Legendary Super Eagles captain Austin Okocha has dismissed reports suggesting that he is contesting for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) presidency.
ObasEmpire reports that following Tuesday’s disappointing 1-1 draw between the Super Eagles and South Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, calls for the Ibrahim Gusau-led NFF board to resign intensified.
After the calls, there have been speculations that Okocha had expressed interest in running for the NFF presidency.
However, speaking via a post shared on Instagram, the sportsman dismissed the rumours and urged those behind them to cease.
He wrote, “Hello everyone, I just want to use this opportunity to say that the news and posts circulating are false.
“I have not spoken to anyone about Nigerian football or any interest in becoming NFF president. I’m currently in Kigali attending SPORTSBIZAFRICA.
I’m pleading with those spreading false information to stop. I appreciate my people and understand the frustration we’re experiencing, but rest assured that better days are ahead; let’s keep believing. I know it’s not easy, but we are all in this together. God bless, and please let’s stay strong.”
Morocco have filed a petition to CAF questioning the eligibility of two players who played for the women’s team of Nigeria in the final of the WAFCON, which Nigeria won 3-2 on Saturday.
The host were two goals up going into the half time break , but a second half rally by the Nigerian team helped them to a 3-2 win, and also the title for the tenth time in their history.
Before the game, there was a protest lodged by Morocco on the eligibility of two of the Nigerian players in Ashleigh Plumptre and Michelle Alozie. Both players were born outside Nigeria but made the decision to play for Nigeria at senior level.
In their protest, Morocco say the manner of their switch of nationality is faulty citing some irregularities in their claims to be Nigerians. They expressly want Nigeria to lose the title by virtue of fielding both players in the tournament.
Plumptre was granted approval by FIFA to play for Nigeria in 2021 after it was established that her paternal grandfather is a Nigerian. Alozie’s case is more straightforward as he was born in the USA to immigrant parents from Nigeria.
Nigeria are however not losing sleep over the protest with a top member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) terming it as dead on arrival.
Obasempire reports that former Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Pinnick, has insisted that interim head coach of the Super Eagles Augustine Eguavoen has no godfather.
Pinnick also urged players to have the mindset of ‘wanting to die for their country’.
He spoke following Eguavoen’s recent return to the Super Eagles on an interim basis.
Recall that the NFF appointed Eguavoen as interim coach of the Super Eagles last month after failing to reach a final agreement with German coach Bruno Labbadia.
Eguavoen was given the task to lead the Super Eagles in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifiers against Benin and Rwanda in September.
When asked about Eguavoen having a godfather, Pinnick told Arise News: “Eguavoen is absolutely nothing, not like that. If you remember the Shuaibu Amodu time, as a technical director, even in major teams in global football, a technical director takes charge when there is a vacuum in the coaching crew. “That is what happened. Eguavoen is still the technical director of the Nigerian Federation. If it was someone else, that person would have taken charge.
“I believe that it is more about the players, not even the coach. The players should look at that green-white-green flag, should look at that emblem and say “I want to die for Nigeria.”
Obasempire reports that Nigeria’s senior women’s football team, the Super Falcons, have maintained their 36th spot in the latest FIFA global rankings, as announced on Friday, August 16, 2024.
The Super Falcons also retain their position as the top-ranked women’s team in Africa, highlighting their continued dominance on the continent.
This ranking comes despite a poor performance at the recent Women’s Summer Olympics football tournament in Paris, France.
The Super Eagles fell in the latest FIFA rankings as Spain rose to 3rd.
The Super Falcons struggled to progress past the group stage, with three straight losses. They were defeated 1-0 by both Brazil and Spain, followed by a 3-1 loss to Japan, ending up at the bottom of Group C.
In the African rankings, South Africa follows Nigeria (50th), Morocco (59th), Zambia (62nd), and Ghana (66th).
Obasempire reports that the Nigeria’s women’s football team, the Super Falcons, has triumphed over their West African counterparts, Cameroon, for the Olympic games.
The Super Falcons secured a spot in the final round of qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games in a thrilling encounter on Monday in Abuja.
The Super Falcons will now contend against either longstanding rivals South Africa or Tanzania for a chance to compete in the prestigious event.
