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Eagles Announce Squad for Decisive World Cup Qualifiers
The Super Eagles have released their official squad list for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifying matches, setting the stage for a decisive moment in Nigeria’s bid to reach the global tournament.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The announcement, made Friday by the Nigeria Football Federation, includes a mix of experienced stars and rising talents. Head coach José Peseiro emphasized the importance of the matches, describing them as “must-win games” for Nigeria.
The Eagles will face two crucial fixtures in the qualifiers, starting with a home match in Abuja against Rwanda before traveling to face South Africa. Both games are seen as pivotal for Nigeria’s chances of finishing top of their group and securing automatic qualification.
Among the players called up are captain Ahmed Musa, Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, and midfielder Wilfred Ndidi. New additions include Gift Orban, who has impressed with his scoring form in Europe, and Victor Boniface, a forward many see as a rising star for the team.
Peseiro also recalled goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and defender Kenneth Omeruo to strengthen the team’s defense. However, injuries ruled out some key players, including Samuel Chukwueze and Joe Aribo, who are still recovering and not fit for selection.
Nigeria’s football community has reacted strongly to the announcement, with fans taking to social media to debate the choices. Many expressed excitement at the inclusion of younger talents, while others questioned the continued selection of some veterans.
The coach said the squad was carefully chosen to balance experience with youth. “We need players who can handle the pressure of big games,” Peseiro told reporters. “These matches will define our path to the World Cup, and we must show unity and strength.”
Nigeria currently sits second in its qualifying group after a shaky start, which included a draw against Benin. The Eagles will need to secure maximum points from their next fixtures to avoid falling behind group leaders South Africa.
The World Cup remains a vital target for the Eagles, who failed to qualify for the 2022 tournament in Qatar. That disappointment still lingers for many supporters, making this campaign even more important for restoring national pride.
Former Nigerian international Nwankwo Kanu urged the players to seize the opportunity. “Qualifying for the World Cup is about more than football,” Kanu said in a radio interview. “It is about giving hope to millions of Nigerians and putting our country back on the world stage.”
The Nigerian Football Federation also confirmed that preparations are underway to ensure smooth logistics for the qualifiers. Training camps will open early next week in Abuja, with most foreign-based players expected to arrive by Monday.
Tickets for the home match have already gone on sale, and officials are urging fans to fill the stadium and create a strong atmosphere. Security arrangements are also being reinforced as the games are expected to draw large crowds.
The qualifiers come at a time of growing pressure on the team to deliver results. Critics have pointed to inconsistent performances in recent friendly matches, warning that stronger discipline and sharper finishing are needed if the Eagles are to succeed.
Despite the challenges, optimism remains high. With Osimhen leading the attack and Ndidi controlling the midfield, many believe Nigeria has the quality to overcome its rivals.
The first game against Rwanda will be played on October 10 in Abuja, while the second match against South Africa is set for October 15 in Johannesburg. Victories in both could put Nigeria back in pole position in the group.
For millions of fans across the country, the next two weeks will be filled with excitement and anxiety. The squad’s performance will not only decide Nigeria’s World Cup hopes but also shape the future of the team and its coaching staff.
As Peseiro put it: “This is the time to fight for Nigeria. The World Cup is the dream, and we must give everything to make it a reality.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has revealed that his push for an opposition coalition was initially rejected by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the disclosure during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, where he reflected on events following the PDP’s defeat in the 2023 presidential election. According to him, he warned party leaders after the election that the PDP could struggle politically without forming alliances with other opposition forces. “To be honest, I was one of the major initiators of this coalition. After the PDP lost the last election, I told the party clearly that I did not see a future for the PDP without a coalition,” he said. Atiku said his advice was rejected at the time, despite his conviction that Nigeria’s political history had shown the importance of alliances. “They disagreed with me then. I have studied Nigeria’s political transition over the years and saw how previous alliances worked, so it was not difficult for me to foresee this,” he stated. The former vice president added that his support for coalition politics was also influenced by his desire to encourage the emergence of younger leaders he believes are vital to Nigeria’s future. “I saw some of these younger politicians as the future leaders of this country, and I felt it was my duty to point that out,” he said. However, Atiku claimed the resistance he encountered within the party was driven more by personal feelings than by disagreement over the substance of his proposal. “They disagreed with me simply because they did not want to see my face, not because of what I was suggesting,” he said. Atiku added that recent political developments have now vindicated his position on the need for a broad opposition alliance ahead of future elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will first pursue a consensus arrangement before considering a primary election for its 2027 presidential ticket.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made this known during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday while discussing the party’s leadership and strategy ahead of the next general election.
He said he is open to backing a consensus candidate if that becomes the party’s collective decision, stressing that such support should not be interpreted as stepping aside.
“It is not about stepping aside, but whether I am willing to support, and yes, I will,” Atiku said.
According to him, the ADC’s first priority is to build internal unity and reach an agreement among stakeholders before considering a competitive primary process.
“Our first option will be to work out a consensus. If that doesn’t happen, then of course we will explore other options. And yes, I will support whoever eventually emerges,” he stated.
Atiku also expressed confidence in the political experience within the party, saying he believes a consensus is achievable and may make a full-scale primary contest unnecessary.
“That remains our preferred path. We will go for primaries if consensus fails, but I honestly do not expect it to get to that stage because we are dealing with mature and experienced politicians,” he added.
His comments come amid growing political consultations and coalition talks as parties begin to position themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has significantly strengthened his chances of winning the 2027 presidential election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Atiku made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday. Speaking on what makes his latest presidential bid different from previous attempts, Atiku said the ADC coalition brings together key political figures from across major parties, including the APC, PDP and Labour Party. He described the alliance as a broader and more strategic political arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to him, the coalition has created a stronger platform that improves his prospects. “Now, we have a broader coalition — a combination of APC, PDP and LP — which gives me a better chance of becoming president in 2027,” he said. Atiku also noted that the coalition reflects both experience and generational inclusion, which he said shows a clear succession plan. “You see people of my generation, and you see younger people coming behind us, so you can clearly see a succession pattern,” he added. Meanwhile, Atiku described former President Goodluck Jonathan as a decent but inexperienced leader. According to him, Jonathan’s lack of experience contributed to shortcomings in governance and played a role in his defeat in the 2015 presidential election. “I know Goodluck Jonathan very well. He is a decent young man, but he was also inexperienced, and that contributed to his failure in managing the affairs of the country,” Atiku said. He made the remarks while stressing the need for experienced and capable leadership in Nigeria.
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