Captain William Ekong, ace forward Victor Osimhen, goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, and defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey have been included in Nigeria’s 24-man list for next week’s 2026 FIFA World Cup African Play-off Tournament in Rabat, Morocco.

Super Eagles’ Head Coach Eric Chelle has also included 89-cap midfielder Alex Iwobi, exciting young defender Benjamin Fredericks, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Ademola Lookman.

Nigeria will take on Gabon in the first semi-final scheduled for the 22,000 – capacity Complexe Sportif Prince Heritier Moulay Al Hassan in Rabat, with Cameroon confronting the Democratic Republic of Congo in the other semi-final at the 18,000 – capacity El-Barid Stadium, also in Rabat.

Chelle has also recalled goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and Spain-based forward Chidera Ejuke, with midfielder Raphael Onyedika and forwards Tolu Arokodare, Jerome Akor Adams and Olusegun Olakunle also on the roster.

Defender Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, suspended for one game after accumulating two yellow cards in the 10-match qualifying campaign, will miss the clash with the Panthers on Thursday.

The players are scheduled to fly into Morocco from their different bases in Europe and elsewhere, to converge in Rabat on Monday, 10th November.

24 SUPER EAGLES FOR 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP AFRICA PLAY-OFF TOURNAMENT

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoya (Udinese FC, Italy)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Benjamin Fredericks (Dender FC, Belgium)

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia)

Despite the host creating the greater number of chances – and hitting the post – Rivers United had to settle for a point away to Bendel Insurance in a rescheduled NPFL Matchday 9 fixture decided inside the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City.

Alex Oweilayefa struck the upright, and Samson Obi had a good header miss target narrowly in the first half.

Wasiu Falolu came closest to scoring for Rivers United in the second half when his long-ranged shot went just over the bar, but the Pride of Rivers couldn’t break down the home defence.

So, it finished goalless while Rivers United closed up the gap to 5 points behind the top of the table, Nasarawa United.

FACTS AND STATS

Osagie Onisodumeya has now kept 8 clean sheets this season.

Rivers United has conceded just one in their 4 away matches so far this season.

Bendel Insurance remains winless in their last 7 matches (D4, L3).

The last 3 meetings have ended in a draw.

Rivers United will travel to face Kun Kalifat FC in Owerri on Matchday 12.

Technical Adviser of Nasarawa United, Mangut Mbwas has set sights on winning the 2025/26 NPFL with his side.

Speaking after beating the defending champions, Remo Stars in a rescheduled match day 10 clash in Lafia, the tactician believes that his side are on track to secure the coveted prize.

The visitors, wounded and evicted from the CAF Champions League competition, opened scoring in the 5th minute through Michael Ibeh, following a defensive error.

The home side responded with a classy equalizer through John Joshua after a beautiful build-up in the 31st minute.

Both sides went back to the locker room with the scoreline tied at 1-1.

After effecting some tactical changes, Nasarawa United went ahead via player-of-the-match, Jofrank Istifanus, who tapped the ball into the net following a goal area scramble in the 72nd minute, situation that threw the Lafia City Stadium into raptures.

He said: “It’s been a very difficult period for us, especially the last three weeks, but we are glad to return to winning ways again. We lost two straight matches on the road, which was difficult to swallow.

“We believe that we will improve more in our next game against Kwara United, this weekend, even though we know that the league is getting tougher.

“Our game against Kwara is a different ball game in its entirety. We will approach the game with a different mindset because the next opponents are also a good side.

“We want to remain in contention in the league this season, which is why we are not taking any game lightly.”

Nasarawa United will host visiting Kwara United on match-day twelve fixture on Sunday, 9th November, 2025, at the Lafia City Stadium at 4pm.

The Solid Miners recovered from their last double tragedy to reclaim the first position on the table of the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League campaign after coming from a goal down to beat the league’s defending champions, Remo Stars 2-1, in a rescheduled match-day ten tie, decided at the Lafia City Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

The visitors, wounded and evicted from the CAF Champions League competition, opened scoring in the 5th minute through Michael Ibeh, following a defensive error.

The home side responded with a classy equalizer through John Joshua after a beautiful build-up in the 31st minute.

Both sides went back to the locker room with the scoreline tied at 1-1.

After effecting some tactical changes, Nasarawa United went ahead via player-of-the-match, Jofrank Istifanus, who tapped the ball into the net following a goal area scramble in the 72nd minute, situation that threw the Lafia City Stadium into raptures.

