by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Manchester United’s new manager, Ruben Amorim, has set his sights on fast-tracking the integration of teenage sensation Chido Obi-Martin into the first team, following strategic discussions with key club officials.
Obi-Martin, who joined United from Arsenal in a high-profile summer transfer, has already made a name for himself at Old Trafford. The 17-year-old striker was in exceptional form last season, scoring an astonishing 32 goals in 18 matches for Arsenal’s U18s. His exploits sparked a fierce battle among top European clubs, but United secured his signature with promises of a clear pathway to senior football.
Since his arrival, Obi-Martin has justified the hype, netting a hat-trick on his starting debut for United’s U18s against Nottingham Forest and tallying four goals and an assist in just four games. The glowing reports from academy head Nick Cox, technical director Jason Wilcox, and first-team coach Darren Fletcher have caught Amorim’s attention.
Determined to nurture the young forward’s immense potential, Amorim has outlined a development plan that includes featuring him in Under-21 matches and select senior training sessions as a prelude to his first-team debut.
Recently, Obi-Martin added to his growing reputation by scoring for Denmark’s U18s in a 2-1 defeat to Finland. Despite representing Denmark at youth level, the forward remains eligible to play for Nigeria internationally, keeping his options open.
With Amorim’s backing, Obi-Martin is poised to become a key figure in United’s future, as the Portuguese manager begins to shape his squad for long-term success.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Nigerian football continues to shine on the continental stage as two of its stars, Ademola Lookman and Stanley Nwabali, have made the prestigious final shortlist for the 2024 CAF Awards. The gala event, set to take place on December 16 in Marrakech, Morocco, will honor Africa’s best in football across several categories.
Lookman, currently dazzling at Atalanta, is among the five nominees for the coveted Player of the Year award. The Super Eagles forward will compete against Simon Adingra of Ivory Coast, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, and South Africa’s Ronwen Williams for the top honor.
Meanwhile, Stanley Nwabali, who has impressed with Chippa United, is in the running for Goalkeeper of the Year. He faces stiff competition from global stars like Manchester United’s André Onana, Angers SCO’s Yahia Fofana, Mamelodi Sundowns’ Ronwen Williams, and Al Ahly’s Mostafa Shobeir.
Adding to the excitement, Nigeria’s national team is in contention for National Team of the Year, squaring off against Ivory Coast, DR Congo, South Africa, and Sudan.
The 2024 CAF Awards promises to be a thrilling event, celebrating the talent and achievements of African football.
Final Top Five Shortlists
Player of the Year
Simon Adingra (Côte d’Ivoire / Brighton & Hove Albion)
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea / Borussia Dortmund)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria / Atalanta)
Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
Goalkeeper of the Year
André Onana (Cameroon / Manchester United)
Yahia Fofana (Côte d’Ivoire / Angers SCO)
Mostafa Shobeir (Egypt / Al Ahly)
Stanley Nwabali (Nigeria / Chippa United)
Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
Interclub Player of the Year
Issoufou Dayo (Burkina Faso / RS Berkane)
Ahmed Sayed ‘Zizo’ (Egypt / Zamalek)
Hussein El Shahat (Egypt / Al Ahly)
Mostafa Shobeir (Egypt / Al Ahly)
Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)
Coach of the Year
Pedro Goncalves (Angola)
Emerse Faé (Côte d’Ivoire)
Sébastien Desabre (DR Congo)
Marcel Koller (Al Ahly)
Hugo Broos (South Africa)
Young Player of the Year
Karim Konaté (Côte d’Ivoire / Salzburg)
Oumar Diakité (Côte d’Ivoire / Reims)
Yankuba Minteh (Gambia / Brighton & Hove Albion)
Eliesse Ben Seghir (Morocco / AS Monaco)
Lamine Camara (Senegal / AS Monaco)
Club of the Year
Al Ahly (Egypt)
Zamalek (Egypt)
RS Berkane (Morocco)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia)
National Team of the Year
Côte d’Ivoire
DR Congo
Nigeria
South Africa
Sudan
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
A Tale of Two Realities
For Bayer Leverkusen fans, Victor Boniface is a name that commands respect. His clinical finishes and explosive performances have become the stuff of Bundesliga legend. Yet, for Nigerian football supporters, the same name is starting to evoke frustration and disappointment.
In Germany, Boniface is a force of nature. With 29 goals in just over a year for Leverkusen, the 23-year-old striker has helped the club secure its first-ever Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double. His eight goals in 15 matches this season reaffirm his status as one of Europe’s brightest young talents.
But in the green jersey of Nigeria, his star dims. Eleven caps. Zero goals. A solitary assist. Monday’s 2-1 loss to Rwanda in Uyo, a humiliating first for the Super Eagles, was another painful reminder of the gulf between Boniface’s club form and his international performances.
Handed a starting role by coach Augustine Eguavoen, Boniface failed to deliver yet again. Post-match, Eguavoen voiced what every fan is thinking:
“Boniface, we all know what he is capable of, especially in his club. We’ve tried to give him confidence and playing time, but for whatever reason, he’s not hitting the back of the net.”
The Jonathan Akpoborie Parallel
Boniface isn’t the first Nigerian striker to shine in Europe yet falter on the African stage. Jonathan Akpoborie, Nigeria’s Bundesliga legend, scored 60 goals in Germany but managed just four for the national team in nine years.
The struggles of players like Akpoborie, Paul Onuachu, Victor Agali, and Stephen Makinwa all point to a stark truth: transitioning from Europe’s precise, fast-paced game to Africa’s physical, slower, and often chaotic football is no small feat.
Boniface’s success at Leverkusen relies on space, speed, and finesse. In Africa, he faces defenders who are stronger and more aggressive, and pitches that are far less forgiving. His current game plan doesn’t match the intensity and grit required on the continent.
Lessons from the Past
Super Eagles legends like Nwankwo Kanu adapted to these challenges by evolving their style of play. Kanu fused his intelligence with physicality, learning to battle Africa’s unique defensive setups on their terms. Boniface must follow suit.
With Victor Osimhen battling injuries, the Super Eagles need Boniface to rise to the occasion. He must develop the relentlessness and mental fortitude to impose himself as a reliable goal-scorer.
The Clock Is Ticking
With the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on the horizon, Boniface has just over a year to turn his fortunes around. At 23, time is on his side, but patience is not. The potential is undeniable, but the question remains: can he adapt his game and deliver when it matters most?
Boniface’s story is still being written. He has the tools to become a Nigerian football icon, but the next 13 months will determine whether he joins the pantheon of Super Eagles legends—or fades into the list of unfulfilled promises.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
On a humid night in Uyo, what should have been a moment of national pride became a tale of controversy and heartbreak. Samuel Chukwueze, the Super Eagles’ mercurial winger, scored a solo goal of stunning brilliance, but his decision to remain stone-faced in celebration cast a shadow over Nigeria’s 2-1 loss to Rwanda in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
This is the story of how a single muted celebration became a lightning rod for questions about loyalty, respect, and the fragile unity of Nigerian football.
A Night of Contrasts
The Godswill Akpabio Stadium was buzzing with anticipation as fans cheered on the Super Eagles, desperate for a redemption arc after a frustrating draw against Benin. Chukwueze’s goal, a moment of sheer artistry, seemed poised to deliver that catharsis.
Picking up the ball just past midfield, the AC Milan star weaved through a sea of Rwandan defenders with breathtaking skill, leaving the stadium in awe as his shot kissed the back of the net. It was a moment destined for highlight reels — but instead of jubilation, there was only silence.
The winger’s refusal to celebrate baffled fans and teammates alike. Was this a coded message for coach Augustine Eguavoen, whose tactical decisions have drawn criticism? Or was it something more troubling — a disconnect between Chukwueze and the green-and-white faithful?
Frustration or Disrespect?
Chukwueze’s recent struggles with the national team have been well-documented. Once heralded as one of Nigeria’s brightest stars, his inconsistent form has seen him fall out of favor, starting only two of Nigeria’s last five games under Eguavoen. His goal drought extended for over 13 months, a statistic that fuelled doubts about his place in the team.
Yet, in this moment of redemption, Chukwueze chose not to bask in the adoration of fans who had stood by him. Instead, his muted response came across as frustration — perhaps at Eguavoen’s handling of his role or at the criticism he has faced.
But in football, perception matters. For fans, his snub felt like a rejection of their unwavering support. For teammates, it seemed a missed chance to unite around a moment of brilliance. For Nigeria, it became a symbol of the evening’s unraveling.
The Turning Point
Rather than inspiring the Super Eagles to push for a decisive victory, the atmosphere in Uyo shifted. The team’s cohesion appeared to wane, and Rwanda capitalised on Nigeria’s lack of focus, scoring twice to stun the home crowd. The defeat marked a historic low point — Rwanda’s first-ever win against Nigeria, achieved on Nigerian soil.
Fans left the stadium questioning not just Chukwueze’s celebration but the team’s broader mentality. Was this a group playing for the badge or a collection of individuals wrestling with personal battles?
Lessons for the Future
Samuel Chukwueze’s moment of brilliance will be remembered for all the wrong reasons unless he learns from it. While his grievances with Eguavoen may be valid, the Super Eagles are bigger than any individual. Fans expect passion, humility, and a sense of duty from their players.
This moment should serve as a wake-up call for Chukwueze. In an era where football loyalty is often tested, the AC Milan winger must remember that donning the green and white is both a privilege and a responsibility.
A brighter future for Chukwueze and the Super Eagles is still possible — but only if he channels his frustration into performance, not protest.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 19, 2024 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
George Ilenikhena, a talented 18-year-old forward eligible to play for Nigeria’s Super Eagles, experienced a harrowing ordeal over the weekend when he was robbed at gunpoint in Monaco.
Born in Lagos but raised in France from the age of three, Ilenikhena has been making waves in Ligue 1 since his summer move to AS Monaco from Royal Antwerp for over €18 million. With two goals and an assist in 14 appearances this season, including a memorable Champions League strike against Barcelona, the youngster has shown immense promise.
However, his weekend took a dark turn when four armed assailants attacked him in the Corbeille-Essonnes area of Monaco as he left a party. The robbers made off with his mobile phone, a Volkswagen Golf, and luxury footwear. Ilenikhena reported the incident to the local police shortly after.
Monaco are reportedly supporting the player and hope the traumatic incident does not impact his mental state as club football resumes.
Although Ilenikhena has represented France at youth level, he remains eligible to play for Nigeria until he features in a competitive senior match for Les Bleus. His decision on international allegiance is still awaited, but Super Eagles fans remain hopeful.
