Tag: General Sports

The Nigeria Premier Football League and digital broadcasting company Startimes Nigeria have signed an exclusive five-year deal to broadcast the Nigeria Premier League.

The NPFL will now be available for television broadcast as part of a significant development. The five-year broadcasting deal with StarTimes is worth in excess of N1.60 billion

Starting on November 18th, two games from the NPFL will be televised for viewers to watch via the StarTimes decoder and mobile application. This means that football enthusiasts can enjoy live coverage of select matches on their TV screens, providing them with an opportunity to follow their favourite teams closely.

Moreover, beginning on February 18, 2024, the television coverage will expand, with four games being broadcast for the following two years. This enhancement in coverage ensures that more NPFL matches will be accessible to a broader audience.

READ MORE: Only two Nigerians nominated for the 2023 CAF Awards

In a further expansion of the broadcasting initiative, there are plans to televise eight matches for the subsequent three years. This extended coverage indicates a commitment to promoting the NPFL and increasing its visibility in the sports media landscape.

This positive development is anticipated to have a significant impact on the league, potentially attracting a larger viewership, increased sponsorship opportunities, and a boost in the popularity of Nigerian football.

The NPFL’s journey is poised to be shaped positively by this new broadcasting arrangement.

In May, the NPFL signed a 5 million-dollar sponsorship deal with GTI and Propel Sports Africa. The partnership was to enable live NPFL matches powered by GTI and Propel Sports Africa and live streaming of NPFL games on Over-The-top (OTT) platform “NPFL Live.”

The streaming has allowed fans to enjoy live matches and exclusive content, while Pixellot, provider of AI-automated cameras, was to deliver good viewing and broadcast quality.

But so far, Propel Sports Africa has failed to live up to expectations, broadcasting matches with poor camera quality with only one angle without replays.

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Wydad Casablanca defender Oussama Falouh has passed away after spending three weeks in coma following a car accident on October 11, 2023.

Late Oussama Falouh

Africa Football League finalist, Wydad Casablanca announced on their official website that Oussama Falouh passed away on Thursday, November 2, 2023.

The Moroccan club released a statement, translated from Arabic expressing profound grief over the defenders passing away.

“Ossama Falouh is in God’s memory… With great sadness, the Wydad management announced the death of Oussama in an Arabic statement.

“In this dark hour, Mr Saïd Naciri, on behalf of himself and all the members of his office, the players, the technical and administrative teams, and all the employees, extends his most sincere and deepest condolences and regrets to the deceased’s family.”

The statement added: “To his loved ones, as well as all components of the Wydad Athletic Club.”

“He prays to Allah Almighty to cover the deceased with his vast mercy, to welcome him into his vast paradise. To Allah, we belong, and to him we return.”

Oussama had joined Wydad Casablanca from the French Ligue Two side Angers in the August transfer window but had not made his debut before the unfortunate accident and now his death.

Born on the 12th of July 1999 in Casablanca, started his career at AM football in 2018 after representing Morocco at U-23 level. The left-back spent most of his five-year career in France before returning to hometown club Wydad in August.

Wydad is scheduled to play against Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday, November 5, in South Africa for the first leg of the maiden Africa Football League final, with the return leg set for Saturday, November 11, in Morocco.

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Sweden-based Nigerian goalkeeper, Jonathan Rasheed has revealed that he is open to representing the Super Eagles. AthleticNG reports.

Born in Gothenburg to a Nigerian father and Norwegian mother, Rasheed is eligible to play for the national teams of Sweden, Norway and Nigeria, but he has yet to win a senior cap for any of the aforementioned countries.

In recent days, Rasheed’s name has cropped up in the local media as a possible reinforcement to the Super Eagles goalkeeper ranks after the dismal performance of Francis Uzoho in back-to-back friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique.

The 31-year-old Rasheed admitted that he learned about a potential invitation to the Super Eagles via social media.

“It started a week ago. I was tagged in several posts on Twitter (now X) and Instagram, and yes. It was friends who wrote that it had started to be talked about and so on,” Rasheed said to Fotbollskanalen.

“I don’t know what it is or where it comes from, but there have been people who have written to me about it. It is fun. It probably means that you have done something good.

Super Eagles fans pleaded with Rasheed to choose Nigeria over the other countries he’s eligible for and when asked if he has a Nigerian passport, he replied in the affirmative.

Asked if there have been contacts with the Nigeria Football Federation, Rasheed answered: “I personally have had no contact with anyone. But I hope it might come.”

The 31-year-old says it would be a dream to represent Nigeria – a country with a lot of history and good players especially in the 1990s.

“It would have been awesome. My father is from there and I have always been aware of Nigeria, Norway and Sweden.

“I would have been proud if given the chance. It’s basically the biggest thing you can do as a player.”

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Meet Henry Eze, a passionate football enthusiast, seasoned administrator, and consultant with a wealth of experience and expert management skills in the football industry.

With over four years in the football sector, he has acquired professional diplomas in various key aspects of football, including Football Strategy, Branding and Communications, Revenue Generation, Fan Engagement, Sport Marketing, Sports Products and Services Management, Sports Sponsorship, Communication Issues in Sports Organizations, and Public Relations in Sports Organizations from the FC Barcelona Innovation Hub.

Currently, he is pursuing a Master’s in Football Business through a program offered by the prestigious Johan Cruyff Institute in partnership with FC Barcelona, located in Barcelona, Spain.

Henry Eze is not only focused on expanding his knowledge but is also dedicated to applying all that he learns during this program to the global football arena. His goal is to make valuable contributions to the successful management of football players, clubs, leagues, and football federations.

His true passion lies in elevating and developing the football sector in his native country, Nigeria, and extending his influence beyond its borders. To date, Henry Eze has collaborated with several prominent sports organizations, including Vandrezzer Football Club, Kanu Nwankwo (Papilo), and SME (Stream Media & Entertainment).

Here is a summary of Henry Eze’s capabilities and areas of expertise:

• Effective management of football players, clubs, tournaments, and football federations.
• Bringing innovative solutions to the football industry.
• Generating revenues for football clubs, tournaments, and football federations.
• Proficiency in marketing, sponsorship, and fan engagement.
• In-depth knowledge of football and media.
• Management of sports products and services (assets).
• Expertise in sports live broadcast and content production.
• Skilled in branding and identity management for players, clubs, leagues, and federations.

For direct contact and further information, you can reach Henry Eze through the following channels:
Instagram: @henry_natty
Email: henrywapsite@gmail.com
Phone: +2348024755171

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Super Eagles of Nigeria head coach Jose Peseiro has ruled Victor Osimhen and winger and Samuel Chukwueze out of his squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

Both Italy-based players picked up injuries in Nigeria’s friendly draw against Saudi Arabia In October and have not played any games for their clubs since.

In recent reports, Chukwueze returned to training at AC Milan and is available for the UEFA Champions League clash Vs PSG.

However, Peseiro has confirmed that the duo will miss the two games as he intends not to risk them.

“Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen will not be called up during the next break; we want to avoid any risks,” Peseiro told TV Play, as per Milan Reports.

“I was very sorry for their injuries: the clubs pay the players, and we constantly collaborate with them.”

The Super Eagles will first host Lesotho at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Thursday, November 16 before travelling to face Zimbabwe at the Huye Stadium three days later.

Nigeria missed the 2022 FIFA World Cup and so will hope to get their qualification off to a successful start without the exciting forwards.

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Bayer Leverkusen forward Nathan Tella has been tipped to earn his first Super Eagles of Nigeria call-up for upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches in November.

The Nigeria Men’s national team will face the Crocodiles of Lesotho and the Warriors of Zimbabwe on the 16th and 19th of November 2023.

In the build up to the games, Super Eagles of Nigeria head Coach Jose Peseiro is reportedly considering handing a maiden call-up for Bayer Leverkusen forward, Nathan Tella.

Like his club teammate Victor Boniface, Tella will be rewarded for his part in Leverkusen’s flying start to the season plus a major injury worry in the Super Eagles attack.

Days ago, Jose Peseiro had confirmed that Italy-based duo, Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze will miss both matches with injury and so replacements will be sought.

Tella was born in England to Nigerian parents.

The winger will be glad to get on the Super Eagles roster having pledged his international allegiance to Nigeria.

The former Burnley forward famously told BILD, I’ve always said for the last three or four years that Nigeria is a big part of my life – even though I’ve been an ‘England boy’ from London all my life.

” If I got the chance to play for Nigeria, I would be more than happy and accept it. I’ve already told my parents and friends that I would do that,”  the forward had said.

According to unconfirmed reports, Tella will be a direct replacement for AC Milan winger Samuel Chukwueze if Caoch Peseiro sticks with his earlier plan not to risk him and Napoli SSC striker Victor Osimhen.

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