Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

The National Assembly Calls for Prioritizing Nigeria’s Integrity in the Appointment of Super Eagles Coach The National Assembly has issued a strong call to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Ministry of Sports to prioritize Nigeria’s integrity in the selection of the next Super Eagles Coach. Following the departure of former Super Eagles Coach Jose Peseiro in February, the NFF has yet to name a successor, with crucial World Cup qualifying matches looming. The House Committee on Sports stressed the critical need to uphold Nigeria’s reputation before finalizing the appointment of the Super Eagles coach, citing…

El Clasico has gone down because of Barcelona Former Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil has stirred up discussions ahead of the La Liga El Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona by suggesting that the allure of the historic rivalry has diminished due to Barcelona’s current state. In an interview with Marca, Ozil reflected on the past glory of El Clasico, highlighting the era of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona as a pinnacle in football history. He noted that the global spotlight has shifted towards other high-profile matches, such as those in the Premier League between teams like Liverpool and Manchester City. Ozil…

Alonso faces point deduction following clash in China In the intense Shanghai sprint event, the Spanish driver found himself in a fierce battle with the Ferraris for third place, struggling with rapidly deteriorating tires. The climax came at Turn 9, two laps from the finish, when Alonso and the Ferraris traded positions but collided, resulting in Alonso’s puncture and subsequent pit stop for fresh tires, leading to his retirement from the race. The incident prompted the stewards to summon both drivers before qualifying to discuss the matter. They concluded that Alonso was at fault for the collision, stating that he…

Erling Haaland faces fitness issue ahead of Manchester City’s Semi-Final clash against Chelsea  Manchester City faces uncertainty ahead of their FA Cup semi-final clash against Chelsea this Saturday as striker Erling Haaland is uncertain to feature. The 23-year-old Norwegian forward was substituted late in their Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final, a match they lost on penalties against Real Madrid. City’s manager Pep Guardiola revealed that Haaland requested to be substituted due to a muscular issue. Guardiola expressed cautious optimism regarding Haaland’s availability for the upcoming semi-final, stating, “We will see how his evolution is in the next hours.” …

Nigerian Forward Nears Move to Gent in Transfer Shake-up Belgium’s KAA Gent is in the spotlight again as they prepare to welcome a new Nigerian striker, potentially filling the void left by Gift Orban’s departure, according to recent transfer reports. The latest update from Belgium suggests that negotiations are underway for Anosike Ementa, a Nigerian-born forward with Danish roots, currently plying his trade with Viborg FF until 2026. Ementa’s journey in professional football saw him move from Aalborg to Viborg FF, where he made 37 appearances for the senior team without finding the net. However, this season…

FA Defends Decision to Scrap FA Cup Replays, Eliciting Mixed Reactions The Football Association (FA) has stood by its decision to eliminate FA Cup replays starting from the 2024-25 season, citing mutual agreement among stakeholders despite criticisms and calls for reevaluation. The announcement, made recently, outlined that the FA Cup matches would only occur on weekends, with replays removed from the first round onward. This move was characterized as a joint decision involving discussions over a considerable period, aiming to strengthen competitions while considering player welfare amidst scheduling challenges. The decision drew a swift response from various…

Sporting Lagos FC Welcomes Experienced Nigerian Coach Abdullahi Biffo as New Head Coach Sporting Lagos FC has officially welcomed Abdullahi Biffo as their new head coach following the departure of Paul Offor. Biffo, a seasoned Nigerian football coach with extensive experience managing clubs in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), steps into this role with a strong track record and a wealth of expertise. Abdullahi Biffo’s appointment comes as a strategic move by Sporting Lagos FC to bolster their coaching staff and elevate the team’s performance. His experience in the NPFL brings valuable insights and tactical acumen that…

Nigeria’s Historic Football Competition Adopts New Name: President Federation Cup In a historic announcement, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and GTI unveiled a new name for Nigeria’s oldest football competition. The knock-out tournament, previously known by various names throughout its illustrious history, will now be called the President Federation Cup. This marks the sixth time that the competition has undergone a name change since its inception in 1945 as the Governor’s Cup. Over the years, the competition has evolved and adapted to reflect the dynamic landscape of Nigerian football. The decision…

NPFL Fixture Schedule Adjusted to Accommodate Rivers United’s Matches The 2023/2024 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) season is set to witness a temporary halt in fixtures following this weekend’s matches, as confirmed by the league’s organizer. The upcoming match day 31 is scheduled to kick off on Friday with a match featuring Heartland FC and Shooting Stars. However, Secretary of the club owners, Godwin Enakhena, revealed to Punch correspondent that all other fixtures will be put on hold to allow Rivers United to complete their outstanding games. Enakhena emphasized that the decision to suspend other matches was…

Minister of Sports Urges Super Eagles on World Cup Qualification The Minister of Sports, John Enoh, has emphasized the significance of the Super Eagles qualifying for the next World Cup during a recent address. This call comes in the wake of Nigeria’s narrow miss in the final phase of qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they were edged out by West African rivals Ghana. The upcoming World Cup is slated to be hosted across three North American countries. Nigeria has commenced the qualification journey with an undesirable start, securing two draws from two games. …

Nigeria drawn in group B of upcoming WAFU tournament.  The upcoming WAFU B U17 Championship in Ghana has drawn attention to the Golden Eaglets of Nigeria, who find themselves in Group B alongside Burkina Faso, Togo, and Niger. Preparations for the tournament are in full swing as the Golden Eaglets have resumed camping. In Group A, host nation Ghana will face off against Benin Republic and Cote D’Ivoire. Coach Manu Garba is overseeing a screening process for over 50 players selected from various youth tournaments. Most of these players have already undergone the mandatory MRI age test, ensuring their eligibility…

English teams absence in Major European competition Semi-Finals a rare occurrence. What has happened?  England finds itself in an unusual position in European football, with no teams from the country making it to the semi-finals of either the Champions League or Europa League. This occurrence, happening only for the third time in the 21st century, has raised questions about the state of English football in continental competitions. The recent exits of Manchester City and Arsenal from the Champions League quarter-finals, facing defeats against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively, contributed to this absence. Simultaneously, Liverpool and West Ham failed…