SEVEN-TIME African champions, the Flying Eagles of Nigeria, will face hosts Egypt on Tuesday in a friendly game ahead of the 2025 U-20 AFCON which kicks off in Cairo on Monday, April 27. The Flying Eagles arrived in the Egyptian capital city on Sunday, more than a week ahead of their first game against Tunisia next Thursday. A delegation of 24 players and nine officials, led by head coach Aliyu Zubairu, touched down at the Cairo International Airport aboard Egypt Air flight on Sunday evening. According to the Nigeria Football Federation, the team is lodged at Jewel Sports City and…
Author: Peter Noah KC
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FORMER Nigerian striker Odion Ighalo has warned Super Eagles forward, Victor Osimhen to move to the Premier League, stating it would be the best step for his career. As the 2025 summer transfer window approaches, Osimhen’s future has become the subject of much speculation, with several top clubs closely monitoring the prolific striker’s potential decision. Ighalo believes the English top flight offers the ideal platform for his compatriot to elevate his career. Osimhen currently plays for Galatasaray in the Turkish Süper Lig on loan from Italian Serie A side Napoli. He has been one of the standout performers in European…
THE President of the Nigerian Sports Federation (NSSF), Olabisi Joseph has invited four hosting states ahead of the 25th edition of Nestle Milo basketball championship for boys and girls categories from April 23rd to 25th in Lagos. The four hosting state include Kano, Oyo, Delta and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja while the grand final stage of the championship will be played in Lagos later in the year. A statement signed by the NSSF’s Secretary General, Ola Funsho Usman PhD and made it available to newsmen, said the president made the invitation to the state coordinators to ascertain and…
A FAN identified as Bashir Bala has been sentenced to three months in prison with an option of a fine for assaulting a Plateau United player, Temitope Vincent, during a Nigeria Premier Football League game in Lafia last Sunday. Bala was sentenced by a Chief Magistrate Court in Lafia on Thursday after he was arrested by the police at the stadium. The tension-filled clash between Nasarawa United and Plateau United ended 3-2 in favour of the home side, but the final whistle was followed by a troubling incident that left the Plateau United player at the mercy of the fan.…
THE value of Nigerian footballers continues to soar globally, with 2023 African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen retaining his crown as the country’s most valuable player. Joining him at the top of the valuation charts are 2024 CAF Player of the Year Ademola Lookman and Bundesliga sensation Victor Boniface. Here ranks the top 10 most valuable Nigerian football stars with over €315 million as of April 2025. Victor Osimhen – €75 million The 2023 CAF Footballer of the Year remains Nigeria’s most valuable footballer. Osimhen, who powered Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years, is currently…
THE governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, on Tuesday, unveiled the logo, theme song and mascot for the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival tagged ‘Gateway Games’ slated to commence in the second week of May 2025. Represented by his deputy, Noimot Oyedele, at the event held at the cinema hall of the June 12 Cultural Centre in the state capital Abeokuta, the governor called for understanding, cooperation of all Nigerians to make the event a success. According to him, the theme song which is rich in rhythm and spirit was composed by the talented Bayo Adepetun, while the…
NIGERIA’s U-20 coach, Aliyu Zubairu, has issued a warning to international football agents and wealthy sponsors to stay away from the team’s training camp in Katsina State. This warning comes as the junior team enters its final phase of preparations for the upcoming U-20 African Championship, set to take place in Côte d’Ivoire from April 26 to May 18. An international football agent, who pleaded anonymity, exclusively told News Point Nigeria Tuesday night that Zubairu’s call was intended to prevent any distractions during the training period. The agent revealed that the Flying Eagles coach has turned off his two main…
NASARAWA United has been slammed with a ₦6 million fine and banished to Gombe State for their home matches following an attack on a Plateau United player. The Plateau United player Vincent Temitope was assaulted, leading to cuts on his neck, after some Nasarawa United supporters attacked him in a Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) game on Sunday. In a statement on Monday, the NPFL said the Solid Miners breached the rules of the football body for failure to “provide adequate & effective security” during the game. “Following these breaches, Nasarawa Utd have been banished to the Pantami Stadium in…
NIGERIA’s football has been plunged into deeper mourning following the death of Charles Bassey, another member of the iconic 1980 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)-winning Green Eagles squad. The former national team forward passed away on Saturday at the age of 71, just hours after the death of team captain and legend Christian Chukwu was confirmed. Read Also: President Tinubu, Atiku, Gov. Mbah mourn Nigerian football icon Christian Chukwu The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed Bassey’s passing in a statement issued on Sunday, describing it as a devastating blow to the nation’s football fraternity. “This has been a day of…
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have joined the long list of people, especially in the football family, in paying tribute to late Super Eagles hero Christian Chukwu, who died on Saturday. “Chairman,” as the late Nigerian football icon was called, died at 74, throwing family, friends, and the entire nation into mourning. In his tribute to the former centre defender, Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesman Bayo Onanuga, hailed the patriotism of Chukwu. “Christian Chukwu was more than a footballer and coach. He was a symbol of excellence and patriotism. He brought joy to millions,…
