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Brothers at war: Nigerian players go head to head in Super Eagles battle

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Victor Osimhen is back with a bang (Photo Credit: Napoli FC)

This European football weekend will put some players of the Super Eagles of Nigerian squaring up against each other.

In the English Premier League, Nigeria’s most improved player this season, Alex Iwobi will be up against the duo of Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho as Everton takes on Leicester City.

Another match that will see brother at war will see Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis taking on Frank Onyeka as Nottingham Forest host Brentford while in Italy, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman will clash in a top-of-the-table meeting in Serie A between Napoli and Atalanta where the Naples outfit could open a gap at the top with a win.

Africannewswatch brings you a preview of the war of Super Eagles players.

Alex Iwobi vs Wildred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho

Baring any last minute injury, Alex Iwobi should be selected as Everton take on Leicester with Wilfred Ndidi hopefully starting after overcoming a niggling injury.

Alex Iwobi is now Everton's main man (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Alex Iwobi is now Everton’s main man (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Kelechi Iheanacho was a substitute in Leicester’s 1-0 loss against Manchester City and is looking to have another run after an encouraging display against the EPL champions.

The Toffees have claimed two wins from three at home and will be hoping to put up a sterling performance against a Leicester team that has not been able to replicate form that saw them always compete for the top four in recent seasons.

Taiwo Awoniyi, Emmanuel Dennis vs Frank Onyeka

With Nottingham Forest hosting Brentford, the trio of Taiwo Awoniyi, Emmanuel Dennis and Frank Onyeka could come face to face but with Awoniyi seeming to lose steam these days, Dennis may well be the starter with the former Union Berlin forward coming on as a sub.

Taiwo Awoniyi and Reds teammates celebrate first EPL goal (Photo Credit: Nottingham Forest FC)

Taiwo Awoniyi and Reds teammates celebrate first EPL goal (Photo Credit: Nottingham Forest FC)

Last weekend, Onyeka was dropped to the bench for Wolves’ after three starts but the hard tackling midfielder will hope to make another start at the City Ground.

Victor Osimhen vs Ademola Lookman

Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman are two hot Nigerian forwards currently setting the Italian Serie A on fire with goals and as Napoli takes on Atalanta in a top of the table clash, the two Super Eagles stars will be looked upon by their respective clubs to deliver the goals.

Ademola Lookman was the hero for Atalanta (Photo Credit: Atalanta FC)

Ademola Lookman was the hero for Atalanta (Photo Credit: Atalanta FC)

While Osimhen got his first Serie A hat-trick last weekend in Napoli’s 4-0 routing of Sassuolo, Lookman was also on song as Atalanta defeated Empoli 2-0 to take his season tally to five.

As Luciano Spalletti’s unbeaten side travel to second-placed Atalanta intent on continuing their outstanding start in the league, Lookman and company will be looking to truncate that run.

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Coach of Mamelodi Sundowns female team suspended over sexual harassment allegations

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The head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns women’s team, Jerry Tshabalala, has been suspended indefinitely amid allegations of sexual harassment of players.

A statement by the management of the top South African team said the 44-year-old Tshabalala, who has been in charge of Sundowns’s women’s team for over a decade, has been accused of a number of allegations, including making inappropriate sexual comments to his players, as well as entering the dressing room and refusing to leave while players are completely naked.

In a statement released on Saturday, Sundowns said they had appointed a law firm to investigate the allegations against the coach with specific instructions to unravel allegations of improper conduct by the Tshabalala.

The club said it views the allegations in a very serious light and has relieved the coach of his appointment pending when the investigations are concluded.

“Sundowns has, in the interim, put Coach Jerry Tshabalala on special leave pending the outcome of the investigation,” the club statement said.

“This is not done to pre-empt the outcome of the investigation, but to ensure that the investigation can proceed expeditiously and protect the rights of all parties.

“In the event that the investigation establishes facts that warrant action, the Board will immediately take such steps as are appropriate.

Mamelodi Sundowns will in due course make announcements on the findings of the investigation and the action to be taken,” the statement concluded.

The Sundowns female team have been a dominant force in women’s football in South Africa and on the continent since Tshabalala took over in 2012, winning seven domestic league titles, as well as two CAF Women’s Champions League crowns.

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FIFA Ranking: Nigeria ends 2024 as fifth best team in Africa

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Nigeria’s men’s football national team, the Super Eagles, ended the year 2024 as the fifth best team in Africa in the latest FIFA world ranking for the month of December.

According to the rankings published by the world football governing body, Nigeria remains unchanged from its previous position, despite having a challenging international break.

The FIFA rankings also reveal that Nigeria suffered a significant decline this year, dropping eight places to end 2024 ranked 44th globally.

The decline follows disappointing performances during the final AFCON qualifiers for 2025, where the Super Eagles struggled against the Benin Republic and Rwanda, resulting in a lack of wins.

However, some of the Super Eagles bitter rivals like South Africa’s Bafana Bafana experienced a resurgence, climbing three positions to finish the year ranked 57th in the world, showing a marked improvement in their recent form and successful matches during the qualifiers.

It was a woeful year for West African rivals Ghana who ended the year in 77th position, which highlights the challenges the Black Stars have encountered in the outgoing year in its bid to maintain its positions among Africa’s elite teams.

Meanwhile, the Moroccan national football team, the Atlas Lion, retained its 14th position in the in the world while still maintaining its number one spot in Africa, holding the first position for the third year in a row.

In the world ranking, Morocco is followed by Senegal on 17th position, Egypt, 33rd, Algeria 37th, Nigeria, 44th, Côte d’Ivoire, 46th, Cameroon, 49th, Mali, 51st, and Tunisia in the 52nd position.

Top 10 African teams in 2024

1. Morocco – (14th)

2. Senegal – (17th)

3. Egypt – (33rd)

4. Algeria – (37th)

5. Nigeria – (44th)

6. Côte d’Ivoire – (46th)

7. Cameroon – (49th)

8. Mali – (51st )

9. Tunisia – (52nd)

10. South Africa – (57th)

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