Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Nigeria Football Federation Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau has commended Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman for finishing in 14th place in this year’s Ballon d’Or race, saying he believes the Atalanta star has what it takes to finish higher in the race next year. Lookman was the only African among the 30 nominees for the award, which was won by Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri in Paris on Monday night. “The NFF commends Ademola Lookman for his feat, and we believe he has the potential to finish much higher next year. He was already a winner before Monday’s night’s gala, as…
By Kayode John Libya players and supporters have embarked on a street protest over the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in the boycotted 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier involving the Mediterranean Knights and the Super Eagles. Last Saturday, CAF found Libya guilty of breaching some of its statues and awarded three points and three goals to Nigeria, as well as a fine of $50,000 on the Libya Football Federation (LFF), for the mistreatment of the Nigerian team in the botched second leg of the AFCON qualifiers. The LFF has promised to go as far as…
By Kayode John A hat-trick by Folashade Ijamilusi secured a 4-1 victory for the Super Falcons of Nigeria against Algeria in a friendly at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Lagos on Tuesday. A brace by captain Rasheedat Ajibade had helped the Super Falcons overcome Algeria 2-0 in the first of two friendly games at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Saturday. Edo Queens striker Ijamilusi opened the scoring for the Super Falcons on Tuesday after 10 minutes, and she netted her second of the game eight minutes later. The North Africans missed a penalty in the 39th minute but…
Sporting Lisbon have offficially confirmed Manchester United have told them of their plan to pay Rúben Amorim’s release clause. That clause stands at a general €20m with two further clauses related to it. Should a club within Portugal want to activate then the amount goes up to €30m. At the same time there’s a certain number of named clubs, including Manchester United, for whom the amount goes down to €10m. Sporting have now taken the serious step of confirming via the CMVM financial regulator that the Premier League club have told them they are prepared to pay the full €10m…
The Super Eagles will conclude their qualifying campaign for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on November 18 in Uyo, according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The match, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, is against Rwanda, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm. It is the sixth match in the series for both teams, and would be a formality for the Super Eagles if they get at least a point against Benin Republic on matchday 5. CAF has also appointed Moroccan officials for the game, with Samir Guezzaz the centre referee. His compatriots Zakaria Brinsi, Abdessamad Abertoune and Kech Chaf…
By Kayode John Former Super Eagles midfielder Christian Obodo has slammed the Libya Football Federation (LFF) over its decision to appeal the verdict of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), regarding the botched 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier with Nigeria. CAF awarded three points and three goals to Nigeria and also fined the LFF $50,000 in a judgement released on Saturday, following the inhumane treatment of the Nigerian team in events leading to the boycotted return leg of the AFCON qualifying campiagn in Libya. But the LFF has vowed that it appeal what it described as an ‘unjust’…
By Nurudeen Obalola Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri has won the 2024 Ballon d’Or award for the best men’s player in the world. Barcelona star Aitana Bonmati won the women’s Ballon d’Or, while Super Eagles of Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman finished 14th in the men’s ranking. Lookman is the only African among the top 30 nominees, following in the footsteps of his international teammate Victor Osimhen, who placed eighth last year. Rodri, who inspired Spain to the European Championship title in July barely six weeks after wining the English Premier League title with Manchester City, won the prestigious prize…
Zambian football is in mourning after seven players from Chavuma Town Council FC were killed in a bus crash. The country’s football association (FAZ) expressed its “deep shock” at the accident, which occurred on Saturday while the squad was travelling to a third-tier league game in the north west of the country. “We are in touch with the football, civil and law enforcement authorities in the province to furnish us with full details,” FAZ president Andrew Kamanga said. Twelve other people were injured in the accident, and five of those have been evacuated to the capital Lusaka for treatment. The…
Manchester United have fired Erik ten Hag as their manager following a dismal start to the season. The club lost 2-1 at West Ham in the English Premier League on Sunday, their fourth defeat in only nine matches, and his sacking was announced on Monday. “Erik ten Hag has left his role as Manchester United men’s first-team manager,” the club said in a statement on their official website. “Erik was appointed in April 2022 and led the club to two domestic trophies, winning the Carabao Cup in 2023 and the FA Cup in 2024. “We are grateful to Erik for…
By Kayode John Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has said he is more focused on Galatasaray winning the Turkish Super Lig derby against Besiktas on Monday night than personal glory. Galatasaray are five points ahead of Besiktas but have played a game more, and it is one of the biggest fixtures in the Turkish calendar. The clash will pit the league’s top scorer this season Ciro Immobile, who has eight goals in eight matches, against Osimhen. “The Besiktas derby will of course be a tough match. But we are ready and will give our all. We want to get the…