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Super Eagles retain spot on FIFA ranking

Prince Odutola4 days ago4 days ago01 mins

Former African champions Super Eagles retained her spot in the latest World football governing body (FIFA) monthly ranking. The Nigerian side ended the year in 44th position spot as released by FIFA on Thursday. Nigeria’s global football standing. Eagles however remain fifth in Africa. On the global stage, World Champions, Argentina, signed off for the year in top spot, with France (2nd) and Spain (3rd) joining them on the podium. As for those in the chasing pack, England (4th), Brazil (5th), Portugal (6th), the Netherlands (7th), Belgium (8th), Italy (9th) and Germany (10th) all retain their places in the upper echelons of the ranking. Indeed, that lack of movement is mirrored throughout the top 100, where there is not even the slightest bit of jostling for position. The next edition of the FIFA Men’s World Ranking will be published on 3 April 2025. Africa’s Top 10MoroccoSenegalEgyptAlgeriaNigeriaCote d’ IvoireCameroonMaliTunisiaSouth Africa

Sports

FIFA unveils brand new Club World Cup trophy

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago05 mins

Global football’s governing body FIFA have revealed a brand new trophy to accompany the relaunch of the Club World Cup in the summer of 2025. Manchester City will be present at the tournament hosted by the United States next summer following their success in the UEFA Champions League at the tail-end of their historic 2022/23 Treble-winning season. After the single-goal triumph over Inter Milan at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Manchester City would also qualify for the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, in which the club would emerge victorious on both occasions. Success in Saudi Arabia via wins over Urawa Red Diamonds and Fluminense would also mean that Manchester City would retain their status as World Champions for a period of two years, with FIFA opting to put the 2024 edition of the tournament on hold ahead of the expanded edition. 2025 will see the return of the FIFA Club World Cup in a new and expanded format, as a total of 32 teams will take to the stage across multiple stadiums in the United States, in what will also act as a warm-up for the nation ahead of co-hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2026. And alongside the arrival of a revamped tournament comes a revamped trophy, as unveiled by FIFA this week which implements a 24-carat gold-plated finish and multiple laser-engraved inscriptions all over. Those inscriptions also tell the story of football’s history, 13 languages, Braille and a world map, highlighting the spread and inclusivity of the global game, with the unveiling in anticipation of the Club World Cup draw taking place on Thursday 5 December. Manchester City’s involvement at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup opens up the prospect of the club partaking in around 70 matches across competitions this season, in what is becoming an increasingly concerning picture for global football athletes through such demands. Defensive midfield superstar and recently-crowned Ballon d’Or winner Rodri hinted at players from across the game taking matters into their own hands amid the growing fixture schedule, suggesting that strike action may be the only route to take in order for their voices to be heard. This week has seen Rodri’s club teammate Bernardo Silva also weigh in on the matter, as he said, “This break has been very beneficial for us. Let’s not deny it: it was a difficult time for our team.” He continued, “It had never happened to me in my career. At City, I can’t even remember losing two games in a row. “It’s [the break] done us good, because there are players who will be back from injury, and we have fresh heads to get back to our maximum level at this stage of the season.”

Dominican Republic 2024: Sanusi salutes Flamingos

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

The General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, warmly welcomed the U17 Women’s National Team, the Flamingos, back to Nigeria after their quarter-final exit in the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic. Despite their 0-2 loss to the United States, Sanusi commended the team for their determination and resilience, emphasizing the need to support and encourage the players. “The NFF is proud of the Flamingos and their performance in this tournament,” Sanusi stated. “They fought hard, and though they couldn’t replicate their win over the USA from two years ago, they showed remarkable effort.” Reflecting on the Flamingos’ impressive group-stage performance—where they topped their group with nine points, nine goals scored, and only one conceded—Sanusi highlighted the team’s talent and potential. “These players have the skill, temperament, and discipline to advance to the U20 squad, and we must continue to support them.” The Flamingos returned to Nigeria on Tuesday after a tournament that saw them defeat New Zealand 4-1, Ecuador 4-0, and host nation Dominican Republic 1-0 to advance to the knockout stages. Head Coach Bankole Olowookere expressed pride in his players, noting that while the match against the USA didn’t go their way, the team created several opportunities. “We’ll start working immediately to build an even stronger squad for next year, as the tournament will now be held annually,” he said. The 2024 World Cup in the Dominican Republic is the last biennial edition, with Morocco set to host the first of the annual tournaments starting next year.

