Legendary Ivory Coast forward Salomon Kalou says the senior national team of Nigeria rank among the favourites to win this year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Kalou made this known in an interview with Duelbits.com while looking ahead to the tournament which begins on the 21st of December with the host up against Comoros.

Speaking on the favourite for the title, which is currently held by his country, Kalou said the attack of the Nigerian team led by Victor Osimhen gives them an edge, in addition to the pace and creativity of Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman respectively.

“Nigeria look very strong this year. With Victor Osimhen leading the line, they have one of the most feared strikers in world football. Add in the pace and creativity of Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze, plus Wilfred Ndidi’s stability in midfield, and you see a team with balance and depth. Nigeria were runners‑up last time, and with this mix of stars they’ll believe they can go all the way”, he told Dom Rae of Duelbits.com in an exclusive interview.

“I do think Ivory Coast or Nigeria are the ones I’d put my money on”, he stated before picking Osimhen as favourite to be top scorer at the tournament.

“Victor Osimhen is the headline act, his goalscoring record speaks for itself, and he has the mentality to carry Nigeria deep into the tournament”, the former Chelsea forward said.

“Raphael Onyedika gives Nigeria extra steel in midfield; he’s still developing, but tournaments like this are where players grow into leaders.

“If I had to pick one name for this tournament [to score the most goals], it’s Victor Osimhen. He’s in incredible form, and Nigeria’s group gives him the chance to start fast. Against Tanzania and Uganda, he could get a few goals early, and once a striker like Osimhen builds momentum, he’s very hard to stop. He has the hunger, the quality, and the mentality to finish as top scorer.”

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The senior national team of Nigeria suffered a 1-2 defeat to Egypt in a warm up game ahead of the start of the Africa Cup of Nations, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Egypt took the lead when a through ball caught the Nigerian defence napping leaving Stanley Nwabali exposed, gifting a free tap in for the opening goal.

Nigeria struck back in time added on before the half time break, when a well struck free kick from Zaidu Sanusi was spilled onto the path of Chidozie Awaziem who headed home into an empty net.

In the second half, Egypt were once again in front with goalkeeper Amas Obasogie largely at fault although the goal scorer looked offside in the build up.

It ended that way with Nigeria now set to depart for Morocco tomorrow, ahead of their first game against Tanzania on the 23rd of Tanzania.

The starting lineup for the senior national team of Nigeria for today’s pre Africa Cup of Nations friendly game against Egypt has been made known by head coach of the team Eric Chelle, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Chelle stuck with first choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali with the quartet of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Zaidu Sanusi, Igho Ogbu and Chidozie Awaziem playing as the back four. Awaziem will wears the captain armband for the game.

The midfield will be anchored by Frank Onyeka who will be supported by the duo of Raphael Onyedika and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. Ebenezer Akinsamiro will play in the role just behind the main striker in Paul Onuachu.

Chidera Ejuke completes the starting lineup with Chelle expected to make wholesome changes in the second half of the game, after both teams agreed to have more than the number of substitutes which is five as permitted by FIFA.

23. NWABALI

2. OSAYI

3. SANUSI

5. OGBU

8. ONYEKA

10. DELE-BASHIRU

18. NWADIKE

19. ONACHU

20. AWAZIEM (C)

24. EJUKE

26. AKINSANMIRO

Frank Onyeka has revealed how Eric Chelle has changed the senior national team of Nigeria since his appointment as coach at the start of the year, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Onyeka who wasn’t in the first set of players called up by the coach upon his appointment has grown into an influential figure under the Malian, heading into the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Chelle will be leading the team to a major tournament for the first time when they begin their campaign at the AFCON against Tanzania on the 23rd of December. Two days after the tournament officially starts.

Speaking on the impact of the coach, the Brentford man said the coach has changed almost everything about the team, praising the manner which he has also handled the players.

“I think he came in and changed everything – the way we played, the way we’ve been set up, and his philosophy is just really good,” said Onyeka.

“He’s a loving coach. The way he speaks to the players, he makes fun of the players. It’s just different compared to what we had before.”

Looking forward to the tournament in Morocco, Onyeka expressed his unhappiness over the unfortunate injury that will see his teammate Benjamin Fredrick miss the tournament.

The 20 year old seized the chance he was given to cement a spot in the team last six games, but won’t be available for the AFCON after picking up a knee injury during training with his loan side FC Dender.

“It’s a big blow for us because Benjamin has integrated himself into the (Nigeria) team and everybody loves him,” said Onyeka.

“He has done so well in the games that he has played. We expected him to be a very big part going into the tournament.

“And as a guy, as a player, he’s just outstanding. The way he reads the game defensively is just so strong.”

Nigeria international midfielder Frank Onyeka says opponents of the senior national team of Nigeria are scared of Victor Osimhen as the team heads into the AFCON.

While looking ahead to the tournament, where they will begin their campaign on the 23rd of December against Tanzania, Onyeka waxed lyrically about the 26 year old who will spearhead their attack at the tournament.

