Articles by Bayo Olupohunda,Dare Kuti

Technology

EPL defender sparks speculation over Super Eagles switch after instagram move before World Cup playoffs

An English Premier League (EPL) star has expressed interest in playing for the Super Eagles of NigeriaNigeria are on the verge of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but must first secure victories in the playoff matchesEric Chelle will have the opportunity to include Nigeria-eligible players who have yet to make their international debut Nigeria-eligible players have been in outstanding form since the start of the 2025/26 football season, giving Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle plenty to think about ahead of the next international window. Chelle’s first assignment after accepting the role of Nigeria head coach was to tour several European countries in an effort to convince players of Nigerian descent to represent the Super Eagles. The former Mali coach later led Nigeria through the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers with his regular squad, guiding the three-time AFCON champions to a playoff spot after a dominant 4-0 win over Benin Republic in their final qualifying match, per BBC. Meanwhile, former Germany U21 defender Felix Agu has completed his switch of allegiance to Nigeria, making his debut in the 2025 Unity Cup against Jamaica, where the Super Eagles retained the title. EPL Star eyes Super Eagles call-up Brentford defender Michael Kayode is reportedly considering his international future, leaving the door open to represent Nigeria. The Italy-born Nigerian was named Man of the Match in Brentford’s 3-2 victory over Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, October 25. Kayode played a key role in Brentford’s opener, providing his trademark long throw that led to Dango Ouattara’s goal. The 21-year-old secured 70% of fan votes to win the award ahead of other nominees, per Brentford. Since joining Brentford from Fiorentina, Kayode has impressed with his consistency, winning one key tackle, completing 25 accurate passes, and helping the Bees record back-to-back league wins. Kayode said: "I'll try my best because my English not perfect. I'm so happy about that, we are doing amazing game and I want ay thank you to everyone including the players and staff. "We have to continue like that cause because I dream, everyone dream, we can have an amazing season. Thank you to everyone." Kayode follows Super Eagles as Nigerians react Nigerians have reacted after Brentford defender Michael Kayode followed the official Instagram account of the Super Eagles. Born in Italy to Nigerian parents, Kayode has shown interest in representing Nigeria ahead of the crucial World Cup playoff against Gabon and the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco next December. princeloyaly said: "He should join the playoff so that fredrick and bassey will play CB and he plays RB 😍." sheubaba1330 wrote: "Kay Welcome home 🏡...ile baba okin ba omo leru. Kaaaaaabo🙌❤️." officialayus added: "Due to your performance against the Liverpool, you’re truly welcome to the fullback position in the Eagles squad, Ola Aina will be on the leftback and you holds the right back for us🖖🤝🤞 Nigerians warn NFF against Adarabioyo Legit.ng earlier reported that Tosin Adarabioyo will not play for the Super Eagles if the reactions from Nigerians after his performance for Chelsea against Sunderland are anything to go by. There are rumours in the Nigerian media that Adarabioyo is waiting for the Super Eagles to qualify for the World Cup before announcing his decision. Source: Legit.ng

Technology

Super Eagles trolled by Senegal Players after World Cup automatic spot miss, video

Senegal thrashed Mauritania 4-0 to finish first and qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, October 14Nigeria and three other countries will proceed to the World Cup play-offs in their quest to reach the tournament properPlayers of the one-time AFCON winner have taken their social media accounts to taunt the Super Eagles for failing to book an automatic ticket Senegal humbled Mauritania 4-0 on the final day of the CAF qualification group B to seal their ticket to the 2026 World Cup. A brace from forward Sadio Mane and a goal each from Iliman Ndiaye and Habib Diallo ensured the Aliou Cisse-led team brought smiles to the faces of the fans at the Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade on Tuesday evening, October 14. Former Liverpool forward Sadio Mane opened the scoring for Senegal in the 45+1 minute through a free kick that curled into the top corner. The Al Nassr forward made it two for the Teranga Lions with a composed finish inside the box following a perfect pass from Monaco midfielder Krepin Diatta in the 48th minute. In the 64th minute, Everton midfielder Iliman Ndiaye increased the goal tally to three after converting a cross from Bayern Munich forward Nicolas Jackson. Four minutes to the end of the game, Habib Diallo put the finishing touch on the rout with a powerful strike inside the box, to make it 4-0, according to BBC. With the emphatic win over Mauritania, Senegal finished top of group B with 24 points to seal their fourth World Cup appearance (2002, 2018, 2002, and 2026), while DR Congo came second with 22 points to qualify for the 2026 play-offs coming up in Morocco next November, per FIFA. Senegalese players throw jibes at Super Eagles Senegal internationals Pape Gueye and Moussa Niakhate have trolled the Super Eagles after they managed to qualify for the playoffs at the expense of Burkina Faso. As seen in a post on Instagram, the Villarreal star was seen showing his teammates teams billed to face each other during the playoffs. The 26-year-old can be heard singing Asake's ‘Lonely at the Top’ with his fellow teammates at the background. Legit.ng compiled the reactions of fans to Gueye's video. Read them below: secka___ said: “There's a country that used to say Nigeria and South Africa ATTTTASSSSAAA🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 today it's not even in dams.. Benin 🇧🇯 my country.” h.a.m.z.y.92i wrote: “I'm serious with them 🤣 it's better that we don't even participate in the CDM with the level we have, we can't.” eric_baldwin_e added: “Because of Marc Brys and Kombi, we are the laughing stock in the world when it comes to soccer” Meanwhile, for Nigeria to make it to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the three-time AFCON winners will take on Gabon in the play-offs slated for Morocco between November 13 and 16. Amrouche congratulates South Africa, Nigeria Legit.ng earlier reported that Rwanda coach Adel Amrouche has issued a congratulatory message to South Africa for qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Nigeria for securing the play-offs. The former Algeria manager said the qualified teams must give their best while representing the continent at the Mundial. Source: Legit.ng

Technology

Court finds top football official guilty of heinous crime, sentences him to 18 months in jail

A football official has been sentenced to jail for viewing an inappropriate imag in a European nationThe ex-international has managed several clubs and the U20 national team of an Asia country, before bagging an appointment The official was on his way to a national assignment before the unfortunate incident occurred A top official of the Japan Football Association has been sentenced to jail for 18 months in France. The official was on his way to the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile. The Japanese team have been impressive in the tournament, recording victories in their group stages against Egypt (2-0), Chile (2-0), and New Zealand (3-0). The Samurai Blue are billed to take on France in the Round of 16 on Wednesday morning. What was the offense of the official? The Technical Director of the Japan Football Association, Masanaga Kageyama, was caught viewing inappropriate images during his trip to Chile. According to France 24, the police arrested Kageyama during a stopover at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris when a member of the flight crew reported the incident. He admitted viewing the images, but claimed that he did not realise they were illegal in France. A court sitting in Paris sentenced him to a jail term of one year, four months, and a fine of $5,830 for possessing/saving inappropriate images. The court said: “The facts were discovered by the plane’s flight crew, who raised the alarm after noticing that the convicted man was viewing inappropriate images on the plane.” The sentence of the Japanese also includes a ban on working with children for 10 years, plus a ban on returning to France for the period. Meanwhile, Kageyama claimed the images were artistic creations generated using artificial intelligence (AI). The former Japan U20 coach was tasked with implementing strategies to strengthen the national team, as well as training coaches and developing youth players. Japan FA terminates Kageyama appointment The Japan Football Association have terminated the appointment of Masanaga Kageyama as their Technical Director of the association. According to Nippon, Kageyama was billed to inspect the country's team participating in the ongoing FIFA U20 World Cup. The JFA General Secretary, Kazuyuki Yakawa said the successor of Masanaga Kageyama would be announced at the appropriate time. He said: "From the viewpoint of protecting privacy, I will refrain from giving an explanation" about details on the ruling for Kageyama and whether he has admitted to the charges. "Football is one part of society. Something like this cannot happen. We must all work together to ensure there is thorough compliance and guidance." Former Real Madrid coach sentenced to prison Legit.ng earlier reported that former Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has been handed a one-year sentence by a court sitting in Madrid. The Italian coach is accused of failing to pay tax on his image rights revenue during his first stint in 2014. Source: Legit.ng