by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 8, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Leicester City fans can breathe easy as manager Marti Cifuentes has revealed that Abdul Fatawu Issahaku will return in peak shape after the international break.
The Ghanaian winger, who has battled back from an ACL injury that sidelined him for eight months, was excused from Black Stars duty following talks between Leicester and Ghana’s medical staff. With Ghana scheduled to play on an artificial pitch in Chad, the decision was made to let the 21-year-old stay in England and continue his recovery.
“We are trying to protect him. He is still coming back from this injury. The international break will be very good for him,” Cifuentes explained. “Since I arrived here, the progress he’s making is clear. When we return, I’m confident he’ll be in optimal condition.”
Fatawu had sparked fears after limping off in Leicester’s 2–0 win over Birmingham City, but the club confirmed it was only cramp. He was later seen celebrating with his teammates after full-time.
Elsewhere, right-back Hamza Choudhury is a doubt for the Oxford United clash after picking up an injury while on Bangladesh duty. On the brighter side, forward Bobby De Cordova-Reid is back in training and could make his first appearance under Cifuentes.
However, long-term absentees Victor Kristiansen (knee) and Harry Souttar (Achilles) remain sidelined, with Souttar expected back in training by November.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 8, 2025 | Africa, International, Nigeria, Soccer, World Cup
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will hold their first and only training session in Bloemfontein on Monday night as preparations intensify for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa.
The session is scheduled for 6pm Nigerian time at the Toyota Stadium, where Tuesday’s showdown with Bafana Bafana will also take place. According to team media officer, Promise Efoghe, the opening 15 minutes of training will be accessible to both media representatives and fans.
Eric Chelle’s men touched down in Bloemfontein at about 6:25pm local time on Sunday, while the Nigerian squad made the trip with 22 players. Unfortunately, star striker Victor Osimhen was left out after sustaining an injury in the Super Eagles’ narrow 1-0 win over Rwanda last Saturday.
All eyes now turn to the Toyota Stadium as the two African powerhouses prepare to lock horns in what promises to be a thrilling Group C battle.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 8, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer, World Cup
Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has confessed that he feels uneasy every time star striker Victor Osimhen leaves for international duty with Nigeria.
The Super Eagles forward was forced off in the first half of Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Uyo on Saturday, ruling him out of the crucial World Cup qualifier against South Africa.
Speaking to habersarikirmizi, Buruk revealed how tense he becomes whenever Osimhen represents his country, admitting that he had a scare when news of the injury reached him.
> “If there is a problem with Osimhen, we want to send a plane immediately and bring him back to Türkiye. We hope it’s nothing serious,” Buruk told Now Spor.
The Galatasaray coach recounted that he was at dinner when a waiter approached him with a phone showing the news about Osimhen.
> “I always have fears about sending him to the national team, but tonight we experienced a bit of that. We reached Osimhen, and the information we received is that he has pain in his foot,” he added.
Osimhen’s absence is not only a massive blow for Nigeria’s qualification hopes, but also for Galatasaray, who are preparing for a crucial run of fixtures in both the Turkish Super Lig and the UEFA Champions League.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 8, 2025 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer, World Cup
Nigeria’s hopes of securing a crucial win in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign have taken a massive hit, with star striker Victor Osimhen ruled out of Tuesday’s showdown against South Africa in Bloemfontein.
The Super Eagles edged Rwanda 1-0 on Saturday in Uyo, thanks to a second-half strike from Wolves forward Tolu Arokodare. However, the victory was overshadowed by Osimhen’s early exit after a painful collision left him with a shin injury. Though he initially tried to soldier on, the Galatasaray striker was substituted before halftime, raising immediate concerns.
Coach Eric Chelle admitted after the game that the medical team needed more time to assess Osimhen, but reports later confirmed the 25-year-old did not travel with the squad to South Africa. Instead, he was flown back to Istanbul on Sunday, where Galatasaray doctors will continue his treatment.
Osimhen’s absence is a huge setback for Nigeria, who are fighting to stay in contention for an automatic qualification spot. The Super Eagles currently sit third in Group C, trailing South Africa and Benin.
Galatasaray, meanwhile, will also be keeping a close eye on their talisman’s recovery, with a league game against Eyupspor this weekend and a crucial Champions League opener against Eintracht Frankfurt on September 18.
For now, Nigeria will have to find a way forward without their top scorer in what could prove to be a decisive clash on the road to the World Cup.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 8, 2025 | Africa, International, Soccer, World Cup
Algeria’s march towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues on Monday as they travel to the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca for a tricky clash against Guinea in Group G.
The Syli National are clinging to their faint hopes of qualification and know that nothing short of victory will keep their campaign alive. Their recent 3-0 win over Somalia—thanks to Serhou Guirassy, an own goal, and a late strike from Ousmane Camara—lifted them to 10 points from seven games. Despite sitting fourth in the group, Guinea remain outsiders, trailing leaders Algeria by eight points.
For Algeria, confidence is high. The Desert Foxes extended their dominance with a 3-1 triumph over Botswana on Thursday. Mohamed Amoura broke the deadlock before Botswana equalised just before halftime, but Algeria’s quality shone through as they completed the double over their opponents, mirroring their March victory by the same scoreline.
Guinea will take heart from their 2-1 upset win in the reverse fixture, proving they can trouble the North African giants. But inconsistency in attack has hurt their push for qualification, leaving Algeria in pole position with sharper firepower and stronger form.
With Guinea fighting for survival and Algeria looking to tighten their grip on Group G, Monday’s showdown promises intensity, drama, and potentially, another twist in Africa’s World Cup race.
