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  • Okocha laments Super Eagles’ decline, demands proper football structure

    Okocha laments Super Eagles’ decline, demands proper football structure

    By Joshua Osinowo

    Nigerian football icon Austin Jay Jay Okocha has expressed deep disappointment over the Super Eagles’ recent performance, stressing that the problems facing the team run far deeper than what fans see during the 90 minutes of play.

    Okocha said he was not impressed with the match the Super Eagles played, noting that the inconsistency and lack of control on the pitch reflect bigger structural issues within Nigerian football.

    The former national team captain explained that Nigeria has always been a country rich in football talent and potential, but has continuously failed to convert that natural advantage into consistent results. “Nigeria can never lack talent because of our population,” he said. “We even have a fantastic squad now, but why are we not consistent? Why are we not winning back-to-back games?”

    Read Also: Play-Offs:  NFF tips Super Eagles to subdue Panthers  after pay dispute

    According to Okocha, the problem is not simply about the players or the coach; instead, he believes the core issue lies in Nigeria’s long-standing habit of searching for quick fixes rather than investing in a lasting football foundation. “It’s the same thing—putting a proper structure in place and letting that structure work. We always believe in quick fixes in football, but there is no quick fix,” he insisted.

    Okocha emphasised that true success begins long before the whistle is blown, stressing the importance of preparation, planning, and organisation off the pitch. “I don’t think it’s just the players. It might be other things off the pitch. You have to prepare off the pitch before you get on the pitch,” he added.

  • Okocha denies  interest in NFF Presidency

    Okocha denies  interest in NFF Presidency

    Super Eagles legend, Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha, has debunked reports linking him with interest in contesting for the presidency of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    He described the claims circulating on social media as “false and misleading.”

    In recent days, speculation has grown amid calls from football supporters for former internationals to take charge of Nigerian football, following the Super Eagles’ shaky 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

    Nigeria’s qualification hopes suffered another setback last week after a 1-1 draw with South Africa in Bloemfontein, leaving the team six points adrift of group leaders with just two games left.

    Reacting to the rumours in an Instagram post, Okocha made his stance clear:

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     “Hello everyone, I just want to use this opportunity to say that the news and posts that have been circulating are false. I have not said or spoken to anyone about Nigerian football or any interest in becoming NFF president.

    “I’m currently in Kigali attending SPORTSBIZAFRICA, so I’m pleading with the people spreading false information to stop.”

    The former PSG and Bolton Wanderers playmaker also acknowledged the frustration of Nigerian fans but called for patience and unity as the national team battles to revive its World Cup dreams.

     “I appreciate my people and understand the frustration we’re going through, but be rest assured that better days are ahead. Let’s keep believing. I know it’s not easy, but we are all in it together. God bless, and please let’s stay strong.”

    With two crucial fixtures against Lesotho and Benin coming up in October, the Super Eagles’ path to the 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, remains a daunting one.

  • Bundesliga, EA Sports, Okocha concludes 8-week training for Nigerian kids

    Bundesliga, EA Sports, Okocha concludes 8-week training for Nigerian kids

    The German Bundesliga, in collaboration EA Sports recently concluded an impactful eight-week football programme titled “Bundesliga EA Clinic” at the Bundesliga Common Ground facility in Ijaiye-Ojokoro, a suburb of Lagos.

    The initiative aimed not only to develop children’s football skills but also to promote personal growth, character building, and life skills on and off the football pitch. Throughout the programme, the children engaged in various training sessions and workshops focused on essential values such as teamwork, perseverance, self-confidence, creativity, responsibility, respect and FairPlay, discipline and goal setting.

    A key highlight of the closing ceremony, held in Lagos was the display of the Bundesliga Meisterschale (Championship Shield), which served as a powerful motivator for the participating children.

    Read Also: Jay Jay Okocha Stadium wears new look for NNL Super 8

    The closing ceremony was designed to be vibrant and inspiring, celebrating football’s ability to unite and empower. Okocha, reflecting on his career across Europe, praised the Bundesliga’s long-standing commitment to youth development and encouraged the children to take the life lessons they learned seriously.

    Certificates were awarded to the young participants in recognition of their involvement and growth. Okocha emphasized the importance of nurturing life skills early, noting that such experiences can play a transformative role in preparing young people for future success. He expressed confidence that the lessons from the programme would have a lasting impact on the lives of the children.

    Also in attendance was Diego Contento, a former Bayern Munich player and Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League winner.

    The Common Ground in Lagos, established by the Bundesliga in 2022, is part of a global initiative to create safe, inclusive spaces for children to play and for communities to come together. This initiative extends beyond Nigeria, with similar projects in cities such as Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, New York, Jakarta, Berlin, and Zabrze, reinforcing the Bundesliga’s global commitment to grassroots sports and community development.

  • Tinubu timely intervention saved Rivers from total anarchy – Okocha

    Tinubu timely intervention saved Rivers from total anarchy – Okocha

    The Rivers chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sir Tony Okocha said the March 18 State of Emergency declaration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was not only timely but a decision that saved the oil-rich State from political anarchy.

    He exonerated the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike of any complexity in the ensuing crisis in the state,  insisting that the former Governor had been on the path of peace with the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

    Tinubu declared a six-month State of Emergency on Rivers, citing political instability and troubling security reports. He followed up with the appointment of Vice-Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd) as Administrator during the emergency.

    Okocha,z who spoke on the issue for the first time, said but for the timely intervention of the President  the State was moving towards a state of lawlessness.

    He told newsmen on Thursday at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja when he came to brief the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on political development in the State, admitting the President’s decision was a necessary evil that the state had to accept.

    He berated critics of President’s proclamation, arguing that prior to the state of emergency many non state actors in the state were seen brandishing sophisticated weapons threatening the peace of the oil rich state.

    The APC leader recalled President Tinubu’s efforts at mediating at the political crisis before declaring the emergency.

    Okocha disagreed with the position of former President  Goodluck Jonathan on the state  of emergency, arguing that he closed his eyes and failed to react to many infractions of Gov. Fubara in the past.

    He noted that the Supreme Court judgment ahead of the declaration, had ruled that there was no government in the state.

    According to him:  “The Governor jettisoned 27 lawmakers and was dealing with three and withhold the finances of the State Assembly which was abnormal.

    “Pulling down the State Assembly under the guise of renovating it following structural defect without a prior notice was an afront on democracy.

    “Before the declaration of the emergency, Rivers was heading towards anarchy as non state actors were seen brandishing sophisticated weapons, uttering statements that tend to lead to lawlessness.”

    The APC leader frowned at the condemnation of the declaration by former President’s Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan. He notes that the two leaders should know better than most of the critics of the State of Emergency.

    “Thank God, President Jonathan had been president. General Obasanjo had been president. And they knew that on their table every day is what they call security reports. So one wonders how they will jump into the matter, not recognizing or realizing that in their time they also had security reports.”

    He also faulted the position of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) other crisis rocking the state. 

    According to him: “I don’t want to take on individuals, but I hear the NBA have come out to say, oh, it’s an affront on democracy and all that. When the assembly complex was pulled down, when it was bombed and the next other day, 11 equipments were deployed to the assembly to bring it down. 

    Read Also: Charles Okocha set to tie knot with lover

    “NBA was alive but we didn’t hear anything from them. So one wonders why this plenty talk. It’s good that they are approaching the court, and so we should allow the Supreme Court to decide on the actions of Mr. President.”

    Endorsing the political development in the State, Okocha said the emergency declared on the state “was a necessary evil to restore normalcy and peace in the state.

    “Security and intelligence has been beefed up in Rivers since the state of emergency was declared in the state. With the emergency declared, people like us who are in the opposition in the state could now move around,” Okocha said.

    The APC Chairman also noted that despite various accusations and insinuations about the role of the FCT Minister in the political imbroglio, Okocha said the former Governor has been working behind the scene to make peace with Fubara who according to him, was being misled by some politicians.

  • Wike’s political structure in Rivers intact – APC chairman Okocha

    Wike’s political structure in Rivers intact – APC chairman Okocha

    The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, on Thursday said Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara cannot destroy the political structure of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister, Nyesom Wike.

