Saraki Mourns Amodu Shuaibu

The Nigerian Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Saturday expressed grief over the death of a former boss of the Super Eagles, Coach Amodu Shuaibu and said it is yet another colossal national loss.

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, commiserated with the immediate family of the late Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over the unfortunate incident.

He described the incident as particularly sad coming barely 72 hours after the country lost another national sports hero, Coach Stephen Keshi.

Friendly Matches: French Embassy Denies Visas for Super Eagles Players, Officials

Ahead of the Super Eagles friendly matches in France and Luxembourg later this month, some of the team players and officials have been denied visas by the French embassy.

Those affected are the only home-based player, Ikechukwu Ezenwa, two coaches and administrative officials of the three-time African champions.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF have pleaded with the authorities of the French Emabassy to issue the visa to allow for smooth preparation for the friendly matches.

The NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi said, “We are appealing to the Embassy of France in Nigeria to reconsider its stance and issue visas to these officials.

BRAZIL EXCLUSIVE: Super Eagles demand World Cup appearance cash

AfricanFootball.com can exclusively reveal that Nigeria stars led by skipper Joseph Yobo and Mikel Obi have met with the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to demand an appearance fee for the World Cup.

This is outside the match bonus, which starts at $10,000-a-man for a first round match win, announced for the players for Brazil 2014.

“The players led by Yobo and Mikel met with NFF president Aminu Maigari and some of his officials to demand for their own share of the cash FIFA will pay the country for at least featuring in the first round of the World Cup,” a top source informed AfricanFootball.com

Nigeria will already earn more than $9 million for qualification and participation in the first round of the 2014 World Cup and they will get more if they reach the knockout stages of the competition.

FIFA World Cup: Super Eagles, fans at risk of Dengue Fever epidemic

The Nigeria National football team,  Super Eagles and their fans are now at risk of the deadly dengue fever with an epidemic of the disease currently in Campinas, the Brazilian city where Nigeria and Portugal will train for the 2014 World Cup which starts less than two weeks away.

Dengue is incurable viral infection and could only be managed, as such, prevention it’s the best response. Residents of the Brazilian city have embarked on a huge operation to eradicate mosquitoes, which spreads the disease, before teams’ arrival.

About 32,384 people were infected this year alone due to ‘dengue fever outbreak. Three people reportedly died. “It’s a record epidemic. It’s bigger than the 11,500 cases registered in all of 2007,” Andrea Von Zuben, the coordinator of the Campinas dengue control program was quoted by the AFP.

Eagles' provisional 30-man list for FIFA 2014 World Cup out, Osaze, Yobo in

The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, has on Tuesday announced the Nigeria’s provisional 30-man list for the Brazil FIFA 2014 World Cup. The list, submitted by Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi, was read on Tuesday evening by a member of the Technical Committee of the NFF, Paul Bassey.

Full list of the Nigeria Squad for FIFA 2014 World Cup:

Goal Keepers – Vincent Enyeama, Austin Ejide, Chigozie Agbim (Gombe Utd), Daniel Akpeyi (Warri Wolves).

Defenders – Elderson Echiejile, Juwon Oshaniwa, Efe Ambrose, Godfrey Oboabona, Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves), Kenneth Omeruo, Joseph Yobo, Kunle Odunlami (Sunshine Stars).

Midfielders – John Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Ramon Azeez, Ejike Uzoenyi (Rangers Int’l), Sunday Mba, Gabriel Rueben, Nosa Igiebor, Joel Obi, Michael Uchebo.