Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: football

  • Super Eagles Crowned Group Stage’s Deadliest Attack at AFCON 2025

    Super Eagles Crowned Group Stage’s Deadliest Attack at AFCON 2025

    Figures cited by Daily Post show that the Nigerian Super Eagles have emerged as the most prolific scoring side in the group stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Finishing at the top of Group C with a perfect nine points, the team netted eight goals, the highest tally of the tournament so far.

    The statistical dominance is supported by CAF data, which shows Nigeria leading in ball possession with an average of 66% and recording more shots on target than any other competing nation. The attacking quartet of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Akor Adams has been credited with the team’s clinical efficiency in the final third.

    The Guardian Nigeria validated the team’s momentum, noting that ‘Nigeria’s attack is shaping youth expectations’ and driving a surge in continental pride. Furthermore, Vanguard reported that the team is now a clear favorite for the title, stating: ‘The Super Eagles are currently the most potent attacking team.’

    Echotitbits take: The Super Eagles finally seem to have found the balance between flair and finishing. However, as the tournament enters the Round of 16, the focus must shift to defensive discipline, as knockout football rarely favors teams that neglect their backline.

    Source: Daily Post — https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/01/afcon-2025-super-eagles-finish-group-stage-with-most-potent-attack/
    Daily Post January 3, 2026

    Photo Credit: Daily Post

  • Eagles Recall Akpeyi, Uzoho, Ezenwa, Nwakali on Standby for Sierra Leone Game

    Eagles Recall Akpeyi, Uzoho, Ezenwa, Nwakali on Standby for Sierra Leone Game

    Coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, has recalled South Africa-based goalkeeper, Daniel Akpeyi, to his team for the qualifier match against Sierra Leone.

    On standby are home-based goalkeeper, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Cyprus-based Francis Uzoho, and former Golden Eaglets captain, Kelechi Nwakali.

    Rohr has also called up Captain Ahmed Musa, defender William Ekong, midfield enforcer Oghenekaro Etebo, and 21 others for the game.

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    Victor Osimhen, the leading marksman who missed out of this month’s friendlies against Algeria and Tunisia, will return to the team just as midfielder Joseph Ayodele-Aribo and South Africa –based goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi.

    Switzerland –based goalkeeper Sebastian Osigwe will hope to earn his first cap for Nigeria, while defenders Kevin Akpoguma and Zaidu Sanusi, who impressed in the friendlies in Austria, have been handed opportunities to add to their caps.

    There are seven players on standby, including defender Abdullahi Shehu, Uzoho, Ramon Azeez and Samson Tijani, and forward Paul Onuachu.
    The players lined up for the friendly match are:

    Goalkeepers: Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Sebastian Osigwe (FC Lugano, Switzerland); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands).

    Defenders: Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Chidozie Awaziem (FC Boavista, Portugal); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Kevin Akpoguma (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, Germany).

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    Nigeria Football Federation Gets FIFA’s $1m Palliative, $600, 000 Mini Stadia Fund

    Midfielders: Oghenekaro Etebo (Galatasaray, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (FC Twente, Netherlands); Frank Onyeka (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Joseph Ayodele-Aribo (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland).

    Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Unattached); Alex Iwobi (Everton FC, England); Emmanuel Dennis Bonaventure (Club Brugge, Belgium); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal FC, Spain); Victor Osimhen (Napoli FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Chidera Ejuke (CSKA Moscow, Russia).

    Thenff.com stated that the players are expected to report at the Protea Hotel Emotan in Benin City on November 9.

  • Nigeria Football Federation Gets FIFA’s $1m Palliative, $600, 000 Mini Stadia Fund

    Nigeria Football Federation Gets FIFA’s $1m Palliative, $600, 000 Mini Stadia Fund

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has finally received a $1 million palliative it was promised by the world football governing body, FIFA.

    The receipt of the long awaited palliative fund was disclosed Wednesday on Twitter by the NFF president, Amaju Pinnick, who revealed further that the Nigerian federation received another $600, 000 from the football body for the construction of two mini stadia in the country.

    Pinnick said the federation got the fund on Monday and has also reconfirmed what it is meant for from FIFA.

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    “As a further break down, the $1 million for palliatives is composed of $500,000 for men’s football and $500,000 for the women’s game. FIFA has also promised to send the Federation an additional $500,000 sometime in January 2021, also as part of COVID-19 palliative efforts.

    “FIFA also sent $600,000 to the federation for the FIFA Forward 2.0 projects in Birnin-Kebbi and Ugborodo. At $300,000 each, it will enable the mini-stadia in both centers to start at a very good pace, as we earmark completion by the end of March 2021”, he stated.

    The NFF will also receive the sum of $300,000 on or before Sunday, November 1, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed.

    According to Pinnick, “With the $200,000 we have already ring-fenced from our sponsors’ funds for the purpose, the coast will then be clear for us to start the disbursement of funds to the beneficiaries, as captured in our approved template, from next week.

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    “Even though we are bolstered by the guidelines from FIFA strictly outlying the purposes of these funds, as well as the approval of the NFF executive board, we will also interface with our auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, on each and every line item, to ensure the disbursements conform to global best practices.”

    The NFF had in August outlined the formula for the distribution of its palliatives to men and women football, as well as all its affiliates, including the Supporters Club and the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN).

     

  • Arsenal’s goalkeeper Martinez keen on first-team deal, set to depart

    Arsenal’s goalkeeper Martinez keen on first-team deal, set to depart

    Arsenal’s backup goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez is set to leave the Gunners this summer.

    Martinez’s performance while standing in for injured Bernd Leno last season, adjudged impressive, sparked intense debates among Arsenal fans about who should be the first choice goalkeeper after seeing the Argentine’s ability.

    Arsenal chief, Mikel Arteta is however keen on doing everything possible to keeping the back up goalkeeper offering a new deal.

    The Argentine, who was also very crucial to Arsenal’s triumph in the FA Cup and Community shield was said to have turned down the latest contract offer as he is focused only on a deal that gets him more regular first-team football.

    A major factor fuelling Martinez’s decision to quit the Arsenal side is Bernd Leno’s return to action. The first-team favoured goalkeeper’s return would see him start ahead of Martinez in Arsenal’s Saturday game against London neighbours, Fulham.

    It is likely that Martinez joins Aston Villa if he pushes through quiting Arsenal after the former tabled two bids for the 28-year-old.

    Amidst interest from Laliga side Villareal, reports suggested that Martinez would prefer to stay in England .