Nigeria Archives | Page 8 of 51

FIFA Appoints Match Officials for U-20 World Cup Chile 2025

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

The FIFA Referees Committee has announced the match officials who will oversee games at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025, which will take place from 27 September to 19 October. A total of 54 match officials (18 referees and 36 assistant referees) from 22 FIFA Member Associations are set to take charge of the matches. “Following the success of the FIFA Club World Cup, we look forward to another exciting tournament, for which we have once again appointed a very strong Team One line-up. From a refereeing perspective, it’s very important that the officials have the opportunity to be involved at a tournament featuring the stars of tomorrow and for us to carry out further testing of Football Video Support (FVS), which has been a great success so far,” said the Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina. The use of Football Video Support (FVS) at the tournament follows on from the trials implemented last year at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic. The FVS trials followed numerous requests from member associations for an alternative, cost-effective way of using technology to support match officials. Unlike the video assistant referee (VAR) system, FVS does not use dedicated video match officials and therefore does not check all match-changing incidents. Instead, the onus falls on the respective head coaches, who are allowed to make a limited number of review requests per game when they feel that a clear and obvious error has been made in match-changing incidents, such as goals, penalty decisions, direct red card incidents or cases of mistaken identity. The players can also recommend that their coaches request a review. “Chile is a football-loving country, and we have an excellent opportunity to ensure that this year’s edition of the FIFA U-20 World Cup leaves a legacy on a refereeing level. The (FIFA) U-20 World Cup is a highly competitive tournament that requires officials to have a sound reading of the game,” noted FIFA Director of Refereeing Massimo Busacca.

US Issues Fresh Travel Advisory Warning Against Travel to Nigeria

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

The United States government has issued a new travel advisory cautioning its citizens against travelling to Nigeria due to a combination of security threats and inadequate healthcare services. The advisory, released as part of the US security review for Africa, cited kidnapping, terrorism, armed gangs, and violent crime as major risks. It also flagged the poor availability of healthcare services and warned travellers to make provisions for all necessary medications and emergency care before visiting. Nigeria was listed alongside 11 other high-risk African countries, including Somalia, Libya, Burkina Faso, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, and Chad. The US State Department categorised Nigeria under Level 3: “Reconsider Travel”, with 18 states placed under Level 4: “Do Not Travel”. These include: The US Mission in Nigeria highlighted the prevalence of violent crimes such as armed robbery, assault, carjacking, roadside banditry, and kidnappings for ransom, warning that terrorists may strike with little or no notice at public places, hotels, markets, and transportation hubs. Additionally, the advisory underscored Nigeria’s high malaria risk, unreliable healthcare services, lack of emergency response infrastructure, and counterfeit pharmaceuticals, urging travellers to secure comprehensive travel and medical evacuation insurance.

Sport Integrity Foundation Presents Half-Year Report of Activities in Nigeria Football

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

The Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday received an independent Mid-Year report of Activities in Nigeria Football from the Sport Integrity Foundation. NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi (MON) hailed the efforts of the Foundation and praised it for contributing its quota as partners-in-progress to moving Nigeria football, which is in line with the objectives of the Ibrahim Gusau-led administration to inspire all stakeholders to contribute what they can to grow the Nigeria game. “We’re very impressed to see such initiative coming from your organisation. The NFF cannot see everything but having organisations like yours delights us. You are becoming an important eye for the integrity of the game. “The NFF board is very committed to ethics and integrity and we’re doing everything to make sure that anybody trying to bring the game into disrepute will be punished. We also need the collaboration of law enforcement agencies so that when we pass resolutions, such individuals can be punished within the ambit of the law,” Dr Sanusi said. The delegation of Sport Integrity Foundation included Abiola Shodiya, Co-ordinator and; Sammy Ejegwa, Georgina Bode and Taofeek Lawal, who are members.

