Tag: General Sports

Chisom Egbuchulam was the star of the show as Al-Jandal secured a dominant 3-1 victory over Ohod in the Saudi First Division on Tuesday at the Al Jouf University Stadium.

The Nigerian forward continued his impressive form, finding the back of the net in the 27th minute to double Al-Jandal’s lead after Abdullah Matuq had opened the scoring earlier.

Egbuchulam’s goal—his seventh of the season—proved crucial in maintaining his team’s momentum as they recorded back-to-back league wins.

READ MORE:Shukurat Oladipo opens up on her ‘Life-Changing’ move to AS Roma

Shortly after the break, Cheick Comara made it 3-0, effectively sealing the win for Al-Jandal. While Ohod managed to grab a stoppage-time consolation through Mohammed Harzan, it was never enough to trouble the hosts.

Despite the victory, Al-Jandal remain 11th in the standings with 27 points, while bottom-placed Ohod continue to struggle.

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With nine defeats and eight wins so far this season, Egbuchulam and his teammates will be aiming to build on their momentum when they face Al Najma in their next fixture.

Source: The Athletic NG

Shooting Stars’ impressive NPFL eight-game unbeaten streak, which lasted 78 calendar days, came to an end on Wednesday as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Kwara United at the Kwara Sports Complex in Ilorin.

Kabiru Muhammed opened the scoring for the hosts in the 22nd minute before Ojifinni Abdullahi doubled the lead just three minutes later. Despite the setback, Shooting Stars remain second on the NPFL table, though they now trail league leaders Remo Stars by eight points.

At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Bendel Insurance secured a 1-0 victory over Enyimba, extending the visitors’ poor run of form. Enyimba have now won just two of their last 10 NPFL matches (W2 D4 L4), leaving their title ambitions in doubt.

Their latest setback was compounded by a 21st-minute red card to Innocent Gabriel, who was sent off for a reckless challenge on Kayode Oke. The hosts made the numerical advantage count, with Oke scoring the winning goal 10 minutes into the second half.

At the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano Pillars finally ended their four-game winless run with a dramatic 2-1 victory over El-Kanemi Warriors.

READ MORE:Boost for Super Eagles as Ademola Lookman edges closer to return

Rabiu Ali put the home side ahead in the 62nd minute with a coolly converted penalty, but El-Kanemi Warriors responded swiftly as Al-Amin Umar equalized from another penalty just four minutes later.

With the game seemingly headed for a draw, Rashid Alasan struck in the 90th minute, securing Kano Pillars’ first win in their last four outings.

As things stand with 1️⃣5️⃣ matchdays to go #NPFL25 pic.twitter.com/29mLt00y0r

— NPFL (@NigeriaPFL) February 12, 2025

NPFL Midweek Results

• Kwara United 2-0 Shooting Stars
• Bendel Insurance 1-0 Enyimba
• Kano Pillars 2-1 El-Kanemi Warriors

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Nigeria Premier Football league(NPFL) returns this weekend with match day 24 exciting fixtures to look forward to, as teams continue the fight for the title, continental places and relegation survival.

Source: The Athletic NG

Nigeria’s U20 head coach, Aliyu Zubairu, remains undaunted by the difficult group draw for the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Flying Eagles have been placed in Group B alongside Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa, all formidable opponents, but Zubairu views this as a great test for his team.

The draw, conducted on Thursday, placed Nigeria—record seven-time U20 AFCON champions—against Egypt, a four-time champion, Morocco, the 1997 winners, and South Africa, who secured bronze in 2019 after defeating Nigeria on penalties.

Despite the high-caliber competition, Zubairu remains confident about Nigeria’s prospects in the tournament.

“It’s a strong group, but we embrace the challenge,” he told the NFF. “If a team truly wants to qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup, they must be prepared to face the best. Playing against Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa at this stage is an opportunity to prove ourselves.”

As part of their preparation, Zubairu has invited 30 players for two friendly matches against Egypt U20 on February 25 and 27 in Cairo. The U20 AFCON will take place from April 26 to May 18 in Côte d’Ivoire.

READ MORE:Flying Eagles of Nigeria land in ‘Group of Death’ for U20 AFCON

The 2025 U20 AFCON features three groups. Group A includes hosts Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania, and a yet-to-qualify UNIFFAC team. Group C consists of defending champions Senegal, Zambia, Sierra Leone, and Kenya. With three former champions in Nigeria’s group, many have labeled it the “group of death,” but Zubairu rejects this notion.

“We need to stop calling it a ‘group of death,’” he said. “There are no easy games in African football anymore. What matters is preparation—any well-prepared team can pull off surprises.”

