home and away).

The four winners will advance to the group stage of qualifying for CAN 2025 , a phase for which 44 selections are already automatically qualified.

The president of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), Idriss Diallo, has officially appointed Emerse Faé as the head coach of the Elephants.

Faé, a former Ivorian international, had been serving as interim coach since the departure of Jean-Louis Gasset during the 2023 AFCON.

Idriss Diallo, speaking at the announcement made at the offices of mobile operator Orange Côte d’Ivoire, a partner of FIF, emphasized the significance of Faé’s confirmation, highlighting traits such as resilience, loyalty, and commitment.

“Emerse Faé was the interim coach. He is now the confirmed coach. I wanted to announce it here (at Orange) to mark the symbolism. That of resilience, loyalty, commitment (…) And with Emerse Faé, the new boss of the Elephants, that’s what we intend to do 100%,” said Diallo as reported by KOACI.

Thrust into the helm of the Elephants following Gasset’s departure, Faé defied skepticism by implementing a successful system, leading Ivory Coast to the top of Africa. This remarkable achievement owes much to the contributions of Haller-Adingra, instrumental in the team’s third continental triumph for the Séléfanto.

However, the duration of the contract is still unknown.

The traditional ruler of Mgbede community in Egbema Kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Nzeobi Evaristus Amida, has conferred on Stanley Nwabali, the title Ugo Egbema “The Pride of Egbema Kingdom” following his heroics performance at the 2023 AFCON.

Nzeobi Evaristus Amuda, who is also the chairman Onelga council of chiefs, said the title conferred on Nwabali is in recognition of the honour the goalkeeper has brought to Egbema Kingdom and ONELGA following his performance for the Super Eagles.

It would be recalled that his sterling performance of Nwabali also earned him the National Awards of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) by President Bola Tinubu during the presidential reception for Super Eagles at the State House, Abuja on Tuesday.

However, the executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, on Friday, announced a N20million reward for Nwabali and also bestowed him with the honor of Distinguished Service Star of Rivers State.

Governor Fubara also gifted a whopping 30 million naira to the Super Eagles’ crew who were present at the occasion.

Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum has invited 21 players for the team’s 2024 Olympic Games qualifier against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon.

Waldrum will take charge of the Super Falcons for the first time since the Round of 16 clash against the Three Lionesses of England at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Waldrum’s contract with the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, ended last summer and talks over a new deal have dragged on for several months.

His assistant, Justin Maduagu, has been in charge of the Super Eagles since then.

However, Waldrum and the NFF have agreed on a contract extension.

The duo of Ashleigh Plumptre and Halimatu Ayinde are also making a return to the team after last featuring for the Super Falcons at the World Cup.

This fixture is the third round of the African qualifying series and the penultimate round of the series before the continent’s flag-bearers to the 2024 Olympics are known ahead of the Games in five months’ time.

Fierce rivals Nigeria and Cameroon will battle it out in the first leg of the fixture at the Stade de la Reunification in Douala, Cameroon on Friday next week (23rd February), with Ugandan official Shamirah Nabadda as referee. Her compatriots Lydia Nantabo, Jane Mutonyi and Diana Murungi will serve as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively. Khadija Rezzag from Morocco will be the referee assessor while Lukusa Kanjinga from Democratic Republic of Congo will be the commissioner.

For the second leg match in Nigeria, taking place at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Monday, 26th February, CAF has appointed Namibian official Ndemugwanitha Twanyanyukwa as referee, with her compatriots Eveline Augustinus, Olivia Amukuu and Vistoria Shangula in the roles of assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.

Alice Wangari Kimani from Kenya will serve as referee assessor while Christine Ziga from Ghana will be the commissioner.

Former Nigerian international, Peter Rufai says he’s delighted that Super Eagles goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali has solved the country’s goalkeeping crisis after his impressive display at the just concluded 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Recall that Nwabali’s remarkable performances played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s journey to the tournament final, earning accolades from both far and near, with former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Rufai, fondly called Dodo Mayana hailing the Chippa United star’s contributions.

The former Enyimba shot-stopper also set a new record for the most minutes without conceding a goal by a Nigerian goalkeeper at the afcon, going 493 minutes across six games.

In an interview with TVC News Nigeria, the 1994 AFCON winner stated that after assessing Nwabali in the first game against Equatorial Guinea, he was impressed with his general command of his 18-yard box.

“In the commencement of the AFCON, the first match against Equatorial Guinea, that was my first time seeing Stanley Nwabali.

“Immediately I assessed his performance, his movement, communication, composure and I immediately said to myself Nigeria has been able to solve this problem, the yearning of Nigeria getting a better goalkeeper for the Super Eagles.

