Author: Nurudeen Obalola
I am writing this on Saturday morning, 26 October, 2024 immediately after my early Muslim prayers. I have just checked the timing for the El Clasico later in the day and it is reading 8.00pm Nigeria time. I was in the Santiago Bernabue when Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-0 in the same fixture in March 2020. It was a spectacle. But it’s not the El Clasico on my mind as I write this. It’s my involvement with the investigative panel set up by the most recent Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, that is on my mind.…
Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has hailed the decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to award three points and three goals to Nigeria, following the treatment of the team in Libya. The Libyans were also fined $50,000 in the decision announced on Saturday, although Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali appeared to think it was not enough punishment. The Super Eagles were scheduled to face Libya on October 15 in Benghazi, but the Nigerian contingent had their plane diverted mid-air to the abandoned, ill-equipped Al-Abraq airport and were held there for 18 hours without food, water or access to…
By Nurudeen Obalola The Super Falcons of Nigeria defeated Algeria 2-0 in a friendly match at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Saturday. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade scored both goals in a dominant first half for the nine-time African champions. It is the first match for the Super Falcons since head coach Randy Waldrum left the post after the Paris 2024 Olympics, with Justine Madugu replacing the American. Madugu called up a largely home-based squad for the two friendly matches against Algeria, with Spain-based Ajibade and France-based Chiamaka Nnadozie among the six overseas-based stars in the roster of 25. Ajibade…
The Disciplinary Board of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded Nigeria three points and three goals from the botched matchday 4 encounter of the 2025 AFCON qualification series scheduled to be played by Libya and the Super Eagles in Benina on October 15. The Super Eagles contingent to the match had their plane diverted mid-air to the abandoned, ill-equipped Al-Abraq airport and were held there for 18 hours without food, water or access to the internet. After the inhumane treatment, the Nigerian team decided to pull out of the match as the Nigeria Football Federation filed an official…
Coach Austin Eguavoen has invited 35 players, including Remo Stars’ Ismail Sadiq, Kano Pillars’ Zikifilu Rabiu and Enugu Rangers’ Kazeem Ogunleye, to the Super Eagles B squad for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifying tie against Ghana. The first leg of the tie is billed for the weekend of December 20 to December 22, with the return leg a week later. Nigeria and Ghana also met in the qualifiers for the last edition of the competition, with the Black Stars advancing Ghana on penalties. The winners over two legs will advance at the eighth edition of the competition exclusively…
Manchester City have reportedly rejected a request from Manchester United for Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo to join their stars on the club’s chartered flight to Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony. United pair Mainoo and Garnacho are nominated for the Kopa Trophy, which is awarded to the best player in the world aged under 21. The current holder of the trophy is Jude Bellingham, who left Borussia Dortmund for Real Madrid last summer. Mainoo and Garnacho had superb individual seasons despite the Old Trafford club’s notable struggles. The Red Devils did win the FA Cup with a shock victory over Manchester…
Newly appointed National Sports Commission Chairman, Shehu Dikko, has promised to take the right steps to take Nigerian sports to new heights. Dikko made the pledge after a closed-door meeting with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and the immediate past Minister of Sports Development, John Enoh, on Friday in Abuja. “The meeting is part of early groundwork to establish a robust framework aimed at transforming Nigeria’s sports landscape into a sustainable sports economy,” Dikko said, according to the News Agency of Nigeria. He stressed the need for all stakeholders to rally behind the NSC so…
By Kayode John Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has revealed that players in the national team, particularly Victor Osimhen, aided his integration into the national team by showing him warmth and ensuring he speaks Yoruba language. Born to Nigerian parents from the Yoruba-speaking South West in Wandsworth, England, Lookman switched his allegiance to the African country in 2022 after representing his nation of birth at U-19, U-20 and U-21 levels respectively. Since making his debut during the play-offs of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the 27-year-old has been brilliant for the three-time African champions. He cited the friendly atmosphere as…
Arsenal will host Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday in one of the most highly-anticipated games of the season. However, they are in the midst of an injury crisis with several key defenders unavailable for the match. William Saliba is suspended, and now Riccardo Calafiori is a doubt through injury. Diogo Jota will not feature after Arne Slot confirmed that he is injured. Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the fitness of Calafiori, Bukayo Saka and Dutch defender Jurrien Timber ahead of their Premier League match with Liverpool on Sunday. He revealed that they are all doubts, but…
By Kayode John Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel remains uncertain about his future at Fenerbahce, while talks reportedly continue with the club about a contract extension. The Nigeria international was impressive in Fenerbahce’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night, featuring for 62 minutes before limping off with an apparent injury. In a video posted by Fanatik on Friday, Osayi-Samuel was asked by a reporter as he walked out of the stadium if he would be wearing the colours of the club next season. “I don’t know, it’s not up to me,” he replied.…