Ikorodu City Football Club of Lagos has announced the signing of new centre back Somto Nnoli. Somto joins from Royal Trust Football Club and will look to help shore up the defense of the side in the new football season. The centre back, who can also feature as a defensive midfielder, joined the Premier League new entrant on a two year deal till 2026.
Sporting Lagos FC goalkeeper Christian Nwoke has joined Danish second division side, Aarhus Fremad on a loan deal. The Lagos-based club posted this on its social media fields on Friday. The posted stated; Sporting Lagos and Aarhus Fremad are excited to announce the loan of goalkeeper Christian Nwoke. “This move is a significant milestone in our partnership and a glimpse of what’s to come, as we stay committed to being a pathway for nurturing talent. “And we couldn’t be prouder that Christian, with his standout performances — from season-defining penalty saves to game-changing moments — is leading the way. “Have a great one, Spiderman!” Aarhus Fremad plays in the Danish 2nd Division, the third tier of the Danish football league system. The club competed in the lower divisions of Danish football until 1997, when the club miraculously reached the Danish Superliga after nine promotions in 13 seasons.
Randy Waldrum has resigned as the coach of the Super Falcons. In a letter dated September 12th, Waldrum cited health issues with his wife as the reason for his resignation from the job. “It’s been a very difficult few weeks following the Olympics, with my wife’s health issues, and the worries that obviously come with that. “After much thought and consideration, I am hereby resigning my position as Head Coach of the Super Falcons. “This will allow the NFF ample time to find the next manager to take over this incredible squad,” Waldrum stated. Waldrum was appointed the head coach of Nigeria women’s national team on October 5, 2020, barely three years after turning down the role.
Reigning vice champions Japan edged Nigeria 2-1 in the Round of 16 at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in Colombia on Friday morning, ending the promising journey of the Falconets. A goal in each half, first by Miyu Matsunaga and then by Maya Hijikata, meant that Olushola Shobowale’s composed finish one minute into time-added-on was too little too late in driving rain at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota. The tenacious Maya Hijikata came close in the 13th minute, almost capitalizing as goalkeeper Faith Omilana came out to punch the ball from a cross, but Comfort Folorunsho was on the line to rescue the situation. Japan’s famed electric pace and clever flicks and chips were countered by Nigeria’s fit-fighting approach and positional play. But in the 18thminute, Japan came close again when Uno Shiragaki and Manaka Matsukubo missed getting a touch on the ball as Rio Sasaki carved open Nigeria’s defence from a free kick on the right. The East Asians would go in front in the 33rdminute, as Matsunaga headed home a cross by Rihona Ujihara. Four minutes before the break, Nigeria could have levelled when Rofiat Imuran’s in-swinger from the left rattled goalkeeper Akana Okuma, but Maya Hijikata cleared the ball off the line. Hijikata made it two for Japan in the 66th minute when she drove the ball into the net after a cross from the right by Chinari Sasai. Omilana punched over fierce shots by Matsunaga and Suzu Amano in the 77th and 86th minute respectively, but Nigeria made it a tense finish when Shobowale coolly slotted in a cross from the left by substitute Goodness Osigwe. Japan will face Spain in the quarter-finals, in a re-match of the final match of the last edition in Costa Rica two years ago.
