Tag: Chukwueze

• NFF grieves with Super Eagles’ forward

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed his condolences to Super Eagles forward, Samuel Chukwueze, on the passing of his mother, Mrs Sarah Chukwueze.

The announcement of Mrs Chukwueze’s passing was made by Samuel’s sister, Princess Chukwueze, and his brother, David, on their respective social media platforms yesterday, 29^th  January 2026, stating that the matriarch of the family had died after a brief illness.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President  extended his sympathies to the family and friends of the deceased.

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President Tinubu said he mourns with the Chukwueze family and encouraged them to find solace in the fond memories and enduring legacy of their late matriarch.

He described the loss as deeply saddening, noting that it came only days after the passing of the father of Super Eagles captain, Wilfred Ndidi.

 “The passing of Mrs Chukwueze, the mother of one of our bright football stars, just a few days after the passing of Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi’s father, is deeply saddening. I mourn with them, and I am with them in prayers during this difficult time,” the President said.

President Tinubu prayed that God Almighty would grant the departed eternal rest and comfort the Chukwueze family at this difficult time.

Speaking in the same vein, a distraught General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, said: “We are aware that Mrs Sarah Chukwueze was a vital and supportive presence in the lives of her children, including our international player, Samuel Chukwueze. Samuel has always, at every opportunity, acknowledged his mother’s influence on his professional development.”

 “We are sad at her departure, coming only a few days after we had to mourn the sudden passing of the father of Super Eagles’ captain, Wilfred Ndidi.

 “We pray that God will grant her eternal rest, and also grant those she has left behind, including Samuel and his siblings, the fortitude to bear the big loss.

Super Eagles’  forward at the ongoing Africa Cups of Nations (AFCON), Morocco 2025, Samuel  Chukwueze has admitted he endured some torrid time  with AC Milan before he was farmed out on loan to Fulham in the English Premier League.

Chukwueze arrived Milan in 2023 on the wave of glory from Villarreal but he tallied just four goals in 51 games before heading to the loan spell at Fulham where he has found his rhythm once again.

On the  sidelines of the Super Eagles’  AFCON campaign in Fes, the 26- year-old  has  spoken candidly about his tempestuous time with the Rossoneri, adding he was not given enough time to blossom at the Serie A side.

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“I don’t think I was given the time or the opportunities I needed (at Milan),” the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup winner reportedly said On Sport via Milanista.  “But that’s football. I just have to keep working. Maybe one day I’ll return to Serie A, or La Liga, or stay in the Premier League. English football probably suits my style better than Italian tactics.”

He added: I miss Milan. It’s my second home. My family are still there, so of course I miss the city. They are doing well and I wish them all the best, I’m still a Milan player, after all, because I’m only on loan.”

Despite his not too pleasant period at Milan, Chukwueze remains upbeat about the city of Milan even as he backed his former side to remain firmly in the race for the Scudetto.

 “You can see what Milan are doing, they’re playing very well,” he said. “If they keep pushing like this, I think they can win. I’m sure they’ll finish in the top four because their level has been really high.”

Chukwueze also reserved special praise for new teammate Luka Modrić, calling him “one of the best players I’ve ever played with,” and for Zlatan Ibrahimović, whose influence he described as motivational across the entire Milan dressing room.

Premier League club Fulham look set to splash the cash on Samuel Chukwueze to make his loan transfer from AC Milan permanent.

Chukwueze has been flying with the London club – two goals and three assists in seven appearances thus far.

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The tricky winger has hit form at the right time, attributing it to the confidence he has enjoyed from manager Marco Silva.

According to TransferNews, Fulham will now have to fork out at least 28 million euros to sign him from Italian giants Milan.

Following his recent performances in the English Premiership, Milan reportedly wants around  €30 million  for a permanent transfer for Nigeria International winger. Samuel Chukwueze.

Chukwueze on Tuesday,  impressed with a brace (two goals) in Fulham’s thrilling 4-5 loss against Manchester City at Craven Cottage.

Fulham were 1-5 down but fought back with goals from Chukwueze and Alex Iwobi, both Super Eagles internationals.

Chukwueze is currently on loan from AC Milan to Fulham, with an option to buy.  Milan hopes to cash in from this transfer to reinvest in new players next season.

Manager Marco Silva has eased Chukwueze into Premier League football and appears to have revitalized him.

 even as  Chukwueze has shown eagerness to stay longer at Fulham and is thriving under Silva’s management.  He emphasized that the belief from his coach and teammates has been crucial to his form. 

“I think I’m finding myself. The coach believes in me,” he said matter-of-factly in an interview with the club’s website . “That’s the most important thing – a coach that believes in you, pushes you and the fans. My teammates push me a lot, so I have to give them credit and the coach credit as well.”

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Despite scoring twice against City, he was disappointed with the team’s loss and highlighted the importance of team success over individual accolades. 

“For me, it’s a good feeling to score two goals, but not a good feeling to lose.

 “If I had scored my two goals and we won, it would have meant a lot to me – but for now, it doesn’t mean a lot.”

“It was a crazy game today. We conceded goals we shouldn’t have conceded, but I liked the spirit of the team for the comeback.

 “The chances we created in the second half were almost there. It was a difficult one to take because we wanted three wins in a row, and it didn’t happen, but we’ll keep our heads up.”

He added that  Fulham will be aiming for a win in their upcoming match: “We fought until the last minute (against Man City)  and on Sunday (against Crystal Palace) we’re going to give everything for the fans.”

Fulham coach Marco Silva has explained that he still needs to see more brilliant performances from Samuel Chukwueze before he can give the forward an increase in game time, Soccernet.ng reports.

Chukwueze joined Fulham from AC Milan in a season-long loan on the last day of the summer transfer window. However, his start to life at the club has been slow.

All six of his appearances so far have come off the bench. His most recent outing, however, showcased his real quality.

Chukwueze entered the fixture in the 64th minute and changed the complexion of the game completely.

He quickly took up the mantle of being the tormentor-in-chief for the Cottagers and eventually supplied the assist for Raúl Jiménez’s lone goal.

Given that performance, it would be expected that Chukwueze would earn a more prominent role on the team in the coming weeks.

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However, Fulham coach Marco Silva, while appreciative of Chukwueze’s efforts, maintains that the Super Eagles star needs to do more before he becomes a regular starter.

“If you look in three months, how many times he was out of this club was too long for a new player,” Silva said, per Jack Kelly.

“I have the privilege to see him in the sessions, doing the type of things that he adds differently for us – creativity, last pass, last definition.

“I’m pleased with him, but I have to see more. It’s not his fault that I have to see more. I think all the context didn’t give us the chance to see more.

“I need to see more in sessions and more time in games to see the adaptation for the intensity, for the aggressiveness in the right way that PL demands from players.

He is a very good player I knew before. That he has the talent I knew before.”

Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze came off the bench to decisive effect on Saturday, providing a late assist that handed Fulham a 1–0 victory over Sunderland in their Premier League clash at Craven Cottage, Bold Sports reports.

Introduced in the 64th minute, Chukwueze wasted little time in influencing the contest. The Nigerian delivered a pin-point cross that Raul Jiménez converted, securing Fulham’s fourth league win of the campaign.

Read Also: W’Cup 2026: NFF begs Tinubu, Nigerians over  Super Eagles’ setback

Despite playing just over 25 minutes, the winger was one of the game’s standout performers, creating the most chances (3) and completing the most dribbles (1) on the pitch.

The assist was his second goal contribution of the season, adding to the one he registered in early October during Fulham’s 3–1 defeat to Bournemouth.

Fulham yesterday defeated Wolves 3-0, marking the return of Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze from injury. He came off the bench in the 77th minute to replace Harry Wilson.

Ryan Sessegnon opened the scoring for the hosts in the ninth minute, before Wolves defender Emmanuel Agbadou received a straight red card midway through the first half.

With the visitors reduced to ten men, Harry Wilson doubled Fulham’s advantage in the 62nd minute, and the contest was effectively settled when Yerson Mosquera inadvertently turned the ball into his own net with fifteen minutes remaining.

The Super Eagles winger injected pace and creativity into Fulham’s attack, twice coming agonisingly close to adding a fourth goal for the Cottagers.

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In the 86th minute, the AC Milan loanee struck the post after excellent work from Alex Iwobi, and moments later, he weaved past three Wolves defenders before unleashing a curling effort that forced a superb fingertip save from the goalkeeper.

1994 African Cup of Nations winner Efan Ekoku who was on commentary duties for the Premier League world feed noted that Chukwueze looked lively throughout his cameo but could not find the finishing touch to reward his efforts.

Capturing the moment Chukwueze hit the post, Ekoku said: “He can’t quite believe it, Chukwueze. Mosquera tries to shield it out of play, Iwobi steals it.

“Just look at him, off balance as he’s turning; it’s not easy to wrap your foot around that and keep it underneath the crossbar.

“He’s falling back, just losing his footing. Great chance for number four missed.”

After Chukwueze’s curling shot was saved, Ekoku added: “What about that for silky feet from Samuel Chukwueze. This one was heading for the corner.”

Having come through the game unscathed, Chukwueze is expected to be named in the Super Eagles squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying playoff against Gabon

• By  Victor Oguntade

As the Super Eagles are set to face off against South Africa in a high-stake 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier  at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein today, the  rank  and file  of the team is oozing  with confidence following Saturday’s  1-0 victory over Rwanda.

Samuel Chukwueze who recently switched  to Fulham  from AC Milan,  said the Super Eagles  will be at the ready  to withstand the heat against  Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein.

“South Africa is a strong team, but we are Nigerians, and we have a good team also, so we can compete with them,”  Chukwueze told NFFTv.

He emphasized the importance of securing a good result in the match, stating:  “I think by the grace of God, we want good results here. The most important thing for us is to come here and win.”

Similarly, South Africa-based  goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali also exuded confidence, highlighting the team’s strong squad and their ability to match any country.

 “I feel like we have a very strong squad to match any country,” the Chippa United  goal minder said.” I don’t see it as a really big thing to us but  we respect them.”

 Nwabali predicted a tough game but remained optimistic about the outcome, stating: “I’m really sure we’re going to win that game.”

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The Super Eagles arrived  Bloemfontein on Sunday ready to take on the Bafana Bafana in what  is regarded as their biggest  match of the  entire qualifying  series .

Presently  on 10 points from seven matches, a Super Eagles’ victory will drastically  cut down South Africa’s  lead  pending  deduction of their three points  for using  an ineligible player  in their 2-0 win over Lesotho in March. 

Th ‘battle of  Bloemfontein’  promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams vying for a crucial victory to boost  their   qualification for the 2026  World Cup to be jointly hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico.