Sunday, January 18, 2026

Why the Super Eagles Have the Best Squad in African Football History



Despite falling short of our 2023 AFCON achievements, I would boldly say, without any doubt, that the Super Eagles have the best squad in the history of African football.

This opinion is not based solely on recent performances. In terms of squad quality, the Super Eagles possess the best individual players on the continent. AFCON 2023 is a clear example. Nigeria finished as runners-up despite playing some of the worst football we have seen from the team in years. We adopted a largely defensive approach, yet individual brilliance carried us all the way to the final. On a good day, and with our trademark tiki-taka football, we could have won the tournament in 2023.

Unfortunately, factors such as Ola Aina playing with a Grade 2 hamstring strain—which, in my opinion, was a poor decision—and the fact that several players were carrying injuries worked against us. Even so, we still reached the final without playing attractive or cohesive football.

What this shows is that even without playing well as a team, the Super Eagles were able to reach the AFCON final. Some people may point to our World Cup qualification struggles, but I do not see that as a fair metric. African World Cup qualifiers span nearly two years, during which squads change multiple times. For that reason, I would not judge this team solely on missing out on the World Cup.

Now, in the 2025 AFCON tournament, it is painful that we also failed to win the competition, finishing as bronze medalists in contrast to the silver medal achieved in 2023. Perhaps if the referee had been fair in certain moments during the semi-final against Morocco, and if we had converted all our spot kicks, we could have lifted the trophy. However, there is no point dwelling on “what ifs.” What matters now is the future of the Super Eagles.

The Super Eagles Spirit

Personally, I am excited about what lies ahead under Eric Chelle. Looking towards AFCON 2027, if we play the way we played in this edition—while improving our attacking football—there will be no stopping us. It is also important to note that we were without key players like Ola Aina and our new Mr Reliable at centre-back, Benjamin Fredrick, in this tournament. By 2027, we hope to have them fully available.

The best decision right now is continuity. The Super Eagles have never been known for defensive football, especially considering the quality we possess. That is why Eric Chelle must be allowed to continue his work.

There is a saying that Nigeria has an uncanny ability to self-sabotage. Hopefully, the NFF will do better this time by ensuring continuity—not only by extending Chelle’s contract but also by ensuring that his salary and the players’ bonuses are paid on time. Everyone must do their part and allow others to do theirs.

This is a time for reflection. With the lessons learned from this tournament, I strongly believe the Super Eagles will come back stronger.

Thursday, January 1, 2026

2025: Not Much, But Enough


By this time last year, I started this blog. Honestly, I won’t say I achieved much. Maybe it’s because I’m quite money-driven. Instead of focusing on my own blog, I chose to work for someone else as a blogger because it brought quicker income. However, that came with its own challenge—I couldn’t always write what I wanted. So this year, I’m hoping to focus more on my personal blog.

Now, enough of my little chit-chat.

Let me talk about how 2025 was for me. First of all, my biggest achievement in 2025 was getting promoted to 300L. I’m not usually scared of exams, but in ESUT Pharmacy, you can never be too sure of what it throws at you. I have literally never been so scared of failure in my life, but honestly, I’m just thankful I made it to the next level.

My Period, My Pride

Aside from that, I did something bold—I wrote a book. One morning, I simply woke up and thought, what if I write my own book? And boom, I published My Period, My Pride on Amazon KDP. I know I’m still just starting out, but being able to put something out there, no matter how small, made me really happy.

Tag exchange

I don’t think I have many other achievements to mention, so I’ll close my 2025 chapter with gratitude.

As for 2026, I don’t have many expectations apart from making it to the next level. I plan to just go with the flow.

Anyways, happy new year everyone 🎉

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

The Rants of a Tired Nigerian

From the bottom of my heart,
this is not a poem.
It’s just a rant.
Have you ever felt like the whole world is against you?
Like no matter what you do, you are rigged to fail?
Being a Nigerian is just like that.
I have so much pity for my mum and dad,
seeing them struggle to cough out money for me to live a better life,
watching them struggle with nothing to show for it.
I try to help by securing a monthly income, but whatever I get is finished halfway into the month.
Not because I am reckless.
Not because I have no financial sense.
But because of the rising cost of everything in this country.
You would buy a bottle of Pepsi—once sold for ₦100 during my time
(though a little bird told me it was once priced at ₦70)—
for ₦500, simply to cool your thirst.
After you take the first sip, the first thing you feel is regret.
You begin to count your expenses,
how much money you have left,
all because you decided to satisfy a basic need—your thirst.

