Super Eagles’ World Cup Hope Alive, Says Yobo

Published

1 year ago

June 24, 2025

Super Eagles' World Cup Hope Alive, Says Yobo

Former Super Eagles skipper, Joseph Yobo, has urged Nigerians not to write off the Eagles’ qualification to the 2026 World Cup as their fate is not sealed yet.

He stated this in an interview on the sidelines of the Troost-Ekong Charity match held at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos, on Monday.

Yobo, a former Everton FC of England defender, urged Nigerians to get behind the team in their quest to reach the 2026 World Cup coming up in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Super Eagles face a dire situation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, in fourth position from six matches in their qualifying Group C with seven points.

Nigeria is currently six points behind South Africa, who lead the group with 13 points, with four games left in the series.

Eric Chelle’s men must win all their remaining four matches to qualify.

The Eagles will play Rwanda at home, South Africa away in September, while their last two games involving Lesotho will be away and the Benin Republic at home in October.

Yobo said that the Eagles being in a tight corner would still qualify.

“Tough space, but there is a possibility, we have been in that space before; for this team, they should know how to grind out results.

“They need to play as a group united and ensure that they get the result needed, it doesn’t mean we have to play well, getting a win is the most important thing.

“If we drop any point from the group again, then we are out of the race,” he said.

Yobo expressed confidence in the current class of the Super Eagles and their ability to turn the tables.

“I believe in this set of players because I have been an Assistant Coach with them and I know what they can do.

“Sometimes these types of circumstances wake us up, maybe we play for a couple of games more,” he said.

On his future in a coaching role, Yobo was yet to decide what the future holds for him as a coach, adding that the role was not enticing to him.

“I have tried coaching, but not too good experience.

“I have played, I have been the leader and the captain of the team for my club. I don’t really think I am ready for it because coaching has to be enticing before you get into it.

“I am a vocal person, and I am also close to all coaches I have interacted with before, so sometimes it is something I don’t want to say.

“The football world should make coaching more enticing so that the players who retired will want to come back and coach, but we are not there yet,” he said.

“Until they start bringing the senior players back to the league.

“The former players should be part and make them have the feelings that they can coach may be it will get better.

“I have been in that space, I have tried it and love it, but will I sacrifice my personal business for a coaching job now? I don’t think so,” he queried.

Yobo described his experience at Everton FC of England as indelible in his history.

“I have mixed feelings when I was invited to be part of the Everton FC movement to a new stadium, but I couldn’t make it to the opening of the new stadium.

“I spent nine years at Goodison Park, and it has been part of me. I was emotional because I am familiar with every space in the stadium, from the changing room to the pitch.

“I am happy that they are moving to a bigger and better stadium because football is business.

“Goodison Park is a small stadium with 40,000, now they are moving to a bigger space for more business opportunities and more views,” he said..

“My debut with Everton FC was the most special moment for me in the club, the last game was also special,” he said.

Punchng.com

Super Eagles: Ex-Chelsea Star Takes First Step To Dump France For Nigeria

Published

2 days ago

July 24, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle might get a new option to pick from, as a player with dual nationality is set to switch allegiances to Nigeria, Soccernet.ng reports.

This comes as former Chelsea midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu has taken his first few steps to switch allegiances from France to Nigeria.

The 22-year-old midfielder was born in France to Nigerian parents, and he represented France at youth level.

However, he is 22 now and cannot play youth-level football anymore. He is due for the senior team, but he has yet to receive an official call-up to the senior Les Bleus team. But according to FIFA rules, a player can still switch allegiances to Nigeria. As a result, the Super Eagles door is still open.

It appears that the former Chelsea man is willing to try that route. In the summer, he was in Nigeria and was even spotted playing football with Super Eagles star Kelechi Iheanacho in Owerri.

Now, reports have emerged that he has started the process of acquiring his Nigerian passport which will make him a bonafide Nigerian.

Once Ugochukwu gets his Nigerian passport, the next thing for him will be to switch his nationality with world football governing body FIFA so he can start playing for the Super Eagles.

A player of Ugochukwu’s profile would be a good fit for Eric Chelle’s system and he can give Nigeria a few good years.

The 22-year-old is originally a defensive midfielder, but he is more of a box-to-box player. He is physically strong, has composure on the ball, and is a decent carrier. The Rennes academy product also has the work rate which is needed to thrive in Chelle’s system.

His switch to the Super Eagles would provide healthy competition and depth in Nigeria’s midfield, and he can also chip in with the odd goal.

Ugochukwu just completed a loan move from Burnley to Galatasaray, and he will be looking to produce top performances for his new employers.

