THE football world is once again grappling with urgent questions about the offside rule and player safety following the harrowing injury sustained by Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi. The 27-year-old Nigerian forward was placed in an induced coma after undergoing emergency surgery to treat a ruptured intestine, an injury caused by a collision with the goalpost during Forest’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Leicester City. Though Awoniyi has since been brought out of the coma and is recovering, the incident has reignited debate over the “delayed flag” offside protocol and whether its continued use is placing players in harm’s way.…
Author: Peter Noah KC
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SOUTH Africa edged Flying Eagles of Nigeria 1-0 in a tense semi-final clash at the Suez Canal Stadium on Thursday to book a place in the final of the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. A well-taken header by Tylon Smith in the 66th minute proved decisive in a fiercely contested match between two of Africa’s traditional football powerhouses. The result also ends Nigeria’s hopes of winning a record-extending eighth U-20 AFCON title. The Flying Eagles were dominant for large spells in the second half, but were made to rue missed opportunities, particularly in the final moments when…
AS the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League season nears its climax, the race to beat the drop reaches fever-pitch mode as Sunshine Stars and Akwa United both remain confined in the relegation zone after match-day 36 round of fixtures. Embattled Sunshine Stars saw their quest to stare off relegation suffer a setback following a 1-0 defeat away to Shooting Stars at Ibadan on Wednesday. The coach Abubakar Bala led side had held their illustrious hosts to a goalless stalemate until two minutes before time, when Ikouwem Utin converted a penalty in the 88th minute to condemn the Akure-based outfit to…
A FEDERAL High Court in Abuja heard on Thursday that the broadcasts made by the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, led to the killing of a former Senior Special Adviser (SSA) to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, and others. An official of the Department of State Services (DSS) said this as he resumed his testimony as the second prosecution witness in the ongoing terrorism trial of Kanu. The witness, who said he was part of the DSS’ team that investigated the complaint made against Kanu by the then Attorney General of the Federation (AGF),…
NIGERIA’s U20 men’s football team, the Flying Eagles, secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations (AFCON) following a 2-2 draw with Kenya’s Rising Stars on Wednesday in Cairo. The match, which marked the Flying Eagles’ historic 100th appearance in the tournament’s history, was a tense affair that saw the seven-time champions come from behind twice to avoid an upset against the determined East Africans. With this result, Nigeria finished second in Group B with five points, two behind group leaders Morocco, who defeated Tunisia 3-1 in the group’s other final fixture. Despite the…
KANO Pillars forward, Ahmed Musa, is set to make a return to the national team as he is expected to lead the Super Eagles at the Unity Cup exhibition tournament, which will hold from May 26 to 31, in the United Kingdom, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. Kano Pillars revealed this via a statement on their official X account on Monday. “Captain Ahmed Musa is set to lead the Super Eagles at the Unity Cup Four – Nation Tourney from May 26-31, 2025, at Brentford Stadium, London,” Pillars announced. “Musa has been in top form for Sai Masu Gida, with eight…
PRESIDENT of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has described the late former Green Eagles captain, Christian Chukwu, as a national hero whose legacy will endure forever. Speaking in Enugu during a condolence visit to the Chukwu family, Gusau, represented by NFF First Vice President Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu, praised Chukwu’s dedication, patriotism, and immense contributions to Nigerian football both as a player and as a coach. “The late Chukwu gave his all for the country. He served Nigeria with all his heart, and he is a hero even in death. One thing is clear: Chukwu can never be forgotten,…
NIGERIA’s Flying Eagles and Morocco battled to a goalless draw on Sunday in a Group B clash at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). It was a game that saw the North Africans enjoy the lion’s share of the possession, but the Flying Eagles managed to leave the pitch with a point. The Flying Eagles will have Daniel Bamenyi to thank for holding down the defence line. The defender’s heroics deservedly earned him the Man of the Match prize following his display at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, Egypt. Aliyu Zubairu’s men now have four points from two…
GOVERNOR of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, on Saturday, participated in the maiden edition of the Enugu City International Marathon, completing the 10-kilometre road race in 45 minutes. The event, which drew elite athletes from across Africa, marked the state’s efforts to position itself as a hub for sports tourism and investment. The full 42km marathon saw East African athletes dominate the podium. Ken Kopos of Kenya emerged winner in the men’s elite category with a time of 2:22:32, clinching the $15,000 grand prize. His compatriots, Steve Baswey and Bernard Sang, came second and third, earning $10,000 and $5,000 respectively. In…
FLYING Eagles head coach Aliyu Zubairu has downplayed concerns about Morocco’s Europe-based contingent ahead of their next U-20 Africa Cup of Nations group stage clash, insisting Nigeria will approach the fixture with its own tactical plan, regardless of their opponents’ squad composition. Nigeria began their campaign at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo with a narrow 1–0 win over Tunisia on Thursday, earned through a composed first-half finish by Auwal Ibrahim after a clever assist from Odinaka Okoro. The victory places the seven-time African champions in a strong position ahead of Sunday’s second group match against Morocco, who boast a…
