NIGERIA’s senior women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, opened their campaign at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament with a commanding 33-point victory over Colombia. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that D’Tigress defeated Colombia 70–37 on Wednesday to secure their first win of the tournament, currently taking place in France. Nigeria led 18–12 in the opening quarter with impressive displays, but Colombia responded strongly to edge the second quarter 17–16. D’Tigress dominated the second half, outscoring Colombia 19–5 in the third quarter and 17–3 in the fourth to seal an emphatic victory. The win marked Head Coach Rena Wakama’s 14th…
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FOUR Nigerian clubs that participated in this season’s African inter-club competitions are set to receive a major financial boost from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following an increase in prize money and solidarity payments. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the beneficiaries include Rivers United, Remo Stars, Kwara United, and Abia Warriors, who represented Nigeria in the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup this season. Reports indicate that the four clubs could receive approximately ₦559 million each from CAF as part of the revised financial rewards structure for African club competitions. The prize money adjustment was announced…
A FORMER Super Eagles coach, Adegboye Onigbinde, has died at the age of 88. His family announced the passing on Monday via a message signed by a member of his family, Bolade Adesuyi. The message read, “With great gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of this great man, a Modakeke High Chief, the first indigenous Nigerian Super Eagles football coach, father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde. “We thank God for the fulfilled life and your contributions to the Nigerian nation and the world as an unequalled football coach.”…
SUPER Eagles goalkeeper Amas Obasogie has expressed relief and gratitude after his Tanzanian club, Singida Black Stars, cleared him of match-fixing allegations following an internal investigation, News Point Nigeria Sport reports. The club had suspended Obasogie for three months on February 27 after concerns were raised by fans, management and stakeholders over a series of errors in recent matches, including against Flambeau du Centre in the CAF Confederation Cup and Pamba Jiji and Namungo FC in the NBC Premier League. However, in a statement signed by Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Kassano on Saturday, Singida confirmed that its disciplinary committee found…
NIGERIA’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup remain alive despite widespread anxiety triggered by reports that the Super Eagles may have lost their opportunity to compete in the global tournament. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the wave of concern spread across the country on Wednesday evening after the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) confirmed the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) as Africa’s representative for the upcoming inter-confederation playoff tournament scheduled to take place in Mexico. In an official media accreditation notice released ahead of the tournament, FIFA outlined the competition format and listed…
THE Confederation of African Football is considering alternative hosts for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations following the postponement of the tournament, amid growing uncertainty over whether Morocco will retain its hosting rights, News Point Nigeria Sport reports. CAF confirmed on Thursday that the competition, originally scheduled to hold between March 17 and April 3, will now take place from July 25 to August 16 after consultations with FIFA and other stakeholders. While the continental governing body only announced a change in the tournament dates, questions have emerged about Morocco’s ability to stage the competition within the new timeframe,…
THE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declined to recognise the dissolution of the Labour Party’s state, local government and ward executives across Nigeria, citing violations of both statutory procedures and the party’s constitution. In a letter dated February 16, 2026, addressed to the Caretaker Chairman of the Labour Party obtained by News Point Nigeria, the electoral commission stated that the decision taken by the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) to dissolve the structures nationwide could not be accepted because the commission was not formally notified of the meeting where the decision was taken. The letter, signed by Dr. Rose…
NIGERIAN football legend Augustine Okocha has opened up on the defining moments of his time at Paris Saint‑Germain, recalling the excitement of his debut, the honour of captaining the French giants, and his role in mentoring Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho. In a PSG documentary monitored by News Point Nigeria Sport, the former Super Eagles midfield maestro, popularly known as Jay-Jay Okocha shared emotional reflections on his four-year spell in Paris, describing it as one of the most memorable chapters of his illustrious career. Despite becoming one of the club’s most beloved players, Okocha admitted that leaving the club without major silverware…
NIGERIA’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have effectively ended after FIFA confirmed the final line-up for the inter-confederation play-off tournament, naming DR Congo as Africa’s representative. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that in an accreditation notice circulated to journalists ahead of the competition, FIFA detailed the tournament format and listed the six participating nations. DR Congo’s inclusion leaves no room for Nigeria, whose football federation had challenged their defeat in the CAF play-offs in November 2025. The Nigeria Football Federation lodged a formal protest, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the decisive tie, which…
NIGERIA staged a comeback to beat Cameroon 1-3 in a pre-Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) friendly on Tuesday. News Point Nigeria Sport reports thathe Super Falcons conceded just seven minutes into the game against the Central Africans but fought back to win the tie in Yaounde. Cameroon finished off a swift counterattack to draw first blood. But the Nigerians responded in the 32nd minute of the encounter. Chinwendu Ihezuo rose highest and powered home a header from Rinsola Babajide’s precise delivery. The African champions, unsatisfied, pushed for another goal and were duly rewarded minutes later. With just two minutes…
SBV Vitesse winger, Dillion Hoogewerf, has reiterated his desire to represent Nigeria at the international level, declaring that realising that goal remains his ultimate dream for the country of his mother’s birth, News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the 22-year-old attacker, who was born to a Nigerian mother and a Dutch father, revealed that he feels a stronger connection to Nigeria despite featuring for Dutch youth national teams earlier in his career. “Nigeria is my mother’s country,” he said according BSNSports.com.ng. “I have been there a few times and I want to help people there,” Hoogewerf said. The winger added…
NIGERIA’s football community is growing increasingly restless as FIFA continues to delay a ruling on the eligibility of players fielded by DR Congo national football team during last November’s Africa 2026 World Cup play-off, a decision that could determine whether the Nigeria national football team receive a dramatic lifeline to the global tournament. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the controversy, first formally raised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in December, centres on allegations that some Congolese players were ineligible under DR Congo’s domestic law, which reportedly prohibits dual nationality. At the heart of the protest are claims that…
WREXHAM goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has been officially cleared by FIFA to represent Nigeria at senior international level, handing the Super Eagles a timely boost ahead of the March international window. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the 24-year-old shot-stopper is now eligible for selection as Nigeria prepares to compete in a four-nation invitational tournament in Amman, Jordan. The Nigeria national football team will face Iran on March 27 before taking on hosts Jordan four days later at the Amman International Stadium. The team is expected to open camp on March 24 as preparations intensify. Okonkwo’s clearance comes at a crucial…
HEAD coach of the Nigeria national football team, Eric Chelle, has clarified that his request for an increase in salary is aimed at improving his working conditions and not an attempt to threaten or pressure the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the Franco-Malian tactician spoke amid controversy sparked by a leaked document detailing 19 proposed contract terms he submitted to the NFF, including an increase in his monthly salary from $50,000 to $130,000, a figure he says would also cover payments to his technical staff. Speaking on the Histoires de Foot Podcast, Chelle firmly denied…
HEAD coach of Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Nigeria women’s national football team, Justine Madugu has clarified his decision to omit star forward Asisat Oshoala from the squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Cameroon, insisting the move is part of broader preparations for continental success. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the absence of the 31-year-old striker, who has been in impressive form for Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal Women, generated widespread debate after Madugu unveiled his 25-player list for the double-header in Yaoundé. Speaking on the controversial omission, Madugu emphasized that leaving out Oshoala was not a reflection…
SUPER Eagles forward, Akor Adams has played down concerns over his recent goal drought after helping Sevilla FC secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Getafe CF in Spain’s top flight. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the encounter, staged at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez, saw Sevilla extend their positive run despite Adams failing to find the net for the fourth consecutive league match. The 24-year-old forward has now drawn blanks against Mallorca, Girona, Alaves and Getafe. His last goal came in January during a 2-1 victory over Athletic Bilbao, shortly after returning from international duty at the Africa Cup of…
THE leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has admitted it is still in shock following sweeping new demands tabled by Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, including a reported $130,000 monthly salary and a raft of luxury provisions. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the controversial 19-point request, submitted last week, has triggered intense debate across Nigeria’s football community, with former internationals, administrators and fans sharply divided over whether the coach deserves such terms. Reacting to reports of Chelle’s requests for accommodation with uninterrupted electricity and mobility logistics, NFF Secretary General, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, clarified that the coach is…
FORMER Nigeria internationals Odion Ighalo and Garba Lawal have expressed strong confidence that Ademola Lookman will become a central figure at Atletico Madrid, following the winger’s impressive start since his January switch from Atalanta BC. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Lookman, a former African Footballer of the Year, sealed a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Spanish giants after a prolonged transfer saga. Since arriving in Madrid, he has wasted little time making his presence felt, registering five goal involvements in five appearances across all competitions. The dynamic forward announced himself in style, scoring on both his Copa del Rey and…
FRESH uncertainty has clouded Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup ambitions after FIFA released its 2025 CAS & Football Annual Report without any reference to Nigeria’s pending petition against DR Congo. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the omission has triggered renewed anxiety among Nigerian football fans and stakeholders, as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) continues to await a ruling on its protest alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the African play-off final for the 2026 World Cup. Nigeria had submitted its petition on December 15, 2025, following the Super Eagles’ dramatic and heartbreaking elimination after a 4–3 penalty…
SUPER Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has shared emotional details about the harsh realities that shaped his childhood, revealing how extreme poverty and difficult living conditions in Lagos fueled his determination to succeed. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the 27-year-old forward, speaking in an interview with The Players’ Tribune, recalled growing up in Olusosun, a densely populated slum in Lagos, where survival was a daily struggle for his family. Osimhen said life became especially difficult after the death of his mother, a tragedy that plunged the household deeper into hardship. His father, who had worked as a driver, reportedly lost…