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We’re Out For Revenge, Our Goal Is To Win – Super Eagles Coach On AFCON 2025

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Super Eagles Suffer 1-0 Home Defeat To Djurtus In 2023 AFCON Qualifiers

Newly appointed Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has set his sights on winning the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, vowing to avenge Nigeria’s painful 2023 final defeat.

Nigeria fell 2-1 to hosts Ivory Coast in the last AFCON final, extending the nation’s wait for a fourth continental title.

However, Chelle, who took charge on January 7, believes his team is ready to go all the way this time.

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Speaking after the AFCON 2025 draw on Monday, where Nigeria was placed in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania, the Franco-Malian tactician expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to triumph.

“Yes, it’s going to be difficult to win because there are 24 very good teams and some very good coaches,” Chelle told CAF Media.

“I know I’ve got a team that’s out for revenge, and I’m out for revenge too, so we’re going to have a lot of fun. We know what this team is capable of, and our goal is clear—to lift the trophy in Morocco.”

Chelle, who previously led Mali to the quarter-finals of the 2023 AFCON before losing to Ivory Coast in extra time, is determined to bring his experience and tactical expertise to the Super Eagles.

The 2025 AFCON will be held from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, across six Moroccan cities.

With Nigeria drawn in a challenging group, the road to glory won’t be easy, but the Super Eagles remain one of the tournament favorites.

Can Chelle lead Nigeria to their long-awaited fourth AFCON title? Fans will be eagerly watching.

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Nasarawa Utd, Ikorodu City Battle To Barren Draw In Lafia

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The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) week 24 encounter between Nasarawa United and visiting Ikorodu City FC ended in a barren draw on Saturday in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The Solid Miners, as the Lafia based side is called could not find the back of the net despite playing at home at the Lafia City Stadium.

Biztellers reports that despite deploying every tactic to guarantee victory, the home team could not breach the visitors defence, leaving them frustrated and disappointed as the fight against the drop continues.

The match saw both teams create chances, but neither could capitalize on them with United’s goalkeeper, Detan Ogundare, the busier of the two goaltenders.

ALSO READ: Man City Thrash Newcastle 4-0 To Reclaim Top-Four Spot

United’s strikers were guilty of missing several gilt-edged opportunities, with Anas Yusuf, Qamar Adegoke, Idris Ajiya, Garba Abubakar, Abubakar Abdullahi, and Peter Eneji, all missing glorious chances in the first and reverse halves of the game.

Goalkeeper, Detan Ogundare was called into some fantastic saves courtesy of Ikorodu City’s Ajeyigbe Toyeeb and Shola Adelani.

Both teams held firm their defences to share the spoils, a result that frustrated the home side who had won the first-leg of the encounter 1-2 in Lagos.

The draw leaves the Solid Miners on 18th position with 26 points from 24 games, while Ikorodu City moves up to 6th place with 35 points from same number of outings.

Nasarawa United will next face Bayelsa United in a live game in Yenagoa, on Wednesday, 19th February, 2025, before returning home to take on Remo Stars, a week later(Wednesday, 26th February, 2025), with the changes orchestrated by the President Federation’s Cup States’ finals scheduled to take place across the country between 22nd and 23rd February, 2025.

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Man City Thrash Newcastle 4-0 To Reclaim Top-Four Spot

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Man City Secure FA Cup Victory Over Man U

Manchester City produced a dominant display at the Etihad Stadium, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Newcastle United to move back into the Premier League’s top four.

A stunning first-half hat-trick from Omar Marmoush powered Pep Guardiola’s side to a much-needed win following their midweek Champions League collapse against Real Madrid.

After a disappointing 3-2 home loss to Real Madrid, Guardiola made six changes to his starting XI, looking to freshen up his squad before the decisive second leg in Spain.

READ ALSO: Champions League Draw: Real Madrid, Man City Set For Epic Showdown (FULL LIST)

Marmoush, a £59 million ($72.6 million) January signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, made the most of his opportunity, delivering a clinical performance in front of goal.

The 26-year-old Egyptian forward opened the scoring in the 17th minute, capitalizing on a long clearance from Ederson that caught Kieran Trippier off guard.

With Martin Dubravka off his line, Marmoush calmly lifted the ball over the goalkeeper to put City ahead.

