The much anticipated friendly game between the senior national team of Nigeria and Argentina won’t be taking place anymore due to logistics issues, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

It is the second time the game has suffered a setback after the host of the game China cancelled the game, following a row over the star player of the Argentina national team Lionel Messi whose no show in a friendly game for his club Inter Miami against a selected Hong Kong XI sparked furore.

Argentina have already replaced the Super Eagles with Costa Rica on the planned date of 26th of March at the same venue in the United States state of Los Angeles. They will also play another game against El Salvador in t the same country.

Nigeria are however not going to let the window slip without a game and are now looking for another country to engage with the game very important for the coach Jose Peseiro to try out new players ahead of the resumption of the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

The captain of the senior national team of Nigeria William Troost-Ekong has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a ruptured biceps femoris in his right leg picked up at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Ekong led Nigeria all the way to the final game of the tournament, where they were beaten 1-2 by the host. Voted as the most valuable player (MVP) of the tournament, he scored three goals including the lone goal for Nigeria in the final defeat.

It has now emerged that he played the tournament through the pain barrier as he was injured as early as the Super Eagles second group game, where they defeated the host 1-0 courtesy of his penalty. He aggravated the injury by playing till the final game.

The captain was among the five players whom we reported played in the final game without being fully fit, the rest are Ola Aina, Ademola Lookman, Zaidu Sanusi (ruled out for the rest of the season) and Victor Osimhen.

His club PAOK will now be without him for the rest of the season putting a huge dent on their bid to win he league as they are placed second on the log, just one point behind leaders AEK Athens.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

One of the success stories of Nigeria’s campaign at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations was Stanley Nwabali, who rose to the position of first choice goalkeeper at the tournament, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Nwabali displaced Francis Uzoho who has been in the team since 2018, and posted an impressive performance including stopping two spot kicks in the semi final in their shoot out win over South Africa.

Now back at his club Chippa United in South Africa, the 27 year old has been told to use the buzz his performance at the AFCON has generated to make a move that will be more rewarding financially, than his present situation at the PSL side.

This call was made by the first assistant to the head coach of the Super Eagles Finidi George in an interview published on NPFL Reporters.

“I think he has to go somewhere else. If there is that opportunity for him, definitely he has to because you know, this career of a footballer is very short. 10 years, 12 years at most”, he was quoted as saying.

“If there are no injuries. So you have to make the best out of it because life after football is so long that if you don’t get the best out of it when you’re active, yeah, you see some players struggle,” George said.

“So the best you can get now is going to be better for the future. If there’s an offer somewhere else in Europe, Asia where they would pay him better. I think he has to go for it.”

Ade Emmanuel

There’s something enthralling about the onset of a Champions League night. As the stadium lights flare up and the iconic anthem plays, fans from across the globe tune in with bated breath, whether through their screens at home or amidst the electric atmosphere of the pitch.

With Champions League picks weaving through every conversation, from corner shops to online forums, the buzz is undeniable. These nights are not solely about which team emerges victorious; they’re a celebration of football, showcasing heart-stopping moments that stay etched in memory, like that improbable comeback or the underdog’s triumph against all odds.

Champions League night: Streaming services’ importance

As the twilight of an eagerly awaited Champions League night approaches, bars and living rooms worldwide resonate with the same anticipation. Streaming services with no streaming issues and live broadcasts ensure every fan partakes in this global festival of football. Screens become portals to another world, one where geographical boundaries blur, time zones are forgotten and all that matters is the enchanting dance of the ball on the lush green pitch. On such nights, narratives unfold that far exceed the game’s conventional confines, etching memories into the canvas of history.

When the game comes home: The evolution of sports enjoyment

Gone are the days when missing a ticket meant missing out on the action. Now, live-streaming portals have ensured that the roaring applause and pitch tension are as palpable through screens as they are within stadium walls. Fans, unable to make the journey to witness the matches in person, find solace in the shared camaraderie of live chats and social media, as every goal, penalty, or red card is instantaneously beamed to viewers worldwide, knitting a web of shared reactions and emotions that defy physical distances.

Navigating the new terrain of sports engagement

The rise of online platforms has revolutionized how fans consume sports. A match is no longer just an event you either attend or miss; it’s an experience available at your fingertips, anytime and anywhere. This has opened up avenues for detailed post-game analyses, engaging fan theories and of course, simplified access to real-time sports betting. Dive into a match mid-way, or even towards the last whistle blow; today’s coverage ensures that fans have more than just the outcome to look forward to—they’ve got the entire narrative arc of the game.

