Author: Rareview

Super Eagles Coach, Finidi George By Segun Odegbami By the time you are reading this on Saturday morning, Nigeria would have played the match that would mark Finidi George’s real baptism into the world of Nigerian football. The long-awaited confrontation between Bafana Bafana of South Africa and the Super Eagles of Nigeria after AFCON 2023 would have been settled on the Uyo Township Stadium ground last night. I hope that the Super Eagles won because no explanation would be acceptable for not winning. That is the lot of coaches – the moment they are hired, their records of success and of failure start to count. Finidi George’s cannot be an exception. No excuses for failure are acceptable. This morning, the outcome of the match would be front-page, setting the foundation for ...

By Els William The super Eagles, on Friday night, could not fly over the barrier mounted by Bafana Bafana, the senior national football team of South Africa. The Eagles, though hard fighting, could only settle for a 1-1 draw in the 3rd round of their World Cup Qualifying game played at Godswill Akpabio stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. Themba Zwane struck first for South Africa in the 29th minute, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, for Nigeria, gave a quick answer, equalizing with a slick turn and low shot to the post in the 46th minute to level the match!. The match ended in a stalemate. Benin had earlier offered them the rare chance of taking the top spot in the group after they beat the hitherto group leader Rwuanda in Abidjan the previous day. With the outcome of the match Nigeria occu...

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has insisted that the South African delegation has no reason to cry foul after having to stay the night in Port Harcourt on Wednesday after arriving in Nigeria. The team only flew into Uyo on Thursday morning. NFF’s Protocol Chief, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi, said the South African Football Association informed the NFF that its chartered aircraft would depart South Africa on Wednesday morning by 8 a.m. and land in Lagos to undergo immigration formalities before proceeding to Uyo. “The problem has nothing to do with the NFF. As at the time they said they were taking off, it took them a further five hours to actually depart from South Africa. We were not informed. We had informed officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service and other relevant agencies in L...

Photo BBC: Gernot Rohr By Els William The Cheetahs, the senior national team of Benin have brightened Nigeria’s chances at WCQ, with 1-0 win over Rwanda, yesterday night at Abidjan. Benin secured the win with a 37th-minute goal from Douko Dodo." "The Cheetahs now have earned four points from three matches, tying them with group leaders Rwanda. However, Rwanda maintains the top spot due to a superior goals difference. As a result, the Super Eagles have dropped to fourth place, alongside Lesotho and Zimbabwe, who both have two points each.  Today, the Super Eagle will face South Africa in a crucial World Cup Qualifying match at Uyo. Next, the Super Eagles will take on Benin on Monday evening in Abidjan. Benin is coached by Gernot Rohr, a former Super Eagles coach...

By Ali Elias The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been rescheduled for early 2026, avoiding a clash with the expanded 32-team Club World Cup. Originally set for June, the tournament will now take place in Morocco six months later. The move comes after CAF's general secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba, raised concerns about player welfare and the feasibility of consecutive tournaments. "We must prioritize player interests and balance scheduling with our partners," Mosengo-Omba said, acknowledging the "scheduling nightmare" faced by all. The Club World Cup is set to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, making a June AFCON date impossible. By delaying the tournament, CAF aims to ensure player safety and avoid a scheduling conflict.