Five minutes later, Ilkay Gundogan set him up for his second, and a deflected shot nestled into the bottom corner.

The hat-trick was completed in the 33rd minute, as Savinho drove past Lewis Hall and squared for Marmoush to finish from close range.

City remained in complete control throughout the match, limiting Newcastle’s attacking threats and securing a much-needed clean sheet.

Substitute James McAtee put the finishing touches on the performance in the 84th minute, turning in a Haaland flick-on from a Gundogan corner.

However, the night ended on a concerning note for City, as Haaland was forced off with a knee injury, raising doubts over his availability for the crucial clash against Real Madrid.

For Eddie Howe’s Newcastle, this defeat marks their third loss in four Premier League matches, dealing another blow to their hopes of securing Champions League football next season.

The Magpies, who had started the campaign strongly, are now struggling to maintain consistency as the business end of the season approaches.

City now turn their attention to a make-or-break second leg against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, where they must overturn a one-goal deficit to keep their Champions League hopes alive.

Newcastle, meanwhile, face a crucial period as they aim to stay in contention for European football next season.

 

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Adeleke Underscores New Sports Agenda With Renovation Of Osogbo Stadium

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OSUN GUBER: Court strikes out suit challenging Adeleke’s nomination

 

In a move which underscores his administration’s sports agenda, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has flagged off the makeover of the Osogbo stadium with a view to transforming it into a world class edifice.

According to a government house statement in Osogbo, on Tuesday, the event held at the stadium and featured awards, presentation of cash gifts to accomplished Osun’s sports men and women.

The governor who was accompanied by top government officials and leading figures from the sport sector, said this project is not mere renovation but re-development and remodeling of the state sports stadium to attain global standard.

Assuring that his government has a big vision for Osun state with the best sporting facilities in the country, the Governor assured the public that “by the time we finish this development, the stadium will be a beautiful edifice to behold.

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“Our dream is to build a stadium with capacity to host various sporting events such as the National Sports Festival, National Youth Games and more importantly, to host some of our national teams including Super Eagles in their various continental and International matches”, he told the cheering crowd.

“The remodeling does not stop at the football pitch alone, where there will be three (03) major pitches of International standard, it will also include pitches for other games such as Volleyball, Swimming, Handball, Hockey, Basketball and a host of others.

“The remodeling will also include a befitting indoor sports hall, hostels for the athletes and a state-of-the-art 4-star hotel. We build revenue generation into the entire project to ensure sustainability with short and long term viability. We envisage a self – sustaining, holistic sporting infrastructure”, the Governor narrated.

The governor spoke further on his agenda for the sport sector: “Our administration has a fully articulated sport development agenda. As part of the implementation process, we are putting up strong institutional structures. I am happy to inform you that we have finalized the legal framework for creation of the Osun Sports Commission.

“This is to enhance harmonious development and administration of all games in the state. Additionally, our government is creating a Sport Trust Fund to ensure sustainable sport financing. The legal structure is almost finalized.

“Aside from working on infrastructure and policy framework, the welfare of sports men and women is also paramount in our agenda. Going forward, our government has decided to reward all athletes who made the state proud at various championships. They will be rewarded handsomely based on their level of achievement.

“We advised our budding and established athletes to train more and develop their skills. The Osun Sport sector is set for a silent revolution. Sport professionals should stay back in Osun to join the process.

“I make bold to inform you that the two (2) state owned teams namely; Osun United and Osun Babes Football Clubs are receiving greater attention and support from the government. Information reaching me indicated that they are doing well in their various leagues.

“On the issue of contract athletes and coaches, I have directed immediate action to study and remedy the situation. The Deputy Governor is to submit a report to me on the matter for further action”, the Governor said.

In the same vein, the Deputy Governor who doubles as the Commissioner for Sports Development, Prince Kola Adewusi explained that the project has extensive facilities including two training pitches and specific facilities for all games.

Describing the unveiling as the beginning of sporting revolution in Osun state, Prince Adewusi said Osun will be ready to host national sport competitions.

According to him, athletes who have ran away from the state will be encouraged to return home, vowing that Osun will take a frontline position in Nigeria sport space.

It was gathered that the project has a 12-month completion period.

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