Zubairu’s confidence is backed by a stellar 2024 season. He led El-Kanemi Warriors to promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and guided them to their first Federation Cup victory in 32 years with a 2-0 win over Abia Warriors. These achievements earned him the role of Flying Eagles head coach, a position he has managed alongside his club duties.

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Under his leadership, Nigeria’s U20 team won the WAFU B Tournament, defeating arch-rivals Ghana 2-1 in the final. Now, Zubairu has his sights set on winning the U20 AFCON title in Côte d’Ivoire, a victory that would mark the pinnacle of his coaching career.

Source: The Athletic NG

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has enlisted the support of Nigerian football legends as he looks to motivate his players ahead of crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The Super Eagles have endured a poor start to their campaign, failing to secure a single win in their opening four matches. They were held to draws by Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and South Africa while suffering a damaging defeat against Benin Republic.

With just three points from a possible 12, Nigeria is currently fifth in Group C. They trail group leaders South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin by four points and sit one point behind Lesotho. Only the top team from each group secures an automatic ticket to the World Cup, leaving Nigeria with a mountain to climb.

READ MORE:NPFL Wrap: Shooting Stars’ unbeaten run ends, Bendel Insurance edge Enyimba

To boost morale, Chelle has reached out to some of Nigeria’s most celebrated football icons. Among those who have accepted his invitation are:

• Nwankwo Kanu – Former Arsenal and Inter Milan forward
• Austin Okocha – Ex-Bolton Wanderers captain
• Mikel Obi – Former Chelsea midfielder
• Vincent Enyeama – Legendary ex-Lille goalkeeper

“I have invited Nigerian legends to join us in this battle, and I’m happy they have accepted,” Chelle said, as quoted by Mainland Metro via The Guardian.

“I want to assure Nigerians that we are preparing well for these matches, and we will do whatever it takes to get back on track.”

The Super Eagles’ next two games could determine their World Cup fate. They will travel to Kigali to face Rwanda on March 21, followed by a home fixture against Zimbabwe in Uyo on March 25. Both matches are must-wins if Nigeria hopes to stay in contention.

Chelle, who replaced Augustine Eguavoen as head coach on January 8, faces immense pressure to deliver results. If Nigeria fails to win both matches, their World Cup dreams could be effectively over, shifting their focus to the 2030 tournament instead.

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Remaining Fixtures for Nigeria

March 21 away to Rwanda, March 25 home to Zimbabwe, August 2025 home to Rwanda, September 2025 away to South Africa, October 2025 away to Lesotho, November 2025 home to Benin.

Source: The Athletic NG

Saudi Arabia ambassador to the United Kingdom, Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, has confirmed that alcohol will not be available at any venue during the 2034 FIFA World Cup, including hotels.

Speaking in an interview with LBC, Prince Khalid emphasized that the decision aligns with the country’s cultural values.

“At the moment, we don’t allow alcohol. Plenty of fun can be had without alcohol—it’s not 100% necessary. If you want to drink after you leave, you’re welcome to, but at the moment, we don’t have alcohol.”

When asked whether fans could drink in hotel bars, as was the case during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he was firm in his response:

“No, there is no alcohol at all. Rather like our weather, it’s a dry country.”

Saudi Arabia, a strictly Islamic nation, has laws that prohibit the sale and consumption of alcohol. While Qatar allowed alcohol in designated fan zones and hotel bars during the last World Cup, Saudi Arabia has opted for a stricter policy.

READ MORE:Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle brings in Nigerian Legends to revive World Cup hopes

Prince Khalid stated that the country is open to welcoming visitors but will not compromise on its cultural identity.

“Everyone has their own culture. We’re happy to accommodate people within the boundaries of our culture, but we don’t want to change our culture for someone else.”

Another significant concern surrounding Saudi Arabia’s World Cup hosting is its human rights record, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ rights. Same-sex relationships are illegal, and transgender identities are not recognized in the country.

Despite this, Prince Khalid assured that everyone would be welcome at the tournament.

“It is not a Saudi event, it is a world event, and to a large extent, we will welcome everyone who wants to come.”

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However, human rights organizations remain skeptical. Amnesty International has warned that hosting the tournament in Saudi Arabia could lead to severe and widespread human rights violations, citing concerns over sportswashing—a strategy where nations invest heavily in sports to improve their international image despite ongoing human rights issues.

Source: The Athletic NG

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) board has rescheduled Matchday 24 fixtures for the 2024/2025 season, this was confirmed in an official letter sent to clubs, signed by the league’s Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi.

