Tag: General Sports

Renowned Olympic gold medalist and incumbent Nigerian Wrestling Federation president, Daniel Igali has announced his decision to step down as President of the NWF when his tenure expires next year.

In a shocking revelation, Igali expressed his dissatisfaction with the lack of compensation for his services, having served as President for 12 years without receiving a single payment.

“I am not contesting for Presidency of Wrestling Federation. This is my final term as President,” Igali declared to journalists in Asaba.

READ MORE: Ambrose Vanzekin reveals why he left Bendel Insurance

“I served as Federation President for 12 years and I was not given 50 Kobo all through the 12 years.” He fumed.

Igali’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping the Nigerian wrestling team into a dominant force on the African continent.

Under his guidance, Nigerian wrestlers contributed 11 medals to the country’s overall haul of 121 at the 2023 African Games in Ghana .

His vision for the sport has been evident, with ambitious plans for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and the All Africa Games.

As a former Olympic champion, Igali brought a wealth of experience to the NWF.

Born in Nigeria, he won the freestyle 69 kg Olympic title at the 2000 Sydney Olympics while competing for Canada.

His achievements extend beyond his athletic career, as he has been inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame .

Daniel Igali during his athletic days for Canada 

Igali’s decision to step down highlights the financial struggles faced by the NWF. Despite his dedication and leadership, the federation’s lack of compensation for his services is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by sports administrators in Nigeria.

Igali prepares to hand over the reins and his legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of Nigerian wrestlers. His commitment to the sport has been unwavering, and his contributions will be remembered for years to come.

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria have held onto their 39th position in the latest FIFA world rankings, despite earning four points in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Released by the world football governing body on Thursday morning, the rankings also place Nigeria 6th in Africa.

Although the Super Eagles convincingly defeated the Cheetahs of Benin 3-0 and drew 0-0 against the Amavubi of Rwanda, these performances were not enough to boost their global standing. The Nigerian team, which dropped from 38th to 39th a few months ago due to a series of underwhelming results, remains in the same spot.

In Africa, Nigeria continues to trail behind top teams like Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, and Tunisia. The team, now under new coaching leadership, will have another opportunity to improve its ranking when they participate in the upcoming AFCON qualifiers in October.

READ MORE: Akwa United opt for Friendly against Blessed Stars Academy to maintain match sharpness

Top 10 African Teams in Latest FIFA Rankings:

1. Morocco
2. Senegal
3. Egypt
4. Côte d’Ivoire
5. Tunisia
6. Nigeria
7. Algeria
8. Cameroon
9. Mali
10. DR Congo

The Super Eagles’ position in the rankings means they still hold an advantage over other notable African nations like Ghana, South Africa, and Cameroon. However, the team’s recent struggles in international competitions have left them stagnant, despite their rich football history and potential.

Teams like Algeria (41st), Congo (58th), and Burkina Faso (63rd) have moved up in the rankings, while Cameroon dropped two places to 53rd, and South Africa (59th) and Ghana (70th) have also slipped in the rankings.

With a crucial AFCON qualifier ahead, the Super Eagles will be eager to break their stagnation and climb the rankings, ensuring that their recent performances are reflected in future updates.

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Akwa United FC will face Blessed Stars Academy in a friendly match today, Friday, September 19, 2024, at 4 PM, as part of a strategic move to maintain fitness and match sharpness. The game is set to take place at the Practice Pitch of the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

Initially, Akwa United were scheduled to play Enyimba FC in their NPFL Matchday 2 fixture this Sunday. However, the game was postponed due to Enyimba’s involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup, where they are set to face Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso at the same venue on September 22.

Instead of taking a break, Coach Baba Ganaru and his technical staff saw the need to keep the players active by organizing a friendly against Blessed Stars Academy. The decision to play the academy side is driven by the desire to maintain the momentum built during pre-season and Akwa United’s first league outing.

Why Face Blessed Stars Academy?

