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Category: Soccer

Jack Wilshere Named Luton Town Head Coach In Full-Circle Appointment

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Luton Town have appointed former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere as their new head coach. The decision comes after the club parted ways with Matt Bloomfield during the October international break, following a difficult start to their League One campaign, which saw the Hatters lose five of their opening 11 matches after consecutive relegations. Wilshere, 33, has now secured his first permanent managerial role after a short interim stint with Norwich City at the end of the 2024-25 season, where he collected four points from the final two Championship fixtures, boosting his reputation as an emerging coach. Speaking to the club’s official website, Wilshere called his appointment a “full-circle moment,” recalling his early days with Luton Town as a child. “It’s a huge honour and a privilege to be named Luton Town manager,” he said. “I was eight when I first came to Luton, so it feels fitting that my first full-time managerial role is at this club. I’m excited to get started and can’t wait to lead this team.” He added: “Luton Town’s story inspires me. Built on belief, unity, and hard work, the club has shown incredible character on and off the pitch. I’m honoured to take on the responsibility of guiding this squad forward. There’s still so much of the season to play, and I want to give the fans a team they can be proud of. The work begins today.”  

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Kano Pillars GM Ahmed Musa Issues Apology After Pitch Violence Against Shooting Stars

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Ahmed Musa, General Manager of Kano Pillars Football Club, has issued a formal apology after violent incidents marred his team’s Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) match against Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) on Sunday. The game, held at Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, descended into chaos after Shooting Stars scored a late equaliser, prompting some home fans to invade the pitch and attack players, referees, and match officials. Videos shared online captured shocking scenes of violence and panic. In a statement released on the club’s social media channels, Musa condemned the behaviour and accepted full responsibility on behalf of Kano Pillars. “I extend my deepest and most sincere apologies for the disgraceful and unacceptable incident that occurred during our game against Shooting Stars Sports Club on Sunday evening,” he said. Describing the events as “heartbreaking and shameful,” Musa emphasised that such conduct does not reflect the values or proud history of Kano Pillars. He apologised to Shooting Stars’ players, coaches, officials, and supporters, as well as referees, league officials, the NPFL board, and football fans nationwide. “I understand how upsetting it must have been to witness such scenes, and I am deeply sorry,” he added. Musa promised the club would work closely with authorities to identify those responsible and ensure they face appropriate consequences. “Violence has no place in football. Kano Pillars FC will take all necessary steps to hold the perpetrators accountable,” he said. He also addressed Kano Pillars supporters directly, urging them to show loyalty through respect and discipline rather than violence. “True support comes from passion and respect, not destruction. This must be a turning point for our club,” Musa said. Concluding his statement, he reiterated Kano Pillars’ commitment to restoring trust and integrity in Nigerian football. “On behalf of Kano Pillars FC, I offer my unreserved apology to everyone affected. We will take the necessary steps to ensure football in Kano and across Nigeria remains safe, fair, and enjoyable,” he said. The NPFL board has yet to announce disciplinary actions following the incident, PUNCH Online reports.  

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Ghana Qualifies For 2026 World Cup After Defeating Comoros

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Ghana has officially punched their ticket to the 2026 World Cup, becoming the latest team to secure qualification. The Black Stars were already close to sealing their spot before facing Comoros on Sunday. Heading into the match, Otto Addo’s side topped Group I, three points ahead of Madagascar and enjoying a superior goal difference. After a goalless first half, Mohammed Kudus scored the decisive goal in the second half, finishing a well-coordinated move set up by Thomas Partey, ensuring Ghana’s place at the tournament. Madagascar finished as group runners-up with 19 points, while Mali ended third with 18 points.  

