International Football
Super Eagles’ rebuilding continues with a Russian clash
In what is their first ever confrontation with Russia at senior level, the Super Eagles will be seeking to sustain a momentum that has seen them play four matches without a defeat.
They are fresh from winning a four-nation Unity Cup in London last week as a follow-up to two World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. This Friday, they confront Russia at the iconic Luzhniki Stadium, the venue of both the opening and final matches of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Though Russia has been absent from competitive fixtures since February 2022 due to international sanctions, the team has remained active in friendly matches, most recently thrashing Zambia 5-0 at Moscow’s VTB Arena on March 25, stretching their winning streak to eight games.
The Eagles at a training session in Moscow on Wednesday.
With this evening’s game, extend the winning streak to nine? Will Nigeria have a five-match unbeaten run to build the momentum towards their next World Cup qualifying duel at home with Rwanda?
Nigeria’s journey this year has also been impressive. The Eagles beat Rwanda 2-0 in Kigali in a World Cup qualifier on March 21, drew 1-1 with Zimbabwe at home four days later, and defeated Ghana 2-1 before outlasting Jamaica on penalties after a 2-2 draw to lift the Unity Cup in London on May 31.
Franco-Malian coach Eric Chelle will field a squad aiming to solidify the team’s rhythm ahead of two crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September: at home to Rwanda and away to South Africa’s Bafana Bafana, the current group leaders.
Though the squad is missing key names like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Samuel Chukwueze, Chelle retains a solid core.
Maduka Okoye is expected in goal, with defenders William Ekong, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi, Igoh Ogbu, and Benjamin Fredericks in contention for starting roles.
In midfield, options include Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika, Christantus Uche, Papa Daniel, and Saviour Isaac.
Up front, expectations rest on Simon Moses and Tolu Arokodare, while Olakunle Olusegun, who plays in Russia for Krasnodar FC, hopes to make his international debut on familiar turf.
Now, the Super Eagles aim to write their chapter in Moscow—by extending their unbeaten run and proving they’re ready for the battles ahead on the road to 2026.
The encounter will kick off at 8 pm Russia time (6 pm Nigeria).
SUPER EAGLES FOR RUSSIA FRIENDLY:
Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Singida
Blackstars, Tanzania)
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright
Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC,
Greece); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Igoh Ogbu
(SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars); Benjamin
Fredericks (Brentford FC, England)
Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Raphael Onyedika (Club
Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy); Christantus
Uche (Getafe CF, Spain); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes); Saviour
Isaac (Enugu Rangers)
Forwards: Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC
Nantes, France); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Olakunle Olusegun
(Krasnodar FC, Russia); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars)
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Well-travelled Portuguese coach Paulo Duarte has been named as Guinea’s new coach, less than a month before their next round of World Cup qualifiers.
Duarte, 56, has twice previously coached Burkina Faso and taken charge of Gabon and Togo, while also coaching at clubs in Portugal, France, Tunisia, Angola and Saudi Arabia.
Guinea’s football federation gave no contract details when they made the announcement on Monday, but said they would be looking for Duarte to “restructure their national team”.
Guinea trail leaders Algeria by eight points in their World Cup qualifying group with four games remaining, leaving them with only a slim chance of qualification.
They play Somalia away on September 5 and then Algeria at home on September 8 in their next two qualifiers although a stadium ban means Guinea have moved their home game to Casablanca, Morocco.
-Reuters
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Veteran coach Louis van Gaal says he has been cured of cancer and is keen for a return to the higher levels of the game.
The 73-year-old announced three years ago that he was suffering from prostate cancer, but told a Dutch television talk show, “I’m no longer bothered by cancer.”
When he announced his illness, Van Gaal was the coach of the Dutch national team, but he has not worked since the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
“Two years ago, I had a few operations. It was all bad then. But it all worked out in the end. I have check-ups every few months, and that’s going well. I’m getting fitter and fitter,” he said.
Van Gaal, whose career has included stints at Ajax Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester United, reiterated a lack of interest in returning to club management but said becoming the national coach of a top-tier country could tempt him back.
He now serves as a special advisor to Ajax.
-Reuters
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In a compelling twist of football destiny, Davide Ancelotti is stepping into his own spotlight as he begins his first head coaching role at Brazilian club Botafogo—just months after parting ways with his legendary father, Carlo Ancelotti, at Real Madrid.
The 35-year-old has been appointed as Botafogo’s new manager, the club announced on Tuesday, following the sacking of Renato Paiva. Davide, who has spent the last decade working alongside his father at some of Europe’s top clubs—including Bayern Munich, Napoli, Everton, and Real Madrid—has signed a one-year deal with the Rio-based team.
This marks a significant milestone for the younger Ancelotti, whose career has long been shaped by his father’s influence, but who now faces the challenge of carving his own identity on the touchline.
The move comes shortly after both father and son departed Real Madrid at the end of last season, with Carlo taking over the Brazilian national team. Now, in a poetic alignment, father and son find themselves on different paths within Brazilian football—one leading the Seleção, the other steering the fortunes of a storied domestic club.
Botafogo’s decision to appoint Davide follows a controversial parting with Paiva, who was dismissed just days after their exit from the Club World Cup. Though he oversaw a stunning win over Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain, a 1-0 extra-time loss to Palmeiras in the round of 16 proved to be his final act after just four months in charge.
As Davide Ancelotti begins this new chapter, all eyes will be on whether the son of one of football’s most decorated managers can step out from his father’s shadow—and perhaps, in time, build a legacy of his own.
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