Tag: General Sports

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has officially confirmed that El Kanemi Warriors will play their home games for the 2024-25 season at the El Kanemi Stadium in Maiduguri.

This announcement comes ahead of their Matchday Two fixture against Kwara United, scheduled for this weekend.

According to Davidson Owumi, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the NPFL, El Kanemi Warriors will host their home matches in front of their fans at the El Kanemi Stadium.

READ MORE: NPFL announces new kick-off time for Rivers United vs Heartland

This confirmation has generated excitement among the team’s supporters, who are eager to cheer their team on in the upcoming season.

In other NPFL news, several matches have been rescheduled due to CAF Inter-club competitions. Remo Stars will face Sunshine Stars in Ikenne on Saturday, while Bayelsa United will host Kano Pillars in Yenagoa on Sunday.

El-kanemi warriors were the President’s champions last season

Niger Tornadoes will take on Nasarawa United in Kaduna on Sunday, and Shooting Stars will face Plateau United in Ibadan in their first home game of the season.

Additionally, Katsina United will host Bendel Insurance on Sunday, and Rivers United’s fixture against Heartland FC has been rescheduled for Sunday as well. Akwa United will face Abia Warriors in Uyo on Saturday.

Two highly anticipated matches have been scheduled for September 25th: Ikorodu City will face reigning champions Rangers International FC in their first home game of the season, while Enyimba will take on Lobi Stars in Aba.

In CAF Champions League news, Rangers will face Esperança Sagrada of Angola in the first leg of the second preliminary round at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo next Friday.

Enyimba will also face Etoile Filante of Burkina Faso in the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup in Ouagadougou next Friday.

With these exciting matches on the horizon, NPFL fans are in for a treat as the 2024-25 season heats up.

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Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has praised Victor Osimhen’s season-long loan move from Napoli to Galatasaray, rating it a brilliant signing for both the Turkish Super Lig and Galatasaray.

Mourinho, known for his keen eye for talent, stressed Osimhen’s exceptional quality and skills, noting that the Nigerian forward is a game-changer for any team.

READ MORE: NPFL board approves Niger Tornadoes return to Minna stadium

He further admitted that if he were managing a club with the financial muscle to spend €70-75 million, Osimhen would be the type of player he’d want in his squad.

Victor Osimhen was asked out of Napoli after new coach Antonio Conte said the super Eagles striker is not in his plans

“Osimhen is a great player. If I were at a club that could give €70-75 million, I would take him. I have a very good relationship with him. I just don’t like the way he throws himself down a lot,” Mourinho remarked.

Jose Mourinho (left) has been a big fan of Super Eagles Victor Osimhen (right) right from his days as AS Roma coach

Mourinho’s connection with Osimhen dates back to their encounters in Serie A during his tenure at AS Roma.

He previously compared Osimhen to Didier Drogba, one of Africa’s most successful forwards in recent times.

Osimhen, yet to make his debut for Galatasaray, has already made an impact with the Super Eagles, scoring in Nigeria’s 3-0 win over Benin Republic.

Victor osimhen completed a big money loan move to Galatasaray after falling out of favour with new Napoli coach Antonio Conte

The 25-year-old striker will be eager to replicate his fine form and make a lasting impression in Turkey.

This move is a significant boost for Galatasaray, and Osimhen’s presence is expected to elevate the team’s performance in the Turkish Super Lig.

With Mourinho’s endorsement, Osimhen’s signing is set to be a game-changer for the Turkish giants.

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The last batch of Team Nigeria’s athletes who represented the country at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games have returned home to a hero’s welcome.

The 24 athletes who competed in various events returned in three batches, with the last group arriving in Lagos yesterday.

The athletes were greeted with a rousing reception at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, courtesy of the FMSD Lagos Liaison Officer, Mrs Nkana Mbora, who mobilized the entire stadium workforce and other Lagosians to welcome the team.

READ MORE: Jose Mourinho rates Victor Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray

Team Nigeria had an impressive outing at the Paralympic Games, winning a total of 2 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze medals.

The athletes’ achievements were hailed by the President of the Paralympic Committee Nigeria, Mr Sunday Odebode, who thanked God for the team’s success and commended the Sports Minister, Senator John Owan Enoh, for his support.

Odebode also praised Prof. Mariam Adefunke Suleiman, the President of the National Association of Nigeria Women in Sports (NAWIS), for her role in supporting the team during the trip.

Nigeria’s men’s amputee football team, the Special Eagles were among the first batch to return to Nigeria.

The athletes’ return marks the end of a successful campaign for Team Nigeria at the Paralympic Games, and their achievements will surely inspire a new generation of Nigerian athletes.

The team’s success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the athletes, coaches, and officials who worked tirelessly to ensure Nigeria’s participation at the Games.

The athletes settle back into life in Nigeria and they will surely be celebrated for their achievements, and their stories will inspire others to strive for greatness.