The decisive moment came in the 15th minute when Esther Okoronkwo netted a crucial goal at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium. Okoronkwo seized the opportunity after goalkeeper Michaely Bihina deflected Rasheedat Ajibade’s chip, giving Nigeria a vital 1-0 aggregate lead over the Lionesses.
Despite Cameroon’s relentless efforts, the Super Falcons held firm, spurred by goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie’s exceptional saves, notably thwarting Menene Meyong’s header in the 32nd minute.
In a tense second half, Bihina showcased her prowess, denying multiple attempts by Ajibade, Echegini, and Nigerian substitutes Akudo Ogbonna and Asisat Oshoala.
Nnadozie further reinforced Nigeria’s defense, notably blocking Marie Ngah Manga’s close-range effort in the 60th minute. Cameroon’s hopes dwindled as substitute Marie Enganemben received a red card, leaving them with 10 players.
Looking ahead, Randy Waldrum’s squad eagerly anticipates the outcome of the South Africa versus Tanzania fixture, scheduled for Tuesday. South Africa currently holds a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg in Dar es Salaam.
The final showdown for Nigeria to secure their first Olympic appearance since Beijing 2008 is set for April.
Obasempire reports that Super Falcons and Atletico Madrid forward Rasheedat Ajibade has expressed unwavering determination ahead of Monday’s clash against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon.
Despite a strong performance at the Stade de la Reunification in Douala, Cameroon, Randy Waldrum’s squad narrowly missed securing a goal, leaving them hungry for victory in the upcoming match at the M.K.O Stadium in Abuja.
With an Olympic berth hanging in the balance, both teams are poised for a fierce battle in the return leg. Ajibade emphasized the team’s collective goal, stating, “Our objective remains to get the Olympic ticket.”
She further underscored her personal ambition, highlighting the significance of representing Nigeria at the Olympics. “Personally, I have never played at the Olympics and that is the case with an overwhelming majority of players in this team.
“We are determined to take this opportunity. We have another ninety minutes to claim the final-round ticket, and we are focused on a positive result,” Ajibade affirmed.
Joining the squad are Ashleigh Plumptre and Coach Randy Waldrum, marking their return after the FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup. Their presence bolsters Nigeria’s lineup as they strive for Olympic qualification.
The showdown between Nigeria and Cameroon is set to unfold at the M.K.O. Abiola Stadium in Abuja at 4 pm on Monday. As the pursuit for a spot in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris intensifies, anticipation mounts for a riveting encounter.
The Super Eagles are aiming for a fourth continental crown in Abidjan while the Ivorians are looking to add to their triumphs in 1992 and 2015.
The teams will meet for the second time at this year’s finals, 24 days after the Ivorians suffered a first-ever home defeat by Nigeria when they won 1-0 in the group stage.
The Elephants are the first host nation to reach the final since Egypt in 2006, with five of the last six hosts to have contested the final having gone on to lift the trophy – the only exception being the Super Eagles themselves in 2000.
Unbeaten unlike their opponents, the Nigerians are the highest-ranked of the finalists – rated sixth in Africa (and 42nd in the world), as opposed to Ivory Coast’s African ranking of eighth (and 49th overall).
Seeking a first title since 2013, Nigeria cruised through the group stages with seven points before, amid a run of four straight clean sheets, defeating Cameroon, Angola and South Africa in the knockout stages.
After the Nigeria loss, Ivory Coast then suffered a record home – and Nations Cup – defeat by Equatorial Guinea (0-4), only squeezing through as a best third-placed side before coming to life with dramatic knock-out wins over Senegal and Mali before beating DR Congo in the last four.
After one of the best Nations Cups in living memory, the hope is that Sunday’s final (20:00 GMT) in Abidjan’s 60,000-seater stadium will providing a fitting climax.
“The organisation has been brilliant, the pitches great, we’ve seen some unbelievable matches and now Ivory Coast is in the final with Nigeria – what a game,” former Elephant Kolo Toure enthused to the BBC.
Even though they are playing in Abidjan, Nigeria are the nominal home side – and in spite of the intense backing provided by the Ivorian fans, whose support has been regularly praised by the national squad, the Nigeria camp say they would not have it any other way.
