Chelle Explains Osimhen, Lookman Absence

Super Eagles of Nigeria head coach, Éric Chelle, has confirmed that Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman will not be available for Nigeria’s upcoming international friendlies against Poland and Portugal.

Nigeria will face Poland in Warsaw on Wednesday before travelling to Leiria for a clash with former European champions Portugal on June 10.

Both Osimhen and Lookman were originally named in Chelle’s squad for the two matches, but the Malian tactician disclosed that circumstances beyond the team’s control forced their withdrawal.

Speaking to the Super Eagles media team, Chelle explained that Osimhen is currently focused on resolving his club future, while Lookman has been excused at the request of Atlético Madrid.

“We miss two players because Victor Osimhen maybe he is about to change club so I prefer he stays at home because if he plays and is not at 100 percent is not good,” Chelle said.

“For Lookman he is very tired and Atletico ask us to excuse him.”

The announcement comes just days after Nigeria retained the Unity Cup in style, defeating Jamaica 3-0 in the final at The Valley in London on Saturday night, May 30.

Despite that success, Chelle admitted he still feels the disappointment of Nigeria’s recent failures on the international stage.

The Super Eagles will not feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after falling short in the African play-offs. Nigeria suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 penalty shoot-out defeat to Congo DR in the final qualifying round.

The three-time African champions also missed out on continental glory at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, finishing third in the tournament.

Reflecting on those setbacks after the Unity Cup triumph, Chelle apologised to Nigerian supporters and thanked them for standing by the team.

“I want to once again say sorry we didn’t go to the World Cup, this is my feeling, sorry we didn’t win the AFCON, I tried to do my job,” the 48-year-old stated.

“I want to say thank you for all the support that was put in the team and once again I will give everything to this national team.”

Chelsea sign Brazilian striker Joao Pedro from Brighton in a deal worth a reported £60 million ($79 million) on Wednesday.

Pedro jetted to the United States, where Chelsea are playing in the Club World Cup, on Sunday after the terms of his eight-year contract were agreed.

With the transfer now confirmed following a medical, Pedro is available to play for Enzo Maresca’s side in their Club World Cup quarter-final against Palmeiras in Philadelphia.

FIFA has given clubs involved in the Club World Cup knockout phase until July 3 to register new players for the tournament.

“Everyone knows this is a big club with a great history,” Pedro said.

“They had brilliant players in the past and have brilliant players now, so I am excited to join and you know when you are a Chelsea player you must think one thing – win.”

Pedro, who joined Brighton for £30 million from Watford two years ago, scored 30 goals in 70 appearances for the Seagulls and has been capped three times by Brazil.

The 23-year-old missed Brighton’s final two matches of the season after being dropped due to a training ground altercation with team-mate Jan Paul van Hecke.

Pedro is the fourth player Chelsea have signed from Brighton in recent years after Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella and Robert Sanchez.

Chelsea, who qualified for next season’s Champions League, have already splashed out on striker Liam Delap, midfielder Dario Essugo and defender Mamadou Sarr since the end of last term.

Brazilian rising star Estevao Willian, 18, will join the Blues after his Club World Cup campaign with Palmeiras.

Portuguese football icon, Cristiano Ronaldo, has admitted that he had the chance of playing at the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup, but he turned down the opportunity because he wanted to enjoy the summer break ahead of next season.

Before Cristiano Ronaldo signed a two-year contract extension with Al Nassr on Thursday, there were strong speculations that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was wanted by a Club World Cup side, Al Hilal.

The Middle Eastern giants were aiming to bring in Ronaldo ahead of the tournament but the 40-year-old Portuguese football icon reportedly turned down the offer.

Also, before the Club World Cup kicked off, FIFA President Gianni Infantino told reporters that there were ongoing efforts to make Ronaldo play at the tournament even though his current club, Al Nassr were not qualified for it.

Amid the speculations, Ronaldo who is aiming to hit a record-setting 1,000 career goals, signed a contract extension with his current club.

“I had some offers to play in the World Cup but I think it didn’t make sense because I prefer to have a good rest, a good preparation, because this season will be very long as it is the World Cup season at the end of the year,” Ronaldo said in a video Al Nassr shared on 𝕏.

“I want to be ready not only for Al Nassr but also for the national team. So, this is why I decided to play the last game for the Nations League and not listen to anything.

“And of course, to be in this club, which I love”.

On why he decided to remain at Al Nassr, where he has been playing since January 2023, Ronaldo, who has won at least a trophy for his previous clubs, said he aims to do the same for the Saudi side.

“My goal is always to win something important for Al Nassr. And of course I still believe in that” Ronaldo added.

“This is why I renewed for two more years because I believe that I will be a champion in Saudi Arabia”.

Note that Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 93 goals in 105 appearances for Al Nassr in all competitions. He currently has a record 932 career goals.

In a night filled with drama during the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, Arsenal delivered a stunning performance against Real Madrid.

