Category: Sports

Chibuike Nwaiwu can’t hide his excitement after making his debut for the Super Eagles, reports Completesports.com.

The Trabzonspor defender made his debut for the Super Eagles in the 2-1 victory over Iran in Antalya, Turkey on Friday.

Nwaiwu replaced Igoh Ogbuh in the second half of the encounter.

The 22-year-old was called up as a late replacement for the injured Calvin Bassey.

The defender said it was a privilege to play for the three-time African champions.

“It is a privilege for me to represent my country because the dream of all footballers in the world is to represent their country, and I am very happy to make my debut today,” he told the Super Eagles media.

Nwaiwu relishes maiden Super Eagles appearance

Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand, has pleaded with Brazil head coach. Carlo Ancelotti to include Santos forward Neymar in the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.

Ancelotti recently announced Brazil’s squad for the March international break and didn’t include Neymar.

The former Real Madrid manager insisted that the former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona star was not 100% fit to be part of the squad.

However, speaking on the YouTube channel Rio Ferdinand Presents, Ferdinand begged Ancelotti to reconsider his decision.

“Neymar has not made the recent squad, man, I cannot believe it,” Ferdinand said.

“As a football fan, I am praying that he’s there and that he touches the pitch at the World Cup because this is what it’s about.

“The greats of the game, the icons that you go, ‘Remember that moment?’ He could produce one of those moments at a World Cup. I am telling you, please, Carlo, get Neymar back in.”

World Cup 2026: Rio Ferdinand begs Ancelotti to include Naymar in Brazil’s squad

Brazil legend, Romario, has picked Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal over Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior.

The former World Cup winner holds the Yamal in high regard, praising his exceptional talent.

Romario stated this during a recent conversation with Real Madrid legend Iker Casillas.

When asked to choose between the Yamal and Vinicius, Romario stated, “I would go with Lamine.

“I really like Yamal, he is one of the most talented players in the world among this new generation. I am certain he will have an exceptional career.”

Yamal was sensational for Barcelona last season, leading them to win the LaLiga title ahead of Real Madrid.

He also finished in second position in the 2025 Ballon d’Or rankings behind the winner, Ousmane Dembele.

Brazil legend Romario chooses Yamal over Vinicius

Nigeria have defeated Iran 2-1 in an international friendly played in Antalya, Turkey on Friday afternoon.

Eric Chelle named a strong side for the game amid the absence of Victor Osimhen and Stanley Nwabali.

It paid off as Moses Simon opened the scoring as early as the sixth minute, with a mazy dribble and sharp finish.

The Super Eagles doubled their lead after the break thanks to Akor Adams, after fine work from Ademola Lookman.

Mehdi Taremi pulled one back for Iran.

Nigeria’s next match is another friendly against Jordan on Tuesday.

This match was part of a four-nation invitational tournament, which also includes Jordan and Costa.

Super Eagles defeat Iran 2-1 in international friendly

Kwara United have intensified preparations for their Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, matchday 32 encounter against Nasarawa United in Lagos.

The Harmony Boys held an intensive training session ahead of the game at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena on Thursday.

The session, supervised by the club’s technical adviser Suleiman Ashifat, focused on tactical drills.

“The Harmony Boys, alongside their technical crew, showed resilience under the intense weather conditions, completing a 45-minute session filled with tactical drills,” Kwara United wrote on social media ahead of the game.

“Players responded positively to instructions from Head Coach Ashifat Suleiman, demonstrating readiness and determination ahead of the crucial away fixture.”

Kwara United are battling to avoid the drop in the NPFL this season.

The Ilorin club needs a win to boost their chances of escaping relegation.

NPFL: Kwara United step up preparation for Nasarawa United clash

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has named former AC Milan shot stopper, Dida, as his idol.

Okoye also named Barcelona’s Marc-André ter Stegen, Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, and Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma as his top three best goalkeepers at the moment.

“My Idol is Dida. I have never met him in person, but I have heard him on calls,” Okoye said, as quoted by Tuttomercatoweb.

