Coach Yusuf, with the support from Peseiro and his technical crew, is positive the Super Eagles can turn things around

The Super Eagles Head Coach, Jose Peseiro, has linked up with the home-based Super Eagles team as they step up preparations for their crucial game this weekend in Abuja.

The Super Eagles B team are in the race for qualification for next year’s African Nations Championships, the CHAN tournament in Algeria.

Officially led by Coach Salisu Yusuf, Ghana’s Black Galaxies beat the Super Eagles team 2-0 last weekend in Cape Coast.

The team now needs three un-replied goals to beat their fierce West African rivals to the ticket to Algeria in 2023.

Hard as it seems, Coach Yusuf, with the support from Peseiro and his technical crew, is positive his team has the wherewithal to turn things around, this weekend at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.

“We have an idea where they have strength as a team and we will seek how we can restrict their strength and explore their weaknesses,” Yusuf said after the first leg defeat.

He continued: “Football is a game of 90 minutes and we must look to overturn the two goals we conceded.

“The team needs to work even harder than we did in the short time we had to prepare for this game. We have to turn things around in Abuja.”

Just like his Nigerian counterpart, the Ghana Coach, Anor Walker is even more upbeat ahead of the second leg of the 20223 African Nations Championship final round qualifying tie in Abuja.

Walker believes Nigeria can no longer deny his team the much-coveted ticket after they had done well enough to get a 2-0 first-leg victory in Cape Coast.

Hearts of Oak duo Daniel Afriyie Barnieh and Suraj Seidu scored in the second half to secure the important victory for the Black Galaxies.

It [not qualifying] would not be possible because I have not seen any threat in their [Nigeria] attack,” Walker said after Sunday’s match.

“In fact, since I have seen the way they play, we will also strategise for it and when we get to Nigeria, it will be a different strategy that we will use to approach the game.

“We are not coming back such that we will not be able to qualify, we are going to Nigeria and for sure we will qualify for CHAN next year,” the coach declared.

Unlike Nigeria, Ghana has failed to qualify for the last three editions of the CHAN tournament and that explains why they are desperately looking forward to breaking that jinx.

President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria AFN,Tonobok Okowa has expressed optimism that Nigeria will perform better at the next World Athletics Championship next year in Hungary.

He opined that the forthcoming reception for Team Nigeria who did the nation proud at the recently concluded World Athletics Championship in Oregan USA and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham is well deserved and should be commended.

He made the submissions while responding to questions on Arise tv including his thoughts on concerns in some quarters that male athletes have not been doing very well in recent times.

He opined that athletes and coaches alike all need support to up their games adding that achievements made so far is an indication that the future is bright and that a lot more can be achieved. The federation he said has been making efforts to get more corporate body support which has started to yield fruits.

“We have been trying to get the attention of the cooperate bodies but thank God some of them are beginning to support us. Our athletes did very well and I believe they will do better with more support” he enthused.

On how best to discover more athletes in the country the AFN boss said catching them young remains the best option citing Delta state example where he said continuous effort is being made to discover talents that are groomed for youth games and sent to high performance centre. “We need to catch them young and also follow them up that is the way to go” he added

Nigeria hit the grabbed the headlines for the right reasons at the recently concluded world athletics Championship in Oregon where Tobi Amusan among others shone like a million stars as well as in Birmingham where Team Nigeria ended up as best in Africa with 35 medals made up of 12 Gold 9Silver and 14 Bronze.

All things being equal Team Nigeria to the 2022 CWG will be hosted at the Aso Rock Villa September 15.

Former Liverpool defender, Stephen Warnock has tipped Crystal Palace star, Eberechi Eze, to join Liverpool.

Warnock said he would love the midfielder to sign for Jurgen Klopp’s side, describing him as a dynamic player.

“You look at him and you wouldn’t even think he had the injury. Every time he gets on the ball,” he aid

“His ability to step away from players and drive past players. He’s such a good player to watch.

“I would love him at Liverpool. I honestly would. The type of player he is, so dynamic and tough to play against. I would hate to play against him.”

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag repeated on Wednesday that he was counting on Cristiano Ronaldo this season.

“It’s clear, of course, we need quality players,” Ten Hag told a press conference when asked about his unsettled Portuguese star on the day before the transfer window closes.

“You need more and to cover all the games to keep the consistency going, that’s what we strive for.

“From now on, we go in three games a week.

“We will go from September to minimum January with this squad.”

Ronaldo has been pushing for a transfer since the end of last season when United failed to qualify for the Champions League.

The 37-year-old Portugal striker is the all-time top scorer in the competition, 15 ahead of Lionel Messi, but the Argentine is more than two years younger and will be playing in the Champions League this season with Paris Saint-Germain.

Ronaldo has found it impossible to attract offers from Europe’s top clubs, with the latest reports linking him with the likes of his former team Sporting Lisbon, as well as Napoli and Marseille.

Ronaldo has only started one of United’s four league games this season, the humiliating 4-0 loss at Brentford.

Although United said on their website on Tuesday that they had reached a deal to buy Brazilian winger Antony from Ajax, Ten Hag was coy about the player.

“Firstly, I have to sign him! There’s an agreement between the clubs but the paperwork is not done so I cannot go too deep into that,” he said.

United are reportedly paying Ajax a fixed fee of £80.6 million, with a further £4.2m in add-ons for the 22-year-old, who has yet to complete a medical.

Ten Hag also confirmed that he expected Martin Dubravka to join from Newcastle. The goalkeeper has reportedly passed his medical.

Ten Hag said that right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka would not be leaving and that the Antony and Dubravka deals would complete United’s business in the current window.

“In the offensive department, we needed to strengthen the squad. Offensive players fatigue quicker. They have to run more with high intensity,” he said.

“For this window, it will be the end. You always have to be alert at a top club. But we will go from September to minimum January with this squad.”

United started the season with two losses, at home to Brighton and at Brentford, but have gained one-goal victories over Liverpool and at Southampton to climb into mid-table.

United visit Leicester on Thursday and host current league leaders Arsenal on Sunday when Antony may be available.

Head Coach of the Super Falcons, Randy Waldrum, has selected four players from Nigeria’s U-20 girls that reached the quarter-finals at the just-concluded FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica

The Super Falcons of Nigeria have arrived in Kansas City, Kansas, United State for their doubleheader friendly with the United States Women’s National Team.

Super Falcons will play the first of their two-match tour at the Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City on Saturday, September 3.

Nigeria and the USWNT have qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup which will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand between July and August 2023.

Both teams will clash again at the Audi Field in Washington, D.C. three days after the first match in Kansas on Tuesday, September 6.

The four U-20 players are defenders Oluwatosin Demehin and Rofiat Imuran, and midfielders Esther Onyenezide and Deborah Abiodun.

Home-based professionals Christy Ohiaeriaku, Akudo Ogbonna and Gift Monday were also included in the squad.

First-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Osinachi Ohale, midfielder Toni Payne, and forwards Rasheedat Ajibade and Uchenna Kanu will provide the spine for an interesting Nigeria selection.

The USWNT have won four out of the eight titles that have been contested, making them the most successful team in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The Stars & Stripes won the inaugural competition in China in 1991, followed by victories on American soil in 1999, Canada in 2015, and France in 2013. The USWNT have also won eight CONCACAF championships and four gold Olympic women’s football medals.

he Super Falcons, on the other hand, have won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations nine times, played in every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and also played at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympic women’s football tournaments. They remain the most successful women’s team on the African continent.

The Children’s Mercy Park is home to Kansas City in the US National Women’s Soccer League and Sporting Kansas City in the Major League Soccer, while Audi Field is utilized by National Women’s Soccer League side Washington Spirit and Major League Soccer team, D. C. United.

