Speaking during his pre-match press conference, Chelle confirmed that the first-choice goalkeeper is dealing with knee and ankle discomfort following Nigeria’s dramatic 3–2 victory over Tunisia on Saturday.

Nigeria have already booked their place in the Round of 16 after back-to-back wins against Tanzania (2–1) and Tunisia (3–2), meaning the technical crew may opt for squad rotation ahead of the knockout phase.

Nwabali appeared to aggravate a pre-existing issue during the Tunisia encounter, particularly while attempting to stop the North Africans’ opening goal, when he landed awkwardly.

After the match, the Chippa United captain spoke candidly about the physical strain he is enduring at the tournament.

“I was injured, but with the help of the team doctors and physios, I’m able to stand on the pitch and play,” Nwabali said.
“It is quite tough for me because it is not something you come out to say… but I am always a strong man, I try to represent my country.”

Chelle also revealed that Frank Onyeka is nursing an ankle issue, adding that the final decision on team selection will be made after the last training session.

“Nwabali has a small knee pain, and Frank is dealing with an ankle problem,” Chelle said.
“We will take care of the situation for the team. I need to consider the whole team, and we still have one training session.”

With progression already secured, the Super Eagles boss hinted at a possible surprise in goal, as Nigeria look to manage player fitness ahead of the knockout rounds.

Should Nwabali be rested, Francis Uzoho and Amas Obasogie are available as options between the sticks.

Nigeria currently sits atop Group C with six points, while Uganda heads into Tuesday’s encounter needing a positive result to keep their qualification hopes alive.

This post appeared first on Mp3bullet.ng... Read Original post on AFCON 2025: Chelle Explains Why Nwabali May Miss Uganda Clash.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers set to begin in March 2025, Nigeria’s new head coach, Eric Chelle, has announced his squad ahead of the crucial matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe.

The initial 30-man squad submitted by Chelle was later trimmed down to 23 players, with notable omissions including Maduka Okoye, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Ahmed Musa. Okoye, currently under investigation in Serie A, was left out, while Iheanacho and Musa also failed to make the final cut.

Chelle’s selection reflects a balanced mix of home-based and international players, signaling his intent to build a squad capable of competing at the highest level.

Goalkeepers:

• Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa)
• Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania)
• Kayode Bankole (Remo Stars, Nigeria)

Defenders:

• William Troost-Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia)
• Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahçe, Turkey)
• Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos, Greece)
• Calvin Bassey (Fulham, England)
• Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest, England)
• Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic)

Midfielders:

• Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England)
• Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)
• Alhassan Yusuf (New England Revolution, USA)
• Alex Iwobi (Fulham, England)
• Joe Aribo (Southampton, England)
• Papa Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes, Nigeria)

Forwards:

• Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy)
• Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Turkey)
• Ademola Lookman (Atalanta, Italy)
• Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
• Moses Simon (Nantes, France)
• Sadiq Umar (Valencia, Spain)
• Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany)
• Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium)

With the qualifiers fast approaching, fans are eager to see how the Super Eagles will perform under Eric Chelle’s leadership as they set their sights on World Cup qualification.

23 for Rwanda & Zimbabwe WCQ #soarsupereagles pic.twitter.com/uVa61KUFC4

— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) March 11, 2025

This post appeared first on Mp3bullet.ng... Read Original post on Eric Chelle Unveils Super Eagles Squad for 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled its final shortlist for the 2024 Men’s Player of the Year award on Monday, November 18, 2024. The announcement, made exactly a month ahead of the awards ceremony, also included nominees for other key categories.

This year’s nominees were selected from an initial pool of players based on their exceptional performances for both club and country during the year.

Final Nominees for CAF Player of the Year
The five finalists for the prestigious Men’s Player of the Year award are:
Ademola Lookman  (Nigeria & Atalanta)
Simon Adingra (Côte d’Ivoire & Brighton & Hove Albion)
Serhou Guirassy (Guinea & Borussia Dortmund)
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco & Paris Saint-Germain)
Ronwen Williams (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns)

National Team of the Year Nominees
The Super Eagles of Nigeria earned a nomination for the National Team of the Year, competing alongside other strong contenders such as:
Côte d’Ivoire (Winners of the last AFCON)
DR Congo
South Africa
Sudan

The CAF Awards celebrate outstanding talent in African football, and the anticipation continues to grow as fans await the ceremony, where the continent’s football elite will be honoured for their achievements.

Here are the other Award categories;

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR

Andre Onana (Cameroon / Manchester United)
Yahia Fofana (Cote d’Ivoire / Angers SCO)
Mostafa Shobeir (Egypt / Al Ahly)
Stanley Nwabali (Nigeria / Chippa United)
Ronwen Wlliams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)

INTERCLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Issoufou Dayo (Burkina Faso / RS Berkane)
Ahmed Sayed ‘Zizo’ (Egypt / Zamalek)
Hussein El Shahat (Egypt / Al Ahly)
Mostafa Shobeir (Egypt / Al Ahly)
Ronwen Wlliams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)

COACH OF THE YEAR

Pedro Goncalves (Angola)
Emerse Fae (Cote d’Ivoire)
Sebastien Desabre (DR Congo)
Marcel Koller (Al Ahly)
Hugo Broos (South Africa)

YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Karim Konate (Cote d’Ivoire / Salzburg)
Oumar Diakite (Cote d’Ivoire / Reims)
Yankuba Minteh (Gambia / Brighton & Hove Albion)
Eliesse Ben Seghir (Morocco / AS Monaco)
Lamine Camara (Senegal / AS Monaco)

CLUB OF THE YEAR

Al Ahly (Egypt)
Zamalek (Egypt)
RS Berkane (Morocco)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia)

When is the 2024 CAF Awards?

The award ceremony will take place in Marrakech, Morocco, on December 16, 2024.

This post appeared first on Mp3bullet.ng... Read Original post on CAF Announces Final Shortlist for 2024 Men’s Player of the Year Awards.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have unveiled a powerful squad for the November 2024 international break, gearing up for crucial matches against Benin Republic and Rwanda. With only one point needed to secure their place in the upcoming AFCON tournament, coach Austine Eguavoen has assembled a lineup of seasoned talents and emerging stars.

Among the notable inclusions is Sadiq Umar from Real Sociedad, marking his return to the national team alongside Gabriel Osho of Auxerre. Osho steps in to cover the absence of West Brom’s Semi Ajayi, who is sidelined due to injury, while Umar fills in for Taiwo Awoniyi, who didn’t make this squad.

In a significant development, Victor Collins of Nasarawa United has earned his first national call-up, creating healthy competition for the left-back position with Bruno Onemaechi.

The Super Eagles are set to capitalize on the three points they have been awarded from the previously abandoned Libya fixture, placing them just a step away from AFCON qualification.

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain)

Roster for Benin Rep. & Rwanda Afcon Qualifiers #soarsupereagles pic.twitter.com/z7hS1Xqsbd

— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 6, 2024

This post appeared first on Mp3bullet.ng... Read Original post on Nigeria Unveils Star-Studded Squad for November 2024 Internationals.

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has clarified that his teammate Francis Uzoho remains the team’s first-choice goalkeeper at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.

Nwabali, who plays for Chippa United, has been given the starting role in Nigeria’s first two games at the AFCON, including a clean sheet against the host nation, Ivory Coast. However, he emphasized that Uzoho is still considered the team’s primary shot-stopper.

The revelation provides insight into the coach’s tactical decisions and demonstrates the depth and competition within the Super Eagles’ squad during the tournament.

Speaking to The Guardian UK reporter Osasu Obayiuwana, Nwabali said, “To be honest it has been nice, it has been God throughout but Iam not the first choice.

“Uzoho is still the first choice, I only had an opportunity to play. I feel I have to do my best when I have an opportunity to play.

“I was not expecting to play the opening game but I am ready even when I got the call-up but I was not sure of a starting place.”

Nwabali added, “He [Peseiro] didn’t talk to me initially. It was a day before our game, after our last training he came to me, ‘Stanley keep it to yourself, you are going to play’. I told him I am always ready and not worried about it.”

This post appeared first on Mp3bullet.ng... Read Original post on Super Eagles goalkeeper Nwabali discloses what Peseiro told him.