READ MORE: Babaganaru disappointed with draw against Abia Warriors

Akwa United’s management understands the importance of consistent match practice, especially early in the season. Facing Blessed Stars Academy provides a competitive platform to test tactics, rotate players, and keep the squad in peak condition, ensuring they are ready for future NPFL clashes.

Blessed Stars Academy, coached by Ubong Vincent, has earned a reputation for producing young, talented footballers and delivering impressive performances. For Akwa United, this friendly offers an opportunity to assess their own squad’s depth while helping the academy players gain valuable experience against a top-tier club.

As Akwa United prepare for a rigorous NPFL campaign, the friendly match allows them to avoid losing momentum due to the postponed league fixture. Blessed Stars, in turn, will relish the challenge of facing the 2021 NPFL champions as they gear up for upcoming scouting tournaments both within and outside Akwa Ibom State.

The encounter is expected to be a highly beneficial one for both teams, with Akwa United aiming to stay sharp and Blessed Stars looking to showcase their promising talents.

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria have held onto their 39th position in the latest FIFA world rankings, despite earning four points in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Released by the world football governing body on Thursday morning, the rankings also place Nigeria 6th in Africa.

Although the Super Eagles convincingly defeated the Cheetahs of Benin 3-0 and drew 0-0 against the Amavubi of Rwanda, these performances were not enough to boost their global standing. The Nigerian team, which dropped from 38th to 39th a few months ago due to a series of underwhelming results, remains in the same spot.

In Africa, Nigeria continues to trail behind top teams like Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, and Tunisia. The team, now under new coaching leadership, will have another opportunity to improve its ranking when they participate in the upcoming AFCON qualifiers in October.

READ MORE: Akwa United opt for Friendly against Blessed Stars Academy to maintain match sharpness

Top 10 African Teams in Latest FIFA Rankings:

1. Morocco
2. Senegal
3. Egypt
4. Côte d’Ivoire
5. Tunisia
6. Nigeria
7. Algeria
8. Cameroon
9. Mali
10. DR Congo

The Super Eagles’ position in the rankings means they still hold an advantage over other notable African nations like Ghana, South Africa, and Cameroon. However, the team’s recent struggles in international competitions have left them stagnant, despite their rich football history and potential.

Teams like Algeria (41st), Congo (58th), and Burkina Faso (63rd) have moved up in the rankings, while Cameroon dropped two places to 53rd, and South Africa (59th) and Ghana (70th) have also slipped in the rankings.

With a crucial AFCON qualifier ahead, the Super Eagles will be eager to break their stagnation and climb the rankings, ensuring that their recent performances are reflected in future updates.

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Ambrose Vanzekin, a former Nigerian junior international and goalkeeper trainer, has opened up about his decision to leave Nigeria Premier Football League side Bendel Insurance.

In an exclusive interview with Naija Footballers on Instagram, Vanzekin cited poor compensation as the primary reason for his departure.

“I resigned from Bendel Insurance as a goalkeeper trainer on September 4, after giving them four weeks’ notice,” Vanzekin explained.

READ MORE: Exposed: Why CAF pushed AFL from 2024 to 2025

“I was being paid N75,000 monthly for almost three years, which was increased to N250,000 on paper after the board change, but never reflected in my salary.”

Vanzekin felt undervalued, considering players were earning significantly more.

“Players were being paid N500,000 to N700,000, while I was getting a peanut,” he lamented. “It was a struggle, and I couldn’t continue.”

The former goalkeeper has an impressive football background. He was part of the Flying Eagles team at the 2005 U20 FIFA World Cup in Netherlands.

He also represented Nigeria at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Ambrose Vanzekin represented Nigeria during the golden 2008 Olympics

Vanzekin’s departure marks a significant loss for Bendel Insurance, which will need to find a suitable replacement to fill the void left by the experienced goalkeeper trainer.

Vanzekin’s story highlights the persistent payment issues plaguing the Nigeria Premier Football League. Coaches and staff often face financial struggles, affecting their ability to perform their duties effectively.