In a country where sports is a major unifying factor, the achievements of Team Nigeria’s Paralympic athletes will surely bring joy and pride to Nigerians, and their legacy will live on for generations to come.

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The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign is heating up, with several teams making their mark on match day 2. Egypt and Ivory Coast are leading the charge, with impressive wins that have put them top of their respective groups.

Egypt, the record seven-time AFCON title-holders, cruised to a 4-0 victory over Botswana, with Mohamed Salah scoring to maintain their perfect start to the campaign.

The Liverpool star’s goal was a highlight of the match, as Egypt showed their dominance from start to finish.

Salah was on the score sheet as Egypt thrash Botswana 4:0

Ivory Coast, the defending champions, also made a statement with a 2-0 win over Chad. The victory puts them top of Group G with six points, three points ahead of Zambia.

In other matches, South Africa snatched a last-gasp 3-2 win in South Sudan, while Nigeria was held 0-0 in Rwanda. The draw leaves Nigeria with four points in Group D, while Rwanda has two points.

READ MORE: Paris 2024 Para- Olympics: Last batch of 24 Team Nigeria athletes arrives Lagos

East African teams had a successful day, with Kenya beating Namibia 2-1 and Tanzania edging Guinea 2-1 to collect maximum points from away outings.

Here are the AFCON qualifiers full results and group standings after match day 2 :

Group C
– Egypt: 6 points (defeated Botswana 4-0)
– Botswana: 0 points (lost to Egypt 0-4)

Group D
– Nigeria: 4 points (held 0-0 in Rwanda)
– Rwanda: 2 points (held Nigeria 0-0)

Group G
– Ivory Coast: 6 points (beat Chad 2-0)
– Chad: 0 points (lost to Ivory Coast 0-2)
– Zambia: 3 points (behind Ivory Coast by three points)

Group K
– South Africa: 4 points (snatched a last-gasp 3-2 win in South Sudan)
– Uganda: 4 points (behind South Africa on goal difference)

Rwanda’s goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari was the hero for his team, starring as they held 2024 AFCON runners-up Nigeria in Kigali.

Ntwari repeatedly defied the Super Eagles, especially Ademola Lookman, who was nominated for the 2024 Ballon d’Or men’s award.

Substitute Thalente Mbatha scored the 95th-minute winner for South Africa against South Sudan, securing a 3-2 victory. Mbatha has now scored two crucial goals for South Africa in the qualifying campaign.

The results leave Egypt leading Group C with six points, while Nigeria has four points in Group D. South Africa tops Group K with four points, ahead of Uganda on goal difference.

The qualifying campaign continues in October, with Nigeria facing Libya in a crucial doubleheader. With several teams still in contention, the battle for a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is far from over.

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Super Eagles’ caretaker coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has offered insights into his decision to bench Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi during Nigeria’s goalless AFCON 2025 qualifier against Rwanda.

Eguavoen opted to bring him on as a substitute in the second half, replacing Victor Boniface. Osimhen, who recently joined Galatasaray on loan, struggled to make an impact, unlike his previous game against Benin, where he found the net

In the post-match press conference, Eguavoen explained that his decision was influenced by Osimhen’s fitness issues after a challenging summer, which included a failed transfer to Chelsea and a falling out with Napoli.

“Osimhen is our brother, you can’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. We know what he is going through in Napoli. He just moved to Galatasaray and has not been playing active football for a while now,” Eguavoen said.

He further emphasized the need to manage Osimhen’s fitness carefully, stating, “We are trying to manage his fitness. He played the last 25 minutes in the previous game, and today we had a word with him that he can’t play 90 minutes or else he will get injured.”

READ MORE: Super Eagles player ratings: Nigeria held to goalless draw by Rwanda in AFCON qualifiers

Eguavoen also addressed his decision to limit Taiwo Awoniyi’s playing time, explaining that squad rotation and player fitness were key factors. “Awoniyi had a few minutes at his club before joining us. We have 23 to 40 players to choose from, but only 11 can start. It’s frustrating, but the bonding is there, and everyone is on board,” Eguavoen remarked.

The Super Eagles coach acknowledged the difficulty of making tactical changes given the limited preparation time, having had only a few days of training before facing Benin and Rwanda.

“We trained for three or four days before the Benin game and then had to come here. It’s very difficult to change formation,” Eguavoen explained.

Despite the challenges surrounding fitness and tactics, Eguavoen expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ ability to secure qualification for AFCON 2025

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria were forced to a 0-0 draw by Rwanda in their second 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Stade Amahoro in Kigali.

Despite a solid defensive display, Nigeria’s forwards failed to break down a determined Rwandan side.

Here’s how the Super Eagles players performed:

Stanley Nwabali (7.3/10):
The Chippa United goalkeeper had a commanding performance, maintaining composure under pressure and making important saves. His leadership from the back was crucial in keeping the defense organized.

