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Category: Soccer

Poland 2026: Senegal’s Lionesses de Téranga Train in Abeokuta for Falconets

Fola Badmus06 mins

The opponents of Nigeria’s U20 Women National Team, Falconets, in Saturday’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup third round, first leg qualifying match, Senegal’s U20 girls, have arrived in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.   A delegation of the Lionesses de Téranga flew into Lagos on Tuesday night and were immediately driven by bus to the Ogun State capital, with the team scheduled to have their first training session on Wednesday evening.   The Confederation of African Football has appointed officials from Uganda and Burundi to take charge of Saturday’s encounter, which is the first leg of the penultimate round of the qualifiers, with the winner on aggregate to confront the winner of the Guinea Bissau/Malawi fixture for a place at the final tournament in Poland later this year.   Ugandan Diana Murungi will be the referee, with her compatriots Immaculate Ongiera and Elizabeth Nassolo as assistant referees 1 and 2. Suavis Iratunga from Burundi will be the fourth official.   In the role of commissioner is Ghanaian Christine Ziga, while Berthe Minka from Gabon will be the referee assessor. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX   Records at stake as Assar, Goda headline 2026 ITTF Africa Cup Egyptian table tennis stars Omar Assar and Hana Goda will be putting their records on the line when the 2026 ITTF Africa Cup serves off in Benghazi, Libya, from February 7 to 9. The annual continental championship, which also serves as a qualifier for the 2026 ITTF World Cup, is organised by the African Table Tennis Federation (ITTF Africa) in collaboration with the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), and hosted by the Libyan Table Tennis Federation (LTTF) at the iconic Al Nasr Sports Club. Assar, who is men’s No. 1 seed, enters the tournament as the most successful player in the men’s singles, with six titles to his name—Yaoundé 2015, Nairobi 2018, Lagos 2019, Lagos 2022, Nairobi 2023, and Tunis 2025. His closest rival, Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna, has won five editions, including the most recent in Kigali 2024. Since his semifinal loss to Aruna at the 2020 Africa Cup in Tunis, Assar has remained unbeaten at the Africa Cup, cementing his dominance with back to back victories in Lagos, Nairobi, and Tunis. In Benghazi, he will once again face the challenge of Aruna, as well as rising compatriot Youssef Abdelaziz, who is steadily establishing himself among Africa’s elite. For Hana Goda, the women’s No. 1 seed, the journey began at just 14 when she stunned the continent by winning her first Africa Cup women’s title in Lagos 2022, becoming the youngest champion in the tournament’s history. She faltered in Kigali 2024, losing 4–0 in the semifinals to compatriot Mariam Alhodaby, but bounced back in Tunis 2025 to reclaim her crown by defeating Africa’s most decorated player, Dina Meshref, who holds a record nine titles. Now 18, Goda is determined to follow in Meshref’s footsteps and add to her growing collection of titles. In Libya, she will face stiff competition from Meshref and Alhodaby, as well as Nigeria’s Fatimo Bello, a finalist in Lagos 2022. Tunisia’s Ela Saidi, who impressed in 2025, is also expected to be a strong contender. With Africa’s finest players converging on Benghazi, the 2026 Africa Cup promises high drama and fierce battles. For Assar and Goda, it is not just about defending records—it is about cementing their legacies as the faces of African table tennis.

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CAF African Schools Football Championship: CAF Officials Conclude Inspection of Facilities

