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Revealed: How Peseiro’s decision to axe six senior Super Eagles players backfired

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1 year ago

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Super Eagles head coach, Jose Peseiro

Revealed: How Peseiro’s decision to axe six senior Super Eagles players backfired

The head coach of the senior national team of Nigeria Jose Peseiro is currently under huge pressure for the team to meet expectations at next month Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

His short term deal with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) will expire after the tournament but it will be extended if he leads the team to at least the final of the tournament.

In the build up to the tournament, the team has lost 60 percent of the games played since the Portuguese was made coach of the team, and more revelations has now been made about how he has handled the team in the period under review.

After securing passage to the AFCON, the coach started the process of building a team for the AFCON and took a drastic decision to axe six senior players from the team, with some even kicked out of the squad entirely.

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In defence, the first casualty was the two vice captain of the team in William Troost-Ekong ans Kenneth Omeruo, It’s started with the coach dropping the duo to the bench before kicking Ekong out totally but kept Omeruo as a squad player.

Captain Ahmed Musa wasn’t spared as well and unless a late change of mind he won’t be in the team to the Africa Cup of Nations, while he had his way with the above mentioned trio, the idea backfired with certain senior players in the team.

Peseiro also dropped Moses Simon to the bench in preference for Ademola Lookman but after two poor performances from the Atalanta man he brought Simon back.

Simon hasn’t looked back since his return as a regular and he is now one of the key players heading into the AFCON. A similar situation played out with the duo of Ola Aina and Wilfred Ndidi.

He twice subbed Ndidi off at the break during games but couldn’t ignore his form at Leicester City hence a recall to the team. It was the same case with Ola Aina who forced his way back into the manager’s plan with impressive performances for West Ham.

Revealed: How Peseiro’s decision to axe six senior Super Eagles players backfired

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Breaking: Virgil van Dijk signs new contract at Liverpool

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3 hours ago

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April 17, 2025

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Virgil van Dijk

Breaking: Virgil van Dijk signs new contract at Liverpool

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has signed a new two years contract that has now put an end to the questions about his future after months of speculation.

The 33-year-old Dutch center-back had been inside the final season of his previous deal, which was due to expire in the summer of 2025. But he has now penned an extension seven years after arriving from Southampton in a $95m (£75m/€90m) switch.

Van Dijk, who was named Liverpool captain when Jordan Henderson moved to Saudi Arabia in 2023, has played almost 300 games for the Reds.

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He has already won the Premier League and the Champions League.

Van Dijk always wanted to remain on Merseyside. “My very full focus is on Liverpool, wanting to win games that are ahead of me and nothing else,” he told reporters including from Liverpool.com in October.

“What the future will bring I have no idea at the moment. I can only tell you that discussions have been started up and we will see. I feel very good, physically, mentally and I am having fun.

“Discussions are ongoing with the right people and when it’s time to make a decision or whatever, I think you guys [the media] will know it as well. But now full commitment and focus is on Liverpool and to be successful this season. So we will see.”

Breaking: Virgil van Dijk signs new contract at Liverpool

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Arsenal stun Real Madrid to reach first UCL semi-final in 16 years

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9 hours ago

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April 17, 2025

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Arsenal stun Real Madrid to reach first UCL semi-final in 16 years

Arsenal pulled off a historic victory at the Santiago Bernabéu, defeating Real Madrid 2-1 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate, to book their place in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2009.

Mikel Arteta’s men delivered a composed and clinical performance in the Spanish capital. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring in the second half, redeeming himself after missing an earlier penalty. Vinícius Júnior responded with a goal for Madrid, offering the hosts a glimmer of hope.

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But Gabriel Martinelli sealed the deal with a late winner, ensuring Arsenal ended Real Madrid’s hopes of defending their title.

The Gunners now advance to face Paris Saint-Germain in what promises to be a thrilling semi-final clash.

Arsenal stun Real Madrid to reach first UCL semi-final in 16 years

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U-20 AFCON: Nigeria drawn in Group B with Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya

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3 days ago

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April 14, 2025

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Nigeria’s Flying Eagles

U-20 AFCON: Nigeria drawn in Group B with Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been drawn in Group B alongside Tunisia, Kenya, and Morocco for the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations.

The new groupings were announced on Sunday following a fresh draw conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Cairo, Egypt.

This comes after Cote d’Ivoire withdrew as hosts, prompting Egypt to step in as the new venue for the tournament.

The seven-time champions, Nigeria, will kick off their campaign against Tunisia on Sunday, April 28.

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Group A features host nation Egypt, along with South Africa, Sierra Leone, Zambia, and Tanzania.

Defending champions Senegal will compete in Group C, where they face the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Ghana.

The tournament officially begins on Saturday, April 27, with the hosts Egypt squaring off against South Africa in the opening fixture.

 

U-20 AFCON: Nigeria drawn in Group B with Tunisia, Morocco, Kenya

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