September 22, 2023
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have dropped 1 position in the latest FIFA rankings, despite their impressive performance in the AFCON Qualifiers against Sao Tome and Principe.
The Eagles, who were ranked 39th in the rankings released in June, lost three points and dropped to 40th on the world stage and 6th on the African continent which knocks Nigeria out of Pot 1 ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations draw slated for 12th October, 2023.
Morocco remains Africa’s number one nation, sitting in 13th place in the world ranking.
While Senegal dropped two places and now rank 20th in the world, they maintained their second position in Africa.
Tunisia are the only African country among the top six on the continent to move up globally. They were ranked 31 in the previous rankings but in the update released by FIFA on Thursday, they now occupy the 29th position in the world.
Algeria (34) and Egypt (35) complete the Top 5 in Africa.
Globally, World Cup winners, Argentina, are still the number one ranked nation ahead of France, Brazil, England, and Belgium, while to major move was Portugal moving up to replace Italy in the 8th Position.
September 14, 2023
The Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Green Falcons of Saudi Arabia will lock horns in a senior international friendly match in the city of Portimão, Portugal on Friday, 13th October 2023.
The clash comes barely a month before the three-time African champions, wallopped Sao Tome and Principe 6-0 in their 2023 AFCON final-day qualification game in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state Capital. This is as they set out on the race for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals with a home game against the Crocodiles of Lesotho.
Within the same FIFA window in November, the Eagles will play their second match of the qualification series, away to the Warriors of Zimbabwe.
Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have never played at senior level, but the most remarkable clash between both countries remains the opening match of FIFA U20 World Cup (then known as FIFA World Youth Championship) in 1989, in which second half goals Chrstopher Ohenhen and Mutiu Adepoju steered Nigeria to a comeback 2-1 victory over the host nation in Riyadh.
The Estadio Municipal de Portimão, in the Algarve, is the home ground of Portimonense S.C.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria secured their spot from Group A of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers on Sunday in Monrovia with a 3-2 win Over the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone.
The coach Jose Peseiro-tutored side secured their spot in this year’s AFCON, which is to be held in Ivory Coast, after picking up their fourth win in qualification Group A following a tight triumph over Sierra Leone. Kelechi Iheanacho came on to score the winner for Nigeria late in the game after Sierra Leone cancelled out Osimhen’s brace.
Midfielder Ndidi played the entire match on the coast of Liberia, while Kelechi Iheanacho was the late hero – claiming a 95th-minute winner after being introduced 20 minutes from the full-time whistle.
Leicester City’s No.25 was among the starting line-up, while forward Iheanacho was named on the bench for the match-up at Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium, as two first-half goals from Napoli forward and Serie A champion, Victor Osimhen gave the Super Eagles a strong lead after only half an hour.
Mustapha Bundu got a goal back for Sierra Leone just before the interval, inspiring a potential comeback for the home side, who levelled things up in the 84th minute through winger Augustus Kargbo.
While a single point would’ve been enough to secure qualification for this year’s tournament, Iheanacho was keen to have an impact, and netted seconds from time, when the striker tapped in a low cross from FC Porto left-back Zaidu Sanusi.
The win leaves Nigeria at the top of the group, with 12 points, and the Super Eagles face one more group stage game – with qualification already confirmed – when they take on bottom-placed Sao Tome and Principe in September.
April 11, 2023
Victor Osimhen of Napoli is battling to be fit and available for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals against Milan on Wednesday.
Osimhen suffered a muscle injury while on international duty with Nigeria last month, during the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau, and missed Napoli’s 4-0 loss to Milan at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona a fortnight ago, as well as the Partenopei’s 2-1 win over Lecce in Serie A action last weekend.
The 24-year-old is having a fantastic season in Serie A and has established himself as an important member of Luciano Spalletti’s squad.
The former VfL Wolfsburg striker leads Serie A in goals scored with 21 in 23 matches, and his form is propelling the Partenopei to their first historic league title in three decades.
Osimhen has 25 goals in 29 appearances in all competitions, helping Spalletti’s side to a 16-point lead in Serie A and a place in the Champions League’s last eight.
On Sunday, the striker trained at the Castel Volturno soccer field, and there is still hope that he will be able to travel to Milan for the Champions League quarter-final match against Pioli’s Rossoneri. The Nigerian’s availability in the Champions League next week will be determined on Tuesday.
“On Saturday, Osimhen worked out on the treadmill at the gym.” He returned to work in the field on Sunday. According to Area Napoli, “Victor is trying and will try until the last minute to be there in the first leg quarters at San Siro.”
“The player will continue his recovery work on Monday as well; the plan is to have clinical tests and a decisive audition on Tuesday in order to be included on the list of players called up for the away match in Milan.”
“If the last test results in positive signals, Spalletti could insert him among the starters for the away match at San Siro, he could initially take a seat on the bench and possibly enter the second half if there was a need, but it is still too early to tell, but confidence is growing.”
