SPORTS

Victor Moses: From An Asylum-Seeking Orphan To Premier League Winner

Published

7 years ago

November 25, 2017

FAB.NG

Victor Moses happy with CAF Award nomination

That Victor Moses had the perseverance to make a success of his Chelsea career despite being continually sent out on loan says a great deal about his character.
Yet this determination pales into insignificance when compared to the biggest mountain he has had to climb.

Moses was just 11 when he arrived in England as an asylum seeker after both his mother and father were killed during religious clashes in Nigeria in 2002.
The 26-year-old was playing football in the streets when his parents lost their lives. Just a week later, his remaining family had cobbled together enough money to send him away from his homeland.

That is how a quiet, unassuming and non-English speaking African orphan found himself in south London and at the start of a dramatic change in his fortunes.

“It was tough in the beginning – being suddenly thrown into a different culture and stuff like that,” Moses told BBC Sport.
“As a young boy in a new country, you had to make new friends and that was really difficult. When I first came, I couldn’t even speak the language.”
Having been placed with foster parents, Moses was sent to school in South Norwood, which was close to an asylum support and immigration centre in Croydon.

“When I started going to school, I started getting used to things, like the language,” said Moses. “After that, I started adapting to school, friends and everything.
“It was really difficult to start with but I survived.”
More than just surviving, the player has thrived in his second home.
Today Moses boasts Premier League, Europa League and Africa Cup of Nations winners’ medals, and has also played in both the Champions League and World Cup.

The first tentative steps on the road of this blossoming career were taken shortly after arriving in London. As is common in young Nigerians, Moses played football for fun and his enthusiasm and prowess on the pitch soon led to him catching the attentions of Cosmos 90 FC, a team which played in a nearby youth league.
“At 13 it was my first contact with organised football and when they saw the way I was playing with the other kids and around the park, they knew I had talent,” said Moses.
The Sunday League side had been struggling at the time but Moses’ arrival soon turned the club’s fortunes around and word rapidly spread about the dazzling African talent playing on the pitches of south London. Hundreds started watching Cosmos’ games.

“It was Cosmos who actually told Crystal Palace about me,” added Moses. “Palace came to have a look, liked what they saw and they took it from there.”
Impressing on trial, Moses signed a schoolboy contract with the south London club.
Palace then placed the teenager in one of Croydon’s best private schools, Whitgift , giving him access to superb tuition, facilities and an environment in which he could move on from his past at his own pace.
“Coming from where I was coming from, it was a different ball game,” he recalled.
“Obviously the accent was a bit different from the way we spoke in Croydon but it was good to experience what private school was about.
“The treatment there was good, the education amazing. I was very happy that Palace gave me the opportunity to go to a school like that. I really enjoyed my time there.”

On the football pitch his extraordinary goalscoring exploits for the school led them to the English Schools Under-14 Cup final where Moses scored all
five goals in the final .
In what now seems like fateful coincidence, Whitgift’s football coach was a Chelsea legend, the former defender Colin Pates.
“He was a good man, and I always like being around him,” said Moses. “He always encourages me every time he sees me and he always believed in me when we used to play school games.”
“He encouraged me to do the best I can to become a professional footballer. At that time I was very young but when older people like that are giving advice, you have to take it.

“The most important thing that he always said to me is: ‘You’ve got to work hard as a footballer. Talent alone won’t take you there, hard work is what is going to help you’.”
The Nigerian is grateful for the advice from such an experienced individual so early on in his career. Now the demands of notorious taskmaster Antonio Conte will shape the next phase of Moses’ long and winding road to the top.
Prior to Conte’s arrival at Chelsea in July 2016, only Rafa Benitez had given Moses anything like a chance at the Blues following his signing from Wigan Athletic in 2012.

After Benitez’s exit, Jose Mourinho, who took charge in 2013, didn’t have a place for Moses in his team and sent him away on consecutive season-long loans to Liverpool,Stoke and West Ham.
Yet Conte saw something in the Nigerian that no one else had spotted, not even Moses himself.
“I’ve never played that (wing-back) position before,” says Moses. “When the manager came in, he talked me through it and then put me there.

“It was good to have the manager’s support, and he backed me and gave me the confidence to go out there and express myself. So I just wanted to go out there to play for him, the fans and the football club. I didn’t let him down.”

Moses lifts the Premier League trophy after coach Antonio Conte turned him into a vital cog in the Chelsea machine

Moses was thrust into Chelsea’s starting line-up for the first time in three years, at Hull in the league in October 2016. He adapted to the unfamiliar role so well that not only was he named man-of-the-match , but his performance kicked started a run of 22 Premier League appearances in a row (halted only briefly when injury struck in April).
Rory Jennings, of CFC Fan TV, is under no illusions about the significance of Moses’ development at wing-back.

“Moses played a huge role in Chelsea’s success last season,” he told BBC Sport. “His brilliance allowed us to amend our formation and play a system that nobody else in the Premier League could cope with.”
Moses calls winning the title one of the happiest days in his life. He has also celebrated World Cup qualification this year with Nigeria, the country he opted to represent despite having played extensively for England at youth level.

With a growing trophy haul, regular football and ever-increasing respect, Moses has
overcome both personal heartbreak and repeated professional setbacks to finally reach the top.

Surely few would begrudge him such success.

By Oluwashina Okeleji
BBC Sport, Nigeria

Related Topics:premier league Victor Moses

Up Next

Kevin Akpoguma shuns Nigeria, awaits for Germany’s call

Don't Miss

Spain climb two places in FIFA rankings

SPORTS

AFCON 2025: What Rwanda, Benin & Libya Have To Do To Qualify Like Nigeria

Published

4 hours ago

November 18, 2024

Adaeze Okechi

AFCON 2025: What Rwanda, Benin & Libya need to qualify | fab.ng

Benin Republic, Rwanda, and Libya: A Tight Race for AFCON 2025

Benin Republic, Rwanda, and Libya are currently battling intensely for a single spot at AFCON 2025, set to take place in Morocco.

As the qualifying series for Group D heads into its final matchday, the competition remains wide open. The Cheetahs, Amavubi, and the Mediterranean Knights are all still in the race for a coveted spot at the tournament.

However, only one will join Nigeria, who have already secured their qualification with a 1-1 draw against Gernot Rohr’s side at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan.

With Monday’s decisive matches quickly approaching, each team has a realistic chance of booking their ticket to AFCON 2025.

However, in the end, only one team will succeed in advancing alongside the Super Eagles to Morocco.

Let’s dive into what each country needs to clinch the final qualification spot.

What Result Does the Benin Republic Need to Qualify?

Benin Republic finds itself in a strong position heading into the final matchday. Currently, they hold second place with seven points, thanks to two wins and a draw. To secure a spot at AFCON 2025, Benin has several possible pathways.

A win or even a draw against Libya in Tripoli would guarantee their place in Morocco. However, if Benin suffers a loss, they must ensure that the defeat is by no more than a two-goal margin while also managing to score at least once.

This is crucial because, despite losing the reverse fixture 2-1 to Libya, a similar scoreline in Tripoli would still see Benin qualify based on overall goal difference.

On the other hand, if Benin loses by two clear goals, their hopes of reaching AFCON 2025 after a six-year absence would be dashed.

In that scenario, Libya would likely qualify on goal difference in head-to-head encounters among the tied teams.

Since their first AFCON appearance in Tunisia in 2004, Benin has reached the finals four times, with their best showing being a quarter-final finish at Egypt in 2019.

What Does Rwanda Need to Secure AFCON 2025 Qualification?

For Rwanda, the path to AFCON 2025 is clear but challenging. A win over Nigeria at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo would secure their spot, provided Benin fails to win against Libya.

Torsten Spittler’s side will draw confidence from their recent 1-0 away triumph over Lesotho during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. With Nigeria already qualified, Rwanda hopes that coach Eguavoen might field a weakened squad.

However, if Rwanda manages to defeat the Super Eagles and Benin draws against Libya, Rwanda would still miss out on AFCON 2025 due to goal difference in head-to-head matchups with Benin.

The Amavubi endured a heavy 3-0 defeat against Benin in Abidjan but later secured a crucial 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture in Kigali. Thus, to secure their AFCON 2025 ticket, Rwanda must first overcome Nigeria and then hope that Benin loses in Tripoli.

Since their debut at AFCON 2004, where they finished ninth, Rwanda has yet to qualify again for Africa’s most prestigious tournament. Overcoming Nigeria in Uyo would certainly be a historic feat for the Amavubi.

How Can Libya Qualify for AFCON 2025?

Libya faces a tough but not impossible path to AFCON 2025. Coach Nasser Al-Hadiri’s team must secure a win over the Benin Republic by at least two goals while hoping Rwanda fails to pull off a victory in Nigeria.

Libya’s qualification hopes appeared slim after the Confederation of African Football sanctioned them, resulting in the loss of three points and three goals due to the mistreatment of the Nigerian national team.

Despite this setback, Libya’s recent 1-0 away win against Rwanda and Benin’s draw with Nigeria have revived their chances. They now sit at the bottom of Group D with just one win from five matches.

If Libya manages to snatch the AFCON 2025 ticket from both Benin and Rwanda, it would mark one of the most dramatic turnarounds in African football.

Historically, Libya has qualified for the AFCON three times, with their best performance being a runners-up finish in 1982 when they hosted the tournament. Should they qualify for AFCON 2025, it would be their first appearance in over a decade.

Finally…

As the final day of the qualifiers looms, fans are eagerly anticipating the outcome. The battle for the remaining spot in AFCON 2025 is far from settled. Benin, Rwanda, and Libya each have strong reasons to believe they can secure that last ticket to Morocco.

Whether it comes down to goal difference, head-to-head matchups, or a last-minute surge, only one of these teams will join Nigeria in representing Group D at AFCON 2025.

Check here for more sports updates.

SPORTS

Nigeria Seal Qualification For 2025 AFCON As Osimhen Equals Odegbami’s Goal Tally

Published

3 days ago

November 15, 2024

Reporter

2025 AFCON: Nigeria secures qualification | fab.ng

Nigeria has secured its qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with two games to spare. This is all thanks to Libya’s 1-0 away victory over Rwanda on Thursday.

Prior to their clash against the Cheetahs in Abidjan, the Super Eagles, led by coach Augustine Eguavoen, needed just one point to confirm their spot in the tournament set to take place in Morocco.

However, Nigeria clinched their qualification even before facing Gernot Rohr’s Cheetahs, who are also on track for a potential return to the competition.

In their encounter in Abidjan, Nigeria played out a 1-1 draw. The hosts initially took the lead through Mohamed Tijani in the first half. However, Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen rose to the occasion, scoring the equalizer with just nine minutes left on the clock.

With that crucial goal, Osimhen matched the legendary Segun Odegbami’s international tally, as he now shares the second spot with 23 goals in 37 appearances for the Super Eagles.

Osimhen is now only 14 goals away from breaking Rashidi Yekini’s long-standing record as Nigeria’s all-time top scorer.

Victor Osimhen (37 caps) is now Nigeria’s joint-second all-time top scorer, having matched Segun Odegbami’s 23-goal record against Benin Republic. Only Rashidi Yekini has scored more, with 37 goals. Truly exceptional! pic.twitter.com/w9TlExR0xp

— Shina Oludare 🇳🇬 (@sportingshina) November 14, 2024

Meanwhile, Libya’s qualification hopes took a major hit after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) imposed sanctions on them.

The disciplinary board awarded Nigeria a 3-0 victory and fined the Libyan Football Federation $50,000 (£38,500) due to the poor treatment experienced by the Nigerian squad during their visit. Despite this setback,

Libya showed resilience as they defeated Rwanda in front of a lively crowd at Stade Amahoro in Kigali. Although Rwanda dominated possession, Libya managed to seal the win with a decisive goal in the 84th minute.

Fahd Saad Mohamed, who had just entered the game four minutes earlier, made an immediate impact by scoring past goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari, thanks to an assist from Nouradin Elgelaib.

However, Libya is not ready to give up just yet. The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has announced that they plan to appeal the sanctions, hoping to reverse CAF’s decision.

They intend to pursue the matter to the highest levels of legal channels in a bid to keep their AFCON qualification hopes alive.

As Nigeria looks forward to making its 21st appearance in the continental tournament, its history in AFCON remains impressive. The Super Eagles made their debut in 1963 in Ghana, finishing sixth after a group-stage exit.

Since then, they have claimed the AFCON title three times—in Nigeria (1980), Tunisia (1994), and South Africa (2013).

Additionally, they have finished as runners-up five times and hold the record for the most bronze medals in AFCON history, having secured third place on eight occasions.

In their last outing at the tournament in Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria narrowly lost 2-1 to the hosts in the final despite taking an early lead, with William Troost-Ekong being named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

Looking ahead, Nigeria is determined to close out its qualifying campaign on a high note when they face Rwanda’s senior national team on Monday.

With only one game left, the Super Eagles are the sole team to have secured qualification from Group D. The battle for the second spot in the group remains wide open.

Furthermore, the Benin Republic, Libya, and Rwanda set to fight for a ticket to Morocco. As the final day of qualifiers approaches, fans can expect an intense showdown among these nations.

Besides Nigeria, several other nations have also booked their spots in the 2025 AFCON tournament.

Alongside hosts Morocco, countries such as Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, DR Congo, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, and Uganda have all punched their tickets.

With these teams already qualified, the stage is set for another thrilling edition of Africa’s biggest football spectacle – 2025 AFCON!

Check out more sports updates here.

SPORTS

2025 AFCON: Ademola Lookman And Alex Iwobi Headline Nigeria Squad For Rwanda And Benin

Published

1 week ago

November 8, 2024

Reporter

2025 AFCON: Lookman and Iwobi headline Nigeria squad | fab.ng

The Nigeria Football Federation has unveiled a 23-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Rwanda and Benin Republic.

Leading Group D with 10 points from four matches, the Super Eagles need just a draw in their last two games to confirm their spot in the tournament set to be held in Morocco.

Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen, and Fulham’s Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey headline the squad.

These players are expected to play crucial roles in securing wins over the Cheetahs and Amavubi. Additionally, regulars like Samuel Chukwueze, William Troost-Ekong, Kelechi Iheanacho, and Bayer Leverkusen’s prolific Victor Boniface bolster the lineup.

The squad also sees fresh talent, with Victor Collins earning his first call-up after impressive performances for Nasarawa United in the Nigeria Professional Football League.

Meanwhile, Real Sociedad forward Sadiq Umar returns to the team following a lengthy injury recovery.

For the goalkeeping duties, coach Augustine Eguavoen will see a competitive battle between CAF Awards nominee Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye, and Ethiopia-based Anas Obasogie.

Roster for Benin Rep. & Rwanda Afcon Qualifiers #soarsupereagles pic.twitter.com/z7hS1Xqsbd

— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) November 6, 2024

The Super Eagles will face Gernot Rohr’s Benin Republic on November 14th at Stade Felix-Houphouet-Boigny. Four days later, they will return to Uyo for their final qualifier against Rwanda at Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

Coach Eguavoen’s side aims to improve on their previous AFCON performance, where they finished as runners-up in the last tournament held in Côte d’Ivoire, losing to the host nation in a hard-fought final.

2025 AFCON: Nigeria Full Squad for Rwanda And Benin

Goalkeepers:

Stanley Nwabali plays for Chippa United in South Africa. Maduka Okoye represents Udinese in Italy. Amas Obasogie is part of Fasil Kenema in Ethiopia.

Defenders:

William Ekong features for Al-Kholood FC in Saudi Arabia, while Bright Osayi-Samuel plays for Fenerbahce in Turkey. Bruno Onyemaechi is with Boavista in Portugal, and Gabriel Osho recently joined Auxerre in France.

Calvin Bassey brings his defensive prowess from Fulham, England. Olaoluwa Aina represents Nottingham Forest, and Victor Collins, a local star, plays for Nasarawa United.

Midfielders:

Wilfred Ndidi commands the midfield for Leicester City in England. Raphael Onyedika showcases his talent at Club Brugge, Belgium.

Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi competes for New England Revolution in the USA, while Fisayo Dele-Bashiru recently moved to Lazio in Italy.

Frank Onyeka is with Augsburg in Germany, and Alex Iwobi strengthens Fulham in England.

Forwards:

Samuel Chukwueze stars for AC Milan in Italy. Victor Osimhen leads the attack for Galatasaray in Turkey, and Ademola Lookman impresses at Atalanta, Italy.

Kelechi Iheanacho recently joined Sevilla in Spain, while Victor Boniface continues his goal-scoring form at Bayer Leverkusen, Germany.

Moses Simon plays for Nantes in France, and Sadiq Umar represents Real Sociedad in Spain.

Check out more sports news here.