Super Eagles assistant coach Benjamin James is confident the new backroom staff can build one of the strongest national teams in the world.

The former Shooting Stars player was part of the new Super Eagles technical crew unveiled by the Nigeria Football Federation last week.

James will combine the role with his job at Bundesliga club, Hoffenheim.

The 53-year-old stated that he will combine with head coach Finidi George and Daniel Amokachi to build a solid team.

“I have gathered some experience to believe that if I Finidi and Amokachi sit down in the same room, we’ll come out with something good,” he told Brila FM.

“The pattern to be played will be discussed by the three of us. The players present in the squad currently are good, it’s just about putting them in the right place.

“Finidi is a cool headed person, I’m not so familiar with Amokachi, but I believe he’s also a cool headed person and I believe we can rub minds together and come up with the best.”

The new technical crew’s first official assignment will be the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against South Africa.

Following the conclusion of this year’s UEFA Europa League on Wednesday, below are the top scorers in the competition.

Recall that Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the final, thanks to Ademola Lookman’s hat-trick.

Marseille’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finished as the top scorer in the Europa League this season with 10 goals.

The former Arsenal captain is ahead of AS Roma’s Romelu Lukaku, who has seven goals to his name.

Europa League top scorers after Atalanta defeated Bayer Leverkusen in the final:

10 goals – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

7 goals – Romelu Lukaku

6 goals – João Pedro (Brighton), Scamacca (Atalanta).

5 goals – Ademola Lookman (Atalanta), Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting), Michael Gregoritsch (Freiburg), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Mohammed Kudus (West Ham), Darwin Núñez (Liverpool), Juninhodos Santos Júnior (Qarabag)

Enyimba Football Club has made a significant announcement regarding their coaching staff, revealing that Yemi Olanrewaju will assume the role of head coach for the remainder of the season, replacing Finidi George. This decision comes after Finidi’s departure from the club last month following his appointment as the head coach of Nigeria’s senior national team, the Super Eagles.

Olanrewaju’s promotion to the head coach position is a testament to his dedication and contribution to the club, having previously served as an assistant to Finidi. Enyimba expressed confidence in Olanrewaju’s capabilities, citing his commitment, expertise, and leadership qualities demonstrated throughout his tenure with the coaching staff.

It’s notable that Olanrewaju is currently pursuing his UEFA B license in Scotland, indicating his commitment to furthering his coaching qualifications and skills. His background includes previous roles as an assistant coach with MFM FC, a Nigerian club, and with Nigeria’s U-17 national team, the Golden Eaglets. These experiences have likely equipped him with valuable insights and tactical knowledge that he can bring to his new role as head coach of Enyimba.

Enyimba’s decision to appoint Olanrewaju reflects their confidence in his ability to lead the team effectively for the remainder of the season. As the head coach, Olanrewaju will be tasked with guiding Enyimba through their upcoming matches and competitions, with the aim of achieving success on the pitch. His promotion marks a new chapter for Enyimba, and fans will be eager to see how the team performs under his leadership.

Jorge Mendes, a prominent football agent, has recommended Sergio Conceicao, the current manager of Porto, as a potential successor to Mauricio Pochettino at Chelsea. This recommendation comes in the wake of Chelsea’s announcement that they have mutually parted ways with Pochettino after just one season, despite him initially signing a two-year contract with an option for a third year.

According to The Mirror, Mendes has put forward Conceicao’s name for the managerial position at Chelsea, despite the Portuguese manager being under contract with Porto until 2028. The report suggests that Conceicao’s contract, signed under former Porto president Pinto da Costa, could potentially be revoked, allowing him to join Chelsea without a transfer fee.

Conceicao has been with Porto since 2017 and has achieved notable success during his tenure, winning 10 trophies. This track record makes him the second-most successful manager in Portuguese football. Additionally, Conceicao has attracted interest from other clubs, including AC Milan and Marseille, indicating his reputation as a highly regarded managerial prospect.

Mendes’s recommendation of Conceicao to Chelsea underscores the agent’s influence in football circles and suggests that Chelsea may be considering their options for a new manager following Pochettino’s departure. It also highlights the competitive nature of managerial appointments in top football clubs, with managers like Conceicao being sought after for their proven track record of success.

Jamie Carragher, a legendary figure in Liverpool’s football history, asserts his belief that Pep Guardiola is the premier manager in the history of the English Premier League. Carragher’s endorsement of Guardiola comes after the Manchester City manager’s remarkable success in the league, having won six titles in the last seven years.

Guardiola’s arrival in England in 2016 was met with challenges, including a difficult first season. However, since then, he has demonstrated his managerial prowess by securing the league title in almost every subsequent season, with the exception of the 2019/2020 campaign when Liverpool claimed the crown.

Carragher’s evaluation of Guardiola’s achievements places significant emphasis on his remarkable success rate within a relatively short period. Guardiola’s dominance in the league, winning six titles in just eight years, is particularly noteworthy, especially considering the competitiveness of the Premier League.

While Carragher acknowledges the legendary status of Sir Alex Ferguson, particularly for his achievements at Aberdeen, he argues that Guardiola’s impact and success in the Premier League place him above Ferguson in terms of managerial excellence within the league context.

Overall, Carragher’s declaration reflects the widespread recognition of Guardiola’s managerial brilliance and the significant impact he has had on the English football landscape during his tenure in the Premier League.

Kenneth Omeruo, a Nigerian defender, is advocating for his compatriot Ademola Lookman to be awarded the 2024 CAF Player of the Year title. Omeruo’s endorsement of Lookman comes in the wake of Lookman’s outstanding performance in the UEFA Europa League final, where he played a pivotal role in Atalanta’s 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen.