“I’d take many things from him; he was incredibly quick. He had personality on the pitch.

“De Gea is another legend, a monster. My top three goalkeepers are Ter Stegen, Courtois, and Donnarumma: he’s the best right now.”

Okoye is currently with the Super Eagles as they prepare to face Iran in an international friendly in Turkey later today.

‘My idol is Dida’ – Super Eagles’ Maduka Okoye names top three goalkeepers

Super Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has named his starting lineup for the international friendly against Iran, DAILY POST reports.

Udinese’s Maduka Okoye will start in goal after making a return to the team.

Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Igoh Ogbuh and Bruno Onyemaechi will feature in defence.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi will take charge of the midfield.

Akor Adams will lead the attack, and will be supported by Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon.

The game will kick-off at 2pm Nigerian time.

Super Eagles XI vs Iran: Okoye, Lookman, Adams get starting roles

This friendly will be the first game for Iran since the conflict in the Middle East broke out.

The match against the Super Eagles will form part of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup, which they may not participate in.

Nigeria, meanwhile, failed to qualify for the tournament, so will be looking at the future.

The match is part of a four-nation invitational tournament, which also includes Jordan and Costa.

Kick-off is at 2pm Nigerian time.

DAILY POST will provide live updates on this page:

__________________________________________

Super Eagles starting XI vs Iran:

Okoye

Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Ogbu, Onyemaechi

Ndidi, Iwobi,

Simon, Chukwueze, Lookman, Adams

__________________________________________

FIRST HALF: Moses Simon opens the scoring for Nigeria. 1-0.

HALF TIME: The Super Eagles went into the break one goal up, thanks to Simon’s sixth minute solo effort.

SECOND HALF: Akor Adams doubles Nigeria’s lead with a composed finish after a beautiful assist from Ademola Lookman.

Taremi pulled one back for Iran in the second half.

FULL TIME: Nigeria have defeated Iran 2-1 in an international friendly on Friday.

Nigeria vs Iran: Live Updates from Super Eagles’ friendly in Turkey

Former Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo, has criticized the Confederation of African Football’s decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, title.

In a ruling announced earlier this month, CAF upheld a petition from the Moroccan Football Federation, nullifying Senegal’s victory in the AFCON final played in January.

The top African football governing body cited a regulation breach: Senegal’s players temporarily walked off the pitch during the chaotic closing stages of the encounter to protest a penalty awarded to the hosts.

Speaking on the development with fellow former Super Eagles player Ifeanyi Udeze on Brila FM, Ighalo said that CAF had given former footballers like Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher the power to mock the AFCON.

Recall that Carragher had last year described the competition as inferior to other competitions like the Euros and the Copa America.

”This AFCON took us (Africa) ten steps forward, but CAF’s decision drags us five steps backward. It has given people leverage to start disparaging African football again,” Ighalo said.

“I always challenge the foreign media outlets that talk down on AFCON and try to discourage players from attending.

“But what just happened brings the competition down again. Now you are allowing the likes of Jamie Carragher to say things they should not be saying about African football. Things they have wanted to say for a long time. This just gives them more power to criticize the tournament.”

AFCON: ‘You’ve given Carragher power’ — Ighalo slams CAF for stripping Senegal of title

Maduka Okoye has explained the reason behind his decision to decline invitation to feature at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, DAILY POST reports

Okoye was a surprise omission from Nigeria’s squad to the competition which was hosted by Morocco.

The 26-year-old missed the start of the 2025/26 season due to suspension for his alleged involvement in a betting scandal.

The former Watford goalkeeper said he took the decision to opt out of the AFCON to work on his fitness following his absence from competitive football.

Okoye further stated that it was also important for him to repay Udinese for standing by him during his absence.

“Since I was not Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, I believed it was better to remain at Udinese, work on my form, and also show appreciation to the club for standing by me during a difficult period,” he told Kicker.

Okoye is expected to be in goal when the Super Eagles take on Iran in an international friendly in Antalya, Turkey on Friday (today).

Super Eagles: Okoye gives reason for AFCON 2025 absence