Author: Peter Noah KC

THE President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau, has pledged to train 10 Nigerian referees in the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology as part of renewed and strategic efforts to strengthen match officiating and enhance professionalism within the country’s football ecosystem. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Gusau made this commitment on Wednesday during a formal meeting with the new executive team of the Nigeria Referees Association (NRA) at the NFF secretariat in Abuja, in what observers described as a significant step toward modernising officiating standards in Nigeria. The visiting delegation, led by acting president Kelechi…

ON a tense Champions League night where margins were razor-thin and fate hung in the balance, Ademola Lookman delivered a moment that travelled far beyond Madrid. The Nigerian forward didn’t just score—he shifted momentum, silenced doubt, and carried Atletico Madrid into the semi-finals. For a global audience watching Europe’s elite collide, this was more than a quarter-final—it was a reminder that African talent is not just participating at the highest level, but defining it. Atletico progressed 3-2 on aggregate despite a 2-1 defeat in the second leg, surviving a fierce Barcelona comeback attempt. Lookman’s goal—calm, precise, and timed with instinct—restored…

SUPER Eagles head coach Éric Chelle has thrown open the doors of the national team to standout performers in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) and uncapped Nigerian players abroad ahead of the 2026 Unity Cup, which will be staged at The Valley, home of Charlton Athletic, in London. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the Unity Cup, an invitational tournament played outside the FIFA international window, will see Nigeria defend the title they won last year against India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe when the 2026 edition holds in London from May 26 to 30. With an eye on maintaining momentum…

NIGERIAN forward Ademola Lookman delivered a decisive performance as Atletico Madrid edged past FC Barcelona in a dramatic Champions League quarter-final, while Paris Saint-Germain powered into the semi-finals with a commanding victory over Liverpool FC. At the Metropolitano Stadium, Atletico Madrid progressed 3-2 on aggregate despite a 2-1 second-leg defeat, surviving a fierce Barcelona comeback in a pulsating encounter. Barcelona, trailing 2-0 from the first leg, made a dream start when teenage sensation Lamine Yamal pulled one back just five minutes into the match, capitalising on a loose touch from Clement Lenglet to slot past goalkeeper Juan Musso. The visitors…

THE road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has gathered momentum with the release of a 170-member list of centre referees, assistant referees, and Video Assistant Referee (VAR) officials. However, the list has sparked widespread scrutiny—particularly in Africa—following the omission of five high-profile FIFA-badged referees, a decision widely linked to their controversial performances during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the exclusions have drawn attention to a series of contentious officiating decisions that defined key matches at the tournament. From disputed penalties to failure to utilise VAR effectively, the performances of the affected…

NIGERIA Football Federation has announced a 36-player squad for the Flamingos ahead of their second-round qualifying fixture for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the newly appointed head coach Akeem Busari has selected five goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 13 midfielders and eight forwards as preparations begin for the crucial tie against either Niger Republic or Guinea. The two nations will meet in the first round, with the winner advancing to face Nigeria. Niger Republic are scheduled to host the first leg of their tie this weekend, with the return…

THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has responded to growing concerns raised by members of Nigeria’s men’s U-20 team, the Flying Eagles, over the non-payment of their outstanding bonuses and allowances. Some members of the 2023 and 2025 squads have called on the federation to settle all unpaid qualification bonuses and pre-tournament camp allowances accrued over the past three years, according to reports. Findings by News Point Nigeria Sport indicate that players and officials from both squads—who participated in the WAFU B Cup, U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), and the U-20 World Cup in 2023 and 2025are yet to receive…

NIGERIA are set to defend their Unity Cup crown against India, Jamaica, and Zimbabwe when the competition begins this summer. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the fixtures for the four-nation tournament on Wednesday. This year’s edition of the Unity Cup, last won by Nigeria in 2025, will be played at Charlton Athletic’s The Valley stadium in South London from May 26 to 30, 2026. Coach Eric Chelle’s side are to face Zimbabwe in a high-stakes African heavyweight clash on May 26 in the Unity Cup, which celebrates Afrocentric and global diaspora communities. The game…

WREXHAM goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has been cleared to play for Nigeria after FIFA approved his request to change international allegiance from England. News Point Nigeria Sport decision was recorded on April 6, 2026, on FIFA’s official Change of Association register, where his nationality has been updated to the Nigeria Football Federation, replacing his previous affiliation with England’s Football Association. Okonkwo, who was born in Camden to Nigerian parents, previously featured for England across several youth levels during his time at Arsenal, including the Under-18 side. The 24-year-old initially joined Wrexham on loan in 2023, spending the campaign at the Stok…

SUPER Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is targeting Michael Kayode as part of plans to strengthen Nigeria’s squad ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with the Nigeria Football Federation exploring the possibility of securing his international allegiance, News Point Nigeria Sports gathered. Kayode, who currently plays for Brentford, is eligible to represent both Nigeria and Italy, having been born in Italy to Nigerian parents. The 21-year-old defender has previously featured for Italy at youth level, representing the country at U-18, U-19 and U-21 levels. According to SportsBoom, Nigeria’s football authorities have renewed interest in the versatile full-back, particularly…

