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  By Chimaobi J N.  The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Disciplinary Board has rejected Morocco’s protest seeking to have Senegal stripped of the AFCON 2025 title, officially confirming Senegal as champions of the tournament. In decisions released following the final, CAF imposed significant financial penalties and suspensions on both the Senegalese and Moroccan football federations, citing unsporting behaviour, crowd misconduct, and actions that brought the game into disrepute. Sanctions on Senegal The Senegal Football Federation (FSF) was hit with cumulative fines totaling $615,000 . These include: $300,000 for supporters’ improper conduct, $300,000 for unsporting behaviour by players and staff, as well as bringing the game into disrepute, $15,000 for misconduct linked to the five yellow cards received during the final. In addition, Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw was suspended for five official CAF matches and fined $100,000 for bringing the game i...

  By Chimaobi J N  Eighteen-year-old midfielder Ife Ibrahim , who is of Nigerian heritage, has taken a major step in his football career after signing his first professional contract with Arsenal Football Club . Ibrahim, whose parents are Nigerian, has been part of the Arsenal setup for 11 years , having joined the club at just seven years old . His professional deal marks the reward for years of steady development through the club’s renowned academy system and further underlines the growing Nigerian footprint in elite European football. The highly rated midfielder is regarded as one of the promising young talents within Arsenal’s youth ranks, known for his discipline, technical awareness and maturity beyond his age. His rise is being closely followed by football stakeholders in Nigeria, where interest continues to grow in players of Nigerian descent excelling abroad. Ibrahim has also benefited from guidance within the Arsenal first-team environment, particularly from Engl...

By Chimaobi J N Former Nigeria international footballer Sam Sodje was formally inducted into the Brentford Football Club League of Legends on January 23, 2026 , in recognition of his outstanding service and lasting impact on the club. In an official statement, Brentford FC said Sodje’s induction was based not only on his impressive contributions during his playing career but also on his continued commitment to the club since retiring from active football. The club highlighted that Sodje made 100 appearances for Brentford, scoring 14 goals , and played a key role in the team during his time in England. Beyond his on-field achievements, the club praised Sodje for his wider influence on Brentford’s growth and global profile. His move from Brentford to Reading FC in the English Premier League, coupled with his call-up to the Nigeria national team, the Super Eagles , helped raise the club’s profile internationally. Brentford noted that this visibility made the club more attractive to...

By Dr. Godwin Orhadahwe Activities have resumed in the ongoing Sheriff Oborevwori U-17 Unity Football Cup Competition for the Delta Central Senatorial District, as organizers intensify preparations for the semi-final and final stages of the tournament. The grassroots football competition is powered by Arthur Fedinand Limited. In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and former Super Eagles international striker, Edema Fuludu, it was confirmed that Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved Sunday, February 8, 2026, as the date for the grand finale of the tournament. The LOC has therefore directed all committee members and sub-committees to commence final preparations ahead of the decisive matches. The semi-final fixtures have also been officially announced. The first semi-final encounter between Uvwie and Ethiope West will take place on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at the Ogor Technical College Football Field, Otor-Ogor. The second...

By Chimaobi J Nzoromobi  The International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS) has released its 2025 rankings of Africa’s strongest domestic football leagues, with Egypt’s Nile League emerging as the continent’s top-performing competition. According to the global football statistics body, the Egyptian league claimed the number one position ahead of Morocco’s Botola Pro, which finished second, while South Africa’s Betway Premiership completed the top three. The rankings reflect overall league performances in continental competitions, club results, and consistency over the assessment period. Algeria’s Ligue Professionnelle 1 placed fourth, narrowly missing out on the podium, followed by Tunisia in fifth position. East Africa recorded a strong showing, with Tanzania’s NBC Premier League ranked sixth, ahead of DR Congo’s Linafoot Ligue 1 in seventh. Mali’s Ligue 1 Orange, Angola’s Girabola, and Ivory Coast’s Ligue 1 Lonaci rounded off the top ten, underlining the gr...

  By Chimaobi J NZOROMOBI  The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has imposed a series of stringent sanctions on Algeria following multiple acts of misconduct during their recent fixture against Nigeria, underscoring the governing body’s zero-tolerance stance on indiscipline and security breaches at continental competitions. In a statement released after a disciplinary review, CAF confirmed that Algerian players Zidane and Belghali have each been handed a two-match suspension for their roles in the incidents. The bans will take immediate effect and apply to all CAF-sanctioned competitions, dealing a significant blow to the North African side’s squad depth. Beyond individual punishments, CAF also levied substantial financial penalties against Algeria for a range of offences. The sanctions include a €5,000 fine for improper conduct and a €25,000 fine for bad behaviour. Additional fines were imposed for crowd-related and safety violations: €5,000 for the use of flares, €5...

