Sports
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
Atalanta put their PSG beating behind them with a dominant Serie A win, boosted by the return of Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman to the lineup for the first time in four months.
Atalanta have bounced back from a crushing defeat to PSG with a convincing Serie A victory, a match that saw the highly-anticipated return of Nigerian international Ademola Lookman to the pitch for the first time in four months.
The Super Eagles forward, whose recent absence was linked to a failed summer transfer and subsequent standoff with the club, came on for the final three minutes of the match against Torino, but it was his presence alone that signaled a shift in momentum for La Dea.
While Lookman watched from the bench, the team, under manager Ivan Juric, dominated the first half, taking a commanding 3-0 lead.
The attacking trio of Nikola Kristovic, Ghana’s Kamaldeen Sulemana, and Lazar Samardzic was in blistering form, putting the game to bed before the halftime whistle.
Kristovic was the star, bagging an impressive brace, while Sulemana found the back of the net once and provided an assist. Samardzic also contributed with a key assist, demonstrating the attacking firepower that Atalanta has at its disposal.
The emphatic win is a welcome relief for the club, which was humbled in a 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain just days earlier in the Champions League.
That result highlighted how much the team had missed the attacking spark of players like Lookman.
His return, even for a brief cameo, suggests that the club and player have mended their relationship, and he is now set to be a key figure in the team’s push to regain form and challenge for a top spot in Serie A.
Nottingham Forest new head coach Ange Postecoglou has revealed that he was looking forward to working with Nigeria defender Ola Aina before his injury.
The 28-year-old played 87 minutes against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in the first of Nigeria’s two games during the September International break.
However, he had to be taken off inside ten minutes at the Free State Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein as the Super Eagles played a 1-1 draw against South Africa, as Nigeria’s World Cup hopes hit the rocks.
Aina’s injury came as a big blow for Ange as he missed his first game in charge against Arsenal. After the extent of the injury was confirmed, the former Australian manager mentioned he’s looking forward to working with the Super Eagles defender.
Atalanta fans are furious with Ademola Lookman, unveiling banners condemning his attempted move to Inter Milan
The Super Eagles forward has been excluded from Atalanta’s 23-man Serie A squad amid escalating tensions
Club director Tony D’Amico confirms sanctions and future decision pending when the transfer window closes
Ademola Lookman’s once bright relationship with Atalanta fans has turned sour after the Nigerian forward’s failed attempt to force a move to Serie A rivals Inter Milan.
The 27-year-old Super Eagles star has become the target of intense criticism from the club’s ultras, and supporters have unveiled demeaning banners and even mocked the Nigerian forward with the new nickname “Guipiman,” a street cleaner.
The outrage has reached a point where some fans have boldly declared they would rather see Atalanta relegated to Serie B than watch Lookman don their shirt again, This Day reports.
Curva Nord 1907, one of the most vocal supporter groups, displayed a banner reading:
“The shirt must be honoured. Another piece of b*llshit will not be tolerated,” Nigeria Stories interpretes in a post.
This hostility stems from Lookman’s attempt to push through a summer transfer to Inter Milan, a move seen by fans as a betrayal given the fierce rivalry between the two clubs.
Lookman’s fallout with Atalanta escalated when Inter Milan submitted a €45 million bid earlier in the summer, only for the Bergamo club to reject it.
Frustrated, the 2024 CAF Player of the Year winner filed a formal transfer request and accused the Bergamo club of broken promises and poor treatment both professionally and personally, after Inter walked away from the deal.
In protest, Lookman reportedly went AWOL, abandoning training sessions, further souring relations with Atalanta’s management and fans.
Despite returning to pre-season training, the Nigerian forward was left out of Atalanta’s 23-man squad for their opening Serie A fixture against newly-promoted Pisa.
This exclusion signals how deeply fractured the relationship has become. Sports director Tony D’Amico confirmed that Lookman is not training with the group and admitted Atalanta’s disappointment with the situation, per Score Nigeria.
What next for Lookman and Atalanta?
The saga has cast a shadow over Atalanta’s preparations for the new season.
According to Daily Post, Sporting director D’Amico stressed that the Bergamo club will evaluate Lookman’s future only after the transfer window closes on September 1. Until then, the Nigerian forward remains in limbo.
“Right now, there’s disappointment. We are sorry for everyone, but we will make assessments at the end of the transfer window,” D’Amico said.
Inter Milan have since pulled out of the move to sign Lookman after failing to meet Atalanta’s €50 million valuation, leaving the forward’s options limited.
With two years left on his contract, the forward risks facing heavy sanctions from the club, including possible fines or prolonged exclusion from the squad.
For Atalanta fans, however, the damage appears already done. Whether Lookman stays or leaves, his once-celebrated status in Bergamo has been tarnished by a transfer saga.
Click to see Nigeria Stories interpretes in a post here
BREAKING: Atalanta supporters have erected a banner with a clear message targeted at Nigerian footballer Ademola Lookman after his return to training earlier this week saying :
“Honour the jersey, more bulls*** will not be justified.” pic.twitter.com/v5EklU4Nz9
— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) August 23, 2025
Join Our WhatsApp Channel https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6MjoWICVfrgvYOI845
For Hot Breaking News, Business, Political, Entertainment, Lifestyle and Sports…telling it as it is…. Visit – www.dailyvoice.ng
Email: infodailyvoiceng@gmail.com
Atiba Varsity Tasks New Staff, Places Premium On Academic Excellence
Tell Trump This: Primate Ayodele Sends Warning To Donald Trump In New Prophecy
