Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has made three potential changes to the list of players called up for their upcoming World Cup Qualifiers games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe respectively.

Chelle will be in charge of the Super Eagles for the first time in March when they play both games, and the buildup to the game has left him worried with four key players facing the risk of missing the games.

Captain William Troost-Ekong hasn’t played for Saudi Arabia side Al-Kholood in their last two games after going out injured in the game against Al Orobah on the 14th of February. He is facing a race against time to be fit for both games.

Top striker Victor Osimhen will know the extent of the knock he suffered while in action for Galatasary in the 0-0 draws against Fenerbahce according to head coach Okan Buruk. He is another one whose presence isn’t guaranteed yet.

Already midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and center back Semi Ajayi have been ruled out of both games with their respective clubs confirming that they are set for a spell on the sidelines.

A chieftain of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) says the situation has forced the coach to make three changes to the squad for both games, including handing a first time call up to a midfielder, whose identity wasn’t revealed as at the time of this report.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has made contact with Werder Bremen fullback Felix Agu as he get set to make public the list of players for the upcoming world cup 2026 qualifiers games, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Chelle will be in charge of the Super Eagles for the first time in March when they take on Rwanda and Zimbabwe respectively. They will go into both games looking for their first win in the series after four games.

Sitting four points behind the group leaders Rwanda, Chelle who insist the team has what it takes to win their remaining six games in the qualifiers is going all out, firstly by inviting players he feels can add more depth and quality to his team.

Agu who represented Germany at U21 level in 2019 but declare his intention to play for Nigeria in 2021 was contacted by Chelle two weeks ago, while he was still recovering from an outer ligament injury that kept him out for two months.

The 25 year old has returned back to full fitness and could be in the Super Eagles squad which has been decimated with injuries to around four key players in Victor Osimhen, William Troost-Ekong, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Semi-Ajayi.

Comfortable as a left back or right back he has played a total of 11 games in the Bundesliga this season with two goals and one assist to his name. Despite representing Germany he won’t be needing a switch of nationality process to be approved by FIFA as he only played in test games for the U21.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

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Tottenham v Manchester City, February 26

Tottenham won 3 Premier League matches in a row for the first time this season and moved up to 12th place. At the same time, Manchester City lost to Arsenal and Liverpool, beat Newcastle, and now continues to fight for the TOP-4. Josep Guardiola’s team suffered an early exit from the Champions League, and successful performances in the league are the only chance to save the season from complete failure.

Tottenham inflicted one of the most painful defeats of the season on Manchester City, beating their opponents at the Etihad with a score of 4-0. Guardiola’s side will try to avenge, but they have lost 6 of their last 8 matches on the Spurs’ pitch. Still, there is also good news: Erling Haaland is close to recovering from injury.

Odds: W1 – 3.425, Х – 4.435, W2 – 1.968.

Liverpool v Newcastle, February 26

Liverpool beat Manchester City in the last round of the Premier League, while all of the Reds‘ rivals lost. Arne Slot’s squad has taken maximum points in their previous five home games, scoring 16 goals, and wants to take another important step towards the title.

Newcastle has been inconsistent after nine consecutive wins from mid-December to mid-January. The Magpies lost 4-0 to Manchester City but then achieved a stunning 4-0 victory in 12 minutes against Nottingham Forest. Newcastle has not beaten Liverpool for almost 10 years – can that run last?

Odds: W1 – 1.528, Х – 4.99, W2 – 5.85.

Betis v Real Madrid, March 1

Real is in second place, behind Barcelona only on additional indicators and ahead of Atletico by 1 point. In the race for gold medals, every match can be decisive, and Carlo Ancelotti’s team has no room for error. In the last round, Madrid beat Girona, breaking a streak of three La Liga games without a win. Betis is an inconvenient opponent for Real: Los Blancos have won only 1 of the last 4 matches against the Verdiblancos.

After two consecutive victories, Betis has come close to the European Cup zone and wants to bypass Rayo Vallecano. In the winter transfer window, Manue lPellegrini’s squad was strengthened by Manchester United winger Antony. The Brazilian has 3 goals + 2 assists in 6 matches, but he will miss the clash with Real Madrid due to a silly red card against Getafe.

Odds: W1 – 4.525, Х – 4.425, W2 – 1.759.

Napoli v Inter, March 1

In Serie A, Inter is only one point ahead of Napoli, and the winner of the head-to-head clash will gain a significant advantage heading into the final stretch ofthe title race. The first-round match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Napoli has failed to win in their last four games after seven victories in a row, and a weekend defeat to Como allowed Inter to take first place from the Neapolitans. However, Simone Inzaghi’s team’s away results in February have been underwhelming – one point in their last three matches. Napoli and Inter probably do not want to take risks, but Atalanta expects their opponents to drop points, which could further intensify the intrigue in the fight for the Scudetto.

Odds: W1 – 3.185, Х – 3.25, W2 – 2.537.

