Tag: AFCON 2025

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AFCON 2025: Osimhen Becomes New Super Eagles Assistant Captain, Penalty Taker

Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has been appointed the Super Eagles’ main assistant captain.

Osimhen, who will deputise for new captain, Wilfred Ndidi is also the Super Eagles’s new penalty taker.

The Super Eagles has went through a new leadership shake up following the retirement of erstwhile captain, William Troost-Ekong.

Troost-Ekong was also the team designated penalty taker before his retirement.

Ndidi was officially named the team’s  new leader last week.

Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon are the two other most senior players in the Super Eagles, having been with the team for almost 10 years.

Iwobi is currently the most capped player in the team, followed by Simon.

According to SCORENigeria, Osimhen was, however, picked because of his whole-hearted commitment to the Super Eagles.

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AFCON 2025: Nwabali Wears New Look Ahead Of Super Eagles vs Tanzania Match

Super Eagles first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has revealed a new look ahead of the team’s opening match against Tanzania at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Chippa United shot stopper now has a blonde hairstyle.

Nwabali’s new hairstyle has drawn the attention of fans and his teammates.

The new look is a sign of his confidence and readiness for the competition.

The 29-year-old has established himself as a key figure in the Super Eagles since breaking into the team at AFCON 2023.

The former Enyimba and Katsina United goal tender kept four clean sheets in the competition.

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AFCON: What I’ll Do If Nwabali Starts For Nigeria Ahead Of Me – Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Uzoho Speaks

Francis Uzoho, the Super Eagles goalkeeper, has said he will back his teammate Stanley Nwabali if the Chippa United shot-stopper is chosen to start ahead of him again at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Uzoho had been Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper in the past, but lost the position to Nwabali after several errors.

The Omonia Nicosia goalkeeper’s last appearance for the Super Eagles came during the 2023 AFCON Round of 16 tie against Cameroon.

Recall that Uzoho came off the bench for the final 10 minutes of the encounter after Nwabali picked up an injury.

Speaking to Elegbete TV Sports ahead of Nigeria’s AFCON opener against Tanzania on Tuesday, Uzoho said he would support Nwabali if Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle decides to start him.

“I’m at my fourth AFCON, it’s a thing of joy for me, and also, I thank God for giving me the strength to be always fit whenever the time comes, and it’s a good feeling,” Uzoho said.

“In every position on the team, we have two or three great players in that position.

“The competition has to be there, so when he [Nwabali] was chosen, I gave him my support, and if he’s chosen again, it’s the same,” he said.

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2026 World Cup: ‘We’re Sorry For Not Qualifying’ – Osimhen Apologizes To Nigerians

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has apologized to Nigerians following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Osimhen said the Super Eagles were sorry for not qualifying for the world’s biggest tournament.

The Galatasaray star spoke ahead of Nigeria’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, clash against Tanzania in Fès on Tuesday.

“The expectations are very high. This AFCON is an opportunity for us to try and write out wrongs,” Osimhen told Pooja Media.

“Make the Super Eagles fans all over the world believe that there is so much more we can give. We are so sorry.

“We have to use this opportunity to say we are so sorry for not getting the World Cup ticket. We know the disappointment in the faces of Nigerian fans, it has happened, and we have to keep it going,” he said.

Recall that Nigeria failed to secure the World Cup ticket after losing to DR Congo in the playoff final encounter a few weeks ago.

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AFCON 2025: Osimhen Declares War On Tanzania Ahead Group C Opener

Victor Osimhen has stated that the Super Eagles are ready to face a tough battle against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars.

Eric Chelle’s men will open their campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup against the East Africans in Fès on Tuesday.

The highly anticipated encounter will kick-off 6.30pm Nigerian time.

The Super Eagles, who were runners-up at the last edition in Cote d’Ivoire are overwhelming favourites to win the game.

Tanzania, will be making their fourth AFCON appearance in Morocco, and have never make it beyond the group stage.

Osimhen said it is important for the Super Eagles not to underrate the Taifa Stars.

The Galatasaray striker however insisted that they are among the favourites to win the title.

“It’s all about going to war. Tuesday is the first one, and we will give everything. We are not underrating anyone in our group, but I think we’re up there with so many favourites in this tournament,” he told Nigerian journalist Kelechi Anyikude.

“So we’re going to give our all to make sure that we actualise the dream of trying to win the AFCON. It’s not gonna be easy, we still got a long way to go so I am positive about this squad.”

Osimhen will also to better his performance from AFCON 2025 where he scored only once and provided one assist in seven games.

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Davido Electrifies AFCON 2025 Kick-Off Concert In Rabat (Video)

At the free OLM Souissi Fan Zone, Afrobeats superstar Davido took the spotlight, performing alongside French Montana, Douaa Lahyaoui, and Lartiste, delivering an electrifying fusion of music and football excitement in anticipation of AFCON Morocco 2025.