The fixture between Nasarawa United and Ikorodu City FC has been moved to Saturday, 15th February 2025, at the Lafia City Stadium, with kickoff set for 4:00 PM. Also, Kano Pillars will face Abia Warriors on the same day at the Sani Abacha Stadium in Kano, kicking off at 3:00 PM.

Other matches scheduled for Saturday, 15th February 2025, include Kwara United vs Bayelsa United, Plateau United vs El-Kanemi Warriors, Lobi Stars vs Katsina United, Enyimba FC vs Rivers United, and Sunshine Stars vs Akwa United.

On Sunday, 16th February 2025, Rangers International will host table-toppers Remo Stars in Enugu at 3:00 PM, marking the standout fixture of the matchday. Also on Sunday, Heartland FC will take on Shooting Stars, while Bendel Insurance will face Niger Tornadoes.

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Meanwhile Shooting Stars’ impressive eight-game unbeaten streak in the NPFL, which lasted 78 calendar days, came to an end on Wednesday as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Kwara United at the Kwara Sports Complex in Ilorin.

Kabiru Muhammed opened the scoring for the hosts in the 22nd minute, before Ojifinni Abdullahi doubled the lead just three minutes later. Despite the setback, Shooting Stars remain second on the NPFL table, though they now trail league leaders Remo Stars by eight points.

READ MORE:Saudi Arabia confirms alcohol ban for 2034 World Cup

At the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, Bendel Insurance secured a 1-0 victory over Enyimba, extending the visitors’ poor run of form. Enyimba have now won just two of their last 10 NPFL matches (W2 D4 L4), leaving their title ambitions in doubt.

Their latest setback was compounded by a 21st-minute red card to Innocent Gabriel, who was sent off for a reckless challenge on Kayode Oke. The hosts made the numerical advantage count, with Oke scoring the winning goal 10 minutes into the second half.

At the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kano Pillars finally ended their four-game winless run with a dramatic 2-1 victory over El-Kanemi Warriors.

Source: The Athletic NG

The Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) Round 5 delivered thrilling action, with Edo Queens and Remo Stars Ladies maintaining their stronghold, while Rivers Angels and Bayelsa Queens battled to a dramatic stalemate in the South-South derby.

The highly anticipated derby saw the Jewels of Rivers draw first blood in the 10th minute, as Peace Effiong struck early to send the home fans into celebration. However, Zainab Olapade responded 17 minutes later, ensuring Bayelsa Queens left Port Harcourt with a share of the spoils.

Meanwhile, Remo Stars Ladies continued their blistering form with a commanding 2-0 win over Abia Angels. Bolaji Olamide stole the show, scoring a brilliant brace in the 33rd and 85th minutes, solidifying her team’s dominance.

In Lagos, Robo Queens edged a tense battle against Ibom Angels, securing a 2-1 victory. The breakthrough came in the 68th minute when Mariam Yahaya fired her side ahead. The visitors’ woes deepened 10 minutes later when Godsgift Afigbediotor turned the ball into her own net.

READ MORE:NPFL adjusts matchday 24 fixtures as title race heats up

However, Ugobest Osuji pulled one back for Ibom Angels six minutes from time, but it was merely a consolation as Robo Queens held on for all three points.

Elsewhere, Ekiti Queens, Edo Queens, and Adamawa Queens also bagged crucial victories, while Heartland Queens and Dannaz Ladies played out a goalless draw in Owerri.

NWFL Matchday 5 Results:

• FC Robo Queens 2-1 Ibom Angels
• Ekiti Queens 2-0 Confluence Queens
• Adamawa Queens 2-0 Benue Queens
• Naija Ratels 1-1 Delta Queens
• Remo Stars Ladies 2-0 Abia Angels
• Heartland Queens 0-0 Dannaz Ladies
• Rivers Angels 1-1 Bayelsa Queens
• Edo Queens 2-0 Nasarawa Amazons

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With matchday 5 wrapped up, Edo Queens and Remo Stars Ladies remain strong contenders, while Rivers Angels and Bayelsa Queens will look to bounce back in the next round.

Source: The Athletic NG

Super Eagles striker Terem Moffi has taken a major step in his recovery from a serious ACL injury, returning to first-team training with OGC Nice after spending 247 days on the side-lines.

The 25-year-old forward has been out of action since pre-season, missing the entire 2024/25 Ligue 1 campaign so far. However, on Wednesday, he re-joined his teammates at Nice’s training ground, participating in a session that was open to the public.

Moffi’s return was confirmed by L’Équipe journalist Romain Lafont, who reported that the Nigerian international took part in warm-up drills and passing exercises before concluding with an individual workout under the supervision of club staff. Around 200 fans watched as he cautiously reintroduced himself to group activities.

Terem Moffi et Morgan Sanson présents à l’entraînement collectif de Nice ce mercredi. pic.twitter.com/DWeVz896VO

— Romain Lafont (@RomainRlafont) February 12, 2025

The former Lorient striker last played for Nice on May 19, 2024, in a 2-2 draw against Lille. His last appearance for Nigeria came in a World Cup qualifier on June 10, where he featured in the Super Eagles’ 2-1 loss to Benin Republic. Initially expected to return during pre-season, Moffi’s comeback was delayed by a devastating ACL rupture in late July, keeping him sidelined for over eight months.

READ MORE:NWFL Matchday 5: Edo Queens, Remo Ladies shine as Rivers Angels, Bayelsa Queens draw in South-South derby

Moffi was a key figure for Nice last season, scoring 11 goals and providing two assists in 30 Ligue 1 appearances. Since arriving from Lorient in 2023, he has been one of the club’s most reliable attacking threats, netting 51 goals in 133 Ligue 1 matches.

Source: The Athletic NG

Flying Eagles of Nigeria have been drawn into a daunting group at the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations(AFCON), as they will battle Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco in what has been labelled the “Group of Death.”

The draw, conducted at the CAF headquarters in Egypt on Thursday, placed the seven-time champions in Group B of the tournament, which will be hosted in Côte d’Ivoire from April 26 to May 18.

Flying Eagles, who finished third at the last edition in Egypt, will need a strong start to navigate a challenging group. They defeated host nation Egypt 1-0 in the group stage two years ago and will aim for another successful outing.

Former Malian international Adama Coulibaly, who assisted in conducting the draw, admitted that Nigeria’s group will be the toughest.

“There is no doubt that the toughest group is Group B, which has Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, and Morocco,” Coulibaly said.

In other U20 AFCON groupings, hosts Côte d’Ivoire will face DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania, and a yet-to-be-determined Central African representative in Group A. Defending champions Senegal will lead Group C alongside Zambia and first-time participants Kenya and Sierra Leone.

READ MORE:Terem Moffi returns to OGC Nice training after 247 days

The U20 AFCON format will see the top two teams from each group, along with the two best third-placed finishers, advance to the quarter-finals.

Full U20 AFCON 2025 Group Stage Draw

Group A:Côte d’Ivoire, UNNIFAC (Central Africa representative), DR Congo, Ghana, Tanzania
Group B:Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Morocco
Group C:Senegal, Zambia, Kenya, Sierra Leone

Meanwhile, earlier in the week Flying Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu had selected 30 players, a mix of home-based talents for a two-match friendly tour against Egypt’s U20 team later this month. Some of the notable names in the squad include Sporting Lagos goalkeeper Ifeanyi Harcourt, Bayelsa United defender Daniel Bameyi, El-Kanemi Warriors midfielder Alabi Sulaiman Jojo, and Enyimba forward Clinton Japhet.

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The seven-time African champions will take on Egypt in back-to-back friendly matches scheduled for February 25 and 27 in Cairo. These matches will serve as key preparatory fixtures ahead of the continental tournament in Côte d’Ivoire, where Nigeria will aim to secure an eighth U20 AFCON title.

Source: The Athletic NG

The Super Eagles have received a major boost ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifiers, with Ademola Lookman nearing a return from injury.

Lookman sustained an injury during Atalanta’s Serie A clash against Napoli in January and aggravated it during training before their Champions League tie against Barcelona.

This forced him to miss several key fixtures, including matches against Barcelona, Torino, Bologna, and Verona. Despite returning to light training, Atalanta has yet to confirm his exact comeback date.

With Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying hopes on the line, Chelle is eager to have Lookman available for the crucial fixtures against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March.

READ MORE:Chisom Egbuchulam shines again as Al-Jandal cruise to victory in Saudi League

According to Guardian Nigeria, the coach is closely monitoring the forward’s recovery and is optimistic about his return.

Lookman has been a key player for the Super Eagles, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in 27 appearances. His performance at AFCON 2023, where he scored three goals and registered an assist, was instrumental in Nigeria’s run to the final.

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Atalanta manager Gian Piero Gasperini recently addressed Lookman’s availability for their Champions League playoff against Club Brugge, admitting uncertainty about his return.

“Lookman had a rather annoying bruise that he’s been carrying since the Napoli game. We’ll see in the next few days if he’ll be available for Wednesday,” Gasperini told Tutto Atalanta.

After a shaky start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, the Super Eagles are in dire need of Lookman’s attacking presence. With camp opening in March, his return would be a massive boost for the team.

Source: The Athletic NG