Nigerian star Mikel Obi has retired from professional football after a sparkling career spanning twenty years. “There is a saying that ‘all good things must come to an end’, and for my professional football career, that day is today,” the 35-year-old former Chelsea man said on Tuesday. “I look...
SPORTS
Qatar has called up hundreds of civilians, including diplomats summoned back from overseas, for mandatory military service operating security checkpoints at World Cup stadiums. According to a source and documents made available to Reuters, the deployment of conscripts, some of whom would normally defer national service because their work...
The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) has launched an investigation on Tuesday after two Mali players were filmed fighting with each other after their team were eliminated from the Women’s World Cup. The incident took place after Mali lost 68-81 to Serbia in their Group B clash in Sydney on...
By ORKULA SHAAGGEE, Abuja – A leading contender in the NFF Presidential election slated for September 30, and the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Abba Yola has bagged the prestigious Thomas Sankara Leadership Prize for Pan- African Icon of Sports Renaissance Award....
By ORKULA SHAAGGEE, Abuja – The Minister for Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare will on Tuesday meet with all candidates seeking to replace Amaju Melvin Pinnick, as the new president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The 2022 NFF Electoral Committee last week cleared 11 aspirants to contest...
The Interclub Organising Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has disqualified Volcan Club de Moroni from the ongoing 2022/2023 CAF Champions League. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the club from Comoros were disqualified after they failed to arrive and honour their Champions League first...
A team of football players representing the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Sunday in Abeokuta defeated their Police Machine counterparts 4-1. The victory helped them to win the second edition of the Ogun SWAN Security and Safety Cup competition, played at the MKO Abiola International Stadium. The News Agency...
By ORKULA SHAAGGEE, Abuja – Flamingos’ Head Coach, Bankole Olowookere has selected team captain Alvine Dah-Zossu, midfield jewel Taiwo Afolabi and top scorer Opeyemi Ajakaye as part of Nigeria’s 21-girl squad for this year’s FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup finals in India. There are also first-choice goalkeeper Faith Omilana,...
The Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) Task Force says the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should not engage in the act of defying a court order regarding its upcoming elections. Harrison Jalla, Chairman of PFAN Taskforce, told newsmen on Friday in Abuja that all those in the NFF defying...
Roger Federer’s trophy-laden career ended with defeat on Friday, but for once the result hardly mattered as the Swiss maestro headed into retirement with tears in his eyes and cheers ringing in his ears. With a sellout crowd of 17,500 at London’s O2 Arena willing him on, the 20-time...
Super Eagles Head Coach Jose Peseiro has set his sights on winning next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Nigeria last won the competition in 2013 and were one of the favourites heading into the 2021 tournament but surprisingly capitulated to Tunisia in the round of 16. The three-time...
Cristiano Ronaldo was charged with “improper and/or violent” conduct by the English Football Association on Friday for an incident dating back five months. Footage showed Ronaldo appearing to knock a fan’s mobile phone to the ground after United’s 1-0 defeat at Everton on April 9, for which the Portuguese...
Football is undoubtedly the most loved and followed sport in Nigeria. The game also commands a massive following globally. It is no wonder countless talented footballers are arising from the nation. As a result, many international scouts are constantly checking Nigeria to pick out the next superstar. Football enthusiasts...
Manchester United on Thursday announced a net loss of £115.5 million ($130.4 million, 132.2 million euros) for the 2021/22 season even though revenues rose to £583 million as coronavirus restrictions eased. The financial year to June 30, 2022 also brought a 22 per cent rise in debt and a...
By ORKULA SHAAGGEE, Abuja – Super Eagles’ midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi has sustained injury in the team’s camp, and is out of the high profile international friendly game against Algeria. The Leicester star has already left the team’s camp and returned to England. The 25 year-old last appeared for Nigeria...
By PATRICK ABANG, Calabar – Ahead of the 21st National Sports Festival tagged Delta 2022, scheduled to hold between November 2nd and 25, the Cross River State Sports Commission is targeting the number one top spot in the medal table. The Chairman of the Commission, Comrade Emmanuel Elom disclosed...
By ORKULA SHAAGGEE, Abuja – The Super Eagles’ camp at the Marriott Constantine hit the hundred per cent mark on Wednesday afternoon with the arrival of goalkeeper Francis Uzoho and defender Ebube Duru. Nigeria champions Rivers’ United left-back Duru was called up following injuries to a number of players...
By ORKULA SHAAGGEE, Abuja – A former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Abdullahi Sani Lulu, has appealed to delegates to resist the temptation of voting along religion and regional lines, and elect the right person that has the experience and capacity to turn around the dwindling...
UEFA president Aleksander Cerefin has dismissed rumours the governing body could take European Champions League games out of Europe. Media reports emerged this week suggesting UEFA’s executive committee were exploring options to stage marquee group stage encounters in neutral territory, such as the U.S., China and the Middle East....
Cristiano Ronaldo intends to continue with Portugal until Euro 2024, shutting down any notion this year’s World Cup could be his last major international tournament. The veteran attacker has struggled for form this season at club level with Manchester United FC, dropped by Erik ten Hag and mostly kept...