#nigeria-lineup

#nigeria-lineup

Motsepe will have to show leadership to find a solution to a problem which I think cannot be solved by legal means alone, an executive committee member told me on Sunday after the committee meeting.

Nestory Irankunda netted twice amid a four-goal, 17-minute explosion that saw his side run out 5-1 victors over Curacao, marking his first goal with a Jackson-inspired celebration.

You can never truly be at ease when you aren't winning. Sometimes things come up, things you thought you had already overcome, and a negative result makes you realize that you haven't. We haven't yet reached the place where we want to be.

Denzel Dumfries' straight red card in the 12th minute gave Ecuador the upper hand, with Enner Valencia cancelling out Willian Pacho's own goal, though the visitors were unable to find a winner for all their pressure.

Fifa fined the NFF 1,000 Swiss francs ($1,270; 950) after determining that the federation had failed to ensure proper "order and security", particularly following the "throwing of objects" by spectators during the game. The incident was deemed a violation under Article 17.2.b and Article 17 of the Fifa disciplinary code.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) submitted a complaint to Fifa in December, arguing that Leopards players such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe - both former England youth internationals - were ineligible because Congolese law does not allow dual citizenship. While a section of the Super Eagles fanbase is hoping the side could secure a lifeline, others are questioning the fairness of a potential qualification by appeal.

Nigeria are looking more and more like the team to beat at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as the Super Eagles soared into the semifinals as the only side to maintain a perfect winning record at the tournament. Standing between them and a place in the final are hosts Morocco, Africa's top-ranked nation and 2022 World Cup semifinalists, buoyed by home support and expectation.