SOMALI WORLD CUP REFEREE DENIED ENTRY TO UNITED STATES. (PHOTO).

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 Somali World Cup Referee Denied Entry to United States Award-winning Somali referee, Omar Artan, has been denied entry into the United States despite holding a valid visa, according to a senior official in Somalia’s sports ministry. Artan, who is set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at the FIFA World Cup finals, was stopped at Miami International Airport and subsequently returned to Istanbul, where he had been residing. The reason for the denial was not immediately disclosed. However, Somalia is among the countries affected by a travel ban introduced by the administration of Donald Trump. Reacting to the development, Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, described Artan as one of Africa’s most respected referees. “Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community,” Abshir told AFP on Monday. He added that preventing the referee fro...

SUPER EAGLES COACH ERIC CHELLE DROPS OSIMHEN, LOOKMAN FOR UNITY CUP AND RUSSIA FRIENDLY. (PHOTO).


 

Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle Drops Osimhen, Lookman for Unity Cup and Russia Friendly


Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has made a bold move by excluding star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman from the squad set to face Ghana in the upcoming Unity Cup and Russia in an international friendly. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the 23-man squad list on Wednesday afternoon, sparking widespread discussion among fans.


The Unity Cup, a four-nation tournament featuring Nigeria, Ghana, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago, will take place from May 26 to 31, 2025. Nigeria will then travel to Moscow to face Russia in a historic first-ever senior international friendly at the Luzhniki Stadium on June 6, 2025.


Chelle’s squad sees the return of goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, midfielder Frank Onyeka, forward Kelechi Iheanacho, and team captain Ahmed Musa, who will lead the side. The roster also includes a strong contingent from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL), with standout players such as Junior Harrison Nduka (captain of Remo Stars and CHAN-bound Super Eagles B), Ifeanyi Onyebuchi and Collins Ugwueze (Enugu Rangers), Sodiq Ismail (Remo Stars), Waliu Ojetoye (Ikorodu City), Saviour Isaac (Enugu Rangers), Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes), Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars), and Adamu Abubakar (Plateau United).


These home-based stars will compete for spots alongside established internationals, including Moses Simon, Stanley Nwabali, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, Cyriel Dessers, Nathan Tella, and Tolu Arokodare. The blend of domestic and foreign-based players reflects Chelle’s strategy to test new talent and tactics ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.


Speaking on his selections, Chelle said, “The Unity Cup and the Russia friendly will give us the chance to try out a few new players in different roles, helping us to strengthen our squad before the crucial World Cup qualifiers in September and October.”


The exclusion of Osimhen, who has struggled with injuries at Napoli this season, and Lookman, a key figure in Atalanta’s attack, has raised eyebrows. Chelle’s decision signals a focus on squad depth and versatility as Nigeria prepares for a critical phase in its international campaign. Fans will be watching closely to see how the revamped Super Eagles perform in these high-stakes matches.

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