₦airaland Forum

Amedino99:
Italy's latest friendly list. Features 3 nigerians; ahanor, ekhator, and koleosho. Young players too but kayode once again is yet again ignored. If only we can just use this opportunity of all these ignored call ups to pick him. although even if we reach out, he might still be passionate about the italian senior team since he has/is still playing for the youth team.

The guy talk say, him no want SE. Na by force?
Italy is his priority for now. All the best to the lad.

Predator87:
To come and do what? You people have started this your nonsense again. What has he done in CAF competitions? CAF CL? where was Rangers? Let Rangers compete and do well in the CAF CL and CAF CC then we can talk. He should not be anywhere near the SEs. If he wants to coach a Nigerian National team it should be U20 and maybe U23 for now. No Nigerian is qualified to coach Super Eagles as of right now.

Super Eagles is not the only national team we have.
U17, U20 and U23 are also National teams.

I am still worried that we don't have an alternative for Iwobi in the middle.

ChrisKels:
No one is benching Benji in that team. Not even Bassey can bench Benji.

Bassey?
No talk that thing outside o.

Akor scores

FIFA sanctions Nigeria, DR Congo over W’C

Four months after the disputed 2026 FIFA World Cup African play-off final between Nigeria national football team and DR Congo national football team, FIFA has sanctioned the Nigeria Football Federation and the DR Congo Football Federation following disciplinary incidents that occurred during the match, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

DR Congo beat Nigeria 4–3 on penalties in Morocco to advance to the intercontinental play-offs.

According to FIFA’s latest disciplinary overview released for the World Cup qualifiers, both the NFF and the Congolese FA were found guilty of separate infractions during the match played on November 16, 2025.

FIFA stated that Nigeria was penalised for a breach relating to order and security at matches, specifically involving the throwing of objects by spectators under Article 17 and Article 17.2.b of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, and the NFF was consequently fined 1,000 Swiss francs.

On their part, the DR Congo federation received a heavier sanction after supporters were found to have used laser pointers or similar electronic devices during the match. The act contravenes Article 17.2.d of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, leading FIFA to impose a 5,000 Swiss francs fine on the Congolese body.

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle also accused DR Congo officials of using voodoo in the wake of the defeat.

Nigeria lodged the complaint after losing the African play-off, arguing that the Congolese federation misled FIFA in securing nationality switches for several overseas-born players.

The petition, submitted on December 15, 2025, asked FIFA to investigate the matter and potentially disqualify DR Congo from the qualification process.

The Nigerian federation’s document listed numerous foreign-born players who featured against the Super Eagles, including Lionel Mpasi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Samuel Moutoussamy, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Noah Sadiki, Nathanaël Mbuku and Cédric Bakambu in the starting line-up, as well as substitutes Timothy Fayulu, Matthieu Epolo, Joris Kayembe, Edo Kayembe, Steve Kapuadi, Gédéon Kalulu, Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens.

In the complaint, released publicly by journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, Nigeria argued that several players obtained clearance to represent DR Congo only days before the decisive play-off match, despite having been called up earlier for the fixture.

While DR Congo are preparing for the World Cup play-offs, where they are scheduled to face the winner of the semi-final between New Caledonia and Jamaica on March 31 for a place at the World Cup, they have also dropped two of the disputed players — Michel-Ange Balikwisha and Mario Stroeykens — from their 26-man squad.

Culled from Punch Newspaper

zicky:
God bless you my brother, you actually get my point.

They are always quick to attack diverse view. And the funny thing, I've not even made my pick ☺️.

.
I don't know why we arguing this.
It was all over on social media then.
Maybe Okoye could have done better with that shot but the fine boy thing on social media (Before Tunisia match) did not help his cause.

Okoye criticism was amplified because talks of his looks have been on the social media prior to the match.
In my opinion, Nwabali is better but some Nigerians can drag you for any reason. It might not make sense to you but it is what it is. These are the ones I can find

Kog45:
So Francis Uzoho that was heavily criticized is a very good looking man abi... Nwabali that was criticized prior to Afcon is a fine man abi...wetin concern Nigeria fans with female folks liking a player,you perform on the pitch or you get out....if na good look Awaziem would be starting for us...all those ladies admiring Okoye during Afcon na just PR...hope you don see Awaziem,Semi Ajayi and Odion Ighalo wella

Was Uzoho and Nwabali heavily criticized (as much as Maduka) when they made their first mistake?. That's the question.

Kog45:
Oga forget all these pics...Okoye is good looking no doubt,but telling us his good look was the major reason he was criticized after Tunisia match,no baba

I think he is right Sir.
During that AFCON, he was adored by female fans only for him to make that "costly mistake" against Tunisia. Whereupon, fans turned against him saying he had the looks but no goalkeeping skills.
Were it to be another goalkeeper (like Obasogie) making a similar mistake (which is actually the first), the criticism won't have been that much.