Fans sang along to hits like ‘Fall,’ ‘With You,’ and ‘Unavailable,’ creating an energetic atmosphere that set the tone for the tournament running through January.

Davido’s performance continues his tradition of thrilling shows at major football events, with fans eagerly anticipating his role in the official opening ceremony.

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AFCON 2025: ‘He Was Torn To Pieces’ – Oliseh Speaks On Okoye’s Exclusion From Nigeria Squad (Video)

Sunday Oliseh, a former Nigerian midfielder, has reacted to the omission of Maduka Okoye from the final 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Okoye was dropped from the final squad despite being included in Eric Chelle’s provisional list of 54 players.

Oliseh claims the Udinese goalkeeper was “torn to bits” by fans and pundits after his last appearance for the Super Eagles.

“The last game he played for Nigeria, I remember this boy being torn into bits online, online, television, everywhere,” Oliseh said about Okoye on his podcast.

“He was so much destroyed that I remember looking at it and saying, If this boy were my son, I will tell him now, go and stop playing.

“Just go make your life again. Forget it.”

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It’s Shameless! – Mikel Obi Slams NFF Over Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 Preparations

Former Super Eagles captain John Obi Mikel has slammed Nigeria’s preparations for AFCON 2025, accusing the Nigeria Football Federation of mismanagement just weeks ahead of the tournament.

Speaking on his ObiOne podcast, Mikel said he was deeply unimpressed by the state of preparations for the finals in Morocco, which kick off on Sunday.

He questioned how a national team coach could still be owed salaries at such a sensitive moment for Nigerian football.

“I’m not impressed at all with the preparation. After everything that happened with the World Cup qualifiers, you would expect things to be better,” said Mikel, who has previously called for the resignation of the NFF board following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

“How do you owe a coach money at this stage? It’s shameless! This is not how serious football nations operate. When issues like this are in the public space, it affects everyone, the coach, the players and even the fans.

“This was supposed to be the time to save face and show that lessons were learned. Instead, it’s the same story again. You can’t go into the AFCON with unresolved problems. Everything must be sorted now. Nigeria deserves better. Our football deserves better.”

Reports had claimed that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle was owed three months’ salary and bonuses by the NFF ahead of the 2025 AFCON.

However, Naija News reports that the National Sports Commission chairman, Shehu Dikko, revealed on Monday that the commission had stepped in to cover Chelle’s wages, despite not being a party to his contract.

“The NSC have been paying the salaries of Eric Chelle (Super Eagles coach) on behalf of the NFF even though we’re not a party to the contract,” Dikko said on Arise Television. “This is part of our support to the NFF.”

Nigeria will compete in Group C at AFCON 2025 alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania, with their opening fixture against Tanzania scheduled for December 23 in Fès.

The Super Eagles head into the tournament on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Egypt in their only pre-AFCON friendly, played on Tuesday in Cairo.

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Super Eagles Stars Land in Morocco In Style For AFCON 2025 (Photos)

Three-time African champions, the Super Eagles of Nigeria, arrived at their base in Fez on Tuesday ahead of the kick-off of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025, where they will be chasing a long-awaited fourth title.

Dapper in their  green traditional kaftans with flowered embroidery  with  matching caps, the coach Eric Sekou Chelle-led side left  Cairo  yesterday  about mid-day  in a chartered   flight  and  made their way  into Fez  in the evening.

Their late arrival forced   the cancellation of  their proposed  first training in Fez yesterday  but  they are expected  to begin their preparation  today in Fez which is  regarded  as one of Morocco’s most fascinating imperial cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The  Super Eagles had earlier  spent five days in Cairo for the first phase of their preparation  and  only on Tuesday lost 2-1 to the Pharaohs of Egypt in their only  pre-AFCON friendly match.

The three-time African champions are drawn in Group C with Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda.

The Super Eagles will face the Taifa Stars of Tanzania in their opening fixture next week Tuesday, before taking on Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles on December 27, and Uganda’s Cranes on December 30.

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AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Depart Cairo Camp For Morocco

The Super Eagles are set to travel from Cairo to Fez, Morocco, today in preparation for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Eric Chelle’s men opened camp in Cairo, Egypt for the competition on Sunday.

All the 28 players are now in camp following Victor Osimhen’s arrival on Wednesday night.

The Super Eagles lost 2-1 to Egypt in their only pre-AFCON friendly at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday night.

They will continue their preparation for the competition when they arrive Fez.

Nigeria will face the Taifa Stars of Tanzania in their opening fixture next week Tuesday, before taking on Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles on December 27 and Uganda’s Cranes on December 30.

The Super Eagles will play all their group games at the Grand Stade de Fèz.

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