by Emmanuel Atanga | Oct 17, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, International, Nigeria, Soccer, World Cup
Former Super Eagles coordinator and respected football administrator, Emmanuel Danjuma Attah, has voiced strong confidence that Nigeria will triumph in both the CAF and FIFA Intercontinental Playoffs to secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The three-time African champions narrowly missed out on automatic qualification from Group C, finishing second behind Benin Republic. However, their late resurgence earned them a lifeline — a ticket to the CAF Playoffs, where they will first battle Gabon in November in Morocco.
If victorious, the Super Eagles will face either Cameroon or DR Congo for a place in the FIFA Intercontinental Playoff scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico.
Despite acknowledging the tough path ahead, Attah — who also served as Chairman of the FCT Football Association — expressed faith in the team’s quality and resilience, citing their spirited performance in the recent 3–1 victory over Benin Republic as proof of what they can achieve.
> “It’s not the position we wanted, but securing a playoff slot is still commendable,” Attah told Daily Trust.
“If the boys had played with 70% of that same energy earlier in the campaign, we would have been the first African nation to qualify.
Now, it’s the long road, but I strongly believe Nigeria will emerge Africa’s representative in the Playoff and qualify for the 2026 World Cup.”
However, Attah issued a word of caution to the team’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, whose risky decisions in recent games nearly caused heartbreak for millions of Nigerian fans.
> “Nwabali must be warned against dangerous antics,” Attah lamented.
“Did he want to send football-crazy Nigerians to their early graves? These are not schoolboy games. During the match against Lesotho, my blood pressure spiked dangerously — I had to take emergency medication!”
As the Super Eagles prepare for their crucial playoff journey, Attah’s faith captures the nation’s collective hope — that the green and white will once again fly proudly on football’s grandest stage.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Oct 17, 2025 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer, World Cup
Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has heaped glowing praise on Victor Osimhen, naming the Napoli striker as Nigeria’s best player at the moment.
Speaking on his podcast, Oliseh couldn’t hide his admiration for Osimhen’s explosive performance against Benin Republic in the World Cup qualifiers — a match in which the Super Eagles star fired a stunning hat-trick to secure Nigeria’s place in the World Cup playoffs.
According to Oliseh, if Osimhen maintains that level of brilliance over his next few matches, a blockbuster Premier League transfer is only a matter of time.
> “When it comes to Osimhen, I think four more games. If he plays the next three or four games like he did against Benin, I can assure you that within one or two years, he’ll be heading to the Premier League — and they’ll buy him for crazy money,” Oliseh stated.
While acknowledging Ademola Lookman’s status as the current African Player of the Year, Oliseh insisted that Osimhen’s all-round quality, power, and presence make him the most complete Nigerian footballer right now.
> “When you talk about quality and what a player brings to the game, Osimhen is the best,” he concluded.
With Premier League giants Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal still keeping tabs, Osimhen’s next few games might just define the next big chapter of his glittering career.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Oct 17, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
The stage is set, and Africa’s biggest clubs are ready to battle for continental supremacy as the CAF Champions League roars back into action this weekend. With dreams of glory and a ticket to the lucrative group stage on the line, fans are bracing for high drama across the continent.
Though powerhouses like Espérance de Tunis, Al Ahly, Pyramids FC, and Mamelodi Sundowns are tipped as early favorites, the second preliminary round offers several mouthwatering fixtures that promise fireworks.
Here are four unmissable clashes to keep your eyes on:
Monastir vs JS Kabylie
A North African derby steeped in pride and history. Tunisian side US Monastir are chasing a historic first-ever group stage appearance, while Algerian giants JS Kabylie—two-time African champions (1981, 1990)—are determined to rekindle their continental dominance. Expect passion, intensity, and tactical intrigue.
⚡ Stade d’Abidjan vs Petro Luanda
In Abidjan, the Ivorian powerhouse Stade d’Abidjan face a stern test against Angola’s battle-tested Petro Luanda. Both sides boast flair and resilience, and with qualification at stake, this evenly poised encounter could go either way.
Lupopo vs Orlando Pirates
DR Congo’s FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo will be hoping to make home advantage count when they welcome Orlando Pirates—the 2022/23 semi-finalists and one of South Africa’s most decorated clubs. The Cheminots will need grit and precision to derail the Buccaneers’ quest for continental glory.
⚔️ Horoya vs AS FAR
A clash of champions with no room for error. Horoya AC of Guinea lock horns with Morocco’s AS FAR, a side overflowing with quality and confidence. All eyes will be on midfield maestro Mohamed Hrimat, the star of CHAN 2024, as he leads the Moroccan charge.
The journey to Africa’s most prestigious football stage continues, and only the strongest will survive.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Oct 17, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
In the bustling football city of Porto Alegre, Gremio’s new star Francis Amuzu is making waves — not just for his dazzling pace and flair, but for a heartfelt declaration that could warm the hearts of millions of Ghanaians.
Born in Accra before his family moved to Belgium when he was just two years old, Amuzu’s football journey has always been written in his DNA. His father, Theophilous Amuzu, once graced the Ghanaian fields before pursuing his dream in Europe — and now, the son is following in those same footsteps, only on a global stage.
“My father was a footballer in Ghana before he got a contract in Belgium,” Amuzu told Brazilian journalist Rodrigo Oliviera of Radio Gaucha and Zero Hora. “I started to play because I got the blood from my father.”
The 24-year-old winger, who has represented Belgium at youth levels, has never lost touch with his roots. “Yes, Ghana remains my first country,” he said proudly. “I’ve been there, I have family there, and I love Ghana. I’m Ghanaian since I was born there.”
Since joining Brazilian giants Gremio, Amuzu has enjoyed a bright start — scoring twice and providing an assist in 14 Serie A appearances. His performances have caught attention far beyond Brazil, sparking renewed discussions about his international future.
And now, as Ghana gears up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, Amuzu is ready to answer the call.
“I’m happy Ghana qualified for the World Cup. It’s one of the biggest tournaments in football. To be honest, my heart is in Ghana. If Ghana comes, for sure, I will go,” he affirmed.
Focused on performing for Gremio while dreaming of donning the Black Stars jersey, Francis Amuzu could soon add a new chapter to Ghana’s football story — one that connects generations, continents, and pure national pride.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Oct 17, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
From a shaky start to a soaring finish, the Black Stars of Ghana have rediscovered their spark on the international stage. Otto Addo’s men have moved up two places in the latest FIFA World Ranking, now standing 73rd in the world, thanks to a stellar run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Their rise comes on the back of a dominant 5–0 victory over Madagascar in Morocco, followed by a narrow but decisive 1–0 win against Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium — results that not only placed Ghana at the summit of Group I but also secured their ticket to the World Cup.
While the Black Stars hold steady at 14th in Africa, their recent performances hint at a nation on the rise once again. Head coach Otto Addo has praised his players’ resilience and hinted at even greater ambitions as Ghana gears up for high-profile friendlies against Japan and South Korea next month.
With confidence soaring and unity restored, the road to 2026 looks brighter than ever for the four-time African champions.