The adrenaline of live betting in the digital age

Imagine the exhilaration of predicting a match’s next move while it unfolds live. That’s the thrill of in-play betting, a practice that’s gaining momentum with each passing game. It’s about making split-second decisions, trusting your instincts and playing along with the rhythm of the game. It’s a bit like the thrill of playing at qqmegah or other online casinos, only with a sporting twist.

Such immediate stakes cannot help but add a layer of gripping interaction for the viewers. It’s not just watching a game; it’s actively participating in its tide and flow. The integrated features of modern-day live sports platforms only enhance this experience, ensuring users can place their bets with the same ease as cheering for their team.

Why Nigerian fans are flocking to online viewing platforms

In Nigeria, where passion for football runs as deep as the unity of its communities, the accessibility to streaming services is not just a matter of convenience, it’s a necessity. These services not only bridge the gap for comprehensive coverage of international matches but also celebrate local talent making waves on a global scale. They serve as virtual hubs where fans can rally behind their Nigerian heroes, dissect game strategies and feel part of a larger narrative that continuously honors the rich tapestry of Nigerian football. Through these platforms, a shared identity is forged and a local sport finds its beating heart on the global stage.

The head coach of Italian Serie A side AC Milan Stefano Pioli has explained why American winger Christian Pulisic is ahead of Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Chukwueze was the club record signing during the summer transfer window joining the club from Villarreal in a deal in excess of €20m after a season where he scored 13 goals and assisted 11.

However he hasn’t matched that form at his new base leading to him getting benched for Pulisic, who according to Pioli has similar characteristics with Chukwueze but gives more to the team. He presently has eight goals and seven assists unlike Chukwueze who has two goal and one assist this season.

During his pre-Atalanta press conference, Pioli was asked about what Chukwueze needs to do in order to compete with the American. The manager’s response was clear and perhaps even a bit harsh, sending a clear message to the Nigerian.

“They have the same characteristics. Pulisic scores goals, assists and works. Chukwueze must score goals, assists and work,” Pioli stated.

Jacobs Ben has given an insight into what it will take by way of salary to tempt Nigeria international striker Victor Osimhen into leaving Italian Serie A champions Napoli in the summer, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Despite extending his contract in the summer, Osimhen who powered Napoli to the league title for the first time in 33 years by scoring 26 goals is largely expected to leave the team by next summer transfer window.

He is on the wishlist of a lot of teams in Europe, but according to Ben three teams are top in the race to sign the 25 year old Nigerian who has a desire to play in the English League, where Arsenal and Chelsea are leading the chase.

Ben said although PSG have him high up their list as a priority signing in the summer with Kylian Mbappe expected to leave the club. The oil rich Qatar backed club won’t however bully the aforementioned English side as they are willing to match his salary demand of around £250,000 a week.

“We still can’t rule out Arsenal in the race for Osimhen. It’s also true that PSG have Osimhen very, very high on their list. I’m still told by sources that Osimhen’s priority is the Premier League, which is encouraging for Chelsea & Arsenal. He would be looking for about £250k-per-week, which Arsenal, Chelsea & PSG would all be happy to pay”, the transfer expert was quoted as saying on GivemeSport.

Daniel Martins

The recent statement made by the coach of Wolverhampton Wanderers Nuno Espírito Santo on Ola Aina playing in the Africa Cup of Nations final match against Ivory Coast with an injury has opened the door for more revelation, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Aina played the entire duration of the Super Eagles 1-2 loss to the host and upon his return to his club his coach revealed that he played in the game with an injury he picked up in the semi final, and it is why he hasn’t played since returning from the tournament.

“Ola got injured in the semi-final and played the final with an injury, he tried but didn’t really play in the final,” said Espirito Santo ahead of their game against Sheffield United.

Also coach of Atalanta Gian Piero Gasperini said Ademola Lookman who started in the final played with a knock on his ankle hence the reason why he only started playing this weekend since returning from the tournament, the same goes for William Troost-Ekong who hasn’t played for PAOK, since he returned from the tournament where he was voted the most valuable player (MVP).

Already Zaidu Sanusi has been ruled out for the rest of the season and possibly for a while with a knee injury, which is coach said was down to playing to many games without sufficient room for recovery considering that he only returned to fitness three weeks before the start of the tournament. He also started in the final for Nigeria after missing the semi final with a knock.

