National Head Coach of the Nigeria Powerlifting Association, Lucky Jolly Iduseri, has credited discipline, thorough preparation, and strong administrative support for Team Nigeria’s impressive performance at the inaugural Central African Zone Powerlifting Championship in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

In an exclusive interview with Sports247, Iduseri reflected on the team’s successful campaign, revealing that the athletes arrived in Cameroon several days before the start of the three-day competition to acclimatise and finalise their preparations.

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According to the coach, Nigeria’s achievements were the result of months of structured planning rather than last-minute adjustments.

“The key factors behind our success were discipline, clearly defined roles, and the unwavering support of the President of the Nigeria Powerlifting Association,” Iduseri said. “We prepared our athletes to handle unexpected situations before leaving Nigeria, so when logistical issues arose in Cameroon, they remained focused on their performances.”

Iduseri explained that the coaching staff placed equal emphasis on physical readiness and mental resilience. Training sessions were designed to simulate pressure-filled situations, while athletes were encouraged to remain composed regardless of changing circumstances.

One of the tournament’s standout moments, according to the coach, was the silver-medal performance of debutant Odok Answer. Seeing a first-time competitor reach the podium was a source of immense pride and highlighted the depth of talent within the Nigerian team.

The coach also acknowledged the challenges encountered during the competition, including travel delays and schedule adjustments. However, he noted that prior planning and collective discipline enabled the squad to adapt quickly without allowing distractions to affect their performances.

Looking ahead, Iduseri said the Nigeria Powerlifting Association intends to build on the success in Cameroon by raising performance standards through additional training camps, enhanced discipline, and greater support for athletes.

He also delivered a message to aspiring powerlifters across the country, encouraging them to remain committed to the process and trust in consistent hard work.

“Stay disciplined and trust the process,” he said. “This championship has shown that when Nigerian athletes receive the right preparation and support, they are capable of competing successfully and winning medals on the international stage.”

With momentum from their achievements in Cameroon, Team Nigeria will now look to carry that confidence into future continental and global competitions as the sport continues to grow in prominence across the country.

The post Coach Lucky Jolly Iduseri Hails Discipline and Preparation After Team Nigeria’s Strong Showing at Central African Powerlifting Championship first appeared on Sports247 Nigeria.

The post Coach Lucky Jolly Iduseri Hails Discipline and Preparation After Team Nigeria’s Strong Showing at Central African Powerlifting Championship appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Nigerian-descent forward Folarin Balogun continued his outstanding form at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, helping the United States secure a 2-0 victory over Australia and record consecutive World Cup wins for the first time in decades.

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Although Balogun did not find the net, the AS Monaco striker played a decisive role in the victory.

His dangerous delivery into the box forced Australian defender Cameron Burgess into an own goal, giving the hosts an early breakthrough in Seattle.

The United States doubled their advantage before halftime through Alex Freeman, whose strike was awarded after a VAR review.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side once again delivered an impressive performance, building on their emphatic 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their opening Group D fixture.

Balogun entered the match brimming with confidence after scoring twice against Paraguay.

His brace in that encounter saw him become the first American player since 1930 to score multiple goals in a FIFA World Cup match, further underlining his growing importance to the team.

With two wins from two matches, the Americans now sit comfortably at the top of Group D with six points and are within touching distance of a place in the knockout rounds.

The achievement is even more remarkable considering captain Christian Pulisic was unavailable due to injury.

Balogun has emerged as one of the standout performers of the tournament.

The 24-year-old striker has provided the cutting edge the United States have long sought on the biggest stage, combining intelligent movement, pace, strength, and clinical finishing.

His rise remains a point of interest for Nigerian football fans. Born to Nigerian parents, Balogun was eligible to represent Nigeria, England, and the United States before ultimately committing his international future to the US in 2023.

That decision is paying huge dividends for the Americans, as Balogun continues to spearhead their attack with distinction on home soil.

With two goals already to his name and another influential performance against Australia, the Nigerian-descent star is rapidly establishing himself as one of the faces of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and a key figure in the United States’ pursuit of a historic tournament run.

The post Nigerian-Descent Folarin Balogun Inspires USA to Historic Back-to-Back Wins at FIFA World Cup first appeared on Sports247 Nigeria.

The post Nigerian-Descent Folarin Balogun Inspires USA to Historic Back-to-Back Wins at FIFA World Cup appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.

Nigeria’s senior national team coach, Eric Chelle, has challenged the Flying Eagles to remain focused and obedient to their coaches as they begin a new journey under head coach Abdul Maikaba.

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Chelle delivered the message during a visit to the Flying Eagles’ training camp in Abuja, where he met the players and coaching staff ahead of their participation in the upcoming WAFU B U-20 Championship in Ivory Coast.

The Super Eagles tactician encouraged the young players to stay committed to their ambitions and embrace discipline as they seek to make their mark on the international stage.

“If you want to succeed and go far to achieve your dreams, you have to be focused and secondly, listen attentively to your coaches,” Chelle told the players.

“If you do these, the sky will definitely be your starting point and chances for you to succeed are high.”

Chelle’s visit comes at a crucial period for the Flying Eagles, who are entering a new era under Maikaba following his recent appointment by the Nigeria Football Federation.

Maikaba has already outlined ambitious plans for the seven-time African champions, declaring his intention to build a winning culture capable of restoring Nigeria’s dominance in youth football.

The experienced coach has emphasized discipline, tactical organization, and faith in local talent as the pillars of his project.

The immediate target for Maikaba and his team is the WAFU B U-20 Championship in Ivory Coast next month.

The tournament serves as a qualification pathway to the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations, which in turn determines qualification for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Nigeria’s Flying Eagles remain one of Africa’s most successful youth teams. The team finished as runners-up at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 1989 and 2005, while also securing a third-place finish in 1985.

However, the prestigious global title has continued to elude the West African giants.

With a new coach at the helm and encouragement coming from the senior national team boss, hopes are high that the Flying Eagles can begin a fresh chapter and challenge for major honours once again.

As preparations intensify in Abuja, Chelle’s simple but powerful advice, focus and respect for coaching instructions, could prove vital as Maikaba seeks to guide Nigeria’s next generation of stars to new heights.

The post Eric Chelle Visits Flying Eagles Camp, Gives Two Key Success Tips as Maikaba Targets Historic U-20 World Cup Glory first appeared on Sports247 Nigeria.

The post Eric Chelle Visits Flying Eagles Camp, Gives Two Key Success Tips as Maikaba Targets Historic U-20 World Cup Glory appeared first on Sports247 Nigeria.