    Okocha said Wike’s political structure is intact and expressed sadness over the political crisis in the state. 

    He accused the governor of engineering the crisis.  

    The state APC chairman who said this while briefing reporters on the burning of the APC state secretariat amongst other crises, vowed that APC will take over from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in 2027.

    Okocha faulted the committee set up by the governor for not including the burning of the party secretariat.    

    He described Wike as Fubara’s mentor, saying the latter would not have been governor without the strong backing of Wike.

    “From civil servant to the candidate of a party and delivering him in 23 local governments out of 23, the first in our history, all of these were Wike’s ability. If you are a politician, no politician will allow his structure to be dismantled. When you do that, it means that you have no home to fall back to. Wike made it possible for Fubara to emerge as governor. Fubara was never a politician.

    Read Also: Okocha remain Rivers chairman, says APC NWC

    “Fubara is creating problems for himself. It is our business to demarket him and his party for us to win in 2027. I can say to you from knowledge that for the next ten years I do not see any politician destroying the political structure Wike has in Rivers State. I’m not God, but I’m talking about what is possible within human possibility. Wike structure cannot be destroyed. It is not possible, not so soon. Let’s leave it there.

    “The structure is embedded in the 23 Local Government areas of the state and the I can do men and women are not the kind of people who follow those who do not have capacity.

    “The ten of Governor Fubara and his antics cannot destroy Wike’s structure. Many people are saying that as APC Chairman in Rivers, why am I working with Wike, and I say is Wike not working with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu? So, he is not my enemy and so he is my friend and we are working to ensure the Renewed Hope Agenda is felt by Nigerians.

    “Wike has his tentacles spread all over. We are doing enough to let Rivers people know that we need a change of party. APC will soon take over Rivers State with time. The Ijaws hosting Wike is strategic. It is just to tell the minister that they are grateful for allowing their son to be governor after abandoning other aspirants”.

  • Explosion: APC under attack in Rivers, says Okocha 

    Explosion: APC under attack in Rivers, says Okocha 

    The Caretaker Committee Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State Chief Tony Okocha has reacted to the explosions that rocked the party’s secretariat in Port Harcourt lamenting that the APC is under attack in the state.

    Okocha, who spoke after inspecting the destroyed secretariat, called on the Federal Government and the International community to look into the plight of the party and provide security for its members.

    He complained that the attack on the Secretariat occurred following the refusal of the state government to obey court orders.

    Okocha said: “APC is under attack in Rivers State and this attack is unnecessary and uncalled for. We reminded Nigerians that there is a court judgement.  It is a court order in a matter that passed through the processes.

    “The judgement was given and the judge clearly said that the election scheduled for today did not comply with the constitution and the laws of the state.

    “The judge barred the police and the DSS from participating. Imagine where the police and DSS are not parts of the election. 

    “This morning at 3:30am my phone kept ringing. The admin notified me that our office had been attacked with explosives. The CP had come here to see things for himself. This is the second attempt after they did the first one. This structure is not our own. It is a rented apartment. 

    “We are under attack. They are chasing us everywhere but we are not bulging. They resorted to attacking our facilities. There is no voting unit here. Why did they attack here. Every time the Governor and his team are having an event APC would be marked out as scapegoat. 

    “APC and her members are under serious attack and we need security to keep us safe. It is not that we can’t unleash mayhem but we are cultured and we respect the rule of law. 

    “Let the governor respect the rule of law. If he hadn’t gone ahead with this charade today everybody would have gone about their normal activities. We won’t take the laws into our hands”.

  • Okocha to Fubara: stop deceiving Rivers people

    Okocha to Fubara: stop deceiving Rivers people

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has doubted the possibility of the proposed Council elections in the State on October 5.

    The APC said there is nothing on ground to indicate that the exercise will hold on the said date; they urged Governor Siminialayi Fubara to stop deceiving Rivers people that election will hold.

    Speaking yesterday in Port Harcour the State capital, the Party Chieftain Tony Okocha said the planned exercise has generated some suits that are pending in court, even as a Federal High court in Abuja has barred the Independent National Electoral commission (INEC), from releasing voters register to the State Independent Electoral commission (RSIEC), and the Police and other security agencies from participating.

