Category: Sports

The Nigeria women’s national football team, popularly known as the Super Falcons, has experienced a slight setback in the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday, dropping one spot to 37th position globally. Despite the dip in ranking, the Super Falcons remain the top-ranked team in Africa, a testament to their dominance on the continent.

The latest ranking comes hot on the heels of the team’s record-extending 10th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title, which they won in style in Morocco from July 5 to 26. In a thrilling final, the Super Falcons staged a remarkable comeback, overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2. The match was a masterclass performance from the Nigerian team, with Esther Okoronkwo and Rasheedat Ajibade making key contributions to the victory.

The Super Falcons’ dominant run in the tournament was a testament to their strength and resilience. They thrashed Zambia 5-0 in the quarterfinals, edged out South Africa 2-1 in the semifinals, and topped off their group-stage campaign with wins over Botswana and Cape Verde, as well as a 0-0 draw with Algeria.

Despite the impressive AFCON campaign, the Super Falcons were unable to translate their success into a significant jump in the FIFA rankings, slipping one spot from 36th to 37th. However, the team’s status as Africa’s top-ranked team remains unchanged, a reflection of their consistent dominance on the continent.

The latest ranking is a minor blip on the radar for the Super Falcons, who will be looking to build on their AFCON triumph and make a mark on the global stage. With their eyes set on future tournaments, the team will be keen to translate their continental success into global recognition.

A new FIFA release date regulation for players has forced a shift in Nigeria’s pre-Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) friendly against Egypt to December 16.

A statement by Ademola Olajire, NFF’s Director of Communications on Monday said the game, originally fixed for Dec. 14 in Cairo, was affected by the directive allowing clubs to keep players until Dec. 15.

“Officials confirmed that the match will now be held at Cairo Stadium, 8 p.m. local time (7 p.m. Nigeria time), as a practice encounter.

The change means both teams can make more than five substitutions during the warm-up fixture ahead of the AFCON in Morocco,” Olajire said.

Nigeria will play in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania, beginning their campaign on Dec. 23 in Fez.

They face Tunisia on Dec. 27 and Uganda on Dec. 30, both at the same venue during the group stage.

Seven-time champions Egypt are placed in Group B with South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe, with matches scheduled at Stade d’Agadir.

Alex Iwobi has shared his thoughts on William Troost-Ekong’s retirement from international football.

Troost-Ekong brought the cotton down on his international career on Thursday.

The 32-year-old was initially expected to lead the Super Eagles to the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Iwobi expressed disappointment with the centre-back’s decision.

“It’s obviously a sad one for us because he’s a big part of our team,” Iwobi told Sporty TV.

“At the end of the day I wish him well, he’s a brother, he has helped out Nigeria, he has helped me out. I hope that the next chapter he has in his life, it goes well for him and we’ll all support him.”

Troost-Ekong spent 10 years playing for the Super Eagles.

He made 83 appearances for the three-time African champions.

Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong has confirmed his retirement from international football after a decade with the Super Eagles, announcing the decision in an emotional statement on Thursday.

Writing on Instagram, he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent Nigeria, describing it as the greatest privilege of his career and affirming that while his journey on the pitch has ended, his support for the team will continue as he looks forward to a new chapter.

‘Honoured. Grateful. Forever a Super Eagle. Playing for Nigeria has been the greatest privilege of my life’, Ekong said.

‘The journey may end here, but my support never will. Here’s to the next chapter’.

His confirmation came minutes after football transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano disclosed the development.

‘William Troost-Ekong has decided to retire from international football and won’t play for Nigeria again. After 83 caps, 3 medals and playing in 5 major tournaments, Troost-Ekong says goodbye to the Super Eagles’, Romano wrote on X.

Troost-Ekong, who plays for Al-Kholood in the Saudi Pro League, was born in the Netherlands to a Dutch mother and Nigerian father.

After representing the Netherlands at the youth level, he committed his senior international future to Nigeria and made his debut on 13 June 2015, in an AFCON qualifying match against Chad.

His tally of five goals at the AFCON remains the highest scored by a defender in the history of the competition and will now stand as an unbroken record following his decision to step away from the team.

The defender scored eight goals in 83 appearances, with his final outing coming as a late substitute against Gabon on 13 November.

He has not featured prominently under head coach Eric Chelle recently and was an unused substitute in the decisive World Cup play-off loss to DR Congo, a defeat that confirmed Nigeria’s failure to reach the tournament.

His reduced role in recent months came as he dropped down the pecking order behind Benjamin Fredrick in Chelle’s defensive plans.

Troost-Ekong was included in Nigeria’s provisional 54-man squad for the forthcoming AFCON in Morocco in December, and the final list is expected to be trimmed to 28 players.

The squad is due to begin camp in Egypt on 10 December ahead of the tournament’s start on 21 December.

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The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has confirmed that the Super Eagles will camp in Cairo, Egypt for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Head coach, Eric Chelle, unveiled his 55-man provisional list for the biennial competition on Tuesday.

Chelle is expected to prune down the list to 28 by Thursday, 11 December.

The Super Eagles are scheduled to arrive at their training camp in Egypt a day earlier.

The three-time African champions will take on the Pharaohs of Egypt in a friendly at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday, 14 December.

They are expected to play more tune up games before the start of the competition.

The AFCON 2025 finals will get underway in Morocco on Sunday, 21 December.

Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle has released his provisional squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON.

Chelle released the list in a post via Super Eagles’ official X account on Tuesday.

The list includes the likes of Victor Osimhen, Lookman Ademola and Tolu Arokodare to lead the attack.

Goalkeepers Maduka Okoye and Stanley Nwabali are also included in the list.

The midfield are made up of Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka.

The 2025 AFCON will commence later this month and will end in January, 2026.

Full list of Super Eagles’ provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye, Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, Francis Uzoho, Adebayo Adeleye, and Ebenezer Harcourt.

Defenders: William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Zaidu Sanusi, Semi Ajayi, Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Igoh Ogbu, Chidozie Awaziem, Felix Agu, Ryan Alebiosu, Adeleke Adekunle and Emmanuel Michael.

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf, Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika, Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Tochukwu Nnadi, Usman Muhammed, Peter Agba, Tom Dele-Bashiru and Christantus Uche.

Forwards: Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Victor Osimhen, Moses Simon, Victor Boniface, Cyriel Dessers, Sadiq Umar, Nathan Tella, Tolu Arokodare, Chidera Ejuke, Olakunle Olusegun, Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Paul Onuachu, Abdulrasshed Shehu, Rafiu Durosinmi, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji, Philip Otele, Salim Fago, Ikwuemesi Chukwubuikem and Adams Akor.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, has been crowned the Confederation of African Football (CAF) 2025 Best Goalkeeper of the Year.

Nnadozie was announced winner of the prestigious award on Wednesday at the ongoing CAF Awards ceremony in Rabat, Morocco.

Nnadozie’s heroics for both club and country over the past year, marked by commanding penalty saves, match-winning performances and consistent leadership, earned her widespread acclaim and cemented her place as a leading figure in African women’s football.

Nnadozie has now won the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award for three consecutive times.

Moroccan and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has been crowned the 2025 African Player of the Year, a testament to his exceptional prowess and dominant performances throughout the season.

He claimed the continent’s most prestigious individual football honor ahead of fellow finalists, Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen.

The award recognizes a campaign where Hakimi established himself as the world’s premier right-back, a force revered for his blistering pace, pinpoint crossing, and remarkable defensive resilience.

For his club, Paris Saint-Germain, he was an indispensable asset, contributing crucial goals and assists while being the primary engine on the right flank.

His performances were instrumental in PSG’s domestic success and deep runs in European competition.

Simultaneously, Hakimi was the cornerstone of the Moroccan national team, leading their charge with the same tenacity and skill. His ability to influence the game at both ends of the pitch, shutting down opponents’ attacks while simultaneously orchestrating his own, made him a unique and game-changing talent.

By consistently delivering for both club and country, Hakimi earned the recognition as Africa’s standout performer, a player whose all-around excellence could not be overlooked

Men’s Categories

African Player of the Year: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)

Goalkeeper of the Year: Yassine Bounou (Morocco / Al Hilal) – Winner

Interclub Player of the Year: Fiston Mayele (DR Congo / Pyramids)

Men’s Coach of the Year: Bubista (Cape Verde)

Young African Player of the Year: Othmane Maamma (Morocco / Watford) – Winner

Men’s National Team of the Year: Morocco U-20

Men’s Club of the Year: Pyramids FC

Women’s Categories

African Women’s Player of the Year: Ghizlaine Chebbak (Morocco / Al Hilal)

African Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Brighton & Hove Albion)

Young African Women’s Player of the Year: Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)

Women’s National Team of the Year: Nigeria

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has issued a heartfelt apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government, and millions of Nigerians following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In a statement, the NFF described Sunday’s loss to DR Congo in the Africa Play-off Final in Rabat as “a moment of profound sadness for Nigerian football.” The federation acknowledged the Super Eagles’ symbolic role in uniting the nation and expressed deep regret for missing the World Cup for a second consecutive time.

“The NFF, the technical crew, and the players understand the gravity of this moment,” the statement read. “We recognise that our collective effort did not deliver the outcome this nation deserved.”

The federation highlighted the immense support received from the Federal Government, key ministries, agencies, diplomatic missions, the media, and passionate fans throughout the qualification campaign.

Football, the NFF noted, is more than a game in Nigeria—it is “a national language, a bridge across cultures, a source of pride and emotional identity.”

Looking ahead, the NFF said its focus will shift to the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. The board and management will conduct a “rigorous review process” to address technical, administrative, and structural gaps that contributed to the World Cup setback.

The NFF concluded by reaffirming its commitment to Nigerians: “We will rebuild trust. We will restore pride. We will reclaim our standing on the global stage. We will not allow this disappointment to be the final word on Nigerian football.”

The statement reflects a pledge to strengthen the national team and ensure future success, highlighting Nigeria’s resilience and determination to bounce back on the international football stage.