Author: Peter Noah KC

THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of former Nigeria international player and one-time Super Eagles coach, Monday Sinclair, describing his demise as a huge loss to the nation’s football community. Sinclair, popularly known as “Professor” for his exceptional understanding of the game, died on Wednesday evening, leaving behind a legacy that shaped grassroots and elite football development in Nigeria. In a condolence message on Thursday, NFF General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, said: “We mourn deeply with the immediate family, friends, and relatives of ‘Professor’ Monday Sinclair over his demise. “It is yet another sad day…

NIGERIA’s Super Falcons will lock horns with the Copper Queens of Zambia on Friday in what is shaping up to be one of the fiercest encounters of the ongoing Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The quarter-final clash, scheduled for the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, is attracting high anticipation given the history and form of both sides. Nigeria, nine-time champions of the tournament, are seeking to reassert their dominance after recent setbacks, including a semi-final exit to Morocco in 2022 and a loss to Zambia in the bronze medal match the same year. Meanwhile, Zambia, led by star forwards…

SUPER Eagles and Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has made a remarkable return to full training following a life-threatening abdominal injury that ruled him out of action for nearly two months. The 27-year-old forward suffered a ruptured intestine in May 2025, a condition that required an immediate two-stage surgical procedure and saw him placed in a medically induced coma during the initial phase of his recovery to stabilise his condition and prevent complications. According to sources close to the player, the first phase of the surgery involved emergency intervention to repair the ruptured area. The seriousness of the situation led…

A FORMER Super Eagles defender and 1980 Africa Cup of Nations winner, Kadiri Ikhana, is fighting for his life at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Auchi, Edo State, where he was transferred for emergency blood transfusion and intensive medical care. The 68-year-old ex-international, who was a member of the Green Eagles squad that won Nigeria’s first AFCON title in Lagos 44 years ago, is in critical condition and requires urgent medical intervention to save his life. A former Nigerian captain, Segun Odegbami, broke the news on Monday morning, revealing that “Ikhana has been transferred to the specialist hospital after his…

ALGERIA’s Lady Fennecs successfully stifled the Super Falcons to earn a scoreless draw in their final group B match of the 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Sunday. The result ensured Algeria earned a spot in the tournament’s quarter-finals for the first time ever, to join Nigeria, who had already qualified since Thursday. Head Coach Justine Madugu made a number of changes to the squad that started in Thursday’s 1-0 defeat of Botswana. Defenders Shukurat Oladipo, Miracle Usani and Sikiratu Isah, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Jennifer Echegini, and forward Francisca Ordega made the starting line-up. The intention…

NIGERIA’s Super Falcons are already assured of $200,000 in prize money following their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Botswana on Thursday night in Casablanca, Morocco, at the ongoing 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. By the prevailing exchange rate, the Super Falcons’ current earning is N305m. The slim win, powered by a late strike, ensured that the Falcons became the first team to book a place in the quarter-finals, with one group match still to play. The result also makes Nigeria the only team so far with back-to-back wins in the group stage. Under the newly enhanced prize structure announced by…

AFTER spending four years in the lower Nigerian National League (NNL), Warri Wolves, Friday, joined Wikki Tourists of Bauchi in returning to the elite Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL). Also promoted to the NPFL are Kun Khalifa FC of Owerri, and Barau FC of Kano, which will be playing in the elite league for the first time. At the NNL Super Eight playoff, which ended in Delta State, yesterday, Warri Wolves beat Crown FC 2-1 at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba. The Warri side had earlier lost their Group A opening game 1-0 to Osun United before coming back to…

CHINWENDU Ihezuo’s late strike sealed a second consecutive win for the Super Falcons at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Thursday. With the win, the Falcons now have six points which guarantees the team a place in the quarterfinals of the tournament. Coach Justin Madugu stuck with the same starting eleven against Tunisia. But after a difficult first half with no breakthrough, he introduced Esther Okoronkwo and Chinwendu Ihezuo to inject fresh energy. The substitutions eventually paid off as The Mares resistance was broken late in the game. Ihezuo ensured that her introduction into the game…

VICTOR Osimhen has reportedly informed Napoli of his desire to complete a permanent move to Galatasaray as soon as possible, according to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. Romano revealed in a post on X late Tuesday night that the Nigerian striker is pushing for the deal to be sealed quickly. “Victor Osimhen has informed Napoli of his desire to get the deal sealed with Galatasaray ASAP. Galatasaray will pay €75m as the release clause value, but is negotiating payment terms for 5 years. Contract ready since Sunday; until June 2028 plus option.” This aligns with a report from News Point…

FORMER Super Eagles captain and newly appointed General-Manager of Kano Pillars FC, Ahmed Musa, has dismissed reports circulating online claiming that he gifted a Sport Utility Vehicles, SUVs, to each member of the squad. The report claimed that Musa made the donation upon resumption as the new general manager of Kano Pillars. But reacting to the news in a statement, the former CSKA Moscow star clarified that no such gifts were made. He described reports as fake and unfounded. “It has come to my attention that false information is being circulated claiming that I distributed cars to players and officials…

