World Cup
NFF sympathises with Victor Osimhen over dad’s demise
The Nigeria Football Federation has reached out to Super Eagles’ forward Victor Osimhen who lost his father on Saturday evening, expressing grief and a groundswell of sorrow among the Nigerian Football family over the passing of the patriarch of the Osimhen family. Reports said Mr. Patrick Osimhen, 80, died in Lagos on Saturday night after a brief illness. President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick, was the first to reach out to the player following the outbreak of the sad news, and he assured the former U17 World Cup winner of the empathy and support of the country’s football family at this challenging moment for the youngster and his family. “I have spoken to Victor Osimhen and expressed the sorrow of the NFF and the entire Nigerian Football family. His club, ...
Herve Renard apologies for omitting Hakim Ziyech in African select XI
Getty Images Former Morocco coach Herve Renard has apologised for leaving out the name of Hakim Ziyech in a select XI of the best African players he has managed. The 51-year-old Frenchman has coached four African sides to date – Angola, Zambia, the Ivory Coast and Morocco. He found success leading the Chipolopolo and the Elephants to Africa Cup of Nations success in 2012 and 2015, respectively. He also led the Atlas Lions to their first World Cup outing in 20 years at the 2018 edition in Russia where they finished last in a group containing Spain, Portugal and Iran. Renard’s XI contained Ghana’s Richard Kingson in goal, Medhi Benatia, Kolo Toure, Jonathan Mensah and Achraf Hakimi in defence. In midfield is Yaya Toure and Michael Essien in a double pivot, while it’s an attacking trio of Sia...
Sunday Oliseh: I started funding Nigeria national team in 1996
Nigeria legend Sunday Oliseh has opened up on his experience with the Super Eagles which spanned nine years. The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder made 63 appearances for the West Africans before he was forced to retire from international duty in 2002. Oliseh was a key member of the Super Eagles team that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia under Dutch tactician Clemens Westerhof. He explained the tournament opened doors of opportunities for him as he secured a move to Italy to play for Reggiana, becoming the first Nigerian to feature in the Serie A. “The 1994 Afcon was very special for me. In fact, it was my first major tournament for Nigeria in Tunisia and we had some great talents in the squad at that time,” Oliseh told the Punch. “We were favourites heading into the tournam...
Osaze Odemwingie regrets missing out on 2013 AFCON winning team
Former Super Eagles forward Osaze Odemwingie says he regretted missing out on the team that won the 2013 African cup of Nations in South Africa. Odemwingie was reportedly omitted from the squad late Stephen Keshi after fallen out with officials of the team. Nigeria went on to lift the tournament for the third time in South Africa without Odemwingie who was one of the most important players in the squad at the time. While speaking with Super Eagles media team in a live Instagram interview, the former Stoke City striker said he regretted missing the opportunity to win a major title with his country. “I dreamt of the team winning the trophy before it kicked off the tournament. But you know when you’re young and believe your decision is true, you just want to stick to it. Okay, now it’s past b...
Alex Iwobi reveals happiest moments of his career in national team shirt
Super Eagles forward Alex Iwobi has revealed helping Nigeria reach the 2018 FIFA World Cup is the happiest moment of his career. Iwobi scored the winning goal against Zambia to help Nigeria qualify 2the FIFA World Cup for the sixth time, two years after switching allegiance to the West African Nation. While speaking to sports bibe on Instagram live session, the former Arsenal forward said the feat remains the best of his career, despite winning bronze at the African cup of Nations in Egypt and English FA Cup with Arsenal. “I’ve had a lot of happy moments in my career but for me, I will say when I scored against Zambia to send my national team to the World Cup because my parents were there,” he said. “That’s a special moment, I almost shed a tear on the pitch.” He said. Iwobi went on to rep...
FIFA to pick 2023 Women’s World Cup host in June
World governing football body, FIFA, will pick a host for the 2023 Women’s World Cup on June 25. The host will be selected by FIFA’s ruling council and it is a contest between Brazil, Japan, Colombia, and a joint bid from Australia and New Zealand. According to reports, the selection will be done in an open vote of the 37-member FIFA Council and the result of each round of balloting and each voter’s choice will be made open. “FIFA is now finalizing the evaluation report, which will be published in early June,” FIFA said in a statement on Friday. Newsmen report that FIFA inspection teams had initially visited the four bid candidates in January and February before international travel was restricted due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 2023 World Cup will be the first to feature 32 teams. Th...
Taiye Taiwo: Stephen Keshi’s ‘dirty deals’ forced me out of Super Eagles
Former Super Eagles defender, Taiye Taiwo, has alleged that the dirty deals perpetrated by late Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, forced him to dump the team. The left full back stated this in a Face TV Africa in live video. Taiwo said: “I am someone who don’t want dirty glory and in my life, I have never been involved in what is not clean and that was why I packed my bags and left the Super Eagles. “I cannot work or stay where I see that is dirty because I am serving a clean God, and if I am in an area that is not clean, I will have to leave the place. “‘When they appointed Stephen Keshi as coach, he was acting somehow in which I told myself that it was time for me to leave the Super Eagles. “I packed my bags and I told my wife and family that I cannot be involved in dirty deals.” Newsme...
