Author: Nurudeen Obalola

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has announced the death of his father. The 28-year-old shared a tribute to his late father with a short post on Instagram on Friday. “RIP, dad. Rest in heaven,” Nwabali wrote, adding a tearful emoji to express his sadness at the loss. The Chippa United of South Africa captain did not give any further details about his father’s death. Nwabali, who was outstanding for Nigeria on his tournament debut at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire in January and February, was in goal on Friday as the Super Eagles drew 1-1 with Benin…

American tennis player Frances Tiafoe has been fined $120,000 (£94,737) for a furious outburst, in which he repeatedly swore at the chair umpire, during last month’s Shanghai Masters. Tiafoe reacted angrily towards Jimmy Pinoargote after losing 5-7, 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) to Russia’s Roman Safiullin. The world number 18 was fined $60,000 for aggravated behaviour on top of the maximum $60,000 fine for verbal abuse. He also faced a suspension from playing but the ATP opted not to ban the player. Tiafoe, 26, later apologised for his actions, saying his behaviour was “not acceptable”. His outburst came at the end of…

By Nurudeen Obalola Victor Osimhen struck late on Thursday night as the Super Eagles drew 1-1 with Benin Republic in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying clash in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. Having already qualified for the tournament before Thursday’s match kicked off following Libya’s 1-0 win over Rwanda earlier in the day, the draw with Benin ensured Nigeria finished as Group D winners with one match to spare. It was not an easy point for the three-time African champions though, as news of their qualification appeared to have caused some complacency. Benin, who had stunned Nigeria 2-1 earlier this year…

By Nurudeen Obalola The Super Eagles secured their passage to the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday while not even being in action. The three-time African champions are scheduled to face Benin Republic later on Thursday night but Libya defeated Rwanda 1-0 in Kigali in the evening to ensure Nigeria’s qualification. Fahd Al-Mesmary scored the only goal of the match in the 84th minute, four minutes after coming on as a substitute, to end Rwanda’s chances of catching up with Nigeria. With the result, the Super Eagles are guaranteed to finish in the top two in Group D,…

UEFA has appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to investigate English Premier League referee David Coote after a video emerged of him allegedly snorting a white powder during Euro 2024. It comes after English referees body PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) said it was taking fresh allegations about Coote “very seriously”. The 42-year-old was suspended by the PGMOL on Monday after different video footage was posted on social media appearing to show him making disparaging remarks about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. Coote’s comments about the German are also being investigated by the Football Association. On Wednesday another…

Super Eagles of Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman has been nominated for the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards Best Men’s Player prize along with some illustrious names. The 27-year-old Atalanta star will vie with 32 others for the award, including legenday pair Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as well as Ballon d’Or holder Rodri. Others in contention include Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Dani Carvajal, Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappe, Lautaro Martinez, Lamine Yamal, Toni Kroos and Harry Kane, who all finished in the Ballon d’Or top 10. The annual Globe Soccer Awards ceremony is hosted by the Dubai Sports Council in the United…

CAF President Motsepe faces no opposition in re-election bid Dr Patrice Motsepe is set to cruise unopposed to a second term as Confederation of African Football president. The 62-year-old South African, as at Tuesday’s deadline for indicating interest, is the only canditate for president in the African football ruling body. No other person picked up nomination forms, giving the Mamelodi Sundowns owner a free run to retain the position. Motsepe, a billionaire businessman with interest in mining, took over from Madagascar’s Ahmad Ahmad in March 2021 and will now secure another four-year term. The elections will be held on March…

By Nurudeen Obalola Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong is looking forward to more success for the team when they face Benin Republic in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan on Thursday. The Super Eagles defeated Guinea-Bissau, Angola and Cameroon at the same stadium during the 2023 AFCON in February as they reached the final. Although the three-time African champions suffered a shock defeat to Benin Republic at the same stadium in a World Cup qualifier earlier this year, Troost-Ekong expects a positive outcome on Thursday. “The stadium is a familiar one for us…

South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan has been arrested and charged with fraud after allegedly spending R1.3 million (about N129m) of the association’s money for his personal benefit. Jordaan and his two co-accused, SAFA chief financial officer Gronie Hluyo and journalist-turned-businessman Trevor Neethling, are set to appear in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Palm Ridge on Wednesday. Earlier, the Hawks confirmed that two executives and a businessman were expected to hand themselves over after arrest warrants were issued. In March this year, the Hawks raided SAFA’s offices in Nasrec, Johannesburg. Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said it…

By Nurudeen Obalola There are 22 players in the Super Eagles camp in Abidjan, including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi, as they get set for Thursday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Benin Republic in the Ivorian city. Only Spain-based striker Sadiq Umar was being expected on Tuesday evening ahead of the Nigerian side’s first training session at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny. “We have 22 players, with only one person to join the team in the early hours of Wednesday. It has been a particularly great atmosphere here in Abidjan, and we are all very positive…