AFCON

Nigerian legend Jay Jay Okocha sends warning messages to Super Eagles goalkeeper Nwabali

Published

4 months ago

January 19, 2024

Nigerian football legend Austin Jay Jay Okocha has expressed skepticism about whether the Super Eagles have resolved their goalkeeping issues despite Stanley Nwabali’s performance against Ivory Coast.

Okocha’s doubts stem from the belief that Nwabali was not sufficiently tested during Nigeria’s hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ivory Coast.

Although Nwabali helped secure a clean sheet and the team’s first win of the 34th AFCON, Okocha feels that the goalkeeper’s abilities were not thoroughly examined due to Nigeria’s strong defensive display.

While acknowledging Nwabali’s role in the historic win against Ivory Coast, Okocha maintains that the goalkeeper’s true capabilities were not fully demonstrated as a result of Nigeria’s solid defensive performance.

“Well, I think they all played well, he played well as well,” the former PSG man said after he was asked if the Super Eagles have finally solved their goalkeeping problem in a video by Nigerian journalist Calista Enejele.

“He played his role, (but) he wasn’t really tested today because the team defended very well.”

Despite Okocha’s cautious evaluation, he did acknowledge some positive signs in Nwabali’s performance. However, it seems that Okocha still has reservations about whether Nwabali has completely dispelled doubts about his goalkeeping abilities.

“He showed good signs of a good goalkeeper,” the former AFCON winner added.

Nigeria’s victory over Cote d’Ivoire marked the Super Eagles’ first win at AFCON 2023, propelling them to second place in Group A. Equatorial Guinea leads the group due to their superior goal difference.

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AFCON

NFF appoints Finidi George new Super Eagles head coach

Published

2 weeks ago

April 29, 2024

Williams

NFF appoints Finidi George new Super Eagles head coach

The Nigeria Football Federation has appointed Finidi George as the new head coach of the Super Eagles, beating Emmanuel Amuneke to the job.

George, a former international player, served as an assistant to José Santos Peseiro before taking over in an interim capacity for two friendly matches in Morocco last month.

George’s immediate task will be to lead the Super Eagles in two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic.

These matches, to be held in Uyo and Abidjan, respectively, are must-win encounters as Nigeria currently sits in third place in Group C of the African campaign, behind Rwanda and South Africa.

AFCON

FIFA Ranking: Nigeria soar to 28th ahead Ivory Coast after AFCON silver win

Published

3 months ago

February 15, 2024

Williams

Nigeria has made a significant jump in the latest FIFA Ranking, now sitting ahead of AFCON champions Cote d’Ivoire and Erling Haaland’s Norway.

After their impressive showing at the AFCON 2023 tournament, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have climbed 14 places in the FIFA World Ranking. They are now ranked 28th in the world and the third-best team in Africa.

Despite their heartbreaking 2-1 loss to host nation Cote d’Ivoire in the final, Nigeria’s performance earned them plenty of praise. Led by coach Jose Peseiro, the young Nigerian side impressed throughout the tournament, narrowly missing out on a fourth AFCON title.

This move from 42nd to 28th is the highest climb for the Super Eagles in 11 years, matching their position in May 2013. They now sit behind Morocco, who moved up one spot to 12th, and Senegal, who are ranked 17th after moving up three places.

AFCON

Nigeria 1-2 Cote D’ivoire: Haller hits winner as Ivory Coast beat Super Eagles to take AFCON title

Published

3 months ago

February 11, 2024

Williams

Sebastien Haller scored a dramatic late winner as Ivory Coast fought back to beat Nigeria 2-1 in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final, completing a remarkable turnaround to claim their third continental title.

Nigeria initially looked set to repeat their group stage victory over Ivory Coast with a 1-0 lead, courtesy of captain William Troost-Ekong’s header late in the first half. However, Franck Kessie equalized just after the hour mark, and Haller scored the winning goal in the 81st minute, sparking wild celebrations among the Ivory Coast fans.

This victory adds to Ivory Coast’s titles in 1992 and 2015 and brings them level with Nigeria on three Cup of Nations triumphs overall, joining Egypt, Cameroon, and Ghana as the most successful teams in the tournament’s history. Nigeria missed the chance to match Ghana’s four victories.

Despite being led by reigning African player of the year Victor Osimhen, Nigeria was considered the strongest team in the competition. However, Ivory Coast’s determination proved too much, making them the first host country to win the AFCON since 2006.

Former captain Didier Drogba, who led the Ivory Coast team that lost to Egypt in the 2006 final, witnessed this stunning victory as a spectator.