Sport

Super Eagles Winger Chukwueze Loses Mother

By Web News 251

Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze has lost his mother, Mrs Sarah Chukwueze.

Although Samuel himself did not initially confirm the development, his brother, David Chukwueze, shared the news in a series of emotional posts on Instagram, paying tribute to their late mother.

According to the posts, the family is struggling to come to terms with the loss.

In one post, David wrote, “Can’t even post your picture to say RIP mum.”

In another, he said, “My forever love just left me without saying goodbye.”

He also noted, “You didn’t even carry your grandchild.”

The National Sports Commission later confirmed the development in a statement issued on Thursday, saying Mrs Chukwueze died after a brief illness.

“The National Sports Commission is deeply saddened by the confirmed passing of Mrs Sarah Chukwueze, mother of Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze,” the statement read.

It noted that the death had been publicly announced by members of the Chukwueze family.

“The Commission has been informed that Mrs Chukwueze passed away following a brief illness, a loss that has been publicly shared by members of the Chukwueze family,” it added.

The NSC extended its condolences to the footballer and his family, describing the late Mrs Chukwueze as a strong support figure in her son’s career.

“Across the landscape of Nigerian sport, the role of family remains central to the character and resilience shown by many of our elite athletes. Mrs Chukwueze’s influence on the personal journey of her son and her support for his professional pursuit are acknowledged and respected by the sports community,” the Commission stated.

It added that it stood in solidarity with the Super Eagles winger during the period of mourning.

“The National Sports Commission stands in solidarity with Samuel Chukwueze and offers support to him and his family at this difficult time,” the statement said.

Details surrounding her illness were not disclosed.

Chukwueze, who featured for the Super Eagles at the recent Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where Nigeria finished third, has yet to issue a public statement on the loss.

The development comes just two days after Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi lost his father, Sunday Ndidi, in a road accident in Delta State.

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Sport

Super Eagles AFCON Camp Opens 

By Web News 356

The Super Eagles Camp for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has opened in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

Coach Jose Peseiro has already named 25 players for the competition which begins mid-January in the West African Nation of Cote d’Ivoire.

Barring one home-based player, the other invitees are expected in camp from their different European bases.

But Samuel Chukwueze of AC Milan, goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, William Troost-Ekong, and Sadiq Umar of Real Sociedad have been granted permission to feature for their sides in games later Tuesday. They will then hit the camp on Wednesday.

Nigeria will be in the oil-rich nation for a week as they fine-tune plans for the biennial football showpiece. The Super Eagles are in Group A of the competition alongside hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, and Equatorial Guinea.

Their first game is against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, January 15th, 2024 before they square off against Cote d’Ivoire four days later. After this, the three-time AFCON winners take the battle to Guinea-Bissau on Monday, January 22.

Nigeria are coming into the competition on the back of a poor start to the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign. The Super Eagles only managed two points from the same number of games against lowly-rated Lesotho and Zimbabwe in late 2023.

The development, as expected, triggered calls for the sack of Peseiro with many fans and pundits questioning the Portuguese gaffer’s tactical acumen to lead one of the continent’s most talented football teams.

Despite this, football authorities in Nigeria say sacking the Portuguese weeks before a major tournament is an unwise move.

While Peseiro is going into the competition under pressure, the former Al-Ahly coach is upbeat about the Super Eagles’ chances of taking another continental title eleven years after Nigeria won it in South Africa.

“We will fight to win the Africa Cup even though it won’t be easy,” Peseiro told NFF TV.

“Our group is not easy because we are up against the Ivory Coast, who have a good squad and are playing at home.

“Equatorial Guinea reached the quarter-final at the last AFCON, better than Nigeria, while Guinea Bissau beat us at home (in the qualifiers). We have to be at our best in our trainings and in our matches.”

Channels TV / Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Sport

Super Eagles Departs Abuja For Cameroon

By Web News 896

Super Eagles will depart Abuja, for Cameroon via a chartered flight on Wednesday night.

According to the interim coach of Super Eagles, Austine Eguavoen, the team might have a friendly match with a Cameroon club in Garoua before their first match on January 11 with Egypt.

Meanwhile, Samuel Chukwueze has joined his teammates in Abuja ahead of their departure.

His arrival has increased the number of players in camp to 25.

Oluwakayode Banjo

Sport

FFCN Congratulates Samuel Chukwueze On His Birthday

By Web News 943

Football Fans Club of Nigeria, FFCN has felicitated with Super Eagles winger, Samuel Chukwueze, who added a new year today.

 In a release signed by the National President of the Supporters’ Club, Ambassador Oluwakemi Ogunfuwa and made available to newsmen through the National Media Officer, Sunday Agunbiade, FFCN, described the 2015 Under 17 World Cup winner as a prodigious talent, affirming he is one of the fastest growing wingers in the world.

“On behalf of the entire members of Football Fans Club of Nigeria, FFCN, I congratulate one of the best wingers and Villarreal phenomenon football dribbler , *Samuel Chimerenka Chukwueze*  on the occasion of his 21st birthday celebration today ,22nd May, 2021

“The former Future Hope and New Generation Academy forward was part of the 2019 African Cup of Nation’s Bronze winning squad in Egypt where he played a pivotal role in achieving the feat for the nation. Sincerely speaking, Chukwueze is such an intelligent, smart and adventurous player the continent has ever produced”. FFCN Boss enthusiastically posited

The supporters club prayed for the lad to enjoy a productive and blistering career in his new age.

“I pray he excels in his footballing career and may the good Lord bless him to reach the greater heights in his future endeavors,amen”.

Samuel Chukwueze had a very humble beginning in his footballing career from home front with Future Hope. He later teamed up with New Generation Academy and afterwards joined Diamond Football Academy all spanning 6 years from 2012-2017.

He jet out of the country precisely in 2018 where he was snapped up with Villarreal B scoring 4 goals in the stint. The Nigerian Wonderkid later graduated to Villarreal A having 91 league appearances netting 12 goals.

Chukwueze won 2015 FIFA Under 17 World Cup for Nigeria scoring 3 goals and  emerged a Bronze Boot winning player of the tournament. 

He made a debut for Super Eagles on 20th November,2018 in a goaless draw against  Uganda. He was very significant in 2019 AFCON tournament held in Egypt winning Bronze for Nigeria

Olaolu Fawole