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FIFA Club Professionalisation and Management Program Begins in Abuja

Our Reporters1 week ago1 week ago03 mins

A two-day FIFA Club Professionalisation and Management Programme workshop began in the Federal Capital, Abuja on Tuesday with President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON) charging the participants to devote attention to the various sessions in order to improve their wisdom, knowledge and understanding towards improving the lot of the country’s domestic game. “The Nigeria Football Federation has been intentional in impressing it on the Clubs that they must work hard towards financial sustainability, and generally contribute to making the football ecosystem better for all stakeholders to be proud of the industry. “This workshop will go a long way in getting the message across in more profound manner, that the leagues and club football are the lifeblood of a nation’s sport, and that significant contributions to the Gross Domestic Product of our country can only happen through the activities and the gravitas that the leagues and clubs are able to establish to generate direct, indirect and induced income.” Gusau’s message was delivered by the NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi (MON), who also implored the participants to be ready to implement the knowledge that they stand to gain in the two-day workshop for the good of the nation’s game. The vice chairman of Nigeria Premier Football League board, Alhaji Mohammed Nasir Saidu, represented the NPFL Chairman, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, who is also the NFF 2nd Vice President. Participants include Chairmen and CEOs of the 20 Clubs in the Nigeria Premier Football League, Chairmen and CEOs of the NPFL, NNL, NWFL and the NLO, as well as some top officials of the NFF. The sessions on Tuesday focused on strategic planning and finance. Wednesday’s sessions will be on governance and commercial and marketing.

Int’l Friendly: Super Falcons Daze Lionesses in Abeokuta

Our Reporters1 week ago1 week ago01 mins

Women Africa Cup of Nations-bound Nigeria sailed over Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses in a friendly encounter at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta on Tuesday. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade scored both goals, first in the 28th minute from the penalty spot, and then in the 43rd minute after capitalizing on a swift team move, assisted by Rinsola Babajide. Coach Justine Madugu said the victory is a good psychological boost for his squad as they continue preparations for the 13th Women AFCON taking place in Morocco, 5th – 26th July. Nigeria will be aiming for a 10th triumph in the competition, having won the trophy nine times since it was launched as a tournament in 1998. The Super Falcons also won in 1991 and 1995, when it was staged only as home-and-away FIFA World Cup qualifying games.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Future Uncertain as Al-Nassr Push for New Deal Amid Transfer Rumours

Our Reporters2 weeks ago2 weeks ago02 mins

By [Kamal Yalwa] The future of football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has become a hot topic of speculation as the summer transfer window kicks off, with his contract at Al-Nassr set to expire on 30 June 2025. Reports have swirled about the potential next chapter for the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who remains one of the most marketable and iconic figures in global football even at 40 years old. Rumours have linked Ronaldo with several clubs, including Wydad Casablanca and Botafogo, both reportedly keen to secure his services ahead of the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. There has also been talk of a sensational switch to Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr’s fierce rivals in the Saudi Pro League—a move that would undoubtedly shake up the Saudi football landscape. Renowned football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has shed light on the situation, reporting that Al-Nassr are actively working to keep Ronaldo at the club. “Al-Nassr are set to present their plan to Cristiano Ronaldo hoping to get new deal sorted,” Romano shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account. While the details of Al-Nassr’s offer remain undisclosed, it is clear that the club is eager to extend their partnership with Ronaldo, who has been a major draw in the Saudi Pro League both on and off the pitch. Fans around the world eagerly await confirmation of Ronaldo’s next move, as the summer transfer window promises more drama and intrigue surrounding the future of the football icon.

FIFA Club Management Program Berths in Nigeria

Our Reporters2 weeks ago2 weeks ago03 mins

Officials of world football-ruling body, FIFA, have arrived in Nigeria to superintend a two-day workshop for chairmen and chief operating officers of Nigeria’s football leagues and premier league clubs, taking place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel on Tuesday, 3rd June and Wednesday, 4th June 2025. The workshop is geared towards taking a critical look into the management model of Nigeria football clubs and the leagues, with the purpose of opening new vistas and insights in proper governance, improving commercial viability and broadening the world-view of the administrators to drive their teams towards real growth and sustainability. A total of 40 persons are expected from the 20 Nigeria Premier Football League clubs (Chairman and CEO of each club), with the Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers of the Nigeria Premier Football League, Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women Football League and the Nigeria Nationwide League One also to take part. President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, will lead a small team from the Federation, alongside the NFF 2nd Vice President, Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye and the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi. FIFA’s delegation is led by El Hadji Wack Diop, Head of FIFA Regional Office for West and Central Africa, and includes Rasoamahenina Sanda Manonisoa, Marcos Piccalo, Federico Perez, Javier Sobrino and Laurent Colette. Colette is a former managing director of French top club Olympique de Marseille, while Sobrino is a former chief strategy and innovation officer of Spain’s leading club, FC Barcelona. Each of the 20 NPFL clubs is expected to submit a document indicating a clear pathway to financial autonomy, while taking good advantage of the history and assets of the clubs to grow them into global brands. The sessions will offer nuggets on strategic planning, finance, commercial and marketing, and governance.

Int’l Friendly: Injuries, Withdrawals Alter Chelle’s Army to Face Russia

Our Reporters2 weeks ago2 weeks ago04 mins

A number of withdrawals and injuries to some players have combined to alter the list of players who will appear for Nigeria in Friday’s international friendly match in Moscow, from the original list drawn up by Super Eagles’ Head Coach Eric Chelle. The goalkeeping sector is unaffected as first choice Stanley Nwabali was not listed for the trip in the first place, as a result of the upcoming burial rites for his late parents. Italy-based Maduka Okoye and Tanzania-based Amas Obasogie will still fight for the goal-tender’s starting shirt. In the rearguard, captain William Ekong is in Moscow alongside Bright Osayi-Samuel, joining the Unity Cup trio of Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi and Igoh Ogbu. However, Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina excused himself from the friendly, and Coach Chelle has had to draft in the Unity Cup duo of Sodiq Ismaila and Benjamin Fredericks. Former junior international Fredericks impressed on his debut against Jamaica on Saturday. In the midfield, injury to Wilfred Ndidi has handed Enugu Rangers’ ace Saviour Isaac the opportunity to shine. Isaac is a key member of the Eagles B, which will participate in the African Nations Championship finals in August. He will join Frank Onyeka, Raphael Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Christantus Uche and Papa Daniel Mustapha to fight for shirts in the middle of the pack. At the fore, Unity Cup ace Samuel Chukwueze, and Kelechi Iheanacho, have excused themselves to attend to family matters, while Spain-based Sadiq Umar has suffered an injury. Nathan Tella’s United Kingdom passport is undergoing a renewal process, so he is unable to travel. This situation has left Chelle with only Victor Boniface, Simon Moses and Tolu Arokodare in the attack, and he has had to call up Russia-based former junior international Olakunle Olusegun, who plays for Krasnodar FC. The team, which arrived in Moscow on Monday, will begin training sessions on Tuesday. The match will take place at the 78,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium, which is the largest football stadium in Russia and the ninth-largest in the whole of Europe. SUPER EAGLES FOR RUSSIA FRIENDLY: Goalkeepers: Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania) Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiacos FC, Greece); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Igoh Ogbu (SK Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars); Benjamin Fredericks (Brentford FC, England) Midfielders: Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC, Italy); Chrisantus Uche (Getafe CF, Spain); Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes); Saviour Isaac (Enugu Rangers) Forwards: Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Simon Moses (FC Nantes, France); Tolu Arokodare (KRC Genk, Belgium); Olakunle Olusegun (Krasnodar FC, Russia)

Champions League Final: Expect PSG to Dominate Possession, but Inter Could Still Prevail

