Sports
Don’t Rely Too Much On Osimhen, Babangida Tells Chelle
Former Nigeria international Tijani Babangida has warned Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle against building the team solely around forward Victor Osimhen ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Babangida expressed concern over Nigeria’s over-dependence on the Galatasaray striker, particularly after the team’s struggles when Osimhen was substituted at half-time during the 2026 World Cup play-off defeat to DRCongo.
“It is dangerous that it appears that the Super Eagles are built around Victor Osimhen. It was when Osimhen was removed at the beginning of the second half against Congo that the team started to struggle. That is very bad,” Babangida told Tribal Football.
The former winger emphasised that the Super Eagles of his era were not dependent on a single player and urged Chelle to address the issue before the tournament.
“Chelle must impart this mentality to all the players, the attackers especially, that the team is not built around Osimhen. Any player given the nod to feature in any game must perform very well and play as a team.”
Babangida stressed that while a fully fit Osimhen is valuable, the team must maintain high morale regardless of his availability.
“We need a fully fit Osimhen, but we also need fully mentally prepared players who know that with or without Osimhen, Super Eagles can win. Morale should be high in the team whether Osimhen is there or not,” he added.
“Super Eagles should not be in a mess if Osimhen is injured. Chelle must address this issue because injury is part of the game. Osimhen’s absence in any game should not be the end of the world for Super Eagles.”
Nigeria have been drawn in Group C alongside Tanzania, Uganda, and Tunisia as they chase a fourth AFCON title.
Victor Osimhen has been crowned Sportsman of the Year at the 2025 GQ Türkiye Men of the Year Awards, DAILY POST reports.
Osimhen received the prestigious award at an elaborate ceremony on Wednesday night.
The Nigeria international was recognised for his contribution to Galatasaray’s domestic double last season.
The 26-year-old registered 37 goals and seven assists across all competitions for the Yellow and Reds.
Osimhen has already netted 11 goals in 14 matches for Okan Buruk’s side this season.
He is the first Nigerian to win the award.
Real Madrid boss, Xabi Alonso has suggested why his team lost 2-1 to Man City in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Speaking to the media in the press room after the game, Alonso suggested that Real Madrid were not at their best mentally against the visitors.
Recall that goals from Nico O’Reilly and Erling Haaland ensured Pep Guardiola’s side defeated the Los Blancos.
Rodrygo did score a goal for the Los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“It was a very competitive match with different moments. We started strongly with Rodrygo’s goal and a few other chances, but when you are not at your best mentally, in ten minutes they took the lead from very little, with the corner and the penalty,” Alonso said.
“The team kept going right until the end and has not lost face despite all the difficulties we are facing, like injuries.”
Real Madrid will now face Alaves in an away LaLiga tie in their next game this weekend.
Saudi Arabia says it will do “whatever it can” to recruit unsettled Liverpool star Mohamed Salah during the winter transfer window, a source at the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) told AFP on Tuesday.
“We follow Salah’s position thoroughly and believe there can be a move either by loan or buying his contract,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, referring to the standoff between the Egyptian and Liverpool.
There is still no direct negotiations or talks with the club at the moment but there will be a move at the right moment”
The PIF source said the wealthy Gulf monarchy wanted to sign the Egyptian winger in January during the next transfer window to join stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo in Saudi Arabia.
PIF holds a 75 per cent share in Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad, but the source said it was not alone in wanting the Arab world’s biggest football star.
“There is a competition inside the Saudi league who will bring Salah,” the source said adding that a club affiliated with Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil and gas company was keen. “Aramco’s Al Qadsiah has shown an interest too. So it’s not only the PIF affiliated clubs”
Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr, Salah’s former Liverpool team-mate Darwin Nunez is at Al-Hillal, another former Premier League player of the season N’Golo Kante is at Al-Ittihad but Salah is the biggest football star from an Arab country.
Salah said after he was an unused substitute in the 3-3 draw with Leeds on Sunday that he felt like he had been “thrown under the bus” by Liverpool and no longer had a relationship with manager Arne Slot.
The 33-year-old Egypt forward was then left out of Liverpool’s squad for their Champions League tie at Inter Milan on Tuesday.
Salah has played a key role in Liverpool’s two Premier League titles and one Champions League triumph during his iconic spell on Merseyside. He signed a contract extension in April as he led Liverpool to the title.
Salah is set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations after next weekend’s home match against Brighton in the Premier League.
He hinted the Brighton game could be his last with the Reds before leaving during the winter transfer window.
In 2024-25, Salah scored 29 goals and provided 18 assists last season but he has been a shadow of his former self during Liverpool’s struggles this season — the title-holders are 10th in the table — with just four goals in 13 top-flight appearances.
“All players have their ups and downs. Salah is just 33 and has a lot to do here,” said the PIF source.
“Salah is a beloved footballer around the globe and will have a massive impact on the Saudi League both on and off the pitch.”
TotalEnergies Sells 40% Stake In Nigerian Offshore Licences To Chevron
It’s Hard To Find Love In Lagos – Bnxn
NNPC’s N17.5tn Pipeline Security, Fuel Subsidy Bill
-
Business1 day agoDollar To Naira Exchange Rate Today, December 10th, 2025
-
News2 days agoBible, Quran Don’t Forbids It: Sheikh Gumi Defends Negotiating With Terrorists
-
News1 day agoReps Summon Ministers Over Budget Underperformance
-
News1 day agoUS Congressman Visits Benue, Seeks Global Attention To IDP Crisis
-
News18 hours agoFormer Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah Arraigned Over Alleged ₦2.4 Billion Fraud
-
Foreign2 days agoSenate Approves Tinubu’s Request To Deploy Troops In Benin
-
News2 days agoECOWAS Declares State Of Emergency In West Africa
-
Sports24 hours agoWe’ll Do Whatever We Can To Sign Salah, Saudi Arabia Vows