Nigeria Archives | Page 28 of 51

Journalists, girlfriends barred from Super Eagles camp

Fola Badmus6 months ago6 months ago01 mins

Sport reporters, friends and family of Super Eagles players have been barred from the team’s camp in Uyo ahead of their make-or-mar 2026 World Cup qualifying tie against the Brave Warriors of Zimbabwe. Reliable camp source Sulaimon Adebayo popularly known as Pooja Media in post on his Twitter handle on Sunday revealed this new development. “Eric Chelle says the team is not carried away by the Rwanda win and fully focused on the Zimbabwe game. “However, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has barred journalists and visitors at the Super Eagles camp. “And the training session today will be behind closed doors with 0 access for journalists, Pooja reported on social media. Having lost some grounds in the early stages of the qualifying series, the Nigerian side is expected to further extend her standing on the log when they file out against the Zimbabweans in MatchDay 6 on Tuesday.

Ahmed Musa performs Islamic rites in Saudi Arabia

Fola Badmus6 months ago6 months ago01 mins

Super Eagles and Kano Pillars’ striker, Ahmed Musa, has joined other Muslim faithfuls to observe the annual Umrah in Saudi Arabia. Umrah is considered a recommendation, not an obligation, by some branches of Islam. The former Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia star, who was pictured alognsides his other two associates, wrote on Twitter now X; “May Allah accept our prayers. Ameen, Ameen.” Musa became the first Nigerian to score more than once in a FIFA World Cup match, after scoring twice against Argentina in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He is also the first Nigerian to score in two FIFA World Cup competitions, after scoring another brace against Iceland in the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Côte d’Ivoire 2025: Flying Eagles to play group phase matches in Korhogo

Fola Badmus6 months ago6 months ago02 mins

Seven-time African champions, Nigeria will commence their participation in the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations finals with a game against the Young Pharaohs of Egypt on Wednesday, 30th April, at the 20,000-capacity Amadou Gon Coulibaly stadium in Korhogo. The encounter is billed to kick off at 5pm CIV time (6pm Nigeria time). The Flying will next take on Morocco’s Young Atlas Lions at the same venue, starting 8pm local time (9pm Nigeria time) on Saturday, 3rd May. Nigeria, who qualified for the finals following a successful defence of their WAFU B U20 Championship title in Lome in October 2024, will then wrap up their group B campaign with a session against South Africa, also in Korhogo on Tuesday, 6th May, starting from 5pm local time (6pm Nigeria time). The Flying Eagles, quarter-finalists at the last edition of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina in 2023, are currently camping in Katsina, courtesy of the State Government, in the first phase of their final preparations for the continental championship. A semi-final spot in Côte d’Ivoire will guarantee the Eagles a spot in this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup finals in Chile, 27th September – 19th October.

Super Eagles’ll fight for every victory -Chelle

Fola Badmus6 months ago6 months ago02 mins

Super Eagles’ handler, Eric Chelle has assured that the senior national team will fight for every victory in the World Cup and Nations Cup qualifiers. Chelle gave this assurance after leading the former African champions to victory in his first game against Rwanda in MatchDay 5 of the 2026 World Cup qualifier. The gaffer said; “To all Nigerians, I want to sincerely appreciate every single one of you who has supported me in one way or another. Your encouragement, belief, and passion for the Super Eagles have been truly inspiring. Taking charge of my first game as head coach is a great honor, and I do not take this responsibility lightly. “Football is more than just a sport in Nigeria—it is our pride, our passion, and a symbol of our unity. As we begin this journey together, I ask for your unwavering support, prayers, and belief in this team. We will give our all on the pitch, fight for every victory, and work tirelessly to bring success to our great nation. “Thank you for standing with us. Let’s keep pushing forward, believing in our team, and making Nigeria proud. Together, we soar!” The Nigerian side will slug it out the Warriors of Zimbabwe at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Tuesdat as they hope to consolidate in their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

