AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Super Eagles Target Early Points Against Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau

 

AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Super Eagles Target Early Points Against Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau

 

Head Coach Éric Chelle says Nigeria will commence their race to make it to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations with a steely determination to fly high early in the race, in order to avoid the strife and uncertainty of a late struggle that is capable of turning things on its head.

 

The Super Eagles host the Barea of Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday, conscious of the need to pile up the points early and not get drawn into the kind of kerfuffle that unhinged their FIFA World Cup qualifying race despite a late surge.

 

“We have to show everyone from Day One that we want it, and the only way to do that is to go for it with our hearts, and refuse to slow down at any point. We must go for the points without any hesitation,” Chelle said as he looked forward to the first two matches of the campaign against Madagascar and Guinea Bissau. The Eagles fly to Bissau on Sunday for a Day 2 encounter against the Wild Dogs slated for the 24 September Stadium on Tuesday, 29th September.

 

Nigeria will welcome back dependable defender Ola Aina and utility youngster Benjamin Fredricks, as well as forward Taiwo Awoniyi, who has been drafted in the forced absence of Victor Osimhen.

 

Chelle has an interesting headache to deal with for the choice in goal, with Maduka Okoye and Stanley Nwabali both in town and super-fit, and in the defence and attack. At the rear, Fredricks, Aina, Bruno Onyemaechi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi and Bright Osayi-Samuel are all good to start, not forgetting Turkey-based Chibuike Nwaiwu. At the fore, Moses Simon, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, Samuel Chukwueze and newboy George Ilhenikena are all in great form.

 

Friday’s clash with the Barea will stir memories of interesting past encounters between the two countries at senior level. At this same stage, 16 years ago (commencement of an AFCON qualification race), the Super Eagles defeated the Barea 2-0 in Calabar on 5th September 2010. A year later, in the reverse fixture in Antananarivo, the Eagles won by the same margin.

 

However, on the last day of June 2019, the Barea caused one of the biggest upsets in AFCON history by defeating Nigeria 2-0 in a group phase match in Alexandria. Noteworthy is the fact that the Eagles had already qualified for the tournament’s Round of 16 before that encounter.

 

On Friday, both teams will battle for three crucial points at the beginning of another AFCON ticket race, with the Barea sounding off that they are ready for battle, and arriving in Uyo three clear days ahead of the encounter.    

 

SUPER EAGLES FOR BAREA AND WILD DOGS

 

Goalkeepers: Arthur Okonkwo (Charlton Athletic, England); Maduka Okoye (Udinese Calcio, Italy); Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)

 

Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Isaac James (Alverca FC, Portugal); Benjamin Fredricks (Brentford FC, England); Emmanuel Fernandez (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Chibuike Nwaiwu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)

 

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Raphael Onyedika (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany); Frank Onyeka (Coventry City, England)

 

Forwards: Moses Simon (Paris FC, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Coventry City, England); Akor Adams (Venezia FC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Ademola Lookman (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Ajax FC, The Netherlands); George Ilhenikena (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia); Moses Usor (LASK FC, Austria)

I’ll Be Accessible Anytime, Any Day — APM Candidate Pledges

 I’ll Be Accessible Anytime, Any Day — APM Candidate Pledges

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) House of Representatives aspirant for Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency, Dr. Wale Oyedeji, has pledged to maintain constant engagement with stakeholders and remain accessible to his constituents at all times if elected. 

The youth and energetic lecturer at Adeyemi Federal University of Education Ondo stated this while featuring on the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) guest platform in Osogbo.

Dr. Wale Oyedeji, also called for fresh ideas and increased youth participation in governance.

He said the responsibility of transforming society rests largely on the youth who have a greater stake in the future. Oyedeji emphasized the critical role of the media in shaping public discourse and promoting development, stressing the need to inject fresh minds into the political system to achieve meaningful transformation.

The aspirant noted that no society can grow without investors and promised to create a conducive environment for investment and business growth if elected. He identified key challenges in his constituency and pledged to support legislations that will empower stakeholders and create opportunities for sustainable growth.

Oyedeji also promised to prioritize traders, farmers and education, assuring that his constituency will receive greater attention. He called for the institutionalization of cultural values and ideas that promote effective governance.

On accessibility and loyalty, the APM aspirant assured that he will be available to his constituents anytime, any day, and declared that his loyalty, if elected, will be to the masses. He urged youths and the media to play active roles in building an inclusive society driven by ideas and innovation.

Olufi Tournament: Christopher's 35th-Minute Header Decides Tight Contest

 

Olufi Tournament: Christopher's 35th-Minute Header Decides Tight Contest

By Olusola Alabi 

Daniel Christopher's brilliant header was enough to hand Olufi United a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Oke Ola FC in Matchday Three of the Gbongan Olufi Day Football Tournament 2026.

It was another entertaining afternoon at Saint Patrick Grammar School Field, Gbongan, Osun State on Tuesday as both sides delivered an intense and competitive contest in front of the spectators.

Oke Ola FC started brightly and put the Olufi United defence under pressure in the opening minutes. However, Olufi United's backline remained resolute.

Tiamiyu Blessing made a dangerous run in the fifth minute and found himself with an opportunity to put Olufi United ahead, but his effort was thwarted.

Tiamiyu came close again shortly afterwards, sending a well-struck free-kick towards goal, but the Oke Ola goalkeeper produced an excellent save to divert the dangerous effort for a corner.

Oke Ola FC continued to threaten, but Olufi United goalkeeper Salawudeen Abeeb came to his team's rescue in the 30th minute, making an important save to deny the opponents a potential opener.

The intensity of the game continued to rise, and five minutes later, Olufi United finally broke the deadlock.

Daniel Christopher rose highest to meet a delivery and produced a brilliant header in the 35th minute, giving Olufi United a 1–0 lead.

Oke Ola FC pushed hard in search of an equaliser before half-time, but Olufi United held firm to take their narrow advantage into the break.

The second half began with Oke Ola FC increasing the pressure and using both flanks to try to break through the Olufi United defence. However, the Olufi backline remained disciplined and committed.

Olufi United nearly doubled their advantage in the 51st minute when Adewole Adedayo produced a well-placed effort, but an Oke Ola defender made a crucial intervention to clear the danger.

Oke Ola goalkeeper Adekunle Peter then made another important save to prevent Olufi United from extending their lead as the hosts continued to apply pressure.

Tope Fatokun also came close to adding a second goal after receiving a well-weighted pass in front of goal, but the Oke Ola goalkeeper rushed off his line to make the save.

Despite Oke Ola's late attempts to find an equaliser, Olufi United held on to secure a valuable 1–0 victory and three points.

Next Fixture

Action continues on Wednesday, September 23, with Oke Oje FC taking on Ajegunle Football Club in Matchday Four of the first round.

The match is scheduled for 3pm at Saint Patrick Grammar School Field, Gbongan, Osun State.

Sponsored by Asiwaju Femi Adedeji (AyoNbo), the tournament continues to provide a platform for young and talented footballers to showcase their abilities, gain exposure and pursue their ambitions in the round leather game.

Osun Traders Count Losses as Suspected Thugs Smash Shop Displays in Osogbo

 

Osun Traders Count Losses as Suspected Thugs Smash Shop Displays in Osogbo

Palpable tension has enveloped the Old Garage business district of Osogbo, Osun State, following a coordinated overnight attack on shops belonging to phone accessory dealers, most of whom are traders of Igbo extraction.

The traders said they locked up their businesses as usual on Monday evening, only to return the following morning to meet their glass display cabinets shattered. Broken pieces of glass were seen strewn across the floors of affected shops, with the display cases showing clear evidence of having been smashed with heavy objects.

The President of the Traders' Association, Mr. Ifeanyi Peter Okoye, recounted the ordeal, explaining that members arrived early Tuesday to open for business only to discover the destruction. He stated that multiple glass panels in their shops had been damaged beyond use.