Vanzekin moves on from Bendel Insurance and he will likely seek better opportunities that recognize his value and experience

Stay updated on Nigerian football news and developments.

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Super Eagles players Olisa Ndah and Stanley Nwabali were in action during Orlando Pirates’ hard-fought 2-1 win over Chippa United at the Orlando Stadium.

Ndah captained Orlando Pirates in their opening game of the South African Premier League, while Nwabali stood between the posts for Chippa United. Both Nigerians have been key to their teams in previous seasons and were expected to continue their fine form in the new campaign.

Chippa United started strong, with Abdile Jali scoring the opener in the 22nd minute. However, Nwabali was unable to keep out Tshegofatso Mabasa’s penalty, which leveled the score in first-half stoppage time after Mabasa was brought down in the box.

READ MORE: Bruno Labbadia makes Nigeria announcement to spark Super Eagles job rumours

Orlando Pirates dominated the second half with relentless pressure, but their efforts were thwarted by Chippa United’s resilient defense. Ndah had a solid chance, but his attempt didn’t trouble Nwabali. Ultimately, Monnapule Saleng secured the winning goal for Orlando Pirates late in the game, ensuring all three points for the home side.

Despite being on the losing side, Nwabali delivered an impressive performance, making five saves, four of which were from inside the box. He stood out as Chippa United’s best player on the night. Meanwhile, Ndah had a stellar showing with a 95% pass accuracy and two key blocked shots, helping his team claim victory.

This victory gives Orlando Pirates a strong start to their Premier League campaign, with both Ndah and Nwabali showing their quality as key players for their respective teams.

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Super Eagles defender Bruno Onyemaechi has addressed the controversy surrounding a post on his official X account earlier this week, which fueled speculation about a potential transfer to Chelsea.

Onyemaechi, who currently plays for Portuguese club Boavista, found himself in the spotlight after a post tagging Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly hinted at a possible move to Stamford Bridge. The post emerged shortly after the 25-year-old scored his first goal of the season in Boavista’s 2-2 draw against Estrela.

The now-deleted tweet encouraged fans to tag Boehly, referencing Chelsea’s transfer policy, which has been criticised for its aggressive signings and recent struggles with injuries, particularly at left-back. This ignited rumors that Onyemaechi, a left-back himself, might be seeking a transfer to the Premier League club.

In response, Onyemaechi released a statement on Wednesday, clarifying that his account had been hacked and apologising for any confusion. “Hello everyone. I have been having some difficulties logging into this account for the past 74 hours. I believe someone hacked into the account and made the last post. Apologies to anyone the last post may have affected in any way, and big respect to my club @boavistaoficial,” the statement read.

READ MORE: Super Eagles Ademola Lookman named in Serie A team of the week

The post had drawn criticism from fans, with some questioning his loyalty to Boavista. However, Onyemaechi reaffirmed his commitment to the Portuguese side, distancing himself from the incident.

On the pitch, Onyemaechi has been in solid form for Nigeria. He featured as a left wing-back in both of the Super Eagles’ recent Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin Republic and Rwanda, helping the team secure four points from the two matches. The Boavista defender, who won a silver medal at the 2023 AFCON, has now made six appearances for the Super Eagles.

Despite the social media mishap, Onyemaechi remains focused on his club duties and international career.

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Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has clarified his recent criticisms striker Nicolas Jackson, addressing the young forward’s potential and areas for improvement.

Mikel, a Chelsea legend, acknowledged Jackson’s talent and contributions to the team but highlighted one key weakness: his finishing. While praising the Senegalese forward’s positioning and work ethic, Mikel stressed that Jackson needs to sharpen his goal-scoring ability to reach his full potential.

“I’ve always said what I’ve said about Nicolas Jackson. He is a good player; there is no time I have ever said he is a bad player. The only criticism is his finishing needs to be much better. In terms of giving us what we want, being in the right place at the right time, he does for the team,” Mikel said during an interview on BEIN Sports.