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World Cup Ticket Final Battle: Eagles, Cheetahs Arrive Uyo for Big Showdown

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The delegations of Nigeria and Benin Republic are scheduled to arrive in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Saturday afternoon, ahead of Tuesday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying Series Matchday 10 encounter at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium. Nigeria’s Super Eagles earned a 2-1 win over Lesotho in Polokwane on Friday to put themselves firmly in contention for the lone automatic ticket from Group C, while table-topping Benin Republic scored late against Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali to pick up the maximum points and maintain their three-point lead on their West African neighbours. Three-time African champions Nigeria fly from the South African city of Polokwane to Uyo aboard a chartered ValueJet Airline airplane, just as the Cheetahs’ delegation will arrive about the same time at the Obong Victor Attah International Airport. Goals by Captain William Ekong (from the penalty spot) and debutant Jerome Akor Adams earned Nigeria the three points at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, and the Super Eagles, 2024 AFCON runners-up, now need a two-goal win over the neighbours to the west (plus South Africa failing to beat Rwanda in Nelspruit on the same day) to bag the only automatic ticket from Group C to North America. The circumstances are much like they were in 2001 and 2009. On both occasions, Nigeria eventually scaled through to the global finals. After away losses to Liberia and Sierra Leone, the Super Eagles were in a precarious situation and needed to win their three remaining matches. They started with a 2-0 defeat of leaders Liberia in Port Harcourt, made easy meat of Sudan 4-0 in Omdurman and then trounced Ghana’s Black Stars 3-0 in Port Harcourt to qualify for Korea/Japan 2002. In 2009, Tunisia led for most of the series, and only an added-time goal by Obinna Nsofor against Mozambique in Abuja kept Nigeria in the hunt until the final day. On that final day, Nigeria needed to beat Kenya in Nairobi and for Tunisia not to win in Maputo against Mozambique. The Eagles edged the Harambee Stars 3-2 at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani while Mozambique earned a late goal against Tunisia. The ambitious Cheetahs, now on 17 points, are coached by Franco-German tactician Gernot Rohr, who qualified and led Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals in Russia. Egyptian official Amin Mohamed Omar will be referee for Tuesday’s explosive battle, with his compatriots Mahmoud Abouelregal, Ahmed Tawfik Ali and Mahmoud Moustafa Elbana in the roles of assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official. Jason Joseph Damoo from Seychelles will serve as referee assessor; Ghanaian Prosper Harrison Addo will be the commissioner and; Xolile Vilakati from eSwatini will work as security officer.

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NFF Concludes Second Module of CAF B-License Course

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The Nigeria Football Federation will on Saturday complete another module of the multiple-module CAF B-License Course which first module was implemented in April this year. Approved by the Confederation of African Football, the first module took place 7th – 12th April, while the second module commenced on Monday, 6th October. NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen said the third module will hold 20th – 24th October, with the fourth and final module scheduled for November. NFF General Secretary and CAF instructor, Dr Mohammed Sanusi; Eguavoen (himself a CAF Instructor); NFF’s Head of Coaching Education and CAF Instructor, Dr Terry Eguaoje; CAF Instructor, Coach Henry Abiodun and; NFF’s Head of Technical and CAF Instructor, Coach Abdulrafiu Yusuf, have been the resource persons for the course, for which there are a total of 25 participants. Mr. Mohammed Adebayo Ameenu, special assistant to the NFF General Secretary and Dr Paul Onyeudo have been invited to speak on Laws of the Game and Football Injuries & Prevention and Nutrition respectively.

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My mission in FIFA Committee – Gusau

