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Tag: NFF

Flamingos Resume Camping Ahead 2025 U17 Women’s World Cup

Fola Badmus03 mins

Head Coach Bankole Olowookere has invited a total of 30 players to the camp of Nigeria’s U17 girls, Flamingos, as the team kickstarts preparations for this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals, taking place in Morocco. Invited are four goalkeepers, nine defenders, nine midfielders and nine strikers. 2022 FIFA World Cup bronze medallists, Nigeria overpowered South Africa and Algeria in the qualifying series to pick a ticket to the first-ever 24-team FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals, which will be played across four venues in two cities in Morocco, 17th October – 8th November. Venues earmarked for the finals (the first of five straight final tournaments to be hosted by Morocco) are the Prince Héritier Moulay el-Hassan Sports Complex, Prince Moulay Abdellah Sport Complex, Al Barid Stadium and Mohamed VI Football Academy. The invited players are expected to arrive camp in Abuja on Sunday, 7th September. ALL THE INVITED PLAYERS Goalkeepers: Elizabeth Boniface (Abia Angels); Onyinyechi Opara (Imo Strikers); Abigail Nmecha (Team Abia); Sylva Echefu (Bayelsa Queens) Defenders: Hannah Ibrahim (Remo Stars Ladies); Jumai Adebayo (Naija Ratels); Azeezat Oduntan (FC Robo); Christiana Sunday (Imo Strikers); Ufuoma Lucky (Royal Queens, Warri); Choice Ovwighovwiroro (New Generation, Abuja); Maryjane Ikeche (Ahudiyannem Queens); Blessed Isigbo (Remo Stars Ladies); Grace Ufot (Fortress Ladies) Midfielders: Shakirat Moshood (Bayelsa Queens); Muinat Rotimi (Nakamura Football Academy); Fatimah Shuaib (Confluence Queens); Waliat Rotimi (Nakamura Football Academy); Taiwo Lukman (Confluence Queens); Esther Lasisi (N-Youth, Abuja); Precious Nkwocha (Imo Strikers); Gift Anekan (New Generation, Abuja); Ayomide Abubakar (Onimarg FC) Forwards: Kaosara Olanrewaju (Aisha Yusuf Academy, Lagos); Kindness Ifeanyi (Bayelsa Queens); Queen Joseph (Fosla Academy); Shavih Istifanus (Youth Arise Academy); Tabitha Terlumu (Braavos, Edo); Destiny Itodore (Delta Queens); Chisom Nwachukwu (Rivers Angels); Nofisat Tijani (Youthful Talent 99)

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NFF to Partner Vivacity Group on Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Youth Employment

Fola Badmus02 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation has agreed to partner with a non-governmental organization, Vivacity Group, on the latter’s Future of Work Initiative (NigeriaWorks 2030), which is aimed at driving innovation, entrepreneurship and youth employment across services and care economy, agriculture and agribusiness, creative and cultural industries, and technology and digital economy. Speaking on her visit to the NFF Secretariat on Tuesday, Founder and CEO of Vivacity Group, Oluwakemi Ann-Melody Areola remarked that the vision and dedication of NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON) has continued to elevate Nigerian football on the global stage. “Through your stewardship, the NFF has not only strengthened Nigeria’s international image but also nurtured homegrown talent and expanded opportunities for young people across the nation. The unifying power of football, championed by your leadership, continues to drive national pride, foster social cohesion, and inspire youth engagement, while simultaneously opening pathways for innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. “The Future of Work Initiative (NigeriaWorks 2030) aims to equip Nigeria’s workforce across youth, professionals, and entrepreneurs with the skills, opportunities and global competitiveness required to thrive in the 21st-century economy.” Responding, Gusau lauded the initiative, reiterating that his administration will continue to encourage meaningful and positive moves and endeavours that seek to enhance opportunities for the youth, engage professionals and groups productively and foster social cohesion while creating value. NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi (MON) also recommended critical path measures that the group can adopt to spring it swiftly towards attaining its goals and objectives.

