Sports
“Nigeria Are Great Underachievers Of World Football” – Arsene Wenger
Former manager of Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, has described Nigeria as the “great underachievers of world football”.
The retired French tactician who is currently the head of FIFA’s global football development believes that with the number of talents at the disposal in Nigeria, the country ought to have achieved more in international football.
Arsene Wenger argued further that Nigeria has all it takes to be a great footballing nation, but the country hasn’t completely realized that potential.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have appeared in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations seven times but managed to win it three times despite being regarded as the giants of Africa.
The Nigerian men’s football team has won gold, silver, and bronze medals at the Olympics held in Atlanta in 1996, Beijing in 2008, and Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
In the 90s, the Super Eagles of Nigeria were so dominant that they were ranked 5th best team in the world by FIFA but they are now ranked outside the top 20.
As for the Super Falcons, they are the most successful women’s team in Africa and have played in all editions of the World Cup. However, they have managed to reach the quarter-final stage once in the history of the competition.
“Nigeria has incredible talent but they are the great underachievers of world football,” Arsene Wenger said according to Punch.
The Frenchman is one of the most successful coaches in English football, having won a record seven FA Cups, three league titles, and two Manager of the Year awards.
To get Kanu in 1999, Wenger shattered the previous English transfer record for an African player by paying Inter Milan £4.5 million.
Additionally, the 73-year-old gave Alex Iwobi his major break at Arsenal by allowing him to make his debut in a Carabao Cup fourth-round game against Sheffield Wednesday when he was still a teenager.
Super Eagles and Chippa United goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, has been dealt a devastating blow, losing his mother barely two months after the passing of his father.
Nwabali shared the heartbreaking news on X on New Year’s day, writing, “Rip mom, worst year of my life already” accompanied by tears and heartbreak emojis.
This emotional post came just hours after he shared a 2024 recap video, expressing optimism for the new year.
“2024 was a good year, we’re doubling everything in 2025. Thank you Chippa United FC. Thank you Super Eagles. Thanks to all my fans. Let’s do more!” he had written earlier.
Nwabali’s father died in November, just hours after the goalkeeper helped the Super Eagles secure a crucial point in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic.
The goalkeeper’s bravery on the field was evident as he manned the goalpost despite his personal loss.
His teammates, fans, and well-wishers rallied around him, offering condolences and support.
With the loss of both parents, Nwabali joins the likes of Victor Osimhen, who has also experienced the pain of losing both parents.
Real Madrid forward, Kylian Mbappé, shared a rare glimpse of his personal life during an interview with Mouloud Achour on Clique.
The 25-year-old addressed serious allegations about an alleged rape incident in Stockholm but captured attention with his reflections on love and relationships.
When asked about expressing love, the Les Bleus forward shared: “Yes, to my mother, my father, my little brother. I try to give them this affection every day.”
On romantic love, Mbappé revealed to Le Parisien: “Yes, in the past, I have already been in love and I hope that I will be again. But currently, no.”
Watch him speak below:
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Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili made a spectacular debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics, delivering an impressive performance in the women’s 200m event.
After a disappointing setback in the women’s 100m, Ofili showcased her resilience by clinching victory in her heat with a new season’s best time of 22.24 seconds on Sunday, August 4. The victory has qualified her for the 2024 Olympics 200m women’s semi-finals which will take place this evening.
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