Former Super Eagles forward Victor Ikpeba has cautioned Nigeria’s CHAN Eagles not to underestimate the determination of Ghana’s Black Galaxies ahead of their crucial playoff return leg in Uyo on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.

The stakes are high, with the overall winner set to qualify for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), scheduled to take place in February 2025 across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The first leg in Accra ended goalless, leaving all to play for in the return fixture.

Former Borussia Dortmund striker and one-time Africa Footballer of the Year Ikpeba urged Nigeria’s home-based stars to seize the moment.

“The CHAN Eagles must fight because this is one game that Ghana do not want to lose,” Ikpeba told SuperSport.

“We all remember what happened with the Super Eagles against the same Ghana for the 2022 World Cup.”

Ikpeba highlighted the significance of qualification, not just for national pride but also for the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and its players.

“This is a big chance for the league and home-based players to show what they are capable of,” he added.

“Many of us have had our reservations about the players in the NPFL, particularly going by their performance on the continent.”

In preparation for the decisive clash, the CHAN Eagles have bolstered their squad by recalling five players, including forwards Samuel Ayanrinde (Shooting Stars) and Sunday Megwo (Abia Warriors).

Both are expected to add firepower to Nigeria’s attack with their physicality and goal-scoring prowess.

Midfielder Kazeem Ogunleye (Enugu Rangers), Vincent Temitope (Plateau United), and Badmus Gbadamosi (Kwara United) also return to the fold after being initially omitted from the trip to Ghana.

The team is already in Uyo and have been training twice a day, focusing on securing a crucial victory on home soil.

The match against Ghana kicks off at 5 pm on Saturday, with Nigeria looking to redeem recent setbacks against Ghana and secure a spot in Africa’s prestigious tournament for home-based players.

The Joint Technical Committee for the 22nd National Sports Festival, Ogun 2024, has approved an adjustment of the Games’ dates to allow the Games reflect the new direction of sports in the country and also provide more time for the implementation of recommendations made during the joint technical meeting.

According to a communiqué jointly signed by the Director General of the National Sports Commission/Chairman of the Main Organizing Committee, Hon. Adebukola Olopade, and the Honourable Commissioner for Sports Development, Ogun State, Hon. Wasiu Isiaka, the Gateway Games will now take place from May 16 to 30, 2025. Additionally, the zonal eliminations for team sports are scheduled to hold from February 23 to 28, 2025.

During the deliberations, the committee commended the Federal Government for its political will to develop sports in Nigeria through the creation of a dedicated Commission to manage sports affairs. They also lauded the Executive Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince Adedapo Oluseun Abiodun, MFR, as well as the Government and the good people of Ogun State, for their warm reception, hospitality, and commitment to successfully hosting and organizing the 22nd National Sports Festival.

Commendations were also extended to Chief Kunle Soname and the management of Babcock University for their support towards the organization of the Games.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Hon. Olopade explained that “in the spirit of the new definition of sports organization in Nigeria, creating an ecosystem of economic sustainability by Mr President, there was a need to push it forward to capture all of those elements together, he said.” “This would also get the Commission to settle down properly. We’re excited for the new date and the extra five months to put everything together and show the whole country what capacity is all about.”

Explaining the new initiative coming the 2024 NSF, Hon. Olopade said “when you think about the Invited Junior Athletes (IJA) initiative, where young promising athletes will compete as a 38th state, it is a promising move towards fostering development of our best young talents and it’s happening for the first time in the history of the Games.”

“It’s a strategy to empower young and promising talents, and create a pathway for them to be exposed at the top level. These athletes will compete against established athletes hoping to upset the status quo. It speaks to the core of what President Tinubu has asked of us to do,” the DG concluded.

The 1st Joint Technical Meeting for the 22nd National Sports Festival took place on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at the Banquet Hall, Mitros Residence and Suites, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The meeting was preceded by a technical assessment and inspection of the proposed venues and facilities for the Games, conducted by all major stakeholders present at the Joint Technical Meeting.

As part of the resolutions, it was agreed that a 2nd Joint Technical Meeting and Inspection Visit would be necessary to ensure that all observed issues have been adequately addressed ahead of the Games.

Many young football stars around the world have fallen victim to fake football agents who promise them career growth abroad, Soccernet.ng reports.

Nigerian youngster Moses Yamlak Jerry is the latest victim of such a scam, and his ordeal took a violent turn in Serbia.

Jerry shared a harrowing video on social media, revealing his swollen face and bloodied lips as evidence of a brutal assault by a Serbian man who had lured him to the country with false promises of a professional football career.

What Happened?
Moses disclosed that the fake agent had been extorting $1,500 monthly from his sponsor, assuring him that he would secure a contract with a football club upon his arrival in Serbia.

“I came into contact with a fake agent in Serbia. The agent has been collecting a lot of money from my sponsor—$1,500 every month. He promised that when I come over, I will go to a club and sign a contract,” Moses said in the video.

However, the agent knew that Jerry, being underage, was ineligible to sign a professional contract. The agent’s repeated demands eventually led Jerry’s sponsor to withdraw from the agreement, leaving the player stranded in Serbia.

After Jerry asked the agent to arrange a ticket back to Nigeria, tensions escalated, resulting in a violent altercation.

“I told him if there was a way to get a ticket back home, I would be grateful. The man said he didn’t have money for a ticket and that I should listen to him because he’s a good person. Later, he got angry and used a fork to stab my lip and smashed a chair on my head,” Jerry recounted.

Drogba’s Warning

Former Ivorian international Didier Drogba has previously warned young African talents to be cautious of fake agents. Speaking to Soccernet.ng, Drogba emphasised that aspiring players should focus on their on-field performance to attract genuine opportunities.

“Your best agent is not the guy you trust. The best agent you can have is yourself and your performance. This never lies,” Drogba said.

He added: “Exceptional performance attracts clubs’ attention. Many young players think an agent will find them a club, but that’s not how it works. Perform first, and if an agent approaches you, ensure they are listed on FIFA’s agent directory.”

NFF Intervenes
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has stepped in to assist Moses Jerry. The young player is no longer in contact with the fraudulent agent, identified as Ivan Trajkovic, a Slovenian with a Serbian passport.

According to reports, the Nigerian football body has relocated Moses to a safe location while addressing the situation.

Soccernet.ng