The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ekong

  • Chelle names Ekong, Iwobi, Osimhen, others for crucial  World Cup qualifiers 

    Chelle names Ekong, Iwobi, Osimhen, others for crucial  World Cup qualifiers 

    Super Eagles’ Head Coach Eric Chelle has drafted team captain William Ekong, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Victor Osimhen and Simon Moses in his list of 23 players for this month’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Benin Republic.

    Defender Semi Ajayi, who missed the last two matches in the September window due to injury, returns to the group, as do France-based Terem Moffi and former junior international Olakunle Olusegun, who plays his club football in Russia.

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    Nigeria, now in third place and only three points off first-placed Benin Republic and second-placed South Africa, tackle the Likuena (Crocodiles) of Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa on Friday, 10th October in a Matchday 9 encounter, before flying from South Africa to Uyo to battle leaders Benin Republic in a fiery final Matchday game on Tuesday, 14th October.

    The players are scheduled to fly into South Africa from their different bases in Europe and elsewhere, to converge in Polokwane on Monday, 6th October.

    The list has goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali, Amas Obasogie, and Adeleye Adebayo. Defenders: William Ekong, Calvin Bassey, Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi, Felix Agu, and Benjamin Fredericks.

    The others are midfielders: Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards: Ademola

  • UK-based podcaster Ekong unveils ‘In Her Space’ for Nigerian women

    UK-based podcaster Ekong unveils ‘In Her Space’ for Nigerian women

    ..to amplify honest female voices across Africa

    In a bold move to deepen conversations around womanhood, resilience, and empowerment, UK-based Nigerian entrepreneur and media personality, Ivie Ekong, popularly known as Ivy Ekong, has announced the Nigerian expansion of her award-winning podcast, In Her Space.

    The podcast, celebrated for its honest and unfiltered storytelling, has earned accolades for spotlighting the lived experiences of women across cultures. Earlier this year, it was named Best Women Empowerment Podcast 2025 by Player FM. 

    Ekong is now expanding the show to Nigeria with the aim of building what she calls “a movement” — a platform where women can openly share their truths, confront their struggles, and celebrate their successes in a supportive and judgment-free environment.

    “It’s not just a podcast, it’s a movement. It is a safe space for women to share their journeys without feeling insecure because confidence is in the room.” Ekong said.

    Launched in London, In Her Space has hosted a variety of guests ranging from global change-makers to unsung everyday heroines. 

    Past guests include Love Island star Jessica White, sickle cell advocate Patrish Zea, and physician Dr. Sandra Isibor.

    The Nigerian edition, according to Ekong, will centre authentic African voices while delving into issues such as identity, motherhood, healing, success, and the often-unspoken pressures of being a woman on the continent.

    “We want women to share not just their wins, but also their mistakes, so others don’t fall into the same traps. There’s healing in honesty,” she said.

    For Ekong, the podcast’s reach is only one part of its mission as she envisions it as a tool for building community, one grounded in truth, vulnerability, innovation, and impact.

    A fashion powerhouse and advocate for self-belief, Ekong has long championed women’s empowerment, whether through fashion styling or life storytelling. With In Her Space, she blends both worlds, giving voice to the unseen and confidence to the unheard.

    Streaming on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music, the podcast offers an engaging mix of vulnerability, laughter, growth, and resilience. As the platform gains traction in Nigeria, Ekong hopes to connect more women to relatable stories and push back against limiting societal narratives.

    “This is a platform where women can be heard,” she said.

    Often described as “Africa’s Oprah Winfrey,” Ekong’s growing influence continues to position her as a storyteller of impact, one using her voice, and those of others, to reshape conversations around African womanhood, identity, and power.

  • Lookman,Ekong nominated for FIFA Best Awards

    Lookman,Ekong nominated for FIFA Best Awards

    The stocks of Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman have continued to rise after he was short-listed for the FIFA Best Attacker of 2024, while William Troost-Ekong was nominated for the defenders’ category.

    Other prominent African players listed are Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Soufiane Rahimi who were bronze medal winners at the Paris 2024 Olympics; and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Gabon.

    In the FIFA Best XI, there are 11 goalkeepers. One of them will be successful. There are 22 each for the defense, midfield, and attack.

    Lookman is in contention for the Best Attacker award. The Atalanta forward is among 22 players shortlisted for the category. Lookman, who finished 14th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, has been recognized for his outstanding performances at club level.

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     Troost-Ekong features in the defenders’ category, where 22 players are vying for the prestigious award. The Super Eagles’ center-back earned his spot after being named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

    Paul Onuachu is a nominee for the FIFA Puskás Award, which honours the best goal scored in the past year. Onuachu’s stunning strike for Trabzonspor against Konyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig on November 10, 2023, earned him a place among 11 nominees.

    Meanwhile, Asisat Oshoala, now playing for Bay FC in the NWSL, is nominated for the FIFA Marta Award. She will compete against 10 other players for the prestigious title, which recognizes the best women’s footballers globally.

    Her goal for Barcelona Femini in a UEFA Women’s Champions League duel with Benfica last year is one of the goals nominated for the Marta Award.

  • Osimhen missing as CAF lists Lookman, Ekong for top awards

    Osimhen missing as CAF lists Lookman, Ekong for top awards

    • Nwabali  too 

    Super Eagles winger, Ademola Lookman is in the race for the 2024 CAF Player of the Year along with his compatriot, William Troost Ekong and eight others with  Victor Osimhen  who  won the prestigious award in 2023 not in the picture at all,

    The winner would be crowned in December in Marrakech, Morocco but the Confederation of African Football has listed  eight other players including  Amine Gobiari (Algeria), Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso), Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo).

    Others on the list are: Serhou Guirassy (Cote d’Ivoire), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), Ronwen Williams (South Africa), Simon Adingra (Cote d’Ivoire) and Sofiane Rahimi (Morocco).

    Lookman scored a hat-trick in the Uefa Europa League final to steer Atalanta to the diadem at the expense of his compatriot, Victor Boniface who dressed for Bayer Leverkusen’

    Meanwhile, Nigeria is in the running for the National Team of the Year after the Super Eagles got to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations before losing to the host, Cote d’Ivoire who are the overwhelming favourites to win it.

    Read Also: Ballon d’Or listing excites ‘Special One’ Lookman 

    Others countries  in the running are: Angola, Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Morocco, Mozambique, South Africa, Sudan and Uganda.

    Nigeria’s former coach, Jose Peseiro was not listed in the Coach of the Year category which has Emerson Fae of Cote d’Ivoire, Hugo Broos (South Africa), Kwesi Appiah (Sudan), Florent Ibenge (Al Hilal SC), Chiquinho Conde (Mozambique), and Sebastien Desabre (DR Congo).

    In the CAF Goalkeeper of the Year category, it will be a straight fight between Super Eagles Goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali and Ronwen Williams of South Africa. Manchester United and Cameroon shot stopper, Andre Onana is with an outside chance to win the coveted accolade.

  • PAOK  list Ekong for pre-season training

    PAOK  list Ekong for pre-season training

    Super Eagles stand-in captain William Ekong has been named by Greek champions PAOK for the new season.

    PAOK head coach Razvan Lucescu has announced his squad list for the pre-season training in Holland with the 30-year-old Ekong included.

    He was linked with a transfer to Saudi Arabia after his exploits at the 2023 AFCON, where he was named MVP.

    Read Also: Dudu-Orumen, others carpet Ministry, NFF over Super Eagles woes  

    The experienced central defender played 10 matches in his first season in Greece as PAOK won their fourth league championship.

    After recovering from a thigh surgery last season and getting back to full fitness, Ekong has returned to action the UEFA Champions League qualifiers in late July.

  • Ekong insists he’s fit for World Cup qualifiers

    Ekong insists he’s fit for World Cup qualifiers

    AFCON MVP William Ekong has insisted he is fit to play for the Super Eagles in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin.

    Ekong was overlooked for the World Cup qualifiers even after he had assured coach Finidi George of his fitness.

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    “I am available for the matches because I am fit,” he maintained.

    Ekong restated his targets are to win the 2025 AFCON and qualify Nigeria to the 2026 World Cup.

  • Ekong wins first league title with PAOK

    Ekong wins first league title with PAOK

    Super Eagles William Troost Ekong on Sunday won the league title with his Greek Club PAOK Salonika after a close contest with AEK Athens.

    Ekong last week resumed training with the team after recovering from the injury he sustained while representing Nigeria in the 2023 African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

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    PAOK late Sunday secured a 2-1 away win against Aris Salonika to secure the title ahead of AEK Athens. They finished the season with 80 points from 36 games two points better than second placed AEK Athens.

    The Greek side has now won the league 4 times but it was Ekong’s first major honour at club level.

    He made just 10 appearances for the White and Black in the just-concluded season.

  • Eagles captain  Ekong  hints on  return from injury

    Eagles captain  Ekong  hints on  return from injury

    William Ekong has given the latest update on his recovery to full fitness after surgery for a thigh injury, which he received at the recent AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.

    The experienced defender had to play beyond the pain barrier as the Super Eagles soared all the way to the 2023 AFCON Championship final against the hosts.

    The initial prognosis is that Ekong could be sidelined for as long as three months, but he has now said he will soon be part of the full team training.

    Read Also: Ekong: Local coach good for Super Eagles

    “I have had my first session on grass with the ball and I am just a matter of days to re-joining the group,” he disclosed in an interview with Eagle7fm. “It was first feared I will be out for three, four months, but it is now just seven weeks after surgery.”

    Ekong could now return in time to help PAOK win the Greek league crown for the fourth time with their last conquest achieved in the 2018/2019 season.

    They are two points behind leaders AEK Athens in the Championship Playoffs.

  • Ekong: Local coach good for Super Eagles

    Ekong: Local coach good for Super Eagles

    Super Eagles stand-in captain William Ekong has lend his voice to the debate whether a foreign or local coach should head the national team.

    Ekong was first capped by Stephen Keshi had he has played under several other local coaches like Augustine Eguavoen and Samson Siasia.

    He also worked with foreign coaches like Gernot Rohr and Jose Peseiro.

    “The ideal situation is for a Nigerian to lead our team,” he told Eagle7fm

    “Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire have done well under their own coaches.

    Read Also: Troost-Ekong targets Eagles return against South Africa

    “The coaches already understand the culture and players and can easily relate to the team.

    “But you cannot also dismiss a foreign coach.

    “My experience with Rohr was very good, also Peseiro.

    “It (appointment) should not be based on nationality and identities.

    “We should decide on what is best for team because we want to win the AFCON and go farther at the World Cup.”

  • Ekong foresees difficult game against Angola

    Ekong foresees difficult game against Angola

    Super  Eagles’ on-field captain William Ekong believes  that the match against Angola could prove to be the toughest yet for Nigeria , adding himself and team mates are ready for the battle.

     “We can no longer expect any easy games. In truth, there have not been easy games here. We have played Equatorial Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau and Cameroon, and none has turned out to be a picnic,” he told thenff.com .“ From the quarter-finals, it will be a lot tougher because all the teams will believe they are good enough for the trophy.

    “We are discussing among ourselves what we have to do. There is no resting on our oars. We saw Guinea eliminate Equatorial Guinea that emerged the best team of the group phase. Football is like that. We must be alert for the entire period and do our best to convert the chances that we create.”

    Winger Moses Simon also admitted that it would not be a stroll-in-the-park at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny on Friday.

    Read Also: Peseiro predicts tough Q-Final tie against Angola

     “It is going to be a difficult game, like the ones against Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon, and even Equatorial Guinea. We must be at our best and focus on the prize.”

    Clashes between Nigeria and Angola at international level have been few and far between, but Nigeria has a couple of scores to settle with the southern African nation.

    Angola edged Nigeria to reach the last round of the qualification series for the 1990 FIFA World Cup finals in Italy, but the return leg in Nigeria that the Eagles won 1-0 was under a cloud of tragedy as playmaker Samuel Okwaraji collapsed and died 13 minutes from the end on 12th August 1989. Several other football fans lost their lives in a stampede that ensued after the game. The first leg in Luanda ended 2-2.

    Angola also famously stopped Nigeria from reaching the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals, when the Eagles followed a 0-1 loss in Luanda to draw 1-1 with the Negras in a sunny Sani Abacha Stadium in June 2005.