Arsenal sealed their place in the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in almost two decades by beating Real Madrid 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

This means that the Gunners completed a double against the 15 times UEFA Champions League champions as they sealed a decisive 5-1 aggregate victory.

Simultaneously, Inter Milan showcased their resilience at the San Siro, securing a thrilling 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich, which pushed them through with a 4-3 aggregate win.

Real Madrid 1-2 Arsenal (Aggregate: 1-5)
Arsenal made a powerful statement in European football with a commanding display against the 15-time Champions League winner, Real Madrid.
The Gunners broke the deadlock in the 65th minute when Bukayo Saka found the back of the net. Saka’s goal was particularly special as he had previously missed a penalty in the first half, a moment that could have changed the tide of the match.

However, showcasing his mental strength, the Nigerian-born British winger redeemed himself by finishing calmly after a well-worked team move.

Real Madrid managed to respond quickly, with Vinícius Júnior equalizing in the 67th minute and briefly igniting hope among the home supporters.

Yet, Arsenal’s determination shone through in the final moments of the match, as Gabriel Martinelli exploited a late counterattack, skillfully slotting home the second goal deep into stoppage time. This late strike not only confirmed Arsenal’s progression to the semi-finals but also added a dramatic twist to the clash.

The night was marred for Real Madrid by VAR’s controversial decision, which overturned a potential penalty after it appeared Declan Rice had fouled Kylian Mbappe inside the Arsenal box.

The disappointment from the home fans was palpable, adding to the sense of frustration surrounding Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.

This humiliating defeat marks one of the most shocking exits in Real Madrid’s illustrious Champions League history, leaving their players and supporters completely stunned.

Inter Milan 2-2 Bayern Munich (Aggregate: 4-3)
Meanwhile, in Milan, Inter Milan demonstrated their grit and tactical acumen to fend off Bayern Munich in a pulsating 2-2 draw that secured their place in the semi-finals.

Bayern took an early lead in the 52nd minute with a well-placed header from Harry Kane, putting the pressure firmly on the home side.

Newcastle United delivered a commanding 4-1 victory over Manchester United in a Premier League clash that highlighted the Red Devils’ significant defensive shortcomings, especially in the absence of their first-choice goalkeeper, Andre Onana.

Newcastle United came out of the gates with intensity, and their efforts were rewarded when Sandro Tonali opened the scoring in the 24th minute against a disorganized Manchester United’s side.

Tonali found himself in the right place at the right time, converting a well-placed cross with a deft touch that left Manchester United’s defense scrambling.

Although United’s Alejandro Garnacho briefly reignited hopes for the visitors with an equalizer in the 37th minute, his strike was quickly overshadowed by Newcastle’s commanding presence in the second half.

Harvey Barnes emerged as the standout performer of the match, netting a brace with goals in the 49th and 64th minutes.

His first goal showcased his blistering pace as he outmaneuvered the United defense before finding the back of the net with a low, powerful shot.

Just fifteen minutes later, he struck again, capitalizing on a defensive error to extend Newcastle’s lead further. The relentless pressure from the home side kept emerging and left coach Ruben Amorim’s side struggling to regain their composure.

To cap off an impressive team performance, Bruno Guimarães added a fourth goal in the 77th minute. He received the ball just outside the box, showing exceptional composure as he curled a beautifully placed shot into the bottom corner, sealing the victory and sending the St. James’ Park crowd into ecstatic celebration.

The absence of Onana was acutely felt, with Manchester United’s defense appearing disorganized and vulnerable throughout the match. The goalkeeping duties fell to a less experienced player who struggled to instill confidence in a backline that has faced criticism for its frailty.

This defeat exacerbates existing concerns about Manchester United’s current form and invites scrutiny of their tactical setup and defensive organization.

With this emphatic win, Newcastle United have pushed themselves to the 4th spot on the league table with 56 points in 31 games. On the other hand, the defeat has dropped Manchester United to the 14th spot on the league table with 38 points in 32 games.

Former Super Eagles coach, Christian Chukwu, has died at the age of 74.
According to Vanguard, the prominent figure in Nigerian football died on Saturday, April 11, 2025, but details surrounding his death remain unclear.

Naija News recalls that false reports of Chukwu’s death had circulated in 2021, and the legendary coach refuted the rumours during his 70th birthday celebration on January 4, 2021.

He said, “I am terribly embarrassed with this news that I am dead. Several people have been calling me from across the world since the news broke. I am still investigating the source of the story.”

Christian Chukwu, affectionately known as “Chairman,” was a prominent player and a coach.

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta has shared encouraging news about his squad’s fitness ahead of Saturday’s crucial Premier League match against Brentford.

With aspirations of maintaining their title challenge, the Gunners are gearing up for a competitive fixture at the Emirates.

Arteta confirmed that Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka will be available for the upcoming game. Both players had to leave the field late during their impressive 3-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.

However, Arteta reassured fans, stating, “Declan Rice and Saka are fit, no issues or injuries. It’s all good.”

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