WAFU B U20 Boys Tourney: Flying Eagles Strategise to Stop Ivorians in Final

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Nigeria’s U20 boys, Flying Eagles know they must be at their very best to surmount the challenge of in-form Young Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire in Wednesday’s Final match of the WAFU B U20 Boys Tournament in Accra, Ghana. The Ivorians have taken no prisoners at this tournament, winning all their four previous matches. They edged Burkina Faso 2-1 in their first match, and went on to conquer Niger Republic and Togo with 1-0 and 2-0 scorelines in their other two matches in the group phase. In Sunday’s semi finals, they came from behind to defeat host nation Ghana 2-1, underscoring their strength, resilience and adversity quotient. Forward Mohammed Abdullahi earned Nigeria a point with an 84th minute equalizer against the Black Satellites of Ghana in the competition’s opening match, and the Flying Eagles then came from behind to rout Benin Republic’s U20 boys 4-1 in the three-team group A. In their semi final, two-time FIFA U20 World Cup runners-up Nigeria edged the U20 boys of Niger Republic 4-3 after a penalty shootout, following 0-0 in regulation time. There will be plenty of fireworks at Ghana’s Centre of Excellence in Prampram on Wednesday, with the Nigerian President of WAFU B, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau (MON), seated alongside other top officials of WAFU at the grand finale. Wednesday’s encounter is an opportunity for Head Coach Aliyu Zubair to put some polish on his rising reputation as a winner, having led the Flying Eagles to win the WAFU B U20 Championship in Togo last year and coming away with a FIFA World Cup ticket from the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt a couple of months ago. Mohammed Abdullahi and Ezekiel Kpangu are the players to watch out for in the Nigerian side, while Abdoul Bamba and Ali Kone constitute potent threats at the fore of the Ivorians.

Nigeria Defeat South Africa 2-1 to Reach WAFCON Final

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago01 mins

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have booked their place in the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over South Africa’s Banyana Banyana on Tuesday at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. Rasheedat Ajibade put Nigeria ahead in the 35th minute from the penalty spot after Folashade Ijamilusi was fouled in the box. South Africa fought back early in the second half, with Linda Motlhalo converting a penalty in the 58th minute to level the score. With the game finely poised, Nigeria’s resilience paid off as they capitalized on a late counterattack to secure the winning goal, sealing a dramatic 2-1 triumph. The result sends the Super Falcons to yet another WAFCON final, where they will battle for a record-extending 10th title.

Atiku, Peter Obi Mourn Buhari’s Demise

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

Former Nigeria’s Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubarkar and Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi has mourned the passing of former Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari. Buhari breathe his last on Sunday in London after losing battle to an undisclossed illness. According to Atiku, he said; “I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari, a man whose life was defined by unflinching patriotism, stoic discipline, and a lifelong commitment to the sovereignty and unity of our great nation. “President Buhari was not just a former Head of State, he was a symbol of Nigeria’s resilience. From the battlefield to the corridors of power, he served with the kind of austere conviction and firm belief in duty that marked him as a soldier of principle and a leader of formidable will. “His death is not just a loss to his immediate family and the people of Daura, it is a profound national tragedy. Nigeria has lost a statesman who bore the burdens of leadership in both turbulent and triumphant times and whose legacy will be remembered for generations to come. “To his beloved family, I offer my deepest condolences. I pray for strength and comfort in this time of grief. To the people of Katsina State and the entire nation, I mourn with you. May we all take solace in the knowledge that he gave his life to the service of Nigeria and never wavered in his belief in her promise. “May Allah, the Most Merciful, forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest in Aljannah Firdaus.” -AA In a similar vein, Peter Obi took to his Twitter handle now X to express his sadness of the former president’s demise. “I have just received the very sad news of the passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari in London. His death provides a solemn moment, not just for his family and close associates, but for our nation as a whole. “President Buhari has always comported himself in a dignified manner as a leader. “To his wife, children, extended family, and to all Nigerians I extend my deepest condolences. “May Almighty Allah, Most Gracious and Most Merciful, forgive President Buhari’s shortcomings, reward his efforts in service to the nation, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus. “Ameen,” the former Anambra State Governor prayed.

VP Shettima to Accompany Buhari’s Body Back Home

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago01 mins

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the passing of his predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari. President Buhari died today (Sunday) in London at about 4.30 pm, following a prolonged illness. President Tinubu has spoken with Mrs Aishat Buhari, the former President’s widow and offered his deep condolences. President Tinubu has also ordered Vice President Kashim Shettima to proceed to the United Kingdom to accompany President Muhammadu Buhari’s body back to Nigeria. Former President Buhari was twice elected Nigeria’s President in 2015 and 2023. He also served as military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985. President Tinubu has ordered flags at half-staff as a mark of respect for the departed leader.

BREAKING: Former President Muhammadu Buhari Dies in London

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago01 mins

Former President Muhammdu Buhari is dead. His former aide, Bashir Ahmad, announced the passing of the former president on X. He wrote: “The family of the former president has announced the passing on of the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, this afternoon in a clinic in London. May Allah accept him in Aljannatul Firdaus. Amin.” President Buhari, who served as Nigeria’s civilian president from 2015 to 2023 after previously leading the country as a military head of state between 1983 and 1985, was known for his stance on anti-corruption and efforts to stabilise the economy. Further details regarding burial arrangements are expected to be released by the family in accordance with Islamic rites.