READ MORE: Nigerian midfielder Bruno Onyemaechi addresses Chelsea post controversy

Earlier in the season, Mikel had criticised Jackson’s playing style and even suggested that Chelsea should target a striker like Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen. Jackson responded on social media after scoring in Chelsea’s 6-2 away win against Wolverhampton, telling Mikel to “shut up,” which sparked media attention.

Despite the back-and-forth, Mikel’s recent comments have shown that his criticism comes from a place of constructive advice, as he hopes to see the young forward improve in front of goal and reach the next level in his development at Chelsea.

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Victor Osimhen may be forced to remove his iconic protective face mask for Galatasaray’s high-stakes Turkish Super Lig derby against fierce rivals Fenerbahçe, managed by José Mourinho, this weekend.

The derby, considered one of Turkey’s most intense football rivalries, promises to be a pivotal moment in the season as both teams vie for dominance.

Osimhen, who joined Galatasaray with significant expectations, has been wearing the mask since sustaining a severe facial injury during his time at Napoli. The injury, resulting from a collision with Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar, required surgery and the insertion of six plates and 18 screws into his face. Since then, the mask has been a crucial part of his gear, providing necessary protection.

However, recent reports indicate that Fenerbahçe fans are pressuring the Turkish Football Federation to ban Osimhen from wearing the mask. They argue that it poses a potential risk to opponents, a controversy that intensified following Galatasaray’s 4-1 win over Çaykur Rizespor. During the match, Osimhen collided with Rizespor player Khusniddin Alikulov, who suffered a concussion, leading to renewed scrutiny of the mask’s safety.

READ MORE: Mikel Obi explains why he criticised Nicolas Jackson

Former referee Fırat Aydınus commented on the situation, stating, “If the accessory you wear harms both your opponent’s and your own health, the referee can tell you not to wear it.”

Concerns have been raised about the mask’s metal components, with some questioning whether it contributed to Alikulov’s injury. Despite these concerns, Osimhen remains a vital player for Galatasaray, and his presence in the derby is highly anticipated.

Osimhen’s record against Mourinho, who previously managed AS Roma, is notable, with three goals in six appearances against his teams.

As Osimhen prepares for this crucial encounter, Galatasaray fans hope he can lead them to victory. The match will not only impact early-season standings but also provide a gauge of Galatasaray’s ambitions for the Süper Lig title and their European aspirations.

All eyes will be on Osimhen as he tackles his toughest challenge in Turkish football—whether or not he will be able to wear his mask.

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In a surprising turn of events, German tactician Bruno Labbadia has taken to social media to hint at his new role as the head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles. The revelation comes after a tumultuous period where his appointment appeared to falter due to complications with German tax regulations.

On Instagram, Labbadia posted with the caption, “New chapter ,” sparking speculation about his imminent role with the Nigerian national team. This follows an earlier announcement by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirming him as the new head coach. However, the deal encountered setbacks due to tax-related issues.

The NFF initially announced Labbadia as the Super Eagles’ new coach after the resignation of Finidi George, who stepped down following a challenging start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. Despite the initial agreement, German tax regulations complicated the process.

READ MORE: What Samson Siasia said about returning to Super Eagles coaching job

The NFF faced difficulties covering the additional tax burden, which was not included in the original contract discussions.

“We have been grappling with the tax issue for the past few days,” said NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau. “We made it clear that the NFF cannot cover the additional tax percentage required by German authorities. The financial strain of shouldering an extra 32% to 40% of his salary was beyond our capacity.”

Gusau continued, “The tax details were not part of our initial discussions, and despite reaching an agreement in principle, Labbadia insisted on the NFF covering the full tax amount, which we simply cannot afford.”

If confirmed, Labbadia will take over from the NFF’s Technical Director, Augustine Eguavoen, who has been leading the team in the interim. Under Eguavoen, the Super Eagles secured a victory against Benin Republic and drew with Rwanda in their recent matches.

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