Victor Osimhen faces a setback as he will be sidelined for a minimum of three weeks due to an ankle injury.
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Igboke is Rangers’ first choice Left-back
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Rangers are currently top of the NPFL standings
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Nigeria face South Africa and Benin Republic in the WCQs next month
Rangers head coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu has commended Kenneth Igboke following the defender’s selection to join the Super Eagles squad for next month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Igboke, 23, was handed his first national team invite by Finidi George as replacement for the injured Victor Osimhen.
“This is a reward for hard work.”
Reacting to the player’s call up, Ilechukwu stated that he has confidence in Igboke’s capabilities to play for the team
“This is a reward for hard work. I have no doubt in your ability from day 1.
“I believe you will make me and the Rangers family proud in the National team. I wish you all the best sabi player.,” Ilechukwu wrote on X.
The left-back, who has netted three goals for Rangers this season, is slated to join the Super Eagles camp over the weekend to prepare for the upcoming fixtures.
Meanwhile, South Africa is set to unveil their squad for the encounter this Thursday, adding anticipation to the forthcoming qualifiers.
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Rivers Hoopers are the first Nigerian team to reach the last four
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Kingsmen finished top of the Savanah Conference to reach the playoffs
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It was the first meeting between the two sides in the BAL
Hopes of Rivers Hoopers’ extending their historic run to the BAL final was truncated when they lost 83-89 in overtime to Al Ahly Ly at the BK Arena, on Wednesday.
The sides were tied 73-73 with just 16.5 seconds on the clock in the 4th quarter, and Rivers Hoopers had possession, but couldn’t seize the moment.
Al Ahly Ly got the motivation and started blazing in OT building a lead that was later cut to just possessions, but they stayed positive and eventually saw the game out to reach the final on their debut.
In the classification game, Kingsmen will play the losing semifinalist from the game between Cape Town Tigers and Clube Atlético Petroleos de Luanda.
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Samuel Eto’o had a confrontation with the new Coach
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Brys was appointed as Rigobert Song’s replacement
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Cameroon was eliminated from the 2024 AFCON by Nigeria
Crisis in Cameroonian Football: Eto’o sacks Coach Before First Game
Marc Brys has been replaced as head coach of Cameroon without taking charge of a game after a heated exchange with Samuel Eto’o, the president of the country’s football federation (FECAFOOT).
Rising Tensions Lead to Coach’s Dismissal
The ongoing crises in Cameroonian football reached a new peak on Tuesday, resulting in the sacking of newly appointed Marc Brys.
The Sports Ministry had appointed the Belgian coach in March to succeed Rigobert Song, a decision that did not sit well with FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o.
A meeting was organized on Tuesday by the Sports Ministry and FECAFOOT, with Brys also invited.
During the meeting, Eto’o announced the suspension of Brys and appointed an interim manager to lead the team in the upcoming World Cup qualifier.
A statement from the governing body cited “disrespectful comments” by Brys, “an outright refusal to collaborate,” and “inappropriate behaviour” by the coach and his assistants as reasons for replacing the Belgian.
New Leadership for Upcoming Qualifiers
Martin Ndtoungou has been appointed as the interim coach and will be assisted by Pagou David as the Indomitable Lions face Cape Verde and Angola in the World Cup qualifiers.
Cameroon is currently at the top of Group D with four points from two games, with the group winners assured of a place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
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Adeleke scored a brace in Nigeria’s 3-2 victory against Ghana
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He notched four goals in the WAFU B U-17 Championship
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Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2025 U-17 AFCON
Nigeria U-17 MNT forward Abdulmuiz Adeleke is determined to build on his standout displays in the recently concluded WAFU B U-17 Championship.
“I will keep on working hard and improving my game.”
The forward expresses determination to further hone his skills in the sport as he wait for next opportunity to represent Nigeria at international level.
Adeleke netted twice during the thrilling clash between the Golden Eaglets and Ghana’s Black Starlets, securing a 3-2 victory for his team in the third-place match.
Reflecting on his performance, the forward said: “I will keep on working hard and improving my game. On the victory over Ghana.”
“It was a tough game, but Alhamdulillah (to God be the glory) for the victory.”
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Nigeria fell short of qualifying for the U-17 AFCON
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Manu Garba was appointed head coach of the Eaglets weeks before the competition
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CAF Not bulging on the decision to pick only 2 teams from the WAFU B Zone
Golden Eaglets coach, Manu Garba has expressed immense pride in his team’s performance after defeating host Ghana to clinch the bronze medal at the WAFU B U-17 tournament.
“we just had three weeks in camp with these boys you see.”
Speaking after the victory, Garba highlighted his unbeaten record against Ghana and called for an increase in the number of teams that can qualify for the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
“It remains my best moment,” the Nigerian coach said. “Because we just had three weeks in camp with these boys you see.”
“Only three weeks. For them to have even qualified for the semi-finals, and won the third place match. My destiny is always good when I meet a Ghanaian team.
“I’ve never lost against Ghana. Ghana have been in camp for more than six months because we have been following every team. Imagine assembling a team for three weeks and coming to the semi-finals. That’s an achievement.”
Garba praised his team’s efforts and highlighted the challenges they faced due to the limited preparation time.
“I’m proud of our boys for not even getting the top level, but they played very good football too. And we have communicated with the federation, they knew that it was late for them to have started late. And I believe we’ll prepare very well for the AFCON.”
He also advocated for more representation from the West African region in the U-17 AFCON, citing the strong performance of teams from this zone.
“It is said that 10 countries are going to represent Africa in the World Cup. So I believe, CAF would do well to take all the four teams from this group that have gone to the semi-final, because, West Africa B is the stronghold of African football when it comes to the youth level.”
Garba emphasized the historical success of West African teams at the U-17 level.
“Like I said in one of the post-match meeting, Nigeria has ranked number one in the world at the under-17 level, followed by Brazil, then Ghana. We also have Cote d’Ivoire who have won bronze at one time or the other. Burkina Faso have been doing well at the under-17 level, even Nigeria.”
“Why shouldn’t CAF give us four slots from this zone? I think it is imperative for the WAFU official to follow up on this.
“I cannot imagine playing an AFCON without the likes of Ghana or Nigeria. So that’s my plea to the WAFU to make sure they get four teams to the AFCON from this group.”
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Nigeria will be without Victor Osimhen and Ekong
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Finidi has now named 3 NPFL based players in his squad for the WCQs
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Nigeria is third in Group C behind Rwanda and South Africa
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Golden Eaglets will not participate at next year’s U-17 AFCON
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Manu Garba won the U-17 World Cup in 2013
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Nigeria beat Ghana 3-2 in the third-place match at the WAFU B Championships
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Broos has no major injury concerns
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South Africa last qualified for the World up in 2010 when they hosted
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Bafana Bafana and Super Eagles clashed in the semi-final stage of the 2024 AFCON
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