2026 World Cup Race: Ekong says Eagles feel great to be back in contention

Fola Badmus6 months ago6 months ago04 mins

Sitting quietly at one corner of the departure hall of the Kigali International Airport on Saturday morning, Super Eagles’ captain William Ekong had a relaxed mien about him, and minced no words in saying that Friday’s victory over Rwanda’s Amavubi was just the statement the Eagles needed to put out as the World Cup race reached halfway mark. “It was important to make the statement that we did, and we’re all happy about it, and the way we did it. Of course, we have not qualified and there’s still a lot of work, but we have started the recovery in a good way and we just have to keep working hard. “I don’t want to go into the circumstances that made the first four matches go the way they went. The good thing is we can still recover and revive the campaign, and we have done that.” Ekong’s firm leadership, and Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Simon Moses’ zest at the fore, were all too evident and impactful as the Eagles coasted to a 2-0 win over hosts Rwanda at the Amahoro Stadium, throwing up nostalgia of the strong squad that wowed all and came within 23 minutes of lifting the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire early last year. As the chartered ValueJet Airline’s CRJ-900 aircraft touched down at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo at exactly 2pm on Saturday, Ekong told thenff.com that he would be rallying the troops ahead of Tuesday’s Day 6 encounter against the Warriors of Zimbabwe. “We read somewhere that the Zimbabweans are being motivated to come to Uyo and get a result. They should forget it. We are hugely motivated by the ambition to play at the FIFA World Cup. Apart from myself and Alex (Iwobi) and perhaps a couple others, who were part of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, this generation is hungry to play at the highest level. We want to make Nigeria proud and at the same time, do ourselves proud.” Victor Osimhen, whose brace unscrambled the calculations of the Amavubi and made them disappoint the capacity crowd that included President Paul Kagame, said at the Victor Attah Airport. “We are ready. The remaining matches are wars and we must fight them with all that we have to win.” Victory on Tuesday evening will take Nigeria to nine points, and in firm contention for the ticket, especially if Benin Republic and South Africa cancel themselves out inside Abidjan’s Stade Félix Houphouet-Boigny.

Sanwo-Olu appoints PR Professional as Tourism’s new Perm Sec

Fola Badmus6 months ago6 months ago02 mins

The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture now has a new Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, following his swearing-in alongside seven other newly appointed Permanent Secretaries by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at Lagos House, Ikeja. His appointment is part of the Lagos State Government’s commitment to strengthening public service leadership and ensuring the effective implementation of the THEMES Plus Agenda. With a dynamic arts scene, a rich cultural heritage, and a thriving entertainment industry, Lagos is a leading hub for tourism and creative excellence and Bajuilaye’s appointment is expected to inject fresh energy and strategic direction into the Ministry, reinforcing Lagos State’s position as a premier cultural and tourism destination. With him coming on board, the Ministry is poised to deepen collaborations between the government, private sector stakeholders, and cultural practitioners to foster policies that attract investment, boost cultural tourism, and promote indigenous creativity. Bajulaiye brings a wealth of experience from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Director of Public Affairs at the Ministry of Home Affairs. A seasoned public relations professional, he is a distinguished member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and a respected leader within the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). His appointment is expected to usher in a new phase of growth and transformation for the Ministry, ensuring that Lagos remains at the forefront of tourism, arts, and culture in Nigeria and beyond.

GOtv Boxing Night 33: Microbiology Graduate, Shogbesan, vows to floor opponent with Tech and Biology

Fola Badmus6 months ago6 months ago03 mins

Sikiru “Omo Iya Eleja” Shogbesan, Nigeria’s first graduate boxer, has vowed to use his knowledge of technology and biology to floor Segun Gbobaniyi when they clash at GOtv Boxing Night 33 on 26 April at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos. Shogbesan, who was discovered at GOtv Boxing NextGen Search, the talent discovery and nurturing initiative that has produced many top boxers, holds a Higher National Diploma in Microbiology, Ordinary National Diploma in science laboratory technology, graduating with Upper Credit at both levels, and has completed the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Corps programme. Speaking at his training base in Lagos on Friday, Shogbesan said his knowledge of technology and biology has always helped in the ring and it would be put to use against Gbogbaniyi against whom he would fight in the lightweight category. “Segun (Gbobaniyi) does not know what is coming. Even if he does, he will not know how to deal with it. In the ring, I am guided by knowledge of technology and biology, both of which I studied in school. Both fields help me in determining what to do when I am in the ring. Segun will not go beyond three rounds. Mark my words,” he boasted. In the super featherweight division, Sodiq Oyakojo will face Lateef “Latest” Azeez. The super bantamweight category will see a fight between Durotimi Agboola and Sodiq Adeleke. The event will stage to light welterweight bouts. One will feature William “Kaki” Amosu and Emmanuel ‘Ability” Abimbola, while the other will see a clash between Tobiloba Ijomoni and Hassan Kareem. There will also be a female super flyweight female bout Ayisat Oriyomi and Olofintunyi Iyanuoluwa.

Osimhen revives Super Eagles’s World Cup hope in Kigali

Fola Badmus6 months ago6 months ago02 mins

A brace from Galatasaray of Turkey striker, Victor Osimhen were all the Super Eagles needed to revive hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by United States of America, Canada and Mexico. Osimhen broke deadlock in the 11th minute when he tapped in a free kick by his successor and the current African Player of the Year Ademola Lookman. Osimhen broke loose and shipped the ball past the onrushing Rwandan goalkeeper to increase the tally at the close of the first half of the tie. The former African champions now placed fourth with 6 points behind South Africa, who currently the log with 10 points, while the Republic of Benin and Rwanda are on eight and nine points respectively. Nigeria however must consolidate on her winning streak when they host the Warriors of Zimbabwe in Match Day 6 of the Qualifying series in Uyo next week, Tuesday. While Nigeria tackles Zimbabwe in Uyo, The Squirrels of Benin will play host to South Africa, and Lesotho would be Rwanda’s guests.