Category: Sports

Former Super Eagles head coach Jo Bonfrere has said the team must put behind them the failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and focus on the next two editions, DAILY POST reports.

The three-time African champions will be missing for the second consecutive editions when hostilities starts in Canada, Mexico, and United States of America in June.

Éric Chelle’s side were stopped by eternal rivals Black Stars of Ghana from qualifying for the 2022 edition hosted by Qatar.

Nigeria lost on penalities to Democratic Republic of Congo in the final of the African playoffs last November.

Bonfrere said the focus of the team must now be on the 2030 and 2034 editions.

“Super Eagles must put the 2026 World Cup disappointment behind them. Preparation for 2030 and 2034 must start now,” Bonfrere said during an interview on Monday.

Super Eagles must start preparation for 2030, 2034 World Cups now – Bonfrere

The Federation of International Football Association, FIFA, has cleared Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo to play for the Super Eagles.

Okonkwo was born in England to Nigerian parents and is eligible to represent both countries.

The former Arsenal shot stopper previously represented England at the youth level.

The 24-year-old’s change of eligibility was formally updated on the FIFA platform for international player transfers on Tuesday.

Okonkwo is now expected to get a chance to feature for the Super Eagles in the upcoming friendlies against India and Jamaica in May.

The Super Eagles also have two more friendlies lined up in June against Poland and Portugal.

Super Eagles: FIFA clears Wrexham goalkeeper Okonkwo to represent Nigeria

Heartland have reacted to their failure to secure a promotion ticket to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL.

The Naze Millionaires missed out on the promotion ticket to Inter Lagos.

Heartland occupy third position on the NNL Conference A table.

The Owerri-based club said that they have resolved to renew their target for next season.

“Though the journey may have faced a setback, we will press on with renewed resolve, knowing that a man’s fall does not define the end of his story.” Heartland reacted after the confirmation of Inter Lagos as the winner of the group.

Heartland will do battle with Crowns FC in their final game of the season next weekend.

NNL: Heartland vow to bounce back from promotion setback

Sports Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Didier Bodembo, has boasted that Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will cry when both teams clash in the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage encounter.

DR Congo recently qualified for this year’s World Cup tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The African side was drawn in Group K at the World Cup and will face Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia.

“Qualifying for the World Cup was not easy; we fought hard.

“In our first match at the 2026 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo will be in tears,” Bodembo said (via GOAL).

Ronaldo, 41, is expected to feature for Portugal in what could be his last World Cup tournament for his country.

2026 World Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo will cry – DR Congo’s Didier Bodembo

Former Nigeria winger, Garba Lawal, has given his verdict on why Paul Onuachu turns into a scoring monster for Trabzonspor but goes quiet when representing the Super Eagles.

Onuachu has been unstoppable in the Turkish Super Lig this season, racking up 22 goals and helping Trabzonspor climb to third place.

However, the 31-year-old scored just four goals in 34 caps for the Super Eagles.

“People need to understand that playing for your country is a completely different challenge,” Lawal told Footy Africa.

“At club level, you have the luxury of time and consistent minutes to find your rhythm, but with the national team, you don’t have time to gel and If you don’t produce instantly, you risk being dropped.”

Why Paul Onuachu shines for Trabzonspor but struggles Super Eagles – Garba Lawal

Newcastle icon, Alan Shearer, didn’t hold back as he tore into three Arsenal players for their costly blunders in the FA Cup quarter-final loss to Southampton over the weekend.

Just 13 days after falling to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, Arsenal slumped to another disappointing defeat, this time 2–1 against Southampton at St. Mary’s.

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast alongside Gary Lineker and Micah Richards, Shearer singled out Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera, and Gabriel Magalhães for harsh criticism.

“Scienza gave Ben White an absolute torrid evening. He was all over the place. Ben White didn’t know what to do,” Shearer said.

“Ross Stewart forced Mosquera and Gabriel into errors that you have not seen from them too many times. All three of those players I mentioned made huge errors and could have been punished even more.”

They made huge errors – Alan Shearer calls out three Arsenal players

Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi has commented on the release of Nigeria’s 2026 kit, indicating that he personally favours the previous design in light of the team’s recent friendly matches.

The new collection, launched by the global sportswear leader Nike, has ignited discussions due to its striking light green home and away options.

The kits, revealed in late March, showcases a light green home jersey with darker panel accents, along with an away shirt adorned with bold green flame-like motifs on a white background — a contemporary interpretation of Nigeria’s traditional colors.

These designs have already been showcased on the field during the Super Eagles’ 2‑1 win against Iran and their 2‑2 draw with Jordan in Turkey.

In a discussion on the Alexander Yaa Digg podcast prior to the match against Iran, Iwobi articulated his initial thoughts on the training gear associated with the new collection, comparing its look to something eye-catching and unconventional for training sessions.

He remarked, “The training kit is bright green, resembling highlighters with a pink stripe on the side. That’s the new kit for training.”

Contemplating the new designs and their significance within Nigeria’s football heritage, the Fulham midfielder shared his personal perspective on the kits and their potential impact on the team’s performance.

He concluded, “Personally, I think I prefer the old one, but we will see if this one can bring us luck in today’s match.”

‘I prefer the old one’ – Alex Iwobi on new Super Eagles’ kit

Real Madrid winger, Vinicius Junior, has sent a message to Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal after the Spain international recently hit out at racist chants.

Recall that Yamal was angry with chants from fans during Spain’s international friendly goalless draw with Egypt last week.

Speaking to the media on Monday ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich on Tuesday, Vinicius Jr addressed the issue.

The Brazilian, however, hoped Yamal could continue to fight at every chance for people worldwide who are subject to racism.

“It’s a complicated issue, and it happens a lot. I hope Lamine [Yamal] can continue this fight as well,” Vinicius said via Madrid Universal.

“We have money, but poor Black people have more difficulties than we do. I’m not saying that Spain, Germany, or Portugal are racist countries, but there are racists in every country, and if we fight together, hopefully, other players and people will stop suffering these things.”

Vinicius has been the target of racist chants in Spain and has been fighting for years.

I hope you can continue this fight – Vinicius sends message to Yamal about racism

Arsenal will be without the duo of Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber, for the trip to Sporting to play the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final first leg.

Both Saka and Timber did not feature in the 2-1 defeat to Southampton in the FA Cup last weekend.

And Gunners boss, Mikel Arteta, has confirmed they won’t be fit for Tuesday’s game.

But in an injury boost for Arteta, key trio Declan Rice, Gabriel and Leandro Trossard are fit for the game in Portugal.

On Saka and Timber, Arteta said: “They haven’t travelled. They’re not ready yet.

“Hopefully, they’re going to be ready for the weekend if everything goes well.

“That’s a massive boost because in recent days we’ve lost so many important players and that’s something that we need to change immediately.”

UCL: Arsenal suffers double injury blow ahead of Sporting quarter-final tie

Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper, Kasey Keller, has snubbed Portugal and Argentina while naming the three favourites to win the 2026 World Cup.

He feels Lionel Messi cannot lead Argentina to defend the World Cup title, nor can Cristiano Ronaldo lead Portugal to win it.

According to him, France, England, and Spain are stronger contenders for this year’s World Cup title than Argentina and Portugal.

“Can Ronaldo lift the World Cup this summer? I just don’t see Portugal getting it done. When I look at the top teams,” Keller said to Jackpot City Casino (via Tribal Football).

“Look at France’s squad—if they get it together, watch out. Spain are obviously strong, and I’m really impressed by England’s team. They have to be among the favourites.

“I don’t see Argentina repeating their success. As for Brazil, can they show up when they have not necessarily been any good?

“I look at Spain, France and England personally [as the favourites to win the World Cup].”

Ex-Tottenham goalkeeper, Keller snubs Portugal, Argentina, names favourites to win 2026 World Cup