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Super Eagles Will Fly High Again – Siasia

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New Super Eagles’ head coach Samson Siasia has promised to bring about a new Super Eagles team that would satisfy the yearnings of all Nigerians.

Speaking after being unveiled by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as the coach to take full charge of the team, Siasia said he was going to work hard to weave a new team.

“I promise to do everything humanly possible to make sure the Super Eagles fly. This Super Eagles must fly again,’’ he said.

Siasia was officially presented as the new Eagles head coach at an unveiling ceremony held at the Abuja National Stadium.

The former Eagles’ striker, however, urged Nigerian football stakeholders against undue optimism about the team, saying the team’s success was a collective responsibility.

“It is now no longer a matter of whether we are sure Siasia is the right coach for the team, he has been appointed and he is now the coach. The issue is that we all have to work.

“We have to work for the team and Nigeria to succeed, and if we don’t succeed, it is not going to be Siasia alone, but Nigeria as a whole,’’ he said.

Siasia acknowledged the overwhelming support of Nigerians he received on the way to being appointed, and said he was grateful to all.

“I just want to thank God for all this, and many others, especially all the players along the way, because I won’t have been here without all your support.

“This has taken so long. It has been dragging for too long, but today I am grateful to God for allowing this day to come, and I thank all Nigerians for all their belief, support and prayers,’’ he said.

Speaking earlier on the occasion, Sports Minister/Chairman, National Sports Commission (NSC), Alhaji Isa Bio, had praised the NFF for expediting action on the issue of appointing a head coach for the Super Eagles.

“We at the NSC are very pleased with what the NFF is doing, and the way they have sped up action on appointing a coach for the Eagles, and I see Siasia enjoying a good relationship with the federation,’’ he said.

Bio, who was represented by the NSC Director-General, Dr Patrick Ekeji, remarked that Siasia’s appointment was well deserved based on his pedigree and achievements.

“He deserves it based on what we all know, having brought up good teams that culminated in our outing at the Beijing Olympics in China in 2008, and it is just logical that he should handle same players at the senior team.

“But God’s time is always the best, and it is Providence that has made it this way,’’ he said.

While presenting Siasia, NFF President Aminu Maigari had said the coach’s appointment was a way of delivering on a promise.

“We gave a promise to Nigerians on this a few months ago when we came in, and this explains the speedy manner in getting a coach for the Eagles. It is an indication of our desire to uplift our football,’’ he said.

Maigari said the NFF had found Siasia to be competent and desirous of leading the team to greater heights, and promised him a free hand to operate.

“His duties have been well captured in the contract papers he is signing today, and we won’t be disclosing the details because of the confidentiality clause in it.

“But it is a four-year contract renewable upon satisfactory performances. It is performance-based, and Siasia has the liberty of picking his immediate assistant, while the NFF will pick the other backroom staff,’’ he said.

Maigari, however, told Siasia on the need to “hit the ground running’’ because of the enormity of his assignment.

“You must hit the ground running, as both the NFF and the generality of Nigerians want immediate results. Your choice is good and beautiful, especially as it is the choice of most Nigerians.

“I, however, appeal to all Nigerians to give Siasia all the desired support for him to perform. We have confidence that he can do it, but he still needs the support of all to do that,’’ he said.

Siasia’s appointment took effect from December 1.

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Lewandowski Leads Top Stars Missing From W/Cup Roll Call 

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Gianluigi Donnarumma

Gialuigui Donnarumma (Italy and Man City)

One of the greatest strikers of the past 15 years, Poland’s Robert Lewandowski, is among the big names who will not be playing at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, the United States and Mexico.

The 37-year-old Barcelona striker, who has scored 89 goals for his country, was not able to inspire his side as they lost 3-2 in Stockholm against Sweden in Tuesday’s play-off final.

Lewandowski, who won the German Bundesliga title on 10 occasions, twice with Borussia Dortmund and then in eight successive seasons with Bayern Munich, before winning La Liga twice with Barca, may have played in his last major international tournament.

Lewandowski captained Poland at the World Cup in 2018, but did not score in Russia as his country came bottom of the group. He had a better tournament four years later in Qatar, scoring twice as Poland reached the last 16 before losing to France.

He netted four times in Group G in 2026 qualifying only for Poland to finish three points behind the Netherlands, before losing to Sweden on Tuesday.

Gianluigi Donnarumma

Gialuigui Donnarumma (Italy and Man City)

Another star that will be missing in action at the mundial is Gialuigui Donnarumma of Italy.

Italy lost in the World Cup play-offs for a third successive qualifying tournament

Gianluigi Donnarumma has been one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season since he moved from Paris St-Germain for £26m in September, after helping the French club win the Champions League last season.

Despite being player of the tournament as Italy won the 2020 European Championship, he misses out on a World Cup again after Italy lost 4-1 on penalties to Bosnia-Herzegovina on Tuesday.

Serhou Guirassy

Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund and Guinea)

Serhou Guirassy is Fourth in the list of Bundesliga top scorers this season

Serhou Guirassy has established himself as one of most prolific strikers playing in Europe, with 62 goals in the German Bundesliga over the past three seasons, while no player scored more than his 13 goals in the Champions League in 2024-25.

But he will not be at the World Cup as his country Guinea went out in the first round of African qualifying, finishing fourth in their group, with only four wins and three draws from their 10 matches.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Georgia and PSG)

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia helped Paris St-Germain become European champions last season, scoring in the 5-0 final win over Inter Milan, and he came 12th in the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards.

But Georgia had a miserable campaign in World Cup qualifying as they only picked up three points from a group that contained Spain, Turkey and Bulgaria.

Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray and Nigeria)

Victor Osimhen has scored 26 goals for club and country this season

Victor Osimhen helped Napoli win Serie A in 2023 before moving to Galatasaray, where he grabbed 26 goals in 30 games to take them to the Turkish title last season.

Nigeria drew five of their 10 matches in the first group phase as they finished one point behind winners South Africa, but then had a second chance in the following play-off.

With Osimhen already substituted, Nigeria lost on penalties to DR Congo to miss out on the World Cup.

Dominik Szoboszlai

Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool and Hungary)

Dominik Szoboszlai has scored 12 goals for Liverpool this season

Liverpool and Hungary midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has impressed this season and scored some stunning long-range goals.

But he will not be at the World Cup after his country let a 2-1 lead slip in their final group game with the Republic of Ireland scoring twice in injury time to clinch a spot in the play-offs and eliminate Hungary.

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Para Games: Team Rivers Wins 53 Medals On Day 5 … Director Praise Athletes 

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Rivers para team has been impressive in the third edition of the competition. The first-timers have made a significant impact on the games.
Speaking at the event, the State Director of Sports, Obia Inyingikabo, who is the leader of the contingent, has praised her athletes for their commitment and determination to make the state proud.
According to her, the impressive performance of the athletes is unprecedented despite the fact that they relatively prepared late for completion.
“I am not in doubt that team Rivers in this competition will finish tops,” Inyingikabo said.
Meanwhile, below are the medals won by the para team Rivers.
Para table tennis:
14 gold, 6 silver, and 5 bronze,
Shooting, 1 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze. Cycling: 1 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze. Swimming: 1 gold, 2 bronze, Badminton: 1 gold and 1 silver. Para powerlifting: 1 gold and 1 bronze; para athletics: 1 gold, 4 silver, and 3 bronze.
Tonye Orabere

 

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Ondo Women Shine At Gov Diri Wrestling Classics

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Female wrestlers in action at Governor Diri Wrestling Classics. 

Ondo State wrestlers dominated the women’s events on Day six of the fourth Governor Douye Diri Wrestling Classics in Yenagoa on Monday, claiming gold medals in two of the four women’s freestyle categories.

African champion Khadijat Idris of Ondo State led the charge in the 55kg division, defeating rising talent Mary Ayeloh of Bayelsa State by technical superiority to claim gold. Happiness Soso of Delta State and Augustine Rhoda of Lagos State took bronze medals in the category.

Damola Ojo also flew the Ondo flag proudly in the 76kg event, retaining her title after defeating all opponents in a round-robin format. Nigeria Army wrestler Laide Ojo settled for silver, while Juliet Ogo of Bayelsa State and Mercy Alison of Abia State each claimed bronze.

In the 62kg category, Patience Kakanda of Bayelsa State produced the upset of the day, defeating Nigeria Army’s Precious Tieberi 3-1 in the final to be crowned the new champion. Isioma Abojei of Delta State and Blessing Apah of Dynamite Club won bronze medals.

Rivers State’s Esther Asaolu also retained her title in the 59kg division, overcoming all her opponents in the round-robin format, with Patience Opuene of Bayelsa State finishing as runner-up.

In the men’s events, Solomon Ulabo of Bayelsa State claimed gold in the 79kg category, with Kpum Ayibasisei of Edo State taking silver and Rasheed Saliu of Ondo State and Ebisindei Okorie of Dynamite Club winning bronze. NewLife Ebikeme of Bayelsa State won the 92kg gold, ahead of Perezidei Obaze of Edo State in silver position, while Tobechukwu Udeh of the Nigeria Army and Timilehin Adekanmi of Ondo State claimed bronze medals.

 

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