Sports

FULL LIST: Top 16 Ballon d’Or Contenders After 2026 World Cup

Published

4 days ago

July 21, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

The race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or has intensified following Spain’s FIFA World Cup triumph, with England captain Harry Kane emerging as the bookmakers’ favourite to win football’s most prestigious individual award.

According to odds published by the Independent UK, citing Betfair, on Tuesday, Kane leads the contenders ahead of Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and Argentina captain Lionel Messi.

Kane strengthened his credentials after finishing the World Cup with six goals and becoming England’s all-time leading scorer at the tournament.

The performance added to his already staggering 2025–2026 campaign, where he scored 72 goals and provided 7 assists in 61 appearances for Bayern Munich and England. Kane won three trophies with Bayern Munich, finished third at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and claimed the European Golden Shoe.

Spain’s World Cup-winning duo of Yamal and Rodri, who won the 2024 Ballon d’Or, also rank among the leading contenders after helping their country lift the trophy. Messi remains firmly in the race after leading the Albiceleste to a second consecutive World Cup final, despite missing out on FIFA’s Golden Ball award to Rodri.

Messi won his eighth Ballon d’Or in 2023, partly thanks to Argentina winning 2022 FIFA World Cup
At 39, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner recorded 8 goals and 4 assists before also missing out on the Golden Boot to France star Kylian Mbappe by two goals.
Mbappé once again proved his elite status. In a prolific 2025–2026 campaign for Real Madrid, he became La Liga and Champions League top scorer.
He is also the 2026 World Cup top scorer and became the all-time leading scorer with 22 goals.

Manchester City and Norway striker, Erling Haaland, also enjoyed another prolific season, scoring 27 Premier League goals and eight in the UEFA Champions League.
He carried that form into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring seven goals in five games to inspire Norway to a historic first-ever quarter-final appearance.

Erling Haaland #9 of Norway celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I match between Iraq and Norway at Boston Stadium on June 16, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
France’s Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise and England midfielder Jude Bellingham are also among the favourites.

The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony is scheduled to take place in London on October 26.

Top 16 Ballon d’Or favourites (Betfair odds):

Harry Kane – 13/8
Lamine Yamal – 9/4
Lionel Messi – 11/4
Kylian Mbappe – 7/2
Rodri – 9/2
Ousmane Dembele – 14/1
Jude Bellingham – 14/1
Michael Olise – 20/1
Erling Haaland – 22/1
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – 28/1
Declan Rice – 28/1
Vitinha – 28/1
Fabian Ruiz – 33/1
Vinicius Jr. – 40/1
Bruno Fernandes – 50/1
Desire Doue – 50/1

Sports

Chelsea To Seal £117m Morgan Rogers Deal, Villa Replace Him With Joao Gomes

Published

5 days ago

July 20, 2026

Uthman Abdulganiyu

Chelsea are on the brink of completing a British record deal for Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers after the England international arrived for a medical earlier today, July 20, ahead of his proposed £117 million switch to Stamford Bridge.

According to Sky Sports, Morgan Rogers is expected to sign a six-year contract, with Chelsea holding the option to extend the deal by a further 12 months until 2033, provided he comes through his medical.

The 23-year-old returned from the United States on Sunday after helping England secure third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and is now set to finalise his move in the coming days.

Chelsea acted decisively to beat Arsenal to Rogers’ signature after the Gunners refused to match Villa’s asking price, despite identifying him as their leading attacking target. The agreed fee will set a new British transfer record.

Rogers’ departure marks another major change in Aston Villa’s midfield, with the club already moving to strengthen Unai Emery’s squad.

Villa have confirmed the signing of Brazil international Joao Gomes from Wolves in a deal worth up to £38 million. The agreement includes an initial £34 million payment, with a further £4 million in performance-related add-ons.

**Joao Gomes during his unveiling as an Aston Villa player.**

The 25-year-old had also attracted interest from Atletico Madrid but left Wolves’ pre-season training camp in Portugal last week to complete his medical before sealing the move to Villa Park.

Gomes becomes Villa’s second high-profile midfield signing in quick succession after the club completed a deal worth more than £50 million for Freiburg’s Johan Manzambi on Friday, beating Newcastle United to the Switzerland international.

Villa’s transfer activity follows a difficult spell in midfield. Amadou Onana has been ruled out until next year after sustaining a serious knee injury while on World Cup duty with Belgium. The club have also sold Youri Tielemans to Manchester United for £35 million.

Gomes leaves Wolves after making 130 appearances and scoring seven goals since joining from Brazilian side Flamengo in 2023. He featured 41 times last season as Wolves endured a disappointing campaign that ended with relegation after finishing bottom of the Premier League.