by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 20, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Sadiq Umar, the Super Eagles and Real Sociedad striker, has broken his silence on the relentless criticism Nigerian players face from their own fans. The 27-year-old forward, who has been battling form issues since suffering an ACL injury in 2022, shared his frustrations in an emotional interview with Sportsblog247.com.
The former Rangers man was a surprise inclusion in Nigeria’s squad for the just-concluded AFCON 2025 qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda. Despite skepticism surrounding his call-up, Sadiq only played a single minute in the loss to Rwanda. His inclusion stirred up a storm of criticism, further compounding the pressure on a player struggling to regain his best form.
Reflecting on the challenges, Sadiq revealed the mental toll Nigerian fans’ lack of support takes on him and his teammates.
“It’s tough to play here. When we come to represent Nigeria, it’s not for the money. It’s for the love of the country—our home. But then, you’re met with questions about why you’re here, even told to return to Europe,” he lamented.
Sadiq recalled that older players once warned them about struggles abroad, but now, he believes the real hostility comes from home. “We are killing ourselves,” he said, referring to the negative comments and relentless scrutiny players face on social media.
“Football these days is about mentality. If you’re not mentally tough, you can’t play football. I’ve seen teammates in tears after games because of the fans’ reactions. It’s painful.”
Despite his challenges, Sadiq remains hopeful for better days, both with Real Sociedad and the Super Eagles. However, his words serve as a stark reminder of the growing pressure on athletes, especially in a social media-driven era.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 20, 2024 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has showcased his unwavering pride in Nigerian culture, delivering a resounding 5-0 win for his homeland in a playful “Culture Clash” game with Livescore, as reported by Sportsblog247.com.
Awoniyi, who joined Nottingham Forest in 2022 from Union Berlin, has spent over two years in the United Kingdom. Despite his long stint abroad, including stints in Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, the 26-year-old remains deeply connected to his Nigerian roots.
In the fun cultural comparison, Awoniyi didn’t hesitate to champion Nigeria’s superiority over the UK across five key categories: food, music, football legends, weather, and fashion.
Better Food: Awoniyi confidently declared Nigeria’s cuisine as unmatched, scoring an easy first goal for his homeland.
Music: Highlighting Nigeria’s vibrant music scene, Awoniyi named hip-hop star Olamide as his personal favorite, making it 2-0.
Football Legends: When asked if the UK had better football legends, Awoniyi dismissed the claim as “false,” giving Nigeria another point.
Weather: The UK’s unpredictable weather was no competition for Nigeria’s sunshine, with Awoniyi humorously calling the UK’s claim to better weather “a big false.”
Fashion: For the final blow, he declared Nigerian fashion unmatched, cementing the 5-0 win. Awoniyi even gave a nod to his Super Eagles teammate Victor Osimhen as the squad’s top fashionista.
While Awoniyi remains a cultural ambassador for Nigeria off the pitch, he will be eager to rediscover his scoring touch on it. The forward, who netted six Premier League goals last season, is still searching for his first league goal this term after eight appearances.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 20, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
Gernot Rohr, the head coach of Benin’s Cheetahs, has shared insights into Nigeria’s shocking 2-1 loss to Rwanda in their final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The match, held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, marked a rare defeat for the Super Eagles, who had already secured their place in the tournament.
The Super Eagles entered the game with nothing to prove, having clinched top spot in Group D after Libya’s earlier victory over Rwanda. In contrast, Rwanda, Benin, and Libya were locked in a fierce battle for the second qualification spot. Augustine Eguavoen, Nigeria’s interim manager, opted for a heavily rotated squad, introducing seven new starters, including Maduka Okoye, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, and Victor Boniface.
Despite Samuel Chukwueze’s stunning solo effort that gave Nigeria the lead in the second half, the Wasps turned the game around with goals from Mutsinzi and Nshuti in the final 20 minutes. The result handed Rwanda a historic victory over the three-time African champions.
Reflecting on the game, Rohr—who previously managed Nigeria for five years—attributed the loss to complacency. “I know this team well from my time with them,” Rohr remarked in comments relayed by Fraternité. “Sometimes, when they have already qualified, they relax. This can give opponents a chance to spring surprises, as Rwanda did.”
The victory was not enough for Rwanda to secure a ticket to Morocco, as Benin edged them out on head-to-head records after both teams finished with eight points. Benin’s qualification capped a dramatic conclusion to Group D, leaving Rohr’s men celebrating while Nigeria nursed their pride.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 20, 2024 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Josh Maja’s resurgence at West Bromwich Albion has caught the attention of La Liga giants Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo, as both clubs prepare to battle for his signature in the January transfer window. Despite his impressive club form, the Nigerian forward has been conspicuously absent from recent Super Eagles squads, raising questions about his international future.
According to Super Deporte, Real Sociedad have added Maja to their shortlist of attacking targets, but Celta Vigo currently leads the race. The Spanish outfit is reportedly prepared to meet West Brom’s £16 million valuation for the 24-year-old striker, whose performances have reignited the Baggies’ promotion hopes.
Maja has been instrumental in turning West Brom’s fortunes around, scoring pivotal goals that ended an eight-game winless streak. His tally of nine league goals this season includes a crucial equalizer against Luton Town and a match-winning strike versus Hull City. These performances have solidified his reputation as one of the Championship’s most clinical forwards.
A Tempting Move to Spain
The potential move to La Liga presents a significant step up for Maja, who previously experienced top-flight football with Bordeaux in Ligue 1. The allure of competing in one of Europe’s elite leagues could be hard to resist, especially for a player eager to prove himself on the big stage.
West Brom, however, face a dilemma. Maja remains central to their promotion push, but a £16 million transfer fee might be too tempting to decline, especially given the financial realities of Championship football.
The National Team Puzzle
Despite his club heroics, Maja has not featured for Nigeria since his debut in a 2019 friendly against Ukraine. Head coach Augustine Eguavoen has consistently overlooked him, even during the Super Eagles’ recent AFCON qualifiers. This exclusion remains puzzling to fans and analysts alike, particularly as Maja’s form suggests he could add much-needed firepower to Nigeria’s attack.
As January approaches, the coming weeks could determine whether Maja continues his journey in the Championship or takes his talents to La Liga, leaving Nigeria with even more questions about his international future.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 20, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Ademola Lookman, the Nigerian forward who has dazzled fans and critics alike, could soon make history as the most expensive African transfer ever. Manchester United’s newly appointed manager, Ruben Amorim, has reportedly set his sights on the Atalanta star, with a groundbreaking €100 million bid already on the table.
Lookman, 27, has had a stellar year for both club and country. He played a pivotal role in leading Nigeria to the 2023 AFCON final and spearheaded Atalanta’s remarkable campaign that saw them lift the UEFA Europa League. His unforgettable hat-trick in the final etched his name in the history books as the first-ever player to achieve such a feat on such a grand stage.
These accomplishments earned him a 14th-place finish in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, making him one of Africa’s top footballing exports. Lookman is also a frontrunner for the prestigious CAF Player of the Year award, having made the final shortlist of five.
Manchester United’s Bold Move
Manchester United, under the stewardship of Ruben Amorim, is reportedly ready to break the bank to secure Lookman’s services. According to Fichajes, Amorim sees the Nigerian as a key piece in his vision for revitalizing the Red Devils. However, with the club’s financial struggles and a modest transfer budget looming, the manager is determined to prioritize high-impact signings.
Lookman’s contract with Atalanta runs until 2026, but with negotiations for a renewal stalling, speculation about his future has intensified. Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal have shown interest, but United’s aggressive pursuit could sway the player back to England, where his football journey began.
A Historic Transfer in the Making?
If the deal goes through, Lookman will eclipse Victor Osimhen’s €83 million move to Napoli, setting a new benchmark for African players. For now, his immediate focus remains on Atalanta, where he has already contributed eight goals and five assists in 14 appearances this season.
Whether Manchester United’s league position or their rebuilding project under Amorim will convince Lookman to make the move remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the football world is watching closely as the Super Eagles star contemplates the next big step in his glittering career.
