Sports
Will Nigeria Escape From World Cup Group D?
Nigeria’s focus was on the 2018 World Cup draw held in Moscow on Friday as the Super Eagles learned the teams they were to be paired with in the group stage of next summer’s showpiece in Russia.
Many anticipated a tough group, as the Super Eagles started the day in Pot Four among the lowest ranked teams, and ultimately, the West African nation was paired in Group D alongside familiar foes Argentina, Croatia and debutants Iceland.
It could have been worse, perhaps, but do the three-time African champions have any chance of making it past this first obstacle?
On one hand, this could be seen as a kind draw when one considers that Morocco were pooled with 2010 champions Spain and reigning European champions Portugal. Considering the Atlas Lions’ misfortune, Nigeria can perhaps could their blessings.
However, it could have been easier as well, and the Super Eagles will have their work cut out to advance.
Argentina will be Nigeria’s toughest opponent.
The tie needs no serious introduction, as it will be the duo’s fifth meeting at the tournament, having previously crossed paths at the 1994, 2002, 2010 and 2014 editions.
Both sides also recently met in an international friendly in Krasnodar, with the Eagles clawing their way back to claim an empathic 4-2 win after having been 2-0 down.
Nigeria have never beaten La Albiceleste at the World Cup but considering their recent improvements, this could be the perfect chance for Nigeria to end their hoodoo.
This will be Croatia’s fifth appearance at the World Cup, and one of the things that makes the Adriatic country a formidable force is the quality in their squad.
From defence to attack they boast names in Dejan Lovren, Luka Modric and Mario Mandzukic among others, and it will be an herculean task to stop their threat, not least because they can certainly call upon more experience than Gernot Rohr’s young Nigeria side.
Iceland are making their debut at the World Cup, and with a population of just over 300,000 people, they are the smallest nation to ever compete at the global showpiece.
They will naturally be considered minnows for the tournament, but after a surreal run at Euro 2016 – where they finished ahead of Portugal in Group F and dispatched England in the last 16 – they certainly have a lot up their sleeves, they must not be underestimated.
The tiny Scandinavian island were also solid during their World Cup qualifiers, finishing top of Group I ahead of Croatia, Ukraine, Turkey, Finland and Kosovo. Subsequently, Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side must not be taken for granted by any team this summer.
It doesn’t need to be stressed that the Super Eagles have enjoyed a revival under coach Rohr.
Going the entire qualifying campaign against former African champions Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia unbeaten is a testament to the progress made under the German coach, but after being drawn in a tough group, they’d do well to pull out another historic victory that will be remembered alongside triumphs over Spain in 1998 and Bulgaria in 1994.
The furthest Nigeria have gone at the World Cup is the round of 16 on three occasions out of their previous five apperances, but any expectation that they’ll smash their glass ceiling emphatically this time around ought to be tempered by a tricky first-round group.
Certainly, while none of Nigeria’s Group D foe will be happy to have drawn the Super Eagles, they’ll already be looking at the uncertainty over the goalkeeping situation, the question marks at full-back and the side’s inexperience, and be plotting Nigeria’s downfall.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the appointment of German tactician Bruno Labbadia as the new Head Coach of Nigeria’s Senior Men’s National Team, the Super Eagles.
This development was announced by the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, in the early hours of Tuesday, following the approval of the NFF Executive Committee based on a recommendation from its Technical and Development Sub-Committee. Labbadia’s appointment takes immediate effect.
Born on 8th February 1966 in Darmstadt, Germany, Labbadia enjoyed a distinguished playing career, earning two caps for the German national team. His club career included stints at prominent clubs such as Darmstadt 98, Hamburger SV, FC Kaiserslautern, Bayern Munich, FC Cologne, Werder Bremen, Arminia Bielefeld, and Karlsruher SC. Notably, he won the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich in 1994.
