Sports

JUST IN: NFF Drops Peseiro, Retains Eguavoen, Appoints Amuneke Chief Coach

Published

4 years ago

February 7, 2022

The Nigeria Football Federation on Monday announced the reconstitution of the technical crew of the Senior Men National Team, Super Eagles.

The federation retained Augustine Eguavoen as Interim Technical Adviser while former Nigeria World Cup star and former U-20 Boys’ Head Coach, Emmanuel Amuneke, was appointed as a Chief Coach and an immediate assistant to Eguavoen.

In a statement on Monday, the federation said it won’t move forward with the agreement with Jose Peseiro who was expected to take charge of the team after the Africa Cup of Nations.

One of the most garlanded footballers to have come out of Nigeria, Amuneke scored both goals that won Nigeria the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations final match against Zambia in Tunis, scored the goal that won Nigeria and Africa’s first Olympic football gold medal in 1996 and played in the 1994 and 1996 FIFA World Cup finals, scoring two goals in USA ’94.

As coach, the electrifying winger qualified Tanzania for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt and led the Taifa Stars in the finals. He is a Member of both the FIFA and CAF Technical Study Groups.

“The NFF Board has approved a recommendation of the Technical and Development Committee retaining Augustine Eguavoen as Technical Director/Technical Adviser (interim) while Emmanuel Amuneke becomes the Chief Coach of the Super Eagles. Salisu Yusuf will be the 2nd Assistant Coach/Chief Coach of the CHAN team and Joseph Yobo will be 3rd Assistant while Aloysius Agu remains the Goalkeepers’ Trainer,” NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, announced.

The reconstitution comes after the Super Eagles’ outing at the 33rd Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon, and ahead of the potentially –explosive FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 play-off round against the Black Stars of Ghana next month.

Sanusi added, “We acknowledge and appreciate the interest that Mr Jose Peseiro has shown in Nigeria Football during our very cordial discussions and have absolutely no doubt about his capacity. We believe that perhaps in the future, there could be an opportunity to work with him. However, in view of the positive performance of the Super Eagles at the just-concluded Africa Cup of Nations which has given hope to Nigerians and boosted our confidence in the present coaching crew to qualify us for the World Cup in Qatar, we have decided to accept the recommendation of the Technical and Development Committee to retain the Eguavoen-led coaching crew and strengthen it with the addition of Emmanuel Amuneke.”

NEW SUPER EAGLES COACHING CREW

Augustine Eguavoen – Technical Director/Technical Adviser (interim)
Emmanuel Amuneke – Chief Coach/1st Assistant
Salisu Yusuf – 2nd Assistant/Chief Coach, CHAN
Joseph Yobo – 3rd Assistant
Aloysius Agu – Goalkeepers’ Trainer.

(PUNCH)

Sports

Super Eagles’ 2026 World Cup Dream Ends In Penalty Shoot-out Loss To DR Congo

Published

11 hours ago

November 17, 2025

Editor

Nigeria will not be at the 2026 World Cup after they lost the CAF playoff final to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday night.

The Super Eagles took an early lead in the first half after Frank Onyeka’s shot was deflected in.

But the Leopards were level after Mechak Elia pounced on a defensive error to finish past Stanley Nwabali.

The game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes and was decided on penalties.

Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon and Semi Ajayi all missed their kicks as DR Congo clinched the ticket to represent Africa at the intercontinental playoffs.

They will now play in a six-team intercontinental qualifier, which will be staged from March 23 to 31 in 2026 to decide the final two sides for next year’s World Cup.

Sports

NPFL26: Bendel Insurance Beat Kano Pillars 3-2

Published

2 days ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

Bendel Insurance jinx of inconsistent and goal drought in the current Nigeria Premier Football League season were on Saturday evening broken at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin as they defeated Kano Pillars 3-2 to move a step out of the deep.
‎
‎The Benin Arsenals returned to winning ways with a remarkable 3-2 comeback
‎victory over the sai Masu Gida side with goals from Kayode Oke, Emmanuel Dung and Akpan Emmanuel who handed
‎ Kennedy Boboye his first maximum points since joining Insurance over a month ago.
‎.
‎Kayode Oke opened scoring for Insurance in the 17th minute, but veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali got an equalizer for the visitors from the penalty spot in the 34th minute.

READ ALSO:Bendel Insurance Head Coach Suspended
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‎Four minutes later, Chiedozie Okorie gave Pillars the lead in the halftime of the match day 13 encounter under the rain.
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‎Insurance returned for the second half with double substitution and mounted much pressure on the visitors and got rewarded for their efforts with a spirited comeback when Emmanuel Dung powered an equalising goal for Insurance in the 77th minute with a rocket strike from the edge of the box to send the already agitated home fans into wild jubilation.
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‎As time drifted away from the regulation mark, Emmanuel Akpan sealed the victory with a stoppage-time strike in the 88 minutes.

‎It was Insurance second victory and first for coach Kennedy Boboye in the current football season.

The Benin Arsenals now move up to 17th on the table with 12 points.

READ ALSO:Enabulele Congratulates Bendel Insurance For Pre-Season Tournament Performance
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‎Speaking during a post match media conference, coach Kennedy Boboye said that he was relieved to have his first maximum points as Vendel Insurance Manager after five matches -one loss, one win and three draws so far.
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‎He said that he remains focused and determined to get out of the red zone.

‎”I am relieved and happy we got the victory we have been looking for and I must give it to my players,fans and the supporters club who are always there for us irrespective of the results we posted.
‎I dedicate the victory to them,” he said.
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Sports

Arsenal’s Gabriel Injured In Senegal Friendly

Published

2 days ago

November 15, 2025

Editor

Arsenal’s defensive rock, Gabriel Magalhães, limped off during Brazil’s 2-0 friendly win over Senegal at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

This injury is going to be a major headache for Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta, who still has many players out injured.

The 27-year-old Brazilian center-back was forced to depart in the 64th minute, clutching his right thigh and groin area following a seemingly innocuous challenge. He was replaced by Flamengo’s Wesley.

This comes at the worst possible time for the Premier League leaders, who face Tottenham in the North London Derby on November 23, barely a week away, followed by Champions League and league tests against Bayern Munich and Chelsea.

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti later confirmed it was a muscular issue but offered no timeline, stating: “We’ll have to wait and see on the extent—it’s too early to say.”