Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has called up fresh set of players to the team for the upcoming friendly games against Poland and Portugal respectively in June, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Chelle has already called up players for the Unity Cup which begins in seven days time, but left out his regulars for the high profile games in June.

Although some players who will be in the squad for the Unity Cup will also be in the list. He made sure that it is balanced with same number of players in all outfield positions per what we gathered.

However he picked three goalkeepers which includes Arthur Okonkwo who recently switched from England to Nigeria. First choice goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is also back in the mix.

There is also a return in the midfield for Alhassan Yusuf who plays for Major League Soccer (MLS) side New England Revolution.

Terem Moffi also marks his return with a spot in the attack of the team despite playing a bit part role in helping FC Porto win the Portuguese League.

Goalkeepers  : Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho, Arthur Okonkwo

Defenders: Bruno Onyemaechi, Zaidu Sanusi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Emmanuel Fernandez, Igoh Ogbu

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika, Tochukwu Nnadi, Alhassan Yusuf

Forwards: Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Paul Onuachu, Akor Adams, Victor Osimhen, Terem Moffi

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The newly appointed coach of the U20 team of Nigeria Abdul Maikaba called up 35 players to the camp of the team in Abuja in preparation for the upcoming WAFU B tournament, which is the qualifiers for the U20 AFCON.

Maikaba called up seven players who ply their trade outside Nigeria and a host of players picked from teams around Nigeria, with some coming from top rated football academies.

One of the players called up is Imrana Mohammed who according to the list made public by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) plays for Spanish LaLiga side Alaves.

However a quick check at the club by our sources found out that the player isn’t on the books of the club, but was linked with a move to the team when he turns 18 in the summer.

He is a player of Mavlon Football Academy, the same as 90 percent of the foreign based players called up by Maikaba. A worrying trend that caught our attention.

Our attempts to get across to Maikaba proved abortive with the coach not taking his calls, and also didn’t return the call as at the time of this report.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle picked seven players from teams in the Nigeria Premier Football League in his squad for the upcoming Unity Cup friendly tournament in London, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Chelle watched around six league games and picked the players who impressed him the most to be a part of his team. All seven players have already gone for their visa interviews at the English Embassy.

Players from Lagos based Ikorodu City lead the home-based contingent with Michael Atata, Aderemi Adeoye and Tosin Oyedokun included.

Title chasers Rangers are represented by Chibueze Oputa and Obinna Igbokwe, while their rivals for the title Rivers United has Elias Ochobi in the list . Shooting Stars’ Ayobami Junior complete the list.

They will be joined by 23 foreign based players largely consisting of players, who have not been given enough playing time under the coach and those from lesser known but competitive European leagues.

Ade Emmanuel

Stiliyan Petrov says Nigeria international forward Kelechi Iheanacho hasn’t done enough to warrant a new deal at Scottish side Celtic despite the role he played in helping them win the league title, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Iheanacho who joined the club on a free transfer from Sevilla penned a year deal, but with the club holding the option of extending it based on his performances.

Talks on an extension has not been in the news for the 29 year old, who scored crucial winners against Dundee, Hibs and Motherwell in the run in to the league title, but Petrov isn’t convinced.

Asked on The Scottish Football Social Club if he should be handed an extension, Petrov said: “Sorry, no. You need a striker who can compete all season, who is fit all season, who is ready, who is mobile.

“You know what? He’s done so well. For me, with what Celtic stands for, they have to go for something different. Something more powerful.

“That’s the way it is, unfortunately, at a big club. I don’t think Iheanacho is the answer for the future.”

Daniel Martins

Nigeria international defender Calvin Bassey is a target of Italian Serie A champions Inter Milan in the upcoming summer transfer window, OwnGoalNigeria.com understands.

Bassey will go into next season with a year left on his contract at the club, but the club has the option of extending it by another year. A situation which has to be in agreement with the player.

A key player for the senior national team of Nigeria, teams like Newcastle United, Bournemouth, Tottenham Hotspur have all made checks on the 26 year old, but it’s Inter Milan who have tempted him the more.

Fulham have now responded to the interest in one of their best players by deciding to offer him a fresh four year deal, per what we exclusively gathered from sources close to the player.

An agreement is still far, but the club has made it clear that they will want him to stay and be a part of what they are building for the next few years.

Daniel Martins

Nigeria international goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali is close to joining a team in the Premier South Africa League (PSL) , OwnGoalNigeria.com understands.

Nwabali has been without a club since leaving Chippa United in January by mutual termination of his contract, shortly after returning from representing Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

He is now expected to join another team in South Africa, right before the start of pre season training in readiness for next season per what we exclusively gathered.

Already talks on wages have been settled, with the club keen on adding the Nigerian to their squad believing that his experience both at international and club level will be beneficial to them.

Sources say he has always have a desire to remain in South Africa and even when he was heavily linked with a move to Tanzanian side Simba SC, he still maintained contact with teams in South Africa.

Daniel Martins

The anticipation and hype surrounding Rivers United were as advertised. Rivers United, overcoming a deficit, ultimately defeated Wikki 3-2 this past Sunday to qualify for the 2026-27 CAF Champions League.

Jonathan Mairiga put the home team ahead in 21 minutes before Rivers United pulled level in the 34th minute when Handsome Surveyor equalized for the visitors. Wikki Tourists went back in front shortly after half-time when Imamu Bala netted in the 47th minute to place the game 2-1 in their favor.

However, Rivers United wouldn’t be denied as they leveled things up with a Chijioke Mbaoma goal in the 59th minute. Otaniyi scored the decisive goal with five minutes left in the match.

Rivers United Is Loaded with NPFL Talent

Rivers United is full of stars, but perhaps none bigger than the amazing depth of the NPFL. All season long, veteran goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokkhai has passionately protected the goal, giving his club a chance at the CAF Champions League. A seasoned veteran of NPFL competition, Afelokhai has been manning the goal for Rivers United since 2020.

Afelokhai was the defensive anchor for Rivers United’s 2021-22 season, in which, according to football experts at Bettingtop10 Nigeria, he allowed only a jaw-dropping 0.8 goals per match. Perhaps most important is that Afelokhai has much experience with CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup games.

For the 2025-2026 campaign, Nigerian forward has been one of Rivers United’s most consistent attackers. In 16 matches, Samuel has notched 3 goals and has also been adept at playing the left winger position. Samuel has 6 CAF matches under his belt. However, he has yet to score a goal or an assist. Rivers United looks for that to change now that they qualify for next season’s CAF Champions League.

Where Rivers United Currently Stands

The win keeps Rivers United in the hunt for Nigeria’s top-flight title going into their final game of the season against Katsina United this weekend. Rivers United trails league leaders Rangers International by a point after Finidi’s boys finished Sunday’s action second on the table. Sunday’s league leaders, Rangers, won 2-1 against Bendel Insurance in Enugu, while Rivers United picked up three points against Wikki Tourists in Bauchi.

Not satisfied, head coach Findi George, trying to avoid a letdown after the hard-fought win, had this to say about his squad:

“We’ll be going back home to see how we can win our last home match, and then we leave the rest to God, irrespective of whatever result that happens in other centers, we wouldn’t bother that much, despite the fact that Rangers are ahead of us.”

With the recent win, Rivers United has qualified for consecutive CAF Champions League play. Findi’s ultimate goal is for Rivers United to win the league title.

The senior national team of Nigeria have been drawn in a relatively easy group in the qualifiers for the 2027 AFCON, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

 The tournament will feature 48 teams divided into 12 groups of four, with only the top two from each group advancing to the finals.

Earlier today the draws for teams to be at the tournament . The six-match qualifying series will be played across three FIFA international windows between 2026 and 2027, placing emphasis on squad depth and consistency over an extended period.

Nigeria was grouped in L, alongside one of the host in Tanzania meaning one only country will qualify from the group which has Guinea Bissau and Madagascar.

A- Lesotho, Niger Republic, Gabon, Morocco

B- South Sudan, Malawi, Angola, Egypt

C- Somalia, Gambia, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire

D-Eritrea, Kenya, Guinea, South Africa

E-Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone Equatorial Guinea, DR Congo

F-CAR, Mauritania, Benin, Burkina Faso

G-Congo, Namibia, Comoros, Cameroon

H-Botswana, Libya, Uganda, Tunisia

I-Burundi, Togo, Zambia, Algeria

J-Ethiopia Sudan, Mozambique, Senegal

K-Liberia, Rwanda, Cape Verde, Mali

L-Guinea Bissau, Tanzania, Madagascar, Nigeria

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Chelsea defender Tosin Adarabioyo recently said he is interested in holding talks on playing for the senior national team of Nigeria after previously turning down the chance, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Tosin turned down Nigeria three times in the past, but in a recent interview he confirmed that he is now targeting a chance with Nigeria, after playing for England at various youth levels.

“I have been through the English youth national teams. I was born in London, but I also feel very connected to my Nigerian roots. Last summer I spent my vacation in Nigeria, it’s a wonderful country with a fascinating culture.

“I followed the Nigerian national team intensively at the last Africa Cup of Nations, they have a fantastic team. It would be a great honour for me to wear the green jersey, but currently my focus is entirely on my goals with Chelsea FC”, he was quoted as saying by Tribuna.

Despite his open declaration, Chelle isn’t pushing to have him in his squad anytime soon and has not made any contact with the 28 year old. Although he has been made aware of Tosin’s availability.

Chelle is presently focused on the young defenders coming through like Emmanuel Fernandez, Benjamin Fredrick and Chibuike Nwaiwu.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Scottish giants Rangers have started planning in earnest for next season after failing to beat Celtic to the league title, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

They are keen on strengthening their defence with the future of start defender Emmanuel Fernandez not certain. The Nigerian international has been a revelation this season at the club.

Already they have started making plans for life without him with their pursuit of another Nigerian in highly rated Akpe Victory, with talks described as positive and the player himself keen on a move to Ibrox, per a report on TEAMtalk.

The 19-year-old centre-back, currently at Hungarian side Zalaegerszegi TE, represents a promising long-term investment as manager Danny Rohl seeks to bolster his defensive options and the club act aggressively in the market.

Standing at an imposing 6ft 5in, Victory has impressed in limited appearances for Zalaegerszegi since joining in January 2026, showcasing the physicality, composure, and potential that have attracted interest from across Europe.

Benfica have made an approach, while clubs in Germany, Spain, and France are also monitoring the situation.

However, Rangers appear to be leading the race and are close to submitting a formal offer, with the deal expected to exceed €5million (£4.3m / $5.8m).

Victory, who is under contract until 2028 with an option for a further year, sees the move to Glasgow as an exciting step in his development, though he remains aware of the broader European attention.

Daniel Martins