Ademola Olajire

Narrow defeat by title-holders Senegal does not mean the end of the road for SE B at the CHAN. History is replete with teams who lost their first match and went on to win championships. Go for it, guys!

This Day 45 Years Ago: Leotis Boateng and Emmanuel Osigwe scored at the National Stadium, Surulere to draw Nigeria level on aggregate with Tunisia in their 1982 WC qualifying fixture. Nigeria won on penalties to advance to the next round, where they played and defeated Tanzania.

Kudos to the Nigeria U17 girls, Flamingos, for a 4-0 defeat of their Algerian counterparts in a FIFA U17 WWC final qualifying round first leg match in Ikenne-Remo on Saturday. Goals were from Queen Joseph (brace), Zainab Raji and Aishat Animashaun.

With the passages of Chukwu and Bassey on Saturday, 12 April, only 13 of the 22 that won the 1980 AFCON are still alive: D. Adiele, S. Odegbami, F. Owolabi, G. Odiye, A. Amiesimaka, E. Okala, S. Okpala, I. Onyedika, J. Orlando, S. Mohammed, H. Nwosu, F. Onwuachi, K. Ikhana.

The deaths of Chairman Chukwu and Charles Bassey bring to nine the number of passages from the 1980 AFCON-winning Green Eagles. Those before them: Best Ogedegbe, Moses Effiong, Tunde Bamidele, Okechukwu Isima, Aloysius Atuegbu, Mudashiru Lawal, Martins Eyo.

Farewell, 1980 AFCON winner Charles Bassey. Forward departed some hours after his former captain, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwuemeka Chukwu. May their souls rest in peace.

Farewell, ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwuemeka Chukwu. 1980 AFCON-winning captain. Player of the Tournament. Coach of bronze-winning Super Eagles at 2004 AFCON. Asst Coach of FIFA Cadet WC-winning Golden Eaglets in 1985. Asst Coach of 1994 AFCON-winning Super Eagles.

Excellent afternoon in Abidjan on the first day of WAFU-B Media Strategies Workshop for FA Communications Managers of the zone.

Congratulations to the Nigeria U17 girls for their 1-1 result against Burkina U17 girls in Bamako on Saturday. Victory beckons in the return in Abuja this week Saturday.

Congrats to NFF GS, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, whose son Muhammad Muhammad Sanusi was today turbaned as Gwarzon Kalgo in Sokoto State.

Super Falcons have not lost to England since a 2-3 loss at the 1995 FWWC in Sweden. Monday calls for the Nigerian queens to exact in revenge, in Brisbane!

NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau on Wednesday paid a courtesy call to the DG, Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa. With the duo on the visit are Aisha Falode (NFF Exco Member; left); Dr Mohammed Sanusi (NFF GS;…

Inauguration of Match Commissioners and Referees Committees at the NFF Secretariat by NFF President, Alh. Ibrahim Musa Gusau.

Match Day: NGR Vs SA at the WAFCON. Big game at the Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat from 6pm (same time as Nigeria). Go for it, Super Falcons.

Ekong: We will approach the game against Ecuador with all seriousness, not as a mere friendly.

Peseiro: My players showed great character against Mexico. We must play better against Ecuador on Thursday.

Both Flying Eagles and Flamingos fly out of the country this afternoon for international engagements in Niamey and Cairo respectively. Safe trip, boys and girls.

It’s MD-1. Super Eagles Vs Black Stars in FIFA WC Qatar 2022 playoff final leg at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja. The Eagles are ready to fly to Qatar!

Match Day: Ghana Vs Nigeria. Game starts at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi at 7.30pm Ghana time (8.30pm Nigeria time).

Super Eagles taking off now at the NAIA, Abuja for Kumasi. First leg of the WC playoff on Friday evening at the Baba Yara Stadium as from 7.30pm Nigeria time. God, go with us.