Nigeria Sports Arena

  Before now, many are not aware of the exploits of Holland-based Nigerian International who is currently turning heads far away in the Netherlands, donning the Jersey of SC Hererenven in the Eredivisie League but Nigerians are now appealing to Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr to invite the explosive winger. Chidera Ejuke is one name on the lips of a lot of football pundits and many Football lovers in Nigeria and Holland. The 22 year-old left-winger has made a name for himself in the Netherlands top flight with sterling performances week in week out before the outbreak of the ravaging global pandemic COVID-19. The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Honourable Sunday Dare retweeted Chidera's goal from his team’s handle with “Nigeria got talent. Chidera Ejuke. Playing for Hererenven, In Holland.” This has got a lot of people talking as they call on the Super Eagles gaffer to invite the former Gombe United player. Reacting to the Honourable Minister's twe...

Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr will hand future call ups to promising winger Viv-Efosa Solomon-Otabor. The CSKA Sofia forward was given a debut Super Eagles call-up to replace injured Samuel Kalu for the friendly game against Brazil. He was very impressive during the few days in training with the Super Eagles team before the warm up against Samba Boys at the Singapore National Stadium. Despite not getting a run out in the game that ended 1-1, Super Eagles gaffer Gernot Rohr will reportedly invite the explosive winger for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Benin Republic and Lesotho. "Like you know, I don't judge my players individually in the media," Rohr said. "The only thing I can say is that everybody {Ramon Azeez, Solomon-Otabor, Peter Olayinka, Emmanuel Dennis} including the new goal keeper Maduka, gave us satisfaction. "We will continue to follow them in their clubs and invite the best ones. "We also...

Nigerian international, Efe Ambrose has disclosed that he has a lot to offer the Super Eagles ahead of the 2019 African Cup of Nations. With one qualifier game to play against Seychelles, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have already booked a place in the 32nd edition of the prestigious AFCON which will be staged in Egypt from 21, June to 19, July, 2019. Having booked the qualification ticket to the next edition of the Nations Cup with a game to spare the Super Eagles are expected to conquer the continent, hence the need for experienced and trusted players. Ambrose who recently joined Derby County during the January transfer window, played his first game in the Ram’s colours on Sunday posting a worthy performance with an assist as the Under 23 team trounced Bristol City 8-1 on Sunday (Yesterday) disclosed in an exclusive interview with nigeriasportsarena.blogspot.com that he has a lot to offer the Super Eagles. “I believe I stilI have something to offer this present team.” ...

Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr rues the injuries and suspension that has robbed him of four of his regulars for Saturday’s crucial 2019 AFCON qualifier against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa, but is comforted that the situation has presented opportunities for some other performers to step onto the runway. First choice goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, wing back Abdullahi Shehu and forward Odion Ighalo – top goalscorer in the 2019 AFCON qualifying race with six goals – are not in South Africa as a resut of injury, while lion –hearted midfielder Wilfred Ndidi is suspended after cards against Seychelles and Libya. “Yes, we have a number of injuries and one suspension. But we cannot continue to talk about that. We must look at the personnel with us now and see the situation as opportunity for them to step up and prove what they can do. “I am happy we have a young team determined to achieve. Everyone here is good enough to represent Nigeria and they will go in there and do...

Three –time African champions Nigeria flew into Johannesburg in the early hours of Friday with a commitment to picking all three points in Saturday’s Group E top-of-the-table clash with South Africa at the FNB Stadium. Stand –in Captain Ahmed Musa, who is the last Nigerian player to score against South Africa at senior level, when both teams finished a friendly match 1-1 in Nelspruit in March 2015, told  thenff.com  that the Super Eagles are not thinking of simply gaining a point from the encounter. “Our determination is to win and pick our ticket to the AFCON ahead of the final matchday next year. South Africa came to Nigeria to beat us and we are here to return the compliment. “We will not be playing for a draw. We won in Seychelles and against Libya in Tunisia and we are here to win as well.” The chartered MAX Air plane that flew the Nigeria delegation, led by NFF 1 st  Vice President, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, landed at the Oliver R. ...

Chairman of the Nigeria football federation(NFF) technical and development committee Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf Fresh has described the performance of the Super Eagles (Super Excellent) in the double header games against Libya national team. Three-time AFCON Champions (Super Eagles) went into crucial fixtures with Libya to get the ticket for Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon come (2019). The Nigerian  side bashed the  Mediterranean Knights of Libya in Uyo (4-0) and unseated the Cameo group Toppers, South Africa after the 3-2 victory in the reverse fixture at Sfax on Tuesday night, as Odion Igalo's Recent run of form in Super eagles excites Niger State FA Boss. "The quick fixtures brought the brand new Super Eagles who were extremely determined to erase non participation of two different Nations cup. They showed relentless efforts to join other African teams in the coming Nations Cup at Cameroon" he said. " The Technical and development committee are extremely sa...

Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Technical and Development Committee, Comrade Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, has given a notice of warning to Super Eagles technical crew led by Gernot Rohr and the entire team not to de-emphasize the performance of the Pirates of Seychelles in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier which comes up tomorrow (September 8, 2018) at the Stade Linite in Victoria.   This is coming after unimpressive performance at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia where the three-time AFCON champions failed to sail through the group stage. The Niger State FA Boss believes if Super Eagles downplay the Pirates it could open up the already closed wounds in the heart of millions of football fans. He articulated that the NFF Technical and Development Committe have given the team adequate preparations ahead of this weekend tie against Seychelles. "Football does not respect big names regardless of how big a nation and its national teams are. It goes beyond what we...

Nigeria’s Minister of Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Chief Obinna Ogba and NFF President Amaju Pinnick have pumped up the spirit of the Super Eagles ahead of Sunday’s 2018 African Nations Championship clash with Angola in Tangier.   Dalung, Ogba and Pinnick spoke during a visit to the camp of the Eagles. Nigeria finished top of Group C and take on Group D runners –up Angola at the Stade Ibn Batouta in the third quarter –final on Sunday evening.   Dalung said: “I want to appreciate you for all that you have done so far. Nigerians are very happy with you and now we have hope that the future of our football is bright. “Our President is a sports loving President and he is following everything that is going on here. I can tell you honestly that he is waiting eagerly to receive you after this tournament must have ended and you have won the trophy. Always remember that you are carrying the hopes a...

  Super Eagles’ Head Coach Sunday Oliseh has invited 18 overseas-based professionals for next month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.   First –choice goalkeeper and skipper Vincent Enyeama headlines the list that also has defenders Godfrey Oboabona, Leon Balogun and Kenneth Omeruo, midfielders Rabiu Ibrahim, Lukman Haruna and Joel Obi, and forwards Ahmed Musa, Emmanuel Emenike and Anthony Ujah.   There are a number of surprises, in line with Oliseh’s earlier pledge to make current form and first –level football key indices for selection.   There are goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, midfielder Izunna Ernest Uzochukwu and forwards Emem Eduok, Sylvester Igboun and Moses Simon.   All the 18 players, who will join up with the 23 home boys who arrived camp in Abuja on Monday, are expected in Abuja on Monday, 31st August, 2015 at the latest.   THE FULL LIST   Goalkeepers: Vincent Enyeam...

Norwegian First Division Club, Hønefoss BK’s cerebral player, Ugonna Anyora, has set his sight on the Super Eagles under the incoming Nigerian coach. The one time Nigerian invitee has been in a spectacular form for his team last season. Anyora is making a clarion call to the newly appointed Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, to look his way for a call-up into the new Super Eagles squad. Ugonna, 24, a defensive midfielder joined the club from Haugesund where he made 86 appearances in the Tippeligaen but his contract wasn’t renewed by the club at the end of the 2014 season. The box-to-box midfielder who made 14 appearances in the Norwegian league for Hønefoss BK this season said “It is every footballer’s dream to play for their national team and it is the same for me. "It is something I am looking forward to achieving again. If I am called-up for the next game then I will go. If not, I will continue to work harder to get in the squad,"he concluded. ...