“The atmosphere will be fantastic and my players and staff all prefer to play in a full stadium, despite the level of noise,” Nigeria coach Jose Pereiro said on Saturday.
“Ivory Coast were favourites ahead of this tournament, but we want to win this Nations Cup. My only plan is to beat Ivory Coast and win this trophy for the people of Nigeria.”
Appointed in 2022, the former Sporting Lisbon and Porto coach has been widely criticised by Nigerian fans throughout much of his tenure but now stands on the verge of adding to titles won in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
During all three of those triumphs, the Super Eagles played Ivory Coast – against whom they have won three times and lost twice during their seven previous meetings at the finals.
With a back line superbly marshalled by former Watford centre-back William Troost-Ekong and long-term West Brom defender Semi Ajayi, Nigeria have conceded just two goals in six games – while scoring seven at the other end.
Surprisingly, only one of those has come from Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, the reigning African Footballer of the Year who has converted just one of his 24 chances, albeit while having had two goals ruled out by VAR and another disallowed for handball.
Nonetheless, Osimhen has earned plaudits for his tireless running and pressing, and played the semi-final despite stomach problems, where he earned the penalty from which Nigeria converted their only goal.
“He doesn’t play like a star, but fights for the team,” said the Portuguese Peseiro, 63.
“He knows he’s an important player and because of that, he suffers for the team – getting kicked around – but he helps us as much as the team helps him. It’s a collective effort and we fight together.”
With Osimhen failing to add to his goal in Nigeria’s opener, Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman is Nigeria’s top scorer with three goals, while Troost-Ekong, having netted two high-pressure penalties, is the only other Nigerian to have scored (an own goal aside).
Fittingly for a competition which has been played in excellent spirit through, Peseiro took time on Saturday to “congratulate Emerse Fae” for the interim Ivory Coast coach’s impressive handling of his side after taking over a seemingly-sinking ship.
After coach Jean-Louis Gasset vacated his role shortly after the Elephants’ group campaign, with some saying the Frenchman chose to resign rather than being fired, former Ivorian international Fae stepped in just hours before the team staggered into the knockout stages.
There has been little limp about the side ever since, with the Ivorians showing incredible mental fortitude when finding late equalisers en route to eliminating defending champions Senegal and Mali in two epic ties, prior to a far more routine victory against DR Congo on Wednesday.
Having previously coached Nice’s youth teams and the reserve team of French Ligue 1 club Clermont Foot, Fae – who had been Gasset’s assistant since the latter’s appointment in May 2022 – rejected talk of him being a “special one” on Saturday.
“I said from the start that I was fortunate to know the squad for two years,” he said. “We just tried to focus on building the right chemistry – I haven’t invented anything but done all the basics, like making all the players feel important and building cohesion.
“We deserve to be in the final and the most important thing was to regain confidence, rebuild the team and it was good to tidy things in defence. We’ve been taking things one step at a time.”
Forced to quit playing at the age of 28 because of vein inflammation issues in his legs, Fae was part of the Ivorian side that finished runners-up in 2006, a campaign in which he played every minute.
He will now try to ensure the two-time champions score their first goal in a Nations Cup final, with their four previous appearances in the continent’s showpiece football finale all going to penalties after ending goalless.
With the Ivorians’ six goals all having been scored by different players, Fae will hope that the revitalised Sebastien Haller – who scored the semi-final winner in the striker’s first start at the finals – can continue to impress following his month-long lay-off with an ankle injury.
“Since December, I’ve been working hard with the physios to be here,” said the 29-year-old, who returned to football just over a year ago after battling back from testicular cancer. “I feel the pressure as a striker, it’s a big responsibility but that’s how football works.
“Playing in front of our people gives us the motivation to perform, and I hope this good pressure will help the team. The last two years have been tough and challenging for me. When you see everything that has happened, it’s great to be here and on Sunday I’ll enjoy it.”
“Having had to cope without four suspended players in the semi-finals, Fae will have the rarity of being able to select from a near full-strength squad on Sunday – when he says he is prepared for whatever eventuality this most unpredictable of Nations Cup may have left to offer.
“The main lesson we’ve drawn at this competition is that you have to expected the unexpected,” said a man who could win the continent’s most prestigious tournament in only his fourth game in charge.