MANCHESTER United have opened negotiations with Napoli to sign Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen in the next summer transfer window. Osimhen, who played a crucial role in ending Napoli’s 33-year wait for the Serie A title, has emerged as a prime target for Man United manager Ruben Amorim, who sees the 26-year-old as a perfect fit to bolster his attacking options ahead of the 2025/26 season. According to Tuttosport, Napoli’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, is already in talks with United over a potential deal valued at around €70 million. Reports indicate the Red Devils could include Danish striker Rasmus Højlund as…
THE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said the proposed international friendly against Russia, slated for June international break, will go ahead as scheduled. A top NFF official, who pleaded anonymity, revealed that the controversial friendly will be played at the magnificent Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, contrary to rumours making the rounds that the match may have been called off. “The friendly is expected to go ahead as planned, barring any last-minute hitch. “This is the first time Nigeria will be engaging its Russian counterpart in the senior category, and the FA believes such a friendly will help the players get into…
THE Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has dissolved the board of the Ondo State Football Agency (ODSFA). The dissolution is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Akure by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan. This newspaper reports that ODSFA is the supervising agency of Sunshine Stars and Sunshine Queens. Sunshine Stars are currently 19th on the Nigeria Premier Football League(NPFL) log with 35 points. According to the statement, the dissolution, brings an end to the tenure of the Executive Chairman of the Board, Mr Bamidele Ologunloluwa, and other members. It directed them to hand…
SUPER Eagles coach Eric Chelle has revealed that he would name his strongest team for a historic friendly against Russia in Moscow during the June international break. “The core of the team from the matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe will get another chance to play against Russia in the friendly,” the coach told SCORENigeria. It will be the first-ever meeting at full international level Nigeria and Russia. Nigeria will also use the international break to feature in a four-nation invitational tournament in England that has perennial rivals Ghana, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago. It is believed that the coach will…
THE Nigerian Olympic Committee (NOC) announced it has met the March 28, 2025 deadline for expression of interest to bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Nigeria can only commence a formal bid with the backing of the country’s government. Nigeria lost a bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow. A statement released by NOC spokesman Tony Nezianya said that Nigeria’s bid for the 2030 Games in capital city Abuja will present a unique opportunity to showcase its development, enhance its global standing and invigorate its sports culture. Nigeria last hosted a major multi-sport event — the African Games…
MALI’s qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup, is a lesson that Nigeria can pick in developing youth football in Africa’s most populous country. Nigeria failed to qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, and missed out in contesting for a place in the 2025 U-17 World Cup set to be held in Qatar this November. By picking a continental ticket for Qatar 2025, Mali have once again underlined its status as a continental youth football powerhouse. The Aiglonnets secured their ticket with a 2-0 victory over the Central African Republic (CAR) in…
SUPER Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is confident that the team still have a chance in their bid for a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Malian seems to have forgotten the disappointment of the draw against Zimbabwe and are focused on subsequent matches, and how the three-time African champions would influence the chances of qualification for global football showpiece, to be jointly hosted by the United States of America, Canada and Mexico. The 47-year-old has laid out how Super Eagles can still qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite their slow start in the qualifiers. Before…
NO fewer than 53 Polytechnics have registered to participate in the 22nd edition of the Nigeria Polytechnic Games, which will officially begin on Saturday (today), April 5, at the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State. The Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee, Dr. Oluwakemi Ogungbamigbe, in a press release issued on Friday said the event would spread across eight days between April 5 and 12. The event will feature sports, cultural exchange and economic activities. She noted that the contingents from different polytechnics would compete in various events, including athletics, football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, chess, scrabble, handball, badminton, table tennis, judo, and…
THE latest FIFA ranking has placed Nigeria as the 43rd-best team across the globe. The World football governing body announced this on its X handle on Thursday. The ranking places Nigeria one step ahead as the Super Eagles rounded off 2024 in the 44th position. Argentina remained top thanks to impressive wins In second place is Spain and France is in third place. England is fourth, while Brazil ranked fifth, completing the top five. The Super Eagles’ latest improvement by one spot might not be unconnected to their latest form, beating Rwanda at home in their quest to qualify for…
A TOP official of the Nigeria Football Federation has described the reports making the rounds about a potential contract termination of Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle as fake news. Chelle was appointed as the Super Eagles coach in January on a two-year deal, which is subject to renewal, but the Franco-Malian coach was reportedly said to have mulled a shock exit talk, which forced the NFF to convene an emergency meeting. The gaffer was said to be uncertain over his future on the Nigerian job after the mixed results in March’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers which further left the country’s…