Theophilus Afelokhai Daniel Akpeyi Akas Chima Omeruo Kenneth Ogbonnaya Nelson Musa Ahmed Ukoh Steven Ighalo Jude Akpan Hope Leon Balogun Onazi Ogenyi Ujah Anthony Oboabona Godfrey Egwuekwe Azubuike Latifu Akeem Aluko Omatsone Olanare Aaron Samuel Nathaniel Joseph Ogu John Simon Moses Dimgba Sopuruchi Sokari Kingsley Michael Babatunde

The Nigeria Football Federation has re-confirmed that Super Eagles’ goalkeeper and skipper, Vincent Enyeama, will win his 100th cap for Nigeria if he features against Bolivia in an international friendly Uyo next week Thursday. Reacting to a story in a section of the media that Enyeama has played only 98 caps, NFF spokesman Ademola Olajire said on Monday that Enyeama has won 99 caps and will earn his century when the Eagles file out against Bolivia at the Akwa Ibom Stadium, Uyo on March 26. “There is no doubt that a lot of people have done extensive research on this matter. However, we insist that he has won 99 caps. Some persons appear to have omitted from Enyeama’s file, the Nigeria/Jamaica friendly match at Loftus Road, London on May 18, 2002, when Enyeama came in for Ike Shorounmu at the start of the second half,” Olajire clarified.

Vincent Enyeama has expressed his ecstasy at plans by the Nigeria Football Federation to honour him on the occasion of his hundredth senior cap for Nigeria. The Super Eagles’ goalkeeper and skipper, presently at 99 caps, will notch his century when Nigeria takes on Bolivia in an international friendly at the Akwa Ibom Stadium on Thursday, March 26. “Nothing matches being recognized by your own country. I am very excited at the prospect of reaching 100 caps, and more so at the decision by the NFF to honour me on the day. “The NFF media department has also been speaking with me and I have followed the publicity they have generated about it. It is a delight. I am also excited by the fact that it will happen in Uyo, my hometown. What a great honour!” Of his 99 caps so far, the three –time FIFA World Cup star picks the Nigeria/Argentina FIFA World Cup match at the Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg on June 12, 2010, as his best so far. “Yeah, I can tell you that is one match I will alway...

  President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has ordered Dolphins FC of Port Harcourt star Emem Eduok out of the camp of Super Eagles’ B, preparing for two international friendly matches in the United Arab Emirates.   “We are not happy with the cloud of controversy over his transfer issue and it is a terrible distraction to the team and Nigeria football generally.   “Telling him to leave the camp does not mean we are indicting him. We will carry out an investigation and whoever is found guilty, be he/she an agent or player manager or an official of his club, will be duly sanctioned,” Pinnick said at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja.   The NFF President has mandated the Chairman of Technical and Development Committee, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu to conduct an investigation into the matter and report back to the Executive Committee at its meeting in Lagos on Thursday.   “We have to do this (send the boy out ...

  The change of plan by the Federation Malienne de Football concerning the Les Aiglons’ final camping ahead of the 30th Africa Cup of finals in Equatorial Guinea has slightly altered the programme of the Super Eagles’ B for their January tour of United Arab Emirates.   With this change, the Eagles B, bronze medallists at the 3rd African Nations Championship held in South Africa early this year, will now play Cote d’Ivoire and Sudan instead.   The game against the Elephants, 1992 African champions and Super Eagles’ quarter final victims at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations also held in South Africa, comes up on January 11, while the clash with the Falcons of Sudan will come up on January 17.   In view of these changes, the players invited to camp at the Bolton White Apartments, Abuja are now expected to arrive on Tuesday, 30th December, and not 28th December as earlier planned.   Meanwhile, former Swiss junior international, Steven ...

