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Category: Sports

Egypt, Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria Secure Spots for London 2026

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Egypt, Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria Secure Spots for London 2026 By Bunmi Ogunyale African table tennis powerhouses Egypt, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Algeria have officially booked their places at the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships in London, United Kingdom, following dominant performances in their respective groups at the ongoing 2025 ITTF Africa Championships in Tunis. Egypt was the first men’s team to seal qualification, cruising past Togo and Côte d’Ivoire. Nigeria followed with emphatic 3-0 victories over Cameroon and South Africa in Group B. Morocco also advanced from the group after defeating both Cameroon and South Africa, setting up a decisive clash with Nigeria to determine the group leader. Algeria and host nation Tunisia completed the list of qualifiers by topping Groups C and D, respectively. In the women’s category, the pattern mirrored the men’s event, with Egypt, Nigeria, and Algeria securing their tickets to London. Joining them is Uganda’s young and promising squad, marking a significant milestone for the East African nation. From April 28 to May 10, 2026, London will host the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals, a historic edition commemorating 100 years since the founding of both the World Championships and the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) in the British capital. This centenary celebration will bring together 64 teams per gender. Of these, 52 will qualify through continental championships, 11 through world rankings (as of November 2025), and one automatic spot will be reserved for host nation England. The World Championships remain the pinnacle of global table tennis—a stage where legends are born and history is written. The countdown to London 2026 has begun, and the world’s best are preparing to converge for this once-in-a-century homecoming.

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Super Eagles Soar on FIFA Ranking

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Super Eagles Soar on FIFA Ranking By Bunmi Ogunyale Former African Champions, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have moved up four places in this month’s World football governing body, FIFA ranking. With a total of 1495.46 points, the Eric Chelle’s lads are 45th best team in the world. In the latest rankings, Nigeria have also overtaken both the African Champions, Ivory Coast and North African giants, Tunisia and trailing Senegal, Egypt and Algeria. The Nigerian side will aim at making further push up the ladder when they file out at the Continental FIFA World Cup playoffs in November. At the summit, Spain have strengthened their grip on top spot thanks to back-to-back victories, shoring up the position they seized in the previous instalment when they ended Argentina’s reign that stretched back to April 2023. The next edition of the FIFA Men’s World Ranking is slated for 21st of November.

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Cross River Governor Bassey Otu Honours Super Falcons’ Miracle Usani With N50m, Land, and Sports Ambassador Role

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Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has honoured Yakurr-born Miracle Usani, a key defender in the Super Falcons squad that won the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with N50 million, a plot of land in Calabar, and the title of the state’s Sports Ambassador. The announcement was made on Wednesday during a reception at the Government House in Calabar, where Governor Otu lauded Usani for her outstanding performance on the continental stage and her role in promoting women’s football. “We are delighted to celebrate you today. Your dedication and spirit are remarkable. You have shown that women can excel just as much as men, and even beyond. You are now a symbol of pride for Cross River, Nigeria, and Africa,” the governor said. Reflecting on his own experience as a youth athlete, Otu praised the resilience of sportsmen and women and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the state’s sports system to nurture future champions. “Our sports infrastructure faces challenges, but stories like yours inspire confidence in the future. Sports is no longer just a pastime but a serious avenue for economic and social development. Your success should motivate young people across the state,” he added. Presenting the rewards, the governor said, “We have set aside N50 million and a plot of land in Calabar for you. You are now on our VVIP protocol list, and as Sports Ambassador, you will represent Cross River at official events.” Usani, who also plays for Edo Queens F.C. and represented Nigeria at the 2022 FIFA Women’s World Cup, thanked the governor for the recognition and recounted her challenging journey to football success. “My journey was not easy. Growing up, people said girls who play football become masculine and won’t get married. There was no female team in Uke, so I played with boys. But I stayed determined. Today, I’m proud to represent Nigeria and Cross River at the highest level,” she said, dedicating her achievement to God, her parents, and the people of Cross River State. Governor Otu urged continued support for young athletes, promising sustained investment in talent development to ensure the emergence of “many more Miracles” from the state.

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FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup: Flamingos Begin New Adventure Against Canada on Sunday

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It is the Football Academy Mohammed VI (Pitch 2) in Moroccan city of Salé that Nigeria’s U17 women national team, the Flamingos, will on Sunday begin their campaign for this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup against Canada. This will be the second meeting between these two sides at this level – with the first ending in a 1-1 draw. Now, thirteen years later, the stakes are higher, the teams are more evolved, and the Flamingos are ready to show how far they’ve come under Coach Bankole Olowookere. The Flamingos arrived in Rabat full of confidence after a strong preparation phase that saw them play several high-intensity warm-up matches. They recorded double-digit wins, scored freely, and displayed sharp movement and creativity across the final third — hallmarks of Olowookere’s “high-pressing football” philosophy. The girls showed tenacity, depth, and the capacity to react under pressure when they triumphed 3–2 over Paraguay after narrowly losing to New Zealand in one of their test matches. All eyes will now be on their World Cup opener, where discipline, composure, and efficient finishing will be key against a well-organized Canadian side who come into this fixture known for their tactical structure, physical strength, and compact defensive shape. The North Americans have proven tough customers for African teams in past youth tournaments, and Sunday’s clash will test Nigeria’s ability to handle sustained physical pressure while maintaining their attacking rhythm. Nigeria’s ambitions are much more than just advancing from the group. After their impressive run to third place in India in 2022 and quarterfinals in the last edition in the Dominican Republic, the Flamingos are hungry to push further — and a strong opening result against Canada would send a clear message of intent to the rest of Group D, which also includes France and Samoa.

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2026 WAFCON Qualifier: Madugu Lists Ajibade, Nnadozie, 19 Other for Bénin

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Days after the senior men’s national team of Nigeria, Super Eagles, dashed Bénin Republic’s dream of a first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance, the senior women’s team, Super Falcons, are all set to stop their counterparts from the same country from reaching the Women Africa Cup of Nations. Both West African neighbours clash in a final qualifying fixture for the 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations championship to be hosted by Morocco, and which serves as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, to be hosted by Brazil. Ten-time champions Nigeria are the overdogs in this fixture by a country mile. For both encounters, starting with the first leg at the Stade Kegue, Lome (Bénin Republic does not have a CAF-approved venue), Nigeria’s head coach Justine Madugu has called up a total of 21 players, including three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders and six forwards. They include captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who was voted Player of the Tournament at this year’s Women AFCON in Morocco that Nigeria won, and who only on Thursday night scored for her new club (PSG of France) in their UEFA Women Champions League clash with Real Madrid, as well as goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie (Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year for two years running), defender Michelle Alozie and Ashleigh Plumptre, midfielders Jennifer Echegini and Deborah Abiodun, and forwards Asisat Oshoala, Chinwendu Ihezuo and Folashade Ijamilusi. There are also Mexico-based defender Osinachi Ohale, hard-as-nails midfielder Christy Ucheibe, and forward Esther Okoronkwo. The return leg is slated for the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta on Tuesday, 28th October 2025. SUPER FALCONS FOR WAFCON QUALIFYING FIXTURE VS BÉNIN: Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons) Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Abia Angels) Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint Germain, France); Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels); Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal) Forwards: Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjorrin FC, Denmark); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal FC, Saudi Arabia); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens)

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Burkina Faso President Traoré Demands Answers After World Cup Playoff Spot Goes to Nigeria

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Burkina Faso President Ibrahim Traoré has called on the nation’s Football Federation and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to explain why his country was denied a World Cup playoff spot, which instead went to Nigeria. The controversy followed Burkina Faso’s 3–1 win over Ethiopia, a result they believed would secure their qualification. However, CAF applied a rule that discounted points earned against the lowest-ranked team in each group — a measure triggered by Eritrea’s withdrawal — which ultimately benefited Nigeria, who had only drawn twice with Zimbabwe, the bottom-ranked team in their group. The decision reportedly left Traoré angered and seeking answers. Reports say Traoré has requested a full breakdown of the qualification process, particularly after Burkina Faso’s strong finish. The Stallions had played early qualifiers away from home while their Stade du 4 Août was being renovated to meet CAF standards. Upon returning to their home stadium, they recorded crucial victories, only to later learn that Nigeria had advanced instead.

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Wike Mocks Peter Obi, Says He’ll Keep Contesting For President On Social Media

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Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has mocked former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, saying he will remain a “social media presidential candidate” rather than one taken seriously in Nigeria. Wike made the remark on Thursday while commissioning newly constructed roads in the Mabushi District of Abuja, responding to Obi’s recent comments about the poor state of public schools in the FCT. Obi had visited LEA Primary School in Kapwa on Wednesday, where he described the condition of the school as a “national disgrace” and a reflection of the government’s neglect of education. He lamented the lack of chairs, toilets, and other basic facilities, blaming the situation on leadership failure. In a sharp response, Wike accused Obi of politicising the issue and using emotional gestures to gain sympathy on social media. He said his administration was already addressing infrastructure challenges in the FCT, insisting that Obi had no moral ground to criticise anyone’s performance. “I hear one of the social media presidential candidates went to a local school and claimed the government has abandoned public education. His name is Mr Peter Obi. It’s not everything you must play politics with,” Wike said. The minister also took aim at Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State, alleging that he ignored key infrastructure projects during his eight-year tenure. “Peter Obi, you were governor for eight years. If you had completed all the necessary work in Anambra, nobody would still be talking about development there today. And why did you fall out with your successor?” Wike questioned. He further compared Obi’s tenure to his own record in Abuja, saying: “We’ve only been in office for two years. You served eight years. Compare what we’ve done in two years in the FCT to what you did in Anambra in eight years. Can you really say you love this country or Ndi Anambra? Certainly not.” Wike concluded with a taunt: “You will continue to contest for President on social media, but never as President of Nigeria. You couldn’t manage your own party, yet you want to manage a country of over 200 million people. It’s not possible for people like you.”  

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FIFA Confirms U.S. Government Controls 2026 World Cup Safety Decisions Following Trump Comments

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FIFA has clarified that the U.S. government will have the final authority on safety issues for the 2026 World Cup host cities, responding to President Donald Trump’s comments suggesting matches could be relocated. Trump earlier this week said FIFA President Gianni Infantino could “very easily” move games from designated host cities if asked. His remarks followed violent incidents in South Boston, where he criticized local conditions and hinted at pulling matches from Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium if officials “don’t clean up their act.” A FIFA spokesperson told Field Level Media, “Safety and security are the top priorities at all FIFA events worldwide. Safety and security are obviously the governments’ responsibility, and they decide what is in the best interest for public safety. We hope every one of our 16 host cities will be ready to successfully host and fulfill all necessary requirements.” Trump also singled out Seattle and San Francisco as “dangerous” cities, prompting concerns that political pressure could affect venue selections just eight months before the tournament. FIFA, however, declined to comment on any specific cities or stadiums mentioned by the president.  

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