The decision of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to delay the announcement of a new coach for the Super Eagles is down to the poor financial situation of the football house, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

In a public statement the NFF said they will hire an expatriate coach for the Super Eagles who will be in place before the next international round of games in September. The decision was taken following the disappointment of the last international break where they were beaten by Benin Republic, four days after drawing 1-1 at home against South Africa.

However that plan has been put on hold due to paucity of funds according to what we exclusively gathered from a chieftain of the NFF, who refused to be quoted as he isn’t authorized to speak on this issue.

” I can tell you it’s a matter of cash. The favourite for the job demanded almost 300 million Naira a month and you know that isn’t feasible. So we now have to sit and draw up another plan to engage the ones we have now and it’s public knowledge who they are”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.

” A coach will be in place before the next round of international games. That one is certain and it will be a choice that will make a lot of people happy. It’s all about money so we have to get the best deal to stop the practice of owing coaches, which is giving us a bad image”, he concluded.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The qualifying round matches of the largest amateur football tournament, 1xCup, were played in Lagos. One of the biggestevents in Nigerian sports attracted huge attention from fanswho actively supported the teams. Thousands of people watched the last 10 squads who qualified for the group stage.

They were rewarded with a breathtaking spectacle and sometimes a real scoring extravaganza. Thus, in the game between Bethel FC and Addo Waterside FC, the hosts won with a 9-0 score, and the winning player, Okechukwu Nwanna, made a unique achievement.

He scored a penta-trick- 5 goals in one match, and thanks to this, he topped the list ofthe tournament’s best scorers.

However, such an advantage of one team over the other wasan exception – almost all struggles showed a more intense and equal fight. In the clash between Crusader FC and Edufoot Sports FC, the former squad won thanks to a goal in the 9th minute, although later, both opponents had many chances to change the score. In the game between Elite Stars and Divine Praise, the Stars took their opportunity in the last minutes, showing their ability to fight till the end.

There were also penalty shootouts: City Sports FC defeated De-Potters FC, and China Stars FC was stronger than Vido 99 FC. The winning squads showed high-quality psychological preparation and the ability to take a punch – something that even the world football superstars sometimes lack. These are valuable qualities that may still be useful during the tournament.

“We are impressed by the competition level and the quality ofplay in almost all games. It shows how responsibly the teams approached 1xCup. They compete not only for the potential attention of scouts from leading clubs in Nigeria and a 20,000,000 NGN prize pool but also for the honor of their regions, for the respect of fans and other players,” said a 1xBet representative, the official partner of the tournament.

“Our company is impressed by the interest in this event, so we took an unprecedented step. Starting from the group stage, 1xCup matches will be available for betting on our websiteand app. Now, fans can support their favorites not only in the stands but also online. Making money on your community’s squad victory is a great opportunity that will appeal to many sports fans,” added the 1xBet representative.

Based on the qualifying struggles, the group stage participants are Emaljus Football Club, Ilupeju Piller FC, China Sunstars FC, G12 Football Club/Academy, Dosu Joseph Football Club Lagos, Diadem Stallion Sports Club/Academy, FC Bethel Sporting, Gunner Link FC, Wasola Venture FC, and Ikorodu Eagles E’clat FC.

These teams will join those who received invitations based onthe 1xCup 2023. These are SBLFC Somolu Bariga LFC, Ighalo Football Academy, 36 Lions FC, Team360 FootballClub, Young Striker FC, Dominion Hotspur FC, Collins Edwin Sports Club, Eleven Football Academy, Emiloju Football Club and Royalty Football Club.

Soon, these squads may attract even more fans and scouts. Following the 1xCup 2023 results, the tournament’s best players received invitations from Nigerian and foreign professional clubs. Football is an excellent social elevator, and 1xBet is a socially responsible bookmaker happy with theparticipating teams’ success who tries to do everything tomake this elevator work as efficiently as possible.

The draw for the group stage will be held on July 24, and the matches will be played in August and September 2024. The games will give fans bright emotions, goals, and sensations. Come to the stadiums, bet on your favorites, and watch the birth of future legends at 1xCup!

After just a season in Belgium where he scored 14 goals for Royal Antwerp George Ilenikhena is returning back to France after a deal was stuck with Monaco for his transfer, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Ilenikhena only left France last sunmer with his form for second division league side Amiens catching the eyes as a 16 year old. He progressed rapidly from the U19 to the main team in less than a year and made a splash with two goals in 17 games.

He took the form to Belgium and scored 14 goals in 15 games including one in their famous 3-2 win over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. Monaco will reportedly pay €20m for his signing with a routine medical said to be imminent.

Born in Lagos to Nigerian parents, the soon to be 18 year old has lived in France long enough to be eligible to play for them at any level but just like with Nigeria he is yet to be capped at any level.

A tug for his international future will no doubt break out next season especially if he maintains his current streak in front of goal the past two years.

Daniel Martins

Nigeria international Solomon Kwambe has urged the Nigeria Football Federation to make every effort to appoint Herve Renard as the next Nigeria coach, stating that he can qualify the country for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Super Eagles are searching for a new manager after Finidi George resigned following a barrage of criticisms over the three-time African champions’ qualifiers against South Africa and Benin Republic.

Herve Renard: The Man for the Job

Renard, who will step down as head coach of France’s women’s national team after the Olympic Games, is considered the leading contender to succeed the Ajax legend. He has a proven track record, having led both Zambia and Côte d’Ivoire to African Cup of Nations victories.

Commenting on the rumors linking the Frenchman to the Nigeria job, Kwambe – who played for the Super Eagles at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and boasts 18 international caps – believes the 55-year-old would be an ideal choice.

Renard is a great coach when you look at what he has achieved managing other countries like Angola, Ivory Coast and Zambia and he would make an ideal choice for the Nigeria senior national team.

“Renard is a great coach, considering his achievements with countries like Angola, Ivory Coast, and Zambia. He would be an ideal choice for the Nigeria senior national team,” Kwambe told SportsBoom.com.

“When it comes to managing national teams, he is undoubtedly one of the best coaches in the world. It would be wise for the Nigeria Football Federation to persuade him to coach the Super Eagles, especially since he will be available after the 2024 Olympics.

“We are in a tight situation now as we need to qualify for the FIFA World Cup. We need a coach who can deliver the necessary results. This is not the time for trial and error. We must aim for the best, and all signs point to coach Renard.”

After guiding the Elephants to the 2015 African title, he became the first coach to win the Africa Cup of Nations with two different countries.

In March 2022, Renard guided Saudi Arabia to qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, becoming the foreign-born manager with the most wins in the Green Falcons’ history.

Take on Indigenous vs Foreign Coach for Nigeria

Over the years, there has been a heated debate about whether a foreign or indigenous manager should be appointed to coach the three-time African champions, with Nigerians holding contrasting views.

When asked for his choice, the former FC Tulsa defender states: “Football is all about results. If Finidi George got the needed results during his time in charge of the Super Eagles, there would not have been circumstances leading to his resignation.

“Whether you are a foreign coach or an indigenous coach, it is the result that matters at the end of the day not your origin or the country you come from.

“The last successful coach the Super Eagles had was Stephen Keshi, an indigenous manager. Ever since, we have been struggling to qualify for tournaments.

“Looking at how difficult it is handling the Nigeria national team, I still wonder how he [Keshi] managed to be successful during his time. Maybe if was alive, maybe he would have revealed how he got the job done.”

Former coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr says the team is struggling at the moment due to the fact that new players are yet to settle into the team.

Nigeria were placed in Group D alongside Benin Republic, Libya and Rwanda and Rohr who led Benin Republic to a 2-1 win over Nigeria in the world cup qualifiers last month says Nigeria still remains the favourite in the group.

” You see like the team is struggling at the moment but you can’t say they don’t have quality players. They have players who can decide the game in their favor and it makes them a hard team to beat and it is why they are the favorites to make it out of the group”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.

On the recent poor results of the team , the coach said the team approach in the last few games haven’t been better as the introduction of new players haven’t gone as expected. ” I think they haven’t been able to bring in new players to create a style and identity. So they are still relying on the players I worked with the most after two years and so many good young players have come in and struggled”, he said.

” For the last game which we defeated them. I think the missing trio Moses Simon, Victor Osimhen and William Troost-Ekong didn’t help them. They can make the difference with their determination, passion and desire. It pushes the team a lot”, the coach concluded.

Ade Emmanuel

Slovakian side AS Trencin have pulled a major transfer coup by snapping up the top revelation in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) last season Sani Suleiman on a two year deal, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Sani who joined Akwa United midway through the season ended it 12 goals and five assists in 20 games during a four month spell. It earned him the award of the best young player in the league at the recently concluded League Bloggers Award (LBA).

Last month the former head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Finidi George identified the teenager for a spot in the squad for the world cup qualifiers games against South Africa and Benin Republic respectively, but club duties denied him the chance of a shot with the Super Eagles.

17 year old Sani was chased by a host of clubs in Belgium and in the Netherlands, but Trencin won the race for his signature with the player’s camp prioritizing his development ahead of financial gains at this stage of his career.