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Galatasary and Nigeria international forward Victor Osimhen has fired back at comments made by the head coach of Fenerbahce Jose Mourinho in the wake of their bad tempered 0-0 draw, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The stalemate which helped Galatasary to maintain their six points lead over Fenerbahce at the top of table had lot of drama that resulted in the referee issuing seven yellow cards, and had to temporarily suspend the game after flares were thrown in the stands.

Just after the half hour mark, Victor Osimhen went down inside the box after a push. But after his penalty appeals were turned down, he appeared to turned towards Mourinho with a “silence” gesture, which triggered confrontation between both benches and resulted in yellow cards for both coaches, Mourinho and Okan Buruk.

After the game Mourinho made reference to that incident saying players of Galatasary were jumping like monkeys.

“We thank the referee because after the big dive in the first minute and their bench jumping like monkeys on the top of the kid, with a Turkish referee, the kid would have a yellow card after one minute and after five minutes I would have to change. Thankfully it was a perfect experience for him”, he said.

That statement drew a reaction from Galatasary terming it as racist, but Fenerbahce leaped to the defence of their coach saying his words have been taken out of context to give it a different meaning against what the coach meant.

Osimhen who have been accused by Mourinho in the past as someone who likes to dive weigh into the debacle and backed his club’s stand with a statement on Instagram which says ” Say No To Racism”.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

As the row between Nigeria international forward Ademola Lookman and that of his coach at Atalanta Gian Piero Gasperini continues, the president of the club has given his opinion on the saga, which came about after Lookman missed a penalty in their 1-3 loss at home to Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League.

Gasperini blamed Lookman for not allowing the designated spot kick taker to take it at the post match conference following the defeat, Lookman responded with a statement saying the designated taker told him to take it.

Lookman who scored their lone goal in the defeat made his return from injury in that game, and showed his usefulness to the team again at the weekend with a brace and an assist in the 4-2 win over Empoli in the league.

Despite that the dispute between the duo is still unresolved as seen when they avoided each other when Lookman was subbed off , and subsequently the Nigerian declined to comment on his relationship with the coach when he was asked during the post match conference.

Weighing into the dispute, co president of Atalanta Stephen Pagliuca told Italian publication Gazzetta that the 65 year old coach made a mistake by singling out the Nigerian after the defeat.

“We want to put this situation behind us, and I think we have, considering the 5-0 victory [against Empoli],” Pagliuca told Gazzetta.

“These matches are always intense. We love the passion with which they are played. We have a great coach, very passionate. He made a mistake by speaking about an individual. At Atalanta, with the Percassi family, we have a policy: if things go wrong, we take responsibility. We look at ourselves and how to improve.

“The players are having an extraordinary season, we wouldn’t be where we are now without the contributions of Lookman, De Ketelaere, and the whole team. I should name them all. We faced Brugge without five key players, all injured. Gasperini’s reaction was emotional and unfortunate, and it was a mistake that went against our policy, something we are not proud of. But I repeat, Gasp remains a great coach.”

Ade Emmanuel

The head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle will have to do without the services of one of the key midfielders in team when they play in the 2026 world cup qualifiers, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Chelle will be in charge of the team for the first time in March when they travel to play Rwanda in Kigali before hosting Zimbabwe in two crucial games in the race to be at the next World Cup.

5th placed Super Eagles will be looking for their first win in the series against group leaders Rwanda who are four points clear of Nigeria, but top of the group on goal difference ahead of South Africa and Benin Republic respectively.

Nigeria’s search for a win will have to be without the services of Fisayo Dele-Bashiru who has emerged as a starter for the team, and scored the leveler in the 1-1 draw at home against South Africa.

Dele-Bashiru was subbed off early in Lazio’s game at the weekend against Venezia, and test has shown that he suffered an ankle sprain, which will keep him out for twenty days. Effectively ruling him out from tonight’s Coppa Italia game against Inter Milan, and also games Milan in the league and probably both matches against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League, as well as the match against Udinese and most likely also the one against Bologna.

He is expected to be back in April, when the Super Eagles would have played both games in the world cup qualifiers.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Nigeria international forward Ademola Lookman will leave Italian Serie A side Atalanta at the end of the season, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Lookman who fired the club to their first European Cup glory with a hattrick in the 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the final of the Europa League was involved in a public exchange of words with head coach Gasperini.

Gasperini criticized the Nigerian for missing a spot kick in their 1-3 loss to Belgium side Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League play-off. Lookman responded with a statement saying he took the spot kick because he was asked to by the designated taker.

Last weekend after his brace and assist in their 3-0 win over Empoli, Lookman declined to comment on his relationship with Gasperini who explained earlier that it wasn’t his intention to hurt or disrespect the reigning Africa player of the year.

Even before the feud, it was already agreed that the 27 year old will leave the club at the end of this season, with Lookman and his entourage keen on making the most of what can be termed as his best spell in his career.

