FORMER Super Eagles captain John Mikel Obi has expressed confidence that Nigeria can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite the team’s precarious position in the Group C standings. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that with just two matches remaining, the Super Eagles sit third in Group C, trailing South Africa and Benin Republic by three points. Nigeria is set to face Lesotho in Polokwane on Friday before returning home to play Benin Republic in Uyo for their final group fixture. Speaking on his ObiOne Podcast, the former Chelsea midfielder described Nigeria’s qualification campaign as “hanging by a…
Author: Peter Noah KC
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THE Super Eagles of Nigeria have received a major boost ahead of their must-win 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter against Lesotho, as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and at least 15 other players have arrived in Polokwane, South Africa, to kick-start full team preparations. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the players arrived on Tuesday, joining the technical crew and backroom staff who touched down a day earlier to set up the team’s training base. Among the early arrivals are team captain William Troost-Ekong, Wilfred Ndidi, Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, Terem Moffi, Moses Simon, Bruno Onyemaechi, Samuel Chukwueze, Frank Onyeka,…
NIGERIA’s Flying Eagles have sealed a place in the Round of 16 at the ongoing 24th FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile after holding Colombia to a pulsating 1–1 draw in the early hours of Monday. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that at the Estadio Fiscal de Talca, the seven-time African champions displayed grit and flair in a match that tested their resilience, defensive coordination, and attacking creativity. Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt was the early hero, producing two point-blank saves in the 23rd and 26th minutes to deny Colombia’s Kener Gonzalez and Neyser Villareal. Despite Colombia’s early surge, the Flying Eagles…
SUPER Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has announced two late changes to Nigeria’s 23-man squad ahead of their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying encounters against Lesotho and Benin Republic, as FIFA confirms match officials for both fixtures. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the adjustments became necessary following the withdrawal of Cyriel Dessers and Bright Osayi-Samuel, who were ruled out due to injuries. In their place, Zaidu Sanusi and forward Uche Christantus have been called up to bolster the squad as Nigeria intensifies preparations for the all-important double-header. Chelle’s team will travel to face Lesotho on October 10 at…
SUPER Falcons forward Ifeoma Onumonu has announced her retirement from football, wrapping up a professional career that spanned more than 10 years across the United States of America, France, and Nigeria. In a profound statement posted on Instagram on Saturday sighted by News Point Nigieria Sports, Onumonu expressed gratitude for her journey, stating her retirement as a “natural conclusion” to a lifelong discovery that began at the age of eight. “It is with a heart full of gratitude that I bid farewell to my playing career on the pitch,” Onumonu wrote, reflecting on her early years with a youth team…
SUPER Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has released a 23-man squad to prosecute Nigeria’s crucial October FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures against Lesotho and Benin Republic. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the Malian tactician handed a first international call-up to Sevilla striker Akor Adams, while team captain William Troost-Ekong headlines a squad that blends experience with fresh firepower. The squad sees the return of Semi Ajayi, Terem Moffi, Alhassan Yusuf, and Olakunle Olusegun, all of whom had been out of the team in recent months. In goal, Stanley Nwabali retains his spot as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, with Amas Obasogie…
SUPER Eagles defender, Ola Aina, has been hailed for his extraordinary courage and commitment after it was revealed that he played the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Ivory Coast with a serious hamstring injury. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that teammates Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey made the revelation on the latest episode of The Bassey and the Iwobi Show, where they reflected on Nigeria’s AFCON campaign and the sacrifices made by several players. “For those that don’t know, Ola played with a grade 2C hamstring injury. I don’t know how he managed it, but he was…
FORMER Nigerian international Segun Odegbami has stated that Nigeria’s participation at the 2026 World Cup is vital to give Africa a voice on the world stage. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Odegbami, who spoke on the ‘Role of Sports in Global Geo-Politics,’ explained that sports had the capacity to checkmate the geopolitical games of the superpowers and earn Africa the respect to sit at the table of negotiations in a new world order. “It is very important for the Super Eagles to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, so that Africa will have a voice. So, over to you,…
LAGOS is set to make history this weekend as the bustling Nigerian metropolis hosts the E1 Lagos Grand Prix, the first-ever all-electric powerboat racing event on the African continent. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the race, which takes place on Five Cowrie Creek, marks the penultimate round of the global E1 World Championship before the season finale in Miami later this year. Previous editions of the high-profile electric powerboat series have been held in glamorous cities such as Jeddah, Doha, Monaco, and Miami. The Lagos Grand Prix will feature nine elite teams owned by international celebrities, including American basketball…
NIGERIA’s Flying Eagles began their 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup campaign in Chile on a frustrating note after falling 0-1 to Norway in their opening Group C fixture on Monday night, despite dominating possession and creating several gilt-edged chances. News Point Nigeria Sports report that the match was decided as early as the 9th minute when Norway converted a controversial penalty, leaving the two-time runners-up chasing the game. Nigeria rallied fiercely in the second half, twice denied strong penalty appeals while striking the upright and firing narrowly wide on several occasions. In the 47th minute, forward Kparobo Arierhi came close…
ABUJA is set to host one of the largest golfing events in Nigeria’s history as more than 400 golfers converge at the Tukur Yusuf Buratai International Golf Resort and Country Club for the Nigeria @ 65 Independence Golf Tournament. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the week-long event, which teed off on September 27 and will conclude on October 1, 2025, is designed not only to mark Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary but also to honour retired and serving officers of the Nigerian Army. Dr. James Agbonhese, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), said the tournament goes beyond competition. “This…
NIGERIA’s U-20 women’s national team, the Falconets, produced a dazzling display of attacking football on Saturday, defeating Rwanda’s She-Amavubi 4–0 in the second leg of their 2026 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying tie at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the result sealed a 5–0 aggregate victory for Nigeria, following their 1–0 triumph in the first leg in Kigali, and sent them through to the third and final round of the African qualifiers. The Falconets wasted no time in asserting dominance, with Precious Oscar opening the scoring in the 15th minute to the delight…
THE Flying Eagles arrived in the Chilean city of Talca on Thursday afternoon ahead of their participation in the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Nigeria is placed in Group F alongside Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Colombia, with all group matches scheduled to be played in Talca. Upon arrival, the two-time U20 World Cup finalists were warmly received by officials from FIFA, the Local Organising Committee, and hotel staff. The team later held its first training session in the evening to begin final preparations for the tournament. This newspaper reports that the Head coach of…
CHIPPA United head coach Luc Eymael has dropped the strongest hint yet that all is not well between the club and captain Stanley Nwabali, after the Nigerian goalkeeper was left out of Sunday’s 2-1 defeat to Polokwane City in the Betway Premiership. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Nwabali, 29, who rose to international prominence as Nigeria’s number one during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, has been heavily linked with a transfer to Europe following his heroic displays for the Super Eagles. His absence at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium has now intensified speculation about…
NIGERIAN boxing sensation Efe Ajagba has officially broken into the world’s top 10 heavyweight rankings, earning recognition from The Ring magazine, one of the sport’s most respected and influential rating authorities. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that in its latest rankings published on Thursday, the 30-year-old powerhouse was listed at No. 10, cementing his status as one of the leading contenders in the global heavyweight division. Ajagba, who boasts an impressive professional record of 20 wins, one loss, and one draw, with 14 victories by knockout, now shares the elite list with some of the biggest names in modern boxing.…
SUPER Eagles striker, Victor Boniface has been summoned by Werder Bremen’s top hierarchy after a string of unusual and controversial social media posts unsettled the Bundesliga club. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the 24-year-old forward, currently on loan from Bayer Leverkusen, joined Bremen in the summer transfer window with high expectations as the club’s new attacking focal point. But just weeks into his stay, his off-pitch antics have drawn more attention than his football. According to German outlet EXPRESS News, Boniface sparked confusion within the club after posting a picture of a damaged car mirror on Snapchat, followed by…
SUPER Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, has returned to team training with Turkish champions Galatasaray, sparking excitement among fans and teammates after weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the 26-year-old striker resumed partial training on Sunday at the club’s Rams Park facilities, joining his teammates in several drills while also engaging in personalized exercises to aid his recovery. His return comes just as Galatasaray prepare for a critical run of fixtures in both the Turkish Super Lig and the UEFA Champions League. Osimhen’s injury woes began on 6 September, when he limped off…
ATALANTA head coach Ivan Juric has confirmed that Ademola Lookman will return to the squad for Sunday’s high-stakes Serie A clash against Torino, ending months of speculation over the Nigerian forward’s future. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that speaking at his pre-match press conference on Saturday, Juric admitted that Lookman is still not in peak physical shape after training alone for much of the summer, but insisted that he will be part of the travelling squad. “He’s spoken with me, the team and my staff. He was well received, and from tomorrow, he will begin to be available to us,”…
NIGERIA has officially reaffirmed its readiness to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, setting its sights on becoming the first African nation to stage the historic sporting event since its inception nearly a century ago. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, made the declaration over the weekend while receiving the Commonwealth Sport Bid Evaluation Committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Addressing the delegation, President Tinubu through Gbajabiamila stressed that Africa had waited too long for the Games to be staged on its soil. “It’s been almost 100 years.…
NIGERIA’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, have suffered a major setback in their global standing, falling 11 places in the latest FIBA world rankings released on Thursday, now sitting in 53rd position. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that this decline follows Nigeria’s performance at the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket tournament in Angola last month, where they reached the quarterfinals but failed to progress further after a tough 91–75 loss to Senegal. According to the September update by the world basketball governing body, D’Tigers dropped from 42nd in March 2025 to 53rd globally, amassing 248.7 ranking points, down from 297.8 points earlier…