by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 16, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
Former Super Eagles midfielder Duke Udi has offered a sharp critique of Nigeria’s footballing struggles, pointing to a lack of discipline as the primary obstacle preventing the team from dominating African football.
In an interview with Brila FM, Udi, who once played for Slovakian side Slovan Bratislava, expressed admiration for the current crop of Super Eagles players. “This team is every manager’s dream,” he said, highlighting the squad’s depth and quality. “Even without a key player, we have enough talent to win any game.”
Udi emphasized that apart from Senegal and Morocco, no other African nation can rival Nigeria’s wealth of footballing talent. Yet, despite this advantage, the Super Eagles have faltered in recent years. While they comfortably qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, they are struggling to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, trailing unexpectedly behind South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin.
The former Enyimba playmaker identified discipline as the missing link to unlocking the team’s potential. “What we need is just discipline,” Udi stated. “Once discipline is established, any coach who comes in will be grateful to work with this team.”
Nigeria, ranked fourth in Africa behind Morocco, Senegal, and Egypt, last lifted the AFCON trophy in 2013. Although they reached the final earlier this year, the Super Eagles have yet to assert consistent dominance.
Udi remains optimistic, urging coaches to focus on chemistry and strategic selection. “In the whole of Africa, aside from Senegal and Morocco, no team has our depth of talent. It’s all about putting things together and helping the team gel,” he concluded.
As the Super Eagles prepare for their next challenges, Udi’s comments serve as both a critique and a call to action, reminding fans and officials alike of the team’s untapped potential.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 16, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
The Copper Bullets of Zambia, under the leadership of their experienced coach Avram Grant, have clinched a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. A hard-fought 1-0 victory over defending champions Ivory Coast at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Friday night sealed their qualification with one game to spare.
The pivotal moment came in the 43rd minute when Kennedy Musonda latched onto a perfectly weighted pass from Joseph Banda, slotting the ball past the Ivorian defense. This goal not only electrified the home crowd but also proved enough to edge a tense Group G encounter.
Ivory Coast started the match as the dominant side, controlling possession and testing Zambia’s resolve early on. Stopilla Sunzu’s critical intervention in the 20th minute denied a near-certain goal, keeping the Chipolopolo in the game. Despite the pressure, Zambia held firm and made their solitary chance count to lead at the break.
The second half saw relentless waves of attack from the Elephants. Zambia’s defense, however, stood impenetrable, with goalkeeper Yahia Fofana making a crucial save late in the game to preserve their advantage.
Avram Grant, who famously guided Ghana to the AFCON final in 2015 only to lose on penalties to Ivory Coast, has now successfully rejuvenated Zambia’s fortunes. With 10 points, Zambia tops Group G and has one match remaining against Sierra Leone.
The victory marks another milestone in Grant’s tenure, solidifying Zambia’s place among the continent’s elite once again.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 16, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
The Cheetahs of Benin have sent a strong message to Libya ahead of their decisive 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D qualifier in Tripoli on Monday. With both teams vying for the group’s final qualification ticket, captain Steve Mounié and coach Gernot Rohr emphasized their determination to overcome any potential off-field distractions.
Benin need only a draw to secure their first AFCON appearance since their 2019 quarterfinal run, while Libya must win by at least two goals. Both teams are also relying on Nigeria, who have already qualified, to defeat Rwanda in Uyo on the same day.
Tensions are high, given Libya’s history of off-pitch tactics. Last month, Libya delayed Nigeria’s arrival for over 15 hours at an abandoned airport. The incident prompted the Super Eagles to refuse to play, leading CAF to award Nigeria a 3-0 victory and fine Libya.
Recalling past experiences, Mounié issued a fiery warning:
“We quickly forget Sierra Leone where we were fooled. We lost an AFCON in this episode. The Libyans cannot do the same thing again. Otherwise, we will leave like the Nigerians and win the match.”
Coach Gernot Rohr also revealed Libya’s attempts to move the game to synthetic pitches in Benghazi, a move Benin successfully opposed.
“They tried to move the match to Benghazi, but we refused. On the field, we’ll know how to respond. I trust this team’s impeccable spirit,” Rohr stated.
Libya, who last appeared in the tournament in 2012, will be desperate to make a comeback, but Benin remain confident in their ability to claim the AFCON spot.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 16, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Lecce’s highly-rated defender Patrick Dorgu has officially been cap-tied to Denmark, ruling him out of representing Nigeria at the international level unless his Danish citizenship is revoked. The 20-year-old earned his fourth cap for Denmark during their 2-1 UEFA Nations League defeat to Spain on Friday, fulfilling FIFA’s requirements to commit to a national team.
Dorgu, born in Copenhagen to Nigerian parents Paul and Clara Dorgu, was previously eligible to play for Nigeria. However, FIFA rules state that players under 21 with dual nationality are only cap-tied after playing four matches for one country, including at least one competitive game—criteria Dorgu now meets.
He becomes the second Nigerian player to commit his international future to Denmark in recent years, following Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing. Billing, whose father is Nigerian, rejected overtures from former Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr to switch allegiances and has since become a key player for Denmark, earning cap-tying status in 2022.
The Danish Football Association has also beaten Nigeria in other recruitment battles, including securing the services of Portland Thorns defender Isabella Obaze at the women’s level. Meanwhile, Nigerian-born talents William Osula (Newcastle United), Chido Obi-Martin (Manchester United), and Tochi Chukwuani (Sturm Graz) are provisionally tied to Denmark, further highlighting the Scandinavian nation’s success in scouting dual-nationality players.
For Nigeria, Dorgu’s cap-tie marks another setback in their efforts to recruit top diaspora talents, with Denmark’s strategic approach yielding consistent results.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 16, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Nigeria international striker Opeyemi Ajakaye has officially joined National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side Kansas City Current, with a loan move to USL Super League club Carolina Ascent for the remainder of the 2024 fall schedule.
Carolina Ascent confirmed the signing on their official website, marking an exciting step in the 18-year-old’s promising career. The move follows Ajakaye’s departure from Madrid CFF in the Spanish Primera División de la Liga de Fútbol Femenino, as previously reported six weeks ago by Sportsblog247.com.
Ajakaye has been a standout player on the international stage, representing Nigeria at the 2024 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Venezuela and shining for the Flamingos at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in 2022. She also made her Super Falcons debut during the Paris 2024 Olympics qualifiers in October 2023, coming on as a late substitute against Ethiopia.
Expressing her excitement, Ajakaye shared with Carolina Ascent’s official website:
“I am very happy to be part of this amazing team. I know Carolina Ascent FC will help me grow my career and become the player I aspire to be. I look forward to helping the team achieve success and lifting a trophy.”
Ajakaye could potentially make her debut on November 17, when Carolina Ascent takes on Tampa Bay Sun in gameweek 15 of the USL Super League.
