Sports

Nigeria’s Super Eagles crash out of Nations Cup

Published

5 years ago

January 23, 2022

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It took an unexpected long-range shot at the beginning of the second half and a red card to Alex Iwobi to end Nigeria’s Super Eagles roller coaster ride at the 2021 African Nations Cup.

On Sunday, the scintilating group stage performances by the Eagles did not matter. While Nigeria topped Group D with nine points in the first round, Tunisia qualified for the second round as one of four best third-place finishers, from Group E.

Coach Augustine Eguavoen named his preferred starting 11 against Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles and the Super Eagles started on the front foot. Moses Simon won Nigeria’s first corner kick after just 30 seconds and Wilfred Ndidi tried a bicycle kick after two minutes, an effort which went wide.

Samuel Chukwueze tried a shot from just outside the box in the fifth but the shot was off target. Despite the initial pressure, it was Tunisia that had the first gilt-edged chance in the 10th minute but Ndidi was well positioned on the line to block Montassar Talbi’s goal-bound effort.

In the 12th minute, Joe Aribo got on the end of Moses’ pass but his attempt at goal was blocked for a corner kick. From the ensuing corner, Ndidi had another attempt as Nigeria tried to score an early goal.

There were some full-blooded tackles in the first quarter of the game as the two sides sized themselves up. Kelechi Iheanacho was shown the first yellow card of the encounter for a slap on Bilel Ifa’s face. Hamza Rafia had a shot in anger for the Tunisians as they grew more confident and had more of the ball possession.

The second half started with Youssef Msakni giving the Carthage Eagles the lead with a well-driven shot that caught Maduka Okoye unawares. It was the first time the Super Eagles had gone behind in the tournament.

A better first touch from Kelechi Iheanacho could have created a shooting chance in the 51st minute. The Eagles were now under the cush as the Tunisians’ defensive setup prevented any clear-cut chances. Eguavoen sent on Alex Iwobi and Peter Olayinka for Iheanacho and Awoniyi but things just got worse for the Eagles.

A studs-on-stamp from Iwobi was deemed worthy of a VAR check and the earlier yellow card was upgraded to a red in the 59th minute. The Everton man was on the pitch for just four minutes before he was expelled.

After this, it was a mountain to climb as the Tunisians took every opportunity to waste time. Sadiq Umar almost got the equaliser in the second minute of added-on time but his effort beat the goalkeeper and dribbled past the post to extinguish the last hopes of the Super Eagles.

So, Tunisia with seven missing players and their coach shocked the Nigerians and march on into the quarter-finals to face Burkina Faso, who had earlier overcome Gabon on penalties.

Related Topics:Nigeria SUPER EAGLES TUNISIA

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Sports

Lionel Messi retires from international football

Published

3 weeks ago

August 31, 2026

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Argentina football legend, Lionel Messi, has drawn the curtain on his international football with Argentina after an illustrious career with the South American nation.

The 39-year-old made a total of 207 appearances, announced his retirement on Monday.

He won the World Cup in 2022, and was a runner-up in 2026 and 2014. He also secured two Copa América titles.

Messi wrote in a statement, “It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deep down – but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all – not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.

“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.”

Messi, who made 207 appearances and reached three World Cup finals, is widely regarded by fans worldwide as the greatest footballer ever.

Sports

Tinubu orders comprehensive reform of Nigerian football after resignation of NFF board

Published

3 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football to ensure the national football team overcome repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental and world tournaments.

“The reform must respond to a longstanding need to strengthen governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability across Nigerian football,” he said.

Tinubu, according to a statement on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, made the decision to help the country “overcome repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental and world tournaments”.

“Football, Nigeria’s most popular sport and the greatest beneficiary of public support, investment and national attention, has continued to struggle basically due to structural deficits within the system,” the president said.

The President noted that while other sports had recorded meaningful progress since the reset of the sports sector under the re-established National Sports Commission, football has continued to struggle because of structural weaknesses within the system.

He stressed that Nigerian football must begin to match the country’s exceptional talent, passion and resources with stronger institutions and sustained performance.

President Tinubu directed the Chairman of the National Sports Commission to work with the NFF Secretariat and relevant football stakeholders to ensure continuity in essential football administration and facilitate a broad, consultative reform process.

The process will include appropriate engagement with FIFA and CAF while safeguarding Nigeria’s obligations within the international football framework.

The President called on football stakeholders and Nigerians to support the transition and work together to build a stronger, more accountable and successful football system.

Sports

Ibrahim Gusau confirms resignation as NFF president, Mohammed Sanusi steps down as general secretary

Published

3 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

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Ibrahim Gusau has confirmed his resignation as the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The former chairman officially announced his resignation at a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday.

He said: “After consultation with family, friends and stakeholders, I just want to tell you that I have decided to resign from my position.

“As Nigerians, nobody is greater than this country. We all love our country and its progress. And as people who have been in football and managing football, we need to look at ourselves and ask, ‘What next?’ so we made a lot of consultations.”

Gusau added that he also advised members of the NFF board to follow his footsteps. He clarified, however, that he cannot say whether they would heed his advice.

A few minutes after Gusau’s announcement, the NFF, on its X page, confirmed the resignation of Mohammed Sanusi as the federation’s general secretary.

The mass resignation comes a few weeks after the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the women’s World Cup for the first time since the competition’s inception. The disappointment triggered backlash for the NFF board members.

According to rumours, the NFF leadership was pressured to step down after intervention from top brass of the Federal Government, from the National Sports Commission (NSC) to the presidency.

Gusau was elected NFF president in 2022, and his tenure was supposed to end next month, with an elective congress scheduled for September 27.

The fate of the congress is uncertain as reports claim that a normalisation committee will be set up to oversee the federation’s affairs until further notice.

Under Gusau’s leadership, the Super Eagles, like the Falcons, also failed to qualify for the men’s 2026 World Cup, despite Africa getting 10 slots for the first time. The failure also extended to age-grade football, with the men’s U-17 and U-20 teams missing out on World Cups.