Super Eagles B coach, Eric Chelle, has revealed that he was criticised for selecting midfielder Alex Young Oyowah in Nigeria’s squad for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in the Ivory Coast.

It was reports that Eric Chelle and his Home-based Super Eagles players bowed out of the 2024 CHAN on Tuesday despite a 2-0 win over Congo in their final Group D fixture, with goals from Anas Yusuf and Sikiru Alimi sealing the victory. Oyowah, who was named Man of the Match, emerged as one of the few bright sparks of the campaign.

Speaking after the game, Chelle revealed that Oyowah’s inclusion was widely questioned.

“For example, the player who won the Man of the Match award against Congo, Alex, I put him on our list for the tournament a week before we left, and everyone said, ‘Why did you call him up when he’s not known?’” he said via CAF’s official website.

The coach admitted the team was far from fully prepared for the tournament.

“We were not ready to participate in this tournament. Whoever attends our training sessions will notice that our players were not mentally prepared to participate in this version of the tournament,” Chelle explained.

Despite finishing with three points, the Super Eagles placed third in Group D behind Sudan and Senegal, who advanced to the knockout stage. Chelle admitted Nigeria’s heaviest blow was their 4-0 defeat to Sudan.

“Our deep regret stems from our heavy defeat to Sudan, but that’s football,” the coach added. “We will carefully analyse the Sudan match to make up for what happened in the future.”

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Former Super Eagles forward, Brown Ideye, has officially retired from professional football after a career that spanned nearly two decades across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Brown Ideye, 36, made the announcement on Wednesday, August 21, in a statement shared via his 𝕏 handle.

It was reports that Brown Ideye announced his retirement from professional football after Nigeria Premier Football League club, Enyimba listed him among the players who were released from the side.

“After much thought and consideration with mixed emotions, I’ve decided to retire from professional football,” he wrote. “I will first like to thank God for the talent and the long career I’ve enjoyed. I thank my family and friends for their unwavering love, support and understanding till this day.”

Brown Ideye, who earned 28 international caps and scored six goals for Nigeria, was a member of the Super Eagles team that lifted the Africa Cup of Nations in 2013 under the late coach Stephen Keshi.

At club level, Ideye featured in several top leagues, including the English Premier League with West Bromwich Albion, the Greek Super League with Olympiacos, and the Chinese Super League with Tianjin Teda. He also had spells in Spain and Ukraine, establishing himself as a well-traveled and respected professional.

In his farewell note, Ideye hinted that his journey in football was not over despite hanging up his boots. “Football will always be a part of my life as I enter my next chapter,” he added.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Al-Nassr manager Jorge Jesus has hailed Cristiano Ronaldo as “a great example for world football,” praising the Portuguese icon’s remarkable consistency at the age of 40.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in 2022 after his high-profile exit from Manchester United, showed flashes of selflessness in the Saudi Super Cup semifinal against Al-Ittihad.

Instead of taking a shot on goal, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner set up teammate Joao Felix for a simple finish. That unselfish moment highlighted a different side of the man often associated with ruthless finishing.

Speaking after the victory, Jesus underlined Ronaldo’s influence not only on the pitch but also on the club’s global appeal.

“Ronaldo is a great example for world football, a 40-year-old player who delivers athletic and physical performance, and let’s not forget that 80% of the fans in attendance are here for Ronaldo, and Al Nassr deserves to have this global star,” Jesus said, as quoted by Sportskeeda.

Cristiano Ronaldo has now amassed 938 career goals in 1,281 games, an astonishing record for someone still performing at the highest level well into his fourth decade. His move to Saudi Arabia also shifted football’s spotlight to the Middle East, paving the way for other big names to follow.

This season, Al-Nassr strengthened their squad with players like Inigo Martinez and Joao Felix, as they aim to dethrone their rivals in the Saudi Pro League.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM