National Football Teams
‘No NPFL Player Is Ready’ – Oparaku Backs Chelle Over Home-Based Snub
Former Nigeria international Mobi Oparaku has strongly backed Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle following the continued exclusion of home-based players from the national team.
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Reacting to the squad list for the upcoming friendlies against Iran and Jordan, Oparaku insisted that no player from the Nigeria Professional Football League is currently good enough to break into the Nigeria national football team.
“No domestic-based player is ready for this team,” he said.
The former defender argued that the current standard of the domestic league is not at the level required to produce players capable of competing in the national team.
“Until the league improves, it will be difficult for NPFL players to make the team,” he added.
Oparaku emphasized that the coach’s priority should be to select the best players available, regardless of where they play.
“The coach is right to pick the best legs,” he stated.
According to him, structural improvements in the league are necessary before home-based players can consistently challenge for places in the national team.
He concluded by urging football authorities to focus on developing the domestic league, noting that stronger local competitions will eventually produce players capable of competing at the highest level for Nigeria.
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The post ‘No NPFL Player Is Ready’ – Oparaku Backs Chelle Over Home-Based Snub appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.
National Football Teams
AFCON Qualifier: Nigeria Seek to Extend Unbeaten Record Against Tanzania in Zanzibar
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will be aiming to extend their impressive unbeaten record against Tanzania when both nations renew their rivalry in Zanzibar, with the West African giants seeking another positive result against the East African side.
Sports247 reports that Nigeria head into the encounter with a significant historical advantage, having recorded six victories and three draws in their previous nine meetings with Tanzania.
The record means the Taifa Stars are yet to defeat the Super Eagles in their head-to-head history, making the upcoming fixture another opportunity for Nigeria to maintain their dominance.
The statistics further highlight Nigeria’s superiority in the fixture. Across their nine previous encounters, the Super Eagles have found the back of the net 13 times, while Tanzania have managed just four goals. The difference in goals scored reflects Nigeria’s stronger record and their ability to consistently deliver results against their opponents.
However, the historical advantage will count for little when both teams step onto the pitch in Zanzibar. With the fixture taking place on Tanzanian soil, the Taifa Stars will have the backing of their home supporters and an opportunity to rewrite the history of the rivalry.
For Nigeria, the objective will be to translate their superior head-to-head record into another convincing performance. The Super Eagles will be expected to demonstrate their quality, discipline and attacking strength as they look to preserve their unbeaten status against Tanzania.
Meanwhile, Tanzania will be determined to challenge Nigeria’s dominance and prove that previous results do not necessarily dictate the outcome of their latest meeting. A victory would represent a significant milestone for the Taifa Stars and a historic breakthrough in the rivalry.
The encounter therefore presents an interesting test for both nations, with Nigeria seeking to maintain their impressive record and Tanzania hoping to deliver a memorable result in front of their home fans.
A victory would take Nigeria to seven wins in ten meetings, while a draw would extend their unbeaten run to ten matches.
Can the Super Eagles continue their dominance, or will Tanzania finally end Nigeria’s unbeaten record in Zanzibar?
The post AFCON Qualifier: Nigeria Seek to Extend Unbeaten Record Against Tanzania in Zanzibar appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.
National Football Teams
Super Falcons to Face Algeria in Two-Match Friendly Series Ahead of Future International Assignments
Nigeria’s Super Falcons are set to face Algeria in a two-match friendly series during the November/December 2026 international window as the 10-time African champions continue preparations for future international engagements.
Sports247 reports that the double-header will see both teams meet first in the Algerian capital, Algiers, before travelling to Tizi-Ouzou for the return fixture four days later.
The first encounter is scheduled for Monday, November 30, at the 5 July 1962 Stadium in Algiers, with kick-off set for 6:00 pm.
The teams will meet again on Friday, December 4, at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium in Tizi-Ouzou. The second match is scheduled to begin at 5:00 pm.
The fixtures will provide the Super Falcons with an opportunity to test their readiness, assess their squad options and build match fitness ahead of their upcoming international commitments.
For Algeria, the two meetings against the reigning African champions will offer a valuable opportunity to measure their progress against one of the continent’s most established women’s national teams.
The Super Falcons, who have won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations a record 10 times, will be looking to make the most of the international window through competitive action against the North African side.
With two fixtures scheduled within four days, the series is expected to provide both technical crews with useful opportunities to assess their players and fine-tune their preparations.
NIGERIA vs ALGERIA
First Leg
– Date: Monday, November 30, 2026
– Kick-off: 6:00 pm
– Venue: 5 July 1962 Stadium, Algiers
Second Leg
– Date: Friday, December 4, 2026
– Kick-off: 5:00 pm
– Venue: Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium, Tizi-Ouzou
The post Super Falcons to Face Algeria in Two-Match Friendly Series Ahead of Future International Assignments appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.
National Football Teams
Tanzania’s Early Arrival In Uyo Puts Super Eagles Under Instant Pressure Ahead Of Friday’s 2027 AFCON Qualifier
The decision by Taifa Stars of Tanzania to arrive early in Uyo ahead of Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier has put their hosts under instant pressure heading into the game, Sports247 gathered.
Tanzania’s decision to arrive four days before the game billed for Godswill Akpabio International Stadium is mostly due to issues of acclimatisation, but there is also the extra psychological boost it gives them regarding familiarity with the environment.
As it were, while the Taifa Stars looked totally focused, with a full and complete squad on arrival, their hosts’ camp was far from full heading into Wednesday, which is just two days to the game.
While the visitors were able to quickly settle down and soon began full training, the only early arrivals in Nigeria’s camp were Calvin Bassey, Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman and Semi Ajayi on Tuesday evening, followed by Arthur Okonkwo, Benjamin Fredrick, Alhassan Yusuf, Bright Osayi-Samuel and Moses Simon.
A total of 14 players were expected to arrive Wednesday, which meant Nigeria’s plans were 48 hours behind those of the visitors, whom the Super Eagles must defeat home and away in order to topple Guinea-Bissau from the top spot of the group table.
Sports247 reports further that a shock 3-0 win for Guinea-Bissau at home against Nigeria took them top of the group with six points, while the Super Eagles are second with three points, followed by Madagascar on one point, same with Tanzania.
The post Tanzania’s Early Arrival In Uyo Puts Super Eagles Under Instant Pressure Ahead Of Friday’s 2027 AFCON Qualifier appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.
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