“Nwabali in that first match [against Equatorial Guinea] satisfied me and I was happy with what I saw, Nigerians were happy with what they saw as well but it didn’t just end there,” he stated.

Following the conclusion of the 34th edition of the African Cup of Nations, the Confederation of African Football ( CAF) through its Technical Study Group has released the Team of the Tournament.

Expectedly Super Eagles defender and stand-in Captain Williams Troost-Ekong who was named the player of the tournament made the list.

Atalanta winger, Ademola Lookman was one of Nigeria’s best performers in the competition.

Lookman registered three goals in seven appearances for Nigeria in Cote d’Ivoire.

Ola Aina showcased his defensive prowess for the Super Eagles to be named in the competition’s Best X1.

Hosts Cote d’Ivoire, the new African champions, have three names in the Best Xl: Ghislan Konan, Jean Michael Seri and Franck Kessie. Kessie’s goal in the final helped the home side to secure the title.

It was also a memorable tournament for Bafana Bafana, who finished third, their greatest result in 24 years.

Bafana captain Ronwen Williams was chosen Goalkeeper of the Tournament and was named alongside teammates Teboho Mokoena to the official Tournament Team.

Equatorial Guinea captain Emilio Nsue who won the Golden Boot with five goals, was named alongside Yoane Wissa from DR Congo and Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman to bring flair and potency to the forward line.

DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba was named to Marshall the backline with Ekong.

The number citizens of the federal republic of Nigeria, president Bold Ahmed Tinubu has awarded Super Eagles players and their officials national honours following the team’s impressive performance showing at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

The president honor each members of the team with a national honor, a Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), a flat, and a plot of land in the Federal Capital Territory for finishing second at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations concluded in Cote d’Ivoire.

The Super Eagles lost 2-1 to the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the AFCON 2023 on Sunday.

The Super Eagles won five, drew one, and lost one of seven matches, scoring five and conceding three goals to emerge runners-up at the 34th edition of the continental football showpiece.

President Tinubu, who received the team at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja, said he is proud of them and applauded their resilience and for lifting the spirit of the country.

He admitted it is not easy to get over a loss and that the Super Eagles demonstrated sportsmanship and a can-do spirit.

“Let this passing event not dispirit us but bring us together to work harder. We are a great nation bound as one by the green-white-green banner of resilience, joy, hope, duty, and untiring love,” he said.

“To those cherished Nigerian youths expressing their gifts in communities, drawing lines in the sand as they play football in their humble rectangles of play, you can be our heroes tomorrow, do not relent in your pursuit. My administration is here to make dreams come true.”

President Tinubu described defender and vice captain William Ekong, named Player of the Tournament, as a ‘warrior’ and named Africa Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen as ‘Trojan horse’. He praised the Federal Ministry of Sports and the Nigeria Football Federation for their efforts in preparing the team for glory.
 
Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh described President Tinubu as the biggest sports-supporting President that Nigeria has ever had, and lauded the Nigeria Football Federation for ensuring that for the first time in a long time, Nigeria has returned from a major sporting competition without any crisis or complaints of any kind by the athletes.

Sunshine Stars of Akure is set to unveiled Kennedy Boboye as their head coach.

According to the media officer of the club, Mike Akintunde, the former Akwa United coach will be presented to the fans on Tuesday.

Boboye takes charge from Edith Agoye who was sacked following the Owena Waves poor end to the first half of the season.

Boboye managed Sunshine Stars in 2015, before joining Abia Warriors, spending a season in Umuahia.

The former Sharks FC player had spells with Plateau United, Remo Stars, Akwa United and Heartland FC.

The 50-year-old tactician is one of the most respected coaches in the league. Boboye won the NPFL title with Plateau United and Akwa United in the past.

Also, 2013 AFCON winner, Godfrey Oboabona will be unveiled as a new addition to the team’s squad.

Oboabona made his international debut for Nigeria in 2012 and was part of the Super Eagles squad that won afcon in 2013, led by late coach Stephen Keshi, Oboabona previously played for Sunshine Stars between 2010 and 2013 before moving to Caykur Rizespor.

The 33-year-old has been without a club since leaving Georgian side, Dinamo Batumi in 2020.

The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, has announced a new date for the commencement of the second stanza of the 2023/2024 season.

The date change was conveyed to the clubs through a letter dated February 9, 2024, which was signed by Davidson Owumi and addressed to club chairmen and general managers.

“This is to formally notify all clubs that the new date for Matchday 20, initially scheduled for February 14, 2024, is now the weekend of Friday, February 16, 2024, to Sunday, February 18, 2024,” reads part of the letter.