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World Cup Qualifier: Eagles’ Camp Comes Alive, as Training Begins in Uyo

Fola Badmus03 mins

Nigeria’s camp has come truly alive ahead of Saturday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying showdown with Rwanda, with team captain William Troost-Ekong leading by example. The Saudi Arabia-based defender arrived camp on Monday, alongside goalkeeper Amas Obasogie and defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Felix Agu. Agu, who plays his club football with Werder Bremen in Germany, impressed at left back at the Unity Cup Tournament in London in the summer. Dependable forward Simon Moses, who scored a goal and made an assist in his new club, Paris FC’s league win at the weekend, is also in camp, as Greece-based goalkeeper Adeleye Adebayo, defenders Chidozie Awaziem and Benjamin Fredericks, and midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru. Wing-back Olaoluwa Aina, defenders Bright Osayi-Samuel and Calvin Bassey, and midfielder Alex Iwobi have also arrived. First-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, back in training after an injury scare last week, was being expected on Tuesday evening, while midfielder Christantus Uche, who moved to English side Crystal Palace from Getafe of Spain on transfer deadline-day, is being expected alongside forwards Samuel Chukwueze (now in English Premiership side, Fulham FC from AC Milan of Italy), Tolu Arokodare (now in Wolverhampton Wanderers from KRC Genk in Belgium) and Cyriel Dessers (now in Panathinaikos in Greece from Glasgow Rangers of Scotland). African Player of the Year, Ademola Lookman, Galatasaray of Turkey’s Victor Osimhen and midfielder Raphael Onyedika are also being expected. The squad of 23 will also execute Tuesday’s Matchday 8 encounter against South Africa in Bloemfontein, which will be played at the Toyota Stadium (also known as Free State Stadium) on Tuesday evening.

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WAFU-B U17 Boys Tourney: Golden Eaglets Defeat Darazo, Draw with Gombe U17 Boys

Fola Badmus01 mins

Five-time world champions, Golden Eaglets have continued their preparations ahead of the forthcoming WAFU-B U17 Boys Tournament. The team played two friendly games on Friday and Saturday respectively, winning one and drawing the other. After a tough contest in the first half with Darazo Football Academy of Bauchi, Golden Eaglets showed their superiority in the second half with sublime goals to end the game 2-0 in their favour. It was a different atmosphere against the Gombe U17 team, as the game played under raining conditions ended in a stalemate. So far, the Golden Eaglets have played 11 friendly games. The team were victorious on nine occasions, drew one and lost one.

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NPFL Matchday 2 Preview: Big Tests Await Old Guards & Newcomers

Fola Badmus015 mins

By George Akpayen After mixed outings in the opening matchweek of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), not much separates all of the 20 clubs so far in the standings and they will go again this Saturday, Sunday and Monday in mouthwatering fixtures that pits the old guards against the newbies. Last weekend, there was a lean spell of goals in the 10 matches that opened the campaign. Only nine goals were scored which represented less than a goal per game and turned to be a good day for the defenders and goalkeepers who shut out the strikers. The fixtures for Matchday 2 looks finely balanced and a number of the matches have the trappings to produce goals aplenty considering previous head-to-head meetings. OLD FOES START MATCHWEEK AS BOTTOM-TWO When Alfa Sadiq signals for the start of this matchweek’s first fixture in Benin City, two traditional rivals, Bendel Insurance and Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), will be battling as 20th and 19th placed teams. Both sides began the season on losing note – 3SC fell 0-1 at home to Bayelsa United while Bendel Insurance lost 0-2 at El-Kanemi Warriors. Last season in this corresponding fixture, Insurance edged past 3SC 1-0 through Michael Enaruna’s late goal. Enaruna, like a number of Insurance players from last season, has moved on to newcomers, Barau FC, but this does not take away the advantage that Insurance have posted over their rivals especially when they play hosts in this fixture. Head coach of 3SC, Nurudeen Aweroro, will have to work on the psyche of his players to banish the club’s poor recent trips to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. In their last five trips to Benin City, 3SC have avoided defeat just once (D1 L4) since the turn of the millennium. The other times, 3SC avoided defeat in Benin City was in February 1998 and July 1999 when they played out 2-2 and 1-1 draws respectively. Bendel Insurance head coach, Greg Ikhenoba and Aweroro, will hope their teams can put points on the board and score goals as well after watching their sides fire blanks on the opening day. CHAMPIONS IN TRICKY TRIP TO ABA WITHOUT MBAOMA The champions, Remo Stars, will also be looking to claim their first win of the season after the 1-1 draw at home to Rivers United in the first game of the season. The titleholders will have to face newcomers, Kun Khalifat FC at the Enyimba Stadium in Aba, which they have adopted as home ground owing to renovation at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri without Victor Mbaoma. The striker returned to Remo Stars in the off-season transfer window and immediately got off the mark in the opening game before leaving the pitch early with a rib injury which his head coach, Daniel Ogunmodede told npfl.ng has ruled him out of the trip for Monday’s match. Ogunmodede’s explanation borders on taking precautionary measures on the striker since they have subsequent league games and CAF Champions League coming up in September. “Victor will not be available for the match (against Kun Khalifat FC),” Ogunmodede also known as Ijaball revealed to npfl.ng. “The extent of the (rib) injury has not be fully ascertained and we are still monitoring his situation which rules him out of the game entirely.” Mbaoma’s absence could pave way for Remo Stars’ Malian striker, Adama Goita, to earn his first start of the season. It is the first time both teams will meet in the topflight and the odds are in favour of the champions though Obinna Uzoho and his men will hope they can hold off another big team like they did in the opening matchday at Rangers where they got a point off a 0-0 draw. SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL IN LAGOS Talk of holding off for a point, Ikorodu City started their season with a 0-0 draw at Kwara United despite featuring nine NPFL debutants and a new head coach in Ali Kandil after the departure of Aweroro to Shooting Stars. Ikorodu City will now shape up for their first home game against El-Kanemi Warriors in this season’s first Sunday night fixture at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan in Lagos. El-Kanemi, on the other hand, started with a 2-0 win over Insurance at home. Last season, which was City’s debut campaign in the NPFL, they scored 48 goals at home, 15 more than champions Remo Stars who netted the second highest number of goals at home. So, NPFL followers will expect this game to flow with goals considering Kandil was part of City’s coaching setup under Aweroro’s management and will want to continue with the same team ethos. Both teams have met just twice in the NPFL and City are unbeaten on both occasions (W1 D1). The Oga Boys saw off El-Kanemi 2-0 in this same fixture with Ayomide Cole and Shola Adelani scoring second half goals. Both players were missing in City’s game at Kwara United but it is likely Adelani should be back in the team for El-Kanemi’s visit. Kabiru Dogo should have a full El-Kanemi squad including his opening matchweek goalscorers, Al’amin Umar and Daddy Abdulrahman, for the trip to Lagos except for suspended midfielder Zayyad Musa who got a straight red card against Bendel Insurance. This first night game could be turn out to be a test for Kandil’s side, now full of newcomers in the top division. BIG GUNS AIM TO FIND COMFORT AT HOME On the opening round of the season, the big boys found it difficult to eke out results and this time will have to do so in front of their supporters or else the pressure begins to pile up from here on. Enyimba, Kano Pillars, Plateau United and Rivers United all play on Sunday against Niger Tornadoes, Wikki Tourists, Katsina United and Cup holders, Kwara United, respectively. All four clubs will hope to make playing at home count in order to get their first wins of the season. Enyimba under Stanley Eguma will be keen to…

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2026 WAFCON: Super Falcons to Go Hard on She-Cheetahs, as Lionesses Face Tough Task

Fola Badmus05 mins

The race for tickets to next year’s Women Africa Cup of Nations, also to be staged in Morocco just as the last two editions, will be concluded in October with Cup holders and 10-time winners Nigeria up against the She-Cheetahs of Benin Republic, and Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses up against a mountain. The Lionesses, runners-up in 2014 in Namibia and in 2016 when Cameroon hosted (both times beaten by Nigeria in the final), must negotiate a tricky fixture against Algeria’s Lady Fennecs in the final qualifying fixture set for 20th – 28th October. Algeria is noted as a rising power in women’s football in the continent, as the Lady Fennecs finished in second place behind eventual winners Nigeria in their group in Morocco in July this year. They defeated Botswana by a lone goal, and drew 0-0 with both Tunisia and Nigeria to reach the quarter-finals. They took Ghana’s Black Queens to the rubber in their quarter-final clash before eventually bowing out 2-4 after a penalty shootout. The Indomitable Lionesses also failed to qualify for this year’s finals staged in Morocco, and lost 0-2 to Nigeria in a friendly match played in Abeokuta weeks before the finals. Benin Republic will host the first leg against Justine Madugu’s Falcons, before Nigeria play host to the return leg. Both matches have to be concluded within the window of 20th – 28th October. To reach the final round of the qualification series, Benin Republic defeated Sierra Leone’s senior women’s team 5-2 on aggregate, winning 2-1 in Togo and 3-1 in Monrovia, as both teams had to play their home matches on away ground due to absence of any CAF-approved match venue in both countries. Senegal’s Lionesses, who reached the quarter-finals in Morocco last month before losing to South Africa on penalties after 0-0 in regulation and extra time, face a daunting task against Cote d’Ivoire senior girls in the final round. The winners of 11 final qualifying fixtures will join hosts Morocco in the final competition that has been scheduled for March 2026, and from where all four semi-finalists will pick tickets to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil. Two additional slots are available for Africa through a play-off tournament, as was the case before the 2023 finals in Australia and New Zealand. Just as was the case in Down Under, the final competition in Brazil (set for 24 June – 25 July 2027) will have 32 teams. However, world football-ruling body FIFA has increased the numbers of teams for the final competition to 48, starting with the 11th edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2031, to be co-hosted by Mexico and the United States of America. 2026 WOMEN AFCON FINAL ROUND FIXTURES Angola Vs Malawi DR Congo Vs South Africa Tanzania Vs Ethiopia Namibia Vs Zambia Burkina Faso Vs Togo Algeria Vs Cameroon Egypt Vs Ghana Kenya Vs Gambia Benin Republic Vs Nigeria Cape Verde Vs Mali Senegal Vs Cote d’Ivoire