Though, I will pick Nwabali over Okoye anytime anyday.

lbrichman2:
Agenda people don dey agend ..

Loyalty and sacrifice should be rewarded. One cannot eat his cake and have it at the same time. It's now left for Uzoho to make good use of this opportunity.

There is one Alessandro Marcandalli in Genoa. Owngoal reports that he is eligible for SE. Transfer market also recognises that fact though he has played for Italy U-21. Who has watched him play? How good is he?

I know Algeria's game is gone but can't help but laugh at Algeria who feels they are better than Tunisia.
The argument both put forward is amusing.

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS5tkHDfb/

Enoughpull:
The full backs will suffer most as Algeria got tricky wingers.. Everyone has to be involved in defense that day..

Yes that's true.
However, the Algeria wingers might also be busy trying help their wingers against the onslaught of our attack.
We never know what the future holds.

Danielnino00:
Bassey is suspended for the Quarter finals...
IMO, this could have been avoided if he didn't play the Uganda game and pick up an unnecessary booking in the final minutes yesterday..

Now, it's either Ogbu or Awazeim to partner Ajayi...

I hope Chelle and the NFF technical crew are aware of this suspension

Not true.

AFCON Yellow Card Rules
Under CAF regulations for AFCON, yellow cards accumulate during the group stage and can lead to a one-match suspension if a player reaches two bookings before the knockouts begin. However, all single yellow cards are wiped clean at the start of the knockout stage (Round of 16 onward), giving players a fresh slate—except in cases where a player already served a suspension for reaching two yellows.Since Bassey only had one yellow before the Mozambique match (and picked up his second in the Round of 16 itself), he never reached the accumulation threshold during the group stage. Therefore, no suspension was triggered.
Implications
Bassey's second yellow (against Mozambique) has no carry-over effect.
He is fully available for Nigeria's quarter-final (against the winner of Algeria vs DR Congo).
The late booking was unnecessary with the game already won 4-0, but it carries no disciplinary consequence beyond that match.

No reports indicate any suspension for Bassey heading into the quarter-finals, and he remains a key part of Nigeria's defense.

From Grok

What's this news of Aaron Wan-Bissaka not being eligible to play in the playoffs?

This journalist is saying Ndidi is eligible for the final.

Nigerians sha.

lbrichman2:
Omo!
Be like we go forget this world Cup..

That's a lot.
Where dey see the money?
$1million x 23 players (without officials) is alot.

Hello.
Has the referee for our match been changed?

Tosin Adarabioyo is a wonder . He is waiting at the finishing line

do4luv14:
Let me dream Small

Imagine if it's was prime VICMO partnering VO9 in attack choiiii 🔥🔥🔥🔥

If na so, Osimhen no go see goal score o.

jihday:
if we beat Benin by 2 goals we’ll be tied on GD, what will be the tie breaker?

If we beat Benin by 2-0 and SA draws with Rwanda, we are undeservedly through to the WC.

If we beat Benin by 1-0, we will be level on points and goal difference with Benin. Will SA draw Rwanda?

Norway 1 - Nigeria 0

Possible penalty to Norway.

Modified.
Penalty kick given.

mank1234:
Look at this 3rd round scoreline. I see no comeback in this one.

You said?

Truidstarr:
They can’t train or compete together due to speed, strength, and power, which are generally greater in men. The Switzerland female national team recently lost to Luzern U15 boys team 7-1 in a friendly. Mental resilience is a matter of mind set that can be built over time. Pushing female footballers physically will lead to a lot of Anterior Cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. ( please refer to events just before the last World Cup).

Also, The Golden Eaglets thrashed the Super Falcons 6-0 in a friendly match. The match details are from April 2014, where Chidera Ejuke scored a brace, and other scorers included Paul Obasi, Kingsley Michael, and Orji Okoronkwo, with Henry Daniel contributing three assists. This match was part of the Golden Eaglets' preparation under Coach Emmanuel Amuneke, who was impressed with the boys' performance, highlighting substance to build upon for future games.

https://savidnews.com/golden-eaglets-thrash-super-falcons-6-0/

Cecco90:
We won 3-0

Now 3-1

eddie7:
Please any feedback from the Super Falcons vs Black Queens match?

We won 3-0

Ajax has informed Chuba Akpom that his services are no longer needed. Akpom got this information via a WhatsApp chat along with six other players.

As long as they are still under contract in Amsterdam, they are "no longer welcome" on the club premises during professional team activities, according to De Telegraaf.

123jamessmith:
Nobody is talking about felix uduakhi again.

Let's see sha but not everyone has the luck of making his international debut at 28 years old.