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Chelle Explains Osimhen, Lookman Absences Ahead of Super Eagles Friendlies Against Poland and Portugal

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Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has confirmed that several key players will be unavailable for Nigeria’s upcoming international friendlies against Poland and Portugal, including star forwards Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman.

READ ALSO: Cricket Super League 2026: Middle Belt Tigers Set Tongues Wagging With Victory In Rematch Versus Southern Sharks

Speaking ahead of the matches, Chelle revealed that Osimhen’s absence is linked to circumstances surrounding the off-season period, while Lookman will miss the games for personal reasons.

“Concerning Victor Osimhen, he is an important player for Nigeria and Galatasaray. This period is off-season when a lot of things happen off the pitch and we must respect certain decisions that are not in our hands,” Chelle said.

The Nigerian tactician also disclosed that reigning African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman would not be available for selection.

“Ademola Lookman won’t be available for personal reasons,” he added.

The list of absentees extends beyond the attacking duo. Chelle confirmed that Femi Azeez, who impressed during the Unity Cup, will not feature after his club declined to release him for the remaining international fixtures.

The coach further explained that midfielders Alhassan Yusuf and Tijani Samson were unable to join the squad due to visa-related issues, while Ebenezer Akinsanmiro has been ruled out through illness.

“Femi Azeez had a decent outing at the Unity Cup, but his club will not release him for the remaining matches. Alhassan Yusuf and Tijani Samson do not have entry visas and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro is not feeling well,” Chelle stated.

Despite the growing injury and availability concerns, the Super Eagles manager insists Nigeria will approach both friendlies with full commitment.

“The upcoming matches are friendlies and I will approach every game with seriousness with the players available,” he said.

The fixtures against Poland and Portugal present another opportunity for Chelle to assess his squad depth and test new combinations as Nigeria continues preparations for future competitive assignments, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

With several established stars absent, the friendlies could offer fringe players and emerging talents a valuable chance to stake their claim for regular places in the national team setup.

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2027: Wadada picks Ombugadu as running mate for Nasarawa governorship race

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The All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate in Nasarawa State, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, has announced Chief Michael Emmanuel Ombugadu as his running mate for the 2027 election.

Wadada made the announcement in a statement issued on Monday, describing Ombugadu’s selection as an effort to strengthen the party’s ticket ahead of the election.

He said Ombugadu brings more than three decades of experience spanning administration, public finance, community service, academia and the private sector.

Wadada said his running mate began his professional career at Ashaka Cement Plc before serving at Isa Mustapha Agwai I Polytechnic, Lafia, and later at the Nasarawa State Pension Bureau, where he rose to become Director of Finance and Accounts.

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According to Wadada, Ombugadu’s career has been marked by diligence, accountability and public service.

He also described him as a grassroots politician whose political career has been shaped by resilience, loyalty and commitment to his constituents.

Wadada said Ombugadu’s decision to prioritise the interest of the APC and the collective interest of the state over personal ambition during recent political developments demonstrated the qualities he brings to the ticket.

“Beyond the positions he has held, I value the man: his humility, his loyalty, his understanding of our people and his commitment to service,” Wadada said.

He said the joint ticket reflects the diversity of Nasarawa State and the interests of its people across the 13 Local Government Areas, 18 Development Areas and 147 electoral wards.

Wadada reiterated his campaign theme, “One Nasarawa. One People. One Future,” and pledged to run an issue-based campaign focused on unity and development.

“We will run a campaign that unites rather than divides; that focuses on issues rather than sentiments; and that places the development, security, prosperity and dignity of the people of Nasarawa State above every other consideration,” he said.

Wadada congratulated Ombugadu on his selection and expressed confidence in the APC ticket ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

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ALFRED DAPAL DAMIYAL AFFIRMED AS NDC GOVERNORSHIP CANDIDATE FOR PLATEAU STATE.

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JOS, PLATEAU STATE

September 15, 2026

Alfred Dapal Damiyal (ADD) has been affirmed as the Governorship Candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for Plateau State ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with Mwadkon Dung Vincent nominated as his running mate.

The affirmation took place on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at the NDC State Secretariat in Jos, where delegates and stakeholders of the party gathered to reaffirm their confidence in Damiyal and his capacity to lead the party into the 2027 governorship contest. The exercise was supervised by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), providing institutional oversight to the process.

During the gathering, Meadkom Dung Vincent was also nominated to serve as Damiyal’s running mate, giving the NDC a clear governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election.

The affirmation marks a significant milestone in Damiyal’s political journey and provides the NDC with a clear standard-bearer and running mate as the party begins to intensify its preparations, mobilisation and engagement with voters across Plateau State.

Damiyal’s emergence is anchored on his NEWTHINKING philosophy, which advocates a new approach to governance based on accountability, transparency, equity, inclusion, innovation, human-centred development and good governance.

His campaign maintains that Plateau State is at a crossroads and requires leadership capable of responding to contemporary challenges with contemporary solutions.
Damiyal has repeatedly emphasised the need for a fundamental change in the approach to governance, stressing that the state cannot make meaningful progress by relying on outdated methods to address modern problems.

“We cannot continue to apply analogue solutions to digital problems if Plateau is to make meaningful progress. We need a new way of thinking if we desire a new Plateau.”

With extensive professional experience in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, alongside his background in entrepreneurship and leadership, Damiyal’s supporters believe he brings a combination of professional experience and fresh ideas to the political contest.
His proposed agenda places strong emphasis on security, education, economic development, employment, agriculture, infrastructure, youth empowerment, innovation and accountable governance.

The NDC candidate’s campaign also seeks to build a broad-based movement across Plateau’s 17 local government areas, presenting NEWTHINKING as a platform for creating a safer, more united and prosperous state.

For his supporters, the 2027 election represents an opportunity for Plateau voters to make a deliberate choice about the future direction of the state and to demand leadership focused on development, competence and measurable results.

The affirmation by party delegates and stakeholders, under the supervision of INEC officials, on September 15 therefore marks the beginning of a new phase in the NDC’s campaign, with Damiyal and his nominated running mate, Meadkom Dung Vincent, positioned to take the party’s message directly to the people of Plateau State.

The central message of the campaign remains clear:
ADD — A New Direction. A New Standard. A New Plateau.

Signed:
ADD Media



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