Okoye disclosed that for two consecutive days preceding the attack, the traders had been receiving threatening messages from persons they identified as area boys operating around the motor park. He linked the intimidation to the traders' attendance at certain public gatherings, among them the birthday ceremony of the governor's wife and an event marking Governor Ademola Adeleke's election victory.

He lamented that the persistent threats had crippled commercial activity in the area, with customers staying away out of fear of being caught in a possible attack. He maintained that his members were law-abiding Nigerians simply eking out a living, and condemned what he called the deliberate targeting of their businesses.

Narrating his experience, another trader who identified himself as Anayo said the hoodlums had been issuing threats since Saturday and had now carried out their promise to destroy their means of livelihood.

Several other traders, who declined to disclose their names for fear of reprisals, corroborated the account, alleging that they were being singled out because of their perceived support for Governor Adeleke during and after the recently concluded polls.

Efforts to get a reaction from the Osun State Police Command proved abortive, as the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, neither answered calls nor responded to messages as of the time this report was filed.

The incident has heightened worries in the state, which has witnessed violent garage clashes during and after the elections, with traders now calling for urgent protection of lives and property in the area.

Osun SWAN Holds Seminar, Decorates New Patrons

 

Osun SWAN Holds Seminar, Decorates New Patrons

The Osun State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has organised a seminar on professionalism in sports journalism and decorated four prominent individuals as patrons of the association.

The event, held on Saturday at the Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Osogbo, also featured discussions on the changing landscape of sports journalism and the need for practitioners to embrace new media while upholding professional standards.

Speaking the chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Osun State Council, Dr. Adeyemi Aboderin urged SWAN members without certificates relevant to their professional progression to take advantage of programmes offered by the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ).

Delivering a lecture titled “Qualifications, Competence, Credibility: The New Path for Sports Journalists,” Aboderin said acquiring relevant qualifications would help members avoid possible disqualification during elections, stressing the importance of professional credentials within the association and the wider journalism industry

He encouraged sports journalists operating blogs and other online platforms to join the newly inaugurated Osun Online Media Chapel of the NUJ.

Also speaking on the topic, “The Modern Sports Journalist: Tools, Truth and Trust in New Media,” Mr Tunde Shamsudeen urged sports journalists to maximise the opportunities provided by new media.

Shamsudeen stressed that the speed of digital platforms should not come at the expense of accuracy, urging journalists to investigate information thoroughly before publication.

In his goodwill message, Chairman of the Osun Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ, Shina Abubakar, charged journalists to remain committed to investigative journalism.

Abubakar also emphasised the importance of balance in reporting, urging journalists investigating issues to contact all parties involved and give them an opportunity to respond before publication.

The General Manager of the Osun State Sports Council, Ademola Daini, called on SWAN to be proactive in its activities and urged members to ask questions on issues affecting sports development in the state.

Representing the Chairman of the Osun State Football Association (FA), Mayor Sola Fanawopo, the association’s Secretary, Amoo Abayomi, assured SWAN of the FA’s continued partnership and support.

The event was attended by former chairmen of the association, Shittu Alamu and Muyideen Adeleke, as well as sports administrators and stakeholders, including the Vice Chairman of Osun United, Prince Ayo Odidi; Community Relations Manager of Osun United, Alhaji Abimbola Risky; football enthusiast, Mr Femi Faramade; and Board Member of the Osun FA, Comrade Fatai Salami.

The association also decorated four new patrons - Olayiwola Olafiranye, Adamu Mohammed, Timothy Folaranmi and Michael Omage.

In there acceptance speech, they expressed appreciation to Osun SWAN for the honour and pledged their partnership and support for the association.

Earlier in his address, the Chairman of Osun SWAN, Timothy Agbor, who was represented by his Vice Chairman, Seun Omolola, expressed appreciation to the founding fathers of the association for their contributions to its growth.

Agbor said the association remained committed to strengthening its relationship with stakeholders and was ready to partner with relevant individuals and organisations for the development of sports in Osun State.

He said such partnerships would contribute to the growth of sports journalism and the broader sports sector in the state.