NPFL: Ideye close to Rivers United move 

Rivers United manager, Finidi George has hinted that former Super Eagles striker Brown Ideye is close to joining his team. Ideye was recently seen training with Rivers United and watching their games from the stands. In an interview with the media, Finidi said he is open to Ideye joining the NPFL club. “Yea, there is every likelihood that he will join us. He wants to give back. That is the most important thing. He has that hunger. We’ve seen that in Ahmed Musa. “If he is willing to do that, I think I will welcome him. He is giving back, We can’t pay him. “Brown is a player I’ve known for years, and his experience speaks for itself. We thought it would be beneficial for our players, especially the younger ones, to learn from someone who has competed at the highest level. “It wasn’t just about his skillset, but the professionalism and work ethic he brings to the table. That’s something every team needs, especially as we aim for greater success this season.” Finidi emphasised that the players are already benefiting from Ideye’s time at the club. “The impact has been immediate. You can see the younger players trying to impress, learning from his movement, his tactical awareness, and his ability to handle pressure. Brown is very approachable, and he’s been open to giving advice and sharing his experiences in Europe and with the national team.” Finidi added that Ideye’s ability to remain calm and focused under pressure has been one of the biggest takeaways for the squad. “It’s not every day that our younger players get to interact with someone who’s played in the Premier League and at the World Cup. “It’s crucial for Nigerian football. When players like Brown, who have had successful international careers, come back and stay involved with local teams, it raises the standard. It also shows the younger players that they can aspire to reach those heights. “This isn’t just about Rivers United; it’s about Nigerian football as a whole. The more veterans stay engaged, the more our domestic league grows in quality and competitiveness. “It sends a powerful message to the players when someone like Brown takes time out to not only train but also support them during a match,” George said.  “It shows them that they are worth watching that their progress matters. It’s a huge source of inspiration.” The striker once played for Ocean Boys of Bayelsa in the Nigerian league between 2006 and 2007, scoring 10 goals in 13 appearances.

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UCL: Boniface misses Brest showdown

Bayer Leverkusen centre-forward Victor Boniface has been ruled out of Champions League clash against Ligue 1 team Stade Brestois 29.  The Nigeria international was involved in a car accident this weekend.  Speaking to the media at Guingamp’s Stade du Roudourou – where Brest are playing their Champions League home games – Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso provided some updates on Boniface. “We learned about his road accident on Sunday morning”, Xabi Alonso said in his press conference transcribed by L’Equipe.  “Fortunately, it wasn’t too serious. He has small cuts on his foot and hand. In a way, he was very lucky. But he hasn’t trained normally since and we’re going to give him a few days to recover from this emotional shock.”  The Spaniard understands that Boniface’s absence will be a matter of days and not weeks. Asked about Brest, who have on their two UCL games so far, against Sturm Graz and Red Bull Salzburg, Xabi Alonso expects a very demanding and intense game against Eric Roy’s Pirates.  “Brest have a very precise idea of ​​their game, it is a very competitive team. They have a lot of desire, but we are ready for that and we will play our football.”

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U-17 World Cup: Nigeria set up USA quarterfinal clash

Shakirat Moshood’s 89th minute strike from 24 yards earned Nigeria all three points against a heroic Dominican Republic side in the two team’s final match of Group A at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup on Wednesday morning. The win ensured that Nigeria will battle USA in the quarter-finals on Saturday. Playing for the first time in Santo Domingo, the barnstorming Nigerians found the going tough under driving rain against a determined host nation, and could not make an overwhelming ball possession count until Moshood, now with four goals, unleashed a rocket from outside the box. Captain Renata Mercedes and goalkeeper Rondon led a famous resistance against one of the elites of the competition, and the hosts deserved praise for their pushback that ensured the Flamingos made nothing out of 16 corner kicks.  Coach Bankole Olowookere made three changes to the starting line-up, bringing in Rokibat Azeez, Blessing Ifitezue and Ramotalahi Kareem in place of Onyedikachi Ekezie, Peace Effiong and Harmony Chidi.  He restored Effiong and Chidi after the hour, but it took a special effort from Moshood, scorer of the tournament’s fastest goal, to break the hearts of the hosts. Victory means the Flamingos top their group, three points better than second-placed Ecuador, who walloped New Zealand 4-0 to finish with six points and set up a clash with Spain on Sunday. Caprice Chiuchiolo netted a brace.

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Kano Pillars in auto crash 

Kano Pillars Under 19 team on Tuesday was involved in a road accident in Jos, Plateau State.  The club’s Media & Communication Directorate in a statement on its official X handle, revealed that several players and drivers sustained various degrees of injuries.  “It is with deep sadness that we announce that the Kano Pillars FC U-19 team bus was involved in a road accident earlier today while en route to the New Jos Stadium for their Matchday 5 fixture in the inaugural U-19 Youth League against Plateau United U-19. “Several players and the driver sustained injuries in the unfortunate incident and have been promptly taken to the hospital for medical attention.  “Thankfully, no fatalities have been reported at this time, and the medical team is closely monitoring the situation. “We extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to everyone affected and will provide further updates as more information becomes available. “Thank you for your understanding and support during this difficult time,” Kano Pillars stated. 

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Glasgow to host 2026 Commonwealth Games

Glasgow will host the Commonwealth Games for the second time in just over a decade Scotland will welcome athletes from across the world for what has been described as a scaled-down and sustainable Games. Original hosts Victoria pulled the plug after an estimate of costs between double and triple the original budget Glasgow has been officially confirmed as the host city of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. The city will host a scaled-down version of the Games after the Scottish Government announced last month it would back a deal to bring them back to Scotland. The Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) said on Tuesday the event will run from Thursday, July 23 to Sunday, August 2. It comes after the state of Victoria in Australia backed out of holding the Games, citing a rise in estimated costs. Glasgow hosted the 2014 iteration of the international sporting event and will now welcome athletes from across the world for the second time in just over a decade. The CGF said Glasgow 2026 will feature ten sports taking place across four venues – Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre, Emirates Arena, and the Scottish Event Campus. The sports programme will include athletics and para athletics (track and field), swimming and para swimming, artistic gymnastics, track cycling and para track cycling, netball, weightlifting and para powerlifting, boxing, judo, bowls and para bowls, and 3×3 basketball and 3×3 wheelchair basketball. More than 500,000 tickets will be made available for the Games, which organisers say will deliver over £100m of inward investment into the city and is projected to support over £150m of economic value added for the region. A new Commonwealth Games logo has been inspired by some of Glasgow’s engineering, architectural, and natural symbols, including the River Clyde, the Finnieston Crane, and the Clyde Arc. Commonwealth Games Scotland Chief Executive Jon Doig OBE, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to have secured Glasgow as hosts of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. “When we started pulling this concept together just under a year ago, our focus was on creating a Games that was different – that could be delivered to the highest quality, in the short time frame, in a financially sustainable way. “Glasgow 2026 will have all the drama, passion and joy that we know the Commonwealth Games delivers even if it is to be lighter and leaner than some previous editions. It will be more accessible, delivered on a smaller footprint which brings our fans closer to the sporting action. “The Commonwealth Games has a special place in the hearts of athletes around the globe, and we’re really looking forward to welcoming them, their support staff and fans from all four corners of the Commonwealth to experience the famous Scottish and Glasgow hospitality. It is an exciting moment for the city and the country.” First Minister John Swinney described the Games as a hugely important event for Scottish sport and an “exciting opportunity for the people of Scotland”. He said: “As well as an action-packed, inclusive sports programme that will inspire and excite audiences across the globe – Glasgow 2026 will also be a cultural celebration. “I would like to thank Commonwealth Games Scotland for their hard work and dedication to produce a viable proposal for Glasgow 2026 – and to the Commonwealth Games Federation and Commonwealth Games Australia for their assistance in helping to secure the Games. I believe this epitomises the Commonwealth spirit and willingness to work together. “While Glasgow 2026 will look quite different to previous Games, we can, and we must, use this as an opportunity to work collaboratively to ensure that this new concept brings a strong and sustainable future for the Games. The Scottish Government is committed to playing its part in building that new vision.” It is hoped that the new Commonwealth Games model, where some sports are cut if costs rise, will lead to a wider selection of host cities in the future, including among Global South countries. The UK Government has agreed to provide a ringfenced contingency funding of up to £2.3m that can be accessed if existing budget funds and contingency have been exceeded and all efforts to reduce costs have been exhausted, he said. The multi-sport event is held every four years across Commonwealth countries, with Birmingham the most recent host city in 2022. Edinburgh hosted the Games in 1970 and 1986. Scottish secretary Ian Murray said: “It’s fantastic news that the Commonwealth Games Federation has formally confirmed Glasgow as the host city of the 2026 Commonwealth Games. “This is good news for the Commonwealth Games and yet another opportunity for Glasgow and Scotland to demonstrate their ability to put on world-class sporting events. “There will be a great competitive programme across 10 sports, and I, for one, can’t wait to see our talented Scottish athletes in action in front of a home crowd. “The UK Government has actively supported the proposal to bring the 2026 Games to Glasgow, and is providing up to £2.3m contingency towards security costs. This is a great example of the UK and Scottish governments working together to deliver for Scotland.” Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken also welcomed news of the official declaration. She said: “The 2026 Games are an opportunity to set out a new blueprint for the future of sustainable, accessible Commonwealth sport – and it should come as no surprise that the organisers believe Glasgow is the place they can make that happen. “Our city has a track record that is second to none when it comes to staging major events – and, in particular, working with organisers to make sure new competitions and formats get off to the best possible start. “Glasgow benefitted greatly from hosting the Games in 2014 and officials have shared expertise and experience with both Commonwealth Games Scotland and the Commonwealth Games Federation as they have developed their plans for 2026. “These Games will be, by design, different from those the Glasgow hosted a decade ago – but the city will play…