The Solid Miners, motivated by the presence of the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, alongside the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Kwanta Yakubu, State Legislator and Chief Whip, Hon. Larry Ven Bawa, and other high-profile personalities of the Nasarawa State Government, jealousy defended the 2-1 scoreline till regulation time, earning the maximum points and returning to the summit of the league table, with twenty-two points from eleven games, one more point ahead of second-placed Abia Warriors.

Nasarawa United will host visiting Kwara United on match-day twelve fixture on Sunday, 9th November, 2025, at the Lafia City Stadium at 4pm.

According to reports, Plateau United goalkeeper Favour Bala, coach Longji Mikuk, and coach Femi Oyetimein were involved in an accident today in Jos after a trailer lost control and hit their vehicle.

Silvernews.com.ng gathered that they are all alive but injured and have been hospitalized.

Details later…

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has designated an all-South African refereeing team for the crucial Group C playoff clash between Nigeria and Gabon .

Match Officials:

Referee: Tom Abongile 🇿🇦

VAR: Makalima Akhona Zennith 🇿🇦

Assistant Referees: Siwela Zakhele & Thusi Granville 🇿🇦

Referee Assessor: Hughes Alain Ndjovi 🇧🇯

The winner in Morocco will proceed to the Six-Team Intercontinental Playoff, scheduled for the Mexican cities of Guadalaja and Monterrey in March next year, where two teams will emerge and qualify for the finals in USA, Canada and Mexico.

The winner from the African playoff will be joined by Bolivia, New Caledonia and two teams from Central America, and one from Asia.

After displaying great form for Istra 1961against Vukovar in the score draw encounter in the elite league few days ago in Croatia, Salim Fago Lawal has continued to enjoy rave of the moment status in the Eastern European nation.

On Wednesday, Lawal was on the scores sheet for Istra in the 75th minute against Kurilovec, but it was only for consolation, as Istra crashed out of Croatian cup in round 16.

It was a masterpiece display from the former Flying Eagles striker, whose work rate has shown great development after joining Istra from modest Nigerian clubside in 2023.

He has scored three goals and two assists, totally five – goal contribution as a striker so far this season.

Interestingly, two other Flying Eagles players, Israel Ayuma and Charles Agada, who are also former players of Mavlon FC, featured in the game and they gave good account of themselves.

Sadly, it was not the day of victory on the pitch for the three former players of Mavlon FC of Lagos.

The management of Remo Stars has clarified that Daniel Ogunmodede remains an integral head coach of the side.

This was contained in a statement following viral reports of Ogunmodede’s alleged resignation.

The statement reads: “Remo Stars football club wishes to clarify that our head coach, Daniel Ogunmodede remains an integral part of our technical crew and continues to serve as the head coach of Remo Stars.

“Daniel is presently attending a CAF B Coaching Course in Abuja as part of his continuous professional development and commitment to personal and technical growth.

“He will also continue his national assignment with the Nigeria national team as the country prepares for the crucial FIFA World Fipa African Playoffs, the potential Intercontinental Playoff, and Africa Cup of Nations later this year.

“We firmly believe this is a period that calls for collective national support and dedication to the success of Nigerian football.

“He remains a valued and vital member of the Remo Stars family and we eagerly look forward to his successful completion of these national and personal engagements.”

Team Nigeria has officially arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, brimming with confidence ahead of the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games.

The Nigerian delegation, made up of 35 athletes and 11 officials, joins other nations in Riyadh for this global sporting festival.

From November 7 to 21, athletes will battle for glory across 21 sports in nine electrifying venues, with Team Nigeria poised to make a bold statement on this global stage.

Chief de Mission, Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, described the Riyadh Games as a “crucial aspect of Nigeria’s strategic sports development plan,” emphasizing that the event serves as both a test of preparation and a pathway toward greater international success, including at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He reaffirmed the NSC’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerian athletes receive the necessary support to excel on global platforms.

“This is more than just another international competition; it is a vital stepping-stone for our athletes toward Olympian ambitions,” Hon. Bukola Olopade said ahead of the team’s departure. “Our team is prepared, focused, and hungry for success. We carry the hopes of the nation with us to Riyadh,” Hon. Olopade added.

Nigeria has maintained a strong presence at the Games since the inaugural edition in 2005. Over the years, the country’s athletes have recorded success across various sporting categories.

The contingent is led by experienced coaches and supported by technical staff dedicated to achieving peak performance levels.

As the competition gets set to begin in Riyadh, all eyes will be on the Nigerian contingent to deliver a performance that reinforces the country’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading sporting nations.