LATEST ARTICLES

Agent – Why McClaren Snubbed Super Eagles Job For Jamaica

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Former Manchester United assistant coach Steve McClaren was offered the role of the head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria before he was appointed as the coach of the Jamaica national team, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

McClaren was appointed as the coach of Jamaica on the 1st of August leaving his role as one of the assistants of Erik Ten Hag. His decision could have been different if the Nigeria Football Federation were proactive and decisive.

The coach met with the hierarchy of the NFF in London and talks were held on taking over as the coach of the team, but he was left with no option but to take up the Jamaican job after not hearing from Nigeria weeks after talks were held.

His representative said when he made contact with the NFF he was told that the 63 year old coach is on a shortlist of four coaches, and the NFF will need to meet as a body before deciding who will be the coach.

He said it was that information that made them to look elsewhere, and they didn’t have to look for too long before the offer from Jamaica arrived, meanwhile Nigeria is still without a coach two weeks to the start of the qualifiers for the 2025 AFCON.

Austine Eguavoen who is the head of the technical department of the NFF is expected to handle the role in interim capacity for the games against Benin Republic and Rwanda respectively.

NFF Chief Blames Delay In Appointing A New Coach For Super Eagles On Herve Renard – He Is Confusing Us

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As the search for a new coach of the senior national team of Nigeria continues, a chieftain of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has blamed the delay on one of the favourites for the job, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Nigeria is without a substantive coach ahead of the start of the qualifiers for the 2025 AFCON, where they will play two games against Benin Republic and Rwanda on the 7th and 10th of September respectively.

The games will likely be handled by the head of the technical department of the NFF owing to the delay in finding a replacement for Finidi George, who left the role almost two months ago after a poor showing in the world cup qualifiers.

For now the NFF have narrowed their choices to just two in the duo of Janne Andersson and Herve Renard, but the latter is the preferred choice of most members of the NFF including the president Ibrahim Musa Gusau.

Renard initially priced himself out of the job with his salary demand described as outrageous by a highly placed board member. However his representative say he is willing to lower his wages because he is keen on working and making a statement with the Super Eagles.

Contacts were made last week just when the board has already settled for Andersson, who handled Sweden for seven years before leaving the role this year. Renard’s return to the negotiation table made the NFF to foot drag in completing the process of hiring Andersson.

” We (NFF) need Renard to make up his mind because at the moment he is confusing us. I can tell you talks are back on with his representative and that kinda slow the process since he is our first choice and rightly so”, he said on the condition that his name shouldn’t be mentioned.

Super Eagles Camp For AFCON Qualifiers Opens In Uyo With 25 Players , Eguavoen As Interim Coach

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The camp of the senior national team of Nigeria for the 2025 AFCON qualifiers game against Benin Republic and Rwanda respectively will open on the 1st of September in Uyo, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Super Eagles will begin the series with a game against Benin Republic in Uyo on the 7th of September before traveling to Rwanda three days later for their second game in the group which has Libya as the 4th team.

Ahead of the game a preliminary list of 35 players received provisional invitation for the game, but the number has been trimmed to 25 players with five on standby per what we exclusively gathered.

As the search for a new coach continues, the head of the technical department of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Austine Eguavoen will take temporary charge of both games.

His role will be just for the two games with a substantive coach expected to be announced before the next round of games in the qualifiers scheduled for October and November respectively.

Talks are on with Herve Renard as well as Janne Andersson for the role of head coach of the team made vacant by the departure of Finidi George as coach a little over six weeks, after a poor showing in the world cup qualifiers.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

German FA Slam Ban, Fine On Super Eagles Striker

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The German Football Federation has slammed a one match ban and a fine of €25,000 on Nigeria international striker Victor Boniface according to a statement released by Bayer Leverkusen.

Boniface gave fans of Stuttgart the middle finger when he was subbed off during their German Super Cup game, a game which he scored in the 11th minute but ended in a 2-2 before his team triumph via penalty kicks.

His suspension will be for the next game in the Cup for unsportsmanlike conduct, but he is still free to represent the team in league games, which is organized by a different body. The Cup game is the DFB Pokal game against Carl Zeiss Jena.

Last season, Boniface made a huge impression in his first season scoring a total of 21 goals with ten assists as they emerged unbeaten to win the league and German Cup. They were however denied a historic treble by Atalanta who defeated them 3-0 in the final of the Europa League.

Indiscipline Ruined My Career, Don’t Be Like Me – Ex Super Eagles Rising Sensation Warns Osimhen

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The recent rant by the top striker of the senior national team of Nigeria Victor Osimhen has drawn reactions from a former golden boy of the senior national team of Nigeria, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Osimhen went live on his official Instagram handle to have a go at the erstwhile coach of the Super Eagles Finidi George over comments that he allegedly made questioning the commitment of the Napoli ace, after he missed the team’s two world cup qualifiers games against South Africa and Benin Republic respectively.

His rants drew him a lot of criticism with people calling on him to apologize to the coach, something sources say he did privately but up till date he hasn’t gone public with his apology. One time Super Eagles fast rising start Etim Esin has warned him not to let indiscipline ruin his career like it did to him.

Nicknamed the “African Maradona” Esin saw his career nosedived massively following a rape allegation that saw him leave Belgium when he was close to a breakthrough.

His record of indiscipline is well documented and he has warned Osimhen to take his case as a good example of how indiscipline can stop a player from reaching the peak of his career.

“A coach can make or mar you in terms of indiscipline, and I think one of my pitfalls was indiscipline,” Esin told Elegbete TV.

“You haven’t played the World Cup. You haven’t won AFCON; you just won the African Footballer of The Year, and you are ranting like this.

“Look at all the transfer saga going on. Now, they are looking for a swap deal, making your life difficult. Which African Footballer of the Year has been involved in a swap deal? Yekini, Amuneke, Ikpeba and co, signed them straight up.

“I think Osimhen should sit down and even come and ask someone like me what indiscipline has cost me in football. Thank God it hasn’t cost my life.

He rounded it up with a word of advice for the 25 year old. “Go to where you are from and build an academy. Raise another star, if they can’t play football, give them scholarships. That’s what his team should advise him to do. I’m not coming here showing off with music stars. I used to do that, but it would derail him.

“By now, his deal should have been closed. The window is almost over.”

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Wanted By 12 Teams, Signed By None- The Curious Case Of Super Eagles First Choice Goalkeeper Nwabali

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Coach of Chippa United Thabo September has opened up on the chances of the first choice goalkeeper of the senior national team of Nigeria Stanley Nwabali staying at the club as opposed to widespread reports about his exit before the close of the summer transfer window.

“He’s being a professional and training well, and if that [transfer] doesn’t happen, he’s looking forward to playing in the PSL for Chippa United. But me as a coach I don’t know if there’s anything on the table,” September told FARPost.

“I’m not going to be like everyone else and claim there’s something here or there. On my side, I don’t know of anything on the table. But all I want is good things for him. I want the best for Stanley because he deserves it; he has done well.”

His statement is coming three months after the goalkeeper coach of the team Sean Louw talked about the team receiving around a dozen verbal offer for the 28 year old, who made his mark for Nigeria at the AFCON where the team went all the way to the final before losing 1-2 to the host Cote d’Ivoire.

On physical hard copy paper, I don’t know how many offers he has received, but verbally, he has around 10 or even 12 offers. He is definitely not coming back to Chippa next season,” Louw said.

The owner of the club also said talks were on for the shot stopper to move to a new team , he won’t as far as saying talks are on with teams ” “We are talking to a few clubs abroad. We also believe that he needs something better, especially after the performance that he showed at the Afcon,” the owner stated”.

But with few days left for the close of the window Nwabali is closer to staying at the club than securing a dream move abroad. A curious case that has left everyone confused.

 

Daniel Martins

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Super Eagles Coach: NFF Courts Renard Again With Ten Months Contract, Salary Covered By Private Firm

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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has gone back to the negotiation table with two time AFCON winning coach Herve Renard to take over as the coach of the senior national team of Nigeria, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Their decision to revisit the issue of hiring the Frenchman came after talks with 61 year old Swede Janne Andersson broke down, owing to some terms proposed in the deal for him to be the next coach of the Super Eagles.

Renard who is said to have demanded a base salary of around $150k a month is keen on handling the Super Eagles, and his representative have made it clear to the NFF on his recent change of mind regarding the Super Eagles job.

On their part the NFF are hoping to meet up with his demands as talks are advanced with a private firm who will cover his salary for the next ten months, tag duration the first part of the proposed contract is expected to run.

While they still harbour hopes of reviving talks with Andersson, they are broadening their options by holding talks with Renard, who is still the preferred choice among board members and also the president of the NFF Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who has the final say on the decision.

Renard Back In Talks With NFF Over Super Eagles Job After Breakdown In Negotiations With Andersson

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The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has gone back to the negotiation table with two time AFCON winning coach Herve Renard to take over as the coach of the senior national team of Nigeria, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Their decision to revisit the issue of hiring the Frenchman came after talks with 61 year old Swede Janne Andersson broke down, owing to some terms proposed in the deal for him to be the next coach of the Super Eagles.

Renard who is said to have demanded a base salary of around $150k a month is keen on handling the Super Eagles, and his representative have made it clear to the NFF on his recent change of mind regarding the Super Eagles job.

On their part the NFF are hoping to meet up with his demands as talks are advanced with a private firm who will cover his salary for the next ten months, tag duration the first part of the proposed contract is expected to run.

While they still harbour hopes of reviving talks with Andersson, they are broadening their options by holding talks with Renard, who is still the preferred choice among board members and also the president of the NFF Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who has the final say on the decision.

Exclusive: Andersson Walks Out Of Talks To Be New Super Eagles Coach, Says No To Certain Conditions

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Talks for 61 year old Swede Janne Andersson to be the new coach of the senior national team of Nigeria has suffered a setback after his refusal to certain conditions in the proposed contract, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Andersson has been in talks with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) after he was picked as the preferred choice to replace Finidi George, who left his role six weeks ago following a poor performance in the 2026 world cup qualifiers.

