The top scorer for Dutch side SBV Vitesse Dillon Hoogewerf says his dream is to play for the senior national team of Nigeria despite his eligibility for the Netherlands, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Born to a Nigerian mother and a Dutch father, the 23 year old who has eight goals this season says despite his ultimate desire at club level to play in the UEFA Champions League, his international dream still remains to play for the senior national team of Nigeria. . “It’s my mother’s country. I’ve been there a few times and have said I want to help people there.”

He went ahead to say he plans on reaching out to the less privileged in the country as his own way of helping people, who don’t have the basic things they enjoy in the Netherlands.

“We’re privileged with what we have,” Hoogewerf explains. “That’s just the way it is. If they had the same opportunities as me, they wouldn’t have used them the way I did. I thought about that for a long time.

“They would have eaten up everything to succeed. We have a certain complacency, we’re very pampered. We get so many opportunities to succeed. You shouldn’t be too careless with that”.

Buttressing on his desire to play for Nigeria, he said he feels the culture of Nigeria suits him better and he stands a chance of getting remembered there than if he plays for the Netherlands.

“That (Nigerian) culture suits me better. There’s a better chance of being remembered in African countries. There are so many good footballers. When I was sixteen, I had the chance to play for Nigeria. Then COVID hit, and I was playing for the Dutch youth teams. This season, we reconnected. To play for Nigeria, I have to play at a higher level.”

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle is keen on convincing 19 year old forward George Ilenikhena to switch his international future to the senior national team of Nigeria, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Ilenikhena recently moved to Saudi Arabia side Al-Ittihad from French Ligue 1 side Monaco, a move that came as a surprise to most people, considering his age and also the fact that it could hamper his dream of representing France.

That doesn’t seem to have bothered Chelle who still wants the forward, and according to a source close to the player contact was made last week with Chelle who fancies having him in the team for the March international window.

He doesn’t require a switch of allegiance process as he hasn’t played for France at any level. He also presently have only a Nigerian passport despite living in France since the age of 2.

Chelle is hopeful that he will agree to the switch after previously turning down the chance to play for the Super Eagles. While at Belgium side Antwerp he was teammate to two Nigeria international in Chidera Ejuke and Alhassan Yusuf.

The duo will definitely be involved in the process of convincing their former teammate to accept the proposal from Chelle.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The head of International competitions in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Dayo Enebi says Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo will be called up by the coach of the senior national team of Nigeria for their upcoming friendly games in Jordan, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Nigeria will take part in a four nation tournament and will face Iran before a tie against the host in their final game of the tournament, which is now under threat following escalating violence in the Middle East.

With no confirmation yet on the possible cancellation, the NFF are going ahead with preparation for the games and Enebi confirmed that despite the fact that the paperwork of Okonkwo’s switch isn’t done. He will likely be a part of the team.

“The process is still ongoing and has not been completed yet,” Enebi said Footy Africa. “Okonkwo is one we are looking at, but as of today, his international switch has not been concluded.”

“I can confirm that Okonkwo is definitely one of the players being primed to switch to Nigeria even though the switch is still in progress. From what I know, there are others too, as the coaching crew is looking to strengthen areas where reinforcements are needed.

“Don’t forget Ola Aina is back, and Frederick will return as well. If we add these players to the three or four new faces we hope to introduce, the team can only get stronger. I think the coach will invite Okonkwo for the tournament in Amman. It is not an official competition, so even if his switch is not completed by then, he can still come to train and familiarise himself with the team.”

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

There is every likelihood that the Super Eagles of won’t take part in planned friendly games in the Middle East due to the war currently ravaging the region, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Three-time African champions Nigeria will feature in a Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in Amman, capital of Jordan, during next month’s FIFA Men’s International Window.

The mini-tournament will kick off with a clash between the Super Eagles and the senior men national team of Iran, at the 17,000-capacity Amman International Stadium, on Friday, 27th March 2026.

On Tuesday, 31st March, hosts Jordan will take on 2025 AFCON bronze-medallists Nigeria at the Amman International Stadium.

All of those plans will likely suffer a set back due to the escalating war in the region that has already claimed the life of the Iraq’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

According to the president of the United States of America, he was killed by US and Israeli missiles. A situation that could see Iran boycott the world cup in the USA.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Chibuike Nwaiwu stole the headline in Turkey with a brace for Trabzonspor in a 3-1 win over Fatih Karagümrük in the Turkish league , OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

The defender who joined the team in the January transfer window from Austrian side Wolfsberger AC is in line for a first time call up to the senior national team of Nigeria.

He is expected to be in the list of players for the upcoming friendly games in March against Iran and Jordan respectively, at a four nation mini tournament in Jordan.

With head coach Eric Chelle watching he scored twice within a space of three minutes in the 47th and 50th minute respectively. His fellow Nigerian Paul Onuachu earlier put them ahead.

It was his 18th goal of the season in the Turkish top flight, further confirming his status as the leading scorer in the league.

