Only Spain-based forward Sadiq Umar was being expected as Nigeria’s juggernaut rolled sturdily into the much-familiar environment of Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny on Tuesday, with 22 players set for the team’s first training session ahead of a potentially explosive Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against neighbours Benin Republic on Thursday.

“We have 22 players, with only one person to join the team in the early hours of Wednesday. It has been a particularly great atmosphere here in Abidjan, and we are all very positive going into the first training session ahead of the match,” Coach Augustine Eguavoen told thenff.com on Tuesday.

Eleven players, viz Captain and AFCON Man of the Competition William Ekong, reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, his likely successor Ademola Lookman, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel, Olaoluwa Aina, Victor Collins and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and Germany-based forward Victor Boniface all arrived at once on Tuesday morning, before being joined by South Africa-based goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

Earlier, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and forward Kelechi Iheanacho had arrived, to join the eight that were in camp on Monday: goalkeeper Amas Obasogie, defenders Gabriel Osho and Bruno Onyemaechi, midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Frank Onyeka and Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze.

With 10 points from four matches, seven goals for and none against, and top of their Group D, the Eagles will walk with an extra bounce into the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, the facility where they upended the aspirations of Guinea Bissau, Cameroon and Angola at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire earlier in the year.

It was also the venue where in the summer, they were slated by two goals to one by the Cheetahs (who have been forced by lack of a CAF-approved facility in their country to adopt Abidjan as home) in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying game in which they scored first.

“The stadium is a familiar one for us and we have good memories from the AFCON. We will rather focus on the positive results we have taken away from here and work hard for another good day in the office on Thursday.

“It is not going to be easy because the Beninoise are also chasing a ticket to the final tournament. However, our objective is clear: three points on the night,” Captain Ekong said on Tuesday.

Senegalese official Issa Sy, who was in charge when the Super Eagles pipped Angola 1-0 at the same venue, in a quarter-final match of the Africa Cup of Nations finals, has been selected by CAF as referee for Thursday’s encounter, which will commence at 7pm CIV time (8pm Nigeria time).

He will be supported by compatriots Djibril Camara (assistant 1), Nouha Bangoura (assistant 2) and El Hadji Amadou Sy (fourth official). Ivorian Rene Williams Sere will be the commissioner while Angolan Inacio Manuel Candido will be the referee assessor.

The Super Eagles need only one point from Thursday’s clash to be sure of a ticket to the 35th AFCON, scheduled for Morocco 21st December 2025 – 18th January 2026.

Troy Deeney has ripped into Manchester United star Alejandro Garnacho and told him: ‘I don’t think football is for you.’

Ex-Premier League striker Deeney took aim at Garnacho after he offered a muted celebration following his late goal in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Leicester City.

The Red Devils continued their encouraging run of form in the post-Erik ten Hag era with an emphatic victory over Leicester at Old Trafford.

Garnacho put the icing on the cake with a stunning late goal but surprisingly refused to celebrate, with club captain Bruno Fernandes later offering an insight into his team-mate’s mindset.

‘It was a good day at work, I have to say,’ Fernandes said after the game. ‘We have a lot of players with big qualities, but people can get too excited after one game and too down after another.

‘Garnacho scored a banger but didn’t celebrate like he should because he thinks he has lost faith from some fans.

‘I told him people will always moan but lots of people like you and enjoy what you do.

‘I told him to celebrate, it was something special. He is a special player, we have difference makers.

‘They are the ones who win us games. We want them to score every game but that isn’t going to happen.’

Garnacho’s decision not to celebrate came a few days after he was confronted by a Manchester United fan and content creator outside Old Trafford ahead of the Europa League clash against PAOK.

The supporter told Garnacho to ‘pass better’ and ‘work on his first touch’ as he signed autographs for other fans.

A video of the incident went viral on social media, with Garnacho coldly replying: ‘Why are you not playing, man?’ before walking off.

Giving his take on Garnacho’s muted celebration, Watford legend Deeney told talkSPORT: ‘I said it last night on Match of the Day, and I’ll repeat it. It goes twofold.

‘One, it says what players are like nowadays, where their skin is so thin that one gentleman can say what he wants to say and everyone sulks.

‘And secondly, if he’s getting affected by that, I would say to him, just as an older pro: “I don’t think this football game is for you, big man”.

‘Because you play for the biggest club in world football. If you play poorly, you’re going to get people to get on your case.

‘If you play really well, you’re still going to get people to get on your case. You play for Man United.

‘It’s called jealousy and that’s part of the game. So, disappointed that he didn’t celebrate. It’s an unbelievable goal.

‘But this will be the making or breaking of him, because if he can’t handle that from one gentleman with an iPhone in his face, then I don’t think this is the game for him, unfortunately.’

Fellow talkSPORT pundit and ex-Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan added: ‘What you saw on the weekend was the absolute embodiment of the culture of Man United, and the problem they’ve got in that dressing room where that kid doesn’t celebrate that goal.

‘The reason why he doesn’t celebrate is because he’s had some hurty words said about him, or people have been critical of his performances. That is all you need to know.

Ecuador and LDU Quito footballer Marco Angulo has died from his injuries following a car crash at the age of 22.

Angulo was involved in a collision in Ecuador’s capital, Quito, in the early hours of October 7.

The promising young midfielder, capped three times by the Ecuador national team, was rushed to hospital and underwent surgery to release pressure inside his head resulting from the trauma.

He had also sustained a lung contusion which required a chest tube, though no active bleeding was discovered.

Messages of love and support have flooded in for Angulo in the intervening 35 days, but it was announced this morning that he had succumbed to his injuries.

Independiente Juniors defender Roberto Cabezas Simisterra and Victor Charcopa Nazareno, the cousin of Cuniburo Futbol Club star Diogo Nazareno, also died in the crash.

It is believed the Ford Explorer in which Angulo was travelling struck a metal structure on the Ruminahui highway in the southeast of Quito at around 4:30am.

‘With deep pain and sadness, we regret to report the death of our beloved player Marco Angulo,’ LDU Quito said in a statement this morning.

‘We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.

‘His departure is an irreparable loss that will leave an indelible mark on our hearts. Rest in peace.’

‘May you rest in peace,’ Ezequiel Piovi, LDU Quito’s captain, wrote on Instagram.

Angulo had been enjoying a loan spell with Ecuadorian outfit LDU Quito following a loan move from MLS side FC Cincinnati earlier this year.

The former Independiente Juniors star made 16 appearances in all competitions for LDU Quito, the most recent of which came against Orense in Ecuador’s top flight on October 6 – the day before the crash.

Having been called up to Ecuador’s senior squad for the first time in November 2022, Angulo would go on to make his international debut in a goalless draw with Iraq.

Angulo won his third and final cap as a second-half substitute in Ecuador’s 3-1 win over Bolivia back in June.