All required documentation for the GBS Academy prospect have been finalized to facilitate the transfer to AS Trencin. Suleiman is set to follow in the footsteps of other successful Nigerian wingers from the renowned GBS academy, such as Moses Simon, Samuel Kalu, and Hilary Gong, who utilized AS Trencin as a springboard for their thriving careers.

He is expected to depart for Slovakia on Tuesday to sign the dotted lines on the deal, which includes an option to be extended for another two years.

Daniel Martins

Former coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Gernot Rohr has warned teams in their AFCON qualifiers group not to underestimate the threat of the super Eagles despite their stuttering form lately, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Nigeria were placed in Group D alongside Benin Republic, Libya and Rwanda and Rohr who led Benin Republic to a 2-1 win over Nigeria in the world cup qualifiers last month says Nigeria still remains the favourite in the group.

” You see like the team is struggling at the moment but you can’t say they don’t have quality players. They have players who can decide the game in their favor and it makes them a hard team to beat and it is why they are the favorites to make it out of the group”, he told OwnGoalNigeria.com.

On the recent poor results of the team , the coach said the team approach in the last few games haven’t been better as the introduction of new players haven’t gone as expected. ” I think they haven’t been able to bring in new players to create a style and identity. So they are still relying on the players I worked with the most after two years and so many good young players have come in and struggled”, he said.

” For the last game which we defeated them. I think the missing trio Moses Simon, Victor Osimhen and William Troost-Ekong didn’t help them. They can make the difference with their determination, passion and desire. It pushes the team a lot”, the coach concluded.

Ade Emmanuel

Manchester United played their second pre season game against Scottish side Rangers of Scotland and picked up their first win courtesy of a 2-0 win with goals from Amad Diallo and Joe Hugill.

The game was the first for club new defender Lenny Yoro and as expected he was the center of attraction for the entire duration of the game, with his performance getting the most attention after the game.

However the name that really stood out in the middle of the park for the Erik Ten Hag led side was Maxi Oyedele who supplied the assist for the second goal scorer by Hugil.

Born in Salford, Greater Manchester, England, to a Polish mother and a Nigerian father, he is a Poland youth international, having represented Poland at the under-18, under-19 and under-21 levels.

He is however still eligible for all three countries at senior level and he showed off his Nigerian roots after the game against Rangers by revealing a tattoo that carries the symbol of the senior national team of Nigeria the Super Eagles.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Brazilian giants Flamengo have concluded the permanent signing of 19 year old Nigerian winger Shola Ogundana on a three year deal after an impressive one year loan spell , OwnGoalNigeria.com understands.

Shola was loaned to the team by Remo Stars using their sister club Beyond Limit FA and he showed enough to earn himself a permanent deal at the club reported to be around $450,000 for 70 percent of his economic rights.

He is expected to be integrated into the main team after his exploits for the U20 where he had five goals and four assists in 17 games. He also impressed with other sides of his game.

A deal is expected to be made official and his subsequent promotion to the main team of the club seen by many as the most supported club in the country. Their expectation is that he will earn a move to a top club in Europa in a few years time.

Remo Stars hold 30 percent of his future sales for the period of his three year stay at the club.

Daniel Martins

The international future of newly signed Leicester City defender Caleb Okoli was once again in the news in Italy following reports that Nigeria still hold a huge interest in luring him to play for the Super Eagles.

Born in Italy to parents of Nigerian descent Okoli joined newly promoted Leicester City from Serie A side Atalanta after a productive loan spell with fellow Italian Serie A side Frosinone last season, where he played 34 games.

23 year old Okoli is now hoping to establish himself in the English top flight and possibly fight his way into senior international football setup, where he is eligible to play for either Italy or Nigeria. A decision is expected as he has crossed the age of playing youth football.

When asked about his international future last year, he said Italy where he was a junior international remains his first choice, but left the door open for a switch to Nigeria in the event that he doesn’t get a call up to the Italian side.

“I think I’m lucky to be able to play for two countries. I always talk to my parents about it,” Okoli said, per Napoli Magazine.

“For now, I’m thinking about playing and achieving the team goal, then the national team will be a consequence.

“I hope for a call from Spalletti and to play with the Italian national team, which is of the highest level in the future. if the call from Italy doesn’t arrive, I could make the decision on the Nigerian national team”.

His statement were revisited during a television program in Italy highlighting the exodus of young Italian defenders to England with the transfer of Ricardo Califiori to Arsenal few details away from completion. Another young Italian defender Destiny Udogie also moved to Tottenham Hotspur and was a huge hit last season before injury brought his season to a premature end.

For Okoli, a caller into the show said the longer he stays out of the Italian set-up the more his chances of playing for Nigeria, especially if he does well at Leicester City.

Ade Emmanuel