German defender Antonio Rudigier mimicked Super Eagles striker Victor Boniface’s celebration when he scored the opening goal for Germany in their 2-2 draw against Mexico in an international friendly on Wednesday, Soccernet reports.

Boniface has taken Germany by storm this season, registering nine goals and three assists in ten appearances for Leverkusen. Asides from his his skills with the ball and goalscoring prowess, he has also gained popularity for his social media memes and peculiar goal celebration.

Whenever, he scores the 22-year-old striker runs the corner flag in a funny manner.

https://twitter.com/eurofootcom/status/1702343004726370398?s=19

Apparently, Boniface has already won Rudigier over with his celebration, as the former Chelsea defender copied his celebration after he scored for Germany on Wednesday.

https://twitter.com/ConchaEspina_1/status/1714762217915064707?s=19

Unfortunately for Rudigier, Germany drew the game 2-2. But after the game, the Real Madrid star revealed that he drew inspiration from Boniface.

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Unfortunately for the Super Eagles star, he was unable to showcase his goal celebration during the international break because he did not score.

Nonetheless, he would be looking to return to his scoring form at Bayer Leverkusen when they play Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

The preliminary draw to compete for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup by African countries was decided on Thursday in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, with every country having a chance to be among the 9 African representatives for the tournament.

As a result, the Super Eagles of Nigeria have been placed in Group C following their non-appearance at the last edition hosted in Qatar, Soccernet.ng examines the Super Eagles’ opponents’ strengths and weaknesses that could play factors in determining Nigeria’s chances of securing a ticket to the tournament that will be jointly hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Due to nine teams now directly qualifying instead of five following the tournament’s expansion to 48 countries, the Super Eagles have five other countries to contend with in their group.

They have been drawn in Group C with South Africa, Benin, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, and Lesotho.

South Africa 

Strengths: South Africa have not been able to make an impact recently in African football, as evidenced by their past domination in the 1990s, correlating with their sole Nations Cup title in 1996. The Banyana Banyana have failed to qualify for the World Cup since they hosted it back in 2010.

Due to their well-organized league, most of their players stay at home and play in the South African Premier League.

They are a side that likes to dominate possessions by keeping the ball away from the opponent and also have fast players who are good at counter-attacking opponents.

As a result of their setup, they can create a lot of chances and score goals.

Weaknesses: On their flaws, they do not boast the best of talents. The lack of football experience at the highest levels is another factor that could work against them.

Also, due to their style, they could be caught re-haggard in leaving the defense open, and this could spell trouble for them against a team like the Super Eagles parading some of the best attacking players in Europe right now like Victor Osimhen, Terem Moffi, Gift Orban and Victor Boniface.

Best players: Since most of their players ply their trades on the continent, Al-Ahly’s Percy Tau and Orlando Pirates’ Zakhele Lepasa are two players that could cause trouble for the Super Eagles defense

Benin Republic

Strengths: Benin is not a football powerhouse and has never featured in the World Cup, but they might want to have a say this time around after the appointment of former Super Eagles head coach Gernot Rohr, who guided Nigeria to the 2018 edition in Russia.

Their tall players are good at set pieces and also at winning aerial duels.

Weakness: They do not boast quality attacking players, and it is evidenced in their struggles to create chances to score goals.

Best Players: As the German coach will try to use his best legs available against the Super Eagles, Brest forward Steve Mounie and Zurich midfielder Tosin Aiyegun will be standout players in their quest for a maiden World Cup appearance.

Zimbabwe 

Strength: Zimbabwe are another African country that has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals, but has qualified for the African Cup of Nations five times.

The country is experiencing one of the darkest periods in its football history as a ban that has prevented them from participating in the ongoing Nations Cup qualifiers has just been lifted by FIFA.

Due to their physical strength, they are a side that likes to use their power against their opponents and are also good at winning aerial duels.

Weakness: talking about their frailties, they do not boast the best talents, and their player’s lack of exposure at the highest levels is another factor that can work against them.

Best Players: the country does not boast plentiful talents across the World like Nigeria, but Reim’s Marshall Munesti and Knowledge Musona will be the star players to spearhead Zimbabwe’s charge for a maiden World Cup appearance.

Rwanda 

Strength: Rwanda are not one of the footballing nations on the continent, never participated in the World Cup, and has only qualified for the Nations Cup on just one occasion in 2004.

Because of their defensive strength, they are a side that likes to give out possessions to the opponents, sitting deep to soak up the pressure, and trying to catch opponents on the break.