U-17 World Cup: Nigeria set up USA quarterfinal clash

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Shakirat Moshood’s 89th minute strike from 24 yards earned Nigeria all three points against a heroic Dominican Republic side in the two team’s final match of Group A at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup on Wednesday morning. The win ensured that Nigeria will battle USA in the quarter-finals on Saturday. Playing for the first time in Santo Domingo, the barnstorming Nigerians found the going tough under driving rain against a determined host nation, and could not make an overwhelming ball possession count until Moshood, now with four goals, unleashed a rocket from outside the box. Captain Renata Mercedes and goalkeeper Rondon led a famous resistance against one of the elites of the competition, and the hosts deserved praise for their pushback that ensured the Flamingos made nothing out of 16 corner kicks. Coach Bankole Olowookere made three changes to the starting line-up, bringing in Rokibat Azeez, Blessing Ifitezue and Ramotalahi Kareem in place of Onyedikachi Ekezie, Peace Effiong and Harmony Chidi. He restored Effiong and Chidi after the hour, but it took a special effort from Moshood, scorer of the tournament’s fastest goal, to break the hearts of the hosts. Victory means the Flamingos top their group, three points better than second-placed Ecuador, who walloped New Zealand 4-0 to finish with six points and set up a clash with Spain on Sunday. Caprice Chiuchiolo netted a brace.

Dominican Republic 2024: Flamingos target three points against New Zealand

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos will gun for the maximum points when they take on their counterparts from New Zealand on Wednesday night in what is actually the first match of this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in the Dominican Republic. Although the game between host nation Dominican Republic and Ecuador (the other fixture in Group A) is billed as the opening match, Nigeria and New Zealand will do battle at the CFC Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros from 4pm local time (9pm in Nigeria), while the host nation and Ecuador will square up as from 9pm local time (2am Thursday in Nigeria). Bronze medallists in the last edition of the competition in India, the Flamingos are aiming to go farther this time, with Head Coach Bankole Olowookere insisting that he has the ammunition to overcome opponents on their way. “I have confidence in the girls to deliver the goods at this competition. We have come well-prepared to do even better than we did in India. The Nigeria Football Federation have done everything to prepare the team well, with a two-week final camping here in Dominican Republic. “We do not under-rate any of our opponents. However, we will take it one match at a time and produce our best in each game in order to go all the way.” The Flamingos have previously missed taking part in only one edition of the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals – the 2018 finals in Uruguay. In the qualifying campaign for this year’s finals, the Nigerian girls notched 25 goals in six matches, with 13 of them scored by clinical forward Harmony Chidi. After the encounter with New Zealand on Wednesday night, the Flamingos will confront their counterparts from Ecuador, also at the CFC Stadium in Santiago de los Caballeros, before their final group phase game against the host nation at the Felix Sanchez Stadium in Santo Domingo. The clash with Ecuador is on Saturday, 19th October while the battle with the host nation is on Tuesday, 22nd October.

AFCONQ: Super Eagles’s poor treatment in Libya despicable -Dabiri-Erewa

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has condemned the treatment meted out to the Super Eagles team by Libya authorities ahead of its second leg match slated for Tuesday in the country. She noted in a press statement that traveling by road in Libya is most dangerous and totally not advisable because of the current situation in the country. The team which left Nigeria on Sunday to Libya for their return match had their flight diverted to an innocuous airport far away from the venue of the match. The implication of the diversion will now be another three hours of road travel to the main venue of the match, not minding the risk of road travel in Libya, considering the situation of the war-torn country. Dabiri-Erewa said the safety of Nigerian players is paramount to the country and was optimistic that the Ministry of Sports and the NFF will advise appropriately. She also called on CAF to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves. Already, the players, the pilots, and others on board the flight had been stranded and subjected to inhuman treatment at the airport for over 13 hours without water, food, rest, and other means of communication. The team was delayed at an airport in Libya for more than 13 hours without any tangible reason. The Super Eagles flight was redirected air borne on Sunday, and they were required to travel by road to their destination. However, there was no provision made for them by the Libya authorities, and all efforts to make alternative provisions by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) was frustrated. Dabiri-Erewa appealed to the Super Eagles to remain calm and why the Nigerian Football Federation will decide the next line of action.

