The viral story of the decision of Arthur Okonkwo of English Championship side Wrexham to commit his international future to the senior national team of Nigeria is indeed factual, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Since he made his league debut for Wrexham – initially as a loan signing from Premier League giants Arsenal – in a 3-3 home draw against Crewe Alexandra in League Two on September 30, 2023, the 24-year-old has kept the joint most league clean sheets in the top four tiers.

Okonkwo has 42 shut-outs, the same as Leeds United stopper Illan Meslier and one more than Arsenal’s David Raya and Sam Tickle, of Wigan Athletic, with James Trafford (Burnley but now Manchester City) having 32 clean sheets

In 91 appearances for Wrexham, who he joined on a permanent basis in the summer of 2024 after leaving the Gunners, Okonkwo – a two-time promotion winner with the Reds – has kept an incredible 42 shut-outs.

Born to parents of Nigerian descent in England, he represented England at various youth levels but didn’t make it to the senior national team leaving the door open for a switch to Nigeria, which has now been ratified by FIFA.

The decision came after a meeting with the head coach of Nigeria Eric Chelle in London, when the Super Eagles took part in the four team Unity Cup tournament, where they defeated Jamaica on penalty to win the friendly tournament.

Chelle outlined his plans to the shot stopper and his agent during the meeting, urging him to file for a nationality switch and also get a Nigerian passport which will make him available for selection.

An agreement was reached by all parties that the AFCON will be too soon for the process to be completed, but it should be set in process for him to be available after the tournament.

It appears the process is now cleared, and Chelle would have been reliably informed about the decision as he has maintained contact with the goalkeeper and his camp since their first meeting in June.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The agent of Udinese defender Kingsley Ehizibue has lamented how the issue of dual nationality denied his client the chance to build an international career with Nigeria, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

His client was called up to the senior national team of Nigeria in 2016 by former coach Gernot Rohr alongside another player with dual nationality in Tyrone Ebuehi, who went ahead to play at the 2021 AFCON for Nigeria and also at the 2018 World Cup.

That wasn’t the case for Ehizibue who was told he isn’t eligible to get a Nigerian passport, despite having Nigerian roots via his parents due to his status as an immigrant in the Netherlands.

He was told he had to renounce his Dutch passport if he wants to get that of Nigeria, something that has now become an issue between Nigeria and the DR Congo who had a host of players with dual nationality playing for them without renouncing their other nationality as contained in this country’s constitution.

DR Congo defeated Nigeria to pick the sole ticket to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoff, where there will be two tickets for the finalists to be at the 2026 World Cup. Nigeria have already challenged the eligibility of the players to play for DR Congo while holding another country’s nationality.

FIFA is expected to make a ruling on the petition next month, but if the words of the agent of 30 year old Udinese defender Ehizibue is anything to go by, then DR Congo will no doubt feel the wrath of FIFA’s hammer.

” I think DR Congo are in trouble because as much as FIFA recognises sporting eligibility, you must also pass the national laws and requirements to be a bonafide passport holder of the country you want to play for”, a representative of EFM revealed.

” Kingsley was born in Germany to Nigerian parents but holds Dutch citizenship. The country recognised dual nationality like we saw with Ebuehi but the manner of his nationality didn’t permit him to have another passport without renouncing his Dutch citizenship. We respected that and his international career went up in smoke”, he stated.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The senior national team of Nigeria will take on Mozambique in the round of 16 at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Mozambique finished third in their group despite losing 1-2 to Cameroon in their last group game, but picked up one of the four slots available to the best placed third team in the tournament.

Their reward will be a game against the rampant Nigerian team in the round of 16. The Super Eagles will go into the game with a 100 percent record after winning all of their group games at the tournament.

The Nigerian team who have scored eight goals, the most in the tournament, have also shown their vulnerability in defence with four goals conceded and yet to register a clean sheet.

Head coach of the Nigerian team Eric Chelle has a clear mandate to lead the team to the final, where they are expected to go a step further than last time out when they were runners up to the host Cote d’Ivoire.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

English Premier League side Crystal Palace have made clear their intention not to hand a permanent deal to out of favour Super Eagles midfielder Uche Chrisantus with the proposed signing of Brennan Johnson from Tottenham Hotspur, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Palace have a bid of £25 million accepted by Spurs for the winger, a move which effectively puts an end to any plans of making the signing of Uche permanent in the summer as agreed in his loan deal.