The Nigeria Football Federation President Amaju Melvin Pinnick believes that the 2-2 draw against the South Africa in Uyo could be a blessing in disguise and he said that the NFF has accepted full responsibility for the failure of the Super Eagles to reach next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Equatorial Guinea. The African champions battled back to draw with South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Uyo on Wednesday, when the narrowest margin of victory was needed, and left the country’s teeming football fans in sour mood. But NFF President Amaju Pinnick stated that it was a time for sober reflection rather than trading of blames or looking for scapegoats.   Pinnick said Wednesday’s failure could turn out to be blessing in disguise.   “All things work together for good for those that love God, according to Romans 8:28. This has happened but we believe it will work together for us to toil hard and achieve a renaissance that will take Nigeria foot...

Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Sharks Football Club Port Harcourt star, Joseph Nathaniel has been called up to replace Reading Football Club defensive midfielder, Hope Akpan who picked up an injury against Congo Brazaville on Saturday in Point Noire where the Eagles beat the host 0-2. The Sharks powerful midfielder, Joseph broke into the Super Eagles team set up when the League Stars hosted the Black Meteors of Ghana at the commissioning of the Akwa-Ibom international stadium on the November 7th, he shown like a million star but he didn't get an invite to the Senior National Team. Nathaniel was spotted on Tuesday morning at the Eagles training session in Uyo at the Nest of champions alongside other invited players who will be trading tackles against South Africa in their last 2015 African Cup of Nation qualifying game on Wednesday. Going by what we witnessed this morning at the Eagles training session, Joseph may be included  in the starting line up tomorrow against...

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick has praised the “extra –ordinary fighting spirt, rare dedication and total commitment” of the Super Eagles in Saturday’s Cup of Nations qualifying triumph in Pointe Noire. Goals by Ikechukwu Uche (from the penalty spot) and Aaron Samuel (a sweetly curled finish) sent the Eagles to second position in Group A with an automatic qualification ticket earned once they achieve a win over South Africa in Uyo on Wednesday. Nigeria earned only one point from their first three matches of the campaign after defeat by Congo in Calabar, draw with South Africa in Cape Town and defeat by Sudan in Khartoum. “I cannot commend you enough for making Nigeria proud, through your fighting spirit and the patriotit fervour with which you approached the game. It was a difficult environment in its entirety but you were not deterred, and that must be our guiding philosophy from now on,” Pinnick said as he appre...

Enyimba International midfielder, Kingsley Sokari alias Bobby has broken into the Super Eagles squad for the two remaining qualifiers against Congo and South Africa next week this was as a result of his top notch performance against the Black Meteors of Ghana last Friday in the first edition of the Transformation Cup event at  the new Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo. Before now, Assistant Coach, Dan ‘the Bull’ Amokachi had said the player is as exciting as former Super Eagles skipper, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, a view also held by his other assistants, Hyandonou Valere and Ike Shorunmu. But he also put a caveat. “We must allow our boss, Stephen Keshi to make the final decision”.Last Friday at the Uyo International Stadium inauguration game against the Black Metoers of Ghana, Keshi had a first-hand opportunity to assess the player and his final verdict was that the player is excellent and good enough for the main national team. He subseque...

The Super Eagles team in Uyo, Akwa Ibo state, for the International Stadium Inauguration this Friday, have been showing signs of an exciting encounter at training ahead of the match against the Black Meteors of Ghana, with several dignitaries already listed for the match. At Thursday’s evening training that lasted almost three hours, the players were grilled on quick counter attack, fast breaks, robust defending and the need to avoid unnecessary infringements on the opponents. Assistant Coach, Dan ‘the Bull’ Amokachi, was the one dishing out the instructions, with the assistance of Coach Hyandonou Valere and Ike Shorunmu. The training which was held at the Practice Pitch of the International Stadium in Uyo, was to later throw up some of the stars that will be seen during this Friday’s game. Apart from established professionals like Chigozie Agbim, Azubuike Egwueke, Christian Osagunna Ighodalo and Gbolahan Salami, there was an excitement in the play of Enyimba of Aba midfielder, Kin...