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President of the Nigeria Football Federation and President of WAFU-B, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, MON says he is focused on making robust and meaningful contributions to the FIFA Men’s Club Competitions Committee, to which he was appointed this week by world football-governing body, FIFA. “It is a recognition and honour that I do not take for granted, and it is important to make robust contributions that will justify the confidence reposed in my person and other members by the FIFA Council, and which will also be in the interest of Nigeria, West African and the African game at large. “I am dedicated to using my professional experience to foster robust and diverse discussions, ultimately helping the committee toward informed decision-making. Personally, I will be able to provide valuable insights from the African game. My role within the NFF and WAFU-B, and as someone who attends the CAF Executive Committee as a regional president, will certainly give my contributions weight, and one will be able to effectively advocate for the interests of African football.” Gusau’s appointment, alongside a few other Nigerians, underscores the growing respect and regard that Nigeria continues to attain in the beautiful game globally, and provides ample opportunity for contributions that will further enhance that respect. “I look forward to collaborating with my committee chairman and members and making inputs into decisions that will shape the future of men’s club football globally. Our contributions can engender the rapid growth of football economies in those countries that are still lagging behind, as club football remains the clear pathway to achieving this everywhere.” Gusau’s Men’s Club Competitions Committee is headed by Jassim Rashid Al Buenain from Qatar, with Mikel Arriola from Mexico as deputy chair. Former NFF President and former FIFA Council Member, Amaju Melvin Pinnick, OFR, ROI was appointed as Deputy Chair of the FIFA Men’s National Team Competitions Committee, which is chaired by Robert Harrison from Paraguay. NFF Executive Committee Member, Aisha Falode, was appointed into the FIFA Media & Communications Committee, headed by Ivorian FA President Yacine Idriss Diallo, while former President of CAF Appeal Board, A. U. Mustapha (SAN) was appointed into the FIFA Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Committee, chaired by Ghanaian FA President and CAF 2nd Vice President, Kurt Edwin-Simeon Okraku. Former Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, was retained as member of the FIFA Ethics Committee (Adjudicatory Council)

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Super Eagles Secure Crucial 2–1 Win Over Lesotho In World Cup Qualifier

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria kept their World Cup qualification hopes alive with a crucial 2–1 win over Lesotho on Friday. After a goalless first half, captain William Troost-Ekong put Nigeria ahead in the 55th minute from the penalty spot. Substitute Akor Adams extended the lead in the 80th minute with a composed finish. Lesotho’s Hlompho Kalake pulled one back three minutes later, but the Super Eagles held firm to seal an important away victory. The result moves Nigeria to third place in Group C with 14 points, just one point behind South Africa and three behind table-toppers Benin. The Super Eagles will host Benin Republic in Uyo on Tuesday in a must-win clash that could define their World Cup qualification journey.  

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Victor Osimhen Claims He Was Pressured Into Napoli Move While His Father Was Dying

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Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has opened up about feeling pressured into his 2020 move to Napoli, claiming agents and club officials pushed the transfer while his father was critically ill. In a testimony leaked by La Repubblica, Osimhen told Italy’s Guardia di Finanza that he was excluded from key contract discussions and never received a proper draft of his deal. Negotiations were led by Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis and Lille officials, leaving the Nigerian forward frustrated and sidelined. The summer 2020 transfer from Lille to Napoli, worth €70 million, was one of Europe’s biggest moves that year, but it has since been shrouded in controversy. Osimhen recounted the ordeal amid an ongoing investigation into alleged false accounting connected to the deal. “My previous agent, Jean Gerard, was only focused on the transfer and not my father’s health. At that time, I wasn’t thinking about football; I just wanted to know how he was doing,” Osimhen said. He recalled a meeting in Nice with Gerard, Lille president Gerard Lopez, and Luis Campos, where he was told the transfer was already agreed in principle—a deal of which he had no prior knowledge. Tragically, his father passed away during the negotiations. “I was extremely angry with Lille and my agent because I hadn’t been able to see him before he died. They even told me I would have to leave for Naples the next day, unaware of my father’s death,” he said. Despite his anger, Osimhen went to Naples, met the coach and De Laurentiis, but still had not received a formal contract. When he requested one from his agent, he was given only “a pseudo-agreement.” Feeling misled, he considered returning to France but eventually replaced Gerard with William D’Avila as his new agent. The transfer was eventually finalized at the end of July 2020 in Lille, in the presence of Napoli and Lille officials and Osimhen’s new representative. The deal is now under investigation as prosecutors probe alleged financial irregularities, including claims that both clubs inflated the value of lesser-known players to meet financial regulations. Osimhen’s transfer initially valued at €50 million rose to €70 million, including €20 million in additional player exchanges. Youth players Luigi Liguori, Claudio Manzi, and Ciro Palmieri, who never played for Lille, were immediately loaned out, raising questions about their valuations. Prosecutors in Rome are considering whether Napoli president De Laurentiis and other officials should stand trial over alleged accounting manipulations tied to Osimhen’s transfer.  

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