INTERESTING developments are emerging in Nigerian football as reports reveal that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has been paid his salary in advance until October 2025. This was disclosed by the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, during an interview with former Nigeria international Segun Odegbami on Eagle 7 Sports Radio 103.7 FM. Dikko stated that the payment was facilitated by a presidentially endorsed support group aimed at re-igniting Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign. After missing out on the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Super Eagles are once again struggling. Nigeria currently…
THE Flying Eagles of Nigeria got off to a winning start in their quest for an eighth U20 Africa Cup of Nations title, beating Tunisia 1-0 in a tightly contested Group B opener at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo on Thursday. A first-half strike by Auwal Ibrahim was all that separated the two sides, as the Flying Eagles ground out a result in a match full of physical battles, near misses, and late drama. Despite Nigeria dominating early proceedings and carving out several chances, they found a resilient Tunisian side determined to hold their ground. But in…
SUPER Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has led Nigerian football in celebrations of Remo Stars with a gesture befitting the first-ever Nigeria Premier Football League title win, gifting the team a total of N10m, N5m to the players and N5m to the technical crew after placing a personal video call to the team. Head coach Daniel Ogunmodede confirmed this to PUNCH Sports Extra as their feat triggered an outpouring of tributes from the highest quarters. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu joined in lauding the feat, describing it as a testament to the hard work, discipline, and unyielding spirit of the players, the…
NIGERIA’s Flying Eagles will kick off their campaign for an eighth U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title on Thursday when they face Tunisia’s Junior Carthage Eagles at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo in the opening Group B fixture. The fixture evokes memories of 40 years ago when Nigeria defeated Tunisia to win their second continental crown. That win, earned over two legs, saw the Flying Eagles draw 1-1 away in Tunis before sealing a 2-1 win in Lagos. Nigeria trounced Tunisia 4-0 in the third-place match of the 2023 U20 AFCON, also hosted by Egypt. Head Coach Aliyu…
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has congratulated Remo Stars Football Club on winning the 2024–2025 Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) title, describing the achievement as “a proud moment” for Ikenne, Ogun State, and Nigeria’s sporting community. In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, Tinubu praised the team’s resilience, perseverance, and commitment to excellence, noting that their triumph comes just four years after their promotion to Nigeria’s top football division. He particularly admired the team’s courage in staying focused after enduring three previous seasons of narrowly missing out on the title.…
REMO Stars have secured the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League title with three games to spare after a pulsating 1-0 win over Niger Tornadoes in a match-day 35 game in Ikenne on Sunday. Remo looked set to mop up the title this weekend after Kano Pillars defeated Rivers United 2-0 on Friday. It looked like the Sky Blue Stars would fail to pounce on the leverage as they struggled to find the net against a resolute Tornadoes defence. Until second-half substitute Olamilekan Adedayo scored a trademark late belter to save the day for coach Daniel Ogunmodede’s side after toiling for…
TEAM Nigeria’s weightlifters wrapped up their participation at the 2025 African Senior Weightlifting Championship in Moka, Mauritius, yesterday with a total haul of 18 medals—13 gold, 4 silver, and 1 bronze—cementing Nigeria’s status as a continental powerhouse in the sport. A contingent of six weightlifters, four female, two male, and two coaches represented the country at the continental championship. Nigeria’s final day of competition saw Sarah Ovayioza deliver a show-stopping performance in the women’s 76kg weight class, lifting a combined total of 237kg in the snatch, clean, and jerk. Her flawless execution earned the nation three more gold medals and…
FORMER champions Kano Pillars put a dent in the title ambitions of Rivers United on Friday, beating them 2-0 in Kano, and in the process, handed Remo Stars the advantage to claim their first-ever Nigeria Premier Football League title with three games to spare, Saturday PUNCH reports. Super Eagles forward Ahmed Musa and veteran midfielder Rabiu Ali scored two second half goals to get the job done for the four-time champions, who have also moved within reach of a CAF Confederation Cup spot. The match-day 35 game, a potential title decider, attracted interests beyond Kano and Port Harcourt, and fans…
THE Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has confirmed that the country’s contingent will compete in the men’s 4×100 metres, women’s 4×100 metres, 4×400 metres mixed relay and the newly introduced 4×100 metres mixed relay, making up four of the six events at this year’s 2025 World Athletics Relays. The World Athletics Relays scheduled to take place in Guangzhou, China, from May 10th to 11th. According to the AFN, the men’s 4×100 metres squad comprises Alaba Akintola, Udodi Onwuzurike, Favour Ashe, Karlington Anunagba, Folawiyo Olaoye and Usheoritshe Itshekiri, while the women’s 4×100 metres team includes Rosemary Chukwuma, Success Umukoro, Tiana Eyakpobeyan,…
THE Nigeria Premier Football League has slammed El-Kanemi Warriors with a ₦3.5 million fine, following crowd trouble during their Matchday 34 clash against Ikorodu City in Maiduguri. The NPFL also ordered their stadium closed to fans for the rest of the season. This was disclosed by NPFL in a post on its website on Wednesday. This comes after El-Kanemi Warriors’ supporters were found guilty of vandalising the visiting team’s vehicle and throwing objects onto the pitch during the match, describing these actions as grave breaches of its code of conduct. The statement reads, “El-Kanemi Warriors has been sanctioned by the…