William Troost-Ekong (7/10):
The Super Eagles captain was reliable at the back but had one moment of vulnerability in the first half. Nonetheless, his leadership and positioning were solid throughout the match.

Semi Ajayi (7.1/10):
A composed performance from Ajayi, who was excellent in one-on-one situations and read the game well. He was rarely caught out of position.

Calvin Bassey (7/10):
The Fulham defender had a strong game, excelling in defensive duties. While his passing was inconsistent, his positioning and tackling were effective.

Ola Aina (7.2/10):
Aina was solid defensively and contributed offensively, especially with his dangerous throw-ins. His final-third involvement created a key chance for Nigeria in the second half.

Bruno Onyemaechi (7.3/10):
Onyemaechi arguably had his best game for Nigeria, providing defensive solidity while also threatening in attack with accurate crosses and runs upfield. Another great outing by the Boavista man.

Wilfred Ndidi (7/10):
Ndidi anchored the midfield, providing protection for the backline and working well with Dele-Bashiru. His experience showed as he rarely made mistakes.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (6.8/10):
Playing out of position, Dele-Bashiru put in a commendable shift, although he struggled to impact the game in the attacking third. He was tactically disciplined but lacked his usual creativity.

Samuel Chukwueze (6.5/10):
Chukwueze had a quiet game by his standards, showing flashes of brilliance with his dribbling but failing to create clear chances in the final third.

Victor Boniface (6.5/10):
Boniface worked hard upfront but couldn’t capitalize on the few chances that came his way. His link-up play with Lookman was promising, but he lacked the cutting edge.

Ademola Lookman (6.9/10):
Lookman was Nigeria’s standout attacker, testing the Rwandan goalkeeper with two powerful strikes. However, he was unable to find the breakthrough despite his efforts.

Substitutes:

Victor Osimhen (6.5/10):
Osimhen’s introduction added energy to the Nigerian attack, but he struggled to find space due to Rwanda’s tight marking. Still, he pressed hard and chased down opposition players.

Moses Simon (6.3/10):
Simon injected some pace but was unable to improve on Chukwueze’s performance. He looked lively but did not create any clear scoring chances.

Raphael Onyedika (6.4/10):
A steady performance from Onyedika, though he didn’t have enough time to significantly influence the game.

Frank Onyeka (6.7/10):
Onyeka’s introduction brought freshness to the midfield. He was sharp and proactive, winning important tackles and helping Nigeria regain possession.

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Nigeria’s youth men’s basketball team has continued to make waves in the FIBA U-18 Afrobasket tournament, defeating Uganda 72-61 in their second group game on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

The victory came despite early challenges, including visa issues caused by the South African embassy, which affected the team’s preparations.

In their opening game of the tournament, Nigeria secured a hard-fought 70-65 win against Angola. The standout player in that match was Azeez Olaitan Sulaimon, who posted an impressive stat line with 20 points, seven rebounds, and 10 steals, leading his team to victory.

Against Uganda, Sulaimon once again proved his worth, delivering another standout performance with 20 points, six rebounds, and eight steals. His efforts helped Nigeria clinch the 11-point victory and advance to the knockout stages of the tournament.

While the Nigerian boys continue their journey, the girls’ team was eliminated from the competition after a 64-80 loss to Uganda. The boys, however, remain determined, knowing they still have a lot of work ahead as they aim to qualify for the FIBA U-19 World Cup next year.

With two wins in the group phase, Nigeria’s youth team is poised for further success, but the knockout stage presents new challenges as they look to make history on the court

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Former Chelsea winger Victor Moses has made his return to English football after signing with Championship side Luton Town on a free transfer.

The 33-year-old Nigerian player left Russian club Spartak Moscow earlier this summer and has now joined the Hatters as they look to bolster their squad.

Moses, who initially joined Spartak Moscow on loan from Chelsea in 2020 before making the move permanent, enjoyed a successful spell at Stamford Bridge, particularly during Chelsea’s title-winning campaign under Antonio Conte.

Luton Town manager Rob Edwards expressed his enthusiasm about Moses’ arrival, stating, “We think he’s someone who can provide some really good competition for us.” Moses has already integrated with his new team, having participated in a behind-closed-doors match last week.

READ MORE: Can Nigeria still qualify for World Cup 2026?

Luton, who have struggled early in the Championship season with just one point from their first four games, will hope Moses’ experience and quality will strengthen their campaign. The versatile winger is eager to contribute, saying, “I had a few offers from Europe, but I set my mind on staying here. I’m very pleased and honoured to be at this club, and I just can’t wait to get going.”

Looking ahead, Victor Moses added, “I want to come here, enjoy my football, work hard for the club and the team, and get back to where we belong in the Premier League.”

Moses could make his debut this weekend when Luton face Millwall in a challenging away fixture.

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