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Category: Soccer

Super Eagles Soar on FIFA Ranking

Wale busari01 mins

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

Wale busari04 mins

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

Wale busari03 mins

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

Wale busari02 mins

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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Ekong: Super Eagles’ll Give Play Off Our Best Shot

Fola Badmus05 mins

Captain William Troost-Ekong said on Wednesday morning that the Super Eagles will give the CAF Play-Off Tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Morocco next month their very best shot, as the group continues to quietly delight in the 4-0 win over Bénin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday that sent Nigeria to the play-off tournament, which precedes the intercontinental play-offs scheduled for Mexico in March next year.   “We are quite happy to have that opportunity. It is a long route but it is a route afterall. We would have loved to get the automatic ticket but it didn’t happen and we take what we have. For us, we will remain strong and tough and ready to confront every challenge on our way as we search for the ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.   “It was a wonderful team effort on Tuesday evening. Everyone contributed; each person played their part. If the other match had gone in favour, we would be with the automatic ticket now. But that’s life. You take what you get and run with it, and make the best of it.”   Nigeria got their best result of the campaign on an inspired night in the Akwa Ibom State capital, with Victor Osimhen netting a hat-trick and midfielder Frank Onyeka, who came in as a substitute, rifling in with the clock on 90 minutes to send the three-time African champions to the CAF Play-off Tournament.   With the result they earned, the Super Eagles should have picked up the automatic ticket from Group C, but once more, Rwanda’s Amavubi failed to hold things tight for Nigeria at the crucial hour, crumbling like a pack of cards to South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Nelspruit. It was November 2005 all over again, when all the Amavubi needed to do was hold Angola to a draw on the final matchday at home in Kigali, but they conceded a late goal by Fabrice Akwa to render Nigeria’s five-goal rout of Zimbabwe in Abuja inconsequential, instead sending Angola to their first FIFA World Cup finals.   In the CAF Play-offs, Nigeria will take on Gabon’s Palancas Negras in a ‘first semi-final’ on Thursday, 13th November, with Cameroon taking on the Democratic Republic of Congo in the ‘second semi-final’ on Friday, 14th November. The two winners clash on Sunday, 16th November in the ‘final’, with the winner to proceed to the Intercontinental Play-offs scheduled for the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey in March next year.   At the International Play-off Tournament, six teams will battle for two tickets. The teams are Africa’s winner, Bolivia, New Caledonia, winner of Asian play-off between Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, and two of Jamaica, Costa Rica and Panama.

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2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup: Flamingos Edge Paraguay in Five-Goal Thriller

Fola Badmus04 mins

Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, rounded off their pre-World Cup preparations in style with a hard-fought 3–2 victory over Paraguay in Casablanca on Tuesday evening. It was a match filled with pace, precision, and plenty of lessons as Coach Bankole Olowookere’s girls sealed their 12th warm-up game, extending their scoring tally to an impressive 50 goals while conceding just six.   The Flamingos wasted no time announcing their intent, taking the lead inside the opening two minutes. Goalkeeper Elizabeth Boniface launched a pinpoint long ball that found captain Shakirat Moshood, who cleverly laid it off for Mariam Yahaya. The forward made no mistake, chipping the onrushing Paraguayan goalkeeper to give Nigeria an early advantage.   Eight minutes later, Shakirat had a chance to double the lead, but her effort flew just over the bar. Paraguay found a lifeline in the 15th minute after a defensive error from Christiana Sunday gifted them an equaliser against the run of play. The South Americans grew in confidence, forcing Boniface into two fine saves as the Flamingos briefly lost their rhythm.   However, the Nigerians quickly regained control, and just before halftime, they were back in front. A defensive mix-up at the back allowed Yahaya to pounce for her brace in the 44th minute before completing a sensational first-half hat-trick a minute later, thanks to a delightful pass from Kaosarat Olanrewaju.   The second half saw the Flamingos maintain their attacking momentum, with Ayomide Abubakar and Shakirat Moshood both coming close to adding to the tally. Substitute goalkeeper Sylvia Echefu made a crucial save in the 69th minute to preserve Nigeria’s two-goal cushion as Paraguay searched for a route back into the game. In the final moments, another defensive lapse allowed Paraguay to pull one back, but it was too late to deny Nigeria a deserved 3–2 win.   With their Morocco training camp now concluded, the Flamingos will head to Rabat on Wednesday morning to settle into their FIFA accommodation ahead of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which kicks off on October 17. Drawn in Group D, Nigeria will open their campaign against Canada on Sunday 19th October, then face France three days later, before wrapping up the group stage against Samoa on October 25.

