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NIGERIA RETAIN UNITY CUP AFTER PENALTY SHOOTOUT WIN OVER JAMAICA

CapitalTimesNews / 3 weeks

1 min read

Nigeria claimed the Unity Cup for the second consecutive year, defeating Jamaica in a dramatic penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw in regulation time during Saturday’s final. The Super Eagles struck first when Moses Simon expertly finished from a Cyriel Dessers cross. However, Jamaica, the Reggae Boyz, responded almost immediately, leveling the score through Kaheim Dixon. Nigeria regained the lead thanks to a spectacular individual effort from Samuel Chukwueze. Once again, Jamaica demonstrated resilience, finding an equalizer in the 63rd minute when Jon Russell found the back of the net, forcing the match into extra time and ultimately penalties. With no further goals in extra time, the destiny of the trophy was decided from the penalty spot. Nigeria held their nerve to win the shootout, securing the championship. “It was a tough battle, but the team spirit carried us through,” stated goalscorer Moses Simon. “Scoring in the final is always special, but lifting the trophy again is what matters most.” Match-winner Samuel Chukwueze added, “Scoring that goal felt amazing, but credit to Jamaica, they fought incredibly hard. Winning the shootout and retaining the cup shows our character. This victory is for all Nigerian fans.”

SUPER EAGLES STAR AHMED MUSA TIES THE KNOT WITH FOURTH WIFE IN KANO

CapitalTimesNews / 3 weeks

2 min read

Nigeria Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has married his fourth wife, Asmau Moriki, in a low-key ceremony in Kano. The 32-year-old footballer, who already had three wives, received permission from head coach Eric Chelle to attend the wedding, which took place on Friday. Musa’s union with Moriki brings his current number of wives to four, following his divorce from his first wife, Jemila, in 2017. He remains married to Juliet Ejue and Miriam, whom he married in 2021. A celebratory dinner in his honor is scheduled for Sunday. The Super Eagles star had to leave the team’s camp at the ongoing Unity Cup in England to attend the wedding ceremony. Despite his departure, Musa featured for over 30 minutes in Nigeria’s 2-1 semi-final victory over Ghana, helping the team reach the final. However, he was absent for the final match against Jamaica. As a devout Muslim, Musa has been open about his faith. Beyond football, Musa has established a strong presence, investing significantly in real estate, oil, and recreational ventures in Kaduna, Abuja, Kano, and Lagos. He also owns property in the United States, where his second wife, Juliet, resides. There is no direct quote from Ahmed Musa in the provided information. However, the story highlights his successful football career and business ventures.

AKPEYI SLAMS SUPER EAGLES, SAYS THEY LACK TEAM UNIT

CapitalTimesNews / 1 month

2 min read

Former Super Eagles goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, has expressed his disappointment over the team’s current state and their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. Akpeyi slammed the team for lacking a proper unit, unlike South Africa, who have made visible progress under their coach, Hugo Broos. “The standing in the World Cup qualifiers group is a clear reflection that South African football is higher,” Akpeyi said. “You can have big players, but coming up with a team is something that many fail to do.” Akpeyi attributed South Africa’s success to their team effort, saying, “We [Nigeria] could be like Bafana Bafana if we have players who play for the country and not for themselves.” Akpeyi believes that Nigeria deserves to be in a better position in the qualifiers, but lacks fundamentals such as cohesion and identity. “I strongly believe that we [Nigeria] deserve to be in first position,” he said. “Right now, we lack so many fundamentals that South Africa has. That also includes cohesion and identity.” With Rwanda and Benin still within touching distance, Nigeria must now deliver consistent performances in the remaining fixtures to stand any chance of reaching the 2026 World Cup. Akpeyi’s comments have added to the scrutiny surrounding head coach Eric Chelle, who is under pressure to guide the team to the World Cup.

SUPER EAGLES’ PROVISIONAL SQUAD FOR RWANDA, ZIMBABWE CLASHES RELEASED

CapitalTimesNews / 4 months

2 min read

Nigeria’s head coach, Éric Sékou Chelle, has unveiled a 39-man provisional squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The list includes a mix of experienced players and new faces, as the Super Eagles aim to revive their qualifying campaign. Goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Adeleye Adebayo, defenders William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, and Olaoluwa Aina, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, and Simon Moses are among the notable players included in the squad. Other experienced players who made the cut include goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, as well as forwards Ahmed Musa, Samuel Chukwueze, and Sadiq Umar. First-time call-ups include defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha, along with forwards Tolu Arokodare and Jerome Akor Adams. The Super Eagles are currently sitting fifth in Group C behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic, and Lesotho. They will face group leaders Rwanda in Kigali on March 21, before hosting Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo four days later. The final squad of 23 players is expected to be announced in the coming days. Coach Chelle will have to trim his squad and make some tough decisions before the crucial qualifying matches.

NIGERIA’S SUPER EAGLES DRAWN IN GROUP C ALONGSIDE TUNISIA, UGANDA, AND TANZANIA FOR AFCON 2025

Nicolas Adekeye / 5 months
0
2 min read

The draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 has been concluded, with Nigeria’s Super Eagles being placed in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania. The draw took place on Monday night at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco. The Super Eagles, with their rich legacy in African football, will be looking to make a strong impression in the tournament. With 16 medals from 20 AFCON appearances, including three titles in 1980, 1994, and 2013, Nigeria is considered one of the dominant forces in African football. The group stage matchups against Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania are expected to test the team’s mettle under new coach Eric Chelle as they aim to advance to the knockout stages. While Group C presents its challenges, the Super Eagles’ pedigree and experience make them strong contenders to top the group and progress deep into the tournament. AFCON 2025 will be hosted by Morocco, marking the country’s first time hosting the tournament since 1988. The tournament is scheduled to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, and will feature 24 qualified teams competing in six groups. The top two teams in each pool will advance to the round of 16, along with the four best third-placed sides. The Super Eagles will be looking to make a strong start in the tournament and progress to the knockout stages. The draw was conducted with the assistance of African legends Serge Aurier, Aliou Cissé, Joseph Yobo, and Mustapha Hadji, and was broadcast in over 90 countries worldwide.

NFF APPOINTS ÉRIC CHELLE AS NEW HEAD COACH OF SUPER EAGLES

Nicolas Adekeye / 6 months

2 min read

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has officially announced the appointment of Éric Sékou Chelle as the new Head Coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles. The decision was ratified by the NFF Executive Committee following the recommendation of the Federation’s Technical and Development Sub-Committee. According to the NFF, Chelle’s appointment is with immediate effect, and he is mandated to ensure the Super Eagles secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals. “Coach Chelle’s vast experience as both a player and coach positions him as the right man for the job,” the NFF stated. Chelle, 47, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having played for French clubs such as Martigues, Valenciennes, Lens, Istres, and Chamois Niortais in Ligue 1. He also earned five caps for Mali’s national team, the Aiglons. As a coach, Chelle has managed GS Consolat, FC Martigues, Boulogne, and MC Oran. He was also Mali’s Head Coach from 2022 until June 2024, leading the team to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire. Reacting to his appointment, Chelle expressed his commitment to the role, saying, “I am honored to lead a team as talented as the Super Eagles. Nigeria has a rich football history, and I am determined to work hard with the players, staff, and federation to bring success to the nation.” Chelle’s first major task will be to prepare the Super Eagles for the next set of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Match Days 5 and 6, slated for March 2025.

SUPER EAGLES GOALKEEPER STANLEY NWABALI LOSES MUM JUST A MONTH AFTER FATHER’S DEMISE

Nicolas Adekeye / 6 months

1 min read

Tragedy has struck again for Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who has lost his mother just a month after the passing of his father. The 28-year-old confirmed the sad news on his X account, saying, “It’s a situation that has left me helpless.” This devastating loss comes after Nwabali announced the death of his father on November 15, 2024. He had played in a 1-1 draw with Benin before being excused to bury his dad, which saw him miss the 2-1 loss against Rwanda in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Nwabali’s absence was felt by his club, Chippa United, and he is now likely to miss their next Premier Soccer League game against Royal AM on Saturday, January 11. As the club’s captain, Nwabali has been instrumental in their success, playing 12 games across all competitions this season. Rumors have been circulating about a possible move to Kaizer Chiefs, with speculation about a swap deal involving Fiacre Ntwari. However, Nwabali’s focus will undoubtedly be on coping with this difficult time, having lost both his parents in a short span.

WOMEN JOURNALISTS CALL FOR...

OHCSF DENIES PLOT TO...

EDO GOVERNOR PLEDGES 2.5...

NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY SETS...

GUNMEN HIJACK BENUE LINKS...

AFRICAN FUTURE DEPENDS ON...

WOMEN JOURNALISTS CALL FOR...

OHCSF DENIES PLOT TO...

EDO GOVERNOR PLEDGES 2.5...

NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY SETS...

GUNMEN HIJACK BENUE LINKS...

AFRICAN FUTURE DEPENDS ON...

NIGERIA RETAIN UNITY CUP AFTER PENALTY SHOOTOUT WIN OVER JAMAICA

SUPER EAGLES STAR AHMED MUSA TIES THE KNOT WITH FOURTH WIFE IN KANO

AKPEYI SLAMS SUPER EAGLES, SAYS THEY LACK TEAM UNIT

SUPER EAGLES’ PROVISIONAL SQUAD FOR RWANDA, ZIMBABWE CLASHES RELEASED

NIGERIA’S SUPER EAGLES DRAWN IN GROUP C ALONGSIDE TUNISIA, UGANDA, AND TANZANIA FOR AFCON 2025

NFF APPOINTS ÉRIC CHELLE AS NEW HEAD COACH OF SUPER EAGLES

SUPER EAGLES GOALKEEPER STANLEY NWABALI LOSES MUM JUST A MONTH AFTER FATHER’S DEMISE

NIGERIAN PORTS AUTHORITY SETS AMBITIOUS REVENUE.

GUNMEN HIJACK BENUE LINKS BUS, KIDNAP.

AFRICAN FUTURE DEPENDS ON INTEGRATING INFORMAL.

WOMEN JOURNALISTS CALL FOR PASSAGE OF.

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