Weaknesses: They do not boast quality players and lack experience in football at the highest level.

Their lack of attacking strength is also evidenced in the ongoing Nations Cup qualifiers where they have managed to score only 2 goals in 5 matches.

Best players: Steve Rubanguka who plays in Moldova is the only player in the squad in their recent match that plays in a top-flight league in Europe.

Lesotho 

Strength: Lesotho is a minnow in African football and has never participated in the Nations Cup, but it must be said that they have been making progress in recent years.

They based their style on their pacy wingers, who like to run with the ball and cross to the opponent’s box. They also have tall players who can rely on set pieces to score their goals.

Weaknesses: They do not boast of talents and lack experience in football at both the local and international stage

Their struggle to score goals is evidenced in the ongoing Nations Cup qualifiers where they have managed just a goal in five matches.

Best Players: Sera Motebang and Katleho Makateng are the country’s stars who ply their trades in the South African League.

The Nigeria women’s national team will, on Saturday night, trade tackles with Colombia in their second match of the Revelation Cup in Mexico.

The Super Falcons lost their first match of the four-nation invitational tournament, with Kiana Palacios’s goal five minutes from time handing hosts Mexico the win in the first meeting between the two countries.

Colombia drew 1-1 with Costa Rica in their opening match, leaving the Falcons as the only team without a point in the tournament.

The nine-time African champions, however, look ready to battle the South Americans for the three points at stake following their final training session before the clash on Friday evening.

https://twitter.com/NGSuper_Falcons/status/1626793633314750465

Preview

The match between Colombia and Nigeria is the first international meeting between the two countries at this level.

Colombia, though, are not strangers to outwitting African opponents. The Powerpuff Girls twice defeated Zambia in back-to-back friendlies in November, and it would be impressive to add African giants Nigeria to their kill.

The two victories over Zambia are part of an excellent run of form for Colombia, which has seen the Coffee Growers win ten of their last 12 matches in all competitions.

By contrast, the Super Falcons are going through one of their lowest moments in history.

Nigeria’s loss to Mexico on Wednesday was the Falcons’ fifth consecutive defeat – the sixth when the team’s penalty shootout loss to Morocco in the semifinals of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations is included.

It is the first time Nigeria will lose six games on the trot in 20 years, and it could get worse with another humbling in the hands of the Colombians, one of South America’s best-ranked national teams.

The Super Falcons are aware, though, that a win against Colombia could brighten their chances of winning the Revelation Cup and put them back on winning ways ahead of the FIFA World Cup later this year.

Match facts

Competition: Revelation Cup
Match: Colombia vs. Nigeria
Date: 18/02/2023
Kickoff time: 8 pm (Nigerian time)
Venue: Estadio León (Nou Camp)

The Falcons were not super on the night as they continue their search for a first win since beating Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco last year.

How it happened

First half

Nigeria started the game brightly, but both teams could have opened the scoring within the opening five minutes.

However, stand-in captain Rasheedat Ajibade made an early clearance to deny the hosts, while Toni Payne threatened on the other end of the pitch.

How we will line up against Mexico tonight

: https://t.co/4nfjaMUSkE

We are ready! #SoarSuperFalcons| #RevelationsCup| #MEXNGA| #TeamNigeria| #FIFAWWCPrep pic.twitter.com/79lLUUuDdb

— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) February 15, 2023

Moments later, striker Ifeoma Onumonu had a free kick in a dangerous area, causing chaos, but no one was on hand to apply the finish.

The Mexicans grew into the encounter, and they should have broken the deadlock just past the half-hour mark, but Lizabeth Ovalle missed a sitter to save the Falcons’ blushes.

Coach Ralph Waldrum was forced into making a change moments before half-time as Glory Ogbonna came on to replace Rofiat Imuran, who was stretched out due to injury.

And shortly after coming on, the new entrant became the first player to be booked for a poor challenge on the edge of the box.

Deep into stoppage time, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie came to the team’s rescue, making a fine stop from Anika Rodriguez’s effort from a distance to keep the scoreline goalless.

Second half

At the break, Nigeria made a double substitution, Ordega Francesca and Chinwendu Ihezuo made way for Uchenna Kanu and Jennifer Echegili.

Still, Mexico continued to look more dangerous in attack, but the Super Falcons were not without a fight.

Ajibade failed to make her effort count after Nigeria won a free-kick in a promising area.

Mexico nearly made the Atletico Madrid star pay for her profligacy, but Lizabeth Ovalle missed another glorious chance to hand El Tri the advantage.

Another injury scare for the Super Falcons surfaced in the 70th minute, as Christy Ucheibe needed treatment after going down under a difficult challenge.

The Benfica midfielder could not shake off the knock and had to leave the pitch, with Halimatu Ayinde taking her place.

And in the 85th minute, Mexico had their breakthrough as Kiana Palacios headed in a cross to beat Chiamaka Nnadozie and extend Nigeria’s losing streak to six matches.

What next?

The Super Falcons will play their second match of the four-nation invitational tournament against Costa Rica on Tuesday, February 21.

The Costa Ricans forced Colombia to a 1-1 draw in the other match played on Wednesday.

Photo Credit: Revelation Cup Mexico

The Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro, has declared his goals for the AFCON competition in 2023.

After a string of disappointing performances, including an early departure from the Africa Cup of Nations and the loss of their World Cup ticket to Ghana, the Portuguese succeeded Austin Eguavoen in May of last year.

Since taking charge in the Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign, the 62-year-old has guided Nigeria’s men’s national team to two wins against Sierra Leone and Sao Tome and Principe.

However, the 2013 AFCON champions have lost five more games against Mexico, Ecuador, Algeria, Costa Rica, and Portugal, raising doubts about his ability to lead the Super Eagles to victory.

However, the 2023 AFCON event is scheduled to take place in the Ivory Coast, and the former Venezuelan coach has revealed that his ambition as the coach of the Super Eagles

The ex-Sporting CP coach tells the Mirror that “Our ambitions when I signed the contract with Nigeria, the big goal and main goal is we want to win the next AFCON,”

Peseiro, who has started burning his midnight oil to understand his players, revealed how convinced he is with the quality of players he has to win the AFCON tournament.

“Of course, we know the power of the national teams who played in the World Cup, like Senegal, Cameroon, Morocco, who had a fantastic tournament. But we know that the quality and capacity of the national teams that didn’t play in the World Cup, like Egypt, Algeria, and others.

“I think I’ve convinced myself when I watch our national team. I know which players can play for us, and I have put it in my mind that we can win the next AFCON.” he added.

However, the former SC Braga coach outlined his team’s strategy for the next African tournament.

“To do that, I’m trying to shape our players and join them in the right way to build a good model to play at a high level. If you want to reach the top in Africa, you need to create a top level.

“For that, I try to see the players, see everybody and improve our organization, improve our facilities, improve our training, improve everything we can.

“We played against Mexico, against Portugal, against Algeria away, to check the possibility to play offensive football, high pressure, because that’s our way. I think we have the capacity and the players for that, but we need to check our development and the way we play.” he said.

The coach would be in action for the international friendlies and qualifications, even though there may not be many international competitions in 2023.

The Super Eagles lost their first two matches under new boss Jose Peseiro, but there were some positives to take from the games

The Super Eagles of Nigeria lost the first two games of Jose Peseiro’s regime. Nigeria suffered a 2-1 loss to Mexico on the 29th and then succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Ecuador four days later.

However, despite the losses, some players showed some level of brilliance. Soccernet takes a look at three of these Super Eagles stars.

Alex Iwobi

The Everton man looked rejuvenated on his return to the Super Eagles. Iwobi had an African Cup of Nations to forget, as he got red-carded in the Super Eagles’ loss to Tunisia in the second round.

However, he has since risen from that disappointment, posting brilliant displays for Everton in their Premier League survival battle. Iwobi brought the same form to the Super Eagles, showing great passing ability and awareness.

Iwobi looked sharp in Nigeria’s two games and could have gotten at least an assist if not for the strikers’ profligacy.

Calvin Bassey

When Calvin Bassey had a cameo in Kumasi at the first leg of the World Cup qualifiers against Ghana, Nigerians credited his sharpness and liked what they saw.

In Abuja, there was a complete turnaround in performance and comments for Bassey who was making his full and home debut. The game went from bad to worse as he was caught off-guard on a number of occasions. He had since bounced back, posting beautiful displays at his club and also earning the plaudits he deserves.

The Rangers man had two very splendid performances for the Super Eagles in the United States. Bassey was a rock at left-back and made it difficult for attackers on his wing. He sneezed a few times, but his presence in defense was clear.

Bassey also had a lot of attacking input, bumping forward occasionally, and whipping in decent crosses. His pinpoint cross which found Dessers in the box was the only assist in Nigeria’s two games.

Francis Uzoho

Uzoho’s mistake was partly the reason why Ghana pipped Nigeria to the Qatar 2022 World Cup ticket. Nonetheless, the Omonia Nicosia man came back stronger with a lot of confidence.

Uzoho was commanding in the first game against Mexico and the second game was even better, as he made three point-blank saves.

The 23-year-old looked different from the shaky shot-stopper in the game against Ghana, and he was the reason why Nigeria didn’t lose by more than a goal margin in both friendly games.

Jose Peseiro has started well in terms of performance. While this could be a reflection of how everybody comports in a new environment and when a big visitor is around, one would only hope it lasts long enough.

For the first time in some years, there’s a semblance of adaptability and in-game situational reading from the Nigerian bench. Tactics and systems are being switched to plug loopholes and players are brought in to make direct impacts.

Peseiro has also shown to have impressed on the team in the areas of pressing, ball retention and against Ecuador, there was far improved organisation.

The old nemesis of conceding early and pouring all into chasing a game may be a trait the Portuguese coach will like to beat off but the positives outweigh their negatives in both games.

Against Mexico, the team showed it can rally itself and put up a good fight. Local players also showed there’s something worth seeing there if opportunities come by, while some players also made a mockery of their early cancellation by the often quick-to-judge Nigerian fans.

In two friendly games against top opposition, Francis Uzoho has shown how commanding he can be. His passing was much more improved and his left leg is even put to better use now. His reflexes also don’t reflect a goalkeeper finding game time hard to come by. If his performance can be this good without regular minutes, he must quickly realise he needs game time to consolidate on his place.

If Calvin Bassey’s Europa League stardom wasn’t convincing enough, he has shown his critics he’s far from that Abuja debacle. Two solid performances in which he was the best player must give Peseiro an idea of what to make of the Rangers man.

He is one of the Super Eagles’ brightest channels to goalscoring opportunities, and offers two solutions in one man, from a coaching perspective, and two competitions in one feet, from a player’s point of view.

Nigerians have asked to see him in the left centre back position where he flourished at Rangers in the concluded season.

What the United States friendlies have also proven is the level of commitment of some players to the team. In national assignments, commitment may be just as key as talent and some players have shown an unflinching desire to represent the national team. This makes them difficult to drop or ignore.

The coaching crew must have a lot to chew from both games against World Cup-bound teams and must look to the future with positivity.

When the house is full, with the right mixture gotten to make a perfect broth, and the flexibility so far shown by Peseiro, this team promises just so much for two early friendly losses to be taken as a chaotic denouement.

Although the future is never assured especially when it comes to the Super Eagles as results change with the click of the finger, hope isn’t too much a risk to take at the moment.

Welcome Jose Peseiro, and don’t forget your starter’s pack. 

The Super Eagles will look to end a run of four games without a victory when they face Ecuador’s La Tri in a friendly match at New Jersey’s Red Bull Arena on Thursday.

The Nigerian national team stumbled against Mexico’s El Tri on Sunday, losing 2-1 at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas courtesy of Santiago Gimenez’s first-half strike and an unfortunate William Troost-Ekong own-goal.

Feyenoord forward Cyriel Dessers scored Nigeria’s only goal in that encounter, the 27-year-old’s first-ever goal in the green-and-white kit.

The Eagles go again tomorrow against Ecuador and would be in search of their first win since a 2-0 triumph over Guinea-Bissau in the group stages of the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

In Ecuador, Nigeria face a team equally short on confidence at the moment.

La Tricolor are on a run of five games without a win, recording four draws and a loss.

But a 2-0 win over Chile last November and recent draws with Brazil and Argentina show the Ecuadorians can mix it well with the big boys.

Gustavo Alfaro’s men will also be in Qatar later in the year for the 2022 FIFA World Cup – a tournament Nigeria failed to qualify for.

And despite being ranked 46th on the FIFA world ranking, La Tri will fancy their chances of returning to winning ways when they take to the pitch against the 30th-ranked Super Eagles.

Head-to-head

This is the first meeting between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Ecuador’s La Tricolor.

However, the West Africans’ recent record in friendly games does not inspire much confidence.

The Eagles have not tasted victory in ten consecutive friendly encounters, managing five draws and suffering five defeats in the last three years.

The 2013 Afcon winners will have to pull their acts together against an Ecuador side that has carved three wins in six of their recent friendlies.

Super Eagles team news

Head coach Jose Peseiro could only call on 20 players for Sunday’s matchup against Mexico.

Watford’s in-demand striker Emmanuel Dennis has since joined the squad to provide one more option for the Portuguese tactician in the attack.

Cyriel Dessers should, however, continue in attack after impressing and scoring on Sunday.

The NFF has confirmed that Torino’s Ola Aina is out with a knock, leaving Chidozie Awaziem to pick up the right-back slot.

Alex Iwobi and Joe Aribo’s partnership in midfield needs more playing time to prosper. And stand-in captain William Troost-Ekong, despite his own goal, is expected to marshal the defence in front of goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.

Ecuador’s danger man

La Tri coach Alfaro has called up 25 players for this match, including Samuel Chukwueze’s Villarreal teammate full-back Pervis Estupian.

Brighton & Hove Albion duo of midfielder Moises Caicedo and forward Jeremy Sarmiento, as well as Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie, are key players for the South Americans.

Their biggest star, however, remains former West Ham striker Enner Valencia.

The Fenerbahce ace is his country’s most prolific goalscorer with 35 goals in 70 games, and he will look to test his strength and pace against Troost-Ekong and co.

Nigeria possible starting lineup:
Uzoho; Awaziem, Ajayi, Troost-Ekong, Bassey; Simon, Aribo, Iwobi, Dennis; Dessers, Moffi

Ecuador possible starting lineup:
Galindez; Castillo, Hincapie, Arboleda, Estupinan; Franco, Caicedo, Alvarado, Plata; Campana, Valencia

Prediction

Ecuador will target a third-ever victory over African opposition, but they should meet their match in three-time continental champions Nigeria.

Nigeria are short of their regular first-team players but should have enough quality to nick a narrow win over their opponents.

Tip: Ecuador 0-1 Nigeria

Yusuf revealed the conversations he had with Jose Peseiro before he resumed his duties as coach of the Super Eagles.

The CHAN-Eagles Coach said Peseiro asked about the characteristics of the local players and what they can offer the team and they spoke at length about other issues.

“It’s been great working with him. Before he resumed I had two conversations with him over the phone concerning the list, and some players. He asked about the characteristics of the home-based players and I told him and he really appreciated that. It’s been great working with him. He’s a top professional and I’ve enjoyed working with him.”

Yusuf further spoke about the tactics deployed by the team in the first game of the Peseiro era and said it was tough and everyone had their analysis of the game in the second half.

”It was a bit tough. Second half everyone analysed the game for him. He agreed to all our suggestions and we changed the system we played and it paid off. It’s just that we had an own goal and we could have at least won the game or get a draw. You can see we’re more in the game than they were in the second half. We controlled the game in the second half.

He’s still building. It’s gradual and step-by-step. I believe at the end of the day, we will have a good team.

“We are happy to have him because the home-based players had a chance to play which is good, for the first time in the main team. It will go a long way in improving their confidence to work harder and also encourage other home-based players to work harder because they know if they’re doing well, they have a chance to play.”

Watford defender William Troost-Ekong has given reasons different from what head coach Jose Peseiro gave for the Super Eagles laboured display in the 2-1 defeat to Mexico inside the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Sunday.

A rampant El Tri dominated the first half of the encounter and led 1-0 at halftime, and that lead could have been by a wider margin but for the brilliance of goalkeeper Francis Uzoho.

The Super Eagles emerged from the interval with more purpose and equalised eight minutes into the second half after Cyriel Dessers met a sumptuous Calvin Bassey cross with a clever header.

But an unfortunate own-goal from Troost-Ekong restored Mexico’s lead shortly after, and the North Americans held on for the win despite the Eagles’ best efforts.

New head coach Jose Peseiro has admitted that a tactical blunder affected the Eagles’ output in the first half, revealing that a tweak in his approach made the team better after the break.

But Troost-Ekong has shared a view different from the Portuguese tactician’s perspective.

The former Udinese centre-back insists that with many of the Super Eagles stars arriving in the United States from Europe, they struggled to recover fully from their long trips and adapt to the new time zone before the match kicked off.

“We were unhappy to have lost to Mexico because everyone worked very hard,” Troost-Ekong told the NFF.

“The issues of long travel and little time to adapt to the new zone affected us all in the first half, but we created a raft of chances in the second half and were unlucky to have lost.

“Nevertheless, we have taken on board a lot of lessons from the game, and they will be quite useful in subsequent matches.”

The Super Eagles have not won any of their last four matches, with the team’s last victory coming in the group stages of the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations against Guinea-Bissau.

The three-time Africa champions will get the chance to halt that terrible run when they trade tackles with Ecuador in another friendly match on Thursday.