RINSOLA Babajide put in an impressive performance as the Super Falcons of Nigeria scored twice in the first half to inflict a 3-0 defeat on Tunisia in their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 match at the Larbi Zaouli stadium in Casablanca, Morocco. The lanky forward lit up the Group B opener with a goal and assist, with Asisat Oshola and Chinwendu Ihezuo also getting on the scoresheet as the Super Falcons made light work of their North African opponent. On the first test of their Mission X campaign, Justine Madugu, Falcon’s head coach, handed Oshoala and Ashleigh Plumptre…

A CLIP showing former Super Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai explaining before his death how he became known as Dodo Mayana has gone viral. In an interview with The Popular Side, a podcast, Rufai said the word ‘Dodo’ from the nickname Dodo Mayana was given to him by the late goalkeeper Peter Fregene, while the other half Mayana was picked up during training in Portugal. His words, “While in a room with Peter Fregene, he calls me Dodo, that generation of 1980, 1981, 1982, I joined the camp in 1981. So from that moment, I was lucky to fall into the…

THE world is set to experience the best of women’s football on display from Africa as the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) kicks off in Morocco on Saturday, July 5th. Postponed from last year, the 2024 WAFCON is a show of African football excellence, and it’s clear that the continent is buzzing with excitement. Morocco hosted the last edition, but this installment marks a new era in women’s football on the continent, building on the momentum of the previous tournament. A fresh look for Olympic Stadium in Rabat. ️ The prize money for the tournament has been jacked up…

AHMADU Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has emerged champions of the inaugural Olumide Oyedeji Intercollegiate 3×3 Basketball Championship after a commanding 21–15 victory over Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, in the final held in Lagos. The two-day basketball tournament featured six top collegiate teams, and ABU once again underlined their basketball pedigree, lifting the title with skill, grit, and team cohesion. Reacting to the triumph, ABU team captain Bem Agbatar described the win as a massive morale booster for the team. “It’s great to win this championship. It was a tough competition, and it feels good to emerge as…

SUPER Eagles and Fenerbahçe defender, Bright Osayi-Samuel, has expressed optimism that Nigeria’s Super Eagles will secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite facing tough hurdles in the qualifying rounds The defender remains confident that a turnaround is possible. Osayi-Samuel said this on Tuesday while fielding questions from Sports Journalists at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin, Edo State. “In terms of Super Eagles Qualifiers, I believe we will qualify for the World Cup. The aim is just to win every single game. “Of course, it will be difficult, but for us and the team, I think we…

THE Nigerian Women’s beach volleyball team has qualified for the 2025 World Championship in Adelaide, Australia, scheduled to hold from November 14 to 23. The pair of Esther Mbah and Pamela Bawa beat Egypt 2-1 (21-14, 20-22, 15-9) to finish in third place at the just concluded CAVB Continental Championship in Morocco. Head Coach of the team, Kayode Ajilore told the News Agency of Nigeria that the players showed class and brilliance in delivering their jobs. Ajilore said the result in Morocco was an indication of hard work and determination from the entire team. He acknowledged the efforts of Musa…

THE Governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, has renamed two key institutions in the state in honour of its 22 athletes who died in a motor accident while returning from the National Sports Festival in May. Yusuf made the announcement on Sunday in Kano, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mustapha Muhammed. It would be recalled that the accident occurred within 5 kilometres of Kano, as the state contingent returned to the state from Ogun. He said that the state would forever remember the athletes. The statement read, “The athletes made the state proud and will be…

NIGERIA’s Super Falcons cruised to a commanding 3-1 victory over long-time rivals, the Black Queens of Ghana, in an international friendly played in Casablanca on Sunday. The Ghanaians had the first real chance of the game in the 17th minute, but Doris Boaduwaa’s low effort drifted off target. Nigeria broke the deadlock in the 34th minute when Chiwendu Ihezuo’s shot took a deflection and beat the Ghanaian goalkeeper. Just before halftime, the Super Falcons were awarded a penalty which Asisat Oshoala calmly dispatched to double the lead. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade made it 3-0 with a composed finish five minutes after…

SOUTHAMPTON have announced the permanent transfer of Super Eagles forward Paul Onuachu to Turkish Super Lig club Trabzonspor. The saints confirmed the transfer Friday in a statement on their website. “Southampton Football Club can confirm that terms have been agreed with Trabzonspor for the transfer of striker Paul Onuachu,” the club said. “The 31-year-old is set to leave St Mary’s after a two-and-a-half-year spell, in which he scored four goals in 40 appearances, to join the Turkish side, who he was also loaned to during the 2023/24 season. “We thank Paul for his efforts during his time as a Saints…

DESPITE a disappointing start to their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign, Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali remains confident that Nigeria can still secure a place at the tournament. Nigeria currently sit fourth in Group C with seven points from six games: one win, four draws, and a defeat, leaving them six points behind group leaders South Africa, who have amassed 13 points. Rwanda and Benin, both on eight points, occupy the second and third positions, respectively. With only four matches remaining, the margin for error has narrowed significantly. However, Nwabali, who has featured in all six qualifiers so far,…