Author: Nurudeen Obalola
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…
Former Green Eagles star Segun Odegbami has issued an update on the burial plans for fellow Nigeria ex-international Peter Fregene. Fregene, a legendary goalkeeper who featured for Nigeria at the Olympics and Africa Cup of Nations, died two weeks ago at the age of 77 after a protracted illness. Odegbami, the star of the Green Eagles team that won Nigeria’s first AFCON title in Lagos in 1980, detailed the plans in an article he shared over the weekend. The piece, titled ‘Peter Fregene – An update!’ is reproduced below… On behalf of the family of Peter ‘Apo’ Fregene, ‘the Flying…
The Flying Eagles of Nigeria advanced to the final of the 2024 WAFU B U-20 Championship on Sunday, after coming from behind to beat Niger Republic’s Junior Mena 3-1 in Lome, Togo. With the win, the Flying Eagles earned a ticket to next year’s Africa U-20 Cup of Nations. Niger Republic went in front after only nine minutes of the second semi-final at the Stade Kegue, but just as they did against Cote d’Ivoire on Thursday, seven-time African champions Nigeria found their way back into the contest. The Flying Eagles dominated after conceding, scoring three goals that took them to…
By Kayode John Enyimba secured their first win in four Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matches with a 2-1 victory over Ikorodu City at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba on Sunday. The Peoples Elephant not won a league game since the 3-0 victory over Katsina United in a Week 5 clash on October 7, but Ifeanyi Ihemekwele put them ahead in the sixth minute against the Lagos-based side on Sunday. Ikorodu City equalised in the 90th minute through Toyeeb Ajeyigbe and thought they had earned a point, only for Moses Adikwu to score the winner for Enyimba in the 92nd…
By Nurudeen Obalola West Ham defeated Manchester United 2-1 at the London Stadium in an English Premier League clash overshadowed by a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) controversy on Sunday. Also on Sunday, Chelsea bounced back from their defeat at Liverpool last week to beat Newcastle United 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, while Crystal Palace saw off Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at Selhurst Park foe their first win of the campaign. The match at London Stadium had several big misses and three goals, but the biggest talking point was the penalty awarded to West Ham late on. Centre referee David Coote had seen…