Former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has announced that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) will address the disrupted 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between Libya and Nigeria this week. Pinnick, currently a member of FIFA’s council, confirmed that the issue was a key topic during CAF’s recent executive committee meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Speaking to Arise News, Pinnick emphasized CAF’s commitment to resolving the matter. He highlighted the leadership of CAF President Patrice Motsepe, describing him as a figure of integrity and pan-Africanism. “CAF is taking this issue very seriously,” Pinnick stated.…
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Nigerian footballers Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen have earned prestigious nominations for the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) Men’s World Best Player Award for 2024. The Super Eagles stars are the only African players to make the shortlist this year, standing out for their exceptional performances both at club and international levels. Lookman, who plays for Serie A side Atalanta, caught the eye with his impressive contributions during the club’s successful UEFA Europa League campaign last season. The 27-year-old winger played a pivotal role in securing La Dea’s victory, notably scoring a memorable hat-trick in their 3-0…
Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa has been named the Sports Ambassador for Kano State by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. This appointment highlights Musa’s enduring dedication to youth empowerment and sports development, not just within Kano but across the country. As the newly appointed Sports Ambassador, Musa will lead various initiatives designed to foster young talent and cultivate a vibrant sports culture in Kano State. His role will be pivotal in shaping the future of sports and inspiring the next generation of athletes. In response to the appointment, Musa took to social media platform X to express his gratitude. He wrote,…
In yet another memorable performance, Erling Haaland delivered a moment of magic to help Manchester City maintain their unbeaten run in this season’s Champions League, securing a commanding win over Sparta Prague at the Etihad Stadium. Haaland’s striking prowess was on full display as City cruised to a 5-0 victory, keeping their European campaign on track. After being thwarted twice by Sparta Prague’s goalkeeper, Peter Vindahl, Haaland finally found his moment midway through the second half. In a stunning display of skill and improvisation, the Norwegian striker latched onto a cross from Savinho, converting it with a breathtaking backheel volley.…
Barcelona winger Raphinha delivered a dazzling performance, netting a hat-trick to lead his side to a commanding victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League league phase. His electrifying display set the tone for Barcelona’s 4-1 demolition of the German giants, as the Catalans capitalized on Bayern’s defensive frailties. Raphinha wasted no time making an impact, scoring within the first minute of the game. Latching onto a perfectly lofted ball over the top, he sped past the defense and calmly rounded Bayern’s legendary goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, to give Barcelona an early 1-0 lead. It was a blistering start that rattled…
In a significant government restructuring move, President Bola Tinubu has scrapped the Ministry of Sports Development, previously headed by John Enoh. This decision was announced by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, via his post on X (formerly Twitter). The announcement came following a meeting between President Tinubu and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) held in Abuja. According to Onanuga, the responsibilities of the now-defunct Ministry of Sports Development will be taken over by the National Sports Commission (NSC), which will oversee all sports-related affairs moving forward. In addition to this,…
In a thrilling encounter at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Nigeria’s Flamingos clinched a dramatic 1-0 victory over hosts Dominican Republic with a last-minute goal. The match, played early Wednesday in Santo Domingo, saw Nigeria secure their third consecutive win in the tournament, solidifying their position as Group A leaders. The decisive moment came in the 89th minute when midfielder Shakirat Moshood unleashed a stunning left-footed strike from 25 yards, beating the Dominican goalkeeper and securing all three points for her team. This marked Moshood’s fourth goal of the tournament, further establishing her as one of the standout…
In a match filled with drama and heart-stopping moments, Real Madrid staged a remarkable second-half comeback to beat Borussia Dortmund 5-2, led by an outstanding hat-trick from Vinicius Junior. The Spanish giants found themselves in a difficult position at halftime, trailing 2-0 after goals from Donyell Malen and English youngster Jamie Gittens, in what was a repeat of last year’s final. The stage seemed set for Dortmund to end Real Madrid’s 14-match unbeaten home run in the Champions League. But Real Madrid, known for their resilience, had other plans. Antonio Rudiger kick-started the fightback in the 60th minute, powering in…
Arsenal secured a crucial Champions League win against Shakhtar Donetsk, bouncing back from their weekend defeat to Bournemouth. The Gunners’ 1-0 victory came courtesy of a bizarre own goal by Shakhtar goalkeeper Dmytro Riznyk, who was unfortunate to deflect Gabriel Martinelli’s shot into his own net. In the 29th minute, Martinelli’s effort hit the post before rebounding off Riznyk’s back and rolling over the line, giving Arsenal the lead after a dominant start. The home side continued to push forward, with Riccardo Calafiori missing an early opportunity to open the scoring, while Gabriel Jesus came close to doubling the lead…
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Patrice Motsepe, has assured fans and stakeholders that a thorough investigation is underway following the recent controversy surrounding Nigeria’s AFCON qualifier against Libya. Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, after the 46th Ordinary General Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Motsepe made it clear that CAF will not tolerate any form of unsportsmanlike conduct in African football. The controversy arose after the Nigerian national team faced several challenges on their trip to Libya for the crucial qualifier. These difficulties included a redirected flight, an over 18-hour delay at the airport, and logistical complications…