AS the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico on June 11, attention has increasingly shifted to the tournament’s notable absentees. Despite the expansion from 32 to 48 teams, several traditional powerhouses and emerging “golden generations” have failed to qualify, leaving a visible gap in both the competitive balance and global appeal of the tournament. The expansion was expected to usher in a wave of newcomers, but breaking into football’s elite has remained difficult. Only four nations, Uzbekistan, Jordan, Curaçao, and Cape Verde will make their World Cup debuts, falling short of…

THE Super Eagles will face Poland and Portugal in international friendlies in June as part of preparations for upcoming global competitions, the Nigeria Football Federation has said. A statement sent to News Point Nigeria Sport by the NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, on Thursday in Abuja confirmed the high-profile fixtures and described them as crucial tests for the team. FIFA match agent for the NFF, Jairo Pachon of Eurodata Sport, said the match against Poland would be played at the PGE Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw on June 3, while the game against Portugal would take place on June 10…

NIGERIA’s Super Eagles have retained 26th position in the latest FIFA World Ranking following their performances in the March international window, PUNCH Sports Extra reports. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the side, led by Eric Chelle, played two friendly matches, winning against Iran and drawing with Jordan. Nigeria edged Iran 2-1, a result that earned them 5.34 ranking points against a higher-ranked opponent, but a 2-2 draw against Jordan, who are placed significantly lower, resulted in a deduction of 1.81 points. The FIFA ranking operates on the Elo model, which adjusts a team’s points based on match results, the…

FIFA World Cup-bound Jordan had to dig deep to secure a 2-2 draw against the Super Eagles in an international friendly played on Tuesday night at the Mardan Sports Complex in Antalya, Turkey. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Nigeria wrapped up their March international window against the Jordan side currently ranked 64th in the world. Jordan stunned the Super Eagles early in the 17th minute, as Mousa Tamari converted a well-rehearsed free-kick routine to give the hosts the lead. Nigeria appeared to equalize six minutes later when Raphael Onyedika finished off a clever cut-back from Moses Simon, but the…

SUPER Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has been ruled out of Nigeria’s international friendly against Jordan after suffering a thigh injury in training. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the development was confirmed on Monday in a statement by the team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, who disclosed that the goalkeeper picked up a “thigh knock” during preparations for the encounter. Okoye had only recently returned to the national team setup after missing out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. He featured in Nigeria’s 2–1 victory over Iran in their opening game of the four-nation invitational tournament, marking a strong comeback…

NIGERIA’s Samson Adamu has been named the caretaker general secretary of The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF). News Point Nigeria Sport reports that CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced on Sunday at a press conference in Cairo after a meeting of CAF executives. Adamu replaces the retiring Democratic Republic of Congo’s Veron Mosengo-Omba, who assumed the position in March 2021. The 66-year-old Mosengo-Omba had been criticised for staying on as general secretary past the organisation’s mandatory retirement age of 63. He has also been accused by some employees of creating a toxic atmosphere in the workplace, although an investigation after staff…

THE Super Eagles of Nigeria are back to winning ways! They saw off Iran 1-2 in a friendly international played in Antalya, Turkiye, on Friday. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Goals from Simon Moses and Akor Adams were enough to give Nigeria the victory against their Middle East opponent. Nigeria began the game, played on the home turf of Turkish Super Lig side Antalyaspor, on a good note. They then took the lead just six minutes into the match with Moses cutting in from the left wing to fire past Alireza Beiranvand in goal for the Iranians. Despite a…

THE Super Eagles may not have qualified for the 2026 World Cup in the Americas, but their path to redemption is on the way, and their supporters can watch their favourite team again as they feature in a four-nation tournament. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that featuring Jordan, Iran, and Costa Rica, the tournament provides a great opportunity for Coach Eric Chelle to try new players, rebuild momentum, and test new ideas. These will be the first games for the Super Eagles since they finished third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. Nigeria are already in…

SUPER Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi has reportedly been the victim of a daring and violent burglary at his residence in the United Kingdom, with attackers allegedly making away with valuables estimated at £500,000. News Point Nigeria Sport gathered that the Fulham FC star was said to have been confronted by the intruders inside his home, where he was reportedly held at knifepoint during the terrifying incident. According to emerging reports, the burglars gained access to the property unnoticed before coming face-to-face with Iwobi, creating a tense and frightening situation. The attackers allegedly held the Nigerian international hostage while they carried…

SUPER Eagles and Galatasaray striker, Victor Osimhen successfully underwent surgery on Monday following an injury sustained during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 away match against Liverpool. The injury occurred in the second-leg match at Anfield on Match 18, when Osimhen clashed aerially with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté. The Nigerian international displayed remarkable resilience by attempting to play on with a bandaged arm, but was substituted at halftime as swelling and pain intensified. Galatasaray ultimately fell to a 4-0 defeat on the night, exiting the competition 1-4 on aggregate. Confirming the operation in a statement on X, the club…