    “As far as i am concerned, the local government election is another attempt to disrespect, disregard and disobey the court and the Laws of the Land.

    “We’re in court. It is no longer news that Justice Rita of the Federal High court Abuja has given an interim order, barring INEC from release of any sensitive material to the Rivers State Independent Electoral commission(RSIEC), what that means is that voters register should not be released to RSIEC; she equally barred the police and other security agencies from participating in the election.”

    Giving a report on the council election matter before the Federal High Court in Abuja said, ruling has been adjourned indefinitely.

    He noted that some parties including the Boot Party, Social Democratic Party (ADP), and another group who claimed to be the Original APC memebers in the State indicated interest at the last sitting to be joined in the suit and their submissions have already been taken by the court.

    He reasoned that with the developments, the planned October 5, council elections would not hold, and advised those who may want to directly participate in the exercise to careful not to run into colossal loss and regrets.

    “…as it is presently, the government is still struggling between two opinions whether or not to continue with the election preparation or not.”

    He called on Governor Siminialayi Fubara to stop the “deceit games” he is playing with the emotions of the people of the State, insisting that there is no way electijns would be conducted on the State while matter concerning the planned exercise are in court.

    “The Governor should stop deceiving Rivers People. We know that it is impossible for Local Government Elections to hold when the matter is in court, and an order has been issues, and that order has also not been vacated.

    Read Also: Fubara has sworn to violate Constitution, rule of law, says Rivers Speaker Amaewhule

    “He also should know that even when dows rhat for whatever reason, maybe to show impunity…, it will amount to nullity by all cost and in all cost.”

    Speaking further, Okocha regretted that some individauls who are aspiring to paeticipate in the polls as contestants have began to place their properties, buildings and plots of land for sale, while some other are dhopping for where to access interest loans to enable them via for the positions.

    He urged them to think twice before making away with their property, insisting that the possibility of conducting council elections in the State soon is not clear.

    “I hear that some of the people who say they want to run for the chairmanship ans Councellorship have already put up their houses and lands for sale, even some are busy borrowing money, to do what?, allow the scenario to ne clemente enough, the field is not clemante for anybody to contest local government elections in Euvers State for now.”

    We have said time and again that the APC is not afraid to run an election in Rivers State, at least, not the APC I represent…, the time APC could not present candidates for election was the period of leadership ineptitude, high handedness and the penchant to say no…,

    “We’re not scared of elections, we’re only saying that the processes should be seen to have followes the law, it is not an election that will be held at individuals whins and caprices, we will not advocate for that; this is what we have been saying long ago.” he insisted.

    Speaking on the matter concerning Martin Amaewhule led 25 State Lawmakers , Okocha again denied that they are members of his Party.

    He reiterated that all he has been doing since the crisis in PDP platform was to see a way to woo them into the APC, insisting that they are members of the PDP and not APC.

    “The Assembly members have said over and over again that they are not members of the All Progressives Congress and i can confirm to you that they are not.

    “What we’re doing with them is to woo them to joining us. We’re doing that because we discovered that they are having their own internal crisis in their party.

    “Some people are saying that that flew the flag of the APC, that they did that on a national television, that they swore Affidavits that they are members of the APC, and I am speaking to you in all authority that they never indicated to join that All Progressives Congress, at least i am incharge.

    “It would have been joy for me that they joined the APC. No assembly member even by default registered in APC in their ward …you become a member of your party from your ward,…you register in your ward register, but non of them.did, non of them has our membership card.”

    He aplauded the recent Abuja High court judgement that affirmed Amaewhule Speaker of the State House of Asembly, describing i as sound.

  • Rivers APC crisis, judgment plots to frustrate Tinubu in 2027 – Okocha

    Rivers APC crisis, judgment plots to frustrate Tinubu in 2027 – Okocha

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee Chairman in Rivers state, Tony Okocha has described the court judgment that sacked his committee and the inflicted crisis in the party as plots to hijack the party in the state to frustrate the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

    He noted that the main plan is to subordinate the party to the state government and render it inefficient to achieve the electoral success recorded in 2023 over the ruling party in the state.

    A High Court in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Monday sacked the caretaker committee and in its place reinstated Chief Emeka Beke as Chairman.

    APC National Working Committee however on Thursday declared the Okocha-led Caretaker Committee of the party as the only recognized administrative organ of the party in the state.

    Addressing reporters in Abuja on Friday, Okocha maintained that both Beke and one Barr. Iheanyichukwu Dike had no locus to institute that action, arguing that the duo has long been suspended from the State Working Committee (SWC) on allegations of engaging in anti-party activities.

    Okocha also pointed out that APC was never part of the said suit and that only its National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje was listed, insisting it was wrong for the trial judge to have made orders on parties who were never joined in the suit.

    “Beke was imposed on the APC in Rivers state. I was a member, an ally of Senator Magnus Abe when he was fighting right inside the APC. The reason why we fought was ineptitude, political high-handedness, and imposition. Beke was a product of these three issues but was imposed by the then APC leader, Rotimi Amaechi.

    “The truth of the matter is that the party has a lot of intellectuals, professionals, and lecturers. We imagine how a person of low academic qualifications can preside over a meeting that some of us would attend but the APC leader then said they wanted somebody who had a street boy mentality. But the truth was that he wanted a surrogate, a stooge who would do his bidding. We fought but the APC leader was then a minister and his vestiges were here as leaders of the party.

    Read Also: Okocha remain Rivers chairman, says APC NWC

    “At the presidential primaries of the APC, Beke was the person who led the Rivers delegation of 56 delegates to vote for Rotimi Amaechi. That was how they scored 56 from the state.

    “There is an intention to throw up Amaechi’s man and then he (Amaechi) becomes the APC leader and then uses the APC to fight Mr President in 2027. We will never allow that.

    “Beke has shot himself in the leg by also referring to Amaechi as leader of the party in Rivers and the South-South. A man who refused to cooperate with President Tinubu then as presidential candidate, a man who worked for the opposition. Amaechi and his group aligned with PDP’s Atiku while Wike and his group from the PDP worked with us. After we won the election, Amaechi addressed the Press that Tinubu nominated the INEC Chairman and that the INEC Chairman worked with the current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike when he was at TETFUND and Wike was the Education minister. That person cannot be the leader of the APC.

    “As far as we are concerned, this is the court of first instance and we had known the end from the beginning. If we had known the end from the beginning, why should we be perturbed by that court judgment? We knew and that was why we went ahead with our programmes, the solidarity rally for Mr President.

    “We are in court. We are law-abiding. At our level, even when a judgment is gotten from the toilet, we will abide by it. But we have applied to the court of appeal for a stay of execution and an invalidation of that judgment. We are not fighting fisticuffs. We will use the law and we are ready to go the whole hug to the Supreme Court.

    “The Supreme Court had ruled before that the courts should not meddle in the internal affairs of the party. The task of picking a party chairman is an internal affair of the party”, he concluded.

  • Okocha remain Rivers chairman, says APC NWC

    Okocha remain Rivers chairman, says APC NWC

    The National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has thrown its weight behind the Tony Okocha-led caretaker committee of the River State chapter of the party.

    The party’s highest administrative organ on Thursday, August 15, after a crucial meeting, dismissed a Port Harcourt High Court judgement which affirmed Chief Emeka Beke as the state chairman of the party, insisting that Okocha is the recognised caretaker committee  chairman.

    A Rivers State High Court had on Monday ruled in favour of Ameachi’s ally, Beke, as the APC State chairman.

    Addressing reporters after its weekly NWC meeting, the Deputy National Secretary of APC, Barrister Festus Fuanter maintained that the Court judgement was not binding on a person or organization that is not a party to the suit. 

    He argued that the party was not joined in the suit, hence the decision of the NWC to recognise the caretaker committee set up to oversee the affairs of the party in the.

    According to the deputy scribe, “We want to categorically state and inform the public that the position of the Party, All Progressives Congress in the judgment delivered by the Rivers High Court Justice S. Aprioko in Suit No: PHC 3592 CS. 2023 wherein the Court reinstated the dissolved State Executive Committee that it is not binding on the Party (APC). 

    Read Also: Rivers APC crisis: Court sacks Okocha, reinstates Beke

    “The claimant in the said case sued the National Chairman and Secretary of our great Party and not the Party itself and you cannot sue an agent of a disclosed principal. That a Court Judgment/Ruling/Order is not binding on a person or organization that is not a party to the suit.

    “In suit no: PHC/3592/CS/2023 between Sam Sam Etetegwung Vs. H.E. Abdullahi Ganduje & 7 Ors wherein the Court reinstated the Rivers State Executive Committee earlier dissolved by APC, is not binding on APC because it was not joined as a party in the suit. 

     “Secondly, there is a valid and subsisting Court Judgment against Chief Emeka Beke & Iheanyichukwu Azubuike (former Rivers State APC Chairman and Legal Adviser) respectively wherein they were removed from office. The said case suit No. PHC/925/CS/2023 Omiete Efrebo & 9 Ors. Vs. Chief Emeka Beke & 2 ors., were removed from office. It is pertinent to state here that the said judgment has been appealed against by Chief Emeka Beke and it is pending before the Court of Appeal. 

    “In view of the above, the Party still recognizes the erstwhile Caretaker Committee set up to oversee the affairs of the Party in the State.”

  • Okocha predicts tough tie between Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria

    Okocha predicts tough tie between Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria

    Former Nigeria International , Austine Jay Jay Okocha, has hinted  that  playing  hosts  Cote d’Ivoire in front of their partisan crowd  would be  a difficult task  as  the Super Eagles face off  against the Elephants  today at 6pm Nigerian time.

    The eagerly awaited Group A  showdown at the Olympic Stadium Alassane Ouattara would be decisive  as Cote d’Ivoire will be buoyed following their opening 2-0 win against  Guinea Bissau  while Nigeria’s back is already against the wall  after their insipid 1-1 draw against  Equatorial Guinea  hence there would be no pity from both sides.

     “Absolutely!” Okocha, 1994 AFCON winner , told CAF Media that Nigeria must expect a difficult mat today  against Cote d’Ivoire.” Every match is difficult but when you play the host country, it is even more difficult.

    “But, of course the beauty of football is that if you want to be champions, you have to win against the best. And as we know, in football, every match is difficult. If you are well prepared, you have a chance of winning your match.

    “But, we Nigerians, we know that it will be a difficult match but also, we believe that we have enough potential to be able to win this match.”

    The former PSG midfielder  who captained  Nigeria’s Silver medal winning squad  of  2000  as well as three consecutive  AFCON bronze medal finish  of  2002, 2004 and 2006 editions, noted that  the coach Jose Peseiro-led team can pull their chestnuts from the Ivorian fire if they are  psychologically ready for the titanic West Africa derby to be aired on  StarTimes Sports Premium Channel 252 and 246 as well as StarTimes-On app. 

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     “I think what the key will be is experience, desire and state of mind. For me, they are professionals, and they know the importance of this match, I think their mind-set will be the key,”  Okocha  noted , adding  the Super Eagles can take their game to another level despite the opening 1-1 draw against the Nzalang National: “I think we didn’t really play bad(against Equatorial Guinea)  like many people say.”

     “There were a lot of positive things that were seen in the match. The only problem is that we didn’t take our opportunities. We created a lot of chances, which is a positive aspect for me. That’s the sign of a good team. It looks like two points lost because we were favourites, but we know how difficult it is to win a match. This is also a good thing because they now know that they are not perfect and that they need to improve certain things.”

    The former Bolton Wanderers captain reckoned  that 2023 African Footballer of the Year, Victor Osimhen, might  play a big part in this encounter  after  he scored  Nigeria’s first goal of the tournament  and missed other begging chances against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.

    “We know that Victor Osimhen is a world-class goalscorer, a very great player. He needs the services of his team and I believe he got them in this first match. It’s not all the time that we see him miss clear opportunities. I think he is eager to correct his mistakes and with him, we have hope and we believe in him because we know he is capable of shining in any competition,” he said.