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World Cup Qualifier: Tinubu, Atiku, Obi Thumb Up Super Eagles

Fola Badmus04 mins

By Bunmi Ogunyale   President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Super Eagles on their emphatic 4-0 victory over the Cheetahs of the Benin Republic and commends the team for keeping the nation’s hope alive as they pursue qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.   The President, in a statement by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, praised the Super Eagles for the hunger, passion, and determination displayed on the field in Uyo, noting that the superlative performance has reignited Nigerians’ football pride.   ”While the job is not yet complete, I join millions of Nigerian football fans in wishing our team every success in the playoffs.   “The mood across the country reflects a shared belief that Nigeria deserves a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Canada, Mexico, and the United States will host.   “As your President, I assure you and the coaching crew of the Federal Government’s support as you strive to secure your place at the tournament. Nigerians everywhere believe in you, and I do too.   “We look forward to seeing you fly our flag proudly on the world stage.   In a similar vein, the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party Presidential Candidate in the 2023 General Election, Mr. Peter Obi also congratulated the Super Eagles on recillence in the World Cup qualifier.   Both frontline politicians took to their twitter handles now X to commend the senior national team for keeping alive their 2026 FIFA World Cup participation.   “Dear Super Eagles, thank you for this beautiful evening of superlative soccer and a sweet victory to make the country proud,” Atiku wrote.   The former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi also saluted the doggedness of the Eric Chelle lad, saying; “Congratulations to our Super Eagles.   “Today, my day started very early at 6am, and after a very hectic day of participating in 5 different events of commissioning and campaigning in Anambra State, I had to watch the Super Eagles game.   “I watched with so much confidence and pride, and it was such a brilliant and sweet victory against the Benin Republic.   “The performance was really Super showing that it’s Possible.   “You showed true Nigerian spirit, strength, dominance, and unity on the field. This is the power of perseverance and teamwork.   “Well done, Super Eagles.   “Congratulations.”

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Asisat Oshoala Becomes CAF Ambassador

Fola Badmus03 mins

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially welcomed Asisat Lamina Oshoala into its cadre of Ambassadors, celebrating her outstanding contributions to African women’s football. The announcement marks another milestone for the Nigerian forward, whose influence both on and off the pitch has been unmatched across the continent. Oshoala, born October 9, 1994, in Ikorodu, Lagos, has built a decorated career with clubs including Barcelona and Bay FC. The former FC Robo Queens player steps into this new ambassadorial role with so much achievement bagged over her enviable career. Her record-breaking, consistent, and inspirational resume speaks volumes. She has won the CAF Women’s Player of the Year a record six times (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023), more than any other African female player. In the 2022-23 season for FC Barcelona Femení, she was the top scorer in Spain, netting 20+ league goals and 27 in all competitions as the club secured the league title and UEFA Women’s Champions League. In her time with Barcelona, she amassed 117 goals in 163 official matches across all competitions, helping the club to win multiple domestic titles, Spanish cups, super cups, and Champions League honours. For Nigeria’s Super Falcons, Oshoala has played over 60 matches, scoring close to 37 international goals. She has featured in multiple Women’s AFCON tournaments and Women’s World Cups — she is the first African player to score in three different Women’s World Cup tournaments. As a CAF Ambassador, Oshoala will no doubt leverage her platform to uplift women’s football across Africa. She will continue encouraging young girls, advocating for growth in women’s competitions, and continue to embody excellence at every level.

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