By Chimaobi J Nzoromobi  Leeds United FC of England have officially completed the signing of Nigerian defender Leonard Ngenge, who arrives from Nigeria Premier Football League side Remo Stars FC on a contract running until the end of the 2026/27 season.  The 18-year-old centre-back will join Leeds’ academy setup as part of the club’s long-term development strategy. Although recruited initially for youth ranks, Leeds United officials see significant potential in Ngenge’s abilities as he adapts to European football.  Ngenge made seven senior appearances for Remo Stars this season before his move to West Yorkshire and has already attracted attention with his early rise through Nigerian football. Before joining Remo Stars he featured prominently for Ikorodu City, where his performances in the Nigeria Premier Football League drew wider interest.  In addition to his club career, Ngenge has senior international experience, having been capped twice by the Nigeria national te...

  By Chimaobi j Nzoromobi  Ambassador Sheriff Mulade has reacted with profound appreciation and a renewed sense of duty following his appointment as the National Deputy President of the Nigeria National Mini Football Association (NIMFA). Speaking after formally receiving his appointment letter at the Africa For Peace Games Village (APGV), Ambassador Mulade expressed gratitude to the President of NIMFA, Alhaji Datti Umar Yusuf, the Secretary General, Paul Maduakor, and members of the national executive for finding him worthy of the position. He described the appointment as both an honour and a responsibility to further advance the growth of mini football in Nigeria. The Delta State Mini Football Association Chairman noted that the recognition was a testament to the collective efforts, dedication, and consistency of the Delta State executive in promoting the sport at both grassroots and competitive levels. He acknowledged the trust placed in him and Comrade Clarkson Ogo, assu...

By Chimaobi J Nzoromobi  Rabat, Morocco — Nigeria’s Super Eagles have emerged as one of the most compelling stories at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with multiple players included in the prestigious AFCON Team of the Tournament following a dramatic showcase in Morocco. The selections underline the significant contributions by Nigerian stars on the continental stage, even as Senegal clinched the title in controversial fashion on January 18, 2026.   Nigerian Stars Among Continent’s Elite The Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) Team of the Tournament features several Nigerians who were central to the Super Eagles’ deep run: Victor Osimhen – The talismanic forward, captain of the Super Eagles, once again demonstrated his world-class quality throughout the competition. Ademola Lookman – The Atalanta midfielder/winger lit up Morocco with eye-catching performances, contributing key goals and assists. Bruno Onyemaechi – Nigeria’s defensive resoluteness was rewarded with a...

By Chimaobi J Nzoromobi  Former Super Eagles defender Sam Sodje has praised the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco for its remarkable commercial growth and rising global profile, while also voicing concerns over what he described as questionable officiating at key moments of the tournament. Speaking on the overall impact of AFCON 2025, Sodje said the competition has taken a major step forward in how African football is perceived and valued worldwide. He noted that the tournament has attracted unprecedented interest from sponsors, broadcasters and international audiences, underlining its transformation into a truly global football product. CAF figures show that revenues from the Morocco 2025 edition increased by over 90 per cent compared to previous tournaments, fuelled by new sponsorship deals, expanded television rights and partnerships across Europe and Asia. The number of commercial partners also jumped significantly — from nine at AFCON 2021 to 23 in 2025 — whil...

By Chimaobi J Nzoromobi  Oslo, Norway — Nigerian teenage winger Promise Meliga Jr. has taken a significant step in his professional football journey after joining Vålerenga Fotball , one of Norway’s top-tier clubs in the Eliteserien. Meliga, born on August 21, 2007 , rose through the ranks of Beyond Limits Football Academy , a Nigerian talent hub known for producing export-ready players, and earned a long-term contract with Vålerenga after impressing during trials and training sessions. Standing out for his blistering pace, creativity, and technical skill, the Nigerian winger has drawn comparisons to world-class attackers — even being dubbed the next “Nigerian Mbappé” by some pundits due to his style and potential. His rise from local academy football to European professional ranks highlights the increasing influence of Nigerian youth development programs on the global stage. Meliga’s breakthrough moment came in Vålerenga’s recent Oslo Derby in the Eliteserien, where he mad...

  By Chimaobi J Nzoromobi  German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig have reached a full agreement with Slovakian club AS Trenčín for the signing of Nigerian winger Sani Suleiman in a deal worth €7 million. The 19-year-old, who rose to prominence in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) with Akwa United, is scheduled to undergo his medical examination later this week, a key step before the completion of the transfer. Suleiman has already given his consent to the move, choosing RB Leipzig despite strong interest from several English Premier League and Spanish La Liga clubs. Leipzig’s clear development pathway for young talents is understood to have played a major role in convincing the highly rated winger. The transfer marks another major milestone in Suleiman’s rapidly rising career and further underlines the growing reputation of Nigerian football as a source of elite young talent for top European clubs.

By Chimaobi J Nzoromobi.  One year since his appointment as head coach of the Nigeria senior men’s national football team , Éric Sékou Chelle has quietly reshaped the Super Eagles into a more structured and effective unit — both statistically and tactically. Chelle, a former Mali international and experienced manager with a varied résumé across Africa and Europe, took over the Super Eagles on 7 January 2025 . From the outset his arrival divided opinion in Nigeria, with some critics questioning his experience and suitability. Yet, twelve months on, results, performance, and team identity tell a very different story. Solid Foundation: One Year in Numbers Overall record (since Jan 2025): 16 matches 10 wins 5 draws 1 loss 34 goals scored 15 goals conceded This translates to an impressive 2+ points per game average — one of the best in recent Super Eagles managerial history. Tactically, Chelle has overseen goals in every senior match , a testament to improved offensive c...