Labbadia’s coaching career has seen him manage top-tier clubs such as Hertha Berlin, VfB Stuttgart, VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, and Bayer Leverkusen, among others. He holds a UEFA Pro License and is well-regarded for his tactical acumen.
With his appointment, Labbadia becomes the sixth German to lead the Super Eagles, following in the footsteps of Karl-Heinz Marotzke, Gottlieb Göller, Manfred Höner, Berti Vogts, and Gernot Rohr. Höner notably guided the Super Eagles to a runner-up finish at the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations, while Rohr qualified Nigeria for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Labbadia’s immediate task is to prepare the Super Eagles for their upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches.
Nigeria will face Benin Republic on Saturday, 7th September in Uyo, and Rwanda on Tuesday, 10th September in Kigali. The team will also play four additional qualifying matches in October and November as they aim to secure a spot in the 2025 AFCON, scheduled to be held from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The Super Eagles, placed in Group D, will face familiar foes Benin Republic, who recently defeated Nigeria in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The draw for the AFCON qualifiers, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, last month, also sees Nigeria taking on Libya and Rwanda, both of whom are also part of the Super Eagles’ group for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers set to be hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Labbadia’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the Super Eagles look to regain their dominance on the African continent and secure qualification for both the AFCON and the World Cup.
Finidi George has stepped into a new role as the technical manager for NPFL side, Rivers United, following his resignation as coach of the Super Eagles.
During his brief tenure with the Eagles, George’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in Uyo and a 2-1 loss to Benin Republic in Abidjan cast doubts on Nigeria’s World Cup qualification, prompting calls from fans for his dismissal.
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Nevertheless, Rivers United, the 2021-22 champions, expressed optimism in a statement on Wednesday via their official handle about having the former Eagles international manage their team.
“Finidi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our team, having had a distinguished playing career spanning over fifteen years,” the statement read.
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Dr. Okey Kpalukwu, General Manager of Rivers United FC, welcomed George, stating, “We are delighted to have Finidi George join our team. His appointment marks a new chapter in our club’s history, and we are committed to working together to achieve success.”
Expressing his gratitude to the club, an elated George remarked, “I am honored to have this opportunity, and I thank the Sports Commissioner, the General Manager, and the supporters for their confidence in me. I am committed to working hard and making the team win.”
Inter Milan were taken over by US fund Oaktree on Wednesday after the Serie A champions’ outgoing owners Suning missed a deadline to repay a debt worth hundred of millions of euros.
In a statement, Oaktree announced they had “assumed control” of Inter after the non-repayment of a “three-year loan to Inter Milan’s holding companies that matured on 21 May 2024 with a total balance due of approximately 395 million euros ($428 million)”.
Chinese conglomerate Suning have relinquished control of Inter to Oaktree three days after the team were officially crowned Italian champions for the 20th time.
Suning borrowed 275 million euros at over 12 percent interest three years ago to pay staff and players as the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged the finances of clubs across Europe, putting up their controlling stake in the club as collateral.
“Oaktree is dedicated to achieving the best outcome for the long-term prosperity of Inter Milan, with an initial focus on operational and financial stability for the Club and its stakeholders,” Oaktree continued.
Inter became a powerful force at home and abroad after Suning acquired the club in 2016, with seven trophies including two Serie A titles and two European finals.
Simone Inzaghi’s team cruised to this year’s championship, winning the Scudetto with five matches remaining by beating AC Milan in a thrilling local derby.
Oaktree, which manages $192 billion in assets, said they are “committed to working closely with Inter Milan’s current management team, partners, the league and governing bodies to ensure the Club is positioned for success on and off the pitch”.
Inter ended up in the hands of Oaktree in a manner similar to the way another US fund, Elliott Management, took control of their local rivals Milan in 2018.
Elliott became Milan’s owners when Chinese businessman Li Yonghong was unable to repay a loan he had taken out when he bought the club from the late Silvio Berlusconi’s Fininvest the previous year.
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