According to SkySports Italy contacts have already been made with Liverpool to examine the possibility of a permanent transfer this summer. Arsenal have also made inquiries but have no concrete steps have been taken unlike Liverpool who have had talks with his representatives. Liverpool consider the Nigerian as one of the most credible options to replace Mohamed Salah in the summer of 2025.

Also on his case are teams from Saudi Arabia, whose millions make Ademola Lookman dream. He has already informed his close relations: if the opportunity to play in the Saudi Pro League presents itself, he will seize it.

Daniel Martins

Per a report by the police in Uganda former Nigeria U20 forward Abubakar Lawal who plays for Ugandan side Vipers SC didn’t widely reported.

It was reported that Lawal who was a part of the 2015 Nigeria U20 side alongside the likes of Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Wilfred Ndidi among others was involved in a ghastly bike accident in the city of Entebbe which claimed his life.

However in a dramatic twist of events, the Ugandn police have rubbished the reports with a statement detailing the episode leading to his death, which they said happened after he fell from a balcony where he went to visit a lady called Omary Naima.

According to their report it was the lady who said she left him in her room preparing tea, while she went to a game center, only to return and be told that he fell from the balcony. Below is their statement.

Uganda police statement;

KMP SOUTH

KAJJANSI POLICE DIVISION

DATE 24/02/2025.

NATURE OF REPORT

SUDDEN DEATH VIDE KAJJANSI DEF 02/2025.

PLACE OF OCCURANCE

bwebajja voice mall , kajjansi town council, wakiso district.

PARTICULARS OF REPORTER

Kaburungi Harriet f/a 54 years, amunyankole by tribe, a general manager voice mall bwebajja, aresident of bwebajja ward, kajjansi town council, wakiso district.

BRIEF FACTS

today 24/02/2025 at about 0800hours information received by OC Cid kajjansi police station D/ASP Sabila Abdela from bwebajja police post that unidentified person m/a has fallen down from upstairs at voice mall bwebajja where immediately ateam responded and found the said victim rushed to Entebbe hospital for first aid but unfortunately he was pronounced dead on arrival at Entebbe hospital.

POLICE ACTION.

. sudden death registered at kajjansi police division vide DEF 02/2025.

. scene of crime visited by ateam of detectives,ict officer, soccos,and uniform personels led by OC Cid kajjansi police division D/ASP Sabila Abdela.

. scene of crime documented.

. statements taken from eye witnesses..

pf48A and pf48B issued for postmortem at Entebbe hospital.

FINDINGS.

. the deceased has been identified as Lawal Abubakar, m/a 29years, a nigerian by nationality, a professional footballer, aresident of kijapan, kitende ward, kajjansi town council, wakiso district.

. the alleged room the deceased is claimed to have fallen from is third floor, room 416 at voice mall bwebajja.

. the deceased came today about 0800hours parked and entered in one of the rooms to meet a lady one Naima Omary.

. the deceased came on motor vehicle reg no UBQ 695G rumion silver in colour where he parked it at the parking yard at voice mall bwebajja.

. the deceased personal belongings including a mobile phone recovered within the mall before entering the room he alleged felt from.

*inquiries still on going and further updates follows on the next report.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle is facing an uphill task to get four players of the senior national team of Nigeria ready for their world cup qualifiers games in March, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Chelle who will be in charge of the team for the first time in the world cup 2026 qualifiers games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe respectively will likely be without the services of four senior players including captain of the team William Troost-Ekong.

Ekong was substituted in Al-Khalood 0-2 loss to Oruba a week ago, and miss the entirety of yesterday’s 1-0 win over Al-Wehda. Reports say he is likely to be unavailable for tomorrow’s game against Al-Hilal if he fails a fitness test.

Returning defender Semi Ajayi was subbed off after 41 minutes of their 2-0 win over Oxford United, early diagnosis say he suffered a relapse of the injury that kept him out since November last year.

Midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is another who is a huge concern after coming off Lazio’s 0-0 draw against Venezia in the 41st minute due to a knock.

It’s the same story for fellow midfielder Raphael Onyedika who was also subbed of after 23 minutes in Club Brugge’s 1-2 loss to Standard Liege in the Belgium top division.

The newly appointed coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle says he has found seven players who could be good enough for the team after watching two games in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Chelle watched the game between Ikorodu City and Plateau United in Lagos before travelling to watch Remo Stars against Kwara United in Ogun State.

Speaking to the publisher of Sports Village Square Kunle Solaja, Chelle told the veteran journalist that he has seen some players with the prospects of getting a call up to the team from the two games he watched.

He said four players impressed him in the game in Lagos and three more also caught his attention in Ikenne. He however declined to mention the names of the players or if they will be in his list of players for the upcoming world cup qualifiers games against Rwanda and Zimbabwe respectively in March.

The coach is expected to watch two more games before switching his attention to the games in March by keeping a close eyes on players who will be in the team for the games, which are crucial to the chances of Nigeria making it to the 2026 World Cup.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman