Head coach of Galatasaray Okan Buruk has decided against including Nigeria international forward Victor Osimhen in his squad for tomorrow’s UEFA Champions League game against Eintracht Frankfurt, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Osimhen returned from international duty with Nigeria with an ankle injury picked up very early into the 1-0 win against Rwanda in Uyo on the 6th of September in a world cup qualifiers game.

He was subsequently left out of the team that played a 1-1 draw against South Africa three days later. He returned to his club and took part in first team training four days ago.

After the training Buruk revealed that the Nigerian is still in pains, but will be assessed ahead of the UEFA champions league game on Thursday in Germany.

“Osimhen’s situation will become clear in a few days. He has pains, we’ll see if he can manage. Icardi is not at one hundred percent either. I wanted to keep it shorter, but our need for a goal extended the duration”, he said.

But despite openly citing the need to have the Nigerian available in the absence of Icardi, he has now decided to leave him out totally by not including him in the team for tomorrow’s game. Their first in this season UEFA champions league.

The senior national team of Nigeria have been handed a lifeline in their bid to make it to the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in Canada, USA and Mexico, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Nigeria are currently facing a tough time to finish as winners of their group, which will automatically guarantee them a spot at the tournament next year and even a second place finish which will see them go a inter confederation playoff isn’t looking bright.

Only the four best group runners-up will be drawn into play-offs to determine the CAF representative at the inter-confederation play-offs.

The play-off winner will join one team each from AFC, CONMEBOL and OFC and two from CONCACAF in the inter-confederation play-offs.

The teams will be ranked according to the FIFA Men’s World Ranking, with the four lowest-ranked teams playing in two single-elimination matches. The winners will meet the two highest-ranked teams in another set of single-elimination matches, with the winners of these matches qualifying for the world cup.

It is in this area that a potential loophole has been opened for Nigeria to sneak in with the withdrawal of Eritrea from Group E, even without a ball was kicked leaving the group short by one, meaning they have five teams instead of six.

What FIFA and other confederation have done in situations like this in the past is to deduct points from the lowest ranked team in each group, to make up for the lack of numbers in the other group.

An example cited in CAF / FIFA history was in the 2010 CAF World Cup qualification, with the same Eritrea withdrawing from their group and because other groups had full size, when ranking the runners-up (for the stage that selected “best runners-up”), the results against the group’s 4th-placed team were excluded for the groups that had the full number of teams.

That meant each runner-up was compared over the same number of matches (excluding matches vs. the lowest-team in groups that still had full membership).

CAF and UEFA have also used this same method in their regional tournaments in the event that a team’s withdrawal bring about an imbalance in the group as against other groups.

UEFA used the same method in the Euro 2016 qualifiers, when one qualifying group (Group 1) had five teams while others had six. UEFA’s rule for the “best third-placed team” was to discard matches against the sixth-placed team in the six-team groups so every team was compared over the same number of games.

UEFA also used it in the 2022 World Cup qualifying Groups when they were unequal size (five vs six). For seeding the ten runners-up into the play-off draw, UEFA discarded the runners-up’s results vs the sixth-placed team before applying points, goal difference, etc.

There’s also an older CAF (Africa) precedent: in the 2010 CAF second round, after Eritrea withdrew (and Ethiopia were excluded), CAF’s runners-up ranking ignored results against the fourth-placed team so comparisons were even across groups

So in practice, the Super Eagles who have already lost four points against current bottom of the table team in their group will likely sneak in ahead of teams from other groups, who picked maximum points against bottom oppositions.

However, the Super Eagles need to finish second for this to become a reality, and it’s only possible if they win their remaining two games in the qualifiers.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

An attorney with the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) Raymond Hack says FIFA must deduct three points from South Africa for fielding an ineligible player in Teboho Mokoena in their 2-0 win over Lesotho in the world cup qualifiers in March, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

FIFA usually dock teams three , three goals plus a fine when they field an ineligible player but is yet to take a decision four months after South Africa committed a similar offence.

Speaking on the subject during Soccer Africa, a television show, Hack who was introduced by the host as an expert in cases like this made it clear that the rule must be applied and said the delay by FIFA in punishing South Africa is something that he has never seen before.

He cited example with the recent breach by Grimsby Town in an FA Cup game by Manchester United and the speed at which a decision was reached on the League One side fielding an ineligible player.

When the host of the show tried to say the case might be lacking in substance,.due to the fact that Lesotho didn’t file an appeal and FIFA didn’t notify any of the teams of the players suspended like they usually do. Hack was quick to dismiss it.

Hack said the fact that Lesotho didn’t protest doesn’t mean that South Africa didn’t commit an offence, hence they must be punished for breaching the competition rules. He agreed with ace Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana who was also a guest on the show that when there is a breach technical grounds doesn’t matter.

The former South Africa Football Association (SAFA) chief went as far as saying that they could be an attempt by FIFA to sweep the case under the carpet, which he said could be partially responsible for the delay in making a decision.

Ahead of the resumption of games in the world cup qualifiers in October, the Warriors of Zimbabwe have decided against playing their home game against South Africa in the country of the group leaders, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Due to the fact that FIFA didn’t approve any of their stadiums to host games in the world cup qualifiers, they have been playing all their home games in South Africa, who are in the same group with them and currently in pole position to make it to the world cup.

South Africa go into the final two games of the qualifiers needing to win both games to maintain their push for the world cup, even if as expected FIFA deduct three points from them for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho in March.

In order not to give South Africa any advantage which may result from playing their home ganes in South Africa, the Zimbabwe Football Association has decided to move the game to Botswana according to the FA president of Botswana Tariq Oabile Thona Babitseng.

“Yes, it is true we will be hosting Zimbabwe versus South Africa in Botswana at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown on 10 October,” Babitseng said. The Zimbabwe Football Association has already contacted us, and we have agreed to host them here in Botswana”.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Former Africa player of the year and Nigeria international striker Victor Ikpeba says the players of the senior national team of Nigeria are to be blamed for the team’s current struggles in the world cup qualifiers, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Nigeria is presently walking a tight rope in their quest to make it to the 2026 World Cup after the draw against group leaders South Africa. The result has led to talks about who is to blame for the plight of the team.

Leading the chorus on who is to blame is the former captain of the team John Obi Mikel, who said the board of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should be forced to step aside, if the team fails to make it to the world cup for the second time in a row.

Responding to Mikel during the television show Monday Night football, Ikpeba fired back at the claims made by the former Chelsea ace saying the players are largely to be blamed for the team’s present woes.

“Why are some people calling for the resignation of the NFF? Do they expect committee members to come and play the game on the pitch.

“Our players should take the lion’s share of the blame for our shoddy performance so far in the World Cup qualifiers,” Ikpeba said during the broadcast.

“They were given everything they needed to deliver qualification without stress, but somehow they have not lived up to expectations. I won’t question their commitment, but with the quality of players we have, Nigeria should not be struggling in our group”.

Ade Emmanuel

The chances of the senior national team of Nigeria making it to the 2026 World Cup has been made more difficult by the recent 1-1 draw against South Africa in the last round of games in the world cup qualifiers, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

A win would have seen them go into the final two games of the qualifiers with better hope, with a potential three points deduction looming over South Africa for fielding an ineligible player in Teboho Mokoena in their 2-0 win over Lesotho.

FIFA usually punish teams who commit such offences with a three points, three goals deduction and the case of Bafana Bafana is not expected to be an exception despite the delays by FIFA.

However how the team found themselves in this difficult situation has been explained by a top player in the team, who spoke to OwnGoalNigeria.com on the condition of anonymity.

” It’s not a good position to be in, and we have to look at how we got here. The poor start with former coach Jose Peseiro who used the first two games in the qualifiers to settle scores and also prepare for the AFCON. We got two points off the games from a possible six”, he explained.

” Then there was Finidi George who to me was too eager to change things and the players maybe due to pressure and demands after the AFCON. He tried to instill a style of play with so many new players and it got us just one point.

” Now we have Eric Chelle, who probably would have won all of his games if not for the error by our captain in the draw against Zimbabwe and also his own goal against South Africa. His style of play has also not helped in so many ways but he is still unbeaten with eight points”, he stated.

He also took a swipe at the NFF on their handling of the situation of the team, and also how logistics could have been better. ” We played on Saturday against Rwanda. Travelled on Sunday to South Africa and only did shake up on Monday before the game on Tuesday. Why didn’t we play on Friday in Uyo?”, he queried.

” Then you look at the standard of the pitch in South Africa. The worse I have ever seen in my years in the national team. To think that the NFF didn’t send an advance team to check on the condition of the pitch when it was announced is bewildering. Many people there don’t know what they are doing”, he concluded.

As rumours continue to go round about the future of the coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle, the chairman National Sports Commission (NSC) Alhaji Shehu Dikko has given his opinion.

There have been talks about firing the coach after the 1-1 draw against South Africa in the world cup qualifiers, which means the team is now walking a very tight rope on making it to the world cup.

Dikko in an interview with Channel TV, the celebrated sport administrator said the decision to sack Chelle lies with the NFF, but will need the approval of his office before the Malian is axed.

“Eric Chelle is the responsibility of the Nigeria Football Federation to decide. At the end of the day, after they finish, they’ll do the analysis, and then they will recommend to us, and then we look at it, we approve or disapprove, or we engage to do that,” said Dikko.

He however made a case for the coach, citing where the team was before he took over and the amount of points they have picked since his appointment.

“As for the World Cup, we all know where we are. When we came on board, we only had three points out of 12, but now we have been able to, at least with Eric Chelle, the NFF, pull ourselves together. Now, we have eight points in another four games.

“If we had gotten these results before, probably, we could have been preparing to qualify for the World Cup,” he added.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

As the U20 team of Nigeria get set to take part in the U20 World Cup in Chile, OwnGoalNigeria.com picks five players expected to be the star in the Nigerian team.

1. Suleiman Sani ( AS Trencin) – A controversial exclusion from the Nigeria U20 team two years ago. Now ranked among the best teen prospect in world football alongside the likes of the Barcelona duo of Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi. Blessed with an uncanny ability with both feet. Quick, skillful, strong and creative. He is no doubt the top talent in the Nigerian team.

2. Orseer Achihi ( Antwerp) – Signed by the Belgium side in the summer and already tipped for a first team breakthrough this season. He is bless with pace, power and skills that will be needed by the attack of the Nigerian team, which was blunt at the AFCON.

3. Ebenezer Harcourt ( Sporting Lagos) – Already a well known name among football enthusiasts in Nigeria. Has a senior team tournament appearance to his name in the game for the B team against Congo at the CHAN tournament. All eyes on him and he knows.

4. Ocheche Amos Onyejefu ( Reims) – He was very good at the camp in Abuja and immediately warmed his way into the heart of the coaches. The expectation is that he will use the tournament to properly introduce himself not just to Nigerians but the rest of the world.

5. Daniel Daga ( Molde) – Returning to the world stage at this level for the second time will no doubt put him in a strong position to stand out. His development over the past two years at Enyimba and now in Norway will be handy for the Nigerian team at key moments.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Turning his attention to Christantus Uche, Glasner acknowledged the new signing’s meteoric rise, versatility and quick adaptation: “Yeah, he showed it [his enjoyment]. That’s why I said he’s always smiling [earlier in the press conference].

“He said he’s living his dream in the Premier League, and he will give everything so that we are successful – that’s great.

“He’ll get all the support from everyone – the players, the staff – to help him improve, to become the best Christantus Uche he can be. And then he will have a good impact on us.”

On where he fits in, Glasner said: “I think he can play all three attacking positions. I also talked to him, and he feels most comfortable in the number 10 position – and that’s also where we see him.

“With JP and Eddie Nketiah as our number 9s, we were looking for a player who could be a physical presence from the [number] 10. That’s similar to Ismaila – he could play as a [number] nine, but we think he’s better when he has the game in front of him and can attack the space.

“That’s what we see with Uche as well. And like with Ismaila, it will take a little bit of time. He’ll get that time, and then he will show up for us.”

As many as 16 players who were part of the Nigeria U20 team to the U20 AFCON have been dropped from the team that will be campaigning at the world cup in Chile, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Only eight players who helped the team qualify for the world cup by finishing third at the AFCON made the trip for their final round of camping, which will last for 12 days before the start of the tournament.

Seven-time African champions Nigeria will play all their Group F matches at the Estadio Fiscal in Talca, a city 250 kilometres from the Chilean capital, Santiago. They will first confront Norway on Monday, 29th September, before clashes with Saudi Arabia (2nd October) and Colombia (5th October).

A team of 20 players and 11 officials (midfielder Daniel Daga will join the team in Chile from his base in Norway) departed from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja on Sunday evening, aboard a Turkish Airline flight to Istanbul, where the contingent will connect to Santiago – venue of their final phase camping.

Nigeria were narrowly edged by Korea Republic after extra time in the semi finals at the last championship hosted by Argentina. The country finished as runners-up in 1989 in Saudi Arabia and in 2005 in The Netherlands.

FLYING EAGLES FOR 2025 FIFA U20 WORLD CUP FINALS

Goalkeepers: Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos); Clinton Ezekiel (Bayelsa United); Rufa’i Abubakar (Mavlon FC)

Defenders: Ocheche Amos Onyejefu (Stade de Reims, France); Odinaka Okoro (Sporting Lagos); Daniel Bameyi (Bayelsa United); Marvelous Avberosou (Ikorodu City); Alatan Azuka (36 Lions); Akinyele Ahmed Olamide (Remo Stars)

Midfielders: Israel Ayuma (NK Istra, Croatia); Emmanuel Ekowoicho (FC Montana, Bulgaria); Mustapha Kamaldeen (Kwara Football Academy); Daniel Daga (Molde FC, Norway); Auwal Ibrahim (Akwa United); Nasiru Salihu (Qabala FC, Azerbaijan)

Forwards: Achichi Oseer (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Sani Suleman (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Tahir Maigana (Wireless FC); Kparobo Arierhi (Lillestrom SK, Norway); Charles Agaba (NK Istra, Croatia); Abdullahi Shitu Ele (Manchester City FC, England)