₦airaland Forum

Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker was caught weeing up the side of a posh hotel, the Sun reports.

Walker was pictured weeing against the wall last Sunday — 24 hours after Manchester City lost 3-2 to Liverpool in their FA Cup semi-final.
Dad-of-three Walker, 31, missed the game with an ankle injury.

Horrified guests said Walker looked around before pulling up his hoodie and spraying the brickwork.

One onlooker — a fan of rivals Man United — spotted Walker’s leg tattoos when peed at The Bridge in Prestbury, Cheshire, at 3.25pm.

A guest told The Sun: “I had just arrived for a meal with my family and suddenly I’m watching Kyle Walker, who I instantly recognised, p***ing against a wall. It was revolting.

“It wasn’t just a quick wee. He was there for ages. We were appalled.

“Before he did it, he was looking around to see if anyone was there, then he pulled up his hoodie but was still recognisable from his tattoos.”

The source added: “Kyle was outside in the beer garden. It was a beautiful day.

“But rather than head indoors and use the lavatory like the rest of us, he chose to walk through an archway to relieve himself against the wall — in full view of paying guests and people coming and going in the car park.

“The hotel charges £260 a night for rooms and entertains well-heeled locals.

“He could be clearly seen from the windows. It isn’t something you would want if you were staying there.

“Millionaire players sometimes get a bad rap and it’s easy to see why when some make up their own rules.”

Source: https://www.completesports.com/man-city-star-caught-weeing-against-wall-of-posh-hotel/

Former Chelsea star, Salomon Kalou has tipped the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, which will take place in Cote d’Ivoire.



The former Ivory Coast international made this known in an interview with SuperSports on Tuesday.

He said that the Super Eagles won’t find it difficult to qualify from Group A that consist of Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau and Sao Tome.



“I think it’s a good group [for the Super Eagles]. I think Nigeria is a team that will always qualify.

“They will be the favourites of the group while the second place is open for the other three teams,” Kalou told SuperSport.

The matches are expected to begin in May.



Winners and runners-up in each group except H qualify for the 24-team finals in the Ivory Coast during June and July 2023.

Source: https://www.completesports.com/2023-afcon-qualifiers-eagles-are-favourites-to-qualify-in-group-a-kalou/

Former Nigerian forward, Victor Ikpeba has disclosed that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have shortlisted notable names like Laurent Blanc, Phillip Cocu and Ernesto Valverde, and ex-Porto boss, José Peseiro for the Super Eagles managerial job.



Ikpeba made this known in a interview with Channels Television on Tuesday.

The former Monaco striker stated that the list of seven candidates was trimmed to four by the Technical Committee, which has forwarded its recommendations to the Executive Committee of the NFF.



“We have about six, seven foreign managers that applied, the names are all out but some of them were not mentioned,” the Atlanta Olympic gold medalist told Channels TV.

“We looked at the profiles and we decided three, four of the foreign managers we take it to the Executive Committee of the NFF Board to decide.

“Ernesto Valverde, Laurent Blanc, Phillip Cocu and José Peseiro applied for the Super Eagles job and based on their profile they were shortlisted,” he said.

Source : https://www.completesports.com/nff-have-shortlisted-blanc-cocu-valverde-peseiro-for-eagles-job-ikpeba/

Flying Eagles head coach Ladan Bosso has invited six new players ahead of the WAFU B U-20 tournament in Niamey, Niger, reports Completesports.com.

Bosso unveiled a 40-man shortlist for the competition on Monday.

The new call-ups are Ayo Adejubu of Shooting stars, Henry Uzodika (Abia Warriors), Hilary Albert (Plateau United) as well as the Kwara United trio of Shola Raheem, Abdulsalam Abdulsalam and Musa Olororo.

The Flying Eagles opened camp for the competition in Abuja on Monday.

They are in Group B along with the Black Satellites of Ghana and Young Stallions of Burkina Faso.

The competition will kick off in Niamey on May 7.

The two finalists will qualify for the Africa U-20 Nations Cup in Egypt.
[b]
[/b]Source: https://www.completesports.com/bosso-invites-six-new-players-to-flying-eagles-camp/

Former Nigerian winger, Tijani Babangida believes the Super Eagles will do everything to qualify for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, in a bid to make amend of their inability not to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.



The three–time champions and four-time runners-up, Nigeria will know their group opponents when the draw for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification series is staged at the SuperSport Studio in Johannesburg, South Africa on Tuesday evening.