The cases mentioned above made us to inquire from a player of the team on what really happened in the camp before the loss to the host. ” We played that game with five unfit players because the coach has faith in just a small group of players”, he revealed.

” I can tell you that aside the four players you mentioned, Victor Osimhen wasn’t fully fit for that game. He had the stomach issue that didn’t make him train fully. Ekong played through the pain barrier for all the knock out games. Zaidu wasn’t fully fit just like Lookman and Aina.

” Maybe a lot of people think not starting Moses Simon was an error but the biggest one was playing too many players with fitness concerns because the coach kept his faith in just 15 players. I really think we failed in that aspect more”, he concluded.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that the senior national team of Nigeria will take on Argentina in an international friendly game on the 26th of March in the United States of America as first reported by OwnGoalNigeria.com.

Fresh from finishing second at the recently concluded Africa Cup of Nations, the team will regroup for this game which will serve as a warm up for the resumption of the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, which will begin in June.

We can exclusively report that preliminary letters of invitation and contacts have been made with players who will be in the squad for the game, and it includes a return for Real Sociedad forward Sadiq Umar who was controversially dropped from the team that went all the way to the final game of the AFCON.

It was said that he will be out for a while but 48 hours later he was back in action for his LaLiga side rubbishing the claims made by the doctors of the Nigerian team. He will however be back in the team for the game in March.

There will also be a return for Bayer Leverkusen forward Nathan Tella who was left out of the team for the tournament, after making his debut less than two months before the start of the tournament. His form at Bayer Leverkusen has promoted his return to the team.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

As Nigerians await an announcement on the future of the head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Jose Peseiro, a call has been made for his deal to be terminated despite meeting the target of getting to at least the semi final of the AFCON.

Peseiro’s short term deal extended to cover the period of the tournament will expire in three days time, but there is a huge chance that it will be extended after leading the team all the way to the final, where they were beaten 1-2 by the host Cote d’Ivoire.

The length of the extension per what we exclusively gathered is what is delaying an imminent announcement, with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) proposing a one year deal that will cover the next Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next year.

However Peseiro wants a two year deal which be tied to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, both parties are yet to reach an agreement on it but according to Seyi Olofinjana, allowing the coach leave will be best for all parties involved.

He said even though he was pleasantly surprised at the way they performed and got all the way to the final at the AFCON, he wasn’t entirely pleased with their set up, which he said isn’t the style of play of the team.

“I  wasn’t expecting anything from the team considering their outings in the last one year, it was disastrous and for that reason I wasn’t expecting anything from the team at the AFCON because I knew they lacked alot to be called a team”, he was quoted as saying.

“Fortunately they surprise me with their resilience and adaptation to a difficult defensive tactics that the coach used through out the tournament and of cause the results they got.

” But is that what the team want to play at the world cup or after the AFCON, I think that is not our style of football, I have been a member of the national team from under 17 to super eagles I can tell for a fact that the team won’t adapt to that style of football and I think that is not what we want for the country.

” Personally, I don’t know the terms of contract of the coach with the NFF but if I do I would say he has tried his best by meeting the target set for him but his style wasn’t ours and we need to move on, you know what that means.”

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The new coach of Napoli the Italian Serie A champions Francesco Calzona has defended his decision to sub off Victor Osimhen in his team’s 1-1 draw against Cagliari in the Italian Serie A.

Calzona was appointed as a replacement for the sacked Walter Mazzari on a deal till the end of the season, with a mandate to ensure that the team end the season on a high, despite not having any chance of retaining the title they won for the first time in 33 years last season.

His first assignment was in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 against Barcelona, and the team came from behind to draw 1-1 with Victor Osimhen leveling the scores after Robert Lewandoski gave the visitors the lead.

Against Cagliari , they took the league through Osimhen for his 8th goal of the season, but it wasn’t enough to give them all three points with the host drawing level in the 6th minute of time added on. Calzona’s decision to sub off Osimhen in the 85th minute was questioned after the game.

“Osimhen? He was tired, I don’t think it’s anything serious. He is ready to take Napoli on his shoulders. I didn’t talk much to him, because there’s no need, he’s a fantastic guy. Little by little he will regain his condition, he had problems with the Africa Cup of Nations, the players return devastated from that competition. The other evening I replaced him for the same reason, but the players always want to play”, he said.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman