by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 18, 2025 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, the 23-year-old Super Eagles midfielder, is once again attracting attention from Premier League clubs, following a string of standout performances in Italy’s Serie A with SS Lazio. Dele-Bashiru, who spent 11 years at Manchester City’s youth academy, is now being courted by top-flight English clubs, eager to bring him back to his home country.
His journey from Manchester to Lazio has been anything but conventional. After his contract expired with Sheffield Wednesday, Dele-Bashiru joined Turkish side Hatayspor in 2023, but his stay there was short-lived. His impressive displays in Turkey earned him a high-profile move to Lazio, where he has quickly established himself as a key player.
This season, Dele-Bashiru has been in electric form, contributing two goals and two assists in the Europa League, along with two goals in Serie A, including a crucial strike against Atalanta. His performances have not only bolstered Lazio’s midfield but also caught the eye of several Premier League clubs looking to bolster their squads with young talent.
A return to the Premier League would be a homecoming for the Nigerian talent, who spent much of his youth career in England. With his rapid rise in Italy, Dele-Bashiru seems poised for a promising future in one of Europe’s top leagues.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 18, 2025 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
The Missing Piece
In the quiet corridors of The Hawthorns, West Brom’s interim head coach Chris Brunt paced nervously. The news of Josh Maja’s injury had struck like a hammer blow. Their top scorer, with 12 league goals this season, was set for surgery on a lower leg injury. His absence, likely to stretch into the spring, left a gaping hole in the Baggies’ attack and cast a shadow over their Championship campaign.
Maja’s resurgence this season had been nothing short of remarkable. After missing last year due to two debilitating ankle injuries, the 26-year-old Nigerian international had returned stronger, becoming not only the team’s leading scorer but also the heart of their attacking play. Yet now, just when West Brom needed him most, they faced the daunting task of soldiering on without their talisman.
“It’s Not Just His Goals”
Brunt’s voice carried a mix of frustration and admiration as he spoke to BBC Radio WM about Maja’s contributions. “It’s not just his goals, it’s his overall play too,” he explained. “He’s been in great form for us this season, and with our struggles to score, his absence is a massive blow.”
Maja’s knack for finding the back of the net and his ability to link play had been crucial for West Brom, who are also grappling with uncertainty in their leadership. The club has been without a permanent head coach since Carlos Corberan’s departure on Christmas Eve, relying instead on a caretaker team comprising Brunt, Damia Abella, and Boaz Myhill. Despite this, the interim trio had managed to steady the ship, securing five points from four matches.
A Team in Transition
As West Brom prepared for a pivotal clash against Stoke City on Saturday, the challenge ahead was clear: adapt and persevere without their star striker. Maja’s injury couldn’t have come at a worse time, with the team striving to climb the Championship table and find stability amidst managerial changes.
For Maja himself, the injury marked another cruel twist in his journey. The Nigerian forward had fought back from adversity before, proving his resilience after a tough spell on the sidelines. Brunt expressed his hope for a speedy recovery, knowing how much the striker’s return would mean to the team and the fans.
Looking Ahead
Until Maja’s return in the spring, West Brom will need to find alternative ways to threaten opposition defenses. The responsibility now falls on the squad to step up, fill the void, and keep their campaign alive. For Brunt and his team, it’s a test of resourcefulness and resilience in the face of mounting challenges.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 18, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
The Legend Speaks
The sun was setting over the lush fields of Nigeria, but for football legend Jay-Jay Okocha, the future of the Super Eagles seemed shrouded in uncertainty. In a heartfelt interview with The Guardian, the 1994 AFCON winner delivered a sobering message to Nigerian football fans: without significant reforms in the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the Super Eagles’ trophy drought might stretch on indefinitely.
It’s been over a decade since Nigeria last tasted victory on the grand stage. Their triumphant 1-0 win over Burkina Faso in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final remains a cherished memory. While they came agonizingly close in 2023, losing to Côte d’Ivoire in the final, the golden days of Nigerian football feel increasingly distant.
Okocha, a former captain of the Super Eagles and a football icon, didn’t mince words about the state of football administration in Nigeria. “The Super Eagles may not win any trophy until the current NFF officials are dissolved or reformed,” he stated firmly. His voice carried the weight of experience, a man who had seen both the glory and the struggles of Nigerian football.
A System in Disarray
The former Bolton Wanderers star criticized the NFF’s penchant for appointing officials with little understanding or passion for football. “You can’t appoint politicians to manage football. They will turn it to politics, and that’s what is happening today,” he lamented.
According to Okocha, the Super Eagles’ struggles are not due to a lack of talent. “We have the best players in the world, yet we have no trophy to lay our hands on, not because of the players, absolutely not,” he stressed.
His frustrations extended to the frequent changes in the team’s coaching staff, which he believes disrupt the continuity and progress of the squad. “When you change a coach, you have changed a dream, a vision, and a mission. In short, you have changed a generation,” he said with a tone of dismay.
A Call for Change
Okocha’s plea is simple yet profound: appoint leaders who truly understand and love the game. “Appoint new officials who know more about football, who have interest in football, who love football, whose lifestyles represent football,” he urged.
For now, the Super Eagles remain a team filled with potential but lacking direction. As fans hope for a brighter future, Okocha’s words serve as both a warning and a call to action. Without meaningful reforms, the golden days of Nigerian football may remain confined to history books.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 18, 2025 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
It’s been a whirlwind journey for Nigerian midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, whose impressive performances for Lazio this season have reportedly put Premier League clubs on high alert. The 23-year-old has gone from strength to strength in Serie A, making waves domestically and in European competitions, while also solidifying his place in Nigeria’s national team.
The Journey of a Rising Star
Born in Hamburg and raised in England, Dele-Bashiru’s footballing roots were nurtured in Manchester City’s academy, where he spent over a decade honing his craft. Though he never featured for City’s senior team, he made his mark at youth level, including lifting the U18 Premier League Cup.
In 2020, the midfielder took the leap into professional football, joining Sheffield Wednesday. There, he played a pivotal role in the club’s promotion to the Championship in 2022. His ability to dictate play and score crucial goals soon caught the eye of Turkish side Hatayspor, who secured his signature in July 2023.
From Turkey to Italy
Dele-Bashiru’s debut season in the Turkish Süper Lig was nothing short of spectacular. Scoring eight goals, he finished as Hatayspor’s joint-top scorer and was instrumental in their dramatic survival on the final day of the season.
This performance paved the way for a €2 million move to Lazio in the summer of 2024, a deal structured as a loan with an obligation to buy. Dele-Bashiru quickly adapted to the demands of Serie A, earning plaudits for his box-to-box dynamism.
Making Waves at Lazio
In just 11 Serie A appearances, Dele-Bashiru has already scored twice, including a vital equalizer in a high-stakes clash against Atalanta. His impact extends to Europe as well, where he has tallied two goals and two assists in four Europa League outings.
His standout performances haven’t gone unnoticed. Reports from Lazio News 24 suggest that unnamed Premier League clubs are monitoring the midfielder closely, raising the prospect of a return to English football.
A Rising Force for the Super Eagles
Dele-Bashiru’s rise isn’t confined to club football. Since making his international debut for Nigeria, he has become a reliable contributor, with five caps and two critical goals. His strikes in a World Cup qualifier against South Africa and an AFCON qualifier against Libya have further cemented his status as a rising star for the Super Eagles.
As Premier League clubs circle, Dele-Bashiru’s next chapter could mark a triumphant return to England. For now, his focus remains on maintaining his momentum at Lazio and helping Nigeria achieve success on the international stage.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 18, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, International, Nigeria, Soccer, World Cup
As the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup heats up, Zimbabwe’s head coach Michael Nees has sounded a note of caution ahead of a critical encounter with Nigeria’s Super Eagles in March. Both teams are struggling in Group C, with Nigeria sitting on three points and Zimbabwe trailing with two after four matches. Yet, Nees remains wary of the Nigerian side, describing them as “a wounded lion” poised to strike back with renewed determination.
Zimbabwe’s situation is familiar. The Warriors, despite their passionate fanbase, have never reached the World Cup finals. But Nigeria’s predicament is far more shocking. With six World Cup appearances and three African Cup of Nations titles, the Super Eagles are considered one of the continent’s footballing powerhouses. Their struggles in this campaign have left fans and pundits alike searching for answers.
In response, the Nigerian Football Federation turned to Malian coach Eric Chelle to ignite a revival. With a star-studded squad featuring Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, and Victor Boniface, the Super Eagles remain a formidable force on paper, even if the results have yet to match the potential.
Their upcoming fixtures against group leaders Rwanda and Zimbabwe will be decisive. When the two sides last met, Nigeria salvaged a 1-1 draw thanks to Kelechi Iheanacho’s late heroics, marking only the second time Zimbabwe avoided defeat in six encounters.
Speaking to CAFOnline, Nees reflected on the challenge. “Nigeria is a wounded lion and therefore very dangerous. Their potential far exceeds their current position in the group. When you look at African footballers, Nigeria remains one of the top teams.”
Despite acknowledging Nigeria’s threat, Nees remains optimistic. Under his guidance, Zimbabwe secured a 2025 AFCON spot with a game to spare, and he believes the Warriors can rise to the occasion. “We take it step by step, match by match, and even training by training. There are so many variables in football, and we’ll approach it wisely,” Nees assured.
The Super Eagles, buoyed by a history of dominance over Zimbabwe, including a memorable 5-1 victory in 2005, will hope to channel their pride and pedigree to turn their campaign around. But as Nees warns, a desperate team can be the most dangerous opponent.