“He’s such an amazing player,” Onyeka told BBC Sport Africa when asked whether his team-mate’s reputation as one of the world’s best strikers brings a psychological advantage even before kick-off.

“He’s a guy that wants to fight for every single ball. For me, I think the defenders are scared of him.

“Victor is on another level.”

The Super Eagles only took four points from a possible 15 when Osimhen was absent during their ultimately unsuccessful 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

And the team also appeared to lose their way in their World Cup play-off against DR Congo when the Galatasaray frontman was forced off at half-time.

“Missing Victor going into the second half, [it] changed a bit,” Onyeka admitted.

“Even one of the players from Congo said the same. When Victor left it gave the defenders a bit of rest and then they can relax a bit.”

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The General Secretary (GS) of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Dr. Mohammed Sanusi has confirmed that they filed a protest to FIFA challenging the eligibility of some players who played for Dr Congo in the world cup qualifiers playoff, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Like we exclusively reported yesterday, the NFF protested against six players of the Dr Congo, who played in the final of the world cup qualifiers playoff beating Nigeria to pick the ticket to represent Africa at the Intercontinental playoff next year in Mexico.

Speaking on the matter, NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said FIFA were misled by the DR Congo Football Association, during the clearance process for the players to play for them.

“FIFA was deceived into clearing those players because it is not FIFA’s responsibility to interpret or enforce domestic citizenship laws,” Sanusi said in quotes relayed by BSN. “DR Congo law does not permit dual citizenship, yet some of the players involved reportedly hold dual nationality.”

“It is not FIFA’s duty to know the domestic laws of every country,” Sanusi added. “That is why we formally drew FIFA’s attention to the issue and we are now awaiting their verdict.”

If found guilty, Dr Congo will be expelled from the continental playoff with Nigeria who were beaten finalist taking their spot.

World football governing body FIFA has officially received a petition filed by Nigeria on the eligibility of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and five others who played for Democratic Republic of Congo against Nigeria in the world cup qualifiers playoff last month.

Dr Congo won the game on penalties to pick a sole ticket to represent Africa at the Intercontinental playoff in March, where they will be two tickets to be at the 2026 World Cup.

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) were made aware of the anomaly that led to the clearance by FIFA for the defender, which they found out beached domestic requirements to become a citizen of Dr Congo for persons born abroad.

If one is a Congolese citizen and acquire another citizenship, you are legally expected to give up one. The main area where dual nationality is temporarily permitted is for those who acquire a second citizenship by birth abroad and must make a choice by age 21.

Wan-Bissaka was born in England and decided to pledge his international future to Dr Congo at the age of 25. A clear contravention of what is required to legally be a citizen of the country going by their constitution, and to further complicate issues he didn’t renounce his England citizenship.

FIFA cleared him to play with no knowledge of the local constitutional requirements to become a citizen of Dr Congo. When flagged by Nigeria they immediately started an investigation which could possibly lead to expulsion of Dr Congo from the 2026 World Cup.

It’s the same for five others in the squad who played in th world cup qualifiers playoff, and FIFA is expected to make a judgement on the case before March when the continental playoff will take place in Mexico.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Marcus Abraham was on target for Portuguese side Estrela Amadora in their 1-3 defeat to FC Porto in the Portuguese League yesterday, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Making his 12th league appearance in the Portuguese top flight this season, Abraham drew his team level against his former side with a well placed header in the 60th minute. His second goal of the season.

Capped twice by Nigeria at senior level during the reign of Gernot Rohr as coach, the 25 year old is enjoying a turnaround in his club career this season, and it’s only a matter of time before he gets the attention of head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle.

Chelle is already aware of his rise this season, and will access him further after the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which begins on the 21st of December with Nigeria playing their first game against Tanzania on the 23rd.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu has revealed that he wasn’t expecting a call up to the senior national team of Nigeria for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Alebiosu earned his spot in the Nigerian team on the strength of his performance for English Championship side Blackburn Rovers, where he has played in all of their games since joining them in summer on a free transfer from Belgium side Kortrijk.

He was named in the preliminary list of players for the tournament, and was also in the final list of 28 picked by head coach Eric Chelle when it was made public by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

“No. I didn’t even think of international football. My main focus was obviously on club football, getting myself out there and showing what I can do”, he said when he was asked if he thought about playing international football when he joined Rovers in the summer.

“To be honest I was shocked. Obviously I was hoping, just playing my game, just focusing on here and whatever happens happens. When I got the call to the final squad I was delighted.”

He further said it will be totally different for him, moving from playing in the English Championship to rubbing shoulders with the best in Africa in a prestigious tournament like the AFCON.

“100 percent. It’s obviously the first time I’ve ever been called up to play international and to play in a big tournament. It’s a pleasure, giving my all, represent Blackburn well and then come back and do what we’re doing”, he stated.