The Chinese Football Association has imposed a life ban on 38 football players and five club officials for match-fixing, gambling and bribery after a two-year investigation. Former Chinese internationals Jin Jingdao, Guo Tianyu and Gu Chao, as well as South Korean player Son Jun-ho were among those barred, for the rest of their lives, from taking part in any football-related activities in China. Zhang Xiaopeng, a senior official from the Ministry of Public Security, told a press conference in Dalian on September 10 that the investigation uncovered 120 fixed matches and implicated 128 criminal suspects and 41 football clubs, according to Xinhua News Agency. Zhang explained that “the Ministry of Public Security reported the details of the first batch of 61 people involved in the cases to the General Administration of Sport of China and the CFA” and among them, 44 individuals faced criminal penalties for bribery, gambling, and the illegal opening of casinos, while 17 others were found to have engaged in bribery and match-fixing. The CFA President Song Kai confirmed that 43 of the 44 facing criminal penalties had been banned for life from football-related activities, and 17 others, consisting of 15 players and two club officials, received five-year bans. Shen Liuxi, a former Hangzhou Greentown player, was not in the lifetime ban list because he had already received the same sanction in 2013. In the latest investigation, he was found guilty of opening illegal casinos. An international player is also among those given five-year bans; Cameroonian Ewolo Donovan, who played for Heilongjiang Ice City. South Korean player Son was in detention for 10 months in China before he was released in March and returned to his country, where he currently plays for Suwon. His agent Park Dae-yeon said it was “ridiculous” to accuse his client of match-fixing and that they would hold a press conference “to say everything we have to say”. Suwon’s sporting director, Choi Soon-ho, said they would continue to field Son unless ordered not to do so because the CFA ruling “doesn’t apply to us”. Choi said: “He vehemently denied bribery charges when he signed with us and I respect that.” A statement from the CFA read: “According to the facts found by the judicial authorities, Son Jun-ho, a former player of Shandong Taishan FC, participated in illegal transactions, manipulated football matches and obtained illegal gains to seek inlawful benefits. His actions seriously violated sports ethics and sportsmanship, causing significant negative social impact. In March this year, a former chairman of the CFA was sentenced to life in prison. Five months later in August, a former vice president of the association was sentenced to 11 years in prison for accepting bribes, and a former director of the competition department was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for the same offence.
English Championship side Luton Town have announced the signing of free agent Victor Moses on a permanent contract, subject to international clearance. The 33-year-old former Nigeria international has most recently been playing his football in Russia with Spartak Moscow, who he joined in 2021 after a successful loan spell from Chelsea in the 2020/21 campaign. Born in Kaduna, Nigeria, Victor came to the UK as a boy and played for England from Under-16 to U21 while coming through the ranks at Crystal Palace, where he made 69 appearances and scored 11 goals for the then-Championship club. He stepped up to the Premier League with a £2.5m move to Wigan Athletic in January 2010, netting nine times in 80 appearances before Chelsea paid £9m to sign him in the summer of 2012. Moses was part of the squad that won the Europa League in 2012/13, but spent much of his nine years as a Chelsea player out on loan, playing for European giants Liverpool and Inter Milan, as well as domestically for West Ham and Stoke and in Turkey with Fenerbahce. In his time at Stamford Bridge, he made 128 appearances for the Blues, scoring 18 goals, and won the Premier League and FA Cup in successive years in 2017 and 2018, before moving permanently to Spartak for £4.5m in 2021, where he also won the Russian Cup. Manager Rob Edwards said: “Victor is one we’ve been talking to for quite a while. He trained with us last week and played 60 minutes in a behind closed doors game, and we made a decision because we think he’s able to come in and help us. “He gives us more strength in depth and versatility, because he’s someone who can play both sides or as a number ten. “He’s played for so many different clubs in different ways and shapes, and under different managers, so he’s tactically aware. We think he’s someone who can provide some really good competition for us. “I don’t want to put too much pressure on him and expect too much too soon. He’s not going to come in and start the games straight away. He’s got to get used to what we do and how we play, but he’s fit, he’s able to come in and affect it now, and he definitely makes the squad stronger.” Including 38 caps for Nigeria and 29 for the England age groups, Victor’s career spans almost 550 matches, 84 goals, and boasts appearances in two World Cups, the Africa Cup of Nations, Champions League and Europa League, a tournament in which he played in the 2019/20 final for Inter Milan, losing 3-2 to Sevilla. “He’s someone who we can learn from as well,” adds Rob. “He’s won a Premier League title under Antionio Conte playing in a similar sort of role to what we ask some of our lads to do, so we’ll be able to pick his brains. “He’s had a fantastic career, been there and done it. He’s got an amazing CV. But alongside that he’s a really good lad, a quiet, unassuming, down to earth person. “What tells you about his humility is that he’s been willing to come in, basically on trial with us, to show how hungry he is to play for Luton Town. We are really excited about working with him.” Victor was equally excited after putting pen to paper and claiming squad number seven with the Hatters. “I’m looking forward to it,” said Victor in his first interview with LTFC+. “I had a few offers from Europe, but I said to my agent that I set my mind on staying over here, and here we are. I’m very pleased and honoured to be at this club and I just can’t wait to get going. “I spoke to Rob before I came, I spoke to the directors and they told me the plan and the history of the club, and I just want to be part of the success. “I want to come here and enjoy my football, work hard for the club and for the team, and get back to where we belong in the Premier League.”