  By Chimaobi J Nzoromobi  Players and officials of Warri Wolves FC reportedly escaped an armed robbery attack following their Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) Matchday 16 fixture against Plateau United, after embarking on a late-night road journey back home allegedly to financial constraints. According to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity, the Seasiders were initially scheduled to make a stopover in Lokoja and spend the night after the match. However, the plan was abandoned as the club could not afford hotel accommodation, forcing the team to continue the journey through the night. The source revealed that the team narrowly escaped an attack by suspected armed robbers around the Kwale axis of Delta State in the early hours of the return trip. No casualties were reported, and the players, technical crew, and support staff were said to be visibly shaken by the incident. It was further gathered that the entire travelling party was compelled to use a sin...

  By Chimaobi J Nzoromobi  Ex Sharp Shooters Football Club on Friday, January 10, 2026, organised their first reunion party in over 30 years, bringing together former players, coaches and football stakeholders in a colourful celebration of friendship, discipline and grassroots football development. The highlight of the reunion was the honour bestowed on former head coach, Benjamin Okomoh , who was gifted Two  million naira by his ex-players in appreciation of the discipline, mentorship and values he instilled in them during their playing days. His former assistant coach was also honoured with a cash gift of over six hundred thousand naira for his contribution to the team’s growth and development. Activities for the day began with a novelty football match at Crane Field International School by 4pm, featuring Ex Sharp Shooters FC players against a team of selected ex-players. The friendly encounter rekindled old rivalries and memories, drawing applause from spectators...

  By Chimaobi J Nzoromobi  Former Super Eagles defender Sam Sodje has congratulated the Nigerian national team following their impressive 2–0 victory over Algeria in the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations. Sodje praised the team’s discipline, tactical organisation and attacking efficiency, describing the performance as a clear statement of intent at the tournament. He singled out the second-half display as decisive, noting that the goals showed the hunger and quality within the squad. The ex-international also commended the leadership within the team and the unity displayed by the players, stressing that such qualities are vital at the knockout stage of major tournaments. According to him, the Super Eagles controlled the game and deservedly secured their place in the semi-finals. Speaking from his base in London on Saturday, Sodje urged the players to remain focused as the competition progresses, reminding them that tougher challenges lie ahead. He expressed confi...

  Nigeria produced a composed and authoritative performance to defeat Algeria 2–0 in their Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash, securing a place in the semi-finals. After a cagey first half that ended goalless, the Super Eagles stepped up the tempo following the restart and were rewarded in the 47th minute when Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock. The striker capitalised on sustained Nigerian pressure to put his side in front and tilt the momentum firmly in their favour. Algeria struggled to respond and failed to register a single shot on target throughout the encounter. Nigeria continued to dominate proceedings and doubled their advantage in the 57th minute through Ademola Lookman Adams, whose well-taken goal effectively put the contest beyond reach. The match statistics underlined Nigeria’s control. The Super Eagles recorded 12 shots to Algeria’s 2, with 5 of those efforts on target, while Algeria managed none. Nigeria also enjoyed superior possession with 59 percent of t...

  By Chimaobi J Nzoromobi  Morocco booked their place in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations with a composed 2–0 victory over Cameroon in a quarter-final encounter played on Friday. Goals in each half from Brahim Díaz and Ismaël Saibari sealed the win for the Atlas Lions, despite Cameroon enjoying more of the ball. Morocco opened the scoring in the 26th minute when Brahim Díaz finished clinically to give his side a deserved first-half lead. Cameroon struggled to respond effectively, failing to register a single shot on target despite dominating possession for large spells of the game. The Atlas Lions doubled their advantage in the 74th minute through Ismaël Saibari , who capitalised on Morocco’s attacking intent to put the result beyond doubt. Cameroon pushed forward in search of a way back but lacked cutting edge in the final third. Match statistics reflected Morocco’s efficiency. While Cameroon had 59% possession , they managed just three shots , with none on t...

By Chimaobi J Nzoromobi Rev Victor Ekpe was crowned Most Valuable Player at 2025 Chevron All Stars Warri Gala and Award Night, held in grand style at the Chevron Recreational Centre in Warri, Delta State. The colorful event  brought together players, officials and football enthusiasts to celebrate outstanding performances recorded during the football year. The event highlighted excellence, discipline and commitment within the Chevron All Stars Warri football family. The highlight of the night was the crowning of Rev Victor Ekpe as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Year, a recognition of his exceptional impact, leadership and consistency throughout the season. Other major individual awards reflected the depth of talent within the club, with Oghenetejiri Sagba emerging as Outstanding Young Player of the Year, while Efe Moore was named Most Disciplined Player of the Year. Pastor Goodluck Ebireri won the Most Committed Player of the Year award, and Onyeka David was honoured as Most...