Lookman’s exceptional display in the final saw him score a hat-trick, making him the first African player to achieve such a feat in the final of a major European competition. This historic achievement further solidified Lookman’s status as a top talent in football.

Additionally, Omeruo highlights Lookman’s contributions to the Nigerian national team, particularly his role in helping Nigeria secure a second-place finish in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Lookman’s three goals in seven appearances during the tournament showcased his prowess on the international stage.

Omeruo’s endorsement of Lookman for the CAF Player of the Year award underscores the recognition of Lookman’s outstanding performances and impact on the game. By expressing his support for Lookman on social media, Omeruo adds his voice to the growing chorus of praise for Lookman’s achievements.

Overall, Omeruo’s statement reflects the admiration and respect within the Nigerian football community for Lookman’s talents and contributions, as well as the belief that he deserves recognition as one of Africa’s top players in 2024.

Ray Parlour, a former Arsenal star, has highlighted the significance of Casemiro’s performance for Manchester United in their upcoming FA Cup final against Manchester City. Parlour’s comments suggest that he believes Casemiro will play a pivotal role in determining United’s chances of success in the highly-anticipated match.

Parlour’s remarks come as Manchester United prepares to face their Premier League rivals, Manchester City, in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. His analysis reflects the broader sentiment surrounding the match, with many observers expecting a fiercely contested encounter between two top-tier teams.

Parlour expresses skepticism about Manchester United’s ability to overcome Manchester City, acknowledging City’s prowess and their success in clinching the Premier League title. However, he also emphasizes the importance of individual performances, particularly highlighting Casemiro’s role.

Casemiro, known for his defensive prowess and ability to control the midfield, is identified by Parlour as a key player for Manchester United. Parlour suggests that Casemiro will need to deliver a standout performance if United hopes to secure victory in the FA Cup final. He emphasizes the need for Casemiro to “step up” and demonstrate his capabilities on the big stage, implying that his contributions will be crucial to United’s chances of success.

Overall, Parlour’s analysis underscores the anticipation and significance of the FA Cup final clash between Manchester United and Manchester City, while also spotlighting the pivotal role that individual players like Casemiro can play in shaping the outcome of such high-stakes encounters.

Bethel Oji, the head coach of Abia Warriors, is expressing his commitment to further enhancing the team’s performance following their successful qualification for the next round of the President Federation Cup. Abia Warriors, a football club based in Abia State, Nigeria, secured a 1-0 victory over Sporting Supreme in the Round of 32 match, with Megwo Sunday scoring the decisive goal.

Coach Oji acknowledges the challenges of facing opponents perceived as smaller teams but emphasizes the importance of securing the win. His statement reflects a pragmatic approach to the game, recognizing the difficulties inherent in football matchups regardless of the opponent’s stature.

Oji’s assurance that Abia Warriors will take each remaining match seriously underscores the team’s dedication to advancing in the competition. By committing to refining their game plans before each fixture, he demonstrates a proactive and strategic mindset aimed at maximizing the team’s chances of success.

Overall, Oji’s remarks convey a sense of optimism and determination within the Abia Warriors camp. They highlight the coach’s focus on continuous improvement and meticulous preparation as the team progresses further in the President Federation Cup, aiming to achieve even greater success in the subsequent rounds.

Robert Lewandowski, the Barcelona striker, remains unperturbed by the looming transfer of Kylian Mbappé to Real Madrid. Mbappé, the highly sought-after French forward, is anticipated to join Real Madrid following the conclusion of the Champions League final.

Despite Barcelona trailing Real Madrid by 12 points in La Liga standings and having suffered defeats in both Clásico encounters this season, Lewandowski expresses confidence in Barcelona’s ability to remain competitive, even with the addition of Mbappé to Real Madrid’s squad.

Lewandowski acknowledges Mbappé’s exceptional talent and recognizes that his arrival at Real Madrid would bolster the team’s strength. However, he emphasizes Barcelona’s collective mindset and determination, asserting that they are not intimidated by the prospect of facing formidable opponents. Instead, Lewandowski believes in Barcelona’s potential to challenge and compete against any team, regardless of individual star power.

By highlighting Barcelona’s resilience and unity as a team, Lewandowski underscores the importance of teamwork and a strong mentality in overcoming challenges on the field. His remarks convey a sense of determination and optimism within the Barcelona camp, despite their current standings and the potential reinforcement of their arch-rivals with a world-class talent like Mbappé.

Certainly! The headline captures the sentiments expressed by Wikki Tourists’ head coach, Azeez Audu, following his team’s impressive victory over defending champions Bendel Insurance in the Round of 32 of the President Federation Cup.

In his remarks, Coach Audu commends his players for their disciplined execution of tactics during the match. He emphasizes the significance of their performance, highlighting it as a result of prayer and dedication. Audu’s words reflect a sense of gratitude and optimism, as he expresses hope that the team will continue to excel in the competition and ultimately lift the trophy.

The coach’s statement underscores his belief in the team’s capabilities and his commitment to maintaining their high standards throughout the tournament. His acknowledgment of the players’ adherence to instructions indicates a cohesive team dynamic and effective communication within the squad.

Looking ahead, Wikki Tourists are set to face EFCC FC in the Round of 16. With Audu’s motivational words and the team’s recent success, they appear poised to approach the upcoming matches with determination and confidence, aiming to advance further in the President Federation Cup.