Nigeria and Rwanda stifled themselves to a scoreless draw at a refurbished Amahoro Stadium in Kigali on Tuesday, but the Super Eagles retain leadership of their qualifying group courtesy of the 3-0 whiplash of Benin Republic in Uyo on Saturday. Libya’s Mediterranean Knights, playing the Cheetahs in Abidjan some hours later, would only be able to dislodge the Eagles if they won by three goals. The draw was typical of two earlier encounters between both teams in Kigali, as Nigeria forced a 1-1 draw in a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying match also at the Amahoro, and both teams drew 0-0 in a 2013 AFCON qualifier at the Stade Regional de Nyamirambo. Coach Augustine Eguavoen made only one change from the squad that started against the Cheetahs, with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru taking the place of Alex Iwobi. Defender Bruno Onyemaechi should have put Nigeria ahead after only three minutes, but he miscued his shot after a great pass by Ademola Lookman. Two minutes later, midfielder Wiflred Ndidi’s shot went straight to goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari. Bonheur Mugisha and Kevin Muhire took turns harassing the Super Eagles’ defence as the game wore on, but Nigeria could have been up by a goal after 22 minutes as Lookman headed into the net. But Moroccan referee Karim Sabry ruled that a Nigerian player had pushed a defender in the build-up. Victor Boniface wasted a glorious opportunity in the 25th minute, and in the 37th minute, Onyemaechi failed to capitalize as Boniface’s shot rocked the upright and bounced back into play. Four minutes to half time, Onyemaechi, getting into scoring positions easily, headed wide when he received a cross from the right by Olaoluwa Aina. Eight minutes into the second half, substitute Moses Simon’s shot from William Ekong’s floater was blocked by an imperious Ntwari. Jojea Kwizera could have put the Wasps in front on 68th minutes as the home boys broke forward, but his shot flew away from goal. With 19 minutes left, Lookman was almost celebrating a goal, only to see his volley from Aina’s cross punched out by Ntwari. Mugisha, undaunted, unleashed a rocket from 22 yards with two minutes, but goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali punched into safety. Substitute Raphael Onyedika could have struck in the 89th minute, but again, Ntwari was on hand to block his shot, just as he held firmly to the ball from substitute Victor Osimhen’s header in added time. The Eagles will next confront the Mediterranean Knights of Libya at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, mid-October.
Ghana managed a point against Niger in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier after throwing away a first half lead to draw 1-1 with the Menas at the Municipal Stadium in Berkane, Morocco. Alidu Seidu put Ghana ahead just before the half-time whistle but Niger equalised through Oumar Sako to claim a point. Otto Addo made two changes to the starting line-up for the game as Majeed Ashimeru and Inaki Williams took the place of Elisha Owusu and Jordan Ayew. The backline was unchanged – Tariq Lamptey, Alidu Seidu played as full backs with Salisu Mohammed and Abdul Mumin partnering in central defense. Captain Thomas Partey led from the heart of the pitch alongside Majeed Ashimreu and Mohammed Kudus while Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Antoine Semenyo and Inaki Williams operate in the front three. The Black Stars took the lead in the 35th minute through an unlikely source after Alidu Seidu smashed home from 35 yards for the opening goal. Ghana went into the break with a slim margin and came from the break looking to add to the tally – but Otto Addo’s side failed to create any clear-cut chances and were ultimately punished by Oumar Sako in the 81st minute following a goalmouth melee. The introduction of Jordan Ayew and Brandon Thomas-Asante added very little to Ghana’s attacking threat as Niger held on for a draw. Ghana remain winless in Group F of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers after one draw and one loss in their two games in Group F.
