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NFF fiddling as Super Eagles go into friendlies without coach

There is nobody in charge of the Super Eagles as we speak.

No head coach. No interim. No substantive coach.

It has been over a week since the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, officially confirmed that the role was vacant.

The federation had kept mute for several days after Jose Peseiro took to social media to say his goodbyes to the players and fans.

After the NFF’s advertisement for a new manager, the next time they put out any information was announcing a 26-man squad for friendly matches this month against Ghana and Mali.

And true to pattern, one week for the games, we don’t know who will take charge of the team. We don’t even know who picked the players for the fixtures.

“I think the coaching situation is unfortunate,” Deji Faremi, co-owner of Busy Buddies and a sports analyst, tells DAILY POST.

“They knew over a month ago that they wouldn’t continue with Jose Peseiro, that’s when they should have planned and approached other candidates.

“Even Côte d’Ivoire whose coach jumped ship during AFCON have replaced their coach.

“These friendlies are very crucial, and this is poor planning.

“There’s no sense to it. We are fortunate the World Cup qualifiers aren’t until June.”

While describing it as indecisiveness and poor planning within the Glass House, he added: “What will happen is that we will likely waste the opportunity to learn much from the friendly games, and have a coach who can use those games to understand his team better.

“Whoever comes in will be in temporarily.

“Not a situation I thought we would find ourselves in after reaching the AFCON final.”

The NFF claimed it has received over 100 applications for the Super Eagles job.

This comes amid calls for a domestic coach to be put in charge of the three-time African champions.

Names like Emmanuel Amuneke, Augustine Equavoen, Samson Siasia and Sunday Oliseh are being bandied around.

In Faremi’s opinion, it is very likely to happen.

He said: “That’s a strong possibility, yes.

“For one, they can spend less. Because money has been an issue for the NFF in recent times.

“I don’t think it matters. What I care about is how competent the person is.”

So, what are the expectations and targets from Peseiro’s replacement?

“Most important thing will be to get Nigeria to the top of that World Cup qualifiers table.

“The style and method of play is a different thing entirely; we just need to focus on the results right now,” Faremi added.

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Could Man Utd Get Sucked Into Premier League Relegation Fight?

Could Man Utd Get Sucked Into Premier League Relegation Fight?

Ruben Amorim increasingly has the look of a man with regrets. Since taking over as Manchester United manager, the Portuguese has won just four out of 10 fixtures in all competitions with Thursday’s 2-0 defeat to Wolves the latest disappointing result to highlight the trouble being experienced by the Old Trafford outfit.

United deserved to lose at Molineux. Bruno Fernandes’ mindless red card reduced his team to 10 men with Wolves able to make the most of its advantage through goals from Matheus Cunha and Hwang Hee-chan. This was Manchester United’s third straight defeat after losses to Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth.

When Amorim arrived at Old Trafford, there was a chance that Manchester United could have mounted a late challenge for a Champions League qualification place. Now, United is slumped in 14th place in the Premier League table, 11 points off the top four. The Red Devils are closer to the bottom three.

In fact, the way Manchester United is playing right now, it’s not impossible that it could get sucked into the relegation fight at the foot of the table. Amorim and his players will face Newcastle United and table-toppers Liverpool before the end of the festive stretch of fixtures, meaning even darker days could come in the near future.

 

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“The little things stuck with me” – Super Eagles star credits his Father for Christmas charity act

“The little things stuck with me” – Super Eagles star credits his Father for Christmas charity act

Super Eagles and Fulham attacking midfielder, Alex Chuka Iwobi, has revealed his Father played a huge role in his Christmas charity event a few days ago, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 28-year-old opened a shop in East London under the name “AlexPress“, and stuffed it with food and groceries to give back to the people of the community where he grew up.

Iwobi revealed his Father played a huge role in the act, as he made sure kindness was instilled into the family by showing examples even in the little things.

“Even now, my dad, for example, if we’re going to the shop to get a one-pound drink, he’d give the guy in charge five pounds and tell him to keep the rest. When the bin men came, he’d make sure he was awake when they came around just so he could give them extra bottles of water. Little things like that stuck with me.

My mum and dad do that, and even my sisters do the same. We just like to help other people, especially family. Seeing my parents do that, and being in a position like I am, it’s only right that I give back to the community.

“I was able to create AlexPress, a little mini-mart. The shop is like a road away from the primary school I went to, so we were able to hire that for the day and basically invite as many people to collect Christmas food for their families.

So many people were able to leave with a smile on their faces and it makes it easier for them to enjoy Christmas because I know the cost of living is not easy, so I try to help in any way I can,” the former Everton man told Fulham’s official website.

Away from Iwobi, another Super Eagles star, Victor Osimhen, also gave food items and tricycles to locals of Olusosun, in Lagos, Nigeria – the town where he went from being a boy to being a man.

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Napoli’s Osimhen and Leverkusen’s Boniface Light Up Lagos With ‘Detty’ December Celebration

Napoli’s Osimhen and Leverkusen’s Boniface Light Up Lagos With ‘Detty’ December Celebration

Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface recently brought the festive season to life in Lagos with an unforgettable December celebration, Soccernet.ng reports.

The two Super Eagles stars joined in the city’s vibrant “detty” December festivities, dancing and relaxing at a club with their peers.

In a video shared on social media, Osimhen, currently in top form with Galatasaray in Turkey, can be seen dancing to a song played in the club, while injured Boniface enjoys a drink from his cup.

Boniface and Osimhen’s Bond
Both players are key figures in the Super Eagles squad. Boniface, seen as the potential replacement for Osimhen when the talisman is injured or on the bench, shares a close bond with his teammate.

After winning the Bundesliga title with Leverkusen last season, Boniface recalled how Osimhen predicted his rise in the German league.

“Shout out to [Victor] Osimhen because I remember when they [Napoli] won the league. He told me next year will be your turn and it’s happening now. Senior man respect,” Boniface told Soccernet.ng.

Even on Boniface’s 24th birthday, Osimhen took to social media to celebrate his teammate:

“Birthday blessings starboy! Only love and well wishes over here man. See you soon!”

Off the pitch, Boniface values his relationship with Osimhen and recently named the Napoli forward as the most valuable contact on his phone. The former Union SG player has also praised Osimhen for his impressive performances at club level.

Osimhen and Boniface: Big in the Transfer Market
The two Super Eagles stars have attracted the attention of top European clubs looking to strengthen their squads.

Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and Arsenal, have previously been linked with both players, and one of them may soon make a move to England.

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