Nigeria XI vs Guinea-Bissau: Awoniyi, Lookman, Adams Lead Super Eagles Attack

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has named a strong starting XI for Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Guinea-Bissau.

The match will take place on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at the Estádio Nacional 24 de Setembro in Bissau, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm Nigerian time.

Chelle has retained Stanley Nwabali in goal, while Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Bruno Onyemaechi form the defensive line.

In midfield, captain Wilfred Ndidi partners Frank Onyeka, with Alex Iwobi completing the three-man midfield.

The Super Eagles opened their qualifying campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Madagascar in Uyo on Friday, while Guinea-Bissau defeated Tanzania 2-0 in their opening Group L fixture.

The two teams therefore enter Tuesday’s encounter with three points each, making the meeting important in the race for the group’s available qualification place.

Tanzania, one of the co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON alongside Kenya and Uganda, already have an automatic place at the tournament. This leaves the qualification race in Group L particularly significant for Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar.

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Nigeria will also be without Victor Osimhen, who was ruled out of the opening qualifiers after suffering a muscle injury. Awoniyi was called into the squad as his replacement.

George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor, who scored their first Super Eagles goals against Madagascar, have been named among the substitutes.

Nigeria’s Starting XI:

Goalkeeper: Stanley Nwabali

Defenders: Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Bruno Onyemaechi

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi

Forwards: Ademola Lookman, Taiwo Awoniyi, Akor Adams

The substitutes include Arthur Okonkwo, Maduka Okoye, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredericks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Chibuike Nwaiwu, Ola Aina, Raphael Onyedika, Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Tolu Arokodare, George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor.

Nigeria have won three of their four previous official senior international meetings with Guinea-Bissau, although the Wild Dogs defeated the Super Eagles 1-0 in Abuja during the 2023 AFCON qualifying campaign.

The Super Eagles responded by winning the return fixture in Bissau 1-0 through a Moses Simon penalty.

Nigeria also defeated Guinea-Bissau 1-0 at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire.

With both teams starting the campaign with victories, Chelle’s side will be looking to secure another three points in Bissau and strengthen their position in Group L.

Nigeria XI vs Guinea-Bissau: Awoniyi, Lookman, Adams Lead Super Eagles Attack

Man City Chairman Breaks Silence After Club Found Guilty Of 114 Charges

Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has broken his silence following reports that an independent commission found the club guilty of 114 of 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules, in a development that could have significant implications for the English champions.

The reported findings represent a major development in the Manchester City financial charges case, which has been ongoing since the Premier League referred the matter to an independent commission in February 2023.

The Premier League has not officially published the commission’s full findings and has declined to comment on the reported outcome because of the confidential nature of the proceedings. Manchester City has also maintained that significant elements of the process remain outstanding.

The allegations cover the period from the 2009-10 season to 2022-23 and include claims that the club failed to provide accurate financial information, particularly regarding revenue and expenditure, as well as allegations concerning payments to players and managers and compliance with UEFA financial regulations and the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

The independent hearing began on September 16, 2024, and concluded on December 6, 2024, after almost three months of proceedings before a three-member independent commission.

Manchester City has consistently denied wrongdoing and is expected to challenge the commission’s findings through the available appeal process.

Al Mubarak has sought to reassure supporters, maintaining the club’s confidence in its position and indicating that Manchester City remains focused on establishing its case through the appropriate legal process.

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No sporting or financial punishment has been announced following the reported findings. Consequently, reports that Manchester City has already been relegated, deducted points or stripped of Premier League titles would be premature.

Any sanction would depend on the commission’s formal decision and subsequent proceedings. The scale of any potential penalty could also become a subject of appeal.

The case has attracted particular attention because the allegations span more than a decade and cover several categories of financial regulations. Manchester City has won eight Premier League titles since Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group acquired the club in 2008, in addition to the Champions League, FA Cups and League Cups.

Several of the club’s most successful seasons fall within the period covered by the allegations. However, there has been no announcement that any titles or trophies will be removed.

Former City midfielder Rodri, now with Barcelona, has also expressed continued trust in the club’s position, recalling Manchester City’s longstanding assertion that it complied with the relevant rules.

The Premier League case is separate from Manchester City’s previous dispute with UEFA.

In 2020, UEFA imposed a two-year Champions League ban on City after finding that the club had overstated sponsorship revenue between 2012 and 2016. Manchester City appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which overturned the Champions League ban and reduced the associated fine.

The latest development therefore moves the Premier League case into its next legal stage, with the detailed commission findings, any eventual sanction and the outcome of the appeal still to be determined.

Man City Chairman Breaks Silence After Club Found Guilty Of 114 Charges

AFCON 2027 Qualifier: Nigeria Fight Back to Beat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo

Nigeria’s Super Eagles opened their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign with a 2-1 victory over Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

Madagascar took an early lead in the 16th minute through Ehsan Kari, but Nigeria responded through debutants George Ilenikhena and Moses Usor to secure all three points.

Kari headed Madagascar ahead after the visitors executed a short-corner routine, leaving Nigeria with an early deficit to overcome.

The Super Eagles struggled to create clear opportunities for much of the opening period despite enjoying possession. Their persistence eventually paid off in first-half stoppage time when George Ilenikhena, making his senior international debut, converted a chance created by Alex Iwobi to level the score.

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Nigeria returned from the break with greater attacking intent and took the lead in the 65th minute.

Moses Usor, another debutant, received the ball on the right, drove towards the Madagascar penalty area and moved past defenders before cutting inside and firing a low left-footed shot into the net.

Madagascar pressed for an equaliser in the closing stages, but Nigeria held on to claim victory in its opening AFCON 2027 qualifier.

The result gives head coach Éric Chelle three points from his first competitive assignment with the Super Eagles, although Nigeria will have areas to address before the next fixture, particularly after conceding early and creating limited chances in the first half.

The victory also gives Nigeria an important early advantage in Group L. Guinea-Bissau defeated Tanzania 2-0 in the other group match, while Tanzania is one of the co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON tournament alongside Kenya and Uganda.

Nigeria will face Guinea-Bissau away on September 29 in its second Group L fixture.

For Ilenikhena and Usor, the match provided an impressive introduction to senior international football, with both players finding the net on their Super Eagles debuts.

Nigeria will now seek another positive result against Guinea-Bissau as the AFCON 2027 qualification race gathers momentum.

AFCON 2027 Qualifier: Nigeria Fight Back to Beat Madagascar 2-1 in Uyo