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Brown Ideye Retires From Professional Football

Fola Badmus03 mins

2013 Africa Cup of Nations winning Super Eagles’ striker, Brown Ideye has announced his retirement from professional football. The former West Bromwich Albion forward made the annoucement on his X handle on Wednesday. Ideye wrote; “After much thought and consideration with mixed emotions, I’ve decided to retire from professional football. I will first like to thank God for the talent and the long career I’ve enjoyed. “I thank my family and friends for their unwavering love, support and understanding till this day. This game made me and gave me everything -incredible joy, sad days, the opportunity to travel and see the world, lifelong friendships and so many unforgettable memories. “To all the Agents who worked tirelessly and negatiated with clubs for my dreams to come true -thank you. To all the sports journalists who spent long hours days and night covering and highlighting my career, I owe you a depth of gratitude. “To every club I’ve had the honour of wearing their jersey and representing, every coach and teamate who pushed and rooted for me to be better, and every fan who supported me through highs and lows -thank you. “Thank you, Nigeria, for the opportunity you gave me to wear the national colour and be among the Super Eagles. Though my time as a pro-player has come to an end, football will always be a part of my life as I enter my next chapter. “Thank you all for being a part of this journey and I look forward to still seeing you on these football streets.” Some of the notable club Ideye starred are; Bayelsa United, Ocean Boys, Sochaux, Dynamo Kyiv, West Bromwich Albion, Olympiacos, Tianjin Teda, Malaga, Goztepe and Enyimba. Ideye won 28 national team caps and scored six goals.

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Gusau Commends Pace of Work on NFF/FIFA Players’ Hostel and New Training Pitches

Fola Badmus05 mins

President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON) has praised the contractors working on the NFF-FIFA Players’ hostel and new training pitches for the pace of work on the project, which groundbreaking ceremony was done on 18th March this year. On an inspection of the site, which is located opposite the NFF Secretariat inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Thursday, Gusau, in company with some members of NFF Management, was conducted round the various sections of the project by the lead architect, Architect Gambo Ahmadu. After the inspection, Gusau expressed satisfaction with the pace of work at the site and expressed confidence that the contractors will be able to deliver on the 24-month mandate given for the completion of the work. “I am happy with the pace of the work, the seriousness shown so far by the contractors, and the quality of the work as seen so far. They have a 24-month mandate to deliver, and at the pace they are going, they should be able to complete the Players’ Hostel and the Training Pitches on or before that timeline. “I am also impressed with the quality of work. For the present NFF administration, it is a legacy project and it is very close to our hearts. I am also happy that the project is located close to the office where members of the NFF Executive Committee (whenever any of them is in Abuja), myself and the NFF Management and Staff can easily monitor what is being done.” The inspection took Gusau and his team to the site of the new training pitches, the old training pitch which is also to undergo extensive renovation, and the two-story Players’ Hostel, which will have several office and conference facilities on the ground floor, while the first and second floors will contain the rooms for the players and officials. “We need the report of what has been done so far, alongside photographs, for us to send to FIFA so that they know how far the project has gone,” Gusau told Architect Ahmadu. It will be recalled that at only the second meeting of the present NFF Executive Committee, Gusau tabled the proposal for this legacy project to his colleagues, and it was unanimously endorsed that the NFF’s residual funds from the FIFA 2.0 and the proposed funds from then incipient FIFA 3.0 be utilized for the construction of a befitting hostel accommodation for the National Teams, and the construction of two Football Pitches (one natural turf and one synthetic turf) for use by the teams at the Goal Project section of the Package B of MKO Abiola National Stadium. With Gusau at the inspection were NFF’s Director of Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire; Deputy Director of Competitions, Dr Ayo Abdulrahaman; AD Protocol, Emmanuel Ayanbunmi and’ SA to President, Abubakar Danladi Umar.

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