BILLIONAIRE industrialist and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdulsamad Rabiu, on Thursday announced that he will fulfil his $500,000 pledge to the Super Eagles despite the team’s failure to clinch the Africa Cup of Nations title. News Point Nigeria Sport report Rabiu disclosed this in a message shared on his official Instagram page, where he applauded the Nigerian team for their resilience, courage and fighting spirit throughout the tournament. He praised the players for giving their all on the pitch, noting that although the desired outcome was not achieved, they had made Nigerians proud with their performance. “You fought with your…
Author: Peter Noah KC
HOSTS Morocco survived a nervy night in Rabat to see off Nigeria 4-2 on penalties to reach the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). News Point Nigeria Sport reports that Youssef En-Nesyri stroked the winning spot kick into the bottom corner after Yassine Bounou saved from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi. It means the Atlas Lions have reached their first Afcon final since 2004, as they bid to lift the trophy for the first time since 1976. They face Senegal in Sunday’s final (19:00 GMT) after they beat Egypt 1-0 in Wednesday’s first semi-final. The Super Eagles…
THE Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea to officiate the highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 semi-final clash between Nigeria and host nation Morocco, scheduled for Wednesday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat. News Point Nigeria Sport reports that CAF released the list of match officials on Tuesday, confirming Laryea as the centre referee for the high-stakes encounter that will determine one of the finalists of the continental showpiece. He will be assisted by Zakhele Siwela of South Africa and Souru Phatsoane of Lesotho, while Arsénio Maringule of Mozambique will serve…
THE Super Eagles on Monday conducted a closed-door training session in Rabat as preparations intensified for Wednesday’s high-stakes Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final clash against tournament hosts, Morocco, News Point Nigeria Sports reports. Nigeria’s players and officials arrived in the Moroccan capital from Fez earlier in the day and are currently camped at the Rihab Hotel. The training session took place at the state-of-the-art Complexe Mohammed VI, one of Africa’s premier football facilities. According to the team’s Media Officer, Promise Efoghe, the decision to bar the public and media from Monday’s session was deliberate, aimed at giving head coach…
PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has hailed the Super Eagles following their emphatic 2–0 victory over Algeria in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as Nigeria’s private sector also rallied behind the team with massive financial incentives ahead of the semi-finals. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the Super Eagles secured a place in the last four of the tournament with a commanding display at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Saturday, overpowering a highly rated Algerian side that had conceded just one goal prior to the encounter. Reacting shortly after the final whistle, President Tinubu took…
MOHAMMED Salah was once again on the scoresheet as Egypt beat holders Ivory Coast in an enthralling and action-packed quarter-final at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). News Point Nigeria Sports reports that after Omar Marmoush slotted the Pharaohs ahead after just four minutes, the North Africans were never behind in the game. But Emerse Fae’s Elephants are known for their resilience and refused to let their opponents blow them away despite Ramy Rabia’s header giving Egypt a 2-0 lead just after the half hour. Ahmed Fatouh’s own goal gave the Ivorians hope before half-time, but Salah quickly restored…
NIGERIA’s Super Eagles booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a commanding 2–0 victory over Algeria at the Grand Stade de Marrakech on Saturday. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the Desert Foxes, who had conceded just one goal throughout the tournament before the quarter-final, were undone by Nigeria’s relentless pressure and clinical second-half finishing. The result sets up a mouth-watering semi-final clash against tournament hosts Morocco. At full-time, Nigeria secured a convincing 2–0 victory over Algeria, with both goals arriving in an impressive second-half display. Victor Osimhen opened the scoring in the…
LED by Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Nigeria’s form at the Africa Cup of Nations has offered cause for optimism ahead of Saturday’s heavyweight quarter-final against Algeria despite reports of unrest in the squad. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the Super Eagles arrived in Marrakesh for the last-eight tie as the top scorers at the tournament with 12 goals in their four games so far. Wins against Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda in the group stage were followed by a 4-0 demolition of Mozambique in Fes in the last 16, the biggest victory for anyone in an AFCON knockout tie…
Hosts Morocco and Senegal booked their places in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday night after contrasting quarter-final victories over Cameroon and Mali respectively, as the tournament entered its decisive stage. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that in Rabat, Brahim Diaz continued his sensational scoring run to inspire Morocco to a convincing 2-0 victory over Cameroon, keeping the hosts’ title ambitions firmly alive in front of a packed Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. The Real Madrid winger, who has now scored in every match of the tournament, registered his fifth goal in five appearances when he provided…
SUPER Eagles captain, Wilfred Ndidi, has stepped in to calm rising tensions in the national team’s camp at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, pledging to personally pay outstanding match bonuses if the Federal Government fails to fulfil its obligation before Saturday’s quarter-final clash against Algeria. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Ndidi made the commitment amid growing concerns that unpaid bonuses could disrupt Nigeria’s preparations for one of its most crucial matches of the tournament. The Leicester City midfielder was quoted by BBC journalist Oluwashina Okeleji on Thursday, shortly after assurances were given by the…
THE Super Eagles of Nigeria on Wednesday held a training session in Fez, Morocco, despite growing tension in the camp over unpaid bonuses and allowances, following reports that players and officials were prepared to boycott training and delay their movement to Marrakesh if the issue was not resolved. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Nigeria are scheduled to travel from Fez to Marrakesh on Thursday, ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final clash, but uncertainty surrounded the team’s preparations after claims emerged that promised payments for the ongoing tournament were yet to be received. Veteran sports journalist Oluwashina…
THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dismissed reports of a crisis in the Super Eagles camp at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, confirming that the on-field altercation between Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman during Nigeria’s emphatic 4–0 victory over Mozambique has been amicably resolved. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Nigeria delivered one of its most dominant performances of the tournament on Monday night at the Fez Stadium, with Osimhen netting a brace, while Lookman and Akor Adams added a goal each to dismantle the Mozambicans and secure a place in the quarter-finals. However, the…
VICTOR Osimhen scored twice as Nigeria made short work of Mozambique at the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, cruising into the quarter-finals with a comprehensive 4-0 victory in their last-16 tie. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Ademola Lookman, a former winner of the African Footballer of the Year award like Osimhen, opened the scoring after 20 minutes in Fes and then helped set up the other three goals on the night. Osimhen had started the game without wearing his trademark mask, but restored the face covering before netting Nigeria’s second goal in 25 minutes. He then scored again…
EGYPT are into the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) after two goals in extra time, including one from Mohamed Salah, saw the Pharaohs edge a tight last-16 tie against Benin. Clearcut chances were at a premium in Marrakesh, with Salah, who remains in the hunt for a first Afcon title with his country, largely a peripheral figure until his strike in the 124th minute. After a goalless first half, Egypt midfielder Marwan Attia broke the deadlock with a fine hit from the edge of the penalty area which found the top corner with just over 20…
IT is the business end of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Super Eagles are up against Mozambique in a Round of 16 tie as Nigeria continue their quest for a fourth continental prize. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that the Super Eagles, fresh off the heartbreak of missing out on the 2026 World Cup, started the tournament on a perfect note, winning all three of their group stage matches, one of only two teams that included Algeria to achieve that milestone in Morocco. Nigeria, managed by Coach Eric Chelle, soared past Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda in Group…
SUPER Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has played down his individual recognition at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, insisting that Nigeria’s ultimate objective remains winning the continental trophy. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Chelle spoke after being named CAF Best Coach of the Group Stage, following Nigeria’s flawless performance in the opening round of the tournament. The Franco-Malian tactician guided the Super Eagles to three wins from three matches, defeating Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda to finish top of their group with a perfect nine-point haul. The award was announced by the Confederation of African…
HOST nation Morocco booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a hard-fought victory over a resilient Tanzania side in Rabat, setting up a mouth-watering last-eight showdown with five-time champions Cameroon. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that returning captain Achraf Hakimi, making his first start in more than two months after recovering from an ankle injury, played a decisive role as the Atlas Lions edged the Taifa Stars. The Paris Saint-Germain right-back provided the assist for Brahim Diaz, whose clinical finish midway through the second half proved enough to separate the sides. Hakimi…
THE Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed an all-Cameroonian refereeing crew to oversee Monday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16 clash between Nigeria and Mozambique, as the Super Eagles prepare for a crucial knockout test. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that according to CAF, Abdou Abdel Mefire will serve as the centre referee for the encounter, assisted by Elvis Noupoue and Carine Atezambong. The officiating team will be responsible for managing what is expected to be a fiercely contested fixture as both teams battle for a place in the quarter-finals. The match will be played at the…
TEN-MAN Mali rode their luck and showed remarkable resilience to defeat Tunisia 3–2 on penalties and book a place in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), setting up a blockbuster clash with defending champions Senegal. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that in a dramatic late match that swung wildly in the closing stages, El Bilal Touré converted the decisive penalty after Tunisia’s Ali Abdi blazed his effort over the bar, while Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra emerged the hero by saving successive spot-kicks from Elias Achouri and Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane. The shootout drama came after a…
NIGERIA’s impressive showing in the group stage of the AFCON tournament has been underlined by individual and technical recognition, with Ademola Lookman named Team of the Group Stage standout and Eric Chelle emerging as Coach of the Group Stage. News Point Nigeria Sports reports that Lookman played a decisive role throughout the group matches, providing attacking thrust, energy, and key moments, earning himself two goals and two assists in just two appearances, which shaped Nigeria’s performances. According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Friday, the Atalanta man ”was a constant threat with his direct running, creativity, and eye…