The team will return to action with the AFCON qualifiers on the 7th of September against Benin Republic before taking on Rwanda three days later away from home, the NFF was hoping to have a coach before that time.

That is highly unlikely following breakdown in talks with the coach, who was in charge of Sweden for seven years before leaving his role after failing to guide them to the 2022 world cup and the recently concluded European championship.

We gathered that he rejected some conditions in the deal proposed by the NFF. Some sources in Sweden reported that talks have been called off by his representative on the orders of the ccoach whom they say have lost interest in the role.

A highly placed board member of the NFF confirmed the latest development, but say there is no cause for alarm as they are hopeful that talks will resume to iron out their differences, however if a compromise isn’t reached then they will switch to the other options on the table.

Getafe’s New Sensation Uche Left Out Of Super Eagles List For AFCON Qualifiers, Tella Returns

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The list of players who will represent the senior national team of Nigeria in their upcoming AFCON qualifiers games against Benin Republic and Rwanda respectively is expected to be made public next week, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Super Eagles will begin the quest to be at the 2025 AFCON with a game at home against Benin Republic on the 7th of September before travelling to keep a date with Rwanda three days later for their second game of the series.

Preliminary invitation was sent to 35 players for the game by the technical department of the NFF, and it is expected to be trimmed to 25 by the incoming coach of the team Janne Andersson and made public next week.

We can exclusively confirmed that Uche Chrisantus who announced himself with a bang for Getafe with a goal in their 1-1 draw against Athletic Bilbao in his first game for the team, and also in the Spanish top flight didn’t get an invitation.

Uche we gathered will be monitored for subsequent invitation if he continues his fine form for Getafe, the team he joined towards the end of last season from third division Spanish side Cueta.

Sources also confirmed that Bayer Leverkusen winger Nathan Tella is back in the squad after excusing himself from the last squad that played in the world cup qualifiers games against South Africa and Benin Republic respectively.

Maduka Okoye Ends Speculations About Moving To Inter Milan, Pens New Deal With Udinese

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Italian Serie A side Udinese have sealed the future of Nigeria international goalkeeper Maduka Okoye for the next four years after his decision to sign an extension to his deal at the club, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Okoye who has risen to the role of first choice of the club since the second half of last season, following his transfer from Watford during last summer’s transfer window has been rumoured to be on the radar of league champions Inter Milan.

At the weekend he once again proved why he is so highly rated with another top class performance topped, with two good saves in the closing stages of the game to help them see out a 1-1 draw away to Bologna in their first game of the season.

Earlier today Udinese announced that they have secured his services till the summer of 2028 ending all doubts around his continuity at the club beyond the end of this season.

“Together again, and for longer. Maduka Okoye has renewed his contract with Udinese Calcio, which means the Nigerian goalkeeper will be tied to the club until 30 June 2028”, a statement on the club’s website reads.

“Maduka, who arrived in Friuli in summer 2023, played a central role over last season and consistently showed his high standards, making him one of the best performing goalkeepers in the league. Through renewing his contract, both Okoye and the club have shown their desire to continue this journey together with even more enthusiasm and ambition”.

 

New Super Eagles Coach Andersson Lays Bare His Playing Style, Philosophy Ahead Of AFCON Qualifiers

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Janne Andersson is expected to take over as the new coach of the senior national team of Nigeria ahead of their first set of games in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers games against Benin Republic and Rwanda respectively, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Andersson will however not be on the touchline when the team plays in September due to a running media contract, which is due to expire by the end of next month making him eligible to be in the dugout for the Super Eagles in subsequent games in October and November respectively.

The coach who spent seven years as the coach of Sweden notably leading them to the quarter final of the 2018 world cup was caught up in a players row with the country’s most decorated and celebrated star Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2021.

Ibrahimovic described the omission of Dejan Kulusevski from the Sweden starting line-up to play France in September that year as “an absolute joke. “More proof that incompetent people in the wrong positions are suffocating Swedish football,” continued Ibrahimovic via Twitter.

It could only be interpreted as a stinging criticism of Andersson, the then Sweden coach. And yet, within weeks of those words, the pair were in discussions to end the striker’s five years international exile, with the coach demonstrating his ability to manage dispute, something he will likely face when he takes over as coach of Nigeria.

“You have to do that if there is a player like Zlatan. My job is to get results and if there is a player who is good enough to be in the team then, of course, I have to investigate and talk to him. I have to try to find a way that we can work together”, he explained why defending his decision to bring back the giant striker.

Pressed on how he sets up his team, the coach in that same interview said as much as he wants his team to attack, there is still the need to find a balance between doing that and defending.

“We will be hard, compact and difficult to score goals against. We need to have more possession, we need to attack, but we also need to be strong defensively and not lose.

“If you go back to the World Cup, we were really strong on the defence and then we could score on the counter-attack. Now we are able to have more possession than we used to have but we still have to find the right balance to get the best results.”

It means fans of the Super Eagles should expect a team that will be tough to beat and not necessarily flamboyant in their style, but good enough to get the much needed results.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman