The Super Eagles of Nigeria have officially kicked off preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with the first batch of Super Eagles players arriving in Cairo on Sunday for a five-day training camp ahead of the tournament.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

The continental showpiece will take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, and Nigeria has started fine-tuning plans for another title push.

Goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Francis Uzoho were the first to report at the team’s base at the Renaissance Hotels in Cairo.

Their early arrival comes seven days before the tournament begins and three days ahead of an unofficial pre-tournament friendly against Egypt’s Pharaohs.

The Super Eagles’ Media Officer, Promise Efoghe, stated that several other players were expected to arrive later on Sunday night and on Monday, depending on flight schedules and any unforeseen travel issues. He also confirmed that the team would hold its first training session on Monday.

According to the Nigeria Football Federation, the squad was initially scheduled to begin final preparations on Wednesday, December 10. However, plans were adjusted to allow the team more time together. The Super Eagles will leave Cairo for Fez, their tournament base in Morocco, on Thursday via a chartered flight.

Naija News reports that coach Eric Chelle unveiled his final 28-man squad on Thursday, with a few notable inclusions and omissions. Uzoho earned a recall after more than a year away from the national team, while Nwabali’s presence in camp has eased concerns following reports that he was doubtful due to injury.

Both goalkeepers will compete for the number one spot alongside Singida Black Stars of Tanzania shot-stopper Amas Obasogie.

Trabzonspor striker Paul Onuachu also made a return to the squad, while Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and regular invitee Tolu Arokodare missed out on the final list.

Chelle selected three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders and nine forwards, handing first senior call-ups to five players.

Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu received his maiden invitation, while Slavia Prague centre-back Igoh Ogbu was included among the central defensive options.

The midfield has been strengthened with the addition of Inter Milan youngster and Remo Stars Academy product Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Israel-based Usman Muhammed and former Flying Eagles midfielder Tochukwu Nnadi. In attack, Croatia-based striker and ex-Flying Eagles forward Lawal Salim Fago is the latest newcomer, adding fresh options to Nigeria’s frontline.

Fulham defender Calvin Bassey is set for his second AFCON appearance and will line up alongside seasoned campaigners such as Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, Chidozie Awaziem, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Bruno Onyemaechi and Porto full-back Zaidu Sanusi.

In midfield, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Raphael Onyedika provide experience and balance, while Victor Osimhen will lead the attack.

He will be supported by Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon and the Sevilla duo of Akor Adams and Chidera Ejuke. Cyriel Dessers of Panathinaikos retained his place, with Onuachu earning his first invitation under Chelle following his strong form in Turkey.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Tanzania and Uganda. The Super Eagles will begin their campaign against Tanzania’s Taifa Stars on December 23, before facing Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles on December 27 and Uganda’s Cranes on December 30.

The following are all the Super Eagles players who have arrived in camp as of Sunday night, December 14: Uzoho, Nwabali, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Akinsanmiro Ebenezer, Igoh Ogbu, Bright Osayi-Samuel, ⁠Tochukwu Nnadi, Amas Obasogie, Ademola Lookman, and ⁠Semi Ajayi.

Raphinha struck twice late in the second half as Barcelona secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over a resolute Osasuna side on Saturday, extending their lead at the top of the La Liga standings to seven points.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Hansi Flick’s men now sit on 43 points, comfortably clear of second-placed Real Madrid, who have a game in hand and are set to play at Alaves on Sunday.

Barcelona dominated from the outset, enjoying an eye-watering 80 percent possession and firing 24 shots compared with just three from Osasuna.

However, the visitors’ disciplined five-man defensive line, combined with several outstanding saves from goalkeeper Sergio Herrera, frustrated the home side for much of the match.

The Catalans thought they had broken the deadlock in the 23rd minute when Ferran Torres nodded home a looping header from Marcus Rashford’s cross after a short corner routine.

However, a lengthy VAR review ruled the goal out for a marginal offside in the build-up.

The best chance of the first half came in the 40th minute, as teenager Lamine Yamal darted down the right flank before delivering a pinpoint cross to Torres. The striker unleashed an audacious overhead kick but sent the ball wide of the far post.

Osasuna’s resilient back five held firm as Barcelona swarmed forward in the second half, with Rashford testing Herrera’s acrobatics from a free kick early after the interval.

Yamal remained a constant menace down the right, tirelessly driving at defenders, but the visitors absorbed wave after wave of pressure.

Barcelona finally broke down Osasuna’s deep defensive block in the 70th minute when Pedri’s incisive pass cut through the visitors’ defence, finding Raphinha in his stride.

The Brazilian forward took a controlled touch before unleashing a thunderous strike from the edge of the area, the ball arrowing inside the left post.

Raphinha sealed the win in the 86th minute. A deflected cross from Jules Kounde on the right found the Brazilian unmarked at the far post, and he calmly volleyed the ball into an empty net, giving the scoreline a more comfortable look.

“It’s very commendable [what Osasuna did] because they were very compact and we struggled to break them down,” Barca defender Gerard Martin told Movistar Plus. “But with patience and a lot of ball possession, we know that goals always come, and we finally found them.”

Former Aston Villa manager, Tim Sherwood, has said Arsenal will win the Premier League title.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

Sherwood has gone as far as hailing Mikel Arteta’s men as “champions in waiting”.

He stated this during his analysis of the Gunners’ 2-1 win over Wolves on Saturday night.

It was a tough match for the league leaders, who needed two own goals to see off the bottom-placed team.

But Sherwood has praised Arsenal’s ability to grind out the result and win to go five points clear at the top of the table.

“The best teams find a way to win,” Sherwood told Premier League Productions.

“They are champions in waiting.”