SportsNews

Chelle drops Osimhen, Lookman from Super Eagles squad to play Ghana, Russia [Full list]

Published

1 month ago

May 21, 2025

The head coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle, has left Victor Osimhen and Ademola out of his squad for play Ghana in the Unity Cup.

This was confirmed after the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, released the list of invited players on Wednesday afternoon.

Osimhen and Lookman will also miss Nigeria’s games against Russia.

However, there is a return for goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, Frank Onyeka, Kelechi Iheanacho and captain Ahmed Musa.

The NPFL contingent includes Junior Harrison Nduka, captain of both Remo Stars and the CHAN-bound Super Eagles B, alongside Ifeanyi Onyebuchi and Collins Ugwueze (Enugu Rangers), Sodiq Ismail (Remo Stars), Waliu Ojetoye (Ikorodu City).

Saviour Isaac (Enugu Rangers), Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes), Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars), and Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United) are also included in the team.

These home-based stars will compete for spots against established names like Moses Simon, Stanley Nwabali, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, Cyriel Dessers, Nathan Tella, Tolu Arokodare, and Kelechi Iheanacho.

Musa will lead the team to the Unity, which will be played from May 26 to 31. The four-nation competition features Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago.

Russia will host Nigeria in an international friendly on June 6, at the iconic Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.

The game will be the first-ever senior international meeting between the two countries.

Chelle, aiming to test new players and tactics ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, stated that the tournament “will give us the chance to try out a few new players in different roles, helping us to strengthen our squad before the matches in September and October.”

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UEFA announce moment of silence for Diogo Jota, André Silva

Published

7 hours ago

July 3, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

UEFA have announced a moment of silence in memory of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who sadly passed away on Thursday.

In the early hours of Thursday, both football stars died as a result of a car crash in Zamora, Spain.

In a post on their website, UEFA said a moment of silence will be observed at all UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 games taking place today and tomorrow in memory of the late players.

Reacting to the tragic news, President of UEFA, Aleksander Čeferin, said: “Just three weeks ago, I had the honour of presenting Diogo Jota with a medal after the UEFA Nations League final, a moment of joy, pride, and celebration that’ll now forever be burned in memory with sorrow.

“Rest in peace, dear Diogo. You’ll not be forgotten.”

Just last month, Jota got married to his long-time girlfriend, Rute Cardoso, in Porto.

SportsNews

EPL: We’re devastated – Liverpool react to Diogo Jota’s death

Published

17 hours ago

July 3, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Liverpool Football Club have reacted to the death of their forward Diogo Jota.

In a tweet via their officially X account on Thursday, the Premier League champions expressed sadness over the Portuguese’s death.

“Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota,” Liverpool tweeted.

Jota and his brother Andre died after car accident in the province of Zamora in Spain, on Thursday.

The sad news is coming less than two weeks after got married to Rute Cardoso, in Porto, Portugal.

Jota, 28, had won the English Premier League title with Liverpool last season.

He was on holiday ahead of the new 2025/26 season before the tragic news of his death.

Jota, who is expected to be buried in the coming days, had three children with Cardoso.

SportsNews

Kano Pillars appoint new management for youth teams

Published

1 day ago

July 2, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Kano Pillars have constituted a new management team for the Junior Pillars as well as its U-19, U-15 and U-13 teams.

Ibrahim Musa has been appointed as the technical adviser of Junior Pillars, while Saleh Garzali will take charge as head coach.

The U-19 side will be managed by Usman Ikramatu and Ahmed Mustapha, while Habu Kamara assumes the role of team manager.

Suleiman Ibrahim Yakasai (Lajin) has been tasked with overseeing the U-15 team, bringing his wealth of experience to guide the young talents.

At the U-13 level, Coach Nura Platini and Tasiu Pele will lead the technical team, ensuring the earliest stages of player development receive the highest standard of coaching and mentorship.

The restructuring is aimed at aligning the club’s youth development philosophy with global best practices.

Ekwutosblog recalls that Kano Pillars U-19 team took part in the inaugural edition of the National Youth League Super Cup tournament in Lagos.