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Super Eagles in coaching crisis ahead of crucial AFCON qualifiers

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria are facing a critical coaching crisis ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers set to kick off in September.

Drawn into Group D alongside the Cheetahs of Benin, Rwanda’s Amavubi, and Libya, the Super Eagles are competing for a spot in the upcoming AFCON tournament. However, they are currently without a head coach following the resignation of Finidi George, who stepped down after poor results in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The three-time African champions are set to face Gernot Rohr’s Benin Republic and Rwanda in Group D, with the top two teams advancing to the tournament in Morocco. The Super Eagles will begin their campaign at home against Benin on September 7th at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, before travelling to Kigali for a matchday two clash against Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium on September 10th.

During Finidi’s brief tenure, the Super Eagles struggled, suffering a 2-1 defeat to the Benin Republic in Abidjan and managing only a 1-1 draw against South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium. These results have left Nigeria winless after four matches, sitting in fifth place in Group C with just three points, putting their chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in serious jeopardy.

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Despite weeks of speculation, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to appoint a new head coach for the Super Eagles. This absence of leadership just weeks before the 2025 AFCON qualifiers poses a significant challenge for the team, which is eager to rebound from their runners-up finish at the 2023 AFCON.

With less than a month remaining before their first 2025 AFCON qualifying match, the urgency for the NFF to appoint a competent coach cannot be overstated.

The Super Eagles face an increasingly challenging path without a head coach to guide them through these crucial encounters.

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Osimhen’s brace fires Galatasaray to Turkish cup glory

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Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen delivered a sensational performance, scoring twice to lead Galatasaray to a commanding 3-0 victory over Trabzonspor in the Turkish Cup final at Gaziantep Stadium.

The win secured Galatasaray’s 19th Turkish Cup title and their first since 2019.

Osimhen has been instrumental throughout Galatasaray’s cup run, bagging a brace in their 2-1 quarter-final win over Fenerbahçe and adding a goal and assist in the 5-1 semi-final rout of Konyaspor.

Facing a determined Trabzonspor side, last year’s runners-up, Galatasaray struck early through Baris Alper Yilmaz, who finished off a precise cutback from Yunus Akgün in the 5th minute.

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Osimhen took center stage in the second half. He powered through a defender to double the lead, then capped a swift counter-attack with his second goal, his 35th of the season, putting the result beyond doubt.

The match also saw Osimhen face off against compatriot Anthony Nwakaeme, who was hoping to inspire Trabzonspor to glory on his return.

This triumph marks Osimhen’s first trophy with Galatasaray and the fourth of his career, adding to his U-17 World Cup, U-23 AFCON (both in 2015), and Serie A (2023) titles.

His 35-goal haul also sets a new record, surpassing Mario Jardel’s 24-year milestone to become the highest-scoring foreign player in a single season for Galatasaray.

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Flying Eagles beat Senegal, advance to U-20 AFCON semifinals

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Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, have secured a place in the semifinals of the Africa Cup of Nations U-20 tournament and qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Senegal.

The tightly contested knockout stage encounter ended goalless after regular and extra time, with both teams unable to find the back of the net.

Ultimately, it was Nigeria who triumphed 3–1 in the penalty shootout.

The match, held in the knockout stage of the continental youth championship, saw the two sides locked in a stalemate throughout regulation and extra time.

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Despite numerous attempts from both sides, neither team could break the deadlock, leading to a penalty decider.

Nigeria converted three of their spot-kicks, while Senegal managed only one, allowing the Flying Eagles to clinch the win and progress to the last four of the competition.

The result not only sends Nigeria into the semifinals of the U-20 AFCON but also confirms their place in the upcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup.

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Brazil appoints Carlo Ancelotti as national team coach

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Veteran Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti has been officially appointed as the new head coach of Brazil’s national football team, according to reports by sports journalist David Ornstein. The 65-year-old will take over the role on May 26, immediately after overseeing his final match with Real Madrid against Real Sociedad in La Liga.

Ancelotti’s appointment marks a historic moment as he becomes the first foreigner to manage Brazil’s senior men’s team. Ornstein confirmed that all agreements have been finalized and contracts signed, with the transition negotiated amicably between Ancelotti, Real Madrid, and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). The deal was led by Diego Fernandes on behalf of the CBF.

One of the most decorated coaches in football history, Ancelotti will be tasked with leading Brazil through their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign, aiming for a record-extending sixth World Cup title when the tournament kicks off in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Athletic previously reported that Ancelotti had agreed to take charge through the 2026 World Cup. He will succeed Dorival Júnior, who was dismissed in March after 14 months at the helm.

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Ancelotti’s debut on the Brazil touchline is expected on June 6, in a World Cup qualifier against Ecuador.

Since returning to Real Madrid in 2021, Ancelotti has added two La Liga titles and a Champions League trophy to his illustrious resume, which includes eight major European finals. However, recent performances by Madrid have been underwhelming, including a Champions League quarter-final exit to Arsenal, a Copa del Rey final loss to Barcelona, and trailing Hansi Flick’s side by seven points in La Liga with three games to go.

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