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Category: Sports

  • CAF awards Super Eagles 3 points, 3 goals against Libya

    CAF awards Super Eagles 3 points, 3 goals against Libya

    The Confederation of African Football, CAF, on Saturday awarded three points and three goals to the Super Eagles following the botched 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya.

    The Super Eagles consolidated their top position in the group following the verdict.

    The Nigerian side now have 10 points from four matches, four points clear of nearest rivals Benin.

    Libya remain bottom of the group with one point.

    A draw with Benin in Abidjan next month will qualify the Super Eagles for the 2025 AFCON to be hosted by Morocco in December 2025.

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) also fined the Libya Football Federation $50,000.

    The fine is to be paid within 60 days of notification of the decision.

  • Libyan FA President Steps Down Amid Super Eagles Drama

    Libyan FA President Steps Down Amid Super Eagles Drama

    Abdelhakim Al-Shalmani, head of the Libyan Football Federation, has stepped down from his position during a recent General Assembly meeting.

     The announcement came as tensions rose over the treatment of Nigeria’s Super Eagles ahead of an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

    Al-Shalmani’s departure follows criticism of the Libyan sports sector. 

    During the assembly, he expressed dissatisfaction with the state of affairs and opted to leave, marking an end to his tenure. 

    Despite the challenges, he highlighted his long-standing involvement in international and regional football organizations.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian team’s experience has sparked controversy.

     The Super Eagles, who arrived for their qualifying match, reported being held at an abandoned airport for over 15 hours.

     They have since refused to participate, citing security risks.

  • NFF Withdraws Super Eagles After Libya Airport Incident

    NFF Withdraws Super Eagles After Libya Airport Incident

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has withdrawn the Super Eagles from their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya, scheduled for Tuesday.

    The decision comes after the team experienced a 12-hour delay at Al Abraq International Airport in Libya.

    The Super Eagles, traveling for the crucial match in Benghazi, faced an unexpected detour when their chartered flight was redirected to Al Abraq, a smaller airport typically used for hajj services.

     This diversion, which occurred mid-flight, left the team stranded without assistance or transport from the Libyan Football Federation. 

    The team, unable to reach their accommodation in Benghazi, remained at the airport for over half a day.

     Frustrated and exhausted by the ordeal, the players have opted not to proceed with the match. 

    The NFF, supporting the players’ decision, is now making arrangements to return the team to Nigeria, canceling their participation in the upcoming qualifier.

  • Why I Regret Not Buying Arsenal – Dangote 

    Why I Regret Not Buying Arsenal – Dangote 

    The President and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has expressed his regret over not seizing the opportunity to purchase Arsenal Football Club when it was valued at approximately $2 billion.
    In an interview with Bloomberg’s Francine Lacqua, the billionaire businessman shared his aspirations of owning a football club, noting that he wished he had acted sooner on his interest in acquiring the English side.
    Dangote revealed that his decision to focus his resources on a major refinery project ultimately led him to miss out on the chance to invest in Arsenal, a move he now reflects on with disappointment.
    He said, “I think that time has passed. The last time when we had this interview, I told you as soon as I finish with the refinery, I am going to try and buy Arsenal.
    “But you know everything has gone up and the club too is doing very well, Arsenal is doing extremely well right now. That time Arsenal wasn’t doing well.
    “I think I don’t have that kind of excess liquidity to go and buy a club for $4 billion so to speak and use it as a promotional something.
    “But what I will do is to continually be the biggest fan of Arsenal. I watch their games anytime they are playing. So, I will remain a major supporter of Arsenal but I don’t think it makes sense today to buy Arsenal.”
    When asked if he regretted not buying when Arsenal’s value was lower, he said, “Actually, I regret not buying it before but you know my money was more needed in completing my project (Dangote refinery) than buying Arsenal. I would have bought the club for $2 billion but you know I wouldn’t have been able to finish my project. So, It was either I finish my project or go and buy Arsenal.”
  • AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: Group D leaders, Nigeria held to a goalless draw

    AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: Group D leaders, Nigeria held to a goalless draw

    Group D leader in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier Nigeria, was held to a goalless draw in Kigali on Tuesday, by Rwanda.

     

    The Super Eagles, however, will feel vindictive because in the first half, what appeared to be a real goal was disallowed after Ademola Lookman scored a Victor Boniface’s header, which the referee dismissed.

     

    Both teams’ goalkeepers produced excellent saves to keep the score at zero.

     

    Rwanda is in second place with two points, and Nigeria is leading Group D with four points.

  • Transfer Impasse: Analyst blame Victor, others

    Transfer Impasse: Analyst blame Victor, others

    It is unfortunate but true that the deal to have Nigeria’s Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen move to Chelsea has collapsed completely, following closure of the summer transfer window.
    While there is enough blame to go round the dramatis personae, analysts believe that the real culprits are Victor, for all the shenanigan, his agent and the management of SCC Napoli for playing hard to get.
    Osimhen had been linked with a move from Napoli to Stamford Bridge, with Saudi Pro League side, Al Ahli also interested in signing the forward.
    Uncertainty had beclouded Osimhen’s move to Chelsea. The Nigeria international was on a big contract at Napoli but Chelsea’s offer was below par.
    Al Ahli offered Osimhen a whopping £60 million (about N141 billion) to lure him to Saudi. However, the Nigerian forward preferred to remain in Europe than to move to the Saudi Pro League.
    “Victor Osimhen-Chelsea deal now off as no agreement has been reached. No agreement with Chelsea and their delegation now leaving Napoli after negotiations collapsed tonight,” sports journalist Fabrizio Romano disclosed.
    Osimhen has become one of the deadliest strikers in Europe in recent campaigns and has bagged 55 Serie A goals over the last three seasons.
    As it stands, if nothing happens from Saudi in the next 3 days, Osimhen will stay at Napoli, but will not be part of the squad.
    Relationship between the player and the club is currently completely broken, as Osimhen does not want to play anymore for the Serie A side.
    This means the only option left for the Super Eagles striker is a move away to Saudi Al Ahli.
    Meanwhile, Chelsea have alternatively agreed to a deal to sign Jadon Sancho from Manchester United. United have agreed to the loan deal with buy obligation clause offered by Chelsea. Sancho has already said yes to the deal and set for medicals.
    Similarly, Al Ahli have completed the deal to sign Ivan Toney on £40m deal from Brentford, following the failure to secure Osimhen.
    Medicals have been done, contract agreed and Ivan will travel to Saudi this weekend to be presented as Al Ahli player.
  • BRUNO, What?

    BRUNO, What?

    As some diehard supporters of Nigerian football heave a sigh of relief, Soccer buffs and other enthusiasts of Super Eagles question the strategic benefit of appointing German tactician Bruno Lababadia as the Chief Coach of the Nigerian national team.
    International Nigerian sports journalist, Oma Akatugba, while speaking to Arise Tv on the subject yesterday, doubted the propriety of hiring the German whom he said, knew almost nothing about the Super Eagles and the larger Nigerian football tradition.
    Akatugba argued further that Bruno Labbadia has no national team experience and therefore, joining the team at a time the Super Eagles team structure is in disarray may not yield the desired result.
    A coach, it is argued, is as good as his last match. Bruno Labbadia almost took Stuttgart FC into relegation before he was booted out.
    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced yesterday, that it had reached an agreement with German tactician, Bruno Labbadia to take charge of the Super Eagles.
    Secretary General of the NFF, Mohammed Sanusi made the announcement on Tuesday morning.
    “The NFF Executive Committee has approved the recommendation of its Technical and Development Sub-Committee to appoint Mr. Bruno Labbadia as the Head Coach of the Super Eagles. The appointment is with immediate effect,” Sanusi said.
    Born in Darmstadt, Germany on 8th February 1966, Labbadia, won two caps for Die Mannschaft.
    The tactician coached famous names, Hertha Berlin and VfB Stuttgart this decade, and previously, VfL Wolfsburg, Hamburger SV, Bayer Leverkusen, among others, and holds a UEFA Pro License.
    He is only the sixth German, after Karl-Heinz Marotzke (who had two stints between 1970 and 1974), Gottlieb Göller (1981), Manfred Höner (1988-1989), Berti Vogts (2007-2008) and Gernot Rohr (2016-2021) to lead the Super Eagles.
    Labbadi’s immediate challenge is to take charge of the three-time African champions for two 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Benin Republic (Saturday 7th September in Uyo) and Rwanda (Tuesday, 10th September in Kigali), with four other matches to conclude the qualifying race following in the months of October and November
  • Euro 2024: UEFA issues bans to seven countries

    Euro 2024: UEFA issues bans to seven countries

    By anchor admin

    UEFA have announced bans and fines for seven countries who participated at Euro 2024 because of discriminatory behaviour by their fans.

    Some of the matches at the tournament were marred by incidents of racism and offensive chanting.

    UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB), in a press statement on Wednesday, confirmed the charges for seven national federations over incidents which relate to a total of 17 games.

    Firstly, Croatia have been fined £41,978 and banned from selling tickets to their away fans for their next UEFA competition match, due their supporters’ racist and discriminatory behaviour in all three of their Group B fixtures.

    The Romanian FA have been handed a £33,583 fine and will also be banned from selling tickets to away supporters for their next UEFA match after similar incidents across three of their games.

    Albania have also been charged with racist and discriminatory behaviour during their group-stage games against Croatia and Spain. They have been fined £25,183 and given them a one-UEFA match ban from selling tickets to their away supporters, suspended for a probationary period of two years.

    Meanwhile, the Hungarian, Slovenian and Serbian federations have all received the same punishment for their fans’ racist and discriminatory behaviour.

  • Mikel Obi Undergoes Surgery in UK

    Mikel Obi Undergoes Surgery in UK

    Nigerian footballer, Mikel Obi has revealed that he recently underwent surgery at the Princess Grace Hospital in the United Kingdom.

    The football star revealed this in photos shared on his Instagram story on Saturday.

    He, however, did not disclose the nature of the surgery.

    Sharing a picture he took before the operation, he wrote, “Pre-op, let’s go.”

    Another picture of him lying on the bed at the hospital post-surgery was captioned, “All good, #PostOp.”

    In April 2017, Obi was reported to have undergone a successful surgery in the UK, after which he began rehabilitation for proper recovery.

  • CAF Announces New Dates for AFCON, WAFCON

    CAF Announces New Dates for AFCON, WAFCON

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the new dates for the CAF TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

    The CAF executive committee confirmed the dates during a meeting on Friday and published on its official website. AFCON will take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

    The Women’s tournament, originally scheduled for this year, has been rescheduled to July 5 to July 26, 2025.

    CAF President Patrice Motsepe explained that the delay in announcing the dates was due to the crowded global football calendar.

    Despite the delay, Motsepe expressed optimism about the tournaments in Morocco, anticipating they will be the best in the continent’s history.

    “The announcement of the dates for the CAF TotalEnergies AFCON Morocco 2025 took longer than expected due to complex and challenging discussions with various stakeholders, considering the extensive International and Domestic Match Calendars,” Motsepe stated.

    “CAF is dedicated to protecting and advancing the interests of African players competing in clubs across Europe and worldwide. We are also committed to fostering beneficial relationships with the ECA, UEFA, other Football Confederations, and FIFA. We will continue to make significant progress in developing African football to ensure it is globally competitive and among the best in the world,” he added.