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Rohr Equals Amodu’s Record As Eagles Most-Capped Coach

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Gernot Rohr equalled Shaibu Amodu as the coach with the most games for the Super Eagles in their 2-0 win over Liberia in Tangier, Morocco last Saturday.
The game was Rohr’s 53rd as Eagles coach, same as Amodu, who had several stints with the national team between 2001 and 2015.
Rohr was appointed Eagles coach on August 5, 2016, after stints in Gabon, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
The Franco-German replaced Sunday Oliseh, who resigned as Eagles coach six months earlier.
His first game in charge of the Eagles was against Tanzania on September 3, 2016, in the final game of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, winning 1-0.
He went on to win his next two games 2-1 against Zambia and 3-1 against Algeria in the 2018 World Cup qualifying games.
His first defeat came in Nigeria’s first match in the 2019 AFCON qualifiers, losing 2-0 to South Africa at the GodswillAkpabio International Stadium, Uyo, June 10, 2017.
Out of the 53 games, he has managed the Eagles, Rohr has won 28, drawn 12, and lost 13 times, garnering a 52.83 per cent win ratio.
The former Niger coach enjoyed his best winning streak of four games between September 8, 2018, and October 16, 2018, defeating Seychelles 3-0, Liberia 2-1, and Libya twice 4-0 and 3-2.
The streak also extended to not losing in the five next games, amassing his best non-losing streak of nine games, extending until June 8, 2019.
This was however stopped by Senegal, who defeated Nigeria 1-0 in an international friendly on June 16, 2019, at the Ismaila Stadium, Egypt in the build-up to the 2019 AFCON.
The 68-year-old had his longest losing streak of three games between June 2, 2018, to June 16, 2018, losing to England 2-1, Czech 1-0 and Croatia 2-0.
His most popular scoreline is a 1-0 victory which he secured eight times, while his highest winning margin is 4-0 — against Cameroon in the 2018 World Cup qualifier on September 1, 2017, and against Libya in the 2019 AFCON qualifier on October 13, 2018.
The 4-4 draw against Sierra Leone on November 13, 2020, in the 2021 AFCON qualifier in Benin, Edo State was the game with the highest number of goals involved.
It was also the same time he had his longest winless streak of five games after he had earlier lost 2-0 to Serbia on March 27, 2018, before playing a 1-1 draw against DR Congo on May 28, 2018.
He has played against Cameroon the most, five times, winning twice, two draws and losing once.
In his five years in charge, Rohr has used a total of 82 players, with vice-captain William Troost-Ekong his most-capped player with 47 games for the national team under the current gaffer, one ahead of captain Ahmed Musa.
Alex Iwobi is third, playing 44 times, while Wilfred Ndidi has played 40 games for the Eagles under Rohr to place fourth ahead of Leon Balogun, who is fifth with 35 appearances.
OdionIghalo, who made his Eagles return after over two years’ absence, is Rohr’s most prolific striker with 13 goals ahead of Osimhen and Iwobi with nine goals each.
Rohr has led Nigeria to two competitions, crashing out of the group stage at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, before winning the bronze medal at the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.
Rohr broke the record with the highest number of national teams games managed for Nigeria when the Eagles host Cape Verde in their final group game of the 2021 AFCON qualifier at the TeslimBalogun Stadium, Lagos, yesterday.

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European Giants Circle For Osimhen

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Victor Osimhen will be the centre of attention as several of Europe’s biggest clubs send scouts to yesrerday’s Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, with the Nigerian forward set to play a decisive role in the Super Lig title race

Representatives from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Juventus were expected to be present at Rams Park, underlining the scale of interest in both the fixture and its standout performers.

Reports in Turkish media indicate that the derby will serve not only as a key moment in the domestic title race but also as a platform for transfer discussions and strategic collaborations between clubs.

According to those reports, top European sides have secured places at the stadium with a dual purpose.

“Europe’s leading representatives will be present at the stadium within the framework of both player transfer and cooperation,” ,” Milliyet reported.

“Real Madrid, Barcelona, among many clubs, including Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Napoli and Juventus, have made reservations for today’s match.”

Osimhen was expected to be among the primary players under observation, alongside teammates Baris Yilmaz and Gabriel Sara, with scouts closely monitoring their performances in one of the most high-profile fixtures in Turkish football.

The report further noted, “Victor Osimhen, Yilmaz and Sara were at the top of the watch list and that the interest would mainly be in these players.”

It also highlighted broader discussions beyond player recruitment, stating, “Apart from this, ideas will be exchanged for strengthening relations between the clubs and new joint agreements.”

The Nigerian striker’s presence came at a crucial point in the season, with Galatasaray holding a four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce and knowing that victory would all but secure the league title with three matches remaining.

Osimhen recently returned from injury, making a brief appearance in the cup defeat to Genclerbirligi after missing four games, a period during which Galatasaray’s form showed signs of inconsistency.

His absence coincided with a mixed run of results in April, where the league leaders recorded two wins, one draw and one defeat, including a loss to Trabzonspor and a draw at home to Kocaelispor.

Defensively, Galatasaray have also shown vulnerability, conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions, a concern ahead of a fixture that could define their campaign.

The derby follows disappointment in the Turkish Cup, where Galatasaray suffered a shock 2-0 home defeat to Genclerbirligi, while Fenerbahce were also knocked out after a 1-0 loss to Konyaspor

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Tennis Event Boosts Grassroots Development Push

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A tennis tournament held in honour of Olusola Odumosu, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps FCT Command, has been described as a major step towards grassroots sports development and youth engagement.

The three-day competition, staged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja, began midweek , last week and ended on Friday, attracting young players across different categories.

On the court, top-ranked player Canice Abua won the men’s singles title after a hard-fought 7-5, 6-4 victory over Lucky Danjuma, who is ranked fourth nationally.

In the boys’ category, Unity Alex defeated Khaleed Dalha in straight sets to win the title, while Salvation Alex triumphed over Opeyemi Olademeji to win the girls’ singles event.

Odumosu, who marked his birthday with the event, said the initiative was designed to uncover young talent and strengthen the foundation of tennis development in Nigeria.

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W/Cup Qualifier: Flamingos In Impressive Opener

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Nigeria’s U-17 women’s team, the Flamingos, opened their preparations for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers with a dominant 6-0 victory over Generation Next in Abuja as head coach Akeem Ishola Busari continues to shape his squad.

The emphatic win came during a 60-minute friendly at the Goal Project at the weekend, where the Flamingos took control early and led 4-0 at half-time before the match was halted in the 54th minute due to heavy rain.

Goals were spread across the squad, with Shavih Istifanus opening the scoring inside the first minute, followed by a brace from Tobiloba Sarafa in the 10th and 23rd minutes.

Harmony Chidi added the fourth in the 28th minute, while Aminat Adebisi struck just before half-time and Precious Paul completed the scoring early in the second half.

The match forms part of a busy training camp in Abuja, where Busari has invited 36 players as Nigeria step up preparations for their second-round qualifier against Guinea.

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