The decision to leave Maduka Okoye out of the Super Eagles squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was taken after a discussion between the player, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and his team Udinese, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

Okoye was a surprise omission from the squad for the tournament with the trio of Stanley Nwabali, Francis Uzoho and Amass Obasogie picked by head coach Eric Chelle for the tournament in Morocco.

Like we exclusively reported Okoye was left out after head coach Eric Chelle failed to confirm if he will be the first choice at the tournament. However with first choice Stanley Nwabali given the green light to be at the tournament after overcoming a fitness concern, Chelle made it clear that Nwabali still remains his first choice.

Udinese wrote to the NFF to ask for reprieve for Okoye who is their first choice to remain with them for the period of the AFCON, rather than sit on the bench for the three weeks the tournament will run.

NFF granted their request, but reached an agreement that if Nwabali is passed unfit for the tournament regardless of how late then Okoye will be called up. A clause that is dependent on if Chelle sees him as a better option ahead of the two back ups to Nwabali.

A source at the NFF said if the football body had not agreed to the proposal, NFF can write to FIFA and Okoye will be suspended from playing for Udinese for the period of the tournament since it’s a FIFA recognised tournament, and clubs are under obligation to make them available.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle has picked a new captain for the senior national team of Nigeria in the wake of the resignation of former captain William Troost-Ekong ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Ekong announced his retirement from international football two weeks ago leaving Chelle with a decision to make ahead of the team’s campaign in Morocco starting from the 21st of December.

Nigeria will play their first game against Tanzania on the 23rd of December. A tournament that they are expected to go all the way to the final and hopefully go one step better than last time out when they were defeated 1-2 by the host Cote d’Ivoire in the final.

We can exclusively reveal that Wilfred Ndidi has been picked as the new captain of the team to be assisted by Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi. Victor Osimhen will be the team’s fourth captain at the tournament.

Ndidi will be officially announced to the team and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) before the start of the tournament.

English Championship side Blackburn Rovers have revealed that they are in a mix over the decision of Ryan Alebiosu to represent Nigeria at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Born in England to parents of Nigerian descent, the 23 year old decided to pledge his international future to Nigeria after holding talks with head coach Eric Chelle.

Chelle rewarded his fine performances for Rovers with a spot in the Super Eagles team for the tournament which begins on the 21st of December, with Nigeria playing their first game on the 23rd of December against Tanzania.

While announcing his inclusion in the Nigerian team, Rovers didn’t fall short of saying they are however unhappy with his absence despite the fact that it’s a huge leap for the defender.

Rovers’ statement read: “Whilst Rovers are disappointed to be losing a key player at such a crucial stage in the season, the club are proud of Ryan’s progress since he completed a summer switch to Ewood Park, which has seen him earn international recognition for the first time in his career.”

Alebiosu has started all of the club’s games this season, but will not be available for selection for at least three weeks owing to his involvement with Nigeria at the AFCON.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle will concentrate on 26 players as his core during the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

The coach picked 28 players for the tournament which begins on the 21st of December with Nigeria playing their first game on the 23rd of December against Tanzania.

Chelle has placed his faith in 26 players with two players seen as alternate players in the 28 man list made public, by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) last week. However they will be in the camp of the team.

CAF allows for 27 players to be registered for the tournament as against the previous 23, but the four additional players will be catered for by the country’s FA in areas of travel, accommodation and competition logistics.

We can exclusively reveal that the duo of Salim Lawal Fago and Usman Mohammed are seen by the coach as 27th and 28th player respectively. Meaning they are not fully in the plan of the coach for the tournament.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The last has not been heard about the world cup qualifiers playoff which was won by Dr Congo to represent Africa in the Intercontinental playoff for a ticket to the world cup, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

Dr Congo defeated Nigeria on penalties to pick a ticket to represent Africa at the Intercontinental playoff for a spot at the 2026 World Cup, but they could be expelled from international football by FIFA before March when the playoff is expected to happen.

As many as six players of DR Congo switched nationality to represent them, but didn’t follow the due process which is renouncing their former citizenship before they can be said to be full time citizens of Dr Congo which doesn’t recognise dual citizenship.

If you are 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.

However most of the players who played for them at the playoff crossed the age of 21 still holding the passport of another country, making them ineligible to represent the country as stated by FIFA, who are clear that having the passport of a country is not enough to be eligible to play for them.

FIFA we reliably gathered has already started an investigation into the anomaly Including allegations of falsification of documents for a particular player, who initially rejected the chance to play for them at the last AFCON.

If they are found guilty after the investigation, there is the likelihood that they will be expelled from international football for a while , starting with the upcoming continental playoff in Mexico next year , with Nigeria the team they defeated in the final taking their spot.

Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman

The top striker of the senior national team of Nigeria Victor Osimhen signed off from club duties in style ahead of the AFCON with his sixth goal in the Turkish League in 11 games for Galatasaray this season.

With his team leading 2-0 against Antalyaspor in the second half, Osimhen put the game beyond the home side in the 56th minute with a smart finish in the box from a well timed run. It was his sixth of the season. It ended 4-1 in favour of his team.

He is now expected to leave for the Super Eagles camp in Morocco after opting out of the friendly game against Egypt in three days time, their only friendly game before the tournament begins on the 21st of December.

Nigeria’s first game of the tournament will be on the 23rd against Tanzania with Osimhen expected to lead the line with the Eagles hoping to go one step better than the second place spot of last time out in Cote d’Ivoire.

Top players of the senior national team of Nigeria with top striker Victor Osimhen inclusive won’t be a part of the team for the pre AFCON Friendly game against Egypt in three days time, OwnGoalNigeria.com can exclusively reveal.

The game will be their only tune up game before the start of the tournament on the 21st of December. Super Eagles first game will be on the 23rd of December against Tanzania.

However top players of the team won’t take part in the game due to the risk of getting injured. They will instead fly directly to Morocco rather than the Egypt where the game will be played.

Among them is top striker Osimhen, new captain Wilfred Ndidi, goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, the duo of Zaidu Sanusi and Bruno Onyemaechi. As well as Cyriel Dessers.

Head coach Eric Chelle is aware of the development and has already made plans to use the game as an avenue to assess the new players in the team like Ebenezer Akinsamiro, Tochukwu Nnadi, Usman Mohammed and Ryan Alebiosu among others.

Usman Mohammed who was controversially included in the Super Eagles squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) was sent off as his team Ironi Tiberias slumped to a 0-2 defeat to Hapoel Hafia in the Israeli League.

He was sent off in the 66th minute after picking up two yellow cards within a space of four minutes. Leaving his team who were already trailing a man down and it wasn’t any surprise when they conceded the second goal ten minutes after he was sent for an early shower.

This season he has picked up six yellow cards in 11 games, he has just one goal to his name from his position as a deep lying playmaker and he is yet to register his first assist.

His inclusion in the Super Eagles team for the AFCON made public by head coach Eric Chelle has dominated headlines, with many questioning the decision judging by the fact that the 31 year old hasn’t had a stellar season.

Back in the team after a nine year absence from international football with his last appearance coming in the CHAN tournament in 2016. That same year he played for the U23 team of Nigeria at the Olympics.

Head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Eric Chelle was a subject of mockery in the Greek media owing to his decision to include Panathinaikos striker Cyriel Dessers in his final 28 man list for the AFCON.

Dessers like we exclusively reported at the start of this week made the team as one of the four forwards with first choice striker Victor Osimhen, Paul Onuachu and Salim Fago Lawal completing the list.

A prolific striker on a very good day, he moved to Greece in the summer transfer window from Scottish side Rangers, and since then hasn’t been able to stamp his feet in the team due to a sprain injury that he picked after his first two games.

Since his move to Greece , he hasn’t play a full game and his only goal came against Olympiakos, a game his team drew and ironically the last game he started since September.

After missing seven consecutive games, he returned to the team and played a total of 14 minutes in two games. Four against AEK Athens and Ten against AE Larisa.

Meaning he will turn up to the camp of the Super Eagles with just 14 minutes of game time under his belt in three months. A situation that has brought mockery the way of Eric Chelle by the media in Greece.

However a team source say, Dessers has the full trust of the coach largely owing to his discipline, commitment and also how he performed at the Unity Cup.

Three new players were handed a first time call up to the senior national team of Nigeria for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.

We exclusively revealed last week that three new players made the final 28 man list, and yesterday the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) made the list public with Ebenezer Akinsamiro, Tochukwu Nnadi and Salim Lawal Fago the new players in the team.

A team source revealed that the trio were picked for various reasons by head coach Eric Chelle, but one thing they all share in common is that they are seen as players who can be a part of the team in the nearest future.

Akinsamiro for instance is highly rated by Chelle and could be a shock name in starting lineup with Chelle heavily impressed with his performances in the Serie A for Pisa.

Nnadi who was a member of the Nigeria U20 team at the world cup two years ago is seen by Chelle as someone, who can be the long term replacement for Wilfred Ndidi in the middle. He has also shown his box to box ability while on show for his team Zulte Waregem in Belgium.

Fago’s case is entirely different because the coach already had Terem Moffi in as a player who has a different profile to the forwards in the team but after the recent attack by fans of his club, Chelle thought it wise to leave him out.

That was how Fago who is very similar to Moffi in terms of playing style as they are both, quick, strong and also willing runners was picked. In his case it was more like having a different profile to the players already in the team.