Super Eagles who crashed out in the round of 16 of 2021 AFCON in Cameroon are in pot 1 alongside Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Cameroon, Algeria, Mali, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Ghana and DR Congo.



The 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is expected to kick off from June 23 to July 23. The draw could be held in South Africa.

However, in an interview with Completesports.com, Tijani stated that the disappointment of not qualifying for Qatar will spur the team to glory, starting with the qualifying campaigns.

“It’s a big disappointment that the Super Eagles failed to make appreciable impact at the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon and also failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar,” the former Atlanta Olympic gold medalist told Completesports.com.



“However, I am optimistic that such disappointment will only spur the Super Eagles to be more hungry for success. The players will be more determined to make a big statement of intent.”

source: https://www.completesports.com/exclusive-eagles-will-rise-to-afcon-2023-qualifying-challenge-tijani/

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been placed in Pot 1 for Tuesday’s (today) draw for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’l voire, reports Completesports.com.

The Super Eagles are among the 12 teams seeded for the draw. Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Cameroon and Algeria are the other teams in Pot 1.

Others are; Mali, Cote d’loire, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Democratic Republic of Congo.

The draw ceremony will hold in the studios of SuperSport in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The 48 countries qualified to participate in the second round of the qualifiers have seeded into four pots based on the official FIFA ranking released on 31 March, 2022.
The teams will then be drawn into 12 groups of four teams (Group A to L) with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the tournament to be played in the West African country.

Hosts Cote d’Ivoire will also participate in the draw even though they have already secured the place in the tournament which means only one other team from their group will qualify for the competition.

The draw will be conducted by the CAF Director of Competitions Samson Adamu and assisted by African football legends Lucas Radebe of South Africa and Ivorian Solomon Kalou.

The first ball will be drawn from Pot 4 and will go to position A4.
The procedure will be repeated for the remaining teams of Pot 4 who will go to positions B4, C4, D4, E4, F4, G4, H4, I4, J4,K4 & L4 according to the draw order.

The same procedure as above will be repeated for Pot 3, Pot 2 and finally Pot 1.

The qualifiers will start in June 2022.

Source: https://www.completesports.com/2023-afcon-draw-super-eagles-in-pot-1-know-group-opponents-today/

Vastly-experienced Nigerian coach, John Obuh, believes AS Roma Academy of Italy exciting winger, Prince Kelechi Nnajiofor possesses great quality to lead the current Flying Eagles squad to glory if called up.

Ex-Nigerian Under-17 World Cup coach, Obuh who worked closely with Prince Kelechi with the former having been the technical director of Roma Academy, Abuja believes the young forward can help Ladan Bosso’s under-20 team achieve greatness.

Bosso was on Tuesday retained as the head coach of the Nigerian national U-20 team, the Flying Eagles with the team set to begin preparations for the West African Football Union (WAFU) U-20 competition in Niger Republic.

Obuh has now tipped Prince Kelechi to lead the Flying Eagles to glory in the WAFU U-20 competition from May 7 to May 20, 2022 with the biennial tournament also serving as the qualification for the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Bosso was on Tuesday retained as the head coach of the Nigerian national U-20 team, the Flying Eagles with the team set to begin preparations for the West African Football Union (WAFU) U-20 competition in Niger Republic.

Obuh has now tipped Prince Kelechi to lead the Flying Eagles to glory in the WAFU U-20 competition from May 7 to May 20, 2022 with the biennial tournament also serving as the qualification for the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Bosso was on Tuesday retained as the head coach of the Nigerian national U-20 team, the Flying Eagles with the team set to begin preparations for the West African Football Union (WAFU) U-20 competition in Niger Republic.

Obuh has now tipped Prince Kelechi to lead the Flying Eagles to glory in the WAFU U-20 competition from May 7 to May 20, 2022 with the biennial tournament also serving as the qualification for the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.

Source: https://www.completesports.com/obuh-tips-roma-academy-winger-prince-kelechi-to-lead-flying-eagles-to-glory/

Villarreal have celebrated Samuel Chukwueze’s goal in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg clash against Bayern Munich, reports Completesports.com.

Chukwueze scored a late equaliser as the Yellow Submarine held their hosts to a 1-1 draw.

Unai Emery’s men progressed to the semi-final 2-1 on aggregate where they will face either Liverpool or Atletico Madrid.

Bayern Munich took the lead on 52nd minutes through Robert Lewandowski following an error in the Villarreal’s defence.Chukwueze, who replaced Arnaut Danjuma in 84th minute finished off a fantastic counter-attack by Dani Parejo, driven by Gio Lo Celso and Gerrard Moreno four minutes later.

The LaLiga club took to the social media to celebrate the decisive strike after the game.

Source: https://www.completesports.com/villarreal-celebrate-chukwuezes-decisive-goal-against-bayern-munich/

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face the El Tri of Mexico in an international friendly game at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas.



The friendly encounter between the two nations was confirmed with a statement on the official social media accounts of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

According to the NFF the game between Nigeria and Mexico will take place in the United States of America.



The friendly fixture comes after the Super Eagles of Nigeria were edged by the Black Stars of Ghana to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

NFF president Amaju Pinnick finally broke his silence about the Super Eagles failure to qualify for the World Cup apologzing to football fans in the country.

The Super Eagles will now help Mexico prepare for their World Cup campaign later this year,




The game scheduled to take place at the AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas will take place on Saturday, May 28, 2022.

Source: https://www.completesports.com/intl-friendly-super-eagles-to-face-mexico-may-28/

Arsenal youngster, Bukayo Saka has revealed why he was given the name ‘Bukayo’ by his grandmother.


The England international, who was born to Nigerian parents, said his grandmother named him Bukayo because she wanted him to bring joy to the family.

Saka, who graduated from the Arsenal’s Hale EnAcademy, said his father contributed immensely to his success story in football.

“My grandma gave it to me because of its meaning,” he told GQ Magazine when asked about his Yoruba name ‘Bukayo’.

“It means ‘God has added joy to my life.’ She wanted me to add joy to the family, so she named me that…Every time she called me, that’s probably what I meant to her,” he said.

Saka has been a shining light for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners this season as they battle for a place in the top four in the Premier League, which will guarantee them a return to the Champions League.

Source: https://www.completesports.com/saka-why-my-grandmother-gave-me-a-yoruba-name/

Nigeria midfielder Kelechi Nwakali wants a return to the Premier League after his controversial parting of ways with Huesca.

Nwakali is a free agent after he was sacked by Huesca following his late return from the Africa Cup of Nations in February.

The 23-year-old claimed the Spanish Segunda Division club wanted to force him to sign a new contract and also attempted to stop him from going to the AFCON.

Nwakali has already headed to the Spanish labour courts to challenge his dismisssal and will be represented by AFE (Spanish Player’s Union).

The former Arsenal player was on the radar of Watford last summer before the Hornets went for other options.

He has the opportunity to train with them before the end of the season with a view to potentially joining on a permanent deal.

Despite the interest from Spain, returning to England is known to be his preference.

He last played for Huesca in January, prior to featuring three times for Nigeria at AFCCON.

Source: https://www.completesports.com/nwakali-targets-premier-league-return-after-leaving-huesca/

Canada head coach Bev Priestman was disappointed with the outcome of her side’s second friendly against Nigeria, but hailed the team’s fighting spirit in the encounter, reports Completesports.com.

The Olympic champions twice rallied back in the 2-2 draw at the Starlight Stadium in Langford B.C.

Nigeria took the lead on five minutes through Ifeoma Onumonu who put the ball in the net with a back heel
from a free kick.

Christine Sinclair equalised for Canada three minutes after the break, chipping the ball home from a distance.

The Super Falcons went in front again in the 53rd minute through Atletico Madrid striker Rasheedat Ajibade.

However, the equaliser would come three minutes from time with Shelina Zadorsky nodding home a cross from Janine Beckie.

“We’re frustrated with the result. But we won an Olympic Games on not losing games and we showed our resilience again to score that goal at the end. The fans here in Victoria have been incredible,”Priestman said
after the game.

It would be recalled that the North Americans defeated the African champions 2-0 in their first friendly last Saturday.

Source: https://www.completesports.com/we-re-frustrated-with-the-result-canada-coach-reacts-to-super-falcons-stalemate/

A late equalizer from Canada denied Super Falcons a famous win, as both teams settled for a 2-2 draw, in the second of their two legged friendly in Victoria on Tuesday morning, Completesports.com reports.

The first meeting between both teams on Saturday in Vancouver ended 2-0 in favour of the Olympic champions.

But this time the Falcons put up a more spirited display and were close to grabbing the win before surrendering their lead for the second time in the encounter.

The Falcons got off to a very good start as they took the lead in the fifth minute through Ifeoma Onumonu whose brilliant back heeled effort from a setpiece ended in the back of the net.

In the 18th minute Chiamaka Nnadozie was called to action as she produced a brilliant save to keep the score at 1-0.

The Canadians kept pouring forward and were almost rewarded on 28 minutes but Ashleigh Plumptre made a goal-line clearance before Ajibade completed the clearance.

In the 32nd minute Nnadozie produced a superb save on 32 to deny Janine Beckie.

Just three minutes later Nnadozie was called to action again this time stopping Desiree Scott from grabbing an equalizer.

Despite efforts by the Canadians to draw level, the Falcons held on to go into the break 1-0 ahead.

Uchenna Kanu almost doubled the Falcons lead early in the second half but saw her effort well saved by the Canadian keeper.

The hosts eventually found the equalizer on 49 minutes through Christine Sinclair, who lobbed the ball over Nnadozie after Onome Ebi was robbed of the ball off a pass from the Falcons keeper.

But in the 53rd minute the Falcons were back in front thanks to Ajibade after her intended cross ended inside the net.

Canada were close to grabbing an equalizer but Sinclair saw her strike come off the cross bar.

And on 88 minutes Canada’s persistence eventually paid off as Shelina Zadorsky’s header from a cross beat the brilliant Nnadozie to bring score to 2-2.

Source: https://www.completesports.com/friendly-canada-snatch-late-equalizer-to-force-super-falcons-to-2-2-draw/[b][/b]

Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti reckoned Victor Osimhen was not in best physical shape in Sunday’s defeat to Fiorentina at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, reports Completesports.com.

The Partenopei lost 3-2, a result which dented their chances of winning the scudetto this season. Osimhen picked up an injury in training in the build-up to the game, but was passed fit to take his place in the starting line-up.

The Nigeria international scored and bagged an assist in the game.

“Osimhen wasn’t in the best shape today, as he skipped a couple of training sessions. He did well, but could’ve done better in these physical duels with Igor,”Spalletti told DAZN.

The coach was asked if this defeat had changed the landscape of the Scudetto race.

“Of course things change, because clearly now it’s all more difficult. We have no choice other than to be professional, try to win the next game and see what happens. It is no longer in our hands.”

Napoli have lost six Serie A matches this season, five of them were at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. “They are all to be taken individually, I don’t see any recurring problem we can work on or blame.”

Source: https://www.completesports.com/napoli-boss-spalletti-osimhen-was-not-at-his-best-against-fiorentina/

Everton manager Frank Lampard has showered encomium on winger Alex Iwobi following his superlative display in the club’s 1-0 win against Manchester United at the Goodison Park on Saturday, reports Completesports.com.

Iwobi was one of Everton’s top performers in the thrilling encounter.

The Nigeria international, who has featured regularly for the Merseysiders since Frank Lampard took charge of the team was in action for 90 minutes in the game.

The 25-year-old has registered two goals in 22 league appearances for the Toffees this season.

“Alex [Iwobi] is one who people can see I rely on. We have moved his position, we have changed in, and he has offered so much,” Lampard said as quoted by Liverpool World.

“I think you could feel the crowd’s reaction towards him today with his energy and qualities.

“I don’t know how many kilometers he has run this week, but he’s done it again.

“It is about character, and Premier League players get questioned in difficult moments. A lot of questions asked about [him] and me over the last few days, especially if you make those individual errors.”

Source: https://www.completesports.com/lampard-thumbs-up-quality-player-iwobi/

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has directed its technical committee to recommend new coaches for the Super Eagles, CHAN Eagles, Flying Eagles and Golden Eaglets.

The NFF gave the directive following the meeting of the executive committee in Abuja on Tuesday.

The technical committee is to make. recommendations for the various posts within five weeks.

It would be recalled that the NFF announced the sacking of the Super Eagles technical crew following the failure of the team to secure a spot at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

‘The Executive Committee mandated its technical and development sub-committee to within 5 days make recommendations to the Executive Committee on coaching crews for the Super Eagles, the CHAN team, the U20 Boys (Flying Eagles) and the U17 Boys (the Golden Eaglets) ahead of upcoming assignments,”reads the communique.

“This is to ensure preparations for the next qualifying tournaments and championships commence in earnest.”

Source: https://www.completesports.com/nff-to-name-new-coaches-for-super-eagles-flying-eagles-golden-eaglets/

Former Nigerian defender, Ifeanyi Udeze has revealed that former Super Eagles interim coach, Austine Eguavoen was not fully in charge of the senior national team during his three month reign as coach.



In an interview with Brila FM, Udeze blamed Eguavoen for not having enough guts to stamp his authority on the team and not taking key decisions when it mattered most.

He also advised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to appoint a foreign coach that will manage the Super Eagles.

“As much as I want an indigenous coach to be in charge of the Eagles, a foreign coach must be the head,” the former PAOK Thessaloniki star stated this in an interview with Brila FM.



“Eguavoen was not fully in charge of the Eagles for the World Cup qualifiers because he had said he invited some players to the team to pacify some individuals at the NFF.

“That showed that he did not take full charge of the team. Those that he tried to pacify then where are they now?

“Some of his decisions during the game (versus Ghana) also didn’t show he had enough information about the opponents he was playing (against).



“I find it very annoying to know that it was an Eagles player that informed the technical crew that the Ghanaian team had switched to a back five at half time when we introduced Abdullahi Shehu.



“We had a creative player in Akinkunmi Amoo who should have been introduced to help the team from the bench but that did not happen.”

Source: https://www.completesports.com/eguavoen-was-not-in-charge-of-eagles-udeze/[/b]

Former Nigerian forward, Victor Ikpeba has blamed the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for the Super Eagles failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup slated for Qatar.

Speaking on Monday Night Football, the former international revealed that Eguavoen did not support NFF’s decision to terminate Gernot Rohr’s contract just few weeks to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Recall that Rohr qualified the senior national team to the biennual tournament and also the 2022 World Cup qualifying playoffs.

Reacting to this, the former Monaco star said that the NFF and not Eguavoen should bear the responsibility for the Eagles’ absence in Qatar.

“Eguavoen was not in support of the decision to sack Rohr,” the 1997 CAF Player of the Year said.

“The NFF should take responsibility of Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and not Eguavoen.”

The last time the Eagles failed to qualify for the World Cup was the 2006 edition in Germany.

Source: https://www.completesports.com/eguavoen-never-supported-nffs-decision-to-sack-rohr-ikpeba/

Former Super Eagles interim coach, Austine Eguavoen has revealed that he would be delighted to manage the senior national team anytime he’s called up by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

Nigeria failed to qualify for this year’s World Cup in Qatar after losing to the Black Stars of Ghana on the away goal rule last month.

Speaking during SuperSports’ program, Monday Night Football, Eguavoen said he would take the opportunity to coach the Super Eagles again if he is called upon in the near future.

“If there is still an opportunity for me, I will want to coach the Eagles again, but not at this moment, maybe later,” Eguavoen said.

“If I am called upon to lead the team again, I will definitely take up the job. I am still one of the good coaches in the country. I can still prove a point, it is just a matter of time.

“No regrets taking up the job. When you are called to serve the nation, I could not refuse them,” he added.

Source: https://www.completesports.com/i-will-take-up-super-eagles-job-if-called-upon-again-eguavoen/

Crystal Palace dealt Arsenal’s top four hopes a blow after a convincing 3-0 win at Selhurst Park on Monday night.

The result means former Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira took four points off Mikel Arteta’s side this season.

Goals from Jean-Phillippe, Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Zaha, saw Palace continue their fine form.

Arsenal are now in fifth place on 54 points, same points as North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur who occupy fourth spot.

The Gunners lost left-back Kieran Tierney to injury while Thomas Partey also went off with a knock.

Palace made their positive start count as they took the lead on 16 minutes as Mateta nodded the ball in past Aaron Ramsdale following Joachim Andersen’s header back across goal.

In the 24 minute Ayew doubled the lead, cutting inside and guiding Andersen’s excellent pass into the far corner.

And on 74 minutes Zaha put the game to bed after converting from the penalty spot following a foul on him by Martin Odegaard.


Source: https://www.completesports.com/arsenals-top-four-hopes-suffer-setback-after-heavy-loss-at-palace/

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho says he will take responsibility of the team’s inability not to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Recall that it was Uzoho’s error that gave the Black Stars of Ghana their only goal at the Moshood Abiola Stadium last week which denied Nigeria a place in Qatar in November.

In his official Instagram handle, Uzoho blamed himself for the Super Eagles not qualifying for the mundial and has vowed to atone for his error in subsequent matches.

The goalkeeper promised to make sure he returns the smiles on the faces of Nigerian supporters.

“This past couple of days has been the worst in my lifetime.

“I wanted to take my nation to Qatar but rather did the opposite. I know what football means to you all and to myself, I can’t promise not to make mistakes again but I can promise not to give up until I bring back that smile on your faces.

“Thank you for the support and God bless.”

Source: https://www.completesports.com/i-cant-promise-not-to-make-mistakes-again-uzoho-breaks-silence-after-error-vs-black-stars/

Carlo Ancelotti is a doubt for Wednesday’s Champions League first leg quarter-final tie between Real Madrid and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti missed out on Madrid’s 2-1 victory against Celta Vigo at the weekend having tested positive for Covid-19.

And according to Spanish outlet AS, Ancelotti is fine but is still returning positive tests for the virus so could potentially be forced to sit-out of the trip to Stamford Bridge.

His son Davide was in charge for the league clash with Celta Vigo and could well be at the reins yet again should his father not be able to travel.

Ancelotti won the Champions League on three occasions in the past – those wins coming during his time at AC Milan and Real Madrid.

The Italian has only ever taken on his former side on three occasions – all three clashes coming during his stint back in the Premier League with Everton.

He lost the first game 4-0 at Stamford Bridge before securing a memorable 1-0 victory at Goodison Park. The last game again ended in favour of the Blues with an own-goal from Ben Godfrey and a Jorginho penalty securing maximum points.

Source: https://www.completesports.com/ancelotti-doubtful-for-chelsea-vs-madrid-champions-league-q-final-clash/

Paul Onuachu netted a hat-trick for Genk who hammered Eupen 5-0 in Sunday’s Belgian Jupiler fixture.

The game ended Genk’s run of three consecutive games without a win (two defeats and one draw).

Onuachu opened scoring from the penalty spot in the 11th minute before making it 2-0 also from the spot in the third minute of first half added time.

And in the 79th minute he completed his hat-trick to make it 5-0 to Genk.

Onuachu now has 19 goals in 28 league games for the Belgian outfit this season.


He currently sits in third place in the top scorers chart and six goals behind first.

The win saw Genk, in 48 points, maintain eight place which is the UEFA Europa League Play-off spot.

Source: https://www.completesports.com/onuachu-bags-hat-trick-in-genks-5-0-home-win/

The Guild of Sports Editors, the umbrella body of managers of sports in the country’s major media organisations, has advised members of the Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to resign from their positions honourably and give the game chance to breathe.

Speaking on the backdrop of the country’s senior national football team, Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for Qatar 2022 World Cup, the editors said the board members would be doing the nation great injustice if they continued to misdirect Nigerian football after last Tuesday’s misadventure.

In a statement signed by the Guild’s Vice President, Adekunle Salami, the editors described the decision to sack members of Super Eagles’ technical crew as diversionary, adding that Nigerian football needed a clean break from the malaise of the last eight years.

“Nigerian football is bigger than any individual and should not be tied to the fortunes of anybody.

“The leadership of the current NFF has ridden on the back of Nigerian football to get to top positions in world football governing body, FIFA, to the detriment of the game.

“Nigerian football now needs total overhaul, from the lowest league to the national team and that can only happen when patriotic individuals, not self-seekers, are given opportunity to manage the game.

“We call on the National Assembly, Federal Government, and especially, Sports Minister, Sunday Dare, to begin the process of cleansing the football house.

“Tuesday’s failure is a one of the results of poor decision making, dishonest deployment of men and materials, as well as avarice that have eaten deep into the fabrics of the NFF.

“We ask, therefore, that every executive member of the federation should resign honourably;

“All the back room staff, including Super Eagles secretary, team manager and protocol officer, among other officers, who have spent more than 10 years in office, must be redeployed to allow for fresh ideas.”

The editors accused the current leadership of the NFF of killing Nigeria’s football, saying many of the board members use their respective positions to fulfil personal interests.

The Guild also recalls that the Algeria Football Federation (AFF) president Sharafeddine Emara resigned after his country failed to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup following the 2-1 defeat suffered against Cameroon at home last week.

“It is unfortunate that the NFF has killed the local league to such an extent that no player from the domestic game is deemed capable of playing for the Super Eagles.

“The junior national teams, which, hitherto, was a nursery for the Super Eagles, no longer produce quality youngsters because of the corruption that has killed the age grade teams.”

Source::[b] https://www.completesports.com/resign-sports-editors-tell-nff-board-members/

Otto Addo says he felt pity for the Super Eagles after the Black Stars of Ghana beat them to the 2022 World Cup qualifying playoffs on Tuesday.

The Black Stars picked the ticket after holding the Eagles to a 1-1 draw inside the Moshood Abiola stadium.

The four-time AFCON champions qualified for their fourth World Cup on the away goals rule after the first leg ended goalless in Kumasi on Friday.

And speaking after securing the ticket, Addo: “I’m really delighted, exhausted, it was a tough match and we fought our way through.

“We had big problems especially in the first half, and through some changes, the players gave their tactics very well and still they [the Nigerians] had some good chances.

“Our goalkeeper was there when we needed him and we had a little bit of luck also, because if you see the chances the Nigerians were better.

“I feel a bit pity for them but this is football, sometimes and we fought our way through.”

Source: https://www.completesports.com/2022-wcq-i-feel-pity-for-super-eagles-black-stars-coach-addo/

CAF doping officer Dr. Joseph Kabungo from Zambia, has lost his life after he was allegedly attacked by angry Abuja fans in Tuesday’s 2022 World Cup qualifying playoffs between Nigeria and Ghana, reports zambianfootball.co.zm.

The Black Stars sealed qualification to this year’s World Cup after holding the Eagles to a 1-1 draw. The first leg in Kumasi ended goalless on Friday.

Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey opened scoring in the 11th minute before William Troost-Ekong equalised from the penalty spot.

After the referee blew the final whistle, angry fans invaded the pitch and destroyed stadium facilities.

It was reported that following the pitch invasion Dr. Kabungo was allegedly beaten and stepped on as fans tried to make their way out of the stadium.

According to a Ghanaian sports journalist Collins Atta Poku on Twitter:”They beat him, he fell and they throded on him. He lost consciousness was rushed to an ambulance closer to the Ghana dressing for CPR.

“The entire Ghanaian contingent watched on as resuscitation attempts were made with oxygen mask. He was taken to hospital later and now this. Sad.”

However, according to some officials, they claimed that Dr. Kabungo died as a result of cardiac arrest.

This is the first time the Eagles will fail to qualify for the World Cup since missing out on the 2006 edition in Germany.
Source: https://www.completesports.com/2022-wcq-caf-official-dies-after-allegedly-attacked-by-angry-abuja-fans/

Former Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr has backed the team to secure a place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar at the expense of the Black Stars of Ghana, reports Completesports.com.

The Super Eagles will host their perenial rivals in the second leg of the playoffs at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday (today).

The two teams battled to a 0-0 draw in the first leg at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi last week Friday.

Rohr lamented the absence of Alex Iwobi, who is suspended for the game, but insisted the Super Eagles have the quality to beat the Ghanaians.
“Nigerians missing Iwobi is not good, he is very good at giving incisive passes…“I will tip Nigeria to win 2-1,” Rohr told Accra-based Angel FM.

“Ghana have players for counter-attacks, so if they want to qualify they must use that and make sure they don’t concede.”

The last time Nigeria hosted Ghana in the World Cup qualifiers was in July 2001 and the Super Eagles emerged 3-0 winners in Port Harcourt.

The two teams had drawn 0-0 in the reverse fixture in Accra and the Super Eagles went on to qualify for the 2002 edition in South Korea, and Japan.

Source: https://www.completesports.com/rohr-tips-super-eagles-to-beat-black-stars/

Super Eagles assistant coach, Emmanuel Amuneke has advised the team to remain focused and work very hard to defeat the Black Stars of Ghana in today’s 2022 World Cup qualifying playoffs slated for the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

He stated this ahead of the second leg of the 2022 World Cup playoff between both countries.

The first leg ended in a 0-0 draw at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi last Friday.

Amuneke advised Super Eagles to have cohesion in attack and defence.

He said: “The important thing is to have cohesion, knowing when to attack and when to defend without losing the structure of the team.

“Just like us, the Ghanaians also want to go to the World Cup, and just like our players, Ghanaian players also play in Europe. So they are aware from a tactical, technical, individual and team point of view, so we must have that respect for them.

“That means we have to stay focused and work hard. I believe that if we do our jobs, then we can win the game, but we cannot be complacent.”

Source: https://www.completesports.com/2022-wcq-playoffs-eagles-must-stay-focused-work-hard-to-overcome-ghana-amuneke/

Moses Simon has promised Nigerians that Super Eagles players will give their all in Tuesday’s 2022 World Cup qualifying playoffs against Ghana.

A win for the Eagles will seal a seventh World Cup appearance while Ghana are seeking a fourth outing at the mundial.

The first leg saw the Eagles battle to a goalless draw in Kumasi on Friday.

And Simon, who featured in the first game sounded out the importance of the game and the team spirit.

He said in Monday’s presser:”It’s not all about me it’s all about the teams and team spirit of course we know all it takes for this game we will give everything.”

On talks that he was caged against Tunisia and Ghana he said it was not the case.