Morocco 2025: Osimhen, Ekong, Ndidi, others to battle Benin Republic, Rwanda

AFCONQ: Ekong cries out, as Eagles languish in Libya

Prince Odutola2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Super Eagles’ captain William Tristan-Ekong has called on Nigerian Government to urgently intervene and ensure their passage into Libya for their AFCON 2025 qualifying tie on Tuesday. According to reports, the team was denied access into Libya and has since been languishing at airport without basic amenities. Ekong who was disgusted by the act by the Libya authorities wrote; “12+ hours in an abandoned airport in Lybia after our plane was diverted whilst descending. “Lybian government rescinded our approved landing in Benghazi with no reason. They’ve locked the airport gates and left us without phone connection, food or drink. All to play mind games. “I’ve experienced stuff before playing away in Africa but this is disgraceful behaviour. Even the Tunisian Pilot who thankfully managed to navigate the last minute change to an airport not fit for our plane to land had never seen something like this before. “Upon arrival he tried to find a nearby airport to rest with his crew to be denied at every hotel again under Government instruction. He could sleep there but NO NIGERIAN crew members allowed. They have returned to now sleep on the plane which is parked up. “At this point we have called for our Nigerian Government to intervene and rescue us. As the captain together with the team we have decided that we will NOT play this game. “CAF should look at the report and what is happening here. Even if they decide to allow this kind of behaviour, let them have the points. We will not accept to travel anywhere by road here even with security it’s not safe. We can only imagine what the hotel or food would be like given to us IF we continued. “We respect ourselves and respect our opponents when they are our guests in Nigeria. Mistakes happen but these things on purpose have nothing to do with international football.”

21 Flamingos listed for U-17 FIFA Women World Cup

Prince Odutola3 months ago3 months ago03 mins

Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has listed Captain Taiwo Afolabi and forwards Harmony Chidi and Peace Effiong in his 21-woman Flamingos’ roster for this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in the Dominican Republic. The clinical Chidi scored 13 of the team’s record-setting 25 goals in the qualifying series, as the bronze medallists from the last edition of the championship in India barnstormed their way past Central African Republic, Burkina Faso and Liberia in the continental campaign. Petite midfielder Afolabi will lead the midfield, alongside Faridat Abdulwahab, Shakirat Moshood and Ayomide Rotimi, while first-choice goalkeeper Christiana Uzoma will have Sylvia Echefu and Elizabeth Boniface pushing her to her best all the time. Taiwo Adegoke leads six other defenders, with Harmony Chidi leading six other forwards including Peace Effiong. Nigeria will compete in Group A of the 16-nation finals alongside host nation Dominican Republic, Ecuador and New Zealand. The delegation of Flamingos will depart the shores of Nigeria aboard a Turkish Airlines flight on Tuesday, 1st October for a two-week training tour in Santo Domingo, capital city of the Dominican Republic, ahead of the commencement of the tournament. FLAMINGOS FOR FIFA U17 WORLD CUP DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 2024 Goalkeepers: Christiana Uzoma (Edo Queens); Elizabeth Boniface (Sunshine Queens); Sylvia Echefu (Confluence Queens) Defenders: Prisca Nwachukwu (Imo Strikers); Jumai Adebayo (Naija Ratels); Taiwo Adegoke (Remo Stars Ladies); Rokibat Azeez (New Generation Academy); Hannah Ibrahim (Remo Stars Ladies); Vivian Ekezie (Heartland Queens); Ololade Isiaka (Abia Angels) Midfielders: Taiwo Afolabi (Delta Queens); Faridat Abdulwahab (Nasarawa Amazons); Shakirat Moshood (Bayelsa Queens); Muinat Rotimi (Nakamura Football Academy) Forwards: Oghenemairo Obruthe (City Sports); Harmony Chidi (Imo Strikers); Kudirat Arogundade (Green Foot); Ramotalahi Kareem (Honey Badgers); Aishat Animashaun (Naija Ratels); Peace Effiong (Rivers Angels); Blessing Ifitezue (Delta Queens) FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup Dominican Republic 2024 Group A: Dominican Republic, Ecuador, New Zealand, Nigeria Group B: Spain, USA, Korea Republic, Colombia Group C: Korea DPR, Mexico, Kenya, England Group D: Japan, Poland, Brazil, Zambia