Nigeria international goalkeeper Amas Obasogie has been suspended for three months by Tanzanian side Singida Blacks Stars on the allegation of match fixing, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

A member of the Super Eagles team to the recently concluded AFCON, the club confirmed in the statement that he has been suspended for three months pending the conclusion of the investigation surrounding an allegation of match fixing.

The camp of the player is yet to respond to the allegations that led to the suspension, and all messages to the player didn’t bring any reply.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

The Singida Black Stars SC leadership through the Disciplinary Committee has taken disciplinary action against players Khalid Aucho and Amas Obasogie as follows:

1. Khalid Aucho: He has been punished for indiscipline and absenteeism and has been suspended for three months.

2. Amas Obasogie: Suspended for three months pending investigation into allegations of election rigging.

The club reminds all its players and staff to adhere to discipline, responsibility and respect for the club.

Issued by the Office of the Chief Executive

Singida Black Stars SC

27/02/2026.

Genoa defender Alessandro Marcandalli says he is open to playing for the senior national team of Nigeria, and will make a decision if he gets an invitation from head coach Eric Chelle.

This season 24 year old Marcandalli has grown into a regular in the Italian top division making 20 appearances with two assists. It has led to talks about his international future.

Born in Ponte San Pietro (Bergamo), to an Italian father and a Nigerian mother, he has always valued his mixed origins, without losing sight of his link with Africa and his roots, very present in his training in Italian football.

Eligible for both countries, his preferred international team will be decided when he gets a call up, and he made it clear that while he will listen to his parents, his decision will be personal.

“When a call comes in I will decide. I will listen to my parents, but I will make the decision; it will be something very personal. I was in Nigeria as a child and I would like to return; I have relatives there. I listen to a lot of afrobeat, I love it. Like my mother’s jollof rice, spicy, with peppers. I followed the Africa Cup of Nations and cheered for Nigeria”, he told Secolo XIX.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has opened up on the true situation on extending his stay as the coach of team , OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Chelle still has a year to run on his deal as coach of the Nigerian team, but on the instructions of the National Sports Commission (NSC), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) were mandated to extend his deal.

Talks stalled after the coach made a 19 points demand, which include a monthly salary proposal of €130,000 a month aside other demands.

In the interview posted on his official Instagram handle, Chelle confirmed in French language that the document in circulation is indeed true, but he has no knowledge how it was leaked to the media, after he submitted it to the NFF. Hinting that it might be a part of a smear campaign to kick him out of the job.

“At the moment we’re speaking, of course I am still the coach of Nigeria. I still have one year left on my contract. In fact, just yesterday I was in a meeting by video with my technical staff to work on the squad list for the March matches. So yes, I am still the coach of Nigeria”, he explained.

“Today, if I’m being honest, I don’t really know. The first question I ask myself is how this document could have ended up in the media. That’s the question I’m asking myself.”

He said it’s indeed true that he demanded for the salary in question but said it’s in Dollars and not Euros as widely believed. A demand he said was made because he will also cater for his assistants from the pay.

Asked if he is open to receiving a lesser pay, the coach who led Nigeria to a third place finish at the AFCON said it’s possible with negotiations still on.

Linked with a move to Marseille when head coach Roberto De Zerbi was fired, Chelle said he had no contact or whatsoever with the management of the team , who have since appointed Habib Beye as the coach.

“I have had absolutely no contact with the Olympique de Marseille management.”

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has succeeded in convincing Rangers of Scotland defender Emmanuel Fernandez to play for his team , OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Born in England to Nigerian parents, he has grown in leaps and bounds this season at the Scottish side, leading to reports of a summer move to a team playing in a top five major European League.

Chelle got wind of his rise, and spoke with him to play for Nigeria rather than wait for England. He accepted and has even picked up a Nigerian passport.

It means he is a sure candidate for the upcoming friendly tournament in Jordan, where they will be up against world cup bound teams in Iran and Jordan respectively in March.

Fernandez is expected to begin the process of introducing young players into the team, especially with Semi Ajayi turning 33 this year.

Victor Osimhen scored the first goal for Galatasaray in their 2-3 defeat against Juventus in the UEFA Champions League, and caused a stir when he refused to celebrate what emphatically put his team in the driving seat for the next round of the tournament.

Galatasaray were trailing 0-3 against ten man Juventus, and levelled 5-5 on aggregate before Osimhen gave his side the edge on aggregate with his goal. Barış Alper Yılmaz put the game to bed with Gala’s second goal one minute to the end of the game.

Osimhen’s lack of celebration after his goal was put to him in the post match interview, before he was handed the player of the match award.

“I didn’t feel joy after the Golden goal. There was no need. Let me explain why. First, I respect Spalletti, whom I love and who has played an important role in my career”, he explained.

“Second, we played poorly against an opponent with 10 men. I’m not a player who hides my emotions. Juventus fans applauded their team today. Because they played better. But of course, I’m very happy that we advanced to the next round.”

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman