Sports
Just in: Super Eagles captain, Ndidi, two others risk suspension as they meet Algeria
The Super Eagles maybe in heavy trouble ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final clash with Algeria, with three major players likely to face suspension.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Calvin Bassey are all one booking away from suspension after picking up yellow cards during Nigeria’s emphatic Round of 16 win over Mozambique’s Mambas.
Any further caution against Algeria would rule the affected player out of the semi-final, should Nigeria progress.
The stakes are high, with either Morocco or Cameroon set to face the winner of the quarter-final in the last four.
The highly anticipated tie between Nigeria and Algeria will be played on Saturday at the Marrakech Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 5 pm Nigerian time.
While attention is firmly on the looming clash with the Desert Foxes, the Super Eagles are also drawing confidence from a commanding 4-0 win over Mozambique, a match that carried special significance for central defender Semi Ajayi.
The London-born defender reached a personal landmark during the Round of 16 encounter, celebrating his 50th appearance for the three-time African champions.
Ajayi, a former Nigeria Under-20 international, made his senior debut in September 2018 during an AFCON qualifier against Seychelles, coming on as a late substitute for Chidozie Awaziem.
At the 2025 AFCON, Ajayi has been one of Nigeria’s standout performers. He claimed the Man of the Match award in the opening game against Tanzania and marked that display with his first goal of the tournament.
After sitting out the final group game against Uganda, he returned to the starting line-up as Nigeria recorded their first clean sheet of the competition against Mozambique.
“That’s what we’ve been striving towards. As a defender, we always pride ourselves on clean sheets, so the fact that we were able to get one today was really good,” Ajayi told reporters in the mixed zone after the match.
“There are still things we need to improve on, and luckily the team is improving game by game, so we are looking forward to improving again for the next one.”
Ajayi also spoke about his partnership with fellow defender Calvin Bassey, highlighting the understanding that has developed between them.
He said, “We’ve played a lot of games together. We understand how each other works and we are always pushing each other to be better. We are looking to improve again for the next game.”
Nigeria’s Super Eagles began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo on Friday.
Madagascar stunned the home crowd at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium by taking the lead in the 16th minute through E. Kari, who converted a pass from R. Ponti.
Nigeria responded before half-time, with debutant George Ilenikhena restoring parity after combining with Alex Iwobi to finish off the move.
The Super Eagles completed the comeback in the second half when another debutant, Moses Usor, scored to put Eric Chelle’s side 2-1 ahead.
Nigeria held on to secure all three points and make a winning start to their Group L campaign.
The result is particularly significant because Tanzania, one of the group’s co-hosts, already has an automatic place at the 2027 AFCON finals.
Consequently, only the highest-placed team among Nigeria, Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau will claim the remaining qualification ticket from the group.
The Super Eagles will next travel to Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday for their second Group L fixture, while Madagascar will face Tanzania.
Nigeria were without Victor Osimhen for the match after the Galatasaray striker was ruled out of the opening two qualifiers while recovering from a muscle injury.
Team FCT have emerged winners of the Abuja Zone of the ongoing 2026 First Bank/Samuel Okwaraji Foundation Inter-Secondary School Football Competition.
The FCT side finished top of the zonal standings with 10 points to secure the first position, while Plateau State came second with 7 points.
Other teams that participated in the Abuja Zone competition were representatives from Niger, Nasarawa and Kogi states.
Speaking after FCT emerged champions of the zone, 16-year-old Victor Onyebuchi, an emerging star and a student of GSTC Garki, praised the organisers for providing young footballers with an opportunity to showcase their talents.
Onyebuchi said he had hoped and prayed that FCT would emerge winners of the group, expressing delight that his wish had been fulfilled.
He, however, stressed that the team must work harder ahead of the national final, where they will aim to compete for the overall title.
“I am very happy that FCT emerged winners of the group. I prayed for this and my wish has come true. Now, we have to work harder for the national final and hopefully emerge champions,”
Onyebuchi said.
The promising midfielder also revealed that the competition represents an important platform in his ambition to become a professional footballer.
“My dream is to become a professional footballer in Nigeria and later play for the national team. I believe this tournament can give me the opportunity to achieve that dream.”
The Abuja Zone was one of the zonal centres for the 2026 First Bank/Samuel Okwaraji Foundation Inter-Secondary School Football Competition, designed to provide young players with a platform to develop and showcase their football abilities.
Former Super Eagles captain and Al-Ahli star, William Troost-Ekong, has converted to Islam.
Troost-Ekong was said to have recited the Shahadah in Doha, Qatar, where he plays for Qatar Stars League club Al-Ahli, as reported by a Qatari press, “Al-Arab” on Wednesday.
A respected Islamic cleric, Dr Muhammad Salah, also shared a video on his verified Facebook account wherein the defender recited the testimonies.
The 33-year-old defender first moved to the Arab region in the summer of 2024, when he signed for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Khaleej.
He joined Qatari side, Al-Ahli in January 2026 on a one-and-a-half-year contract and has since played 14 matches across all competitions, including a single appearance in the current season.
On the international stage, Ekong won 83 caps for Nigeria between 2015 and 2025, scoring 8 goals.
He reached the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire and was named best player of that edition.
Troost-Ekong also represented Nigeria at the FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games, establishing himself as one of the country’s most experienced defenders of the past decade.
He enjoyed a distinguished international career with Super Eagles, making more than 70 appearances for the Super Eagles.
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