“The game against Tunisia I was not caged and against Ghana we all know it’s tactics. It can be difficult because we know how Ghana play but we are confident of overcoming them.”

Meanwhile, the duo of Samuel Chukwueze and Innocent Bonke are doubts for the game due to injuries.

Source: https://www.completesports.com/2022-wcq-we-will-give-everything-on-the-pitch-simon/

Ghana president Nana Akufo Addo has sent goodwill message to the Black Stars ahead of Tuesday’s 2022 FIFA World Cup playoffs second clash against the Super Eagles of Nigeria, reports Completesports.com.

“I wish the Black Stars, who gave a good account of themselves in Kumasi, the best of luck in Abuja on Tuesday.” the president said.

The Black Stars were held to a 0-0 draw in the first leg last week Friday at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi.

The players and their officials are expected to arrive Abuja on Monday for the highly anticipated encounter.

The Black Stars will have their last training session ahead of the game at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja by 6pm today.

The overall winners of the contest will proceed to Qatar 2022.

Source: https://www.completesports.com/ghana-president-sends-goodwill-message-to-black-stars-ahead-super-eagles-decider/

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen has expressed confidence that the team will overcome the Black Stars of Ghana in Tuesday’s 2022 World Cup qualifying playoffs slated for the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

Recall that the first leg in Kumasi ended goalless last week Friday and the winner of the second leg will automatically qualify for world football showpiece in Qatar.

In an interview with NFF TV, the Napoli striker stated that the players are ready to battle the Black Stars in a bid to claim the ticket for the World Cup.

He also noted that the encounter won’t be an easy game for the Super Eagles but that they have the quality players and squad depth to overcome Ghana in Abuja.


“I think it means a lot to me but the whole team and we are really looking forward to this game coming on Tuesday. Of course like I always say, it won’t be easy and it hasn’t been easy most especially in Africa because it is very physical. Of course to get the World Cup ticket will mean a lot to this team.

“I think we are going to be playing with our 12th men on the pitch, that’s our fans and of course with the way they will support us I think we have a chance of getting this World Cup ticket. But it won’t be easy, we have to give respect to the Ghanaian team also because they have some great quality players.

“But I think we are ready because we have good quality players and individual talents that can equally win the game for us. And we have a very good squad depth. And the bench also, we have good quality players that can come from the bench and make a difference. And we are really looking forward to this game as a group.

In the same vein, Super Eagles striker, Odion Ighalo has reiterated that the team will do everything possible to qualify for the World Cup.

He said this in an interview with NFF TV, where he said that they will take every goal scoring chances that comes their way against the Black Stars of Ghana.

He also called on the Nigerian fans to come out en mass and support the team to glory.

“I tried to talk to the younger guys that have not been there before now. This is an opportunity for us to go to Qatar 2022 because you won’t know how it feels now until after your football career you will understand what it means to play in the World Cup. Like I said, I have been there before and I know what it is and I am looking forward by God’s grace to go to another one again.


“This is home advantage for us but we are not going to go to sleep because its going to be a difficult game. Ghana will definitely come all out because they have nothing to lose here now than to come out. We just have to give 110% of our best in the game on Tuesday. Take our chances, fight from the start to finish till the final whistle. I know by God’s grace we are going to come out victorious but we have to work hard. It is going to be a tough one but we are going to win by God’s grace.”

Source: https://www.completesports.com/2022-wcq-playoffs-ghana-will-be-tough-but-eagles-will-come-out-victorious-osimhen-ighalo/

Former Nigerian goalkeeper, Ike Shorunmu has hailed the spirit and the determination of the players in camp in Abuja ahead of the big clash between the Super Eagles and the Black Stars of Ghana in a 2022 World Cup qualifying playoff.



Recall that Nigeria will face the Black Stars on Friday, March 25 before hosting the return leg at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on March 29.

In an interview with Completesports.com, Shorunmu stated that the Super Eagles are poised for victory against the Black Stars of Ghana in Kumasi.



He reiterated that the players are eager and hungry to deliver the World Cup ticket to Nigerians.

“I am confident the Super Eagles will overcome the Black Stars of Ghana in Kumasi. The spirit and determination in camp tells you the players are ready for the big game on Friday.



“Ghana are a very good side and I know they will want to prove strong against Nigeria but I believe we have the players that will silence them in Kumasi.”

S[b]ource: https://www.completesports.com/exclusive-2022-wcq-playoffs-eagles-will-silence-ghana-in-kumasi-shorunmu/[/b]