The decision, according to the league governing body, was to ensure sporting fairness for all by not having any club with an array of fixtures from the first round.

In a statement on February 1, 2024, the NPFL initially announced the postponement of the kick-off date for the second stanza of the 2023–24 season, which was initially fixed for January 4, 2024.

The Guinea-Bissau Football Federation has decided to part ways with Baciro Cande, the head coach of Djurtus, after a woeful performance from the African wild dogs at the afcon.

The Guineans crashed out of the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast at the group stage after losing all their matches in Group A.

A similar thing also happened in 2021 under the same coach and the football federation believed it was time for change.

Meanwhile, Cande has been in charge of the team since 2017 and the only achievement he had was qualifying the team for the successive AFCON finals.

Coach Bankole Olowookere’s Flamingos have advanced into the third round of the 2024 FIFA U-17 women’s World Cup qualifiers after thrashing Central African Republic 6-0, in the second leg on Friday at the MKO Abiola stadium, Abuja.

The Nigeria girls secured a comfortable 0-6 away win over the Central African Republic in Douala Cameroon last weekend.

The result means the Flamingos got through 12-0 on aggregate.

At the Federal Capital territory, Abuja Harmony Chidi gave the Nigerian team the lead in the 2nd minute and added the second in the 14th minute.

In the 36th minute, Ojiyovwi made it 3-0 before Kareem added the fourth and fifth goals on 55 and 85 minutes respectively.

However, Harmony completed her hat-trick when she struck in the 90th minute.

Three teams will represent Africa at this year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Dominican Republic.

The competition will run from October 16 to November 3, 2024.

It would be recalled that Nigeria finished third at the last edition of the World Cup hosted by India.

Bankole Olowookere’s side is still waiting for their final-round opponent.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the match officials for the much-awaited 2023 African Cup of Nations final between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the host Ivory Coast.

According to the update from the African football governing body, Mauritania’s Dahane Beida has been appointed as the center referee for the game.

Jerson Emiliano Dos Santos ( Angola) will be the assistant referee I and Diana Chicotesha as assistant referee II.

Meanwhile, Karboui Bouchra of Morocco will serve as the 4th official in the encounter.

Mahmoud Ashour will be the head of the Video Assistant Referee and will be assisted by Rivet Maria Pakuita.

The game is slated to take place at the Alasanne Quatarra Stadium on Sunday, 9 pm Nigeria time.

The hammer of the African soccer governing body continued to fall on the match officials who failed to perform their duty diligently.

Just before the quarter-final of the competition, some referees were sent home for their inability to live up to the expectation.

The football body in the early hours of Wednesday had decided to send home again Algeria referee Mustapha Ghorbal.

Ghorbal was asked to go because it was discovered that he made too many errors in the game between Leopard of DR Congo and Syli National of Guinea.

It however means that the Algerian top referee will play no part in this competition any longer.

Leicester City forward Kelechi Iheanacho converted the winning penalty as Nigeria’s Super Eagles held their nerve for a 4-2 shootout win over Nigeria’s Super Eagles to reach the AFCON final

The game ended 1-1 in regulation time and after 120 minutes.

There were no goals in the opening half of the game, which was dominated by Bafana Bafana.

It was always like to be a nervy semi-final, between two sides who went into the match having kept four consecutive clean sheets at AFCON.

But in the second half, The goal came midway through as and Osimhen was unsurprisingly involved. He drifted past the challenges, drove into the box, and went down as Mothobi Mvala stuck out a leg and tripped him.

Captain Troost-Ekong stepped up, to face a goalkeeper in Ronwen Williams who saved four penalties in South Africa’s quarter-final shootout win over Cape Verde. He could well have saved this one too, but Troost-Ekong’s spot-kick crept underneath him and into the back of the net.

The Super Eagles controlled the match well from that point and thought they had doubled their advantage with five minutes remaining, as Osimhen turned the ball home from a couple of yards out after good work from Osayi-Samuel.

But a VAR check deemed that Percy Tau had been fouled in the box at the other end in the build-up, as the referee returned from the monitor to disallow Osimhen’s goal and award South Africa a penalty in a remarkable turn of events.

That allowed Mokoena to equalize and, as the clock ticked into the 90th minute, he made no mistake from the spot.

South Africa piled on the pressure deep into stoppage-time and should really have won it, as Mokoena’s free-kick was parried out and Khuliso Mudau blasted over the rebound with the goal at his mercy.

However after both teams failed to find the winner the game went into penalties with Nwabali making two saves as the Eagles won 4-2.

The Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali was the hero during penalty shootouts, as he saved two penalties to ensure the Super Eagles book a place in the final of the 2023 AFCON and won the man of the match award.