Fola Badmus04 mins

A seven-person team of inspectors from the Confederation of African Football on Wednesday concluded the assessment of facilities that Nigeria is putting up to host the Final Phase of the 2025/26 CAF African Schools Football Championship.   The delegation, led by Omar Amr (Safeguarding), evaluated available facilities and equipment at the Remo Stars Sports Institute, the FC Ebedei Stadium and facilities and equipment within, the Babcock University Teaching Hospital and the Babcock University Guest House.   The CAF African Schools Football Championship, launched four years ago, is an annual U15 tournament with the objective of developing youth football and promoting education across the African continent. It is supported by a $10 million investment from the Foundation owned by CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, and features zonal qualifiers leading to the continental final tournament.   Amr told NFF officials and the management of Remo Stars Sports Institute that a total of 24 teams are expected at what will be the biggest CAF African Football Championship Final Phase since the competition started in 2022. There will be eight boys’ teams and eight girls’ teams from across the continent, with eight other teams to be invited from another confederation of FIFA.   CAF officials Omar Amr (Safeguarding), Fatima Elmissaoui (ASFC officer), Herve Dassoundo (Marketing & Branding), Mahmoud Amer ((Travel/Logistics), Diabate Zakarhiya (Safety & Security), Hend Thabet (Travel & Accommodation), and the Executive Director of WAFU B, Philippe Tchere conducted the inspection that took place on Tuesday and Wednesday. NFF officials led by Dr Ademola Olajire and Coach Abdulrafiu Yusuf were joined by Mrs Oyinkansola Ajibola (GM, Beyond Limits Football Academy) and Mr. Michael Onikute to conduct the inspectors round the facilities.   The 2024 finals were held in Accra, Ghana where Tanzania’s boys and Ghana’s girls emerged victorious. Winners receive up to $300,000 in infrastructural development, and the tournament involves partnerships with organizations like United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO), for health education.   The Final Phase of the 2025/26 CAF African Football Championship is slated for the month of April.   At the end of their assessment, the inspectors minced no words in stating how impressed they were with the facilities, with a member telling the President of Remo Stars FC and proprietor of the Institute, Hon. Kunle Soname that the facility remains the best he has ever seen in the whole of West Africa.

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Attractive Football Matters More Than Trophies to Me – Liverpool Boss Arne Slot

Wale busari03 mins

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has said that playing exciting, entertaining football is more important to him than simply winning trophies at Anfield. Speaking during The Reds Roundtable, the Dutch coach reflected on last season’s Premier League title triumph, noting that the team’s style of play brought him as much fulfilment as lifting the trophy itself. Slot explained that while managers are often judged by silverware, his greatest satisfaction comes from producing football that fans genuinely enjoy watching. “You can win the league, the Champions League, the FA Cup or the League Cup, but the biggest thing you can win is playing the nicest football to watch,” he said. He acknowledged that some supporters may disagree with his viewpoint but insisted that his philosophy remains unchanged, stressing his desire for possession-based, high-intensity football that excites the crowd. “I always want to have the ball, I want intensity, and I want the fans to like what they see,” Slot added. The Liverpool boss admitted that failing to entertain supporters during matches frustrates him more than poor results or league standings. “That bothers me the most — even more than results or the league table — when not all our fans feel we are a joy to watch throughout the game,” he said. Slot also showed empathy toward fan criticism, admitting he often shares their frustrations. “I understand them, because I agree with them,” he noted. While he recognises the importance of trophies, Slot believes a club’s identity and philosophy ultimately matter more in the long run. “Trophies are important, but being a team or a club that stands for something — especially good football — is, in the long term, worth even more,” he concluded.

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Ademola Lookman Joins Atletico Madrid

Fola Badmus02 mins

Nigeria international Ademola Lookman has officially joined Atletico Madrid from Atalanta.   Lookman has joined Atletico Madrid from Atalanta, as the two clubs confirmed with official statements on Monday.   Lookman had travelled to the Spanish capital to undergo medical tests on Sunday and has now completed a permanent transfer to the Wanda Metropolitano.   Atletico Madrid said Lookman had signed a contract until June 2030.   Lookman scored 55 goals in 137 games with Atalanta, including a historic hat-trick in the 2024 Europa League Final, which allowed La Dea to beat Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 and claim their first UEFA trophy.   Lookman spent the last three and a half years at Atalanta.   “The Percassi family, the Pagliuca family, and the entire Club bid farewell to Ademola, thanking him and wishing him every success in the future,” said the Serie A side.   Lookman had recently returned to Atalanta from Nigeria international duty for AFCON.   He scored three goals and provided two assists in 19 appearances with La Dea this season.   According to several sources, Atalanta have earned €35m plus potential €5m add-ons from Lookman’s transfer, while the striker will earn €7m per season at his new club.   Atalanta and Atletico Madrid practically swapped strikers in the January window as La Dea had previously signed Giacomo Raspadori from the Colchoneros.  

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Tochukwu Nnadi Joins Olympique Marseille

Fola Badmus03 mins

Olympique de Marseille has announced the arrival of Nigerian international Tochukwu Nnadi from SV Zulte Waregem.   At 22, Tochukwu Nnadi is establishing himself as one of Africa’s rising stars in midfield. Born on 30 June 2003 in Ihiagwa, Imo State, Nigeria, he began his local training at Campos FC before honing his skills at the Madenat Alamal Football Academy in Dubai, a move that opened the doors to European football.   In August 2021, after a successful trial, Tochukwu Nnadi signed his first professional contract with Botev Plovdiv in Bulgaria. He made his league debut on 3 April 2022 against champions Ludogorets and is gradually establishing himself as a reliable midfielder, combining creativity with defensive rigour.   His rise continued at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup. A starter in every game, he played a key role for Nigeria in notable victories against Italy and Argentina, revealing his maturity at the highest level of junior football.   In January 2024, Tochukwu Nnadi took another step forward by joining SV Zulte Waregem in Belgium. His consistent performances in the more demanding Pro League attracted attention, making him one of his team’s most prominent midfielders.   On the international stage, his progress was rapid. After his performances for the U20s, he was selected for Nigeria’s senior team for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where he celebrated his first cap with the Super Eagles, symbolising his transition to the highest level in Africa.   Tochukwu Nnadi thus embodies a new face of Nigerian football: versatile, technically skilled and already capable of making an impact in competitive environments. His career is still in its early stages, but he is already showing signs of a promising future, both at club level and with the Super Eagles.

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Coventry City Close to Frank Onyeka Move

Fola Badmus02 mins

Coventry City are closing in on the signing of Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka in the final days of transfer window. According to Sky Sports, Coventry are ‘close’ to finalising a deal to sign the Nigeria international following weeks of speculation. The report claimed the final decision regarding the move rests with Onyeka. And the report added the deal will likely be an initial loan with an obligation to buy if Coventry achieve promotion to the Premier League. Other clubs including Birmingham City, Sheffield United and Valencia have reportedly shown an interest in the midfielder. The 28-year-old helped Nigeria reach the semi-finals of this year’s AFCON where they lost to hosts Morocco on penalties. Onyeka has made just six appearances for the Bees in all competitions this season.   He spent the 2024/25 campaign on loan at FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga.   The central midfielder has made 75 appearances for Brentford in the Premier League across five seasons. He started his career in Denmark at Midtjylland where he scored 14 goals in 95 appearances.

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CAF African Schools Football Championship: CAF Officials to Inspect Ikenne, Sagamu Facilities

Fola Badmus02 mins

Officials from the Confederation of African Football will arrive in Nigeria on Monday to inspect facilities that Nigeria is putting up to host this year’s CAF African Schools Football Championship Final Phase.   The CAF African Schools Football Championship, launched four years ago, is an annual U15 tournament with the objective of developing youth football and promoting education across the African continent. It is supported by a $10 million investment from the Foundation owned by CAF President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, and features zonal qualifiers leading to the continental final tournament.   The competition is for both boys and girls. The 2024 finals were held in Accra, Ghana where Tanzania’s boys and Ghana’s girls emerged victorious. Winners receive up to $300,000 in infrastructural development, and the tournament involves partnerships with organizations like United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organization (WHO), for health education.   CAF officials Omar Amr (Safeguarding), Fatima Elmissaoui (ASFC officer), Herve Dassoundo (Marketing & Branding), Mahmoud Amer ((Travel/Logistics), Diabate Zakarhiya (Safety & Security), Hend Thabet (Travel & Accommodation), Joshua Knipp (ASFC Competition) and the Executive Director of WAFU B, Philippe Tchere will inspect proposed competition and ancillary venues in Ikenne-Remo and Sagamu on Tuesday, 3rd February and Wednesday, 4th February 2026.   Focus will be on the Remo Stars Stadium and training pitches in Ikenne-Remo, the FC Ebedei Stadium and training pitches in Sagamu, as well as hospitals and hotel facilities within these two towns.

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Poland 2026: Falconets Show Fighting Spirit in Win over FC Robo

Fola Badmus02 mins

Nigeria’s U-20 Women National Team, the Falconets, continued their build-up to the first-leg encounter against Senegal with a 2–1 victory over Nigeria Women Premier League top team, FC Robo in a friendly match played in Ibadan.   As earlier reported, the Falconets arrived in Ibadan on Monday, 27 January 2026, to intensify preparations for the crucial fixture scheduled for Saturday, 7 February 2026, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan. The friendly match against FC Robo formed part of the technical crew’s assessment programme aimed at testing the team’s performance, tactical execution, and match fitness ahead of the upcoming tie.   Reacting after the encounter, Head Coach Moses Aduku expressed satisfaction with the outcome while noting areas for improvement. “So far, so good. We won the game, but there are still little adjustments to be made in the team ahead of Saturday’s game against the Senegalese.   “However, there were positives, especially the fighting spirit. The way the girls responded to score the winning goal was very encouraging. It showed character, resilience, and the determination not to relent in our quest to qualify.”

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