Author: Nurudeen Obalola
Amavubi of Rwanda midfielder Samuel Gueulette has said a draw would not be a bad result against Nigeria’s Super Eagles in Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Kigali. The Super Eagles will go into the crucial fixture against Group C leaders Rwanda looking for their first win of the qualifying campaign, having drawn three of their first four matches. Also, they would be eyeing a first-ever win away to Rwanda after three previous visits ended in draws. Gueulette, who plays for Belgium second division side La Louvière, anticipates a tough contest for his team against the three-time African…
Kirsty Coventry of Zimbabwe was elected on Thursday as the 10th President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the first female President in IOC history, following one round of voting at the 144th IOC Session in Costa Navarino, Greece. Coventry was chosen over fellow presidential candidates HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein, David Lappartient, Johan Eliasch, Juan Antonio Samaranch, Lord Sebastian Coe and Morinari Watanabe. President-elect Coventry said: “I am incredibly honoured and excited to be elected as President of the International Olympic Committee! I want to sincerely thank my fellow members for their trust and support. “The young girl who…
By Korede James Super Eagles and Valencia striker Umar Sadiq has been nominated for LaLiga Player of the Month and Goal of the Month awards for March. The 28-year-old Nigeria international will vie with Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe among others for the Player of the Month prize. The other nominees, as announced by the Spanish top flight on Tuesday night, are Real Betis midfielder Isco, Celta Vigo defender Marco Alonso and Rayo Vallecano’s Pedro Diaz for the award. For the Goal of the Month, the striker will be up against Rayo Vallecano’s Florin Rațiu and Diego Garcia of CD…
By Korede James Former Super Eagles of Nigeria forward Victor Ikpeba has warned the team’s players that their big reputations will not intimidate Rwanda. The Super Eagles will be back in action on Friday in continuation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers when they face Rwanda in Kigali. Rwanda, who are on seven points, are four points clear of fifth-place Super Eagles in qualifying Group C. The Super Eagles, despite an array of players featuring in the big leagues of Europe, are winless in the qualifiers and will be targeting a first-ever victory away to Rwanda after three previous…
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has claimed that he and his teammates are not bothered by the fact that the Nigerians have never secured victory in Rwanda as both teams get set for Friday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Kigali. Nigeria must beat Rwanda to revive their fading hopes of qualifying, with the Super Eagles fifth in the six-team Group C while the Amavubi are on top. Troost-Ekong says the team’s focus is on the three points at stake. “Actually, we read about that in some places but we are not bothered,” Troost-Ekong told the Nigeria Football Federation media…
By Korede James English Premier League club Bournemouth have been linked with a summer transfer move for Super Eagles and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye. The Cherries Sporting Director Tiago Pinto has previous experience in Serie A with Roma and has in the past looked towards Italy in search of potential transfers. Most notably, he has signed Dean Huijsen from Juventus for Bournemouth and is now looking at a goalkeeper from the Italian top flight. Currently, Bournemouth have Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan from Chelsea but with his future still not certain, Pinto has been looking for alternatives. Now according to SportItalia.it…
The Super Eagles will resume their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign when they will take on Rwanda and Zimbabwe this week and next week. The Nigerian side are in a precarious situation, as they are fifth in a qualifying group of six teams and must win their remaining matches to stand a chance of securing the only guaranteed ticket. Ahead of the two crucial encounters, Sportingtimes.ng’s KOREDE JAMES reveals six facts about Rwanda that the Super Eagles should be concerned about… SUPER EAGLES HAVE NEVER BEATEN RWANDA AWAY After three visits to Rwanda either in the World Cup or…
Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit has likened Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen to ex-Chelsea centre forward Diego Costa. Chelsea are reportedly in search of a proven striker, with Nicolas Jackson considered not good enough to take the club to the next level. The Senegal international, currently out injured, has nine goals and five assists in 23 English Premier League matches this season. Nigeria international Osimhen, who has been linked with several high-profile moves, has been in brilliant form for Galatasaray this season, the 26-year-old registering 26 goals and five assists in 30 appearances in all competitions. “My concerns with…
The Premier League said it was appalled by the racial abuse suffered by Chelsea centre back Wesley Fofana on social media after his side’s 1-0 defeat by Arsenal on Sunday. The 24-year-old France international posted on his Instagram story the screenshots of racist messages he received and said “stupidity and cruelty can no longer hide”. “The Premier League is appalled by the abuse suffered by Chelsea’s Wesley Fofana after their match against Arsenal. We will offer our full support to Wesley and the club,” the Premier League said in a statement. “We work with the social media platforms and the…
By Korede James Tolu Arokodare has expressed a feeling of gratitude for being included in the Super Eagles’ final 23-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The 24-year-old Belgian Jupiler top scorer (17 goals) is on course for his senior Nigeria debut after making the squad for the two key matches. He was among the early arrivals — alongside Victor Osimhen, Bruno Onyemaechi, Papa Daniel, Kayode Bankole, Amas Obasogie — to the Super Eagles camp in Kigali, Rwanda. Speaking in an interview on his maiden call-up, Arokodare told Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) TV: “First,…