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Boniface survives car crash in Germany

Super Eagles’ striker Victor Boniface has reportedly survived a ghastly car crash in Germany. The Bayer Leverkusen of Germany player posted a video of the damaged car on his Instagram Stories on Sunday. The unfortunate incident occurred after the striker, who has been in scintillating form since joining the German club in the summer of 2023, scored the winning goal for his team as the Bundesliga champions secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt at the BayArena on Saturday. The video showed one of Boniface’s hands dripping blood after the crash. In the video, the black car sustained significant damage to the right side, with the body severely affected.

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CAF, NFF, Atalanta celebrate Ademola Lookman at 27 

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Serie A giants Atalanta have congratulated Ballon d’Door nominee Ademola Lookman on his 27th birthday. The bodies took turn on their various social media handles to celebrate the midfield maestro.  In its congratulatory message, CAF wrote; “Wishing a very happy birthday to Nigerian superstar, Ademola Lookman!.” In a similar vein, the Nigeria Football Federation also congratulated the player.  “Happy birthday to @NGSuperEagles forward,  @Alookman_” “Lookman made his senior debut in 2015, playing as a forward for Charlton Athletic of the Championship. He signed for Everton in January 2017, where he played mainly as a winger. “Having represented England from under-19 to under-21 levels, Lookman made his senior debut for Nigeria in 2022. “On 4 August 2022, Lookman joined Serie A club Atalanta on a four-year contract for a reported fee of €15 million. Three African players are in contention to win the 2024 men’s and women’s Ballon d’Or, with Nigeria international Ademola Lookman on the 30-man shortlist for the former award.

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Dominican Republic 2024: Flamingos shoot into quarter-finals

Nigeria’s Flamingos continue to prove to the world that their third-place finish at the last edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals was no fluke, as they earned a handsome 4-0 win over Ecuador on Saturday to reach the quarter-finals of this year’s competition in style.  With the 4-1 win over New Zealand in their first match, the Flamingos have scooped maximum six points in their first two matches, with eight goals for and only one against, and are surely in the last eight, ahead of their final group phase encounter against host nation Dominican Republic on Tuesday night. Energetic playmaker Shakirat Moshood, who scored one of the tournament’s fastest goals with her 80-second strike against New Zealand on Wednesday, sent the very busy goalkeeper Maria Rodriguez the wrong way from the penalty spot in the 26th minute, after Captain Taiwo Afolabi was impeded in the box. Pacy forward Peace Effiong, who had seen her shot thwarted by the right leg of Rodriguez in the 18th minute, was disconcerted to see her effort again foiled by the big goalkeeper on the half hour. Harmony Chidi, scorer of 13 goals in the qualifying series, rocked the crossbar just before the half-time whistle as Nigeria, once more, broke forward.  In the second half, Chidi finally found her first goal of the tournament, picking her spot cleverly in the 54th minute to score after a pass by Aishat Animashaun. Peace Effiong took the cue, to also score her first goal of the competition, latching on to a faulty clearance of a backpass by substitute goalkeeper Pozo. Nigeria got her fourth goal in added time, as Moshood picked her spot to lash home after Chidi found her from the right. The Flamingos will take on the host nation on Tuesday night.

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