An obligation to buy for around £25 million was agreed between his team Getafe and the English side when he made his loan move in the summer, but it carries a clause that says he must start at least ten games in the English Premier League for that to happen.

He hasn’t warmed his way into the plans of head coach Oliver Glasner despite an upturn in his form lately, with 19 games already played in the English Premier League and Uche yet to start in any there is hardly a way that he will meet the clause to be signed permanently.

Reports in Spain already has it that Palace has informed Getafe that he won’t be signed permanently, leaving the club searching for takers as they plan to use his sale to balance their books ahead of next season.

The impending January signing of Johnson is also another sign that the Nigerian, who was left out of the Super Eagles squad for the AFCON won’t be at the club beyond this season.

English Championship side Blackburn Rovers say the injury picked up by new Super Eagles defender Ryan Alebiosu isn’t anything serious to cost him the rest of the tournament, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Alebiosu made his international bow for Nigeria yesterday in the 3-1 win over Uganda at the AFCON, lasting the entire duration of the game which confirmed Nigeria’s spot as group winners heading into the round of 16.

Shortly afterwards, the official media channel of the Nigerian team released a statement saying the 24 year old sustained a deep cut, which will likely see him miss the rest of the tournament.

However Blackburn Rovers in a statement downplayed the severity of the cut, saying he is expected to be fit and available for the rest of the tournament with the injury not as severe as initially feared.

“Ryan Alebiosu played 90 minutes for Nigeria without a big problem. He has a cut, but I think it’s nothing major for us”, the club said in a statement.

Nigeria signed off the group stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in emphatic fashion with a 3-1 victory over Uganda, a result that sealed a perfect nine points from three matches and highlighted the Super Eagles’ growing momentum at the tournament.

Already through before kick-off, the Super Eagles played with confidence and purpose, refusing to take their foot off the pedal. Paul Onuachu opened the scoring in the 28th minute, rising above his marker to head home after sustained pressure. Uganda pulled one back early in the second half through Salim Magoola, but any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished by Raphael Onyedika. The midfielder struck twice in quick succession, first restoring Nigeria’s two-goal advantage in the 62nd minute before firing in a powerful third five minutes later.

Although Uganda continued to push and were rewarded with a consolation goal from Rogers Mato, Nigeria remained firmly in control to close out the game. The win means the Super Eagles finish top of Group C with nine points, eight goals scored and four conceded. They now await a round of 16 clash against one of the best third-placed teams from Groups A, B or F on January 6.

While the celebrations around Nigeria’s flawless group run continue, former defender Sam Sodje has sounded a strong note of caution. Speaking with The Area Gang on Lasgidi 90.1 FM during the Live coverage of the Super Eagles vs Uganda clash on Tuesday, December 30, Sodje insisted that only proper leadership and planning can stop Nigeria’s latest title push from being derailed.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s failure to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Sodje admitted the disappointment still cuts deep.

“The Super Eagles of Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World still dey pain me and it will pain me for a very long time,” he said.

Sodje argued that elite football nations prepare years ahead for major tournaments, not at the last minute.

“The NFF ought to be prepared two to three years before the tournament. Give people that know tactically the opportunity to lead. We can get it right, when the right people are in position,” he said.

“We have gone back tactically in football. The Amaju Pinnick, and others have taken us back. Untill we get it right, we might not also qualify for the next (2030) World Cup.”

The former centre-back also raised concerns about leadership within the current Super Eagles squad, questioning whether there are enough senior voices to enforce discipline on and off the pitch.

“One of the problems with the team is that we don’t have really really senior players. In our days when we played with senior players like Nwankwo Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha, fear and shame won’t allow you do some things,” he said.

“Senior players bring organization and discipline. And that is what the Super Eagles are currently lacking.”

Beyond tactics, Sodje stressed that professionalism starts with how players are treated from the moment they arrive for international duty.

“The players might not need the money. But when the players are not respected, they will strike over money,” he noted.

“The respect the players get, from when they are picked up from the airport, the kits are ready, and are respected, will make the players more committed.”

He also singled out goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, urging the coaching crew to address what he described as lapses in discipline, particularly celebrations during matches.

Despite his criticisms, Sodje remains optimistic about Nigeria’s chances at Africa Cup of Nations. He believes the Super Eagles have the quality to chase a fourth continental crown, but warned that without decisive action and better organisation at the top, history could yet repeat itself at the worst possible time.

Ryan Alebiosu who made his Super Eagles debut in the 3-1 win over Uganda at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations is feared out of the rest of the tournament, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Alebiosu who made a huge impression in his first ever the game in the colours of Nigeria sustained a deep cut during the game, and according to the official media channel of the team he is possibly out of the team.

The Blackburn Rovers defender is not the only player carrying a knock for Nigeria, with Cyriel Dessers nursing a thigh injury ahead of the knock out stages of the tournament.

Dessers will undergo further scan to determine the severity of the injury, making his participation in the tournament far from certain.

Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has warned the Super Eagles opponent in the round of 16 Mozambique ahead of their clash on Monday, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Nigeria finished with maximum points after winning all of their three group games, and will now face Mozambique for a spot in the quarter final with that impeccable record.

Mozambique finished third in their group despite losing 1-2 to Cameroon in their last group game, but picked up one of the four slots available to the best placed third team in the tournament.

Speaking shortly after Nigeria’s 3-1 win over Uganda in their final group game, Chelle said his team have sent a warning to other teams in the tournament about their readiness to make a huge statement in the tournament.

He warned their opponents of what could befall them if they played against his team without any focus. “3 matches, 3 wins, I am very happy […] It’s just 3 matches, we haven’t done anything yet. But we sent a message saying that we are here. And for those who are not focused, the consequences can be heavy”, he said.

A clear warning to Mozambique who will be the next opponent of the Nigerian team who have scored eight goals, the most in the tournament but have also shown their vulnerability in defence with four goals conceded.

The senior national team of Nigeria showed their supremacy at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations with a 3-1 win over ten man Uganda to end the group stages with maximum wins, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Smarting from winning their first two group games , the Super Eagles went into the game knowing that they are already through to the round of 16 as group winners.

We rate the players on display for Nigeria in the game.

Francis Uzoho – He didn’t have much to do for the entire duration of the game. A comfortable day at the office for the returning first choice….. 7/10

Ryan Alebiosu – Very comfortable on the ball and uses both feet very well. A committed display on his debut….. 8/10

Bruno Onyemaechi – Seems to have cemented the left back spot. Won virtually all his duels and also initiated attacks in the final third. In particular the move that led to Nigeria’s first goal….. 8/10

Calvin Bassey – Got a harsh booking despite being fouled with his shirt pulled. Had a very steady 45 minutes….. 6/10

Igbo Ogbu – Beaten twice in the opening stage of the game and didn’t quite grow into it. Didn’t do his chance of another start any good….. 6/10

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru – Full of industry, energy and desire. Set up the opening goal for Paul Onuachu with a delicate cut back. A performance to be proud about….. 8/10

Raphael Onyedika – Grabbed a brace to win the man of the match award. Safe to say he has goals in him but didn’t do much defensively, particularly in the goal the team conceded. He has no knowledge of where his man was….. 9/10

Paul Onuachu – Missed a glorious chance to open scoring but made atonement a minute earlier with a side foot finish in the box. Didn’t offer much of a threat though and was guilty of too many touches….. 7.5/10

Moses Simon – Had his markers on toast all through the game and also created three big chances which wasn’t converted. He made a very good use of his first start in the tournament….. 8/10

Samuel Chukwueze – Two assists and easily hand him the man of the match award. However didn’t quite created much and lost the ball in promising positions….. 7.5/10

Victor Osimhen – The aim of playing him was defeated as he didn’t offer much by way of a threat to goal. Probably was under instructions not to go all out in his usual style to avoid any injury….. 6/10

Substitutes:

Chidozie Awaziem – Committed three fouls in only 45 minutes and showed exactly why he has dropped down the pecking order in the set up….. 5/10

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman