International Football
Nigeria’s Robert Eziakor steps up as Singapore’s Hougang interim coach
For more than a decade, Robert Eziakor has been with Hougang United as a player, general coordinator, youth coach, assistant coach and head of youth development.
On Dec 24, the 38-year-old Nigerian landed the biggest assignment of his professional coaching career when he was named interim coach for the Cheetahs, replacing Marko Kraljevic, who has been redesignated as the Singapore Premier League (SPL) side’s head of youth development.
Eziakor told Singapore’s The Straits Times: “I’m excited, having been involved in different roles at the club, and in terms of my personal development, it’s like climbing a ladder all the way to the top.
“I’m thankful I have had the opportunity to learn from the different roles rather than staying put in one position. This makes things very interesting for me and it made sense for me to continue with Hougang.
“It’s easier for me to step up as coach knowing the players and how things are run but at the same time it is a big challenge and there are big shoes to fill.”
In his new role, Eziakor has hit the ground running, signing 1.92m Montenegrin centre-back Jovan Mugosa to shore up the defence of seventh-placed Hougang, who have conceded 49 goals in 20 matches, the fourth worst in the nine-team league.
He has also released underperforming imports – forward Petar Banovic, and defenders Faris Hasic and Ensar Bruncevic. In addition, club hero Kristijan Krajcek, who will be remembered for his 2022 Singapore Cup final hat-trick, has returned to Croatia for ankle surgery as his professional playing days could be over.
Eziakor said: “Defence is primarily where we have a problem. We need to improve in this area so we have made the necessary changes to concede less as we try to create more positive results when the league restarts on Jan 19 for us (against Balestier Khalsa).
“We are able to score goals (Hougang’s 37 goals have come in all but one league games this season), but we are not able to defend properly. We want to tighten our defence and scoring will come naturally for us.”
Bigger things were expected of perennial underdogs Hougang after winning the 2022 Singapore Cup for their first major silverware, but their displays since have been underwhelming.
In 2023, another run to the Singapore Cup final masked a disappointing sixth-placed finish in the SPL. In 2024, they failed to register a single win in the first round of eight league matches before they rebounded with three wins and three draws in the second round.
In the first three games of the third round, two narrow losses to top-half sides Albirex Niigata and Geylang International sandwiched a 6-0 win over bottom club Tanjong Pagar United before the Cheetahs decided on the coaching switch with 12 games remaining.
Eziakor arrived in Singapore in 2006 to join African side Sporting Afrique, but never got to play in the then S.League before the team were dissolved. The forward then went on to play in the National Football League (NFL) with Katong FC, Singapore Recreation Club and Tiong Bahru before he signed for Hougang in 2013.
After scoring once in eight games, he retired and joined the Cheetahs’ backroom staff. From 2015 to 2024, he was also coach of Tiong Bahru and led them to the NFL Division 1 titles in 2018 and 2019.
He also took up permanent residency in the Republic, where his son Uchenna plays for the Singapore Under-15s.
He said: “Singapore means everything to me because my son and I are all about football and this country has given us all our opportunities. Our football journeys are rooted here.”
In his 18 years in Singapore, Eziakor has scored in the professional league, won titles at the amateur level, and seen his son represent the country. Now, he hopes to mark his professional coaching career with another milestone.
He said: “We believe it is possible for us to finish in the top half and go on another good run in the Singapore Cup. I just want us all to put in the work and performances we can look back on and be proud of at the end of the season.”
-The Strait Times
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Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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