The match in Kansas City will see Vlatko Andonovski, appointed Coach of USWNT at the end of 2019, return to his home area for the second time. It is the sixth time that the USWNT will be playing at the Children’s Mercy Park but it is their first time at the Audi Field, though they have played 10 times previously in Washington – all at the RFK Stadium.

Andonovski told NFF Media that he is excited to send out his girls against the Super Falcons.

“First, I’m just excited to play two matches against Nigeria. They have some very talented players who will present a lot of different problems for us to solve on both sides of the ball,” he said.

FULL SUPER FALCONS SQUAD LIST FOR FRIENDLIES WITH USA:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Edo Queens)

Defenders: Nicole Payne (West Virginia University, USA); Glory Ogbonna (ALG Spor, Turkey); Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Akudo Ogbonna (Edo Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Rivers Angels)

Midfielders: Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University, USA); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Amanda Mbadi Uju (Atasehir Belediyespor, Turkey); Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels)

Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Rofiat Imuran (Rivers Angels); Uchenna Kanu (Tigres Femenil, Mexico); Vivian Ikechukwu (WFC Gintra, Lithuania); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Gift Monday (Bayelsa Queens); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens)

With just 24 hours to the close of the summer transfer window, European clubs have been busy in a bid to strengthen their squads for the 2022/23 season.

According to footballtransfers.com, the 2022 summer transfer window has been one of the biggest in history, with Europe’s leading clubs trading billions of euros on some of the game’s leading players.

Despite the financial uncertainty that many clubs have faced because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the long-term fallout from that, there is little evidence to suggest spending at the top level of the game is about to be cut, with England’s clubs leading the charge.

Clubs like Barcelona, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and even newly promoted Nottingham Forest have been busy during this transfer window.

While some of these clubs have strengthened their squads in pursuit of titles, some are vying to maintain their status and remain in the topflight leagues while others have the ambition of competing just to rub shoulders with the big boys.

Players like Robert Lewandowski, Erling Haaland, Sadio Mane, Gabriel Jesus and recently acquired United player, Antony, have all switched clubs in megabucks deals.

However, Nigerian players were not left out having seen Emmanuel Dennis and Taiwo Awoniyi both join Forest in club-record transfers while Calvin Bassey also joined Ajax.

The 22-year-old signed a five-year deal with the Dutch club worth £18.7m, but the fee could rise to £22.7m with add-ons, making him Nigeria’s most expensive defender in history.

More Eagles players in the form of Jamilu Collins, Joe Aribo, Raphael Onyedika, Cyriel Dessers, Ademola Lookman, David Okereke and a host of others have been involved in this summer transfers.

With the 2022/23 season already underway, the future of some Eagles players remains uncertain as the summer transfer window draws to a close.

Many of these Nigerian players have been making headlines in the last few days as clubs look to conclude business before or on September 1st.

Here is a look at some of the Eagles players who could make a move to another club before the end of the transfer window on Thursday night.

Victor Osimhen (Napoli)

Osimhen is in the middle of the latest transfer window saga as it nears a close, with reports of a mega deal being discussed between Napoli and Manchester United concerning the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo and Osimhen.

The striker, who is in his third season with Napoli since joining the club from Lille in a record €81m deal in 2020, has been heavily linked with a move away from the Italian club.

The 23-year-old has attracted interest from the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Bayern Munich this window but the Red Devils remain the only club at the moment still interested with Napoli holding out for €120m for the Nigerian.

While Osimhen has started the season in good form scoring two goals and recording one assist in three league appearances for the Partenopei, his future with the Italian club remain in serious doubt until the close of the transfer window.

Sadiq Umar (Almeria)

Another Nigerian player who has also been making the transfer headline is Almeria’s striker, Sadiq Umar.

The Nigeria international has become one of the most important players at the Rojiblancos in the last two seasons, playing a major role as Almeria secured promotion to the top division as champions of the Segunda Division after eight years of asking.

The 25-year-old’s impressive performance has drawn interest from several clubs in Europe, with Villarreal, Getafe, Real Sociedad and Sevilla all interested in the forward.

While, Almeria manager, Rubi is optimistic about keeping hold of his talisman, speculations linking him away from the club have refused to cease with the latest report that Sociedad are ready to splash the cash following the record sale of Alexander Isak to Newcastle.

Paul Onuachu (Genk)

The future of Onuachu has been shrouded in doubt since last summer’s transfer window.

Despite being the club’s top scorer for two seasons, Genk remained open to selling the player –only for the right offer- but it has come as a big surprise that there has not been any concrete bid for the lanky striker.

The Nigerian, who claimed Belgium’s best African player or player of African descent, the Belgian Professional Footballer of the Year and top scorer’s awards for the 2020-21 season, has been linked with move to Atletico Madrid in Spain, Ajax and recently with Club Brugge.

The Super Eagles striker has expressed his desire to leave the Smurfs should the opportunity comes and while he is not short of suitors, the club’s demand of €18m for the 28-year-old has been the stumbling block.

Last season, Onuachu made 35 First Division A appearances for Genk, scored 21 goals and provided two assists.

Moses Simon (Nantes)

Reports linking Simon to newly promoted English Premier League side, Nottingham Forest gained momentum in the last few days as the transfer window is about to come to an end.

It was also gathered that the winger had agreed to personal terms with the Reds with only the transfer fee the issue between the clubs.

Simon’s situation is however complicated with Nantes not willing to sell the Nigerian having become an integral part of the team since joining from La Liga outfit Levante in 2020 after a year on loan at the club in 2019.

The winger has scored 21 goals and provided 22 assists in 102 appearances for the Canaries.

Last season, Simon helped Nantes win the Coupe de France and secure a ninth-place finish in France’s top tier.

However, an enticing fee from Forest, who have already splashed out over €150m during this transfer window, may prove too difficult to turn down.

The 27-year-old has also been linked with other English teams, including Brighton & Hove Albion and Leeds United.

William Troost-Ekong (Watford)

The Super Eagles captain could be set for a return to Italy after he emerged as a late addition to the Bologna transfer list.

Troost-Ekong has lost his place at Watford since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations in February.

After having an offer from Turkish Super Lig giants, Fenerbahce, turned down by the Hornets, the defender all but looks set to stay with the English club.

As it has always been the case, the late drama often involved with the transfer windows has seen the Nigerian being handed a lifeline with a link to Bologna in the Serie A.

Bologna have failed to keep a clean sheet in the league so far this season and are looking to sign an experienced defender to shore up their defence.

Manager Sinisa Mihajlovic is keen to lure Troost-Ekong back to Italy having played for Serie A club, Udinese between 2018 and 2020, making 66 appearances.

Zaidu Sanusi (Porto)

While Porto are not in the mood to sell Zaidu, a right offer could force the left-back to move to Brighton in the Premier League.

The Portuguese champions remained adamant that the Eagles player was not for sale and have turned down offers from Everton, who sold Frenchman, Lucas Digne to Aston Villa.

Having fended off the interest from the Toffees, Porto are now trying to hold off another bidding war from fellow English club, Brighton.

The Seagulls sold Marc Cucurella to Chelsea for a record club-record sale of £52.5m and have identified Zaidu as a replacement for the Spanish fullback.

The Lagos-born left back, according to transfermarkt, is valued at €10m, with the cash to spend an offer of €20m might be too difficult to reject by the Portuguese club.

Josh Maja (Bordeaux)

After rejecting a contract extension from French club, Bordeaux, some days ago, the future of Maja remains unclear.

With his current deal expiring in June 2023, Les Girondins could be forced into attempting to sell the player, despite the facts that he has started the 2022/23 campaign as an important part of David Guion’s retooled strike force.

A departure, even a loan out of sorts, sh