Our Reporters2 weeks ago2 weeks ago32 mins

In the build-up to Saturday’s UEFA Champions League final, one prediction seems almost certain: Paris Saint-Germain will dominate possession against Inter Milan. PSG have averaged 60.1% possession across 16 matches this season — higher than any team except Manchester City and Bayern Munich. Inter, by contrast, have controlled just 47% of the ball, ranking below 22 of the 36 teams in the competition’s league phase. However, as history shows, possession doesn’t guarantee victory. Manchester City’s Champions League campaigns in previous years serve as a reminder, and the 2022 final — when Liverpool, favourites over Real Madrid, lost despite dominating the ball — is a cautionary tale. The odds at ESPN BET give PSG a 60% chance of lifting their first European Cup, while Inter have a 40% chance of claiming a fourth title. Inter’s strategy will likely mirror Madrid’s in 2022: sit deep, absorb pressure, and rely on key moments of brilliance to decide the match. PSG will keep the ball, but Inter’s counter-attacking prowess could prove decisive. As the football world counts down to the final in Istanbul, attention turns to the stars who could define the night. In that spirit, we’ll rank the 30 best players set to shape this season’s Champions League final — a showcase of talent, strategy, and the fine margins that separate triumph from heartbreak.

Super Eagles Lift Unity Cup in London

Our Reporters2 weeks ago2 weeks ago33 mins

Christantus Uche converted the winning penalty as Nigeria beat Jamaica 5-4 in a shootout to win the Unity Cup, defending the title they won 19 years ago. The friendly tournament was hosted at Brentford’s Gtech Community Stadium and staged for the first time since 2004, when the Super Eagles first got their hands on the trophy. They did so again here, as after a 2-2 draw in normal time the shootout began with six perfect penalties. Jamaica’s Dwayne Atkinson then stepped up and smashed his effort off the top of the bar and over. Amari’i Bell made no mistake with his spot-kick to keep Jamaica in it, but Uche had the decisive moment as he calmly slotted home to start the Nigerian celebrations. It had been an entertaining 90 minutes in west London, with the six yellow cards and several flashpoints suggesting both teams were viewing this as much more than just a post-season friendly. Moses Simon put Nigeria in front inside ten minutes, finishing from close range after Cyriel Dessers had put a dangerous ball into the middle, but Jamaica were level almost immediately. Renaldo Cephas was a constant threat throughout the match and he created the equaliser, charging down the left wing and producing a superb cross for Kaheim Dixon to provide the finishing touch. It remained level heading into the break, before Nigeria again made a quick start to a half. Samuel Chukwueze initially appeared to be crowded out when the ball came to him on the edge of the box, but the AC Milan star worked it onto his left foot and drilled a finish into the bottom corner. Jamaica equalised for a second time just after the hour mark and in familiar fashion. Cephas broke free out wide and his delivery was once again perfect, with Jonathan Russell the man to this time fire beyond Stanley Nwabali. Nigeria looked the more likely to find a later winner as they won a succession of late corners, before Wilfred Ndidi then sent an effort whistling past the post in stoppage-time.

Flying Eagles Face Tough Test at 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup

Our Reporters2 weeks ago2 weeks ago52 mins

The Flying Eagles, Nigeria’s U-20 national football team, are gearing up for a challenging group stage at the upcoming 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile. The tournament’s group-stage draw, recently announced by FIFA, has placed Nigeria in Group F alongside Norway, Colombia, and Saudi Arabia, promising a thrilling set of fixtures for the West African giants. With a reputation as a powerhouse in youth football, the Flying Eagles have consistently been a key talent pipeline for Nigeria’s senior national team, the Super Eagles. The squad will be aiming to build on their proud history and deliver a strong performance on the global stage. The 24-team competition will showcase the best of young football talent, and the Flying Eagles are determined to make their mark and push for a deep run in the tournament. Fans across Nigeria will be hoping the team can replicate the feats of past generations and bring glory home once again.