Author: Peter Noah KC

THE Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Chief (Hon.) Bukola Olopade, has dismissed reports alleging infighting and power struggles within the commission, describing them as malicious fabrications designed to mislead the public. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that speaking to journalists over the weekend during the ongoing 9th National Youth Games at the Stephen Keshi International Stadium in Asaba, Olopade said the stories making the rounds were nothing but “half-truths, innuendoes, propaganda and outright falsehood” being pushed by “quack and contemptible journalists.” “There was never a time we fought over money, contracts, or positions. My relationship with the…

BAYER Leverkusen forward Victor Boniface was the biggest name missing as Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, named the final squad for Nigeria’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa. The 23-year-old has had a turbulent summer following the collapse of his move to AC Milan due to medical concerns. However, regulars such as Victor Osimhen, William Troost-Ekong, Ademola Lookman, Stanley Nwabali, Ola Aina, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Samuel Chukwueze, and Calvin Bassey, among others, made the cut for the mar or mar games billed for early next month. Chelle extended invites to the trio of Felix Agu, Benjamin…

BAYER Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes has admitted that Nigerian international Victor Boniface struggled to handle the intense pressure that surrounded his future during the club’s pre-season preparations for the 2025/26 campaign. Speaking to German outlet Kicker, Rolfes disclosed that the 24-year-old striker appeared unsettled by ongoing transfer speculation and lacked the resilience and mental toughness expected at the elite level. “Unfortunately, Boniface couldn’t handle the pressure at the beginning of the preseason,” Rolfes said. “The possibility of a transfer was an issue because Boni wasn’t as resilient. He’s improved, but the question is, can we give him the opportunities…

THE Super Eagles’ preparations for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers have suffered a major setback after first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali picked up an injury while playing for his South African club, Chippa United. The 29-year-old, who has become Nigeria’s most reliable figure between the posts, was stretchered off in the first half of Chippa United’s league clash against Richards Bay on Tuesday. He was visibly in discomfort after going down and could not continue. While the extent of the injury is yet to be confirmed, the timing raises serious concerns for Nigeria, with back-to-back qualifiers against Rwanda and…

ADEMOLA Lookman’s stormy relationship with Atalanta has taken another dramatic turn after the club dropped the Nigerian winger from their 23-man squad for the Serie A season opener against Pisa. The decision comes amid ongoing tensions following his failed move to Inter Milan earlier this summer. The 27-year-old forward, who only three months ago was celebrated as a hero for firing Atalanta to their historic Europa League triumph, now finds himself frozen out of the squad, training alone, and uncertain of his future. The troubles began when Inter Milan tabled a €45 million bid for Lookman in early August, an…

THE opening matches of the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League on Sunday produced thrilling wins, dramatic upsets, and fierce competition for early dominance. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Match Day One fixtures were held at various venues nationwide. Results were as follows: El-Kanemi Warriors FC 2-0 Bendel Insurance FC; Shooting Stars FC 0-1 Bayelsa United FC; Barau FC 0-0 Enyimba International FC. Elsewhere, Wikki Tourist FC 1-0 Plateau United FC; Abia Warriors FC 1-0 Kano Pillars FC; Enugu Rangers International FC 0-0 Kun Khalifat FC. Kwara United FC 0-0 Ikorodu City FC; Katsina United FC 0-1 Warri Wolves FC.…

VICTOR Boniface’s highly anticipated transfer to AC Milan has hit a major stumbling block after concerns emerged over the Nigerian striker’s right knee during routine medicals on Friday. The 24-year-old Bayer Leverkusen forward, who was expected to be officially unveiled this weekend, underwent initial examinations at Milan’s club facilities and the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) headquarters before being referred to the prestigious Galeazzi Hospital in the city for further checks. According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan even recalled their trusted orthopaedic surgeon from holiday to personally oversee Boniface’s evaluations, an unusual step that underscores the seriousness of…

HEAD Coach, Eric Chelle has announced a provisional 31-man squad for Nigeria’s crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda and South Africa in September, with captain William Troost-Ekong leading an experienced and youthful blend of Super Eagles stars. News Point Nigeria Sport reports the Franco-Malian tactician retained several of his trusted regulars, including first-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, defenders Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, as well as forwards Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Moses Simon. Emerging talents and returning faces were also given opportunities, signaling Chelle’s intent to revamp the squad after a…

A FORMER Super Eagles forward, Brown Ideye, has retired from professional football after a long and successful career that spanned over a decade. This comes after he left two-time African Champions League winners Enyimba in the past season. In a heartfelt message shared on Tuesday, Ideye revealed that the decision came after much thought and reflection, describing it as one filled with “mixed emotions.” The 36-year-old forward expressed deep gratitude to everyone who played a role in his football journey, including agents, sports journalists, coaches, teammates, and the fans who stood by him through highs and lows. Ideye’s career took…

NIGERIA’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, have crashed out of the ongoing FIBA AfroBasket Championship in Angola, following a disappointing 91-75 defeat to Senegal in the quarter-finals on Wednesday. News Point Nigeria’s Sport reports that the loss, which came at the Pavilhao Multiusos de Luanda, not only ended Nigeria’s quest for a podium finish but also denied the team a chance to claim the $100,000 cash reward pledged by President Bola Tinubu for medal-winning performances. D’Tigers began the game brightly, showing flashes of the form that saw them dominate Group B with three straight victories in the preliminary round. The…

NIGERIA restored some pride with a 2–0 win over Congo in their final Group D match at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, but it was not enough to keep their campaign alive. The victory, courtesy of second-half goals from Anas Yusuf and Sikiru Alimi, came after two bruising defeats that had left the Super Eagles B team on the brink. Nigeria finished third in the group on three points, behind Sudan and Senegal, who advanced to the quarter-finals after playing out a goalless draw in Kampala. Yusuf broke Nigeria’s scoring drought…

NIGERIA’s home-based Super Eagles squad at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) has been dealt another setback, as first-choice goalkeeper Ozoemena Ani and defender Stephen Mayo have both been ruled out of the team’s final Group D clash against DR Congo in Dar es Salaam. The CHAN Eagles, who played their opening two games in Zanzibar, lost 0–1 to Senegal and 0–4 to Sudan, results which condemned them to an early exit from the competition. With no points and no goals scored so far, their last fixture at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium tomorrow has become a formality. A team official…

CHELSEA legend Didier Drogba has stepped into the growing transfer dispute between Atalanta and Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman, filing a 50-page petition against the Italian club over their handling of the Nigerian star’s proposed move to Inter Milan. The petition, submitted directly to Atalanta in Italy, was prepared with the endorsement of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and calls for what it describes as a “fair and transparent transfer process.” Lookman, 27, had already agreed personal terms with Inter Milan after the Nerazzurri tabled a €45 million bid in late July. However, Atalanta rejected the offer, holding out…

THE home-based Super Eagles’ hopes of progressing at the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) came to a crushing end on Tuesday night after a 4-0 thrashing by Sudan in Zanzibar. The defeat, Nigeria’s second in the tournament after a 0-1 loss to Senegal last week means Eric Chelle’s men are mathematically out of contention for the title, a bitter blow in a competition designed exclusively for players plying their trade in domestic leagues. Speaking after the match, an evidently dejected Chelle described the encounter as “the worst game” he had overseen from the dugout. “We have lost all ambition. The…

NIGERIA’s senior men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, began their 2025 AfroBasket campaign impressively, defeating Madagascar 77–59 to claim their first victory in their opening Group B match. News Point Nigeria reports that the team thrilled fans at the Pavilhão Multiusos de Luanda, Angola, with an all-round excellent display. D’Tigers overcame an early scare to secure the win against Southern African side Madagascar. They led the first quarter 18–14 but lost the second 23–20. The match was tight at 38–37 midway through when Madagascar mounted a comeback attempt. The third quarter proved decisive, as Nigeria stretched to a 55–46 lead. By the…

NIGERIA’s home-based Super Eagles crashed out of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Tuesday night after a humiliating 4–0 defeat to Sudan at the Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar. The result, which leaves Nigeria bottom of Group D with no points, was sealed with a game to spare. Sudan, meanwhile, surged to the top of the table after a clinical and disciplined performance masterminded by head coach Kwesi Appiah. Sudan’s midfield maestro, Abdel Raouf Yagoub, scored twice in the second half to compound Nigeria’s misery, adding to an early own goal by Leonard Ngenge and Walieldin Khdir’s emphatic first-half penalty.…

THE new Assistant Coach of Shooting Stars Sports Club, Ibadan, Oyo State, Akin Olowokere, on Monday morning, slumped and died. He was one of the recently appointed coaches at 3SC. As of press time, there were no official reports on what led to his death. However, eyewitnesses told this newspaper in Ibadan, the state capital, that “he slumped on the pitch during the team’s Monday morning training session and was rushed to the hospital. “He was, however, confirmed dead at the hospital where he was rushed to.” It was further gathered that the former Sunshine Stars of Akure player and…

FORMER Super Eagles gaffer, Sunday Oliseh, says the staggering financial terms surrounding Victor Osimhen’s clause stopped big European clubs from signing the Nigerian international. In a post shared on X on Sunday, the FIFA Instructor revealed that the Super Eagles striker cost Galatasaray a staggering €187m and not £75m as widely believed by many. According to Oliseh, while many concentrated on Napoli’s €75 million asking price for Victor Osimhen, the true cost was much higher due to additional commitments. Oliseh highlighted that the total package includes the €75 million transfer fee, a 10% resale clause for Napoli, and Osimhen’s salary…

FORMER Super Eagles Forward, John Utaka, has been appointed the new manager of Montpellier HSC women’s team, replacing outgoing boss, Frederic Mendy. Utaka will share coaching duties with Baptiste Merle until the end of the current campaign, with both working closely under the guidance of sporting director Jean-Louis Saez. The appointment is a milestone for Utaka, making him the only African manager in France’s top-tier women’s league. Utaka’s connection to Montpellier runs deep. During his active days, the 43-year-old was instrumental in helping the men’s team clinch the 2011–2012 Ligue 1 crown, famously scoring twice in the final match to…

AS the Confederation of African Football (CAF) prepares for the preliminary round draw of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, Nigeria’s top clubs are missing from the top 20 in the latest CAF club rankings released on Friday. The rankings, based on a five-year performance index, place Rivers United FC in 24th position and Enyimba FC in 35th. No other Nigerian club features in the top 50. The list was published ahead of the draw scheduled to take place on Saturday in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, at 13:00 local time (10:00 GMT). Rivers United, ranked highest among Nigerian…