Sports

BREAKING: Eguavoen To Lead Super Eagles For Benin, Rwanda Fixtures After LabBadia’s Withdrawal

Published

1 year ago

August 30, 2024

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has announced that Augustine Eguavoen, a former player and Technical Director of the Super Eagles, will step in as the head coach for the team’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

This decision comes in the wake of German coach Bruno LabBadia’s unexpected withdrawal from the role.

LabBadia, who was previously named as the successor to Finidi George earlier this week, reportedly declined the position due to unresolved issues with German tax laws.

The NFF disclosed late Friday via a statement on X that these tax concerns were the main obstacle to finalizing the agreement.

NFF President Ibrahim Gusau explained, “We have been on the tax issue for the past three days, and I told him clearly that there was no way the NFF will agree to offset the concomitant tax percentage on his salary that will be demanded by German tax authorities. It is not possible for us to shoulder the responsibility of shelling out another money, between 32% to 40% of his salary, after paying the agreed monthly wage.

“The NFF and Mr. Labbadia reached an agreement in principle before we made the announcement that he would become the Head Coach of the Super Eagles. The tax details were never part of our discussions, and he had personally agreed to all terms before the tax issue came up. We were doing our best to be flexible in the discussions but he was adamant that the NFF had to pay the full tax amount as well. We simply cannot do that.”

The NFF has named a 23-player squad for the upcoming qualifiers, with Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi, and stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong making their return after extended injury absences.

Sports

AFCON: Osimhen Threatens To Dump Super Eagles, Return To Galatasaray

Published

12 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, reportedly threatened to quit the national team and return to Turkey.

According to Arise News, Osimhen was left fuming following his altercation with Ademola Lookman during the 4-0 win over Mozambique at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations on Monday.

Having scored a brace thanks to assists from Lookman, the 27-year-old lashed out at his team-mate for failing to pass to him in the 64th minute.

Osimhen then beckoned on the bench asking to be taken off, before he was replaced by Moses Simon.

At full time, Osimhen stormed out of the stadium and dropped his accreditation card, insisting he was “done” with the national team and wanted to fly back to Turkey.

He was then pacified by senior officials of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

Sports

NPFL Announces Resumption Date For Second Stanza

Published

16 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

The Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, has announced a date for the start of the second stanza of the 2025-26 season.

The second stanza will commence on Wednesday, 14 January, 2026.

The fixture will start with mid-week games across all the designated NPFL centers.

The NPFL disclosed this in a letter addressed to all the clubs.

The league body urged clubs to expect fixtures congestion in the second stanza.

Rivers United occupy top position on the NPFL table with 37 points from 19 matches.

Sports

Chelsea Coach Hails 3 Players For Keeping Team Together After Maresca’s Departure

Published

16 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Editor

Chelsea interim coach, Calum McFarlane has hailed three Blues players for keeping the team together after Enzo Maresca departed from the Premier League west London club.

Speaking after Chelsea’s recent Premier League 1-1 draw with Manchester City, McFarlane lauded Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, and Enzo Fernandez for their leadership and unifying influence in the Blues’ squad.

“I think it is a good moment to speak about the players. This is not an easy job,” McFarlane told reporters after the match.

“There is a lot of change that has gone on. Enzo was incredibly successful with this group. Some of them were shocked by the decision to sack Maresca.

“The character that they have shown today. Reece is a big one. Reece, Tosin and Enzo have really dragged the group together.”

Chelsea’s next Premier League tie is against Fulham on Wednesday.