Now, next year, we will have to deal with what we call wickedness in high places:
a 20% increase in taxes, but no increase in returns.
When I get to heaven, just as I am required to give an account of my life lived on earth,
God should also be required to give an account of the past sins I committed
to send me to a forsaken country, a place where dreams are buried.
A certain someone once said:
Nothing ever survives here—not dreams, not diseases.

He is right.
You are working hard, but the country is working against you.
There is nothing more to say.
This is just a rant of a tired Nigerian.

By yours truly,
Mesoma
Rate over 100%

Saturday, November 22, 2025

Those Who Reported Jonathan to America Are Now Calling Trump Names – Rufai Oseni



Arise News journalist Rufai Oseni has called out the hypocrisy of some individuals who have attacked Donald Trump for designating Nigeria as a country of particular concern and accusing it of an alleged Christian genocide.
Recall that Trump had urged the Nigerian government to wipe out the alleged terrorists who are murdering “their brothers and sisters in Christ,” warning that if they failed to do so, he would “come with guns blazing” to eliminate the terrorists himself. Following Trump’s statement, many prominent figures in the Nigerian government reacted, noting first that his claim that only Christians are targeted in Nigeria was false and misleading, and secondly that Nigeria is a sovereign nation—therefore, the United States has no right whatsoever to carry out military operations within its borders.

However, Oseni described their criticism of Donald Trump as “hypocrisy.” He revealed that the same individuals who went to the United States to report former President Goodluck Jonathan during the Chibok girls saga are the ones now calling Trump various names for his comments.

He said in a post on his official X page on Saturday, November 22, 2025:


“The same people that went to report Jonathan to the Americans are calling Trump names today.

Hypocrisy has never been this good.”

According to Oseni, what is good for the goose is also good for the gander, and if the opposition at the time could report Jonathan to America, then they have no moral right to speak now that Donald Trump is attempting to interfere in Nigeria’s affairs.

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Turkiye: Osimhen's Teammates Eren and Metehan Indicted In Betting Scandal

Another crisis has arisen in the Turkish Süper Lig after the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) revealed that 1,047 footballers have been involved in betting. Out of these, 47 footballers had participated in betting only once, according to the TFF.

Osimhen’s teammates Eren Elmalı and Metehan Baltacı are among those involved. Metehan is not a key player for Galatasaray, and the club’s fans have even wished for him to be dropped from the rotation, as he is believed to enjoy Galatasaray’s success without contributing a dime.

Eren Elmalı, however, became a key player for Galatasaray, making a huge contribution last year after transferring from Trabzonspor to Galatasaray during the mid-season break. He helped Galatasaray secure its third consecutive Turkish Süper Lig title, filling the club’s need for a left-back due to İsmail Jakobs’ constant injuries.

This season, Jakobs has quickly replaced Eren as a starter, especially in the UEFA Champions League. While Jakobs is solid defensively, Galatasaray fans have often remarked that Eren’s offensive contributions offer more options than Jakobs.

Elmalı played once as a left winger and scored twice at the start of the league. Eren’s offense seems less serious compared to Metehan. Firstly, neither of these two footballers had placed bets while wearing Galatasaray colors. It is said that these bets happened five years ago, when Eren made a single bet while playing in the Turkish lower leagues for Silivrispor on a team in the Bundesliga. As for Metehan, he is said to have placed 1,600 bets while playing for İstanbulspor and Eyüpspor.

Eren and Metehan have been referred to the PFDK under Article 57 of the Turkish Football Federation rules.

Both Eren, Metehan, and Galatasaray have released statements regarding the matter:

Eren stated:

> “The reason my name appears in this case is due to a betting transaction related to a team other than my own, which happened about five years ago. Since that day, I have neither placed any bets nor had the slightest connection to this matter.”


Galatasaray wrote:

> “As Galatasaray Sports Club, our stance has always been clear regarding the protection of ethical values, honesty, and fair competition in Turkish football.
As we have emphasized in our previous statements, our fight on this matter is a special issue that cannot be compromised in terms of the reliability and reputation of football.
Our club is carefully following the details of the incident and expects the process to be completed as quickly as possible so that justice can be served in the most correct way. Galatasaray, as always, stands on the side of justice, honesty, and fair competition.
The public is respectfully informed.”

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Overplayed and Injured: Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams Battling Chronic Pubalgia

Three young La Liga stars — Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Franco Mastantuono — are reportedly suffering from chronic pubalgia, a condition that has begun to affect their performances for their clubs. This comes as no surprise, especially in the case of Yamal, who has played an unusually high number of matches at such a young age. Continuous physical demands without adequate recovery can easily trigger this condition.
Pubalgia is a painful injury in the groin area, often caused by repetitive twisting, turning, sprinting, and sudden changes of direction — all common movements in football. It is not limited to professional athletes; anyone can develop pubalgia if their physical workload is not properly managed. When players are exposed to excessive match minutes, intense training, or insufficient rest, the risk of developing chronic groin pain increases significantly.

Surgery can be performed to correct the condition, but most players choose to manage it during the season and undergo the operation afterward. It can be controlled through low-intensity training, physiotherapy, and load management.
However, in Yamal’s case, Barcelona are one of the highest-pressing teams in Europe, meaning he is constantly required to twist, run, and turn — movements that could further worsen his condition.

Sunday, November 2, 2025

Alleged Christian Genocide: Why Nigeria Was Declared a Country of Particular Concern — Should We Be Worried?

Nigeria has been declared a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), but what does this really mean for us?
Under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998, the U.S., not the UN, has the authority to designate any country as a Country of Particular Concern if it targets a group of people for practicing their religion and the government is found to be involved—directly or indirectly—in such acts.

This means that if a country engages in or tolerates violence against a particular religious group, violating their freedom of association and freedom of religion, and if the government is suspected of supporting those who carry out such violence, it can be labelled a CPC.

Contrary to popular belief, this does not protect only Christians. It applies to Muslims and followers of all religions as well. For example, in 2023, China was designated a Country of Particular Concern because of its persecution and detention of Uyghur Muslims (and other Turkic-Muslim minorities) in Xinjiang, including mass internment, forced labour, and restrictions on religious practices.

However, under the IRFA, Donald Trump or any U.S. president does not have the right to invade Nigeria simply because it is designated a CPC. What the U.S. can do is impose sanctions—such as visa bans, restrictions on arms sales, and limits on foreign aid. So why is the government worried?

In my opinion, being declared a Country of Particular Concern also suggests that the government is actively involved in or tolerating religious intolerance. As a result, the U.S. can impose visa bans on high-profile government officials and even seize properties belonging to them in the U.S. if they are linked to proceeds of terrorism or human rights abuses.

What happens if the U.S. actually follows through on its threats?

Under normal circumstances, the U.S. has no legal right to invade Nigeria over religious intolerance because Nigeria is a sovereign nation. But the U.S. is a global superpower, and sometimes power speaks louder than international law. Do I think an invasion will happen? No—not only because Trump often bluffs, but also because it wouldn’t make strategic sense. Still, if it did happen, we would be stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea, because neither Trump nor this current government seems to genuinely care about the people.

So what can Tinubu do?

Naturally, the first step would be to engage in diplomatic dialogue with the U.S. But I recently discovered that Nigeria currently has no ambassadors or diplomats in many countries. Apparently, President Tinubu withdrew them when he took office and has not replaced them, nearly two years into his tenure. Perhaps he is saving those appointments as political rewards ahead of the next election.

Anyway, I hope I’ve been able to explain, not confuse, you about what the Country of Particular Concern designation really means.



Why the Super Eagles Have the Best Squad in African Football History

Despite falling short of our 2023 AFCON achievements, I would boldly say, without any doubt, that the Super Eagles have the best squad in ...