Ekong, Musa, Uzoho, others arrive Algiers as officials depart Abuja today

Satellite television broadcasting outfit, Multichoice, on Thursday, gathered its partners, including journalists, to preview its offerings ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, which it is planning to relay live to its Nigerian audience. The Qatar 2022 World Cup will hold in November and December with Africa represented by five countries, including Senegal, Ghana, Cameroun, Morocco and Tunisia. Although Nigeria lost the battle for qualification for the World Cup to Ghana, Multichoice showed its audience at the programme held in Lekki, Lagos, why Super Eagles’ absence from the competition will not so much affect their enjoyment of the greatest global sports event. Giving an insight into the packages lined up for the World Cup and its other programmes, Multichoice Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe, said the outfit has some exciting news for football fans and Big Brother fanatics. According to Ugbe, DStv and GOtv customers can look forward to round-the-clock access to all 64 of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 matches and the premiere of Big Brother South Africa and Nigeria, dubbed ‘The Titans.’ On Sports, Ugbe said: “MultiChoice is making FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 more accessible to fans than ever before. MultiChoice the company is making all 64 World Cup matches available in different vernacular languages. “GOtv SUPA and SuperSport are expanding their offering for football fans by adding more language options, including Pidgin​, Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Twi, Swahili, Amharic, and more. Fans need to download the self-service DStv or GOtv apps to subscribe or upgrade​ their current package as soon as possible to catch all the football action coming this year.” He listed the highlights of programmes lined up for the World Cup to include dedicated channels, which are available round the clock. “The DStv Blue Chair activation, where customers get to take pics on the blue chair, add #HereForEveryFan to their social posts, and access all things FIFA-related via a QR link. “Collecting G.O.A.T. digital assets for a chance to win a GOtv subscription or GOcoder to watch the real-life G.O.A.Ts display their skills.​ DStv Football Buzz, a new podcast that covers everything World Cup-related, as shared by prominent sports influencers from across Africa. “SuperPicks, a free-to-play score prediction and fantasy football platform that allows users to create a fantasy team of actual football players for upcoming real-life matches,” Ugbe said. Aside the World Cup, he revealed that Multichoice has also concluded plans to merge the Nigerian and South African versions of the Big Brother reality show. He explained: “Owing to the success of Big Brother Mzansi and Big Brother Naija, MultiChoice will unveil a Big Brother show like no other: a ‘contest’ between housemates from Nigeria and South Africa – in one house. “With it being one of MultiChoice’s most popular franchises ever, the company is now bringing two nations together in one house​.” Super Eagles Coach, Jose Peseiro, Captain Ahmed Musa, William Troost-Ekong, Francis Uzoho and other players invited for the September 23 international friendly against Algeria were expected to start ...